History of New Rockford: Dec. 21, 2020

On Sept. 21, 1903, McHenry attorney W.O. Lowden was in New Rockford on legal business. Dick Bohmbach was in from northwest of town on business, as was Thomas Turner of Barlow, who came up with his mother and son Carroll. Christ Jensen left for Battle Creek, Michigan, where he would work in an acetylene plant. Alice (Mrs. J.W.) Rager hosted a surprise birthday party for seven-year-old Gertrude Putnam; she received a large wax doll with eyes that opened and shut. Guests were little Misses Grace and Ruth Dresser, Doris and Katharine Maddux, and Masters Willie Dresser and Charles H. Maddux. That evening John Weipert was in on business and to visit. Also that evening, the regulars at the Hotel Mattson hosted a party for owner Christine Mattson at the hotel. About 8:30 p.m. she was invited to the rooms of Alice and J.W. Rager “to meet a friend.” Instead, around forty people were there for the get-together. J.M Patch presented her with “a beautiful ring” for her birthday; “elegant refreshments” and games of cards followed in the hotel parlors.

On Sept. 22, George Johnston from northeast of New Rockford and Philip Ackerman of eastern Wells County were in on business. That evening Mr. and Mrs. L.G. Lundin, Mr. and Mrs. S.G. Severtson, and Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Kermott, all of Sheyenne, joined the Eastern Star Lodge in New Rockford; a social session, dancing, and refreshments followed.

On Sept. 22 and 23, James B. Dafoe was in New Rockford. Mrs. A.C. Buck visited in Barlow.

On Sept. 23, Sheyenne general merchant Evenson and Richard Barker from southeast of town were in on business. John Haley was in from the Tiffany Flats country.

On the morning of Sept. 24, M.A. Preust and Mary Kekrer, both of Esmond, were married in New Rockford by Father Gallahue. John McVay of New Rockford was the best man, while Mary Maddock of Esmond was the bridesmaid. In the afternoon the couple drove overland to their farm north of Esmond.

The Sept. 25, 1903, “Transcript” mentioned the “Anamoose Progress.”

R.H. Baker would winter 50 head of cattle; he had good sheds, plenty of feed, and water inside a barn. An ad— James A. Mulvey, tinning and plumbing, shop in rear of the Mulvey hardware.

Brown’s Opera House was advertising the following attractions: Oct. 9, the Honorable J.G. Camp; Oct. 15, Sweet’s “Messenger Boy”; Oct. 23, Raymond’s “Old Arkansas”; Oct. 31, Andrews Opera Company; Nov. 10, “New Jersey Folks” and Frank Allen Peake; Nov. 13, “Base Hit”; Nov. 21, “At Valley Forge”; Nov. 24, Imperial Symphony Quartette; Dec. 5, Burlesque Company; Dec. 7-9, Oard & Fenwick’s Theatre Co.; Dec. 10, John G. Scorer; Dec. 30-31, Sanford Dodge; Jan. 25-30. Imperial Crows; Feb. 10, Meistersingers Male Quartette. That issue put out a call for people to visit the school.

There was a letter from Samuel McDowell defending himself from a verbal attack by a rival coal and wood dealer [E. Starks]. McDowell claimed his opponent just didn’t like competition. He said he put up $100 to prove the fact that his opponent’s one-cord wood rack would not fill even half of McDowell’s half-cord rack, but the man backed out, saying his rack was what he called “the short measure.” McDowell reiterated he would put up the hundred dollars and have his opponent fill his rack or any other rack in town with what he had been selling – crooked limbs, etc.– and it would come up short.

McDowell would also put up his coal by the weight on any scale in town and if it fell short of a ton by anything over 25 lbs. (“which any scale is liable to do”), he would give the buyer the coal for nothing or return the money. “Now either put up or shut up or I will make you prove what you said you could. I am here to stay.”

John Schaefer and family had a Card of Thanks: “To all the kind neighbors and friends who gave aid and consolation during the trying moments of the past week.”

Mrs. A.J. Ford had purebred B.P. Rocks and S.C.W. Leghorn chickens for sale.

James Mulvey had started a tinning and plumbing business in the rear of his father’s hardware store [lot 8 of block 17 on Chicago Street, now 8th Street North where the Library is located].

John Anderson had painted a new sign for the front window of the Bank of New Rockford.

Early in the week Mrs. D.Y. Stanton visited some Tiffany friends.

On Sept. 25, Miss Nellie Hester and Miss Kathryn Sheehy came up from Carrington to visit Miss Nell Davidson. Jack McCrum of Tiffany was in town. Dr. C.J. McNamara of Barlow came up to visit. Fred Topp was over on business from the McHenry country. B.A. Daniels was in from Tiffany on business and to visit, as was A.E. Hersey. Mrs. C.J. Maddux entertained the West Side Kindergarten Whist Club. That evening the following question was debated at the Methodist Church: “Resolved, that Woman’s mental ability is equal to Man’s.”

A.E. Swanson of Barlow attended the debate. Also that evening, George Treffry attempted to dislodge some straw that had gotten into the main pulleys of his large threshing machine; his right hand was caught by the drive belt and was pulled over the pulleys. The hand was badly smashed and lacerated, but no bones were broken.

Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Stoddard were on their way home from their western trip after two months. In Spokane, Wash., they saw former New Rockford banker F.E. Owen, C.E. Clure, and the Ware Bros., among others; in Washington State, they visited W. Maw and the Robert Walden family. In San Francisco J.W. Stoddard was a delegate to the National G.A.R. Encampment. The Stoddards had been in southern California; Leadville, California; Manitou, Colorado Springs, Colorado City, and Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

At 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 26, Bishop John Shanley and Father McDonald formally dedicated the new Catholic Church; there was a large congregation. John Bailey was in on business and to visit from southeast of town. H.B. Herbeson, who had managed the local creamery for several months during the summer of 1902 until January 1903, arrived from Grafton to visit. That evening Christine Mattson and the guests of the Hotel Mattson gave a surprise birthday party for Alice (Mrs. J.W.) Rager; there were presents and a lunch. That night a “red light” flourished in a cook car south of New Rockford, but when it was discovered by the authorities, the people involved got away in a hurry.

On Sept. 26 and 27, Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Seby were in, visiting Mrs. Seby’s many friends.

On Sunday, Sept. 27, there were church services at 11 a.m. at Morris and at 3 p.m. in the Clark School, Tiffany. [That schedule would be maintained until winter.] Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Buck visited in Barlow. That evening Dr. C.J. McNamara and cashier A.E. Swanson were up from Barlow to visit.