115 Years Ago – 1900
• The travelling library, which was loaned by the state to the town of Caribou, has returned, more than likely due to the popularity of the author’s works.
• The Bangor and Aroostook railroad will run a cheap excursion to Millinocket, the “Magic City of the East.” The cost of a round trip is $1.50.
100 Years Ago – July 22, 1915
Boys start fires — Two boys, hardly in their teens, set 4 fires almost simultaneously. Three of these fires were in the shed in the back of the Lyman Hotel, and the other fire was set behind Gammon drug store. Luckily, these fires were put out, avoiding a fire that would destroy all the buildings in sight.
Auto’s rapid rise — The fifteenth National Automobile show at Grand Central Palace in New York showed incredible development in automobiles. The contrast of vehicles in the 1900, which were called ‘horseless carriages’, to the new automobiles in 2015 is remarkable. There have been incredible changes to the market as well. In 1900, during the first automobile show, there were about 50 American manufacturers, and the cars that were in use were in the hundreds. Today, there are about 2 million automobiles in use, and 450 American manufacturers.
75 Years Ago – July 18, 1940
Radio installation — Completion of installation of equipment in the Caribou station of the Civil Aeronautics Authority radio is expected to end this week. Over $20,000 worth of radio equipment is being installed in the station for maintenance of the radio beam and maintaining other contacts with airmen. The station also handles the traffic of weather observations and reports by the weather service.
Safety improves — A chart compiled by the Safety Education Department of the Aetna Casualty and Surety Company indicates that Maine is 22nd out of the 50 states listed according to increases or decreases in automobile fatality for the first 5 months of 1940. Maine has had no changes in fatalities.
50 Years Ago – July 15, 1965
Memorial funds grow — The Opportunity Training Center Memorial fund and the Faith Lutheran Church Memorial Fund have received donations recently in memory of Mark Johnson. There have been about 100 donors.
Wade considers SAD — Residents of Wade decided in a special town meeting to contribute $20,000 in town monies toward a proposed area School Administrative District. The results of the voting on Washburn, Wade and Perham favoring formation of a School Administration District will be reviewed by the attorney general’s office.
25 Years Ago-July 18, 1990
NMRPC workers appeal — Seven former and current employees of the Northern Maine Regional Planning Commission have filed an appeal in Aroostook County Superior Court asking the court to reinstate a pension plan worth nearly $650,000 in retirement benefits.
Pesticide reduction — After a year of research, the Maine Audubon Society has unveiled a “blueprint for action” aimed at reducing the high levels of pesticides used in farms, homes and forests in Maine, and promoting alternative means for controlling pests.
