History of New Rockford: March 20, 2023

About 3 a.m. Oct. 30, 1905, a fire alarm brought people to the corner of Stimson and New Haven, where J.T. Wiltsie’s barn was on fire. “Strenuous work” got the flames out before any real damage was done. Early in the evening, a pan of lignite ashes had been thrown near a manure pile; they smoldered unnoticed until they burst into flame. [There was no mention of the NRFD.]

On Oct. 30 Sena Thompson entered the Commercial Department and Eva Hawthorn the Academic Department at Phillips Academy. H.G. Hudson, H.F. Rodenberg, Henry Wilson, and J.E. Cady went to George Pincott’s ranch to hunt “honkers”; they returned with some on the night of Nov. 1. Hans Jensen came down from Grand Harbor and made some collections. J.F. Grandstaff came in on business. Town Marshal Robert O’Neill went to Sheyenne on business; among other things, he purchased a quarter section to add to his four quarter sections near Sheyenne; the price was $2000. Mr. and Mrs. Anson Bonney left for their new home, Hopper, Wash., where his parents had been located for several years. John Schaefer left for Seattle, Wash., where he expected to go into business or buy a farm; by late November he had gone into business as a jobber in paints in Tacoma, along with Charles Mann and former resident Herb Losee. That evening, the New Rockford Orchestra played at a big dance at Barlow.

On that day, O.J. Schutt had taken up on the Dresser farm northeast of New Rockford the following: one four-year old iron gray gelding, 1000 lbs.; one brown mare, star in forehead, hind feet white, “JW” branded on left flank, 900 lbs., ten years old; one bay gelding pony, white strip in face, “M” branded on right shoulder; one iron gray yearling colt, star in forehead, no brands. Owner could have them by paying charges.

On Oct. 31, Paul Duda sold his personal property and household goods in anticipation of moving to Oregon in November. Peter Schaefer of eastern Wells County and W.W. Overton were in on business. William Wilson came down from Sheyenne. John Topp was over from the McHenry area on business and to visit. A.R. Johns returned from a business trip to Brinsmade, while grain buyer J.A. McAuley made a business trip to that community up the NP line. George Deere left for his Michigan home after a fall working on a threshing crew. That evening, Miss Elizabeth K. Chapman, the preceptress at Phillips Academy, hosted a Halloween party for the students and several soon-to-be students in the Academy’s assembly room with games, music and light refreshments. Also that evening, S.D. Stefanich came over from near McHenry. All the Halloween pranks pulled by the community’s youngsters were reported as of the harmless variety.

On Nov. 1 a four-month old black horse colt strayed from the farm of F.S. Dunham. The Methodist Ladies’ Aid held a sale of fancy goods in the Opera House during the afternoon and hosted a supper for 25 cents at 6 p.m. A large number of people attended the supper. Joseph Greitl began the second-year course of bookkeeping at Phillips Academy. Mrs. E.A. Gammell went to Esmond to visit her grandsons, Robert and Homer Allison. The Degree of Honor sponsored a dance in their lodge rooms that evening.

On Nov. 1 and 2, C.D.U. Lewis of Carrington visited in New Rockford; he and his wife were preparing to move to California.

On Nov. 2, John Welsh, Jr., came down from the Sheyenne Valley on business, as did C.S. Bosworth from eastern Wells County. Dr. Charles MacLachlan went to the Twin Cities to see his wife and little daughter; he also took in the Wisconsin-Minnesota football game; all three returned on Nov. 6 — the little girl’s health had greatly improved. J.A. McAuley went to Duluth to help institute a Shrine Lodge; then he went to the Twin Cities, where he also saw the Wisconsin-Minnesota game. That evening, the Cemetery Improvement Society met at the Baptist Church; refreshments were served.

The Nov. 3, 1905, “Transcript” commented that there had been several billiard and card parties lately, including those at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Dresser, J.W. and Alice Rager, and Mr. and Mrs. R.R. Woodward. The usual card game was “Nula Grand” [a trick-taking game also called “500”].

Under School Notes by Celestia Kellington were the following: The gymnasium was opened on Oct. 30; “The new floor is a great improvement.” Monthly exams were held on Nov. 2. During the week, Ira Beer entered the first grade and Ada Beer joined the second. Mr. Blakely had visited the eighth grade and the high school; Mrs. Stegenga was also a visitor. The eighth graders were studying Julius Caesar. The seventh grade had decided not to join the Literary Society.

An ad stated that on or about Oct. 15 the following had strayed from the pasture of Mike Mulligan of Morris, N.D., in section 24, T150, R63 [Eddy]: one eight-year-old sorrel mare, white stripes in face, 1100 lbs., “NP” brand, had a leather halter on with a rope halter stall tied around neck; one bay mare, 900 lbs., wine cup brand on right shoulder, “badly stiffened in front.”

“Boarders wanted at Mrs. E.P. Gosgrove’s.”

Fall plowing was almost complete, which was good because the past week’s heavy frosts had made the ground almost impossible to work. The James River was frozen over, considerably earlier than in the previous several years, and the young people were taking full advantage of ice skating.

Recently, Rev. Paton of Carrington had visited several classes at Phillips Academy.

On the evening of Nov. 3, the Yeoman Lodge met; J.N. Kunkel was the Foreman. The Arkansaw Company and some local talent presented the play “The Fireman’s Ward” to a crowded house to benefit the NRFD. Also that evening, a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. William G. Milne, Jr., at their farm on the banks of the Sheyenne River.

The F.E.W. (Foster, Eddy, Wells) Association of Teachers met in Fessenden on Nov. 3 and 4. (No school was held in New Rockford on the 3rd.) Each teacher was to bring a copy of Shakespeare’s “Richard III” for the question and answer time. Grace B. Putnam of Eddy County was on the program committee. Principal E.S. Youngdahl and the Misses Lund, Bolstad, and Hutchinson of the New Rockford Schools were there. Youngdahl was one of the vice presidents elected.

On Nov. 4, Mr. and Mrs. Dan McKenzie drove up from their farm near the Foster County line to shop and to visit. Mrs. W.J. Morris was in shopping. Rev. J.R. Beebe returned from a trip on the mainline of the Northern Pacific in the interests of Phillips Academy. That evening, the first in the Lecture series sponsored by Phillips Academy, S. Platt Jones, entertainer, appeared at the Congregational Church at 8 o’clock.

From Nov. 4 to 7, Miss Julia Shirley was in Minot visiting her father and sisters.

On Sunday, Nov. 5, Thomas Miller from Minnesota visited his old friends Mr. and Mrs. P.H. West.