History of New Rockford: May 22, 2023

On Christmas Day 1905, there were Masses at St. John’s Catholic Church at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., and High Mass at 11 a.m. The three hotels (Brown, Davies, Mattson) served “elaborate” dinners. That afternoon and evening, the children of the Congregational Sunday School gathered at Phillips Academy for games, music, and good things to eat; each teacher, pupils, and friends of the Academy received a gift. The Central office of the telephone company was closed from noon until 5 p.m. and from 7 p.m. until the Christmas entertainment ended. Joseph Maxwell returned from Hot Springs, Ark.

Around 4 p.m. that day, the fire bell was rung and the NRFD and other residents rushed to the Elias Saad general store on Lamborn Avenue West which had its interior filled with flames and smoke. The chemical engines arrived and a bucket brigade, captained by Orley Couch and Frank Fahrer, was formed. The two streams from the chemical engines (John Von Almen had the nozzle of Engine #1) were turned on the northeast corner of the structure where the fire was burning woolen goods, clothing, cotton batting, etc. The chemicals and water from the bucket brigade subdued the flames within a half hour. The loss on the goods caused by the fire, smoke and water was about five thousand dollars, partly covered by insurance. Thanks to the quick response of the NRFD (two blocks in 30 seconds) the building itself suffered little more than scorching. Singled out for praise were H.W. Wilson, J.E. Bennett, and J.W. Rager. The cause of the fire was a match which had been struck and the lighted end flew up into some cotton batting “which blazed up like so much tinder.” The flames then spread to the clothing department. Saad was going to reopen as soon as his loss was adjusted and the interior of his store made ready.

On Dec. 25 and 26, cigarmaker H.J. Radtke was in Jamestown for Christmas with friends.

On Dec. 26, J.G. Dailey was in town. Sheyenne blacksmith Hans Stenberg came down on business and also visited some friends. Walter Sewrey came over from Harvey to visit friends. Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Hall returned to their Sheyenne Valley farm after Christmas with C.W. Hall and his sister Vannie Hall. Barber Howard Johnson left for a visit to Adel, Iowa. That evening, a joint installation of officers of the Ionic Chapter, Eastern Star; Century Lodge, A.F. and A.M.; and Zion commandery #9 was held in the Masonic Lodge rooms. The rooms were decorated, there were over 100 members and guests, and there was a program. Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Hansch came up from Barlow for the occasion. Also in attendance were Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Hatch of Oberon and Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. S.G. Severtson, Dr. and Mrs. William Bartley, and Nels P. Nelson, all of Sheyenne.

The Eastern Star officers were installed by Past Patron D.H. Fowler: Worthy Matron, Elizabeth Schwoebel; Worthy Patron, Charles H. Babcock; Assistant Worthy Matron, Laura Pike; Secretary, Amanda Radtke; Treasurer, Emma Beardsley; Conductress, Jennie Brownell; Associate Conductress, Alice Rager; Chaplain, Anna Beebe; Marshal, Coral Murphy; Adah, Ada Dresser; Ruth, Pearl Gardner; Esther, Julia Lundquist; Martha, Margaret Babcock; Electa, Kate Stanton; Warder, Anna Prader; Sentinel, G.W. Brownell; Organist, Anna Hudson.

Retiring Worshipful Master J.E. Bennett installed the new officers of the Century Lodge: Worshipful Master, W.C. Dresser; Senior Warden, W.E. Radtke; Junior Warden, George M. Pike; Treasurer, A.G. Gardner; Secretary, P.J. Braman; Senior Deacon, R.R. Woodward; Junior Deacon, Peter Prader; Senior Steward, J.W. Rager; Junior Steward, O.G. Cooling; Chaplain, Rev. J.R. Beebe; Tyler, W.O. Baird.

The officers of the Zion Commandery were installed by retiring Commander C.H. Babcock: Eminent Commander, George H. Pike; Generalissimo, J.E. Bennett; Captain General, George N. Norton; Prelate, Rev. J.R. Beebe; Treasurer, E.S. Severtson; Recorder, W.C. Dresser; Senior Warden, F.W. House; Junior Warden, George W. Brownell; Standard Bearer, Donald Niven; Sword Bearer, C.J. Maddux; Warder, B.W. Hersey; Sentinel, H.G. Hudson.

On Dec. 27, Miss Julia Shirley was called to Minot, where her father had suffered a stroke.

On Dec. 28, Mrs. Edna Flater went to Sheyenne to see her brother. Veterinary surgeon J.C. Whiteman returned from three weeks in Michigan.

The Dec. 29, 1905, “Transcript” noted that a letter from C.J. Maddux, dated in St. Paul, stated that Miss Ethel Alber, who had visited New Rockford in 1901, had died of consumption [tuberculosis]. Peter Schaefer came in from his 1800 acre farm southwest of New Rockford on business; he told the “Transcript” he was preparing to leave for his old home in southern Germany the next week to get his daughter, who had been there for two years, completing her education.

Principal L.J. Aldrich of Phillips Academy had recently spoken at two Christmas entertainments near Hurdsfield; his audiences donated between $25 and $30 to the Academy.

Manager E.H. Martin was singled out for praise for improving the local creamery and its butter making operation.

On Dec. 30, A.R. Johns returned from Denhoff, Bowdon and some other places. Charles Logan went to St. Paul, where his little daughter was in a hospital. Mrs. W.T. Buck left for a lengthy visit to her old home at Adel, Iowa. F.S. Dunham and his son Harry went to St. Paul with a carload of hogs and a carload of cattle. That evening, the Imperial Entertainers made up of four people performed at the Opera House before a large audience.

On Sunday, Dec. 31, there were morning services at the Congregational Church, but the evening services were canceled. At 11 a.m., Rev. E.W. Burleson conducted Episcopal services in the Baptist Church. Dr. E.P. Robertson, president of Wesley College in Grand Forks, preached in the Opera House at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to large congregations; collections were taken to help pay the debt of the College.