History of New Rockford: June 28, 2021

On March 14, 1904, the Phillips Academy trustees (Rev. C.H. Phillips, Jamestown; Rev. E.S. Shaw, Fargo; Rev. Robert Paton, Carrington; Rev. J.R. Beebe, New Rockford; Messrs. A. Baldwin, Oberon; James Buchanan, Buchanan, N.D.; and John Rager, John Goss, and E.S. Severtson, all of New Rockford) met in the Congregational Church. They took final action on plans and specifications for the building and voted to advertise bids for a two-story, 44x70 building, with a basement and steam heat. The board members looked over the five names submitted as possible principals and selected Rev. L.J. Aldrich, who was, for 18 years the president of Union Christian College, of Merom, Ind. Architect W.C. Albrant of Fargo met with the board. The land purchased by the board had been platted and would soon be on the market as 116 lots, 50x150 [changed to 50x140], at $100 to $150 per lot. Lewis Crawford, a trustee from Sentinel Butte, offered 100 books to start a library and a money donation for an endowment. Plans were for preparatory and academic courses, and a business department.

Mrs. F.E. Diemer came in from Barnesville, Minn., to visit her parents Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Stoddard. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. George Dodds, southeast of New Rockford, and a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hawthorn that evening.

On March 15, J.M. Deeter, after deciding to retire from farming, sold at public auction all of his stock and farm machinery. Martin Walsh was in for spring supplies. Mary Hartl and Mary Adam returned from Jamestown, where they had attended St. John’s Academy during the winter. That afternoon, Nora Kennedy had the high score among the ladies at the bowling alley. That evening, some Barlow bowlers—Dodson Reames, Leonard Dalsen, A.E. Swanson, Axel Nelson, and Carl Blomquist—came up and trimmed some unnamed New Rockford bowlers by 142 pins. Also that evening, the W.C.T.U. hosted a social at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Rager above the harness shop. There was music and games, and light refreshments were served. Admission was 15 cents. Over 100 people attended. Late that evening, a group of friends and neighbors of Mr. and Mrs. George Crossen descended on their farm home north of town and completely surprised the couple, who had already retired for the night; however, they were able to overcome their surprise and entertain their visitors in a “royal style” until “rosy-fingered dawn” appeared on the eastern horizon.

On March 16, Fred Zimmerman and C.S. Bosworth were in on business. John Knox came in from eastern Eddy County. G.W. Brownell returned from a long visit to his old home in New York State. That evening, a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Skidmore of Tiffany. That evening, the Progressive Entertainers appeared at the Opera House.

On March 17, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Niemeyer of McHenry. Alvin Oakes returned from his winter in Indiana. Barber Granville Egbert returned from a visit to his old home in Adel, Iowa, and would again make New Rockford his home. Justin [Judson?] Gilbreath and Harry Row came back from a winter in Iowa. Mrs. Frank Bennett came up from Jamestown on the train and went out to the Mr. and Mrs. E.S. Davidson farm northeast of town to visit; Mrs. Davidson and she were sisters. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mann arrived from Sioux Falls, S.D., to visit her sister Mrs. Frederick Skidmore, who was a new mother, and her family.

That evening, Mrs. J.H. Hyde entertained the members of the West Side Kindergarten Whist Club at the home of Mrs. C.J. Maddux. About 9:30, in walked a squad of men (the Club had a “no males” policy) who sat down on the floor between the tables, in groups of five to seven, and began the raucous game of “Pit,” which drowned out the whist players. After a quick discussion, the ladies instituted a mock “initiation” which proved long and humorous (to them); it ended with the men’s hair being put up in curler papers.

The March 18, 1904, “Transcript” carried the announcement that sealed bids for the construction of the main building for Phillips Academy, and separately for the heating and plumbing, would be accepted by John F. Goss, secretary of the Academy Board, until noon April 5. Bids had to come with a certified check for $200.

For sale—pure bred S.C.W. Leghorn Cockerels and Pullets. Eggs in season. Mrs. A.J. Ford. For sale by John Neutzel—a team of work horses between 5 and 6 years old, “not broncos.” Cigarmaker H.J. Radtke put his cigar “The Pride of New Rockford” on the market that week. During the week, shoe store proprietor John Wenz was busy stocking his shop with new spring footwear.

Druggist C.H. Babcock and Dr. G.D. Murphy had been collecting instruments, such as a powerful microscope and a bacteriological incubator, for the culture of disease germs for a portion of their drug store which would be used as a laboratory.

R.M. Kennedy had been suffering from his injured foot so much that he was confined to his house for several days.

Mont Biggs and Ralph Beebe had been practicing on their new Conn cornets. Ralph Beebe, Mont Biggs, Everett Buck, Olger Gronvold, Asa Hylton, and Doran Pettit had been practicing and performing as a vocal group.

In School Notes—Mesdames Allison, Priest, and Wilson, and the Misses Carlson, Keime, and Reid visited the upper rooms. Mesdames Mitchell, Putnam, and Woodward visited the primary room during the week. W.E. Biggs visited the lower rooms on March 17. John Whetham had been absent from the Intermediate room. In February, sixth grader George Hawthorn had 100% in Arithmetic. The following Intermediate students had not been absent or tardy during the first six months of school: Anna Ackerman, Maude Baeder, Maggie Ford, Loyle Goss, Anna Gronvold, Elmer Gronvold, Maude Hersey, Mabel House, and Lydia Hylton. On St. Patrick’s Day, some students wore green, some wore orange, and some combined the two. On March 17 and 18, final examinations were given; Ethel Treffry and Myrta Haas of the Superior district and Mabel Johnston of the Smith district came in to take the tests.

Former resident W.H. Lapierre had taken up a homestead in the Saskatchewan River Valley. The previous week, John Burnett, stockman and farmer from near Centreville, S.D., visited his sister Mrs. P.J. Lorig and family.

On March 18, despite some snow, over forty Eddy County farmers met in the C.J. Maddux law offices and discussed for over two hours, building and operating a Farmers’ Elevator. W.C. Schwoebel was elected chairman and H.M. Clark was named secretary. Everyone present believed in the enterprise.