From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news

100 Years Ago-May 15, 1912
Aroostook Times
    A fire alarm in your house — The Aroostook Telephone and Telegraph Company advertised the claim that a home telephone will not only summon the firemen but it is indispensable in case of sickness or other emergency.
    Houlton’s new park — Work was progressing at the Community Park with the infield enclosed and a foundation for a grandstand poured. Contractor Wiseman has the dirt flying in grading the track and has a large crew of men, horses and wheel-scrapers at work.
    Changes hands — E. Merritt & Sons have leased their mill and electric light plant to T.C.S. Berry of this town, who will take possession in June, 1912.
    Enrollment — From the final returns of the school census conducted by Walter E. Swett it was found that Houlton has 1,418 families and 1,933 scholars between the ages of 5 and 21.
    Monument Park — Caretaker Palmer is taking a great interest in the looks of the Park this season, and there is no reason why with the generosity displayed by citizens last year, as well as this, that the Park can’t be still further improved.
75 Years Ago-May 20, 1937
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Pioneer’s grandson — Albert Temple Putnam, last surviving grandson of Aaron Putnam, one of the first settlers of Houlton, and one of the oldest and most revered citizens of this town, died at the Putnam homestead on North St. He died in the same house in which he was born in 1852, and where he spent his entire life of 84 years, much of it farming the original 175-acre family tract.
    Oldest resident — John Green, 92, was presented the Boston Post Cane by Houlton’s Board of Selectmen. He credited “the Lord” for his longevity.
    Back from Washington, D.C. — Jean Crawford, Edith Dickinson and Margaret Brindley, representing the junior high delegation, returned to Houlton after attending the National Red Cross Convention under the watchful eye of chaperones — Rev. A.G. Christopher and Miss Cora McPherson, who remained in Washington for a course in Red Cross work.
50 Years Ago-May 17, 1962
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Spot color — The Houlton Pioneer Times became the second weekly newspaper in Maine to offer “spot color” in advertisements featured within its pages, according to Ralph LaVigne, plant superintendent.
Pioneer Times file photo/1987
CAREER DAY — Student Nicole Sylvia, center, visited Hairworks Studio during St. Mary’s School Career Day and spent a few valuable moments talking shop with salon staff members Sandy Roy, left, and Heather Briggs.
    Medical examiner — Dr. Charles Burr of Houlton was confirmed as Medical Examiner in Aroostook County, following a nomination by Maine Governor John Reed. Dr. Burr had served as a general practitioner and surgeon in Houlton, with offices in the French Block, for more than 25 years.
    New business — Using skills he learned while employed by the Teague Leather Co. of Arkansas, Joe Cunningham turned his leathercraft hobby into a business out of a small shop on Pennington St. in Houlton.
    Fashion sense — Mrs. Leighton Fortier left Saturday for Boston where she will spend a few days buying for her shop, Lads and Lassies, at the New England Children’s Wear Show.
    Back in town — Golf Pro Sam Dixon arrived at the Houlton Community Golf Club to resume duties for another season.
25 Years Ago-May 20, 1987
Houlton Pioneer Times
    State’s best — Matt Perry, a senior at Houlton High School, qualified as the no. 1-seed from northern Maine in the state high school tennis championships at Orono.
    Science Fair winners — Taking top honors at the annual St. Mary’s School Science Fair were Crystal Fitzpatrick, grade 5, and Cheryl Glidden, grade 7.
Pioneer Times file photo/1987
AT YOUR SERVICE — Chalmer Karnes is offering a new service at the location of the Houlton Car Wash on the North Road. He said he could easily use a little elbow grease to make a vehicle look like new.