Crawford M. Smith
CRAWFORD MILLER SMITH was born in Camden, New Jersey on December 24, 1880, to William Henry Smith and the former Harriet C. Stewart. The Smiths had wed around 1860, and gave their first child, William Henry Smith Jr., on March 20, 1862 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By 1870 four more children had arrived, Carrie, Virginia, Augustus D., and Charles N.; sadly, Carrie had died before her fifth birthday. The family was still living in Philadelphia when the 1870 Census was taken. William Henry Smith was then working as a harbor policeman. In April of 1873 another daughter was born, Sue G. Smith. The family moved to Camden, New Jersey shortly after her arrival. The 1874 City Directory shows the family at 729 Carman Street in Camden. By 1877 the family was living at 726 Federal Street. Son Charles N. Smith died in 1877, another son, Howard M. Smith had been born in 1874 and by the end of 1877, Mrs. Smith had given birth again, to Clarence S. Smith. The Smith family was still residing at 726 Federal Street when the 1880 Census was enumerated in June of that year. Another son, Walter H. Smith, had recently been born. Two more sons would follow, Crawford Smith and Roy A. Smith. Howard, Walter, and Roy would all go on to public service in Camden. The 1882 City Directory shows that the family had moved to 14 south 8th street.
Although the 1880 Census states that William Smith Sr. worked as a clerk, his real occupation was that of a “policy writer,” that is to say, he was engaged in the illegal lottery business, popularly known in our time as “the numbers racket.” Known in and about Camden as “Policy Bill,” he was arrested a number of times during the 1880s and had been given a one-year prison sentence in early 1883, which was reduced in February to a $100 fine and a $1000 bond not to go back into the “policy” business… which he promptly did. The 1882 City Directory shows the Smith family at 14 south 8th street and they stayed there until 1889. “Policy Bill” was arrested again during police raids in January and May of 1886.
On September 9, 1886 William Henry “Policy Bill” Smith Sr. died, leaving Harriet Smith to take care of nine children, five of them under the age of 15. One of the ways she kept the family going was by staying in the family business of “policy,” and she would have a number of encounters with the law through the rest of the decade and the 1890s. Her house was raided in the first part of 1887, and she attempted suicide in June of that year. In November of 1889, the Smiths were living in the unit block of North 10th Street when their home was again raided.
William H. Smith Jr., popularly best known as W. Harry Smith, was already working, and by 1890 second son Augustus D. Smith found work as a blacksmith. W. Harry Smith began involving himself in local politics in Camden’s 9th Ward as a Republican, and over the years this served him and the Smith family well.
By August of 1890 Harriet Smith and family had moved to 741 Carman Street. Except for a brief interruption in the 1890s, the Smith family and their descendants would remain on this block into the 1960s. As best that can be determined as of this writing, Harriet Smith stayed out of trouble until 1895. The 1894 City Directory has Harriet Smith and her family at 758 Federal Street, the 1895 edition has them at 750 Federal Street. The Smiths lived at that address until at least 1899. Daughter Virginia had married William N. Ferrell in 1887 and lived for the most part in Gloucester County until her death in 1924. Daughter Sue had married John Warner Kinsey Jr. on November 26, 1892. They already had a daughter together, Ethel, born on March 21, 1892. The marriage ended in divorce, with Sue Smith Kinsey going back to live with her mother and brothers and retaining custody of her daughter.
In April of 1895 Harriet Smith was indicted by the grand jury in Camden. She was tried and on May 24 sentenced to a year in prison. Although claiming ill-health, she received no support from Camden’s medical community nor the sentencing Judge. Her sentence was commuted on July 16, 1895 by the New Jersey State Board of Pardons, on the grounds that others who had been tried at the same time she was had escaped imprisonment, and to be honest, on the basis of her sex. Her son, Howard M. Smith, had married Helen Goldy Penn the day before. The young couple moved in with Helen’s family at 822 Kimber Street.
Before the month of July 1895 was out, daughter Sue Smith Kinsey was due in front of a judge on “policy” charges. Both Harriet Smith and her daughter were arrested again in September of 1895, and indictments were brought. These charges and those made against others were quashed. Harriet and Sue were arrested again on February 10, 1896. Augustus Smith died in Camden on November 17, 1896 and was buried at Harleigh Cemetery. Sue Smith Kinsey married Harry J. Wagner Sr., on August 23, 1897. They set up house at 747 Carman Street. Harry J. Wagner Sr. was a friend and political ally of W. Harry Smith.
In October of 1898 the Harriet Smith and her sons were under indictment again, and appear to have all moved to Philadelphia to escape prosecution. In 1900 Census Harriet, and her unmarried sons were living at 506 Hope Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Smiths reappear in Camden City Directories in 1903. By this time Crawford Smith had married Lillian R. Storm. Their first child, also named Crawford Smith, was born in 1903. Four more would follow, Belford Edwin, Della, Elsie, and Edward Baker Smith.
The 1904 City Directory shows that Mrs. Smith and her sons had returned to Camden. Living at 609 North 6th Street were Harriet Smith, sons Walter, Roy, Crawford, and Clarence, as Clarence’s wife Mary and granddaughter Harriet F. Smith. Both Crawford Smith and his brother Clarence found work as ironworkers, i.e., steel construction workers employed by the Camden Iron Works. Sadly, Clarence S. Smith was killed when he fell from a 40 foot tall gas tank being erected in Moline, Illinois in 1907. Crawford Smith was still living at 609 North 6th when the 1907 Directory was compiled. He is not listed in the 1908 Directory, but was named in the 1909 edition at 829 Pearl Street. The following year Crawford M. Smith followed his sister Sue back to the 700 block of Carman Street, and with two brief exceptions stayed on that block for the rest of his life. He was living at 748 Carman Street in 1910 but had moved to 729 Carman Street by November of that year, then moved to 833 Carpenter Street by the summer of 1911. Crawford Smith is listed in Directories at 824 Carman Street in 1912, as there was no 800 block of Carman Street, this is an error, Carpenter Street is more likely correct. A February 1913 news article has him at 722 Carman Street. Directories state he lived at 738 Pennsylvania Avenue in 1913, 757 Carman Street in 1914, and at 745 Carman Street in 1915 and 1916. The 1917 City Directory shows Crawford Smith at 29 South 8th Street. By September of 1918 the Smiths were living at 736 Carman Street, where they stayed until 1929. The 1930 Census and 1931 City Directories indicate the Smiths were residing at 724 Carman Street. By 1933 Crawford and Lillian Smith had moved to 702 Carman Street, where they remained for the rest of their days.
Besides working as an iron worker, Crawford Smith also at times worked as a boilermaker and as a riveter, as guard for the Camden County park system, and as a foreman at the Campbell Soup factory. He also in the 1920s and early 1930s was heavily involved with the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, and in the 1930s got into serious trouble for his involvement in what had been the “family business,” i.e., the numbers racket.
Crawford Smith attracted the attention of local newspapers several times between his return to Camden in the early 1900s and his death in 1941 for reasons other than his activities with the Ku Klux Klan and organized crime. With his brother-in-law Harry J. Wagner Sr. he helped apprehend a man who had assaulted his wife in 1908. He served on a jury late that year. In 1910 police arrested a man who had thrown a brick through Crawford Smith’s window and was prepared to throw more. In 1912 there was a small fire in the Smith home which required the Fire Department to extinguish. In 1913 marital issues brought him into court, although these were resolved as the Smiths never did part ways. In 1915, while working as a watchman over several vacant houses on Pennsylvania Avenue, Crawford Smith found an intoxicated squatter in one of the buildings. After being ordered to leave, the man assaulted Smith, who defended himself. The squatter died and Smith was initially charged with manslaughter, but the charges were dismissed. In 1925 he made the papers through an arrest of two juveniles at Forest Hill Park. This was followed a few years later by coverage of his Klan activities, which may have led to the loss of his job at Campbell Soup. On September 13, 1934 Crawford Smith was arrested by George Clayton of Camden Police Department on numbers charges. Crawford Smith and four other men were indicted, and after refusing to testify against Fred Klosterman and his brother Joseph Klosterman all were sent to state prison in January of 1935. Crawford Smith was given a two to three year prison sentence. Prison time was probably the safer option for Crawford Smith and the others, given the level of violence amongst organized crime figures in Camden and Philadelphia at the time.
After being released from prison, Crawford Smith returned to his wife and home at 702 Carman Street. He passed away in 1941. Mrs. Smith continued to reside at that address until her death in 1949.
Crawford Smith’s brother Howard M. Smith was appointed to the Camden Police Department on March 20, 1906. Walter Smith was appointed to the Camden Police Department on April 30, 1914. Both brothers were promoted to Detective, and served into the 1930s. Howard M. Smith was lent out to the Camden County prosecutors office and handled many murder cases while with that agency. The youngest brother, Roy A. Smith, served as a member of the Camden Fire Department from 1910 to 1933, before retiring on disability. The oldest brother, William H. “Harry” Smith worked for many years as a bartender in Camden, and later in life as an inspector with Camden’s Highway Department. He died in 1931.
As mentioned above, his other sister, Sue, had married Harry J. Wagner Sr., on August 23, 1897. The Wagner family was still living on Carman Street in the 1960s. There were four sons from this marriage. The oldest, Harry J. Wagner Jr., served as a member of the Camden Fire Department for 39 years and 8 months, reaching the rank of Acting Chief of Department. His nephew Roy A. Wagner owned Roy’s Tavern on Federal Street and employed his brothers Phil Wagner and George C. Wagner as bartenders.
Crawford Smith’s sons, Belford Edwin “Bud” Smith and Edward Baker Smith, worked in security at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard. Bud Smith died of a heart attack at work in 1968. Edward rose to head of security at the shipyard, then worked for several years as an investigator with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, retiring in 1981. He passed away on August 29, 1994.
The Policy Indictments
Camden Post —
The following persons were indicted for writing and selling policy, those arraigned and pleaded not guilty: Charles Gilbert, Harry Smith, Crawford Smith, Clarence Smith, Howard Smith, Walter Smith, Harriet Smith, Andrew Collins, Theodore Laferta, Dyke O’Brien, Jonathan Cox, Robert Nichols, Robert Nevil, William Parker, George Dace, Sarah Brown, Lavinia Fussell. Bail was fixed at $500 in each case for trial on Friday. It is not expected that the cases will come up then, as Lawyer John L. Semple, counsel for nearly all the accused, will be engaged in another court on that day.
Seven in One Family.
Camden Post —
Among the policy indictments were seven against one family, the Smith family of the Ninth ward. Mrs. Harriet Smith, the mother of the family, was sentenced to one year for policy writing several years ago, but was pardoned after serving three months. The whole seven are now said to be fugitives from justice and bench warrants have been issued for their arrest, if they can be found.
Twelve-Year Sentence for Trying Wife-Murder
Camden Post-Telegram —
No Mercy Shown — Cowardly Husband
William Williams Pleads Non Vult When Arraigned in Court Before Judge Joline To-day.
Twelve years in the State Prison at hard labor was the sentence imposed by Judge Joline this morning on William M. Williams, better known as “Cloudy Bill,” who pleaded “non vult” to a charge of atrocious assault and battery with intent to kill his wife, Lizzie Williams, by shooting her.
The shooting occurred on Tuesday evening, July 28, at their home, 736 Pennsylvania avenue, where the unhappy couple with a family of six children lived in comparative squalor. Williams shot his wife in a most brutal and cowardly manner. Williams was the second husband of Lizzie. When she married him five years ago she had five children. Since then one has been added to the family burden. Mrs. Williams is 36 years of age and he is 33 years.
There was no such thing as domestic felicity in the Williams home since the ill-mated pair were wedded, for the simple reason that “Cloudy Bill” would rather drink than work. Williams prepared himself for the cowardly deed of attempted murder in the usual fashion of such worthless characters; that is, getting drunk to steel himself for the assault.
Williams said that his wife was not doing the right thing by him after he was arrested. He said that when he got up on the morning of the shooting his wife did not have his breakfast ready for him. That he said made him mad. He then said that he went out and got drunk, and “good and drunk at that.” He said he was drunk when he shot her. Before he started out on his revengeful rampage he called at the Post-Telegram office and inserted an advertisment [sic] which read as follows:
After this date I will not pay any bills contracted by my wife, Lizzie Williams.
W. M. WILLIAMS.
Williams arrived at his home about 6 o’clock in the evening on that day. He first tried to get in the back way, but the door was locked. Muttering ominous threats he walked around to the front door, jerked open the screen door and stalked in.
And almost simultaneously with the banging of the door the report of a revolver shot mingled with a blood curdling scream of a woman sent a thrill of horror through the street.
The alarmed residents poured out of their doorways. Those first in the street were appalled at the awful sight. Down the court followed by two screaming children and an elderly woman staggered Mrs. Williams with her left hand pressed over her breast. When she reached the corner she fell from exhaustion with her bosom soaked with blood.
Several men rushed to her side and carried her into the house of Mrs. Nicholson, at No. 25 South Eighth street, to await the arrival of the patrol wagon.
Meanwhile Crawford Smith, Harry Wagner and Edward Hambrose had entered the Williams house in search of the would-be murderer. Williams was found siting [sic] calmly in a chair on the kitchen when the supper was still cooking on the stove. Smith and Wagner held him a prisoner until the police arrived, while young Hambrose made a search for the revolver. Williams told them that he had thrown the weapon down stairs, and they found it in a corner in the cellar. He was taken to the City Hall, where after a hearing he was committed to the county jail to awit [sic] the injuries of his wife. Mrs. Williams after skillful nursing was discharged from the hospital last Saturday.
