Introduction
Sitley & Son was founded by Arthur M. Sitley and his son Frank Budd Sitley. The Sitleys were farmers who saw opportunity in Camden, selling grain, feed and farm equipment. In 1886 they bought the business of Elias Kaighn, located at 128 Kaighn Avenue.
In 1894 the Sitleys built a grain elevator and warehouse on the south side of Chelton Avenue between Fillmore Street and South 6th Street. The plant burned in 1905, was rebuilt. The Sitleys also owned a sister company, Gloucester Grain and Dairy Feed Company, which had a grain elevator and warehouse in Gloucester City in the mid-1900s.
Arthur M. Sitley in time left the running of the business to his son. He passed away on May 12, 1911 at the age of 76. Sadly, longevity was not granted to his son. Frank Budd Sitley died in 1915 of pneumonia in his 53rd year. His wife, the former Ada Smith, and eventually his sons, took over the business, and ran it successfully for over forty years.
The Sitley & Son grain elevator and warehouse was again destroyed by fire in 1920. After this fire the Sitleys rebuilt their warehouse once again. They did not rebuild the grain elevator, and in time they branched into the roofing supplies business. Once again fire struck, in April of 1930, causing an estimated $45,000 worth of damage.
Sitley & Son went out of business in 1959. By 1962 the building had been razed.
Sitley & Son Postcard
Sitley & Son — Camden, N.J.
Historical & Industrial Review of Camden, N.J. — 1890
Sitley & Son, Flour, Feed, Seeds and Grain, 128 Kaighn’s Avenue
The City of Camden has for a period past, been identified with the flour and grain trade, as a distributing point to the consumer of these products, and her merchants in this branch of commercial pursuit, enjoy a widespread reputation for the facilities they have introduced as a means of supplying the trade with fresh and choice goods.
One of the oldest establishments in this section is that founded by E.B. Kaighn in 1879, and succeeded by the present firm in 1886.
The office and warehouse occupied for business purposes, stands on a plot 40 x 125 feet in area. Every facility is here enjoyed for the prompt handling of grain and feed.
The various apartments are supplied with bins, shutes, elevators, scales etc., and all the modern accessories known to the trade are here enjoyed, Telephone No. 48, being in use.
A heavy stock embracing fine family and bakers’ flour in bag or barrel, meal, mill feed, oats, corn, rye, barley, wheat, and farm seeds of every description, as well as implements. Oats are a specialty.
The trade is wide-spread and growing, and all the transactions are characterized by liberality and equity. In the successful prosecution of the business eleven assistants are employed, and two double and one single team, utilized for hauling and delivery purposes.
A. M. & F. B. Sitley, are the individual members of the firm, both gentlemen are natives of New Jersey, and prior to engaging in their mercantile venture, pursued the avocation of agriculturists.
Since establishing here, they are regarded high in commercial circles, as responsible dealers, progressive, enterprising citizens, who enjoy the confidence of all with whom they have business relations, and well merit the success attending their efforts.
Business Men in Line
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Organizing a Sound Money League in Camden.
A movement has been started in Camden to organize a Sound Money League of business men. An address has been issued, which says:
“Believing that the adoption of the Chicago platform as our national policy would be a menace to the welfare and prosperity of our country and realizing that those engaged in commercial enterprises would be the first to endure the evils resulting from the radical methods indorsed therein, it is important that business interests of the country should be allied in an aggressive movement in favor of a stable financial policy.
“It is proposed to organize the Business Men’s Sound Money League of Camden, and the co-operation of all those engaged in mercantile, manufacture or other business callings or occupations is solicited, irrespective of past party affiliation, to unite in the formation of a league for the election of McKinley and Hobart, as the representatives of sound money.”
The address is signed by Democrats as well as Republicans. Among the signers are the Esterbrook Steel Pen Company, Farr & Bailey, Gately & Hurley, Toone & Hollingshed, Frank D. Sitley & Sons, Howland Croft, George D. Van Sciver, William S. Scull, Anthony Kobus and John Campbell, Jr.
