This Day In History – September 21, 1932

Mulzer Flying Service presents air show featuring the new 14 passenger Ford Tri Motor and an Auto Giro airplane.

This Day In History, 

Jamestown Beauty Shop Operator Margaret Roeszler  was shot and killed by unknown assailant in the Beauty Shop located in the Cran Hotel Building, 302 2nd Av NE.   The case remains unsolved.

Article below is from the Jamestown Sun newspaper, September 20, 1945.  Further down is a story about a 1949 confession. . .

from the front page of the Jamestown Sun Sept 20, 1945

“Miss Margaret Roeszler, 42, who was shot Wednesday afternoon by an unknown assailant in the Paramount Beauty Shop which she owned and operated, died in the Trinity hospital this morning at 3 o’clock. The bullet entered her head just below the temple.

While at work giving Mrs. Emil Miller, Jamestown, a permanent, a man walked into the shop demanding “I want some money” and Miss Roeszler went to the back of the room to get it. Mrs. Miller noticed he had a revolver in his hand and when she heard a shot she ran out of the shop. She told both police and sheriff’s officers.

Miss Roeszler was rushed to Trinity hospital in the Eddy ambulance and is believed never to have regained consciousness.

Police and Stutsman county sheriff’s officers have found no clues, it is reported this morning. The assailant used a .38 caliber revolver, was a small white man dressed in tan and brown. Firemen called to a fire in Overvold’s, immediately began the search with the officers.

Melvin Erickson, Bismarck, from the North Dakota Crime Bureau, is here working with city and county officers at their request. An inquest will be held, it is announced by R. D. Chase, Stutsman county State’s attorney. The time has not been set. No clues have been found as yet. It is announced by Mr. Chase.

Miss Roeszler has operated the Paramount Beauty Shop for nine years. It is located in the Cran building on Third street Northeast. She is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Roeszler, Ashley. She is survived by the following, brothers and sisters; Ade, Jamestown: Reinhold, Gottfried, Otto; Mrs.  Edward Maier, and Jacob, Ellendale, and Mrs. John Klipfel, Long Lake, S.D.

She was born April 23, 1902, in Ashley. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran church. She had lived in North Dakota all her life except while attending beauty school in California.

Rev Keller – photo from St. John’s Lutheran Church

Funeral services for Miss Roeszler will be held at the Zion Lutheran church at Ashley, Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock M.W.T. Rev. W.W. A. Keller, Jamestown, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran church, will be in charge.

Rev. Keller will also be in charge of a service at the Eddy Funeral chapel here Friday morning at 11 o’clock.

**************

From Prairie Public News – Dakota Datebook June 2019, written by Merry Helm

A convict “confesses” to the murder . . .  however, Stutsman County officials interviewed him, and concluded that Crockard made it all up, since almost nothing checked out.  Read on:

About this time in 1949, North Dakotans were learning that a man doing time for forgery in Michigan had confessed to killing two people in North Dakota. One of his victims was shot in a beauty salon in Jamestown, and the other was a man named James Woods.

In his confession, 29-year-old John Crockard, said he and Woods used to run drugs into North Dakota from Canada, and had even robbed a bank. He said Woods had gotten friendly with a Jamestown hairdresser named Margaret Roeszler.

Crockard became concerned when Woods told Roeszler about the bank robbery and the narcotics. He went into a lavatory and shot up while deciding what to do. He then went to the beauty parlor saying he planned to take her along with them – but instead, he shot her.

Crockard said he was too “hopped up” to remember whether he used his own .32 or Wood’s .38. When asked how many shots he fired, he answered, “I don’t know. I was excited – it could have been sixty or could have been one.”

He said he found his way back to the car and left town with Woods. He gave Woods some drops that knocked him out, then stopped outside Jamestown where he stabbed Woods to death. He said he buried Woods, the guns, and the knife in a roadbed that was about to be paved.

In Fargo, Crockard checked into a hotel and overheard some railroad men discussing the Jamestown murder of Rosezler. He sold the car, chose a name from the phone book, and started forging checks.  He next traveled to Bismarck, where he said he tried to get caught for the forgeries, and he was. After serving time in North Dakota, he was handed over to Michigan authorities.

Crockard confessed to all this in 1949 – he said he had found the Lord. It was on this date that Stutsman County officials interviewed him, and concluded that Crockard made it all up, since almost nothing checked out. Crockard couldn’t remember Margaret Roeszler’s name, the brand of gun, or the kind of car he drove. Nor could he account for where or when he sold the car. When asked what Woods looked like, he said, “I think he had dark hair and thin long arms.”

