Edmund S. Muskie Oral History Collection

Authors

Brian O'Doherty

Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

11-15-1999

Interview Number

MOH 162

Abstract

Lionel A. “Lal” Lemieux was born in Augusta, Maine on January 23, 1911 to Quebecois immigrant parents. He was the tenth of twelve children, the first of two to graduate from high school, and the only one to attend college. He graduated from Cony High School in 1928 and from Bates College in 1933, majoring in history and government. He also debated under Brooks Quimby, and was a senior when Ed Muskie was a freshman. He began his career at Western Union, and worked throughout New England. In 1940, he took a position with the Lewiston Evening Journal, and covered the municipal governments of Lewiston and Auburn. From 1945 to 1956, he covered the Maine State House. In 1954, he became city editor of the Lewiston Evening Journal, and eventually became editorial editor. At the time of interview, he lived in Lewiston.

Scope and Content Note

Interview includes discussions of: Brooks Quimby; Bates College; working with Ed Schlick in Augusta; treatment of Lemieux by Muskie’s staff after writing critical articles; Burt Cross’ mistakes in his reelection campaign; Le Messager (French newspaper in Lewiston); Ernest Malenfant; and Jean Charles Boucher.

Use Restrictions

Copyright Bates College. This transcript is provided for individual Research Purposes Only; for all other uses, including publication, reproduction and quotation beyond fair use, permission must be obtained in writing from: The Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College, 70 Campus Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240-6018.

Share

COinS