115 Years Ago-July 21, 1897
• A young eagle captured by a Frenchman at Cross Lake a short time ago, after having several owners, was purchased by Land Commissioner Oak and has found a resting place in a cage at the fish hatchery.
• James H. Glenn the hardware dealer has added a very neat cylinder desk and curtains to his office this week.
100 Years Ago-July 17, 1913
• Connor receives town status — Under private and special laws, an act was passed making Connor Plantation a town, accordingly, Connor Plantation became a town on July 11th. Also in the private laws an act was passed taking Stockholm, Caswell, Connor and Westmanland from the Northern Aroostook Municipal District and putting them in the District of the Caribou Municipal Court.
• Latest tractor technology — From a release submitted by L.B. Meisenhelter, Special Rep. for International Harvester Co. of America: “… the foremost motive power in the Agricultural world of the twentieth century is the gasoline and kerosene tractor engine. A tractor large enough to draw four 15-inch plows will plow ten acres per day at a cost of $2.50 to $3.00 for fuel, and $2.00 for a man operating the tractor and plow.”
75 Years Ago-July 21, 1938
• Carnival control — The Caribou Women’s Civic League Monday evening voted to ask town authorities to use more discretion in allowing carnivals to play here. Various local disturbances, indecent shows and the general rowdyism caused by these carnivals led to this action being taken, League officials said.
• Maine’s own Bambi — A fawn deer stepped from the obscurity of his native Maine woods today bound for Hollywood where he is destined to become one of the most widely known animals that has ever lived. Rescued by wardens from the hazards of the forest after his mother died, the ten week old buck was shipped by express from Augusta to the Walt Disney Studios where he will act as the model for the principal character in Disney’s new full length picture, Bambi.
50 Years Ago-July 18, 1963
• A by-pass for Caribou — Long-awaited action on the Caribou by-pass started this week. State Highway Commission officials were in town looking over possible routes. The by-pass, to be completed in sections, will run from a point near Green Acres Restaurant south of town on Route 1 to a point north of the community on the same route.
• Potato Blossom festivities — Golfers will have their day Sunday at the (Potato Blossom) festival. An 18-hole tournament will be held at the Aroostook Valley Country Club and any golfer is eligible to play. Loring Air Force Base’s ace golfer Tony Ashman won the trophy last year. Also on Sunday at Monson Pond, an eight class boat regatta will be held and water skiing competition will round out the weekend in Fort Fairfield.
25 Years Ago-July 20, 1988
• Coaches chance to play —The annual softball game between the managers, coaches and umpires of Caribou Little League will be played Saturday at White Little League Field. The National Division, out to defend last year’s championship, is led by Paul Barnes, with a long list of sluggers: Dave Martin, Allen Hunter, Dick Salminen and Tim Crowley. The Americans, managed by John McCormack, feature Tim Conroy, John Griffeth, Tim Bailey, John Plourde and Rick Cyr. Umpires playing for each team are Chad McNeal, Mike Ouellette, Carl Randolph, Terry Newbegin and Brad Nadeau.
• Caribou clergy — Two Caribou natives were among nine clergy appointed to new posts by Bishop Edward C. O’Leary of Portland. The Rev. James S. Plourde will serve as director of the Christian Life Center in Upper Frenchville, continuing his duties as pastor of St. Gerard in Grand Isle. The Rev. James L. Nadeau, ordained in July, will serve as parochial vicar at St. Louis Parish in Fort Kent.
