Other Times
100 Years Ago – 1919: Prominent Chesterites expressed great sorrow at the sudden death of Col. Theodore Roosevelt. The former United States president was a guest of Chester for the last time on Jan. 9, 1918. The fighting colonel was then in the pink of health and expressed great joy from his tour through the Delaware County industrial belt. Accompanied by then-state Sen. William C. Sproul and other newspaper and political figures, the party made the tour by automobile.
75 Years Ago – 1944:
The Rev. Peter J. Klekotka, JCD, rector of St. Hedwig’s Church in Chester, will mark the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood Wednesday. In honor of this Silver Jubilee, members of his parish have planned a testimonial banquet this Sunday at St. Hedwig’s Auditorium. The celebration began Sunday when St. Hedwig’s School children, under the direction of the Bernardine sisters, presented a play and entertainment for the pastor.
50 Years Ago – 1969: Organized crime has at least two “branch offices” in Delaware County, the Pennsylvania Crime Commission said today in its report to Gov. Raymond P. Schafer. The commission’s claim was denied today by the man who is charged with the overall county vice investigations. Rocco P. Urella, chief of the county’s Criminal Investigation Division and former state police major, said the Mafia organization doesn’t control crime operations in the county. Urella lashed out at the “sensational features” of the crime commission report.
25 Years Ago – 1994: An early outbreak of potholes is erupting on streets and highways in PennDOT’s Sixth District. The pothole epidemic was caused by this past month’s mixed weather bag of ice and snow storms, freezing rain, sub-zero temperatures and fluctuating above-freezing thaws. 10 Years Ago – 2009: The world champion Boys of Summer are back. And elated Phillies fans came out to stare, admire and even photograph the World Series symbol – 200 troy ounces of sterling silver officially called “The Commissioner’s Trophy.” The first floor of the Granite Run Mall was awash in red as many men, women and children shed warm winter coats to mug with the Tiffany & Co. hardware in their championship Tshirts. “We tried to go the parade,” said Tom Eppright of Drexel Hill. “This will be the next best thing.”