120 Years Ago – Nov. 25, 1904
Oldest in town — Mrs. Cynthia Bartlett is probably the oldest woman in town now, being 88 years of age. She is smart and quite well for one of her advanced years.
The price of things — The price of eggs, butter, etc., continues to advance in price, even milk retailing at eight cents per quart. Of course beef is high, almost as high as in the days when the ‘cow jumped over the moon’ as related in childish lore. And the price of everything, with one exception, seems to be advancing, steadily, year by year. And did you know, kind reader, that it costs more now to issue a paper than it did years ago? The price of everything used in getting out of a newspaper has kept even pace with the general advance. Raw material costs more, type, ink, labor and a million little things which are necessary which the public wouldn’t know even if the names were mentioned. And yet few papers have made any increase in subscription rates.
115 Years Ago – Nov. 24, 1909
Looking for a phone number? — A list of telephone subscribers, alphabetically arranged, for the town of Caribou has been printed at the Republican office, and any subscriber on the rural lines may have a copy by calling at this office. The list which comprises nearly 200 names will prove of great convenience.
Purchased a piece of land — A.M. York has purchased during the past summer a piece of land 80 x 217 feet near George N. Getchell’s foundry. Recently he purchased the old fish market which was attached to the Lyndon hotel and has turned it around and moved it on to his lot.
100 Years Ago – Nov. 20, 1924
Hard to believe — An auction of second-hand automobiles was held Tuesday when 37 cars were sold. A Schipps-Booth auto, one of the usually high-priced makes, sold for 10 cents. 11 Fords sold for $1 each, while one was auctioned off for 50 cents. No, Alphonso, this auction was not held in any Aroostook town, but in wealthy New York, the richest city in the world. The dispatch does not state whether Henry was present to bid on any of his particular brand of cars.
Off to Florida — A.E. Philbrick, Enos, Eddy and Lester Burgess started in Mr. Philbrick’s automobile Saturday for Florida where they will spend the winter. They took along a camping outfit and will spend their nights in a tent, getting their own meals.
75 Years Ago – Nov. 24, 1949
Gilbert Brown celebrates 99th birthday at son’s house — Gilbert Brown observed his 99th birthday in good health Tuesday at the home of his son, John Brown, at the Brown homestead of 63 years. Even at this advanced age Mr. Brown rises and dresses himself each day. His appetite is very good and eats three ‘square meals’ daily. For years Mr. Brown made it a habit to come to Caribou for his weekly barbershop shave and he still enjoys an occasional trip to town for that chore. Attributing his long life to the total abstinence of alcohol and tobacco, the elderly gentleman has had but few sick days, when he suffered a typhoid fever attack during later years. Among his cherished possessions is a golden cane given by the Boston Post to the oldest citizen. He has held this cane for about 15 years.
Thanksgiving dinner at high school was a success — More than 400 Caribou high school students passed through the ‘chow’ line last Thursday when the annual Thanksgiving turkey dinner was served at the regular daily price of 20 cents. Serving the meal, left to right, were: Mrs. Redicker, and the regular cafeteria cooks – Mrs. Velma Holmes, Miss Hildur Anderson, Mrs. Cassie Langley, and Mrs. Hilda Espling.
25 Years Ago – Nov. 24, 1999
Honored for service — The Limestone Volunteer Fire Department, along with families and municipal employees, honored two of their own last Friday night with a dinner and dance held at the Loring Commerce Center. Paul Durepo with 30 years with the department, including the last 16 years as chief, and William ‘Bill’ Morrell, with 40 years, were honored. Paula Poitras, the new fire chief, welcomed everyone to the festivities with a brief history of the department. State Rep. and Limestone Town Manager Gary O’Neal presented the two firefighters with legislative sentiments. The presentations were made by firefighter Travis Durepo. The two honored firefighters received plaques, jackets and gold pocket watches. Congratulations from Steve Leighton, chairman of the Limestone Board of Selectmen, was given on behalf of the town for their 70 years of combined service to the community.
Happy 30th anniversary — Reginald Thompson, advertising manager of the Aroostook Republican and News, was honored recently last Wednesday for his 30 years with the newspaper.
