Caribou area From our Files – Week of September 11, 2024

4 weeks ago

120 Years Ago – Sept. 15, 1904

Returning home — John O’Regan has returned to Caribou from the West after an absence of 17 years, returning only once during that time – 11 years ago at the time of the World’s Fair at Chicago. He also visited the St. Louis Exposition on his way east. Mr. O’Regan, who is superintendent of the Last Chance mine in British Columbia, is visiting his sister, Mrs. P. J. Powers. He will also visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. O’Regan, in Grand Falls, N. B., before returning home.

Taking charge — Henry H. Craggy and son, Clarence of South Columbia, N. H., arrived in town last week and will take charge of E. A. Holmes’ starch factory in this place. Mr. Craggy has visited Aroostook for over 39 years every fall for the purpose of making starch. He is an expert at the business. Stephen Berry will take charge of Mr. Holmes’ factory at Connor.

115 Years Ago – Sept. 16 , 1909

Great sales — Mr. W. L. Gordon and wife of Dexter, Me., who have been visiting R. McLellan, have been attending the Presque Isle fair with Mr. McLellan. Mr. Gordon, who is the traveling salesman of the Sharpless cream separator, has assisted Mr. McLellan in the exhibition of separators and has received a large quantity of orders, Mr. Gordon is well pleased with Mr. McLellan’s large sale having sold 50 more separators since the last Presque Isle fair and expects another large shipment in a few days; several of this shipment is ordered.

Back from a business trip — Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Pattee returned Saturday from a trip to Boston and New York markets, where they purchased their fall and winter stock of dry goods. They also visited Mr. Pattee’s former home in New Hampshire and other places.

100 Years Ago – Sept. 11, 1924

Accepted new position — Miss Eleanor Burtchell of Fort Fairfield has accepted a position as stenographer with the Maine Potato Growers’ Exchange and entered upon her duties on Monday.

Returned home — George W. Shaw returned last week from a several week’s journey in Boston where he had been instructing a large class in aviation. Mr. Shaw is an expert airman.

75 Years Ago – Sept. 15, 1949

Town council discusses a new store here — The Caribou town council held its regular monthly meeting last Tuesday afternoon at the Municipal building and discussed only routine matters, W. B. Burns, town manager reports. Although much of the council’s time was spent on matters of tax abatement, the significant question of a new clothing store being planned at Record and Sweden streets was also taken up. According to a warrant which was approved at the 1939 town meeting and which has been continuing in force, any proposed building construction of the north side of Sweden street would have to take into consideration the town’s plan to widen Sweden street by 10 feet. This is a long range program, Burns said, but it requires that the front oa any new building must be set back at least 10 feet of the present line.

Chiropractor returns to practice in Caribou — Dr. I. H. Clark, a former Caribou chiropractor who has spent the last two years in Florida, has returned to this town and has reestablished his practice at offices on Sweden street. He has installed new equipment and in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments is now prepared to offer relief to chronic or acute conditions.

25 Years Ago – Sept. 15, 1999

Eateries work on new law — Customers will have one less choice in restaurants after Sept. 17 when the state law banning smoking in all Maine restaurants takes effect. The law restricts smoking in all of the estimated 5,000 restaurants that are not licensed at class A lounges, taverns or hotel lounges. Smoking will be illegal in restaurants and establishments that allow the habit to continue will not be open to people under 18 cannot without a parent or guardian. Local restaurants are responding with mixed reactions to the change. Some restaurants took the lead by enacting the rule earlier than the state’s mandated date. Others are waiting until the last day to restrict their customers. 

Caribou manufacturing firm aids McCain — BMW Manufacturing, a metalworking business in Caribou, hired 25 people for a McCain project where they will take out old equipment and install equipment from around the world. John Weeks, one of the three owners of BMW, said McCain received holding tanks, screens and flumes for their plant. The metal workers who were hired will work for two months in Easton welding and putting together the new facility. People who were hired are general workers under the supervision of Doug Morrell, a partial owner of BMW. The company has been in business for 10 years. Bill Busse, a co-owner at BMW, said that BMW will hold on to some of the workers who are being temporarily employed.