From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news

100 Years Ago-May 22, 1912
Aroostook Times
    Making Houlton greener — Superintendent Coan reported that students at the Water St., Pleasant St., Bowdoin St., Fair St. and Longfellow schools planted maple trees in observance of Arbor Day, May 17th. In the rural schools, children and their teachers cleaned up the schoolgrounds and planted small gardens.
    Play ball — Manager Carl C. Gray of the High School team was struck by a pitched ball during the Ricker game, injuring his arm quite badly, necessitating the use of a sling.
    In the line of duty — While answering a false alarm from Box 56 Friday, Edw. F. Keating was run over by the ladder truck, while attempting to mount it on the run. He was painfully bruised and cut but not seriously injured.
75 Years Ago-May 27, 1937
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Real hero — Fire which gutted the upper Military St. home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert McNally might well have caused a fatality had it not been for the courage and calmness of Mrs. John Philpot of Boston, a nurse. Mrs. McNally and small granddaughter, Carol, trapped on an upper floor of the burning structure, were saved by Mrs. Philpot, a daughter of Mrs. McNally.
    Teachers’ choice — Ernest Robinson of Houlton, a senior at Bates College, was chosen by faculty as one of four student speakers at the 71st commencement exercises.
    Dyer Brook — The WPA project on the Lane Road has been halted, which was a disappointment to those employed there. Mr. E.J. White, first selectman, went to Bangor, hoping to get the project restarted, but was unsuccessful.
50 Years Ago-May 24, 1962
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Tops with trains — Former Houlton resident W. Jerome “Jerry” Strout was named to replace W. Gordon Robertson as president of the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad.
    Law enforcement exchange — Selahatin Ozzoz, a major with the Turkish National Police, was spending time learning local law enforcement tactics with members of the Maine State Police, including Trooper Ronald McFalls.
    Ready to race — One of the top harness racing drivers in the state was Arthur Smith of Linneus.
    U-Maine’s best — Joyce Baker of Houlton was named Valedictorian of her class at the University of Maine at Orono. A French major, she planned to study abroad as a Fulbright Scholar.
    Retiring — Members of the Houlton High School Future Farmers of America chapter honored Charles Wood, who was retiring from teaching agriculture after 40 years.
25 Years Ago-May 27, 1987
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Samantha Smith Day — The first official Samantha Smith Day to promote the former Houlton schoolgirl’s “inspiring message for peace and brotherhood” would be held in Maine, according to a proclamation signed by Governor John R. McKernan Jr.
Pioneer Times file photo/1987
PAST ADVISORS — Past Worthy Advisors of Houlton Assembly No 26, International Order, Rainbow for Girls attending the 20th anniversary “Remembrance” meeting include, from left, front row: Kim Vail, Beverly Hurd Euerle, Pamela Peabody McManemon, Traci Storti, Kristie Mitchell and Nancy Ketch. Middle row: Sara Haskell Douglas, Linda Smith Smart, Betty Lincoln Anderson, Laurie Blake McQuarrie, Janet White and Melanie Brown Larson. Back row: Paula Coolong Gendron, Sandra Reardon Skehan, Susan Lezotte Sewell, June Tingley Malone and Carol Murray McGary.
    Gift — Houlton Water Company board member Leighton Fortier presented Frank Peltier, chairman of the Cary Library board of directors, with an original Esther Faulkner painting of the 183-year-old landmark to be displayed permanently at the library.
    Scholars awarded — Superintendent David Wiggin congratulated eighth-graders at the Southern Aroostook Community School who scored in the top 5 percent of the Maine Educational Assessment. They were Maria Guerin, Mendy Drew and Jeffrey Hallett.