1916
W.C. Dalley Publisher
Jan. 27 Royalton is working to get the “Jefferson Hwy” to go thru Royalton. It will be a direct highway from New Orleans to Winnipeg Canada.
The Royalton Banner costs $1 for a year’s subscription.
Mar. 2 Male dog licenses cost $1. Female dog licenses cost $2. All dogs must have tags.
Mar. 2 A four reel movie will be shown on Saturday at the Opera House. Cost 10 cents.
Apr. 27 Don’t forget the auction sale of furniture at the Hotel Royalton this coming Saturday at 10 o’clock. Everything will be sold and if you are in need of anything this will be a great opportunity for you. Ole Isaksen, owner.
May 11 The village is having a machine warehouse built in the lower part of town in which to house the street graders, etc.
May 11 I.W. Bouck is proudly exhibiting his new Willys-Overland car equipped with a Knight engine which he purchased last week. The car is certainly a beauty and very easy running.
May 11 Dr. E.H. McGonagle returned yesterday from Minneapolis. He made the trip in his Overland Runabout.
May 11 This section of the county has since Sunday afternoon been visited by unusually high winds accompanied by great clouds of fine dust which has penetrated houses and undid much spring housecleaning. Old residents say that it has not been this bad since that of 1889.
June 22 Northwestern Telephone Co. has a crew putting telephone polls in alleys as much out of the way as possible. The wires are to be transferred to them in the near future.
June 29 “Cyclone Hits Bellevue.” ‘Heavy rain and hail Sunday night and last night.’ At 1 p.m. Sunday twisting clouds and a small cyclone at the southeastern edge of town by the Riverside Cemetery was spotted. The cyclone moved to the Wilson farm one fourth mile south of the village and struck the barn and tears off the cupolas. At the Rudolph Plantenberg’s farm haystacks were picked up and tossed up against the barn knocking them to pieces. The hen coop was picked up and carried some distance. Four miles northeast of Royalton hail damage to rye crops is so bad farmers are plowing it under. Leaves are stripped from trees and many window panes are broken by reported baseball size hail. Last night heavy rains lasting five hours and brought several inches of rain and a spectacular lighting show.
July 6 “Platte Dam Goes Out”. “Bridge is also partly taken out.” The Platte river dam and bridge were partially carried away by the exceptionally high stage of water from previous heavy rains and the fact too much head water was being carried. A large section of the dam and bridge were taken out about 4 o’clock Sunday morning and now our town is with out the nice little lake which furnished good boating for the enthusiasts who enjoyed that pastime. A large piece of the ground between the mill race and the river was also washed down to where the large oak trees afforded a shady retreat for picnic dinners, and a couple of trees were undermined, one being carried down stream. Part of the Northern Pacific Railroad’s pump house was for time was in danger of being washed away but quick action with sand bags prevented that from happening. The section of bridge carried away was that adjoined on the east the last strip of ground between the race and the main stream, and was over the part of the river where there is quicksand and is was practically impossible to get a substantial foundation. The dam was built about twenty-five years ago; a part of it was washed out about sixteen years ago and was rebuilt at that time. The timbering that was used is badly rotted which makes the sub-structure considerably insecure. It is not known at this time if the dam will be rebuilt, but we think the bridge at least should be put into shape for traffic.
July 20 the Royalton Alumni held its second annual reunion at the Opera House a ladies minstrel preformed and there were booths of chance and food for all. Cost 15 cents.
July 27 William Conner was hit by the Number 3 train after 2a.m. It is unknown why “Bill” was out by the tracks. He was alive when he was found and was taken by train to Little Falls where he died.
Sept. 8 Friday. The Royalton Opera House, One Night Only. “The Passing of the West.” In five reels, Indians, cowboys, cowgirls, wild horses, and excitement. This picture will be brought here by two cowboys taking part in the picture. FREE roping Exhibition in front the theater at 7:15 Admission 10 and 15 cents. Show starts at 7:30 Sharp.
Sept. 21 The barber shops of Royalton and Rice commencing next Monday, Sept. 25th will charge 35 cents for a hair cut.
Oct 12 County board approves the need for a new bridge on the Mississippi river between Royalton and Bowlus. Work will begin next winter. It is to be a 3 span steel bridge with concrete piers. The bridge is to be built a short distance up stream of the old bridge.
Oct. 12 C.C. Lisle returned from Freeport, Ill., where he went to purchase a new auto hearse which is the first of its kind for use in Royalton.
Nov. 2 There will be a bankrupt stock sale at the Gus Kern shoe store here.
Nov. 7 For health reasons J.H. Russell will sell his store to a firm from Iowa.
Nov. 7 Elections found Harold Knutson, former editor of the Banner, a new Democratic Congressmen. I.W. Bouck wins again as Congressman for Morrison and Crow Wing counties.
Nov. 16 New maple flooring, a new register, besides smaller improvements have been completed at the Methodist church.
Dec. 14 the Royalton Banner will go up from $1 to $ 1.50 a year starting January 1st.
Dec. 28 Dr. A.M. Watson has vaccinated 50-100 persons for small pox this past week.