Other Times
100 Years Ago – 1917: Chester Patrolman William Bell died at his residence, 1712 W. Third St., after a three months’ illness. About Feb. 1, Officer Bell complained about one of his feet being frost bitten and upon the advice of a physician medical treatment was given. Instead of getting better, the foot became poisoned to such an extreme that the poison circulated through his system. Bell was considered one of the most efficient officers on the police force.
75 Years Ago – 1942: A Chester man arrested April 9 in a raid on a suspected gambling establishment in the 1700 block of West Third Street was held in
$500 bail for court. Four men caught in the place, where a craps game was said to be in progress, were held in $100 bail. Eight other men escaped.
50 Years Ago – 1967:
Three Delaware County residents, of Upper Darby, Yeadon, and Clifton Heights, were among 26 persons arrested by the FBI in a series of raids against an alleged largescale gambling operation involving numbers games and horse betting at the Defense Supply Center in South Philadelphia. The investigation begun in May 1968 with the cooperation of the head of the center and Philadelphia police. The center is a U.S. government facility which supplies food, clothing and other items for the military.
25 Years Ago – 1992: U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, the target of vicious attacks for months by state Rep. Steve Freind, his foe in the Republican April 28 primary election, is striking back with negative advertising on radio and television. The ads are contrary to Specter’s word at a Republican State Committee meeting earlier this year that he would never mention Freind’s name in the course of the campaign. Pat Meehan, Specter’s campaign manager, said the two-term incumbent has “turned to telling the truth about Freind” because of the attacks made against him.
10 Years Ago – 2007:
Plans to change traffic patterns in the southern part of Upper Providence were put on hold once council members realized the overall effect. Council was about to announce a.m. restrictions into the borough on Idlewild Lane and p.m. prohibitions on Gayley Street. Drivers use these roads to bypass some intersections and roads in peak hours. While that might have solved one problem, it would have created another. The restrictions would apply to all traffic, including the residents themselves.