A. Wesley Faust

Introduction

AMBROSE WESLEY “WES” FAUST was born in Camden, New Jersey on January 16, 1923 to Ambrose Faust and his wife, the former Mabel Emma Eaton. He had two older sisters, Pearl and Lillian. A brother, John, had died as a baby in 1916. The family was living in East Camden in the 1910s. City Directories show the Fausts at 2824 Thompson Street in East Camden from 1923 to 1927, and at 826 Linden Street in 1928 and at 836 Linden from 1928 through 1931. His father worked as an inspector at the RCA-Victor plant in these years. By 1935 the Fausts had moved to 731 Vine Street in North Camden. His father was working at Campbell Soup in the spring of 1942.

Wesley Faust graduated from Camden High School in 1940 and married Edith Helene Hilbmann not long afterwards. Wesley Faust went into the United States Army on February 1, 1943 in Camden. He qualified for air duty and was wounded in action while serving in the Pacific. Returning to Camden after his time in the military, Wesley Faust took the civil service test for both the Camden Police and Fire Departments. He and his wife were living at 523 North 6th Street in October of 1950. He was appointed to the Fire Department and began his service on January 1, 1951.

After serving for ten years with the Camden Fire Department, Wesley Faust pursued other career options. Moving from Camden to Zieglersville, Pennsylvania, he worked in the private sector in the 1960s. In 1970 he began service with the New Hanover Township Police Department, reaching the rank of sergeant. Last a resident of Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, he passed away on May 22, 1977 in the emergency ward of the Pottstown, Pennsylvania Medical Center, after suffering a heart attack at the scene of a traffic accident he was investigating.

5 Children Die in South Jersey Waters

Camden Courier-Post — August 12, 1954

Firemen vainly try to revive drowned Drummond children at Cooper River Park — Auto Plunge, Fishing Mishap Hit 2 Families

Five children were drowned Wednesday in two separate water mishaps in the South Jersey area.

A brother and sister lost their lives in a futile attempt to save another sister who toppled into Cooper River in Camden County Park shortly after 4:15 p.m.

At Sea Isle City the two children of an RCA official drowned when a car driven by their mother plunged into a 20-foot channel.

Victims of the Cooper River tragedy were Riley Drummond, 12, and his sisters, Terry, 7, and Mary, 8. They were the children of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Drummond, of 912 Chestnut st.

Planning N. J. Home

The two who lost their lives in Sea Isle City were Charles Daly 3d, 10, and his sister, Ellen Patricia, 7, whose parents, Charles and Eleanor K. Daly, recently sold their home at 135 Woodlawn ave., Upper Darby, Pa., preparatory to occupying their new home at 828 Longwood dr., Haddonfield.

The Drummond children drowned shortly after 4 o’clock less than a block from Kaighns ave. They had been fishing all afternoon alongside the park dam bridge.

The lone witness to the tragedy, Albert J. Davis, 11, of 917 Chestnut st., who had been with the three, told police that Mary stepped on a rock, slipped and toppled into the water. Hearing her sister scream, Terry jumped into the river. Riley followed his sisters in an effort to save them. Albert said the two girls disappeared immediately. Riley started back to the bank but slipped backwards into the water.

Soldiers Lend Aid

The Davis boy ran three blocks to the location of B Battery, 19th AA Battalion and told the soldiers there of the accident. They notified police and firemen. At the same time nine enlisted men ran to the river and began diving for the children.

Rescue Squad 1 from 5th and Arch sts. went to the scene and was joined by the Highland Emergency Squad of Pennsauken Township.

Police and firemen grappled from rowboats while the soldiers in bathing suits searched underwater. The bodies of Terry and Riley were recovered half an hour later. Rescue squad crewmen worked for more than 35 minutes in an effort to revive them. Dr. William A. West, of Cooper Hospital, pronounced the two dead.

Third Body Recovered

The body of Mary eluded all recovery efforts until shortly after 9 p.m. when it was located by Edward Brendlinger, a fireman attached to the rescue squad. It was found 25 feet offshore and within 20 feet of the spot where Riley and Terry’s bodies were taken from the water. Firemen said the water is 16 feet deep.

Mary’s body was taken to Cooper Hospital morgue where she was pronounced dead.

The rescue efforts were directed by Fire Chief Harry Wagner.

Father Collapses

The children’s father, a stevedore employed by the Independent Pier Co., Philadelphia, was reported to have collapsed when he learned of the tragedy. He later joined the crowd estimated at 2000 people which lined the river bank to watch the grappling.

Drummond said the three children never had been to the river, having been told to keep away from the water. He said he was surprised to learn the children had been using homemade fishing poles.

Ironically, Mrs. Viola Ringo, 20, a married sister of the three children, was driving by the scene and saw the crowds watching the rescue attempts. She joined the throng and when Riley’s body was brought out of the water, police said she cried hysterically, “That’s my brother.” In addition to Mrs. Ringo, the Drummonds have two other children, Josephine, 15, and Karl, 23.

