100 years ago, 1913
An orange ribbon, harmless enough on some days, was the cause of an affray on Lisbon street, Lewiston, the afternoon of St. Patrick’s Day, resulting in a hearing in Municipal Court. Frank W. McMannus pleaded not guilty of a charge of assaulting Clayton Barnes, 18 years old. McMannus testified, “I walked up Lisbon street and then crossed over and found this fellow standing in the doorway. He seemed ticked to death to think that he was wearing the ribbon (of orange cloth tied on his left arm. Orange represented Protestants who supported British tyranny over Ireland). I asked him to please take it off and he struck me a blow. We clinched and wrestled in the doorway.” In arguing the case in defense of McMannus, Attorney George S, McCarty said that Barnes started out looking for trouble and he got it. The judge discharged McMannus declaring him not guilty.

50 years ago, 1963
Despite ten days of street patching by Lewiston Public Works Department crews, city streets are still “in pretty rough shape” and things are going to get worse before they get better, according to George W. Maher, PWD director. He said his department had six trucks out patching pot-holes yesterday.

25 years ago, 1988
The early warm weather this year has meant a quicker start to the vandalism season, according to Lewiston Police Lt. Gerard Baril, who believes some of the most serious damage is being done with high-powered slingshots. Last week, about 40 more incidents of broken windows were reported to police.

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