Introduction
George Dilmore Sr. operated a saloon at 339–341 Kaighn Avenue, the corner of South 4th Street and Kaighn Avenue in the 1890s and 1910s. He first appears in Camden City Directories in 1894. Directories indicate that he operated his business at 341 Kaighn Avenue while making his residence at 339 Kaighn. He also operated a bottling business during this period.
In December of 1896 the saloon came to the attention of the police and newspapers when a former policeman patronizing the bar, Daniel Lee, was shot and killed by another patron, Edward Melson. Both men had been drinking at the time. Despite numerous witnesses, Melson was acquitted of the crime when tried in January of 1897, much to the apparent disbelief of Prosecutor Wilson Jenkins, Law Judge G.D.W. Vroom, and Associate New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Charles Grant Garrison.
George Dilmore successfully operated his business on Kaighn Avenue through at least 1906. By 1910 he had relocated to 531 Market Street in the heart of downtown Camden, a stone’s throw from the Camden County Courthouse, where he remained in business through at least 1914.
The bar at 341 Kaighn Avenue was acquired by the Palese family by 1910. The building was not used as a bar once Prohibition was enacted. By 1947 Camden Bar and Restaurant Supply was operating at the address. The building still stands today, in use by a non-profit agency in Camden.
One of George Dilmore’s sons, William M. Dilmore, served as the City of Camden’s Purchasing Agent.
Roundabout the State
Trenton Evening Times —
What is Transpiring in Neighboring Towns and Counties
Sleighing all over the State, especially in South Jersey, is of the best.
A large number of counterfeit dollars and halves are being circulated in Paulsboro and Pennsgrove.
A cargo of Burlington county turkeys, some of them weighing as much as thirty-five pounds, have been shipped to England.
The Camden Grand Jury yesterday found a true bill against Edward T. Melson for the murder of ex-Policeman Daniel Lee, last Friday morning.
New Year’s Day Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mummers Were Out in Strong Force to Give Fantastic Greeting to ‘97.
Poor Not Forgotten
New Year’s Day was more generally observed in Camden yesterday than for many years. The mummers were out in greater force than ever before. Three local New Year’s associations contested for prizes offered by social organizations and business houses. The George S. Dilmore and the Fireside New Year’s associations made their initial bow to the public yesterday, and each carried handsome banners presented by their female friends. Both organizations belong in South Camden. North Camden was represented by the J. H. Trainer New Year’s Association.
Competing for Prizes
The friendly rivalry between the organizations resulted in some handsome costumes being displayed in their efforts to outdo each other. The Dilmore Association has a membership of 267, and turned out a large number of mummers. Clement H. Haines is captain. After parading through the principal streets of Camden they crossed the river to Philadelphia. A wagon, that brought up the rear of their parade, was filled with cakes that had been won. An amusing feature of the display was the “Dilmore Guards.” They were dressed in green suits, wore football hair and carried tin toy guns. A football team was represented with one of their number carried on a stretcher.
The Fireside Association was led by Captain John Dangleman and about 200 members fantastically dressed were in line. A Cuban flag, about twenty-five feet wide by fifty feet in length, was carried by twenty boys. They had the Sixth Regiment band and the Ivy Fife and Drum Corps. They crossed the river to Philadelphia and captured a number of prizes.
The J. H. Trainer Association also made a creditable display, and won several prizes. Walter J. Stanton was captain.
The Poor Remembered
The young Men’s Christian Association kept open house all day at their headquarters, on Federal Street, above Broadway. The building was prettily decorated with greens. An interesting program, consisting of vocal and instrumental music, volley ball, gymnastics and games of all kinds, was rendered. An interesting lot of relics was displayed in the library by Haydon West. Refreshments were served by the Ladies’ Auxiliary all day.
The poor in the southern section of Camden were not forgotten during the day’s festivities. “Long John” Gallagher, a practical philanthropist, who has a restaurant and lodging house at 330 Atlantic Avenue, distributed 500 fish cakes, 50 gallons of coffee, a like quantity of soup and several hundred loaves of bread to the needy.
In North Camden 200 loaves of bread were given out at Sixth and Elm Streets to the poor in that section of the city.
Nearly all the political and social organizations kept open house.
On Trial for His Life
The North American —
Edward Melson Charged With the Murder of Ex-Policeman Lee.
Fired Before a Blow Was Struck
Testimony Tending to Show That the Shooting Was Not Done in Self Defence.
Edward Melson was placed on trial in the Camden County Court yesterday on a charge of killing Daniel Lee, an ex-policeman, in George Dillmore’s saloon, at Fourth Street and Kaighn Avenue. The court-room was crowded. The jury was drawn with but little trouble.
In opening the case the States attorney said they would show that about 3 o’clock in the morning of December 12, while several persons were drinking and having a pleasant social time in Delmore’s saloon, the defendant, without provocation, drew a revolver and fired a bullet through ex-Policeman Lee’s heart.
One of the State’s chief witnesses, a man who was present when the fatal shot was fired, was George Emley, of 565 Walnut Street. He knew both the deceased and the defendant. He said that he was in Delmore’s saloon nearly one hour when Melson came in. There were present Lee, Burrows, Martin, Charles Morgan and witness. Lee was in the saloon when the witness entered to the barroom. He said that Melson was requested to sing, which he did. There were some remarks made which the witness could not hear. Lee said, “Well, we will let that drop.” Melson replied, “Well, I will never leave you.”
Melson then backed off, pulled out a revolver, and shot Lee. Witness saw the shot fired, and saw Melson draw the revolver from his hip pocket. After Lee was shot he backed to the Kaighn Avenue door, opened it, and fell to the floor. George Delmore, Jr., then knocked the revolver out of Melson’s hand. Burrows and the witness threw Melson down. Witness said that they had to wrestle with the defendant in order to get the pistol. Up to the time of the shooting there had not been a blow struck.
On cross-examination the witness said that Melson said, “Danny, it will do you no good to hit me.” Beyond this counsel for the defendant failed to shake his direct testimony.
Policemen Painter and Dall, who ran to the saloon and arrested Melson, testified that Lee made no resistance. The prisoner and his victim, who died a few minutes after the shooting, were taken to the City Hall together in a patrol wagon.
Lawyer Rex, in opening for the defence, said he would show that the killing of Daniel Lee was the result of a drunken brawl and not murder in the first or second degree. He would ask for a verdict of manslaughter, as the defendant thought he had a perfect right to defend his life, knowing as he did the character of Lee.
He then called Melson to the stand. The latter said he resided at 220 Mt. Vernon Street, and knew Lee.
Roundabout the State
Trenton Evening Times —
What is Transpiring in Neighboring Towns and Counties
To the bewilderment of many who had watched the case, the Camden jury last evening acquitted Edward T. Melson of the murder of ex-Policeman Daniel Lee. Justice Garrison looked at the twelve men sharply for an instant, bit his lip, turned to Law Judge Vroom and made some remark and then declared Melson free. Judge Vroom’s brows were knitted, while Prosecutor of the Pleas Jenkins started in blank amazement.
Burglary Attempt at Dilmore’s Saloon
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Policeman Fitzsimmons saw a man acting suspiciously at Fourth Street and Kaighn Avenue early yesterday morning. When the policeman approached the man fled. The officer gave chase, but the man escaped. Later the policeman found that the front window of the saloon of George S. Dilmore had been forced and raised. Nothing of value was taken.