History of New Rockford: Sept. 13, 2021

The May 27, 1904, “Transcript” said that seeding of wheat and oats was almost done and the farmers were ready to seed flax and the later grains.

S.O. Lee had taken up a red heifer at his farm fifteen miles southeast of New Rockford. A three-year old sorrel mare, white stripe in face, one white hind foot, had strayed from the C.E. Clure farm northwest of New Rockford. Contact W.F. Bailey.

The Belgum and Schlong Studio had received its “new machine for taking pictures.” Cigarmaker H.J. Radtke had received the boxes for his new ten-cent cigar, “The Empress,” a clear Havana filler. H. Peoples and Co. had just received a carload of southern-grown millet for sale. P.H. West had 100 tons of ice for sale.

M.H. Pelton was improving after a bout with pneumonia.

In School Notes, Margaret Ford came in to take the final high school examinations. Miss Trainor reported that the following intermediate students had perfect attendance for the year: Anna Ackerman, Maggie Ford, Loyle Goss, Anna Gronvold, Elmer Gronvold, and Mabel House. Miss Saunders reported that Emilia Ackerman, Mary Ackerman, Ulah Hylton, and George Winslow had perfect attendance for the year in the second primary. Teachers who signed or re-signed for the new school year were Robert T. Muir, principal; Miss Lund of Kindred, eighth grade and assistant in the high school; Miss Hutchinson of Iowa, second intermediate; Miss Trainor, first intermediate; Miss Weiss of Crystal, second primary; and Miss Schmidt of Jamestown, primary.

May 27 was the last day of school. Miss Trainor was going to spend her vacation on her claim near Voltaire. Miss Young was going home to Tabor, Iowa, for the summer. Mrs. Hugh Carr would remain in New Rockford, while Miss Saunders would be at her home in Oberon. Miss Richards would be at home with her folks in Wabasha, Wis. Principal Muir was going to the World’s Fair in St. Louis.

On May 27, Col. Lounsberry, special examiner of the Land Department, was in town between trains. A.E. Wiltsie left for Athens, Ontario, Canada, where his mother was very ill; he returned July 23. He spent July Fourth in New York State. His mother was much improved. Adam Forepaugh appeared at H.G. Hudson’s that evening.

On May 27 and 28, Miss Alberta Borthwick was in from Freeborn to take the teachers’ examination.

On May 28, Miss Frances Thomson returned from Dickinson, where she was a teacher, to spend the summer months with her parents Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Thomson, northeast of town. Eleanor VanDuzer, who also taught at Dickinson, arrived to spend a few days visiting before going on to her home in Decatur, Mich. Dr. T.H. MacLachlan and Mrs. Oliver drove over from McHenry; the next day they visited with friends, and on May 30, returned home with Mrs. MacLachlan, neé Helen Oliver, who had been visiting Sarah West. Mrs. Ed Martin went to Minneapolis, where she had an operation for appendicitis at St. Barnabas Hospital on May 31. That evening, a farewell party for Harold K. Riter took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Pettit; about 50 of his young friends enjoyed music, dancing, and a supper. Mr. Riter left for his home in Riverside, Mich., on May 30.

On May 28, Austin Z. Hamilton and Mrs. Alice L. Gardner, formerly of Eddy County, were married in Spokane, Wash.

On May 30, the one-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Auden Martinson, who lived southeast of New Rockford, died of diphtheria; five other children were infected, but were recovering. B.J. “Ben” Reutenik arrived from Cleveland, Ohio, to visit his father Rev. N. Reutenik; he left for home on July 1. Sarah West went to McHenry to visit and would then go to Cooperstown to see her sister; she returned on June 7. Frank Treffry had taken a position in Hudson’s fruit and confectionary store and would assist Frank Hudson while H.G. Hudson was absent. Rev. F.L. Gehrs of the New Rockford German Lutheran Church left for a church conference in Minneapolis; from there he would go to Chicago to be married; and after a wedding trip to some eastern states, they returned to New Rockford on July 29.

On May 30-31, Misses Agnes and Gladys Kunkel of Fessenden drove over to visit their uncle Nels Kunkel and family; they were accompanied by Ethel Regan. C.J. Maddux and T.H. Lahart were in McHenry on business.

On May 31, John Monahan returned from St. Paul with the news that the operation on his son Eddie had been “highly successful.” Barlow merchant Thomas Turner came up for a few days to visit and to attend court. R.M. Kennedy went to St. Paul, where his small son Harold was in the hospital, but who had made such good progress that the doctor felt he could make the return trip to New Rockford. Master Paul Kunkel accompanied R.M. Kennedy to St. Paul to have his hip examined by specialists. All three returned on June 7. Harold was able to get around with crutches, and Paul’s hip had improved, so that the doctors had given him a somewhat optimistic prognosis. That evening, there was a dance in the Hotel Davies dining room; refreshments were served. Dr. C.J. McNamara was up from Barlow. There was also the first meeting of the Knight Templars at the Hotel Brown, complete with initiation and a banquet for the Masons present. L.C. Green, A.J. Smith, T.N. Putnam, and F.N. Chaffee attended from Carrington. At 9 p.m., a meeting of the Businessmen’s Association was held in the law offices of C.J. Maddux.

On June 1, Ruth Reutenik returned from a visit to Carrington. P.C. Peterson came up from Barlow on business. Dr. G.D. Murphy and Ed H. Martin returned from Minneapolis, where Mrs. Martin had undergone a successful operation for appendicitis. Mr. and Mrs. H.G. Hudson and Lester left for the World’s Fair in St. Louis and visits with relatives in Keokuk, Iowa, and Missouri; Mr. Hudson returned on July 8, while Mrs. Hudson and Lester remained with Iowa relatives until August 1. George Pincott of the Sheyenne Valley sold his full-blooded Percheron stallion Royal to S.H. Halverson of McHenry for $1200. That evening, the Degree of Honor Lodge met.

On June 2, Frank Thelander was in on business. Louis Mortinson [Lewis Mortensen?] was in from his Barlow farm on business. That afternoon, Carrington attorney T.F. McCue and his wife drove up in their new automobile. That evening, Grace Putnam, Eddy County Superintendent of Schools, won first prize at a UND oratorical contest with six contestants; her subject was “Woman as a Patriot.”

On June 2 and 3, mail clerk E.G. Allison came up from Jamestown and visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.P. Allison.