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Alfred Hayden

Police Officer and Firefighter

Introduction

Alfred Hayden served for 34 years with the Camden police and fire departments. He was a policeman for six years before becoming a member of Fire Company No. 1, Fourth and Pine streets, where he served for 28 years. He was a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, Thomas Jefferson Council. He attended two state conventions as a delegate from the Camden Firemen’s Relief Association. He was also a prominent worker as a member of the Ninth Ward Republican Association of the city. Alfred Hayden passed away on April 18, 1930 at his home, 407 South Seventh Street. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Kate Hayden, and a son, Charles Ellis Hayden.

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Republican Policemen Take a Walk.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia Inquirer article, May 19, 1893

The Democratic Police Commissioners surpassed their record yesterday in removing Republican policemen. They dismissed Alexander Osborne and Jules Rosch, accepted the resignations of Charles T. Sink, John Zandars, Albert F. Meyers and Armor Shannon, and suspended Benjamin Thomas and Alfred Hayden. Three Democrats, Michael J. O’Brien, James Conners and Thomas Whalen, were appointed to vacancies on the force.

Didn’t Like a Policeman’s Lot.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia Inquirer article, May 23, 1893

After one day’s experience on the police force James Conners, a Democratic appointee, presented his resignation to the Camden Police Commissioners yesterday. James Murphy was given the position. Policeman Benjamin Thomas signed, Alfred Hayden was dismissed and Thomas Walton and Godfrey Eisenhardt were suspended. These are Republicans. John Foley, a Democrat, was given Hayden’s position.

He Announces the Names

Camden Daily Telegram

Camden Daily Telegram article, March 30, 1894

The Mayor Appoints the New Force To-day.

MANY OLD OFFICERS TAKEN BACK.

Some Surprise Manifested at the Mayor’s Appointment of Dodd Instead of Jones — This Afternoon All the Names Will be Announced.

The Mayor stated this morning to the newspaper fraternity that he would not announce his nominations for the police department until four o’clock this afternoon. It was expected that these would be announced this morning and in consequence there were a number of applicants for appointment on the force early this morning at the City Hall, hoping that the lightning would strike them.

Yesterday afternoon the mayor in addition to his nomination of Chief Dodd and Lieutenants Foster and Pettit appointed Frank Matlack, Jacob Woodsides, Alfred Hayden and John Dall, all of the Sixth Ward. The above were policemen under Mayor Westcott, before the Democratic Police Commission took charge of the Department.

Patrolman Griffin, Democrat, tendered his resignation yesterday to Mayor Westcott, to take effect to-day.

The appointment of Chief Dodd was quite a surprise to the public in general, as it was thought that Captain Jones would be named for the position. Many believed such an appointment would be in very good form, as Captain Jones’ knowledge of men and his military training would have made him a chief par excellence. The Mayor, however, probably thought that as Mr. Dodd had been so unceremoniously kicked out by the Democrats, it was nothing more than justice to again offer him the position which he had filled in a creditable manner for a number of years.

APPOINTED ON THE FORCE.

Mayor Westcott this afternoon made the following appointments:

First Ward — William E. Cromly, George Cable, Henry R. Curtis, O. Glen Stackhouse.

Second Ward — Lincoln James, John Pratt, Samuel Bakley, Benj. Middleton.

Third Ward — William Selby, Albert Myers, Edward Hartman.

Fourth Ward — Caleb Williams, Richard Golden, William Schregler, Ralph Bond.

Fifth Ward — William Harvey, Harry Mines and Oscar Weaver.

Sixth Ward — Jacob Woodsides, Frank Matlack, Alfred Hayden and John Dall.

Seventh Ward — Josiah Sage, Henry Peters, Charles Lederman, Wm. Butts.

Eighth Ward — Alexander Alcorn, Chas. Leightenberg, Ferdinand Laird.

There was no appointments made for the Ninth ward.

Policemen on the Rack

Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia Inquirer article, July 22, 1898

Policemen Benjamin Middleton, John Anderson, Thomas Brothers and William Butts, colored, were given hearings by the Camden Committee last evening on charges preferred against them by Reformers. Three charges against Policeman Alfred Hayden were withdrawn. Officer Edward Cooper failed to appear. Policeman Richard Golden tendered his resignation.

Police Appointments.

Camden Daily Courier

Camden Daily Courier article, August 2, 1898

POLICE APPOINTMENTS.

Five New Men Named to Fill Vacancies Made Last Week.

Mayor Hatch last night appointed the following new policemen:

George Nowrey and James Roach, Sixth ward, to succeed Thomas Brothers and Alfred Haydon.

John Reader, Seventh ward, to succeed John Anderson.

Harry Hope, Third ward, to succeed Alfred Myers.

Hugh Boyle, Ninth ward, to succeed Edward Cooper.

These men went on duty to day.

Cake Walk a Success.

Camden Daily Courier

Camden Daily Courier article, February 17, 1899

The grand cake walk given at Newton Hall last night under the management of “Bill” Miller, assistant janitor of the City Hall, was a red hot affair. The walk, which was judged by Hugh Boyle, David Rankin, C. H. Elfreth and Alfred Haydon, was captured by William Ford and Miss Johnson. Special mention is due Ed. Laws, of the Post. He was a “warm baby” and came very near landing the prize.

Could Not Agree on New Fireman

Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia Inquirer article, November 24, 1899, part 1 Philadelphia Inquirer article, November 24, 1899, part 2 Philadelphia Inquirer article, November 24, 1899, part 3

Camden Councilmen From East Side Split on Selecting Appointees

There Is Also Trouble in the Second Ward — Benjamin Kellum Made Assistant Chief — Other Promotions

The Camden Fire Commissioners last evening selected firemen for the five new fire companies from all the wards except the Second, Eleventh and Twelfth, as the Councilmen in these wards could not agree on the candidates the appointments were laid over until Monday evening next.

