History of New Rockford: Dec. 18, 2023

On July 16 and 17, 1906, Pete Pelissier’s Wild West Show, featuring both male and female riders and “rope throwers,” was in New Rockford.

On July 17, Miss Gertrude O’Connell went to Harvey to attend a sick person. Mrs. A.H. Crawford returned from her old home, Elizabeth, Minn., where she had been called by the death of her grandfather. That evening, around 15 young friends of Miss Ethel Churchill surprised her with a 19th birthday party at the home of her uncle and aunt, Dr. and Mrs. J.A. Carter; there were games and refreshments. At 8 p.m., Rev. E.W. Burleson of Jamestown held Episcopal services in the Methodist Church.

From July 17 to 19, Charles Logan was on a business trip in Fargo.

On July 18, O.H. Olson returned from Bowbells. That afternoon, there was “a fine rain.” That evening, at the Opera House, Martin E. Tew of San Francisco presented an illustrated lecture on the earthquake and fire that had devasted that city.

On the evening of July 19, Guy Thompson and Bert Butterfield were initiated into the Woodmen Lodge. Also that evening, a large crowd enjoyed a supper and dance at the Mr. and Mrs. F.S. Dunham farm home; the dance continued until sunrise.

From July 19 to 21, the annual farmers’ excursion to NDAC in Fargo was held; the roundtrip fare was $1.50.

The July 20, 1906, “Transcript” stated that Anna Mary Allmaras of New Rockford had 100 votes in a contest sponsored by St. John’s Academy in Jamestown. The leader from Jamestown had 500 votes.

That edition called for about a dozen good street lamps to be placed at the crossing of New Rockford’s streets. If the businessmen would subscribe a fund for such lamps, the New Rockford Light & Water Improvement Co. would probably put them in.

A notice from Sheriff George F. Fahrer said he would not tolerate any gambling and “skin games” that seemed to spring up when the races came to town. Any person running such games would be arrested.

An announcement said that the Royal Neighbors Lodge was changing its schedule and would meet on the second Thursday of every month, rather than every other week.

A group of 14 men had been working at the race track. A new well had been dug, 18 stalls were added to the stables, a new judges’ stand had been built, and 24 feet were added to the grandstand. They also widened the track and did considerable grading. A cement sidewalk was being laid from the Northwest Lumber Co. to the end of Lamborn Avenue East. [Today that would be from 7th Street North east along 1st Avenue North to 4th Street North.]

Richard Zehrfeld had installed a gasoline engine and a large Enterprise grinder in his Chicago Street North meat market for the more efficient grinding of sausage; the grinder could turn out around 100 lbs. in two minutes.

After a three-month siege of severe pleurisy and complications, Mrs. Alfred Dinnetz was almost ready to get around again. A large carbuncle [cluster of pus-filled boils] had kept Monroe Wilder from his work at the R.U. Austin wagon shop.

James Manly had been busy putting his lawn into fine shape and spending time with his large patch of strawberry plants.

Mrs. H.J. Mitchell had resigned from the Phillips Academy Department of Music. Prof. J. Harvey Johnson, a graduate of the Conservatory of Music, Streeter, Ill., had been signed to replace her. Prof. L.J. Aldrich of Phillips Academy was attending the annual Bible Conference at the Chautauqua.

For the previous two weeks, Mrs. John Steiner of “Zion City, Chicago,” had been visiting Prof. and Mrs. L.J. Aldrich; she was Mrs. Aldrich’s sister.

On July 20, the Eddy County Commission voted to accept a petition from H. Peoples, et al., for a road from the southeast corner of section 13, T149, R65 [Sheldon] west to the southeast corner of section 4, then south to the corner of section 23, west to the corner of section 22, then south to the corner of section 27. Dentist F.D. Norton returned from a professional visit “up the line.” Mrs. H.J. Mitchell and Claude Comer returned from Carrington, where they had played for the dances at the horse races. Mrs. J.E. Cully, her children, and her brother went to Carrington to visit. Mrs. J.M. Mulvey went to Barnesville, Minn., to visit her sister. Mrs. Charles Logan left for Kron, Minn., where her sister was ill [there is no “Kron, Minn.” today]. That afternoon, Charles Sandquist, John Neutzel’s hired man, was loading hay in a field when the team ran away, dragging the man a considerable distance. When his body was discovered, he was dead. The body was brought to town and the coroner Dr. William Bartley was summoned [from Sheyenne], but he didn’t arrive until the evening. He ruled there was no reason for an inquest due to the evidence showing so plainly it was an accidental death. No belongings of any value were found and no relatives had been located. Interment took place on the afternoon of July 21. [I have located no records of a “Sandquist” grave in Eddy County.]

On July 21, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Adam were in shopping. Mrs. D.C. Cunningham and her daughter arrived from Reynolds to visit her parents Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Whiteman. Mrs. John A. King and her two children arrived from St. Paul to visit Mr. and Mrs. B.W. Rantz and other friends; they went home on Aug. 6. George W. Johnson left for his old home at Owosso, Mich., where his eldest son was very ill; he returned on July 30. His son was doing well. Miss Sarah West went to Fargo to see her friends during Fair Week; she returned from her visit, which included a stop-off in Cooperstown to see her sister, on Aug. 18.

On Sunday, July 22, on his way home from the Chautauqua, Prof. L.J. Aldrich stopped to preach in Sheyenne. At 3 p.m., Rev. S.F. Beer also preached at Sheyenne.

On the morning of July 23, Frank Allmaras and Minnie Beitel were married in St. John’s Catholic Church, by Father VandenBergh. A dinner followed immediately. The couple would live on North Chicago Street where he had a bakery business. C.C. Hanson and Eddie Anderson, both of Plainview, Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Stitzel, Mr. and Mrs. John Aldred, and C.W. Hall went to the State Fair in Fargo. Eddy County teacher Arthur D. Smith arrived in his hometown of Huntington, Ind., for a visit.

On the evenings of July 23-26, the Imperial Crows (“New Rockford’s favorites”) entertained people at the Opera House. On the opening night they presented the drama “Moths.” There were crowded houses at each performance.

From July 24 to 26, the Second Annual Central Circuit Horse Races were held in New Rockford with $2000 in prize money. Races began at 2 p.m. each day. There were baseball games and the 20-piece New Rockford Band played. Dinners and suppers were served by the Baptist Church ladies.