History of New Rockford: June 6, 2022

The Feb. 3, 1905, “Transcript” said that recently, Lou Smith [former New Rockford band leader, June 14, 1902-July 28, 1903, and barber, Dec. 1902-July 28, 1903], had died of smallpox in Billings, Mont. The paper claimed that Smith’s band had played at a masquerade ball and some of the costumes were infected with small pox; the piano player also died of the disease. However, the “Transcript” of Feb. 10 said it had learned via a letter to Sheriff George F. Fahrer from the Billings police chief that Smith had been quarantined, but had not died; nothing further was said about the piano player.

The unnamed Linotype operator at the “Transcript” was suffering from a very painful boil. [He was Len Olsen.]

J.W. Hedges was the new landlord of the Hotel Davies.

On Feb. 3, Sheriff George F. Fahrer returned after a few days in Bismarck. Mrs. Viola Woodward left for Troy, Idaho, after a telegram the day before informed her of the death there of her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Karl Woodward; she was survived by her husband and five small children. [Dr. Karl Woodward was a dentist in New Rockford, Aug. 1893-Aug. 7, 1894, when he moved to Jamestown; he practiced intermittently in New Rockford, 1894-1899, before moving to Idaho.] Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wilson and family left to visit friends in Wimbledon.

On Feb. 4, A.C. Buck returned from his eastern business trip. That afternoon in the music room of Phillips Academy, the Amateur Musical Club under the direction of Mrs. H.J. Mitchell held their monthly concert: Celestia Kellington played “Chariot Race”; Mabel House gave a reading, “What Is Music?”; June Severtson played “Please, Mamma, Buy Me a Baby”; Florence Schwoebel did “My Papa’s Waltz”; Evalyn Mattson played “Gov. Burleigh’s Reception March”; Stella Pike read a paper on the “Life of Chopin”; Alberta Gardner and Mrs. Mitchell played a duet, “Flower Fairies’ Waltz”; Minnie Syftestad played the “Diamond Medal Two-Step”; Celestia Kellington read “The Young Verdi”; Olive Bennett played the “Oriole Waltz”; June Severtson sang “Anona”; Mabel House did “La Coquette”; and Mrs. Mitchell finished with “Manzanillo.”

On the morning of Sunday, Feb. 5, Dr. Charles MacLachlan received word of the birth of his daughter in St. Paul; the next day he took the train to see his wife and daughter. The family returned on March 2.

On Feb. 6, the Eddy County Commission (Dailey, Dafoe, Gunvaldson) met. They voted to pay the following: $8, Hugh Kennedy, repairs and painting in the jail; $103.05, Powers Elevator Co., coal for court house; $2, Henry Wilson, Jan. telephone rent; $11, New Rockford Light and Water Improvement Co., Jan. lights; $112.10, “Eddy County Provost,” printing and advertising; $91.45, “Sheyenne Star,” printing and advertising; $22.50, Mrs. W.C. Schwoebel, auditor’s clerk, Jan. 1 to 15; $45, Mrs. A.G. Gardner, register of deeds’ clerk, Jan.

On that day, illness forced Dr. G.D. Murphy to take to his bed, but he was better by Feb. 8. H.W. Wilson and family returned from Wimbledon sooner than expected because of the illness of his assistant in the telephone office, Albert Fairbanks. Mrs. James E. Hyde went to Fargo to visit; she hadn’t been feeling well for some time and submitted to an examination several days after her arrival. It was discovered that she had appendicitis and a delay of another two days might prove fatal, so she had the operation which she withstood well and was making a good recovery. Mr. and Mrs. F.D. Jones returned to Steele, N.D., after a week visiting her sister Mrs. H.G. Hudson and family. James Austin, a cattle rancher near Hannah, N.D., lectured at the farmers’ institute in Sheyenne that day and part of the next, then took the train to New Rockford to see his brother R.U. Austin and family, leaving Feb. 8.

On Feb. 7, Mrs. R.M. Kennedy returned from visiting her former home in New York State; she stopped in St. Paul and saw her son Harold walk across the room without crutches. Jess and Edgar College were in on business and to visit. That evening, Right Eminent Grand Commander, F.H. Sprague of Grafton, delivered the charter and installed the officers of Zion Commandery #9 of the Knights Templar, which was beginning with 21 members, in the Masonic Hall. He was assisted by Grand General Hermann Winterer of Valley City and Grand Captain General H.E. White of Jamestown. The officers were C.H. Babcock, Eminent Commander; George M. Pike, Generalissimo; J.E. Bennett, Captain General; F.W. House, Prelate; J.A. McAuley, Senior Warden; F.E. Reed, Junior Warden; E.S. Severtson, Treasurer; W.C. Dresser, Recorder; A.H. Johnson, Warder; Donald Niven, Standard Bearer; C.J. Maddux, Sd.W. Afterward there were speeches, toasts, and a banquet at the Hotel Mattson with 35 places set. [The Knights Templar was a fraternal order affiliated with the Freemasons, but whereas to be a regular Mason only belief in a Supreme Being was required, for membership in the Knights Templar it was mandatory to believe in the Christian religion.]

On Feb. 8, David Henry came in from his large farm northeast of town to do some business and to visit relatives and friends. Jacob Ackerman and Leonard Roffler from west of town and Peter Schaefer were in on business. Hiram Carr was in from the Tiffany area to visit and do business. Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Carter were in shopping; Mr. Carter had recently been sick, but had recovered. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Convis came in from Souris, N.D., to visit his uncle, Hugh Davidson. John Vogt returned from visiting in Illinois. Mrs. Emma McLain and Mrs. J.A. Reed of Jamestown came up to visit Mrs. D.H. Fowler. Dr. G.D. Murphy went to Sheyenne to treat Mrs. Maurice Oliver, who had been ill for some time. Albert Fairbanks had been suffering from inflammation of the bladder and left that day for his home, Valley City, and treatment in a hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Gus Lauch visited in Barlow. A.J. Clure left on a business trip to Fargo and the Twin Cities; he would also visit at his old home, Hastings, Minn., and at Brainerd. He returned about Feb. 27.

On the morning of Feb. 9, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Will VanHorn.

The Feb. 10, 1905, “Transcript” stated the area was in the grip of a cold snap.