History of New Rockford: May 30, 2022

On the evening of Jan. 24, 1905, former Eddy County residents Katie (Mrs. Thomas) Turner and Nellie E. Buck were installed as Past Chief of Honor and Usher, respectively, at the meeting of the Barlow Degree of Honor. Also that evening, some young friends gave a surprise birthday party at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. R.U. Austin on Villard Ave. West for Albert Hill, a student at Phillips Academy; there were music, games, and “elegant refreshments.”

On Jan. 25, Miss Ruth Reutenik left for a visit to her old home in Cleveland, Ohio; she returned on March 8. Horace Courtemanche left on a visit to Oxford, Ohio, Indiana, and New York State; he returned on March 29. The Rockford Lodge #46 AOUW passed a resolution of sympathy to the family of deceased member William C. Hayes; W.C. Beardsley was the Recorder. That evening, the Pretty Polly theatre troupe performed at the Opera House; the attendance was small due to the “disagreeable weather.”

On the morning of Jan. 26, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Bert Prouty. Louis Mortinson [Lewis Mortensen?] from east of Barlow was in New Rockford on business between trains. That evening, all members of the Woodmen Lodge and their wives were invited to attend the installation of the new officers of the Riverside Camp #821, Royal Neighbors: Mrs. Inez Gullicks, Oracle; Mrs. C.J. Maddux, Vice Oracle; Mrs. Ada Dresser, Past Oracle; Mrs. Mary Baird, Chancellor; Mrs. Viola Woodward, Recorder; Mrs. Anna Prader, Receiver; Mrs. Laura Mitchell, Marshal; Mrs. Pearl Severtson, Inside Sentinel; Mrs. Tillie McFadden, Outside Watch; Mrs. Bessie Butler, Manager. Directly after the installation, the floor was cleared for a dance, which was interrupted only by an “elegant banquet.” Mrs. A.C. Buck of Barlow was one of the installing officers.

The Jan. 27, 1905, “Transcript” carried a Resolution of Regret passed by the Century Lodge #60, A.F. and A.M., expressing sadness at the death of member William C. Hayes and “heartfelt sympathy” for his family. R.F. Rinker, W.C. Dresser, and J.F. Rager made up the committee in charge of the resolution.

A letter from G.A. Brownell said that his health had improved and he and his wife were visiting Washington State. A letter from D.Y. Stanton stated he and his family were enjoying their visit to Sherman, N.Y., their old home, but that Mrs. Stanton had been ill.

Sheriff George F. Fahrer had supervised some work on the jail in the basement of the courthouse: the walls were kalsomined, the ceiling “frescoed,” and the bars and doors given a coat of white enamel.

J.H. Lake was suffering from consumption (tuberculosis).

Miss Margaret Buck of Barlow had spent part of the week in New Rockford visiting Miss Lucile Kennedy. Mr. and Mrs. Will Carroll of Washington Lake were visiting Thomas and Katie Carroll Turner and family in Barlow.

There had been a series of revival meetings the previous week at which Rev. W.A.E. Maddock of Flora, N.D., assisted.

On the morning of Jan. 27, John Gardner and Bertha Johnson, who had been a resident only a short time, were married by Justice R.M. Kennedy in his judicial chambers. Miss Elizabeth K. Chapman, preceptress of Phillips Academy, arrived to take up her duties. Rudolph Indergaard came in on business from his farm southeast of town. Emil Johnson was in from southeast of town. John S. Welsh came in from 17 miles northeast of town on business for his father, who found the cold weather to be “too strenuous for him.” Eddie Anderson returned from his trip to Washington State, where he saw the family of former “Transcript” employee, Billy Maw, in Snohomish; Mrs. Maw’s health was improving. That evening, the Congregational Ladies’ Social Union presented the fourth and final number in their entertainment series: Mrs. Elizabeth de Berry Gill of Philadelphia, a harpist, reader, impersonator, and contralto soloist; tickets were 50 cents for adults; 25 cents for those between ages 6 and 12. Also that evening, there was a masquerade ball in Barlow at which about 20 young people from New Rockford made their appearance; supper was served at the City Hotel.

On Jan. 28, David Bailey came in from eastern Eddy County on business. John Topp was over from the McHenry country on business and to visit. Several students from Phillips Academy enjoyed themselves at the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Forbes. That evening, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Treffry entertained a number of young people at their farm southeast of town.

From Jan. 28 to 30, Harry Burt, a student at Phillips Academy, visited his father in Fessenden; he told his father the boys had their first “class fight” and “it was a warm one.”

On Jan. 30, Martin Kunkel, J.N. Kunkel’s father, left to visit relatives in Nebraska. Father W.A. Gallahue visited in Barlow.

On Jan. 30 and 31, Miss Alma Schmidt of the Barlow bank, visited in New Rockford.

On Jan. 31, Dr. C.J. McNamara and O.B. Tausen of Barlow were in town, the latter on business. A.W. Johnson, Granville Egbert, and Miss Carolyn Waters went to Carrington that afternoon, played at a dance that evening, and returned to New Rockford the next day. Sheyenne businessman, L.B. Garnaas, passed through New Rockford on the train as he headed for Fargo and Minneapolis on business and to attend the Retail Hardware Dealers’ Association meeting in the former city. New Rockford hardware store owner, J.M. Mulvey, and H. Arveskaug, manager of the Thomas Ose Hardware Store, also left to attend the meeting; Arveskaug returned on Feb. 4 and Mulvey on Feb. 7, after a business trip to the Twin Cities. That evening, the Eastern Star initiated the following: Mrs. G.D. Murphy, Mrs. J.N. Kunkel, and Rev. J.R. Beebe.

On Feb. 1, Went Mcgee and Frank Graham of Tiffany were in on business. Dr. Charles MacLachlan returned from a business trip to St. Paul. That evening Miss Pearl Goss was surprised at her home by some young friends; they enjoyed themselves with music and games.

On Feb. 2, Mr. and Mrs. George Treffry left for a short visit to Harvey; they returned on Feb. 9. That afternoon, J.H. Lake died at the G.J. Schwoebel farm south of town from tuberculosis from which he had suffered “a long time.” The funeral was held in the home at 11 a.m. the next day and the body sent to Steele, N.D., his former residence, for interment. On the evening of Feb. 2, Mr. and Mrs. H.G. Hudson hosted a whist party at their home on Stimson Avenue West.

On Feb. 2 and 3, Donald Campbell, who owned a large farm near Hannaford on which he raised Clydesdale horses, was in town talking horses and visiting his friend, Henry W. Wilson.

The Feb. 3, 1905, “Transcript” stated that R.F. Rinker had received a letter from former Eddy County resident, Jacob Chamberlain, who had purchased a home in San Diego. Chamberlain mentioned some other former residents: J.H. Hohl was feeling better and weighed 120 lbs.; John Williams and his daughter were well; Mr. and Mrs. [James T.?] Wiltsie and A.J. Allen were “doing nicely.”