Introduction
Clarence H. Thorn was born in Burlington, New Jersey on March 31, 1886 to Amos Alva Thorn and his wife, the former Sarah “Dolly” Sanderson. The family moved to Camden during the 1900s. The 1910 Census shows the Thorn family, which included sister Mettis and brother Alva C. Thorn, at 451 Henry Street in South Camden. Both Clarence and his father were employed as sash makers in one of the several lumber mills in Camden. In 1912 he married Anna Kleinheinz, who was related to South Camden political leader George Kleinheinz. Her father, Charles, had a grocery at 910 Spruce Street. Two children came of this marriage, William E. Thorn in 1913 and Anna M. Thorn in 1914. On April 17, 1917 Clarence Thorn was appointed to the Camden police department. The 1920 Census shows the family living at 326 Royden Street. Sadly, Clarence and Anna Thorn divorced during the 1920s.
Clarence Thorn served as a motorcycle and mounted policeman during his tenure with the Camden Police Department. On January 24, 1930 Clarence Thorn was promoted to Sergeant. When the Census was taken in April of 1930 he was living with his parents at 2623 Cramer Street. Unfortunately, injury and illness took its toll, and he was forced to retire on pension at the end of 1932. Clarence Thorn died on March 28, 1934. His ex-wife died a few weeks later, on May 20, 1934.
Third Ward Club Holds Fine Ball
Camden Post-Telegram —
Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Way Lead the Grand March of Republican Club
Latest Dances on Program
Despite the stormy weather Turner Hall was crowded last night, when the Third Ward Republican Club held its first annual dress ball. The affair was a complete success and the grand march was one of the prettiest ever held in the Verein auditorium.
It was after 10 o’clock when the grand march took place. It was led by Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Way. The second couple were Councilman and Mrs. A. Benjamin Sparks. Following them were Councilman and Mrs. William H. Hall and Freeholder and Mrs. John T. Rodan. The marchers formed the figure “three” and the letter “W.” The march concluded with the couples sixteen to each file.
The hall was handsomely decorated in the national and municipal colors. There were thirty-one numbers to the program. Rushton’s orchestra furnished an excellent program. Among the numbers were the fox trot, one-step, caprice, two-step, hesitation, waltz, lancers and redowa.
The grand conductor was J. Edward Way and Councilman Sparks was assistant grand conductor. The members of the various committees to whose efforts the success of the ball was due were as follows:
Floor—Wm. H. Hall, Harry Hertline, Walter J. Stanton, John T. Rodan, Jesse Hillman, Lemuel J. Toy.
Door—Jesse Smith, chairman; Robert Whitley, Morris Steelman, Wm. Elberson, Samuel S. Bacon; officers, Albert Keaser, Harry Miller, Frank Smith.
Reception—John S. Roberts, chairman; William M. Fithian, W. J. A. Stanton, Julius R. Schaaf, George Cox, Edward Delacroix, Robert J. Garrison, Horace Hewlings, Frank Knitter, Sr., George Murray, Harry Selby, Harry C. Sharp, Robert Schroeder, James Vickers, Edwin D. Steen, William Horay, Clarence H. Thorn, Joseph H. Thorn, Joseph Croasdale, Wright Cox, Frank S. Fithian, George F. Hammond, Howard T. Harris, Frank Knitter, Jr., Albert J. Meyer, Harry Stowe, William Selby, Harry Vliet, H. P. Toy; printing and press committee, Wesley J. Stanton, Jesse Hillman.
Refreshments—Walter Madden, chairman; Moore B. Garrison, C. L. Wendell, William H. Dill, Charles Errickson, George Bowman, Edwin Fields, William Hartman, Ephraim Husted, Frank S. Ireton, Thomas Madden, Harrry [sic] Pearce, Charles Smith, John Reid B. Borowskey, Charles Weaver, James Monohan, C. S. Woodward, George Madura, C. Allen Lloyd, Edward Livermore, William G. Finley, Henry Gercke, Benjamin C. Horan, Augustus Jans, Clarence Madden, James J. McDermott, George Schu, John McCarry, Edward Carey, James Millman, Thomas Dickinson, M. J. Riley, James Tivers.
