From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news

Compiled by Karen Donato
Special to the Pioneer Times
100 Years Ago-Jan. 3, 1912
Aroostook Times
    Local — John Watson and Company have a few sleds for boys and girls they do not wish to carry over to another season, so are selling them out at cost.
    Smyrna — A stork visited our town, Saturday and left a young son with Mr. Frank Marley.
    Ludlow — Five farmers of this town joined the Order of Moose in Houlton on Tuesday last.
    Houlton — Five chairs at Thomas’ Barber Shop means no long waits. That’s what people like.
75 Years Ago-Jan. 7, 1937
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Houlton — James C. Madigan, chairman of the committee which will have charge of the Houlton Birthday Ball for the President, announced that, during the past year part of the funds which have been created from the proceeds of previous parties were used to aid one youngster, stricken with infantile paralysis to go to the Shrine Hospital.
    New teacher — Miss Mae Kitchen, who has been teaching in Haynesville, has accepted a position in the West Ridge School in Mars Hill and took up her duties the first of the year.
    Newlyweds — Announcement cards have been received announcing the marriage of Miss Genevieve Adelle Porter to Hilston Robert Carpenter on Nov. 27, 1936 at Portsmouth, NH.
50 Years Ago- Jan. 4, 1962
Houlton Pioneer Times
    New principal — J. Rodney Coffin, head of the Science Department at Houlton High School has been appointed principal of Houlton High School replacing Keith K. Thompson who leaves next month to assume the post of principal at the Northern Maine Vocational School at Presque Isle.
    Benedicta — Earl and Lucy McNally are the proud parents of the first baby born in the new year. He is their third son and was born on Jan. 3.
    Smyrna Mills — A wood specialty plant is under way by Guy Friel and Sons. There will be a 10,000 square foot, manufacturing structure and a 30,000 board feet dry kiln and boiler house. It will employ 75 people.
25 Years Ago-Jan. 7, 1987
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Houlton — Officials of the Cyr Construction Company of Caribou, contractors for the renovations and the new addition to the County Jail continue to work as weather permits. The project is being funded by a $2.5 million bond issue.
    Wind damage — The partially constructed building that was to house equipment for storage at Houlton Regional Hospital was victim of a storm that hit Houlton. Winds were recorded at 41 mph according to Federal Aviation Administration officials. The structure that measured 28-feet by 48-feet was severely damaged and the plans to repair are not available.
Houlton Pioneer Times 1987 File Photo
NEW YEAR’S BABY — Vera Blake, R.N., left, and Ann Duff, L.P.N., present a $50 savings bond to Mrs. Peter Foster, mother of Houlton Regional Hospital’s first baby of the new year. Denice Lee was born at 8:17 a.m. on Jan. 2.