From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news

Compiled by Karen Donato
Special to the Pioneer Times
100 Years Ago – March 29, 1911
Aroostook Times
    Earthquake — A slight shock of earthquake was felt here Monday morning, March 20th at 7 o’clock.
    New manager — Henry Jordan who has had charge of the Town Farm for a number of years, has resigned and Wesley Robinson has been engaged for this position.
    Negotiations — Representatives of the Dunn Furniture Co. are negotiating for the purchase of the Thibodeau Block, which was partially destroyed by fire and will remodel it for their extensive furniture business.
75 Years Ago – March 26, 1936
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Quilting — The Lend A Hand Sewing Circle held an enjoyable meeting Monday evening at the home of Mrs. Arthur McCormack, Florence Avenue. The time was spent in quilting and one quilt being completed.
    Smyrna Mills — A birthday party for Smyrna’s grand old lady, Mrs. Charlotte Marley, was held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ward Grant. The guest of honor turned ninety-one.
Houlton Pioneer Times 1936 File Photo
SHORTHAND HONORS — Eighteen of the nineteen writers of shorthand papers recently submitted by Mrs. Esther C. Blackburn, head of the secretarial department at Ricker College, to the Gregg Writer received certificates of excellence and were admitted to the order of Gregg Artists. Miss Cora McPherson of Hodgdon, left and Miss Ruth M. Cumming of Houlton won Honorable Mention Pins of Gold and in addition Miss Cumming was also declared a Club Prize Winner.
    New organ — The new organ at the Congregational Church was dedicated to Miss Damaris Merriman as the Merriman Memorial Organ and a silver plate bearing that inscription is to be placed on it.
50 Years Ago – March 30, 1961
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Hunters — Three bobcats were killed in the New Limerick and Smyrna area last week by hunters Bill Boutilier, Carl Grant, Holden Swallow, all of Oakfield and Clayton Frazer and Gene Thornton, both of Ludlow. The largest cat weighed 36 pounds.
    Hodgdon — A reception was held at Mayo Hall for the new pastor of the United Baptist Church, Rev. and Mrs. Charles Fore and their three children.
    Beaver dams — The Houlton Fish and Game Club will hear a proposal at their next potluck supper meeting regarding the possible dynamiting of all old beaver dams on brooks in the Houlton area to permit freer migration of trout and other fishes.
25 Years Ago – March 26, 1986
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Houlton High honor parts — Principal Elwood Scott announced the following, Valedictorian, Tracy Harrington; Salutatorian, Mary Inman; First honor, Kelly A. Fitzpatrick and Second honor, Kimberly O’Donnell.
    Resignation — Philip O. McCarthy, in a surprise move Monday night, submitted his resignation as Houlton’s Town Manager, a position he had held for nearly five years.
    New Master — Monument Lodge, No. 96, AF & AM installed Jack Galda as Worshipful Master. He was installed by his father-in-law Retired Worshipful Master, Clovis Frame.
    New officers — Edward F. Archer and James W. Skehan, officers with the Houlton Police Department will be graduating from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy at Thomas College in Waterville after successfully completing a 12-week course.