100 years ago, 1909

J. P. Cronin, clerk of the overseers of the poor, has returned from a business trip to the northern part of the state where he got three people for whom the city has been paying as paupers and took them to the city farm where they can be cared for more economically.

50 years ago, 1959

The Chuck Wagon drive-in restaurant at 720 Sabattus St. will open formally for business today. Interior decorations are in keeping with the Western name of the establishment. The new restaurant is operated by William Dumais of Greene.

25 years ago, 1984

A public debate on the proposed Equal Rights Amendment, which will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot, will be held at Bates College in Lewiston on Thursday.

Speaking in favor of the measure will be Linda Smith Dyer, an attorney and member of the ERA steering committee, and arguing against it will be Jasper Wyman, executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine.

The format will allow each to make 12-minute presentations, followed by two six-minute rebuttals. A question-and-answer session will be held for about an hour. 

The event is sponsored by the Bates Debate Council.