Introduction
CLARENCE B. PHIFER was born in New Jersey on October 24, 1900 to Charles S. and Sarah Phifer. The family was living at 329 Chestnut Street when the 1900 census was taken. The family moved to Haddon Township not long afterwards and did not come back to Camden until after the outbreak of World War I. The 1920 Census shows him working as a printers apprentice, and living with his parents, older brother Wallace Phifer, older sister Emma Phifer, and nephew Clayton Phifer at 1221 Atlantic Avenue in Camden. His father and brother were working as carpenters in one of Camden’s shipyards. By the time the 1921 City Directory was compiled the family had moved to 1217 Atlantic Avenue.
Clarence Phifer was an excellent baseball player, starring locally in Camden’s busy semi-pro baseball scene and playing for a time professionally in the minor leagues. In 1922 he played for the Newport News Shipbuilders in the Virginia League. He had a tryout in 1923 with the Richmond Colts of the same league but was released on April 11, 1923.
When not playing baseball in the early 1920s, Clarence Phifer worked as a printer. Brother Wallace Phifer was appointed to the Camden Fire Department shortly after the January 1920 Federal Census. Clarence Phifer was appointed to the Camden Police Department around the same time. The first listing in City Directories for Clarence Phifer as a police officer is in the 1924 Directory. It is likely that his appointment came shortly after his return to Camden from Richmond, Virginia.
The 1924 and 1927 City Directories show both brothers in the City of Camden’s employ, and both living at 1217 Atlantic Avenue. Wallace Phifer married Edith Peters in 1922. By 1926 Clarence Phifer had married. The City Directory for that year shows him and wife Anna at 1085 Morton Street. By 1928 they had moved back to 1217 Atlantic Avenue.
The 1943 City Directory shows Clarence Phifer no longer working as a policeman. He was, however, still involved in the criminal justice system. He was then employed as a clerk in the Camden Police Court.
The Phifers moved to 1254 Princess Avenue at some point after 1931 and remained there as late as 1947. Both Clarence Phifer and his brother Wallace Phifer had moved to Haddon Heights, New Jersey by the fall of 1959, where they lived out their days. Clarence Phifer died on April 29, 1967. Wallace Phifer passed away on November 24, 1968, survived by his wife, sons Clifford Phifer and Donald Phifer, and a daughter, Mary Phifer LaTorre.
Cops and Firemen in First Practice
Camden Courier —
Bluecoats and Ladder Climbers Get Ready for Field Day
MR. YOUNGER IN CHARGE
Firefighters Have Large Team of Athletes
Charles Younger, physical director of the Camden Y. M. C. A. and in charge of the candidates for the police and firemen teams which will compete in the first annual police and fire field day on September 19 at Forest Hill Park, sent his proteges through their stiffest workout of the season yesterday morning with several of the committee in attendance.
Plans were arranged between Younger and Captain Stehr, of the First district, to build a temporary track around the local high school’s gridiron. Meanwhile both the police and fire candidates will do their stuff under the watchful eye of Professor Younger on the the Forest Hill track, outside of the enclosed athletic field.
In a confab over the arrangement of the cinder track, Stehr suggested that a 100 and 220-yard straightaway be constructed on the west side of the field.
Joe Connell, of the Highway Department, also gave the field a once-over, as did Captains Golden and Humes. After the members of the committee had inspected the grounds, they witnessed the candidates going through the paces.
Archie Riess, who is in full charge of the “cops,” declared that but nineteen men would be candidates for his team, while Walter A. Merts [sic], of Engine Company No. 1, acting as manager of the ladder-climbers, counted up twenty-nine candidates on his list. These men will compete next Tuesday, the first three in each event to qualify for field day. The events will be run off separately, that is, the “cops” in one division and the firemen in the other. The bluecoats who will compete this Tuesday are as follows: Everett Joslin, Joseph McDonald, Vernon Jones, Frank Nelson, Bill Rogers, Harold Dunnit, John Bright, Edyard Callahan, Walter Larson, Gus Pfliderer, Clarence Phifer, Thomas Welch, Stanley Wirts, Charles Naylor, George Rothwell, Richard Donnelly, Lester Gleason and Joe Keefe.