The detectives were fans of pulp fiction, and in a surprising twist, they discovered a recent Dick Tracy story that may have inspired Crockard’s fantasy. The bad guys had to get rid of a dead body, and chose a roadbed ready for the cement.

Dakota Datebook written by Merry Helm

A match-book listed for sale online (ebay) features the Cran Hotel & Maid Rite Sandwich Shop

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The Valley City State University Vikings’ football team will back in action this Saturday after a bye week last week.

The Vikings will host the Mountaineers of Eastern Oregon University. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. at Dacotah Bank Field at Lokken Stadium.

Photo Credit: Savy Williams

This will be the second meeting all-time between these two schools. Last season, Valley City State traveled to La Grande, Oregon and beat the Mountaineers in a defensive battle, 3-0.

The Vikings had 199 yards of offense in the game, while Eastern Oregon had 166. The lone points of the game came on a 24-yard field goal by Walker Brondos. The field goal capped a 16-play, 62-yard drive by the Vikings that took nearly half of the third quarter.

The biggest play of the game came early in the second quarter when Viking defensive back Caleb Torke picked off a pass in the end zone, ending the Mountaineers scoring threat with 12:46 to go in the first half.

The only other scoring opportunity for the Mountaineers came late in the game when Ethan Cutler’s 42-yard field goal attempt missed wide left with 1:08 to go in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings are 1-1 on the season. The last time out, the Vikings defeated Dickinson State 28-25 in the 8^th Annual Ag Bowl Presented by First Community Credit Union. Freshman Brayden Medieros was 23 for 29 passing for 247 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Laggarius Marshell rushed for 91 yards and had two scores. He added six receptions for 34 more yards. Another sophomore, Tyson Ball, had five catches for 89 yards and a touchdown. Senior Jake Deutsch had seven catches for 47 yards and a score.

Seniors Levi Olson and Gavin Gerhardt led the defense for VCSU. Olson had 13 tackles to top the tackle chart. Gerhardt was next with eleven tackles, plus a pass breakup, and an interception that stopped a Blue Hawk drive at the Vikings five-yard line with 7:54 to go in the fourth quarter.

Eastern Oregon is also 1-1 on the season. Last week, they defeated Whitworth University 51-17. Quarterback Kallen Gutridge was 25 for 36 passing for 321 yards and four touchdowns. He added another 39 yards on the ground with another score. For his efforts, he was named Frontier Conference Offensive Player of the Week. 

Catch all the action on the 1490 AM/96.3 FM KOVC and on the VCSU Athletics YouTube Page.

Judy Horne, 80, passed away September 17, 2026 at her daughter’s home in Thompson, ND while under the care of hospice. Her funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Monday, September 28, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley City, ND with an hour of visitation prior to the service. Burial with military honors will be in the Oriska (ND) Cemetery.

The service will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with her obituary on her tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com. An online guestbook is available there as well. Traditions Funeral Services in Valley City is honored to assist the family with arrangements.

Audrey J. Baumgartner, 88, of Dickey, ND, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, September 15, 2026, at Jamestown Regional Medical Center.

Audrey Carpenter was born June 1, 1938, in Dickey, ND, the daughter of Herbert Charles and Florence (Holbrook) Carpenter. She grew up on the family farm near Dickey and attended Dickey High School, where she enjoyed playing basketball. Her strong connection to her hometown and the people she loved remained an important part of her life.

On February 7, 1957, Audrey was united in marriage to Joe Baumgartner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fargo, ND. Together, they made their home in Fargo, where they raised their children. Audrey devoted herself to her family while also pursuing her own interests and opportunities. Later in life, she attended North Dakota State University and found great fulfillment in mentoring others while working part-time.

Audrey worked as a dietary supervisor at St. John’s Hospital in Fargo and took pride in her work and in the relationships she built along the way. Eventually, Audrey and Joe returned to Dickey, where they made their home and enjoyed being closer to the community and roots that had always meant so much to Audrey.

Audrey was a woman of many interests and talents. She loved to quilt, creating beautiful pieces that she generously shared with family and friends. Each quilt was a gift of time, care, and love, and many will continue to be treasured as lasting reminders of her. She also had a deep appreciation for her family history. Long before genealogy research could be done with the click of a button, Audrey spent countless hours writing to courthouses and distant relatives, traveling to other states and cemeteries, and carefully piecing together the stories of those who came before her. Her dedication preserved a family history that might otherwise have been lost.

Audrey will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 69 years, Joe Baumgartner; son, Randy (Candace) Baumgartner; son, Kevin (Wendy) Baumgartner; daughter, Terrie (Tracy) Wildeman; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She leaves behind a family enriched by her love, generosity, creativity, and devotion.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Dean; and her brothers, Lawrence, Lyle, Darrell, and Steve.

