The United States government made the initial move to dissolve the Standard Oil Company’s alleged monopoly by filing in the United States Circuit court a petition in equity against the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey and its 70 constituent corporations and partnerships, and seven defendants, including John D. Rockefeller and William Rockefeller, asking that the combination be declared unlawful and in the nature enjoined from going into any contract or combination in restraint of trade. The suit is brought under the Sherman anti-trust act, which the Standard Oil Company and its constituent companies and the seven individual defendants are charged with violating.

50 Years Ago, 1956

Elaborate preparations and long months of planning are in the final stages of completion for the week-long observance of the 100th anniversary of the United Baptist Church, Main Street in Lisbon Falls.

The Governor’s Committee on Highway Safety cautioned motorists that earlier hours of darkness demand extra care to avoid traffic accidents. “Safe driving at this time of year,” said the committee, “calls for adequate preventive maintenance and defensive driving.”

25 Years Ago, 1981

A Maine Central Railroad partially derailed in Lewiston forcing police to seal off two streets. Four cars of a 32-car train left the railroad tracks near the Holland Street crossing at about 3:20 p.m., according to Lewiston police. No injuries were reported. Traffic on Holland and Whipple streets was closed while railroad crews began putting the cars back onto the tracks. The train was being hauled by two locomotives from Rumford to South Portland when it left the tracks, said Bradley L. Peters, vice president of Maine Central Railroad. Peters said the four cars which left the tracks contained paper products. There were no hazardous materials on the train, he said.