History of New Rockford:

On Jan. 11, 1907, J.W. Perry returned from a lengthy stay in Minneapolis, where he had undergone an operation; he was much improved. That evening, the New Rockford Band sponsored a dance during which the band played as an orchestra for the large crowd.

Early in the morning of January 12, two passenger trains arrived in New Rockford from the north. One then started for Carrington, but found the going so bad that conductor Williams of the other train was told to “tie up” in New Rockford. The snow plow came through the next morning and the train left for Jamestown. New Rockford saw no northbound passenger trains from the morning of January 11 to the morning of January 15.

On January 12, bids were opened in Washington, D.C., for the construction of the Panama Canal. Newly-elected county judge D.F. Ellsworth issued his first marriage license; it was for Harry Flaskerud and Sadie Hallsten, both of Sheyenne. The “Transcript” thought the wedding took place at the bride’s home on January 14, but could not confirm that due to the lack of mail service. The Yeomen Lodge hosted an all-day basket picnic at their lodge hall. Hot coffee was served at noon and a musical and literary program was featured in the afternoon.

On Sunday, Jan. 13, Ernest Ohrner went to Fargo to enter NDAC. J.R. Engberg of near Barlow went to Fargo for a series of farmer and grain dealer meetings; while there he was stricken with pneumonia. Telephone man H.W. Wilson left for Mountain Home, Idaho, where he owned some real estate; he was joined on the trip by his family at Jamestown. They also went to Washington state to visit his brother, whom he hadn’t seen in 22 years. They returned on April 2. William Bucklin also departed for Mountain Home, where he had invested in some real estate; he returned on March 1. That evening, a special freight train brought in six carloads of coal and two of wood; the next morning the local fuel dealers had such a rush that they had to put a limit on how much one person could buy.

On the bitterly cold morning of January 14, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Utecht southeast of town. Alex Austin began work in the Commercial Department of Phillips Academy. Axtle Johnson and Henry B. Johnson of Plainview were in from their farms for a load of coal. That evening, the Zion Commandery #9 Knights Templar installed the following officers: George M. Pike, Eminent Commander; J.E. Bennett, Generalissimo; George N. Norton, Captain General; Rev. J.R. Beebe, Prelate; Frank E. Reed, Senior Warden; W.E. Biggs, Junior Warden; E.S. Severtson, Treasurer; W.C. Dresser, Recorder; Donald Niven, Standard Bearer; H.G. Hudson, Sword Bearer; G.W. Brownell, Warder; W.C. Schwoebel, Sentinel. W.E. Biggs was the installing officer. A literary and musical program followed: Piano Solos by Mrs. H.G. Hudson and Mrs. W.T. Buck; Piano Duet, Mrs. H.J. Mitchell and Miss Minnie Syftestad; Vocal Solos by Dr. Charles MacLachlan and Miss Jeanie Hendry; Recitations, Mrs. W.E. Biggs. Sandwiches, sherbet, cake and coffee were served. Dancing lasted until a late hour.

On the morning of January 15, Rev. J.C. Burkholder of the Baptist Church visited Phillips Academy; he attended chapel and gave the students a short talk on “High Ideals.” Principal E.S. Youngdahl of the New Rockford Schools also visited the Academy. Mrs. Mary Henry returned home [to Sheyenne?] after a visit with her daughter Mrs. J.C. Smith. That evening the Emily Waterman Concert Co. appeared at the Opera House, sponsored by the public school. There was “a big house,” despite the cold weather.

On January 15 and 16, Lars D. Tweet was in town.

On January 16, Herman Olson from northwest of town, Steve Guler, and Hugh Davidson came in on business. That afternoon, the rotary plow came through, followed by the snow shoveling crew, then the southbound passenger train came whistling in. Sheyenne real estate man O.T. Peterson came in on the train. A large crowd gathered at the depot to see the “sights.” E.S. Severtson went to Fargo on business; he planned on returning home on January 19, but ended up being storm-stayed. F.C. Davies left on a business trip to the Twin Cities. Miss Hazel Kennedy went to Jamestown to see her grandmother. Charles Carlson left for Janesville, Wisc., where he would take a course in telegraphy. Henry C. Johnson left for a winter at Hot Springs, Ark.

On the morning of January 17, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Sheldon northeast of town. J.W. Hedges of the Hotel Davies went to Leeds on business, but was storm-stayed there well into the next week. That night, former resident Frank Hudson of Mandan came in to visit his brother H.G. Hudson and family; he didn’t have the opportunity to return until February 3.

The Jan. 18, 1907, “Transcript” carried a letter from former Eddy County resident C.E. Rosenberger, who was living in Edinburg, Va. He had been diagnosed with “arthritis deformans” and three specialists had told him it was incurable. He was confined to a wheelchair. [He had moved from Eddy County to Edinburg in December 1905; his family had preceded him by about a month.]

George O’Connor was the local agent for the Jewell Nursery of Lake City, Minn., and was taking orders for the spring delivery of trees.

Rev. J.C. Burkholder had a lengthy letter expounding the virtues of Arizona Territory as “one of the finest countries in the world.” The minister had spent the first half of 1906 there.

Early in the week, Anna Melberg arrived from Barlow to study in the Musical and Teaching departments at Phillips Academy. So many students were in the Music Department that a second piano had been added. Mrs. Bernet had spent the week visiting her daughter Miss Harrison at the Academy. Harry Dunham had gone to the Twin Cities; from there he would go to Janesville, Wisc., to enter a business college. Mrs. C.C. Phelps of Carrington had recently visited in New Rockford.

On January 18, the southbound train was stuck in a drift 1 1/2 miles south of Sheyenne. One of the passengers was Miss Ruby Hartson, who was on her way home to New Rockford after visiting in Towner; Miss Hartson finally made it to New Rockford on January 28. Miss Anna Haas returned to Medina and her stenographic job after spending the holidays with her family. The Phillips Academy Literary Society met right after school. That evening, “The Noble Outcast” was presented by local talent assisted by Jack Johnson at the Opera House to benefit the New Rockford Band. Johnson had 15 years of theatrical experience. A Standing Room Only crowd saw Jack Johnson as Jerry the Tramp, A.J. Clure as southern gentleman and banker Col. Lee, and Mark Williams as the villain James Blackburn. Clifford Carroll played the young lover Jack Worthington, Miss Sarah Johnson was the tramp’s daughter Frances, Mrs. Della I. Hyde was Col. Lee’s wife, and Miss Jeanie Hendry was Sadie the maid. Music was provided by a 10-piece orchestra.