Bowdoinham’s Boston Post Cane passed to 97-year-old Chester “Bing” Dean on Friday, recognizing him as the town’s oldest citizen and continuing a century-old tradition started by the former newspaper.

In 1909, Edwin A. Grozier, publisher of the Boston Post, gave canes to select-boards in 700 New England towns. The canes, made of ebony from the Congo and topped with a gold pommel, were then given to the oldest male citizen in each town.

As the years went by, some of the canes were lost, stolen or taken out of town and not returned to selectmen. Some were accidentally destroyed.

By 1930, after considerable controversy, eligibility for the cane was opened to women, Bowdoinham Selectmen Chairman Tony Lewis said.

Bowdoinham’s cane is inscribed: “Presented by the Boston Post to the oldest member of Bowdoinham.”

The cane will remain not with Dean but at the town office with Dean’s photo and information. Instead, Dean was given a replica cane handmade by Bowdoinham woodworker Paul Baines. He was also given a plaque and lapel pin.

“I thank you people for all the work you’ve done trying to find out who’s the oldest,” Dean said, and then quipped: “I wish I’d gone to Florida.”

The Boston Post Cane presentation took place at The Town Landing where Dean is a regular. After the pomp and circumstance, Dean had lunch with his grandson, Adam Temple, and neighbors Fred and Joanne Snowdeal.

Dean is a World War II veteran and a former town constable. He worked as a truck driver and drove cross-country. Asked what changes he’s seen over the years in Bowdoinham, Dean remarked, “Very damn little,” inciting laughter.

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