I can’t remember a day that didn’t begin with a cup of coffee and the daily newspaper. In recent years, I have been reading a lot of old newspapers, too. They are a rich source of material for these columns about Androscoggin County’s history, but they are also great entertainment for me as I discover unexpected links between past and present.

It was April of 1887 when a new publication called Lake Grove News came off the press and the residents of East Auburn had their own weekly newspaper. It was a four-page publication on a large single sheet of newsprint. J.H. Heath was listed as editor and it sold for three cents a copy. It claimed a circulation of 1,000 copies each week.

That may not sound like much of a newspaper, but it was packed with information every week. That first issue promised to bring news from several areas, including East Auburn, North Auburn, West Auburn, South Auburn, Turner and Greene.

It didn’t take much to tell a story in those few pages, but every short item represented a significant fact or observation.

Some were very simple.

“Barefoot boys are numerous.”

“The cows, as usual, were turned out to pasture May 10th.”

“The early pea begins to show its head in the garden.”

Other entries had a folksy tone.

“Mrs. Geo. W. Vickery, formerly of this place, is visiting her old home and friends. She is 74 years old and recently made a quilt of 2,573 pieces, no two alike.”

And the very next brief entry might report life-changing events among the residents.

“Betsey, relict (an old word for widow) of Richard Teague, is in feeble health.”

“Uncle Lot is quite used up with rheumatism.”

“We are very sorry to learn of the hopeless illness of Mrs. L —, a young lady, loved and respected by all.”

There were occasional accounts of fires, accidents and crimes.

“Tuesday night of last week the burglars, who seem to be making a circuit of the countryside, paid our village (North Auburn) an unwelcome visit, breaking into a carriage shop and I. Osgood’s store. They entered by means of a window on the side next to the bridge. Here they supplied themselves with oranges, cigars, crackers, etc. The night before there were clothesline thieves about.”

It seems that road concerns have always been newsworthy. The Turner column said, “Street Commissioner Leavitt started one road machine last week with six horses, Adin Gage on the box and Ed Record brakeman. The roads are rough, being badly washed by the freshet.”

Street naming was a continuing concern in several issues of Lake Grove News. The editor said any self-respecting community should pay some attention to adopting street names, and the newspaper called for suggestions from the readers.

In all the old newspapers I read, I particularly enjoy the advertising. Lake Grove News was well-supported by area businesses.

Ads on page one called attention to the hours when Mt. Gile Observatory was open to the public, and the L&A Horse Railroad Company ran detailed time schedules between Lewiston City Hall and Lake Grove. There also was an anecdote about one of the horse car conductors, who was said to have left his umbrella hanging near him in his car for two weeks, and it was not stolen.

Some of the business establishments mentioned in the advertising were “Samuel Hibber’s Eating House” at 195 Lisbon St., Lewiston; People’s Laundry at the rear of Auburn Hall; Lake Grove Restaurant; C.T. Nevens Carriage shop in Auburn; and Bradford, Conant and Co., a Lewiston furniture store which also featured the services of its undertaker and embalmer.

Billie Wight of Greene, who was a longtime resident of North Auburn, shared these old copies of Lake Grove News with me. Copies for several months had been saved by members of her family. It’s not known for how long the paper was printed.

Today’s families in Androscoggin County have a pretty good selection of local newspapers and magazines. The options range from the daily editions of this publications to several weekly and monthly publications. Although television and digital media are becoming important sources of news, it will never replace the fascination that’s found in turning the pages of old, yellowed and brittle newspapers.

Dave Sargent is a freelance writer and a native of Auburn. He can be reached by sending email to [email protected].