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Post by Eric Standridge on Nov 14, 2011 23:56:48 GMT -6
R. S. Bridgman moved his family from Hackett, Arkansas to Poteau in 1896, at which time he purchased the Poteau News and began a furniture store. The furniture store was located on the first floor of a two story building, while the newspaper press was operated from the second floor. After several years of operating the paper, Bridgman sold the newspaper and moved the furniture store to a location on Dewey Avenue. After several productive years, he enlarged the building.
R. S. Bridgman was the president of the school board in 1900.
R. S. Bridgman was joined by his son, P. O. Bridgman, Sr. around 1905. A few years later, R. S. Bridgman retired from the furniture store and opened a new dry goods store with a younger son, Robert Bridgman, in Wister.
R. S. Bridgman was mayor of Poteau from 1912 to 1914. He helped establish the first law that pertained to the speed of automobiles and horses. Nothing over 8 miles per hour was permitted on Dewey Avenue, and not over 10 miles per hour on other streets of the city.
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