The officers of the club are are [sic] as follows: President, A. B. Sparks; vice president, Wm. M. Fithian; second vice president, Elwin D. Steen; recording secretary, W. J. A. Stanton; financial secretary, John T. Rodan; treasurer, John S. Roberts; trustees, Julius R. Schaaf, Morris Steelman, Clarence [?]. Thorn.
Take Sergeant Examination
Camden Post-Telegram —
District Detective Raymond H. Stark, Acting Sergeant John Potter and Mounted Officer Clarence Thorne, of the Third District, were among those who took the examination for appointment as sergeant for the district to fill a vacancy which exists there.
Lewis Brill, of the Eleventh ward, had also been summoned, but he with two others were not given the examination, but told to report on Tuesday of next week.
Acting Sergeant Boettcher was also slated to take the examination, but for some reason his name was dropped from the list and was not called.
Mounted Officer Joseph Shreve, whose name has been mentioned for the appointment, also was not summoned to take the examination.
The candidates who did appear are all now on the anxious bench awaiting the decision.
5 New Lieutenants Appointed by Rhone Await Assignments
Camden Courier-Post —
Two More Patrolmen to be Promoted Under New Ordinance
ONE MADE SERGEANT
Pending official designation of their new posts, five members of the Camden police department who were appointed lieutenants yesterday and a sixth, who was named sergeant, continued in their former capacity when they went on duty today.
Director of Public Safety David S Rhone, who announced the promotions and swore in the officers late yesterday, stated this morning that he has not yet determined where he will station them. That will be done within a few days, the commissioner averred.
Two more lieutenants remain to be appointed apropos of a recent city ordinance which stipulated that the new stations will not be designated until all seven lieutenants are named. One will be placed in charge of each of the four police districts, and one each in the traffic and motorcycle squads, and one at headquarters.
Those who were elevated to lieutenancy are:
Sergeant George W. Frost, 956 Pine street; Sergeant Walter T. Welch, 518 Benson street; Acting Lieutenant Ralph W. Bakley, 602 Clinton street; Sergeant Charles Laib, 76 South Twenty-fourth street, who has been acting captain, and Acting Lieutenant George Ward, 1437 Kaighn avenue.
Patrolman Clarence Thorn was also sworn in as sergeant of the mounted squad of the department. He succeeds Welch.
The lieutenancies pay an annual salary of $2500, and one year from this date, each of the lieutenants will be eligible to take Civil Service examination for elevation to a captaincy, which carries a yearly stipend of $3200.
The five who were made lieutenants were among ten members of the department who recently took the Civil Service examinations for lieutenancy. Welsh [sic] and Laib were among the three having the highest ranking in the tests, being second and third respectively. Under Civil Service rules, the director had to select at least one of the three first in ranking in the examination, but he could select any other six.
The ten who took the examination and their grades as unofficially announced in Trenton follow:
Sergeant John T. Potter, 298 Burwood avenue, 89.64; Sergeant Walter T. Welch, 518 Benson street, 87.75; Sergeant Charles Laib, 76 South Twenty-fourth street; Acting Lieutenant Bakley, 602 Clinton street, 87.11; Sergeant George W. Frost, 956 Pine street, 86.31; Acting Lieutenant Ward, 1437 Kaighn avenue, 85.83; Sergeant Herbert Anderson, 496 Newton avenue, 84.79; Sergeant Samuel E. Johnson, 526 North Front street, 84.71; Sergeant Harry G. Newton, 118 North Twenty-fifth street, 83.18, and Acting Lieutenant Cunningham, 1114 Kaighn avenue, 81.78.
Promoted for Merit on Force
Camden Courier-Post —
[Names printed at the foot of the left-hand block:] WALTER T. WELCH
CHARLES LAIB
RALPH W. BAKLEY
[Names printed at the foot of the right-hand block:] GEORGE W. FROST
GEORGE WARD
CLARENCE THORN
Dickinson Confers With Lieutenants
Camden Evening Courier —
New Police Deputy Denies ‘Laying Down Law’ to Aides; Shakeup Unlikely
Major Charles V. Dickinson, newly appointed deputy director of public safety, today held a two-hour conference with heads of the city police department.
