100 Years Ago: 1918

(A letter from wartime France):

Dear Mother and Dad, A few lines to let you know that I have not cashed in, and am coming on fine. I was gassed and burned rather bad and suffered quite a lot, and I cannot write very much. Henry got it too, but his mother need not worry as he is coming on fine. He held me in the ambulance on our way to the dressing station with his feet in my stomach. I could not see a thing for my eyes were on the bum. Must close now, hoping that this letter finds you all well. And mother, please do not worry any as I will be out pretty soon. We have the Dutchmen on the run doing double time for home. From your son, PVT Gordon Hall, Battery F., 103rd F.A.

50 Years Ago: 1968

Auburn Police Chief Stephen Smyc has filed a bill with the Lewiston Eighth District Court and with the state of Maine, seeking payment of fees which he claims are due to the city, it was learned today. The bill, it was learned, was submitted earlier this week and represents about six months of fees which Smyc believes are due to the city. The total bill is $1,020. Chief Smyc says the money is due under a State law, amended and effective on April 26 of this year, which provides that a municipality will be paid $20 a day for each day at which the municipality’s officers are required to attend the court. The Auburn police chief said the court stipulated that an officer be in attendance when the court is in session to act as court officer. He charged that the city has never received the stipend, which, according to law, is to be paid from the District Court Fund until sometime next year when the cost will be transferred to the State’s General Fund.

25 Years Ago: 1993

Early risers awoke to a special sight Sunday as 17 hot air balloonists launched their colorful craft over the Twin Cities for the third day of the first annual Great Falls Balloon Festival. “It was a beautiful sight to see,” said festival organizer Rachel Desgrosseilliers. Approximately 25,000 people attended the festival throughout the weekend, Auburn Police Lt. Richard Keene estimated. Crowds were heaviest Saturday but were also large Friday and steady on Sunday. “All the monies that are coming in are staying in the community,” Desgrosseilers said. A street dance, held Saturday evening, drew about 3,500 people, according to Desgrosseilliers. “People were dancing on chairs,” she said. “One man took his oxygen tank off and got up and danced with me. He said he hadn’t danced for 10 years.” Except for a transformer blowing Saturday night, leaving the Moon Dawgs without power for about an hour, the event came off without a hitch. But people remained patient, waiting in the cold for the ’50s group to start its musical performances. “The technical people performed a miracle,” Desgrosseillers said, adding that the organizing committee couldn’t have gotten power back without the professionals hired to take care of the event’s technical needs. Members of the audience also helped by getting generators when the power went out, Degrosseilleirs said. The festival was well received by the community, she said. “I saw more smiles than I’ve seen in years,” Desgrosseilliers said.

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