Other Times

100 Years Ago – 1918:

Private Philip Ayres, son of Mr. and Mrs. P.W. Ayres of Chester, has arrived safely in France and writes to his parents that he is certainly delighted to receive copies of the Chester Times. He said it is just like being home to read the favorite daily and that it as good as a letter.

75 Years Ago – 1943:

A 56-year-old Chester man, suffering from lapse of memory, is being held in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Washington, D.C. Local police are anxious to establish the man’s identify. Physicians said the man refers to himself as John H. Wilson, a native of Chester. Beyond being able to give that meager piece of information, the man’s mind seems to be blank. He was originally taken to the hospital when police of the capital city found him wandering about the streets in a daze.

50 Years Ago – 1968:

There’s a new man in the president’s chair at Cheyney State College today, and the students are expected to give him their support. Dr. Wade Wilson, longtime faculty member at the college and president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association last year, was named acting president Monday. Wilson’s appointment is expected to help ease tensions at the strife-torn campus. Wilson was named to replace Dr. LeRoy Banks Allen, who resigned Thursday following a militant student demonstration which included a three-day takeover of the administration building.

25 Years Ago – 1993:

A Chester man is facing up to life in prison for his role as a cash-and-drugs courier for a nationwide drug ring, but he’s hoping that his claims of ignorance will get him off the hook. Testifying in his own defense, he told a federal court jury that he “knew nothing” about the alleged ringleader’s cocaine dealings when he agreed to work for him.

10 Years Ago – 2008:

Delaware County Council on Tuesday approved $479,026 in contracts to expand the videoconferencing center at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Concord. John A. Reilly Jr., acting superintendent at the prison, said videoconferencing allows prisoners to remain at the prison and still participate in the judicial process. He added that the system saves on transportation costs associated with transporting prisoners to and from the courthouse, helps to move their cases more quickly and eliminates delays.