100 years ago, 1913
In a hide made by a step between two rooms in a local woman’s tenement at the corner of Oak and Middle streets, Lewiston, the deputy sheriffs found three quarts of whiskey and one bottle containing three gills of hard stuff, about nine o’clock Sunday evening. Deputy Sheriffs Stewart, Beaulieu, Lyons and Pare were active over Sunday. They visited a number of places, including three drug stores and one or two kitchen bar rooms and were out nearly all night. The deputies were out to a farm near Haskell’s Corner in Auburn on Saturday afternoon, and seized one barrel containing 48 gallons of whiskey, also several jugs containing gin and Scotch whiskey. The stuff was hidden in hay in a bail.

50 years ago, 1963
The Auburn Free Press at 99 Main St., Auburn, has been sold to Reggie Bouchard of 21 Houghton St., Auburn, it was learned today. The general printing concern formerly was the property of Thomas Nichols of Auburn, whose estate was being managed by his widow since his death. The firm is the oldest existing printing establishment in Auburn. It has for a number of years printed several newspapers including the Bates Student, which is a Bates College publication, and the Station ELHS, the Edward Little High School newspaper.

25 years ago, 1988
Downtown business owners in Auburn said a city budget proposal to levy fees against the establishments for extra services would create problems for them and hinder development in the central business zone. The fees, which could total more than $100,000 as income to the city, would be charged to businesses in the downtown and central New Auburn area. These amenities include sidewalk plowing, sweeping and street cleaning, done more often along the storefronts than in residential areas.