Houlton area From our Files – Week of March 2, 2020

Jim Madigan sits aboard the bob-sled and holds the reins to a handsome team in this photo that, had it not been for the modern automobile in the background, could have been taken a half-century ago. Jim located the handmade bob-sled in New Brunswick after long months of searching and used a split telephone pole as the frame. During the past several weeks he has been driving his team and bob-sled in fields along Bowdoin street. This scene is in back of the home of Fred Putnam, and Mr. Putnam is standing alongside for the picture. Now 89, Mr. Putnam can well remember when bob-sleds were in common use throughout the area. (File photo/1970)

100 Years Ago – Mar. 10, 1920

     Prize winners — L. H. Powers who with Mrs. Powers were in attendance at the Boston Dog Show, returning home last week having captured four first prizes and three seconds, of which Mr. and Mrs. powers might well be proud.

     New cars — Hand and Harrington, Mechanic St., have just received a car lot of 5-passenger 1920 Model Studebaker cars and call attention to prospective buyers the advantage of early buying, there is an unprecedented demand for cars throughout the country and those who delay may need to go without a care until the season is past.

75 Years Ago – Mar. 8, 1945

     Attend tournament — Davis Dunn, Robert MacNair and Billy Putnam returned Sunday from Bangor where they attended the Eastern Maine Basketball Tournament.

     20,000 cakes of ice cut — Manley Van Tassell and William Murphy who, as the Kendell Street Ice Company, are cutting ice now on Nickerson Lake for delivery to Houlton people during the coming season announced this morning that they already have 20,000 cakes in storage and , if present weather conditions continue, expect soon to have an adequate supply for all demands this season.

50 Years Ago – Mar. 11, 1970

     Catalog center to open — The J. C. Penney Co. this week announced  the opening of the local store Catalog Center, located in the downstairs area of the building on Market Square. John Janson, manager, stated that a teletype service will be in operation with merchandise arriving within five to seven days. Catalogs may be obtained at the Center, free of charge, and to place an order a customer may visit the Center or call. Mrs. Mildred McQuarrie will be managing the new department. 

     Appointed — Eugene A. Ross of Houlton, a member of the local Fire Department, has been appointed as a member of the Steering Committee for the Southern Aroostook area for the second annual Aroostook Fire Fighters’ Workshop scheduled for June at NMVTI. 

25 Years Ago – Mar. 8, 1995

    Donation — Lt. Barbara Chamberlain, of the Salvation Army received a check donation of $500 from Kent Hutchinson on behalf of all Irving Companies of Houlton.

    Gift for health care — Milliken Medical Center of Island Falls recently received a $1,000 gift from National Starch and Chemical, also of Island Falls, to help provide rural health care. Rita Palmer of Patten presented the check.