Arthur Colsey

Introduction

Arthur Colsey was born in Kidderminster, England in December of 1872 to John and Ann Colsey. His older brother, John G. Colsey, had come to America prior to the enumeration of the 1880 Census. At that time he and his wife Ada were living in Philadelphia, and working in the wool industry. By 1887, John G. Colsey had opened a dry goods store in Camden. The store was first located at 6th and Elm Streets in North Camden. This building was later the site of a grocery run by Samuel Molotsky. By 1900 the Colsey Store had moved to 9th and Market Street.

Arthur Colsey followed his brothers to America. Thomas Colsey had come in the 1880s, and was living in Philadelphia and working as a sheep shearer at the end of the 1880s. Arthur Colsey came to America at 17, joining older brother John, and married Lillian Thompson in 1894. Thomas Colsey came to Camden in the 1890s, and the Colsey brothers were in the department store business at 9th and Market Street for years. His niece Alice M. Colsey married Camden photographer George A. Wonfor a few years after the turn of the century.

Politically active, Arthur Colsey served on City Council from the Second Ward from 1907 to 1911. In these years and through the time of the 1920 census he was living at 339 North 8th Street, the corner of North 8th and Linden Streets. The Colseys lived next door to James Daly, who operated a tavern for many years at 8th & Linden Streets. Another neighbor was Walter Rowand, who also served for many years with the Camden Police.

Arthur Colsey was appointed to the Camden Police Department as a patrolman by Mayor Charles H. Ellis on March 12, 1912. He rose through the ranks and by 1915 was a detective. Although on vacation the night of July 17, 1916, when two prisoners escaped Camden County Jail, killing Turnkey Isaac Hibbs, Arthur Colsey reported for duty, and spent the evening shuttling policemen about the city in his own automobile.

Arthur Colsey worked in plain clothes and served as personal aide to Mayor Charles Ellis until his leaving office in 1922. In 1923 Arthur Colsey was appointed chief clerk of the police force, with the rank of captain.

In 1924 Arthur Colsey was placed in charge of Camden’s vice squad, not an easy assignment during the Prohibition years. Captain Colsey was serving in this capacity in 1925 when the case of Dr. Hyghcock, the “voodoo doctor” of Liberty Street, broke in April, and he was involved in the investigation of Hyghcock’s “voodoo den.”

A longtime resident of North Camden, by 1930 Arthur and Lillian Colsey had moved to East Camden, where they bought a home at 2937 Stevens Street. He joined the Twelfth Ward Republican Club, and was elected its president in 1932.

In December of 1931, Arthur Colsey was considered for Chief of Police, to replace Lewis H. Stehr Jr. The position, however, went to John W. Golden.

Upon the retirement of Chief John W. Golden in June of 1934, Mayor Roy R. Stewart named Arthur Colsey Acting Chief of Police. His appointment was made permanent on August 30, 1934, along with that of Fire Chief John Lennox. Sadly, a few days later Detective William Feitz became Camden’s first policeman to be killed in the line of duty. Chief Colsey worked closely with Commissioner Mary Walsh Kobus when she was elected to Camden’s City Commission in 1935 and made Director of Public Safety the following year. In Mrs. Kobus’ absence, Chief Colsey also served as Acting Director of Public Safety.

Arthur Colsey died in his sleep of a heart attack on September 15, 1939. He was survived by his wife, brother Thomas Colsey, son Arthur Jr., and two grandchildren, Arthur L. Colsey and Lillian Colsey. He was buried at Arlington Cemetery in Pennsauken NJ on September 18, 1939. Captain Ralph Bakley was named Acting Chief of Police a few days later.

Portraits

Arthur Colsey, Chief of Police — Arthur Colsey — *Camden Courier-Post*, September 16, 1939

Arthur Colsey, Chief of Police, 1934 — Arthur Colsey — *Camden Courier-Post*, September 8, 1934

Arthur Colsey, Acting Chief of Police, 1934 — Arthur Colsey — *Camden Courier-Post*, September 3, 1934

Kidderminster Colsey Family Tree No. 1

P. A. Colsey — 2009

Colsey-Thompson Wedding

Camden Daily Courier — August 31, 1894

Some Political Snap Shots

Philadelphia Inquirer — September 4, 1904

Councilman Colsey Seeks Re-Election

Philadelphia Inquirer — September 1, 1908

Eagles Mourned for Dead Members

Camden Post-Telegram — May 11, 1908

Camden Candidates Ready for Primaries

Philadelphia Inquirer — September 7, 1911

Coursey Breaks Down While Story of Cold-Blooded Killing of Karl Kellmann Is Told by Detective

Camden Post-Telegram — October 14, 1912

Wilson Ashbridge and George E. Thompson

Camden Post-Telegram — July 18, 1916

Murderer and Forger Escape Jail After Shooting Keepers, Killing One

Camden Post-Telegram — July 18, 1916

Wilson Ashbridge, Who Shot and Killed Mrs. Elizabeth Dunbar and George E. Thompson, Check Swindler, Trap Jailor Hibbs by a Ruse and After Slaying Him Shoot Joe Ellis Who Intercepted Them in Flight.

Used Revolver Smuggled Into Prison by Confederates and Leave Jail Wide Open in Their Flight, a General Delivery Being Averted by Police Who Were Summoned by the Wounded Men.

Murdering one jailor and wounding another with a revolver that had been smuggled into them by outside confederates, Wilson T. Ashbridge, slayer of Mrs. Elizabeth Dunbar, and Francis Murphy, alias George E. Thompson, a check forger, made their escape from the county jail a few minutes before seven o’clock last night.

Ashbridge with his wife was caught at noon in the Keystone Hotel in Chester PA where they registered at one o’clock this morning.

Thompson is still at liberty but from the confident manner of Prosecutor Kraft his early arrest seems assured.

The murdered jailor was Isaac Hibbs, aged 65 years of 913 South 8th Street. The wounded keeper is Joseph Ellis, aged 45 years, of 416 Carteret Street. Shot twice, he is in Cooper Hospital. His condition today is very satisfactory.

Thompson, who is 41 years old, forged a check for $650 which he gave to V.M. Fulton as part of the purchase price of an automobile. The forgery was discovered before the deal was completed and his arrest followed on June 8. he also passed a forged check for $15 on State Motor Vehicle Agent Kraft. He, too, was awaiting trial. In spite of the positive evidence against him Thompson had spurned all efforts to have him plead guilty and it is now believed that he was sparring for time while hatching a plan to escape. He is no doubt the master mind.

R.L. Hunter, a farmer of Bensalem Township, Bucks County PA, about four miles above Torresdale, reported to the Philadelphia police the morning that he had seen a man answering Ashbridge’s description on the Bucks Road at daylight. The man asked the way to Riegelsville.

According to Hunter, the man was dressed in a dark suit, and had no hat. His clothing was wet. Hunter did not see anything suspicious in his actions, and after giving him directions, they parted.

Upon seeing the paper with a picture of Ashbridge, the farmer was struck by its resemblance to the man with whom he had talked. He hurried to Tacony and notified the police.

The State police, who patrol that section of the county, and who have an office at Langhorne, were immediately notified as were the surrounding towns.

The shootings took place in different parts of the jail. Hibbs was murdered in the exercise room just outside the cell room on the Sixth and Arch corner of the building. Ellis was shot down in the corridor just outside the Market Street end of the building when he heroically grappled with Ashbridge after the latter had pointed a gun at his head. In spite of his wounds Ellis dragged himself to a telephone and after notifying Police Headquarters of what had happened he collapsed.

Only one of the two bullets is still in Ellis. It entered the groin on the right side and is buried in the muscles of the leg, having taken a downward course for seven or eight inches. The other bullet struck Ellis in the right breast and came out in the left breast, traversing the upper fleshy parts of the body.

Hibbs was almost instantaneously killed by a bullet that went within an inch of his heart, producing a hemorrhage. The bullet was extracted this morning from the body early this morning in an autopsy performed at the morgue by County Physician Stem. In spite of the fact that it is pretty well established that three shots were fires in the attack on Hibbs, only one of the bullets took effect.

“But it makes little difference which of the two men handled the gun” said Prosecutor Kraft this morning. “Both are equally guilty of this murder and what we are concerned about now is the recapture of the gunmen.” Mr. Kraft added that it his purpose to examine all of the prisoners in that part of the jail where Hibbs was murdered to determine fully who fired the fatal shot.

The escape had been carefully planned and timed to the minute. Of course the desperate prisoners were aided by confederates on the outside and it is the general belief that a high powered motor car was in waiting for them not far from the jail. They are known to have been in possession of money and openly boasted yesterday that it was their intention to leave the prison last night. These boasts were made to two young ladies connected with a religious organization who called on the two men yesterday to offer spiritual reconciliation. The girls are frequent visitors to the jail and naturally their efforts at evangelization were directed in the main toward Ashbridge, because of the fact that he was accused of murder. These girls, whose identity officials will not disclose, were closeted with Prosecutor Kraft until one o’clock this morning. Both declared that on their visit yesterday they were told by Ashbridge and Thompson that it was the last day they expected to spend in jail.

“We are going to get away from here tonight and we’ve got money to help us after we are out ” said Ashbridge, who further told the girls he had considerable cash sewed up in the waistband of his trousers. The girls begged the prisoners not to do anything that would cause them more trouble and they told the Prosecutor that Ashbridge and Thompson promised them that they would not make any effort to escape. In their talks with the girls neither of the prisoners said a word that would indicate that they would kill if necessary to escape. The full force of their boast did not dawn on the religious workers and for this reason it never occurred to them to inform the Sheriff of what the prisoners had in said.

A general jail delivery of at least all the men confined in what is known as the untried department, where the two were held, was only averted by the prompt arrival of the police on their beat, which was made easy by means of the keys taken from the prostrate body of Hibbs. Ashbridge and Thompson left all of the doors open and the vanguard of the inrushing police found the prisoners swarming all over the corridors on the east side of the prison. In the wild excitement following the double shooting and escape none else thought of freedom and a checking up of the inmates after they had been herded in the exercise room of the untried department accounted for all but the fugitive slayers.

The department, in which the two men were confined is the same one which William Brown and Charles Berger made their sensational escape several years ago by sawing away the bars on the Federal Street front of the jail. Thrilling as it was, the former escape was insignificant in comparison with last night’s tragic event.

With the full force of the keepers out of the way— one dead and the other suffering from gunshot wounds at first supposed to have been fatal— Ashbridge and Thompson had nothing between them and freedom but the door entering from the spiral stairway leading to the narrow entrance of the Sixth and Market Streets end of the Court House. With the keys taken from Hibbs they opened the door and in a few seconds were breathing the free air. It was still daylight when the daring murderers walked from the building and although they were no doubt seen by some of the scores of persons passing it is certain that they managed to control themselves to such an extent as not to arouse any undue suspicion. The exit they used to escape is that used by the general public and therefore persons passing calmly in and out of the door would not in any manner be thought to have been connected with a jail delivery. However the shots which had laid low the keepers had been plainly heard on all four sides of the building and it is strange that no one has yet been found who can give positive information as to what course the fleeing men took and whether they were aided in their flight by an automobile.

While the police and detectives of Camden and all other cities in the East are watching railroad terminals, steamship lines, and all other avenues of travel in response to the general alarm sent out last night, Prosecutor Kraft is bending all his energies to learn who smuggled in the revolver which the fugitives used. Thus far this feature of the case is as complete a mystery as it was last night. Mr. Kraft and Sheriff Haines are satisfied, however, that only one gun was used for both shootings. It was at first thought that each man had a pistol when they left the jail; that one of them armed himself with the gun that Hibbs was supposed to have carried, but it was determined that Hibbs was not armed when he went into the jail last night. There was no occasion for him to come in contact with any of the prisoners and for that reason he left his revolver in his desk in the office. Even had he carried it he would have little chance to use it, so cold-bloodedly was he slain as he unsuspectingly fell into the trap laid for him by the desperate gunmen. There is also some conflict as to how at least one of the fugitives was dressed. Alfred Williams, who witnessed the murder of Hibbs, said that Ashbridge was without coat or hat when he dashed out of the cell-room, and that Thompson carried his coat and hat under his arm. However in a description of the two men given at the Prosecutor’s office it was set forth that Ashbridge wore a blue serge suit and a checkered cap. The coat that he is supposed to have taken bore the mark of “Tull— the Tailor,” of Jacksonville, Florida, and had been borrowed by him from another prisoner. He wore tan shoes. Ashbridge is 27 years old, 5 feet 7-1/2 inches in height and weighs 137 pounds. He has brown hair, smooth face and is of light complexion.

Thompson wore a brown suit and a Panama hat. He is 41 years old 5 feet seven inches in height, and weighs 175 pounds. He has brown bushy hair, is minus one of the fingers on his left hand, and is light complexioned.

The tan shoes worn by Ashbridge were also borrowed from one of the prisoners. He got them on Saturday and remarked that he wanted to look neat.

Keepers Ellis and Hibbs were reading in the prison office last evening when Hibbs glanced up at the clock and noticed that it was a few minutes of seven. “Joe, I’m going back and put the boys in their cells,” he said to Ellis and with his keys in his hand he started for the cell room in the untried department. A thirty foot long corridor runs from the office to the barred and grated door opening into the department in which the cells are situated. This department is about the size of three ordinary school rooms and in the southeastern corner of the jail are the cells, in two tiers.

Around the cells is a three foot corridor into which all the cells doors open and in which all the prisoners are permitted to walk when they are not allowed out in the main room. When the inmates are ordered into their cells and their doors closed the doors are locked from the outside of the steel cage by means of a lever worked by the jailor. Thus every cell door can be made secure without the keepers coming into actual contact with the prisoners. In addition to the bars around the corridor fronting on the double tier of cells there is a fine mesh heavy wire screening.

As Hibbs approached the lever which is operated to shut the cell doors after the prisoners have retired from the corridors, Ashbridge was leaning against the grating of his cell, Number 18. Thompson was lounging a few feet away.

“Daddy, open the door, I want you to see this note,” said Ashbridge to the keeper, at the same time displaying a piece of paper which he had in his hand. Never giving a thought that he was about to perform an act that which was absolutely necessary for the carrying-out of the well laid plot, or that he was going to his doom, or was even in danger, “Daddy,” as the aged keeper was known to all the prisoners, opened the door without hesitation.

As he swung wide the big steel frame, Ashbridge quickly stepped out and the next instant was pressing a gun against the abdomen of the jailor.

