100 years ago, 1915
At 81 years of age, Francis Hayes died at his home, 117 Wood street, Lewiston, at half-past four o’clock, Friday morning. A remarkable career was that of Mr. Hayes. He was born in Easton, England in 1834 and served thru the Crimean war with such bravery at the battle of Sebastopol as to win two silver medals. One of these was presented to him by Queen Victoria and the other by the Sultan of Turkey and those he proudly treasured to the last. At the close of the Crimean war Mr. Hayes came to Quebec where he remained for several years. In 1870 he came to Lewiston and entered the service of the Androscoggin mill where he continued during the remainder of his active life. A wonderful history was that of Francis Hayes and his military experience justly places him in the list of England’s heroes.

50 years ago, 1965
That new plumbing job at the county building basement last summer did its job during yesterday’s storm. It stopped the drainage system from backing up. The water came in through the windows and walls instead! However, Civil Defense Director Normand Vermette said “it was nothing” compared to the trouble the building has had in the past. “If the plumbing hadn’t been done,” he said, “we would have really got flooded out.”

25 years ago, 1990
Lewiston received about 50 cubic yards of road salt Monday morning, “enough to solve our current problems,” said Chris Branch, public works director. A shortage of salt may have contributed to a record number of weather-related accidents this weekend, when a storm dumped rain and then eight inches of snow in quick succession. On Saturday, the Public Works Department asked for salt from Lisbon, Department of Transportation offices in Dixfield and Sabattus and the Maine Turnpike Authority, Branch said. None had enough to be able to lend some to Lewiston. Auburn “called us because they were running out as well,” Branch said.

The material in Looking Back is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared, although misspellings and errors made at that time may be edited.