Introduction
Benjamin Hudson was a notorious criminal in Camden and Philadelphia in the 1880s and 1890s, robbing targets both on land and on the Delaware River, often with his brother, William “Bill” Hudson. In May of 1890, in the course of a burglary of a Chinese laundry at Broadway and Berkley Street, Ben Hudson shot Camden police officer Isaac M. Shreve. Fortunately Shreve recovered from his wounds and went on to a long career with the Camden police.
Ben Hudson’s criminal career came to an end on October 6, 1895, when he was shot and killed in a running gun battle while evading arrest near Cobb’s Island Station, Virginia. His brother Bill was wounded by the same bullet and arrested.
Benjamin Hudson appears to have been the son of Monroe and Almira Hudson. He was born early in 1870 in New Jersey. When the Census was taken in 1870 he wa but 5 months old. The family lived in Woodbury, where Monroe Hudson worked as a laborer for the railroad. The family also included older brothers Charles, 10, and William, 5; and older sister, Mary, 3.
Killed in Gunfight
Camden Daily Courier —
The Notorious River Pirate Shot Dead
Off Cobbs Island Station, Va.
The Same Bullet That Ended His Crooked Career Struck His Brother ‘Bill’ and Wounded Him, Perhaps Fatally. The Desperadoes Were Well Known Here.
Ben Hudson, the notorious river pirate, was shot and instantly killed, and his brother William was seriously injured near Cobb’s Island Life Saving Station, Virginia, Sunday afternoon. Both men were from Camden, where they stole a catboat several days ago and were avoiding arrest. The owner of the stolen boat notified all the stations along the coast to look out for her. The craft was a good-sized catboat, about twenty feet keel, and covered deck. Sunday afternoon a boat answering the description of the one stolen was discovered by the Cobb’s Island Life Saving crew, and several of them put out in a small boat. When in hearing distance they ordered the men on the boat to turn to and surrender the boat.
Their reply was four gunshots which were promptly answered by the Cobb’s Island party. After several exchanges the Hudson brothers finding they were about to be captured left the large boat, after setting her on fire, and attempted to escape to the marsh in a small bateau. They were in the meantime endeavoring to keep back their pursuers by continuing to fire, when a bullet from the other party’s gun passed through the body of Benjamin and killed him instantly, and entered the left side of his brother William. The latter is now at Bay View, and is not expected to live.
The wounded man telegraphed his friends in this city, and to 606 Guilford street, Philadelphia, and his father is expected to arrive on the morning train. The dead man’s body was sent to Philadelphia last night. After the men were picked up they were taken to Morgan’s Landing and Sheriff Jarvis notified. He ordered a Coroner’s inquest. The four men who did the shooting were placed under arrest and taken to Eastville jail, but it is thought they will be released on bail.
The unfortunate brothers look to be about 35 or 36 years of age, and have rather a rough appearance, being poorly clothed. Two satchels containing a lot of burglar’s tools were found aboard the boat. The affair has created much excitement through the section as three of the life saving crew are well thought of men. The fourth is a German and cannot speak a word of English.
For years the Hudson brothers have been the bane of the police of this city and Philadelphia. Both desperadoes have served terms at Trenton and in the county jail, and in May, 1890, one of them came near killing ex-Policeman Isaac Shreve. Shreve was notified that there was a burglar in the yard of what was then a Chinese laundry, northwest corner Broadway and Berkley street.
Opening the gate Ike entered the yard and made a search, and while thus engaged the burglar rushed out of a shed and dealt the plucky policeman a terrible blow on the head with a slung-shot. He then scaled the fence and escaped and the wounded policeman was sent to Cooper Hospital for repairs. That burglar was Ben Hudson, the dead desperado.
The last time Ben Hudson was arrested it was for trying to rob a schooner anchored off Kaighn’s Point, and he was only captured after a desperate struggle. He was locked up in our County Jail and would have made his escape one night had it not been for the vigilance of Turnkey Dan Johntra. Many and thrilling are the tales that could be told of the Hudson brothers’ daring deeds as river pirates. They would fill a book of the yellow-back order.