115 Years Ago-Jan. 12, 1898
• Tuesday was the coldest day of the season. Thermometers registered 30 to 35 degrees below zero and fierce wind made traveling very disagreeable.
• On account of cold weather, only a few loads of potatoes have been brought into the village for several days past.
100 Years Ago-Jan. 8, 1914
• Aroostook’s wilderness railway — Construction of a 100 mile electric railroad through Aroostook County forest, for which permission to build has just been granted by the railroad commissioners of Maine, is of great importance to Maine as part of a great transcontinental system that will create new business. After leaving Washburn, it passes through Wade and Portage Lake and does not strike another settlement until it reaches the Province of Quebec.
• January special — In their advertisement, Shaw & Mitton offers: “Special January Clean-up” on pungs, harnesses, robes, blankets, etc. Featured is a photo of the Perry Double Standard Pung.
75 Years Ago-Jan. 12, 1939
• Weather balloons used at airport — The first use of balloons in weather observation was made at the Caribou Municipal Airport during the past week in conjunction with the Boston-Maine Airways frequent check on weather conditions. The balloons, rubber in construction and very similar to toy balloons, are used to determine the ceiling height, or better understood by the layman as the cloud ceiling.
• County deputies named — Jasper Lycette, Sheriff of Aroostook County, has named the following area deputies for the year: William Castonguay, George W. Harmon, Russell Getchell and Eva Ryder, Caribou; W. Perry Knight and William Bridges, Fort Fairfield; Alfred C. Leighton and George W. Wiley, Limestone; Fred Theriault and Leo Cyr, Van Buren; and Hjalmar Lund, New Sweden.
50 Years Ago-Jan. 9 1964
• Caribou area activities and events — The Caribou Art Club’s exhibit of religious art work was held at the Nylander Museum Dec. 27 through Dec. 29. A film on radioactive fallout was shown by defense director, Keith Nelson, when the Civil Defense Group met at the New Sweden town hall. Music Director Kenneth Matthews announced that plans are being made for the first concert of the Caribou High School Band, Chorus and Majorettes for Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
• Gerald Ford for president? — In his editorial column, Russell Kirk asks this question. “ Rather abruptly, Congressman Gerald Ford of Grand Rapids, is being mentioned in the press as a possible Republican presidential nominee… At present, the principal Republican possibilities are Senator Goldwater, Mr. Nixon, Governor Rockefeller, Governor Scranton and Congressman Ford — about in that order.”
25 Years Ago-Jan. 11, 1989
• International snowmobile trail proposed — Aroostook County has found a place on the map for something other than recording the lowest temperature in the nation. On the map is a proposed international snowmobile trail route that will slice through the heart of the County, swinging west to Jackman on the Canadian border and then down through the woodlands of western Maine to the New Hampshire state line.
• Barnes and Berube lead Eagles — Kenny Barnes tore apart the Madawaska halfcourt zone defense for 32 points as the Limestone Eagles picked up a decisive 108-61 victory against Madawaska at LHS Tuesday night. Barnes scored 11 consecutive points during the run. Randy Berube also turned in an outstanding performance, scoring 23 points and helping to get the Limestone running game in gear.
