100 years ago, 1914
A fire which is supposed to have caught in the cab of an engine, Sunday night, did considerable damage to the roundhouse of the Maine Central railroad at Rumford, nearly one-half of the front of the building being burned. A dozen engines were in the roundhouse for the night with the usual crew of five men. When the fire was discovered the engines having steam up were run out. Four, however, were badly damaged and are out of commission until repaired. This roundhouse was built 15 years or more ago and it has been enlarged.

50 years ago, 1964
EDITORIAL – The 1963 annual report of the Bates Manufacturing Co. disclosed increases in sales volume and in net income over the previous year. Total sales came close to $40 million, while net income amounted to $850,000. This represents good news for the twin city area, which is the home of the largest segment of the Bates industrial complex. It also is excel-lent news for Maine generally in light of the importance of the Bates and Bill divisions at Lewiston and the Edwards division at Augusta to the state’s economy. Yet the news account of the textile company’s annual meeting also made clear there are problems which must be faced in the months and years ahead.

25 years ago, 1989
An Easter morning fire on Park Street, Lewiston, that left 10 people homeless was set, according to District Attorney Janet Mills. Mills has been designated the only person who can release information about fires in Lewiston as a result of an agreement reached last week between Lewiston police and fire officials, the state Fire Marshal’s office and the District Attorney’s office. However, Mills, whose prosecutorial district includes Franklin and Oxford counties as well as Androscoggin County, is often unavailable due to her commitments in court. She could not be reached for comment on the new policy Tuesday afternoon.