Lewiston Daily Sun on Nov. 8, 2022

Read more about Nov. 8, 1972, in the SunJournal.com archives.

100 Years Ago: 1922

A stereopticon lecture on the Paradise of the Pacific or the Hawaiian Legends was given at the Congregational vestry in Gray Sunday evening.

50 Years Ago: 1972

Margaret Chase Smith, who was Maine’s best vote-getter for three decades, met political demise Tuesday, losing her U.S. Senate seat to a popular Democratic congressman. Unofficial returns from 618 of this rural state’s 639 precincts gave Rep. William D. Hathaway 210,830 while Mrs. Smith received 188,270.

In a brief statement released at her home in Skowhegan today, Mrs. Smith said: “I congratulate my opponent and wish him well. I’m deeply grateful to the people of Maine’s rural state’s 639 precincts, for letting me serve and represent them for over 32 years. I’m even more grateful to my faithful volunteers who worked their hearts out for me. I regret letting them down.”

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Mrs. Smith’s campaign didn’t reach a full time status until the last three weeks prior to election, and then she maintained a main re-election theme stressing her record, and the importance of her seniority to Maine residents. Hathaway carefully avoided personal attacks on the woman, known affectionately as “our Margaret.”

Mrs. Smith was elected to the House in 1940 to replace her late husband, Clyde H. Smith. She served four terms in the lower chamber, then took a Senate seat in 1948 with 71.4 percent of the role. That was a record for Maine.

25 Years Ago: 1997

The Auburn Church of the Nazarene, 38 Summer St., will sponsor a Kids’ Fun Day from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 8, at the church. for children in grades kindergarten to six, the event will feature a music time with interactive songs, a game time and entertainment with Doug Twitchell of South Paris. Each child should bring a bag lunch, and cookies and drink will be provided. Prizes will be given. Parents are invited to the free event.

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


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