100 YEARS AGO – 1908

The Reading Railroad has suffered large losses through the thefts of coal from the cars that run through Chester. Large quantities of coal are stolen regularly and a band of boys has made a practice of stealing the coal. They take it from house to house selling it. Railroad police said it is a difficult task to a catch the guilty parties.
Three youths were sent to the House of Refuge at Glen Mills because they refused to obey their parents.
A man and a woman accompanied by a boy were noticed stopping on Market Street, Chester, when the weather was very cold. The man removed the overcoat from the boy and took it to a pawnshop. Later the three were seen enjoying a performance at the playhouse in Chester.

75 YEARS AGO – 1933

Safety Patrol certificates were distribed among pupils of city schools by Thomas C. Cockill, director physical education of the school district. The certificates were prepared by the Keystone Automobile Club.
Robert Parker, 717 Summit St., Prospect Park, a veteran employee at the local post office, has been promoted to assistant postmaster. He has been in the postal service for 20 years.

50 YEARS AGO – 1958

Robert L. Rachor was re-elected commander of the Delaware County Chapter of the Catholic War Veterans. He is a member of Father John J. Hickey Post 731 of Manoa.
An alert bus driver and Chester police apprehended three boys only minutes after they broke bus windows with snowballs. The youths were turned over to their parents.
Teen-agers attending Chester schools are carrying identification cards that police have been instructed to demand to see “if they feel the boy or girl is acting suspiciously.”

25 YEARS AGO – 1983

Chester Chester Police Department needs three German Sheperd dogs and fast for its street patrol and for its narcotics work. The dogs should be male thoroughbreds, aged one to three and obviously in good health.
The Dave Garroway Memorial Concert was held at the Lange Music Center at Swarthmore College. Garroway, a national television personality, died last year in Swarthmore. The concert is free, however, tickets are needed.

10 YEARS AGO – 1998

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring an event entitled “How to Start and Maintain Your Business.’’ The workshop will be at chamber headquarters in Nether Providence and retired business executives will be among the conference leaders.

--- LEN CASTERLINE
To contact Len Casterline,
e-mail: lencas1038@verizon.net
or lencas1038@yahoo.com
or call (610) 565-4298