History of New Rockford: May 3, 2021

On Jan. 20 and 21, 1904, J.R. Winslow was in Carrington on legal matters.

On Jan. 21, H.J. Radtke arrived from Sparta, Wisconsin, to visit his brother W.E. Radtke and family. That evening, Imson & Edgar’s Ideals played in the Opera House. They also performed on the evenings of Jan. 22 and 23, as well as a 2 o’clock matinee on Jan. 23.

That evening in Sheyenne, a large group of the members of the Sheyenne Lutheran Church and many other residents of that community gathered at the Baptist Church, and then under the leadership of T.N. Gilderhus, marched to the Lutheran parsonage to honor Rev. and Mrs. E.T. Quam. Once the house was packed with people, J.V. N. Sundberg presented the couple with a purse of $85.75. Other speakers who praised the work of Rev. Quam were Rev. Neander of the Swedish Lutheran congregation, Miss Mattson, and N.K. Mattson. Rev. Neander and his choir sang. Many baskets of food were brought and soon a meal was prepared. The fellowship continued until 11 p.m.

The Jan. 22, 1904, “Transcript” carried an ad from S. McDowell, coal and wood dealer, who was selling Hocking Valley Coal (hard coal) at $9.25 per ton; lignite, $3.15 per ton; maple wood, $7.75; birch wood, $7.50; tamarack, ash, and oak, $6.50; and jack pine, $5.50. C.J. Maddux had a self-feed, hard coal burner with an oven on back for sale; it cost $30, but he would sell it for $15.

A.M. Greely was an agent of the Title Guaranty and Trust Company of Scranton, Pa., for bonds of any kind.

F.L. Tronsdal sent a letter from Monterey, Mexico, saying that he and some other investors in the La Cruz Plantation Company were inspecting their 20,000 acres. He was going to travel to California, Oregon, and Washington.

There was a push to organize a city band.

Mrs. R.R. Woodward had been quite ill for two weeks, but was getting better. During the week, merchant John F. Goss was ill a few days.

Pearl Henry, late of New Rockford, had handed in her resignation as a Primary teacher in the Bowbells, N.D. School to accept a position in the Bowbells post office.

During the week, James Lahart was in town looking over his elevator business, as was T.H. Cousins. Eddy County farmers, F.S. Dunham and E.B. Thomson, were at the Stock and Grain Growers’ Convention in Fargo.

On Jan. 22, the Bank of New Rockford, Ernest S. Severtson, cashier, had resources (assets) of $105,920.31, down $48,287.73 from the $154,208.04 of Nov. 17, 1903. Checking accounts amounted to $41,421.89, down $12,444.69 from the $53,866.58 of Nov. 17. The First National Bank of New Rockford, James E. Hyde, cashier, had resources (assets) of $63,046.77, down $1,192.26 from the $64,239.03 of Nov. 17. Checking accounts were $12,245.60, down $4,033.05 from the $16,278.65 of Nov. 17.

On Jan. 22, Ida Brueske and Mrs. Laura DeVere arrived from Wimbledon to visit their brother William Brueske for two weeks. Attorney R.P. Allison went to Fargo on legal business. The West Side Kindergarten Whist Club met at Mrs. A.C. Buck’s that afternoon. A meal was served and there was a fortune teller, who proved to be “most interesting and amusing.” That evening, there was a masquerade ball in the Opera House, with a supper at the Hotel Brown. Prizes were given for the best dressed lady, (“a handsome souvenir spoon” to Emily Swanson), and gentleman, (“a fine cigar case” to Albert Hendrickson). A prize of a large link of sausage went to Fred Davies for the most fantastic costume, that of a fat Dutchman. Masks had been ordered from Hudson’s. Also that evening, the Yeomen installed their new officer, J.N. Kunkel, Correspondent.

On Jan. 23, a cold snap set in which lasted over a week; the thermometer read 44 below the next day and just a little higher the day after that. F.S. Dunham and his son George returned from St. Joseph, Miss., where they had been on business for a week. Nels Myhre and Pete Mattson returned from the Twin Cities.

On Sunday, Jan. 24, Father McDonald celebrated his farewell Mass in the Catholic Church.

On Jan. 25, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rosenberger. Iver Roaldson of northern Foster County was in New Rockford. James T. Wiltsie was up from Barlow on business. Rev. C.F. Sewrey went to Cathay to assist Rev. Allen in a series of revival meetings during the week. Maurice Oliver returned to Minneapolis to resume his study of pharmacy; he had spent a month visiting his family. Mrs. Maurice Oliver and children went to Carrington to visit relatives. L.B. Garnaas took the train from Sheyenne to Grand Forks, via Leeds. That evening, the officers of the Early Settlers’ Association and the Commercial Association met.

On Jan. 26, A.C. “Bert” Jones returned from Bottineau, where he had been a grain buyer; he would remain in town the rest of the winter. D.A. Lahart returned to Mountain Lake, Minn., after a week visiting his brother T.E. Lahart. James Lahart was in town. That evening the Congregational Ladies’ Social Union hosted a “Good Time” social at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Starks; admission was a dime. “A large and jolly crowd” enjoyed music, singing, games, and refreshments. That day, at the home of the bride’s sister in Hamline, Minn., Nell Davidson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Davidson, and real estate agent, G.W. Streeter, both of New Rockford, were married in front of a few intimate friends. Miss Elizabeth Davidson, a sister of the bride, was the bridesmaid; A.E. Swanson, cashier of the Security State Bank of Barlow, was the groomsman. After an elaborate meal, the couple took a late train and began a trip to visit Minnesota relatives. They arrived in New Rockford on Jan. 29 and would be home to friends after March 1.

On Jan. 27, the two-year old son [Allett] of A.G. and Pearl Gardner cut his right index finger so badly with a toy scroll saw, that the doctor had to use chloroform when he worked on dressing the cut; little “Ads” (as he was known), was soon feeling better. Rudolph Indergaard of Plainview, and F.F. Crepps, were in on business. Fred Utz came in on business and to tell cold-weather stories. Eddy County farmer, George Treffry, underwent an operation for gallstones at St. Thomas Hospital, Marshalltown, Iowa; he began to improve almost immediately. That afternoon, Abraham T. Syftestad, 38, died of consumption [tuberculosis] in the home of his brother J.F. Syftestad, in east New Rockford. He had been ill for several years. His funeral was at the Congregational Church on the afternoon of Jan. 29, with Rev. J.R. Beebe officiating. Interment was in the cemetery north of town. [There appears to be no grave for “Abraham Syftestad” in Prairie Home Cemetery.] A single man, Syftestad left behind his elderly mother in Norway, and his brother.