Convicted on His Cousin’s Complaint
Camden Post-Telegram —
S. Linokoski, a Russian, was tried before a jury in Police Court this noon on a charge of misdemeanor preferred by Annie Nevlin, his cousin, who resides in North Camden. The jury was made up of the following: Albert Austermuhl, foreman; Harry Foulkes, William Fithian, Louis Munyan, Louis Leigh, Edward Holloway, Walter Smith, Crawford Smith, Charles Adkins, Hollis Lightfoot, Morris Odell, George W. Kruck.
Lawyer William P. Walsh represented the defendant and Assistant City Solicitor Wilfred B. Wolcott the prosecution. The complainant, through S. Kaplan acting as interpreter, claimed that she came to this country from Russia fourteen months ago at the solicitation of her cousin, the defendant, whom she knew from childhood. She said he sent her fifty roubles, or $38.50 in American money, to come to America.
The defense was that the accused was not responsible for the complainant’s condition. The jury, however, found the defendant guilty this afternoon. Recorder Stackhouse required him to furnish a bond for $300 for the payment of $2 a week to the complainant and pay the costs of prosecution.
Paper Packing Force Gets More Recruits
Camden Post-Telegram —
Boilermaker Crawford Smith late yesterday afternoon received a call from a belled-up namesake, Andy Smith, a leather worker, at his home, 729 Carman street, and had Policeman Ulie Andrews lock him up.
When Ulie got to the house the rum-crazed fellow had already put a brick through a front window of Crawford’s home and had one in each hand for further bombardment.
Andrews gripped with the brick heaver and soon subdued him despite his threats to do him up, too. In Police Court to-day the rough-house raiser was sentenced by Recorder Stackhouse to two months at the paper picking plant.
James Davis, aged 34 years, also had his checks cashed for the Crematory for one month. Policeman Wright Cox took him in tow last night for fighting on Federal street after he had once sent him on his way.
Another recruit for a month at the garbage factory was James Carter, a Philadelphia hobo. Yesterday morning Carter was found sleeping off a “souse” in the vestibule of Mrs. Grumby’s boarding house at 121 Market street, by a boarder who was unable to get in because of the intruder’s doubled-up form barring the way. The boarder summoned Policeman Murphy, who sent the drunken and insolent tramp to Police Headquarters.
Scalded When Hot Water Fell on Him
Camden Daily Courier —
Scalded When Hot Water Fell on Him
Scalded When Hot Water Fell on Him
Crawford Smith, 10 years old, of 883 Carpenter street, was badly scalded yesterday when a pan of hot water fell over on him. The boy was playing about the room at the time. He received the scalding liquid over his legs. At the Cooper Hospital it was found he had been quite severely injured.
North Camden News
Camden Post-Telegram —
North Camden News
North Camden News
There was considerable excitement in the vicinity of Eighth and Carpenter streets yesterday afternoon when a bed in the home of Mrs. Lillie Smith, 824 Carpenter street, caught fire while being cleaned. On seeing the bedclothes burst into flames, Crawford Smith, a 12-year-old son, rushed out to secure help. Policeman David Clark was on Ninth street and he quickly sent in an alarm. The entire company from Fifth and Arch streets responded and by hard work succeeded in confining the blaze to the second story back room, where it had started.
Recorder Listens to Domestic Woes
Camden Post-Telegram —
Recorder Listens to Domestic Woes
Three Cases of Non-Support Disposed of in Police Court To-day.
Mother of Five Recites Troubles
Troubles and woes of the unhappily married were aired in Police Court this morning, three cases of non support being aired.
The first case tried was that of Mrs. Crawford Smith against her husband, Crawford Smith. Mrs. Smith testified that he failed to provide for her and their five children for several weeks.
Asked how much money she had been accustomed to receive from her husband Mrs. Smith said he paid her $3 a week most of the time and on that stipulated sum he expected to enjoy croquettes, lobster salad and many dainties, including a "quart on the side." Mrs. Smith explained that the "quart" she referred to was whiskey.
The Recorder was satisfied that it was a case of too much drink and ordered Smith to see that his wife was furnished with the necessities of life. The defendant promised to secure a position and care for his family and he was given his freedom.
Many Couples Air Martial Troubles
Camden Daily Courier —
Many Couples Air Martial Troubles
One Man Kept Wife and Five Children on Three Dollars a Week
Recorder Had Very Busy Morning
It was non-support day this morning in Police Court. Recorder Stackhouse heard three cases, which occupied two hours of the session.
When Crawford Smith, 28 years old, of 722 Carman street, his wife testified that he earned $14.70 a week and gave her but three dollars a week to support five children with. She stated he expected oyster pies, lobster salads and omelets on such meagre support. She declared he deserted her and has not been supporting her since.
Smith stated he was the father of but two of the five children. He was represented by Lawyer William F. Kelly.
The woman did not wish Smith to go to jail. She stated that she thought Smith ought to support her or get a divorce so that a good man could take his place.
Overseer Rankins was satisfied to give Smith a chance on his promise to support his family. He stated the man was out of work and was willing to wait until he gets employment.
Couple Obdurate.
When efforts were made by Recorder Stackhouse and Overseer Rankins to have Robert Williams, 29 years old, of 214 Friends avenue, and wife Bertha, forget their past difficulties and try life anew, they failed. Williams was not held under bond. He promised to pay $4 a week toward the support of two children.
The couple had been married seventeen years and lived happily until two years ago, when the woman avers her husband began to drink. When intoxicated he abused her, but when sober he was a good man.
Was in Arrears.
Fred Foy, 30 years old, of 8 South Fourth street, was arraigned for failing to pay up $28 due on a former order made by the Recorder. He agreed to pay off the arrearages at the rate of $3 a week and was held under his own recognizance to fulfill the promise.
Held on Charge of Manslaughter
Camden Daily Courier —
Held on Charge of Manslaughter
Crawford Smith, Whose Blow Killed Defiant Prowler, is Arraigned
Perform Autopsy on Body
Charged with manslaughter, Crawford Smith, 36 years old, of 745 Carman street, who was arrested late Saturday night after it had been alleged that he had caused the death of William Rumford, 33 years old, was committed to jail by Recorder Stackhouse in police court this morning to answer the charge before Judge Boyle.
Rumford died Saturday night as he was being taken to the Cooper Hospital. It is believed that a blow from Smith, who was employed as a watchman, knocked Rumford again [sic] a brick wall, causing his death, due, physicians say, to cerebral hemorrhages. County Physician Stemm performed an autopsy on the body by direction of Prosecutor Kraft.
Smith, according to witnesses struck Rumford when he found him and several other men in a vacant house, on Pennsylvania avenue, that he was standing watch over. It is claimed that several vagrants had been playing havoc with the property, and Smith was hired by the owners to protect it.
Rumford is said to have been drunk when he was hit, and that the blow was sufficient to fell him to the ground. Smith found him sitting on a step of one of the houses above Tenth street, and ordered him to move. It is claimed that Rumford became defiant, and rose as if to attack the watchman. Smith then, it is alleged, struck him, and the man staggered against the wall, striking his head.
After the blow had been struck, Smith left the man, believing that he was only in a drunken stupor. Later, however, persons found the man, and notified the police.
Last night John H. Gray, the brother-in-law of the dead man, of 856 Mt. Ephraim avenue, claimed the body, and removed it to his home. The funeral will be held from that house to-morrow.
World War I Draft Card
Named: Crawford Smith, World War I Draft Registration Card, Camden Iron Works, Joseph A. Hurley, Carman Street, and Line Street.
Birthday Party for William and Forrest Foster
Camden Post-Telegram —
An enjoyable double birthday party in honor of William and Forrest Foster, was tendered them at their home, 755 Carman street, on Thursday evening. The hours were pleasantly passed with vocal and instrumental music and games, and at a late hour they were invited to the dining room, where a splendid supper was served. Those present were: Mr. Crawford Smith and wife and children. Walter and Chester, Peddley, Ella and Samuel Cox, Ruth and Catherine Play[?]na, Mrs. Morton, Carman Evans, May Swing, Mrs. Foster, Samuel and Aurthur [sic] Shelton, Bud and Edward Smith, Della Smith, William and Forest Foster, Charles Donnelly, Smith and Robert Tomlinson and Bob Wakners.
Parents Must Pay for Prank of Boys
Camden Post-Telegram —
Theodore and Leon Emerle, 11 and 13, of 1530 South Tenth street, were caught in the act of yanking waterlilies up by the roots at the Forest Hill Park lagoon by Park Guard Crawford Smith yesterday afternoon. They were arrested on a charge of malicious mischief, and this morning, after about forty of the plants had been exhibited as part of their mischief, Police Judge Cleary ordered their parents to pay for the value of the plants. Incidentally, Judge Cleary announced that vandalism in the park will be regarded as a serious offense and that those found guilty will be heavily fined in the future.
Five Candidates Pass Tests for Park Guards
Camden Evening Courier —
Trenton, Oct. 6.—Five candidates passed the Camden Park guard civil service test, it has been announced by the commission here. Charles D. Phillips, of 121 North Twenty-third street, was first with 77.13. The others follow: Edward T. Beach, 943 St. John street, Camden, 77.25; Crawford M. Smith, 736 Carmen street, 71.13; Elmer D. Snyder, 316½ Mechanic street, 70.00. The work is seasonal and pays $25 a week.
For senior clerk-stenographer, Camden service, two passed. George R. Hood, of 111 North Forty-second street, with 88.95, and Alma C. McGhee, 208 Elm street, second, with 85.35.
Two passed for electrician’s helper, Camden. Ralph E. Wood, of 608 Clinton street, had an average of 80.00, and Paul M. Brown, 576 Mount Vernon street, 79.00.
Kluxers to Meet Here for Talk on ‘Al’ Smith
Camden Courier-Post —
A public mass meeting will be held in the Y. M. C. A. Monday night by the Ku Klux Klan.
The principal speaker will be Rev. M. F. Allen, of Texas, a national Klan speaker. His topic will be “The Klan versus Al Smith.”
The meeting will be presided over by Crawford M. Smith, a local Klan officer.
K.K.K. to Parade Here
Camden Courier-Post —
K.K.K. to Parade Here
3000 Members of Organization to March to Convention Hall for Meeting Tonight
Three thousand members of the Camden unit of the Ku Klux Klan will parade through Camden streets to Convention Hall, where a meeting will be held tonight.
Paul M. Winter, former kleagle and Klan organizer, will be the speaker at the meeting. Crawford M. Smith, cyclops of the unit, announced today.
United States Senator J. Thomas Heflin, of Alabama, who had been scheduled to speak, will not appear. Smith said Heflin telegraphed he had found it impossible to come to Camden because of an urgent call to speak in an Alabama political campaign.
A majority of 4500 tickets distributed and announcing Heflin as the speaker have been recalled, Smith said. Those who still hold the Heflin cards may have their admission charge refunded should they decide not to attend tonight.
The klansmen will parade, robed in full regalia, but without masks. The parade is scheduled to start at Second and Cooper streets at 6 p. m. and proceed out Cooper to Seventh, to Haddon avenue, to Convention Hall. There will be a mounted and motor police escort, Smith said.
1500 Klan Members March to Rally Here
Camden Daily Courier —
1500 Klan Members March to Rally Here
Hooded Men and Women, Escorted by Police, Greet Order's Leaders
Camden had its first Ku Klux Klan parade last night.
Approximately 1500 knights and women of the Camelia marched out Haddon avenue to Convention Hall, for a rally addressed by leading organizers in the East.
The procession, which formed at Second and Cooper streets, was an uneventful one, witnessed by only a few hundred spectators. There were no "anti" demonstrations. The marchers for the most part were greeted with silence.
Those in the parade were garbed in full klan regalia. All were unmasked under the new regulations of the order. With their white hoods, flowing white capes and red sashes they presented a colorful sight. A squadron of mounted and motorcycle policemen acted as an advance guard while members of the klan cavaliers, dressed in dark olive drab army uniforms carrying rifles and sabres marched as guards to the flanks and rear.
The Hickory Hill Klan Band, of Cumberland County, Pa., of 50 pieces, garbed in white naval marching uniforms, was in the lead.
Wilbert E. Fite, 616 Kaighn avenue, was grand marshal.
Crawford M. Smith, cyclops of Camden Unit, No. 68, announced that delegates from Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware and one group of six from Arizona were in line.
Paul M. Winter, of New York, former kleagle and organizer, was the principal speaker and Eugene Tebbett, of Philadelphia, was master of ceremonies.
As the marchers approached Convention Hall a 20-foot cross was lighted in a field. And with the band playing "Onward Christian Soldiers," the marchers paused to salute their fiery emblem.
Camden Daily Courier, April 13, 1930 — continued
Smith Boosted for Police Director
Camden Courier-Post —
Smith Boosted for Police Director
Smith Boosted For Police Director
To the Editor:
Sir:—I would like to present to the readers of your paper in the city of Camden the name of a man who to my mind would make a real live director of public safety, a man who has served the people of our city for over 20 years, a man who is keenly alive to the need of a real live police department and very capable of building one.
I recommend for city commissioner City Detective Howard Smith, an exceptionally fine man.
Crawford M. Smith.
Sleet Traps Thousands in Tieup; Scores Injured, Buses Marooned
Camden Courier-Post —
Sleet Traps Thousands in Tieup; Scores Injured, Buses Marooned
Susie Pizzine, 9, of 439 Line street, was treated at Cooper Hospital for cuts of the scalp as a result of a fall on ice.
William Cassidy, 55, of 3802 Hayes avenue, suffered a fractured leg while crossing the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks at Pavonia yards. He was treated at Cooper Hospital.
