Introduction
Cooper Hospital — Looking South from Chambers Avenue. Photograph was taken about 1890. Photo donated to Courier-Post by H. Genet Taylor of 305 Cooper Street in the late 1950s.
The founding of a hospital for the care of the sick and injured in the Camden area had long been a project in the mind of Dr. Richard M. Cooper, who practiced medicine in this vicinity for over thirty years. He died in 1874 without having actually seen the work started.
His twin brother, William D. Cooper, to whom the doctor bequeathed his estate; and his sisters, Sarah W. and Elizabeth B. Cooper, knew of his wishes and continued to talk and plan toward this end. William Cooper survived his brother Richard by only a few months. His sisters, together with his surviving brother, Alexander Cooper, designated the land to be used for this purpose and a Board of Managers consisting of Albert W. Markley, Charles P. Stratton, Rudolphus Bingham, Dr. Thomas Cullen, Joseph B. Cooper, John W. Wright and Peter L. Voorhees was appointed to carry out the venture.
These gentlemen applied for a charter, and an act of incorporation from the State Legislature was granted on March 24, 1875. The Cooper family conveyed the land, which was valued at $50,000, and established a fund of $200,000 for the purpose of building and operating the hospital.
Plans were drawn and building started. The hospital was completed in 1877, but the cost was such that, even with additional contributions from the Cooper family and other interested friends, there were insufficient funds to open and operate the hospital, although, in all, approximately a quarter million dollars had been given to build and endow it.
Ten years after its construction, the hospital was opened. During this time the invested funds and properties had increased sufficiently to warrant this step, even though an additional $30,000 was needed to refit the plumbing, and add a separate building for the laundry and other necessities.
Dedication exercises were held on August 11, 1887. Nurses had been secured, and a staff appointed. The physicians appointed to attend were Doctors H. Genet Taylor, A. M. Mecray, D. P. Pancoast and W. A. Davis.
The surgeons were Doctors E. L. B. Godfrey, O. P. Gross, Dowling Benjamin and J. F. Walsh. Dr. Joseph H. Wills was the first pathologist. Dr. Harry B. Jarrett was Resident Physician.
The staff was duly organized and the various duties and assignments made. One of the earliest services instituted was the Dispensary or Out-Patient Department.
The hospital grew and the table-like reports submitted showed increasing numbers of patients, and variation in diagnosis.
In 1890 Miss Rachael Bourke, a graduate of the Massachusetts General and McLean Hospital, was secured to act as Chief Nurse. The Training School for nurses was started and became almost immediately successful. Miss Bourke stayed on for thirteen years, and the Nursing School was developed as the hospital grew.
The first published report was issued in 1892. At that time it was noted that there had been 2927 in-patients and over 16,000 out-patients treated at the hospital over a five year period. Doctors E. A. Y. Schellenger and Paul M. Mecray were Resident Physicians at this time, and assisted in compiling this report.
In each of the succeeding reports there is noted, as there is today, a need for more beds and other facilities.
The Nurses’ Home was constructed in 1902 and opened early in 1903. Additional beds were added, and in the space vacated other facilities came into existence.
In 1907 the north wing was built. This permitted a laboratory, x-ray department and dining rooms on the first floor. An operating room suite occupied the second floor and two small wards were situated on the third floor. These housed the obstetric and women’s medical departments.
In 1911 a modern fireproof building was erected on the Sixth Street side for the housing of the out-patient department and rooms for private patients. This building now houses the men’s medical department and a private floor for women.
In April 1921 the old laundry and power plant burned, and was replaced by a new power house with an entirely separate laundry. In 1924 the old porches at the east end of the old building were razed and replaced by a brick and reinforced concrete addition, which increased the bed capacity in the old wards and provided a children’s department on the ground floor.
Mr. S. Canning Childs, one of the founders of the American Stores Company, gave the Ann Canning Building in memory of his mother. This building provided three floors for private and semi-private patients. A finished basement gave additional facilities to the rapidly growing out-patient department. It was opened in 1927.
Our services to the community were ever increasing, often under great difficulty, but the call was always met and the work done.
1930s — Cooper Hospital. The new pavilion, still under construction, as seen from corner of South 6th and Mickle Streets.
In 1939 the Campbell Soup Company gave and erected the new pavilion on Sixth Street, across the front of the old building, in memory of Dr. John T. Dorrance. This modern six story building houses operating rooms, a new children’s department, three floors given over to the care of private and semi-private patients, and a modern laboratory space, staff rooms and library on the first floor.
The trend toward hospital insurance has steadily decreased the demand for ward facilities and has demanded further semi-private accommodations. The Board of Managers has steadily improved and increased this type of service and only by so doing would the hospital have been able to carry on.
The courtyard between the old main building and the private buildings to the south has been built up one story, and a modern x-ray department and office space have been provided. The removal of the children’s department to the Dorrance pavilion made possible a roomy but still crowded admission and accident service.
Upon the opening of the Dorrance wing, the maternity department was transferred entirely to the Ann Canning Building. After World War II the main kitchen was extended toward Mickle Street, and the second floor was carried back, providing room for cafeteria space and food storerooms. The kitchen was entirely re-equipped with modern appliances and a “Food pak” service was instituted. It was then possible to clear the kitchen on the fourth floor of the Ann Canning Building and build a modern maternity, labor and delivery suite in this area. This has provided the hospital with one of the best maternity delivery departments in the Philadelphia area.
The original hospital in 1887 had eighty-five to ninety beds to care for a population of 52,884. There were 370 patients admitted during the first year and approximately 15,000 visits to the dispensary.
In 1957 the hospital consists of 422 beds and ninety-five bassinets to take care of a city population of 120,000 and an adjacent suburban population of approximately 250,000. During the last year there were 14,411 patients admitted to the hospital; and 101,672 patients to the out-patient or dispensary service. And the end is not yet.
At this time a campaign is starting to replace the beds in the old building and add one hundred additional with increased ancillary services. This new construction it is hoped will be completed within another five years. The improvements are urgently needed. It is hoped that as has always been done previously, a way will be found to fill the need.
— Camden County Medical Society 1846–1956, Camden County Medical Society, 1957
2 Boys Nearly Drown as Dog Rescue Fails
Camden Courier-Post —
One Swims in Icy Creek to Take Rope From Shore
“Aw gee it wasn’t nothing.” That was the way William Watkins, 13 years old, 1025 Princess Avenue, who is shown above, expressed today his rescue of Richard Richardson, 9 years old, 1028 Princess Avenue, pictured below. Richard was attempting to save a marooned puppy in a tributary of Cooper River when he fell into the icy water.
Death in the icy water of a Cooper River tributary was the fate that almost overtook a 9-year-old Camden schoolboy who late yesterday risked his life to save a shivering little stray puppy he discovered floating down the stream on a block of ice.
Few epics of the sea have the elements of adventure and heroism that are woven into this story.
Richard Richardson, 9 years old, 1028 Princess Avenue, was the outstanding hero. He spent 39 minutes clinging to pieces of ice and debris in the stream after his attempt to save the puppy had failed. Today he was in Cooper hospital suffering from extreme exposure.
But young Richard wasn’t the only hero of the day. There were four of his playmates with him when he tried to rescue the animal in distress. This little “supporting cast” came in for its share of glory. When Richard slipped into the water all of them showed “grown-up” presence of mind and to them goes credit for saving their companion’s life.
Playing After School
Robert Perrit, 15 years old, 1062 Princess Avenue; Howard Hadleman, 10 years old, 1040 Princess Avenue; William Kline, 12 years old, 1041 Princess Avenue; and William Watkins, 13 years old, 1025 Princess Avenue, were playing with the Richardson boy at the foot of Pine Street after school.
Parallel with Pine Street, running from the end of the roadway to the Baird Avenue bridge, there is a stream 30 feet wide, which was dredged out when the course of Cooper River was changed several years ago. A swift current is formed by the overflow of the river.
It was beginning to grow dark when the youngsters were attracted to the stream by the yelps of a dog. They ran to the bank and found a forlorn looking puppy floating away on a piece of ice that had broken from the shore. Although he was the youngest of the group, his love of animals is the greatest and so it was young Mr. Richardson who decided that Fido, as they called him, should be rescued.
The fearless little boy walked out into the center of the stream, stepping from one block of ice to another in the fashion of Simon Legree in that blood-curdling melodrama, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”
Just Misses Dog
While the four on shore shouted a warning, Richard, within reach of the dog, slipped into the water.
Instead of being frightened into confusion, the little quartet was electrified into action. Hadleman and Watkins remained on shore futilely attempting to get to the boy who was splashing around in the water, while Kline and Perrit ran 100 yards to the plant of the Taylor White Extracting Company.
There they told the story of what had happened as calmly as they could to John Simpkins, of Mt. Ephraim Avenue and Spruce Street, and Morton Ashton, 100 Evergreen Avenue, Woodlynne.
The two men grabbed several planks and a coil of rope, and followed the youthful pair back to the water’s edge.
Richard was still paddling about in the stream, clinging to pieces of ice that slipped from his grasp almost as soon as he touched them. It was obvious that he was almost exhausted.
Simpkins and Ashton tied a rope onto the Watkins boy’s waist, set him afloat on a large plank and gave him an end of another rope to tie to Richard. The plan was a good one, but it almost failed, for just as William had paddled him out to where Richard was struggling, almost 20 feet from the south bank, he fell from his improvised raft. Just as the boy he fought to rescue had fallen into the water within inches of the puppy.