It is proposed that the organization shall take an active part in the campaign
Police Halt Grain Theft Conspiracy
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Two Men Arrested and Warrants Out for Others on the Charge of Robbing Sitley & Son, of Camden
In the arrest of Harry Kelly, of Magnolia, and Samuel Cox by the Camden police yesterday what is supposed to be a conspiracy to systematically steal grain from the firm of Frank B. Sitley & Son, Chelton [sic] and Railroad avenues, Camden, has been unearthed. According to the police the theft of grain has been going on for several months and beside those already arrested others are being sought. Grain to the value of hundreds of dollars is said to have been stolen.
Kelly and Cox were arrested by City Detective John Painter on complaint of Stephen Robinson, manager for the Sitleys. Kelly was a shipping clerk for the grain merchants, while Cox was employed as a brakeman on the Atlantic City Railroad. Kelly is alleged to have at various times placed extra bags of grain on freight cars in charge of Cox. The grain was worth $1.63 a bag and, according to the police, Cox disposed of the stuff for 50 cents a bag. The money was divided among several in the conspiracy.
So much grain was lost in this manner that the firm became suspicious and notified the police. Detective Painter was detailed on the case, which resulted in the two arrests. Warrants are out for half a dozen others. Both the defendants are well connected and their arrest has caused considerable surprise.
Last year Sitley & Son lost hundreds of dollars’ worth of grain through thieving employes, several of whom were given terms in prison.
Mayor Hatch Averts Runaway Accident
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN.—Memorial Day was appropriately observed yesterday.—Mayor Hatch yesterday, by his nerve and pluck, averted a serious runaway accident by stopping a team driven by Freeholder Cooper—Frank B. Sitley, a director of the Atlantic City Railroad and a prominent South Jersey grain merchant, was severely injured by being thrown from a trolley car—Harry Burke, a boy, was seriously injured by being run over by a brewery wagon near his home on Carman street.—City Counsel Snyder says Camden owns Walnut street wharf, over which there is a controversy between the city and the South Jersey Gas, Electric and Traction Company.—Mrs. Annie Craig was twice frustrated from drowning herself yesterday.
Arthur M. Sitley Stricken in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
While Dr. Francis J. Bickers, of 1701 Fillmore Street, Camden, was driving in Broadway near Vanhook Street yesterday he saw an elderly man reel, fall and strike his head a severe blow on the curbstone. The doctor alighted and went to the man’s assistance. Realizing that it was a stroke of apoplexy, and that the man’s condition was dangerous, the doctor had him carried to a nearby house for treatment. Here he was recognized as Arthur M. Sitley, of 506 Broadway, Camden, and the founder of Sitley & Son’s grain elevator, in Camden, at Sixth and Chelton avenue. He was subsequently removed to his home. His condition is critical.
Big Theft of Grain in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
About six hundred bushels of grain were stolen from the elevator of Sitley & Son, on Chelton Avenue, Camden, some time early yesterday morning. The police are at a loss to know how such a quantity of grain was taken without the thieves being detected.
Flames Wreck Big Camden Elevator
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Sitley & Son’s Plant Destroyed by an Early Morning Fire of Mysterious Origin, Entailing Loss of $150,000
Fire of mysterious origin destroyed the grain elevator and warehouse of Sitley & Son, Sixth street, Chelton avenue and the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad, Camden, early yesterday morning, resulting in damages amounting to $150,000, fully covered by insurance. The elevator was the largest in New Jersey.
It was twenty minutes after two o’clock when James Cahill, the watchman, heard a muffled report coming from the centre of the building. Almost immediately a sheet of flames burst into view and so [col 1 continues in p1-2] the recently erected plant of the Camden Brewery Company to the southwest of the burning structure.
Firemen’s Work Unavailing
Under the direction of Chief Elfreth the firemen made every effort to save the structure, but the fire had gained such headway that their work was unavailing. Thick volumes of smoke of a pungent odor nearly blinded the men. Firemen Joseph Maxwell, of No. 2 Fire House, was taken to the Cooper Hospital for treatment.
rapidly did the blaze gain that Cahill, before he could turn in an alarm from the plant, was badly burned. He succeeded in turning in a general alarm, every fire company in the city responding.
