Other Times

100 Years Ago – 1920: The contest filed in the court yesterday against the honestly won nomination of Albert Dutton MacDade, Esq., for state senator, in the judgement of many citizens, has but two purposes – to defeat the will of the majority of the citizens of the county; and to save, if possible, the thousands of dollars bet by the backers of Hon. R.J. Baldwin that he would defeat MacDade. This view is strengthened by the fact that the contesting petitions in no way charge that MacDade won his nomination by fraud or in any other manner than that prescribed by law.

75 Years Ago – 1945:

Above-normal voting in county districts today marked the climax of one of the most bitter and intense Republican primary campaigns in many years. At 2 o’clock, voting was reported heavy in municipalities where there were contests for local offices, including Haverford, Yeadon, Eddystone, Middletown and Ridley Park. Voting is reported below normal in Chester, where there is no local fight.

50 Years Ago – 1970: Historical research at the Morton Mortonson house in Norwood has revealed that at one time residents raised their own taxes. Tax records for the property, then a part of Ridley Township, were investigated to try to set the original date of the structure. Councilman Francis Mallee reported that in 1742 residents raised their own taxes from “five pence to

15 pence” because pirates were sailing up Darby creek and residents wanted mercenaries for protection.

25 Years Ago – 1995: U.S. Curt Weldon, R-7, is hoping to rally support for the RAH-66 Comanche by having it displayed on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol this summer. He used a similar stunt with the V-22 Osprey aircraft. On Thursday, Commanche supporters got some good news when the House approved a 1996 defense spending bill providing $299 million for the helicopter, but they still fear cuts by the Senate.

10 Years Ago – 2010:

Gunshots fired at 2:54 a.m. Friday drew patrol officers to an abandoned house in the 1100 block of Smith Avenue where they found a pair of pitbulls, tied up and seemingly guarding two loaded guns, including an assault weapon, Chester police said. One veteran lawman said the ammunition discovered was enough

“to tear up a room the size of a typical city bar, and everyone in it.”