“Throw up your hands, you ___ ___ ___” he commanded.

“What are you up to, what’s this mean,” asked the keeper, apparently not realizing he had been trapped.

For reply Thompson jumped out the door, wrenched the gun from Ashbridge’s grasp and with an oath began firing at Hibbs, who sank to the floor at the first shot. Only a few feet away and the only other person in the exercise room, although the shooting could have been seen by any other prisoners who had not retired to their cells, Alfred Williams, trusty, is emphatic in his assertion that Thompson fired the shot that killed Hibbs and that he fired three times.

“It’s a wonder they did not get me,” said Williams. “Ashbridge and I could not hit it and in his desperate mood I am surprised he didn’t kill me, too.” Williams, who has just completed a six months’ sentence for obtaining money from Italian grocers by falsely representing himself as an agent for a wholesale house in Chicago and who is wanted in the Windy City for the same offense, says the whole transaction took less than a minute and that the moves came so fast he and the other prisoners were powerless to aid.

“It was like a flash of lightning” said Williams, “and before I could fully understand what had happened Ashbridge had grabbed Daddy’s keys’ which had fallen to the floor, and was off like a deer for the barred door. Ashbridge had taken the smoking gun from Thompson, who had his hat and coat under his arm and who was right behind the other one.

“As they hurried through the door after Ashbridge had opened it with Daddy’s keys Daddy called to me to raise him. I put my arm under his head and lifted him slightly from the floor. ‘Hold my hands’ he said to me. I took hold of his hands and the next minute he died in my arms. Then I heard two more shots and I knew they got Joe Ellis.”

Startled by the shots, and he is emphatic there were three in rapid succession, Ellis leaped to his feet and without taking the time to arm himself ran from the office and turned into the corridor just as Ashbridge, wild-eyed and gun in his hand, came running toward him. Halting three yards away Ashbridge pointed the revolver at Ellis’ head and ordered him to throw up his hands.

For reply and without fear of himself the keeper dashed at the murderer and the next instant they were locked in each others’ embrace. Working loose the hand which held the gun, Ashbridge pulled the trigger. The bullet struck Ellis in the breast, but the wound was not sufficient to render him helpless. However, before he could grip the pistol arm, Ashbridge fired again and the keeper fell back with a bullet in his groin.

“The second shot got me,” said Ellis to Prosecutor Kraft and Assistant Prosecutor Butler at the hospital. “The first one wasn’t bad but my strength left me when the second bullet struck. Ashbridge was the only one I saw. I did not see Thompson.”

Dragging himself to the office Ellis managed to reach a telephone and called up the police.

“This is Ellis at the county jail; come quick. Ashbridge has shot me” he weakly said over the phone to Captain Hyde. Then the receiver fell from his hand and he dropped to the floor, but after a minute or two managed to climb into chair.

While patrol loads of policemen were being hurried to the Court House from the First and Second District station houses, Reserve Officer Charles Hose, on duty at Broadway and Federal Street, who had heard the shots, ran to the Court House and from the office of Assistant Custodian John Lack phoned up to the jail. Ellis managed to answer and in a few words told what had happened. They ran up to the jail and were admitted by Ellis, who was rapidly growing weaker from loss of blood, the trail of which plainly showed just where the injured keeper had moved.

“I guess Ashbridge got away and the jail is all open, you had better take care of the rest of the prisoners,” said Ellis to Hose and Lack. The fugitive-murderers had left all doors open and the other occupants of the untried department were swarming through the corridors. Their curses and yells and the shrieks and cries of the female prisoners had turned the place into a perfect bedlam. With the aid of other policemen who swarmed into the Court House like bees, the prisoners were soon herded into the exercise room, where Trusty Williams checked them up and accounted for all but Ashbridge and Thompson.

With the faint hope that the missing pair had not risked leaving the building but had secreted themselves in the structure, the courthouse was searched from pit to dome, but no trace of the men were found.

Detective Doran was the first of the Prosecutor’s staff to reach the scene. Mr. Kraft and the balance of the staff soon followed. In the lower end of the county, on official business, Sheriff Haines was reached by phone and Under Sheriff Hewitt was summoned from Pitman and until an early hour this morning the officials were in conference and examining numerous prisoners.

State Detective Walter Le Torneau furnished Prosecutor Kraft with a promising “tip” this morning when he learned that Thompson gave a letter to Freeholder Howard Marshall, of the Eighth Ward, to mail on Sunday. Mr. Marshall states that the letter was addressed to a woman by the name of Mrs. Shelton, in Baltimore MD.

Marshall was attending religious service in the jail when Thompson approached him.

“Put this in your pocket and mail it for me when you go out,” said Thompson to Mr. Marshall, who agreed to carry out the request. Dropping the letter in the mail box Marshall allowed the incident to pass without further notice.

Detective Le Torneau learned this morning that Marshall had spoken to the incident to a friend and the sleuth notified the Prosecutor. The tip will be run down the Prosecutor stated.

Funeral services for Hibbs will be held on Thursday from his late residence. The body will be taken to Langhorne PA where interment will be made in the Friends’ Cemetery under the direction of the Schroeder-Kephart Company. Services will be conducted Wednesday evening by Reverend Henry Bradway, pastor of the Eighth Street Methodist Episcopal Church.

POLICE QUICKLY AT WORK

Although the murderous prisoners made their escape, it was no fault of the local police department, which threw out a “dragnet system” that covered practically every outlet from the city. As soon as the call reached headquarters the red lights were flashing and every officer and detective who could be reached was sent out on the “man hunt” which was pursued with vigor.

Passing automobiles were pressed into service by the detectives and officers and all haste was made for the ferries, railroad yards, terminals, and trolley points. Citizens cooperated with the police in their efforts to run down the escaping prisoners.

Assistant Chief Hyde received the call from Jailor Ellis, who though wounded himself summoned strength enough to reach the phone.

“This is Jailor Ellis. Hibbs and me have been shot by that man Ashbridge and help quick!” was the startling message which came over the phone to Chief Hyde about one minute past seven.

It was just at the time the shifts were going on and off at the local station houses. Chief Hyde lost no time. He called to Machine Operator “Eddie” King to send the message to the station houses and flash the red lights. This was done and as fast as the men could run they covered the various points.

The auto patrols were dispatched with all hands to the Court House and the wounded men hurried to the hospital. Coroner Robert G. Schroeder reached the hospital as Hibbs and Ellis were being admitted and he took charge of the situation and got in touch with Prosecutor Kraft and County Physician Stem.

Detective Captain Schregler was hurriedly summoned, and his men were sent in all directions. Detective Brothers boarded a waiting automobile and a record run was made for the Federal Street ferry. Sergeant Humes was picked up and in four minutes after the call was received from Ellis Detective Brothers had the ferry covered.

Detectives Troncone, Painter and Murry and captain Schregler covered the Kaighn Avenue, Vine Street, and Cramer Hill ferry lines.

Detective Brothers got in touch with the Pennsylvania Railroad officials who put their detective force to work searching freight and passenger cars. The orders were sent out from the railroad office to stop and search every freight train. Dispatches were also sent to Trenton, Mount Holly, and Burlington and it was not long before the news of the atrocious deed had spread throughout the country and many distant places.

Trolley cars were stopped and searched by the police, but not the slightest trace could be found of the escaped prisoners. The police left nothing undone in the “man-hunt.”

When news of the affair spread through the city phone calls began to come in to headquarters. Over fifty persons called up to tell the police that they had seen the two men at various places. The “tips” were all run down but none materialized.

Officers Arthur Colsey and Theodore Guthrie, who were on their vacations, lent their aid to Chief Hyde. Policeman Colsey pressed his automobile into service and carried the police to various parts of the city.

Co-operating closely with Prosecutor Kraft’s detectives the city officials formed a combination which in nine times out of ten would have been successful, but the escaped men cleverly eluded their pursuers.

Assisted by Coroner Schroeder, County Physician Stem held a post mortem examination on Hibbs’ body. The bullet which caused the death was located in the region of the heart, It passed through the victim’s lung, causing a hemorrhage, which resulted in death. Following the examination the body was taken by the Schroeder-Kephart Company at the family’s orders to be prepared for burial.

ASHBRIDGE’S FIRST CRIME

The brutal crime for which Ashbridge stood indicted but untried was committed on the night of January 22 at Ninth and Market Streets. It developed that the murderer had followed his intended victim from the morning hours. He trailed her to the home of her sister, a Mrs. Meredith, of 911 Market Street, and laid in wait in the darkness of a building that fatal Saturday night.

Mrs. Dunbar came out of the house and stood on the northeast corner while waiting for a ferry-bound trolley car. She intended going to Sicklerville that night to visit her relatives. With her at the time was her 7-year-old daughter, Eleanor, and her father, Charles Dunbar. Ashbridge advanced toward the woman, who was startled when she saw him. She called to her father that she “didn’t want anything to do with Ashbridge.”

Before the father could interfere the young murderer whipped out a revolver and covered the father and the woman. He then struck the woman violently in the face with his fist and as she was reeling under the force of the brutal blow Ashbridge fired, the first bullet taking effect in the woman’s chest. The brutal murderer then stood over his prostrate victim and holding the revolver less than five inches from his victim’s body he pumped four more shots into her.

Policeman Howard Smith and Policeman Taylor were a square distant. Smith saw the entire proceedings and screamed at Ashbridge to stop shooting. A crowd quickly gathered and Dr. Maldeis, who lives nearby, came running to the scene to aid the stricken woman.

Officer Taylor espied Ashbridge in the crowd. The murderer made no effort to run, but stood his ground. Detecting the murderer trying to slip something up his sleeve, Taylor pounced upon him and bore him to the ground, at the same time taking the gun away from him and slipping the handcuffs over the murderer’s wrists. Policeman Taylor had to draw his revolver to keep back the large crowd that was threatening. Showing no concern whatever, Ashbridge calmly waited until the police auto arrived. In the meantime the murdered woman’s still warm body was placed in a “jitney” and with Officer Smith and Dr. Maldeis a hurry run was made for Cooper Hospital but when the institution was reached, Mrs. Dunbar was pronounced dead.

Ashbridge was taken to the hospital by Policeman Taylor in the police auto. He asked “how she is.” Informed that he had accomplished his purpose, the young murderer asked to see the woman. When the white sheet covering the still form of the murdered woman was drawn from the face Ashbridge leaned over and kissed the forehead of the woman. He was then taken to the County jail and locked up. Before Recorder Stackhouse on the following Monday Ashbridge pleaded guilty.

Ashbridge was infatuated with the woman, who was a member of the Temple Theater chorus. Because of Ashbridge’s persistent attentions she was compelled to give up her position. Mrs. Dunbar had previously accepted Ashbridge’s attentions, thinking that he was unmarried, but upon learning that he had a wife and child she informed him that it would be best for them not to see each other, but the young man refused to discontinue his attentions.

On the day of the shooting Ashbridge was seen in various places. He is said to have followed the woman to the Federal Street ferry, but lost track of her. Around noon he was seen at Front and Pearl Streets by Policeman Boyd, who ordered him to move on. Boyd was about to arrest him as a suspicious character, but Ashbridge pleaded that he was looking for a friend. All that day Ashbridge followed the woman until night, when he cruelly murdered her.

The murderer came from a respectable family. Dissipation is thought to have caused the young man to lose his sense of reasoning. Rather good-looking, Ashbridge had tender baby-like eyes and his case excited sympathy among the more tender-hearted people.

Sweetmeats, tasty sandwiches, and other small luxuries were said to have been given the young murderer while he languished in his cell. He had many visitors. Recently Ashbridge was taken violently ill after eating some crabs which were given him by a friend. He and Jailor Hibbs were very friendly.

THOMPSON A CLEVER FORGER

Thompson, or Murphy, was a self-styled lawyer and was committed by Recorder Stackhouse in June for forging checks to the amount of $1,055. The worthless checks were “worked” on the McClelland-Fulton Auto Company and Motor Vehicle Agent A.C. Kraft.

When a check for $150 presented to the automobile company by Thompson and drawn to the order of “G.E. Thompson” on the Harrisonburg, Virginia National Bank came back from the home office of the Studebaker Company as worthless, Mr. Fulton called in the police.

Thompson had previously presented a check for $890 as payment on an automobile. This check was drawn on Thompson’s favor on the Coatesville National Bank and was purported to have been signed by Louis L. Gibney, a hotel man of Downington PA. This check was still in the possession of Mr. Fulton when Thompson was arrested after the first check was returned marked “no funds.”

The clever swindler also presented a bad check to Agent Kraft for $15 for which he received the license to operate the automobile which he proposed buying.

Detective Troncone arrested Thompson at Fifth and Market Streets on June 2. The defendant had been living in a room at 220 North Fifth Street.

Giving his home address as Daytona, Florida, Thompson represented himself as a lawyer. Well dressed and wearing nose glasses, Thompson was an intelligent appearing man, he had a bushy pompadour which was streaked with gray and talked in a persuasive manner. His forgeries on Mr. Gibney’s signature were so clever that Gibney himself could not tell the difference.

After Thompson’s arrest Detective Captain Schregler sent out notices to several southern cities. He received responses from Harrisonburg, Norfolk, and Petersburg Virginia and that Thompson was wanted in all three cities for check forgeries.

Bert Hibbs, a city foreman and a son of the slain jailor, was murdered early Sunday morning, December 25, 1910 when his throat was cut by Clement Ridgway, a negro, aged 22 years, of Seventh and Sycamore Streets. It was about 12:20 on Christmas morning that Hibbs while crossing the lots at Seventh and Sycamore was accosted by Ridgeway, who wanted to shake hands with Hibbs. The latter refused, a quarrel ensued and Ridgeway whipped out a razor and slashed Hibbs across the throat with such violence that his head was nearly severed. Hibbs died while on the way to the hospital. Ridgway was arrested after a battle by Detectives Schregler, Painter and Brothers and several officers at his home, 1207 Lilly Row.

Indicted for murder Ridgway pleaded non vult. On April 24, 1911, to a charge of murder in the second degree, he was sentenced to 25 years in state Prison at hard labor.

SECOND MURDER IN JAIL

This is the second murder and second escape from the present jail. The first murder took place in November, 1907, when George Stewart, a young negro, stabbed to death John Snell, who was awaiting trial for carrying in the business of fortune telling. Stewart was in jail on a charge of dealing in opium and cocaine. He had a complete opium layout in his cell. He and Snell had a quarrel and he stabbed Snell to death in his cell. He was tried and convicted and sentenced to be electrocuted during the week of February 8, 1908. He was electrocuted on February 4, being the first man to suffer the death penalty by electrocution.

