History of New Rockford: March 25, 2024

On Oct. 19, 1906, Dr. Fred A. Douglas, who had worked as a partner of Dr. Charles MacLachlan since around July 1, left to start a practice in a new location. Jacob Kebler departed for a winter in Old Mexico. Mrs. E.S. Severtson left for a visit to her old home, Shakopee, and other Minnesota places.

On October 20, Harry Burt came over from Fessenden, where he was employed, to visit; he returned the next day. James Davidson left for Orting, Wash., where he and his family would live after 20 years in Eddy County. Mrs. R.F. Rinker left for the winter, during which she would stay with relatives in her old home of St. Charles, Minn.; her husband would board at the Hotel Mattson in her absence. About 5 p.m., cashier and Mrs. James E. Hyde were checking over the day’s business in the First National Bank when an overhead gasoline lamp just above Mr. Hyde exploded. Frantic with pain because of the gasoline burning his hair and clothing, Hyde ran out of the building [the former First State Bank building (razed in 2017)] and headed across the street [Villard Ave., now Central Avenue], but Fred Von Almen stopped him on the sidewalk in front of the Prader & Goss general store [the empty lots across from the former Opera House and Dance Studio site on Central Ave.] and, using his coat, smothered the flames. A doctor treated Hyde at the Bucklin, Williams & Co. drug store [located where the “Salon” building is on Central Ave.]. His hair had all been burned off and his head, face, neck, and hands “were frightfully burned. His sight was not affected, but he would probably carry scars the rest of his life. Mrs. Hyde was “pretty badly scorched,” but was able to help extinguish the flames in the bank. The cash drawer was open and “a considerable number of bills” were burned. Much of the bank’s furniture was badly burned. The explosion was felt throughout the block and flames were forced through the floor into the “Transcript” offices below, burning the curtains, but the NRFD and private persons armed with chemical extinguishers put out the fire before more damage was done. Several windows were also broken. That evening, “East Lynne” was presented at the Opera House.

On October 20 and 21, Edward Reynolds was over from Maddock and Harry Burt was over from Fessenden to visit.

At 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, Rev. S.F. Beer preached at the Tiffany School. At 8 p.m., General Missionary and State Secretary Rev. Myron Cooley preached in the Baptist Church.

On October 22, Lewis Edinger of the Fessenden State Bank arrived to take over the duties of James E. Hyde at the First National Bank, while he was recovering from the burns he had suffered. Mrs. John Olson returned from her trip to Sweden, accompanied by her half-sister Miss Amanda and Miss Teckin Thornblad, who were planning on living in the United States; she had left New Rockford on May 31.

Eye specialist F.W. Soule was at the Bucklin, Williams & Co. drug store in New Rockford on October 22 and 23 and in Sheyenne on October 24.

On the morning of October 23, a 10-lb. daughter was born to barber and Mrs. Howard Johnson. Watchmaker W. Goodell’s wife and son arrived from Minneapolis. G.S. Frary held a sale of his farm machinery and stock at his home on the George Peabody farm three miles northeast of Barlow. Knudt Bymoen went to Devils Lake as a witness in the Miss Miller homestead case. Miss Prudence Miller went to Devils Lake to make proof on a quarter of land northwest of town. That afternoon Mrs. George Fietcher arrived from Chicago to visit her sister Mrs. D.H. Fowler and her husband. The high school sponsored the Colonial Saxophone Quartette in concert at the Opera House; the house was “well-filled.”

From October 23 to 25, Nils Gunvaldson was in Devils Lake on business.

On October 24, Andrew Nelson came down from his farm north of New Rockford and Thomas Bollingberg was in from his farm northwest of town, both on business. Frank and David Bailey were in on business from their Tiffany farm. P.A. Berge came in on business; his wheat had averaged 24 bushels per acre. W.H. Wilder and family left to make a new home in Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. George Treffry, their son Ray, and their daughters Jessie, Ethel and Alice left for Boise City, Idaho, where they were thinking of moving. Mrs. P.J. Butler and children left to join Mr. Butler in their new home in Seattle; the Butlers had been Eddy County pioneers. That evening the Honorable E.P. Totten of Grand Forks and some other prominent Democrats addressed the voters of Eddy County at Brown’s Opera House.

On October 24 and 25, B.C. Larkin was in on business.

On the morning of October 25, Mrs. Clifford Larkin was in shopping. Peter Hockert came over from his McHenry farm. Charles Engstrom came in from eastern Eddy County on business, as did H.T. Larson from northwest of town. Phillips Academy principal L.J. Aldrich went to Chicago on business; he was accompanied by his mother-in-law, who was returning to her Chicago home after a visit in New Rockford.

The Oct. 26, 1906, “Transcript” carried the following ad: “WANTED – An experienced cashier. Young lady preferred. Apply at New York Salvage Co. in the Kinnaird building.” [This was a clothing store that dealt in clothes obtained from bankrupt businesses.] The same firm advertised for fifteen sales people, either young ladies or gentlemen. Apply two doors north of the Farmers and Merchants Bank building.

Mrs. Harry R. Campbell had a second-hand organ for sale for $25. H.B. Rowe had one rubber-tired buggy, a pair of sleigh runners, light harness and an Edison phonograph for sale. Mrs. E.P. Cosgrove had a house for rent. Joseph J. Dugan had a notice that he had found a purse containing money 1.5 miles northwest of Barlow. Charles Riggle had taken up a 125 lb. white shoat; owner could claim by paying charges.

In the contest sponsored by St. John’s Academy in Jamestown, Miss Anna Mary Allmaras of New Rockford was in eighth place (out of 18) with 571 pts. [This was 10 points fewer than had been reported the week before.] The leader from Jamestown had 1437.5 pts.

The “School Notes” were edited by Anna Gronvold: Mrs. Manly, Mrs. Hersey and Mrs. Bennett had visited the school that week; during the week Leo Walsh entered the Primary grade, Ethel Walsh the fourth grade and Florence Walsh the fifth grade; student Harold Kennedy was in a St. Paul hospital; student George Healey was feeling better; Jake, Leonard and Verne Lidsey [Lindsey?] had been absent from the fourth and fifth grades; “Gertrude Kunkel has left from the Sixth grade”; Mabel Kennedy had returned to the high school; the Chemistry class was making chemical tests of water from area wells; the high school Drawing class was working with charcoal and with water colors.