Introduction
Augustine R. Fortune
Augustine R. Fortune was born in New Jersey around 1901. He married his wife Olive Iezzi around 1922, and in 1924 a son, Augustine Fortune Jr., was born. A daughter, Mary, came shortly afterwards.
On March 1, 1928 Augustine Fortune joined the ranks of the Camden Police Department. The Fortune family had bought a home at 1529 Newport Street in the mostly Polish Whitman Park section of Camden. They were still at that address when the 1947 City Directory was compiled. The Fortune family later moved to 1536 Mount Ephraim Avenue.
Augustine Fortune was working as a motorcycle cop by May of 1934. He had been promoted to detective by 1936, and by 1947 had risen to the rank of sergeant. Unfortunately, Augustine Fortune was forced to retire from the police force that year for medical reasons.
After leaving law enforcement, Augustine Fortune entered the business world. He owned and operated Mutual Wholesale Florists at Newton Avenue and Carteret Street. It was there where he collapsed while on the telephone on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1948. Taken to nearby Cooper Hospital, Augustine Fortune passed away that evening.
The Fortune family by then was living at 1536 Mount Ephraim Avenue as late as 1959.
Augustine Fortune’s son-in-law, Dominic Dalanni, served with the Camden Fire Department from December 30, 1950 through June 7, 1959.
Boxer, Sayrs’ Aide Nabbed in Tipsy Row
Camden Courier-Post —
Bertman Frees Both After Police Tell of Fuss at Brewer’s Cafe
Mickey Blair, Camden pugilist, and Thomas Schneider, secretary to Commissioner William D. Sayrs Jr., started the New Year by getting drunk and becoming both abusive and pugnacious when ordered away from Horace Brewer’s restaurant on Market Street, it was testified by three policemen in Police Court today.
But Blair and Schneider as well as James Borini, who was arrested with them, won their freedom when Judge Bernard Bertman suspended sentence.
“There is no doubt but that you were all drunk,” was Bertman’s comment. “Surely, if you had been sober, this would never have happened. I know you are respectable men of the community and I regret to see you here. I will suspend sentence.”
According to the three policemen, however, the trio of defendants acted like anything but respectable men of the community yesterday morning when the New Year was little more than three hours old.
Patrolmen Frank Evans, Charles Bowen and August Fortune testified that Blair, Schneider and Borini had been ordered away from the restaurant by Brewer and that they had become abusive, threatening the policemen and calling them names.
Schneider insisted that he entered the argument only because Evans was “beating up Blair,” but Evans and the other officers retorted that Blair had warned the policemen that they would be sorry if they arrested him and Schneider had boasted that “no cop can pinch me.”
All were charged with being drunk and disorderly. Blair, whose real name is Michael Tenerelli, is 19 years old and lives at 833 South Fourth Street. Schneider gave his address as 414 Spruce Street. He is acting secretary to Commissioner Sayrs as a temporary appointee. Borini, 22 years old, gave his address as 324 Pine Street.
Three Men Nabbed in North Camden Row
Camden Courier-Post —
One Gets 60 Days for Attack on Plain Clothes Cop
Three young men were found guilty of disorderly conduct in police court this morning when they were charged with creating a disturbance in front of a restaurant near Sixth and Market Streets.
Fiore Rossi, 23 years old, 329 Mickle Street, brother of ‘Pee Wee’ Rossi, local pugilist, was sentenced to 60 days in the county jail. Thomas O’Neill, 22 years old, 204 Berkley Street, was fined $20 and sentence was suspended on John Develin, 21 years old, 1002 Penn Street.
Rossi was charged with severely beating August Fortune, a policeman assigned to special duty at the restaurant.
Patrolman Fred Mueller testified that at 3:30 o’clock Sunday morning he had told the men to “move on” from Fifth and Market Streets when he found them creating a disturbance. The men walked away and in front of the restaurant again became boisterous. Mueller and policeman Marshall Thompson then arrested O’Neill who had become “sassy.” The other two objected to the arrest, and when Fortune came from inside the building to assist his brother officers, he was struck in the face and knocked down by Rossi. The three succeeded in taking the men to headquarters.
Rossi this morning admitted hitting Fortune but said he did not know he was an officer and “thought he was a wise guy trying to go big with a woman.”
