History of New Rockford: August 29, 2022

On April 20, 1905, Herbert Treffry returned from his winter “down east.” He had been very sick for two months. Jacob Adam came in from the Kiner area northwest of town on business and to visit. Mrs. R. Zimmerman returned to her home in Black Duck, Minnesota, her visit with her aunt Mrs. Marcus Medved cut short by a telegram telling her of the serious illness of her mother. That evening, a 10-lb. son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lyman.

On April 20 and 21, Joe Trainor of Velva was in town visiting his sisters.

The April 21, 1905, “Transcript” took up the question of the vote on incorporation of the city of New Rockford on May 9. The editor stood in opposition because New Rockford wasn’t large enough to bear the added expense and there was “no immediate crying demand” for anything incorporation could provide over the current system of government.

The thoroughbred Percheron stallion, Leon would stand for service in Peoples’ barn behind the Hotel Mattson every Friday and Saturday and at the George Treffry farm every Monday and Tuesday.

A notice on about April 14 said, W.S. Knable had taken up a two-year old bay mare with a star in her forehead and one white hind foot at his farm five miles north of New Rockford. Owner would have to pay charges.

“Magnificent seeding weather this.”

“WANTED—Poultry and fat stock of all kinds by Johnson Bros.’ Meat Market—successors to Geo. F. Fahrer.” R.M. Kennedy had a seven-room house for rent on Lamborn Avenue East.

April 21 was Arbor Day. Mrs. D.H. Fowler returned from a visit to Jamestown. Miss Editha Schmidt went to Jamestown to spend Easter with her parents. Miss Stacia Hennessy returned to her Carrington home after completing her term as the teacher in the Guler district. Miss Jennie Noble returned to her Sumpter, Minnesota home after a lengthy visit with her sisters, Mrs. E.P. Cosgrove and Mrs. O.H., Foster and their families. That afternoon, a fire broke out in the barn on the farm being worked by Elmer King six miles northeast of New Rockford. The structure was destroyed and two horses, harness, and a great quantity of feed were lost. It was suspected that the cause was smoldering manure which had caught on fire the day before when the farm workers were burning “fire guards.”

On April 22 a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Dennis O’Connor. Mrs. C.H. Goodrich returned from Carrington. Mrs. Car. Lewis came up from Carrington to visit for a few days. J.S. Ramage and W.B. Stoutemeyer of Worthington, Minnesota, arrived to visit their friend, C.H. Babcock, and to look over some land. State Inspector of Weights, David B. Wellman and his deputy C.B. Wade were inspecting all the scales in New Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Flewell came up from Wimbledon to visit their daughter, Mrs. H.W. Wilson and her husband. A.A. Pettit left for Kenmare, where he was thinking of living.

From April 22 to 24, Herman Lundquist was visiting his brother Olof Lundquist and family; he was the master mechanic for the Buffalo Pitts Threshing Machine Company in Buffalo, N.Y.

April 23 was Easter Sunday. Morning services were held in the Methodist and the Congregational churches; both buildings were completely filled. The Knights Templar Lodge attended the Congregational service in full regalia. Bank cashier G.S. Newbery and Miss Nell Sheehy were up from Carrington to visit Miss Mame Sheehy, who arrived that evening from Carrington; the next morning Miss Sheehy began work in the dress goods department of Rodenberg & Schwoebel. Mr. and Mrs. T.N. Putnam and Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Biggs also arrived from Carrington to visit.

On the evening of April 24, there was an Easter Ball in the Opera House. N.C. Toll, John Algeo, and Dr. C.J. McNamara, all from Barlow, attended. The crowd was “one of the largest” of the past season.

On April 25, Mrs. Jessie Jones returned from visiting her parents at Lemert eight miles northwest of Carrington. Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Richter were down from Sheyenne to visit. Rev. S.F. Beer and family left for their quarter section of land adjoining the Oberon townsite; they would live there, but Rev. Beer would continue as the New Rockford Methodist Church pastor. Real estate agent W.C. Dresser left on a business trip through Iowa and Illinois. That evening, New Rockford Masons J.E. Bennett, A.G. Gardner, A.W. Johnson, J.N. Kunkel, Dr. G.D. Murphy, Peter Prader, George M. Pike, W.E. Radtke, R.F. Rinker, W.C. Schwoebel, J.C. Smith, and R.R. Woodward went to Carrington to help the Lodge there bestow several degrees; “an elegant supper was served.”

On April 26, E. Delafield Smith and Miss Mabel Sheehy were up from Carrington to visit Miss Mame Sheehy. Miss Maud Stearns came up from Carrington “and spent a few minutes in the city greeting friends.” Veterinary Surgeon F.W. Tompkins was down from Oberon.

On April 27, Fred D. Lyon, the Travelling Passenger Agent for the Rock Island Line, was in town visiting E.S. Griffeth [Griffith?]. Mrs. G.W. McDonell returned from Valley City.

On April 27 and 28, Joseph Dutee was in from eastern Eddy County, along with his sore finger.

The April 28, 1905, “Transcript” again came out against incorporation for New Rockford: it would raise taxes and the “fix” was already in for the men who would become the new city officials. That issue mentioned the “Willow City Eagle.”

W.H. LaPierre had sent the “Transcript” a couple issues of the “Dawson News” from the Yukon region where “Billy” was a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Wagonmaker R.U. Austin had contractor J.L. Kinnaird erecting a 24x40 carriage and paint shop with 14-foot posts on the lots facing west on Dakota Street, just north of John Wenz’s shoe store. The businessmen along Chicago Street [8th Street today] had combined to let contracts for a cement sidewalk from Villard Avenue [Central Avenue today] north to Lamborn Avenue [1st Avenue North today], with work to commence as soon as possible. During the week a crew of men had been remodeling the NP depot: the rooms that had been used as apartments by the agent and his family were turned into a ladies’ waiting room and an express room, while the freight rooms were turned into ones which were much more efficient.

William Pfau, who had attended Phillips Academy during the winter, had left to work on the Pfau farm near Barlow.

Professor Robert T. Muir, who had been the New Rockford School Principal since Sept. 14, 1903, had declined to be rehired since he wanted to go into a line of business. The rest of the staff had been rehired.

The previous week, Mrs. W.T. Buck returned from her visit to Iowa.

On April 28, Alex Pottner came over from Emrick on business and to visit. Thomas Roycraft of eastern Eddy County was in on business and to visit. Mrs. B.W. Rantz, who had been ill for several days, left with her husband for St. Paul and treatment at St. Luke’s Hospital. Friends gave a surprise party for Mrs. R.U. Austin that evening, with cards and refreshments.