NO HOPE is expressed in the face of this fireman as he and other firemen vainly try to revive Riley Drummond, 12, and his sister, Terry, 7, two of the three Drummond children drowned Wednesday afternoon at Cooper River Park. The body of the third victim, Mary, 8, was taken from the river five hours later. Shown working (left to right) are Fireman Wesley Faust, Capt. Arthur Batten, Firemen John Yates, of Rescue Squad 1, Mario Fattore, of Engine 2, and Henry Keebler [sic], of Engine 3.

The Nice Thing About the Jungle

Camden Courier-Post — August 20, 1954

Acting Captain James Jones and Firemen George Hennessey and Wesley Faust escorting monkey to the ground — THE NICE THING ABOUT THE JUNGLE is that there are no firemen in it. This was the opinion of the monkey (in the cage) who is being escorted to the ground by (left to right) acting Captain James Jones and Firemen George Hennessey and Wesley Faust. The monkey, who had been hiding out for five days on the rooftop at 333 Mickle Street, was captured in an SPCA wire and wool trap today.

He Sold His Freedom for a Banana

Camden Courier-Post — August 20, 1954

August 20, 1954 Courier-Post article about monkey rescue — Monkey Is Trapped by Banana

By Warner Olivier

Human beings today won another round in their perpetual struggle to prove they are smarter than other primates.

A fire truck with an aerial ladder, three sweating firemen, two perspiring Courier-Post photographers and an SPCA task force were required to bring to earth (in a cage) a monkey who, up to this morning, had been making monkeys of all the well-meaning folk who had been trying to trap him on the rooftop of 333 Mickle st., where he had gone five days ago for whatever purpose monkeys do go on rooftops on Mickle st.

Near Whitman House

The whole performance would have tickled Walt Whitman across the street from whose house it all happened. The good grey monkey — for that’s the color he is — was not noticeably amused. He had a rather thoughtful look.

It was hunger that finally proved the hefty young simian’s undoing. The SPCA had rigged a wool and wire trap, baited with bananas, on the rooftop Wednesday. This didn’t seem very promising because the monkey merely reached in and took a banana without springing the trap. John Adams, of the SPCA staff, then made some improvements in the trap and this morning it worked. The monkey got the banana but the trap got him.

Since children of the neighborhood had been maintaining a constant vigil, some of them even climbing to the roof of the house, the SPCA was promptly notified and the rescue battalions began to converge.

No. 1 Truck breezed down to Mickle st. So did Courier-Post photographers. The heavy aerial ladder was run up to the roof of 333. Up the ladder went acting Capt. James Jones and Firemen Wesley Faust and George Hennessy to join forces with Adams, who was already there. On the sidewalk stood Mrs. Agnes Stack, supervisor of the SPCA Shelter. In the street also stood probably a hundred spectators, of all ages. The photographers deployed themselves. One lunged boldly up the ladder. The other, just as bold, but frustrated, mounted the truck to get a picture of the monkey on the way down the ladder.

Owner Unknown

A safety rope was tied around the big cage in which the monkey cursed in a restrained fashion and occasionally tried to sock a fireman. Fireman Faust, carrying the lower end, backed down the ladder. Fireman Hennessy came down face first, carrying the upper end of the case. Capt. Jones held the safety rope from the roof.

Cameras snapped.

Once on the street, the monkey looked at the little throng of human beings as if they were something in a cage. Then he was whirled away to the Shelter in the SPCA cage.

The owner of the monkey has not come forward to claim him. The two are reported to have parted on bad terms.

HE SOLD HIS FREEDOM for a banana. The monkey who cavorted for five days on the rooftop of 333 Mickle Street, having been snared in an SPCA trap baited with bananas, is being examined in his cage by acting Captain James Jones (right) and Fireman Wesley Faust of Truck No. 1.

Continued coverage of monkey rescue on Mickle Street — Monkey Is Trapped by Banana

By Warner Olivier

Human beings today won another round in their perpetual struggle to prove they are smarter than other primates.

A fire truck with an aerial ladder, three sweating firemen, two perspiring Courier-Post photographers and an SPCA task force were required to bring to earth (in a cage) a monkey who, up to this morning, had been making monkeys of all the well-meaning folk who had been trying to trap him on the rooftop of 333 Mickle st., where he had gone five days ago for whatever purpose monkeys do go on rooftops on Mickle st.

Near Whitman House

The whole performance would have tickled Walt Whitman across the street from whose house it all happened. The good grey monkey — for that’s the color he is — was not noticeably amused. He had a rather thoughtful look.

