100 years ago, 1915
We are now pumping about five and one half millions more gallons of water per day than we did at this time a year ago,” said J. B. Longley, supt. of the Lewiston Water Works, Thursday. “Between Feb. 26, 1914, and Feb. 24, 1915 we pumped a total of 132,770,000 gallons of water more than in the corresponding twelve months. This amount of water equals the complete emptying of the reservoir of the city water works ninety-five times. If anything could suggest the need of a new and larger reservoir for the Lewiston water supply, this statement of the superintendent should.

50 years ago, 1965
A Bates College coed had herself an experience this week she is still chuckling about. Seems this young lady had just left the Hobby Shop, totin’ a bag of clean laundry, and she was about to cross the street, when a young man (sixish, sevenish or so) strolled up, and asked if he could carry the laundry for her. She consented. All the way to Page Hall, the women’s dorm, the lad carried the bag, and then he handed it back to the coed. “Thanks, but how come?” the young lady asked. And he replied: “I’m a Cub Scout, and have to do a good deed every day.” “Yes, but I thought you usually helped little old ladies across the street,” she countered. Without battin’ an eyelash, the youngster replied. “I’d rather help a little old lady carry her laundry.”

25 years ago, 1990
Thousands of dollars worth of stolen items have been recovered from the Dead River in Leeds in the past two days by members of the Androscoggin Sheriff’s Office, acting on information developed during the investigation of a rash of November and December break-ins. Sheriff Ronald Gagnon, overseeing the recovery operation Saturday, said five juveniles were implicated in the string of thefts.

The material in Looking Back is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared, although misspellings and errors made at that time may be edited.