History of New Rockford: July 26, 2021

On April 7, 1904, Van Dorn Gilchrist returned from a long visit to Wisconsin and Minnesota; his wife was confined to a Milwaukee hospital with an illness that had lasted most of the winter. George Abbey was in town, looking after his business interests. Frank Parker, salesman at Prader and Goss’s, left on the train for the Twin Cities and other Minnesota points; he returned on April 13.

The April 8, 1904, “Transcript” said that Paul Baeder was a new clerk at Prader and Goss’s general store.

In School Notes, during the week the Literary Society met; Charles Maddux returned to school; Nellie Clauser, Edna Wilson, who would soon move to Oregon with her family, and James Brown had left school; Prof. Muir was drilling a squad of boys in military tactics; Alberta Gardner had led the fourth grade in the arithmetic examination with 100; 17 others were between 95 and 100. In the third grade, Olive Kennedy and Robert Tarbell each had 100 in language, and Mary Hawthorne had 100 in arithmetic.

The one-year old child of Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Lorig was very ill.

An item said that drayman Art Larkin had helped move Hans Jenson’s “Missouri Nightingale” [donkey] from a barn in the eastern part of town to the Davies Livery Barn. “For the benefit of the many admirers of high-grade, operatic music,” the “singer” was especially vocal around dawn. His name was Jack and would stand for service during the 1904 season; he was “A Sure Foal Getter.”

On April 8, Thomas Adam received word that his father had died at his home near Tower City; he left that evening on the delayed train for the funeral; he returned on April 13. Mr. and Mrs. M.F. Day of Goodrich arrived to visit her brother A.H. Wilson and his family before they left for Oregon. That evening, the Degree of Honor sponsored an After-Easter Ball (postponed from the previous evening due to the weather) which was well-attended; admission was 75 cents. Mrs. George Brown served ice cream and cake.

On the morning of April 9, Walter Lyon, who had come up from Minneapolis about two weeks before, and had gone to work for Thomas Adam southeast of town, began acting strangely. The family thought he had gone insane and called Sheriff J.E. Bennett, who brought him into New Rockford, where he was diagnosed with typhoid fever. A skilled nurse watched over him, but the disease had progressed too far and on April 12, he passed away. Originally from Philadelphia, Lyon had been living in Minneapolis, where he had left his wife while he looked for work. Because the telegraph wires were down, his wife could not be notified of his condition. He was buried on April 13. George O. Curt of Minneapolis arrived on April 14, and was making arrangements for the final interment of the body, probably in Philadelphia. Horace Buffington received news that his father, age 94, had passed away at Jamestown, N.Y. Ruth Reutenik returned from the John Pisel farm northwest of town, where she had been nursing Mrs. Pisel for several days. Merchant G.J. Schwoebel returned from a lengthy trip to Washington, Oregon, and California; his health had improved. Isaac Walden came in from southeast of town on business. Barlow farmer Andrew Melberg was up on business. F.C. Davies sold at public auction, at his livery barn near the Hotel Davies, 25 driving and work horses, buggies, harness, etc. A large number of farmers were there.

On Sunday, April 10, Presiding Elder J.G. Moore preached and administered the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at the Methodist Church.

On the morning of April 11, Patrick O’Keefe and Kate Heelely [sp?] were married in the Catholic Church, Father W.A. Gallahue officiated, in front of a large gathering of relatives and friends. “A sumptuous wedding dinner” followed at their farm home west of New Rockford. At 11 a.m., Lucinda M. and H.G. Lathrop held a public sale of horses, cattle, and farm machinery on their place three miles west of Shannon’s ranch. A free lunch was served at noon. A.M. Hegvold arrived to take A.H. Wilson’s place as manager of the Powers Elevator and Lumberyard. Barlow merchant Thomas Turner came up on business. Jacob Chamberlain arrived from his California home, probably for the summer. C.J. Maddux returned from a business trip to some eastern cities. That evening, there was a meeting of the Masonic Lodge; Dr. William Bartley of Sheyenne attended. That evening, Sheyenne bank cashier S.G. Severtson was in New Rockford.

On April 11 and 12, J.W. Perry of Esmond was in town on business.

On April 12, what was referred to as “the feeble-minded child” of Mr. and Mrs. Ole G. Golson died in Jamestown, where the child had been taken a couple years before. The next day, the remains were shipped to New Rockford, taken out to eastern Eddy County, and buried in the Knox Cemetery. [There appears to be no “Golson” graves in Eddy County.] Peter Crane of the Crane and Losee ranch near Tiffany bought a thoroughbred Shorthorn yearling bull from J.W. Richter. J.D. McKechnie and L.J. Doyle came up from Carrington. Mrs. Joseph Maxwell returned from a short visit to Carrington. Katie (Mrs. Thomas) Turner came up from Barlow to visit. Erick Lindstrom returned from his claim near Goodrich. “Derby” Peterson was over from Harvey to visit. Chairman W.C. Dresser called a meeting of the Commercial Association of New Rockford for 8 p.m. at the Maddux Law Offices. That evening, twin sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. R.L. Allison in Esmond.

On April 12 and 13, Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Buck were in Barlow. B.G. Arbogast was in Jamestown on business.

On the morning of April 13, an 8 lb. daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mutchler southeast of town. Mrs. P.J. Hester and Blanche were up from Carrington to visit. M. Mattson came down from his Sheyenne Valley farm. B.T. Fay came home from a winter’s visit to his old home in Iowa. Mary Jenson left for her claim near Flora, where she would remain during the spring. Mr. and Mrs. R.P. Allison went to Esmond to see their twin grandsons.

On April 14, Guy Voight of Council Bluffs, Iowa, arrived to visit his uncle and aunt Mr. and Mrs. Guss Gullicks. Father W.A. Gallahue returned from Jamestown. Jamestown attorney S.F. Ellsworth was in town between trains, visiting and looking after business.

The April 15, 1904, “Transcript” said that first-year New Rockford teacher Olive Saunders, who had taught at Sheldon, N.D., two years before, had been offered a position in that school and had turned in her resignation, which the school board reluctantly accepted. The First National Bank had added a new Densmore typewriter.

For sale by E. Starks: a heavy work harness, a light driving harness, two gang plows, one sulky plow, one lumber wagon, one fanning mill. Lost: a rolled gold breast pin with bangles and two garnet sets. See A.A. Pettit for a reward.