It was hunger that finally proved the hefty young simian’s undoing. The SPCA had rigged a wool and wire trap, baited with bananas, on the rooftop Wednesday. This didn’t seem very promising because the monkey merely reached in and took a banana without springing the trap. John Adams, of the SPCA staff, then made some improvements in the trap and this morning it worked. The monkey got the banana but the trap got him.

Since children of the neighborhood had been maintaining a constant vigil, some of them even climbing to the roof of the house, the SPCA was promptly notified and the rescue battalions began to converge.

No. 1 Truck breezed down to Mickle st. So did Courier-Post photographers. The heavy aerial ladder was run up to the roof of 333. Up the ladder went acting Capt. James Jones and Firemen Wesley Faust and George Hennessy to join forces with Adams, who was already there. On the sidewalk stood Mrs. Agnes Stack, supervisor of the SPCA Shelter. In the street also stood probably a hundred spectators, of all ages. The photographers deployed themselves. One lunged boldly up the ladder. The other, just as bold, but frustrated, mounted the truck to get a picture of the monkey on the way down the ladder.

Owner Unknown

A safety rope was tied around the big cage in which the monkey cursed in a restrained fashion and occasionally tried to sock a fireman. Fireman Faust, carrying the lower end, backed down the ladder. Fireman Hennessy came down face first, carrying the upper end of the case. Capt. Jones held the safety rope from the roof.

Cameras snapped.

Once on the street, the monkey looked at the little throng of human beings as if they were something in a cage. Then he was whirled away to the Shelter in the SPCA cage.

The owner of the monkey has not come forward to claim him. The two are reported to have parted on bad terms.

HE SOLD HIS FREEDOM for a banana. The monkey who cavorted for five days on the rooftop of 333 Mickle Street, having been snared in an SPCA trap baited with bananas, is being examined in his cage by acting Captain James Jones (right) and Fireman Wesley Faust of Truck No. 1.

Children’s Show Aids Polio Fund

Camden Courier-Post — August 27, 1954

Wesley Faust, August 27, 1954, Camden Courier-Post — Children on N. 6th st. between Elm and Birch Thursday night raised $80.20 for the emergency March of Dimes against polio.

Directed by Wesley Faust, the children staged a two-hour variety show including musical and acrobatic numbers.

Patrolman Louis Lis kept traffic from the blocked off street during the show and dancing which followed.

Mothers assisting the cast were Mrs. Myrtle Caston, 525 N. 6th st.; Mrs. Edith Faust, 523 N. 6th st., and Mrs. Madge Thompson, 601 Birch st.

About 200 watched the cast, which included Deborah Wesley, Lillian Faust, Patsy Durante, William Thompson, James Lynch, Patricia Magowan, Kathy Lee, Barbara Williamson, Bruce and Estelle Caston and Barbara Wright.

Continued, August 27, 1954 — Children on N. 6th st. between Elm and Birch Thursday night raised $80.20 for the emergency March of Dimes against polio.

Directed by Wesley Faust, the children staged a two-hour variety show including musical and acrobatic numbers.

Patrolman Louis Lis kept traffic from the blocked off street during the show and dancing which followed.

Mothers assisting the cast were Mrs. Myrtle Caston, 525 N. 6th st.; Mrs. Edith Faust, 523 N. 6th st., and Mrs. Madge Thompson, 601 Birch st.

About 200 watched the cast, which included Deborah Wesley, Lillian Faust, Patsy Durante, William Thompson, James Lynch, Patricia Magowan, Kathy Lee, Barbara Williamson, Bruce and Estelle Caston and Barbara Wright.

Firemen Here Get Advanced First Aid Course

Camden Courier-Post — August 19, 1957

More than 40 members of the Camden Fire Department have completed the Red Cross course in advanced first aid according to announcement today by Howard F. Keller, Collingswood, chairman of the Camden County Chapter’s first aid committee.

Instruction sessions were under the direction of Fire Chief William V. Pfefferle, Drillmaster Anthony Dzinski, a member of the local chapter first aid group, assisted by Nicholas E. George, were instructors. Dzinski is a member of the Red Cross faculty at the National Aquatic School held in this area each year for instruction in advance safety techniques. Dick Harris, director of Red Cross safety services, supervised.

All members of the graduating class are personnel of several units housed at fire department headquarters here. These include the Headquarters Company, engine company 2, Rescue Squad 1 and Truck Company 1. These groups include:

Rescue Squad: Captains Arthur Batten, Philip A. Stinger and Albert Weller; Edward Brendlinger, Harrison MacNeir, Robert Olesiewicz and James W. Smith.

Headquarters Company: Raymond Banford, John K. Voll and John W. Yates.

Truck Company 1: Captains Daniel Jiannetto, Robert E. Dukes and Otto V. Kaiser; William Watkin, Chester Gedrich, George Baxter, John Mogck, George C. Hennessy, Charles Devlin, Ambrose W. Faust, Joseph McTaggart, Howard R. Taggart, William G. Winstanley and Elmer Johnson Jr.