History of New Rockford: June 15, 2020

The April 24, 1903, “Transcript” said the mail route from Oberon to Ft. Totten had been changed; it would go from Sheyenne to Ft. Totten.

Two ads—The East Side Livery Barn, Guss Gullicks, prop. The New Rockford Shoe Store, John Wenz, prop. A professional notice: Dr. Charles MacLachlan, M.D., residence Stimson Ave. West, telephone 4-3-b; physician and surgeon, offices over the Central Drug Store [Buck & Couch Drug Store], telephone 4-3-a. “Wanted—a girl for general housework; see Mrs. S.N. Putnam.” For sale: one single buggy, one single harness by A.H. Wilson at the Powers Elevator.

“The Thoroughbred Percheron Stallion GEORGE owned by Jacob Allmaras will stand for the season of 1903 at my barn in New Rockford. E.H. MARTIN.”

An item stated that Guss Gullicks had purchased the East Side Livery Barn, where he planned to have many horses for sale early the next week. However, the May 1 “Transcript” said that H.V. Nelson, J.F. Rogers, and J.J. Mitchell were still the owners.

A note said that George D. Setz had sold his land in eastern Eddy County to H.S. Halverson of McHenry for $15,0000; Setz was thinking of starting a business in McHenry.

Another note said the creamery was doing a good business, churning 250 lbs. of butter a day.

Granville Egbert, formerly of Barlow and Carrington, was a barber in the shop recently started in McHenry by Judson Galbraith.

A number of residents were planting trees.

Mrs. W.A. Cornish of Tiffany had recovered from pneumonia. Mrs. H.G. Hudson had been ill during the week, but was feeling better.

The previous week a large prairie fire pushed by a strong wind in eastern Tiffany Township threatened some buildings, but none burned.

On April 24, John McVey took up at his farm 3½ miles south of New Rockford a 15-year-old gray pony, 950 lbs., branded with an “8” on the right shoulder. The owner could claim the pony at the Andy McVey farm 3½ miles southwest of town and pay the charges.

On April 24, Guy Lathrop returned from a winter “back east.” Steve Noxon was up from Valley City to look over the telephone business. Frank Graham and Andrew Johnson, Sr., were in from Tiffany on business. Methodist minister Rev. C.F. Sewrey was in Bismarck, where he would preach on April 26; there would be no services in the New Rockford Methodist Church, but the Sunday School and the Epworth League would meet. The minister returned on April 28.

From the evening of April 25 to April 27, Denhoff farm machinery dealer Erick Lindstrom was in New Rockford.

On April 25, Miss Norah Kennedy went to Fargo to help with the care of her six-year old brother Harold, who was under the supervision of Dr. Darrow in a Moorhead hospital. The boy was much improved and was expected home soon.

On Sunday, April 26, Rev. Evans of Minnesota preached in the Tiffany School. Mr. and Mrs. Ned Walsh were in town.

On April 27, H.L. Whithed, referee in the bankruptcy of New Rockford merchant R.R. Woodward, petitioned the federal district court to allow the sale of stock in Woodward’s general store and other personal property. A hearing on the petition would be held in Grand Forks on May 8.

On April 27, Mrs. Wintworth Magee of the Tiffany area and Mr. and Mrs. Tim O’Connor from west of town were in shopping. Morris postmaster D.D. Dailey and John Weipert came in on business. Foster County Treasurer E.T. Halaas came up for a visit and on business. David Geiger and his son John were in for spring supplies. John Jorgerson of Harvey visited in New Rockford. H.C. Johnson returned from the Twin Cities. Walter Schmid of Carrington and grain buyer John B. Arbogast of McHenry visited between trains. Miss Berdie Fuller came down from Oberon to visit Miss Gertrude McGeoch for a few days. Barber “Derby” Peterson went to Harvey to visit.

On April 27 to 28, jeweler F. Howard was in Esmond. C.J. Maddux was in Jamestown on legal business.

From April 27 until May 1, abstracter George Ackerman was in Towner on business.

On April 28, Horace Buffington received the news of his mother’s death from the flu and old age; she was 82. F.L. Kermott came down from Sheyenne and P.C. Peterson was up from Barlow on business. W.G. Carter was in buying supplies. Sheyenne barber H.G. Miller and Sheyenne bank cashier S.G. Severtson were in town. R.F. Violett returned from the Twin Cities. Lloyd Whiteman went to Oberon to run the drug store there while the owner was away. Miss Nettie Jensen left for Ross, N.D., where she would work in a large store. The superintendent of the NP waterworks in New Rockford, B.B. Brown, and his wife took the westbound train out of Jamestown for the Pacific Coast, where they would remain a month.

That afternoon Chris Johnson was working at the Clure Implement Company yard when the cross-arm of the hoist struck him under the right eye, causing a cut a couple of inches long. There was no damage to the eye, except for the black and blue color which developed around it.

On April 29, Carl T. Sylling of Eden, Orrin Foster and Charles Dinnetz from northwest of town, Fred F. Allmaras from his farm southwest of town, John Dodds, and John Wren were in on business. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clure arrived from Hastings, Minnesota, to visit their son A.J. Clure and his wife. James Hobbs was in for supplies. G.W. Johnston came to town. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Larson returned from Boulder, Colo., where they had been for a year and a half for his health which was much improved. Miss Harriet Turner returned from McHenry. Dr. William Bartley was down from Sheyenne on a professional visit. Otto Forey went to Esmond for a few days.

At 8 p.m., Sgt. T.P. Morris gave a talk at the Congregational Church on his military life on the frontier in the early 1860s; it was sponsored by the Masons. He had lived in Eddy County for over twenty years and had been in the military for either 51 or 52 years. Extra chairs were added, and it was a standing room only event. Rev. J.R. Beebe introduced the sergeant, who spoke for over an hour. J.W. Stoddard sang two solos, G.A. Erickson and Mrs. H.J. Mitchell provided instrumental music, and the Masonic Double Quartet sang. The Masons presented the sergeant with a leather-upholstered, antique oak rocking chair.

On April 30, the Tiffany Ladies’ Aid met at Mrs. B.W. Hersey’s. D.B. Wellman returned from a long visit to his old home in Illinois. Will Skidmore drove in from Tiffany to New Rockford [probably on April 30]. Henry and Ole Johnson, Martin Larson of Plainview, S.O. Lee, and J.R. Craig were in on business. Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Rodenberg and family went to Casselton to visit her parents; Mr. Rodenberg returned on May 2, but his family would remain until their new house on Stimson Avenue West was completed. Attorney R.F. Rinker went to Bismarck on business; he returned on May 2. That evening there was a dance at the Hotel Mattson put on by the staff.