OLD TOWN – Imprisoned in a drugstore by a crowd of 1,000 people, the Sturgis law deputies tried in vain for several hours tonight to take some liquor which they had seized in the store and were compelled to telephone for aid from Bangor. Six deputies from that city responded to the call and joined in the effort to remove the liquor from the store.

The city police endeavored to drive away the crowd but it was more than they could manage before they succeeded in clearing the passage to the sidewalk and hundreds of people still remained in the street – shouting challenges to the deputy sheriffs to come out.

50 years ago, 1957

• WASHINGTON – The State Department today announced that the practice of fingerprinting nonimmigrant visitors to the United States is completely at an end. The announcement said the last three nations of the world that require reciprocal fingerprinting have agreed with the United States to stop the practice. The countries are Liberia, Peru and Ecuador. “No nation in the world now requires fingerprinting of Americans for nonimmigrant visas,” the announcement said.

• Venison – pounds and pounds of free meat. Lucky you, whose nimrods have been fortunate enough to return with a deer. Lucky, because the meat is a good budget stretcher and because you are in for a real treat. Have you eaten deerburger, barbecued venison ribs or broiled venison chops?

25 years ago, 1982

The row of empty commercial buildings that flanks the north side of Lewiston’s downtown Hulett Square could become the showplace of creative re-use in the mid-term future – if a mayor’s task force currently investigating the area can win approval for its package of redevelopment options. The options could include creation of a new campus of the University of Maine system – possibly in the former Peck’s department store building – but the field is not limited to the single educational project.