Introduction
The Hotel DuBosq appears in Camden City Directories as early as 1890, under the name New Junction Hotel. In that year it was run by Mrs. Katherine “Katie” Zimmerman, who lived on premises. Her late husband, William G. Zimmerman, had operated a business called the Junction Hotel nearby on Haddon Avenue south of Carman Street, opposite the Haddon Avenue rail station as far back as 1877. William G. Zimmerman died on February 29, 1888. He left two children, Pauline and Edward, who was born in July of 1887.
Mrs. Katherine Zimmerman inherited the business and the liquor license was transferred to her in March of 1888. A new building was erected on the northwest corner of South 6th Street and Bridge Avenue, alternately known as 39 South 6th Street and 595 Bridge Avenue. The business reopened as the New Junction Hotel on January 16, 1890. In November of 1893 the liquor license for the New Junction Hotel was transferred to John Haas. He ran the place for less than a year, passing away in October of 1894. An October 23, 1894 Camden Courier obituary for John Haas cites him as being the proprietor of the New Junction Hotel; he may have been a partner. On his death the license was transferred to his wife, Mrs. Fannie Haas, who operated the Hotel into 1895.
Apparently Mrs. Zimmerman retained ownership of the building, as she resumed management of the New Junction Hotel in January of 1896. In that same month she married J. Carrow DuBosq.
J. Carrow DuBosq was born around 1854 in Pennsylvania. His early years were spent learning the jewelers trade. At the time of the 1880 census, he was living at home with his widowed mother, Elizabeth DuBosq, on a farm in Montgomery Township, Montgomery County PA. Also at home were his first wife Sarah J., daughters Annie and Frances, and his sister Mary. As he got older, he went by the name J. Carrow DuBosq.
The Camden City Directories in the years 1887 through 1891 show Peter and Francis DuBosq working as jewelers in those years. It is likely that J. Carrow DuBosq came to Camden at some point after 1891, and eventually transitioned into another line of work, that of hotel and saloon keeper, when he became involved with Mrs. Katie Zimmerman. Their first child, Thaddeus, was born in 1897. Daughter Regina came one year later. Tragedy struck when Mrs. DuBosq was burned to death in a fire on December 10, 1901 which was ruled accidental.
By 1910 the business was known as the Hotel DuBosq. J. Carrow DuBosq was then raising his children, Thaddeus and Regina DuBosq alone, with his older sister Mary Frances living with the family as well. By 1916 J. Carrow DuBosq had renamed the business Hotel Aldine and was still running the business as late as the fall of 1918.
By the time of the 1920 Census was enumerated, J. Carrow DuBosq had leased his business to Agnes Wurst. He was still living on premises, with 595 Bridge Avenue given as his street address. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he was working as a machinist in a shipyard. Residing with him were his older sister Mary Frances, son Thaddeus, 22, daughter Regina Thompson, a 21-year-old divorcee, and his grandson Edmund, 3.
By September of 1921 the business had been renamed the Hotel Aldine, and was being run by Charles Nixon, who had previously kept a saloon at 1700 Federal Street, and who had been arrested in July of 1920 and August of 1921 for Prohibition violations.
J. Carrow DuBosq may have gone to Trenton NJ, where he was living when the Census was enumerated in 1930. By then he had retired. J. Carrow DuBosq passed away on February 11, 1939.
The Hotel Aldine was still in operation as late as May of 1924. It had been raided in March of 1924, and was raided again in May. Charles Nixon was running a speakeasy and disorderly house out of the premises. By November the business had closed and the property put up for public sale. Nixon was sentenced in 1925 to a short prison sentence for selling alcoholic beverages.
Frank Hineline of the Camden Lime Company bought the building and after remodeling the interior moved its offices into 39 South 6th Street in April of 1925. Camden Lime was still headquartered there as late as 1940. By November of 1941 Camden Lime had moved to 1433 Pine Street.
The 1947 Camden City Directory states that 39 South 6th Street was then the address of the American Red Cross production department.
