From our Files: Headlines from 100 years of local news

100 Years Ago-June 19, 1912
Aroostook Times
    Houlton High School graduation — Page One was devoted to commencement exercises at Mansur Hall for HHS’ Class of 1912 including a valedictory by Don William Cassidy and a salutatory by Ruby Charlotte Hawkins. Class officers included Donald Putnam, president; Ruth Gray, vice president; Wellington Bamford, secretary; and Ruby Hawkins, treasurer.
    Recreational pleasure — A representative of a Boston specialty company was in town to install the bowling alleys and billiard tables for the Order of Moose.
75 Years Ago-June 24, 1937
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Sheriff’s Department raids — The Dance Hall at Macwahoc, managed by Frank Baker, was raided Saturday night by officers with the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Dept. and the Maine State Police following several unfavorable reports and complaints against the place. Seven men and women were lodged in the Houlton Jail as a result of the raid.
Pioneer Times 1937 file photo
JAMBOREE BOUND — All “prepared” for the International Jamboree of Boy Scouts in Washington, D.C. are seven Scouts from Houlton. In the front, from left, are James Skeehan, Fred Stevens and Malcolm Berman. Back row are Harold Hoskins, Frank Rogers, Philip Howe and Fred Doescher.
    Museum plans — In a letter to the Pioneer, Ransford W. Shaw discloses a project of considerable importance to the people of this community and contains a suggestion to remedy an unfortunate lack. Mr. Shaw is desirous of starting a museum that will eventually be a real contribution to the history of Houlton and to the county. The site would contain, among other artifacts, the articles used by pioneers who settled what is now northern Maine.
    Speaking of history — Editor Bernard Esters admits in his weekly column “Thoughts and Afterthoughts” that an interesting piece of Houlton history — visits by Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant of Civil War fame — were unknown to him prior to receiving Ransford’s letter.
50 Years Ago-June 21, 1962
Houlton Pioneer Times
    New grocery store — It was a happy occasion for Clayton and Gerald Riley as the latter snipped the ribbon to officially open their new C&G Foodliner on North Street in Houlton. Attending the ceremony were Reginald Tompkins, district supervisor for Milliken, Tomlinson Company, the local IGA distributor; Oscar French, president of Houlton Regional Development Corp.; Leslie Rhoda, Town Council chairman; Robert Marino, division manager for Milliken, Tomlinson; and Aubrey McLaughlin, Houlton industrial agent. The modern shopping facility featured an electric-eye door, 6,000 items and 25 employees.
    Opens office — Mike Swallow has been appointed district manager for the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. His office can be found in the Northland Hotel building. Robert Hull, also of Houlton, will assist in the office while William Walker of Presque Isle will represent the carrier in the field.
    Scout honored — A court of honor was held by St. Mary’s Boy Scout Troop No. 166 at which time Senior Patrol Leader Wayne McCarthy was presented with the Star Scout rank by Rev. Michael McGarrigle.
25 Years Ago-June 24, 1987
Houlton Pioneer Times
    Farewell — A front-page photo featured members of the Southern Aroostook Ministerial Association attending a special luncheon at Gloria’s Country Inn in Linneus for four of their members — the Rev. Donald Hinckley, the Rev. Coleman P. Toole, Lt. Mark Weaver, and the Rev. Michael Lowry — who were leaving the area.
    Recognized — Elva Scott of the Houlton Lioness Club received the District 41-0 “Lioness of the Year” award because of the interest and effort she put forth in forming the local organization.
    Retired — Superintendent William McDonnell and Principal Robert Cowperthwaite recognized Norma Lowry who was retiring after 19 years of service at the Wellington School in Monticello where she was a teacher’s aide and resource person.