Bravely Gives Rope
But William was determined to show the grit that had been displayed by Richard. Without a single shout for help or a cry of distress, he struggled on a few feet more and handed the almost exhausted boy the end of the rope.
Simpkins and Ashton then pulled the pair to shore.
At the offices of the Taylor White Company, the pair was undressed and rubbed dry. W. E. Shore, 1425 Ormond Avenue, took Richard to Cooper Hospital, while the other four, praise for their heroism unsung, disappeared.
It is a story to rival the rescue tales of many a seafaring gentleman, but it has two strange bits of anti-climax.
Before Robert and Howard and William and young Watkins went home, they returned to the bank of the stream; the dog had vanished, apparently to the bottom.
And half an hour later, William Watkins, his clothes soaked and his face covered with mud, received a spanking for getting home late for dinner.
Train Hits School Bus
Camden Courier-Post —
One man was seriously injured last night when a passenger train and a school bus crashed at the East State Street crossing of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
The injured man is Samuel Phillips, 45, of Blackwood, driver of the bus. He is in Cooper Hospital, having suffered cuts and bruises on the arms and legs, possible fracture of several ribs on the left side and shock.
The bus was the property of William C. Schlitz, of Maple Shade, and operated daily between the St. Joseph School, Twenty-ninth and Westfield Avenue, and Cramer Hill.
A bus load of 30 children had just vacated the bus.
Phillips, through Schlitz, made the following statement to police last night: “I was coming east on State Street and at the railroad a flagman waved for me to come across. I started across and when near the other side put the gates down on me, preventing me from crossing.”
The west gates at the crossing were broken several days ago and a flagman has been stationed there pending repairs. Officials of the railroad declared Phillips had an unobstructed view of the crossing for more than 150 feet and had ample time in which to stop his vehicle.
They refused to amplify the statement and said an investigation would be conducted at 10 a.m. today to ascertain responsibility.
Burglar Trapped By Sleepless Girl
Camden Courier-Post —
Father, Brother Awakened, Fell Intruder After Short Chase
Miss Olga Cineglie’s sleeplessness last night resulted in the capture of a robber who was looting her home.
The man, a Negro from Carteret, was knocked unconscious by a blow with a stout stick from Luigi Cineglie, 55, a saloon keeper and the girl’s father, while his son, Peter, 18, grappled with the intruder.
The man arrested gave his name as John Jones, 41, and said he is a stevedore.
Miss Cineglie, 20, told police she could not go to sleep and was reading a book in her second floor bedroom at 702 South Second street.
Telephones Police
She heard a noise downstairs and listened long enough to be convinced someone was moving about on the first floor. She tiptoed silently to the telephone and called police in a whisper. Then she quietly roused her father and brother.
The trio was descending the stairs when the intruder heard them and bolted for the kitchen door. He threw the door open and leaped a back fence and ran into Line street.
Peter, a factory employe, was on his heels and had made a partial flying tackle, which had slowed the intruder.
Cineglie, as he ran from the house, picked up a hardwood stick, used as the cross piece in an automobile top. When Peter slowed the fleeing man with his tackle, his father was able to gain enough ground to get within range.
Picks Up Brick
As Cineglie caught up with him, Jones was aiming a brick, seized in his flight, at the head of Peter. He was unarmed otherwise.
He struck Jones on the head and knocked him unconscious.
At just that moment, Radio Cruise Car Patrolmen Walter Vecander and Wilbur Prentiss arrived. They arrested Jones and took him to Cooper Hospital where several stitches were required to close the head wound caused by Cineglie’s stick.
Jones, police said, had been drinking but was not drunk. He was held on suspicion for investigation. He told police he reached Philadelphia Saturday and slept Saturday night in the Philadelphia jail.
Cineglie’s saloon is in the front downstairs section of his home, and the living quarters are in the rear on both the first and second floors.
Man Is Killed Here When Keg of Beer Explodes in Club
Camden Courier-Post —
Gay Holiday Party Ends in Tragedy; Bar Damaged
A Christmas party at a city Republican club ended in tragedy Thursday night when a member was injured fatally as a beer keg exploded.
John W. Kmicic, 56, of 912 North Thirty-first street, a machinist of the Pennsylvania Railroad for more than 25 years, died shortly after 1 a. m. in Cooper hospital from injuries received when the barrel exploded. Part of the interior of the first floor barroom at the Ninth Ward Republican club, 536 Broadway, was damaged.
According to Hobart Corson, chief clerk of the city fire department and president of the club, the accident occurred while more than 100 were making merry at a Christmas party on the first and second floors of the clubhouse.
Peculiar Noise
Standing beside Kmicic at the time was his son, Theodore Kmicic, of 105 Park avenue, Gloucester, and H. Allen Wolfe, acting chief of the city electrical bureau.
Wolfe said Kmicic, known by all his acquaintances as a jovial type of person, came to the end of the bar at the rear of the first floor to inspect the keg, which was making a peculiar noise.
Wolfe said Kmicic leaned over the barrel as the blast ripped the barrel open from the bottom, caused a hole to be made in the flooring and tore a piece off the end of the bar. Kmicic, Wolfe said, fell to the floor beside the keg, his face severely battered. A police ambulance removed him to the Cooper hospital, where he died two hours later.
Skull Fractured
Corson, who was on the second floor at the time of the explosion, said the party was ended immediately.
Although many were showered with beer and flying glasses, no one else was injured.
Coroner Healey was summoned and said County Physician R. Dean Cavalli would perform an autopsy on the body today. When admitted to the hospital the victim was listed as suffering a possible fracture of the skull, fractures of both arms, loss of the left eye and numerous cuts and bruises.
Kmicic lived in an apartment at the Thirty-first street address with Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wychowanec. They formerly lived at Thirteenth street and Keswick avenue in Haddon Heights.
Leaves Widow
A resident of Camden for 35 years, Kmicic was also a member of the Pennsylvania Railroad YMCA.
Also surviving are his widow, Catherine; a daughter, Mrs. Irene Curtis Gerard, New York City; a grandson; his mother, Anna, in Poland; three sisters, Mrs. Helen Polnar, Camden, and Valeria and Mary, both in Poland, and a brother, Michael, in Poland.
Requiem high Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 9 a. m. in St. Joseph’s R. C. Church, Tenth and Mechanic streets. Relatives and friends will meet at 8 a. m. in the funeral home at 1458 Mt. Ephraim avenue, where friends may call Tuesday night. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s cemetery, Chews Landing.
Cooper Hospital Open in City Since 1877
Camden Courier-Post —
By C. William Duncan
Cooper Hospital was incorporated the latter part of 1875, under the name of “The Camden Hospital,” changed to The Cooper Hospital in 1877. The hospital actually opened August 11, 1887.
Dr. Richard M. Cooper, who died in 1874, “may well be recognized as its founder,” say a hospital history, because of his intense work in its behalf. William D. Cooper, a prominent Camden attorney and brother of Richard, carried on until he died in 1875.
Two sisters, Sarah and Elizabeth Cooper, and another brother, Alexander, gave the present site, plus $200,000, to be used for construction and operation of the hospital. The building was completed in 1877 but was not opened until a decade later because of insufficient funds. During the first 17 months, 370 bed patients were treated.
Building Extended
In 1907 the north wing containing maternity, women’s medical and operating departments opened. In 1911 the out-patient department and private floor building opened. East extension replaced outside porches in 1924.
In the 1920s the old laundry facilities were destroyed by fire and a separate laundry structure was built at the rear of the main building. In 1923 the east wing was extended to house a children’s ward and the upper floors became medical and surgical wards.
The Ann Canning building was completed in 1926, the gift of S. Canning Childs. During the depression years expansion stopped. In 1940 the Dorrance building was opened. This addition was given by the Campbell Soup Co. as a memorial to Dr. John T. Dorrance, a prominent figure in Camden industry. Hospital bed capacity was then 441.
New Program Started
A long term building program started in 1950. New quarters for the radiology department and administrative offices were built between Ann Canning and the original building. A premature nursery and recovery room for post-operative patients were added in 1954. In 1955 construction was completed on the food service building, delivery suite and laundry annex.
In 1958 with the aid of funds provided by the CHIEF drive, a Federal grant and a Ford Foundation grant, construction was started on the north and south wings off the Dorrance building. Completed in May of 1960, these wings provide the hospital with a more than 700 bed capacity, making it the largest, general non-profit hospital in New Jersey.
Added features included: Seven new operating rooms for a total of 12, two additional specialty equipped X-ray rooms, a prayer room, family-doctor consultation room, new Cooper Mart or coffee shop, lobby area, new and improved clinic areas, lounge and library for the medical staff, and a 34-bed intensive care unit.
Cooper also has made huge strides in installing new and modern equipment, Robert Y. Garrett Jr., administrator, points out.
During World War II the hospital mobilized a corps of staff doctors and nurses known as the Cooper Unit which was attached to the U.S. Army Air Force in the Mediterranean area [as the 61st Station Hospital —pmc]. The shortage of qualified nursing personnel resulted in the hiring of non-professionals such as practical nurses, aides, clerks, messengers and attendants, each given special on-the-job training. These forces since have become an important part in effective hospital care.
The women’s auxiliary, founded in 1919, has branched into 26 separate auxiliaries totaling more than 1,400 members and has raised many thousands of dollars for the hospital. The women stage the annual Mart and Horse Show, the Charity Ball and numerous other events.
In 1887 government rules provided for a one-year course in nursing. This was extended to two years in 1893 and to three years in 1904. Fully approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing the program is offered to 100 students.
