Other Times
100 Years Ago – 1918: The Telephone Administration has been begging subscribers not to make unnecessary calls during the prevalence of influenza. Fully one-third of the operating force in this district have been off duty with the prevailing illness and those still at work have been struggling as best they could to keep the essential service going. On Monday a “social worker” in Ridley Park is said to have made no fewer than 27 calls in the busiest time of the day to tell her neighbors and friends she was awfully busy and had no servant.
75 Years Ago – 1943: Four special Masses will be held next week at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Third and Ward streets, Chester, in memory of Nicholas Szegda, of 113 Highland Ave., who was killed on Oct. 1 when the training plane in which he was flying crashed near Jacksonville, Fla. Szegda was employed in the local ticket office of the Pennsylvania Railroad before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He was a seaman first class and aviation radioman.
50 Years Ago – 1968: Chester Schools Superintendent John J. Vaul’s proposal to cancel home football games this year and eliminate night basketball during the coming season is an irrevocable one, he said today. He is to formally ask the board to endorse his proposal Monday night. Quick ratification is expected.
25 Years Ago – 1993: An Oxford woman was pulled from her car by two motorists after it erupted in flames in Concord, state police reported. Jennifer A. Muehlmatt sustained minor injuries after she struck the vehicle of Martin Kwaszkiewicz of Boothwyn. He had stopped suddenly before of a third car in front of him making a sudden U-turn. Muehlmatt was unable to stop in time and her car caught fire after the impact. Passing motorist Nicholas D’Antonio, of Glen Mills, used a fire extinguisher to put the fire out, then he and Kwaszkiewicz pulled Muehlmatt from the vehicle. Kwaszkiewicz suffered minor injuries.
10 Years Ago – 2008: Three dormitories at Widener University were evacuated Wednesday when someone accidentally discharged a container of pepper spray. After several students complained of an irritating odor, university officials evacuated Hanna, Thayer and Grasselli Halls. Chester fire officials called the Delaware County Hazmat Team as a precaution, according to Battalion Chief Jack Powers.