Crawford Smith, 50, of 702 Carman street, was treated at the same hospital for a fractured arm as a result of a fall on the sidewalk.
Tenth Arrest Made Here in Numbers Quiz
Camden Courier-Post —
1 ADMITS GUILT AND POLICE SAY LINKS OTHERS
Klosterman Named by Man Found With Slips on Him After Arrest
3 BIG BANKS INVOLVED IN MOVE TO CLEAN UP
Others Must Face Trial; More Arraigned and Bonds Fixed By Court — Campaign Against Writers Pushed With Feitz Probe — ALLEGED ‘BARON’ IS HELD IN BAIL — Mayor Pledges Aid of Camden Cops to State on Illicit Liquor
Arrests in the numbers racket in Camden continued today simultaneously with the continuation of the inquiry into the murder of City Detective William T. Feitz Jr.
With the Feitz slaying probe in its eleventh day—the detective was slain September 2 at 243 Sycamore Street, an alleged disorderly house—city and county authorities were still questioning witnesses in an endeavor to obtain sufficient evidence to name the murderer or murderers.
The arrest this morning of Crawford Smith, 51, of 702 Carman Street, as a numbers writer, brought the total of those apprehended this week in the numbers racket to 10.
At the same time Police Judge J. Harry Switzer held Fred Klosterman, 33, of 1050 Mechanic Street, in $5000 bail for the grand jury on a charge of operating a numbers game.
Klosterman’s brother, Joseph Klosterman, 35, of 1400 Mechanic Street, was released in $3000 bail yesterday by Judge Switzer on a charge of operating a numbers lottery.
The Klostermans, according to police, are among the topnotch numbers barons of the city. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
No Testimony Taken
Fred Klosterman surrendered voluntarily yesterday afternoon when he learned that police were seeking him as an alleged numbers operator.
He was arraigned in police court today on complaint of George Zeitz, a city detective, who charged him with operating a numbers game. Police did not reveal where Fred Klosterman allegedly operated.
There was no testimony taken at the hearing of Fred Klosterman. His bail bond was signed by John Zubien. Police say they do not know Zubien’s address. Mrs. Anna Bubnoski, of 1426 Mount Ephraim Avenue, posted the $3000 bail for Joseph Klosterman. Zeitz also had made complaint against him.
Fred Klosterman surrendered yesterday, according to police, after a defendant in police court testified that he was employed at an alleged numbers bank operated by Fred Klosterman. Zeitz swore to a warrant for Fred Klosterman’s arrest based on the police information, he said.
Hearing Tomorrow
Smith, who was arrested by George Clayton, a policeman, will be given a hearing in police court tomorrow as an alleged numbers writer.
Meanwhile no disposition was made in the case of Mrs. Mollie Schwartz, 42, who was arrested yesterday on a charge of operating a still at a double dwelling at 3404 Rosedale Avenue. Police Lieutenant John Potter said the woman admitted operating the still.
A man said to be a brother of Mrs. Schwartz fled in his undershirt at the time of the raid, as Sergeant Edward Hahn and Policeman Joseph Keefe were making the arrest and seizure. The seizure included 13 barrels of alleged mash, a stove, one cooler, three gallons of liquor, and a 75 gallon still. Police reported that one of two cars without license tags which had been parked in front of the house disappeared later.
Cops to Aid State
Strict cooperation with the State Alcoholic Beverages Commission in the detection, closing up, and prosecution of speakeasies is being given by the Camden Police Department.
That statement was made today by Mayor Roy R. Stewart, who is the director of the department of public safety, and came as a result of an interview which Howard B. Dyer, an investigator with the state beverage commission had with the mayor. Dyer was formerly deputy city clerk.
“Dyer came in and asked for the cooperation of the police department,” said Mayor Stewart, “and I told him we would cooperate fully.”
The state alcoholic beverage commission, through its investigators, has been busy in running down speakeasies, stills and other illicit liquor practices.
Mickey Blair Admits Visit to Heisler Home on Fatal Night
Camden Courier-Post —
Mickey Blair Admits Visit to Heisler Home on Fatal Night
Boxer Tells of His Attempt to Borrow Money From Woman
STEWART LAUNCHES BANK ACCOUNT PROBE
Mickey Blair yesterday admitted to the Courier-Post that he was in Mrs. Emma Heisler’s house trying to borrow money a few hours before Detective William T. Feitz was shot to death.
Mayor Roy R. Stewart, at the same time, announced that he will launch an investigation of the bank accounts of “certain policemen” to determine their wealth.
The two statements summarized the day’s progress in the search for Feitz’s slayers and in the mayor’s investigation of police connections with vice graft.
Blair not only admitted to a newspaperman that he was in Mrs. Heisler’s house to negotiate a loan a few hours before the slaying but charged the police with manufacturing a fake alibi for him, for the purpose of tearing it down later.
Reports that patrolmen drawing from $25.50 to $36 a week were owners of expensive automobiles and spending money lavishly and still were amassing fortunes were believed to have stimulated the mayor to action in his bank account probe.
He would not amplify his statement other than to say that he will question those policemen whom he desires to question and are now on leave when they return.
In his broadside against the police, Blair said:
“Chief Colsey lies if he says police have broken down my alibi. I have no alibi, only that I know nothing about this murder.
“I told Lieutenant Ward, after I had voluntarily walked into detective bureau, where I had been from Saturday night until last Monday. At no time did I say that I was in New York at the time of the shooting.
“I told them I was at a roadhouse in Berlin at the time of the shooting, that I returned to Camden on Sunday and remained here for the funeral of my brother-in-law on Monday. I did not leave for New York until Tuesday afternoon, almost three days after the killing of Feitz, and I did not know they wanted to question me then, or I would not have gone away.
“Police have given out statements to the effect that I told them I was in New York at the time of the shooting. That is a lie. Many of my friends and acquaintances saw me Saturday night at Berlin and others saw me the following day and on Monday. I can prove everything I have told the police to be true.
“I knew Emma Heisler and have known her for several years. I wouldn’t say she was a close friend, but I did know her fairly well. Police have accused me of attempting to shake her down for money. That is not my racket.
“I did attempt to borrow from Emma on Saturday, but I can’t see anything wrong in that. I tried several friends, because I needed a little money at the time to purchase flowers for my brother-in-law’s funeral.
She Promised Loan
“When I saw her early Saturday night, she told me to come back on Monday and she would lend me the money. I was thankful because of the favor, so why should I try to do the woman any harm?
“Police say I am the ’finger-man’ in the shooting. That makes me laugh. They know they haven’t a shred of evidence to prove such a lie. They’ve got to hang it on somebody, so they blame it on me.
“It’s been the same in all big cases. Somebody has to get blamed. It was just unfortunate for me that I happened to be talking with Mrs. Heisler a short time before the slaying. I had nothing to hide when I went to her for a loan and I have nothing to hide now.
“Two or three persons were there when I asked to borrow the money. Do you think anyone who was attempting to frighten the woman would do it before all these witnesses? I knew this woman when she had a place down the street from where Feitz was shot. I knew her when she conducted many other places in the city, and she knew me. I would have been crazy to try anything wrong with her, even if I wanted to, which I didn’t, because everybody in Camden knows me and would recognize me.
Says He Attended Wake
“I told police that I left Fourth and Spruce streets about 1 a. m. Sunday, and arrived at the roadhouse in Berlin about a half hour later.
Many people saw me there. I stayed at the place until late Sunday afternoon and then returned to Camden.
“I was at home all of Sunday night until I attended a wake at the home of my sister on Decatur street. Then on Monday I was at the funeral and Monday night I visited several places in the city. I had made arrangements to go to New York, but postponed my trip until Tuesday after my brother-in-law’s death.
“While in New York I heard from a friend who told me police were looking for me. I immediately telephoned Edward V. Martino, who has represented me in other matters, and asked him to learn if that were true. He called me back and said it was. I told him my business in New York would be completed on Monday and that I would return to Camden at that time and visit detective headquarters.
“I paid my own expenses to get here, and since the time I gave myself up, police have constantly walked me about with handcuffs on. Do you think I would have surrendered to police if I had any intentions of running away?”
Martino Raps Police
“I have told the truth and I am innocent of any connection with the death of Detective Feitz. If police want to give out the true story, they will verify that everything I have told you is what I told them. And every word of it is the truth.”
Martino, who was present during the interview, added that it was “a disgrace” to the police department in the manner in which Blair has been treated since his surrender.
“When Blair gave himself up,” Martino said, “I instructed him to go to detective bureau by himself. I did not request the right to protect his constitutional rights, because it was my idea that by not interfering, the police could not find any excuse in their failure to solve the crime. They not only failed to appreciate the co-operation given them, but are continually giving out so many contradictory statements that the general public is given the impression that Blair is deliberately lying.”
Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, meanwhile, disclosed yesterday that the new grand jury will not hear witnesses in the Feitz murder case, or open a probe into vice conditions in Camden at its first session next Thursday.
“Facts in the murder probe and pertaining to vice conditions will not be ready in time for consideration by the new grand jury next Thursday,” the prosecutor said. “The veniremen will act on pending cases, including those of several alleged numbers barons arrested during the last week.”
Meanwhile, the police continued their crusade against the numbers racket, making their tenth and eleventh arrests in a week.
At the same time, Fred Klosterman, an alleged numbers baron, who surrendered Wednesday, was held in $5000 bail by Police Judge J. Harry Switzer for the grand jury. His brother, Joseph Klosterman, was held in similar bail previously, also on a charge of operating a numbers game.
The two men apprehended yesterday were arrested by George Clayton, a policeman, charged with being numbers writers. They will be given a hearing in police court today. The men gave their names as John Geronio, 52, of 1042 Cooper street, and Crawford Smith, 51, of 702 Carman street.
Fred Klosterman is 33 and gave his address as 1050 Mechanic street. Joseph Klosterman, 35, gave his address as 1400 Mechanic street.
The Klostermans, according to police, are among the topnotch numbers barons of the city. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
No disposition was made in police court of the case of Mrs. Mollie Schwartz, 42, who was arrested Wednesday on a charge of operating a still at a double dwelling at 3404 Rosedale avenue. Police Lieut. John Potter said the woman admitted operating the still.
Strict co-operation with the State Alcoholic Beverage Commission in the detection, closing up and prosecution of speakeasies is being given by the Camden police department.
That statement was made yesterday by Mayor Roy R. Stewart, who is the director of the department of public safety, and came as the result of an interview which Howard B. Dyer, an investigator of the state beverage commission had with the mayor. Dyer was formerly deputy city clerk.
An anonymous letter to Camden police led yesterday to the arerst [sic] of Glenn Brown, 48, colored, on a charge of operating a 50-gallon still at 141 Mt. Vernon street. Brown was held in $500 bail at police headquarters for a hearing today in police court.
Brown was arrested by Police Lieut. Walter Welch, who said the still was found in the basement of the Mt. Vernon street address and it had been in operation shortly before the raid.
The technical charge against Brown is violation of Section 48
Police Admit Feitz Slaying Is ‘Mystery’
Camden Courier-Post —
POLICE ADMIT FEITZ SLAYING IS ‘MYSTERY’
‘Still in the Dark,’ Cops Say After Three Weeks of Vice Probe
BLAIR LAWYER SCORES ‘FARCE’
Editorial: “The Cop, the Criminal—And Who Else?” appears on page ten.
Three weeks after the slaying of Detective William T. Feitz, police admitted yesterday that they are “completely in the dark” in their efforts to solve the murder and find the slayer.
Although Mickey Blair, former pugilist, is held as the most important witness in the case and police say they believe Blair knows who killed Feitz, they have no one under direct suspicion, the police said.
This was in direct contradiction to a police statement of several days ago, in which it was said that a New York gunman of peculiar appearance was sought as the trigger man.
Lawyer Flays Police
The conflicting stories coming from the police department yesterday drew a scathing fire of ridicule from Blair’s attorney, Edward V. Martino.
In a review of Blair’s surrender, Martino flayed the police for “many contradictory statements” and said their handling of Blair is a “disgrace to the department.”
The handling of the case drew this comment from Martino:
“Such conduct on the part of an intelligent police force is detestable.”
Martino’s criticism of the department and the announcement that Mayor Roy R. Stewart will present such facts and evidence as he has gathered in his probe of police connivance with vice or dereliction in duty to Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd constituted the only developments in the case yesterday.
Double-cross Hinted
Stewart said he will give Justice Lloyd and Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando his complete data on the police and Feitz probes and is ready to present the same data to the grand jury if Lloyd and Orlando consider this course advisable.
Martino, describing step-by-step the events leading to Blair’s surrender and his subsequent examination drew the conclusion that Police Chief Arthur Colsey is “either telling a deliberate falsehood” or has been double-crossed with misinformation by his detectives. Martino said:
Police Admit Defeat In Vice Slaying
“On Saturday past, I received a New York telephone communication from Mickey Blair, and he told me that he had been advised that the police were looking for him. He requested me to ascertain whether this was true, and if so he would gladly come to Camden.
“I talked to Lieutenant George A. Ward on Sunday afternoon, and he told me that they did want Mickey. I talked with Mickey that afternoon, and he told me that he would come to Camden at about 1 p. m. on Monday.
“He entered my office at about 12 noon, and after talking to me about five minutes, during which time he told me that he knew absolutely nothing about the shooting, I advised him to go to the detective bureau alone.
Would Not Interfere
“I did not request the right to protect his constitutional rights, because it was my idea that by not interfering, the police could not find any excuse in their failure to solve the crime.
