100 Years Ago: 1924

“Diphtheria” says the little card on the door front of Frederick G. Payne of Arch Avenue, Lewiston; and this means that wedding bells will not ring for Freddy on Saturday evening as had been planned.

Mr. Payne or “Freddy” as he is intimately known to scores of people in both cities, was taken ill on Wednesday and is now quarantined for at least three more weeks and will remain in the single state of bliss.

His bride-to-be is Miss Gretchen Juanita Putnam of York Harbor and Boston, a young woman of pleasing personality and charm who was recently introduced in local social circles.

Mr. Payne is confined to his apartment, but is not considered in a serious condition. However, he considers the situation very serious, not that he is superstitious, but he doesn’t like the idea of a belated wedding. Meantime, Miss Putnam, regretfully has laid aside her wedding attire.

50 Years Ago: 1974

It appears that more than usual Auburn sportsmen are going to use bow and arrow in an attempt to bag their deer this year. City Clerk Leroy E. Linnell noted today that the business of selling special archery licenses has been picking up in recent days. About 30 of the special permits have been issued so far.

25 Years Ago: 1999

Maine Maritime Museum, in cooperation with Bath Iron Works, announces an opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look at Bath’s renowned shipbuilding heritage, past and present, that culminates with a rarely available guided tour of Bath Iron Works.

Maine Maritime Museum will offer a five-hour look at the industry that made the city one of the country’s most prolific and well known centers for shipbuilding beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2.

The program will begin with a walking tour of the museum’s historic Percy and Small Shipyard, the last surviving, intact shipyard that built large wooden sailing vessels. After the walking tour, participants will board the Chippewa for a 45-minute cruise to view several Arleigh Burke class destroyers from the water.Participants will then tour the Bath Iron Works production facility.

The material used in Looking Back is produced exactly as it originally appeared although misspellings and errors may be corrected.