100 years ago, 1916
The Western Union has moved to 16 Park street. To move a telegraph office is not an every day job and requires expert workmen. At 8:30 A. M. Plant Chief Marcoulier of Portland, with a gang of eight men started to pull up the cable and at 11 A. M. all of the 41 wires that run through Lewiston were in perfect working order. The two trans-Atlantic cable wires run through Lewiston and as every minute lost on a cable wire is valued at $141 to the Western Union it is readily seen it is a ticklish job to cut them in without a second’s interruption. The Western Union has 48 clocks in this city and not a single clock was reported as being interfered with during the cutover which is considered remarkable.

50 years ago, 1966
Roland C. Houle of Lewiston, Androscoggin County clerk of courts, who is seeking renomination to a full four-year third term, has his nomination papers in circulation. Houle, in addition to having his regular Democratic nomination papers in circulation, has a “gimmick,” something it is believed has not been tried before in Androscoggin County politics. This is a second set of nomination papers which can be signed by voters not enrolled as Democrats. Houle explained that this set of papers “undoubtedly has no legal standing” but saves embarrassment and also gives some indication to the candidate about his strength outside his own party. The second set of papers, Houle explained, “of course will not be filed.”

25 years ago, 1991
Now that a long-delayed fact-finding report on teachers’ contract negotiations is in hand, both the Auburn Education Association and the School Committee appear willing to try again to settle on terms that would end the emotional labor dispute. Negotiations began in January 1990 and hit a standstill in May. Mediation sessions conducted over the summer proved unsuccessful.

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