Boys Say Junkman Is ‘Fence’ for Loot
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Seek Defendant Following Revelation by Youthful Quartet
A South Camden junk dealer advertised himself as a “fence” and urged boys to steal, police said today as they continued a search for him which began last night.
Four boys who were arrested by a policeman set to watch the junk shop yesterday, told how the man said he “would buy everything they brought him and wouldn’t ask questions whether it was stolen or not.”
Policeman Anthony Fortune had been stationed outside the junk shop, which is on the corner of Rose and Sycamore streets, scarcely half an hour when Anthony Szwak, 15 years old, of 1037 Louis street, came along trundling a wheelbarrow with 200 pounds of lead battery plates.
Young Szwak entered the shop. Fortune, remembering that the Camden Storage Battery Company, Haddon avenue and Line street, was robbed the night before, arrested the boy, who was taken to police headquarters and questioned. Szwak confessed that the junk dealer had said he would act as a fence, Detective John Kowal said.
Fortune returned to his post. Later three youths carrying a radiator, battery and fittings for an automobile truck, staggered into the shop. Fortune nabbed them and like Szwak, they were taken to City Hall and quizzed. There they admitted stealing the parts from the truck, in a garage at Haddon lake, Audubon, on Thursday evening. They told the same story as Szwak had furnished Detective Kowal, police declared.
These boys gave their names as Sigmund Brozozowski, 17 years old, of 1411 South Tenth street; Joseph Novachan, 18 years old, of 1147 Liberty street, and Joseph Moslouski, 18 years old, of 1245 Whitman avenue. All were turned over to Sergeant Mark Singleton of the Audubon police department.
Eight Boys Are Held, Colored Fagin Sought
Camden Courier-Post —
Accusing a colored junk dealer of enticing them to steal by offering to buy anything they brought him “no matter where they got it,” eight boys were committed to the detention home this morning charged with larceny. Police are searching for the man who promised to buy the stolen goods.
The boys were arrested by Policeman August Fortune. Five of them were charged with stealing 50 pounds of copper wire from Kaighn and Baird avenues. The others were accused by Elmer Woods, of the Camden Battery Company, 18 Haddon avenue, of stealing 200 lead battery plates.
The boys arrested in the copper theft were, John Lenkowski, 12 years old, 1178 Sycamore street; Stanley Barcycki, 14 years, 1179 Mechanic street; Victor Bielicki, 14 years, 1402 Rose street; John Jankowski, 12 years, 1182 Sycamore street. The three arrested on complaint of Woods were Edward and Jess Luczkiewicz, 15 and 14 years old, 1061 Louis street, and Stanley Zwack, 15 years, Louis and Thurman streets.
4 Held for Grand Jury on Auto Theft Charge
Camden Courier-Post —
Four youths charged with the larceny of an automobile were held for the grand jury Saturday by Police Judge Garfield Pancoast. The prisoners were caught by Motorcycle Policeman Gus Fortune after a chase.
The prisoners described themselves as Henry Garbacki, 17, of 1201 Lansdowne avenue; Walter Lewadowski, 17, of 1158 Atlantic avenue; Nicholas Boganik, 19, of 1305 Thurman street, and Wallace Slowski, 19, of 820 Cherry street.
Shortly after midnight William Wright, of 338 Benson street, reported to the police that his automobile had been stolen from in front of his home. An hour later Fortune saw the four youths in the car and captured them. The prisoners were unable to furnish the $1000 bail.
Owner Held in Taproom Brawls
Camden Courier-Post —
Proprietor of Wall Street Club Charged With Hitting Policeman
Four persons were arrested early yesterday during a free-for-all fight in the Wall Street Club, 340 Federal Street, according to police.
Edward Markowitz, 38, proprietor of the place, was arrested and charged with assault and battery on an officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
Ambrose Brown, 31, and his brother, Asher, 27, both of 2104 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, were arrested on complaint of George Brown, 29, of 1214 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, who charged them with assault and battery. The Browns under arrest are not related to the complainant. Brown, the complainant, is a brother-in-law of Patrolman Joseph Schultz.
