Introduction
By Phil Cohen
The Emerson Athletic Club sponsored baseball, football, and basketball teams in Camden from 1908 through at least 1922. The club was based in Camden’s Eighth Ward. It may have taken its name from that of Annie Emerson, who operated a cigar store at 1602 Broadway from 1902 through 1908, or it may have had some affiliation with a saloon located at 1819 Broadway that Martin J. Ewe operated from 1884 until the mid-1900s. This saloon was called the Emerson House in the years leading up to Prohibition, and was operated by Chris Waldenmaier.
The Emerson Athletic Club first shows up in Camden City Directories in the 1910 edition, which shows their clubhouse at 1643 Fillmore Street. The club incorporated on November 10, 1910, and remained on Fillmore Street through at least 1913. The 1914 Directory indicates that the club had moved to 1616 Broadway. On May 14 of that year the club incorporated as the Emerson Athletic Association of Camden, N.J. where they remained until 1921. The club then disappeared from Camden’s City Directories.
Although there are quite a few news articles about games the Emerson teams played, and many of them have the names of players, to date it has not been possible to identify many of these players, as only the last names have been given in most cases. Frank McLaughlin and George Hallowell definitely played for Emerson, one of the Bunting brothers, either William or Walter did, and possibly Joe Hyde, who went on to play professional basketball and baseball.
As more is learned about the club, it will be posted.
Excerpt of Article by Stephen M. O'Keefe
Camden Courier-Post —
Note: The address “1606 Broadway” given in the article below is in error. The correct address was 1616 Broadway.
THIS rendevoux with recollections flowed from a chat with one of the oldtimers, Walter J. Roth, late of 351 Morse St., who moved recently to 1666 Holly Park Way, Williamstown Junction. Roth, now a few months past the 84 mark, is a retired steamfitter. He is a 51-year member of Local 322, Plumbers and Steamfitters Union, enrolled nearly 50 years ago in the Elks and was a 1913 member of the Artisans Order of Mutual Protection.
Roth was conversant with the social club environment and holds a fondness for the old Camden and for the way it was here in that distant past. His nostalgic journey went down to the Emerson Club, 1606 Broadway.
The Emersons had a three-story nook, modestly equipped, with a parlor, reading room, kitchen, gymnasium annexed to the backyard, a second-floor meeting room where card tables were set up, and a poolroom on the third floor where candy, soda water and smokes were sold. Booze and gambling were banned. It was strictly a men’s club but their women folk were guests at the various anniversary banquets in the basement.
THE members had a rigid rule against intoxicants, putting a $1 fine on anyone who appeared in a tipsy condition. The penalty was imposed even if the tipsy member was outside on the club sidewalk. If he were on the sidewalk opposite the club he escaped the fine and the stigma.
There seldom was an argument in a card game. The stakes for pinochle winners was usually treats, a bottle of soda, candy bar or smokes. Some card games were lively and a few disputes arose but tolerance and coolheadedness prevailed. When a rare fight developed the penalties were invoked and any repeater was quickly relieved of membership by the club executive committee.
The club’s major social event was the Emerson Ball at Turner’s Hall, 5th and Pine Streets. All members hustled to build up the ad book, a profitable program for the event. With members scattered over the city, most of the stores advertised in the book. Beer was the main beverage at the ball, the dancers consuming 10 to 15 halves during the night.
