History of New Rockford: Dec. 12, 2022

Up to 2 p.m. Aug. 5, 1905, Sylvanus Marriage, clerk of Superior School District #19, received bids for the purchase of the school building in the northwest quarter, section 12, T148, R66 [Superior Township], known as the Dodd [Dodds?] School.

On the morning of Sunday, August 6, a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Norman Treffry southeast of New Rockford. Mrs. L.M. Newell of Chicago spoke at churches in Sheyenne at 10:30 a.m., Tiffany at 3:30 p.m., and in the New Rockford Baptist Church at 8 p.m. At 3 p.m., Rev. S.F. Beer preached in the Sheyenne Baptist Church.

On August 7, Charles Chapman, the brother of L.L. Chapman and the nephew of Mrs. J.W. Rager, arrived from New York State for the summer, but he left on August 17. Miss Sarah Stavely came in from Mapleton to visit her cousin Miss Sarah West, Mr. and Mrs. P.H. West, and her friend Miss Vera Keime; she returned on August 24. John Seckinger was in from eastern Eddy County to do some business and to visit. Mr. and Mrs. Tom Bollinger came into town; she met with dentist F.D. Norton and he did some business. That evening, the Gun Club met and secured the appointment of several deputy game wardens to investigate the violation of game laws. The Club also offered $25 to the first person to give evidence leading to the conviction of someone killing prairie chickens out of season. Also that evening, a party was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Kennedy for Mr. and Mrs. B.C. Larkin, who would be moving to their farm east of town, and Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Carr, who would return to their old home in New York State. There were games, music and a meal and Rev. S.F. Beer presented Mrs. Carr with “a handsome watch and chain.”

From August 7 to 11, C.H. Babcock was at the State Druggists’ Convention in Fargo and spent two days at Detroit Lakes.

On August 8, Miss Jennie Talbot returned to Anamoose after visiting her uncle M.B. Hersey and his family.

On August 9, V.P. Horn and Mrs. Mary A. Horn of McHenry were over to shop. Alice (Mrs. J.W.) Rager and Mrs. B.W. Rantz accompanied Mrs. C.J. Maddux to Carrington and then took the northbound train home. Mrs. Richard Tenborg of Carrington came up to visit Mrs. E.S. Severtson. That week, Mrs. A.D. Tomlinson entertained ten ladies at dinner.

On the afternoon of August 9, fire destroyed the barn of Martin Walsh, containing 25 tons of hay and a thousand bushels of grain. Walsh was in town on business, but the hired men saw the blaze from a nearby field and succeeded in getting the horses and most of the harness and personal property out of the lower portion of the barn. The building was valued at $1,200 and the total loss was near $2,000. The St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co. policy had $600 on the barn, $60 on the hay, and $500 on the grain. His policy claims were paid off quickly and he immediately insured his new barn and his house with the same company.

On the morning of August 10, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dinnetz. Frank R. Graham was in on business. That evening, there was a dance at the Opera House.

The August 11, 1905, “Transcript” warned that a fake “air-pen artist” was headed for New Rockford. He would tell the businessmen that for $15 apiece he would make a picturesque card with all the merchants’ businesses on it and hang it in a public place; however, it was all a fake.

Seven young horses and mares were for sale at Rood’s Barn.

B.C. Larkin had resigned as the manager of the Gull River Lumber Co. [He had held the position since Sept. 2, 1901.] Mrs. W.J. Morris had a testimonial about the goodness of the macaroni flour ground at the New Rockford Roller Mills.

Mr. and Mrs. Mann of St. Paul were visiting her sister Mrs. Frederick Skidmore and family at Tiffany.

A note said that Mrs. C.J. Maddux and children would remain in St. Paul until the summer of 1906; Master Charles would have a private tutor in hopes he would be able to catch up in his learning, lost by a four-year battle with inflammatory rheumatism. The girls would attend the Baccus private school.

During the week, former Eddy County resident S.E. Pompelly was sentenced to three years in the State Penitentiary on the charge of obtaining money under false pretenses in Ward County.

On the morning of August 11, a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Bollingberg; she was delivered by Dr. G.D. Murphy. Mrs. Clara B. Swantz died; her funeral was the next day, with interment in what is now Prairie Home Cemetery, where her gravestone indicates she was 70 years old. Mrs. Carrie E. Fay had been taking care of her for some time. She had $300 and 160 acres of land. Her will designated Dr. Charles MacLachlan as the executor. She wanted her debts paid and the balance of her estate to be used as a hospital fund for New Rockford. George Fields was in town for store supplies. Mrs. E.E. Starks arrived home from a visit to Wisconsin. Miss Elsie Keime arrived home from the Teachers’ Training School in Valley City, while Vincent Lyness left for the Teachers’ Training School. “Transcript” editor A.C. Olsen left for a three-weeks’ visit to relatives and friends in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. R.R. Woodward went to Ellendale for a visit of two weeks; he drove overland and she took the train. Mrs. E.S. Severtson hosted a “Pink Tea” in honor of her guests Mrs. Richard Tenberg of Carrington and Mrs. Russell of Leeds. The table’s centerpiece was a large cut-glass vase with various-colored poppies and loops of pink and white tulle fastened at the ends with chrysanthemums. Each of the twelve guests also received a chrysanthemum. That evening, Mrs. Severtson entertained her guests with a drive around town. Also that evening, the New Rockford Orchestra played at the dedication dance at the new Odd Fellows Hall in Kensal; they returned the next day.

On August 12, nine carloads of fat cattle were shipped to eastern markets. Three carloads of cattle were shipped to South St. Paul by Sidney Hewes [Hughes], as were two carloads by F.S. Dunham and one carload by Andrew Johnson, Sr., and Christ Hanson. Martin Anderson and C.C. Hanson were also among the shippers. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Carr left for their new home, New York State. George W. Johnston went to the Twin Cities on business. VanDorn Gilchrist went to Brownsville, Minn., to visit his wife for a week. Phillips Academy principal L.J. Aldrich went to Jamestown to meet his brother and family, who arrived from the east that evening; he returned to New Rockford on August 14 with his relatives.

On August 12 and 14, Minot optical specialist E.J. Miller was in New Rockford.