Caribou area From our Files – Week of March 22, 2023

1 year ago

115 Years Ago – Mar. 19, 1908

Growing in size — The enlargement of the cloak department in Pattee & Co.’s dry goods store makes an improvement of a very noticeable nature, giving this large firm a much better, more desirable and lighter place to display the large line of cloaks carried. The room has been fitted up in a very handsome and convenient manner.

Accepting a new job in Boston — Miss Jennie Wright, who a short time ago graduated from the Beal School of Shorthand in Bangor, has gone to Boston where she has accepted a position in the piano house of Lincoln & Parker.

100 Years Ago – Mar. 22, 1923

Moved to Houlton — Miss Regina Doe, who has been spending the winter in Portland, is now located in Houlton where she is employed in the telephone office. On Saturday last she came to Caribou and spent Sunday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Doe, returning Monday morning. While there she was glad to  receive many of her former associates, who called to spend the day with her.

Elected to succeed — Llewellyn H. Powers of Houlton has been elected to succeed this father, the late Hon F. A. Powers, as President of the Farmers’ Bank at Houlton. He has been a director of the bank several years, and is regarded as well qualified to be its head.

75 Years Ago – Mar. 18, 1948

Renovations being made at Vaughan House — The Vaughan House is undergoing what amounts to a ‘spring house cleaning,’ according to Arthur Ouelette, manager, who says the place is being cleaned and painted from the top floor to the basement. The entire lobby, including the ceilings, was painted this week, and painters are now doing over the dining room on the main floor. The colors are the same as the original ones used, white on the ceilings and a light green on the walls. Ouelette says that a complete new fire alarm system has been installed, with an alarm box and a siren at the entrance. He said other extensive repairs are being made, including a considerable amount of new steam piping.

Caribou businessman observes 79th birthday — ‘The first time I came to Caribou it was merely to see the countryside, and I never expected to see the village again but, look, I have been in business here for 46 years,’ said Byron O. Noyes, on his 79th birthday, March 17. Mr. Noyes, proprietor of the B. O. Noyes Jewelry store on the square, opened his business on May 3, 1902. He is the oldest man in town to have been in only one business in town today. He purchased the El Powers jewelry business, then situated on Main Street. In 1914 he was ‘burnt out’ and had to leave the morning of January 31 and April 1 he was installed in his new location on the square and has remained there since.

25 Years Ago – Mar. 25, 1998

Library receives large donation for books — An anonymous $25,000 donation was made to the Caribou Public Library to purchase large print and audio books. Specific instructions of the donor are to inscribe ‘this item was purchased in appreciation of Jack Roth, president of the Beaver Brood Farms Inc., Caribou, Me.’ on books purchased with the money. Roth recently passed away and was a resident of Caribou. An increase in circulation for both has occurred in the past few years, said Library Director Diane Dubois. Audio book circulation has increased 100%. Many people use them while traveling and driving: a lot of truck drivers use the tapes, she said.

Hamlin promoted — Jon Hamlin of Caribou has been promoted to Supervisor of Outpatient Services at the Aroostook Mental Health Center (AMHC) Presque Isle office. Hamlin is a veteran employee at AMHC, having begun offering services as a residential counselor at Skyhaven Transitional Living Residence in Presque Isle in 1986.