Charles Ford

Charles Ford was born in New Jersey around 1870. Charles Ford appears to have been living in South Philadelphia and working as a huckster when the Census was taken in 1900. Effie May “May” Wagner was living in South Philadelphia with her son Casper and then husband Frederick. This relationship appears to have ended not long after the 1900 census. The 1901 City Directory shows him at 125 Chestnut Street. By 1902 Charles Ford and May Wagner were living together in Camden, at 1010 Carpenter Street. The 1903 Directory shows them at 203 Chestnut Street. The 1904 version gives his address at 304 Mechanic Street, 1905 at 121 Chestnut Street, and 1907 has him at 1074 South 2nd Street. Charles Ford continued to work as a huckster during these years.

The 1908 and subsequent city directories show Charles Ford operating a restaurant at 123 Kaighn Avenue. The 1910 Census indicates that this was an oyster saloon. The Census and the above-cited City Directories indicate that Charles Ford and Effie May Wagner were living as husband and wife. The 1910 Census shows her sons Casper and another son, Harry, had the name of Ford as their surname.

Charles Ford drank heavily. He may have been a wife-beater, all we have in that point is hearsay. What is known is that Effie May Wagner ended their relationship and went to Laurel Springs, New Jersey to be with another man, Robert Wilson. Charles Ford’s reaction, on March 14, 1912, was to go to Laurel Springs, shoot Wilson, shoot Effie May Wagner, and shoot himself. He managed to kill Effie May, wound Wilson and wound himself. Wilson and Ford recovered from their injuries. Charles Ford was tried for Effie May Wagner’s murder, found guilty, and executed on February 18, 1913.