Introduction
A.J.'s Touch of Class Lounge, November 22, 2003.
The building at 2461 South 7th Street was the home of the 14th Ward Democratic Club as early as 1936 through at least 1977. In the mid-1930s, former professional boxer John “Jackie” Hindle worked there as the bartender. At some point around 2001 the building became the home of Martin's Bar, which had for over 50 years been located a few hundred feet away at 732 Morgan Boulevard.
In February of 2002 a shooting took place outside of the new Martin's Bar. This may have led to an apparent change of ownership, as by the summer of 2003 the building at 2461 South 7th Street was trading as A.J.'s Touch of Class Lounge.
Bartender to Get Raid Hearing Today
Camden Courier-Post —
Employe of 14th Ward Democratic Club Faces Charge of Gambling Suspicion
John “Jackie” Hindle, 35, of 685 Woodland avenue, will appear before Judge Lewis Liberman at a continued hearing today in connection with a raid on the Fourteenth Ward Democratic club, 2461 South Seventh street.
Hindle, a former boxer, who is bartender at the club, was arrested Friday night by Patrolman John V. Wilkie. Wilkie, armed with a John Doe warrant, raided the club for slot machines, but found none visible. Hindle was booked on the charge of “on suspicion and violating the city gambling ordinances.”
At a hearing Saturday before Liberman, Joseph Lipkin, Camden attorney and vice president of the club appeared as Hindle's counsel and asked that the case be dismissed. He stated that William E. Davis, of 3072 Constitution road, Wilkie's informant, was expelled from his office, as trustee of the club a week ago for conduct unbecoming a member. Judge Liberman refused the motion for dismissal and said he would hear Wilkie's testimony.
Wilkie testified that when he was unable to find the machines he asked the president of the club to open the safe. The president, Wilkie said, told him that the bartender was the only man who knew the combination. The bartender told him, Wilkie said, that the treasurer had the combination and he lived in Hurffville. Lipkin asked Wilkie if he found any gambling in the club and the policeman testified that he did not. Wilkie also said that under cross examination that Davis gave him the key to the club.
Lipkin asked Wilkie to turn the key over to him but Judge Liberman told Wilkie to keep it until today and ordered him to bring Davis into court. Hindle was released in the $1000 bail posted Friday for his release by John P. Bissinger, Fourteenth Ward Democratic leader and chief clerk of the city district court.
Wilkie arrested Davis at his home Saturday and took him to headquarters, where he was booked as a material witness in the case, and released in $50 security to appear today.
Court Frees Hindle After Gaming Raid
Camden Courier-Post —
Rules Evidence Insufficient in 14th Ward Club Raid
Gambling charges against John “Jackie” Hindle, former boxer, growing out Patrolman John V. Wilkie's raid on the Fourteenth Ward Democratic Club, were dismissed in police court yesterday for lack of evidence.
In freeing Hindle, Judge Lewis Liberman said “there was no doubt” in his mind that there were gambling machines in the club, but that no testimony had been offered to prove the former boxer either had possession of them or operated them. Hindle is bartender and steward at the club, located at 2467 South Seventh street.
Patrolman Wilkie led a raid at the club Friday night after William E. Davis, of 3072 Constitution road, signed a complaint charging gambling was conducted there. Davis is a former trustee at the club.
At a hearing on Saturday, Joseph Lipkin, an attorney, represented Hindle and asked that the case be dismissed. Judge Liberman, however, postponed the hearing and ordered Wilkie to have Davis in court yesterday. Lipkin is vice-president of the club.
Wilkie arrested Davis after the hearing as a material witness and he was released in $50 security. Davis was the principal witness yesterday and was questioned by City Prosecutor John H. Reiners, Jr.
“When were you last in the club?” Reiners asked. “On July 9,” Davis replied. “Did you see any gambling devices?” “No, not on that night, but two weeks before that I did. I saw several members playing slot machines.”
“Who had charge of these machines?” “Hindle would take them out of the safes and place them on top every night and when the club closed he would put them back in the safes.”
When Reiners asked who were the members playing the machines, Lipkin objected and was sustained by the court. “The charges here concern Hindle, not the players,” Liberman said.
“How did the public get into the club?” Reiners asked. “They had to have a key to get in.” “Did you ever see Hindle take the money out of these machines?” “No, a man by the name of Larry Cozzens took it out.”
Under cross-examination by Lipkin, Davis admitted he was a former trustee at the club. “Then as a trustee, you know Hindle had no control over club property, didn't you?” Lipkin asked. “No, he had no control over it,” Davis replied.
Judge Liberman interposed to pass sentence, but was interrupted by Reiners. “I have just been informed by Inspector Wilkie,” Reiners said, “that the club is willing to turn over the slot machines.”
“I have no doubt the machines were in the club,” Judge Liberman said, “but there is no evidence here to show that Hindle had possession of them or operated them. I will dismiss the charge.”
After the hearing, Police Chief Arthur Colsey was asked to comment upon the case and said: “I don't know what will happen now that police have no evidence that there are slot machines operating in the club.”
Dart Tournament Continues Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
24 Matches Scheduled to Be Played in Championship Event
The second matches of the South Jersey Golden Dart Tournament will be held tonight with a total of 24 contests, the same sites reversed. The same teams which met in the openers on Monday night will pair off tonight at opposite sites. Finals of the event will be played at Eagles Hall, near Broadway and Washington streets, following completion of preliminary rounds. Both team and singles champions will be the finals of the final rounds at Eagles Hall.
District No. 1: Hi-Hat Club at Bridge Cafe, Kernan's Cafe at Harry's Taproom, Clancey's Cafe at Big Ed's Cafe, Larry's Cafe at Lynch's Cafe, Morgan's Cafe at Nittinger's Cafe.
District No. 2: Big Horn at Jack's Grille, Cooperson's at Scotty's Thistle's, Vari's Cafe at Davalo's Cafe, Bush's Cafe at La Victoria, Shantytown Cafe at Billy's Cafe.
District No. 3: Phil Hart's Cafe at Pavonia House, White Owl Inn at George's Grill, Dick's Rendezvous at Dragon Inn, Royal Inn at Bismark Cafe.
District No. 4: Ginger's Cafe at Daly's Cafe, Kenure's Cafe at Knauer's Cafe, Fourteenth Ward D. C. at Oaklyn Inn, Blanche's Cafe at Duke Gartland's, Regan's Cafe at Bellevue Inn.
District No. 5: Bettlewood Cafe at Mulvihill's Cafe, Barrington Cafe at Chews Landing Hotel, Laurel Inn at Starr's Cafe, Gruber's Inn at Welcome Inn, Somerdale Bowling Alleys at Blackwood Cafe.
April 20, 1959 Banquet Program Advertisement
Veteran's Boxing Association Ring No. 6
Advertisement in the April 20, 1959 Veterans Boxing Association Ring No. 6 banquet program.