From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news.

Compiled by Karen Donato
Staff Writer

    Houlton — H. C. Chalmer who conducts a meat market and grocery into Highland Avenue near Pleasant Street is making some very low prices on everything and every Saturday will sell steak for 15 cents, roasts 7 to 9 cents and other goods in proportion.
    Grand picnic — Benj. Green, Houlton’s enterprising clothing man is planning on a grand picnic for the boys of this town to be held on Garrison Hill grounds next Friday afternoon. There will be entertainment of various kinds provided with races and contests, the winners of all contests will receive suitable prizes and a gala day is planned. This picnic is open to all boys 8 to 14 and the only condition attached to it is that the boys register at Mr. Green’s store sometime between now and Friday morning. Supper will be served at 5 o’clock. The boys will meet at the store at 1 o’clock.
    No power — Caribou is in darkness on account of an accident to the water wheel that furnishes power for the electric lights, but expect to discard the kerosene lamps that last of the week.

    Ricker Classical Institute — R.C.I. will open for the 87th year with an enrollment of just over 100.
    St. Mary’s — A record crowd of 800 enjoyed dinner at the annual lawn party held on the convent grounds on Water Street.
    Houlton — Robert H. Keith of this town has been awarded the medal of Order of the Purple Heart by the United States government for military merit during the World War and has received the decoration.
    Nickerson Lake — Mrs. Isabel Hess and Miss Frances Richards entertained at an enjoyable breakfast last Saturday at the former’s cottage, Happy House at Nickerson Lake, complimentary to Miss Helen McKay of New York who is visiting in town.
    Jackins Settlement — Miss Florence Anderson of Houlton and Miss Dorothy Weston were the guests of Dorothy Victory a few days last week.

    New construction — Barlock’s Auto Body Shop is erecting a new building on outer Bangor Street. The firm, now located on Riverside Street and owned by Joe Barlock will move into the new building sometime in October. It is a 61 by 41 foot building.
    Trailer sales — Houlton Trailer Sales, the first business to sell trailer sales in Houlton will have a grand opening Aug. 22 on the Bangor Road complete with carnations for the first 25 ladies visiting the display. The trailers have one, two or three bedrooms and are eight or 10 feet wide.
    Good season — Peppy Hal, a racehorse owned by Walter Davis of Houlton has been having a good season at Foxboro, Mass. raceway this summer.
Houlton Pioneer Times File Photo 1959
FIRST IN HOULTON — This white cedar home is being constructed for Mr. and Mrs. Mellen Putnam of Houlton by the Ward Cabin Company. It marks the first such log cabin home in Houlton. The structure will be ready for occupancy some time this fall. Quentin Haney is the contractor. The home is located on Smyrna Street. Many visitors have stopped to look over this novel home.

    Houlton — John Clark, a native of Smyrna Mills and more recently a resident of Wareham, Mass. has been appointed general manager of by the Board of Directors of Houlton Water Company.
    Guest speaker — The Rev. Richard B. Blake, former Houlton resident was a recent guest speaker at the First Congregational Church. He is currently serving at Wurtsboro United Methodist Church in N.Y.
    Charter members — The VFW, Col. Frank M. Hume Post No. 2744, Drews Lake Road honored three surviving Charter members: Ollie M. Doyle of Houlton, Paul Lougee of Oakfield and Arthur E. Hagerman of Houlton, who were part of a 31-year member group of World War I veterans who organized a charter to form up the Col. Frank M. Hume Post.
    New Limerick — Mrs. Sandra Hartford and her mother, Mrs. Margaret Ingraham were in Rockland Friday. They were accompanied home by her son Billy who had been attending Outward Bound School on Hurricane Island.
    Award winner — Beth Byron, daughter of Phyllis and Vaughn Byron of New Limerick brought home two blue ribbons and an overall Award for Excellence for her paintings entered at the Northern Maine Fair in Presque Isle.