120 Years Ago – March 24, 1904
Replacement underway — Denton Brothers have already commenced operations toward replacing their blacksmith shop which was burned this past winter. A piece of land on the rear has been purchased and the building on the opposite side of the road which was bought by G. B. Roberts will be moved across and an addition will be built on. This will be an improvement over the former shop, as it will sit farther back from the road and thus give more room in front between the buildings and the street.
The earth trembled — The first earthquake since 1884 visited Maine a few minutes after one o’clock Monday morning. The shock, which was as if some heavy explosion had taken place, was distinctly felt in Caribou, several people being awakened and a few who were awake at that time felt it very distinctly. The earth trembled and houses were shaken. No damage of any kind is reported in Aroostook. The seismic disturbance seemed to originate or start near St. John, N.B., and traveled in a westerly direction, and was generally felt throughout the state of Maine, extending into Massachusetts. In Ellsworth, Lewiston, Rockland, Augusta and other places the jar was of sufficient force to break windows and shake dishes from the shelves. In many places people were thrown into a panic and the streets were lined with people who could hardly realize what had taken place.
115 Years Ago – March 25, 1909
Wired for lights — The cigar factory of J. C. McGrath was wired for electric lights last week.
On the way to attend a state meeting — J. A. Hale of Caribou, G. P. Dennett and L. D. Price of Presque Isle, Chas. McNaughton of Easton and Edward Higgins of Fort Fairfield started Monday for Bangor to attend the state meeting of the National HorseShoers Association which convened Tuesday.
100 Years Ago – March 20, 1924
New Brunswick to undertake hydro development of Grand Falls — A dispatch from Fredericton N. B. says: ‘The New Brunswick government will undertake hydro development of Grand Falls on the St. John river as a public ownership proposition, Provincial Premier Veniot announced today. The Grand Falls, near the Maine border, was formerly under lease to the International Paper Co., but the lease was recently canceled. It is intended to develop from 60,000 to 80,000 horsepower, the Premier said.’
A busy place indeed — The fertilizer factory of the Aroostook Federation of Farmers is a busy place just at present making fertilizer. There will be considerably more made than last year, and perhaps more than two years ago when over 5,000 tons were made.
75 Years Ago – March 24, 1949
To open a new drug store here Friday — Doctor’s Pharmacy will open their new Drug store here Friday according to an announcement made this week by its manager Ralph Pinette. The store, operating under the Walgreen Agency, opens in its new location and building at the corner of Sweden and Vaughan Avenue with a gala two-day sale. Containing a modern lunch counter, the store has the latest display fixtures in its numerous departments. Decorated in varied colors, and the latest in design, the store is believed a fine addition to Caribou’s shopping district.
Local woman wins $100 carnival prize — Mrs. George Frost, Washburn St. Caribou won the first grand prize of $100.00 cash at the recent Caribou Shopping Carnival. J. B. Pellitier, Van Buren, won the second prize of $50.00 while the third prize of $25.00 is believed to belong to David Adams of Washburn.
25 Years Ago – March 24, 1999
Woodland educator named literacy teacher of the year — Woodland Consolidated School teacher John Hedman was named Literacy Teacher of the Year at the Aroostook Right-to -Read Young Authors Institute on Saturday. Mary Graham, coordinator of the event, said Hedman was chosen as the first recipient of the award for his contributions in reading and writing. Hedman is a fourth-grade teacher at the Woodland Consolidated School in Woodland. He has taught fourth grade for more than 20 years of his 25 years in education.
Caribou couple celebrate 69th wedding milestone with family and friends — John and Lillian (Cote) Bourgoine celebrate their 69th wedding anniversary. They were married on Feb. 18, 1930, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Limestone by Fr. Alvery. Attendants were Thomas and Pearl Roix. The couple’s homestead was on a farm in Limestone later taken by Loring Air Force Base. On July 4, 1947, they moved to New Sweden, on a farm with a family of eight children; Geraldine, Thomas, Agnes, Lauretta, Joyce, John, Valada and Moriel. While here, Victoria and Peter were born. The couple were honored at a buffet at the County View Hotel in Presque Isle.
