From Our Files

    Editor’s note: As readers may have noticed by the special logo on Page One of this newspaper, The Piscataquis Observer is marking 175 years in business in 2013. Throughout the year we will be paying special tribute to the newspaper’s, and region’s, unique and interesting past, culminating in late July with a special 175th Anniversary Supplement and Open House during Homecoming Weekend festivities in early August. With help from Chris Maas of the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society and the staff of the Thompson Free Library, we will publish a weekly snapshot of the past, called “From Our Files.”

175 years ago:
1838, Piscataquis Herald

    New Goods: The subscribers having formed a copartnership under the firm of Vigoureux & Cobb, and taken the store lately erected by E.R. Favor, in Dover Village, offer for sale a general assortment of goods such as are usually kept in country stores. E.E. Vigoureux and Wm. A.B. Cobb intend to keep their assortment complete and flatter themselves that they shall succeed in suiting customers that may favor them with their calls, as to price and quality.

125 years ago:
1863, Piscataquis Herald

    Foxcroft Town Officers listed: Town meeting was held with Lyman Lee as moderator; E.J. Hale a clerk; T.S. Pullen, Wm. N. Thompson and Syria Bearce as selectmen, assessors and overseers of the Poor; Richard Dearborn as treasurer; A.G. Leboke at town agent; B.F. Hammond, Rev. O.B. Walker and H. C. Prentiss as school committee members; and George Gilman as collector and constable. All Republicans.
    Guilford Town Officers listed: Town meeting was held with Henry Hudson as moderator; David R. Straw Jr. as clerk; George H. Douglas, Wm. W. Bennett and Henry R. Morse as selectmen, assessors and overseers of the Poor; George H. Douglas as treasurer; Henry Hudson at town agent; David R. Straw Jr. as supervisor; and E.B. Beal as collector and constable.

100 years ago:
1913, Piscataquis Observer

    The Carncross Minstrels: Little Helen Eldridge is always a favorite with local audiences, and her violin solos, executed with marvelous ability for one so young, were heartily applauded. There was consensus of opinion that Guy Rainsford in his chalk talk and monologue was one of the particularly bright and shining stars of the night.
    Attend Convention: Mrs. Ådelaide Farwell and Mrs. Etta B. Palmer went to Augusta as delegates to the State Council of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
    Business sold: The Central Maine Cooperative Association has purchased the H.K. Farnham planning mill and will fit it up for a store and grist mill.

75 years ago:
1938, Piscataquis Observer

    Social News: Mrs. Josephine L. Guernsey entertained her Luncheon Club at the Blethen House followed by a social afternoon at her home. Those present included Mrs. A.L. Gilman, Mrs. P.E. Ward, Mrs. E.M. Kitchen, Mrs. Maude Hughes, Mrs. H.E. Chase, Mrs. G.L. Arnold, Mrs. A.O. Robbins, Mrs. W.L. Sampson, Mrs. Eva Mason, Mrs. Warren Hapgood and the hostess.

50 years ago:
1963, Piscataquis Observer

    Louis Stevens Observes: Probably no professional athlete is given greater acclaim and receives more applause on the road than Bob Cousy does in Madison Square Garden. Just the other night, for instance, a crowd of 1,500 New Yorkers gave him a standing ovation for his excellent performance against their Knicks. But then, doesn’t everyone enjoy seeing a true artist at work?

25 years ago:
1988, Piscataquis Observer

    Towns Upset: Changing guideline regulations for types of materials that will be accepted for disposal at the Penobscot Energy Recovery Corp. (PERC) plant in Orrington has members of several area towns up in arms, including those communities belonging to the Mid-Maine Solid Waste Association which met in Dexter and was hosted by Dexter Town Manager Steve Whitesel.

    ALTERNATIVE FUEL — This 1963 advertisement by Cushing Coaling Co. of Dover-Foxcroft offered anthracite and bituminous coal at prices as low as $29.50 per ton.

Observer file photo/1988

    STORYTELLER — In a 1988 feature story, a retired Dover-Foxcroft dentist Dr. Leo V. Robbins has much to say about his place of practice over the past 50 years.