Laboratory Course
In 1956 the course for laboratory technology began with three students. The 18-month course now admits six students twice a year.
Cooper Hospital is approved for 18 interns. The internship is general-rotating in character and is approved by the American Medical Association. Cooper offers 16 residencies in gynecology, medicine, obstetrics, pathology, plastic surgery, pediatrics and general surgery. The Cooper Hospital School of X-Ray Technology was the first in South Jersey to win accreditation of the American Medical Association.
Newest additions to the hospital include the complete renovation of the main hallway, and a new office area in 1961 and a new pharmacy and emergency department in 1962. A new three-story service building is nearing completion. It will house an up-to-date laundry.
Seven-Day Operation
Cooper Hospital started a six-day week in 1962 which was increased to a seven-day week in 1963. All facilities are in operation now every day, including X-ray, laboratory, physical therapy and operating rooms.
The achievements of the World War II unit are worthy of more than passing comment. The idea was born in the hospital’s staff room shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The result was the 61st Station Hospital, first civilian hospital group to be accepted by the War Department in World War II as a station hospital.
Before the next three years had passed the 61st treated and aided in the evacuation of more than 20,000 men wounded in combat in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.
Two of its nurses were killed in overseas accidents. Five enlisted men assigned to the unit were killed during a mass air raid in Italy. Nine members of the unit were awarded the Bronze Star. The unit received the War Department Meritorious Service Plaque and Certificate of Merit; the Presidential Unit Citation and three battle stars.
Postcards
Cooper Hospital postcards. The cards showing the north wing were published after 1907.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The annual sham battle and dance under the auspices of Battery B, N. G. N. J., will be held in the Camden Armory tomorrow evening.
Dr. H. H. Sherk will give an illustrated lecture on the Yellowstone Park in the East Camden Library tomorrow night.
One of the largest funerals that has taken place in Camden for some time was that of George Bird, who was buried from his home, 801 Haddon avenue. The services were in charge of Rev. Isaac Bagley and interment was made in the Evergreen Cemetery.
These officers have been nominated by the Camden Police Pension Fund: President, Robert Colkett; vice president, Albert Snow; financial secretary, James Tatem; recording secretary, Edward Hyde; treasurer, E. B. McClong; trustees, James Ware, George Anderson, George Cooper, Allan Palmer and Thomas Reed.
Daniel Clifford, a Civil War veteran, 70 years old, of New York, reported to the police yesterday that after he had drawn his pension he had been decoyed to Camden, where he was relieved of $69.
In a twenty five foot fall at Mathis’ Shipyard yesterday, Lysander Burton, of 904 North Second street, was seriously injured internally besides having many lacerations and bruises.
Attacked with asthma, William Baldwin, 77 years old, of 510 Kaighn avenue, died yesterday before a physician could be summoned.
From shock due to a broken leg, John Spiegel, 45 years old, died in the Cooper Hospital last night. At one time Spiegel was a transcribing clerk in the Register of Deeds office.
Hospital Building Fund
Philadelphia Inquirer —
•• About half of the $50,000 required for the building of a much-needed addition to the Cooper Hospital is in hand. The hope is expressed that some of the city’s well-to-do will loosen up a bit.
Nurses Receive Diplomas
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Diplomas were last night conferred on eight young women at the commencement exercises of the Cooper Hospital Training School for Nurses at the First M. E. Church. The graduates were: Clara Evelyn Brandt, Camden; Mabel Devitt, Moorestown; Bertha Elliott Marriott, Pleasantville; Rebecca Day McNutt, Berkley, Md.; Edith Marie Owens, Burlington; Ida Margaret Stephenson, Pleasantville; Mary Kathryn West, Cape May, and Magdalena May Winters, Swedesboro. Dr. Rufus M. Jones, of Haverford College, and Miss Susan C. Francis, director of the Pennsylvania Division of the Red Cross Nursing Service, made addresses. The diplomas were awarded by Alexander C. Wood, vice president of the Board of Managers, and the class pins were presented by F. Morse Archer, chairman of the Training School Committee.
Cooper Auxiliary Pledges $3000 for Deep Therapy Fund
Camden Courier-Post —
Charity Ball Plans Occupy Women Hospital Workers; New Member Elected
PLANS for the Sixteenth Annual Charity Ball in the interest of Cooper Hospital occupied members of the main auxiliary of that institution yesterday when they met for their monthly business session.
According to present plans, the ball will be held on December 27 in Convention Hall. This year the music committee, of which Mrs. Joseph Wallworth, of Haddonfield, is chairman, will present an orchestra of national reputation.
Members of the patroness committee will meet with the chairman, Mrs. Charles T. Murray, at her home, 114 White Horse pike, Haddon Heights, on Friday morning, November 8, at ten o’clock.
Members of the auxiliary have issued a plea for magazines to be distributed throughout the wards. They will be received at the hospital at any time. The members also pledged the sum of $3000 to the board of managers of the Deep Therapy Fund.
Mrs. William Brown Thompson, of Collingswood, was elected a member of the main auxiliary at yesterday’s meeting, and two resignations were accepted, those of Miss Elizabeth Eggie and Mrs. Frank Burr, both of Collingswood. Both Miss Eggie and Mrs. Burr have been active members of the group for many years.
The semi-annual tea for the Associate Auxiliaries throughout the city and suburbs will be held on Thursday in the Nurses Hall, with a business session preceding in the First M. E. Church, Sixth and Stevens streets. Miss Mary Louise Robbins is president of the organization.
Mrs. Harvey N. Scheirer, of Haddonfield, is president of the main auxiliary and is serving as general chairman of the ball committee.
Cooper Alumnae Plans Card Party for Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
The Cooper Hospital Nurses Alumni will hold a card party tonight in the Nurses Hall.
The affair has been planned in the interest of the fund for the endowment of beds in the institution. Arrangements have been made for both bridge and pinochle and games will start at eight o’clock. Guests will be permitted to pivot or progress within their parties.
Parkside Auxiliary
Camden Courier-Post —
The monthly meeting of the Parkside auxiliary to Cooper Hospital will be held tomorrow in the board rooms with Mrs. Herbert J. Schoelkopf, president, presiding. Plans will be made for a card party to be held in the near future at the home of Mrs. Hiram E. Budd, 1407 Baird avenue.
Lightning Starts Fires, Hits Trees, Stuns Three Boys
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Costly Blazes in Camden—Youths Under Awning Badly Shocked
Sudden Torrent of Rain, High Wind and Bolts Cause Widespread Damage
Sudden and furious was the electrical storm which yesterday afternoon took Philadelphia, Camden and nearby towns by surprise. Fires were started by lightning in many sections, rain fell in torrents and the wind rose suddenly and played wide-spread havoc.
Camden was the centre of the disturbance and suffered the heaviest damage. Three boys were severely shocked there and the total damage from fires mounted to the $50,000 mark. Bolts in Ardmore felled trees across many roads, split a flag pole in front of the Ardmore public school and tumbled a chimney off the building.
Between 2.45 and 3.15 in the afternoon the thermometer dropped twenty degrees, from 85 to 65, a southwesterly wind rising at the same time to a velocity of thirty miles an hour. Typical of summer thunderstorms was the unheralded start of the downpour and its brief duration. The precipitation from 3.12 to 3.35 in the afternoon, the time during which the rain fell, was only .45 of an inch, but the greater part of this poured down in ten minutes’ time.
Many Fires in Camden
Every piece of apparatus in the Camden Fire Department was pressed into service at one and the same time, only quick response to the alarms averting disastrous blazes in two instances.
Out along the Main Line little damage was done. The house of A. J. Francis, at the junction of Grandview and Argyle roads, Ardmore, was struck by lightning and the roads themselves were blockaded by uprooted trees which forced motorists to go slow to avoid collisions with the obstructions.
The three Camden boys who were shocked, A. Goldberg, 15 years old; Richard Noon, 14 years old, and Howard Robbins, 9 years old, living at 310, 336 and 330 North Tenth street respectively, were all taken to the Cooper Hospital. Only one of the trio, Goldberg, is still in a serious condition. All were paralyzed when admitted to the hospital.
Boys Hurled to Pavement
When the storm made itself manifest with vivid flashes of lightning and reverberating thunder, the boys sought shelter beneath an awning at Tenth and Penn streets. Goldberg was leaning against an iron pole with his companions nearby. There was a blinding flash and the next instant the three boys were hurled to the pavement.
Others beneath the awning went to their assistance, although several were slightly affected by the bolt also. The boys were apparently dead when placed in the auto ambulance, but after several hours of work at the hospital, the youthful victims were revived. They said it looked like a great greenish white ball which descended from the darkened skies and which apparently struck the pole against which Goldberg was leaning.
Within five minutes four alarms of fire had been turned into the Camden Electrical Bureau. One was from the Parkside school at Wildwood and Princess avenues, another from the elevated bridge of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Third and Bridge avenue, the third from the department store of Toone & Hollinshed, at Broadway and Kaighn avenue, and the fourth from the Camden Curtain Rod Factory, Broadway and Jackson streets. In each instance it was a bolt of lightning that struck electric wires that caused the blaze.
At the Toone & Hollinshed store, one of the largest in Camden, and which is located in a three-story building, the fire had its origin in the basement. There were large quantities of mens’ and boys’ furnishing and duplicate supplies of dry goods stored there ready for display. This material was excellent food for the flames, and for a time they threatened to mount up through the stairway of the main floors, but the quick work of the firemen averted such a contingency.
