100 Years Ago-October 5, 1910
Aroostook Times
Local — The two teams of the American Express Co. hauled 23 large trunks, weighing 3,900 pounds from the railroad station to Market Square at one trip, one day last week. This was one of the largest local shipments on one train to this office for a long time. A photograph of the loads was made.
East Hodgdon — The Ladies Aid Society of the Union Church met last Wednesday afternoon to elect their officers for the ensuing year: Mrs. John Grant, president, Mrs. Alden Varney and Mrs. Arthur Hovey, vice presidents, Mrs. Fred Alexander, secretary and Mrs. Herbert London, treasurer.
75 Years Ago-October 3, 1935
Houlton Pioneer Times
Houlton — The first game of the season, as reported to this office at five Tuesday night was a bear and partridge on display at Riley Brothers and which William Riley one of the partners of that firm, swears he himself shot.
Monticello — Game Warden Truman D. Miller killed a large back bear weighing about 400 pounds at Varney’s pulp camp on the township of B last Saturday. The bear was so near that Mr. Miller shot him from the back door of the camp. He was accompanied on the trip by this wife and Mr. and Mrs. George McCluskey. It was quite an experience for the women.
Mapleton — Ray Higgins set his digger engine in rubber this year. He used auto tubes and found that the machine did not vibrate anywhere near so much as in former years.
Hodgdon — Mr. and Mrs. Olin Quint and children Roy, Forest and Virgie and Mr. and Mrs. Herb Rhoda and son Fred spent the weekend at Eastport and vicinity.
50 Years Ago- October 6, 1960
Houlton Pioneer Times
Real estate — Half million dollars in sales as properties change hands. Another sign of progressive growth in Houlton for 1960 is reflected in the sales of property. Demand far exceeds the supply by a ratio of 12 to one. Some reasons put forth for the jump in sales are the transfer of B&A personnel to Houlton, O’Donnell’s Express moving back here from Pittsfield. Indirectly too, the phenomenal growth of Ricker College.
Fire — Twenty-five men became unemployed early Sunday morning when fire completely destroyed the Passamaquoddy Lumber Co. mill at the Houlton International Airport at a loss estimated between $40,000 and $50,000 according to plant manager Myles MacDonald of Houlton.
Newly elected — An outstanding representative from northern Maine, Keith H. Thompson, principal of Houlton High School since 1955, will serve as president of the State Principals’ Association for the year 1960-61.
Treasurer resigns — Stanley D. McElwee, has resigned as treasurer of the Houlton Trust Co. effective September 1, completing 40 years in the banking profession.
25 Years Ago-October 2, 1985
Houlton Pioneer Times
Memorabilia — Betty Blake, curator of the Southern Aroostook Historical Society is extremely proud of the memorabilia left to the Museum by Woodrow Farrar when he died. The collection of articles pertains to his heroic act on Feb. 20, 1968 when he saved the life of Tessa H. Gibson, 82 years old, in the fire that destroyed Newberry’s Store.
Service Award — Paul Coleman, retired manager of the Houlton Water Company received the 1985 Distinguished Service Award from the Northeast Public Power Association. Coleman managed the Houlton Water Company for more that 30 years before retiring in 1984.
Linneus — Byron Foster is the Fire Chief for the town of Linneus. He has 23 men on his crew and two women, Peggy Bither and Diane Peabody.
Cost increases — The town of Houlton has increased the cost of certified copies of records of births, deaths and marriages to $5 for the initial copy and $2 for each additional copy requested at the same time.
New profession — Yesteryear the fires were wood and coal, but the anvil, iron and other tools of the blacksmith have not changed. Today the fire is propane gas heat, the equipment is portable and Craig Corbett of Houlton, who has recently completed a course in blacksmithing will travel anywhere to work on the horse who needs shoes.
