NEW YORK – Three hundred drivers of United States mail wagons quit work at 10 o’clock, tonight. More than a score of them deserted their wagons at the Mail street entrances of the general post office after they had received word that a strike had been decided upon.

The strike had an echo of the trouble over wages of some weeks ago. The leaders say that the agreement the bosses made with them has not been lived up to, and they also demand and increase of wages.

All of the men are employed by the New York Mail Co. The men also want thirty cents an hour for all overtime, anything over 35 minutes to constitute an hour.

50 Years Ago, 1955

•August, the month of disastrous floods and history – making heavy rains in central and southern New England, also brought one of the heaviest monthly rains in recent years to the Twin City area. Rain on 13 of the month’s 31 days pushed the monthly total to 6.56 inches.

•Eagle Bridge, N.Y. – Greetings from many corners of the globe surrounded Grandma Moses tonight, the eve of her 95th birthday. But only a few friends and relatives, perhaps 15, will gather around the celebrated painter of rural scenes for her quiet tea party tomorrow afternoon.

Grandma, who began painting 18 years ago after spending most of her life at farm work, still paints when she pleases. In recent months she has begun five oils, most of them Spring scenes.

25 Years ago, 1980

We welcome the arrival of Bates College students for another year of classes on campus. We extend a special welcome to the incoming freshman class, which will be getting acquainted with our communities and their people for the first time.

Tomorrow, the Lewiston-Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its 27th annual chicken barbecue for the incoming class. It is made possible through the generosity of the Chamber members.

We welcome the Bates College freshmen not only to the campus, but to our communities. We want them to be good citizens now and in the future.