Woman Saves Firm’s Books
At the height of the blaze, which raged fiercely in the basement, Miss Anna Brennan, chief bookkeeper, mounted a fire escape to the second floor. Standing by a window from which the smoke issued in thick volumes, she superintended the rescuing of the firm’s books. Not until all had been taken out did she leave her post. Fireman John McTaggart, of Chemical Company No. 1, rescued the books.
There was such thick, pungent smoke issuing from the windows that several firemen were temporarily overcome, but they were revived and went back to work. Harry Green, of Engine Company No. 1, was badly cut about the hands by falling glass.
It was stated by Thomas Hollinshed, a member of the firm, that the damage to the store and stock would total at least $25,000. This was due not only to the blaze, but also to the smoke which permeated all parts of the three-story building.
It was in the southwest corner of the building of the Camden Curtain Rod Company that the fire had its origin. It spread with great rapidity and for a time it was feared the entire three-story structure would fall prey to the flames. The fire fighters confined the blaze to the first floor however. The tons of water coupled with the fire caused damage estimated at $25,000, fully covered by insurance.
At the Parkside School it was found that the fire had caused but little damage and the railroad bridge at Third and Bridge avenue was only scorched. There was something of a furore at the latter place because over the structure were passing many seashore trains laden with passengers for Camden and this city.
The storm was one of the most intense Camden has experienced this summer, although it was less than half an hour in duration. Throughout the city trees and fences were leveled and on the surrounding roads, especially the White Horse pike, hundreds of autoists were forced to seek shelter. Some of the thoroughfares in the lower sections were converted into veritable torrents, so great was the rainfall.
$100,000 Fire Sweeps Store of Antrim Co.
Camden Courier-Post —
Several Firemen Hurt; Oil Plant and Homes Are Menaced
BLAZE WORST IN 18 MONTHS
Fire swept the wholesale store of Antrim Hardware Company, 1514 and 1516 Federal street last night, damaged the stock to the extent of $100,000, injured several firemen, menaced homes and the plant of the Standard Oil Company opposite. It was the first three-alarm fire in Camden since January, 1937.
One of the firemen, Ralph Bingaman, of Truck Company No. 1, was cut severely on the right hand and foot by falling glass and went to the Cooper Hospital. Another hoseman, Ray Smith, of headquarters, also was cut on the right hand but stuck to his fire fighting after his wounds were dressed.
Huge choking billows of smoke that rolled over the fighters balked them several times in their efforts to check the fire, but they remained at their posts and finally subdued the blaze after a battle of several hours.
Spread Rapidly
Chief John H. Lennox declared the fire started midway on the first floor from some unknown cause and spread so rapidly before its discovery efforts of the firemen were greatly hindered. Louis Gold, proprietor of the Federal Automobile Company, which adjoins the Antrim place, discovered the blaze and sent in an alarm at 7 p. m.
He then telephoned to Councilman E. Hulings Antrim, of Merchantville, treasurer of the concern, who raced to the fire, together with his mother, Mrs. Elwood Antrim, widow of the founder of the firm. Later B. Frank Antrim, president of the firm, arrived. The members of the family conferred and decided to reopen today their other store at Twenty-sixth and Federal streets, and to secure if possible an unoccupied floor of a chain store building to carry on the business. The stock, according to Antrim, was fully insured.
The firm was created on December 1, 1889, and had made arrangements to celebrate its golden anniversary. Mrs. Antrim, mother of the treasurer, stated she had half the anniversary number ready for publication “but the first fire we ever had has ruined all that now.”
Smashes Windows
When Gold, accompanied by his son, Marvin, discovered the fire, the latter smashed in two front windows on the first floor to permit the smoke to roll and and [sic] to prevent an explosion inside, he said. Meanwhile, Leroy Garrison, who lives at 50 South Twenty-fourth street, was driving past in his automobile.
He saw smoke rolling upward from the first floor and ran to the rear of the structure and threw open the door to permit the smoke to roll free at the rear.
Eight minutes after the first alarm was sounded Chief Lennox ordered a second, then a third at 7.33 p. m. Eight engines and two hook and ladder trucks responded and the fight began to keep the flames from spreading in the neighborhood. With the wind blowing north, the tanks of the oil company across the street seemed threatened, but the interior of the structure was bulked with two firewalls which held and gave the firemen a chance to get into action and beat down the flames.
Paint, chemicals and tar paper stored on the second floor made a dense, choking smoke that completely concelead [sic] the neighborhood and the hundreds of spectators that thronged the vicinity to watch the fire. Two tenants in nearby houses, Miss Agnes Mitchell and Mrs. Roy Dilks, 72, living in 1510 and 1508, respectively, were unaware of the fire right next door until the police sent them to safety.
Miss Mitchell said she was in the shed in the rear of her home and the first she heard of the fire was when a policeman ordered her to get out.
Refused to Leave
Mrs. Dilks, alone in the house at the time, refused to leave. She told the police she didn’t want to go, because the family had lived there but a month and her relatives were away. Finally she was urged to depart and did, finding refuge with Mrs. Albert Bowne, whose husband runs a printing shop a few doors below.
When Councilman Antrim arrived on the scene he attempted to rescue records of the firm which he said could never be replaced. Five times he entered the smoking building and five times he was turned back by the firemen.
Finally two firemen, Andrew Ballantine, who drives Chief Lennox, and Ladderman John Strauss, of Truck Company No. 4, forged their way through the dense smoke and retrieved the records.
Antrim fixed his damages from smoke and water at $100,000 which he said was the amount of stock in the building. Mrs. Antrim, his mother, stood under an umbrella near the burning building, and refused to go back.
“We’ll open tomorrow,” said the energetic woman, “and not let this bother us. This firm was created in 1889 when Hulings, my son, was four, and B. Frank Antrim, now president, and myself ran the businees [sic] and we’re not going to let this get us down, you bet.”
Antrim said he was the last person to leave the building at 5 p. m., and everything appeared to be all right then. The burglar alarm with which the building is equipped did not sound, so Antrim says no one could have entered the building after he departed.
Truck in Collision
Truck in Collision
After Engine Company No. 10 was sent home the apparatus was sideswiped by a traveling sandwich wagon, owned and driven by Emido Martelli, of 1315 Thurman street, at Eleventh street and Newton avenue.
Martelli’s wife and 25-months- old son were aboard the wagon at the time but none was injured. Police took Martelli to City Hall where he was asked for a statement as to the accident. According to the persons on the scene, Martelli was driving on Eleventh street when the engine came along Newton avenue, with its siren open.
The wagon driver did not seem to pay attention to the screams of the whistle and continued, the front of his car grazing the side of the apparatus.
When Engine Company No. 9, at Twenty-first and Federal streets, the first engine to respond to the alarm, reached the hydrant the firemen found an automobile parked there, and locked. They had to push the car out of the way, in order to get a hose to the hydrant.
Chief Lennox said the last time the department received a third alarm was when fire gutted the store of the McCrory Company at Broadway and Kaighn avenue.
4 Trapped in Blaze Saved by Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
By JOSEPH McCARTHY, Courier-Post Staff
City firemen fought smoke, flames, snow and a biting cold during the night and early morning hours as a rash of fires severely damaged four buildings and destroyed a tavern.
According to Public Safety Director Keith Kauffman, at one point only two engine companies were not actively fighting the blazes as seven engine companies, three ladder companies, the rescue squad and three battalion chiefs were at the fire scenes.
At the site of the worst fire, 5th and Mickle Streets, police and firemen braved dense smoke and fierce flames to rescue four elderly persons trapped in first, second and third floor apartments.
Started In Tavern Lounge
The blaze, which broke out in the lounge of Ray’s Tavern, was discovered by Patrolmen Augustus Balzano and Anthony Saponare at 3:58 a.m. after they were alerted of smoke by highway employees battling the second snowstorm of the week.
The two policemen, after radioing the alarm, kicked in the door of the tavern and raced through the smoke and flames to rescue Mrs. Agnes Lockhart, 58, from her upstairs apartment.
The patrolmen took Mrs. Lockhart to Cooper Hospital where she was admitted with a cut head and smoke inhalation.
Minutes later firemen, headed by Battalion Chief Biaggio Ardire, arrived. Ardire said the tavern was engulfed in smoke and flames. He said the flames leaped from the tavern roof to a luncheonette and apartment building next door.
Ardire said firemen raised a ladder to the third floor of the second building where Mrs. Mabel Seward, 64, was hanging from a window ledge. However, firemen were hampered in the rescue attempt by the narrow space of the alley and could only hold the screaming woman until other firefighters could make their way to the third floor window from inside the building.
The rescuers, wearing face masks, wrapped Mrs. Seward in blankets and carried her through the flames to safety.
Two Carried Out
At the same time, more fire fighters entered the burning building and carried out Mrs. Viola Lagerprantz, 65, who lived in a rear apartment on the first floor and John J. Smith, 86, from a second-floor apartment.
All the victims were taken to Cooper Hospital for smoke inhalation treatment and released an hour later.
Kauffman ordered the victims, still wrapped in blankets, taken to fire headquarters at 3rd and Arch Streets and notified city welfare authorities. The Welfare Department obtained temporary housing for the three victims at Volunteers of America headquarters, 828 Market Street. Each victim lost all possessions in the blaze.
Additional Alarms
Ardire, at 4:27 a.m. called for additional fire crews and an hour later requested more aid. Battalion Chief Daniel Jiannetto’s unit answered the first distress call while Acting Battalion Chief Arthur Batten’s men arrived on the second plea.
Batten’s unit had been fighting two North Camden blazes since 10:53 last night.
