Introduction
Charles Henry Peters
CHARLES HENRY PETERS, sometimes referred to as “Henry Peters,” was born in New Jersey in May of 1852, according to the 1900 Census. He married Hannah Sage in the late 1860s, and the couple had one child, a son, Charles H. “Harry” Peters Jr. by 1870. Charles H. Peters was a carpenter by trade. He appeared in the 1878–1879 Camden City Directory at 908 Chestnut Street. By 1878 he had moved to 823 Chestnut Street.
In the spring of 1884 Charles H. Peters was appointed to the Camden Fire Department as an extra man with the Engine Company 1, taking the place of John S. Kelley. He served until the Camden Fire Department was reorganized on July 1, 1885, which resulted in eighteen of the extra men being let go.
The 1884–1885 Camden City Directory shows Charles H. Peters living at 829 Chestnut Street, the corner of South 9th and Chestnut Streets, where he kept a saloon for a year or two. The 1887–1888 Camden City Directory shows Charles H. Peters had moved to 750 Mount Vernon Street and had been appointed to the Police Department. The 1888–1889 edition shows that he had moved to 822 Chestnut Street. The 1890–1891 City Directory shows another move, to 816 Chestnut Street, where he would live out his days.
Charles H. “Harry” Peters Jr. enlisted in the United States Army on January 31, 1890. He made a career out of the Army, serving in the West and overseas in the Philippines.
City Directories from 1887 through 1894 show that Charles H. Peters worked as a Camden police officer. No occupation is indicated in the 1897 City Directory. The 1898 edition shows that he had been reappointed to the police department.
The 1899 City Directory, the 1900 Census, and the 1906 City Directory state that Charles H. Peters was in the grocery business. He was appointed to the position of constable at some point after the 1906 City Directory was compiled. Charles H. Peters passed away in September of 1910. He was survived by his wife, Hannah Sage Peters, who was still living at 816 Chestnut Street as late as May of 1931. Their son, Charles H. “Harry” Peters Jr., had died in 1903 as a result of illness contracted while serving with the United States Army in the Philippines.
Charles H. Peters’ brother-in-law, Josiah Sage, served with the Camden Police Department in the 1890s and with the Camden Fire Department from November of 1899 through 1931.
Charles H. Peters was a member of the Camden Mutual Association, the Liberty Park Beneficial Society, and of Sioux Tribe No. 25 of the Improved Order of Red Men. James P. Shinn, Daniel Bromley, and George Adam Tenner, who also had served with the Camden Fire Department in the 1880s, were also members of Sioux Tribe No. 25. George Reeser Prowell, in his History of Camden County, New Jersey, published in 1886, wrote the following about this organization:
Sioux Tribe, No. 25, was instituted in Wildey Hall, March 23, 1871, by Great Sachem John E. Cheeseman, with members of Sioux Tribe, Philadelphia, who presented them with a set of tomahawks, still in use. The officers were: .S., Silas Letchford; S. S., John A. Parker; J. S., John Fox; C. of N., F. W. Wilson; K. of W., David C. Vannote; Prophet, Theodore L. Parker. The Past Sachems are Silas Letchford, James Broughton, Aaron Hand, William T. Mears, William F. Mason, Samuel H. Deal, .Sr., .lohn H. Mason, W. E. Campbell, Charles H. Hagelman, Henry F. Snyder, George A. Tenner, Isaac King, Theodore L. Parker, David B. Peterson, John B. Wright, William Hagelman, James Barton, Edward B. Chew, George W. Kleaver, J.P.R. Carney, .lames C. Mason, Edward A. Martin and John Barrett. The officers for 1886 are: S., James G. Smith; .S. S., Franklin H. Drake; J.S., Daniel England; P., J.P. R. Carney; C. of R.. John P. Wright; .Assistant C. of R., David B. Peterson. The tribe has a membership of two hundred and ninety-three, and a reserve fund of $455.76.
Supposed to Be Stolen.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Night before last four new paneled doors were left in the yard of Mr. Henry Peters, on Sycamore street above Eighth, in the Seventh Ward, which are supposed to have been stolen.
Across the Delaware.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Last Night’s Delegate Elections and Other Late News Notes.
Last night the Republicans of Camden city and county held primary elections, at which were chosen delegates to the State Convention to be held at Trenton to-morrow for the selection of Presidental [sic] electors. The result of the primaries in the city was as follows:
First Ward—Frank F. Patterson, Sr., Simeon T. Ringle, E. Ambler Armstrong and Charles Curry.
Second Ward—Hon. Albert Merritt, J. Willard Morgan, Charles A. Butts, John Campbell.
