Caribou area From our Files – May 3, 2023

11 months ago

115 Years Ago – Apr. 30, 1908

Making his home in Caribou — W. W. T. Pearson, who has been in Boston for the past three years, was in Caribou Monday on his way to New Sweden where he will reside in future.

Returned from visit — Miss Bessie E. Lawson, stenographer in C. G. Briggs’ law office has returned from a few days’’ visit at her home in Andover, N. B.

New item at shop — George A. Wright, the photographer, has just put up a new sample case at the foot of the stairs leading to his studio in the Roberts block.

100 Years Ago – May 3, 1923

Bad weather and its repercussions  — Of all the towns in Aroostook Fort Fairfield seems to be the hardest hit. The giving way of the bridge at the lower end of the village carried with it the water main by which the town was supplied with water, leaving the town with no water, no power, no lights. The high water in the main extinguished all fires in basements, as well as destroying goods stored there, leaving no way to supply heat. Many telephones were put out of commission.

Lots of sales being made — There has been a great and unprecedented sale of lamps, candles and kerosene oil this week, owing to the lack of electric lights, (and, by the way, that is one item (candles) the recent Legislature forgot, or overlooked, to tax.)

Finding a way to get light — The Caribou Motor Co. has lighted its store this week with the leadlights of automobiles, in addition to candles and lamps.

75 Years Ago – Apr. 29, 1948

Northeastern’s 13th anniversary — For Alfred Thomas of the Northeastern Supply Company, 13 is lucky rather than an unlucky number. This is his 13th anniversary in business here, handling bottled gas, and he says it has been his best year so far. Thomas started out in business in 1935, to put it  He has in his own words, ‘with a lot of ambition, a borrowed car, and $250 borrowed from my father.’ He has always been a Caribou boy and his story in the past 13 years has been that of one success after another and, as he puts it, ‘plenty of hard work.’ He is married and he and his wife, Evelyn, have four children, Frederick 14, Harriet 13, Richard 10, and David 9. It was in 1934 that he took over the Philgas franchise in Aroostook by buying out the Caribou Grange Store.

Resign jobs at the end of the year — Hayden L. V. Anderson, Caribou superintendent of schools, announced that five high school teachers have submitted their resignations, effective at the close of the school year. MIss Mary Whitney, head of the home economics department, is accepting a position at Gould Academy, Bethel. Harry Richardson, head of the agriculture department, is resigning so as to participate in full time farming here. He will continue as instructor for veterans’ on-the-job training. George Swanton of the English department is accepting a social service position with the Red Cross. Miss Ethel Lovely, supervisor of music, is retiring from teaching. Miss Minelva Doyle of the English department also is retiring from teaching.

25 Years Ago – May 6, 1998

Auction raises $4,000 — It took some fine art and fast talking to raise money for Aroostook County AIDS education and assistance. About 85 people attended the fourth annual AIDS Benefit in Celebrate Life at the Caribou Inn & Convention Center. Silver Dollar Auction Co. operated the art auction. More than $4,000 was raised by the annual event, said organizer Catherine Bohls of Health First.

Kiwanis celebrate 40 years of community service in Caribou — Caribou Kiwanis Club celebrated its 40th Anniversary at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center on April 25.  Over 50 Kiwanians and guests attended, including 12 past presidents. Following a social hour by the pool, guests moved to the banquet room to enjoy a buffet dinner of steamship round and seafood newberg. The Presque Isle IKiwanis Club President, Tim McMahaon (who is now Lt. Governor-elect of Division 1) presented the club with a certificate for a donation of $400 to a charity of Caribou Kiwanis Club’s choice, in honor of the club’s 40th anniversary.