The meeting between the new police ruler and the commanders of the four districts, the traffic bureau and the mounted squad, was held in the offices of Police Chief Lewis H. Stehr, who is confined to Cooper Hospital.
Although it was rumored about police headquarters prior to the meeting that the “law was to be laid down,” Major Dickinson stated afterward that nothing unusual had taken place.
“I called the men together,” he declared, “so that I could become better acquainted with them and learn the various manipulations of the districts of which they have charge.”
The major in answer to questions by reporters said that no changes had been made in the personnel of the department.
Those attending the conference were Inspector of Traffic Charles T. Humes; Lieutenants Charles Laib, of the traffic bureau; George Ward, of the First District; Ralph Bakley, of the Second; Walter Welch, of the Third, and George Frost, of the Fourth, and Sergeant Clarence Thorn, of the mounted squad.
Military System Adopted for Cops
Camden Evening Courier —
Dickinson Makes District Heads Responsible for Men; Vice Squad Disbanded
Following closely upon the heels of disbanding the special vice squad, Major C. V. Dickinson, deputy director of public safety, today announced that the commander of each of the four police districts will be responsible for the conduct of the men under him.
The same system of burden of responsibility existing in military services will be in effect in the Camden police department, the major averred. Each patrolman will be responsible to his sergeant, each sergeant to his lieutenant and the lieutenants to the deputy director.
Major Dickinson, Camden’s new “police czar,” also reiterated that he is demanding strict adherence to the police regulations and rules. One rule requires that no member of the police department, whether he is in uniform or plainclothes, on duty or off, may enter a soft-drink parlor or other drinking resorts “except in the strict commission of duty.” He has also informed the police heads to instruct their men to faithfully observe all other rules, including those requiring salutes to superior officers and those regulating neat appearance.
Major Dickinson completely abolished the special vice squad last night, reassigning the remaining five members to other units in the department.
Three of the squad were assigned to special duty and will work directly under Major Dickinson. They will be stationed in his offices at city hall and will take orders from him alone.
They are Detectives Theodore Guthrie, former head of the squad; James Paradise and Clarence Bunker. Guthrie and Paradise both live in the Sixth ward, the home bailliwick of Major Dickinson, while Bunker lives in the Thirteenth ward, within a few blocks of the residence of Dr. Rhone.
Of the two remaining members, Howard Smith is assigned to detective headquarters and Clarence Arthur was ordered to report to the Fourth Police District today in uniform. Smith, a resident of the Second ward, will take up his new position at 4 p. m. today. Arthur was appointed to the police department from the Third ward.
Other Changes Made
Two other changes in the department were announced yesterday by Major Dickinson. Henry Lutz, a patrolman in the Second district, was appointed a member of the mounted squad under Sergt. Clarence Thorn. John Kowal, who was an acting district detective in the Fourth district, was shifted to police headquarters as a member of the bandit chaser crew stationed there.
The vice squad was formed by Police Chief Lewis H. Stehr on May 26 after a series of holdups had been perpetrated. The squad originally consisted of nine men, but gradually became smaller as the members were reassigned to the various districts.
An order was sent to all district commanders compelling members of the department on patrol duty to remain in their district until relieved. In order that this may be carried out all policemen must report at their various station houses 15 minutes earlier than previously. Instead of each shift leaving the station houses on the hour they will leave ten minutes sooner thus reaching their districts before the man they are relieving has reported off for the day.
Police rules and regulation books have been issued to all men and they will be expected to “learn the contents by heart,” according to Major Dickinson.
New Cafe Applications
Dr. Rhone, director of Public Safety, announced yesterday that new application forms for 1931 soft drink permits will be made. A drastic change will be made in the forms.
They will delve extensively into the personal character and integrity of the applicant. He will be asked if he is naturalized, and if so when he obtained his final papers. He must tell if he has ever been arrested and the disposition made of his case. He will be asked if any place of a like nature operated by him has ever been raided or padlocked.
If the applicant can satisfactorily answer all questions on the form and his permit granted a $100 fee is charged. The permits will probably be granted the latter part of January, Director Rhone said. He will endeavor to keep the number below 100.
