Caribou area From our Files (week of July 4, 2018)

6 years ago

115 Years Ago – July 7,  1903

Lock-up The old lock-up on Water Street has undergone some changes during the past week.  The lower story has been removed and the upper part lowered and the new steel cages recently purchased by the town will be placed in position.

Improvements Considerable improvement has been made on the road leading to Washburn.  The hill near Caribou Lake has been pared down and leveled, and the old road around the hill has been discontinued.

100 Years Ago – July 10, 1918

Not returning Miss Maude Bailey, one of Caribou’s young teachers, closed a successful term of school at Lyndon Center, this making her three years in that place.  Her many friends regret that she has decided not to return for another year.

“Work or fight” — The “work-or-fight” law is now in vogue in the United States.  Thus, if a man cannot fight, he should work; if he does not care to work, he should certainly fight.  At any rate, he must get around and do something useful.

75 Years Ago – July 7, 1943

Penney bond drive — The J.C. Penney Company’s local branch stated yesterday that its war savings drive has already topped last year’s figures with the sale of approximately $3,000 worth of war stamps and bonds.  Started on July 1, the drive is expected to last through the month of August.

Rehearsal — The first industrial statewide air raid rehearsal will be stage on Monday, July 19 as announced by civilian defense director, F.H. Farnum.  During the red alert, the streets will be cleared of all pedestrians, and, with the exception of emergency vehicles on actual duty, all traffic will be stopped and passengers and drivers asked to find shelter.

50 Years Ago – July 10, 1968

Water picture darkens — Some Caribou residents were complaining of drawing not only bad-tasting and foul-smelling, but also brown to black water through their home faucets Tuesday morning.  Other persons reported sinks and bathtubs badly stained by water with heavy brown tint.

Pratt remembered Caribou has undergone many changes within the past years, and one asset of the city, which many citizens assumed would always be the same, would always be there, was a man who served to link the Caribou of yesteryear with the growing community of today: Dr. B.L. Pratt, who has passed away.  Pratt was born in Washburn in 1882 and was a practicing veterinarian at his home on Sweden street for the last 55 years. He is survived by two sons, Bertis L. and Richard M., both of Caribou; three daughters, Mrs. John (Dorothea( Rhoades of Sarasota, Fla., Mrs. Chester (Florence) Henderson of Caribou and Mrs. Philip (Thelma) Robinson of Chula Vista, Calif; as well as seven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

25 Years Ago – Jul. 7, 1993

Personnel departures Actual personnel departures at Loring Air Force Base for the month of June are higher than expected and higher than forecast at the beginning of the month, according to Col. Robert B. Manning, director of the Base Closure office.  A total of 94 service personnel left the base in June, offset by none arrivals, for a net loss of 85. There was a loss of 61 family housing units vacated and a gain of one civil service employee during the month.

Cash or Car A 1993 Pontiac Sunbird, supplied by Gagnon’s Auto Sales and donated by Bradley’s Car Wash of Caribou and Presque Isle, or $10,000 in ash, will be the prize for someone to pick for the first person to get a hold-in-one on hole 34 at this weekend’s Cary’s Classic Benefit Golf Tournament at the Caribou Country Club.