On July 13, 1910 William T. Brown, alias Gillespie, who had been sentenced to seven years on a charge of forgery, and Charles Berger, who was under sentence for picking pockets, made their escape from jail after sawing the bars on the Federal Street front. They climbed over the balustrade to the roof, descended through a trapdoor, climbed down stairs and walked leisurely through the Court House building and out into the street unnoticed. They entered an automobile and were driven away. They crossed to Philadelphia on a North Cramer Hill Ferry boat.

Several weeks later Brown was arrested in New York City and was sentenced to Auburn Prison on an old charge. His term will expire shortly and he has also applied to the Court of Pardons of this State for a parole. A detainer has been lodged against him at the State prison where he is located and he will be brought back and resentenced. Berger was captured in Chicago and was brought back and served a term at Trenton.

Police Carnival Was a Gigantic Success

Philadelphia Inquirer — February 16, 1914

Police Elect Officers

Philadelphia Inquirer — December 4, 1917

Police Elect Officers

Philadelphia Inquirer — December 4, 1917

Prosecuting Witness Arrested

Philadelphia Inquirer — May 15, 1918

‘Voodoo’ Is Held for Murder

Camden Courier — April 9, 1925

Cops Discover Secret Vault, Baby Skeleton

Camden Courier — April 10, 1925

Captains Shifted

Camden Courier-Post — June 9, 1927

Woman, Baby Killed, 14 Hurt in Crashes

Camden Courier-Post — January 3, 1928

Seven Members of Police Captain's Family Injured When Bus Hits Car

Seven members of the family of a prominent Camden police official were injured, one of them seriously, when their automobile crashed into a telephone pole, after it was struck by a Pennjersey Burlington – Philadelphia bus on River road, near Riverside, last night.

An aged woman pedestrian was killed instantly in Camden, and the 15–months–old son of a Wildwood family was hurled to its death from the arms of his mother in an automobile in Philadelphia.

The automobile owned by Captain of Police Arthur Colsey was thrown against the telephone pole by the force of the impact with the bus. The pole snapped off two feet from the ground.

Mrs. Carolina Hess, 60 years old, 2808 Cleveland avenue, Captain Colsey’s mother–in–law, was the most seriously hurt. Today her condition was reported as “fairly good” by doctors at Zurbrugg Memorial Hospital, Riverside, to which she was taken after the accident. Her scalp was cut in several places, and physicians feared a fractured skull.

Others treated at the hospital were Mrs. Flora Colsey, 33 years old, daughter–in–law of the police captain, contusions of the right leg; Arthur Colsey, Jr., 23 years old, 422 Lexington avenue, North Merchantville, bruises of the left hip; Arthur Colsey, 3rd, 11 years old, scalp wound; Lillian Colsey, 4 years old, cuts, bruises and possible fracture of left forearm and nose.

Others slightly injured were Mrs. Anna Reitz, 27 years old, 2808 Cleveland avenue, daughter of Mrs. Hess, bruises of heel and leg, and her husband, Harold Reitz, 28 years old, minor cuts and bruises.

Charles McKnight, driver of the bus, reported the accident to Patrolman Walter Miller of the Riverton department. He said his bus was following another along River road toward Riverside. McKnight said he was obliged to swerve to the left as the first bus suddenly stopped to discharge a passenger. When he did this, McKnight said, he struck the Colsey automobile which had been following him.

Captain Colsey was informed of the accident by telephone and left a testimonial dinner which was being given Mayor George N. Wimer in Palmyra. Young Colsey said his family was on its way home from Trenton where it had spent the holiday.

McKnight was not held following Patrolman Miller’s investigation.

Woman Fatally Hurt

Mrs. Emma Scholl, 67 years old, 6[illegible]4 Tulip street, died as she was being carried into West Jersey Hospital. She was struck by the automobile of Thomas Atkins, 110 East Clinton avenue, Oaklyn, after she had stepped from behind a Public Service bus at Ninth street and Morgan boulevard.

Police Invite Bandits To Nice Shooting Party

Camden Courier-Post — February 4, 1928

But Yeggs Must Leave Gats at Home While Cops Practice With Camden’s New Desperado Eliminators

Wanted: Targets for Camden’s new desperado eliminators. Bandits, burglars, snipers and their ilk are requested by Chief of Police James E. Tatem to apply at police headquarters Monday morning at 10 o’clock, when a practice shooting party will be held.

Chief Tatem said today Camden’s bandit-chasing squad is “just rarin’ to go” with six new automatic rifles guaranteed to shoot full of holes the toughest bandit in less time than it takes to say “Aligoop.”

For the further enlightenment of the bandit fraternity, Chief Tatem announced detailed instructions on how to use the new carbines will be given this afternoon at 3 o’clock to bandit chasing police by Captain Arthur Colsey and Herman Engle, a representative of Stein Brothers, this city.

The rifles arrived at police headquarters yesterday afternoon. They will be distributed in each of the city’s three police districts in the campaign to rid the city of desperadoes.

The weapons can fire a magazine of 20 shots in a few seconds. They will be mounted in the three red bandit chasing coupes used by the district squad members. One of the coupes is now being used by Archie Reiss and Vernon Jones in South Camden, while two others are expected to be delivered within a few days, according to Chief of Police James E. Tatem. They will be assigned to Walter Smith and Joseph Carpani, First district detectives and Louis Schlam and Richard Donnelly in the East Camden district.

Swivel attachments make it possible to fire the guns from a fixed point in an automobile. Detached they may be fired from the shoulder. Besides firing a magazine of 20 shots without stopping, they can be adjusted to single fire, using .45 caliber cartridges.

Instruction in the adjustment and use of the weapons will be given today by a representative of the company that sold them — at $175 each — to the city.

Acting Detective Suspended by Chief

Camden Courier-Post — February 4, 1928

Machine Gun Bullets Await “Phantom Sniper”

Camden Courier-Post — February 6, 1928

Three Women Claim Body of ‘Gimp’ Thomas

Camden Courier-Post — March 25, 1930

One Is ‘Daughter, Others Say They’re Wives; Badge Mystery Unexplained

Who is the legal wife of Howard “Gimp” Thomas, under cover man for Camden police, whose death in an automobile upset early Saturday morning near Ellisburg is being investigated by county authorities?

Three women have attempted to claim the body but it still remained in the morgue of Coroner Melvin Cain last night.

A mystery woman in black appeared at the coroner’s office Sunday and attempted to claim it. She declared she was Thomas’ wife.

“The body has already been claimed by Miss Marie Olive Thomas, 18, Harrisburg, Pa., daughter of Thomas,” said Cain.

“Well he is my husband,” replied the woman.

“I’m not going to get into any controversy over the legal claimant of the body,” Cain told her. “You will have to settle that argument with Miss Thomas.”

Threatens to See Lawyers

The woman left in an angry mood and threatened to “see a lawyer.”

Mrs. Harold Thomas, 6534 Sixth Avenue, Philadelphia, told the Delaware township police yesterday she believes the dead man is her husband, who deserted her two years ago. She said she was coming to Camden to identify the body.

She said her husband’s name was Harold and was of the opinion he had changed it to Howard. She said the description she received tallied with that of her husband.

Until late last night the woman had failed to visit Coroner Cain’s office. The newest mystery in connection with the case, however, has not yet eclipsed that impelling the question:

How did “Gimp” Thomas come into possession of badge No. 188 of the Camden Police Department?

The badge, taken from Thomas’ pocket when his body was found has been the subject of numerous theories. The police, unable to arrive at a satisfactory explanation, it is understood, are continuing their efforts to learn under what auspices Thomas came into possession of the badge.

Captain Arthur Colsey admitted the man had done some work for the Camden police but not often. He has been unable to account for the badge’s having the same number as one issued James Hollis, Detective Captain John Golden’s chauffeur.

Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin said he has asked the state police for a report on the death of Thomas and plans to check up reports that four men were with him instead of two on the fatal ride.

Harry McClain, 726 Kaighn Avenue, and William Hernisy, 1146 Liberty Street, who were with Thomas when he was killed, are in the county jail. Two other men, who were reported seated in the rear have escaped.

Hernisy was driving the car when Thomas was killed and is being held on a charge of manslaughter and larceny of the automobile. McClain is charged with being an accessory.

Both men claim Thomas met accidental death although McClain said the dead man was taking him “for a ride” and he “beat him to it.” The pair fled from the scene of the accident because they knew Thomas had stolen the car, they told police.

City Policeman Drowns in Lake at Blackwood

Camden Courier-Post — May 5, 1930

Hurley Gets Contract For Police Uniforms

Camden Courier-Post — March 29, 1930

Contract for new police uniforms was awarded yesterday to the Hurley store by the city commission, which heretofore had contracted with a Philadelphia firm.

Changes in the uniforms of several of the police departments are planned by Chief Lewis H. Stehr and Captain Arthur Colsey. Because many bus companies have adopted uniforms similar to those of the police for their drivers, the new uniforms for the mounted police will include blue coat, blue hat and khaki breeches. Police attached to the ambulance patrol will wear dark gray whipcord uniforms. Traffic police and others will wear the regular blue uniform now in use.

Uniform inspection will be held Monday to ascertain the department’s needs.

Funeral for Stehr to Be Held Saturday

Camden Courier-Post — December 11, 1930

Lewis H. Stehr memorial, police officials — **FUNERAL FOR STEHR TO BE HELD SATURDAY**

**City in Mourning as Rites are Planned—Burial Will Be in Harleigh**

With the city in mourning today, funeral arrangements were being completed for Chief of Police Lewis H. Stehr, who died yesterday in Cooper Hospital. Hundreds of friends will view the body in state tomorrow between 7 and 10 p. m. at the Schroeder Chapel, Broadway and Royden streets. Many others will attend the funeral services, which will be held at 2 p. m. Saturday at the chapel.

Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.

A list of honorary pall bearers was compiled today, as well as the police escort. The police stations in the four city districts were draped in black and flags were at half-mast today, and will remain so for 30 days.

The pallbearers will be Lieutenants Ralph Bakely and George Ward; Sergeants George Nowry and Frank Truax; Policemen Thomas Cheeseman and Harry Kyler.

Honorary pallbearers are Sergeants Herbert Anderson and John Skolski; District Detective Archie Reiss, Policemen John Kowal and Clarence Phifer, and Donald Swissler, clerk of the chief’s office.

There will be a guard of honor formed by the mounted squad of the police department which will be changed every two hours while the body is viewed. Funeral arrangements are in charge of Lieut. George Ward.

The police of the city will view the remains Friday at 7.30 p. m. at the funeral parlors.

***(Continued on Page Two)***

Mrs. Anna Stehr had been at the bedside of her husband constantly since he was stricken Thanksgiving Day. Yesterday nurses assured her her husband’s condition was unchanged and she was making Christmas purchases at Chief Stehr’s request when he died. Condolences were being received by Mrs. Stehr from many city and county officials as well as legions of friends. Deputy Public Safety Director Charles V. Dickinson and Captain Arthur Colsey, police chief clerk, were to convey to Mrs. Stehr today the official condolence of the city.

**Cops Express Sorrow**

A letter of condolence was sent to Mrs. Stehr today along with a resolution adopted by the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, Camden Local No. 35. The letter read:

“It is with heartfelt regret and with deepest sympathy that we offer condolences to you in this hour of bereavement. The sudden action of the Almighty in plucking this noble man from our midst has overwhelmed us with sorrow and regret that words alone cannot express. This, however, being the desire of the Lord, we feel that the benevolent performance of our beloved chief so ably executed upon this humble earth, will be amply rewarded in a celestial sphere not made by man.

“We sincerely trust, we, his brothers and friends, have lessened your grief in this, our expression, of what your faithful husband has meant to us, the members of the P. B. A. as well as yourself.

“Respectfully yours, “CLIFFORD A. FLENNARD, “President.”

The resolution declares: “Whereas this local feels that it has sustained a severe loss in the passing of its greatest force for good, and “Whereas we deeply deplore his passing, “Be it resolved that it is the unanimous opinion of the membership of this organization that the death of Lewis H. Stehr, chief of police of the City of Camden, N. J., has caused great sorrow among us. His good deeds in life might well cause one to write a never-ending stream of eulogies but in this case we wish to call him and always think of him as a friend, a word that is applied to him whole-heartedly and in the fullest sense of the word. It is impossible to express to what extent we shall miss him but we shall always and forever remember Chief Stehr as a friend whose place made vacant by death will be very difficult to fill.

“Be it further resolved that Camden Local, No. 35, P. B. A., also wishes to extend its sympathies to Mrs. Stehr and to offer whatever assistance possible at this time of her bereavement and at any other time this organization may find it in its power to do so.

“Be it further resolved that we also extend our sympathies to his relatives and friends who are no doubt feeling his passing as deeply as we do so.”

Copies of the resolution were sent to Director of Public Safety David S. Rhone, Mrs. Stehr and the press. The resolution was passed at the regular meeting of the local yesterday. The resolution was signed by Flennard, the president, and Joseph Keefe, the secretary.

Chief George W. Black, secretary of the International Chief of Police Association, sent his regrets and letter of condolence to Captain Arthur Colsey and asking that a floral design be sent to the funeral at the association’s expense.

**Mayor Expresses Sorrow**

Mayor Price issued the following statement: “I was very greatly shocked to learn of the death of Chief Stehr. While I understood he was in a serious physical condition, I did not anticipate his death.

“Chief Stehr had devoted practically his entire lifetime to the service of the city, having entered the police department in his early youth, and is entitled to the commendation of his fellow citizens for his efforts in the public service.”

Commissioner Frank B. Hanna, when apprised of the police chief’s death, said: “The news of Chief Stehr’s death was a terrible shock. I feel a personal loss, as we were close friends. I knew him since I was a young boy, and our contacts in the past two years were most pleasant.”

Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin declared: “The suddenness of the death of Chief Stehr comes as a shock to those of his friends who were wishing him well in his illness. His passing naturally causes grief to those whose work brought them into close contact with him.”

City Commissioner Clay W. Reesman said: “The passing of Chief Stehr is a great loss to the community. We were all hoping that Chief Stehr was on the road to recovery and only several days ago when I inquired at the hospital, I learned that his condition was greatly improved. His sudden passing is a terrible shock.”