Camden Will Honor Chief Stehr Today
Camden Morning Post —
Thousands Expected to Line Streets on Route of Funeral Procession This Afternoon
Camden will honor the memory of Chief of Police Lewis H. Stehr.
The funeral cortege of Chief Stehr, who died in Cooper Hospital on Wednesday following a heart attack, will leave Schroeder’s Chapel, Broadway and Royden street, shortly after 2 o’clock.
Headed by members of the police mounted squad the procession will move south on Broadway to Kaighn avenue, east to Haddon avenue to Harleigh Cemetery.
Thousands of persons are expected to line the streets along the route to pay a last tribute to “the chief.”
Other thousands formed a steady stream of humanity last night past the bier of the police head as he lay in state at the chapel. Hundreds of floral tributes were banked about the body, while other flowers were stored in two adjoining rooms.
The entire enrollment of the Camden police department marched past the body of their “chief” shortly after 8 o’clock. Dr. David S. Rhone, director of public safety, and Charles V. H. Dickinson, deputy director, headed the policemen.
One of the most beautiful of the floral pieces was from the Policemen’s Beneficial Association. It was in the form of a police badge and consisted of pink and white roses. The word “Chief” was formed, at the centre of the badge, with white roses.
Other floral designs were from each of the four police districts, the traffic squad and the detective bureau. The commissioners also sent a large floral tribute.
Members of the mounted squad formed a guard of honor around the coffin during the night. This same squad, under Sergeant Clarence Thorn, will act as an honorary escort during the funeral.
Final services for Chief Stehr will be held at the Harleigh Mausoleum Chapel, with Rev. Edward Weeks, pastor of Union M. E. Church, Fifth and Mt. Vernon streets, officiating.
Burial will be in the family plot.
12 Firemen, 4 Policemen Apply for City Pensions
Camden Courier-Post —
HEAVY PAY CUT FEAR CAUSE OF RUSH TO RETIRE
Inspector Humes Highest Officer on List; Three Captains Are Included
PROTECTIVE FORCES LOSE THEIR OLDEST VETERANS
Sixteen Vacant Places Will Be Filled Without New Appointments
Four policemen and 12 city firemen yesterday applied for pensions effective at midnight tonight. In the interests of economy, no successors will be named by the city commission.
Sudden decision of the applicants was inspired by the fact that city employes may be given a 30 percent reduction in pay equal to that of county employes. Police and firemen accepted a 10 percent reduction this year. If given an additional 20 percent their salaries would be on a pre-war basis.
They also face a possibility of further reductions in pensions if existing mandatory legislation is repealed by the Legislature, which fixes salaries of police and firemen according to the class of cities and towns. By applying now they will receive pensions on basic 1931 salaries.
The big surprise was announcement that Inspector Charles T. Humes, in charge of personnel of the police department, had applied for a pension. Inspector Humes receives a salary of $3000 yearly. By applying at this time he is eligible to a pension of one-half that amount. The $1500 yearly would be within a few hundred dollars of what he would receive if he remained on the force and accepted a 30 percent reduction in salary.
Consider Requests Today
Other policemen to ask for pensions are Sergeants Albert York and Clarence Thorn and Detective David Hunt.
Three fire captains applying for pensions are James R. White, Harry Haines and William H. Miller, Jr.
The applications were filed with Mrs. Louise F. Walsh, secretary of the Police and Firemen’s Pension Fund. The pension fund commission will act on the applications today.
Inspector Humes’ retirement comes at the conclusion of a quarter century of service in the police department. He was appointed as a patrolman on Jan. 1, 1908, and six years later, on Jan. 1, 1914, was elevated to a sergeancy. He was promoted to captaincy on July 1, 1918. Then, by act of the city commission, he was made an inspector on June 23, 1927.
Recognized as Authority
While a captain, he was in command of the First District and later of the Third. As an inspector, he was head of the traffic bureau for several years. He was a nationally recognized authority on traffic problems, having been requested for advice by various automobile clubs and traffic commissions. He played a leading role in a traffic convention at Chicago and once was called in by the federal traffic commission at Washington for advice. At the present time, he is in charge of the personnel of the entire city police department.
Inspector Humes is 56 and resides at 4115 Myrtle avenue, Pennsauken. He stated that he has no plans for the immediate future, but will find “something to do” after he has taken complete rest.