“They not only failed to appreciate the co-operation given them, but are continuously giving out so many contradictory statements that the general public is given the impression that Blair is deliberately lying. Chief Colsey has repeatedly told the newspapers that Blair stated that he was in New York at the time of the crime.
“Colsey is either telling a deliberate falsehood or he has been misinformed by one or two of his examiners. I talked with Blair at the county jail, and although he appeared tired and worn, he was surprised to learn of the story given out by Colsey.
“It is difficult to understand why the police did not arrest Mickey before he left Camden for New York, since he was in Camden until the Tuesday following the murder.
“He attended a wake at the home of his sister on Sunday, and attended the funeral on Monday (Labor Day) from his sister’s home on Decatur street, Camden. He did not leave Camden for New York until some time on Tuesday afternoon.
Called a Disgrace
“The general physical appearance of Blair before Judge J. Harry Switzer was a disgrace to the Camden City Police Department. He was handcuffed and chained, although he was thoughtful enough to pay his own expenses in traveling from New York, and willingly submit to the police. Such conduct on the part of an intelligent police force is detestable.
“My only hope is that the crime is solved, but in doing so, the officials in charge should be careful that they charge the guilty man or men with the crime.”
The sweeping grand jury investigation of crime and vice ordered of the grand jury by Justice Lloyd is not expected to start, Prosecutor Orlando disclosed, for at least two weeks.
“Our evidence is not entirely at hand,” said Orlando, “and until it is ready I will not proceed. Another reason why I can’t go ahead with it is the large number of cases which I have ready at this time and which must be presented to the grand jury when it opens its sessions next Thursday.”
Earlier, both Prosecutor Orlando and Police Chief Colsey admitted that the authorities were no nearer a solution to the murder of Feitz than they were 20 days ago when he was shot and killed in an alleged disorderly house in South Camden.
Furthermore, previous statements of the police notwithstanding, the identity of the killer or killers is shrouded in as much mystery as it ever was.
“Who killed Feitz?” was a question asked Prosecutor Orlando.
“I don’t know—do you?” was Orlando’s “two-way” reply.
Still ‘In Dark’
The prosecutor’s statement was the first revelation that police and Camden county authorities are still in the dark.
Police Chief Colsey echoed Prosecutor Orlando’s statement by telling newspapermen upon being questioned that he “wished he did know who killed Feitz.”
“We’re entirely in the dark,” he added.
Heretofore the police, through statements made by Chief Colsey, have expressed their confidence that they knew who the slayer or slayers of the detective were and were following important clues which would lead to their arrest.
While the authorities were admittedly groping about for clues in the Feitz murder, the police drive on gambling continued yesterday with the arrest of two alleged “numbers” bankers.
Held in $2000 bail to await the action of the grand jury on charges of operating a “numbers” lottery by Police Judge Switzer were Crawford Smith, 51, of 702 Carman street, and John Deronio, 52, of 1042 Cooper street. Smith pleaded not guilty to the charge which grew out of Deronio’s admission to police that he “wrote” the “numbers” for Smith for a considerable period of time.
Both Smith and Deronio were arrested by Patrolman George Clayton. Deronio pleaded guilty to the charge.
Will View 3 Suspects
Three suspects charged with the robbery of a South Camden candy store Wednesday night were either to be brought to Camden or material witnesses in the Feitz murder were to be taken to Chester, Pa., where they are being held, to learn whether either suspect could be identified as one of the killers.
Mayor Stewart continued his questioning of police yesterday, seeking data on crime and vice in this city.
Questioned by the mayor in his office were Lieutenant George Frost, commander of the police department’s one-man vice squad who is said to have told the mayor considerable about conditions, former City Detective Ben Simon who is now a patrolman; Vernon Jones, one of the 13 suspended policeman [sic] and the officer on the beat at Second and Sycamore streets the night Feitz was killed, and Detective Stanley Wirtz.
Chief County Detective Lawrence T. Doran, who is conducting Prosecutor Orlando’s investigation into the murder, said a search of the records of the city assessor’s office revealed the property in which the late Mrs. Emma Heisler was charged with operating a disorderly house is owned by the Hyman Varbalow Building and Loan Association.
Rented in Oct., 1933
It was rented, Chief Doran said, by Nathan U. Katz, a real estate agent of 410 Kaighn avenue, to a “Mary Dudley” on October 18, 1933, for $15 a month. However, the occupants did not enter the house immediately, according to Doran, because of needed repairs, which were made.
Katz told detectives that the rent was always paid in advance by a man who called at his real estate office. There was no lease on the property, it being rented from month to month.
“Had I known the place was being used for immoral purposes I would have ordered the people out long ago,” Katz told detectives.
At the same time, Chief Doran disclosed that after a conference with Police Chief Colsey, orders were issued that every person arrested in Camden, whether the charge is trivial or serious, will be placed in a police “lineup” and the material witnesses will face them to see if any of Feitz’s killers are among them.
Chief Doran was not sure whether Camden county authorities would be able to bring the two robbery suspects to Camden because they are also wanted in Pennsylvania for almost a score of other holdups and burglaries.
In the event Chester authorities will not turn the two men over to Camden detectives, the witnesses will go to Chester to examine them, Chief Doran said.
“We are letting nothing slip through our fingers at this stage of the investigation,” Chief Doran said. “There is a bare possibility that either of these two suspects may be implicated or have some knowledge that would be useful to us in solving this crime.”
Bribery Charged by Grand Jurors
Camden Courier-Post —
26 Other Persons Named in 111 True Bills on Numbers
KLOSTERMANS TO FACE TRIAL
A bumper crop of 111 indictments was returned yesterday by the September vice probing grand jury against alleged numbers operators alone.
In addition, Mickey Blair, free on bail as a material witness in the slaying of Detective William T. Feitz was indicted on a charge of conspiracy to rob Mrs. Emma Heisler, in whose house Feitz was slain.
The 111 numbers indictments were aimed at 26 individuals, including Fred and Joe Klosterman, long known as numbers barons. Each of the brothers was indicted on six counts of engaging in the lottery business and on 12 additional indictments charging sale of lottery tickets.
The complete list of true bills were handed up to Judge Frank F. Neutze of the Camden County Common Pleas Court.
The numbers indictments follows [sic]:
Engaged in lottery business—Antonio Macio, 2125 Haddonfield road, Pennsauken township, one count; Fred Klosterman and brother, Joseph, Mt. Ephraim avenue and Mechanic street, six counts each.
Selling lottery tickets—Geneva Harden, beauty parlor operator in Pennsauken township, ten counts; Marshall Howard, 1912 Derousse avenue, Delair, 10 counts; Frank Martz, 235 Erie street, Camden, two counts; Arthur Woodridge, 7910 Park avenue, Pennsauken township, two counts; Albert Young, 519 North Second street, Camden, one count; Andrew Pointkowski, 1475 South Ninth street, six counts; Crawford Smith, 702 Carman street, five counts; Charles Simonin, 709 Fairview street, Camden, five counts; John Studinger, 2504 Federal street, Camden, 10 counts; Lucille Barber, 8302 Park avenue, Pennsauken township, two counts; Samuel Ford, 1124 South Ninth street, two counts; John Geronio, 1042 Cooper street, one count; James Davis, 100 Mt. Vernon street, Camden, one count; Oscar Conway, 2803 Mitchell street, one count; John Barnes, 7805 Pleasant avenue, Pennsauken, two counts; Nathan Boston, Parry, Burlington county, one count.
James Gantt, 8302 Park avenue, Pennsauken, two counts; Mary Angelo, 600 Pine street, two counts; Thomas Kirk, 935 Carpenter street, two counts; Samuel Kane, 211 Walnut street, Philadelphia, one count; Samuel Karon, 1528 Mt. Ephraim avenue, one count; Walter Hart, 1245 Thurman street, Camden, five counts; Frank Kulzcnski, 1100 Orchard street, two counts.
The presentment required only three minutes and the grand jury immediately withdrew to its chambers to consider new evidence in its probe of vice and gambling here.
It was indicated that the first batch of indictments found by the grand jury was just that, and that further true bills would be forthcoming as the work of sifting the mass of evidence continues.
A quartet of former city detectives who were transferred to regular police duty June 14, and seven attaches of the county jail were among the list of witnesses subpoenaed.
The erstwhile plainclothesmen are Clarence Arthur, Benjamin Simon, Clifford Del Rossi and Leon Branch. All were put into uniform without explanation, and with the understanding, they declare, that they would not be displaced. All expressed surprise at their removal, inasmuch as others were later appointed to their posts, because they had good records while members of the detective bureau.
Arthur and Branch appeared briefly before the probing body.
Crawford Smith is the brother of Detective Walter Smith and former Detective Howard Smith, it was reported by Mayor Roy R. Stewart.
Michael Tenerelli, known in fistic cicles [sic] as Mickey Blair, was among those waiting in the grand jury anteroom when the jury adjourned to be called before the probers. All those called were subpoenaed on “John Doe” warrants.
Mickey told reporters he has no idea what form of questioning will be followed when he is called into the grand jury room. He was recently released under bail of $5000 as a material witness in the Feitz killing investigation.
Those who could not be heard by the grand jurors before adjournment yesterday were told to come back next Thursday.
Among the witnesses in the vice probe called into the jury room were two Camden county jail attaches, Mrs. Lillian Vincent, matron, and Frank Tyson, jail clerk.
Both were asked questions regarding the proceedure [sic] followed in releasing prisoners from the pail [sic], it was learned. Tyson was not asked by the grand jurors if the prisoners were ever allowed to leave jail before their terms were up, he said.
“We never discharged a prisoner during my long experience in the county jail,” he told reporters, “without the proper release slip. I do not know of any prisoner ever being released before his time was up.”
Other members of the county jail staff waiting to appear were Edmund Powell, former warden; William Kinsler, Walter Taylor, Joseph Rea and John Feitz.
Another witness to testify was Mrs. Anna Smallwood, of Fifth and Chestnut, who posted $5000 bail for Mickey Blair to effect the former boxer’s release in the Feitz murder case.
It is thought that the county jail attaches will be questioned in an endeavour to learn how prisoners are released before time, although confirmation of this report was lacking.
The grand jury also returned indictments against Robert R. Young and Fred H. Schmitz, both of Philadelphia, former employes of the RCA Victor Company, charging them with the theft of four automobile radio sets from the plant on September 19.
Harry Smith, John Lockwood, Edward Troutman and Thomas Moreland, of Camden, were charged with larceny of merchandise from the American Stores Company on August 30.
Stanley Gaisor and Henry Parewicz, both of Camden, were indicted on charges of the theft of an automobile owned by County Physician Edward B. Rogers. The automobile was stolen in Camden, August 31.
Paul Pralas was indicted on charges of atrocious assault and battery on Rocco Piliro on September 19 in Camden.
The following were indicted on charges of desertion and non-support: Cornelius Chambers, charged by his wife, Ethel, with deserting her and three small children.
Thomas Porter, of Clementon, with non-support of his three small children. Frank Drew, Camden, desertion and non-support of his wife, Martha, and three minor children. Walter Butterfield, Brooklawn, with desertion of his wife, Verna, and one minor child. Eugene Morselander, of Camden, with desertion of his wife, Gladys.
2 Speakeasy Owners Paid Hush Money, Graft Probers Hear
COLSEY DROPS ACCUSED MEN
Sixty-two indictments charging six Camden policemen with graft and bribe-taking were returned by the new grand jury yesterday.
The wholesale indictments constituted the first visible results of the probe into Camden’s vice affairs and connection of the police with vice, ordered by Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd.
They are charged with taking hush money.
Those indicted:
Patrolman Thomas T. Cheeseman, 20 indictments.
Patrolman Vernon Jones, 20 indictments.
Patrolman Howard Fisher, 10 indictments.
Patrolman George Weber, also known as Buck Weaver, 10 indictments.
Detective Joseph Leonhardt, one indictment.
Patrolman Frank Wilmot, one indictment.
All are attached to the Second district except Leonhardt, who was dismissed from the force two weeks ago by Mayor Roy R. Stewardt [sic], and has appealed his case to the Civil Service Commission.
Leonhardt was with Detective William T. Feitz on the night of September 2, when Feitz was slain in Mrs. Emma Heisler’s alleged disorderly house at 243 Sycamore street. He and Feitz had been made district detectives less than a week before the shooting. They had been assigned to the “beat” in which Mrs. Heisler’s house was located, relieving Cheeseman and Jones, who were demoted to patrolmen.
Cheeseman was a brother-in-law of Mrs. Heisler, who leaped to her death from a city hall window while being held as a witness in Feitz’s death.
12 Drew Suspensions
Those indicted, with the exception of Fisher, were among the 12 members of the force suspended by Mayor Stewart in connection with his personal investigation of police connections with vice.
Wilmot, Weber and Jones were returned to duty Wednesday after serving 30-day suspensions.
Cheeseman and Jones are named jointly in nine indictments; jointly with Fisher and Weber in nine other indictments; the four are lister [sic] separately in one set of indictments. Jones and Cheeseman are listed separately in another pair of indictments, while Leonhardt and Wilmot are named in one joint indictment.
Two men, Glenn Brown and Michael Tocco, are named in each indictment as having paid the policemen sums verying [sic] from $5 to $80 since last March. They are reported to be operators of illegal liquor establishments.
Jury Indicts 6 Cops On Vice Graft Charge
Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando announced evidence had been given the grand jury to support charges that each of the men indicted had been accepting graft from racketeers and underworld characters.
The nine indictments against Cheeseman, Jones, Fisher and Weber charge them with having received the sum of $5 from Brown on nine different dates in March and April of this year, for a total of $45.
