History of New Rockford- Dec. 3, 2018

On Feb. 11, 1902, May M. Keime came up from Jamestown to visit for several days. Fred LaHue was visiting in New Rockford, as were Sheyenne harness maker M.H. Oliver, S.P. Pisel and H.A. Buffington. Jacob Allmaras, T.M. Huff, and Christ Berge came in on business. W.G. Carter was in town for the first time since a horse kicked him and broke his leg; he was using crutches. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman Shoemaker were in from Tiffany to shop. A.P. Melberg came up from his farm near Barlow for material for the large barn with a stone foundation he was building. Oscar Bauer returned from Nome, N.D., and took charge of the Monarch Elevator. That afternoon over 20 women took advantage of Ladies’ Day at the bowling alley. At 8:30 p.m., H.L. Lyon’s dancing class met; the three-step was taught. That evening a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Ohrner.

On Feb. 12, Robert Utecht was in town. W.J. Morris and S.O. Lee were in from Plainview. George J. Schwoebel returned from his eastern trip of six weeks. Martin Larson came in from southwest of town. William Skidmore was in town; his brother Fred had recently undergone an operation in St. Paul and was doing very well; however, another brother had been very ill in New York state, so he went by train to the East, but by the time he arrived, his brother had passed away. Skidmore was helping his sister-in-law settle the estate. Mr. and Mrs. Leroy May moved from Minnewaukan to New Rockford. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. H.M. Clark. Mrs. D.H. Clarkson, wife of Rev. Clarkson, the pastor in charge of the Episcopal churches in the District, died at her home in Jamestown. The funeral took place at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 14. Prof. Leroy L. Boord left for his home in Philadelphia after spending a couple weeks with his sister Mrs. W.E. Biggs and family. [An earlier story had him living in southern California.] Merchant George Pike went to the Twin Cities for a few days and then went to visit relatives in Fon du Lac, Wis.; he returned on Feb. 20. Klem Moe went to Fargo for the Magnetic Institute’s treatment for rheumatism. Mrs. W.E. Biggs and son Mont went to Jamestown for the play “The Christian” that evening; they returned the next day. That night there was a heavy snow.

On Feb. 13, C.C. Hanson came in from Plainview. Rev. J.R. Beebe returned from a short trip to Courtenay and Valley City; he attended the Council of Congregational Churches. William Johnson of Twist died that day; he had fallen about two weeks prior and never regained consciousness. In the law offices of C.J. Maddux, W.J. Stanton sold his “fine farm” to John W. Rager, who had several quarters adjoining it. Rager also purchased Stanton’s horses, cattle, hogs, machinery, hay, feed, etc. Stanton’s asthma would not allow him to continue as a farmer, so he, his wife, and their children had to leave the farm. H. Peoples and E.S. Severtson of the Bank of New Rockford left for a business trip to the Twin Cities; assistant cashier P.J. Braman was in charge until they returned. Severtson returned on Feb. 17.

That evening over 200 people attended the “Shoe Social” hosted by the Methodist Ladies Aid Society. There were speeches, music played on Frank Howard’s graphophone, and songs by a male quartet and “the little folks.” R.P. Allison gave an address. D.Y. Stanton was the “shoe measurer” and he measured 200 pairs. A “delicious lunch” was served, and “A neat sum was realized….”

The Feb, 14, 1902, “Transcript” mentioned the “Nelson County Observer” and the “Reynolds Enterprise.” An ad—Miller the Tailor-cleaning, pressing, dyeing. John Anderson had the 1902 styles from the American Wall Paper Co. of Chicago. A 100 pound black and white spotted pig had strayed from the W.C. Beardsley farm. Former Eddy County resident, barber, and musician Ira Oard was living in Bismarck.

T.H. Maher had put up a new sign outside his barber shop in the Logan & Farley Restaurant. H.A. Berge’s “County Seal” and “County Seat” cigars were selling so well he had to add to his work force.

Attorney R.P. Allison had sold the Mary Peterson Estate in Plainview to O.W. Johnson of Arlington, S.D., for $1,800; he was the brother of H.B. Johnson. Allison had also sold the Curtis Estate to Thomas Severson for close to $20 per acre.

Several days prior, veterinarian J.C. Whiteman had loaned his copy of Williams’ “Treatise on the Horse” to someone, but he couldn’t remember whom. Whiteman needed the book for his business and would appreciate its return.

Earlier in the week J.J. Murphy came in from eastern Eddy County on business. During the week John Monahan purchased a carload of cattle in Wisconsin. Dr. Charles MacLachlan was in Jamestown a few days that week.

For a few days that week Noxon Bros., who owned and operated the telephone line in Valley City, were in New Rockford determining the public’s response to putting in a telephone exchange. The “Transcript” explained that a local exchange was the first step toward a long distance connection. The Northwestern Telephone Co. owned and operated all such lines in the Northwest and would not go into any town without a local exchange. The paper said that New Rockford people were enthusiastic for a telephone connection.

Peter Halverson was over from Harvey to visit his old home in the Sheyenne Valley.

The previous week Elmer E. Evans was over from McHenry. Mattson Hotel clerk J.W. Young spent a couple days at his farm.

On Feb. 14, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Johnson Sr., shopped in New Rockford. Herbert Kidd was down from Sheyenne. J.F. Dembiczki, owner of the bowling alley, went to Lidgerwood to bring his family to New Rockford; they arrived on Feb. 19 and moved into the house on New Haven Street just north of Mr. and Mrs. M.B. Hersey’s. William Sanders of eastern Wells County returned from Fargo, where he had placed his 11-year old son in the Magnetic Institute for the treatment of his rheumatism. The officers and the executive committee of the Early Settlers’ Association met in the court house, president Thomas Turner presiding; they voted not to have a winter meeting. That evening the Second Annual AOUW (Workmen) Ball was held in Barlow; it was well-attended.