Looking back

100 years ago, 1909
It will be for the jury to decide today whether Deputy Enforcement Commissioner Harry A. Hodges of Vassalboro deliberately shot Alexander Bryant, better known as “Ali Brown” in his place on Ash street last January or that the revolver was accidentally discharged while the deputy was pounding Bryant over the head with the weapon. All of the evidence was given yesterday and the arguments made. Justice Emery will deliver his charge the first thing this morning.

50 years ago, 1959
Louis Bartlett Costello, president of the Lewiston Daily Sun company and for more than a half century an outstanding Maine publisher and banker, died at 5:15 p.m. yesterday at the Central Maine General Hospital. He was 82 years of age and had been in ill health for the past six years.
Mr. Costello was born at Wells on Sept. 14, 1876, the son of Nicholas H. and Annie Hill Costello. He was graduated from Berwick Academy and Bates College.
Following his graduation from Bates College in 1898, he became general manager of the Lewiston Daily Sun, then in its infancy. He became president of the corporation in 1945, and continued to hold that position through his last illness.

25 years ago, 1984
Taxpayers will now have at least through the end of 1985 to take advantage of the federal government’s tax credit for home improvements designed to conserve energy.
In place since 1978, the 15-percent energy-conservation tax credit was headed for repeal this spring but was saved by passage of a tax-bill amendment offered by U.S. Sen. William Cohen.
Since 1978 more than 22 million home-owners and renters have taken advantage of the credit, spending more than $14 billion for energy conservation measures.