100 years ago, 1912
It has been pointed out that according to the city reports, the cost of the smallpox epidemic in Auburn was about $4,700. In Lewiston the figures are about the same. Mayor Morey said in his inaugural in March, 1912, that up to then, the cost of the small pox epidemic to Lewiston was $4,509.33. Since the publication of the Lewiston City reports about $1,000 additional has been filed by physicians for fumigation and attendance in smallpox and held up by the finance committee.

50 years ago, 1962
An Auburn couple has purchased the Veterans Potato Chip Co. located on South Main Street in New Auburn. Louis H. Steele and his wife, the former Ethel M. Day, will take over active operation of the facilities Monday morning. Steele and his wife purchased the business from Henry Leblond and the operation will be managed by Roger Belanger of Vivian Street, Auburn. Steele, an electrician by trade, is a native of Auburn and is currently employed at the Portland Copper and Tank Works in Portland. Steele, who resides on the Perkins Ridge Road, Auburn, stated that the firm will henceforth be known as “Better-Yet Potato Chips” concern.

25 years ago, 1987
Dozens of firefighters from across central and southern Maine Thursday fought a devastating fire that ripped through the historic Worumbo Mill building in Lisbon Falls, reducing the 123-year-old mill to rubble and demolishing equipment and inventory of Camden Yarns Inc. Thousands of people filled the streets and lined the banks of the Androscoggin River to watch flames and burning debris soar hundreds of feet into the air above downtown Lisbon Falls. Firefighters worked for nearly four hours to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings before the fire was declared under control around 6 p.m.

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