Third Ward—W. S. Thomas, Jehu Lvans [sic].
Fourth Ward—Thomas H. Harned, William A. Husted, Alexander J. Milliette, Jr., John P. Kenney.
Fifth Ward—C. J. Mines, Jr., Maurice A. Rogers, Dr. J. D. Leckner.
Sixth Ward—Thomas Blackwood, Thomas Goodwin.
Seventh Ward—John Blowe, Charles H. Peters, Charles Bunisholtz.
Eighth Ward—Jacob P. Nesson, Gabriel Johnson, John Ware.
The First New Jersey District.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Election of Congressional Delegates in Robeson’s Old District.
The Republican primaries in Camden for the election of delegates to the Congressional Convention in the First New Jersey district passed off very quietly last evening, there being no trouble anywhere except in the Third ward, where Dudley delegates were elected and the two inspectors of the election boards, Frank Turner and William Parker, both Hires men, refused to sign the credentials and left the polls without doing so. It is said they will be arrested to-morrow.
The three candidates for the Congressional nomination are George Hires, of Salem, Thomas H. Dudley, of Camden, and John W. Newlin, of Millville. In Camden city Hires got 23 delegates; Dudley, 16; Newlin, 1.
Taken by wards the result is as follows:
First Ward.—All for Hires—Jacob Leon, Isaac C. Githens, J. Eugene Troth, Charles Woolverton, Joseph Baymore.
Second Ward.—All for Dudley—J. Willard Morgan, Frederick A. Rex, Joseph Wells, Daniel Johntra, John Bowyer.
Third Ward.—All for Dudley—Louis D. McDowell, Henry B. Twoes, William S. McCabe, Samuel R. Murray, William H. Chandler.
Fourth Ward.—Four for Hires and one (Fackler) for J. W. Newlin—Mifflin Long, R. H. Lee, Charles Fackler, William Holland, George Doughten.
Fifth.—All for Hires—Septimus Knight, John Stevens, William Lockman, Samuel W. Roach, Harry Moffett.
Sixth Ward.—All for Hires—Joseph B. Green, Richard Dease, Robert Gilmore, Jacob Woodside, John Corbitt.
Seventh Ward.—Four for Hires and one (Stone) for Dudley—Edward Martin, Henry Peters, Jeffrey Blanchard, John Stone, Jacob Derry.
Eighth Ward.—All for Dudley—Jesse Pratt, William J. Thompson, Thomas B. Wood, Richard J. Chandler, Lawrence Rhoades.
Other returns are incomplete, but it is known that the Second ward of Gloucester City gave five delegates to Dudley; Delaware township five to Dudley, and Merchantville two to Dudley and three to Hires, thus making totals, as far as returns are received, as follows: Hires, 26; Dudley, 23; Newlin, 1.
Camden News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Henry Peters, living at Tenth and Chestnut streets, Camden, was terribly bitten about the neck and shoulders yesterday by a vicious horse.
Camden News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mayor Pratt has appointed the following on the police force in place of the Democratic officers who have resigned: Samuel Lee and W. Pedrick, Fourth ward; Christian Tenner, Sixth ward, and Henry Peters, Seventh ward.
Franks Sworn in as Chief.
Camden Daily Courier —
THE NEW OFFICIAL AND SIX MEN TAKE THE OATH.
Ex-Chief Matlack Commends the Forty Patrolmen, Thanks Mayor Pratt for His Gentlemanly Conduct and Retires.
It is Chief Franks now. Mr. Matlack, the retiring chief turned over the police department to his successor shortly after noon. All the officers gathered at the hall, as this is the semi-monthly pay day. The six new men who were to take the places of the patrolmen who resigned, came in one at a time and were taken into the mayor’s private office, where behind the closed door they were sworn in by his honor. Chief-elect Franks was also sworn in privately.
All the Democratic officers then assembled in the mayor’s hearing room, at the request of retiring Chief Matlack and it was with evident feeling that he bade them farewell in an eloquent address. He said:
THE CHIEF’S ADDRESS.
“Gentlemen of the police department—The time has arrived for me to turn over the police department to my successor. During my term as chief I have formed acquaintanceships and friendships among you which have been a great pleasure to me, and which I hope to retain. Among us doring [sic] all that time there has been peace and harmony in the main. I am glad to say that no strifes or bickerings have occurred to mar our peace and good will. At times our actions have been criticised, and aspersions cast against us, but these were only the contingencies of our positions; we must learn to take the bitter with the sweet. No serious accidents or deaths have occurred among us, and for this we should be thankful to the Giver of all good things. We have made some mistakes no doubt—none of us are infallible—but let bygones be bygones, and endeavor to fulfill your duty always.