Local Police Heads Greeted at State Prison

Camden Courier-Post — October 21, 1931

Camden police officials at Trenton State Prison gates — Headed by Major Charles V. Dickinson, local police officials made a tour of inspection yesterday of the state prison at Trenton. Photo shows Colonel George L. Selby, chief deputy warden at the prison, greeting Major Dickinson and his companions at the prison gates. Left to right: Patrolman John Stevenson – Lieutenant Herbert Anderson – Captain Arthur Colsey – Major Dickinson – Lieutenant George Frost – Colonel Selby – Lieutenants George Ward, Ralph Bakley and Walter Welch. The police officials were the guests of Colonel Selby at luncheon before the tour.

Colsey Completes 20 Years on Force

Camden Courier-Post — March 12, 1932

Captain Was Named Policeman on March 12, 1912 by Chief Gravenor

Twenty years on the Camden Police Force were completed at 9:20 AM today by Captain Arthur Colsey.

Many friends and organizations sent baskets of flowers, transforming Captain Colsey’s office into a veritable bower of bloom. Many friends dropped in during the day to shake his hand and wish him “good luck.”

A card, unsigned, on one of the large wreaths, bears this legend: “Congratulations to Captain Arthur Colsey, for 20 years of faithful service — to the man of men who should have been made chief of police years ago. From an old friend who has been in very close touch with the police department for more than 40 years.”

Colsey was appointed a patrolman on March 12, 1912 by E.A. Gravenor, Chief of Police during the term of Mayor Charles H. Ellis. He was driver of the district patrol wagon for a short time, then was appointed a district detective. Shortly afterward he was transferred to the detective bureau under Captain William Schregler.

Colsey served for seven years in Mayor Ellis’ office as a plainclothes detective.

In 1923 he was appointed chief clerk with a rating as captain.

In 1924, when he was in charge of the vice squad, Colsey made 380 liquor raids, assisted in 180 raids made by Federal agents, raided 54 disorderly houses and 38 gambling establishments.

From 1907 to 1911 Colsey was councilman from the Second Ward and served as president of the Second Ward Republican Club. He moved to the Twelfth Ward in 1923, living at 2931 Stevens Street.

Colsey will be unopposed for president of the Twelfth Ward Republican Club at the election Tuesday night.

2 Cops Go on Trial Tuesday as Echo of Election Row

Camden Courier-Post — June 6, 1932

Dr. Neulen Appointed to New Welfare Unit

Camden Courier-Post — June 16, 1932

Murphy and Pedigree To End Long Service With Camden Police

Camden Courier-Post — October 8, 1932

11th Ward Protests Removal of Police

Camden Courier-Post — February 2, 1933

G.O.P. Club Resolutions Also Urge Captain Colsey as Chief

Opposition to abandonment of the Third District Police Station in East Camden for a more centralized police headquarters in new City Hall, was voiced yesterday by the Eleventh Ward Republican Club.

That organization in resolutions forwarded to the city commissioners and the Republican county committee members from the Eleventh ward, also requests the return of the police patrol to the Third District Station. Furthermore the club has gone on record as favoring appointment of Captain Arthur Colsey as permanent chief of police.

“We feel that these steps are necessary for the benefit and protection of not only the Eleventh ward but the Twelfth ward as well,” said Harold Mengle, recording secretary of the Eleventh Ward Republican Club in making public the resolutions.

The measures follow:

“Resolved, that the Eleventh Ward Republican Club go on record as strenuously objecting to the removal of the Third District Police Station and also request that the police patrol be replaced.” Signing the resolution are George H. Simpson, Harry C. Johnson and Mengle.

“Resolved that the Eleventh Ward Republican Club go on record as supporting Captain Colsey as chief of police, and inasmuch as we have only an acting chief, strenuously endorse his appointment.” Signing this measure are Louis H. Molineaux, Edward Huckel and Mengle.

Besides the city commissioners, Horace B. Beideman and Mrs. Etta C. Pfrommer, Republican county committeeman and woman from the Eleventh ward also received copies of the resolutions.

Mothers Hysterical In Boy Vandal Trial

Camden Courier-Post — June 29, 1933

Pancoast Refuses Leniency to Sons, Blames Hartmann, Who Hits Back, Charges Inconsistency and Reveals Threat

Hysterics among three mothers, one of whom fainted, as their young sons were held for court yesterday inspired another attack on Police Judge Garfield Pancoast by Frank J. Hartmann, Jr., secretary of the North Camden Civic Association.

The three women shouted frantically as their sons, each 15, were led from the court to be taken to the Juvenile Detention Home on charges of incorrigibility. They had been accused of vandalism in North Camden. It was brought out, however, that Hartmann did not make the complaints against the boys, who will be detained until the next session of juvenile court is held by Judge Samuel M. Shay.

Hartmann in a statement last night disclosed that a threat had been made against him by the father of one of the boys who allegedly declared he “had a gun and was going to use it.”

Led from the courtroom after screaming and after one had fainted, the women cried so bitterly in the corridor that court attendants ordered them to leave.

The episode was one of the most turbulent in the history of the Camden police court, according to veteran attendants. So great was the turmoil there was question whether Pancoast would not have to recess other hearings.

Pancoast remained adamant in his decision despite the shrill protests of the mothers; the plea of one of the boys, who begged for release with arms outstretched, and of the complainant, who urged leniency.

Criticizes Hartmann

Pancoast criticized Hartmann for “condemning him for showing leniency in such cases, yet never making formal complaint himself against youthful vandals in a specific case.”

Pancoast added that he “was compelled to act as he did because of the facts in the case and general complaints against vandalism in North Camden and other parts of the city.”

The boys are: Lester Jamison, of 326 North Second Street; Frank Smith, of 521 Elm Street, and Henry Egerton, 15, of 212 Bailey Street.

Complaint against the youths was made by G.T. Moore, of 313 State Street, who charged that he had found the boys destroying a property at the northeast corner of Third and State Streets.

Value $25,000, Now 25 Cents

“That property once was worth about $25,000,” Moore testified, “Today it could be bought for 25 cents because of vandalism.”

The youths admitted they had been on the premises, but denied they had caused any damage.

The court then directed that a disorderly conduct charge against them be changed to incorrigibility, the complaint for which was signed by Moore.

Moore testified that the defendants and other boys had been warned to keep off the property, but they would cross the street and ridicule him. He urged leniency, however, when the court revealed that the boys would be sent to the detention home. He said he did not want to see the youths placed in confinement and their reputations blemished.

Calls Him Liar

“I can’t be lenient in his case,” Pancoast replied. “I’ve been charged by Mr. Hartmann, of the North Camden Civic Association, with taking care of criminals and politicians who come to this court, and that is a lie. Also there has been a great deal of publicity about vandalism in North Camden, columns and columns of it, yet Hartmann has never made a single formal complaint against any boy in my court. As a citizen, if he knows such things are going on, it is his duty, as well as that of other citizens, to make a complaint to us.”

“This occurrence by these boys is undoubtedly a part of the vandalism going on in North Camden and I’m going to send these boys to the detention home.”

Moore again pleaded for leniency for the boys, but Pancoast said he had no other alternative than to sentence them under the circumstances.

The arrests on complaint of Moore were made by Gus Reihm and Wilbur Prentiss, motorcycle policemen.

Civic Clubs Protest

Apprehension of youthful vandals has been urged repeatedly by the North Camden Civic Association officers, including Hartmann, who said recently that damage by the vandals in the city has reached more than $500,000 and the city officials and police have “done little or nothing about it.”

Hartmann and other officers of the association appeared before the city commission last week, urging prompt remedial measures by the city officials, and charging that too much leniency is shown in such cases. Mayor Stewart replied that the city had taken steps to eliminate the evil and was doing all that could be done to end it.

Hartmann, in company with Frederick von Nieda, president of the Congress of Civic Associations, to which the North Camden association is allied, and George I. Shaw, vice president of the uptown group, conferred with Captain Arthur Colsey at police headquarters. Captain Colsey promised further co-operation of the police in stamping out the practice of wrecking vacant dwellings and invited all citizens to report such instances to the police.

Hartmann’s Reply

In replying to Pancoast’s criticism Hartmann said:

“I learned from the father of one of the boys committed to jail by Judge Pancoast that the three boys could not be released unless I gave the word. This parent was quite alarmed, and I am told made threats against me. He declared that he had a gun and was going to use it. I can appreciate this man’s feelings, because I understand that when he returned he found his wife in a terribly excited condition, and because of the fact that their son was arrested for playing tag with some chums. But I can’t go to the detention home and order release of the boys. That’s impossible. Only the judge can do that.”

“The attitude of Judge Pancoast in criticizing me indirectly as the complainant not only is uncalled for but is the direct cause of this threat, as well as the distracted state of the boy’s mother.”

“Judge Pancoast is trying to throw a cloud over the real state of affairs in Camden.”

“As a member of the North Camden Civic Association I have helped to point out conditions here that have existed for a long time without the police taking any notice of them, conditions which should not have been tolerated and which have caused considerable expense to property owners.”

“This needless expense could have been prevented by the police and Judge Pancoast, in a quiet, yet determined manner.”

‘Children Victims of Anger’

“Simply because we have criticized him and the police is not reason for Judge Pancoast to vent his anger at us upon innocent children, such as he has done in this particular case.”

“He states that because we have complained it is necessary for him to hold the three young boys for court.”

“On top of this he said that we never made any complaints.”

“The latter is true, for we have not accused any child and do not intend to do so. It is the job of the police department to stop the wave of vandalism, not our task.”

“Judge Pancoast’s attempt to blame me in this situation is ridiculous. As I look at it he seems to be trying to evade the real issues.”

‘Reprimand Sufficient’

“He made a disgraceful example of three boys, to whom a reprimand would have been sufficient had they been brought before him for merely playing tag, but if they were accused of vandalism then I think his action in committing them to the detention home was justified. But, since the charge against them was changed from vandalism to incorrigibility it is apparent that there is some doubt in the judge’s mind.”

“Even with this reasonable doubt I cannot reconcile a case with the disposition of two others, immediately prior to the hearing of the three boys. I understand that two defendants on charges of stealing pipe from a vacant dwelling were dismissed.”

“The difference in these two instances, certainly does not give evidence of Judge Pancoast’s sincerity in dealing with vandalism, or convince me that he is co-operating with the mayor in correcting the evils of which the citizens and taxpayers have rightfully complained.”

‘Vigilantes’ To Curb Camden Vandals Suggested to City

Camden Courier-Post — June 29, 1933

North Camden Group Would Have Citizens’ Committee and Junior Patrol — Up To Mayor Stewart

Formation of a “Citizens Committee” to curb vandalism and the development of a “Juvenile Patrol” to encourage young boys to co-operate with police, were suggested last night at a conference in the office of Police Captain Arthur Colsey.

The committee, it is proposed, would comprise special officers with authority to make arrests in the absence of patrolmen. The idea will be presented to Mayor Roy R. Stewart today by Captain Colsey. The latter has instructed Sergeant Richard Middleton to visit the various city playgrounds and organize groups of children into juvenile patrols.

Mrs. Stephen Pfeil, of the North Camden Civic Association, proposed the citizens’ committee. She heads a group of the uptown association, including Miss Elsie A. Stein and William Couglin, which recently made a survey in Camden and estimated that more than $500,000 damage has been caused by vandals. Others who attended the conference included Mrs. Grace Riggins, superintendent of the Camden Juvenile Detention Home; J. Louis Kollin, an attorney, and Joseph Munger, also of the North Camden Civic Association.

Mrs. Riggins suggested the civic group send speakers to schools to address students on good citizenship and to point out “the absolute unfairness of damaging property.” She advised the message also be imparted to parent-teacher associations.

The conference will result in regular meetings of the civic leaders and police, Mrs. Pfeil said.

12 Questioned, 2 Men Held in Murder Probe

Camden Evening Courier — September 3, 1934

Colsey and Detectives at Murder Scene and 2 Held for Quiz

Camden Evening Courier — September 3, 1934

Photograph from the Camden Evening Courier front page, September 3, 1934, with the headline Colsey and Detectives at Murder Scene and 2 Held for Quiz — [Six photographs; the headline above them is the only printed text.]

Feitz Funeral Photographs

Camden Evening Courier — September 10, 1934

Lieut. Bakley and 11 Police Suspended in Feitz Inquiry

Camden Evening Courier — September 10, 1934

Grand Jury Vice Probe to Be Ordered by Lloyd; Stewart Quizzes Cops

Camden Evening Courier — September 11, 1934

Store Bandits To Be Quizzed in Chester on Feitz Murder

Camden Courier-Post — September 14, 1934

Material Witness Will View Suspects Caught by Camden Sleuths — Brickner Questioned by Colsey on Holdup — Police Order All Persons Arrested to Face ‘Line Up’ in Slaying Probe

Seven men and women held by Camden police as material witnesses in the murder of Detective William T. Feitz two weeks ago in an alleged South Camden disorderly house will look over two men arrested in Chester PA after a store holdup here.

This was announced today by County Detective Lawrence T. Doran, who is directing the investigation for Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando.

At the same time, Chief Doran disclosed that after a conference with Police Chief Arthur Colsey, orders were issued that every person arrested in Camden, whether the charge is trivial or serious, will be placed in a police “lineup” and the material witnesses will face them to see if any of Feitz’s killers are among them.

Chief Doran was not sure whether the Camden County authorities would be able to bring the two robbery suspects to Camden because they are also wanted in Pennsylvania for almost a score of other holdups and burglaries.

Will Visit Chester

In the event that Chester authorities will not turn the two men over to Camden detectives, the witnesses will go to Chester to examine them, Chief Doran said.

Those held in Chester in connection with the holdup Wednesday night of the candy store of Michael Guzik at 1301 Sheridan Street identified themselves as Peter Muraska, 10, of 342 McDowell Street, and Ray Tuttle, 30, of 2529 West Ninth Street, both of Chester.

While neither Chief Doran nor Chief Colsey believe Muraska or Tuttle may be implicated in the murder of the detective because they are not known to be killers, both declared the suspects will be questioned as to their whereabouts at the time Feitz was shot to death.

“We are letting nothing slip through our fingers at this stage of the investigation,” Chief Doran said. “There is a bare possibility that either of these two suspects may be implicated or have some knowledge that would be useful to us in solving this crime.”

While negotiations were under way between Camden County authorities and Chester police to bring the suspects here, Chief Colsey was making inquiry into the actions of Patrolman William Brickner during the holdup.

