100 Years Ago-Jan. 28, 1914
Aroostook Times
Postal appropriation — The post office appropriation, carrying a record-breaking total of $305,000,000, was passed Saturday by the House. It includes an amendment which extends to post office clerks, letter carriers, rural free delivery carriers, mounted letter carriers and post office messengers for injuries received on duty, full salary for one year injury with an additional half salary for another year if necessary and a $2,000 lump payment in case of death.
Of local interest — Miss Pearl Hall who has been employed at Millar’s confectionary store for some time, has resigned her position and accepted a position at Smith’s Bookstore. Prof. Jas. L. McConaughy of Bowdoin, delivered an illustrated stereopticon lecture Tuesday, the topic was College Life. Mr. Melvin Cronk, foreman of the Hardwood Mill at Harvey Siding spent Sunday in town with his family.
75 Years Ago-Jan. 26, 1939
Houlton Pioneer Times
A January stroll — It’s not unusual for a man to come to Houlton from Mars Hill; but it is news when that man has walked the entire distance, stopped here for a few hours, and then walked the whole way back. The man in question was Jesse Craig of Mars Hill who on Tuesday celebrated his 58th birthday by walking a mile for each year. It appears he threw in a few extra miles for the distance one way is about 30 miles.
A popular name — Gladys — At the regular meeting of the “Win-One” Philathea class held Friday evening in the church vestry, new officers were installed by outgoing president, Mrs. Margaret Lilley and outgoing vice president Mrs. Gladys Brewer. The new officers are: Miss Gladys Prior, president; Mrs. Dorothy Smith, vice president; Mrs. Gladys Finnemore, secretary; and Mrs. Gladys McIlroy, treasurer.
50 Years Ago-Jan. 23, 1964
Houlton Pioneer Times
Holiday long-distance connections — During the holidays Mr. and Mrs. Mel Cole received a collect telephone call from their sons, Jim and Ralph, with the U. S. Navy Sea Bees in Antarctica. Actually the call was collect only from Westport, Conn., where their ham radio message was picked up and relayed to the Coles’ Washburn Street home. Mel received his phone bill, expecting the charge to be at least $15 or $20, as his wife talked for well over 20 minutes to the boys down there near the South Pole. It was for $1.60, including tax. “We’re writing to tell the boys to call more often,” Mel said.
File photo 1964
DRIVES TO THE BASKET — Joe Barlock of the Houlton High Shiretowners drives past two defenders during the first half of action in the game against Old Town, who won the game 93-70.
Houlton gains legislative seat — Houlton’s representation to the State Legislature has been increased by one and the alignment of districts throughout southern Aroostook has been changed. Aroostook County will have 16 members of the House of Representatives with two each to come from Houlton, Presque Isle and Caribou.
25 Years Ago-Jan. 25, 1989
Houlton Pioneer Times
Houlton represented at Bush inauguration — Houlton had at least two direct connections to the goings-on in Washington this past week. Houlton’s Travis Humphrey, a member of the American Boychoir, sang with the group Thursday at the Kennedy Center as part of the “Salute to the First Lady.” Secondly, one of the Shiretown’s best-known products — potatoes — was served up in style, stuffed with another of Maine’s well-known products, the lobster, at one of the inaugural’s gala affairs. Otis Smith, of Garden’s Best fame, saw to it that locally grown spuds were used by one of the new president’s chefs, shipping the tubers to Kennebunkport just in time.
Maine Yankee donation supports Island Falls — Maine Yankee presented $1,000 last week to the Island Falls Library, an amount that had been pledged during the library’s fundraising drive in the latter part of 1988. Additional contributions from the public can be sent to Ralph Edwards, fundraising chairman, Katahdin Public Library Building Fund, Island Falls, Maine.
