This week in 1910, the Fargo Forum and Daily Republican newspaper revealed an interesting potpourri of life in the Red River Valley.
At the Fargo Opera House, the senior class of the Fargo High School presented “An American Citizen “under the direction of Mrs. Remington and featuring Rupert’s Orchestra. Earlier in the week, the opera presented The Pirates of Penzance featuring the Dakota Conservatory Chorus and Orchestra. Seats for both productions could be purchased at Castleman’s Drug Store. Ticket prices varied. Gallery seats were a quarter, with better seats costing 50 cents, 75 cents, or one whole dollar.
In local baseball, the Aggies of the North Dakota Agricultural College were about to face St. Thomas. The newspaper called it a battle royal, saying: “With the sting of defeat at Grand Forks still fresh, the St. Thomas ball team will line up against the Fargo College this afternoon here. (Fargo’s) men are in fit trim and should give a good account of themselves.”
Downtown at the P. J. Bergquist store on Fargo’s Broadway, “Armor’s Lunch Tongue Special for Saturday” was 30 cents per can. Also the ad boasted of the store’s “Herring in tomato sauce, packed in Scotland and unusually delicious and a Gold Medal winner!” Plus, “Olive salad, a new delicacy – very palatable. Regular 20 cents, special for Saturday per glass jar: two for 35 cents!”
An ad for Eggerts Market boasted “Fancy, fresh killed hens. 20 cents per pound” and fancy imported fat mackerel at 25 cents a pound.
At the Home Tea Company on Fargo’s Front Street, (now Main Avenue) customers were enticed with a 50 cent can of Fern Baking Powder, and a free decorated water jug with tulip, landscape or Dutch design.
A soap special boasted three bars of “Merry Widow,” fancy toilet paper, and “a splendid hairbrush for 35 cents.”
Finally, an ad at the bottom of a page read: “You’ll want it in the morning and again at night! What? The Gardner (Hotel) Coffee at all leading grocers.”
Dakota Datebook by Steve Stark
Source:
Fargo Forum and Daily Republican Friday, May 27, 1910
