100 YEARS AGO — 1908

An elaborate alarm system failed to deter chicken thieves from stealing 20 poulets from the coop of L.J. Matthias of Penn Boulevard, East Lansdowne.Five men in a two-seated carriage caused considerable excitement on Broad Street, Chester. The horse attached to the vehicle became frightened at Potter Street and dashed wildly toward Edgmont Avenue. As soon as the horse started to run, every man in the wagon commenced to shout and attempted in that manner to stop the animal. The more the men shouted the more frightened the animal became and at Upland Street, there was almost a collision, but the horse managed to keep away from the side wall. About midway between Upland and Madison, the horse was finally stopped. As soon as the animal had an opportunity to quiet down, the trip was resumed.

75 YEARS AGO — 1933

Stacey Bowen, late of 922 Upland St., Chester, left his estate to his niece, Eleanor E. Boushelle of the same address. The estate is valued at $2,000.The Deshong Quoit Cub of Chester was defeated by the Upland Club at the Upland playground. Score was 264 points for Upland and 236 for Chester. Glendale Country Club, MacDade Boulevard opposite Knowles Avenue, Glenolden, features nine open-air boxing matches tonight.

50 YEARS AGO — 1958

Mr. and Mrs. C. Richard Lees and children, Michael, Tara and Gail, have returned to their home on Russell Street, Ridley Park, after spending a two-week vacation at Fenwick Island, Del.More than 600 volunteer firemen are expected to attend the Delaware County Fire School next month on the grounds of the Westinghouse Electric Corp. in Tinicum. Harry Foote of Prospect Park is chairman of the fire-school committee.A Crum Lynne man relaxing on a bench in Deshong Park, Chester, was hit on the head and thieves made off with his $50 wrist watch.

25 YEARS AGO — 1983

The 69th Street Merchants Association is sponsoring a live animal show this week with the Philadelphia Zoo. It’s called Zoo on Wheels and will be at the Lit Building, 69th and Ludlow streets.Pfc. Gail Reinstein, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Reinstein III of Harwick Road, Springfield, was promoted to her present rank with the Marine Corps. She is a graduate of Springfield High School.

10 YEARS AGO — 1998

Campers at the Chester Fine Arts Center staged a Salute to Motown at Chester High School. Campers ages 4 to 12 presented “A Motown Revue.” Anzer Kirkland, arts center director, said 33 youngsters at the camp put their hearts and souls into the production.

— LEN CASTERLINE

To contact Len Casterline,

e-mail lencas1038@verizon.net

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or call (610) 565-4298