Funeral Service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Dickey Methodist Church, Dickey, ND.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 18, 2026, at the church.

Burial will be in Dickey Cemetery, Dickey, ND, with a lunch to follow at the Dickey Hall.

Joann Graham, 83, Jamestown, ND died Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at the Griggs County Care Center in Cooperstown, ND.

Joann was born October 13, 1942, in Courtenay, ND, the daughter of Albert and Emma (Wagner) Falk. She grew up in the area, attending local schools and graduating from Courtenay High School in 1960.

On June 27, 1961, she married Richard Graham in Courtenay, ND. The couple made their home in Courtenay and McHenry before eventually settling in Jamestown. In 1967, Joann began a career as a surgical technician at Jamestown Hospital, a role she dedicated herself to for more than 25 years until her retirement in 1993.

Joann had a deep love of gardening, especially roses, and took great joy in her flower beds. She cherished time with her dogs, treasured moments with family, and looked forward to the occasional summer getaway.

She is survived by her husband, Richard; her two children, Janelle (Daryl) Joseph of Rogers, MN, and Jeffery (Kathy) Graham of Coon Rapids, MN; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and her sister, Lois Harding of McHenry, ND.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her two brothers, Lloyd Falk and Harold Falk.

Mass of Christian Burial- 2:00 PM Friday, September 18, 2026, at St. James Basilica in Jamestown, Father Timothy Kraemer, celebrant.
-The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the Basilica’s YouTube page-

Interment– St. Mary’s Cemetery, Courtenay, ND (at a later date).

Arrangements- Haut Funeral Home, Jamestown, ND.

Early morning fire destroys Old South Side School.

from the 125th Anniversary Calendar of Jamestown History. 

Photo from Digital Horizons, Life on the Northern Plains:

HIA Health recently celebrated the grand opening of its new Jamestown office at UJ Place with a ribbon cutting hosted with the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and staff.

Located at 1107 N. University Dr., Suite 140, HIA Health provides hospice, palliative care and primary care services for patients and families.

The new Jamestown location provides a local connection to HIA Health’s services, supporting patients and families through important stages of care. Services can be provided in a variety of settings, including homes, clinics and care facilities.

For more information about HIA Health, call 701-658-2009 or visit hiahealth.org.

Jamestown ND (Tourism) Adventure Golf & Sports was at Frontier Village, laying out the Bison Bend Mini Golf, and giving staff and board members their first opportunity to walk through the future 18-hole course.

Work on the holes is expected to begin this fall as construction continues toward a 2027 opening.

“Standing there and walking the site was pretty special,” said Emily Bivens, Jamestown Frontier Attractions board member. “You start picturing families, visitors, and neighbors using the space; how it will be a place for fun and learning in the community.”

Each hole will share a different Jamestown or North Dakota story through play, with themes ranging from bison and agriculture to pioneer life, transportation, energy and local landmarks. The front nine-hole loop is designed to be ADA compliant so people using wheelchairs and other mobility aids can play alongside their family and friends.

The community has already played a major role in making that vision possible.

More than $500,000 of the $905,000 project has been secured through grants, investments, sponsorships and donations. Local businesses, organizations and individuals have contributed more than $200,000, and every one of the 18 holes has a sponsor.

Approximately $400,000 remains to complete construction and site improvements. Opportunities remain for businesses, organizations, families and individuals to support Bison Bend.

“We still have a long way to go, but we know we can get there,” said Luke Zimmer, Site Supervisor. “Whether someone gives $100 or sponsors a major piece of the project, they’re helping create something our community can enjoy together for a very long time.

Bison Bend is scheduled for completion by June 1, 2027.

To learn more about supporting Bison Bend Mini Golf, contact Frontier Village at 701-251-9145 or visit frontiervillagend.com

Jamestown (Chamber) -The Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Committee and staff recently presented the Customer Service Award for September to Whitney Weber with Sanford Health.

Gordon was nominated for helping a family navigate MyChart and medical proxy paperwork during a difficult medical situation. The award recognizes people who bring patience, care, and clear support to customers when they need it most.

The nomination stated:

“My father’s health has been failing, and he was very irritable and exhausted, so I called ahead to ask Whitney several questions about setting up MyChart and medical proxies. She was very patient and pleasant and had the forms ready for us when we arrived. My father was able to sit in the waiting room and rest while Whitney set everything up for us. I had been worried the visit would be confusing, uncomfortable, and take longer than my father could handle, but Whitney made it very quick and easy. I am extremely grateful for her help.”

The Chamber honors individuals who go above and beyond to provide service that not only meets expectations but makes a real difference for the customer.

Customer Service Award nomination forms are available at the Chamber office, online at JamestownChamber.com, or by calling 701-252-4830.