Patrolmen Earl Wright and Gus Fortune were passing Fourth and Federal Streets at 1:45 AM in a radio car with Commissioner Mary W. Kobus when a man ran out of the Wall Street Club and shouted to them that some men had been beating him.
When the policemen entered, Markowitz is alleged to have tried to eject the police. He said they had no right in his place, according to Wright and Fortune.
Markowitz was arrested with the three Browns. Wright alleges Markowitz struck him in the face. At police headquarters Mrs. Eleanor Brown, wife of Asher Brown, said she, her husband and brother-in-law were getting ready to leave the place when George Brown struck her in the face. She said her husband and brother-in-law struck George Brown in retaliation.
Police said when they reached the interior of the taproom men were fighting, women screaming and tables were being overturned.
Markowitz was held in $1000 bail. When booked at police headquarters, Markowitz was drunk, Wright and Fortune said. Ambrose and Asher Brown in $500 bail each and George Brown in $200 bail as a witness. They will have hearings today in police court.
Markowitz last night denied he struck Wright but alleged the patrolman knocked him unconscious at police headquarters. He said he was placed in a wheel chair and pushed into a cell. He charged he was not permitted to use a telephone until 7:00 AM.
“There was no fight in my place,” Markowitz declared. “The fight was out on the street and Wright rushed into my place, grabbed me and hustled me to the patrol box. He struck me in the eye in my place and I never raised a hand to him. There were 20 persons in the place can testify I am telling the truth.”
License to Cafe Will Be Appealed
Camden Courier-Post —
Named: Beringer’s Cafe, Club Royal, Arcadia Cafe, Broadway, Federal Street, John V. Wilkie, Gus Fortune, Lewis Liberman, Harold Clark, Fannie Mazer, and Freda Beringer.
Pay Theft Tale Faked, Radio Worker Admits
Camden Courier-Post —
Youth Who Cashed Checks for 12 Fellow Employees and Said He Was Kidnapped, Helps Recover Money from Friend
Anthony Carrozza, 20, of 1021 Wolf Street, Philadelphia, is shown standing between Detectives Thomas Murphy, left, and August Fortune behind the $389.64 he planned to take from fellow employees by telling them he had been kidnapped and robbed after cashing their pay checks.
Pay Theft Tale Faked, Radio Worker Admits
Joe Auletto Fined After Craps Raid
Camden Courier-Post —
Joe Auletto Fined After Craps Raid
2 Seized in Thefts from Freight Cars
Camden Courier-Post —
Two men, arrested for breaking into and robbing boxcars in Camden, will be arraigned today before Police Judge Lewis Liberman, as will a third man arrested at the same time charged with failing to comply with a city ordinance requiring criminals to register with police.
Clyde Thomas, 23, of 117 New street, Philadelphia, and Daniel Paulk, 21, 1828 Salem street, both Negroes, were picked up in the city freight yards by Sergt. Joseph Tully and George Smith, railroad detectives, and turned over to Detective Gus Fortune at headquarters.
Fortune said both admitted breaking the seal on a car on the Van Hook street cutoff on September 15 and stealing two mattresses valued at $60 and selling them to a second-hand store for $6 and taking a 700-bale of rags from a car yesterday worth $21.
Arrested with them was Lucius Robinson, 21, 983 Ferry avenue, who has failed to register with police, Fortune declared.
Railroad Car Looters Get Stiff Jail Terms
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Judge Lewis Liberman yesterday handed out two of the stiffest terms since he went on the bench when he sentenced two thieves to a total of one year each in jail.
The prisoners are Daniel Paulk, 21, of 1828 Salem street, and Clyde Thomas, 23, of 117 New street, Philadelphia. After their arrest by railroad detectives for loitering, they admitted stealing and selling two bundles of mattresses and several bales of rags from a railroad freight car on Van Hook street near Seventh, Sept. 17.
Judge Liberman sentenced them to six months on each count, the sentences to run consecutively.
Lucius Robinson, 21, of 903 Ferry avenue, arrested with Paulk and Thomas, was exonerated of the thefts, but despite a record of 18 arrests he had not listed himself with the bureau of criminal registration and was sentenced to six months for that.
Detective Gus Fortune, who obtained the confessions from Paulk and Thomas, said he will arrest the person who purchased the stolen goods from them.
