A Holiday First — Christmas, 1901

2021 marks the 120th anniversary of Warroad's official townsite. Warroad was a township of Roseau County for several years before becoming a town in its own right in November 1901. As we celebrate the holidays, we're looking back at Warroad's first town Christmas!

The first event ringing in the holiday season was the grant opening in late November of Hotel Warroad, that fine establishment covered in our two-part series! Alongside Hotel Manager Peter Ornes, Henry Grill opened his restaurant as a pleasant spot "for travelers sojourning in Warroad," (Warroad Plaindealer 11/21/1901) Out-of-town visitors were reported left and right in the Plaindealer, as well as a large number of future settlers to this region. With Warroad established as a town in its own right — and with businesses, roads, and travelers filling the downtown area — many were coming north to put down roots. A new school district was established in Moranville Township, and a schoolhouse was expected to be built during the early part of 1902. Warroad was planning its first official election on November 23 to fill the necessary positions on the village council, the village treasury, justice of the peace, and village constable. 

Skating was reported on the newly-iced river, with citizens young and old putting on their ice skates and taking to the water to enjoy an afternoon of fun. This was a nice change of pace from the reported rain that was drenching the region. By December 12, it was noted that "Everyone is praying for snow, but out of the week's continuous threatening we have about an inch." It looks like it didn't snow much more than that throughout the holiday season, but it did drop to -40 below on several occasions!

Of course, the churches were engaged with the holiday. Reverend Father St. Amant from Pine Wood, Ontario cam to town to hold a special mass, while Reverend A. A. Holmgren of Burlington, Iowa delivered a temperance presentation at the local schoolhouse in Malung Township. A Temperance Lodge was organized there the following day. 

Advertisements for Christmas gifts dotted the newspapers. One could purchase their sons a J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company's "Favorite Rifle."

The caption reads: "Santa Claus has for centuries been the one great attraction at this season of the year. Parents are now wondering what is the best to buy for their boy, and as an out-of-door life should be encouraged, why not give him the necessary articles to enjoy every manly sport? As shooting is one of the most interesting of them, present him with one of our "FAVORITE" RIFLES or a "Stevens-Maynard, Jr.," "Crash Shot," or "Ideal." We make a large ling of pistols, also shotguns in single and double barrel. Every boy should be taught how to handle a firearm, for there is no knowing when he may be called upon to defend his country, and President Roosevelt says "Good Marksmen are scarce." Our firearms have been on the market for nearly 40 years, and are fully guaranteed for accuracy and durability." 

You could purchase a new sewing machine for your mother from the Illinois Sewing Machine Co.!

Or new shoes for your father from W. L. Douglas Shoes!

Unfortunately, the holidays could not pass without their trials. Local resident John Guimond's house caught fire one Monday afternoon and within minutes was nothing but ashes. The only remaining piece of furniture was an old piano! Mrs. Guimond was discovered unconscious in the kitchen just moments before the house collapsed and was thankfully spared from further injury. The following day, Harry Curry of Curry's Island on Lake of the Woods was in an altercation with another man, John Clarke, in Baudette. The assault occurred over a long-standing argument between the pair. Clarke had previously contested Curry's land claim at Leclaire, but Curry won on appeal causing a well of bitterness. It is unclear if the argument that night in Baudette was about this disagreement or something else, but what is known is amid the struggle, Clarke was shoved to the ground by Curry, at which point he pulled out a gun and shot Curry. The injured man was taken by train to Winnipeg while Clarke was escorted by train to Bemidji to await trial. Curry thankfully recovered from his injury after being treated for a week in a Winnipeg hospital. The bullet had not passed through the body, but instead remained lodged in part of his thigh and it was not deemed necessary to remove the bullet. What a way to spend your Christmas!

Main Street, ca. 1901. Hotel Warroad is 4th from the right.

On Christmas Day, Hotel Warroad hosted a Christmas banquet for the community, including an oyster supper followed by a dance hosted by the Roosevelt Orchestra. But for the most part, it seems many enjoyed fellowship with one another in their own homes, as many relatives and friends were sighted in these parts in the weeks prior and following Christmas. 

From everyone here at the Warroad Historical Society, we hope your holidays are happy and bright!

~ Erin Thompson, Museum Manager