Questioned by Colsey

Brickner was summoned to Chief Colsey’s office at City Hall today to explain why he had rushed from his home at 1263 Chase Street to the scene of the holdup when told by neighbors that it was taking place and then gave his gun to his son Elmer so he could watch the place so he the policeman could telephone police headquarters for help.

According to Guzik, the proprietor of the store, the bandits were in his store 30 minutes. They locked the doors behind them and gagged Guzik and guarded his wife, Blanche, and her sister, Mary Pitura, 18.

The bandits broke open a trunk from which they took $100 in pennies, $30 in scrip, and $4 in silver. Guzik said the pennies represented his profit in a penny vending machine over a period of time.

It was while Guzik was left alone that he shouted from one of his windows and neighbors called Brickner who was at home and off duty. His son Elmer fired one shot at the fleeing car before the patrolman came back from telephoning for help.

Several numbers of the license plates on the bandits car were covered with tape but one of the youngsters in the neighborhood succeeded in pushing aside the tape and getting the complete number which was turned over to police. Yesterday Detective Lieutenant Ward, accompanied by Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner and Detective Joseph Carpani went to Chester and made the arrests.

The car, which carried Pennsylvania tags, was listed in the name of Archie Hendrickson of Morton Avenue, Chester, police said.

Crawford Smith — Feitz murder investigation

Camden Courier-Post — September 14, 1934

Crawford Smith — Feitz murder investigation

Camden Courier-Post — September 15, 1934

Bribery Charged by Grand Jurors

Camden Courier-Post — October 12, 1934

Crawford Smith — Feitz murder trial

Camden Courier-Post — January 22, 1935

Police Force Politics Banned Commissioner Kobus Declares

Camden Courier-Post — August 3, 1935

Calls for 100% Efficiency and Promises Square Deal for All in Talk to Commanders; Stresses Fact Colsey is Chief

“I want 100% efficient police department and not a political machine.”

Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, new director of public safety, made that declaration yesterday afternoon at a joint police-press conference in her office at city hall before she was served with a writ restraining her from taking that office.

Commissioner Kobus was the kindly mother talking to her “boys” for the most of the conference— but at times she became the stern parent— with the birchrod in the cupboard— as she instructed the police heads to “divorce themselves from politics.”

“For many years I have nursed in my heart a desire to see Camden with a 100% efficient police department,” the commissioner said. “Now that time is at hand.”

“I have known all of you men for many years,” she told the assembled commanders, “and I don’t care what your respective political affiliations might be. You have a right to you opinions, but I want the police department to divorce itself from politics.

“You must know what is going on in your city and you must let me know. I must have 100 percent cooperation if I am to succeed in this new undertaking.

“If you have any complaints, don’t go around and growl, undermining the department. Lay your cards on the table, I guarantee you a fair deal.

“Chief Colsey is head of the police department and not in name only. You others in the rank you occupy are also commanders in fact and not in name. It is up to you.”

The commissioner urged a closer co-operation between police and the press and concluded by saying she wanted her “family” to be honest-to-goodness policemen “because there is no room in the department for those who are not.”

Attending the conference was Chief Arthur Colsey, Lieutenant Herbert Anderson, chief clerk of the bureau; Lieutenants George Frost, Ralph Bakley, Walter Welch, Samuel E. Johnson and George Ward.

Grand Jury Clears Number Suspects

Camden Courier-Post — August 5, 1935

Pair Suspected by Police as Having Succeeded Klosterman Brothers

Two men alleged by city and county authorities to have succeeded the Klosterman brothers in controlling the Camden numbers racket last Spring, were exonerated by the Camden county grand jury.

Those whose cases were “no billed” are Chester “Gassy” Szalinski, 30, of 1188 Chestnut Street, and Joseph Putek, 29, of 2955 Tuckahoe Road.

At the same time, the grand jury in its report to the County Clerk Charles S. Wise, failed to find an indictment against Robert Bloodworth, another suspect arrested in connection with the operation of lotteries in Camden.

After the trial of the Klosterman brothers, Fred and Joe, both of whom were convicted last spring of number charges, Szalinski was named by Police Chief Arthur Colsey as the “Sixty-ninth Street mobster who had taken over the Klosterman numbers play.” Every policeman in Camden was ordered to arrest Szalinski on sight.

The suspected numbers operator was arrested and later released in $1500 bail to await the action of the grand jury.

Putek was arrested last April after police had engaged in a sensational chase of 15 blocks after a suspected numbers pickup automobile at which they fired a number of shots, one of which struck a bystander.

Police allege Putek joined Szalinski in control of the Klosterman numbers game. Arrests of both men climaxed orders to county police authorities by Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd and Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando to clean up the number racket in this area.

“No bills” were returned by the grand jury for Harry Hartman and John Burke charged with attempts and breaking and entry; J.G. Flynn, accused of being a fugitive from justice from Philadelphia; Ralph Latshaw, Anna Green, and Theodore Jones, statutory charges.

Hartman and Burke were held for the grand jury last month on charges they attempted to enter the Saloon of Mrs. Mamie Piraine, Republican county committeewoman from the Eighth Ward, at 1944 Broadway.

Sunday Raids on 2 Saloons Trap Owners

Camden Courier-Post — August 26, 1935

Cafe Owner Fined for Sunday Sales

Camden Courier-Post — August 27, 1935

John Lynch Faces Police Court Today

Camden Courier-Post — August 30, 1935

Cafe Case Delayed By Girl Witnesses

Camden Courier-Post — August 31, 1935

Johnson Gets Ward’s Job as Kobus Orders Cop Shakeup

Camden Courier-Post — August 31, 1935

Shaw Made Assistant in Place of Koerner

By Charles L. Humes

In a shakeup of Camden police officials yesterday afternoon Lieutenant Samuel E. Johnson was named acting chief of detectives by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety.

Lieutenant George A. Ward, who has been in charge of the detective bureau for a year, was transferred to take Johnson’s place in charge of headquarters.

Detective Louis Shaw was made assistant to Johnson, replacing Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner. Koerner was transferred to the Second District, for radio car and street duty. The new order became effective at 4:00 PM yesterday.

Police Chief Arthur Colsey announced the changes in the bureau after a two-hour conference with Commissioner Kobus yesterday afternoon.

Maurice Di Nicuolo, who has been an acting detective, was transferred to the First Police District, with former Acting Detective Clifford Del Rossi returning to his old post in the detective bureau.

In the only other transfer announced, Sergeant Harry Newton was switched from the First Police District to the Third, with Sergeant Edward Carroll going from the Third to the First.

Although no other changes were made public, it is believed yesterday’s are a forerunner of numerous shifts to be made today or early next week.

“These changes are being made for the good of the service,” Commissioner Kobus declared. “There will be other transfers of officers and men so that all the police may familiarize themselves with all the branches of the department.”

Lieutenant Johnson was appointed a policeman on January 1, 1910. After 10 years as a patrolman, he was promoted to a detective, where he made a splendid record. On November 28, 1928 he was made a sergeant, and again promoted on April 8, 1930, when he became a lieutenant.

Ward was appointed a policeman on August 2, 1917, promoted to detective January 1, 1927, sergeant November 14, 1928 and lieutenant on January 24, 1930.

Johnson was a detective sergeant when former Police Chief John W. Golden was head of that bureau, but later was transferred to police headquarters.

Ward has been in and out of the detective bureau several times. He served for a time as the commander of the First District and later was in charge of the police headquarters on the 12:00 midnight to 8:00 AM shift. He was a political lieutenant of former Public Safety Director David S. Rhone.

Court to Fine Drivers Disregarding ‘Tickets’

Camden Courier-Post — October 29, 1935

Police will issue summonses for all traffic violators who fail to report to the traffic bureau after receiving a “ticket” from policemen and they will be fined in police court, Police Chief Arthur Colsey announced yesterday.

Chief Colsey said about 100 tags had been unaccounted for in the recent drive to end all-day parking.

He said the license numbers of those motorists who failed to appear, which is taken by the policeman, will be checked at the motor vehicle department at Trenton and a court summons issued for each offender.

George Clayton Made Chief Police Clerk

Camden Courier-Post — December 5, 1935

5 Bitten by Mad Dog in North Camden Treated for Rabies

Camden Courier-Post — February 17, 1936

State Test Shows Animal Infected, Dr. Helm Informed — Drive to Capture All Strays Pushed by Police Chief Colsey — Licenses Necessary

The dog which ran amok and bit five persons in North Camden Saturday night was suffering from rabies.

That was announced yesterday by Dr. David B. Helm, Jr., city sanitary inspector, after receipt of a telegram from the state board of health in Trenton. Examination of the head of the dog revealed the animal had rabies.

The five victims of the dog who received Pasteur treatment at Cooper Hospital pending examination of the dog, will continue to be treated, Doctor Helm said.

The victims were: William Wagner, 65, of 1554 Forty-eighth Street, Pennsauken township, bitten on leg. Miss Florence Smith, 19, of 833 Grant Street, bitten on wrist and leg. William Luers, 3, adopted child of Mrs. Frank Smith, 833 Grant Street. William Winstanley, 11, of 835 Grant Street, bitten on hands. Thomas Owens, 12, of 631 North Ninth Street, bitten on right forearm and left hand.

At the same time Doctor Helm announced he and Police Chief Arthur Colsey were co-operating to capture and destroy all unlicensed and stray dogs and cats found on city streets.

Return to Screens in Saloons Sought

Camden Courier-Post — February 19, 1936

City Beverage Control Board Will Seek Repeal of Open Window Ordinance

Repeal of a chapter of a city ordinance which provides that the interior of Camden saloons shall be open to public view from the street will be sought by John L. Morrissey, chairman of the Municipal Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Morrissey said he will discuss the subject with the two other members of the excise board, after which he will take up the subject with the City Commissioners.

The first non-partisan city commission, in 1924, during prohibition, adopted an ordinance requiring the public exposure of the saloon interior, Morrissey pointed out.

“That was so that the public could look in and see whether alcoholic beverages were being sold,” said Morrissey, “and in those days no saloon licenses were issued. They were known as soft drink licenses.

“With the repeal of prohibition, and with the regulations under which the saloons now are being operated, it seems to me that the chapter of the ordinance requiring that curtains be drawn on windows and doors so as to expose the interior defeats its own purpose.

“Besides it places the patrons of the saloons on public view.

“Also, frequently one can see children looking in through the curtain openings; you would think it was the nickel movies.”

Acting under orders of Police Chief Arthur Colsey, police of the city have been visiting saloons, advising them to so arrange curtains that a clear view may be had from outside.

The provision is chapter No. 8 of the alcoholic beverage ordinance adopted by the city commissioners on December 27, 1924.

Fingerprint Record of City Jail ‘Guests’ Ordered by Colsey

Camden Courier-Post — February 21, 1936

All lodgers spending nights in the city jail will be fingerprinted in the future, Police Chief Arthur Colsey announced last night. He explained that this order has been issued to expedite the identification of lodgers in case something happens. A few nights ago a Gloucester man was found dead in the jail and the police were several hours establishing his identity.

Between 20 and 40 men seek shelter these cold nights in the jail, Colsey said. Detective Sergeant Rox Saponare, fingerprint expert, began recording their prints last night.

Illness Causes Shifts for Police Officials

Camden Courier-Post — February 26, 1936

Temporary changes in the police department to offset the absence of Lieutenant George Frost, head of the First District, who is ill, and Lieutenant George Ward, of headquarters, who is away on police business, were announced yesterday by Chief Arthur Colsey.

Sgt. John Potter, of the Third District, is made acting lieutenant and placed in charge of the First. Patrolman Louis Schmidt, of the Third, replaces Potter as acting sergeant.

Lieutenant Herbert Anderson, of the Fourth District, replaces Ward at headquarters, with Sgt. John Skolski acting as lieutenant in charge of the Fourth.

Sgt. Gustav Koerner, of the Second District, who has been working in plain clothes, is to report in uniform.

Patrolman John Kowal, of the Second District, is shifted to the First district, with Patrolman William Schultz going from the First district to the Second district.

‘Joey’ Powell Rearrested as County Opens Holdup Probe

Camden Courier-Post — March 17, 1936

Orlando Acts as City Cops Free Former Boxer in Payroll Plot — Frameup Charged by Another Suspect — Prisoner Says Ex-Fighter Got Him in on Theft, Tipped Police

Joseph “Joey” Powell, former boxer who was arrested by city police in connection with a South Camden holdup and subsequently released, was rearrested by county detectives last night.

Powell was taken into custody on orders of Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, who also ordered the arrest of a second suspect.

Camden police turned the case over to the prosecutor’s office after the arraignment of Walter Lewandowski, who was caught in a police trap Friday night as he allegedly attempted to steal an $800 payroll at the Eavenson & Levering Company’s plant at Fourth Street and Ferry Avenue. He formerly was employed there.

Two Others Implicated

Lewandowski implicated Powell, 25, of 46 Woodland Avenue, and Leonard Rogalski, 20, of 1219 South Tenth Street, in a plot to steal the payroll, according to Police Chief Arthur Colsey.

Powell thereupon was taken into custody and questioned, then, according to Colsey, he was released temporarily, in his own recognizance, pending further investigation. Rogalski was not arrested until County Detectives James Wren and Casimir Wojtkowiak took him in last night. The same detectives arrested Powell. Both suspects were charged with attempted holdup and robbery and committed to the county jail.

Lewandoski, 24, of 924 Atlantic Avenue, also in county jail, committed without bail by Police Judge Lewis Liberman Saturday.

According to Chief Colsey, Lewandowski made a statement in which he accused Powell of plotting the holdup and making him the “goat.”

“The holdup was Powell’s idea,” Colsey quoted Lewandowski as saying. “He got me in on it, and Rogalski was supposed to take part, too. Rogalski got ‘cold feet’ though, and Powell sent me in while he was supposed to watch outside.”

“Instead he beat it because he had tipped off the police that the place was going to be held up.”

Released After Quiz

On the strength of Lewandowski’s statement, patrolman Edward Suski was sent to arrest Powell. After questioning, however, the former pugilist was released.

“We found no evidence against Powell,” Colsey explained. “Lewandowski’s story looked like an attempt to get himself off easier.

“We turned the case over to the prosecutor’s office, as we always do after making an arrest that seems to clear up the case.”

Lewandowski was captured by Sergeant Gus Koerner and City Detective Clifford Carr. The detectives were tipped off that the factory office was to be held up and laid in wait for the man.

When Lewandowski showed up, Carr and Koerner pointed revolvers at him. He fled down a stairway and Carr fell on him. The two grappled and the detective says the man pointed a .32 caliber pistol at him. Carr overpowered him with blow on the head with the butt of his revolver.