“There is one thing in particular that I wish to commend you for, and that is your gentlemanly and courteous conduct while I have been connected with the department, and your cheerfulness in obeying orders. For this you have my sincere thanks, and also my best wishes for your futures.”
THE DEPARTMENT TURNED OVER.
The chief closed his remarks to the men with a moral admonition. To Mayor Pratt he returned his thanks for the gentlemanly demeanor of his honor during their brief official association, and expressed the hope that his administration would be one of good government. Chief Matlack then formally delivered the department to his successor and said he trusted it would be more efficient than ever before.
The chief’s remarks were very brief and pointed. He said: “Gentlemen and members of the police department. I hope you will continue in the discharge of your duties as before. I expect obedience to the rules of the department, and the orders of his honor the mayor. Any disapproval or disobedience of orders will be deemed sufficient cause for removal.”
NEW PATROLMEN.
The following is the list of retiring officers and their successors, with their numbers: First ward—John Jacobs; successor, Alfred Summers, No. 5. Fourth ward—Simpson Long, successor, Samuel Lee, No. 17; Charles Peterson, successor, Charles O. Pedrick, No. 20. Sixth ward, Bowman Matlack, successor, Christopher Tenner, No. 29; John Fox, successor, John Dall, No. 30. Seventh ward, Harry Griffin, successor, C. H. Peters, No. 33.
The retiring officers delivered up their equipments. C. H. Peters, who was the first of the new men to be sworn in, had a bran new suit of blue and went on duty at once. John Dall was not present to be sworn in with the others.
Camden News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Charles H. Peters, a policeman in the Seventh ward, formerly a saloon-keeper, was tried and acquitted before Mayor Pratt last night for selling liquor without a license.
Jesse Pratt – Charles H. Peters
Supposed to be Logue’s Assailant
Camden Daily Courier —
Policemen Peters and Anderson yesterday arrested John Stratton, living in Ross’ Court, and Henry Mellon, of Point street above Cooper, on suspicion of being the two men who murderously assaulted Joseph Logue, near the city hall, Sunday night. The men were seen in the vicinity of the place where the assault occurred. Logue, who is still at the hospital, partially identified Stratton as the man who robbed him, but could not positively recognize Mellon as his other assailant. The men were committed for a hearing to-night. Logue is improving.
Logue’s Assailants Captured
Camden Daily Telegram —
The Police Are Pretty Sure They Have the Right Parties.
Yesterday Officers Peters and Andrews [sic] captured the supposed assailants of Joseph Logue, the young man who was stabbed on Sunday night while in company with Miss Brown. The men arrested were Henry Mellon, of Point street above Second, who works in a lithographing establishment, and Joseph Stratton, a lather, living on Ross court. Stratton was taken to Cooper Hospital by Chief Dodd, and was identified by Logue as the man who assaulted him with the knife. Mellon admitted that they were in the vicinity Sunday evening.
Both parties will have a hearing before Mayor Pratt at 7:30 this evening.
Camden Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Harry Mellon and Joseph Stratton, were arrested by Policeman Peters, of the Seventh ward, yesterday afternoon on the charge of having stabbed Joseph Loague [sic], near the City Hall on Sunday night.
At a meeting of the Camden Board of Education held last night, Treasurer Rex made the following reports: Received, $31,131 88; paid out, $25 674 46; balance, $5457.43. Superintendent Bergen reported a daily attendance of 67[?][?].
The stable of ex Freeholder Gordon, at Second and Pine streets, was damaged by fire yesterday to the extent of $600. Origin unknown. Fully insured.
Camden’s News Budget
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A Would-Be Suicide Who Spent His Wife’s Money for Rum.
Adolph Meyers, of 1109 Emma street, who attempted to kill himself late Saturday night, is locked up at the City Hall. He is rapidly improving and will be released to-day or to-morrow. To Chief of Police Dodd he said he had become down-hearted and had decided to kill his wife and then end his own existence. He changed his mind and shot himself.
Mrs. Meyers says that on Saturday evening she gave her husband $1 to purchase groceries with and instead he bought whisky. When he came home he was under the influence of liquor and was only in the house a few minutes when he attempted to shoot himself. Lieutenant Stehr says that when he called at the house Meyers asked him for his revolver, saying it was better than his and would do the work.
Fight at a Christening.
The baby of John Flerker, who resides at Mount Ephraim and Kaighn avenues, was christened yesterday, and as a result a half a dozen of the participants are now locked up in jail. After the water had been sprinkled on the child’s head, those who had assembled to witness the ceremony started in drinking beer.
