100 years ago, 1916
One of the mascots at the fairground racing stables is William, a fine Boston terrier, the property of Fred White of Lewiston. Mr. White also has brought along some Russian bear hound puppies and two Irish terriers. An attendant at the stables of the Russell string of horses is William H. Burdeen, better known as “Billy,” who is the undefeated boxing champion of the Pacific coast. Mr. Burdeen is 43 years old, but is still some scrapper.

50 years ago, 1966
Lewiston police, joined by military authorities. maintained a tense vigil in a section of downtown Lewiston this weekend in light of recent trouble at a Canal Street business establishment. Police carrying riot sticks and armed military authorities intensified their patrols in the area of the drive-in restaurant where Negro servicemen and area white men have faced off in recent weeks. It was learned that the rumble with racial overtones started about three weeks ago when a Negro stationed at the Brunswick Naval Air Station became the subject of name-calling by a white man. The serviceman was en-route to Brunswick through Lewiston after attending a dance at the Poland Spring Job Corps Center for Women.

25 years ago, 1991
From itinerant painter to pyramid guide is the career change Eugene J. Strout of Durham is making as he leaves Thursday for his new job in Egypt. Strout, 34, will work at the Great Pyramids of Giza on the desert out-skirts of Cairo. Enthusiastic about a future in the shadow of the ancient monuments, Strout said he thinks he may be the first American in such a position. He will live in a five-room duplex in a small community only about 200 yards from the Sphinx, an arrangement provided by his Egyptian sponsor and teacher. It was after five stays in Egypt during 1988 that Strout decided to move there. Strout was born in Lewiston, schooled through his sophomore year in Freeport and Auburn, and has studied the pyramids for 13 years from library books.

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