Records from 100 years ago are temporarily unavailable. In their place 110 years ago items are being used.

110 YEARS AGO — 1898

A glib-tongued stranger, representing himself as an old soldier, who spent nine weeks at the boarding house of Mrs. Elizabeth Hoffecker, a widow living at 915 Morton Ave., Chester, has disappeared. He has left for parts unknown and never paid her. He also borrowed $7 from family members and a dollar from a grocer at Ninth and Morton. The man had a GAR badge and button and said he wanted board for some weeks until his quarterly pension arrived. He gave a name and was quite friendly. Now he is gone.Prospect Park Borough Council has ordered the purchase of several carloads of oyster shells to be used on borough streets.John H. Kirk is having an arc light erected in his drug store at Seventh Street and Concord Avenue, Chester, to replace the present gas lights. Kirk said he believes in plenty of light.

75 YEARS AGO — 1933

Delaware County had its first snowfall of the season.Reliance Hook and Ladder Co. of Boothwyn conducted a masked dance with judges being Harry Young, Claude Riddington and James Johnson.The Altar Boys Association of St. Michael’s Church, Chester, gave a minstrel show.

50 YEARS AGO — 1958

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen McHale sold their home at 100 Partridge Ave., Ridley Park, and moved to Morris Lane in Wallingford. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert J. Evans have moved from Sharon Hill into the former McHale home.Ches-Pen Donuts is back again at 609 Welsh St., Chester. Other shops are at Ninth and Engle streets, Chester, and 800 MacDade Blvd., Folsom.Fifteen dollars in cash, $15 worth of cigars and change and cigarettes from a cigarette machine were stolen from Fletcher’s Sandwich Shop, 2810 W. Ninth St., Chester. Owner is Nicholas Fletcher, 823 Keystone Road, Chester.

25 YEARS AGO — 1983

A trolley operator suffered smoke inhalation and 56 passengers had to evacuate the trolley when it caught fire while going through Haverford Township. Kevin Jennings of Ridley Township has been named a University Scholar at Susquehanna University in Selingsgrove. He is a junior business major and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Jennings of Park Lane.

10 YEARS AGO — 1998

More than 150 signs and posters placed on utility poles and trees were removed during the month in Chadds Ford. Township Supervisor and Roadmaster Harvey Kliman reminded everyone that the posters are illegal and violators will be prosecuted.

— LEN CASTERLINE

To contact Len Casterline,

e-mail lencas1038@verizon.net

or lencas1038@yahoo.com

or call (610) 565-4298