100 years ago, 1917
Though the streets of the two cities are quite frequently visited of late by persons decidedly intoxicated, the experiences of the local liquor deputies would indicate that it is not easy to get the goods. This is probably more true of those who are unfamiliar with the cities’ accommodations in this line. One man in Lewiston recently was exhibiting a quart of whiskey to a friend of his. The friend asked the “lucky” man if he would answer two questions for him. These were: “What did you pay for that quart?” and “How many places did you try before you got it?” It was found that the liquor, which was not first-class goods, had cost the man $3 and that he had tried at seven places before finally in the eighth he was successful.

50 years ago, 1967
Paul R. Daignault, a losing candidate for the Ward Three council seat in Auburn’s Monday municipal election, said Wednesday night he felt that the defeat in the state referendum for the construction of a third bridge across the Androscoggin River was a disastrous blow to the Twin Cities. “Having personally endorsed the building of a third bridge, I now feel that in order to achieve a solution to the present need, a toll bridge similar to that in our capital city of Augusta be constructed,” said Daignault.

25 years ago, 1992
An Oxford woman’s apple pie was sold at auction here Tuesday night for $1,200. Barbara Sanborn received a blue ribbon for her pie, entered in the Oxford County Fair contest. Rick Cummings of Cummings Construction of South Paris bid $1,200 for the pie, judged the winner in Mom’s Apple Pie contest. Pie auction rivals, Cummings and contractor Gary Searles of Harrison, each tried to out-bid the other in efforts to purchase the first-place pie. Cummings afterwards gave Searles a slice of the $1,200 apple pie. “THAT is super pie,” Searles agreed. The next top-selling pie was bought by Henry Jackson of Oxford for $105. Searles bought the second, third, and fourth place pies for $50, $60, and $70.

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