100 years ago, 1909

It is understood that the Bates Street Shirt Company is planning to build a large new factory that will give employment to 1,000 hands. The business has enjoyed a steady growth for years and now the pressing need of a new and larger factory is felt. The matter of using cement entirely in the construction of the building is being seriously considered.

50 years ago, 1959

Lewiston-Auburn residents were very concerned about the state of things last year at this time, but it wasn’t the weather they had on their minds. It was the crafty and daring “flashlight burglar,” who was leading the police on a merry chase throughout the two cities while entering various homes under cover of darkness. He stole hundreds of dollars and was never caught. There have been no local breaks since then in which the same method of operation was used, and the police will be perfectly happy if the “flashlight burglar” never leaves his calling card in these parts again.

25 years ago, 1984

Citing her enthusiasm for the project, the United Way of Androscoggin County has announced the appointment of Geneva A. Kirk of Lewiston to a leadership post in the upcoming fund-raising campaign. Miss Kirk is chairwoman of the campaign’s individuals and clubs division, which gears its solicitation efforts toward about 400 local clubs and retired or self-employed county residents. Last year their contributions totaled almost $20,000. A former teacher, Miss Kirk is a trustee of the University of Maine and president of the Maine Retired Teachers Association.