Wirtz Ordered to Face Inquiry by Mrs. Kobus

Camden Courier-Post — March 18, 1936

Carr and Koerner Will Be Questioned In Holdup Case — Caution Is Urged by Justice Lloyd

Detective Stanley Wirtz, suspended by Police Chief Arthur Colsey yesterday pending investigation into charges that he supplied the guns and an automobile for a holdup, has been ordered to appear today before Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety.

Wirtz, who has been in charge of the city accident bureau, will be asked to “give his side of the story,” Commissioner Kobus said.

Later the public safety head will question City Detective Clifford Carr and Police Sergeant Gus Koerner in connection with the capture of an alleged bandit last Friday night, in an attempted holdup of the Eavenson & Levering Company payroll clerk.

Doran Accuses Wirtz

County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran yesterday charged that Wirtz had supplied the guns and automobile to be used in the holdup and then posted Carr and Koerner inside the plant to capture the bandits.

Wirtz, Doran said, admitted the charges in a statement given in the office of Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando.

No motive for the detective’s action were revealed by Doran.

Following the questioning of Wirtz and Sergeant Koerner at the prosecutor’s office, both men visited the office of Justice Frank T. Lloyd late yesterday.

Justice Lloyd said later he had conferred with Commissioner Kobus in regard to the case.

“I advised the commissioner,” Justice Lloyd said, “to go cautiously with the investigation and gather the facts before taking any action. It is a common thing for officers to lay traps for men who are prone to commit crime, although they have no business to encourage crime. I think it is bad policy to suspend any policeman before the facts of the case have been heard.”

The charges against Wirtz came after an investigation was ordered into a statement made by Walter Lewandowski, 24 of 924 Atlantic Avenue, who was captured when he attempted to hold up a clerk at the wool scouring company, Ferry Avenue and Jackson Street. Lewandoski claimed he had “been framed” and named Joseph Powell, a police stool pigeon, as the one who planned the holdup and then informed Wirtz of the plans.

Powell has been a police informer for some time, according to Chief Colsey. The latter said he had taken Powell into custody for questioning and had released him in his own recognizance. Chief Colsey admitted Powell had given police the tip resulting in Lewandowski’s arrest.

When Lewandowski was nabbed, his gun was loaded with blank cartridges. This gun, according to Chief Doran, was given by Wirtz to Powell, who in turn gave it to Lewandowski. Another youth, Leonard Rogalski, 20, of 1219 South Tenth Street, was supposed to take part in the holdup, but “got cold feet and ran away” police were told by Lewandoski.

Doran’s statement follows:

Stanley Wirtz, Camden city detective, supplied the gun and the automobile used in the attempted hold-up of the Eavenson & Levering Company payroll office Friday night. Statements were given us by three suspects all tally.

Walter Lewandoski worked at the Eavenson & Levering plant, but was laid off there February 28. On March 3 he had money coming to him and he returned to the plant. Joseph Powell accompanied him. Powell talked to Lewandoski then of the payroll, and suggested the holdup. Powell then got in touch with Stanley Wirtz, and told him that Lewandoski was going to stick up the payroll March 4.

Wirtz on that night loaned Powell a car but someone got cold feet, and the holdup was not attempted. The following week, on March 13, last Friday, Wirtz took a car to Powell’s home and there turned over to him two guns and the automobile. Wirtz then had detectives posted at the scene to arrest the bandits when they made the holdup attempt.

Powell met Lewandowski and Rogalski and drove them to the plant. There Powell turned over to his two companions the two guns that had been given him by Wirtz. Rogalski got cold feet and refused to go through with the holdup. Powell then went into the plant with Lewandowski. After Lewandowski went in the door, Powell ran from the building.

Sergeant Gus Koerner and Detective Clifford Carr, hiding in the office arrested Lewandowski. Powell knew where these officers were hiding.

Wirtz was outside the building. He did not catch Powell.

Chief Doran said that no one implicates Koerner or Carr in any way in the statements received.

Koerner said:

I was doing police work. I was brought into this case on a tip that a holdup was going to be staged and I had no knowledge of the guns or the car. I didn’t know what it was all about but merely was there to perform my duties as a policeman.

Wirtz is 37 and lives at 1197 Thurman Street. He was one of the first of the new policemen to be appointed to the department in 1924 after Civil Service was put into effect following the adoption of Commission government in 1924. He is a veteran of the World War and got a special rating for that reason when he took the Civil Service examination. In 1931 Wirtz was appointed as an accident investigator in the detective bureau and has served in that capacity ever since. He has a good reputation as a policeman and has never been in trouble before.

About four years ago Wirtz figured in an automobile accident that caused serious injury to one of his legs.

Rogalski was not arrested until County Detectives James Wren and Casimir Wojtkowiak took him in Monday night. The same detectives arrested Powell. Both suspects were charged with attempted holdup and robbery and committed to the county jail.

Lewandowski also is in county jail, committed without bail by police Judge Lewis Liberman Saturday.

Wirtz to Hear Fate in Bandit Quiz Today

Camden Courier-Post — March 19, 1936

Colsey Doubts Cop Will Face Charges; Case to Go to Grand Jury

Decision on any action to be taken against Stanley Wirtz, suspended Camden detective charged with having furnished the guns and automobile for a holdup, will be made today by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus and Police Chief Arthur Colsey.

Wirtz, with Sergeant Gus Koerner and Detective Clifford Carr, was questioned yesterday, and decision was reserved.

Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, however, said he would place the case before the grand jury.

The charge involved the attempted holdup of the Eavenson & Levering Company payroll, in which one of the alleged bandits was captured at the scene last Friday night.

“No charges have been preferred against Wirtz,” Mrs. Kobus announced after the investigation.

“And I don’t believe any charges will be made,” Colsey commented, adding: “Commissioner Kobus and I are going over the reports and statements of all concerned at 10:00 AM tomorrow and a decision will be made then.”

Suspended Tuesday

Wirtz was suspended Tuesday after County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran announced Wirtz had admitted supplying the pistols and car, allegedly used in the abortive attempt to obtain a $800 payroll at the wool-scouring plant.

Wirtz was still under suspension last night, Colsey announced.

William B. Macdonald, court stenographer, recorded the statements made by each man.

Koerner and Carr were “planted” in the office of the company before the holdup and frustrated the attempted crime, capturing Walter Lewandowski, 24, of 924 Atlantic Avenue.

“All three made full statements to us,” Colsey said and then declined to reveal what the statements contained.

Denies Stories Clash

Asked if there was any conflict between the statements made to Doran and those made to Mrs. Kobus and him, Colsey said: “No, I wouldn’t say so.”

Wirtz appeared briefly before the commissioner and chief at the start of their probe, which was conducted in Mrs. Kobus’ office. He left the room after about two minutes and told reporters, sitting outside: “I refused to make a statement. I made one yesterday and that is enough.”

Mrs. Kobus, however, said Wirtz did not refuse to make a statement but, instead, asked for a little time to consider his statement. “He said he had been in court all day and was nervous,” Mrs. Kobus said.

No Charges Made

Asked for a statement at the conclusion of the investigation, Mrs. Kobus said: “No charges have been preferred against Wirtz. This was not a hearing on any charge. This was an investigation of reports which I read in the newspapers. It is the duty of the police officials to investigate any such report, and Wirtz and the other two detectives who figured in the case were called in to make statements. This was not a trial and I do not care to make a statement now about what went on.”

The suspension of Wirtz came after an investigation was ordered into a statement made by Lewandowski.

Lewandowski charged that he had been “framed” by Joseph Powell, a police stool pigeon. He named Powell as the one who “planned the holdup” and said Powell then informed Wirtz of the plans.

Rearrest Made

Doran said Wirtz admitted dealing with Powell and giving Powell two pistols and an automobile for use in the holdup. As a result Powell, who had been arrested and released by city police, was rearrested by the county detectives.

In addition, Leonard “Rags” Rogalski, 20, of 1219 South 10th Street, was arrested by the county detectives. They said Lewandowski told them Rogalski originally was intended to take part in the holdup but got “cold feet,” and backed out at the last moment.

Powell, Lewandowski and Rogalski are held in the county jail.

When informed last night of the statements made by Mrs. Kobus and Colsey, Prosecutor Orlando said: “I have nothing to do with the discipline of the police department. I will present the full facts of this holdup to the grand jury and that body may take any action it desires.”

Jury to Get Case

Asked if he would request an indictment against Wirtz, Orlando said: “I will give the grand jury the full facts. The members will decide for themselves what action to follow.”

Doran was in conference briefly with Mrs. Kobus and Colsey before the three detectives were questioned. He said he gave them statements made by Lewandowski, Powell and Rogalski, and also by Wirtz.

Later Doran returned to Mrs. Kobus’ office with a copy of charge of carrying concealed deadly weapons, preferred in 1930 against Lewandowski in 1930, when Lewandowski was 18. This charge was no-billed, Doran said. “He was listed as a mental case,” Doran said, “and was examined by the county physician and pronounced O.K.”

Colsey Orders Police Drive On Pay-Off Game Machines

Camden Courier-Post — August 11, 1936

Martino Rules New Type Pin Devices Being Operated In City Are Illegal; Calls for Ordinance To Regulate Apparatus

Colsey Orders Police Drive On Pay-Off Game Machines headline — New nickle slot machines, with an automatic pay-off under the guise of pin-ball machines are being operated in Camden stores and cafes, it was reported yesterday to Assistant City Solicitor Edward V. Martino.

Martino, who was asked for an opinion as to the legality of the machines by an unnamed man, immediately declared them to be illegal.

Informed of the Martino opinion, Police Chief Arthur Colsey issued orders to the police department to pick up all such machines they find and to arrest the proprietor of any store where they are on display or being operated.

“Not only are the new machines illegal, but every pin-ball machine in the city that gives prizes is being operated illegally,” Martino declared.

“I favor a city ordinance to control the use of these pin-ball games. In that manner the city could charge a license fee for each machine and could regulate the machines so that no gambling could be accomplished.”

“The pin-ball machine in itself is not a gambling device, but merely a game of luck and skill. It does not become a gambling machine until prizes are put up. The new machines which have been brought to my attention are, however, clearly for the purpose of gambling as they have an automatic payoff.”

Colsey Orders Police Drive On Pay-Off Game Machines article — New nickle slot machines, with an automatic pay-off under the guise of pin-ball machines are being operated in Camden stores and cafes, it was reported yesterday to Assistant City Solicitor Edward V. Martino.

Martino, who was asked for an opinion as to the legality of the machines by an unnamed man, immediately declared them to be illegal.

Informed of the Martino opinion, Police Chief Arthur Colsey issued orders to the police department to pick up all such machines they find and to arrest the proprietor of any store where they are on display or being operated.

“Not only are the new machines illegal, but every pin-ball machine in the city that gives prizes is being operated illegally,” Martino declared.

“I favor a city ordinance to control the use of these pin-ball games. In that manner the city could charge a license fee for each machine and could regulate the machines so that no gambling could be accomplished.”

“The pin-ball machine in itself is not a gambling device, but merely a game of luck and skill. It does not become a gambling machine until prizes are put up. The new machines which have been brought to my attention are, however, clearly for the purpose of gambling as they have an automatic payoff.”

Cops Score High on This Slot Machine

Camden Courier-Post — August 12, 1936

Camden police carrying the seized pin-ball machine from 1808 Broadway — Cops Score High on This Slot Machine

Raiding a store at 1808 Broadway yesterday, Camden police seized this pin-ball slot machine, one of the type that has been barred by Chief of Police Arthur Colsey. The alleged owner was arrested for possession of a gambling device and is scheduled for arraignment in police court today. Another machine, of a different type, was seized a few doors away. Camden policemen, taking part in the raid, are, left to right, Patrolmen John Kaighn, Oliver Morgan, Earl Wright and John V. Wilkie.

Photo caption naming Patrolmen John Kaighn, Oliver Morgan, Earl Wright and John V. Wilkie — Cops Score High on This Slot Machine

Raiding a store at 1808 Broadway yesterday, Camden police seized this pin-ball slot machine, one of the type that has been barred by Chief of Police Arthur Colsey. The alleged owner was arrested for possession of a gambling device and is scheduled for arraignment in police court today. Another machine, of a different type, was seized a few doors away. Camden policemen, taking part in the raid, are, left to right, Patrolmen John Kaighn, Oliver Morgan, Earl Wright and John V. Wilkie.

Colsey’s ‘Secret Six’ Rout Gamblers, Numbers Writers

Camden Courier-Post — August 28, 1936

No One Has Enough Influence or Power to Fix Any Case, Chief Reveals in Drive to Clean Up City

Camden now has its own “Secret Six,” a strong-arm squad working out of Chief Colsey’s office that has already jammed down the lid on the numbers racket and gambling in this city.

The squad has been ordered to sweep the gamblers and writers out of the picture and have been told that nobody is powerful enough to “put in a fix” to protect a single one of the underworld nabobs.

Chief Colsey made three revelations while insisting that Camden was a spotless city, with not a known numbers baron operating, and no big-shot gambler running a game.

The police department head outlined how this secret detail had been working for weeks. The gamblers recognized the official weight of their presence by shutting up shop and taking to the tall timbers, Colsey said.

“The squad is secret,” said the Chief, “and has been working out of my office for several weeks. Nobody except myself knows the names of the squad and whether I take them from the plain clothes department or the uniformed ranks.

“They work separately and secretly, too, and every day the list is changed, so that the gamblers and numbers writers won’t be able to spot the squad. They work in zones, too, patrolling districts which have been known in the past to be the haunts of gamblers and the districts where numbers writers worked the most.

“I want to say that so far as gambling conditions in Camden are concerned, I know the city is clean. I mean especially in regard to numbers and horse betting.

“And we’re going to keep it that way, too. I get daily reports on conditions from my own secret squad. This detail will work without fear or favor.

“There will be no ‘fix’ for anybody, high or low, and persons who are running a numbers racket or a gambling game will be arrested as fast as we discover that fact.

“There isn’t anybody who will have pull enough to stop our drive, either.”

Cigar Store Raided by ‘Secret 6’ Squad

Camden Courier-Post — August 30, 1936

Alleged Proprietor is Held in $500 Bail for Police Court Hearing

Raiders of the “Secret 6” of the Camden police department yesterday arrested Oscar Bendler, 40, as the alleged proprietor of a cigar store at 217 Market Street, where they reported they seized horse racing sheets, three phones and $114.