Ardire said that when firemen attempted to get into the buildings, the fire was raging forward, backward, and straight up the stairwells out of control.
The owner of the luncheonette, Dominic Padulla, arrived at the scene about 5:30 a.m. Padulla and his brother, Frank, who also had been out, live on the first floor.
Canteen Truck on Scene
Volunteers of America Canteen truck with Colonel William Gwynne also was at the scene and served firemen coffee and donuts.
Fire Chief Edward Michalak said he has ordered a complete investigation of the fire.
Kauffman said 5th Street south of Mickle and Mickle Street east of 5th has been closed to traffic indefinitely.
In the two other fires in North Camden, a grocery store was damaged at 442 N. 9th Street, and two vacant buildings at 623–625 North Front Street were damaged.
Grocery Store Blaze
Batten said a defective chimney apparently caused the grocery store blaze which raged through joists and partitions. The store is operated by Benjamin Lamberte while the building is owned by Mrs. Sarah Schecter of Baird Boulevard according to the battalion chief.
Batten’s crew were forced to make two trips to the vacant buildings as wind whipped flames. He said the fire probably was caused by vagrants seeking shelter from the snowstorm.
Before the firefighters could take off their fire apparel, they were dispatched to the 5th and Mickle Street blaze.
Over In Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
City Assessor Charles Pedigree was last evening re-elected to represent the Twelfth ward in the Republican City Executive Committee.
With one-half of the capital stock of $50,000 said to be paid in, the D’Olier Engineering Company filed incorporation articles yesterday.
Barking dogs frightened off burglars who attempted to rob the saloon of James Croker, at Fourth and Jasper streets, early yesterday morning.
It is reported that Governor Voorhees will today appoint former Judge Richard T. Miller a member of the State Fish and Game Commission, to succeed Henry S. Budd, of Burlington, who recently resigned.
John L. Lattimore, of 1120 Locust street, an employe of the Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company, broke his leg yesterday by jumping from a car in the Bulson street yard. He was admitted to Cooper Hospital.
Attorney John L. Semple has been retained by the Italian societies of Camden to endeavor to secure a reprieve for Murderer Francisco Abbatto, until his appeal for clemency can be heard by the Board of Pardons. Abbatto is under sentence to be executed on May 10. Yesterday cards for the execution were sent out by the Sheriff.
The funeral of Howland Croft, the worsted goods manufacturer, was largely attended yesterday afternoon. Services were held at his late residence, at 204 Cooper street, and fully five thousand persons viewed the remains. Camden Lodge of Elks conducted services at the grave in Harleigh Cemetery.
Six Hurt by Falling Walls
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Caught Under a Shower of Bricks and Taken to Hospital
Six workmen were hurt by falling walls at Park’s storage warehouse, Haddon avenue, near Pine street, Camden, yesterday. The walls were weakened by the severe storm of the night before, and the contractor ordered the men to pull them down. They were at work on the third story when the walls collapsed, and all were precipitated to the ground floor.
Those injured were Austin Foster, 22 years, 110[?] Pine street; Lee Sears, 39 years, 602 Cherry street; William Chambers, 22 years, 919 South Ninth street; Thomas Sherman, 28 years, 1119 Pine street; George Beach, 1062 Pine street; Thomas Melton, 110[?] Pine street.
Sergeant of Police Hyde, who lives nearby, sent in an emergency call, and the men were sent to Cooper Hospital. After examinations it was found that with the exception of slight cuts and bruises all escaped serious injury. After their wounds were dressed all were sent home.
Two Suspects Held in Bail of $25,000 Each
Camden Courier-Post —
10 Burglaries:
Two suspects, linked by police with 10 burglaries in the city during the last 6 weeks, were held in $25,000 bail each today by Municipal Judge Marino.
Held on one count each, pending a continuing investigation and a further hearing Tuesday, the men were identified as William J. Porter, 26, of Fern st. near 8th, and Howard James, 25, of Fogarty ave. near Federal st.
Marino commended police work in cracking the case and four detectives assigned to it, Marshall Thompson, Thomas Scarduzio, George Ellis and Russell Young.
James, a brother-in-law of Porter, was in the county jail to await grand jury action on a charge of breaking into a Cooper st. service station Dec. 11, police said, when the case broke Wednesday.
Street Attack Suspect
Porter was wanted for questioning in the stabbing of Miss Joann Green, 19, of 313 Chestnut st., Tuesday night, according to police.
Scarduzio said police searched Porter’s house Tuesday night but he could not be found. However, Scarduzio said, Ptl. Richard Brooks picked up a cash box in the house.
Wednesday, when the box was shown to Sgt. Earl Quinton, he suggested it may have been taken from the Asam Wallpaper Co., 1001 Market st., Nov. 17, according to Scarduzio. The box was later identified as the one taken from that concern, Scarduzio added.
Caught at Gun-Point
Detectives returned to the house Wednesday in an effort to pick up Porter. While Thompson and Young covered the front of the house, Scarduzio went to the back. Scarduzio said he apprehended Porter at gun-point as Porter fled from a rear door.
A search of the place by daylight turned up loot believed connected with robberies in which the two suspects are implicated, Thompson said. Included in the find were 20 new paint brushes, barber shop supplies and a letter scale.
At first, Porter denied any knowledge of breaking and entering, Thompson stated. James was brought from the jail and questioned by Thompson more than three hours. Thompson said James finally admitted the jobs and implicated Porter, who later confirmed James’ statements, Thompson said.
Thompson reported James admitted breaking into a grocery at 635 Carman st. Nov. 2 and looting a barber shop at 303 S. 3rd st. of $304 in equipment Nov. 9.
Other Victims
The two of them allegedly broke into the office of an engineering firm Nov. 7, taking a computing machine valued at $500 and took $650 in appliances from Thrifty Buyers Store, 313 Market st., Nov. 13.
The wallpaper firm was entered Nov. 17 when $712 in cash and $200 worth of postage stamps was taken. On Dec. 10, they purportedly entered Asam’s again and ransacked the second-floor offices of Camden Ink and Color Co. and Cutler Metal Co.; the Fitwell Coat Co. on the third floor, and the Wilkie W. Faust Co., next door at 1011 Market st.
Scarduzio said a warrant has been issued for Porter’s wife, Jean, charging her with assault and battery on the Green girl. The girl underwent an emergency operation Tuesday night in Cooper Hospital, after being left there by Porter, Scarduzio said.
Police also disclosed that Porter was wanted on an assault and battery warrant issued on complaint of his wife.
Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mayor Westcott has been indorsed for renomination by the Liberty Park Republican Club.
The body of Captain George Deitz, of [?]60 Mount Vernon street, who fell overboard from his scow and was drowned, was recovered in Cooper’s Creek yesterday.
Dennings Clark, who fractured his skull and had his eye punched out by a fall in front of a saloon at West and Clinton streets, has recovered sufficiently to leave the Cooper Hospital.
William H. Still, colored, who shot his wife four times at their home, near Snow Hill, several weeks ago, can get out of the Camden County Jail on $500 bail pending trial. Judge Vroom fixed the amount of bail yesterday, as Mrs. Still is out of danger.
Fires yesterday caused $200 damage at Albert Fleet’s residence, [?]00 North Ninth street, and a loss of $25 at the home of Samuel Harring, [?]19 North Front street, while at Mrs. Boyson’s house, Point and Elm streets, a hundred pigeons were burned to death.
Samuel Harmon, a colored sneak thief, made the mistake of attempting to strip a clothes line in Policeman Schregler’s back yard while the officer was at home eating his dinner. Harmon will regret his mistake during the thirty days he is to spend in the county jail.
Favorable reports were presented yesterday at the third annual meeting of the Woman’s Baptist Union in the North Baptist Church, and these officers were elected: President, Mrs. J. M. Hare; vice-presidents, Mrs. Joseph Cramer, Mrs. John W. Lyell; corresponding secretary, Mrs. S. M. Sampson; treasurer, Mrs. S. O. Hugg.
Camden’s Sunday News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Cooper Hospital surgeons yesterday doctored a deep gash in the head of John Weidner, 62 years old, of 116 Mechanic street.
Mrs. Thomas S. Mason, who was shot by her husband, is pronounced out of danger by the Cooper Hospital authorities.
Edward H. B. Watts, a freight brakeman, of 134 East Huntingdon street, Philadelphia, was brought into the Cooper Hospital yesterday with his leg broken above the ankle.
Policeman William Stanton, who was arrested and severely handled by Policemen Isaac McKinley and Isaac Shreeve, while quarreling with his wife a week ago, has brought suit against his fellow-officers in the Supreme Court for damages for injuries they inflicted.
Isaac Shreve Dies, Veteran Policeman
Camden Courier-Post —
The Day’s Deaths
Fatally Stricken With Apoplexy in Responding to ‘False Alarm’
Nearly forty years a policeman, Isaac M. Shreve died last night “with his boots on.” He was fatally stricken while on duty. He was 6[?] years old.
The veteran bluecoat was stricken with apoplexy as he was about to step into the Third District auto patrol after a false-alarm call to Thirty-sixth and Federal streets, a short distance from his home.
With Policeman George Clark, driver of the machine, Shreve answered the call. When the officers arrived with the “wagon” they were informed that their services were not needed because the complainant had decided not to make a charge.
Shreve started to walk back to the machine when he suddenly toppled over unconscious. He was placed in the police auto and taken to Cooper Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Coroner Charles T. Murray issued a death certificate.