Reaches for ‘Gun,’ Two ‘Bandits’ Flee
Camden Courier-Post —
Intended Victim, 66, Chases Youths After Foiling Holdup
An attempt of two youths to hold up Francis Drury, 66, of 826 York street, last night was frustrated when the intended victim threatened to “pull a gun.”
Drury told detectives he was walking on Eighth street, between Vine and State, when the two youths approached him from behind. One of them touched Drury on the shoulder as the other extended a hand in which appeared a shiny object, like a revolver.
Drury said he drew away from the youths and shouted defiance.
“I can play at that game too,” Drury said he shouted, as he reached toward his pocket in a gesture to draw a weapon.
The youths withdrew a short distance from their intended victim and shouted epithets, Drury said. When he started toward them the two fled around a corner, the man said.
Detectives Thomas Murphy and Gus Fortune began an investigation and scoured the neighborhood with the assistance of police in radio cars, but failed to find the youths.
Drury was taken to the rogue’s gallery but he was unable to identify any photographs. He said both were swarthy complexioned, and approximately five feet five inches tall. One wore a light felt hat and a dark overcoat and the other was attired in dark hat and coat.
Heart Attack Fatal to Man in Hotel Here
Camden Courier-Post —
Henry F. Wilson, about 65, of Unionville, Pa., dropped dead of a heart attack last night at the Lenox Hotel, 22 Market Street. He was taken to Cooper Hospital and pronounced dead. Detectives Thomas Murphy and Gus Fortune are attempting to locate relatives of the man.
Ex-Convict Capture Aided By Minister
Trenton Times —
Named: Rev. Culbert O. Rutenber, Charles Tookmanian, and Joseph McMahon.
Burglar Gets $65
Camden Courier-Post —
While Walter Wilson and his wife were attending a movie yesterday afternoon, a thief ransacked their home at 1025 Morton Street and stole about $65. Wilson reported to detective bureau. Detective Gus Fortune said the burglar entered through the cellar and pried open the kitchen door. Wilson said $12 was taken from a pair of his trousers; $50 from a chest and one dollar and some change from a small bank.
Phila. Man Arrested in Theft of Liquor
Camden Courier-Post —
David Miller, 27, a window decorator for a liquor concern, who lives at 547 Whitaker Avenue, Philadelphia, was arrested yesterday and charged with larceny of whisky on complaint of Benjamin Rosensweig, proprietor of the Camden Bottling Co., 254 Kaighn Avenue.
Miller had an office at the Kaighn Avenue address. Rosensweig told Detectives Ben Simon and Gus Fortune he missed $500 worth of liquor in the past several months. The detectives found whisky hidden in equipment used by Miller.
At Miller’s home, they said, they found $180 worth of liquor, and Miller, they reported, admitted some thefts.
Children Are Blamed for Varnish Daubing
Camden Courier-Post —
Daubing of the windows of four houses and a store in the 600 block of North Sixth Street with varnish was laid to children by detectives today. Complaints were made by Frank Pecosca, 631; Joseph Edwards, 633; Harry Ross, 635; Elizabeth Chapman, 637, and Louis Passero, 639, North Sixth Street.
Detectives William Marter and Gus Fortune said the owners of the house could give no explanation of the act. The sleuths asked all if they were involved in labor difficulties and received negative replies.
Thief Flees with Loot as Widow Enters Home
Camden Courier-Post —
A thief last night escaped from the rear of a South Camden dwelling with $255 worth of loot as the owner entered the front door after a shopping tour.
Mrs. Patience Chambers, of 1008 Line street told Detective Gus Fortune she heard the intruder run through the kitchen and out the back door as she and her three daughters entered the house. Mrs. Chambers is the widow of Capt. William P. Chambers, of the Camden Fire Department.
Included in the loot were two diamond rings, a wrist watch and a small amount of cash taken from a savings bank. Mrs. Chambers and her daughters, Patience, Mary and Mrs. Mildred Whitehead, each owned part of the stolen jewelry and money. They left their home at 6 p. m. and returned an hour and a half later. Police cars found no trace of the burglar.
