100 Years Ago: 1924

“Dan” Chapman of Mechanic Falls, formerly of Lewiston, owes his life to a slender elm tree.

The touring car he was driving skidded off the Mechanic Falls-Auburn road, west of Hearse House Hill, over the sheer embankment, dropping 20 feet into the deepest part of the Little Androscoggin River. The machine was stopped at the very edge by a small elm tree.

The current is swift at this point and chances of any one getting out of a car in time to save himself would be slim. Mr. Chapman was severely shaken up by the accident.

50 Years Ago: 1974

The 67-piece Auburn Middle School Band will present an hour-long concert Friday evening at 7 o’clock at the Maine Mall at South Portland in what spokesmen believe will be the first appearance at the shopping center by a school band. The band, made up of students from both Central and Webster middle schools, will perform selections from its Christmas Concert under the direction of Jeffrey Cale.

25 Years Ago: 1999

The business started modestly two years ago when Mark Miclette began selling gas masks on the Internet. Sales boomed as fears mounted about computer failures and other problems on Jan. 1, 2000, and he now stocks hundreds of other emergency items.

The result is a survivalist’s paradise, and it’s only a mouse click away for holiday shoppers. The gift selection includes “Y2K survival kits” ranging from on the “optimist” at $349 to the “survivalist” at $549. All have champagne, noisemakers and chocolate, as well as survival items like chlorine tablets, blankets and a wind-up radio.

People who like to examine the products before purchasing them can visit his Main Street shop in Dexter.

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