A strong northwest wind was blowing at the time and, although this fanned the flames until they leaped hundreds of feet, it had a tendency to shift them from [col 2 continues below] As the flames were reaching the stables containing eight horses a crowd of men, headed by John Hines, broke in the door and succeeded in taking the animals to a place of safety. Two hours after the fire was discovered the entire elevator was a mass of ruins.
Frank B. Sitley, a member of the firm, [Continued on 2d Page, 5th Col.]
New Life in the League
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Will Engineer Crusade From Headquarters in Camden
The New Jersey Law and Order League held its annual meeting in Camden yesterday, at which these officers were elected: President, Edward Kulp, Wenonah; vice president, Rev. James E. Lake, National Park; treasurer, Frank B. Sitley, Camden; secretary, Rev. Samuel H. Hann, of Ocean City; trustees, C. B. Coles, H. S. Miner, S. W. Lake, George Lippincott, George Abbott; Executive Committee, Rev. Geo. H. Neal, Rev. John R. Mason, Rev. John Handley, Rev. F. A. De Maris, Lewis Eckel and Rev. J. Morgan Read.
The league decided to open permanent headquarters in Camden in the near future. Secretary Hann will give his undivided attention to the work of the league, which has not been very active for a year or so. It was stated that plans are under way for active work against all forms of vice and immorality.
Fire Breaks Out Again in Sitley Elevator Ruins
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Flames broke out yesterday among the ruins of the Sitley grain elevator, Camden, which was burned down by a fire Sunday, resulting in damages amounting to $150,000. So rapidly did the flames spread yesterday that an adjoining stable was being speedily burned up when the firemen arrived and saved it.
1906 Sanborn Maps
1906 Sanborn Maps — 550 block of Chelton Avenue
Woman in a Gang of Safe Robbers
Philadelphia Inquirer —
It Is Believed That a Female Accompanied Thieves Who Wrecked a Big Safe in a Grain Elevator on the Outskirts of Gloucester
WRECKED SAFE IN GRAIN PLANT
The above photograph shows the condition in which thieves left the big safe in the Gloucester Grain and Dairy Feed Company’s building in Gloucester City early yesterday morning.
Special to The Inquirer.
GLOUCESTER CITY, N. J., Jan. 6.—It is believed a woman accompanied a gang of safe robbers to this section early this morning when they blew open the safe in the office of the Gloucester Grain and Dairy Feed Company’s building, on Broadway near the toll gate. After the discovery of the robbery footprints, evidently those of a woman, were found in the snow. Chief of Police Marple, of this city, is thoroughly convinced that a female accompanied the gang and that she stood on guard while the men worked on the big safe.
The thieves came up the pike from Westville, where they gained entrance to the wheelwright shop of Henry Stanley by prying open the front door, but nothing thus far has been missed. They also gained entrance to a tool house of a section gang on the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad, above Stanley’s place, where they secured a big wrench, chisel and wharf spike, and then proceeded to the elevator of the grain plant, which is owned by Stitley [sic] & Son, of Camden.
Spike and Nitro-Glycerine
The front door was pried open with the spike and then the office door was similarly opened. The safe wrecked was in a corner of the building. Efforts were at first made to force off the combination and failing in this the thieves drilled a hole to the right of the lock and nitro-glycerine was poured in. The explosion tore the door off the hinges and broke the packing into bits. The windows were shattered and everything in the office was more or less damaged by the explosion. Nothing was touched in the safe except the cash drawer, which contained $84.41, which the thieves took. The books and several valuable papers were not touched. The cash register, which was on top of the safe, was knocked on the floor, but it was not broken, as it is always left open at night and there was no money in it. It was first thought that the work was done by amateurs, but the police are now inclined to believe that it was the work of professionals.
