Evening journal., 1917-05-18
NEWS HAPPENINGS
ABOUT NEW Castle
John S. King Rounds Out
81 Years of Age
Today
OFFICIALS RAID
A CRAP GAME

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL
NEW CASTLE. May 1S.--John $.
King. said TO be the oldest person in
New Castle, is 81 today. Enjoying
fairly good health. no is fast ap-
preaching the four score and ten
mark which he hopes TO obtain. and
then, perhaps, If old age does not
sit TOO heavily upon his head. he may
strive for the century mark and make
up his mind he'd like to live to be a
hundred. Mr.. King Is spending the
day quietly calling on q few relatives
and friends and receiving visits IN
turn. and has been congratulated and
fclicitatcd on every hand on his ripe
old age.
Born in New Castle, Mr. King has
spent practically his entire life here.
He lived in Wilmington two or three
times for short periods when his
work took him there but New Castle
has always been his home. The
little house, small and low beside IT'S
more modern neighbOrs whore he
was born. Is still standing on Second
street next TO the residence OF John
Newlove.
Mr.. King Is a machinist by trade,
and served his apprenticeship I'm the
shops Of the old New Castle Manu-
featuring Company repairing locomo-
lives. In those days the city was
not much OF a place and oven when
he had advanced toward middle age
there were no manufacturing plants
here. Mr. King looks back to the
days Of the old F'renchtown Railroad.
which ran from the boat landing
across the peninsula connecting on
The other side with a boat for Balti-
more. In those days communication
with Philadelphia was principally by
boat
Mr. King did not serve in the Civil
War. but he. lived through those war
times. He said things were high,
but no higher than they are now
Wages were low in those days how
ever. his wages. after he had served
his time and became q full ledged
mechanic. being $40 a week For
$40 or S12 a week any one could hire
FIRST class mechanic In those times
and the working days were from
10 6.
Mr.. King Is a widower. his wife
having died about ten years ago. He
lives with a married daughter Mrs
Mary Eagle on Fourth street, neal
Delaware. Two more sons constitute
his family. william r. King. who live
IN Toledo Ohio and John G. King
OF New Castle one of the bailins n
the county courts at Wilmington. Mr.
King is a member Of the Methods
Church. having joined 65 years ago
Having been informed by an oflcia
or the Bethlehem steel plant tina
some OF the wOrlmon employed Their
made a practice of shooting crap nea
the plant Mayor Lavender an
Magistrate Taylor and posse swoop
cd down upon a game yesterday an
captured FIVE men whom they CLAIM
were engaged I'm the game One O
the five George Young. was arraignel
before Magistrate Taylor last night
He pleaded guilty and paid fine o
$40 and costs Four others did no
appear at o'clock the hour set. bu
the police expect TO get them. Upoi
receiving the complaint Mayor Caven
der and Magistrate Taylor collects
a posse. including Ohcers Lewis an
Nickerson. and entering the mayor
automobile were carried 10 the neigh
borhood of the spot where the allege
gamblers we're IN the habit Of congrc
eating during the noon hour. hecom
ing so interested in the game tina
they would forget TO return 20 wor
tho Bethlehem official said When IN
game got 10 going full swing the of
GERS sprang out from their hidin
places and caught five men, Takiu
their numbers. Magistrate Taylor Il
them return TO their work ate
ordering each one to appear befoi
him at o'clock last night As
has the numbers of the four WI
were not on hand al the time spec
ned. Magistrate Taylor is not so pr
ticular whether the men come bofol