From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news

Contributed by Polly Sharp Warman
FAMILIAR FACES –  Students of Gladys Sharp at the Byron School on the South Oakfield Road were, from left, front to back, row one, Carl McGuire, Bonnie McGuire and Keith Byron; second row, Yvonne McGary, Phyllis Bubar, Phyllis Tarr and Joanna McGuire; third row, Joyce Stewart, Ralph Bubar, Dorothy Hardy, Carl McGary and Dot Bubar; fourth row, David Cummings, Shirley McGuire, Nancy Hardy, John McGary and Gladys Sharp, teacher.
Compiled by Karen Donato
100 Years Ago-Oct. 12, 1910
Aroostook Times
    Bird Farm — W.S. Blake has leased the Bird Farm on Pleasant Street for a term of years and is already preparing the ground for next season’s crop.
    Town — C.E. Dunn claims to have spent part of two days hunting this fall with the same good results that he formerly has had, that is, of getting home alive. He left on the early train this morning for Massachusetts and New Hampshire, where he will visit his two daughters.
    Injured — Perley Fox, a blacksmith, employed in the Grange shop, severed the cord of a great toe Monday and the services of a surgeon were required to connect the severed ligament. Mr. Fox will be confined to the house for several weeks.
75 Years Ago-Oct. 10, 1935
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Houlton merchant — John A. Millar, for 52 years a prominent merchant of Houlton died late Friday afternoon at the age of 86. He entered business in 1879 on the site of the present Millar Block. His first store was for the sale of groceries and later developed a confectionery department. At one time he also conducted a bakery and his ice cream parlor was one of the first in Houlton.
    Haynesville — The Longfellow School of Haynesville of which Miss May Kitchen is teacher, held a social Thursday evening at the school. Many Houlton friends attended.
    Bridal shower — Miss Pauline Stewart was guest of a delightful surprise party in honor of her approaching marriage to Paul McGillicuddy. The guests were preceded by Miss Emma Dow who arrived at the house dressed as a tramp with a pack over her shoulder and asked to be admitted. She was quickly followed by the other guests and the pack was found to contain gift packages which were opened by the guest of honor.
50 Years Ago- Oct. 13, 1960
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Pool updates — A proposed $50,000 Houlton Community Swimming Pool, which would be built by funds raised by the annual Rotary Club Radio Auction and other projects received a strong endorsement by Walter Burlock, superintendent of parks and recreation. The local recreation specialist explained that by having a community pool, Houlton would be providing the opportunity for people of all ages to learn to swim, to improve their swimming ability and to swim for fun under proper supervision.
    Former resident — Bern Porter, Houlton native born in Porter’s Settlement about 50 years ago is now a renowned physicist and head of the Bern Porter Publishing which prints the Vanguard series of books sold in universities and book stores throughout the world. Porter was a consulting physicist in the development of the first atom bomb.
25 Years Ago-Oct. 9, 1985
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Store closing — Going out of business signs are up in the windows of Day’s Store on Main Street and according to owner David Davidson of Portland, the store will close by Jan. 2 Davidson said that his Houlton store is being sold to Kendall Carson, who operates Kendall’s Jewelry, located across from Day’s on Main Street.
    School board — The low bid from C.N. Sprague & Son of Searsport was accepted. Their delivered price was $25.71 per barrel, as compared to a price of $25.98 per barrel from Irving Oil Corp. of Bangor. The Directors will hold a special meeting to interview the architectural firms in relation to the proposed Houlton Elementary School wall project.
    Highest honor — The Maine Division of the American Cancer Society presented Donald P. Woods, DDS, of Houlton, with its highest honor bestowed on a volunteer at the 46th annual meeting at the Holiday Inn in Augusta. Dr. Woods received the Frederick G. Payne Memorial award given every year to a volunteer who has given outstanding service to the state organization.
    Band of Maliseets — Senator George Mitchell has announced the recent award of $163,429 from the Administration of Native Americans to the Houlton Band. The award will be for the continuation of a three-year social and economic development program.