100 YEARS AGO – 1908

The German Catholics of Chester, who built a church and parsonage on West Third Street, have been unsuccessful in securing a priest. They have decided to engage a layman to preach for them in the German tongue on Sunday if a priest is not provided by Sept. 1.Chester Chief of Police Pennington surprised a number of youths who were having a good time on the riverfront at the foot of Morton Street. The chief learned it was a favorite resort for the boys to play craps and he had made up his mind he would stop the juvenile gambling. The chief said he would notify parents of the boys and advised them to keep a closer watch on the actions.Harry G. Innis Men’s Goods at 36 W. Third St., Chester, offers all men’s straw hats for $1 each

75 YEARS AGO – 1933

Clerics and pastors of churches throughout the county received a letter from Albert R. Granger, chairman of the Delaware County Council’s National Recovery Administration, appealing to them to observe Rally Day that has been designated for Sunday. The clergy has been asked to speak out on the humanitarian influence involved in this tremendous effort on the part of the president of the U.S. to bring happiness and contentment to homes in which poverty and want are now stalking.A young lady who had been missing from her Collingdale home wrote to her parents and informed them she decided to marry and is living near Shamokin.

50 YEARS AGO – 1958

Judge and Mrs. Henry G. Sweney of 707 E. 20th St., Chester, arrived in New York aboard an ocean liner after a seven-week trip abroad.Mechanical changes over the 1959 models will shut down the Chester Assembly Plant of Ford Motor Co. All but 300 of the 1,300 hourly employees will be laid off for two weeks.

25 YEARS AGO – 1983

Dr. Davis Heckman says 268 Haverford School District students still need immunization shots before they will be allowed to attend school this fall. The Delco Pedal Pushers are sponsoring a bike ride to an ice cream store at the Thriftway Market, Edgmont and Middletown avenues.

10 YEARS AGO – 1998

CJ’s Prime Time Café on Oak Lane in Glenolden is having an open mike night Thursday nights. Co-owner Caroline Walker said performers include The Killing Floor, and Melissa Martin and the Rhythm Kings.

— LEN CASTERLINE

To contact Len Casterline,

e-mail lencas1038@verizon.net

or lencas1038@yahoo.com

or call (610) 565-4298