History of New Rockford: Nov. 12, 2018

A note in the Jan. 24, 1902, “Transcript” said that earlier in January, James Turner Sr., had died in Corry, Pa., of heart trouble. He and his wife had visited in New Rockford a few years prior. He left a widow and eight children, including Thomas Turner and Miss Hattie Turner of New Rockford.

A notice said that some animals had strayed from John Neutzel’s farm: one red muley bull and one red muley heifer, both with ropes around their necks; one black cow with a rope around her horns; two red calves; and one spotted calf.

During the week, Ed Gallagher substituted on the branch line for a few days; he was characterized as a “very popular conductor” on the Northern Pacific.

The previous week in Sheyenne John G. Nelson and Jacob A. Portz were arrested for giving John A. Peterson “quite a severe thumping.” The case was brought before justice of the peace C.C. Manning, but a change of venue removed the case to justice of the peace J.R. Winslow, who dismissed it. Nelson and Portz were then rearrested and brought before justice of the peace R.M. Kennedy, who set a preliminary hearing for the next week. The “Transcript” refused to comment on the upcoming case in order to avoid creating prejudice either for or against the defendants.

Also during that week, grain buyer J.C. Fay returned from Velva; he had recovered from the head injuries he had suffered from falling bricks on New Year’s Day.

On Jan. 24, Mrs. Stanley of Nicholson in Sargent County four miles west of Cogswell, arrived to visit her sister Mrs. R.H. Davis. That evening, traveling salesman Bob Ferguson, died in Devils Lake. On Jan. 14 he had slipped and fallen on some ice, suffering internal injuries. He left an invalid wife and five small children in Minneapolis.

From Jan. 24-27, Miss Hilda Johnson was in Sheyenne visiting Miss Gussie McCue.

On Jan. 27, J.C. Hanson came down from Sheyenne. R.P. Allison returned from Jamestown. Frank Woodward, a grain buyer at the new town of Maddock (founded in 1901 at the end of the Oberon extension of the Devils Lake branch line) was in New Rockford for a few hours on his way to his claim near Kenmare.

On Jan. 27-30 the Haynes’ Studio Car was on a siding in New Rockford.

On the morning of Jan. 28, many dogs ate poisoned meat left on the streets of New Rockford. J.M. Mulvey’s St. Bernard “Schey” was saved through several hours of treatment. F. Howard’s spaniel was very sick, and it took all day and all night to save the dog. Several dogs died, including those of R.R. Woodward and Willie Wilson. The poisoner had been seen dropping what proved to be the poisoned meat along the street, but the people who saw him did not pay much attention until the result of his actions became known the next morning. The name would not be published, but justice was going to be served. “The guilty one will be given a surprise party when they least expect it.”

On Jan. 28, F.G. Haver arrived home after three weeks in Fargo, the Twin Cities, and Iowa. Major F.O. Getchell of Ft. Totten visited in New Rockford. Miss Frances Thomson returned from a visit with Valley City friends. May M. Keime came up from Jamestown to visit. Peter Johnson, the Standard Oil man, came up from Carrington. Joseph Maxwell arrived home from Fargo, where he had been hospitalized, in much improved health.

On Jan. 29, J.W. Richter and druggist F.L. Kermott were down from Sheyenne on business. M. Reams, the manager of the G.J. Schwoebel farm southeast of town, was in New Rockford. M.F. Kepner, Donald Niven, and Dr. Charles MacLachlan left for the Shriners’ Convention in Fargo. That evening, H.A. Berge sent the band boys a box of his cigars.

On Jan. 29 and 30, J.M. Shannon was in from his ranch in the eastern part of the county. Peter Crane was in New Rockford on business.

On Jan. 30, Nels Kunkel and his daughter Gertrude returned from a visit with relatives in Fessenden. Prof. L.L. Boord arrived for a lengthy visit with his sister Mrs. W.E. Biggs and her family; Boord lived in southern California and brought a trunk full of that state’s fruits and nuts. Toller Huff was in New Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kronz shopped in New Rockford. Dennis Pottinger came down from Esmond to visit. H. Peoples had been in Grand Forks and the Twin Cities before attending the Shriners’ Convention in Fargo that evening.

On Jan. 30, the partnership between J.N. Kunkel and H.G. Hudson (Kunkel & Hudson) was dissolved, with Kunkel retiring and Hudson taking over the business. Kunkel had leased a building next to the post office in Fessenden and moved to that city to run the same type of business he had been in, fruit and confectionary.

The Jan. 31, 1902, “Transcript” mentioned the “Donnybrook Courier” and the “Langdon Democrat.” That day flax was at $1.56. That issue said the weather had moderated.

An ad—The New Rockford Bowling Alley, J.F. Dembiczki, prop.

That edition commented that New Rockford had been suffering through a cold snap which had reduced business. It also stated there had been a “boxing match” in New Rockford the “other evening,” but gave no particulars.

In that issue, S.N. Putnam again attacked Prof. E.R. Thomas, who had claimed that Putnam’s opposition consisted of mud-slinging and refused to argue with Putnam any longer.

The “Transcript” was happy to announce that sometime in the next week the mail service would be transferred to the railroad again, so the mail would arrive by noon instead of 4 p.m. and it would do so on a daily basis.

Strayed from Sam Sage’s farm, one gray broncho mare, eight years old, branded “4” on left jaw and shoulder. Liberal reward to anyone with information leading to its recovery.

P. J. Braman’s lumbago condition had improved so much he was able to be on the streets again. Samuel McDowell was in Fargo receiving medical treatments for his stomach. During the week, Nathan Flater was in a Fargo hospital for medical treatment for his chronic rheumatism.

Dennis O’Connell was managing the Pake Elevator while the regular manager (a man with the first name of Charles) was in Fessenden. R.T. Willoughby was at the Hotel Davies soliciting membership in the Modern Brotherhood of America, a fraternal order for men and women between 18 and 50; life insurance was available.