This & That 3/8/2014

Welcome To Another Week Of

This & That

By Jack Coll

3-8-14

     This & That is a column made up of a little bit of this, and a little bit of that, mostly things I’ve run across while researching other projects.  Typically my sources for this column come from old newspapers or old records and I try to date each piece and bring it to you word for word, mistakes and all.  With all that being said I’ll start this weeks This & That with an un-dated piece found under “Talk of the Town.”  While rummaging through my firehouse files I came across this piece pertaining to the performance of “Firefighters,” see if you agree!

UN-DATED

     Wives of volunteer firemen seldom get to fires and hear comments of spectators, favorable and otherwise.  To give their wives an idea of what some misguided people say of firemen, members of Fairmount Engine Co. No. 2 of Norristown, distributed reprints from the “Chicago Firefighter” to their wives and guests at their 106^th anniversary banquet.  It states:

When the fire trucks are delayed 40 seconds in traffic,

People say: “It took them 20 minutes to get here.”

When the truck races at 40 miles an hour, it’s

“look at those reckless fools.”

When four men struggle with an eight man ladder:

“They don’t even know how to raise a ladder.”

When fireman break open windows for ventilation to reduce heat in fighting a fire:

“Look at the wrecking crew.”

When they open the floor to get at the blaze:

“There goes the ax squad.”

If the chief stands back where he can see and direct his men, people say:

“He’s afraid to go where he sends his men.”

If they lose a building:

“It’s a lousy department.”

If they make a good “stop” folks say:

“The fire didn’t amount to much.”

If lots of water is necessary:

“They are doing more damage with water than the flames.”

If a fireman gets hurt:

“He was a careless guy.”

If a citizen gets hurt:

“It’s a crazy department.”

If a fireman inspects a citizen’s property:

He’s meddling in somebody’s business.”

If he wants a fire hazard corrected:

“I’ll see the boss.”

If he gets killed and leaves a family destitute:

“That’s the chance he took when he joined the fire department.”

***********************

(Jack’s Public Service Announcement Of The Week)

     So here’s the thing, if you ever muttered any of this, ever thought about any of this, or ever stated anything like this out loud, I can help you!  The next time you are going past a fire scene, you need to pull over, locate the Chief, that would be the guy with the white hat, and explain your concerns and then tell him or her, how they should be handling the fire, I’m sure you’ll get full cooperation!

 (No need to thank me, now onto more of This & That)

 

November 25, 1984

Unfurnished Apartment For Rent

Conshohocken

Beautiful (2) bedroom, kitchen, dining, living,

bath, laundry room.  Private off-street parking,

wall-to-wall carpet, air conditioning, intercom system.

$490.00 per month, plus electric, no pets.

March 7, 1944

Chief Bender Speaks Here

St. Matthew’s Assn. sponsors visit of Indian athlete

     Close to five hundred parishioners and guests attended an interesting program presented Sunday night at 8:45 in the auditorium of St. Matthew’s parochial grade school under the auspices of St. Matthew’s High School Athletic Association.

     Charles Albery “Chief” Bender widely known American Indian athlete and former pitching ace of Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics was guest speaker at the event, which also took on the nature of a rally for St. Matthew’s High School basketball team preparatory to its important game with the Eastern Catholic team. 

 March 5, 1936

Newt Lawler Top Scorer in Church Loop

St. Cosmas Center Sets Pace With 133 Points—

Bean and Friend Tied For Second Place—

Heller, Episcopal, Third.

     Tommy “Newt” Lawler, former Conshohocken High School player, and star center on the St. Cosmas team, topped all players in scoring in the Conshohocken Basketball League during the season just closed.  The premier pivot man in this section played in all ten games and rolled up the grand total of 133 points to lead by a wide margin.  Alfred Bean of Episcopal, and Bill Friend, Methodist, are tied for second place with 78 points each.

 September 29, 1966

Saints Top Kenrick 13-7

     Archbishop Kennedy High’s eleven thrilled nearly 7,000 fans as it topped arch-rival Bishop Kenrick Friday night in Conshohocken, 13-7.  Kennedy will open the Suburban Catholic League schedule Sunday against Bishop Shanahan.

     Halfback George Pettine grabbed an aerial on the 21 in the first period, and tallied to put the Saints ahead 6-0.  Quarterback Joe DePaul tossed to Steve Irvin for the P A T.  Kenrick opened the second quarter with a 14 play series, climaxed by a three-yard touchdown sweep.

     The third period proceeded cautiously as both defensive teams settled down.  Then DePaul started a series of sweeps at the Kennedy 23, gaining 12, 12, and eight yards before the Kenrick squad tome on their own 45.  Undoubtedly, the visitors were ready for another sweep, but DePaul handed off to Nick Salamone, who went 25 yards to the Kenrick 20.

     Salamone took the ball two plays later on the 18 and snaked and slithered through the defense to hit paydirt and put the Saints on top.  An attempted pass for the P SA T was blocked and Kennedy led 13-7.  The Saints intercepted a pass with only five minutes remaining halting the final Kenrick threat.    

August 9, 1929

West Side Notes

Charles Rupp is today removing from 616 Ford Street to Conshohocken.

 Edward Leonard is having an addition built to his home on Josephine Avenue.

 Elwood Ingram will remove next week from Ford Street above Cedar Grove Avenue to E.3rd AveConshohocken

 Ralph D. of 251 Moorehead Avenue is having a concrete garage erected on the lot adjoininghis home

 Mrs. Wilmer Bath and two children of Ford Street will leave tomorrow for a sojourn in Wildwood NJ

Mrs. Bath is recovering from an illness and it is hoped that the salt air will be beneficial to her.

 Donald Keown, son of Rex Keown of Cedar Avenue underwent an operation for the removal of tonsils at the private hospital of Dr. T. DeLorme Fordyce Hector and Harry Streets this morning.

 

June 27, 1944

News of Local Men in Armed Forces