Toward dark, by which time the entire party was under the influence of liquor, a free fight ensued. Officer Peters was summoned and arrested Fred Collett, Frank Dasky, Henry Raskoska, Jacob Schiecht and his son. They were locked up for a hearing to-day.
An Appropriate Song.
About 150 persons from Philadelphia visited Camden yesterday to witness the baptism of a man and woman, who accompanied them. About 1,000 boys who had heard of the coming of the pair to be baptised were at Vaneman’s wharf waiting for them. The pair were led out into the stream, and just as the minister dipped them into the water the boys commenced to sing “Down Went McGinty to the Bottom of the Sea.”
Notes.
The octogenarian services of the Methodist churches were concluded yesterday. The principal speaker of the day was Bishop Cyrus D. Foss.
The spectators who were captured in the prize fight raid on Friday night will have a hearing before Mayor Pratt to-day.
Rev. J. L. Sooy, of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, conducted the services yesterday for the first time since his illness.
William Haines and Herman Shaffer are locked up at the City Hall for stealing lumber from the yard of Volney G. Bennett.
Harry Daniels is locked up for stealing $175 worth of shoes from the Philadelphia Shoe House.
Another Hillman Confession
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Executed Murderer’s Father Says His Daughter-in-Law Killed Seideman.
Ephraim Hillman, father of Joseph Hillman, made a statement to Policeman Peters, of the Seventh ward, Camden, yesterday, in which he claims that Mell Hillman, the wife of Joe Hillman, who was hung at Woodbury last November, confessed to him that she struck the blow which killed Herman Seideman.
Policeman Peters says that when Hillman visited his house yesterday he first indulged in general conversation and then suddenly broke down and commenced weeping. When asked the cause of his tears he made the statement implicating his daughter-in-law as the person who struck the fatal blow.
Mrs. Hillman, when seen at her home, Fifth and Bridge avenue, said: “The story is a lie. I have been to see Mr. Harris, my lawyer, and intend to cause the arrest of my father-in-law.” Prosecutor Perry, of Gloucester county, was informed of the alleged confession and said he would investigate the authenticity of the story to-day.
Camden News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mrs. Mary A. Hillman, widow of Joseph Hillman, who was hung at Woodbury last November, appeared before Squire Cassady yesterday and had warrants issued for the arrest of her father-in-law, Ephraim Hillman, and Policeman Peters, of the Seventh ward. She charges them with libel in causing to be published a story that she had confessed to having struck the blow which killed the peddler, for which crime her husband paid the penalty on the gallows. Ephraim Hillman told the story to the policeman, who gave it to the reporters.
Camden News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
’Squire Cassady yesterday held Ephraim Hillman and Policeman Peters in $500 bail each on the charge of libeling Mrs. Mary Hillman. This is the outcome of the statement made by Hillman that Mrs. Hillman confessed to striking the blow which killed Herman Seideman, for which crime his son was hung.
Camden News Budget
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A Clothing Dealer’s Desperate Struggle With a Colored Thief.
Josiah Leonard, a well-known colored thief, caused quite an excitement in the Seventh ward yesterday. He was in the act of carrying nine pairs of pants out of the second-hand clothing store of George Meltz, at 630 Kaighn avenue, when the latter’s wife hailed him and ordered him to give up his booty. As soon as Mrs. Meltz grabbed the negro he commenced to assault her. During the melee the woman got her finger in the thief’s mouth, when he shut down on it and nearly bit it off. The woman screamed “Murder,” which brought her husband upon the scene.
The latter attempted to hold the negro until a policeman arrived, but Leonard bit the clothing dealer’s ear and hit him on the head with a railroad spike. Notwithstanding the punishment Meitz received from Leonard he held on to the prisoner until the latter drew a revolver and threatened to blow his brains out if he did not relax his hold.
Meitz, fearing that Leonard would carry out his threats, let go of him. The thief then skipped out the avenue, closely followed by Policemen Horneff and Peters. After jumping over a number of fences he was captured hiding in the yard of Farn & Bailey’s oil cloth works. He was taken to the City Hall and locked up for a hearing to-day.
A Murderous Shot Fired From Ambush
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Another Crime Added to the Long List of New Jersey Tragedies.
A Quarrel Between Two Colored Youths Ends in a Killing
John Hill, in Revenge for Being Beaten, Lays in Wait and Slays Joseph Dotson—The Murderer and Several Witnesses in Jail.
A dark form crouched low among the bushes by the side of a path, another form outlined against the star-lit sky and moving up the path, a blinding flash, a cry, a fall, the sound of retreating footsteps, then silence.