Shreve is survived by his wife, Jennie, and a son, Joseph, who is a policeman attached to the Third District. He lived at 17 South Thirty-sixth street.
Previous to being appointed a policeman Shreve served three years in the fire department. He was appointed a policeman by Mayor Pratt in 1886. In a political shakeup in 1886 he resigned from the force but was reappointed by the late Cooper B. Hatch in the “Committee of One Hundred” campaign days.
Although small in size, Shreve had a reputation for having “nerve.” He patrolled “beats” in South Camden for many years, but for the last eighteen years he was on duty in East Camden.
Twelve years ago he engaged in a pistol battle with a robber and was shot in the abdomen. For weeks he hovered between life and death but finally recovered.
Many years ago Shreve drove the old horse-drawn “ding-ding” in the First District. Previous to being assigned to the Third District auto patrol he served for several years as acting house sergeant at the East Camden station house.
Man Stabbed Outside City Bar
Camden Courier-Post —
A 30-year-old Camden man was listed in serious condition today in Cooper Hospital’s intensive care unit after being stabbed last night outside a bar.
Camden police said Felipe Nogueras Colon of 428 Vine St. was admitted to the hospital with stab wounds of the left side of the abdomen. They said his family brought him in and reported that he had been stabbed about 8 p.m. yesterday outside a bar at 2nd and Vine streets.
4 children killed, 2 other persons injured in Camden fire
Philadelphia Inquirer —
By Jack Severson Inquirer Staff Writer
CAMDEN — Four children were killed and two persons were injured early yesterday when a fire swept through a brick rowhouse in a low-income neighborhood here just north of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
The two-alarm fire at 328 Erie St. broke out shortly before 6 a.m., killing Tanya Adams, 11, and her three brothers, Andre, 10, Steven, 9, and Tyhe, 8.
The children’s mother, Merel Hall, 27, and her husband, Robert Hall, 21, escaped the blaze by crawling out a second-floor bedroom window onto the roof of the front porch. Hall fell from the roof, sustaining a broken wrist and ankle. Both were admitted to Cooper Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation and other injuries.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
Mrs. Hall’s brother, Leroy Adams, attempted to rescue the children, but was thwarted by smoke and flames.
Firefighters found the bodies of Tanya, Steven and Tyhe in the middle bedroom on the second floor. Andre’s body was found near the only window in the rear bedroom of the three-bedroom home.
“I heard a scream and I peeped out the window and I saw them on the roof,” Adams, 32, who lives across the street from the Hall house, said yesterday.
“I ran downstairs and across the street and went up the pole (a column supporting the porch roof) and onto the roof. Merel said the kids were inside, so I went in the window — inside the front bedroom. I couldn’t go no further because of the smoke; I couldn’t breathe. So I went back outside and got a breath and tried to go back in.
“But when I tried to go back the second time, the flames broke through the bedroom door,” he said.
By that time, according to neighbors, firefighters had arrived at the scene and were hosing down the front of the building, one of 12 homes in a block-long row anchored at each end by boarded-up houses.
“I got here about 6:30, and there were three guys here with fire hoses,” said Elmer Chandler, 27, Mrs. Hall’s brother-in-law. Chandler, of East Camden, had been alerted by a phone call from the home of Mrs. Hall’s mother, Hallie Adams, 50, who also lives across the street from her daughter.
“Leroy was on the roof, and he was yelling, ‘There are kids in there!’” Chandler said. “The firemen said, ‘Kids in there? We didn’t know that.’”
At that point, according to neighbors and other witnesses, the front of the house, including the porch roof, was nearly engulfed in flames and entry was impossible.
Firefighters were able to confine the blaze to the Hall home. The two houses adjacent to it sustained only minor damage, and there were no injuries to the occupants.
The fire was first reported by a telephone call from a neighbor “at about 6 a.m.,” according to fire officials. The first alarm was sounded at 6:16, followed by a second alarm at 6:23. The fire was declared under control at 6:45.
As neighbors and relatives milled about the street outside the Hall home yesterday afternoon, investigators from the Camden fire marshal’s office and the arson unit of the Camden County prosecutor’s office sifted through the building’s charred interior, searching for clues to the cause of the blaze.
“The place was pretty well gutted,” Fire Marshal Harold H. Pike said. “It’s going to be tough (finding the cause), but we’re just going to keep digging.”
Across the street, family members gathered on the front porch of Hallie Adams’ house, awaiting her return from Cooper Medical Center, where she had been treated for what a hospital spokesman called “anxiety” and released. Also treated was Mrs. Adams’ daughter, Monica, 17, who sustained smoke inhalation.
“It must have happened awfully fast,” said Carl Adams, 32, another brother of Mrs. Hall, who had been called to the scene from his home in Chester.
“Those kids were sensitive to fire,” he said, staring into the black cavity that was once a living room. “They knew about fire. It must have burned awfully quick for them not to get out.”
Girl, 15, Drowns Trying to Catch Minnows
Philadelphia Daily News —
A group of six young boys and girls went to catch minnows along the Cooper River, 300 yards south of the State St. bridge, in Camden, at 7 last night.
Donna Binder, 15, of 1000 Segal St., Camden, was wading, trying to scoop up a school of minnows when she stepped into a deep hole.
While her friends watched, horrified and helpless, she disappeared. Her friends ran to the bridge-tender’s shack and told attendant William Caffrey what happened. He called police.
AT 9 O’CLOCK, after continuous dragging for almost two hours, firemen brought up the girl’s body. She was taken to Cooper Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival.
Donna and a friend, Georgia Hazel, 13, of 522 N. 3d St., Camden, had left Donna’s home to visit Donna’s grandmother in Ablett Village, a Camden housing development. But on the way they met four boys.
The boys invited the girls to join them in their “minnow hunt.” So the girls went along.
IN THE GROUP were Georgia’s brother, James, 14; James Luciano, 9, of 522 N. 3d St.; William Stavlick, of 616 Linwood Ave., and Curtis Platt, 10, of 908 Elm St.
The spot where Donna was drowned has been a danger area during hot days. Two weeks ago a boy drowned in almost the exact spot.
And yesterday four boys in a boat got in trouble and were hauled ashore by police.
Donna was identified at the hospital by her mother, Mary, 38, and her stepfather, William Kunitz.
Defies Efforts Of 2 Chums to Rescue Him
Camden Courier-Post —
A 16-year-old boy was drowned in the Cooper river, near Eleventh and Linden streets, today after he jumped into the water, apparently to escape the heat.
The boy, William Bush, of 431 Riley street, was brought to Cooper hospital, where physicians used artificial respiration in an effort to save his life. Dr. Llewelyn Hunsicker pronounced the boy dead.
According to police, Bush, who could not swim, had been playing on the bank with two companions, Thomas Brown, 16, of 320 Washington street, and Raymond Hickman, 15, of 318 Washington street.
Police said the three decided to take a dip i nthe [sic] river. The Bush boy asked the others to watch him while he jumped in. He then leaped from the bank and immediately began bobbing up and down.
At first the other two thought Bush was joking, but soon realized that he was in trouble. Brown leaped in after him, but Bush was frantic by then and drove Brown away with his flailing arms.
Forced to Quit Effort
Another boy, Dennis Conway, 16, of 717 Fern street, who was swimming nearby, approached Bush and tried to grab him, but Conway also was forced to abandon the effort to save Bush when the latter thrashed at him.
Conway then shouted to one of the others to call the police. The boy was forced to run several hundred yards to the Scott-Smith Cadillac Co. to make the telephone call.
Fire Rescue Squad No. 1, at Fifth and Arch streets, under the direction of Battalion Chief Harry Wagner, administered artificial respiration until the arrival of Dr. Hunsicker, brought from Cooper hospital by police.
Orders Boy to Hospital
Dr. Hunsicker expressed belief Bush was already dead, but ordered the boy taken to the hospital for still further attempts to revive him.
The Weather Bureau reported a high of 86 today at 5 p. m., but a gentle southerly breeze brought fairly pleasant conditions in this area. The thermometer will drop to about 66 tonight, but will rise to 86 by tomorrow afternoon. The latest prediction is fair and quite warm weather tonight and tomorrow.
Dog Bite Victims
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Two victims of dogs’ teeth were treated at Cooper Hospital yesterday. William Willoughby, aged 3 years, of 2839 Sherman avenue, had his face lacerated, while Edward Nelson, aged 29 years, of 303 Benson street, was bitten on the hand.
Man injured, home destroyed in city fire
Camden Courier-Post —
By KAREN KOFOED MULDOON Courier-Post Staff
CAMDEN — One man was critically injured last night in a two-alarm fire that destroyed a row house at 1143 Sheridan St. and caused extensive damage to a vacant house next door.
The man, a boarder in the house, apparently jumped from a second-floor window to escape. He suffered burns and smoke inhalation in addition to any injuries he may have suffered in the jump.
His condition was evaluated at Cooper Hospital-University Medical Center before he was transferred to Crozer-Chester Medical Center, in Upland, Pa., but his name was being withheld because his family had not been contacted.
The 6:59 p.m. fire burned out of control for an hour and 15 minutes. Battalion Chief John Giuliano said the entire building was “almost totally consumed” and the adjoining vacant house was heavily damaged.
Sheila Carney, who lived at 1143 Sheridan St., said she had just taken her 16-month-old baby to visit a neighbor when someone told her a house was on fire and it looked like hers.
She said she had been renting the house since last summer.
“Everything I own is gone,” she said. “Everything was burned. I believe somebody set my house on fire.”
Guiliano [sic] said fire officials had not yet determined the cause of the blaze.
