100 years ago, 1914
This year Auburn has had a city carpenter, a new idea, and the departure has proven successful. Charles Crockett has been in the employ of the city since March. He has not been on yearly salary but has gotten in full time. When there were no pressing jobs at hand he busied himself with repairing tools belonging to the street department. New handles were put into picks and shovels where needed and drags and carts put in order. It has saved the city money.

50 years ago, 1964
Lewiston police today were attempting to secure clues from four notes left by a night-time bandit who visited the Commonwealth Shoe Company, located in the old Continental Mill building sometime during the night. The bandit, somewhat of a poet, with a knowledge of more than one language, left a poem by the late American poet Robert Frost, a favorite of President Kennedy, and three other notes, one of which had words in German and Latin.

25 years ago, 1989
The water-washed brick building at the foot of Broad Street in New Auburn is being torn down to make room for a parking lot, which will be adjacent to the new home of the Washing Well Laundrymat. The new facility will move into the former Androscoggin Bank building, according to owners Don Everett Jr. and his wife, Judy. The structure that was taken down had been vacant for several years and most recently housed Clark’s Pharmacy, which moved to its new location at Super Shop ‘n Save on Spring Street when that facility opened. Before that, the building was the home of Dussault’s Drug Store. The Washing Well is now located at 85 Third St.

The material in Looking Back is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared, although misspellings and errors made at that time may be edited.

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