The firemen who will also attempt to qualify on Tuesday include Fred Schucker, Harry Wagner, Chris Moll, Harry Layton, Edgar Ellender, August Havercamp, Frank Huda, Harry Kleinfelder, William Foehle, Tom Shanahan, Harrison Pike, William Rudd, Lester Anderson, William Wood, George Townsend, Allen Palmer, William Swartz, Nelson Fill, William Mourtvey, John Strauss, Frank Oberman, Edward Menzies, John Mulligan, Frank Kates, Clifford Hare, Nelson Andrews and Harry Leigh. From the present outlook the “Cops” seem to be coming out second best. The firemen are confident of finishing once more in front of the bluecoats, they having beaten Stehr’s cohorts at the last Armory meet.
The tug-of- team of eight men will also be selected by the firemens’ leader. Mertz will choose his varsity from Layton, Smith, Lennox, Walker, Pike, Palmer, Moll, Greenan, Laird, Mulligan, Haver, Merigan and Camp.
The Camden Motorcycle Club may stage a free exhibition of a motorcycle polo game during the meet. Stehr favors this performance, as but forty minutes of actual time is taken up. The local club is willing to donate their services free of charge. Nelson Hubbs, local manager, has dates at the Trenton, Egg Harbor, Allentown and Bridgeton fairs, while his teams have already performed in many eastern states. The “Camden Blue Devils,” as they are known, will furnish more thrills in the forty minutes than sport lovers have ever seen in this locality, according to Hubbs. If they are on the bill at the games, they will also give an exhibition of trick and expert riding stunts. Those on his teams, there being four on each, are well known in riding circles, some of the best hill climbers and polo players being included in the personnel of the teams are as follows:
Blue Devils No. 1—Joseph Bernurt, captain; Frank De Vivey, Carl Preisandanz, Edward Paul.
Blue Devils No. 2—Charles Ellis, captain; George Gummel, Bennett Arnold, Clayton Alberson.
Athletic Stars Have Their Inning at Police and Fire Field Day
Camden Courier-Post —
—Courier Photo.
More than 1,200 persons witnessed the second annual track and field carnival of the Camden police and firemen, some of the high spots of which were snapped by a Courier photographer.
The top photo in the above layout portrays one of those delightfully comical products of “Diamond Lew” B[?]lley, a battle royal. Below, Ed Menzies, a fireman, is seen winning the 100-yard dash. Menzies is the second from the left. At his left is Clarence Phifer, a policeman, who finished second, while at Menzie’s [sic] right is George Nick[?]rn, another cop, who took third place.
The inset at the upper left is that of Harold Morris, the Vineland High flash, who won the 100-yard dash for high schools. The lower inset shows Barney Berlinger, Mercersburg Academy star, who, competing for Meadowbrook, triumphed in the pole vault.
Frances Huppert, Palmyra girl, supporting the Meadowbrook colors, is the lady on the right. Her work featured the open girls’ events.
Camden Cops Lose to Central Quintet
Camden Courier-Post —
‘Caveman’ Clayton Sparkles in City League Victory; Wayne Boys Win
Central Camden beat the Camden Police quintet to make it two straight in the Municipal basketball circuit at Convention Hall last night. By blanking Clarence Phifer, and holding Ott Laxton down to six points the Central outfit spiked the Coppers’ attack. Clayton and Grover Wearshing did the heavy work for the winners. Clayton held Phifer without a field shot and tallied four times from the field. Wearshing bagged a trio of double-deckers.
Gus Koerner was ejected from the game when Referee Keneman ruled him off the floor for abusive language.
The Wayne dribblers battled down South Camden under a 46–20 score in the other combat. Jimmy Reed and Devlin were the bright stars for the winners.
League Standing
Camden Courier-Post —
W., L., P.C.