In the Second ward the Councilmen have agreed on John W. Vanhart. The other candidates are W. Scott Franklin, backed by Freeholder Whyte, and Edgar Bolton, who is the choice of Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill. Bolton will probably be selected.

In the Eleventh ward a meeting was held by the Councilmen and the candidates agreed upon. Councilman Arnold has since repudiated the agreement, and last evening presented a new set of names to the conference of the commissioners. Councilman Longacre presented those previously agreed upon.

In the Twelfth ward Councilman Lee submitted names in opposition to those of Councilman Leas. It is quite probable that the choice of Councilmen Leas and Longacre, who are members of the Fire Committee, will be selected.

Benjamin Kellum, foreman of Truck No. 1, was appointed assistant chief. He will have charge of the East Side companies.

Charles Robinson, of the Seventh ward; George B. Wade, of the Sixth ward; Albert Jones, of the Ninth ward; George Cox, of the Third ward; Edward Weston, of the Ninth ward, and Samuel Peoples, of the Fifth ward, were elected foremen. They will be assigned to their posts of duty on Monday.

The selection of new firemen was as follows: First ward, Harry B. Middleton, Harry Burroughs; Third ward, Robert W. Colkett, William G. Hillman; Fourth ward, James E. Navins, Charles Todd; Fifth ward, Daniel Smith, Peter B. Carter; Sixth ward, Alfred Hayden, Henry Elliott; Seventh ward, Josiah Sage, Samuel Price; Eighth ward, William Rose, Charles Sturgis; Ninth ward, Daniel Grimes, Harry Wagner; Tenth ward, Augustus Kester, William Simpson.

The commissioners presented the bell now in the William Penn hose house, East Side, to the First Baptist Church.

Firemen’s Mutual Benefit Association Convention

Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia Inquirer article, October 5, 1901

Arrangements have been completed for the holding of the annual convention of the New Jersey Firemen’s Mutual Benefit Association in Camden next Monday. The local committee having the arrangements in charge are Robert Colkett, William Sawyer, James Elberson, Lewis Buzine, Alfred Hayden, David Andrews and John Renner.

Negro Fought Firemen

Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia Inquirer article, May 21, 1906

Accused by Woman of Attacking Her on a Lot

The frantic cries of a woman for assistance late Saturday night aroused the members of the Kaighn avenue fire company in Camden. When Firemen Alfred Hayden, Seth Monnell and William Rose ran across an adjoining lot they encountered a tall negro armed with a knife. A desperate but brief struggle ensued when the negro was captured. Subsequently Nettie Dickson, of 625 Sycamore street, walked into the fire house with her right thumb nearly severed. She said the man attacked her and during the struggle he cut her with the knife.

The negro was taken to the City Hall, where he gave the name of William Byers, who is also known to the police as “Sunlight.”

Daisy Harris Weds a Camden Fireman

Camden Post-Telegram

Camden Post-Telegram article, March 9, 1908

Miss Daisy Harris, daughter of Mrs. Mary Harris, of Point and State streets, and Harry Selby, a fireman at Kaighn avenue fire house, were married at noon Saturday. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. Morgan Read, D. D., Presiding Elder of the Camden District M. E. Conference. The witnesses were Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Haydon, of 626 Pine street.

Upon the announcement of the wedding the bride received a number of handsome presents. The groom, who is at his post of duty to-day, received the congratulations of nearly every member of the fire department.

Firemen Honor Dead Comrade

Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia Inquirer article, July 27, 1914

With a guard of honor composed of forty fellow firemen and his body reposing on the combination fire apparatus, the funeral of Fireman Joseph A. Ware, of No. 1 Engine Company, Camden, was held yesterday, interment being in New Camden Cemetery. The services were conducted at the Church of Our Saviour by Rev. Martin Stockett. The pallbearers were Ware’s comrades of the engine company and included Lieutenant Charles Cook, Richard Marter, James Navin, Louis Shaw, Spencer Smith and Alfred Hayden. Ware had his face crushed in on June 6 when the crank of the battalion chief’s auto struck him. He became blind and paralyzed.

Death of Father of Alfred Hayden

Camden Post-Telegram

Camden Post-Telegram article about Alfred Hayden, part 1 Camden Post-Telegram article about Alfred Hayden, part 2

Formerly engaged in business as a locksmith and a well-known and old resident of South Camden, Edward Hayden, aged 77 years, father of Alfred Hayden, a member of the city fire department, died last night at his home, 767 Spruce st.

Deceased had been retired for several years. He was an expert locksmith by trade. He had lived in Camden for many years.

The funeral will occur on Saturday afternoon from his late residence. Interment will be made by the Schroeder-Kephart Company in Harleigh Cemetery. Services will be in charge of Rev. J. H. Townsend, rector of St. John’s Church.

Alfred Hayden Dies; Fireman for 28 Years

Camden Courier-Post

Succumbing to an illness of several months, Alfred Harden, who served for 34 years with the Camden police and fire departments, died yesterday at his home, 407 South Seventh Street.

Hayden had been a policeman six years before he became a member of Fire Company No. 1, Fourth and Pine streets, 28 years ago. He was a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, Thomas Jefferson Council. He attended two state conventions as a delegate, from the Camden Firemen’s Relief Association. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Kate Hayden, and a son. Charles Ellis Hayden.

For many years Hayden had been a prominent worker as a member of the Ninth Ward Republican Association of the city.

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