100 years ago, 1915
A motor truck, minus the body, its frame somewhat sprung, water leaking from its radiator, the entire outfit covered with mud, slowly made its way down Lisbon street, Thursday morning. It attracted much attention, because it was the five and a half ton machine which, on Monday night, dropped thru the chain suspension ‘bridge at Strong into Sandy river. This Is a Kissel Car truck owned by Royal Merrill of Turner, who purchased it about two years ago from Hall & Knight of Lewiston, agents for that automobile. The experience at Strong was a very good test of a car’s construction and the Kissel car truck came thru with flying colors. The truck, which has 40 horse power, was built expressly for hauling boxes for the corn shop. At the time it had a load of two and one-half tons. It went onto the bridge, which is old, and went less than 60 foot from the shore, the flooring gave way, dropping the truck to the river below. A hole 35 feet long and nearly the width of the bridge was broken thru.

50 years ago, 1965
An Auburn businessman today announced plans for the expansion of one of the Shoe City’s smaller business bringing to reality a dream of eleven years. Ever since Ernest B. Bilodeau of 664 Washington Street, set up business as the Nehi Bottling Co., he has hoped to be able to expand the facility. Construction of a new plant has already started. It will be attached to one of the existing structures, to house the bottling company. At the present time, some 19 persons are employed in the plant which bottles Nehi beverages, Royal crown and Diet Rite colas.

25 years ago, 1990
Beginning Dec. 15, New England Telephone Co. will offer Rumford and Mexico residents a variety of advanced services, including touch-tone, call waiting and forwarding and three-way calling, according to Peter Novak, NET public relations manager. Anyone with a 364 or 369 exchange will benefit from the optional services, Kovak said. The services will be available for an additional monthly charge over the current monthly and one-time charges, he said.

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