Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

History of New Rockford: March 28, 2022

On the evening of Nov. 24, 1904, there was a Grand Ball in the Opera House; Dr. C.J. McNamara, Mr. Algeo, and O.B. Tausen, all of Barlow, attended. After visiting their many friends, R.J. Howden and his sister from McHenry went to the dance; they returned to McHenry the next day. “One of the largest crowds ever assembled in the city,” enjoyed dancing to the music of A.W. Johnson, Miss Carolyn Waters, and H.J. Radtke. A supper was served in the Hotel Brown. Also, that evening there was a Thanksgiving service at the Columbia School with songs, recitations, addresses, lunch, and a collection for the Children’s Home in Fargo.

From Nov. 24 to Nov. 28, Mrs. Olof Lundquist’s mother and brother of Valley City enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday with the Lundquists.

The Nov. 25, 1904, “Transcript” said that boys had been skating on the James for two weeks, but the weather warmed in the middle of the month and the river was almost ice-free.

That issue questioned the legality of publishing the delinquent tax list in the “Sheyenne Star” because that newspaper did not have a “general circulation” in the county as legally required.

An item taken from the “Valley City Alliance” said that George Ranum, who had been working in the NP railroad office in Oriska for several months, had gone to New Rockford on Tuesday morning [Nov. 15?] to be the day telegraph operator on the branch line.

Bert Studebaker had for sale a full-blooded Poland China boar with pedigree, 400 lbs., for $20. A man and wife were wanted by T.L. Adam for the winter. W.J. Morris had taken up one white pony, 900 lbs., branded “100” on its right hip, at his farm 15 miles southeast of New Rockford. “Will the party who found a homemade end gate about seven inches wide please leave it at Peoples’ store and receive benediction.—T.L. Adam.”

G.W. Brownell had been confined to his home for some time due to “nervous trouble caused by too close confinement and overwork.”

That issue said a deal had just been closed in which Henry Wilson of Wimbledon had purchased the telephone exchange from Noxon & Oglesby. Wilson had also purchased the Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Stoddard residence and his family would join him in a few days. Wilson planned on installing a larger switchboard.

Work on the steel bridge, which had been delayed because some of the building material had not arrived, had begun again and the structure was nearly completed and ready for the graders.

A note stated that the Bailey boys had moved from the Clure farm northeast of town to a farm in the Columbia district south of Tiffany.

On Nov. 25, M. Ackerman of Aberdeen, S.D., came in to visit his sister Mrs. Peter Schaefer and her family; the siblings had not seen each other in fifty years. That evening about 20 of his young friends surprised Harry Dunham with a party at his farm home west of town; there were games, music, and refreshments. A surprise party was given for Rev. S.F. Beer at the Methodist Church; songs, stories, and “witty repartee” were enjoyed by the crowded house.

On Nov. 26, Jacob Allmaras returned from the World’s Fair. A sister (unnamed) of T.E. Lahart, who had been visiting him and his wife, left for Bowdon, where she would teach. At 1 p.m., Samuel McDowell held a public auction at the Hotel Davies for sixteen town lots and also a house with a cellar and bathroom, barn, and six lots. F.C. Davies was the auctioneer.

On that day, R.R. Woodward lost a brown water spaniel and a Llewellin setter pup, six months old with yellow ears and some yellow on its body. A reward was offered.

Sunday, Nov. 27, was National Temperance Day.

The petit jurors’ list for Nov. 28 included Thomas L. Adams [Adam], S.H. Bailey, O.W. Bauer, John Bennett, D.E. Borthwick, Alex Bostrom, Knut Bymoen, Joseph Christ, H.H. Clauser, Edgar College, J.G. Dailey, W.C. Dresser, Thomas Eikom, Nels Farr, Valentine Fertig, Even Hendrickson, N.T. Hendrickson, Mark Hulbert, A.J. Larkin, Sylvanus Marriage, N.K. Mattson, Went Mcgee, J.E. Mulligan, Halver Odden, George Pike, J.F. Prouty, J.W. Rager, Ed Seastrand, John Seckinger, F.F. Shoemaker, Fred Skidmore, S.J. Strande, G.L.W. Trembly, Lambert VanLith, D.H. Webster and N.O. Wold. Austin Randolph of eastern Eddy County and Alex Lawson attended court, as did Will and Charles Young and Frank Graham.

The District Court term lasted from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2, but there were only a few cases:

State vs. Smith, charged with obtaining money under false pretenses; verdict was not guilty; State’s Attorney James A. Manly represented the State; Maddux & Rinker were for the defendant.

Crane & Losee vs. Graham, involved possession of cattle; verdict for the defendant; Manly for the plaintiff; Maddux & Rinker were for the defense.

Ellingson vs. Lahart, involving a 160-acre tract of land; judgment for the defendant; Lowden of McHenry and Baldwin of Jamestown for the plaintiff; S.E. Ellsworth and Maddux & Rinker for the defendant.

Sixteen civil cases were continued.

On Nov. 28, Henry Holter and William Mattison were in from eastern Eddy County on business and to visit. W.R. Kesler, who had been the telegraph operator in the NP depot “for some time” left for Memphis, Tennessee, where he had “secured a good berth.” Mr. and Mrs. C.N. Hendrix (he was the NP depot agent Aug. 30-Oct. 1904) left for Eagle Grove, Iowa, for a visit before they went to the West Coast for the winter. Mr. and Mrs. M. Reames and family left for their new home in Portland, Ore. Fred Laasch went to Jamestown. His daughter Freda had died in Minneapolis the day before, and her funeral was held in Jamestown on the afternoon of Nov. 29. Interment was beside her mother. Mr. Laasch returned on Nov. 30.

On Nov. 28 and 29, George Prior was in from eastern Eddy County on business.

On Nov. 29, Rev. E.W. Burleson conducted Episcopal services in the Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. At 8 p.m., there was a box social at the Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Craig farm in the Sheldon School District.

On Nov. 30, Pearl Henry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Henry, and William Ernest Kirsh of Balfour were married at the home of the bride’s parents by Rev. E.W. Burleson in front of the near relatives of the couple. The train started them on their journey to Balfour, where the groom operated a lumber business.

On Nov. 30, Vincent Spilner of Twist, W.C. Bowers, and Ludvik Hanson were in on business. The Baptist Ladies’ Aid Society served a dinner in the church from noon to 2 p.m. and a supper from 5 to 7 p.m. and sold fancy and useful articles from 10 a.m. until all the goods were sold. Each meal was 25 cents. It was “a grand success.” That evening “a crowded house” saw the drama “Devil’s Lane” with “excellent scenery” at the Opera House; Dr. C.J. McNamara, O.B. Tausen, and Mr. Algeo, all of Barlow attended.