100 Years Ago – April 24, 1918
New machinery — The Houlton Woolen Mill has been a fixture in Houlton for many years, and the present generation remember the late W. H. Estey as the man who manufactured thousands of yards of cloth in addition to other products. Then the business was taken over by a corporation and was run under the superintendency of J. C. Dill. On Jan. 1, 1917, Mr. Dill resigned and J. H. Henzie was engaged as superintendent and has continued in that position, during the many improvements made upon his suggestion. The first of this year the Company purchased 12 new looms, one 60-by-60 set of cards, a mixing picker and two 280-spindle mules all of the newest type which have been installed and should be up and running by May 1. All this machinery, in addition to a complete finishing room, will make this a model mill, and employing about 50 people is a good thing to have in any community.
75 Years Ago – April 29, 1943
Poppies — “The poppies have arrived!” This was the word that flashed to members of the American Legion Auxiliary and brought many of them to the Legion Home to begin the work of arranging the little red flowers for Poppy Day, May 29. The poppies, 2000 of them, were in boxes shipped from Togus, where they were made by disabled war veterans under direction of the Department of the Auxiliary. Shaped patiently by hand, each little flower is a replica in crepe paper of the flowers that bloomed on the battlefields of the first World War.
Golden wedding day — Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur H. Harding observed their golden wedding anniversary April 27, when an open house was held at their home in Hodgdon. Mr. Harding, a native of Appleton, known as the barrel king of Aroostook, and Ella J. Young of Jensing, N. B., were married in Houlton, April 27, 1893, by the Rev. Averill T. Dulton, pastor of the Baptist Church. A large number of friends were on hand to wish them congratulations on the day.
50 Years Ago – April 24, 1968
New president — The Board of Directors of the Houlton Water Company at its annual meeting April 15 elected J. Fred Donald as president for the ensuing year. Other officers elected were Donald F. Ellis, vice president, and Asa H. Roach, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Donald succeeds Alan H. Clark, who served as president from 1960 through 1968.
FHA grants — The approval of a $20,000 insured by the Farmers Home Administration to expand a recreational area in Mattawamkeag, Penobscot County, was announced by Sheldon L. Ward, director for the New England states. The loan funds will be used to assist the association in developing a camping area and picnic area and purchase necessary equipment adjacent to their present facilities.
25 Years Ago – April 28, 1993
Winner of canoe — Richard Conard congratulated Rotarian Torrey Sylvester, race director for the 17th annual Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race, for winning the homemade canoe constructed by Ken Wetmore.
Celebrate birthday — Gladys Astle celebrated her 100th birthday April 20 at the Gardiner Nursing Home, where she has been a resident for five years. She is a member of the Military Street Baptist Church and was in the employment of the late Dr. Eugene Gormley. Astle’s son and daughter-in-law, Gordon and Althea, reside in Sherman Station.