Bendler, who gave his address as 310 Erie Street, is charged with violating the city ordinance prohibiting gambling and is held in $500 bail for a police court hearing today.

The raid on Bendler’s place was made after the police squad had searched five other small shops and found only legitimate business being conducted.

Two of the shops were located on the Market Street ferry walk, two on Market Street between Second and Third Street and on Federal Street between Second and Third Street.

Fine-combing of establishments where it is suspected the gambling gentry may flourish was ordered by Police Chief Arthur Colsey. The picked squad of men who operated as members of Colsey’s “Secret Six” yesterday were Detective Sergeant Clifford Del Rossi, Sergeant Walter Rowand, Detectives Benjamin Simon and Joseph Mardino.

Clayton Named ‘Chief’ in Colsey’s Absence

Camden Courier-Post — September 18, 1936

‘Babe’ Clayton’s Son Appointed as Cop

Camden Courier-Post — August 3, 1937

Clayton Promoted to Chief Clerk in Police Department

Camden Courier-Post — September 1, 1937

Police Benevolent Association Baseball Team

Public Service Park — Federal Street & Newton Avenue — 1930s

‘Ireland Night’ Set by 6th Ward Club

Camden Courier-Post — March 13, 1937

John M’Taggart’s Wife Dies As Friends Honor Him at Party

Camden Courier-Post — March 17, 1937

Mrs. M’Taggart Rites to Be Held Tomorrow

Camden Courier-Post — March 19, 1937

Hundreds Pay Tribute to Mrs. M’Taggart

Camden Courier-Post — March 20, 1937

Kobus Warns Cops to Keep City Clean

Camden Courier-Post — January 8, 1938

Expresses Belief Camden is ‘Remarkably Free of Vice and Gambling’

Kobus Warns Cops to Keep City Clean, newspaper headline — KOBUS WARNS COPS TO KEEP CITY CLEAN

Expresses Belief Camden is ’Remarkably Free of Vice and Gambling’

Expressing the belief that Camden is “remarkably free of vice, gambling and other unlawful elements,” City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety, yesterday said she wants the police to keep it that way.

Failure to comply with her order, she told a dozen police officials at an hour-long conference in her office, will result in “serious consequences.”

The session was held behind closed doors, but Commissioner Kobus later said she “laid down the law to those in charge of enforcing it.”

Believes Good Job Done

Police Chief Arthur Colsey headed the group, the others being Lieutenant Ralph Bakley, director of police personnel; Acting Lieutenant Herbert Botts, Acting Lieutenant of Detectives Louis Shaw, Acting Lieutenant John Skolsky, Lieutenant George Frost, Lieutenant Walter Welch and Sergeants Frank Evans, Nate Pettit, August Koerner, Edward Hahn and Harry Newton.

Colsey, with the others, declined to comment on the conference and referred all inquiries to Mrs. Kobus.

“I told them,” the latter said, “that I believed they and their men had done a good job in cleaning up conditions in Camden six months ago.

“I think Camden is remarkably free of vice, gambling and other unlawful elements and I want it kept that way.

It’s a 24-Hour Job

“Law enforcement is a 24-hour day in and day out job. It is a job requiring everlasting vigilance and those in charge of enforcement have got to be on their toes all the time.

“I think our police department is doing a good job, but just the same, I don’t want any letdowns and I told Chief Colsey and his subordinates that I don’t. We have rid the city of a lot of unpleasant elements and we are going to keep rid of them.

“I also told Chief Colsey and his staff that I want all members of the department to co-operate fully with other law enforcement agencies of the county. I particularly desire that reports on cases submitted to the grand jury be as complete and detailed as possible.”

Kobus Warns Cops to Keep City Clean, newspaper article — KOBUS WARNS COPS TO KEEP CITY CLEAN

Expresses Belief Camden is ’Remarkably Free of Vice and Gambling’

Expressing the belief that Camden is “remarkably free of vice, gambling and other unlawful elements,” City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety, yesterday said she wants the police to keep it that way.

Failure to comply with her order, she told a dozen police officials at an hour-long conference in her office, will result in “serious consequences.”

The session was held behind closed doors, but Commissioner Kobus later said she “laid down the law to those in charge of enforcing it.”

Believes Good Job Done

Police Chief Arthur Colsey headed the group, the others being Lieutenant Ralph Bakley, director of police personnel; Acting Lieutenant Herbert Botts, Acting Lieutenant of Detectives Louis Shaw, Acting Lieutenant John Skolsky, Lieutenant George Frost, Lieutenant Walter Welch and Sergeants Frank Evans, Nate Pettit, August Koerner, Edward Hahn and Harry Newton.

Colsey, with the others, declined to comment on the conference and referred all inquiries to Mrs. Kobus.

“I told them,” the latter said, “that I believed they and their men had done a good job in cleaning up conditions in Camden six months ago.

“I think Camden is remarkably free of vice, gambling and other unlawful elements and I want it kept that way.

It’s a 24-Hour Job

“Law enforcement is a 24-hour day in and day out job. It is a job requiring everlasting vigilance and those in charge of enforcement have got to be on their toes all the time.

“I think our police department is doing a good job, but just the same, I don’t want any letdowns and I told Chief Colsey and his subordinates that I don’t. We have rid the city of a lot of unpleasant elements and we are going to keep rid of them.

“I also told Chief Colsey and his staff that I want all members of the department to co-operate fully with other law enforcement agencies of the county. I particularly desire that reports on cases submitted to the grand jury be as complete and detailed as possible.”

Kobus Orders City Drive on Numbers Ring

Camden Courier-Post — January 12, 1938

Issues Decree for Police to Tighten Up on Gaming Racket — FBI Agents Join Probe Here of $50,000 Bank — Phila. Leaders Held Lottery Czars Here

Numbers ring investigation, newspaper clipping — Kobus Orders City Drive on Numbers Ring

KOBUS ORDERS CITY DRIVE ON NUMBERS RING

Issues Decree for Police to Tighten Up on Gaming Racket — FBI Agents Join Probe Here of $50,000 Bank — Phila. Leaders Held Lottery Czars Here

An ultimatum that numbers racketeers must be driven out and kept out of Camden was issued yesterday by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus as G-men opened a probe in an endeavor to link a half million dollar numbers bank, uncovered in Camden Monday, with a Philadelphia gambler.

The director of public safety issued her edict at a conference attended by Police Chief Arthur Colsey, Lieut. Ralph Bakley and police sergeants of the First district, in which the numbers bank was located.

Mrs. Kobus revealed:

That she was satisfied the bank was operated by two Philadelphia “big-shots” and believed it had been doing business but three or four days.

That she would investigate fully a report that a Camden patrolman had been storing his car in the garage over which the bank was found.

That she would investigate to find on whose orders recovered stolen cars were stored in the garage.

That police would be ordered to check on every other garage and building in the city which might possibly house a numbers bank.

Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, of Philadelphia, entered the picture in an effort to determine whether backers of the bank were working under “big shots,” believed to be the brains of a nation-wide lottery based on U. S. treasury report numbers.

FBI Checks Seized Articles

Three agents spent several hours minutely examining all papers, telephone addresses, adding machine and records seized by local police after discovery of the bank when a small fire had summoned them to a garage operated by John Gallen, 1136 Linden street. The bank was located over the garage.

The FBI agents, whose identity was not made public, were taken to the office of local police and spent more than an hour in examining every nook and corner of the 12 by 12 room used as the “bank.”

The conference between Mrs. Kobus and police officials lasted nearly an hour.

“The men who operated this numbers hide-out are known to the police of this city and Philadelphia,” Mrs. Kobus said after the conference. “I am satisfied this place had been running for only three or four days.”

The Commissioner said she does not believe any of the First district officers had time to ferret out the place.

The paraphernalia, consisting of six adding machines, telephones and other supplies indicated the layout of the place was not fully complete.

“I ordered Chief Colsey and others attending the conference to exercise more vigilance,” Commissioner Kobus continued. “Further I demanded that every garage or other type building where gambling or numbers hide-outs may be set up to be inspected.”

Demands Curb on Numbers

“So far as I know, numbers big shots and small-time writers in our own city are afraid to open up. This place on Linden street, we know, was headed up by two notorious Philadelphia numbers big shots.

“I am serving notice on all those engaged in the writing of numbers that they will not be permitted to locate or work in Camden as long as I am director of public safety. Every member of the police department understands just what I mean.”

Those attending the conference in the commissioner’s office, besides Colsey and Bakley, were Sergeants Walter Rowand, John Deith and Edward Hahn.

Mrs. Kobus said she plans to talk to detectives, plain clothes officers and the lieutenants of the Second and Third police districts either today or later in the week.

“I also intend to ask detectives in the accident bureau by whose orders stolen cars which have been recovered and cars figuring in accidents were stored in this same garage,” added Mrs. Kobus.

“I have issued an order to check every garage for other possible stolen cars as well as numbers gambling joints on upper floors.

“I am investigating a report that one patrolman has been storing his own car in the Gallen garage.”

Earlier in the day Commissioner Kobus said she would order Sergeant Rox Saponare, identification expert, to go over all of the equipment, including six telephones and six adding machines “with a fine-tooth comb” in an effort to locate fingerprints.

“And if any fingerprints are found, I want them sent to the Federal Bureau of Identification to see if we can identify the criminals who had this numbers bank.”

“I am certain this numbers bank was running with the full knowledge of John Gallen,” the commissioner continued. “I had a talk with him and told him that I suspected he knew what was going on. I asked him to be fair with the police and to give them whatever information he possesses so that they may arrest the backers of this band.”

Seeks to Fix Date

“I also will summon City Fire Marshal Bernard Gallagher to my office and ask him when he made his last inspection of this garage. In that manner we may be able to place the exact date of these people coming here.”

Discovery of the “bank” with its alleged half-a-million-dollars-a-year business and seizure of a book, said to contain names and addresses in Philadelphia, caused four Philadelphia officials to confer Monday with Commissioner Kobus.

Six men were held following the discovery of the numbers bank, police admitting they were not among the three alleged “bankers” who fled the scene shortly after the fire broke out.

The “little black book” which caused the Philadelphia officials so much concern was found in a locked filing box, which police broke open. It disappeared into the pocket of Acting Detective Sergeant Louis Shaw, after examination by other police officials who declared the information contained “may prove of great value in the investigation.” The book contains at least two Philadelphia addresses, which will be investigated.

The “bank” was discovered on the second floor of Gallen’s garage shortly after noon on Monday when firemen and police answered a fire alarm.

The garage was one of two used by the city police department to tow disabled automobiles or stolen cars when they were removed by the city from the streets.

Colsey ordered that no more cars were to be taken to the garage by the police.

Three Men Held in Bail

Gallen, who is 37 and lives at 631 South Eighth street, was arrested on the spot and was charged with “possession of a lottery.”

Joseph Millis, 32, of 4018 Girard avenue, Philadelphia, who gave his occupation as automobile dealer was arrested when he drove into the garage.

The third man arrested was John Shaffer, 54, of 1136 Linden, address of the garage, who is a welder.

The three men all were held for the grand jury when arraigned yesterday before Police Judge Gene R. Mariano. Bail was set at $500 for Shaffer, $1500 for Gallen and $2500 for Millis.

Explains Bail Figures

The higher bail was asked for Millis, Judge Mariano explained, because he was a resident of Philadelphia and “sometimes persons from out of town who are released in bail forget to show up when they are wanted.”

Carlton W. Rowand, member of the Camden Board of Education, was counsel for the defendants and requested a postponement, but City Prosecutor Mitchell Cohen insisted the case be heard yesterday because “it involves the biggest number bank ever seized here and should be given to the Grand Jury as quickly as possible.”

Commissioner Kobus was in police court when the case was called and left after it had been continued.

Millis drove into the garage soon after police, who answered the fire call with the firemen, had confiscated the office equipment and other evidence.

Detective Clifford Del Rossi was waiting in the garage. He told reporters that Millis’ face changed instantly when he observed the bustle resulting from the raid and that he “looked guilty.”

Ruse Fails to Work

Detectives in charge of the case expressed the belief the bank is operated by Philadelphians and also said they do not believe Millis is the brains or chief of the operators but is a member of the operating crew with “big name” backing.

Stove Gets Overheated

An overheated stove set fire to a window sill, firemen said, and burned it slightly. The blaze was extinguished in a minute. The damage, firemen said, could be as much as $10.

Hundreds of dollars’ worth of adding machines, filing cabinets and other equipment of a big-time gambling racket were seized by the police, who respond to all fire alarms.

Sergeant Rowand, the first policeman on the scene, arrested Gallen. Gallen said he had rented the exterior of the second floor of his building, facing the street, to a group of Philadelphians a week ago, but did not name them.

William Marter Made Detective

Camden Courier-Post — February 1, 1938

William Marter portrait — Made Detective — William Marter

Camden patrolman who has been shifted from the office of Commissioner Mary Kobus to the Detective Bureau, Police Chief Arthur Colsey announced last night. Marter will become an acting detective.

Pool Hall Owners’ Told Gaming Will Cost Permits

Camden Courier-Post — February 2, 1938

Mrs. Kobus Warns Against Permitting Any Gambling on Premises; Cites Cards Played in Back Rooms

Operators of pool and billiard-halls were warned yesterday by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety, that permanent revocation of licenses will be the penalty if gambling is permitted on the premises.

Commissioner Kobus said she has been investigating reports that some poolroom licensees have been operating card games for large and small stakes in backrooms of their places.

The investigation, the commissioner said, failed to disclose any large gambling enterprises but a few friendly card games for small stakes were revealed.

“I will issue an order to Chief Arthur Colsey and all district lieutenants and sergeants that a closer watch be kept on these so-called poolrooms,” Mrs. Kobus said.

“In days past the average neighborhood room was only a blind for professional card games where the participants played for large stakes.

“Such licensed poolroom operators are amenable to the law, and if they are caught they will be charged as principals and their licenses will be permanently revoked. I will not accept the excuse of any proprietor that he doesn’t know there is gambling in his place.”

Majority Law-Abiding

The Commissioner said she believes the majority of persons holding pool room licenses are law-abiding and that pool and billiards are played for recreation.

It was disclosed by Mrs. Kobus that a former operator of a downtown poolroom, whose place was raided as a gambling resort, has been exerting political pressure to obtain a renewal of his license. Mrs. Kobus would not disclose the identity of the man mentioned by her.

