100 years ago, 1918
The explosion of a huge steam drum in the “Backing room” of the Cushman-Hollis Co., Monday, did considerable damage to that department. There are two big drums — one of sheet iron, and one of copper — filled with steam, and over which the drill and canvas pass in the process of being cemented together. On Monday, when there was but one man at work there, the sheet iron drum blew up and drove in a wooden partition, damaging the heavy wire glass windows on that side and putting the drum out of commission. The force of the explosion shook the building, but as there was no one at work at that hour and few of the hands know about it.

50 years ago, 1968
Work is expected to start early in April on the new First Federal Savings and Loan Association building in Lewiston. The institution is presently located at 275 Lisbon St., Lewiston. Above is architect William F. Cann’s concept of what the new building will look like. The structure, expected to cost in the vicinity of $300,000, will be at Canal and Chestnut Streets.

25 years ago, 1993
There was no clowning around this time. No jokes, no pranks, no outrageous costumes. In stark contrast to his antics prior to his last fight against Tony Lopez, Joey Gamache was all business Tuesday afternoon at the Ramada Inn during a press conference for his upcoming clash with Michael Grow of Lewiston, Idaho. An ultra-serious demeanor had replaced the brash cockiness previously displayed by the former two-time world champion, who tries to begin the road back toward another title Friday night when he faces Grow at the Central Maine Civic Center. “I’m very serious about this fight,” said Gamache. “I’ve got a job to do. I’m not here to play around.”

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