100 years ago, 1914
In event it comes to war and Gen. Frederick Funston marches on to Mexico City, an Auburn boy may play an important part in that campaign. Sergt. Ernest J. Wesson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred J. Wesson of Spring street, Auburn, in his last letter home was about to embark from Galveston, Texas, on the transports with Funston’s brigade. Sergt. Wessen is of the signal corps. Wessen hinted that he expected to go into the field as a wireless operator, if the thing started in earnest. Wireless is the last word in wartime signaling.

50 years ago, 1964
“A goldfish!!!” That’s what he said. A goldfish, netted in the Androscoggin River. Fourteen-year-old Robert Goupil of the River Road, Lewiston, was fishing Sunday morning near his home when he spotted a goldfish swimming in the Androscoggin River. Robert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Camille Goupil, ran home to spread the word and get a fish net. His father and brother, George, 16, ran back to the riverbank. A fisherman’s hand-net was tied to the end of a 20-foot-long aluminum pole and Robert scooped the fish out of the water, five feet from shore. The fish is 12 inches long and weighs about a pound and a half. Professor William H. Sawyer Jr. said the pond at Bates College contains numerous goldfish, some of which had grown to considerable size. Goupil expressed the opinion the fish may have been discarded by someone and survived to live on in the river.

25 years ago, 1989
More than 100 people turned out Thursday evening for a rally in support of efforts by Central Maine Medical Center’s nurses to unionize. The rally at the Multi-Purpose Center on Birch Street was organized by Jobs With Justice, a national coalition of community groups and unions concerned with protecting workers’ rights. Mary Ingraham, a registered nurse at CMMC, appealed to the community at large to support their efforts, and to “realize ours is a profession in danger.” She said nurses often work double shifts to provide adequate patient care, spend their own time and money for additional training and education and are the first to respond to a patient’s needs.