This, in substance, is the story of a murder committed in Camden at an early hour Sunday morning. The story, as unfolded, shows that revenge prompted the killing and that the murder was premeditated and boasted of.
Both the victim and the murderer are young colored men. Joseph Dotson, who fell in the path with a bullet in his brain, was 19 years old, and lived at 789 Kaighn avenue. His slayer, John Hill, is but a year younger. He has no home, and of late has been living at a saloon and free-and-easy on Sycamore street above Seventh, kept by Reed & Derrickson.
Murdered for Revenge.
The murder grew out of a fight in Reed & Derrickson’s place. There is dancing in this place nearly every night in which the young colored people of the neighborhood take part. Fights are frequent occurrence.
Last Thursday night Dotson and a young colored man named James, alias “Babe” Evans were in the place and Dotson commenced a “buck” dance. Hill, who was acting as floor manager, told him he would have to get a female partner or leave the dancing floor. Dotson refused to do so, and from words they came to blows.
Hill got the worst of it in the fight and was severely beaten by Dotson and Evans. He swore to be revenged on them.
Said He Meant to Kill.
On Saturday night Hill showed a 32-calibre self-acting revolver to a girl named Laura Le Count, in Reed & Derrickson’s place, and said:
“I wasn’t ‘fixed’ the other night when Dotson jumped me, but I am now, and I’m goin’ to kill the —— ——.”
Dotson was in the place during the evening, but the men did not come together. Hill went out about 1 o’clock Sunday morning. He secreted himself among some bushes by the side of a path in an open lot bordering Sycamore street, a short distance above the saloon. He knew that his enemy would go home that way.
A Shot From the Bushes.
About half-past 1 o’clock Dotson came up the path in company with George Hanson. They were joking with each other, not thinking of danger. Hanson, who is the only eye witness of the tragedy, says Hill rose up from the bushes as Dotson came opposite him and fired full in his enemy’s face.
Hanson saw Dotson fall, and thinking he would be the next victim turned and ran for his life through the bushes.
His cries attracted the attention of colored Policeman Butts. The officer found Dotson lying unconscious in the path, with blood flowing from a bullet wound just over his left eye. A patrol wagon was summoned and the injured man was removed to the Cooper Hospital.
He did not regain consciousness and died within half an hour after being admitted. A subsequent post mortem examination showed that the bullet had passed entirely through the brain and lodged in the back of the skull.
Boasted of His Crime.
After firing the fatal shot the murderer returned to Reed & Derrickson’s place and coolly announced that he had shot Dotson. He boasted of what he had done in carrying out his threat to get square for being whipped by Dotson. He left the place soon afterward, just escaping Lieutenant Foster and Policeman Butts, who were hot on his trail.
Capture of the Murderer.
The murderer made no attempt to leave Camden. He kept under cover in the neighborhood until yesterday afternoon, when he ventured on the street and was picked up by Policeman Peters. He did not deny the shooting, but claimed that Dotson tried to draw a weapon first, and he “got the drop” and fired. The pistol could not be found.
The murderer, although young in years, has a bad reputation and has more than once drawn a pistol in a fight. Two years ago, while bathing in Cooper’s Creek with several small boys, one of the boys was drowned. His companions claimed that Hill held the boy under water until he was dead. The charge, however, was never pressed.
A Former Attempt to Kill.
About three weeks ago during a row in a saloon not far from the scene of the murder, Hill attempted to kill Daniel Hurley, a saloon-keeper, of Seventh and Mount Vernon streets. He fired three shots, one of which slightly wounded Hurley in the cheek.
The police arrested Hanson, who saw the murder, and Ida Fisher and James Evans, who witnessed the quarrel of Thursday night. They are held as witnesses for the inquest, which will be held in a few days by Coroner Jefferis.
He Announces the Names
Camden Daily Telegram —
The Mayor Appoints the New Force To-day.
MANY OLD OFFICERS TAKEN BACK.
Some Surprise Manifested at the Mayor’s Appointment of Dodd Instead of Jones—This Afternoon All the Names Will be Announced.
The Mayor stated this morning to the newspaper fraternity that he would not announce his nominations for the police department until four o’clock this afternoon. It was expected that these would be announced this morning and in consequence there were a number of applicants for appointment on the force early this morning at the City Hall, hoping that the lightning would strike them.
Yesterday afternoon the mayor in addition to his nomination of Chief Dodd and Lieutenants Foster and Pettit appointed Frank Matlack, Jacob Woodsides, Alfred Hayden and John Dall, all of the Sixth Ward. The above were policemen under Mayor Westcott, before the Democratic Police Commission took charge of the Department.
