Caribou area From our Files – Week of January 17, 2024

4 months ago

120 Years Ago – Jan. 21, 1904

Lots to write about — The six papers published in Aroostook County printed last week, 454 inches of county correspondence, that is, news from neighboring towns aside from the local happenings in the towns where the papers are issued. Of this 454 inches the Republican had 203 inches, almost as much as the other five papers together. It is this army of writers from all sections which materially assists in making this paper the leading one in the county.

A quick photo — G. L. Doe, photographer, made quite a record at taking pictures in a short time on Friday last week. A man, who was going to Boston in charge of a potato car, went into Mr. Doe’s studio and wanted a picture ‘right off.’ There was but 50 minutes before the train left — a short time in which to take a sitting and get a picture. But the artist proved himself equal to the case, and exposed the negative, developed it, printed and mounted a photograph and gave it to his customer in just 22 minutes.

115 Years Ago – Jan. 24, 1909

Transferred jobs — W. G. Hazleton, who has been in charge of the American Express Company’s office in Caribou for some time, has been transferred to Belfast at an increase of salary, leaving Monday of this week. His place is taken by Herman Coombs, who has been in the employ of the Houlton office of the same company. Will McClish is also employed by the express company, making the trip to and from Limestone every day.A

A school book in the making — The Ashland High School Bulletin has been received from the press of the Ashland Gazette. The magazine contains many well written articles by the pupils of the school, showing good literary ability. There are half-tone cuts, well printed, of the school building, the principal, Professor A. A. Towne, and assistant, Miss Ada McNally, and the graduating class of 1909. The book, which shows a very neat typographical appearance, is well patronized by local merchants in its advertising department. The design on the cover, drawn by one of the pupils, is very artistic and a fine piece of work.

100 Years Ago – Jan. 17, 1923

Inspection time again — Guy J. Durepo, a furniture dealer of Washburn, was in town Wednesday. Mr. Durepo is chief of the Washburn fire department, and makes a thorough inspection of every building in the fire district, reporting every defective chimney, poor pipe connection, defective stoves, etc., three times each year.

An entertaining evening spent — The Social Club was very pleasantly entertained Friday afternoon by Mrs. W. L. Collins at her home on Collins Street. The literary program was omitted and moving pictures, or ‘shadow pictures,’ were substituted, this feature proving not only to be very novel but also entertaining and amusing. At six o’clock a delicious supper was served by the hostess, followed by an enjoyable social hour.

75 Years Ago – Jan. 20, 1949

Celebrates birthday — The last remaining survivor of the original settlers of New Sweden, Mrs. Agnes Clase Anderson, today celebrated her 83 birthday at her farm home in that community. In good health, although confined to her wheelchair, Mrs. Anderson anticipates observing the occasion by entertaining her many friends. She was born in Europe at Gothenburg, Sweden, January 20, 1866, the daughter of Captain and Mrs. N. P. Clase. She was four years of age when her seafaring father enrolled his family with W. W. Thomas U. S. Minister to Sweden, and with a total of 52 persons set out on a voyage to the new land.

Local fire department awaits a new horn unit to replace the old — Expected within days by the Caribou Fire Department is a new fire alarm pressure pumper, tank and accessories to replace the present machinery which has been in operation since 1916. The new apparatus was ordered by the town to conform with a report made the past year by Fire Underwriters.

25 Years Ago – Jan. 20, 1999

Funds collected for the pediatric ward — Kieffer Insurance and Real Estate of Caribou recently presented the Cary Medical Center with a check for $320. For the Cary pediatric ward. The funds were collected throughout 1998 from employees putting $1 each in a collection jar on Fridays for ‘dress-down day.’ Kieffer owner Rob Kieffer matched the amount collected. There for the presentation were: Nichole Kindelan, Rob Kieffer, Carol Austin, Lehrie Kieffer, Judy Holmquist, Pan Dubois, Louise Adams, Eric Scott, Jim Murphy and Ray Harmon.

Winners announced — For the second consecutive year, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Adams’ of Caribou have donated two bicycles to the Caribou Middle School. To be eligible to win the two bikes, students had to write an essay about one of CMS’s vision goals. Two winners were drawn from the submitted written essays. Sixth grader Niko Thorpe and fifth grader Amanda Johnston were the winners of the two bikes.