Annual reports are not usually considered recreational reading, but they can be a fascinating snapshot of long ago.

In its March 21 edition of 1905, the Lewiston Evening Journal published reports of the previous year’s activities of several Lewiston municipal departments. As you might expect, the reports are filled with details of income and expenses, but the details in the narrative throw some light on what life was like in the Twin Cities more than a century ago.

It’s the yearly report of the City Farm that provides a look at our attempts to deal with poverty among the city’s citizens. It was done in a way that is hard to imagine today.

John J. Kennedy, the farm’s superintendent, wrote, “The general health of the inmates has been excellent during the past year. The number of deaths has been six.” No ages of the deceased were given. He continued, “The total number at the farm at present, including births and new arrivals, is 69.”

Kennedy also wrote, “Through the courtesy of Mr. Bean, agent of the Androscoggin Mill, I got all the cotton waste of the mill, with no expense to the city, which gave us all the dressing necessary for the farm.”

He also reported, “I took charge of the farm when there was no produce here for either inmates or the cattle. I had to buy it all, also the seed which we planted. This year there is produce enough on hand to carry them to the next harvest.”

The report of the Board of Public Works makes note of an attempt to save money on the payroll. It said, “Instead of employing an extra man as night watchman at the city stable, a comfortable room was furnished there at reasonable expense, and the city feeder has slept there in order that he might be at hand in case of fire.”

The report of City Marshall Henry A. Wing also contains some interesting observations. His tally of arrests provides some insight into the prevalence of liquor violations. He said there were 749 arrests for intoxication, which was far above any of the other infractions. Among the charges brought were 53 cases of assault and battery, 31 cases of larceny, 15 arrests for gambling and 13 arrests for vagrancy. His list also included violating billiard hall rules (1), fraudulently voting at caucus (1), insanity (3), disturbance at theatre (1), beating board bill (2), transporting game illegally (1), and desertion from the United States Army (5). There was one murder in Lewiston, two charges of rape and three charges of assault with intent to kill.

It seems City Marshall Wing counted every kind of activity of his department, such as “intoxicated persons sent home (176).”

“Stray children cared for (67)” is an entry that surely has dozens of untold stories connected to it. There’s also notation of 39 stray horses found.

City Marshall Wing’s report said patrols found 141 buildings open and they discovered nine fires. There were 240 calls for the patrol wagon, and the foot and wagon patrols covered 592 miles on Lewiston’s streets and roads in 1904.

The police matron’s report describes many charitable duties. She wrote, “I have tried to do all I could for wayward girls, but until we have a reformatory I see little hope for some of them. I think a reformatory for women is Lewiston’s greatest need.”

Her report also said, “the past year has been very trying for poor people.” She said, “With Lewiston having so good a reputation abroad, many poor people come here from other states and countries, thinking they will find friends and employment. In a short time they call on the Poor Department for food and fuel, and on the Police Matron for clothing and a place to work, while many deserving poor of our own city suffer and will not ask for help.”

The police matron’s report disclosed that “In former years the Relief Society aided in such cases, giving groceries, coal, wood, new shoes, new and second-hand clothing, bedding and other things. This year I have missed that, although I have distributed about 500 pieces of clothing furnished by them before they disbanded.”

The annual reports in that old newspaper covered only about 24 column inches, and the information noted above is just a small sample of the intriguing information it contained. That’s why I find so much enjoyment in looking through those time capsules on newsprint.

Dave Sargent is a freelance writer and a native of Auburn. He may be reached by emailing [email protected].