From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news

Compiled by Karen Donato
Special to the Pioneer Times
100 Years Ago-July 26, 1911
Aroostook Times
    Local — Mr. and Mrs. J.K. Plummer who are making a tour of the West were passengers on the train that was held up by bandits in Montana recently.
    Littleton — The farm buildings belonging to Herbert Crawford were burned to the ground July 15. The buildings consisted of a dwelling house, two large barns and a shed.
75 Years Ago-July 23, 1936
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Fire — Lightning struck the barn on a farm owned by Robert Peabody in Porter Settlement. It destroyed the structure and burned 30 tons of newly cut hay.
    Theft — Four silk dresses and one knitted suit for a total value of $35 were stolen from the McIlroy Dress Shop on Court Street. Two women entered the shop and while one tried on a dress, assisted by Marion McIlroy the sales girl, the other swiped the merchandise.
    New shop — Mrs. Gertrude Bither who has been employed by the B.S. Green store for the past 10 years will open her own store in the Putnam Arcade, in the store formerly occupied by L.L. McLeod.
50 Years Ago-July 27, 1961
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Island Falls — Goffrey Bean, better known as “Goff” has retired from his lifetime barbering career after 62 consecutive years of shaving beards and cutting hair. He will be 81 on his next birthday in December. His customers included Gov. Carl E. Milliken and William W. Sewall, guide for Theodore Roosevelt.
Houlton Pioneer Times 1961 File Photo
HOULTON ROTARY — Hal Bossie, outgoing president of the Houlton Rotary Club presents the gavel of authority to Charles Heath, incoming head, during ceremonies Monday. Next to Bossie is Floyd Haskell, also a past president who earlier awarded Bossie a Past President’s plaque, replacing the traditional pin. In the rear is Palmer Swales, incoming vice president and Percy Hoar, secretary-treasurer.
    Post Office — Five new employees have been named by Postmaster Leo Spain. They are Walter S. Burtt, Martin A. Moran, Robert M. Palm, Eldon A. Bennett and Charles Murphy.
    Brackett Lake — Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Lloyd and daughter, Marlene with another daughter, Mrs. William Grant, Mr. Grant, Debbie and Jerry spent last week at Brackett Lake.
25 Years Ago-July 23, 1986
Houlton Pioneer Times
    New manager — Lewis Bone, a native of Missouri, but more recently of Auburn has taken over as Houlton’s town manager.
    Houlton Airport — Manager Terry Larson at the Houlton International Airport says one of the largest planes to land at the airport was a 1969 Gulfstream. It goes over 550 miles per hour. It brought in top personnel, board members of the Smith & Wesson parent company.
    Computer business — Martha and Jim Berry have opened Computer Systems and Solutions on North Street.