Today in Delaware County history, Dec. 27 - The Delaware County Daily Times

100 Years Ago, 1922: Newsboys of the Chester Times and the Morning Republican enjoyed their annual turkey dinner and frolic last night in the basement of Odd Fellows' Temple. More than 100 newsies assembled at the circulation department and walked to the banquet hall. Seated about the festive board with the newsboys, from every section of the city, were Charles R. Long and Frank C. Wallace, owners and editors of the Times and Republican; Chief of Police John Vance; Harry Cullis, circulation manager, Walter Selheimer, assistant circulation manager, and other members of the circulation department.

75 Years Ago, 1947: At least 23 persons were injured, some of them seriously, in Chester and the county area on Friday in falls on treacherous sidewalks, sledding accidents and auto crashes following the 12 inch snowfall that mantled the entire section. Area hospitals were kept busy the whole day treating the storm victims, with 10 being given attention at Fitzgerald-Mercy Hospital alone. Six of the victims were taken to Chester hospital, three each to Taylor and Bryn Mawr and one to Delaware County.

50 Years Ago, 1972: A Chester man, Washington Scott, of 104 Edwards St., was one of the eight winners of $120,000 today in the latest running of the Irish Sweepstakes. Each of the eight ticket holders drew the winning horse, Captain Christy, in the hurdle race run at Leapordstown race course, according to an Associated Press dispatch from Dublin. Another Edwards Street resident, Delia L. Scott, of 930 Edwards St., was a winner of $130,000 in the sweepstakes run last March.

25 Years Ago, 1997: A candle left burning while the family attended Christmas Eve mass ignited the mantel in a Drexel Hill residence, officials said yesterday. Garrettford Drexel Hill No. 1 and Primos Secane Westbrook Park No. 5 fire companies responded to the alarm 12:29 a.m. Dec. 25 at the Taylor Avenue home. ""The fire was contained to the mantel and the wall above the fireplace," said Upper Darby Township Fire Marshal Dan Lanni. ""People don't realize how much damage a single candle can do."

10 Years Ago, 2012: Ridley Park Police Chief Tom Byrne marked his last day on the job Dec. 21. The 24-year veteran of the force will be moving on. Byrne was born and reared here, graduating from the old St. James High School. "It's a dream to become chief in a town where you grew up," Byrne said in an interview shortly after being promoted to the top-cop position in 2002, after the death of former chief Robert Marks.

— COLIN AINSWORTH

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