The Junction Hotel & The New Junction Hotel
1885 and 1891 Sanborn Maps
The Junction Hotel (left) and the New Junction Hotel (right), from the 1885 and 1891 Sanborn fire insurance maps of Camden.
Died — William G. Zimmerman
Camden Courier —
DIED. Zimmerman. — In Camden, on the 28th inst., William G. Zimmerman, aged 32 years, 7 months and 25 days.
The relatives and friends of the family, also the members of Ottowa Tribe, No. 15, I. O. of R. M. and Red Men in general, Star of Bethlehem Lodge, No. 12, A. P. A., Gatling Gun Company B, and G. A. R. in general, Camden Mannerchor, Camden Liedertafel, Camden Unterstutzung and Herbecasse Verein, No. 1, Liquor Dealers Association, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral on Friday, at 2 o’clock P. M., from the residence, N. E. corner Haddon and Bridge avenues, Camden, N. J.
Interment at Harleigh cemetery.
New Junction Hotel Opens
Camden Daily Telegram —
Mrs. Katherine Zimmerman, who formerly kept the Junction Hotel, opposite the Haddon avenue railroad station, opened her handsome new hostelry at Sixth and Bridge avenue last night. The new hotel is complete in all its appointments and there was a large crowd present last night to enjoy the elegant lunch served.
Burglars at the New Junction Hotel
Camden Post —
The Junction Hotel, at Sixth and Bridge avenue, was entered by burglars, but were frightened off by the burglar alarm and Mrs. Kate Zimmerman, the proprietress.
The Truth
Camden Daily Telegram —
Will Float to the Surface Everytime — Carry a Good Head and We Will Tell It.
Camden, N. J., May 5, 1890. Mr. S. S. Applegate, Dear Sir: It is often said we lock the door after the horse is stolen, but thanks to your advice and urgent solicitation, this does not apply to me. Your Electric Alarm Mats, which you put in my new Junction Hotel, corner Sixth and Bridge avenue, no doubt saved me from being robbed last night. The burglars got in, but in the darkness, thinking it might be a member of the family, but no answer came, I called, and the alarm sounding in my household. The answer came “It’s all right,” but in a strange voice. I said, “No it’s not right,” and called again, and the revolver began investigating, but the rascals fled the way they came before I had a chance to try my aim as a markswoman.
I am satisfied the Mats saved me several times that cost of the combination. You ought to put five more Mats under my carpets as a precaution. What I considered a luxury, but you were right when you insisted they were a necessity.
I would also state that I am very well pleased with the electric light you put in my house, and I find the annunciator with the push buttons in the several rooms a great convenience, as it saves me many steps. I take pleasure in recommending your electric matting as well as your work in general electric construction.
Yours respectfully, Katharine Zimmerman.
New Junction Hotel
Camden City Directory — 1892–1893
New Junction Hotel. N. W. Cor. Sixth and Bridge Avenue. Camden, N. J.
This new and elegantly appointed Hotel, with accommodation for man and beast, is located at the Junction of W. J. and P. R. R., N. W. Cor. Sixth and Bridge Avenue. All trains stop in front of the house. Reached by Street Cars from all parts of the City. Board Daily and Weekly. Meals at All Hours.
Choice Wines, Liquors and Cigars.
Mrs. Wm. G. Zimmerman, Proprietress.
Camden's Excise Commission's Work
Camden Daily Telegram —
Camden’s Excise Commission’s Work.
At a meeting of the City Excise Board last night the following applications for the transfer of retail liquor licenses were granted: Katharine Zimmerman, Sixth and Bridge avenue, to John Haas; George Jones, Trenton avenue and Line street, to Oscar Myers; Catharine Rimke, southeast corner Fourth and Mechanic streets, to Jonathan Cox; Charles Laicher, 982 Bulson street, to Broadway and Lemon street; James Ferguson, 394 Pine street, to Patrick J. McGoohan.
Passed to Eternity's Shores
Camden Courier —
Age and Youth Falls Before the Grim Reaper’s Sickle.
