History of New Rockford: July 20, 2020

At 1 p.m. May 25, the District Court convened in New Rockford; there were a number of civil cases, some of which were the following:

P.H. West vs. Northern Pacific Railway was tried by jury and $225 was awarded to the Plaintiff; lawyers were Ellsworth and Mattson for the Plaintiff; M. Conklin and Maddux for the Defendant.

Studebaker Bros. vs. M.T. O’Connor found $250.74 being awarded to the Plaintiffs; lawyers were Maddux & Rinker for the Plaintiffs; Manly for the Defendant.

Etta F. Hill vs. W.C. Beardsley was dismissed on Plaintiff’s motion, with the Plaintiff to pay her own costs; lawyers were Maddux & Rinker for the Plaintiff; Manly for the Defendant.

C.M. Hill vs. W.C. Beardsley saw a judgment for the Plaintiff by stipulation for $64.05; lawyers were Maddux & Rinker for the Plaintiff; Manly for the Defendant.

E.M. Stitzel vs. W.C. Beardsley had a judgment of $63.23 for the Plaintiff with costs to the Defendant; lawyers were Maddux & Rinker for the Plaintiff; Manly for the Defendant.

M.T. O’Connor vs. Michael O’Keefe and Honorah O’Keefe had a judgment for the defendants of $193.50; lawyers were Maddux & Rinker for the Plaintiff; Manly for the Defendant.

Halverson vs. Trapp and Hester: “Pending on demurrer to complaint. And demurrer overruled”; lawyers were Louden and Mattson for the Plaintiff and Maddux & Rinker for the Defendant.

Hester vs. Bowers was continued by consent of counsel; lawyers were Maddux & Rinker for the Plaintiff; Manly for the Defendant.

Mullineau vs. Mullineau, divorce; motion for alimony for the Defendant allowed at $75; lawyers were Manly for the Plaintiff; Maddux and Louden for the Defendant.

Peoples vs. Sheriff of Wells County, et al. order to show cause, vacated; lawyers were Maddux & Rinker for the Plaintiff; Mattson for the Defendant.

There were two criminal cases:

State of ND vs. Theodore Doyen; Defendant pled Guilty to assault and battery, $100 fine; J.A. Manly appeared for the State with P.M. Mattson for the Defendant.

State of ND vs. William Cahill; Defendant was arraigned and requested 24 hours in which to plead. At his next appearance, the Defense moved to set aside and quash the information; the court took the motion under advisement for 24 hours and ordered Sheriff Bennett to release the prisoner from custody; lawyers for the State were Manly and Judge Knauf; C.J. Maddux and S.E. Ellsworth represented Cahill.

As soon as Cahill was released, a new action was started by the State in Justice J.R. Winslow’s court, a new warrant was issued, and Cahill was re-arrested.

A preliminary hearing was held before Judge Winslow with the same prosecution and defense lawyers, and Cahill was again held for District Court to be tried the following week.

The Court adjourned on the evening of May 28 until June 1.

On May 26 a meeting of the Early Settlers’ Association officers and part of the Executive Committee in A.M. Greely’s office, which had been postponed due to muddy roads, was held. Officers were J.W. Richter, president; R.R. Woodward, vice president; A.M. Greely secretary; H.J. Mitchell, treasurer; Executive Committee: E.R. Davidson, F.L. Kermott, John Schaefer, Bert Stedman, H.M. Clark, and D.Y. Stanton. They voted to hold the annual picnic at Roberts’ Grove on June 23. All males over 16 would be charged 25 cents to help defray expenses. [This was later changed to 25 cents for every adult because the members of the organization wanted to build “a substantial platform,” clean up the picnic grounds, and construct a lunch house, all of which would cost over $200.] Prof. J.H. Worst of the Fargo College would be the speaker. The following committees were elected: Finance—H.J. Mitchell, F.L. Kermott; Grounds and Privileges—George W. Johnston, Martin Walsh; Music—R.R. Woodward, John Schaefer; Sports—Dr. Charles MacLachlan, F.L. Kermott.

On that day, Miss Frances Thomson came in from Dickinson, where she had taught in the high school; she would spend the summer with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Thomson.

On May 27, Drs. Dennis of St. Paul and McKenzie of Carrington were in New Rockford to assist in the third operation on Mrs. B.W. Rantz for appendicitis; afterward she was much improved. Mrs. Rantz’s daughter Mrs. Merritt Lathrop of Tiffany came in to be with her mother.

On the evening of May 27, Miss Laura Reams, the “hello” girl of the telephone system, severely sprained her wrist and had to have her arm in a sling. “A Thoroughbred Tramp” was presented in Brown’s Opera House. Also that evening Sgt. T.P. Morris spoke to a large audience in the Congregational Church on “Army Life,” which dealt with the first year of the Civil War. Also that evening a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Dennis O’Connor west of New Rockford.

At 2:30 p.m. May 28, the ladies of the Episcopal Guild met at Mrs. A.C. Buck’s. At 8:30 the Royal Neighbors presented a musical and dramatic entertainment in the Masonic Hall; there was a large crowd.

The May 29, 1903, “Transcript” said that the post office department had issued a 13-cent stamp featuring former president Benjamin Harrison.

The editor said New Rockford should add to its sidewalks just as the “Carrington Independent” was asking the city council there to do.

An ad— “When a Boy Falls In Love That Is His Business. When a Girl Falls In Love That Is Her Business. When They Get Married And Want to Build a House THAT IS OUR BUSINESS.” We carry a complete line of building material. Powers Elevator Co. A.H. Wilson, agent.

Another ad— F.R. Patterson Veterinary Surgeon and Dentist, office at Buck & Couch’s Drugs Store.

E.A. Brothwick had taken up at his farm in section 33, T150, R62 [Freeborn Township] one bay horse, seven years old, white right hind foot, 1,000 lbs.; one bay mare, seven years old, indistinct brand on left shoulder, white hind feet, 800 lbs.; one gray mare with a “lazy S branded on right shoulder in A or SD,” 800 lbs., with colt at side.

Found—a gentleman’s gold ring; owner see Hugh Kennedy.

During the week Denhoff implement dealer George Norman visited in New Rockford.

Mrs. William Cornish came in from Tiffany and visited her sister Mrs. J.L. Kinnaird.

Otho Lathrop, the collector, was in New Rockford for a week’s vacation.

The previous week through C.J. Maddux, real estate agent, Daniel W. O’Keefe bought Thomas Hrack’s half section 4 miles north of New Rockford for $5,000; Hrack was going to move to Chicago.

Sometime in the current week, J.M. Deeter sold a half section to a man from Illinois for $20 per acre for which he had paid F.C. Davies $10 per acre three years prior.