Central Camden — 2, 0, 1.000
St. Paul — 1, 0, 1.000
Ninth Ward — 1, 0, 1.000
Camden Police — 2, 1, .666
South Camden — 1, 1, .500
Wayne Club — 1, 1, .500
Haddon A. A. — 1, 1, .500
First Ward — 0, 1, .000
Radio A. A. — 0, 2, .000
Thirteenth Ward — 0, 2, .000
Last Night’s Scores
Central Camden, 31; Camden Police, 21. Wayne A. A., 45; South Camden, 20.
CENTRAL CAMDEN
Fld, Fl, FT, TP
Mezger, rf — 1, 0, 1, 2
Phifer, rf — 0, 1, 3, 1
Wearshing, lf, lg — 3, 2, 3, 8
Clayton, c — 4, 7, 12, 15
Godfrey, rg — 1, 0, 2, 2
Chambers, lg, lf — 1, 1, 3, 3
Totals — 10, 11, 24, 31
CAMDEN POLICE
Fld, Fl, FT, TP
Laxton, lf — 3, 0, 4, 6
Bright, rf — 2, 0, 1, 4
Phifer, c — 0, 2, 4, 2
Bearint, rg — 2, 3, 4, 7
Koerner, lg — 0, 2, 4, 2
Schultz, lg — 0, 0, 0, 0
Totals — 7, 7, 17, 21
Score, first half—Central Camden, 18; Camden Police, 12. Referee—Keneman. Timer—Campbell. Scorer—Campbell and Molloie.
WAYNE A. A.
Fld, Fl, FT, TP
Reed, f — 4, 6, 8, 14
Devlin, f — 4, 4, 9, 12
Housman, c — 1, 0, 1, 2
L. Campbell, g — 2, 5, 6, 9
Lynch, g — 2, 4, 10, 8
Totals — 13, 19, 34, 45
SOUTH CAMDEN
Fld, Fl, FT, TP
Mahney, f — 2, 0, 4, 4
Gardner, f — 1, 0, 1, 2
McLoughlin, c — 1, 0, 2, 2
Costello, g — 1, 1, 4, 3
Devine, g — 3, 3, 6, 9
Krown, g — 0, 0, 0, 0
McKay, g — 0, 0, 0, 0
Totals — 8, 4, 17, 20
Score, first half—Wayne, 23; South Camden, 11. Referee—Keneman. Timer—Campbell. Scorer—Hall.
Funeral for Stehr to Be Held Saturday
Camden Evening Courier —
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.”
Pallbearers Named for Stehr Funeral
Camden Morning Post —
Body Will Lie in State Tonight—Burial Tomorrow Afternoon
Funeral arrangements were completed yesterday for Chief of Police Lewis H. Stehr, who died Wednesday in Cooper Hospital following a heart attack.
The body will lie in state tonight between 7 and 10 p. m. at the Schroeder Chapel, Broadway and Royden streets. The funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Saturday at the chapel. Thousands of friends are expected to view the remains.
Burial will be in Harleigh cemetery.
A police escort and a list of honorary pallbearers was compiled yesterday. All police buildings in the city were draped in black and flags over municipal buildings were at half-mast and will remain so for 30 days.
The active pallbearers will be Lieuts. Ralph Bakely and George Ward, Sergts. George Nowry and Frank Truax, Policemen Thomas Cheeseman and Harry Kyler.
Honorary pallbearers are Lieut. Herbert Anderson, Sergt. 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 members of the mounted squad. A fire truck will convey the flowers to the cemetery.
The police of the city will view the body at 7:30 p. m. tonight at the funeral parlors.
Members of the Sixth Ward Republican Club, of which Chief Stehr was an active member, will assemble at their headquarters at 7 p. m. and march to the funeral parlors. They will be led by John J. Breslin, president of the club.
Rev. Edward Weeks, pastor of the Union M. E. Church, Fifth and Mt. Vernon streets, will conduct the services.
Camden Man Arrested for ‘Crashing’ Party
Camden Courier-Post —
Ejected from a party which he tried to “crash” Saturday night, Edward Stone, 21, of 1024 Federal street, was arrested when he struck at the host.
Policeman Clarence Phifer testified in police court today that he was called by the owner of a house at Louis and Lansdowne avenues after Stone started a fight after he was put out of the party.