Patrolman Griffin, Democrat, tendered his resignation yesterday to Mayor Westcott, to take effect to-day.
The appointment of Chief Dodd was quite a surprise to the public in general, as it was thought that Captain Jones would be named for the position. Many believed such an appointment would be in very good form, as Captain Jones’ knowledge of men and his military training would have made him a chief par excellence. The Mayor, however, probably thought that as Mr. Dodd had been so unceremoniously kicked out by the Democrats, it was nothing more than justice to again offer him the position which he had filled in a creditable manner for a number of years.
APPOINTED ON THE FORCE.
Mayor Westcott this afternoon made the following appointments:
First Ward—William E Cromly, George Cable, Henry R. Curtis, O. Glen Stackhouse.
Second Ward—Lincoln James, John Pratt, Samuel Bakley, Benj Middleton.
Third Ward—William Selby, Albert Myers, Edward Hartman.
Fourth Ward—Caleb Williams, Richard Golden, William Schregler, Ralph Bond.
Fifth Ward—William Harvey, Harry Mines and Oscar Weaver.
Sixth Ward—Jacob Woodsides, Frank Matlack, Albert Hayden and John Dall.
Seventh Ward—Josiah Sage, Henry Peters, Charles Lederman, Wm. Butts.
Eighth Ward—Alexander Alcorn, Chas. Leightenberg, Ferdinand Laird
There was no appointments made for the Ninth ward.
Mayor Will Be Chief
Camden Post —
Dodd’s Successor Not Yet Appointed—The New Patrolmen.
After the City Council had adjourned Mayor Hatch announced the following appointments to succeed the policemen dismissed:
Thomas Cunningham, Eighth ward, to succeed Alexander Osborne.
Frederick Triplett, Eighth ward, to succeed John Lightenberg.
Milus Appley, Seventh ward, to succeed C. H. Peters.
Harry Miller, Third ward, to succeed John Sailor.
Nelson Hubbs, Seventh ward, to succeed Josiah Sage
Thomas Pooley, Eighth ward, to succeed Thomas Buchanan.
Mayor Hatch stated that he would for the present make no appointment to fill the vacancy occasioned by the removal of Chief of Police Dodd, but that he would assume control of the office personally.
Dodd Will Appeal.
Mayor Hatch this morning officially notified Chief of Police Samuel Dodd of his dismissal. Chief Dodd will appeal to the courts.
Reformers Lop Off Chief Dodd’s Head
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Six Republican Policemen Also Removed and Reformers Take Their Places
ADOPT ANNUAL BUDGET
Slight Reduction in Appropriations—Water Compromise Ratified by Council
Camden City Council last evening fixed the annual appropriations at $516,160, ratified the compromise with Contractor Pfeiffer by which pure water will be turned on to-morrow and dismissed Chief of Police Dodd and six Republican policemen. The appropriations as compared with last year are as follows:
| 1897. | 1898. | |
|---|---|---|
| Police . . . | $60,000 | $68,000 |
| Lighting . . . | 71,000 | 72,000 |
| Salaries . . . | 35,000 | 38,964 |
| Streets . . . | 42,000 | 38,000 |
| Culverts . . . | 12,000 | 12,000 |
| Water . . . | 56,000 | 60,000 |
| Liquidating Indebtedness . . . | 25,000 | 12,500 |
| Excise . . . | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| Dispensaries . . . | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Parks . . . | 1,400 | 4,000 |
| Interest . . . | 115,000 | 105,946 |
| Building Commission . . . | 100 | 50 |
| Fire . . . | 47,000 | 44,000 |
| Property . . . | 8,000 | 6,500 |
| Elections . . . | 8,000 | 6,000 |
| District Court . . . | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Printing . . . | 7,000 | 7,500 |
| Contingent . . . | 6,600 | 3,500 |
| Board of Health . . . | 4,000 | 3,500 |
| Poor . . . | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| G. A. R. . . . | 200 | 200 |
| Park Special Bonds . . . | 3,000 | |
| Sinking Fund . . . | 10,000 | 21,000 |
| Deficiency . . . | 10,000 | |
| Total . . . | $533,700 | $516,160 |
The policemen dismissed and their successors follow: Alexander Osborne, Eighth ward, successor, Thomas Cunningham; John Lightenberg, Eighth ward, successor, Fred W. Triplett; Charles H. Peters, Seventh ward, successor, Milins Appley; John Sailor, Third ward, successor, Harry Miller; Josiah Sage, Seventh ward, successor, Nelson Hubbs; Thomas Buchanan, Eighth ward, successor, Thomas Pooley. Four of the new appointees are said to be Democrats.