The fire was one of several that have plagued the city in recent days.
A two-alarm fire, that has been ruled arson, broke out in a row house at 827 Elm St. late Tuesday, burned throughout the morning early yesterday, spread to the Bible Tabernacle Church at 823-825 Elm St., destroyed the church and damaged another house at 821 Elm St.
A seven-alarm fire on Sunday ravaged four businesses on Westfield Avenue in East Camden.
And a three-alarm fire on Saturday night destroyed St. Rosa’s Primitive Baptist Church at 576 Walnut Street.
Courier-Post photo by Richard Borys
One Killed, One Hurt by Train
Philadelphia Inquirer —
One man was killed and another seriously injured when an inbound train on the Amboy division of the Pennsylvania Railroad ran them down at Fish House, five miles above Camden, last night. The dead man was Peter Peffer, 20 years old, 628 North Twenty-fourth street, East Camden. The body was taken to the Morgue after being viewed by Coroner Bentley. Richard Dunn, 24 years old, 2818 Saunders street, East Camden, was lacerated and bruised about the body. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital. Both men were walking along the railroad tracks. It was dark and the train was upon them so quickly they were unable to leap out of the way. Peffer fell under the wheels and was crushed, and Dunn was hurled to the side of the tracks.
Auto Slips From Jack, Kills Man
Camden Courier-Post —
Victim Crushed While Installing Spring on Car
A 78-year-old auto repairman was killed Tuesday when a car fell from a jack on his head and chest in the shop he had operated for 30 years.
Clarence G. Watson, of 2903 High st., was pronounced dead on arrival at Cooper Hospital.
The body was found at 5.30 p. m. by a son, Thomas W., 33, who went to the shop at 2922 Saunders st. when he came home from work and missed his father.
Detective Martin Nelson said the elder Watson had raised the automobile, his own, on a bumper jack, and removed a wheel. He was lying on his back apparently trying to install a new spring when the machine fell. Police said a small hydraulic jack used on the spring had apparently jarred the car off the bumper jack.
The son, employed at a Camden auto body repair shop, said he expected to find his father preparing dinner as usual when he arrived home.
The two lived alone since the death of Mrs. Watson three years ago, the father continuing to work in his shop and keeping house.
Kitchen implements indicated Watson had prepared his lunch at home, the son said. The accident would thus have occurred sometime in the afternoon.
Coroner Robert J. Blake said the death was apparently accidental, and ordered an autopsy today.
Surviving also are another son, Horace C., of Moorestown, and two daughters, Mrs. Mary Hart and Mrs. Reba Rogers, both of Pennsauken.
Dogs Send Two to Cooper Hospital
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Dogs sent George Farmer, 46 years old, of 978 Woodland avenue, and George Zimmerman, 5 years old, of 564 Auburn street, to the Cooper Hospital yesterday. Farmer was bitten on the arm, while the boy had his wrist torn.
Chasing Ball in Street Lands Boy in Hospital
Camden Courier-Post —
Samuel Hill, 7, of 825 Fern street, chased a truant baseball into the street early last night and 10 minutes later was in Cooper Hospital with a fractured collarbone and an injury to his left foot.
Edward W. Kreh, 1204 Airdrie avenue, Philadelphia, told Detective Anson Kelly he saw the boy on the curb but was unable to stop his car in time. He hurried the child to the hospital and reported to police. The boy was permitted to return home.
Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Theodore Shaw, of 434 Henry street, who was stabbed and beaten at Third street and Taylor avenue was sent home from Cooper Hospital yesterday morning. The police are looking for James Binero and Octavio Dulduca, who are supposed to have been implicated in the assault on Shaw.
While bathing at Cape May yesterday, Ella Elbert, colored, of Wilmington, Del., fell from the boardwalk and broke her leg. She was brought to Cooper Hospital.
William McCarty, of 603 Cresson street, and Samuel Burns, of 406 North Eighteenth street, Philadelphia, were arrested yesterday charged with scorching on a tandem bicycle on the Mt. Ephraim pike.
Harry Thornberg was locked up yesterday charged with stealing a bundle of clothing from John Kenny, of 408 Clinton street.
Policeman Paul yesterday arrested Joseph W. Evans, a lad charged with shooting crap, at Eighth and Pearl streets.
For the second time within a month fire caused by a gasoline stove slightly damaged. Albert K. Snyder’s restaurant, at 311 Kaighn avenue, yesterday.
Here and There in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
In a fall on the deck of a tugboat, George F. Moore, 27 years old, of 1484 Princess avenue, slipped on a piece of ice, fell and broke his leg. He was taken to Cooper Hospital.
Miss Eveline Pratley, 23 years old, of 221 North Thirty-eighth street, received three mangled fingers in a machine at a plant at Thirty-eighth street and Westfield avenue. She was treated at Cooper Hospital.
With a capital of $100,000, the Jackson Oil Company was incorporated yesterday, the incorporators being Randolph Cooper, William R. Stewart and Norman Nicholson.
Eleanor Miller, 6 years old, of 712 South Eighth street, was taken to Cooper Hospital yesterday with a double fracture of the right arm, the result of a fall downstairs.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Police Captain Stanley early yesterday morning raided the house at 139 Chestnut street and arrested Bessie Heisler and Emma Carll, the alleged proprietresses.
William Smith, 23 years old, of 419 Clinton street, fell on the sidewalk at Seventh and Benson streets yesterday as the result of an attack of heart disease. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital.
Rev. H. G. Fithian, chairman of the American Seaman’s Friend Society, preached at the Second Presbyterian Church yesterday.
Rev. Dr. George B. Wight, Commissioner of the Bureau of Correction, occupied the pulpit at the First M. E. Church yesterday.
The woman who was taken to the Cooper Hospital Saturday night, her mind a blank as the result of a fall, was yesterday found to be Mrs. Hannah Wood, of Fifth and Washington streets.
Four Prostrations in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Four persons succumbed to the heat in Camden yesterday. Three of them were prostrated at a talking machine plant and included Ida Lauderback, 17 years old, of 223 Federal street; Anna Connor, 17 years old, of 209 Byron street; and Mary Brinning [sic], 18 years old, of Tenth and Line streets. Catherine Griffin, 17 years old, of 906 North Fourth street, was overcome at the pen factory. She was treated at the Homeopathic Hospital, the other three at the Cooper Hospital.
Harry B. Maxwell
Camden Courier-Post —
Services for Harry B. Maxwell, 78, of 605 Pearl Street, a retired city fireman, who died Wednesday in Cooper Hospital, will be at 11 a.m. Monday in the Murray Funeral Home, 408 Cooper Street, where friends may call Sunday night. Burial will be in Bethel Memorial Park, Pennsauken.
Mr. Maxwell was a member of Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association 5.
Surviving are his wife, Marguerite; a son, Joseph J. of Collingswood; four daughters, Mrs. Irene Lindholm of Camden, Mrs. Margaret Humphries of Berlin, Mrs. Ada Harrington of Pomona, Calif., Mrs. Elizabeth Singer of Stratford; a sister; a brother; 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Camden’s Scarred Patriots
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Fourth Marked by Absence of Serious Accidents
All Camden entered into the spirit of the Fourth of July yesterday. One noticeable feature of the day was the absence of serious accidents. Not a Fourth of July victim was treated at the Homeopathic Hospital, while at the Cooper Hospital but eight were admitted, as follows:
Albert Owens, aged 24 years, of 227 Mechanic street; powder burns of the back.
Charles Haines, aged 54 years, of 110 Birch street; burned hands.
Joseph Simons, aged 47 years, of 1113 Locust street; contusions of the eyelid.
Russell Hutchins, aged 11 years, of 557 Royden street, gunshot wound of right leg.
William Fabor, aged 14 years, of 226 Washington street; blank cartridge wound of right hand.
Florence McGann, aged 33 years, of 226 Erie street; powder burns of hands.
Samuel Ross, aged 14 years, of 5 North Third street; face burned.
Frank Kupp, aged 14 years, of 1043 Pine street; burned hands.
Yesterday afternoon flag raising and christening ceremonies were held at the new apartment house at Sixth and Mickle streets. At Pyne Point Park exercises appropriate to the day were observed. They consisted of singing, music, reading of the Declaration of Independence by F. Wayland Potter and addresses by Rev. F. A. De Maris, of the State Street M. E. Church; Mayor Joseph E. Nowrey, and ex-Assemblyman Joseph M. Engard.
Last night splendid pyrotechnical displays were given.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Elizabeth Rodd, aged 55 years, of 505 South Fifth street, was found dead in bed yesterday. Coroner Lippincott gave a certificate of death from heart disease.
F. Meredith, of 137 Cooper avenue, Wood Lynne, was admitted to the Cooper Hospital yesterday with a crushed foot, the result of an iron plate falling on it.
Mayor Joseph E. Nowrey, of Camden, yesterday received an answer to his letter of thanks to Mayor John Weaver for the timely assistance of the Philadelphia firemen in the recent blaze at the Victor talking machine plant. Mayor Weaver, in the communication, says Philadelphia was only too glad to assist a sister city in distress.
Scores of persons yesterday attended the funeral of the late William H. Shearman, which took place from his home, 33 Haddon avenue. The services were conducted by Rev. Dr. Clarence A. Adams, of the Trinity Baptist Church. Interment was made in Evergreen Cemetery.
As far as could be learned only ten carpenters went out on strike in Camden yesterday as a result of the recent demand of the union men for an increased wage scale. Otherwise the threatened strike among all the local carpenters did not materialize.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A special session of the Criminal Court will be held by Judge Joline to-day.
