A look back in time: November 1918

Bryce Haugen
brycevincenthaugen@gmail.com

The following local stories were published Nov. 1 to Nov. 30, 1918
Flu epidemic under control, Nov. 3
Ten new cases of influenza and two deaths were reported in Fargo for the 48-hour period ending at noon today, Dr. Paul Sorkness, city health officer, said this afternoon. He said that the epidemic was under control.
Captains Rusness and Johnson will tell of war, Nov. 5
Capt. L. W. Rusness and Capt. Arthur W. Johnson will speak at a big welcome meeting to be held in their honor at the Moorhead Normal school auditorium at 8 o’clock Wednesday evening. Capt. Rusness “Litz” spent a year in France and was in the trenches seven months. He took part in the big drive that started at Chateau-Thierry and will tell of some of the things he saw during that great battle. He will leave after the meeting on his return to France.
Capt. Arthur W. Johnson is under orders to leave for France early this month. He is one of the expert airmen and is one of four selected to go overseas from Kelly Field for pursuit service on the French border.
Early vote light, Nov. 6
At noon today, only 273 men had voted in Moorhead … It is expected that a large number of women will vote for county superintendent of schools during the afternoon and evening.
Sen. Peterson is reelected, Nov. 7
Sen. F.H. Peterson was re-elected senator from the Clay-Wilkin district Tuesday by about 150 majority over Knud Wefald. Solomen P. Anderson is elected representative from Clay County over A.H. Miler by about 160 majority.
Wets win out in Minnesota, Nov. 7
On the face of available returns the statewide Prohibition amendments has been beaten in Minnesota.
Normal reopens next Tuesday, Nov. 8
The Moorhead Normal school will reopen on Tuesday morning after being closed during the three weeks of the flu epidemic. President F.A. Weld announces today that advantage has been taken of the enforced vacation to thoroughly clean and fumigate all of the buildings where there was possible danger from the disease. All classes will be resumed on Tuesday and a schedule of make-up work will be followed.
McDonald elected sheriff, Nov. 8
Dan W. McDonald was re-elected sheriff of Clay County on Tuesday by a majority of 1,198 and the largest vote received in the county by any candidate. Sheriff McDonald is now serving a four-year term and won another although the Nonpartisan leaders had marked him for defeat. He has proven a popular official both as sheriff and chairman of the Clay County draft board.
Moorhead wild with joy over news of peace, Nov. 12
Moorhead began celebrating the end of the war shortly after 2 o’clock this morning, when the fire whistle at the light plant sounded the welcome news.
The demonstration began shortly afterwards when the city hose cart ran through the city with the siren in full blast. Church bells were rung, automobile horns tuned up and the firing of guns helped swell the joyful celebration.
This morning new flags were run up on the staff on business houses and were displayed on residences throughout the city.
About 10:30 this morning the Fargo celebrators, headed by the Rotary Club drum corps, marched up Front Street. Following the drum corps were thousands of people bearing “Victory” banners and carrying the national colors. The El Zagel band made several attempts to play, but the music was drowned out by the pandemonium. Everyone was wild with joy and women hammered tin pans, pails and every imaginable noise-making device.
Mayor N.N. Melvey, who has four sons in the service, three of them in France, issued a proclamation calling for the closing of all business places for the day and urging the people to assemble in the churches this evening to give thanks for the termination of the war.
Widow charges H. Steinmuller stole furniture, Nov. 15
Herman Steinmuller was arraigned before Justice of the Peace L.D. Evans of Moorhead this afternoon on a charge of first degree larceny. The complaint, made by Mrs. Mamie M. Gaskell, widow of Don Gaskell, charges Steinmuller with entering the former home of the Gaskells and stealing household goods stored there. It is also alleged that Steinmuller sold the property and kept the money received.
New state roads are designated, Nov. 16
Three new state roads were designated by the Clay County commissioners in session at the courthouse on Friday. All of these designations are subject to the approval of the state highway commissioner. A levy of $10,000 for the care of the poor under the new plan was made by the board yesterday. Bonds of county officers were fixed, bills were allowed and other routine business was transacted.
English given preference, Nov. 19
The English language will be given the preference at the services of Trinity Lutheran Church hereafter. Heretofore there has been an equal number of Norwegian and English services. But beginning with Sunday, Dec. 1, both the morning and evening services will be in English.
New high school bonds approved, Nov. 28
J.R. Erickson, clerk of the Moorhead board of education, received a telegram from the capital issues committee at Washington, announcing the approval of the $150,000 bond issue for the new high school building.
Normal school graduates 10, Nov. 30
Ten members of the senior class of the normal school were graduated Friday night. The exercises were held in the parlors of Wheeler hall and consisted of piano solos by Miss Florence Gormley, songs by Mrs. Jonkin, an address by Miss. Belle M. Evans, superintendent of the model school and a short talk by President F.A. Weld.
(Fargo Forum articles from newspaper archives, courtesy Moorhead Public Library)

Comments are closed.

  • [Advertisement.]
  • Facebook