100 Years Ago: 1924

Two damage suits — one for $10,000 and the other for $1,000 have been started against The Texas Co. as a result of the explosion last May of an empty gasolene tank on First street, Auburn, which was believed to have been caused by a match tossed into the open vent.

50 Years Ago: 1974

The theft of a large pure copper tank, considered very valuable, is under investigation by the Androscoggin Sheriff’s  Department.

Detective Lucien Asselin told The Journal today that the tank was removed from the Poland Spring Bottling Co. during the night.

25 Years Ago: 1999

Barry Mower did something Friday afternoon that he never would have done as a kid growing up in Greene: He dove into the Androscoggin River to escape from the stifling heat of the day.

That single act showed how far the river has come, because when Mower was young a dip in the river meant a trip to the hospital. The polluted water was a certain health threat then, but on Friday it was just a way to beat the heat.

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