William A. Westley : “Delaware County History: July 4 Events”

100 Years Ago, 1924: William A. Westley, a real estate agent who had been missing, managed to slip into Chester unnoticed during the early hours of Wednesday morning. He made his way to his home in Buckman Village, where he gathered his personal belongings and left without being apprehended. Shockingly, he also took several items of clothing belonging to his 4-year-old son William, who was supposed to be in the custody of his father and Evelyn Nyheare, the ex-chorus girl who had disappeared with Westley. The news of Westley’s return was disclosed by a milkman who serves residents in the village.

75 Years Ago, 1949: For 147 million Americans, the Fourth of July is a national holiday marked by firework displays, parades, speeches, and picnics. However, for nearly 200 residents of Delaware County, it is also a day of celebration for their birthdays. One such individual is Rutherford W. King, a white-haired man residing at 114 N. Springfield Ave., Clifton Heights, who will be celebrating his 93rd Fourth of July birthday. Mr. King, a former florist, is known for his patriotic craft of creating American flags using flowers, specifically sweet peas and tempered wax. Originally from Harrisburg, he honed his skills in Paris, where he learned the art of flag-making at a young age.

50 Years Ago, 1974: Dr. Clarence R. Moll, the President of Widener College and newly appointed chairman of the Chester Bicentennial Committee, announced plans for the committee to visit the William Penn’s Landing area for potential development. The committee aims to explore opportunities for enhancing the historical significance of the area in preparation for the upcoming bicentennial celebrations.

25 Years Ago, 1999: Ridley High School’s video magazine was honoured with an Award of Honor by the Pennsylvania School Press Association. The magazine, sponsored by English Department faculty members Mary Ann Black and Michael Iannacci, featured a video segment hosted by students Marcie Thurstlic and Justin Leahy for the Boeing Co.’s Community Fund. Collaborating with Boeing’s Jeanette Pulti and Doug Williamson, students George Brown, Mike Capozzoli, John Erbayri, Ellen Donahue, Scott Tryon, and Dave Shinkle produced a locally filmed and designed video for Boeing employees.

10 Years Ago, 2014: Despite barricaded steel doors and double locks, Upper Darby police successfully apprehended two brothers for alleged drug dealing. The 24-year-old and 22-year-old siblings were arrested in their shared residence early in the morning after attempting to flush cocaine down the toilet upon the police’s arrival. Superintendent Michael Chitwood revealed that the police could hear the brothers moving around the house and flushing drugs down the toilet before gaining entry and making the arrests.

— COLIN AINSWORTH