Cheeseman and Jones are jointly indicted on nine counts for having received from Tocco the sum of $160, in various amounts ranging from $10 to $80 on various dates in May, June and July.
Cheeseman and Jones are each indicted on two separate counts. Jones is charged with having accepted a $40 bribe from Tocco on May 24 and with having received another $5 from Brown on March 3. Cheeseman is indicted for receiving the same sums from the same persons on the same dates.
Fisher is indicted alone on one count of having received a $5 bribe from Brown in March. Weber was also indicted alone for the same offense.
Leonhardt and Wilmot, mentioned in only one indictment, are charged with having accepted $20 from Tocco in March.
Cheeseman has been a member of the police department for 16 years, most of which he served in the capacity of a detective. He was demoted on Sept. 3, 1930, to the rank of a patrolman, but later was again promoted to district detective. Two months ago he was demoted back to patrolman again and has been patrolling a ‘beat’ in South Camden since that time.
Cheeseman Appointed in 1918
Cheeseman is 48. He was appointed to the police force on January 11, 1918, and lives at 249 Rand street. He has served in various capacities since appointment, having been a member of the city vice squad, detective bureau, district detective and patrolman. His rank in the department was listed as a detective, although recently he has been assigned to uniform in South Camden.
Fisher, 42, of 1139 Baring street, was appointed to the force September 29, 1919. He has spent comparatively all of his time in the department as a patrolman in the Second Police district.
Jones is 37 and lives at 1011 South Sixth street. He received his appointment April 27, 1924. He has served on the vice squad, as a detective and plainclothesman. He was recently demoted to a patrolman’s rank.
Leonhardt lives at 553 Division street and is 39. He was appointed a member of the police department on April 25, 1924, two days before Jones. He served until recently as a patrolman, but was promoted to district detective when Jones suffered demotion. He was discharged from the police payroll on September 26 by Mayor Stewart, who said he had gathered evidence against him in his probe of the department which followed the murder of Feitz.
Wilmot is 32 and lives at 201 Kaighn avenue. He was appointed a policeman on July 1, 1928, and has served as a member of the Second district since his appointment.
Weber, 47, of 1369 Princess avenue, was made a member of the force on May 17, 1922. He also has served his entire time as a patrolman in the Second district.
The indictments were presented to Judge Frank F. Neutze in Justice Lloyd’s absence.
Five Are Suspended
Mayor Stewart and Police Chief Arthur Colsey conferred shortly after the indictments were returned.
[Text between this point and the next crop is not on the scan; crop 09a is not in the archive.]
and Judge Neutze to grant these men a speedy trial,” the mayor declared, “so that the cases against them will be disposed of and their guilt or innocence established. In this way the community will have the benefit of their services, if they be found not guilty, as soon as possible.”
None of the policemen indicted had been arrested last night.
Chief of County Detectives Lawrence T. Doran said he expects them to surrender today and post such bail as may be set.
Named by Jury
THOMAS CHEESEMAN
VERNON JONES
Twenty indictments against each of these policemen, formerly assigned as detectives to the beat where Detective William T. Feitz was shot to death in a disorderly house, were returned yesterday by the grand jury. Cheeseman and Jones preceded Feitz and Leonhardt, dismissed and also indicted, on the death beat.
Quartet Indicted on Graft Charges
Four of the six policemen indicted yesterday on charges of bribery. They are George Weber, (upper left) also known as “Bucky Weaver”; Frank Witmot [sic] (upper right), Howard Fisher, (lower left), and Joseph Leonhardt, (lower right), who had been dismissed from the police department.
Bribery Charged by Grand Jurors
Camden Courier-Post — (continued)
Camden Courier-Post, October 12, 1934 — continued
Camden Courier-Post, October 12, 1934 — continued
Named: Camden Courier-Post, October 12, 1934, Frank Martz, Erie Street, Albert Young, North 2nd Street, Andrew Pointkowski, South 9th Street, Crawford Smith, Carman Street, Charles Simonin, Fairview Street, John Studinger, Federal Street, Samuel Ford, John Geronio, Cooper Street, James Davis, Mt. Vernon Street, Oscar Conway, Mitchell Street, Mary Angelo, Pine Street, Thomas Kirk, Carpenter Street, Samuel Karon, Mt. Ephraim Avenue, Walter Hart, Thurman Street, Clarence Arthur, Clifford Del Rossi, Benjamin Simon, Leon Branch, Walter Smith, Howard M. Smith, Michael Tenerelli aka Mickey Blair, Anna Smallwood, and Frank F. Neutze.
Named: Camden Courier-Post, October 12, 1934, Lillian Vincent, Frank Tyson, Edmund Powell, William Kinsler, John Feitz, Walter Taylor, Joseph Rea, William T. Feitz, Emma Heisler, Harry Smith, John Lockwood, Edward Troutman, Thomas Moreland, Frank Drew, Martha Drew, Eugene Moslander, Gladys Moslander, and Dr. Edward B. Rogers.
2 More Arrested in Numbers War
Camden Courier-Post —
2 More Arrested in Numbers War
Pair Seized Few Hours After Neutze Gives 12 Heavy Sentences
Action yesterday backed up the assertions of Camden county and city law officials that they are out to break the back of the numbers racket here.
Judge Frank F. Neutze, in criminal court, meted out sentences of from one to six months and fines of from $100 to $250 to 12 minions of the “higher ups.”
A few hours later two more alleged number writers fell into the police net. Both suspects were jailed in default of $2000 bail each for hearings in police court today.
Alleged to be carrying 120 numbers slips and $203.30, Dominick Mozzare, 25, of 6816 Highland avenue, was arrested at Twenty-seventh street and River road at 3 p. m. by Acting Sergeant Louis Schmidt and Patrolmen Paul Edwards and Elwood Humphreys. Questioned at the detective bureau in City Hall, Mozzare said he did not know the identity of the “higher-up” for whom he worked. He said he is an automobile trimmer. Police declared he had been in the racket about eight months and had been under suspicion several months.
An hour or so earlier, Horace Gunby, 27, colored, 1863 South Tenth street, was picked up at Seventh street and Ferry avenue by Sergeant John Garrity and Acting Sergeant Earl Cunningham. They said Gunby carried several numbers slips and a small amount of money. He gave his occupation as a bellhop.
Gives Heaviest Sentences
In cracking down on the 12 defendants haled before him in Camden County Criminal Court Judge Neutze adopted a policy of issuing the heaviest jail sentences possible and imposing the heaviest fines under the law to all convicted or confessed underlings of the numbers barons in the hope of eventually trapping the ring-leaders through informers, or forcing them out of business.
Those who received the heaviest sentences were Andrew Piontkowski, 1475 South Ninth street, alleged lieutenant of the Klosterman brothers, under indictment as gambling barons; Walter Hart, 1245 Thurman street, also an alleged Klosterman aide, and Frank Martz, 235 Erie street. Each was sentenced to six months and fined $250. Martz is a second offender.
Judge Neutze expressed agreement with the suggestion of Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando that the practice of numbers barons paying salaries to their henchmen while the henchmen are in jail can be broken up by placing so many “small fry” behind the bars that the “big shots” cannot afford to pay them, and thus the names of the “big shots” will eventually come out.
All of the defendants had previously pleaded guilty or non vult.
Thomas Kirk, 935 Carpenter street, drew a sentence of three months in jail and a $100 fine despite the plea of his attorney, former Police Judge Garfield Pancoast, that Kirk was “only an employe.”
“That makes no difference to me,” said the court. “He was in the numbers racket.”
Called Klostermans’ Aide
When Pointkowski came before the court, Orlando said:
“This is one of the lieutenants of the Klostermans, and he refused to talk to me. When first arrested, he told Camden police he worked for the Klostermans, but he turned a right-about-face when I talked to him and tried to make monkeys of us.”
“Well, I’ll send him upstairs for six months and fine him $250 and maybe he’ll talk then,” said Judge Neutze.
Orlando asked the court to send Hart to the state prison.
“This man,” said the prosecutor, “is very close to the big shots.”
“Whom do you mean—the Klostermans?” asked Neutze.
“I certainly do,” replied Orlando. “He is also a second offender. He’s been in this business over four years, working for the Klostermans, and should go to the state prison.”
“Whenever I hear that name Klosterman, I see red,” said Neutze as he pronounced sentence.
The Klosterman brothers, Fred and Joseph, of East Camden, have been indicted as number lottery operators but their trial has been postponed.
Martz was described by Orlando as having served 60 days in jail in 1932 for writing numbers, and he was sentenced to six months and a $250 fine, without further questioning.
Refuses Leniency
John Studinger, who formerly operated a store at 2504 Federal street, was sentenced to three months in jail and fined $100. His counsel, District Court Judge Joseph Varbalow, argued he was only a “small fry” and putting him in jail would not break up the lotteries.
“This racket is no worse than raffles, punchboards, slot machines and all the disorderly houses that are thriving in this county,” said Varbalow.
“I started in on these number writers with short jail terms,” answered Neutze, “and then I began adding fines. But I found that did not stop the lawbreakers, for when these fellows get out they start all over again. I understand the lottery racket is getting worse and worse here and I’m going to do something about it.”
Charles Simonin, who conducts a grocery store at 709 Fairview street, was given 30 days and fined $100. Father of two daughters, he pleaded he accepted a proposition from a stranger who asked him to sell numbers in his store, and then would come around daily and collect them, giving Simonin a small “cut.” He contended he did not know the name of the man with whom he dealt, much less the identity of the heads of the ring.
Mrs. Mary Angelo, grocer, 600 Line street, the mother of a 3-year-old baby, had pleaded guilty with a story similar to Simonin’s. She received a three-month suspended sentence but must pay a fine of $100. Judge Neutze said he was suspending the sentence not because of her sex, but because of her baby.
Student Given Month
Samuel Ford, 19, colored, 1124 South Ninth street, a high school student, was described by Orlando as “honest and sincere in telling his story and entitled to a break.” He was sent to jail for a month and fined $100.
Frank Terionova, 27, of 312 Beckett street, was “a fellow we couldn’t talk to,” Orlando said. “He told us he worked for Joe Brown, but maybe it was John Smith, and whoever it was he is shielding him,” Orlando continued.
Rocco Palese, former assistant prosecutor, called Orlando unfair, asserting some of the defendants “really do not know whom they are working for and therefor cannot make a statement.”
“If they don’t know who they’re working for, who does?” demanded Orlando.
“I feel,” said Judge Neutze, “that some of these fellows don’t know who they are working for, but I sentence him to three months in the county jail and to pay a fine of $100. Crawford Smith, 702 Carman street, was sentenced to three months in jail and fined $100; James Gant, 28, colored, of 8302 Park avenue, Pennsauken, three months and $100 fine; Walter Woodrich, 48, of 7910 Park avenue, Pennsauken, two months and $100 fine.
Orlando said Woodrich will be a witness against the Klostermans, for whom he worked.
Prison Terms for Reneging Witnesses in Number Case
Camden Courier-Post —
5 Who Shifted Stories in Klosterman’s Trial Get 2 to 3 Years
Neutze in Brief Session Cancels Old Sentences
Orlando, Aides in Court as Stiffer Penalties Are Handed Out
Five of the eight state witnesses who recanted at the trial of the Klosterman brothers, alleged “numbers barons,” were sentenced today to serve from two to three years in state’s prison.
The sentences were imposed by Judge Frank F. Neutze in Camden Criminal Court in the presence of only Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando and his assistants, Patrick H. Harding and Isaac W. Eason.
The five men, who were serving sentences in Camden County jail for “numbers” writing are Walter Hart, 28, of 1245 Thurman street, Andrew Pointkowski, 30, of 1475 South Ninth street, Thomas Kirk, 40, of 935 Carpenter street and Crawford Smith, 53, of 702 Carman street, Camden, and Arthur Woodridge, 40, colored, of 7910 Park avenue, Pennsauken township.
Earlier Sentences Voided
It required but five minutes to resentence the defendants, the court first voiding his earlier sentences of county jail terms and fines.
In court last Thursday when Joseph and Frederick Klosterman were acquitted on 30 indictments in connection with the “numbers” lottery here, the five men were evasive in their testimony as to whether the Klostermans were the “numbers” bankers.
Today when lined up before Judge Neutze in Criminal Court they gaped in astonishment at the swiftness with which they were sent to prison for longer terms.
One of the five, Crawford Smith, nearly collapsed in a chair in which he was permitted to sit during sentencing. Smith has been suffering from a heart ailment.
Turning to Hart, Judge Neutze said:
“I sentenced you to six months in the county jail and ordered you to pay a fine of $250. That fine has been paid. Who paid it?”
“I don’t know,” Hart replied.
“Well, I am going to void my previous sentence,” the court declared. “There are five indictments against you on ‘numbers’ charges. I am going to sentence you to state prison to serve from two to three years on each indictment. The sentences will run concurrently.”
Continues Re-Sentencing
Pointkowski was next. The jurist turning to the defendant who had been given six months in the county jail and a $250 fine on Jan. 3, said:
“There are six indictments on ‘numbers’ charges against you. Your new sentence will be from two to three years in state prison, the terms to run concurrently.”
Woodridge was next. He had been found guilty Jan. 3 on one indictment charging “numbers” writing and sentenced to two months in jail and fined $100.
“I am going to void your sentence and send you to state prison for two to three years.”
5 Who Shifted Stories in Klosterman’s Trial Get 2 to 3 Years
NEUTZE IN BRIEF SESSION CANCELS OLD SENTENCES
Orlando, Aides in Court as Stiffer Penalties Are Handed Out
Five of the eight state witnesses who recanted at the trial of the Klosterman brothers, alleged “numbers barons,” were sentenced today to serve from two to three years in state’s prison.