The funeral of John Haas, aged 55 years, the proprietor of the Junction Hotel, takes place this afternoon from his late residence, Sixth and Bridge avenue. He belonged to nearly all the German societies in the city. These are invited to attend the funeral, as well as Cyrene Castle, No. 27, K. G. E.
Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Former Councilman John W. Coleman, of the East Side, is enjoying a two weeks’ vacation from his duties as assistant cashier of the Southwark National Bank, of Philadelphia. He has been having great sport the past week on the weakfish grounds, at South Atlantic City.
George Horner will spend his vacation at Beach Haven.
Albert Kemble and family are sojourning at the seashore.
Jersey Beaston is at Portland, Me., on a business trip.
George Blake and family are enjoying sea breezes at Atlantic City.
Councilman Theodore Leas enjoyed an ocean sail at Atlantic City on Wednesday.
Carrow Du Bosq has been spending the past ten days at South Atlantic City with his family. He is an enthusiastic fisherman, and has made large catches of weakfish during his vacation.
V. L. Cavanna and family have gone to Atlantic City for a month’s sojourn.
The Misses Kemmerer, of Eleventh and Federal streets, left yesterday for an extended visit among relatives at Lebanon, Pa.
Druggist George J. Pechin has his family located in his cottage at National Park, for the summer.
James McCormick and wife are sojourning at Atlantic City.
Miss Lillian Bernhart is at Long Branch.
Prosecutor Jenkins and family are enjoying the sea breezes at Atlantic City.
Councilman Arthur Abele spent Wednesday at Atlantic City.
Miss Malinda Mansfield is visiting Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher, of Langhorne, Pa.
Young Girl Missing
Camden Post-Telegram —
Zimmerman Disappears from Home.
Left on Tuesday and Her Parents are Unable to Secure any Trace of Her.
Pauline Zimmerman, the 15-year-old daughter of Mrs. Katie DuBosq, wife of J. Carrow DuBosq, proprietor of the New Junction Hotel, Sixth street and Bridge avenue, has been missing from her home since Tuesday, and her parents are greatly worried over her absence. Pauline, who is a pretty blonde and looks to be 17 years old, left home early on Tuesday, and as she did not return in the evening, her parents became uneasy. None of her girl friends had seen her during the day, and as she did not return yesterday, Mr. DuBosq notified the police.
Yesterday he spent several hours visiting relatives in Philadelphia, hoping to locate the missing girl, but was unable to find any traces of her. He learned this morning from a friend that Pauline was seen on Market street, Philadelphia, about noon on Tuesday.
It is the opinion of some that Pauline may have eloped, as she is known to have been fond of the society of a man much older than herself, and has frequently been seen in his company. No later than Sunday night she was seen in the vicinity of Eighth and Cherry streets, in company with the man.
A bundle of Pauline's clothes, which she left with a neighbor on Tuesday before her departure, was turned over to Mr. DuBosq this morning. The missing girl's parents are greatly annoyed over stories Pauline has told neighbors, in which she alleges cruelty and abuse. Mr. DuBosq absolutely denied ever ill treating Pauline and claims that she told these stories to excite sympathy.
Gas Overcomes Mother and Two Children
Camden Daily Courier —
Accident Befalls Mrs. Du Bosq That Almost Proved Fatal.
Mrs. Katarina DuBosq, wife of J. Carrow DuBosq, proprietor of the New Junction Hotel at Sixth and Bridge avenue, came nearly asphyxiating herself and her two little children early yesterday morning. Mrs. DuBosq and her children retired early on Monday evening. Shortly after midnight yesterday Mr. DuBosq detected a stifling odor of gas permeating the hotel. Tracing the offensive smell to his wife’s room he was startled to find her and the two children gasping and moaning for breath. The room was filled with gas, the stench nearly knocking Mr. DuBosq down. Throwing open the windows, Mr. DuBosq hastily summoned a physician, who succeeded in resuscitating the victims of the deadly vapor. The doctor said, however, that they had a very narrow escape from death.
