100 years ago, 1914
Auburn’s “baby farm” ruling has been approved by a Justice of the supreme court and has became an ordinance. This ordinance rules that no person shall, at any one time, board more than four infants under the age of four years, not his or her own. Some opposition may develop to this new ordinance, one man stating, it is said, that the new law has taken away his livelihood. He doesn’t see why, if he properly cares for the children placed in his keeping, the city should forbid him to engage in the business. “Why,” says an old resident, “some years ago there was (gave name)! She used to have more’n 20 kids up to her house and still she used to be down town about every day.”

50 years ago, 1964
The Christmas Season, with all it entails, is upon us as evidenced by the fact that some of the downtown Lewiston stores already are remaining open at night and will do so until Christmas Eve. All the stores will close at 5:15 on Christmas Eve. The Hudson Bus Line will not be providing nighttime bus service for shoppers this year. It did not provide such transportation 1ast year.

25 years ago, 1989
Police, acting on an anonymous tip, recovered the badge of Officer David Payne stolen from the police department lobby Tuesday. Chief Laurent Gilbert said a 16-year-old male was arrested and charged with theft. The badge was attached to a plaque memorializing Payne, who was killed in the line of duty July 23, 1988. Gilbert said he did not know the boy’s motive for stealing the badge, but said that he had apparently shown it around to friends, “like a trophy.” Gilbert said, “The recovery means a lot to the entire law enforcement community.” He said he contacted Payne’s wife, Karen, who told him, “You made my weekend.”

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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