100 Years Ago – Jan. 7, 1925
Houlton Boy Saves Girl From Drowning — The following taken from the Lawrence, Mass., paper will be of interest to the readers of the TIMES, Hazen Willett being a son of Walter Willett who lives on the County Road and who is well known in Houlton: “A heroic rescue in North Andover by Hazen Willette, a Boy Scout patrol leader, has been called to the attention of Scout Master Cecil Bates and it is expected that an effort will be made to obtain for the boy, a medal such as is given by the National Scout Council to life savers. The rescue was effected on Wednesday afternoon on Sutton’s mill pond and as a result of young Willette’s good work 11-year-old Josephine McCarthy of 18 May street is alive today. She carries a paper route and leaves Telegrams at many homes every night. Willette, who is 14 years old and the son of Mrs. Elizabeth Willette of 65 Thorndike road, was playing hockey with some other boys when the McCarthy girl, walking on the ice at the other end of the pond, fell through. When the matter came to Willette’s attention the girl was under water, only her hands showing. Her fingers were opening and closing as if in an effort to grasp something. Willette, laying flat on his stomach, reached a stick out over the opening in the ice and placed it within the reach of the girl’s fingers. The girl clasped the stick and Willette started to pull. By this time others had gone to his aid and while he pulled the girl others pulled him. The ice was cracking under him, but fortunately it did not break and the girl was pulled to safety and was then taken to her home.”
12 Year Strike Declared Off — For the first time since the famous strike of 150 locomotive engineers and trainmen of the Bangor & Aroostook railroad, 12 years ago, B. & A. engines and engine men are now allowed on the Maine Central tracks. When the 150 men left their work, asking for higher wages, Jan. 18, 1913 the railroad refused their demands. Not one of the men was ever taken back into the employ of the concern, which was operating at normalcy within a month by engaging and training new workers. This strike attracted national attention, as it was the forerunner of a series of such occurrences. The local road is small, compared to many such enterprises and is what is known as “non-union.” When the strike proved unsuccessful the union employees of the neighboring Maine Central railroad issued a declaration that they would not permit non-union men to operate on their roads. The B. & A. R. R. wanted to send its engines from Northern Maine Junction to Bangor over the Maine Central road, but this was not permitted. After 12 years, the Maine Central has decided to ignore old ruling by the union. Engines belonging to the B. & A. and operated by B. & A. non-union men, Friday started trips over the short trip between the two points. This new policy will mean a financial saving to both railroads and expedite service to the public, a railroad official stated. Word was received here that the strike was officially called off on New Years’ Eve.
75 Years Ago – Jan. 5, 1950
Starch Factory To Serve This Area Proposed For Patten — The possibility of a starch factory to serve potato growers of this Northern Penobscot and Southern Aroostook area was discussed at a meeting here tonight attended by farmers from this section of the state and leaders of the potato industry from elsewhere in Aroostook. The upshot of the meeting was the appointment of a committee which will make a thorough study of the question and report to a later meeting to be held as soon as possible. Three alternatives are involved (1) to interest outside capital (2) to form a corporation within the area and (3) establish a co-operative. The investigating committee is headed by Jake Shur of Island Falls and is also composed of Joseph Harrington and Freeman Bradford of Patten, Cecil Roberts of Island Falls and Cecil Farmer of Sherman Station. Towns in the area such a new enterprise will be designed to serve include Patten, Island Falls, Benedicta, Sherman and Dyer Brook.
Ball Is Success — The Firemen’s Ball put on by the local Volunteer Fire Department New Year’s Eve proved to be a very successful event socially and financially, with about $125 realized after expenses were paid. The group will hold a similar dance, Washington’s Birthday.
50 Years Ago – Jan. 1, 1975
Corrine Lynds Completes Masters; Will Do Social Work In Sydney, N. S. — Corrine A. Lynds, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William R. Lynds of the North road, Houlton completed her Masters degree in Social Work this month at the Maritime School of Social Work, Dalhousie University in Halifax, N.S. Ms. Lynds finished the two-year program in one and one-half years and concentrated in individual and small group work with a background in policy planning and social change. During her field placement at the Children’s Aid Society last year, most of her work centered around individual and family counseling.
Grossman’s Again Offers Do-It-Yourself School — Do it yourself and fight inflation is the idea behind Grossman’s annual free do-it-yourself home fix-up school. The five-week course will continue on consecutive Tuesday nights from 7 to 9 o’clock through February 11. This year’s free course will begin with instruction on lumber characteristics and basic construction techniques, followed by classes on framing, installing and working with sheetrock and insulation, plus tips on how to select and install doors and windows with energy conservation in mind.