Robbery Discovered
Although the report of the explosion was heard by many residents the robbery was not known until after 6 o’clock, when John Schultz, a driver, discovered that the building had been entered and he at once notified Thomas Rea, the foreman, who sounded an alarm.
The robbers left by the way of a back door and the foot prints plainly showed that there was a woman in the gang. A freight train passed here shortly afterwards and stopped, and it is believed the robbers made their escape on this.
Mrs. Antone Letzgus, who lives directly across the street from the grain elevator, said that she was awakened by the explosion shortly after 2 o’clock and although she looked out her window she saw no one, and after waiting for a half hour returned to bed. Several other persons heard the report.
Greater Camden the Slogan at Board of Trade Banquet
Philadelphia Inquirer —
MAYOR CHAS H. ELLIS
JUDGE C V D JOLINE
EX-JUDGE HOWARD CARROW
EDMUND E. READ JR.
Men Prominent in Business Affairs Sound Praises of Growing City at Annual Feast
A greater, more progressive Camden was the watchword at he [sic] annual banquet given by Camden’s Board of Trade last night. And that this means something is evident from the fact that it came from the city’s “Captains of Industry” to the number of two hundred.
It was Camden’s rejuvenated Board of Trade that gave the banquet and the interest taken was manifested by the presence of representatives from every business concern of any prominence in the city.
All Represented
There were bankers besides just ordinary business men, professional men of every character, and all were imbued with the spirit to make of Camden a place that will be known on the map throughout the country. William L. Hurley, president of the board, presided at the banquet.
“Generally speaking, we are satisfied with our city,” said Mayor Charles H. Ellis in responding to the toast, “Camden as it is,” “but, of course, there is room for improvement in many respects, and it rests with you gentlemen, you members of the Board of Trade to largely aid in solving our municipal problems.”
Former Judge Howard Carrow acted as toastmaster and, beside Mayor Ellis, those who responded to toasts were Congressman James H. Davidson, of Wisconsin, who spoke on “Boards of Trades;” Judge of the Court of Common Pleas C. V. D. Joline, “Camden’s Eighty Years;” Lawyer Edmund E. Read, president of the Board of Education, “Camden’s Future.”
One of the features of the occasion was the presentation of a life-size oil painting of President William Leonard Hurley. [sic] to the board, by Lawyer Harry C. Kramer. This came as a complete surprise to President Hurley, but he expressed his thorough appreciation of the honor.
Senator Philander C. Knox, of Pennsylvania, was among the specially invited guests and a warm welcome awaited him, but he was unavoidably detained.. [sic]
Some good points to Camden’s credit were enumerated in the menu cards as follows:
“Camden has within its borders a population of nearly 100,000 and shipbuilding firms that can either supply a launch or the greatest battleship; the largest lace curtain manufacturers in America; a talking machine that speaks every known language; iron works that make enough pipe to girdle the earth; leather manufacturers who tan skins from all parts of the globe; the largest furniture house, whose products reach the Philippines; banks and trust companies whose resources are not affected by panics; artesian water that can be taken without adding anything.”
The committee in charge of the occasion included John T. Dorrance, chairman; Edwin G. C. Bleakly, Harry C. Kramer, David A. Henderson and Samuel W. Sparks.
Among the Guests
Among the participants were Congressman Harry C. Loudenslager, Francis Howell, Walter Wood, Elmer E. Long, George W. Jessup, former Judge Joseph Gaskill, Volney G. Bennett, Wilbur F. Rose, Alexander C. Wood, George A. Frey, Charles A. Reynolds, Vice Chancellor E. B. Leaming, Heulings Lippincott, Charles K. Haddon, Fithian S. Simmons, Joseph B. Van Sciver, David Jester, Frank B. Sitley, Alpheus McCracken, Thomas S. Nekervis, DeCourcy May, Watson Depuy, Lionel C. Simpson, John M. Kelly, G. George Browning, William J. Browning, Isaac Ferris, John C. Danenhower, John R. McFeeley, Elias Davis, Anthony Kobus, Captain John B. Adams.