Stone admitted he caused a disturbance but said he was intoxicated. Judge Pancoast suspended sentence and told Stone to go to parties only when he was invited.
DEL DUCA IS FREED IN MYSTERY SHOTS
Camden Courier-Post — Evening Courier —
Former Cafe Owner Denies Revolver Was Fired 5 Times From Car
Garfield Del Duca, former owner of the Ringside Inn and the Embassy Cafe on Federal Street near Second was released early today after being questioned regarding shots reported to have been fired from his automobile.
Policemen William Feitz and Clarence Phifer said they heard what they believed to be five gunshots as Del Duca’s car passed Broadway and Walnut Street shortly before 1:00 AM. There were two men in the rear seat, they said.
By the time Feitz and Phifer caught up to Del Duca’s machine in their own car, it was parked at Second and Line Streets. Del Duca was sitting in the front seat. No one was in the rear but the officers said the rear doors were open.
Del Duca was taken to headquarters where he denied any knowledge of firing or even hearing shots. There was no gun in his machine and after questioning Del Duca was freed at 2:15 AM by Detective Sergeant Rox Saponare.
Two women, Katherine Blake, 30, and Margaret Huston, 30, both of 524 Spruce Street, who were walking on Broadway at the time of the alleged shots, also said they heard nothing when questioned at headquarters. They were allowed to go after questioning.
Two men reported seen in front of the Lyric Theatre just before Del Duca’s car passed, disappeared before they could be interrogated by the police, Feitz said.
4 Holdup Suspects Are Denied Bail
Camden Courier-Post —
Three Brothers and Companion Identified by Victim, Detectives Report
Four suspects, three of them brothers, arrested in connection with an alleged holdup and robbery, were held without bail yesterday by Police Judge Lewis Liberman.
They are charged with holding up and robbing James R. Wilson, 25, of 591 Carman street, of $14.57 early Thursday. They pleaded not guilty.
The four, police said, were identified by Wilson Thursday night, after the arrest of Harry Huntley, 24, of 409 Webster street, and Steven Brzozowski, 17, one of the brothers, of 554 Chelton avenue.
Huntley and Brzozowski were arrested by District Detectives Joseph Leonhardt and Clarence Phifer on Chelton avenue near Broadway.
The other two brothers were arrested by Acting Sergeant Nathan Wine and Patrolman Richard Scarduzio on a tip a few hours after Wilson reported the holdup and robbery. They are Bronislaw, 20, and Joseph, 19.
John Brzozowski, 57, father of the brothers, arrested in connection with the case, was given the alternative of paying a $25 fine or spending 30 days in jail, by Judge Liberman.
Detective Clifford Carr said that when he went to the Brzozowski home in connection with the case, the elder Brzozowski reviled him. Brzozowski later appeared at police headquarters and Carr arrested him on a charge of disorderly conduct.
Wilson told police he was in his automobile at Jefferson and Arlington streets when the four stopped him.
Two of them, he said, forced him into the back seat, while two others followed in another car. He said he did not know whether they were armed, but said they held him by the wrists while taking his money.
Twice the machines stopped while the men conferred, Wilson said. Then they drove off Broadway into Bulson street in the direction of the river. Wilson said he escaped when the car he was in slowed down to avoid striking a milk wagon.
C. B. Phifer, Retired City Policeman
Camden Courier-Post —
Clarence B. Phifer, 66, retired Camden City policeman, died suddenly Saturday in his home at 515 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights. He was a former semi-professional baseball player in the Eastern and Atlantic Coast Leagues and played with some Camden County teams.
He is survived by his wife, Anna; two sons, Army Lt. Col. Clifford, stationed in Munich, Germany, and Donald D. of Haddon Heights; a daughter, Mrs. Mary Ann LaTorre of Haddon Heights; a brother, three sisters, 12 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Services will be tomorrow at 10 a.m. in Ascension Lutheran Church, Haddon Heights. Friends will meet at 9 a.m. in the John A. Healey Funeral Home, 9 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights, where they may call tonight. Burial will be private.