115 Years Ago – Jan. 20, 1903
A bubblin’ crude — Oil was struck in the Ashland region last week, somewhere in the vicinity of Haystack Mountain.
Low prices — Uppling’s Store advertised men’s and women’s shoes as low as 99 cents per pair, girls’ shoes at 85 cents per pair, boys’ shoes at 45 cents per pair and babies’ shoes at 25 cents per pair.
100 Years Ago – Jan. 17, 1918
Winter weather — Tuesday’s storm brought 18 inches of snow, which drifted badly in many sections because of the high wind. The schools were closed Wednesday because of the storm, and Henry Soucia reports 28 inches of ice on the river.
Speaking — Olof Nylander, the Woodland naturalist, spoke to members of the High School on Monday.
75 Years Ago – Jan. 20, 1943
Cuts ordered — The Public Utilities Commission yesterday ordered drastic cuts in lighting and power for the next nine weeks because of low water in the Aroostook River. Engineers from the Commission found both storage and groundwater supplies seriously depleted with definite peril to electrical service in Aroostook County. All domestic users are ordered to discontinue their present use of electricity by no less than 10 percent.
Prize Hereford coming — Beau Beauty 56th, an All Maine Champion in 1940 and 1942 is coming to Aroostook. He was acquired during the week by R. H. Cunningham and son of Washburn for their foundation stock herd begun in 1940. Beau, who tips the beam at 2,200 pounds, formerly belonged to a New Sharon farmer and hails originally from Kansas. He was calved in April 1938.
50 Years Ago – Jan. 17, 1968
Fort fire — Fire has tortured Fort Fairfield in its downtown business district this morning as the flame monster that has ravaged much of the town during last year struck again. The businesses of Goodhue Jewelry Store, Frederick’s Restaurant, a Sears Roebuck Outlet, Russell’s Restaurant and the Masonic Building that formerly housed Richard’s Clothing Store were affected. Crews fought the fire in temperatures well below zero starting at 11 a.m. Early estimates of damage approached $300,000.
Flu epidemic — An epidemic of flu has caused the closing of the schools in New Sweden and is spreading into Caribou, according to word from Dr. Leland White, Caribou physician, who has treated several persons in both communities. Schools at New Sweden were closed Monday after 60 of the 120 pupils enrolled became ill, which is described as extremely contagious, usually spreading right through a family once the germ has been carried home.
25 Years Ago – Jan. 20, 1993
Low-cost applications — The Caribou-based Northern Maine Regional Planning Commission’s executive board of directors has authorized an application for a federal loan that could lead to help for small businesses in the areas affected by the closure of Loring Air Force Base. The loans would be under $25,000, according to Robert Clark of the planning commission. Clark recommended a grant application for $750,000 and the agency would have to provide a 15-percent local match on each loan as it is made.
Exhibit — The Caribou Historical Society is planning a French heritage exhibit with storytelling and artifacts. Society President Fred Martin would like Caribou area residents of French descent to submit a piece of their family history as part of the June display’s festival. The public is invited to attend a meeting at the Caribou Public LIbrary at 7 p.m., Wed., Jan. 27 for those interested in their French heritage.
