100 years ago, 1914
The family of James Brann on the Poland road, Turner, had a narrow escape from suffocation Saturday night, as the result of a mysterious closet fire in their home. The family retired early that evening, about 7:30. At that time there was no indication of fire about the house. How long they had slept is unknown. They were awakened by dense smoke which nearly choked them. There was no apparent fire on that floor and Mr. Brann started to investigate. As Mr. Brann reached the cellar door a section of floor fell close to where he stood. Catching up a bucket of water, always kept there for such an emergency, he threw it on the burning wood, extinguishing the blaze.
50 years ago, 1964
A 72-year-old man appeared before Judge L. Damon Scales in Auburn Municipal Court, and pleaded guilty to a charge that he was found intoxicated on the Turner Road, Jan. 3. The man waited patiently for the jail sentence which he has received on so many occasions in these circumstances and was visibly moved when Judge Scales announced: “I will impose a fine of $20.” Wide-eyed with disbelief, the man leaned out of the witness box and asked, ”how much?” And the judge repeated, “$20.” “Nope,” came his reply. “Can’t afford it. I’ll pay $10, but not $20.” When told he’d be released on payment of the fine, the elderly man agreed. As he left the stand, he shook his head, again with disbelief, and commented, “Everything’s going up.”
25 years ago, 1989
The city of Auburn made good on a long-standing threat Tuesday by filing suit against the Virginia company that designed its ailing trash-to-energy plant. City Manager Paula R. Valente said the suit was filed to preserve legal options. The complaint, filed in Superior Court against Consumat Systems Inc. of Richmond, Va., charges the company with breach of contract during its construction and subsequent operation of Auburn’s $4 million energy plant on Goldthwaite Road. The city assumed operation of the plant in 1984.
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