History of New Rockford: August 14, 2023

On March 5 and 6, 1906, National Bank Examiner F.B. Chapman of Buford, N.D., examined the financial status of the First National Bank and announced it was “in excellent condition.”

Sealed bids were received by County Treasurer W.C. Schwoebel until 3 p.m. March 6, for materials and construction of a bridge over the Sheyenne River on the section line between section 7, T150, R64 [Hillsdale], and Section 12, T150, R65 [Bush].

On the afternoon of March 6, in front of the three Eddy County Commissioners (Dailey, Gunvaldson, Dafoe) the following bridge bids were opened: Fargo Bridge and Iron Co., $2440; Minneapolis Bridge and Iron Co., $2483; A.Y. Bayne & Co., $2510; M.A. Adams Co., $2572; Minneapolis Steel Machinery Co., $2587; Henmpan [?] Bridge Co., $2589; Northwestern Bridge Co., $2593; J.G. Ratcliff Co., $2612; Joliet Bridge and Iron Co., $2625; Wm. S. Hewett & Co., $2848. The Commissioners voted to accept the bid of the Fargo Bridge and Iron Co.

On March 7, the Commission voted to pay the following bills: $2.90, J.G. Dailey, railroad fare for Mrs. Anderson and son; $22.50, Mrs. W.C. Schwoebel, clerk, auditor’s office for first half of January. Based on petitions received from legal voters, the Commissioners authorized elections to organize four congressional townships as civil townships and choose township officers: T149, R66 as New Rockford Township at a meeting in the basement of the court house on March 20; T148, R66 as Superior Township at a meeting in school house #1 on March 20; T150, R66 as Gates Township at a meeting in Stedman’s Hall in Sheyenne on March 20; T150, R67 as Grandfield Township at a meeting in Greenfield School #1 on March 20.

On March 6, George and Frank Fugina received word of the death of their cousin, Emil Fugina, a merchant in Arcadia, Wisc., who was going down his cellar stairs with a lighted lamp, which exploded and sent burning oil all over his clothing. He was unconscious when help arrived and died shortly after.

On March 6, Pat Byron from near Barlow and T.H. Bollingberg were in for spring supplies. Hans Anderson came in on business from southwest of town, as did A.F. Schwenck from the Cathay area, Henry R. Johnson of Plainview, and Jacob Adam from west of town. Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Thomson came in to shop and visit “their army of friends.” Mrs. P.R. Lance arrived from Jamestown to visit Mrs. G.W. McDonell. Fred Atkinson returned from a business trip to Linton and other places in Emmons County. John F. Goss left for Grinnell, Iowa, where his brother was gravely ill. That evening, 25 friends dropped in for a surprise party for Miss Minnie O’Neill at her home on Stimson Avenue West; music, games, and “elegant refreshments” filled out the evening. That evening, Rev. E.W. Burleson conducted Episcopal services. Also that evening, John Algeo and Miss Alma Schmitt drove up from Barlow to visit.

On the morning of March 7, Dr. Charles MacLachlan examined the public school students and advised that the school be closed until March 13 due to the appearance of scarlet fever among members of the Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Bennett family. Having resigned his position in the State Auditor’s office, E.R. Davidson arrived in New Rockford to begin organizing the new Farmers and Merchants Bank; Mrs. Davidson and baby stayed in Jamestown a few days to visit relatives and friends and arrived in New Rockford on March 12. Real estate agent George W. Streeter returned from his trip to Illinois and other eastern states. At 4:20 p.m. a “seed grain special” train was due, but it pulled into the NP station almost two hours late. The crowd of waiting farmers and others listened to lectures on grain, seed grain, plant diseases and smut. Unfortunately, some of the farmers had to leave for their homes before the arrival of the train. That evening, the members of the O.D.B.M. girls’ club surprised Miss Ida Kersten with a party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Prader on Lamborn Avenue West; there were card games – Nulle Grand and Five Hundred – and delicious refreshments. Another surprise party that evening was visited on attorney R.F. Rinker at his home on Stimson Avenue West when 20 of his friends arrived to help him celebrate his 31st birthday. He was presented with a fine diamond stick pin. Nulle Grand was played. That night, there was “a little snow.”

On March 8, Lorne Ireland left for Minot, where he would work at Carroll’s Meat Market. William Plasic [Placek?] left for Marshalltown, Iowa, for a few months to try and regain his health.

The March 9, 1906, “Transcript” mentioned the “Lisbon Free Press,” “Esmond Bee,” and “Maddock Standard.” Rev. E.E. Saunders had sold the “Oberon Reporter” to J.A. Smith.

An ad stated that the New Rockford Hardware Company, Frank Hays, prop., was the local agent for Netzoe Pianos and U.S. Cream Separators. O.W. Bauer had a second-hand organ, a second-hand piano and a combination bookcase and writing desk for sale cheap or would trade for cows or horses. Sylvanus Marriage had fresh milch cows for sale. The Farmers and Merchants Bank, not yet in business, had an ad.

W.H. “Marsh” Chamberlain had returned from a lengthy visit to Illinois and other eastern points. Mrs. E.M. Morris of Dickey, N.D., had been visiting her parents southeast of town since the previous week.

Stonemason Gustave Lauch informed the “Transcript” that he would have “a big force of men” working for him that spring and summer.

During the week, students in the Phillips Academy Teachers’ Preparatory Department took the teachers’ examinations at the court house. During the week, a series of revival meetings were held in the Methodist Church with local pastor Rev. S.F. Beer and Rev. R.L. MacArthur of Lakota.

Five of Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Engberg’s children were very ill with scarlet fever near Barlow. During the week Dr. Charles MacLachlan examined the Phillips Academy student body, but found no evidence of scarlet fever.

Charles Rattinger, who had managed the Davies Hotel [circa 1898-1901] in New Rockford, had closed a deal to manage the Hotel Northwest in Bismarck.

After a week of pleasant weather with warm winds and weather, a snowstorm visited New Rockford on March 9. There was no frost in the ground.

On March 9, William Milne, Jr., of the Sheyenne Valley was in on business; he said the roads were the worst he had ever seen. Phillips Academy student Sumner Engberg went to Barlow to set up some drills for spring planting; he returned to the Academy on March 12. That evening, the following program was presented by the Phillips Academy Musical and Literary Society: Song, Double Mixed Quartette; Address, Hon. R.P. Allison; Song, Quartette (Rolla Hill, Albert Hill, Asa Hylton, Charles Griffith); Essay, Ethel Treffry; Reading, James Chambers; Piano Solo, Irene Brownell; Recitation, Lena Breck; Newspaper, Emma Larson; Debate, “Resolved, That there is more pleasure in anticipation than in realization”; Affirmative, Asa Hylton; Negative, Albert Hill; Piano Solo, John Smith; Recitation, Angelina Kelts.