$200,000 Damage as Fire Destroys Big Camden Plant
Philadelphia Public Ledger —
Firemen Battle 7 Hours With Flames That Wreck Grain Elevator and Warehouse
NEW YORK SHIPYARD IS THREATENED BY SPARKS
All Fire Apparatus in South Jersey Called to Save Sitley & Sons’ Property
Fire destroyed the grain elevator, warehouse and outbuildings of Sitley & Son, Inc., grain and feed merchant, Camden, during the night. The loss is estimated at nearly $200,000.
The blaze was a spectacular one. All the fire apparatus of Camden, Gloucester and neighboring towns was called before the fire finally was extinguished about 4 o’clock this morning. It was discovered about 9 o’clock last night.
Samuel Liker, a tower signalman employed on the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad, which bounds the plant on the east, discovered the fire in the big corrugated iron grain elevator.
When the engines arrived the fire in the elevator was beyond control and the flames had communicated to the nearby office of the company, Sixth street and Chelten avenue.
Victor Cabinets Destroyed
The plant occupies the block bounded by Sixth street, Chelten avenue, the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad and the Atlantic City Railroad. It consisted of the elevator, office and warehouse, stable, garage and various outbuildings.
Frank B. Sitley, of Haddonfield, is the owner of the building. When he heard of the fire, Mr. Sitley hurried to the scene of the blaze and remained throughout the night.
Despite the efforts of the firemen, the blaze continued to spread. The horses, wagons and automobiles were saved, but hundreds of talking machine cabinets owned by the Victor Talking Machine Co. and stored in the warehouse were destroyed.
Thousands of pounds of wool stored there by the United States Wool Co. and tons of various kinds of grains owned by the Sitley concern also were destroyed.
Traffic on both railroads was delayed for a time, but later was allowed to pass through when temporary scaffolds were erected to carry the hoses over the track.
The trolley service along Broadway to Gloucester, National Park, Westville, Woodbury and Blackwood was tied up by hose lines. Later this difficulty was overcome by operating the trolleys in a relay system. Passengers were carried to the fire by one trolley and after walking to the other side were carried to their destination by others.
Flames Illuminate Sky
Towns within a radius of five miles of the fire were illuminated by the blaze. Great sheets of flame shot high in the air and sparks were carried for many blocks. The grain elevator, which was 100 feet high, collapsed shortly after midnight.
Sparks endangered the nearby plants of the New York Shipbuilding Co., the J. C. Dunn & Co. oilcloth works and the F. A. Poth & Son brewery. Part of the shipbuilding fire-fighting force aided in fighting the fire, while the remainder patrolled the plant to extinguish falling sparks.
Residents of twelve houses on Chelten avenue immediately facing the Sitley plant moved out. Their belongings were carted away shortly after the fire began when it appeared as if the flames were sure to communicate to the buildings.
The houses are of frame and brick construction. After the families moved the male members returned and stationed themselves on the roof of the row to extinguish falling sparks. When the walls of the warehouse fell the roofs were covered with sparks.
Many firemen received slight injuries and burns, but none was taken to the hospital.
About 10,000 persons gathered to watch the fire. The embers still were smoldering this morning.
$150,000 Elevator Fire Hits Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Shipley & Sons’ Warehouse With Contents Destroyed by Spectacular Blaze
Fire of unknown origin destroyed the grain and hay elevator of Shipley [sic] & Sons, Sixth street and Cheltam [sic] avenue, Camden, at an early hour last night, entailing a loss estimated at $150,000, partially covered by insurance. The elevator was partially loaded with hay and feed. Hundreds of cabinets belonging to the Victor Company and a large quantity of wool owned by the United States Wool Company were in the building. They were included in the loss.
Three general alarms were turned in before the fire was brought under control. Practically all of the fire-fighting equipment in South Camden was in service in fighting the blaze, which threatened at times to spread to adjacent properties, among which is included an oil warehouse well filled with barreled lubricants. More than 10,000 spectators watched the blaze. Service on the West Jersey Railroad was suspended for two hours.
