100 years ago, 1915
While no statement will be given out by the now owners of the Revelation Shoe factory, it is generally understood that it is to be operated by a new firm to be known as Ault, Williamson and Russell and that a high grade of shoes will be produced. Mr. Ault is well known in these cities, having been connected with the Lunn and Sweet Co. of Auburn. Howard, Briggs and Pray, former owners of the Revelation factory, sold out this week to the Dingley-Foss Co.

50 years ago, 1965
Herbert Lee, president of the Clark Shoe Co. of Auburn, Wednesday commended the “remarkable qualities” of shoe workers in the Lewiston-Auburn area. Speaking at a meeting of the Auburn Exchange Club at Steckino’s Restaurant, Lee said that if we could “put a man together piece by piece, we couldn’t come up with a better man” than is available in Lewiston-Auburn. “I see this as one of the very positive factors in our favor.” Lee told his audience that productivity is the key to shoe industry prosperity in this area and cited a dire need for modern shoe manufacturing plants.

25 years ago, 1990
Five women sit or sprawl on bunks in a cell meant to hold two people in the Androscoggin County Jail. The female inmate population is comparatively low for recent months, but is still much higher than it has been in previous years. The “women’s section” of the jail comprises two cells, one meant for one prisoner, the other meant for two, at the end of a hallway, just around the corner from cells in which men are housed. The cells are separated from the male section by a double door. The number of female inmates currently varies between “half a dozen and a dozen,” according to jail officials. The increase began about eight months ago. Before that time, it was unusual for any women to be held in the jail.

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