100 Years Ago: 1918

Once again Lewiston and Auburn have given the best of their young manhood to swell the stream of American troops now pouring into France. On Friday morning there departed from these cities the largest draft quota of the war, 53 from Lewiston and 90 from Auburn. Of course, there was a fine demonstration, although there was nothing spectacular or showy about it; the sentiment was beneath, not upon, the surface. There were few cheers and no loudly expressed grief or noisy enthusiasm; but time and again, as the drafted men marched to the station, little groups ran from the sidewalks for a farewell grasp of some friend’s hand or to say “Good luck” and “God bless you.” It was all very quiet, business-like, grimly earnest — and all the more effective upon this account.

50 Years Ago: 1968

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., took himself out of any consideration for the Democratic vice presidential nomination today, with a statement saying, “For me, this year, it is impossible.” Kennedy, the last survivor of four Kennedy sons, said in a statement that his decision “is final, firm and not subject to further consideration.” Kennedy said he is removing himself from consideration because of family responsibilities resulting from the assassination of his brother, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, last month. The Massachusetts senator, in a four-paragraph statement, said he will speak out, however, “on foreign and domestic policies our party must pursue if it is to be successful in the coming election.” He said he appreciated the confidence of Democrats who have proposed him for the national ticket and “under normal circumstances” such a possibility would be a high honor and a challenge to his further public service.

25 Years Ago: 1993

All Lewiston-Auburn residents interested in learning how to be a soccer coach or improving their coaching skills are invited to attend a free coaching course, which will be offered July 31 at Edward Little High School. The course, sponsored by Lewiston-Auburn Youth Soccer, is strongly recommended to prospective L-A Youth Soccer coaches. Those attending the course, which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., are reminded to bring water and appropriate clothes.

The material in the Looking Back is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared, although misspellings and errors may be corrected.