115 Years Ago – Jan. 13, 1903
Report — According to Supt. Stetson’s report, there are 1938 children between the ages of and 21 years, as compared with 1,698 in Fort Fairfield, 1,538 in Presque Isle, and 1,501 in Houlton.
Notice — The jewelry stores of H.O. Spencer and B.O. Noyes and L.J. Sherwood’s variety store will close at 8:00 except on Saturday and Monday night until further notice.
100 Years Ago – Jan. 10, 1918
Horse race — The horse race on the ice on the Aroostook River above the dam last Thursday was attended by quite a large crowd, many from other towns being present. The racing was close and exciting, four heats being necessary to win. The first heat was captured by Hal S. Stingy coming in a winner in the second. Hal S. captured the next two.
Alarm — The sounding of the fire alarm Wednesday morning, blowing three blasts, announced that there would be no sessions of the village schools that day. And it was a wise and proper thing to do, as it would have been almost impossible for many of the scholars, especially the younger pupils, to have attended, so difficult was the traveling due to the heavy storm Tuesday night.
75 Years Ago – Jan. 13, 1943
Blackout — Not a glimmer of light could be seen in Caribou from 9:06 to 9:22 p.m. tonight, watchers reported, as the town took part in the statewide surprise blackout.
Carter lauds Aroostook men — The high comparative figures for enlistment from Maine and The County, both in present and previous wars, were cited as typical of their patriotic spirit by Adjutant-General Geo. M. Carter of Augusta at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet at the Vaughan House on Tuesday night. Approximately 100 members and guests were in attendance. Murray Mockler, Rev. D. Stanley Rawson and Dr. F.L. Gregory were named members of the program committee for the February meeting.
50 Years Ago – Jan. 10, 1968
Dead of winter — The northeasternmost city in the U.S. went through the coldest day ever recorded by the U.S. Weather Bureau here Monday when temps dropped to -16 degrees at mid-morning with 58 mph winds and a chill factor of 80 to 85 degrees below zero. One death was reported directly attributable to the extreme weather.
Sugar beet voting — A total of 476 votes will be required in the city’s first special election here Friday if the $300,000 beet collection loading facility sought by Maine Sugar Industries of Easton is to become a reality for Caribou. The figure of 476 would meet the requirement of 20 percent of the last gubernatorial vote in Caribou required to allow the passage of the referendum question which asks that the city be allowed to issue revenue obligation securities in the amount of $300,000.
25 Years Ago – Jan. 13, 1993
Extension — Three routes have been proposed for a four-lane highway from Houlton to the Canadian border in the St. John Valley. Sam Collins, chairman of the transportation subcommittee of the Loring Readjustment Committee has selected these routes for consideration by U.S. Sen. George Mitchell’s office as a requirement for congressional funding.One of the least disruptive routes is west of Presque Isle and Caribou going around the industrial park, but is also the longest of the three routes, ending up at 120 miles and ends in Madawaska.
First baby — Chelsea Jean Leighton was the first baby born in 1993 at Cary Medical Center in Caribou. Born Sunday, Jan. 10 at 3 p.m., the eight pound one ounce baby girl is the mother of Gail Leighton of Limestone and Jim Leighton. Her paternal grandparents are Neal and Jean Leighton.