The sentences were imposed by Judge Frank F. Neutze in Camden Criminal Court in the presence of only Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando and his assistants, Patrick H. Harding and Isaac W. Eason.
The five men, who were serving sentences in Camden County jail for “numbers” writing are Walter Hart, 28, of 1245 Thurman street, Andrew Pointkowski, 30, of 1475 South Ninth street, Thomas Kirk, 40, of 935 Carpenter street and Crawford Smith, 53, of 702 Carman street, Camden, and Arthur Woodridge, 40, colored, of 7910 Park avenue, Pennsauken township.
Earlier Sentences Voided
It required but five minutes to resentence the defendants, the court first voiding his earlier sentences of county jail terms and fines.
In court last Thursday when Joseph and Frederick Klosterman were acquitted on 30 indictments in connection with the “numbers” lottery here, the five men were evasive in their testimony as to whether the Klostermans were the “numbers” bankers.
Today when lined up before Judge Neutze in Criminal Court they gaped in astonishment at the swiftness with which they were sent to prison for longer terms.
One of the five, Crawford Smith, nearly collapsed in a chair in which he was permitted to sit during sentencing. Smith has been suffering from a heart ailment.
Turning to Hart, Judge Neutze said:
“I sentenced you to six months in the county jail and ordered you to pay a fine of $250. That fine has been paid. Who paid it?”
“I don’t know,” Hart replied.
“Well, I am going to void my previous sentence,” the court declared. “There are five indictments against you on ‘numbers’ charges. I am going to sentence you to state prison to serve from two to three years on each indictment. The sentences will run concurrently.”
Continues Re-Sentencing
Pointkowski was next. The jurist turning to the defendant who had been given six months in the county jail and a $250 fine on Jan. 3, said:
“There are six indictments on ‘numbers’ charges against you. Your new sentence will be from two to three years in state prison, the terms to run concurrently.”
Woodridge was next. He had been found guilty Jan. 3 on one indictment charging “numbers” writing and sentenced to two months in jail and fined $100.
“I am going to void your sentence and send you to state prison for two to three years.”
‘Santa’ Pays Fines of Numbers Pawns
Camden Courier-Post —
Or Maybe His Brother Helped 2 Who Changed Testimony in Klosterman Case
There IS a Santa Claus—at least for numbers racketeers—and he pays off their fines in scrip.
Three convicted numbers writers have had their fines paid by unidentified persons. In two such cases, the same man paid both fines. And curiously enough, the fines this man paid were those on two recanting witnesses at the Klosterman trial. One of the fines was paid the day before the surprising trial and the other fine was paid a few hours after the trial. All of which may be a coincidence—.
The payment of the fines was revealed yesterday afternoon by Frank Tyson, chief clerk of the county jail. Tyson stated that all fines were paid in scrip but that the donors’ names were not recorded.
“We don’t keep any record of the names of persons who pay fines for prisoners,” Tyson averred. “If someone wants to pay a fine, we take the money. I can’t even say whether the same person paid all the fines. I believe they were different persons.”
And so Santa Claus—and maybe a brother or two—went to the rescue of Arthur Woodridge, 7910 Park avenue, Pennsauken; Crawford Smith, 702 Carman street, and Thomas Kirk, 935 Carpenter street.
Smith and Woodridge were two of the “state witnesses” at the trial Thursday of Fred and Joe Klostermen [sic] who “thought” they had been employed as numbers men by the Klostermans but weren’t sure—resulting in acquittal for the Klostermans.
Previously, Woodridge had been sentenced to two months and fined $100 on numbers charges, while Smith had been fined $100 and sentenced to three months. Both are still serving time at the county workhouse.
But on Wednesday, Santa Claus paid Woodridge’s fine. An hour or two after Thursday’s trial concluded, Woodridge’s unknown benefactor also paid Smith’s fine. Kirk’s fine was paid on January 3 by Santa; he had been fined $100 and sentenced to three months.
Meanwhile, Miss Geneva Harden, beauty shop operator of Chapel avenue, Delaware township, was arraigned before Judge Frank F. Neutze yesterday afternoon following her conviction of numbers charges on Jan. 2. She was given a suspended jail sentence and then fined $200.
It was first reported that Miss Harden’s fine was also paid by “Santa Claus,” after Tyson had said no record was kept of the doner’s [sic] name. After this report was published, Joseph W. Cowgill, attorney, telephoned the Courier-Post and said:
“I’m the man who paid Miss Harden’s fine, but I’m not Santa Claus. I obtained cash from Miss Harden’s mother and took it to the sheriff’s office where they all know me. And I didn’t pay it to Tyson; I paid it to ‘Happy’ Glenn.
“Furthermore, I had cash, but someone in the sheriff’s office asked me to trade it for scrip as a favor to them.”
Lloyd Again Prods Orlando and Cops In Numbers Cases
Camden Courier-Post —
Detectives Told to Produce or Quit by Jurist
Five Get ‘Pen’ in About-Face
Five state witnesses, who thought they got off “easy” in numbers cases, yesterday underwent reversal of county jail terms and found themselves sentenced to the penitentiary.
Judge Frank F. Neutze sentenced them in Criminal Court.
Terms ranged from two to three years, and they followed the witnesses’ sudden “about-face” in the Klosterman brothers’ case. The five all convicted numbers writers, recanted testimony last week at the brothers’ trial.
Censure of the prosecutor’s office by Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd followed. Justice Lloyd called Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando and his staff to his chambers on the fourth floor of the new courthouse. Attending the conference in addition to Orlando were:
Assistant Prosecutors Harding and Eason, Chief County Detective Lawrence T. Doran, County Detectives James J. Mulligan, James Wren, Joseph Bennie, Casimir Wojtkowiak and Elmer Mathis, and Mrs. Daisy Rourke and Mrs. Ethel Michener, stenographers.
“Go out and do some work, or else be replaced,” is the ultimatum said to have been hurled at the detectives by Justice Lloyd. He is said to be aroused over apparent inactivity of county detectives and inaction in the numbers cases.
(Continued on Page Two)
Klostermans Case Lands Five in ‘Pen’ (continued)
of county detectives and inaction in the numbers cases.
“That there is ‘nothing to stop it’ is the contention of the Supreme Court Justice; that detectives should be ‘working on it.’”
A statement in the Courier-Post said he would not move for re-sentencing of the five remaining state witnesses. These five were not sentenced yesterday.
After asking Justice Lloyd about the sentences, and on his advice, Prosecutor Orlando, on Jan. 4, said the application would be made to Judge Neutze. As a result of that application, Judge Neutze on that date re-sentenced five of the reneging witnesses.
Lloyd Again Prods Orlando and Cops In Numbers Cases
Detectives Told to Produce or Quit by Jurist
FIVE GET ’PEN’ IN ABOUT-FACE
Five state witnesses, who thought they got off “easy” in numbers cases, yesterday underwent reversal of county jail terms and found themselves sentenced to the penitentiary.
Judge Frank F. Neutze sentenced them in Criminal Court.
Terms ranged from two to three years, and they followed the witnesses’ sudden “about-face” in the Klosterman brothers’ case. The five all convicted numbers writers, recanted testimony last week at the brothers’ trial.
Censure of the prosecutor’s office by Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd followed. Justice Lloyd called Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando and his staff to his chambers on the fourth floor of the new courthouse. Attending the conference in addition to Orlando were:
Assistant Prosecutors Harding and Eason, Chief County Detective Lawrence T. Doran, County Detectives James J. Mulligan, James Wren, Joseph Bennie, Casimir Wojtwokiak [sic] and Elmer Mathis, and Mrs. Daisy Rourke and Mrs. Ethel Michener, stenographers.
“Go out and do some work, or else be replaced,” is the ultimatum said to have been hurled at the detectives by Justice Lloyd. He is said to be aroused over apparent inactivity of county detectives on evidence in the Klosterman case.
That there is “nothing to stop the prosecutor” from having the Klostermans re-indicted on numbers charges is the contention of the Supreme Court Justice, and Prosecutor Orlando, when told of this statement, declared he was “working on it.”
Jail terms, which Judge Neutze voided, before imposing prison sentences, was begun by the accused quintet on January 3. They also were fined on single indictments. Yesterday’s sentences, with a single exception, were upon other indictments returned against the same defendants. The five sentenced are:
Walter Hart, 28, of 1245 Thurman street, who was serving six months in the county jail and fined $250 on one of five “numbers’ indictments.
Andrew Pointkowski, 30, of 1475 South Ninth street, who was serving six months and fined $250 on one of six “numbers” indictments.
Fined, Jailed
Thomas Kirk, 40, of 935 Carpenter street, who was serving a three-month jail sentence and fined $100 on one of five “numbers” indictments.
Crawford Smith, 53, of 702 Carman street, under a three-month county jail sentence and $100 fine on one of five “numbers” indictments.
Arthur Woodridge, 40, colored, of 7910 Park avenue, Pennsauken township, who was serving a two-month county jail sentence and was fined $100 on one “numbers” indictment.
No explanation could be obtained as to the re-sentencing of Woodridge who had been indicted twice for “numbers” but acquitted on one bill and sentenced to the county jail on the other charge.
Justice Lloyd’s statement as to whether the Klostermans would be re-indicted and tried again on “numbers” charges came in response to a question by a Courier-Post representative.
“Will the Klostermans be re-indicted?” the jurist was asked.
“Not on the dates in August and September, 1934, during which they were alleged to have operated a ’numbers’ lottery and also been acquitted.
“However there is nothing to stop the prosecutor from indicting them for conducting the same illegal business in May, June and July of last year.”
Only five minutes were required to re-sentence the five men in a court room that was almost empty as no announcement had been made previously of what Judge Neutze intended to do. However, Prosecutor Orlando and his assistants, Patrick H. Harding and Isaac W. Eason, were in court.
“It is true I had them over here,” Justice Lloyd said regarding the censuhe [sic] confernece [sic]. “I am sorry that it got out. I have made a record of what I told them, but I can’t discuss it or tell what I said to them because I promised them that I would not make it public. But if things don’t work out the way they should, then I will have something to say.”
None of the prosecutors or other employes would make any statement relative to what Justice Lloyd told them.
Conference Result
Before imposition of sentence, no mention was made by Judge Neutze in the presence of the defendants of their “change of heart” on the witness stand last Thursday when the Klostermans were on trial.
Asked the reason for it, Judge Neutze said:
“I didn’t have to—they knew!”
The re-sentences, it was stated by Judge Neutze after he had left the bench, followed a conference held Saturday in which he participated with Justice Lloyd and Prosecutor Orlando.
“We reached the conclusion that these recanting state’s witnesses should be punished,” Judge Neutze declared.
Three other state’s witnesses also recanted their previous statements at the trial of the Klostermans which resulted in Judge Neutze directing the jury to find Frederick and Joseph Klosterman not guilty on 30 indictments charging them with operation of the “numbers” lottery.
It was indicated by both court officials and the prosecutor’s office that nothing in the way of punishment can be imposed on them because they are not serving jail sentences.
The trio is Albert Young, 35, of 519 North Second street, sentenced to three months and a $100 fine last Nov. 2 by Judge Neutze on one “numbers” indictment and released by the jurist in time to spend Christmas holidays with his family; Frank Kulczynski, 40, of 1100 Orchard street, who was sentenced Nov. 26 to two months in the county jail and a $200 fine on one “numbers” indictment and given a suspended sentence on a second “numbers” charge, and Harry Koron, 40, of 528 Mt. Ephraim avenue, fined $200 and sentenced to two months in the county jail on Nov. 26 for “numbers” writing.
Judge Neutze’s statement in connection with re-sentencing of the five men follows:
“During the trial I was absolutely disgusted at the testimony that these men gave. I had been informed they would testify against the Klostermans and connect the Klostermans with the “numbers” racket.
“When they got on the witness stand I was surprised to see them doing an about-face. They used up a great amount of the county’s time and money and I made up my mind then that they would be punished. I had a conference on Saturday with Prosecutor Orlando and gave him my views on additional punishment for these men.
“He agreed with me that these men should be punished and I asked him to bring the five men into court to be sentenced on the other “numbers” indictments. That was agreeable to him. The sentences speak for themselves.”
On Saturday, Judge Neutze, in a statement to the Courier-Post, said he would not move for re-sentencing of the five recanting state witnesses on other “numbers” indictments because it was up to the prosecutor.
At the same time he denied that the prosecutor on January 3, when the five men with seven other men and women “numbers” writers were sentenced, had asked him to impose stiff prison sentences to make the defendants “talk” as to who the “higher-ups” were.
Justice Lloyd in a statement yesterday said the five men who were sentenced to prison received only what they “were entitled to.”
“These men not only committed these crimes, but they deceived the prosecutor as to what they would testify to,” Justice Lloyd said. When they came into court they deviated from their testimony and were guilty of either lying or perjury when they denied they knew the Klostermans.
Misled Prosecutor
“They were guilty of misleading the prosecutor’s office and they were entitled to exactly what they got.
“The prison sentences today will show the criminal they cannot play fast and loose with the courts. The sentences meet with the hearty approval of myself, Judge Neutze and Prosecutor Orlando.”
Prosecutor Orlando, located before Justice Lloyd, who was hearing a motion in which the prosecutor was interested, said:
“I am heartily in accord with the sentences imposed by Judge Neutze.”
In court last Thursday when the Klosterman brothers were acquitted the five men were evasive in their testimony as to whether the Klostermans were the “numbers” bankers.
Yesterday when lined up before Judge Neutze they gaped in astonishment at the swiftness with which they were sent to prison for longer terms.
