History of New Rockford: February 22, 2021

On Nov. 16, 1903, the Century Lodge #60, A.F. and A.M., elected J.E. Bennett, Worshipful Master; W.C. Dresser, Senior Warden; W.E. Radtke, Junior Warden; A.G. Gardner, Treasurer; W.C. Hayes, Secretary; A.H. Wilson, Trustee, 3 years. B.C. Larkin became a 3rd Degree Mason.

On Nov. 17, Rev. Willard Fuller of Jamestown visited the school. Fred F. Allmaras and Ward “Screw” Roush were both in New Rockford. The Great Madden [Dr. James Madden], an authority on eyes and the inventor of EZY-EYE-SPEX, was at the Hotel Davies; the next day in Barlow. Edward Winters left to spend the winter in Milwaukee. That evening a fire in Fessenden destroyed Dodds’ Furniture, Speiser’s Hardware, Gackle & Schlechter’s Hardware, and Lue’s Drug Store; the loss was $40,000 to $50,000.

On that day the First National Bank of New Rockford, James E. Hyde, cashier, had resources (assets) of $60,098.80, down $229.64 from the $60,328.44 of Sept. 9. Checking accounts were $9,461.18, up $229.20 from the $9,231.98 of Sept. 9. Also that day the Bank of New Rockford, Ernest S. Severtson, cashier, had resources (assets) of $118,846.60, up $153.15 from the $118,693.45 of Sept. 9. Checking accounts amounted to $53,866.58, down $2523.12 from the $56,389.70 of Sept. 9.

On Nov. 18, P.J. Walsh and Mary McCrank were married in St. Clement’s Catholic Church, Duluth, Minn. The attendants were the bride’s sister and brother, Lizzie McCrank and James McCrank. A wedding breakfast was held at one of the bride’s sister’s home, Mrs. John Anderson; the couple would live in Eddy County.

On Nov. 18, Frederick Skidmore came in on business from Tiffany. John Haley and Ben Fay came in from the Tiffany Flats. Mrs. W.G. Carter went to Grand Forks to visit.

On Nov. 19, D.Y. Keyton of Brinsmade and George Pincott of the Sheyenne Valley came down on business. Mrs. Charles Mann of Sioux Falls, S.D., arrived to visit her sister Mrs. Frederick Skidmore and family of Tiffany. Martin Larson left to live in Washington State.

The Nov. 20, 1903, “Transcript” carried an item which stated the Cass County courthouse burned on the evening of Nov. 18, with a $200,000 loss.

Mrs. W.O. Baird stepped on a nail and spent the week hobbling on a sore foot.

Grade students were learning Thanksgiving songs and poems. Arthur Syftestad became a member of the second primary; Emil Syftestad and Teddy Syftestad entered Miss Trainor’s intermediate room. Fred Ackerman joined the seventh grade and Harry Ford and Paul Baeder joined the eighth grade.

During the week the Foster County State Bank of Carrington was sold by P.J. Hester to Carrington attorney T.F. McCue. Also during the week Dr. T.M. MacLachlan of McHenry was found not guilty in district court in Carrington of shooting Biselow, a blind pig. Witnesses testified that the doctor had attempted to avoid any conflict until he was cornered by Biselow, who had been after him for hours and confronted him with a large-bore rifle. Witnesses also said Biselow had threatened to shoot MacLachlan on sight.

On Nov. 20, George F. Putnam returned from Winnipeg. G.A. Krueger of Freeborn and J.H. Lake were in on business. That afternoon the high school Literary Society met.

On Nov. 21, Ed Seastrand was in on business from his farm northwest of New Rockford. Mrs. George A. Brown returned from a trip home to her former home in Michigan. William Bucklin and William Wilson returned from hunting on the Little Missouri with six deer.

On the morning of Sunday, Nov. 22, the first snow of the season fell. Rev. E.W. Burleson of Jamestown conducted Episcopal services in the Baptist Church, with Holy Communion at 10:30 a.m.; morning prayer at 11 a.m., and evening prayer at 7:30 p.m. G.A. Erickson and his hunting party returned from two weeks on the Little Missouri with five deer.

The petit jury list for the term of district court in New Rockford, beginning at 1 p.m. Nov. 23 included Peter Anderson, Fred Atkinson, G.W. Brownell, William Bucklin, F.H. Chandler, H.M. Clark, H.W. Clark, Charles Conent, F.F. Crepps, Peter Dodds, Andrew Eklund, E.E. Evans, Patrick Farrell, F.W. House, Andrew Jensen, W.E. Kurtz, Fred Lindstrom, P.J. Lorig, A.G. Matthews, John Mattson, Ole Mattson, H.H. Moen, A.A. Morse, W.S. Morris, F.D. Norton, W.W. Overton, W.R. Radtke, F.R. Reddish, George Ruhl, John R. Schultz, G.J. Schwoebel, K.R. Thompson, A.D. Tomlinson, L.M. Walbus, John Weipert, and R.R. Woodward.

On Nov. 23, the district court, S.L. Glaspell, judge; C.H. Olson subbing for E.S. Rose, court reporter, went into session in New Rockford. Cases included—John E. Schultz vs. Helena Pfau, and Charles E. Schultz vs. Helena Pfau; settled by in court stipulation; Maddux & Rinker were the plaintiff attorneys; J.A. Manly was the defense attorney.

Minnie Halverson vs. Rockford School District; action dismissed; Lee Combs for the plaintiff; P.M. Mattson for the defense.

J.W. Ellingson vs. J.W. Lahart, action on $10,000 in damages; case continued; W.O. Lowden, plaintiff’s attorney; Maddux & Rinker for the defense.

P.J. Hester vs. W.C. Bowers, action on promissory note; case continued; Maddux & Rinker were the attorneys for the plaintiff; J.A. Manly was the attorney for the defense.

F.C. Davies vs. Carl Pealke, action on a note; jury trial; judgment of $53 for the plaintiff; P.M. Mattson for the plaintiff; Otto Greten for the defense.

American Grass Twine Co. vs. L.B. Garnaas, action on contract for a carload of machinery; settled by stipulation; H.R. Turner for the plaintiff; Maddux & Rinker for the defense.

Hans Jensen vs. Ed H. Martin, action to foreclose a seed lien; referred to Judge W.C. Beardsley; Maddux & Rinker, attorneys for the plaintiff; P.M. Mattson, attorney for the defense.

C.G. Glasrud vs. Ole K. Olson, Jacob Jacobson, and L.D. Ostby, action on a promissory note; judgment for plaintiff against Olson and Jacobson for $556.55; judgment for Ostby for costs; Maddux & Rinker, attorneys for the plaintiff; P.M. Mattson, attorney for the defense.

L.B. Garnaas vs. Ole J. Myhre; action continued due to death of the defendant; Maddux & Rinker, attorneys for the plaintiff; P.M. Mattson, attorney for the defense.

L.B. Garnaas vs. F.O. Anderson and P.M. Mattson; action on promissory note; trial with jury disagreement; Maddux & Rinker, attorneys for the plaintiff; John Knauf and P.M. Mattson, attorneys for the defense.

L.D. Lytle vs. F. Reed; action for commission on land sale; trial to jury; verdict for plaintiff for $100; J.A. Manly for the plaintiff; Maddux & Rinker for the defense.

J.I. Case Threshing Machine Co. vs. E.M. Stitzel, M.E. Stitzel, and Mary Potter; action to foreclose mortgage; tried to the court and taken under advisement; H.R. Turner for the plaintiff; Maddux & Rinker for the defense.