Woman receives Boston Post Cane

CORINTH – It was a very special day for Madeline Campbell when Corinth Town Manager Don Strout presented her last week with the Boston Post Cane.

At 96, Campbell is the oldest resident in Corinth and now resides at the Phillips-Strickland House in Bangor.

“It’s people like her that have made my position a lot easier over the years,” Strout said, noting times when Campbell would call the town office or he would stop over to visit.

He explained that Campbell never was one to want help.

The tradition of the Boston Post Cane began in 1909 when Boston Post publisher Edwin A. Grazier picked up several hundred canes at an auction.

The canes were made of African ebony with 14-carat gold heads. He devised a plan to give out some 700 canes to the states of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

Initially, the cane was given to men only. It was not presented to women until the 1930s.

“This reminds me of when my mother got the gold-headed cane,” Madeline Campbell said. “At the time she didn’t appreciate receiving it, perhaps like I don’t because it makes me feel old.”

Campbell’s mother, Eva Blackwell, also was a recipient of the Corinth Boston Post Cane. Blackwell lived to be 104, her daughter said.

Friday’s ceremony was attended by about 30 of Campbell’s friends and family, some of whom shared memories of visiting Campbell’s house.

“She made the best molasses cookies and the best real butter,” Lorayne Strout said. Strout used to live across the street from Campbell and thanked her for the wonderful memories.

The parade for Corinth Old Home Days will be held in honor of Campbell at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 24.

When asked the secret to being the oldest resident in town, Campbell gave a modest reply.

“Birthdays just keep coming whether you want them or not,” she said with a smile.