History of New Rockford: Sept. 2, 2019

On Aug. 21, 1902, James Hobbs was in on business from eastern Eddy County. Oscar Bauer returned from his trip “up the line”; he had resigned as the manager of the Monarch Elevator in order to buy grain on the Soo Line that fall. R.M. Kennedy replaced Bauer as manager on Aug. 25. Oscar Irwin left for his old home, Mayville, N.Y. Mrs. F.E. Diemer returned to Barnesville, Minn., after visiting her parents, the Stoddards. Recently a number of residents had purchased parrots and canaries; on that day a traveling salesman brought the birds to New Rockford.

The Aug. 22, 1902, “New Rockford Transcript” indicated there had been some controversy over hiring (or rehiring) Prof. Thomas, the school principal. [He had not finished out his term.]

S. McDowell had a Minneapolis threshing machine for sale or trade for land; it had only run 22 days. A reward was being offered for the return of William Wilson’s five-month-old greyhound pup. For rent—a five-room cottage with good cellar and well on Lamborn Avenue East, R.M Kennedy.

The quarantine on Robert Pomranke and two of his children was lifted; they had suffered from diphtheria.

Many fields of flax had empty heads due to hail; it was estimated the yield would be down more than 30%.

A merry-go-round had been set up in the old tennis court south of Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Kinnaird’s residence on North Chicago Street; many children and a number of adults had been riding it on the nice summer evenings.

During the week, section foreman Carlson and his crew put in new railroad crossing planks on Villard and Lamborn Avenues. Babcock & Bucklin were fixing up their drug store. The addition to Mrs. Maggie Riley’s house on the east side was almost done. Painters were working on B.C. Larkin’s new residence. Mrs. C.A. Edmunds had engaged Charles F. Culp and his crew to build a six-room, 24-by-26 foot house on her lots on Villard Avenue East for Methodist minister Rev. C.F. Sewrey and his wife. B.C. Larkin was having a barn put up on his Stimson Avenue East lots. Fred Zimmerman Sr., was putting up a large barn on his farm southwest of New Rockford. Noxon Bros. of Valley City were putting up telephone poles for the local system; the central office would be on the second floor of John Wenz’s shoe store at the corner of Villard and Dakota. Work on the J.M. Patch brick building had temporarily stopped due to a lack of building material. Frank Gregory resigned at Mulvey’s Hardware to manage a hotel in Barlow; James Walsh took his place.

During the week C.A. Searing of Lyons, Mich., was visiting his son Emmett Searing. Professor Walden of NDAC was adjusting hail losses for the St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company. Mr. and Mrs. William O’Neill and family were down from Minnewaukan for several days to visit Mr. and Mrs. Ed Roach; Mr. O’Neill went back on Aug. 21, followed by Mrs. O’Neill and the children the next day.

A note said that Ed M. Morris would go to Medina the next week to manage the Powers Elevator.

On the morning of Aug. 22, railroad mail clerk E.G. Allison was “shook up” when the NP train he was on rear-ended a stock train. Miss May Pottner arrived from St. Paul for a three-weeks’ visit. O.H. Olson was in from northwest of town on business. Mrs. J.H. Hyde arrived from Fargo to join her husband, who was the cashier of the First National Bank. Mrs. George Woodward and little daughter Florence were down from Devils Lake to visit her daughter Mrs. W.C. Dresser and family. Implement dealer A.J. Clure was in Fargo on business. Alex Pottner went to the Twin Cities on business; he returned on Aug. 27. In the evening Ed Seastrand came down from the Sheyenne Valley.

At 8 p.m., a church social at Col. and Mrs. Seth Bailey’s Larrabee farm proved to be “a grand success.” Chairman J.T. Ham introduced the program which included instrumental music by Mrs. Rousch and several other presentations. Col. Bailey auctioned off the ladies who were covered by a shroud, followed by the meal. Frank Bailey was the first lucky man; he outbid everyone else for the lady who proved to be Miss Grace Johnston. The tables were reset with food five times. Thirty-one dollars were realized.

On Aug. 23 at 2 p.m., J.M. Shannon held an auction sale (he had already sold his farm in June): 25 good work horses; 15 geldings; five mares with colts; and some two- and three year olds. That evening Ulrich Sprecher was in on business. Also that evening the cantata “David, the Shepherd Boy” was presented in Barlow. A large crowd showed up, despite the muddy roads. The Ladies Aid of Barlow served a meal afterward for the performers.

On that day, the U.S. Treasury Department Deputy and Acting Comptroller of the Currency certified that the First National Bank of New Rockford (formerly the Eddy County State Bank) could commence business.

On Sunday, Aug. 24, Mr. and Mrs. H.R. Campbell visited Sheyenne.

On the morning of Aug. 25, a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Turner. Frank Bailey was in from southeast of New Rockford. J.A. Bailey came in from the Gudgell Ranch on business. Mrs. E.S. Severtson and June stopped in Sheyenne between trains to visit Mrs. S.G. Severtson.

On Aug. 26, J.A. Manly was in Sheyenne on legal business. R.P. Allison and Homer went to Esmond to visit barber Robert P. Allison, Jr.

From Aug. 26 to Aug. 29, Dr. F.C. Wheat of Ellsworth, Minn., was in town visiting his old friend C.H. Babcock; the doctor was thinking of buying some real estate.

On Aug. 27, B.W. Hersey was in from Tiffany on business. That evening Charles Scott came down from his Ward County homestead to act as the cook on a threshing outfit; he drove overland while his wife remained on the farm.

On Aug. 28, masons began the brickwork on the J.M. Patch Block. Barlow mayor P.C. Peterson came up on business with his brother-in-law who was thinking of moving to the area. Dennis O’Connell left for either Dudley or Goodrich to buy grain that fall [it turned out to be Denhoff]. That evening Barlow hotel manager Frank Graham was in New Rockford. That evening, Lorne Ireland was helping to kill cattle at the slaughterhouse when he accidentally stabbed himself in the left leg just above the ankle; he walked with a limp for some time after that. Stephen Guler came in from southwest of town on business. Fred Zimmerman Jr., was also in on business. The merry-go-round crew packed up and left after doing a “good business” in New Rockford.

Rain on Aug. 28 and 29 slowed harvest. On the evening of Aug. 28 and the next day, John Cain of Esmond was in town.