History of New Rockford: June 19, 2023

On Jan. 13, 1906, Mr. H. Tyler the tailor returned from a business trip to Maddock and other towns. Nels A. Johnson, junior partner in the Johnson Bros. meat market, arrived from Fergus Falls to check on the business and his farm east of New Rockford. Stephen Beauclair returned from a lengthy visit to his former home, Quyo, Ontario [there appears to be no town by that name in present-day Ontario]. George Pincott left to buy horses in Montana; he returned on Feb. 6 and the carload of horses followed the next day. Mrs. W.H. Wilder went to Sheyenne to visit her daughter and son-in-law Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Webber and her new granddaughter, who was born Jan. 11.

On the afternoon of Jan. 13, about 25 of her friends gave a surprise birthday party for 80-year old Mrs. M.H. Dodge at the Congregational parsonage. The ladies brought “elegant refreshments” and some valuable presents. That evening, Mr. and Mrs. B.W. Rantz entertained at a whist party in their St. Paul Street North home. That night, snow began falling and kept up intermittently for almost a week, making for excellent sleighing.

On the morning of Jan. 15, former New Rockford teacher [1898-1900] Miss Lenora Knox received word that her father had passed away at Riverton, Ill. Harry Dunham and Sumner Engberg enrolled in the Commercial Department of Phillips Academy. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Johnson were up from Carrington. Charles and Marsh Chamberlain returned from their former home, Belvidere, Ill. Henry Von Almen left to visit his former home, Elizabeth, Minn.; he returned on March 14. Charles Culp left for Minneapolis to attend the Northwestern Cement Producers’ Association’s annual convention; he returned on Jan. 20. While there he had purchased a power mixer which would be installed in the spring. That evening, the Beaty Bros. specialty show appeared at the Opera House. Tickets were 25, 50, and 75 cents. Their “picture machine” showed scenes that were comical and some that were more dramatic.

That evening, the new Athletic Club met at the school and elected Lawrence Fisher, president; Harry West, vice president; Roger Mattson, treasurer; Elwin Beardsley, secretary; and an executive committee made up of Lawrence Fisher, Merrille Pike, Alphonso Snook, Clifford Gardner, and George Winslow.

On Jan. 16, Miss Angelina Kelts of Kensal entered the Music Department of Phillips Academy. At 2 p.m., delegates and members of the Central Racing Circuit met at the Kirkwood Hotel in Carrington to reorganize. A.J. Clure of New Rockford was elected secretary pro tem, and Dr. Charles MacLachlan was elected president. Eight directors were named; one of them was A.J. Clure. The circuit was made up of Valley City, Courtenay, Jamestown, Carrington, New Rockford, Minnewaukan, Brinsmade and Harvey. Race dates were set: New Rockford’s were July 31 to Aug. 2.

On Jan. 17, Major F.O. Getchell was down from Sheyenne. That evening, there was a social at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Wilson; admission was 15 cents. Rev. and Mrs. J.R. Beebe hosted a supper and a social hour for the members of the Phillips Academy Double Quartette. Mr. and Mrs. John Carlson invited around fifty of her friends to a birthday party for their daughter Miss Fena; there were music and games. Also that evening, the Degree of Honor Lodge installed officers in the Opera House, followed by a meal and dancing. The New Rockford Orchestra played. The members of the Workmen Lodge and their wives were invited. Grand Chief of Honor Mrs. A.M. Greely with the help of Past Grand Chief of Honor Mrs. G.D. Murphy, Grand Lady of Honor Pearl (Mrs. A.G.) Gardner, Grand Chief of Ceremonies Mrs. C.C. Campbell, and Grand Usher Mrs. E.S. Severtson installed the following: Mrs. Bessie Butler, Past Chief of Honor; Chief of Honor – Mrs. Emma Beardsley; Lady of Honor – Mrs. Cora Kinnaird; Chief of Ceremonies – Mrs. Minnie Ohrner; Recorder – Mrs. Elizabeth Schwoebel; Financier – Mrs. Pearl Severtson; Receiver – Mrs. Helen Stickney; Usher – Mrs. Alice Miller Rager; Inside Watch – Mrs. Jennie West; Outside Watch – Mrs. Viola Woodward.

On Jan. 18, barber Howard Johnson and his new bride came in from Adel, Iowa, where they had been married on New Year’s Day. At 3:30 p.m., the Lowell Literary Society presented the following program in the eighth grade room: Opening Song, Society members; Recitation, Celestia Kellington; Essay, Jennie Hersey; Vocal Solo, Sarah Johnson; Comic Reading, George Healey; Current Events, Merrille Pike, Edwin Beardsley, Mabel Kennedy, Amy Crane, Harry West; Debate, “Resolved, That Poverty Does More to Produce Crime Than Ignorance; Affirmative, Mary Monahan, Beatrice Marriage, Hazel Healy; Negative, Elsie Tarbell, Sadie Clark, Fena Carlson; Song, by the Society. That evening, the New Rockford Improvement League met at the court house; the meeting was “very pleasant.”

Around mid-January, Frank Eagan, known as “Bemis,” died from lung trouble in a Minot hospital. Although he had an “excellent education,” his alcoholism made him vicious and he led a degraded life. He had lived in New Rockford at one time.

The Jan. 19, 1906, “Transcript” mentioned the “York Ledger” and the “Linton Advocate.”

“Plenty of snow nowadays anyhow.”

Dentist F.D. Norton’s setter bitch Lucy, white with yellow ears and covered with yellow spots, about eight years old [the “Transcript” made a mistake – actually, it was eight months old], disappeared on Jan. 9. “Kindly notify Dr. Norton if you know anything about the dog.”

The School Notes were edited by George Healey: on Jan. 11 the monthly examinations were given; on Jan. 15 Mr. Goss visited the school; on Jan. 17 Rev. S.F. Beer spoke to the school students; Bessie Ertel had entered the third grade.

The Elias Saad general store was having a Ten-Day Fire Sale. Jeweler J.N. Kunkel was advertising watches, diamonds and jewelry for sale. Blacksmith Nathan Stanton had an ad urging farmers to “avoid the rush” and have their plows out in shape for spring plowing. Alfred Dinnetz was the local agent for the Neostyle Washer.

The second floor of the Thomas Ose Hardware Store was being fitted up as a club room for the Elks.

During the week, government attorney Moe was down from Ft. Totten representing the government in the “Oyesna probate matter.”

The previous week, A.J. Clure was an eye witness to the West Hotel fire in Minneapolis and saw fireman Berwin fall to his death, “a sight he does not care to witness again.”

On the evening of Jan. 19, the Phillips Academy Musical and Literary Society presented the following program: Music by the Society; Roll Call with quotations from Commercial students; Recitation, Paul Burhans; Newspaper: Rhoda Miller, Hazel Hall, Edwin Reynolds; Piano Solo, Maggie VanScholach; Debate, “Resolved, That the Promise of reward is a Greater Incentive to Industry Than that of Punishment”; Affirmative: Guy Thompson, Anna Haas; Negative: Albert West, Effie Dafoe; Music, Male Quartette; Short Essay, Lena Breck; Interesting Story, Asa Hylton; Piano Duet, Blanche Brownell and Gertrude Buck.