THE Emerson A. A. roster contained the names of some of the best baseball and football players in this area. Just as the Emerson boys belonged to other clubs, they also played for various teams. The club started formation in 1907 and closed its books in October, 1922. The record of dissolution, which is in Roth’s possession, shows some members received more money than they paid in dues. The ledger sheet, folded and cracked, is held together by 42 pieces of Scotch tape. This record lists:
Charles Andrews — William Blizzard — Anthony Beals — James Beals — Ernst Ballheimer — Joseph Bicker — H.G. Burke — John Boyle — Joseph Cline — Edward Carmany — Frank Christen — Alfred Christen — Charles Cliver — Harold Costello — Ray Farnham — Harold Deuter — Sam Friedenberg — Alex Friedenberg — Hubert Farrell — Joseph Flannery — Adam Grimming — David Harrigan — August Haverkamp — Alonza Heward — William C. Hansel — Ellis Johnston — William J. Kelly — Charles Krown — William Keane — James Keane — Claude Krown — Harry Knipe — Victor Lotier — Samuel Lippman — Frank McCormick — James McGrath — Frank McLaughlin — Daniel McLaughlin — William McLaughlin — John Mahney — Thomas Mahney — Bennett Moyle — William Mazur — William McDermott — William Miles — Joseph Norkus — John Norkus — Thomas Naughton — William Prucella — Walter Reynoldo — Walter Roth — Charles Ricco — Frank Singer — John J. Singer — George Singer — William J. Schmuckle — Edward Shropshire — Benjamin Thomas — Irving Varley — James Woods — Albert Williams — John Welch — Robert Wilson — Robert Williams
Article by Stephen M. O’Keefe — Camden Courier-Post, November 25, 1970.
Hallowell Won Race
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Emerson Athletic Association, of Camden, held a cross country run on New Year’s Day, in which there were thirty entries. The first man to finish was George Hallowell, who made the race in fifty-eight minutes. George Ludlam was second, fifty-eight minutes and ten seconds; Charles Andrews in fifty-eight minutes and fifteen seconds.
Emerson Athletic Association Baseball Team
Camden Post-Telegram —
EMERSON FIRST TEAM. Reading from left to right those in the photograph are: Top row—C. Wilson, third base; C. Gandy, first base and captain; H. Dease, umpire; H. Storms, right field; J. Singer, third base, and manager. Middle row—Horace B. Parker Jr., shortstop; Fish, centre field; Smith, second base; Osborne, left field. Bottom row—Tomlin, pitcher; Rumford, catcher.
Emerson Lands Initial Contest
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Pitcher Cummings Pitches Fine Ball and Holds X. X. V. Team to 4 Hits — Large Crowd Sees Mayor Ellis Toss First Ball at South Camden Park
CAMDEN, May 7.—Mayor Ellis tossed the first ball over the plate yesterday afternoon at the formal opening of the season by the Emerson team at South Camden Park, and after a concert by a band and a flag raising the 3500 enthusiastic spectators settled back in their seats and saw the home team soundly trounce the X. X. V. team. Cummings pitched in clever style and had the advantage of fine support, while Frett was backed up in wretched manner, his teammates making twelve misplays. Emerson won 12–4.
Charles H. Ellis was among those identified in the game. — Charles H. Ellis Jr.
Emerson Awarded Basketball Title
Philadelphia Inquirer —
At its annual meeting yesterday the Camden City Basketball League officially awarded the pennant to the Emerson team and elected these officers: President, Daniel P. McConnell; vice president, James V. McAdams; secretary, William Kenney; treasurer, Frank P. Gallagher.
The league will hold its annual banquet on April 19 and is making provision for ladies at the dinner.
Double Bill for Baseball Fans
Bridgeton Evening News —
Two Games on Memorial Day Between Emerson A. A. and Bridgeton Teams—Both Contests In Afternoon.
There will be two games of baseball in Bridgeton on Memorial Day, but instead of morning and afternoon contests as in the past on holidays both games will be staged in the afternoon, making a general holiday together with but a single admission charged.
The opposing team will be the Emerson A. A. of Camden, formerly known as the Chelton A. A., under the guidance of James Gartland. The team has played in a number of games and should put up a good game here Thursday.
The Bridgeton boys were out for practice last Saturday afternoon on the Park diamond and got in some good work. They will go up again tomorrow and also on Wednesday afternoon.
Undated Photographs
Emerson Athletic Association baseball team — undated.