Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

History of New Rockford- May 6, 2019

The May 23, 1902, “New Rockford Transcript” carried an item stating that Chauncey Lathrop, the manager of the Hotel Davies, would have an $18,000 three-story brick hotel building erected on Chicago Street [it wasn’t.]

W.O. Baird had several cows and heifers for sale. Recently J.W. Carroll had taken three carloads of young cattle to Carrington from his Lake Washington Ranch. H. Peoples was expecting a shipment of DeLaval Cream Separators sometime in the next week.

A Card of Thanks was printed from Mr. and Mrs. Fred Berndt to “the kind people who contributed financial assistance to them,” which brought “health and happiness to our home.”

Miss Dora Lenschner of Kiner was visiting her sister Mrs. Peter Prader and family. Mrs. Harry Campbell was visiting for a few weeks with her parents Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Clark. The following were described as living “bachelor-lives” because their wives were out of town: W.O. Baird, H.G. Gage, A.M. Greely, P.J. Hester, F. Howard, J.W. Rager, Benjamin W. Rantz, and E.S. Severtson.

The diphtheria quarantine had been lifted on the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy O’Connor.

W.O. Baird and Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Pake had recently joined the Order of the Eastern Star.

William Thorn had taken up at his farm 4 miles northeast of New Rockford a red and white steer, two years old, with a rope around its horns. The owner could have it by paying the charges. H. Peoples had taken up a bay pony with a white face, nine-years-old, 900 lbs.

Recently Barlow mayor P.C. Peterson bored a well 6 inches in diameter down 74 feet and hit water. The pressure pushed the stream several feet into the air before it was capped. It was described as soft water, “just like snow water.”

During the week Thomas Turner and his son Carroll were up from Barlow between trains.

On the morning of May 23, elevator man H.G. Gage joined Park Commissioner J.W. Stoddard’s crew in raking the downtown park. Elevator man Oscar Bauer worked with a pitchfork in the park, while Dr. McNamara used a lawn mower. Stoddard and his crew cut grass and trimmed trees in the park; scythes had to be used because of the tall grass. R.P. Allison and John VonAlmen were among those who hoisted the scythes. Dan R. Ducke came in from eastern Eddy County. Merritt Lathrop was in on business. Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Geiger were in shopping. That afternoon the material for the amphitheater was hauled out to the site near the race track west of town; construction began the next day. Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Thomson entertained the Kindergarten Whist Club at their home 7 miles northeast of New Rockford; there was an excellent luncheon.

On May 23 to 24, Dr. F.W. Soule, eye specialist, was in New Rockford. The evening of May 23, the Beaty Bros. Moving Picture Company was at the Hotel Davies. Tickets were 25 cents, 35 cents and 50 cents.

On May 23 and 24, eighth grade completion exams were given in the courthouse and the Sheyenne School; successful candidates received a common school diploma.

On May 24, Ed Wright was in from Tiffany. Elevatorman A.H. Johnson and Rev. E.T. Quam were down from Sheyenne. Young farmer Christ C. Hanson came into town with his fine five-year-old matched pair of spotted horses, each with the same three white feet. Martha Pomranke was in shopping. Frank Greitl was up from Barney Engberg’s large farm south of New Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Bosworth and children were in from their farm southwest of town. John Topp was in from his farm near McHenry on business. J.T. Wiltsie went to Fargo; from there he would go to the Twin Cities on business and visit his farm near Lisbon; he returned on May 28. E.S. Severtson went to Fessenden on business. Lightning struck the large barn belonging to J.R. Engberg in southern Eddy County, and it burned to the ground; it was insured for half its value. On that day a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. William Bucklin.

That day was the birthday of Britain’s Queen Victoria, so several New Rockford homes flew both the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes.

On the afternoon of May 24, the Eddy County Early Settlers’ Association officers met in the courthouse to discuss the date for that organization’s annual summer meeting and to begin making arrangements. Vice president J.W. Richter presided. They voted to hold the summer meeting in the former Robert’s Grove on the Sheyenne River; its new name was the Peoples’ Grove. Committees selected were Finance—A.W. Greely, G.W. Johnston, H.J. Mitchell, J.W. Richter; On Grounds—Sylvanus Marriage, John Schaefer, Martin Walsh; On Sports—James Dafoe, Charles Evenson, C.C. Manning, Dr. Charles McNamara, George Setz, R.R. Woodward; Entertainment—Rev. J.R. Beebe, H.M. Clark, W.A. Cornish, Went Mcgee, Mrs. O.B. Stedman, E.B. Thomson; On Music—F.L. Kermott, Dr. Charles MacLachlan, Mrs. H.J. Mitchell, Prof. J.N. Moore, D.Y. Stanton, J.W. Stoddard.

At 4 p.m. that day, J. Newton Moore organized a children’s singing class which would meet in the primary room of the school at 4 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. The cost was $1.50 per child for 12 lessons. The term would end with a children’s operetta. That evening, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was presented in Eiler’s Big Pavilion. There were 40 people in the company, plus donkeys, ponies, Uncle Tom and Topsy, Chloe and her Cabin, a superb band and orchestra, “and all the latest and most notable subjects in the Moving picture line,” all hauled in two special cars. A Grand Parade of the troop had been held that noon. That evening N.O. Powers and Theodore Quam rode their bicycles to New Rockford to see the show; however, the next day, Sunday, was too windy for them to make a return trip to Sheyenne, so they had to wait until Monday morning.

The “Transcript” was displeased with the performance of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” It was “more like a burlesque than a serious play.” Also the actors did not seem to have “true conceptions of their roles.” Not only the “Transcript” reporter, but also the large crowd were “disgusted.” The one redeeming feature was the band.