Rob Jewelry Store of $6300 in Gems
Camden Courier-Post —
Rob Jewelry Store of $6300 in Gems
Suspect Arrested in Night Burglary
Camden Courier-Post —
Youth Accused of Robbing Vending Machines at 5th and Chestnut
Francis H. Wilson, Jr., 20, of 582 Auburn street, is held by the police today as a suspect in connection with a robbery at the gasoline station at Fifth and Chestnut streets, early Saturday. The station is owned by Albert Defalco, 213 Wayne Terrace.
According to police, the station had been broken into by jimmying a window. A total of $31.90 was taken from candy and cigarette vending machines. It was reported that at 3 a.m. Saturday two persons were walking by the station and noticed a man there.
Roland Granger, 3015 Saunders street, asked the man what he was doing and the latter replied he worked there. Granger was suspicious and notified the police. Patrolmen William Neal and Thomas Welch investigated. The couple gave police a description and later a suspect was arrested at Broadway and Newton avenue.
He was identified at detective headquarters by the couple as the man at the gas station. Detective Gus Fortune searched Wilson and found keys and a screwdriver allegedly belonging to Defalco and also money believed taken from the machines. Wilson is held for further investigation.
Taproom Robbed for Second Time
Camden Courier-Post —
Thieves Take Key on First Trip, Use It to Enter on Later Visit
Rudolph Di Paolo, proprietor of a taproom at 826 Locust street, has learned that it is lightning that never strikes in the same place twice—not thieves. According to Detectives Edwin Mills and Gus Fortune, thieves entered the Di Paolo tavern Saturday night by breaking a window in the cellar. This episode netted them $5 in cash from a register and $20 in war stamps. Also included in the loot was a key to the front door.
Yesterday the thieves returned and entered by the front door. This trip enriched them to the extent of a case of whisky, a case of gin, 10 quarts of whisky, a large radio and three cartons of cigarettes, all valued at $200. He reported the second robbery. Asked why he did not inform the authorities of the original breaking, Di Paolo said: “What’s the use?”
Sgt. Rox Sapanore [sic] examined the premises for fingerprints.
The restaurant of Agnes Abrams, at Fifteenth and Mickle streets, was entered between Saturday night and yesterday afternoon and 13 cartons of cigarettes and 20 one-half pound bags of coffee stolen. According to Detective Frank Crowford [sic], the thieves broke the glass in a door and turned the lock.
Fortune Funeral To Be Wednesday
Camden Courier-Post —
Solemn requiem Mass for Augustine R. Fortune, 46, former city detective, will be sung at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Lady of Mt. Carmel R.C. Church, Fourth and Division Streets. Burial will be in Calvary cemetery.
Mr. Fortune died suddenly Friday night in Cooper Hospital after being stricken in his place of business, the Mutual Wholesale Florists, Newton Avenue and Carteret Street.
He was found on the floor of the shop, with a telephone in his hand, by Dominick Dalanni, his son-in-law, 1536 Mt. Ephraim Avenue.
Friends and relatives may call tomorrow night at his home at the Mt. Ephraim Avenue address. He was appointed to the police department on March 1, 1928, by former Mayor Stewart. He retired in 1947 on a disability pension.
Surviving are his wife, Olive; a daughter, Mrs. Mary Dalanni; a son, Augustine; a stepbrother, Anthony Mariano; two sisters, Mrs. Brenda Ricca and Mrs. Art Weber; and his mother, Mrs. Mary Fortune, all of Camden. Six city policemen have been named to be pallbearers. They are Detective Leonard Anduzzo and Patrolmen George Liss, Lou Passeri, Carl Maddox, Albert Wittek and Anthony DiVello. At the evening tomorrow night Patrolman Harold Vecander will be posted as a guard of honor.
Obituary
Camden Courier-Post —
Augustine R. Fortune
FORTUNE – On December 24, 1948, Augustine R., beloved husband of Olive Fortune (née Iezzi). Relatives and friends of the family, Camden Police Dept., Police and Fireman Beneficial Assoc. and all other organizations of which he was a member are invited to attend the funeral on Wednesday at 9 o’clock at his late residence, 1536 Mt. Ephraim Ave, Camden, N.J. Solemn Requiem Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel at 9:30 a.m. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. Friends call Tuesday evening.