100 years ago: 1925

“The Androscoggin Valley Mill Men’s association two day textile exposition opened in City Hall Wednesday. Twelve big mills in the county are represented in the exhibition.

“The City Hall is a riot of colors, flags of all nations streaming from the ceiling of the big auditorium, with gay colored textile products standing out from the line of booths on either side of the auditorium. The exposition is free and the public is urged to attend.

“Representatives from the various mills were working at top speed Tuesday in putting the last few finishing touches on their various booths. The big exposition will officially open Wednesday evening when Gov. Ralph O. Brewster will speak on boosting Maine.”

50 years ago: 1975

“A 38-year-old convicted bank robber . . . broke out of the Androscoggin County Jail last night and shot a veteran deputy in his successful bid for freedom. . . .

“Roland W. Dube Jr. was still missing today, but an investigative team of Maine State Police was conducting an intensive probe and several leads were being pursued.

“Shortly before noon today there was good word from St. Mary’s General Hospital where Sgt. Rudolphe Dufresne was reported . . . in ‘good condition’ . . .

“Dube and (other inmates) were being placed in their cells for the night when the rush to freedom began. Deputy Gerard Labrie managed to place (one inmate) in his cell but the other two made a dash for the dispatcher’s office. Sgt. Dufresne was at his desk at the time.

“According to Labrie: ‘I was right behind them and as I neared the door, Sgt. Dufresne got up and gave pursuit. Suddenly Dube turned around and then I saw the gun. He fired at Dufresne and I saw Rudy bend over, then I saw the blood.’

“Everything was hectic at this point. An ambulance was called. Suddenly, no one could find Sgt. Dufresne. It was discovered that somehow he had gone out the door, got into his own car, and drove himself to St. Mary’s Hospital.

“A number of leads were being checked out by State Police, Auburn and Lewiston Police as well as by the Sheriff’s Department itself. The State Police team was coordinating the effort.”

25 years ago: 2000

“An Auburn man wobbled into the wrong bathroom Monday night and changed city history.

“A probation officer said the man broke a deal he made with a judge, that he had promised to stay away from alcohol or face jail time on charges of criminal trespassing and violating a protection from abuse order.

“But when he walked into the Auburn City Building, past the City Council chambers and into the restroom across the hall, he was unsteady on his feet and, his probation officer said, he smelled of alcohol.

“Minutes later, the man became the first person in city history to be arrested by his councilor during a City Council meeting.

“‘I am certain that until Monday night he didn’t know I was a councilor,’ said Normand Guay, the man’s probation officer. ‘He knows now.’

“Guay, one of two at-large members of the council, left the meeting when he spied the man in the hall. For about 10 minutes, the group stopped its work.

“Councilors whispered warnings to each other to stay in their chambers. Meanwhile, fellow councilor and probation officer Joseph DeFilipp called the police. The man was hauled away in handcuffs. Guay returned to the council and apologized.”

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