100 years ago, 1909

S. C. Shaw who lives on Washington Street was alarmed yesterday forenoon by a great noise from his hen yard. Shaw had about 300 fowls in the yard. He immediately started for the yard and found there a small white dog racing around among his chickens. Before he could chase the invader away, the dog succeeded in extinguishing the lives of 16 of the best birds in his flock.

50 years ago, 1959

A Maine water dowser offered to come to the rescue of the Lewiston public Works Board last night. After drilling about 26 wells in the vicinity of the Lisbon Drive-In Theater, it was found that the best well would yield about 500 gallons a minute — insufficient for the needs of the new Raytheon plant.

The board received a letter from Erwin W. Cook of Hallowell whose card described him as “an expert dowser.”

Several board members suggested that they would have nothing to lose by sending Cook a map, providing it was accompanied by a letter explaining that the city would incur no obligation. However, no formal vote was taken on the matter.

25 years ago, 1984

Lewiston brought the curtain down Wednesday on a group that helped orchestrate the renovation of the city’s downtown.

Meeting for the last time — its work done and money almost all spent — the city’s Environmental Improvements Subcommittee settled outstanding accounts and closed its books.

During the group’s four-year tenure, Lisbon Street was completely rebuilt, from the laying of a water main to the planting of trees and installation of street lights, sidewalks and canopies.