1915
W.D. Dally Publisher
Feb. 4 Tuesday after noon the town was aroused by a few taps of the fire bell and upon investigation the Northern Pacific Rail Road pump house was discovered to be in flames. Fortunately Sid Blasdell, the pump man, had made the discovery earlier and the flames were already being fought by hand. No water was available for the fire engine and it was not taken out, but after a stubborn fight lasting about an hour, the fire was extinguished after a portion of the roof had been badly damaged.
Jan. Attorney C. Rosenmeir wins county attorney elections and moves to Little Falls to take up his new position.
A Maxwell 1915 model automobile holds the road at 50 mph and costs $695.
Feb. 11 Library at the High School isn’t working so the Furniture Store owned by C.C. Lisle we let a room in his tore to be used and his wife will be librarian. This will allow the library to be open more hours and make it easier for people to use.
Feb. 18 A fire in Bowlus early this morning destroyed five buildings and for sometime threatened others with destruction. The fire, which is said to have originated in the interior of the one buildings during the night, spread and burned the other four. The buildings destroyed were Vincent Klisch’s Saloon, Paul Winter and Son’s hardware store, an implement house and a clothing store owned by Mr. Hoffman and another building. The brick veneered hotel stopped the spread of flames. This is a bad blow to our sister town but the buildings will probably be rebuilt.
Feb. Clarence D. Bourke opens an implement and vehicle shop.
June 3 I.W. Bouck after 39 years finally will receive his college diploma. Mr. Bouck was forced to leave college for family obligations and did not take his two final tests. Upon looking over old records the Iowa State University found that Mr. Bouck did indeed have enough credits for graduation and Mr. Bouck will leave for Iowa to receive his diploma.
June 17 The First Annual Homecoming Alumni was a success. 38 people paid for the banquet. Had it not rained for so many days before and during the day of the Homecoming 1,000 people were planned for.
June Clarence Bourke installed gasoline pumps in front of his implement house.
July 1 O.J. Oftedul closed his photo gallery. He will open a new branch in Pierz with his main shop in Little Falls.
July 1 Old Hotel Royalton was leased to Ole Esakseon and is having it repaired and will open to the public next Monday. This will give Royalton 3 hostelries.
Aug. 5 Talks about a gym for the school. A possibility is to dig under the school.
Sept There are 3 seniors for high school graduation.
Sept. 23 C.W. Bouck store is now owned by W.H. Bourke and the store name will be “Bourke Mercantile Co.”
Sept. 30 W.H. Gilmer has purchased the Wm. Getzkow business block and expects to move his confectionery, stock, bowling and pool business into the same sometime in the near future.
Oct. 7 A man will come October 14, Thrusday, to take moving pictures of the town and business and everyone is to come out and be seen. The movie will be shown that night at the Opera House. Note: there is no mention of this happening in the next issues of the Banner.
Nov. 4 Thomas W. Bell dies. He has a son, Fulton in Royalton, and three daughters in Bemidji. In 1884 he shipped his big saw mill from Penn. to Royalton. He operated the mill for a number of years and finally sold it to the Wilson’s by whom he was then employed until the time of his removal to Bemidji in 1899 when the sawing milss came to an end and he deemed it best to go where it was still active. Born May 14, 1852. Died October 19, 1915. He served for several terms as President of the village and was also a trustee and filled other public offices.
The Grace Episcopal Ladies Guild celebrates 25 years. Organized in Nov. 5, 1885.