100 Years Ago – May 10, 1923
Report showed 100,000 farmers co-operating — Approximately 100,000 farmers were marketing through eight producer controlled cooperative commission firms, selling cattle, hogs and sheep at the rate of $100,000,000 annually, according to John G. Brown, president of the National Livestock Producers’ Association.
Mr. Brown, in making his quarterly report to the farmers, showed that 15 to 20 percent of the total livestock shipped to the Buffalo market was sold by the producers’ concern; 5 to 8 percent at Chicago, or more than 1,000 carloads a month; 25 to 30 percent at Indianapolis, 50 to 60 percent at Kansas City; 15 to 18 percent at the national stockyards, East St. Louis, and 25 to 30 percent at Peoria.
75 Years Ago – May 6, 1948
Grand Master — Granville C. Gray of this city was named grand master of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Maine at the annual meeting in Portland. He had served as deputy grand master during the previous year.
Campaign chairman — Henry J. Willett was chairman of the second annual Clean-Up, Pain Up, Fix Up Week campaign, sponsored by the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce with many local organizations cooperating.
Burlock new police chief — Sergeant Watson E. Burlock, who had been acting chief of police since the resignation of Perley E. Rees, was appointed police chief at the regular meeting of the Presque Isle City Council. Burlock had been a member of the local police force for nearly five years. There were three other applicants for the position, whose names were not announced. The council authorized installation of nine new fire hydrants and heard a report that the Presque Isle Water District trustees had approved water main extensions totalling more than 5,000 feet on eight streets.
50 Years Ago – May 9, 1973
On stage — Six seniors participated in the Cable TV Quiz Game from Presque Isle High School. The group won both games against Fort Fairfield and a game against Caribou before losing out in the championship round to Caribou by only 40 rounds. First team included Jed Desmond, Kelly Carter, Allison Higgins and Bill Boynton. Also on the team were Mary Bouchard and Nancy Small; coaches were Paul Nichols and Larry Hallowell.
Special postal award — Postmaster W. D. Halloran presented a Special Postal People Award to postman Ernest C. Carlson “in recognition of efforts beyond the call of duty in bringing credit to the U.S. Postal Service.” This new award was presented to Carlson in relation to his action the year before in the case of Mrs. Nathan Perry, a Presque Isle widow who lived alone and to whom Carlson delivered mail. Noticing that her mail had not been taken in over one weekend, Carlson contacted Lewis Libby, who had handled some of her business mail. On entering the house, Libby found Mrs. Perry on the floor, where she had been lying for three days. She was immediately hospitalized and was subsequently placed in the Aroostook Convalescent Center where she remained until her death. Carlson was commended for this good judgment and consideration in the case.
25 Years Ago – May 13, 1998
Community spirit award — Present at a ceremony for The Prudential Spirit of Community state award for Carl Langley were SAD 20 Superintendent Rodney Doody, Fort Fairfield Middle School Principal Larry Plante, Prudential General Manager Lawrence Gagnon, Linda Langley, lee Langley, Danielle Langley, Prudential representative Roland Jandreau and Prudential Branch Manager Steve Cheney.
Beck raised to manager — Graves’ Shop ’n Save announced that Charles Beck accepted the position of store manager in the company’s acquired Don’s Shop ’n Save in Bar Harbor. Beck was a long term associate with the Graves’ Family in Presque Isle, serving in many managerial positions, including grocery manager, front end manager, and night closing manager. In addition to the above, Beck served as the store manager at the Presque Isle Shop ’n Save on lower Main Street until its closing in 1992. For the previous four years, he had held the position of assistant store manager at Graves’ Shop ’n Save.
Grateful donation — Lois Pke, manager of the Central Aroostook Humane Society, accepted a $100 check from Brownie Troop #613. The troop raised the money selling Girl Scout cookies. The girls also bought newspapers and towels for the cages and animals.
