History of New Rockford: October 30, 2023

On May 24, 1906, Alice (Mrs. J.W.) Rager left on a visit to her former home, Jamestown, N.Y. Mrs. B.W. Hersey left for Kansas City, Mo., to visit her parents. The New Rockford Band played an outdoor concert that evening. That evening, Miss Mame Sheehy hosted a souvenir party for Miss Lynne Tyler at the home of Mr. and Mrs. T.E. Lahart. Twelve young ladies were guests. Miss Mae Herbert won a cake in a cake-guessing contest. White satin ribbons and bells decorated the dining room where the delicious lunch was served. After the refreshments, each guest was given a pansy and read in the flower a note with a thought for a happy future for Miss Tyler, who was the recipient of many souvenirs of the evening. Mrs. M.R. Fritz, Mrs. Valentine Fertig, and Mrs. T.E. Lahart assisted Miss Sheehy. That night, the dog poisoner struck again – the victim, Rev. J.R. Beebe’s “high-bred pointer.”

The May 25, 1906, “Transcript” said the Phillips Academy baseball team played three home games that week: May 21 – Academy, 11, Barlow, 5; May 22 – Academy, 8, McHenry, 7; May 23 – Academy, 7, Oberon, 6. The attendance at each game “was very small.”

Ray Erwin had a nicely furnished, one-story house for sale, but it had to be moved off its lot. Logan & Farley had added a verandah and cement walk in front of their St. Paul Street [7th St. North today] restaurant. W.E. Biggs had purchased and was renovating the house formerly occupied by Sgt. T.P. Morris east of the railroad tracks. Men were putting in the stone foundation on the F.S. Dunham farm west of town for his new 26x39, two-story house. R.M. Kennedy was renovating his coal sheds near the railroad tracks. H.H. Miller had a large Diebold Safe for sale at Fowler’s old meat market.

Rain showers had been coming “thick and fast.”

Well-driller Dennis O’Keefe was very busy. Mike Mulligan had secured the federal contract for carrying mail between New Rockford, Tiffany, Morris, and Freeborn; after July 1 the mail would leave New Rockford every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

The week before, E.H. “Ed” Martin had begun work as a freight handler at the depot.

James Hamilton’s nephew had arrived the previous week from Tara in southwestern Ontario and would remain for the summer.

On the morning of May 25, Mrs. James Dafoe of the Sheyenne Valley drove down to New Rockford to shop. While she was in town the family pet, “a fine bred” bird dog found some meat left by the dog poisoner and died. Mrs. Dafoe felt “very badly.”

From May 25 to June 1, the state exams for completing the eighth grade were given in New Rockford. Supt. [Principal] E.S. Youngdahl stated that rural students would be allowed to take them upon presentation of a report card showing that they had completed the necessary subjects.

On May 26, druggist Orley Couch returned from “a trip down the line.” J.R. Craig came in from his farm northeast of town on business and to see his friends. John Neutzel left for Baltimore, Md., as a witness before a federal court; he returned on June 16. Mr. and Mrs. Olof Lundquist left for a visit at Valley City.

On the evening of Sunday, May 27, Rev. J.G. Moore preached in the Methodist Church.

The District Court session began on the morning of May 28 and continued through the week (Decoration Day excepted) with five criminal and 27 civil cases. Some of the cases tried were State vs. Wiemals, “Disagreement”; State vs. Sween, Sween pled guilty, one year in State Penitentiary; State vs. Stefanich, not guilty; Nash vs. Moss, judgment for plaintiff; Prader & Baeder vs. E.P. Row and Wesley Roe, to jury, judgment for plaintiff; Prader & Baeder vs. E.P. Roe, to jury, judgment for plaintiff; Nash vs. McKelvey, to jury, judgment for plaintiff; Phillips Academy vs. S. McDowell, judgment for plaintiff; Sundberg vs. Walton, to jury, judgment for plaintiff. The rest of the cases were continued. McHenry postmaster F.R. Cruden and Marion Nash attended some sessions.

On May 28, Sheyenne barber Henry Miller was down on business and to visit. D.B. Wellman, State Inspector of Weights and Measures, was in town. Edward Winters of Freeborn and John Topp from the McHenry area were in for court and to visit. J.D. Carroll came in from Washington Lake. Erick T. Moe of eastern Eddy County was in town to file his petition to run for clerk of court. Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Rodenberg left for the Twin Cities, where she had an operation; he returned home on June 4, but she remained in St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Paul. Fessenden attorney John Layne came over for court and remained all week.

At noon, May 29, John P. Von Almen and Lynne Tyler were married under a canopy of smilax, white ribbons and wedding bells at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Fertig, Father VandenBergh of St. John’s Catholic Church officiating. Miss Mame Sheehy was the bridesmaid and the groom’s brother Henry Von Almen was the best man. Decorations were American Beauty roses and carnations. A wedding luncheon was held in the dining room. The groom was a salesman at the Hays’ hardware store, while the bride, who had come from Minnesota two years prior, was a sales clerk in the dry goods department of the H. Peoples and Co. store. After June 15, the young couple would be at home on Lamborn Avenue in the former residence of A.H. Crawford and family. That day, Mrs. Nelle McLean was down from Sheyenne for an overnight visit. Miss Jet Richter came down from Sheyenne to visit friends for a few days.

On May 29 and 30, E.T. Hallas of Carrington, candidate for the N.D. House, was in New Rockford, doing some politicking.

On May 30 (Decoration Day), the New Rockford Improvement Association sponsored a program at the court house with literary and music selections and speeches by Rev. J.R. Beebe, Rev. S.F. Beer and Prof. L.J. Aldrich; the New Rockford Band played and led the parade. All New Rockford stores were closed from 2 to 4 p.m. so everyone could attend the parade. H.W. Wilson of the telephone company returned from a business trip to Fargo. S.D. Stefanich was over from McHenry on business. Mrs. James Hyde went to Brinsmade to visit her nephew and his family. Phillips Academy student Miss Zoa Bartholomew left for her home at Pingree. Miss Mae Herbert, who had been the bookkeeper and stenographer at the Maddux Law Office since March 10, left for Havre, Mont., where she married T.E. Fitzgerald on June 1. That evening, the closing Exercises of the Superior School #2 took place with a large number of patrons attending. Axtle Johnson ended the evening with a speech of praise for the pupils and their teacher Miss Vada Aultman, who was completing her second year.

On May 31, Fessenden attorney B.F. Whipple arrived for court. Peter Gunderson of the Sheyenne Valley was in on business.