A rumor prevailed that Mrs. DuBosq, worried almost to death by the disappearance of her daughter Pauline, had attempted to end her life. The rumor was indignantly denied by Mr. DuBosq. He said that it was purely an accident, the gas escaping from a break in the hose leading from a gas jet to a small gas stove.
Mrs. Katie Du Bosq Burned to Death
Camden Daily Courier —
Found Ablaze by Her Husband at Their Berlin Home.
Clothing Entirely Burned Off.
J. Carrow Du Bosq Suffers Severe Injuries While Trying to Rescue His Imperiled Wife — Cause of the Frightful Accident Can Not Be Conjectured.
Mrs. Katharine DuBosq, wife of J. Carrow DuBosq, the saloonkeeper at Sixth and Bridge avenue, was burned to death this afternoon at Berlin.
The circumstances under which Mrs. DuBosq was burned are most peculiar and will probably never be satisfactorily explained. The DuBosq's have a summer home at Berlin and had been spending a few days there. This morning they were preparing to return to this city. Mrs. DuBosq was upstairs, presumably packing some clothing to bring to this city, and her husband was on the first floor.
Suddenly DuBosq was startled by hearing screams for help coming from the second floor. Hastening up stairs he found his wife enveloped in flames. The flames were burning fiercely and the woman appeared to be a living torch. Her husband flew to her rescue and did battle with the fire. He finally succeeded in extinguishing the blaze, but not before every stitch of clothing had been burned from the woman's body. She was most horribly burned and her husband was himself severely burned in the work of rescue.
Outside aid was summoned and the suffering woman, who had lapsed into unconsciousness, was taken to the railroad station and brought to Camden, reaching here on the 1.39 train. Baggagemaster Thomas and a number of men at the Haddon avenue station joined in carrying her to the Cooper Hospital. Three physicians took charge of her and did all they could to alleviate her sufferings and save her life. It was all in vain, the deadly flames had done their work and she expired at 3 o'clock.
Du Bosq states that he has no idea how the accident could have possibly happened. He says there was some oil up stairs and presumes his wife must have been using it for some purpose, but for what he can not tell. He declares himself to be as much in the dark about it all as those who were not in the house.
Mrs. Du Bosq was thirty-eight years old and was the widow of the late William Zimmerman, a well known saloonkeeper who died about twelve years ago. As Katie Zimmerman, she continued the business and subsequently married Du Bosq. Zimmerman's father kept the old Diamond Cottage Park years ago, where now stands what is left of the old park as Diamond Cottage Grove.
Did Mrs. DuBosq Commit Suicide?
Camden Post-Telegram —
Worriment, it is Said, Had Shattered Her Health.
The death of Mrs. Katherine Du Bosq yesterday, due to burns received at Berlin, where she was temporarily stopping, was a great shock to her host of friends in this city, and much sympathy is expressed for Mr. Du Bosq, the bereaved husband.
For months past, Mrs. Du Bosq had been greatly upset in mind, due in a large measure to worriment about her 16-year-old daughter, Pauline, who was recently placed in the State Industrial Home for Girls, and from which institution she made a desperate attempt to escape.
Several months ago Mrs. Du Bosq narrowly escaped death from asphyxiation by gas in her apartments at her husband’s hotel, Sixth street and Bridge avenue. Her children were in bed with her at the time. A few weeks ago, the crew of the uptown patrol rescued Mrs. Du Bosq from death under a Market street trolley car. It was then said that she had attempted suicide, and many who were acquainted with Mrs. Du Bosq’s frame of mind, believe that she purposely set fire to herself yesterday. In Berlin it is current talk that her clothing was saturated with oil.
The deceased was probably better known as Katie Zimmerman, and for years after the death of her first husband, William Zimmerman, she conducted the old Junction Hotel.
Mrs. Du Bosq will be buried Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock, from her late residence, Sixth street and Bridge avenue. Interment will be made at Harleigh cemetery.
The County Physician has given a certificate of accidental death in the case of Mrs. DuBosq. See also: Dr. William S. Jones.