The fire was discovered shortly after 9 o’clock by the towerman of the West Jersey Railroad stationed just above the Cheltam [sic] avenue crossing. He promptly turned in an alarm. Almost at the same time the night watchman employed at the elevator discovered the blaze and turned in an alarm. This resulted in the response of three fire companies. When Chief Carter reached the scene of the fire he recognized that with the flames spreading as rapidly as they were at the time adjacent properties were in danger and a general alarm was sounded.
When it became evident that the elevator building was practically doomed the firemen turned their attention to preventing a spread of the flames to other buildings. They succeeded in confining the fire to the Shipley property. The latter was a four-story building with offices on the lower floor. Both the building and its contents were described as an entire loss after the flames were gotten under control shortly before midnight.
Although the fire was one of the hottest and most spectacular occurring in Camden in months no one was injured.
$285,000 Fire Loss at Camden Elevator
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Believe Blaze Smouldered Many Hours Before Being Discovered
After an inquiry into circumstances surrounding the fire which destroyed the Sitley grain elevator and warehouse at Sixth Street and Chelton Avenue, Camden, Fire Chief Thomas Nicholas yesterday stated that in his opinion the flames were caused by spontaneous combustion in the elevator and that the fire had been smouldering for several hours before discovery.
The firemen worked all last night, pouring tons of water on the fire. Only the southern end of the warehouse remains standing. An estimate of the damage has placed the loss at $285,000. The loss to the Sitley concern is $150,000. Peter B. Carter, who was struck by bricks when the front wall fell into the street, was taken to a hospital but was reported little the worse for injuries.
Arthur M. Sitley Death Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer —
SITLEY. — On May 12, 1911, ARTHUR M. SITLEY, husband of Annie E. Sitley (nee White). Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services, on Monday, May 15, at 2 P. M. at his late residence, 506 Broadway, Camden, N. J. Interment private at Harleigh Cemetery.
Frank B. Sitley Dies
Philadelphia Inquirer —
One of Camden’s most successful business men, Frank B. Sitley, died yesterday from pneumonia at his home at 200 Mansion avenue, Haddonfield. He was 52 years old and is survived by a widow and six children. Mr. Sitley was taken ill about a week ago, although he had been suffering from a severe cold previously. He became worse and although four physicians and a specialist were called in he succumbed to the malady. Over a quarter of a century ago he became associated with his father in the grain business. He was a member of Trimble Lodge of Masons, of Camden, and of the Haddonfield Presbyterian Church.
3 Youths Held as Blaze Razes Grain Plant of Sitley and Son
Camden Courier-Post —
Damage in Fire at Sixth and Bulson Streets Estimated at $45,000
Four Men Risk Lives to Save Two Horses
Three boys are being held and two others are sought in the investigation of the $45,000 fire which today destroyed the warehouse of Sitley & Son, wholesale hardware, roofing material and grain dealers at Sixth and Bulson Streets.
The three boys were ordered held by Police Judge Pancoast after authorities expressed belief that the three alarm fire was caused either by thieves or boys smoking cigarettes on the premises.
Two of the youths admitted they stole coal from the plant’s siding last night, while the third confessed that he, and two other boys were in the plant last evening. He said his two companions, who are expected to be arrested this afternoon, were smoking.
One fireman was slightly hurt when he ran a nail into his foot, while other firefighters narrowly escaped injury when the roof of the blazing building collapsed.
A dense fog, rain, great clouds of thick smoke and intense heat all hampered the firemen, and rendered them practically helpless for more than three hours. When the blaze was finally under control at 8:00 a.m., only the blackened and buckled walls remained standing.
Practically the entire stock was lost, but through the courage of four men including two policemen, a team of terrified horses and three trucks were saved from the blazing stable.
Twenty employees were temporarily deprived of work.
Discovery of three rolls of wire fencing on nearby railroad tracks and the presence of two men near the premises when the blaze was discovered led Fire Chief Thomas Nicholas to believe thieves had thrown a cigarette near some flammable material.
