Introduction
Emil Muckensturm was in the bar business in Camden as far back as 1906, when the City Directory for that year shows him operating a saloon at 1473 Haddon Avenue. He had been operating a bar with his wife Elizabeth in South Philadelphia at 1912 South 4th Street a few years before that. Sadly Elizabeth Muckensturm passed away sometime thereafter, leaving him with two children, Elizabeth and Emil Jr.
Emil Muckensturm was still at 1473 Haddon Avenue as late as the summer of 1910. By this time he was again married, to the former Ruth E. Dansenbaker. By 1914 he had moved his business to 1445 Haddon Avenue, and painted his name on the north wall. The words “Emil Muckensturm Saloon” can still be read in 2007. Emil Muckensturm died in 1925.
When Prohibition was repealed, the bar opened back up for full service. The bar was operated by Emil Muckensturm’s wife Ruth. Her grand-daughter Dorothy and her husband, Alfred Chapman, operated it as Chapman’s Cafe through the late 1970s. It has been known as Charley’s Place since the 1990s.
Emil Muckensturm Jr. operated other bars in Camden and South Jersey in the 1930s, including the Parkside Grill on Kaighn Avenue, and the Kingsway Tavern in Mount Ephraim.
1445 Haddon Avenue — March 16, 2003
1445 Haddon Avenue as it appeared on March 16, 2003, then the site of Charley’s Place. The painted sign “Emil Muckensturm Saloon” remains visible on the north wall.
Passed Bogus Bills In Stores Here, Boy Reveals To Police
Camden Morning Post —
Tells Weird Tale of Being “Taken for Ride” by Three Men
Feared Death in River
A 19-year-old coffee salesman yesterday confessed, according to the police, to passing counterfeit $10 bills in Camden saloons and drug stores. He then told a strange story of being taken for a ride and threatened with death by drowning.
He gave his name as Harry Yellin, of 830 Mt. Vernon Street. After signing the alleged confession, he was held by city police for agents of the United States Department of Justice.
According to his story to detectives, Yellin was seized by three men Monday night, carried off in their automobile and taken to the banks of a creek or river. There, stones were tied around his neck and the men threatened to throw him in the water unless he told where he kept collections from coffee sales. Finally, however, they released him.
Yellin was arrested charged with loitering when he was unable to explain his presence at 4 a. m. at Third and Spruce streets to Motorcycle Patrolman Thomas Kauffman.
At headquarters, Yellin was recognized by Detective Benjamin Simon as a counterfeit suspect, Simon said. With Detectives Clifford Del Rossi and Clarence Arthur, Yellin was questioned for more than an hour before he confessed.
Simon quoted Yellin as follows regarding the “ride” story:
“Sometime after midnight, three men picked me up somewhere in Camden and forced me into their car and under threats of death, demanded that I tell them where I kept large sums of money I collected on my coffee route. I told them I did not collect any large sums of money and they drove me to the bank of some creek or river, I don’t know which, and tied several huge rocks around my neck.
“One of the men ordered me to be thrown in the water and they were about to push me in when they changed their minds, took the rocks from my neck and ordered me back in the car. They drove me to Second and Clinton streets, where they pushed me out, and I was on my way home when I was arrested.
“These men kept asking me while they were riding me around in their car if I was passing any counterfeit money, and when I told them I was not, they insisted about asking me about counterfeit money. I have an idea they wanted to see if I would talk and I think they were members of the New York counterfeit gang, several of which I met when I was in New York. When they found out I wouldn’t talk, I guess they decided everything was all right.”
Yellin’s Confession
Following is the alleged counterfeiting confession Simon said Yellin made:
“Some time ago after I got these counterfeit notes in a hotel in New York from two fellows introduced to me as ‘Joe’ and ‘Eddie,’ I came to Camden and got rid of them as soon as I could. When I met these men, they suggested that we shoot some crap, after which they offered to sell me some counterfeit bills. I bought three of the $10 notes for $15, and they gave me the rest of them for good measure.
“The first one I passed was in a saloon at Haddon Avenue and Whitman Avenue. I bought a glass of beer and a package of cigarettes in this place. The next one was in a drug store at the northeast corner of Seventh and Pine streets, where I again purchased a pack of cigarettes.
“The third bill I passed in a saloon on Market Street above Delaware Avenue. I think the name is Thompson’s Grille. I bought a pack of cigarettes and a glass of beer. The next one was passed in a drug store at Mt. Ephraim Avenue and Everett Street. One in a cafe on Walnut Street near Broadway, and another in a drug store on Broadway near Mt. Vernon. I got $9 in change from a drunken man at the Parkside Grille, on Kaighn Avenue near Haddon Avenue, and passed another in a grocery store at Fourth and Royden Streets, where I purchased a can of oil.”
According to Detective Simon a warrant has been issued charging Yellin with larceny of a watch and field glasses, valued at $55, from his two brothers. He will be arraigned today on this count before Judge Pancoast.
Merchantville Cadet Is Wenonah Orator
Camden Courier-Post —
Wenonah, May 31—Merritt Hutton Hursh of Glenolden, Winfred J. Shewell of Narberth, and Edgar Tomlinson of Merchantville have been selected by Major L. L. Lammert, headmaster of Wenonah Military Academy, as honor speakers for the commencement program on June 9. The cadets will vie for the annual academy prize. Hursh recently was selected for the West Point Military Academy appointment.
Promotions within the past week in the cadet battalion by Colonel Stanley R. Putnam were: Corporals, Emil Muckensturm of Camden and Joseph Zebly of Lewisburg, Pa.; first class privates, Raymond Di Marco, Haddonfield and George Miller, Philadelphia.
The cadet band furnished music yesterday at the Egg Harbor Memorial Day exercises. After the parade the band members were guests at a dinner given by Mr. and Mrs. George Senn, whose son, Robert, is one of the musicians.
Mary Louise Allen, of Bridgeton, South Jersey ‘Blossom Time Queen’ and committee presented a silver plaque Sunday afternoon at a special ceremony witnessed by more than 1000 persons, the largest gathering this year at Wenonah. The token was given for the best appearance of military units in the Bridgeton celebration, several weeks ago and as official escort to Miss Allen. Cadet Major Manual Frome received the gift in behalf of the academy. Capt. Fred Patten and his musicians gave a half-hour concert before the presentation.
Tavern Keeper To Get Hearing In Mt. Ephraim
Camden Courier-Post —
A hearing before Mt. Ephraim borough commission was scheduled for 10 a. m. today for Emil Muckenstrum, operator of the Kingsway Tavern, on charges preferred by State A.B.C. agents that he kept his bar open and sold beer until 3:30 a. m., Sunday, January 9, in violation of the 2 a. m. closing ordinance.
Mrs. Ruth E. Muckensturm
Camden Courier-Post —
Services for Mrs. Ruth E. Muckensturm, who died Saturday after an illness of 10 days, will be held Wednesday at the funeral home of Frank J. Leonard, 1451 Broadway. Burial will be in Harleigh cemetery.
Mrs. Muckensturm was owner of a taproom at 1445 Haddon Avenue. She was the widow of Emil Muckensturm, a Camden saloonkeeper for many years. He died in 1925.
Mrs. Muckensturm is survived by a grandson, Elmer Hann, and a granddaughter, Mrs. Dorothy Chapman.