“Naturally I feel a little badly about leaving the force,” he commented. “I feel that I have spent the better years of my life in the department. I have always had the ambition to become chief of police. Of course, I am a little disappointed that this ambition has not been realized. But I am glad that I have been able to serve the department and the citizens as faithfully as I have.
“I am proud, too, of my record as a loyal Republican. I have always been loyal to the party and always will be.”
Appointed by Ellis
Inspector Humes was appointed to the department by Postmaster Charles H. Ellis during his term as mayor. Humes will receive a pension of $133.83 a month.
Sergeant Clarence H. Thorn is taking the pension because of disability. He was ill and away from his duties from April until November of this year, after suffering severe injuries while a member of the traffic motorcycle squad. Later he was injured again while working in the mounted squad, of which he was in charge.
He is 46, lives at 23 Cooper avenue, Erlton, and has been a member of the department since April 17, 1917. His pension will be $92.50 monthly.
“Dave” Hunt is one of the most widely known detectives in the department. He has been connected with the automobile division for several years and has helped in the recovery of hundreds of stolen cars.
Detective Hunt and the late Capt. of Detectives William G. Schregler captured Wilson Ahsbridge [sic], jailbreaker and murderer, 15 years ago in the Keystone Hotel, Chester, Pa. Ashbridge escaped from jail here after he and William E. Thompson, forger, killed a keeper and wounded another.
Helped Capture Slayer
Ashbridge and his wife, who was an accessory to the jailbreak, were captured in the dining room of the hotel the following day while they sat at a dinner table. The detectives approached from behind Ashbridge. One pinned his arms around him while the other removed two loaded revolvers and several cartridges from his pockets.
Hunt also figured in the “kidnaping” of Charles Powell, who confessed to the murder of “Honest” John Brunen, circus showman. State Trooper Herman Bading and Hunt watched the apartment house in which Powell and his wife lived at Cooper and Point streets. After learning Powell’s habits, they set a trap, with County Detective Clifford Cain and State Senator Clifford R. Powell joining them.
Powell was seized as he approached his home and whisked away to Mt. Holly in an automobile. Mrs. Powell raised a cry of “kidnaping” but Powell was placed in “cold storage” in the Burlington county jail until he confessed.
He is 51, lives at 331 Walnut street and was appointed to the police force in November, 1909. He will receive $90.65.
York Has Fine Record
Sergeant York, 57, is a veteran of 24 years. He was appointed to the department November 15, 1909, by then Mayor Ellis. During most of these years Sergeant York has been assigned to the First police district.
He was acting-captain of the district for a short period several years ago and has created an excellent record while a member of the department. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant September 29, 1923. He lives at 641 Elm street and will receive a monthly pension of $90.65.
Captain Haines has been connected with Engine Company No. 7 for many years. He is 66 and lives at 1244 Mechanic street. He was appointed to the department in April, 1896, and will be retired on a pension of $100 a month.
Firemen Seek Pension
Besides Captain White and Miller, other firemen who seek the pension include James E. Navin, 67, of 527 Mickle street; George W. Hollins, 64, of 51 North Twenty-fifth street; Richard S. Marter, 60, of 463 Mechanic street; Arthur A. Wingate, 64, of 542 South Seventh street; Joseph T. Earnest, 63, of 612 Pine street; Samuel E. Harring, 64, of 613 North Second street, and Daniel Grimes, 111 North Twenty-fifth street, engineer of Engine Company, No. 5.
The city’s two oldest firemen go on pension. They are Engineer Andrew Miller, Engine Company, No. 1, Fourth and Pine streets, and Stewart Bakley, Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, Fifth and Arch streets.
Miller is 73 and has served 48 years in the department. Bakley is 68 and would be 45 years in the department if he had stayed until Jan. 4. Bakley served as a ladderman while Miller put all of his time as a hoseman, stoker and engineer at the Fourth and Pine streets house.
Engineer Miller lives at 1345 Princess avenue and Bakley at 410 Camden avenue.
White, 67, lives at 36 Terrace avenue, while Captain Miller, 62, resides at 2831 North Constitution road.