The arrested boy is John Brodzik, 1927 Fillmore Street.
Two other youths, John Hadyniak, 16, of 685 Ferry Avenue, and Anthony Parraine [Piraino—PMC], 11, of 2026 South Seventh Street, arrested on a charge of stealing coal from the Sitley siding last night are also being held. They declare they were not in the plant.
In addition to the smoke and heat firemen were further hampered by the fact that two railroads pass the building. Many of the hose lines had to be stretched over the tracks, so that in order to prevent passing trains, from which thousands of commuters saw the fire, from cutting the lines, holes were dug under the tracks and the lines run through the excavations.
Horses Rescued
The four rushed into the stable, broke down the door, and led out the two horses, which several times attempted to run back into the flames. The men also drove three trucks out of the place before they were driven away by the dense smoke.
The building occupies a plot about 300 feet square and comprises several one and two-story sections. There was formerly a grain elevator on the site belonging to the Sitleys, but it was destroyed by fire more than a decade ago and never rebuilt. On the south side of the plant are the Atlantic City Railroad tracks, and on the east side the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad lines.
Flames Spread Rapidly
Believed to have started either in the stable or at the extreme northern end of the plant, the fire quickly swept through the entire building. Rolls of tarred paper and bins of grain were quickly consumed, throwing out huge clouds of smoke.
Two more alarms were sounded for additional apparatus, but it was not until 7:30 a.m. that firemen could enter the building. Meanwhile, about 50 hose lines were stretched to the building and water continually played on the fire. Commissioner Frank B. Hanna arrived and increased the water pressure five points at the pumping stations to keep a water supply to feed the hose lines. Chief of Police Lewis H. Stehr also sped to the fire.
A touch of tragedy was added when Thomas Mills, 70, of 431 Viola Street, employed by the Sitleys for 40 years as a packer, arrived. The elderly workman burst into tears when he saw the flames, and sobbed that he was now out of work and had a family to support.
Finally, about 8 a.m., firemen had the blaze under control, after the roof had caved in. Only the walls stood, but several times they threatened to collapse.
The owners, Frank L. Sitley, Sr., of Woodbury, and his son, Frank L. Sitley, Jr., arrived, but declined to estimate their loss. However, police and firemen fixed an approximate damage of $25,000 to the building and $20,000 to the stock.
Lieutenant Frost found three rolls of wire fencing which had been taken from the building. They were lying on the Reading Railroad tracks, apparently dropped by thieves when police arrived.
Young Brodzik was arrested at 8:00 p.m. yesterday by Special Officer John Stevenson, who turned him over to Patrolmen Smith and Riehm. The youth was charged with suspicion of having broken into the place, and is alleged to have first denied being in the building, but later admitted that he and two other boys crawled through a basement window.
The boy declared that he neither smoked nor stole anything, but said that other boys had smoked. He refused to divulge their names.
Hadyniak and Perraine were arrested last night and charged with theft of coal from the siding. Brodzik declared those two were not the boys who were with him last night.
All three were arraigned before Judge Pancoast in police court this morning and held without bail pending investigation.
Auction — Sitley & Son, Inc.
Trenton Evening Times —
Auction
Owner Retiring from Business — Wholesale Hardware Inventory, Building Supplies of Sitley & Son, Inc., 6th St. & Chelton Ave., Camden, N. J.
Wed., July 22, at 11 A. M., on Premises
Lawn Fencing, Gates, Snow Shovels & Pushers, Garden Hand Tools, Forks, Rakes, etc. Power Mowers, Screening, Aluminum Flashing, Aluminum Roof Edging, Asbestos Siding, Asphalt Roof Shingles, Insulation Materials, Roof Coating, Cement, Bondex & Dramex, Insecticides, Miscell. Building & Garden Supplies, Electric Water Cooler, Typewriters, Comptometers, Various Office Furniture and Equipment.
Exhibition: Tues., July 21, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Samuel T. Freeman & Co., Auctioneers, 1808 Chestnut St., Philadelphia 3, Pa.