An ordinance was introduced to make the following changes in the police force: One chief, salary $1200; two captains, salary $1[?]00 each; two sergeants, salary $900 each; one detective, salary $[?]00; fifty-eight policemen, salary $840 each.
Former City Clerk T. P. Varney was awarded a contract to furnish a safe for the Comptroller’s office for $125.
An ordinance authorizing the Camden and Suburban Railway Company to lay vitrified bricks between their tracks on the streets to be paved with sheet asphalt, was laid on the table pending a decision of the Court of Chancery.
Isaac H. Lovett, who was recently appointed a policeman, resigned as a Constable in the Second ward, and Charles Evans was selected to succeed him.
Chief of Police Dodd, who was dismissed by City Council, had been placed on trial before the Police Committee yesterday afternoon on charges of incompetency and using profane language and his dismissal was based on the report of that committee.
Camden Court Jurors Drawn
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN COURT JURORS DRAWN
Sheriff Sell, in Judge Voorhees’ Presence, Selects Men Who Will Report Next Month
A panel of 120 jurors was drawn yesterday by Judge Voorhees, in Camden, who sat for Armstrong, who is on his vacation. The jurors drawn are principally business men and men of more than average intelligence. The panel is as follows:
John H. Rockhill, Clark J. Hurff, David E. Barry, Spencer Cummons, Frank P. Sullivan, Oliver D. Wood, John J. Campbell, George F. Casselman, William F. Seeb, James T. Saunders, Harry Sutphin, Joseph C. Moore, William Mackintosh Jr., Merritt A. Pike, Benjamin Hair, William H. Dole, Sr., Marlton H. Stow, William Stone, John J. Brady, Samuel C. String, Ernest Wentz, William H. Cole, Oscar C. Welsh, Charles R. Deacon, Edward Glass, Richard Kronenberger, Mahlon Harden, Charles H. Peters, Armor P. Shannon, Robert Bassett, Jr., John Rutland, Christopher Wensch, John Logan, Benjamin Pratt, Edmund Carmany, Edward C. Hampton, Charles H. Lawrence, John Hor, William W. Garrigues, Horace E. Fox, Russell Williams, Walter Davis, William Powell, George W. Burroughs, John H. Irvin, Nathaniel F. Goff, Alexander Wilson, George B. Fithian, William Whitely, Jacob Reichel, Robert W. Harper, Isaiah Amos, Alfred E. Colgan, William H. Lewis, William West, George E. Magill, Henry F. Snyder, Benjamin F. Haines, John Thomas, Jr., Charles Chrispin, Philip Knauff, John Dankleman, John J. Smith, Frederick M. Chamberlain, Emil Mutschler, Wesley Mitchell, John R. Campbell, Edward O’Connor, J. Leighton Westcott, William Lee, Silas Letchford, John E. Hogan, Harry Hover, James W. Fogg, Harry T. Winters, Jr., Henry L. Harrop, Theodore Belding, Henry C. McKee, Samuel Barnett, John McEvoy, Howarth Law, William Sean, Cooper Wiltsey, Joseph M. Ashton, Alexander Weill, Spencer W. Moore, John W. Johnson, William Houck, Robert J. Houckel, R. Cooper Watson, Smith W. Birch, Lewis H. Pelouze, William R. Rogers, James A. Taylor, William Mercer, Lemuel H. Pike, Charles W. Havens, James S. White, William Tatem, M. Churchman Meeteer, Thomas H. Jones, George Moore, George W. Ottinger, William M. Kaighn, John R. Wolf, William Claus, Charles S. Stafford, George Thomas, Charles O. Perry, Lewis Grosscup, Nicholas Williams, William Rushworth, Robert J. Clyde, John F. Snyder, Henry M. Burrough, John H. Supplee, Samuel Ridgway, Charles Poulon, Jr., Joseph B. Evaul and William M. Haney.
The jurors will report the third Tuesday in September.
Camden Court Opens
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Justice Garrison Instructs Grand Jury to Probe Goddard Shooting
There was a slim attendance at the opening of the April term of the Camden County Courts yesterday. Supreme Court Justice Garrison presided at the swearing in of the following grand jury: Dr. John B. Davis, Second ward, foreman; J. L. Anderson, Clementon; William H. Carter, Fifth ward; Alexander M. Colton, Haddonfield; James Cain, Winslow; Harry L. Foulke, Sixth ward; H. A. Goodman, Ninth ward; Howard T. Hinchman, Tenth ward; Thomas S. Garwood, Merchantville; James Haney, Ellsburg; Robert H. Hamilton, Voorhees; Robert B. Knight, Merchantville; Howard Lee, Fourth ward; Robert Lee, Twelfth ward; Edward H. Lafferty, Gloucester City; Cyrus D. Marter, First ward; W. W. Mines, Fifth ward; Edward Mills, Eighth ward; Charles H. Peters, Seventh ward; George J. Schneider, Seventh ward; William D. Wilson, Third ward; Edwin L. Wilcox, Gloucester township; Charles F. West, Gloucester City.