Nearly Collapses
One of the five, Crawford Smith, nearly collapsed in a chair in which he was permitted to sit during sentencing. Smith has been suffering from a heart ailment.
Turning to Hart, Judge Neutze said:
“I sentenced you to six months in the county jail and ordered you to pay a fine of $250. That fine has been paid.. Who paid it?
“I don’t know,” Hart replied.
“Well, I am going to void my previous sentence,” the court declared. There are five indictments against you on ’numbers’ charges. I am going to sentence you to state prison to serve from two to three years on each indictment. The sentences will run concurrently.”
Pointkowski was next. The jurist turning to the defendant said:
“There are six indictments on ’numbers’ charges against you. Your new sentence will be from two to three years in state prison, the terms to run concurrently.”
Woodridge was next.
“I am going to void your sentence and send you to state prison for two to three years.”
The next defendant was Kirk.
“There are five indictments against you,” said Judge Neutze. “Your new sentence is two to three years in State Prison on each indictment, the terms to run concurrently.”
Crawford Smith was the fifth and last defendant to be re-sentenced. When he first came into the court room with the other prisoners, Smith asked the court if he could sit down as he was suffering from a heart ailment.
“I understand you were ill,” Judge Neutze said, “and I had Dr. Rogers (Dr. E. B. Rogers, County Physician) examine you.”
“Yes, I have a bad heart,” Smith complained.
“Well, Dr. Rogers reports to me,” continued the court, “that you are not a well man but your condition is not serious. There are five indictments against you. Your sentence is from 2 to 3 years in State Prison on each indictment, the sentences to run concurrently.”
Smith, who had been under sentence to serve three months in the county jail and pay a fine of $100, for “numbers” writing, slumped forward in his chair and nearly collapsed. After he revived sufficiently he was taken back with the others to the county jail on the fourth floor of the Courthouse to await transportation to Trenton.
Crawford Smith, according to Police Chief Arthur Colsey, is a brother of District Detective Walter Smith and former County Detective Howard Smith.
The $100 fine imposed upon Woodridge, one of the five men re-sentenced, was paid last Wednesday, the day before the trial of the Klostermans. The $100 fine against Smith was paid last Friday.
Klostermans Identified as Numbers Kings by 5 Witnesses
Camden Courier-Post —
Storekeeper Says His Place Was Used as ‘Drop’ for Gaming Slips
5 CONVICTS RECALLED FROM STATE PRISON
Five witnesses in Criminal Court yesterday placed their fingers on the Klosterman brothers, Joseph and Fred, as Camden numbers “barons,” as they went on trial on 12 counts charging them with operating a lottery.
Each of the witnesses admitted under direct examination by Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando they had been in the employ of the Klostermans at two of the three establishments they are alleged to have maintained.
John Frenia, 57, proprietor of a delicatessen store at 1413 Mt. Ephraim avenue, testified he worked for the Klostermans at the Young Republicans Seventh Ward Club, 1411 Mt. Ephraim avenue. He said the Klostermans used the club as a headquarters for their numbers bank. He further admitted his store was used as a numbers “drop” for the Klostermans and that packages of numbers were left at his store daily by “pick up” men and called for by either Fred or Joseph Klosterman. His wife, Pauline, corroborated his testimony.
Chester Topolski, 25, of 1230 Dayton street, testified he was employed as a janitor at the club and received money from the bank operators to be turned over to “pick up” to pay off winners.
Tells of Numbers Party
Another witness, Albert Magee, 45, colored, of Davistown near Westmont, told of a party which Fred Klosterman “threw for his ‘numbers’ writers at a Black Horse pike roadhouse. It was strictly a formal affair, Magee testified, and he was introduced to Fred Klosterman as “one of his numbers writers.”
John Szalanski, 30, of 1188 Chestnut street, another witness testified he was employed by the Klostermans as a “pickup” man in the number business for three years. He worked for them until a few days after they were acquitted January 17 last in Criminal Court here of 30 joint “numbers” indictments.
The court adjourned at 4.03 p. m. until 10 a. m. today after Mrs. Frenia finished her testimony.
Seated in the court room near the exit to the county jail were five numbers writers, who suddenly lost their memory at the first trial of the Klostermans in January and were resentenced to serve from two to three years in state prison. They were Crawford Smith, 53, of 702 Carman street; Thomas Kirk, of 935 Carpenter street; Walter Hart, 28, of 1245 Thurman street; Andrew Pointkowski, 1475 South Ninth street, and Arthur Woodridge, 40, of 7910 Park avenue, Pennsauken. They were returned from Trenton for the trial and probably will be called by the state this morning.
It was indicated last night by the prosecutor that these men are willing to talk.
Szalanski further testified he saw both Klosterman brothers in the Young Men’s Seventh Ward Republican Club and at a taproom called the Chez La Joy, 1050 Mechanic street. The state charges the taproom and another establishment at 1051 Mechanic street were used by the Klostermans as headquarters for their illegal “numbers” racket.
Passed Bags of Slips
Frenia asserted that both Fred and Joseph Klosterman came into his store with bags containing “numbers” slips.
“I would pass them over to Leon Dabrowski, who worked in the Republican Club or to a man called “Sparrow” or another known to me only as ‘Peaches’,” Frenia testified.
Frenia told Prosecutor Orlando under direct examination that he could look from his second floor window directly into the second floor room of the Republican Club which is spearated [sic] by a five-foot alley:
“I could see men working over adding machines computing the daily play of the ‘numbers’ game,” Frenia testified.
“One one [sic] occasion the adding machines were passed from the Republican Club across the alley into my second story room.”
The witness said he was formerly employed by the Klostermans in their saloon business.
He further declared he received “numbers” slips from the Klostermans before and after their first trial in Criminal Court which resulted in acquittal because of lack of evidence produced by the state.
Szalanski further declared that he saw both Klosterman brothers in the Young Men’s Seventh Ward Republican Club at 1411 Mt. Ephraim avenue and at a taproom called the Chez LaJoy at 1050 Mechanic street, which the state alleges were two of the three headquarters of the “numbers” bank operated by the Klostermans.
Tells of ‘Counting Room’
“I saw both Fred and Joe Klosterman at the Republican Club last Summer in rooms on the second floor in which there were five adding machines for computing the daily ‘numbers’ play,” testified Szalanski.
“On one occasion when one of the ‘numbers’ slips which I picked up, hit the daily number, Fred Klosterman paid me $500 to distribute to the writers who then gave it to the winners.”
The Klostermans, represented by Carl Kisselman, are on trial on 12 joint indictments charging the operation of a “numbers” lottery. The true bills allege the brothers “unlawfully did keep a place with the intent that persons might resort thereto for the purpose of gambling at so-called game of numbers.”
The indictments further charged the political club was used for unlawful lottery purposes between September 22, 1934, and January 31, 1935; that the taproom, Chez LaJoy and a dwelling at 1051 Mechanic street was so used between March 1, 1933, and July 31, 1934.
Szalanski, the first witness to definitely hook up the Klostermans with the “numbers” racket in Camden, said that he was employed by the brothers after a conference in a saloon at Mechanic and Liberty streets.
“I told the Klostermans I had no car and they advanced me $100 to buy an automobile,” said the witness.
When the witness said he continued to work for the Klostermans as a “pickup man” during and after the first trial, which resulted in the court directing a verdict of acquittal because of lack of evidence, Judge Neutze questioned him:
“Do you mean to say that you turned money over to the Klostermans at the Republican Club after their last trial?”
“Yes,” the witness replied.
Denies Intimidation
Szalanski admitted he was arrested two weeks ago in Philadelphia on “numbers” charges and is at liberty under bail.
Cross-examination of the witness by Kisselman failed to move Szalanski.
“Didn’t the prosecutor’s office try to intimidate you into testifying here?” asked Kisselman. “Didn’t they tell you what happened to other ‘numbers’ witnesses when the prosecutor’s office deemed their testimony was not satisfactory?”
The witness denied he had been intimidated or threatened into testifying.
“I know what is going on—I read the newspapers,” he asserted.
Szalanski corroborated statements of Topolski, as to the identity of persons seen about the club.
Szalanski was recalled to the stand when court reconvened after the noon recess. He testified he worked
Again on Trial
JOSEPH KLOSTERMAN
FRED KLOSTERMAN
Brothers, who were identified yesterday by former employes of Camden numbers operators.
as an “extra” at the Seventh Ward Republican Club for $1 a day.
“Who gave you to understand that you were to take $1 from the money you received in the numbers business?” Orlando asked.
After giving several evasive answers, Szalanski finally admitted that Fred Klosterman had told him he was entitled to $1 a day for his labor.
Puts Finger on “Joe”
Magee was the third witness called at the afternoon session.
Q. What is your business? A. I am a “numbers writer.”
Q. How long were you in the business. A. Three years.
Q. What district did you cover? A. I covered Blenheim, Hilltop and surrounding territory.
Q. How much did you take in a day from your collections last year? A. Oh, about $20 a day.
Q. To whom did you turn over this money? A. I turned it over to a man named George Smith.
Q. What percentage of the proceeds were you paid? A. I got 25 percent.
Q. In December, 1934, you had some differences with the pickup man over your total sheet and a shortage? What did you do about this? A. I went to a saloon on Mt. Ephraim avenue in Camden and asked for the Klosterman brothers.
Q. Did you see either of the Klosterman brothers and if so, which one?
At this point, Prosecutor Orlando asked the witness to point to either one of the two brothers and asked them both to stand up which they did.
“That’s the one there—in the blue suit,” said the witness pointing to Joe Klosterman.
Q. Did you ever meet Fred—the man besides him—his brother? A. Yes, I met him on the Black Horse pike in the Summer of 1934.
Party for Writers
Q. What was the occasion of that meeting? A. Well, it was at Charley Lutz’s place—that’s a roadhouse.
Q. What were you doing there? A. Well, it was a party to the “numbers” writers and we were all there for a good time.
Q. Well how did you happen to meet Fred Klosterman? A. Well, somebody took me up and introduced me to him and said I was one of the boys—one of his “numbers” writers.
Q. And then what happened? A. Well, Fred shook hands with me, turned around at the bar and ordered beer for the house.
At this juncture the witness was examined by the prosecutor as to his reasons for going to the Mt. Ephraim avenue saloon and he repeated his testimony that it was because of a shortage in his “numbers” slips account.
“Joe Klosterman treated me very nice and he said he would fix the thing up for me and I wouldn’t have any more trouble with my total sheets,” Magee said.
“After I saw him I didn’t have any more trouble,” the witness added.
Through a Polish interpreter, Frenia testified under direct examination that he had worked for Fred Klosterman in the latter’s saloon on Mt. Ephraim avenue in December, 1933. He also testified that previously Joe Klosterman employed him in another saloon at Green and Mechanic streets.
“What would you do with the numbers slips when you received them in your store and from whom did you receive them?” Orlando asked.
“Sometimes I received slips from Leon Dabrowski and from Fred Klosterman and his brother Joe only once or twice.”
Orlando then directed five or six men to stand up in the courtroom. He asked Frenia to point out any of those standing among the men who delivered slips at his store. Among those identified by the witness were Walter Hart, Kirk, Piontkowski and Szalanski, who had previously testified.
Saw Counting in Club
Q. How near was the rear of your store to the Seventh Ward Republican club? A. It was only about five feet across an alley.
Q. Could you see into the club from the second floor of your store? A. Yes. I could see into the second story window of the club.
Q. Did you ever look across there, and if so, what did you see? A. I saw Leon Dabrowski, “Sparrow” and “Peaches” counting out slips on adding machines.
Q. Were those machines ever moved across to your house? A. Yes.
Q. How were they moved across this alley to you? A. They were just lifted across and I took them in with my hand. It was only about five feet distance.
Q. Had you previously discussed moving these machines with either of the Klosterman brothers? If so, what was the reason? A. Sometime in November of 1934 I talked it over with Fred Klosterman and the only thing he told me was that the machines were needed.
Q. When these men brought “numbers” slips to your store how did you receive them? A. Sometimes I received them in paper bags and sometimes I received them on paper. Fred Klosterman told me it was O.K. to turn over the slips to Leon Dabrowski. I also received slips from Fred Kolsterman [sic] and Joe Klosterman once to my place.
Q. Did you receive slips at your store before and after the last trial of the Klosterman brothers on January 17? Answer yes or no. A. Yes.
Frenia, in answer to a direct question of the prosecutor as to when was the last time he had an adding machine in his store or home, said it was three days before he was arrested on “numbers” charges.
He also testified he received $10 a week for about four months for “receiving numbers” in his delicatessen store. He said he was told by Fred Klosterman he would get that amount each week and that the money was paid to him each week by Dabrowski.
Gives Confused Testimony
The last $10 he received, Frenia testified, was paid to him in January of this year. For this money, Frenia asserted, he was to “take the slips and help around the club.”
He said that on the second floor of the Republican club, were tables and chairs and the money they brought in, but there were no adding machines there. In earlier testimony, Frenia testified he had adding machines in his home which had been passed over a second-story window from the clubhouse.
Under cross-examination by Kisselman, Frenia gave confusing and contradictory testimony as to whether or not Joe Klosterman had received or taken any of the “numbers” slips from his store. Finally, he declared Joe Klosterman did take “numbers” slips from the store on one occasion.
Frenia denied that any county detectives sought to intimidate him in telling his story as Kisselman charged, by reminding him that other witnesses who told stories not satisfactory to the prosecutor’s office, were sentenced to prison terms of two to three years.
Knew of Punishments
Frenia said he knew that phase himself as he had read it in the newspapers. Prosecutor Orlando objected to Kisselman’s questioning along these lines, asserting it was unfair to infer that “something would happen to witnesses because of anything displeasing that they may say and the prosecutor might not agree with.”