A big plaster eagle, six feet tall and with wings stretching nine feet, arrived at the new Court House yesterday. It will be used as a model for the carving of two granite eagles on the east and west sides of the building.
Benjamin F. Ford, aged 7 years, was burned about the face and hands by a Christmas tree catching fire.
Samuel Ballinger was held in $500 bail yesterday by Justice Thompson, charged with the larceny of copper wire from the Camden and Suburban Railway Company.
The James & Washington Company, capital $50,000, was incorporated in Camden yesterday with these subscribers: Malcolm Lloyd, Melvin L. James, William E. Fritz, of Philadelphia. The object is to do a general brokerage and commission business.
At the North Baptist Church to-morrow the pastor, Rev. Dr. Wheeler, will preach at the morning and evening services. In the evening his subject will be “Dr. Lyman Abbott and the Bible.”
The annual report of the Cooper Hospital shows that during last year 1040 persons were admitted to the wards. Of these 772 were discharged as cured, 85 discharged as improved, 12 discharged as not improved, 17 left without permission and 115 died. In the dispensary 4593 patients were treated.
Vice Chancellor Grey in Camden yesterday rendered a decision in the case of Mrs. Mary Hartman against Frank H. Powell, dismissing the bill of complaint and imposing the costs on the plaintiff. The principals are neighbors living on Steven street. Mrs. Hartman sought to enjoin Powell from placing a porch pole between the two properties. Vice Chancellor Grey decided Powell has a right to erect the pole.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Dr. David Bentley yesterday filed his petition as a Republican candidate for coroner with County Clerk Patterson. He is the first to file such a petition this campaign.
Friends of Police Captain Stanley are arranging to go to New York Sunday morning to give him a royal greeting on his return from a three months’ trip abroad.
Caught between the top of a freight car and an overhead bridge at the Pennsylvania Railroad terminal, Camden, John Quick, 83 years old, of 400 Stevens street, was badly crushed yesterday. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital, where it was stated his condition is serious.
Dead Fireman Buried
Philadelphia Inquirer —
With the body mounted on the auto supply wagon, the funeral of Fireman Harry C. Anderson, who died in Cooper Hospital from injuries received in being thrown from the auto truck in responding to an alarm of fire a couple of weeks ago, took place yesterday from his home at 1147 Federal street, Camden. An escort of sixty men with Fire Chief Peter B. Carter at the head accompanied the body to the burying place at Harleigh. Chaplain Isaac Bagley, of the department, officiated at the services. The pall-bearers were fellow-firemen.
Carriage Accident
Philadelphia Inquirer —
While responding to an alarm of fire early yesterday morning the carriage containing Assistant Chief George Cox and Driver Seth Monnell struck and ran over Dennie Ryan, 53 years old, of 439 South Third street, at Broadway and Kaighn avenue. At the Cooper Hospital it was found Ryan had been badly cut and bruised, but not seriously injured.
McCann Out of Jail
Philadelphia Inquirer —
James McCann, who was committed to the Camden county jail last week on a charge of assault and battery on his brother, John, who died shortly after his admission to the Cooper Hospital, was yesterday held in bail for court. Bail was accepted by Judge Joline, who heard testimony on the return of the writ of habeas corpus. Prosecutor Lloyd said he saw no evidence to indicate that the death of John was caused by an assault made by James, but thought he should be held for the grand jury on a charge of assault.
Policeman Bitten
Philadelphia Inquirer —
With a propensity for biting policemen, John Blownski was arrested by Policeman William Miles yesterday and held for a hearing before the Recorder today. Miles had his hand badly chewed by the man, the wound being treated at the Cooper Hospital. Ten months ago Blownski similarly attacked Policeman George Kleaver.
Faces Operation
Camden Courier-Post —
JOHN McTAGGART
Patrolman McTaggart, 53, Camden’s Broadway cop, early today was removed to Cooper Hospital for an appendicitis operation. Patrolman McTaggart was stricken at his home at 13[?]1 Kenwood avenue. Dr. David S. Rhone, city commissioner, and his personal physician, ordered his removal to the hospital.
Dr. Rhone and Inspector John V. Wilkie waited at the hospital for the arrival of McTaggart. Dr. Paul M. Mecray, Jr., was summoned for an operation. McTaggart was bodyguard to former Governors Morgan F. Larsen and Harold G. Hoffman at Governor’s Day receptions at Sea Girt.
Harry F. Walton Dies from Wound
Camden Courier-Post —
Former Freeholder’s Death Pronounced Suicide; Ill Health Blamed
Former Freeholder Harry F. Walton, 52, died in Cooper Hospital last night from a self-inflicted bullet wound in the temple.
Walton shot himself at his home, 520 Bailey street, last Wednesday. Coroner Murray issued a certificate of death by suicide.
“He was melancholy over ill health,” Murray said.
Walton was the first president of the Pyne Poynt Social Club and was its treasurer at the time of his death. He was employed as a bookkeeper in the stock room of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation for nearly 25 years. Two weeks ago he suffered a nervous breakdown. He partially recovered and returned to work, relatives said. But he was again stricken.
Walton was alone in his home when he shot himself. He was unconscious when his sister, Irene M. Walton, found him. He never regained consciousness. Miss Walton found the gun beneath a radiator near his hand.
Walton became president of the social club when it was organized in 1911 at 939 North Fifth street. He served two years and became treasurer. He was custodian of the building and spent all of his leisure time there seeing to it that the younger members had a good time and maintained order.
The Pyne Poynt Athletic Association, of which he was financial secretary for years, met in the same building. His father, the late Franklin M. Walton, was one of the organizers of the athletic association 40 years ago.
Walton was elected in 1925 as Tenth ward freeholder and served three years. He was born in Philadelphia and when he was a boy his parents moved here. His mother, Mrs. Mary G. Walton, died six months ago. A brother, William, of 633 Pearl street, and his sister are the only other survivors.
Services will be held at 11 a. m., Wednesday at the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray and Son, 408 Cooper street. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.
Frank Gizelbach Recovering
Camden Courier-Post —
A DAUGHTER was born to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gattone, of 812 Tulip st., at Cooper Hospital on Jan. 15. She has been named Laura. A daughter, Debra, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Hughes, of 2258 S. 8th st., at Cooper Hospital on Jan. 9.
FRANK GIZELBACH, of 3044 Fenwick rd., is recovering at home after being a patient for several weeks in the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
It is estimated that the various reforms instituted since the incumbency of Street Commissioner Sayre will save the city at least $5000.
Falling into a vat of molten lead and nitric acid, Elmer Wright, 30 years old, of 1639 Broadway, was severely burned about the back yesterday. He was taken home.
By the breaking of machinery in a worsted mill, Lillian Ganders, 23 years old, had her forehead split open almost its full width yesterday. The wound was treated at the Cooper Hospital.
The Kasson Mica Company was incorporated yesterday with a capital of $50,000, the incorporators being A. R. Kasson, H. Raymond Staley and Wilfred B. Wolcott, of Camden.
On opening the Synagogue Sons of Israel, at Eighth and Sycamore streets yesterday morning, it was discovered that two valuable silver cups had been stolen.
Detective Brothers Ill
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Taken ill in his office at the City Hall Detective Brothers is in Cooper Hospital undergoing treatment for a threatened attack of appendicitis.
Woman Unconscious, Man Arrested
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Unconscious for the past three days, Mrs. Edith Grover, 50 years old, of No. 1 boathouse, foot of Jackson street, Camden, is in Cooper Hospital. The nature of her malady has not been determined, but in the meantime Detective Brothers has taken into custody James Gehan, 50 years old, who is said to have lived with the woman [cut off at the crop edge]
Brennan Woman Jailed
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Refusing to say anything about the case, Jennie Brennan, 25 years old, of 325 Mickle street, who stabbed Osman Harding, 24 years old, of 267 Mechanic street, was yesterday committed to jail without bail by Recorder Stackhouse. The young woman’s face brightened when Detective Brothers reported that the man whom she had stabbed because of his alleged attack on her, was in an improved condition at Cooper Hospital and will very likely recover [cut off at the crop edge]
Angry Suitor Shoots Woman, Kills Self
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Joseph Broadway Wounds Mrs. Lydia Harris After Advances Are Rejected
Angered because Mrs. Lydia Harris, 35 years old, who has a furnished room house at 512 Kaighn avenue, Camden, refused to return his affection, Joseph Broadway, 53 years old, of the same address, yesterday afternoon sent a bullet into the woman’s head over the left eye. He then turned the weapon on himself, sending a bullet into his own head over the left ear. At the Cooper Hospital, where both were sent by Detective Brothers, it was stated the woman will likely recover. The disappointed admirer died shortly after his admission.
For some time, it is asserted by the police, the man had been living with Mrs. Harris, although she did not give him any great encouragement. When yesterday afternoon he suggested that she marry him, she refused such an offer. Then he asked her to take a sociable drink with him. This she also refused. Then, walking toward the woman and drawing a revolver, Broadway said:
“Well, we might as well leave the world together.”
At that he deliberately shot the woman before she could get to a place of safety and when she fell he sent a bullet into his own head. Policeman Brothers was about to board a trolley car a short distance away when he heard the shots. He went to the house and found the man and woman in the kitchen, both of whom he had taken to the hospital at once.
Broadway was employed at the New York Shipbuilding Company’s plant and is said to come from Chesapeake City, Md. According to the police, Mrs. Harris is separated from her husband.