Other Times
100 Years Ago – 1921:
John M. Broomall, Jr., retired merchant and widely known citizen, died suddenly at his home last night. He had just returned from the Penn Club, seated himself in a chair when he suffered an attack of heart failure. Apparently in the best of health, Mr. Broomall, as was his custom, left home early last evening to spend a few hours at the Penn Club, of which he was an active member. At the club he chatted with fellow members and appeared to be in the best of spirits.
75 Years Ago – 1946:
Pickpockets, pursesnatchers and assorted other crooks were limbering up today in anticipation of the biggest Christmas shopping spree to hit Chester in six years. Chief of Police Andrew J. Desmond Jr. warned shoppers to be on the alert more than ever this year since the business district will be jammed to capacity, and thieves operate best in large crowds. “The light-fingered people have already started to work,” the chief said.
50 Years Ago – 1971:
Mr. S. Claus will be occupying his new office Thursday in downtown Chester, at the northeast corner of Eight and Walnut streets. Mr. Claus, or Santa, as most of us know him, will keep office hours there with his helpers only from noon to 5 p.m. Monday thought Friday because his busy activities at the North Pole tie up much of his time during this season. Santa will be giving a candy cane to all the children who visit him at this Chester headquarters.
25 Years Ago – 1996:
The Marple Environmental Advisory Board is asking residents to help search for the largest trees of each species in the township. The survey is the first conducted since the early 1960s, when the biggest trees in the county were located and recorded. Twenty-three trees on the list were within Marple’s borders.
10 Years Ago – 2011:
Retired Master Sgt. Alfred DeSerio sat in an armchair cracking jokes, demonstrating his daily exercise routine and recalling stories from his 42 years in the Marine Corps. Having turned 105 on Friday, DeSerio was honored as one of the oldest living Marines on Wednesday afternoon in the lobby of St. Francis Country House in Darby, where he has lived since December 2002. During his four decades in the Marine Corps, DeSerio served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participated in the Korean War and completed two tours of duty in the Vietnam War.