In his brief charge to the jury Judge Garrison called attention to the shooting of Pugilist Joseph Goddard by Constable Robert Washington. He said that if the testimony satisfied the jury that the shooting was not done in self-defense an indictment of murder should be found.
Don’t Mind Arrest If They Get an Auto Ride
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CONSTABLE CHARLES HENRY PETERS
Who scoops up prisoners in Camden in an automobile, and what is more, they appear to like it.
—Photo by Charles Sullivan, Camden.
Prospective prisoners, those for whom warrants have been issued in Camden, seek Constable Charles Henry Peters to arrest them. They know they will go to prison in an up-to-date style, for Constable Peters uses an automobile exclusively. In fact, he has the distinction, as far as is known, of being the only official of his class who does business in this twentieth century manner.
In the southern section of the city, where there are half a dozen constables, all business has been turned over to him. Many persons accused of petty offenses do not attempt to elude arrest when they know they are to get an automobile ride.
Camden News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Constable Charles H. Peters was forced to draw his revolver yesterday when he was surrounded by a crowd of angry Italians at Third and Pine streets. Peters bears the unique distinction of making arrests in his automobile, and with his machine he entered Camden’s Italian colony to take in custody Frank Conola, of 231 Pine street, on a charge of beating Sarah Magnan, 8 years old. When the officer’s object became known Conola’s friends surrounded the machine and attempted to drag Constable Peters out. When he presented the revolver the Italians fled. Conola was arrested and held in $800 bail by Justice Wright.
Deaths in the Home of Murderers’ Guard
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Son and Mother-in-Law of Constable Charles Peters Expired in Camden Within a Week
Death has visited the home of Constable Charles H. Peters, 816 Chestnut street, Camden, twice within the present week. On Sunday his son, Harry Peters, died from the effects of exposure resulting from his experience while a soldier in the Philippines. Yesterday Mrs. Mary Sage, a nonogenarian and the mother-in-law of Constable Peters, passed away. While she had been ailing, her death was hastened by that of her grandson, of whom she was very fond.
A peculiar feature in connection with the deaths is that Constable Peters is one of the death watches assigned by Sheriff Somers to look after Charles Gibson and Stephen Dorsey, the negroes who are awaiting electrocution for the murder of Mrs. Frances Horner.
Not Afraid to Die
Bridgeton Evening News —
Named: Charles Gibson, Mrs. Frances Horner, Henry S. Scovel, Charles G. Garrison, and Charles H. Peters.
Scores Wife Deserters
Philadelphia Inquirer —
“Wife deserters shall receive no sympathy from this office, and if need be I will send a thousand miles to get them,” said Prosecutor Harry Scovel in Camden yesterday.
In carrying out this determination he sent Constable Charles Peters to Greensburg, Pa., over three hundred miles away, to get Howard Mensch, who had deserted his wife and three children. The man was brought back yesterday for trial.
Funeral of Constable Charles H. Peters
Philadelphia Inquirer —
There were many persons in attendance at the funeral of Constable Charles H. Peters, which took place yesterday at his home at 816 Chestnut street. Delegations were present from Sioux Tribe of Red Men, Pottowottomie Degree Council, Liberty Park Beneficial Society, the Mutual Association and the Seventh Ward Republican Club. The services were in charge of Rev. Daniel F. Clair, pastor of the Eighth Street M. E. Church, and interment was made in the Harleigh Cemetery.
Josiah Sage
Camden Courier-Post —
Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Monday at the home of Mrs. Hannah Peters, 816 Chestnut street, for her brother, Josiah Sage, 64, for 31 years a Camden fireman, who died early yesterday. Sage, who resided at 1310 Rose street, is also survived by four sons. For the past two years he had been engineer with Engine Company No. 5, Twenty-seventh and Federal streets. During his long career as a fireman he was hurt several times.
Sage Death Notice
Camden Courier-Post —
SAGE—On May 7, 1931, Josiah Sage, age 64 years.
Relatives and friends, also members of Camden Fire Dept., are invited to attend the funeral services on Monday, at 2 o’clock, at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Hannah Peters, 816 Chestnut St., Camden, N. J. Interment at Arlington Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday evening.