Other Times
100 Years Ago – 1920: Thomas Lees, one of the oldest residents of Chester, died at his home on 14th Street last night in his 79th year. He came to Chester when a boy from Oldham, England, and learned the trade of machinist. For years he worked at this occupation at the Roach Shipyard. At that time he resided on Broad Street (East Ninth). He later became interested in the real estate business and public affairs, serving four terms of Register of Wills. Mr. Lees became identified with the Republican Party at its birth and always voted the straight ticket. Though ill for some time, he attended the annual
meeting of Chester Lodge of Masons in December and but a few days ago was seen downtown.
75 Years Ago – 1945: A bill authorizing the state to purchase five acres of land at Front and Penn streets, Chester, for the construction of a park to honor William Penn was introduced today in the Legislature at Harrisburg. The bill also calls for a $60,000 appropriation for the purchase of the land and landscaping by the state.
50 Years Ago – 1970: The opinion of Rep. Lawrence G. Williams, R-7, concerning his own congressional record contrasts sharply with his prime challenger for the GOP nomination,
Radnor Commissioners President Bernard H. White. White recently stated Williams showed a lack of support for Nixon administration policies. Williams said he has supported Nixon’s positions on “Vietnam de-escalation and efforts for a just peace, drastic reduction of federal spending and efforts against inflation in the marketplace and crime in the streets.”
25 Years Ago – 1995:
A Havertown man facing criminal charges for tossing a trash can onto a parked car in Upper Darby on Jan. 4 waived a preliminary hearing and has to pay $572in restitution. The defendant fled and
struck Patrolman Daniel Gallagher in the chest with both hands. The negotiated waiver resulted in the withdrawing of aggravated assault charges and payment of restitution for damages to the vehicle.
10 Years Ago – 2010:
Darby Borough Mayor Helen Thomas commended borough residents for their ability to get through a “most trying year” during a recent council meeting. In addition to three homicides – one remaining unsolved – the borough saw a number of serious offenses, including several recent armed robberies, burglaries and weapons violations.