120 Years Ago – Sept. 22, 1904
Largest attendance in its history — The Caribou High school opened last week with the largest attendance in its history since the school was graded, there being 116 pupils in attendance, 45 in the entering class. This school ranks high among similar institutions in the state, due to the able corps of teachers, and the thorough training and drilling which the pupils receive. Many of the scholars from this institution are already graduates of colleges, and several more are attending other institutions of learning.
Drawing attention — A hand organ on our streets Saturday attracted considerable attention, affording considerable delight to the children. The ‘proprietor’ of the ‘show’ also carried along a canary bird, which was supposed to sing whenever the music issued forth from the organ: it did occasionally, but the ‘singing of the bird’ was principally made by the man by means of a small instrument placed in his mouth. Some there were, however, who praised the bird for its singing capabilities and also for its ‘staying qualities’ as the ‘music’ lasted some two or three hours.
115 Years Ago – Sept. 23, 1909
Reopened to the public — It is understood that the old Burleigh Hotel is to be again reopened to the public. M.P. Craig of Perth, N.B., has leased the building, with the exception of that part occupied by the Caribou Bargain House, and will have the office on the ground floor with about 20 rooms on the second and third floors. The hotel will probably be run on the European plan. In connection with the hotel business, Mr. Craig will open a real estate office.
Back from California — C.S. Henry, who went to California last fall with his family, intending to relocate there, returned to Caribou Wednesday. Mr. Henry thinks that Aroostook is plenty good enough for him. He says that, while California may have some advantages, Aroostook has two to one for that state; unless a man is worth his thousands, Mr. Henry would not advise him to go to the far west — that living in Aroostook is much cheaper than there and that wages are better.
100 Years Ago – Sept. 18, 1924
Remodeling and new machinery — R. L. Pitcher is remodeling his concrete building just east of the B. & A. tracks on Water street, and putting in new machinery, and will be ready to receive potatoes for the manufacture of starch about the first of October.
Slicking up the neighborhood — Washburn street is ‘slicking up a bit.’ Everett Slack has treated his house to a fresh coat of paint; also the houses occupied by E.M. Davis, J.S. Smith and Ansel Anderson have been painted. Mrs. Washburn had had repairs made on her house.
75 Years Ago – Sept. 22, 1949
New french-fry plant will open here soon — ‘Although we are starting out with a new process, with new ideas, and are not completely certain as to results, we expect to process more than 550 carlots of Aroostook potatoes at the Caribou Birds-Eye Snider new frozen french-fry plant this year,’ M. F. LaRowe of Rochester, Eastern division manager, told the Lions club at their weekly Vaughan House supper meeting Wednesday evening. ‘We’d like to grow to be a part of a community, be an asset and pride to a town,’ the speaker remarked. He added that Birds Eye came to Caribou promising to pack only 600 acres the first year while more than 2400 acres of a comparatively new ‘money crop’ here was shipped this year.
Local agencies rally to harvesters’ plight — More than 3000 itinerant potato pickers have flooded Caribou since Sept. 12, visiting the Maine Employment Security Commission office here in search of employment. Fields, however, have been abnormally subjected to a week of digging operations untenable. The influx of laborers from out of state who chose to remain and wait out the inclement weather created an emergency in this town, necessitating the Salvation Army, Lions and Rotary clubs, the police department, and the Red Cross to rally with meal tickets for hundreds of pickers who found themselves without funds. Although some farmers stretched their resources and took in some workers, the general strain of the unprecedented influx was not eased until the weather cleared off Wednesday afternoon (temporarily), and more farmers began drawing off the men. Officials here estimated that 25,000 workers would be needed to harvest the Aroostook crop.
25 Years Ago – Sept. 22, 1999
Celebrating a birthday — Annie Churchill, originally of Fort Fairfield, celebrated her 104th birthday Monday at Limestone Manor, residential care. Churchill, joined by friends from the community, was given a cake by Loring Job Corps student Roberta Boyce. ‘To thine ownself be true, and it shall follow, we the night, the day darest not then befallest to any man,’ said Churchill, quoting Shakespeare as her motto for life.
Donation for the Robert A. Frost Memorial Library Fund — The Limestone Rotary donated $1000 to the Robert A. Frost Memorial Library Fund. The Library is working on an expansion and all donations go toward this project. The Limestone Rotary raised the money through a Golf Tournament at the Limestone Country Club. Pat Zenzius, president of the Limestone Rotary Club; Leitha Doughty, chairperson of the Board of Trustees; trustees; Cin
