100 years ago: 1925

“NORTH ANSON, April 30 — The countryside was surprised and shocked today when it was learned that Ross Lisherness, a prosperous farmer, had shot and killed his wife and himself yesterday in their home on the Kingfield Road, a mile above North New Portland.

“Because of their devotion to each other since their marriage on Aug. 19, 1906, at North New Portland where they had lived all their lives, and the fact that they never had any domestic troubles as far as known, the generally accepted motive was the fear that his wife, who had a bad heart trouble, would die suddenly during his absence from home.

“He had been told that she might die at any time.”

50 years ago: 1975

“LEWISTON — In commemoration of the Twin City soldiers who died in Vietnam, Lewiston Mayor John Orestis has ordered that flags be lowered to half staff, and in a statement Wednesday night he asked that people give thought to our ‘own loss’ in the Vietnam tragedy.

“‘Tuesday ended the United States’ official involvement in Vietnam,’ the mayor stated. ‘As we view the agony of the people of South Vietnam it is easy to not focus appropriately on America’s own loss.’

“‘Over 56,000 Americans died in Vietnam, and it is fitting that we honor our dead on this day of the war’s end. Our hearts and minds grieve with the parents, spouses, children, relatives and friends of our war dead. Nothing we do or say can adequately express our deep feelings over the loss of these brave men and women.’
“‘As a small, visible expression of our feelings, I have ordered the American flags flown on city property to be lowered to half staff for five days.'”

25 years ago: 2000

“FARMINGTON — Negotiations between the federal government and Saddleback Ski Area have come to a silent standstill as both sides say they are bound to secrecy after talks on the National Park Service’s bid to acquire a protection corridor for the Appalachian Trail closed late last week.

“Both Saddleback Ski Area owner Donald Breen and Appalachian Trail Park Manager Pamela Underhill said a settlement wasn’t ready to be announced and that they couldn’t discuss the matter publicly under an agreement they made at the negotiating table.

“The more than 20-year quagmire between Saddleback and the park service hinges on the aging skiing area’s right to develop terrain on both sides of the Appalachian Trail where the National Scenic Trail bisects part of Breen’s more than 12,000-acre property.

“The government argues that development on both sides of the trail and in a deep bowl on the eastern end of the 4,116-foot mountain could cause environmental problems and impede the view from the national scenic trail.”

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