“Any Camden citizen who wants a license to operate a poolroom where pool and billiards are to be played does not need to get the help of a politician or a lawyer,” Mrs. Kobus added. “I am not running the department of public safety to satisfy the whims of any politicians or lawyers.

No Lawyer Needed

“Any respectable citizen can have a license. He doesn’t have to pay a lawyer to help him get it, and neither does he have to depend on any politician.

“The applicant who attempts to support his application either with a lawyer or a politician will find himself behind the eight ball.”

Commissioner Kobus said each applicant for such a license will be examined as to his fitness to operate such a place. Those who have any criminal record will be denied such permit, she said.

“It might be a good thing if certain forms of gambling were legalized and revenue obtained for municipalities, the State or by the government,” Mrs. Kobus stated. “But so long as the law specifically states that gambling is illegal I intend to enforce the laws. I personally am opposed to all forms of organized or commercialized gambling.”

City Police Praised at Fete Honoring Acting Lieutenant Bott

Camden Courier-Post — February 4, 1938

Camden police and firemen gathered last night to pay honor to Acting Lieutenant Herbert Bott, retiring president of the Policemen and Firemen’s Association, heard their highest superiors make these statements:

Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of Public Safety, declared she had heard stories about the policemen “taking” but that she wanted to say “that the entire force was honest and she was proud to say that it was as good, as honest and efficient as any in the United States.”

Mayor George E. Brunner asserted “the city had gone to ____ before the three New Deal commissioners took charge, and they had brought order out of chaos, collected taxes so thoroughly that on January 1, 1939, the policemen and firemen will be given back the last five percent reduction that had been made in their pay.”

Bott, who has been at the head of the association for the past five years, retires because, as he stated, he felt he could not give such service as he felt he had rendered in the past. The affair was held at Kenney’s and the ranking officials of the police and fire departments were on hand, together with guests from other parts of the state.

Wallace Lauds Men

Bruce A. Wallace was toastmaster, and he emphasized the remarks of Commissioner Kobus as to “the honesty of the men.”

“When you got that 30 percent reduction in pay,” said Wallace, “I know how you came to my office, worrying about how you would meet your building and loans, how you would pay various debts that you owed, and I know that some of you even gave up your homes, because you couldn’t afford to pay for them longer. That would never have happened if you were doing any ‘put and-take stuff.’”

Mrs. Kobus started with a tribute to Bott, for his own efficiency as a policeman and his fighting qualities as shown in the battles he made for his brother policemen.

“I knew Herb Bott,” she said, “before I got into the department but once in there my sweet dream changed to a nightmare, because every day Bott was there with a delegation wanting something done for the policemen, or asking that something be not done to them.

“We have gone through stormy times together, through strikes and labor troubles and of course I have always found out, through others, naturally that ‘the police are always wrong.’ I have told the employers where they were wrong, and told the strikers that the police could not have abused them or wronged them because they belonged to an association of their own, fighting for the things that the policemen and the firemen felt that they wanted.

Citizens Gave Praise

“I hadn’t been four weeks in the department before I thought every-body in Camden was affected by ‘letter writingitis.’ But after four weeks the other kind of letters began to come in, and the police were being given the credit which they had deserved and which they had won for themselves.

“And the longer I am in the department the prouder I am of the police and the fire departments of the city of Camden. I am proud of every policeman and of every fireman in both departments. I have been out at 1:30 a.m. and heard a call come for the car in which I was riding, and in one minute and a half that car was at the scene, in two minutes there was another and in four minutes a half a dozen cars had appeared on the scene.

“I want to say for the men of the police department that nowhere in the United States is there a more honest or more faithful group of men.

“I hear a lot of talk about policemen, I hear lots of talk of how they are ‘taking,’ but I also want to say that I haven’t found one yet who wasn’t honest and to prove it crime today in Camden is at its lowest ebb.

“Crime today in Camden has been lowered 40 to 60 percent, and I say to anybody who wants to know that you couldn’t have had this condition unless Camden was guarded by an honest, efficient police department.

“That crime in Camden is at its lowest ebb is due entirely to the vigilance of the police department, and to its loyalty to duty. I want to pay tribute to Chief Colsey, to Babe Clayton, to Herb Bott and the other officers of the department for having the police department where it can be proudly acclaimed as without a superior in the whole United States.”

Mayor Brunner, after paying his tribute to a personal friend, Herb Bott, declared “Mrs. Kobus is your superior but I’m the man who has to find the money to pay you. And that hasn’t been any easy job, I can tell you, as the tax collector’s job in any community is a tough one.”

“I want to say that things in Camden have gone to ___ in the past, and until the three New Deal Commissioners took charge of affairs, things continued in just that manner. And that we have given an honest, efficient administration is the thought of the average citizen of Camden today.

Promises Pay Restoration

“When we first came into power the people thought they had to pay no taxes. I say now that we have collected the taxes as they should have been collected in the past and as they will be collected in the future.

“Camden doesn’t need any new taxes. We have been successful in collecting the taxes because we made those who could pay to pay. The men we put in front, for the first collection of taxes, were the politicians who thought they stood in a favored group and could get away with it.

“I want to assure you policemen that on January 1, 1939, I feel sure that we’ll be able to give you back the last five percent that we had to take from you, when things were left in such a shape for us that we could not do anything else.

“People are responding to our tax collections, and the people feel that we are giving them 100 cents for a dollar and that’s the reason.

“We have no favorites on the tax rolls. We saw to it that the politicians headed the list of those who were the first to pay, and we’ve given the little fellow a chance. We’ve let him pay by the week, or the month or anyway that would suit him best, because we believe that the little fellow is entitled to his own homestead, and we’re going to see that he keeps it, but those who can afford to pay and wont are going to be made to pay.”

Carlton W. Rowand related that his father, a former police official, had recently told his son that “the police department today was the best in the history of Camden.”

Surrogate Frank B. Hanna also added his tribute to the department and to the guest of honor.

“The spirit of the police department,” Hanna said, “is shown to no better advantage than in the manner your association aids the underprivileged children of this city. I know, too, that whenever a committee is formed for a job to be done for the men in the department, Herb Bott jumps into action and does his level best for his associates.”

N. J. Crime Bill 10 Millions

Harry B. Gourley, of Paterson, president of the State Police Beneficial Association, declared that crime was costing the state of New Jersey $10,000,000 every year, and that the crime bill of the nation was more than $15,000,000,000.

He asked co-operation in crime prevention and declared that “any attempt to break down the morale of the police was wrong, and the way in which it was easiest broken down was when you dip into the pay check.”

He cited numerous instances of the heroism of the policemen, and asked that every citizen stand squarely behind the men in the matter of pensions.

Commissioner Harold W. Bennett also lauded the guest and the police department, as did Harry Wilkers, who succeeds Bott as president of the association and Robert Wonstetler, who becomes delegate to the state convention to replace Bott.

Mrs. Emma Shriver, retiring president of the Ladies Auxiliary, presented Bott with a check, while Wallace gave him the gift of his associates, 50 silver dollars. Mrs. Bott was remembered with flowers.

Willard Schriver was chairman of the committee having the dinner in charge, and associated with him were Charles Cook, Arthur Batten, Maurice F. O’Brien, William Marter, Edward Leonard, Mrs. Schriver, Mrs. Anna Gleason and Mrs. William McGrath.

4 Chinese Observers Inspect RCA Here on Tour of World

Camden Courier-Post — February 9, 1938

Nanking Follows Purchase of Short-Wave Equipment by Wide Research — Visitors Saw Women and Children Slain in Shanghai

Chinese observers at RCA, group photo — Four representatives of the Chinese Nanking government are on an official visit to Camden where they are studying methods used in the manufacture of radios at the RCA plant.

Mild-mannered and courteous, the four visitors are Yeh Woo, N. H. Teng, P. H. Shen and C. L. Tung, all university graduates whose government recently ordered 16 short wave radio transmission sets and equipment at a cost of about a half a million dollars from RCA. Their visit is sponsored by the department of telegraphs, ministry of communications, Nanking.

After leaving the United States in May, the party will visit radio manufacturing plants in Germany, England and other countries with the purpose of learning the best features of radio sets for commercial use.

Women and Children Slain

The group left China last September just after the Japanese opened hostilities with an air raid over Shanghai. In their first offensive move, Woo said, six of nine Japanese bombers were brought down by the fire of Chinese troops. Bombs from enemy planes, he added, failed on several occasions to explode when dropped during raids.

“However,” said Woo, “the Japanese bombers soon got into action and were dropping their explosives on schools and hospitals, killing women and children.

“The Japanese government is ambitious to conquer other countries and acquire new resources. We Chinese harbor no hatred for the Japanese people. They are victims of their own government’s misdeeds.

First Soviet, Then Rest of World

“Belief is common that if Japan should accomplish its campaign in China it will forge ahead into Siberian Russia. Then most any other country, including the United States, would be a goal of accomplishment.

“It is true that there is great suffering in China, but the Chinese are banded together for a common cause for the perpetuation of their country.”

The four Chinese representatives were escorted on a tour of inspection of the Camden police and detective departments in city hall, the city jail, firehouses and other places of interest by Policeman John V. Wilkie, Camden rooming house inspector. Wilkie volunteered his services in co-operation with a proposal made by Police Chief Arthur Colsey that the visitors see the city.

Uncle Sam and Camden Clash After Arrest of Mail Driver

Camden Courier-Post — February 18, 1938

P.O. Official and Chief Colsey Will Confer on Incident; Police Warned of Federal Law Infraction Carries Fine and Jail Term

Uncle Sam had a new diplomatic worry yesterday but like other difficulties of state hoped to settle it today around the conference table. On the one side will be George L. Smith, superintendent of mails, and across the board will be Police Chief Arthur Colsey. The issue:

What to do when a Camden cop violates Paragraph 2357 of the Postal laws, which states, in part, that no one, not even a Camden cop, shall stop a mail truck or driver in pursuit of his duty on pain of a $100 fine, six months in jail, or both.

It all started when Patrolman Karl Friederichs, in plain clothes and his own automobile, arrested Postal Driver J. Edward Jacques, 805 Elm Street, on disorderly conduct and reckless driving charges after Jacques, in his mail truck, tried to pass Fredericks’ car on the right.

According to Friederichs, Jacques became abusive when he remonstrated and so he locked him up for a hearing today, Jacques, meanwhile, being released in his own recognizance.

When Superintendent Smith heard about the arrest he got in touch with Chief Colsey in nothing flat. Jacques’ story, he said, differed considerably from Fredericks’, but even so, made no difference.

Smith pointed out that Jacques was attempting the “swift completion of his appointed rounds,” in that he was delivering suburban mail to the central office to meet a delivery schedule and as a result of Fredericks’ interference the mails were delayed more than one-half hour.

Smith and Colsey decided that the best way out would be to have a conference in the chief’s office with Jacques and Friederichs present, to determine whether Smith should proceed under Paragraph 2357.

Jacques insisted that the only reason he tried to pass Fredericks on the right was because Friederichs stopped his car to talk to another man and wouldn’t move despite all of Jacques’ horn blowing.

Safety Council Reorganized Here

Camden Courier-Post — February 19, 1938

Cop’s Guest Beaten; Colsey Probes Row

Camden Courier-Post — February 22, 1938

Youth ‘Blackjacked’ at Party; Father Retains Lawyer, to Investigate

Police Chief Arthur Colsey yesterday detailed three detectives to investigate a street row early Sunday at Fourth and Mechanic streets in which a Fairview youth and a Camden policeman were involved.

The youth, Walter Callahan, 21, of 1375 Roanoke Road, is confined to Cooper Hospital with a slight brain concussion and head cuts he said he received when “blackjacked” by Policeman Earl Cunningham, of 448 Mechanic Street.

Chief Colsey removed Cunningham from duty yesterday afternoon pending completion of the probe.

The investigation ordered by Colsey followed after Walter Callahan Sr., father of the youth, retained an attorney for the purpose, he said, “of getting at the bottom of this.” Chief Colsey said that young Callahan had refused to talk to detectives at the hospital.

The elder Callahan, a Gloucester druggist, said he had learned that his son was “more or less of an innocent bystander” in a row that started in the Cunningham home and that he received a “severe beating” from Cunningham and the latter’s son, “Bud.”

“My son went to a party at the Cunningham home,” Callahan said, “and there, I am told, a row started between young Cunningham and a girl. My son objected to a remark passed to the girl and then Cunningham and his son jumped on my boy and beat him.”

“I have retained Charles A. Cogan, a Camden attorney, and have instructed him to make a thorough investigation preliminary to proceeding with court action.”

Prefers Drunk Charge

Detectives Clifford Carr, Donald Switzer and John Opfer were named by Colsey to make an investigation for the police department.

Cunningham, who caused a detainer to be lodged against Callahan on a charge of being drunk and disorderly, told his superiors he was forced to use his blackjack on Callahan when the youth attacked him and tore his shirt and underwear.

According to the policeman, who was off duty at the time, Callahan attended a party in the Cunningham home celebrating the policeman’s wedding anniversary. Cunningham said Callahan left the house and became engaged in a noisy argument with two girls outside. He said the youth attacked him when he came out and sought to quiet Callahan.

City Police to Use Code Air Messages

Camden Courier-Post — February 23, 1938

System Adopted for Radio Cars to Prevent ‘Tipoffs’ to Lawbreakers

Important messages relayed through W3XAQ, the Camden police radio station, are being broadcast in code beginning yesterday to prevent lawbreakers from being “tipped off” as to activities of police.

That announcement was made by Police Chief Arthur Colsey, who declared he had received information to the effect that “at least one” Camden garage has a police receiving set and that several were believed installed in Camden homes.

The police official said it is unlawful to have a radio receiving set of the type used only by police in an automobile, garage or private home and he has ordered a probe to locate the “bootleg” sets. The system used by the Camden police is ultra low frequency and cannot be intercepted by ordinary low wave sets.

The code used by the station is in the hands of all radio car patrolmen, Chief Colsey said, and every policeman is expected to be able to decode messages from police headquarters.

The code is similar to one being used by major police departments throughout the country.

Chief Colsey said 10 two-way radio sets have been installed in Camden police cars, and eight one-way sets. Two of the one-way sets have been placed in city patrol wagons, to enable police headquarters to be in touch with the “wagon” at all times, whether it is parked at its station or “on a run.”

The two-way sets enable the radio patrolmen to converse with police headquarters at all times. They have been in operation for three weeks.

Colsey announced that 75 Camden policemen have passed the third class radio operator’s test, required by the Federal State Radio Communications Commission, enabling them to operate the two-way system.