Captain White has been in charge of Engine Company No. 4, Vine street, near Fourth, for a number of years. He has been a member of the fire department for 27 years, receiving his appointment in June, 1905, and has compiled a splendid record while a member of the bureau. He will receive a pension of $100 monthly.
Others Who Retire
Junior Captain Miller was appointed to the fire department in December, 1904, 28 years ago. He is now connected with Engine Company No. 10 at Ninth street and Morgan avenue. He will receive a monthly pension of $93.10.
Harring was appointed in 1908 and is connected with No. 4 Company at the present time. Hollins, for 25 years a fireman, is stationed with Headquarters Company, Fifth and Arch streets. Both will receive monthly pensions of $83.33.
Marter and Navin are members of No. 8 Engine Company, 617 Kaighn avenue. Navin is an engineer, appointed to the department in December, 1899, who will receive a pension of $90.65 a month. Marter was appointed in March, 1906. He will get $83.33.
Wingate was made a fireman in February, 1906, and at present is an engineer with Engine Company No. 3, 1813 Broadway. He will be given a pension of $90.65.
Bakley and Earnest will receive pensions of $83.30. Bakley, appointed in December, 1887, is attached to headquarters company while Earnest is a member of Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, at Kaighn avenue. He was appointed in January, 1905.
Pensions Awarded 6 Cops, 17 Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
Inspector Humes Refuses to Withdraw Application in Spite of Requests
Pensions for six policemen and 17 firemen took effect with the dawn of the New Year yesterday.
Proposed Salary reductions from five to 30 percent prompted the wholesale requests for pensions which were approved Saturday at noon by the Police and Firemen’s Pension Commission, of which Mayor Roy R. Stewart is chairman.
The proceedings were delayed one hour while efforts were being made by political leaders and friends to have Inspector Charles T. Humes reconsider his application. But he refused to withdraw his application and it was approved.
Two sergeants, a city detective and four captains of the fire department were included in the list of applicants.
Sergeants Albert York and Clarence Thorn, Detective David Hunt and Fire Captains Harry Haines, John Lutts, James R. White and William H. Miller, Jr., were included among the pensioners.
Major W. Greenwood and Adrian Bateman, two patrolmen, completed the list from the police department, while the others receiving pension awards who are member [sic] of the fire department were:
Elmer Burkett, 66; Robert M. Coffman, 57; Howard E. Currie, 52; James E. Navin, 67; George W. Hollins, 64; Richard S. Marter, 60; Arthur A. Wingate, 64; Joseph T. Earnest, 63; Samuel E. Harring, 64; Andrew Miller, 73; Stewart Bakley, William K. Buzine, 63, and Daniel Grimes.
The application of Marter’s was passed, but an improviso [sic] was made by the commission which gave him the opportunity of recalling his decision but he failed to take advantage of it.
It was explained that the city commission’s resolution passed at noon, providing that members of the police and fire departments could continue in their employment under the 1933 wage scale, but that their pensions would not be affected by the cut and they could retire under the 1931 basic pay, might cause Marter to want to rescind his action.
Mayor Stewart and Commissioner Bennett, both members of the commission, said they regretted so many “young men” were asking to be pensioned at this time.
Greenwood, 54, was appointed to the police department 21 years ago and during nearly all of this time has been attached to the First district. He lives in the First ward, at 220 York street, and will receive a pension of $83.30 monthly.
Buzine is a veteran of nearly 28 years’ service. He is 63, lives at 856 Haddon avenue and will be pensioned at $90.65. He was classed as an engineer in the fire department.
The applications of Captain John Lutts, of Engine Company No. 6, Front and Linden streets, and Elmer Burkett, engineer of the No. 4 Company, were filed shortly before noon.
Captain Lutts, 62, lives at 456 Royden street, and will receive a pension of $100 monthly. He was appointed 33 years ago.
Burkett, 66, lives at 330 North Ninth street. He was appointed to the fire department in 1907 and spent a great portion of his service at the fire station at Front and Linden streets, recently being transferred to the Vine street house. He will be pensioned at $90.65 monthly.
Sergeant Clarence Thorn Dies
Camden Courier-Post —
Obituary for Sergeant Clarence Thorn. David S. Rhone, John Golden