Texaco lowered its price on standard gasoline from 18.3 cents to 17 cents a gallon in Grand Forks 75 years ago. But the Herald said high test still was 20 cents a gallon.
At the same time, Congress was voting on an increase from 2 cents to 3 cents for a postage stamp.
An uneasiness spread across the nation in March of 1932 with the news of the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby - Charles Lindberg Jr., who was 20 months old. The news rocked the country and dominated the headlines during March. Also in the news was the war between Japan and China over Manchuria and the beginning of a truce agreement through the United Nations.
Times were tough and jobs were scarce in 1932. The Herald said that because of unusual expenses in Grand Forks' "poor department," the City Commission decided to curtail expenses to other departments for the year. Poor relief was necessary because of increasing unemployment. The city planned to use persons getting relief for help with city streets and other departments.
In spite of hard times, people still went out dancing. The States Ball Room advertised dances after the show on a half acre of floor space. And there was get-acquainted dancing with Nick Knutson and his five old timers at the Orient Ballroom. Cost for couples was 75 cents and for extra ladies, it was 15 cents.
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Marlene Dietrich was starring in "Shanghai Express" at the Paramount Theater 75 years ago. The books most in demand at the Grand Forks Public Library were "White Bird Flying" and "Lantern in Her Hand," both by Beth Streeter Aldrich. Miss Ruth Brown was the city librarian.
Chop suey and chow mein were available all the time at Chicago Cafe, 409 DeMers Ave. And the new Ford V8 cylinder deluxe Tudor Sedan was on display at all Ford dealers at the end of March.
Castoria was billed as the cure for children who caught colds. The ads said Castoria would carry off all that poisonous material. It was said to be a pure vegetable preparation made especially for children and babies. In fact, the ad said, "Children cry for it."
Early spring planting was expected to be under way by the first of April. The Herald reported barley and flax were expected to be planted more widely than in 1931. And it said much acreage would be given over to potatoes and sugar beats, the specialty crops of the Red River Valley.
At Hillsboro, N.D., a verdict of not guilty was returned by a district court jury on March 27, 1932, in the case of Ed F. Doran of Grand Forks who was charged with grand larceny in connection with the $1,500 robbery of First National Bank of Reynolds on Jan. 31, 1932. Crowds from Grand Forks, Hillsboro and the entire area packed the courtroom.
