by Esther Laughlin
As homesteaders settled on the prairies, little shacks popped up all over the area. New Port was built in 1882 on Southwest 1/4 of Section 36 145‑66 on land owned by Elizabeth and William Keepers and named for Col. R.M. Newport, treasurer of the Northern Pacific railroad. Post Office established July 24, 1882. Edgar Leavenworth first postmaster.
The Northern Pacific Railroad wanting to purchase land for the first railroad coming north from Jamestown. Keepers would not agree on price of lands, so they accepted Lyman R. Casey's offer of free townsite on section 35 one half mile west, naming the town Melville after Howard Melville Hanna, a major stock holder in Carrington Casey Land Company Melville is the oldest town in Foster County
All buildings were moved from New Port. These were Leavenworth & Wings store, Robert Waiters Hotel and Antonio Ohner's saloon. Edgar Leavenworth became postmaster May 2, 1883 in Melville.
Phillip and Obed Wiseman organized first bank in 1907. Deposits were $87,000, officers were Obed Wiseman, president, Peter Zink, Sr., vice president, Anna Zink, Asst Cashier and Phillip Wiseman, Cashier. The bank was robbed on September 28, 1916 of $4,205. Closed 1927 because of clerical error in charter. Wiseman Bros. later bought Leavenworth's Store.
Land was obtained by pre‑emption, squatters rights, tree claim and Homestead. They came by covered wagon, horseback, ox‑team. Every odd numbered section was owned by the Railroad, which could be bought. Section 16 was school property. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Clark were first passengers on train in 1883. He was the section foreman. Bill Sorenson was early depot agent.
The town school was built on land given by Peter Zink. There was on Southeast 1/4 of Section 11 145‑65, a county school earlier. They at first had school four months in the summer, later six months in the summer and three in winter. The first winter was so bad they had five days of school (June 15, 1961 Melville School joined the Carrington School District).
Mrs. Pete Zink (Theresa Lettner) was the first woman to come to Melville.
The Congregational Church was built in 1886 by local subscription and labor. They had a regular Pastor until 1922. The parsonage was built by Ladies Aid in 1890, the church burned about 1935. The first town hall was built in 1896 and burned 1924. There were four grain elevators, 3 burned and one was moved out. Businesses in town were: General stores
Leavenworth, Kidder, Shearer, McElroy, Hill, hardware store and Putnam & Miller Lumber Company Implement dealer, George Ackerman, later August Zink and Gilbert Bower. Pool hall, Louis Pothier, Wagon maker, John Robertson, Hotel, Ohner 1883, Blacksmith, A.K. Speers 1884. Dr. Richmond lived at Edmunds, Garage, Zink and Bower, Livery Stable, Wiseman Bros. The Fraternal lodges were December 3, 1896, Woodmen 3536, first presiding officer T.H. Burnham was noted for champion degree team in the state. Charter members, George Ackerman, J. Copeland, J. Douglas, Joe Dodd, J. Dodd, C. Ferguson, R. Farquer, William Hussy, Ed Miller, Frank Schieb, M. Schieb, William Seely, J.C. Willyard, F. Winsch and Wendelin Zink. Other lodges were Rebekah, Royal Neighbors, McKinley IOOF organized February 1, 1903 by O.L. Bobo, C.A. Benneth, F.A. Dodge, and William Wescom. Each lost their charters, IOOF being the last.
Social: Ladies Aid, Community Clubs, Whist Clubs, Sewing Circles.
Dramatic: Home talent plays and a kitchen band, male quartette.
Athletics: Ball team best in state.
Boy Scouts started by Bob Heyer (depot agent) still in existence headed by William Trecker. Roller skating, camparees, and craft and archery. They have won many awards for outstanding work. 4‑H girls started by Esther McAfee, latest leader Carol Reimers.
The greatest years for Melville were 1910 to peak 1915. In 1912, 170 lots were sold, many going to Peter Zink and Wiseman Bros., it was called the best small town between Jamestown and Leeds, North Dakota, end of railroad.
The greatest loss was by fire, several stores, two town halls, 2 livery barns, 3 elevators, two hotels, pool hall, creamery and many, homes, and the church.
Buildings by the dozen were moved out. Lumber Company, one elevator, one store, depot, hardware store and schoolhouse, and many homes. At the present time it is like a ghost town, only 5 houses occupied and about 10 people remain, no businesses.
All of us that once lived in Melville were proud of our town and enjoyed life there.
When the Pingree‑Wilton branch of the railroad was built in 1912 business territory was cut off from Melville. It started a great decline a couple years later.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 354