History of New Rockford: February 8, 2021

On Nov. 2, 1903, George Treffry was in town. C.H. Ruland came in on business from Tiffany. Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Evans came in to shop. Charles O’Connell came over from Lakota to visit his parents. A.W. Healey was down from Churchs Ferry. Gus Erickson, a merchandise clerk at H. Peoples & Co., returned from Courtenay, his former home. That afternoon J.M. Shannon and Dr. T.M. MacLachlan came over from McHenry for a Masonic meeting that evening; they returned home the next day. Joseph Jones, who had worked on the Horace Courtemanche farm the past summer, left for a winter in California.

On Nov. 3, the Eddy County Commission (Braman, Dailey, Dafoe) met and paid the following: $1.20, Powers Elevator Co., wood for Mrs. Lewis, county poor; $11.75, H.B. Sorter, road work; $130, Martin O’Brien, grade contract; $30, W.C. Hayes, October janitor salary; $300, E.M. Stitzel, grading Hagen Slough; $2.35, James Mulvey, repairing court house roof; $23, Prader & Goss, supplies to Mrs. Lewis and Mrs. Cahill, county poor; $45, Mrs. A.G. Gardner, Register of Deeds clerk, October.

On Nov. 3, Albert M. Sands of Barlow and Mary Weiss of West Concord, Minn., were married by Judge W.C. Beardsley in his home. Miss Carolyn Hagstata and Arthur Sands were the attendants. The couple would live near Barlow. Mrs. W.J. Carroll came up from Barlow. Lambert VanLith and Mr. and Mrs. Burton Hulbert were in town. Mr. and Mrs. Axtle Johnson and Mrs. W.J. Morris were in shopping. John Gardner was in on business. Mr. and Mrs. B.M. Leonard returned from the Twin Cities. Mrs. Peter Butler returned from a short visit to Minneapolis. Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Richter and daughter Miss Floy drove down from Sheyenne and spent an evening visiting Mr. and Mrs. B.W. Rantz and other friends. Mrs. Flora Hulbert left for her home in New York State after visiting her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Burton Hulbert and family for 1½ years. That evening Sheyenne elevator man A.H. Johnson was down on business. That evening there was a “Pound Party” for Rev. Taylor of Tiffany and Morris “at the manse.” About 50 people from Tiffany, Morris, and Plainview attended. Contributions of vegetables and groceries over a pound in weight were accepted.

On Nov. 4, the Trustees of Phillips Academy consulted with architect W.C. Albrant of Fargo; the building would be 40x76, two stories, with a full basement, and made of brick. Excavation for the stone foundation was underway. Marsh Chamberlain returned from Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Clure left for their new home, Spokane, Wash. Mr. and Mrs. John O’Connell went to Minneapolis for the winter. Mrs. P.J. Shanahan and children, Willie and Agnes, went to Madison, Wisconsin, for the winter; Mr. Shanahan expected to join them shortly (he left for Wisconsin on Nov. 16). That evening a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Freeman Shoemaker.

At 10 a.m. Nov. 5, Father McDonald celebrated the first Mass at the Tiffany Catholic Church. Rev. Willard Fuller of Jamestown visited the “Transcript” office, talking about his lecture “Anchors and Wings” to be given in the Baptist Church on the evening of Nov. 16. P.J. Walsh came in from his farm near Tiffany with “a great growth of whiskers.” J.D. Carroll went to Oberon on business. That evening there were around 200 people at the Catholic supper in the Opera House. That evening also there was a dance in the Opera House with music by Andrew Johnson and George Tyner. That evening Miss Elsie Keime, who grew up in New Rockford, entertained some young people at the home of Mrs. N. Carr in or near Leal, N.D., where Miss Keime taught.

The Nov. 6, 1903, “Transcript” mentioned the “Edgeley Mail,” “Barlow Recorder,” “Braddock Republican” (which had just closed down), and the “Courtenay Gazette,” George Farries, editor, which had started its seventh year.

All notes and subscriptions to Phillips Academy due Nov. 1, 1903, were payable to E.S. Severtson, treasurer.

G.W. Brownell sold Cassidy High Life Plows, Robinson-Miller Buggies, and South Bend Wagons. F. Howard was the agent for Edison Phonographs at $10, $20, and $30.

Daniel Labhardt’s house was almost completed.

Henry L. Litcher, formerly of the New Rockford firm Prader & Litcher [Jan. 1, 1899-March 1902], arrived to visit and on business; he lived in St. Louis Park, Minn.

Former New Rockford resident J.N. Kunkel of Fessenden was in St. Paul with his son Paul, who needed further treatment for his legs.

It had been examination week at the school. During the week Minnie Cahill and Sumner Stitzel entered the Primary Department.

During the week the Tiffany Ladies’ Aid met at the home of Mrs. Andrew Larson, the new Tiffany “postmistress.” Also during the week there was a train wreck at Indianapolis which involved 12 passenger coaches and 500 people. Fifteen were killed, including Mrs. W.E. Biggs’s cousin, but her brother escaped without a scratch.

On Nov. 6, Ole Johnson was bringing a load of grain to town. Chilled by riding on the wagon, he got down and began walking behind it. On a downgrade the team began to trot. Johnson ran to the side of the wagon box where the reins were tied, but he slipped and was thrown under the heavy wagon. A wheel contacted his face and body. He was able to get to a neighboring farm and was taken to the doctor, who treated him for several severe facial cuts and numerous bruises. He returned home the next day.

On Nov. 6, Mrs. Charles Pake returned from Bowdon. Mrs. Fred Laasch went to Leeds. Mrs. R.M. Kennedy went to Moorhead to visit her little son Harold in the hospital. At 3:15 p.m. members of the NRHS Literary Society presented their second program: song, by the school students; recitation, Jennie Hersey; essay, Evalyn Mattson; recitation, Ev Hawthorn; essay, Minnie Syftestad; recitation, Lillie Ohrner; debate, “Resolved, that Lincoln was a greater man than Washington.” The Affirmative was upheld by Ralph Beebe and Mary Goodrich; the Negative by Vada Aultman and Doran Petitt; recitation, Merrile Pike; song, by the school. The eighth grade also sang “The Whip-Poor-Will” song. That evening the Yeomen Lodge met.

On Nov. 7, “Sheyenne Star” editor C.C. Manning was in New Rockford. Carrington banker P.J. Hester came up on business. John Schaefer was in from eastern Eddy County to visit and to do business. Jake Adam was in on business. Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Dailey were in shopping; he already had 600 acres ready to drill the coming spring. Mrs. James E. Hyde went to Fargo for a few days. Veterinary surgeon F.R. Patterson left for a winter “back east.” Clarence Sheldon went to St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Paul after having symptoms of a bowel obstruction and appendicitis for some time; he returned on Nov. 19 in improved health.