“We are not responsible,” Orlando said, “for the condition of witnesses’ minds brought about by something over which we have no control.”
Kisselman was permitted by the court to ask the question, explaining that “whatever it is Mr. Kisselman is seeking to bring out, the jury would get later.”
“Do you know why these other witnesses got 2 to 3 years?” Kisselman asked.
“Yes, I know that because it was in the paper and because they were working in the ‘numbers’ business,” said the witness. “They got more than three months because they did not tell the truth.”
Mrs. Frenia, called as a state witness, testified both Fred and Joseph Klosterman came to their store for “numbers” slips.
She testified she gave the slips to Fred Klosterman five or ten times and that she gave the slips to Joseph Klosterman about five times before Christmas, 1934.
Asked to name who brought the slips to their store, the witness said Walter Hart, Arthur Woodridge, “Sparrow” and another man whose name she did not know.
Gave Klosterman Slips
She disclosed that Dabrowski would come into the store to collect the slips. “They started to bring the slips into the store around Christmas time and they stopped in January a couple of days before my husband was arrested,” the woman testified.
The witness said the slips were sometimes in a bag and on other occasions wrapped in a rubber band. She testified to delivering some of the slips to Fred Klosterman not wrapped up in a bag.
“Between five and seven people would bring the ‘numbers’ slips to the store,” Mrs. Frenia said.
Under questioning the woman said she was in the store when the adding machines were transferred from the club next door to her house. She asserted the men who brought the machines from the club to their house were Dabrowski and “Sparrow.”
Mrs. Frenia further testified that she could see from her second floor of the house, men adding numbers on the second floor of the clubhouse next door. She also said she saw both Fred and Joseph Klosterman on the second floor of the club but did not remember whether she saw them there when they were adding numbers.
“I saw Leon Dabrowski and “Sparrow” in the clubhouse adding numbers,” she testified.
Testifies of Slips
Relating how she first came to pick up the “numbers” packages left in her store, she explained that Fred Klosterman told her that “if anyone brought a package there to take it.” That was about a month or two before Christmas, 1934, the woman declared.
Asked if she had a similar conversation with Joseph Klosterman, she said she did not.
She testified the last time Fred Klosterman was in the store to pick-up “numbers” slips was in December before Christmas. Joseph Klosterman was in the store also before Christmas which was the last time she saw him, Mrs. Frenia testified.
Under cross examination, Mrs. Frenia said she never played the “numbers” or banked or sold “numbers” slips. She testified her husband was not in the store when Joseph Klosterman came in and she knew the packages contained “numbers” slips because she saw them.
Asked how she would know they were “numbers” slips if she did not play them, the woman said “they asked for them.”
Mrs. Frenia was asked if she did not know it was against the law to take the “numbers” slips. She said “Yes, I did, but I took them because my husband worked for them at the club.”
“How often did you see what was going on in the second floor of the clubhouse from your home?”
“About twice a week—only when I looked over there.”
Exposes Brothers
Testimony of John Szalanski:
Q. Did you ever turn over numbers to Fred and Joe Klosterman at the Young Men’s Seventh Ward Republican Club? A. Yes.
Q. What were you in the business? A. I was a pickup man for about three years.
Q. When did you first start in the numbers business with Klosterman? A. I can’t tell exactly. I would say about three years ago.
The witness then identified each defendant from the witness stand.
Q. Before you started with them, with whom did you do business? A. With Griffith, of Haddon Heights or Haddonfield.
Q. Why did you go to Klosterman? A. I went with them because I made no money out of Griffith.
Q. Whom did you first see at the Klostermans? A. I saw Fred. I had no car, and they gave me $100 to get one. I talked it over with Fred. They gave me a $100 check at the saloon on Liberty street where I saw both Fred and Joe and I bought with it a Chrysler coupe.
Dealt With ‘Fred’
Q. With whom did you do your business? A. With Fred. I handed him the slips. I would turn the slips over to Fred at Mechanic and Green streets. That was before they moved to the Young Men’s Seventh Ward Republican Club.
Q. Did you turn the slips over to Fred or to Joe at the club? A. To either of them.
Q. To either or both? A. Yes. If I was late I would turn them over sometimes to Leon Dabrowski or to someone else in the office. That would be about once a month, or sometimes once or twice a week. I would turn them over at the club better than a year.
Q. Would you ever turn them over at Fred’s home? A. Yes.
Q. How long have you known Leon? A. About six years. He is supposed to be a brother-in-law of Fred.
Q. What was your daily average in the money you delivered from pickups? A. About $100 a day. I would get 5 percent. I would turn the money over to Leon, and I have turned it over to Fred already a few times at the Young Men’s Seventh Ward Republican Club.
Trial Failed to Halt Them
Q. You turned money like that right after the trial this year? Before the witness could answer, Judge Neutze interrupted to ask: “Do you mean to say that you turned money over to them right after the trial?” The witness answered, “Yes.”
Prosecutor Orlando then asked the witness whether he could identify Frenia or Mrs. Frenia. He identified both as the ones who conducted a delicatessen store next to the club. He testified that he would turn the slips in to John Frenia every day for a few months up to last Christmas.
Q. Why did you turn them in at Frenia’s place instead of at the Seventh Ward club? A. Fred or Leon told me to turn them in there instead of at the club.
Q. Where did you turn in the money? A. I turned it in to the club, upstairs on the second floor.
Asked by the prosecutor to describe the second floor, the witness said it contained rooms much like the second floor of a home, and in one of the rooms was a table at which Leon sat. There were four or five adding machines, and numbers slips in the room.
Q. Did you ever see Joe and Fred Klosterman on the second floor? A. Yes, about once a week.
Q. When do you recall seeing Joe there, in particular? A. There was once last Summer in the afternoon, between 2 and 5.
Q. Who else was there? A. There was Leon Dabrowski, Andrew Piontkowski, who were adding up slips; myself and Fred or Joe, whoever came in.
Tells of Getting Money
Q. On the hits, who would deliver the money? A. I delivered the money.
Q. From whom would you receive the money? A. Sometimes from Fred, if there was a big hit and the people won a lot of money. If it was not such a big hit, I would receive the money from Leon.
Q. Did any of the players make large hits? A. Yes. Fifty cents and a dollar. That means if they hit a dollar it would mean $500, and Freddy or Leon would give me that money.
At this point, the voice of the witness was almost inaudible, and the prosecutor requested him to speak out loudly and clearly. Orlando next asked the witness whether he had any difficulty before he quit the Klostermans. He answered that he had, because he had borrowed $50, and Fred had told him that if he made any other loans, he was to know about it. Fred also told him, he said, to be a “good boy” while he was away.
In the back room of the Chez La Joy, he said, he received the full amount of a big hit. At the time there was there with him, Fred Klosterman, Leon and a man called “Flori.”
“At this time,” the witness said, “Fred ordered Leon to give me the full amount.”
Gave Brothers Slips
Q. To whom did you give the money? A. I gave it to a fellow I knew as ‘Bill’ on the East Side.
Q. Did you give him all of the money? A. No.
Q. Did you take any of it out for yourself, for commission? A. No.
Q. How much did you give him? A. I gave him between $400 and $500. He was the writer.
Q. Did you ever deliver slips to Fred or Joe Klosterman at the Chez La Joy? A. Yes, whoever was around.
Q. When, in particular? A. Well, on one occasion last summer I handed them to Joe, and at other times, I also handed them to Fred in the summer. I would say about a half dozen times in the past year.
The witness testified he delivered slips to Leon at the Chez La Joy but that he never delivered slips to Mrs. Frenia, but he did to her husband for about two months. He said he gave the slips to Frenia in a paper bag. He also testified that he knows a man by the name of “Peaches,” and that he saw him at the Republican club, turning in numbers.
He also turned in slips to Andrew Pointkowski, he said.
Orlando Overruled
“I also saw Walter Hart turning in numbers at the club and the store, as did Tom Kirk,” the witness testified.
That ended the direct examination. On cross-examination by Kisselman, the witness said that he first told the prosecutor what he knew about a month ago.
Q. Did the prosecutor come after you? A. Yes. They called me on the phone and told me to come to the prosecutor’s office.
Q. Are you charged with anything here in connection with this case? A. No.
Q. Did they tell you there were witnesses in jail; that these other fellows were in jail? A. I knew it.
Q. Did Mr. Doran, chief of detectives, tell you that because the previous testimony of these witnesses was unsuitable, their sentences were increased? Prosecutor Orlando objected; to which Kisselman replied:
“It seems that we have a right to show intimidation.”
“I can’t see the relevancy of such testimony,” replied Orlando.
Judge Neutze allowed the question and the witness answered:
“I knew it because I read it in the newspapers.”
Asked why he appeared as a witness, whether because he was a public-spirited citizen and wanted to tell the truth, he said that was the reason. He admitted later under cross-examination, that he was arrested in Philadelphia because he was in the numbers business.
Parries Cross-Jabs
Q. You come here and profess to be a public-spirited citizen, yet you were arrested after what you told the prosecutor in connection with the case? A. Yes.
Q. When did you last see Fred in connection with the numbers business? A. On a Saturday after the trial. (The date of the trial was January 17, 1935.)
Q. Did you know that Fred was in the hospital? And did you do the numbers business with him when he was in the hospital? As a matter of fact, didn’t Fred go away the day after the trial? A. He went away on a Saturday, and I did business in the meanwhile with Leon. I would see Joe around.
Q. Did you see him every day before the trial? A. Yes, I would say about every day.
Q. Do you remember seeing him after the trial? A. I don’t remember seeing him after the trial.
Luncheon recess was declared. The court warned the jury not to discuss the case with anyone on the outside.
Tells of Transfer
Topolski, who testified he was employed as a janitor at the clubhouse by Fred Klosterman but paid by a man named Leon Dabrowski, said he often saw Dabrowski, Charlie Smith, Walter Hart, Andrew Piontkowski, Crawford Smith, “Gassy” and “Peaches” about the place.
Topolski said he also was employed as “pickup man” in the “numbers” business and that he took the slips and money to the delicatessen store of John Frenia next door to the Republican club. Dabrowski, according to the witness would then gather the slips and receive the money personally from Topolski.
Jury Quickly Chosen
It required only 45 minutes to select the jury to try the Klostermans. The state used seven challenges and the defense ten.
The courtroom which was slow to fill up at the opening of the trial, was crowded by the time the jury had been selected and the prosecutor made his opening.
Topolski, who said he was a leather worker before engaging in the “numbers” business, was the first witness called by the state.
“I was a pick-up man in the numbers game,” Topolski replied in answer to a question by Prosecutor Orlando. “I used to meet a fellow on the corner known as Charles Stewart. He gave me number slips and books which I took to the delicatessen store of John Frenia.
“Do you know Fred and Joseph Klosterman, the defendants on trial here?” the prosecutor asked.
“Yes I met them several times. I saw Fred Klosterman come into the club several times but I never saw Joe there.
The witness identified the two Klostermans seated at the defense counsel table. Questioned by Prosecutor Orlando as to whether he did any “numbers” business with either defendant, Topolski said, “I never did any business with either of them.”
“No, I Didn’t”
“Did you ever deliver any ‘numbers’ books or ‘numbers’ slips to a tap room called the Chez LaJoy at 1050 Mechanic street?” he was asked.
“No. I didn’t.”
That address as well as the Republican club are alleged by the state to have used together with a house at 1051 Mechanic street, as headquarters for the operations of the “numbers” business of the Klosterman brothers.
Names Three Men
“Did you ever deliver any “numbers” books to 1051 Mechanic street?”
“No, I did not,” answered the witness.
In connection with seeing the Klostermans, the witness said it was in the Republican Club that he met them, where both were members.
Questioned concerning his activities in the “numbers” business, Topolski said he started working as a “pickup” man sometime in June or July, 1934, and continued up to about three weeks before Christmas.
“How much business would you do?” he was asked.
“I would pick up anywhere from $40 to $50 daily. I would pick up from three different men.”
“Who were they?”
“Joe Miller, Charles Smith and John Jankowski.”
Questioned further, Topolski said he made arrangements to leave the slips at Frenia’s store for Leon Dabrowski, who he identified as “the guy who got me the job.” He testified he met Dabrowski in Chez LaJoy in June of last year.
‘Sort of Grab Bag’
“I would just hand Frenia the bag which had the slips in. I don’t think he knew what was in the bag,” Topolski testified.
“Sort of a prize bag, eh,” broke in Judge Neutze and the courtroom tittered in laughter.
Hired by Klosterman
“Who did you give the money to which you collected?” Prosecutor Orlando asked.
“To Leon Dabrowski.”
“Did you ever see Fred or Joe Klosterman at Frenia’s store?”
“No.”
The witness then said he did see them at the Republican Club where he had been engaged last July as a janitor to clean up the place.
“Fred Klosterman hired me but Leon Dabrowski paid me,” Topolski said. “The first couple of weeks I was paid $3 a week but then they raised me to $6 a week.”
Under grilling he said he did not think it was strange that Fred Klosterman gave him the job and Dabrowski paid him.
“Did you ever see any adding machines on the second floor of the club?” Prosecutor Orlando asked.
“No,” was the answer.
The witness then testified he cleaned up newspapers, slips of papers and long pieces of tape paper which were blank. He further testified he would see Dabrowski at the club in the evenings and also about when he was cleaning up.
Got 5 Percent Fee
Topolski said he was to receive 5 percent of the $40 or $50 of “numbers” playing which he collected daily. He said he deducted it from the money he turned in. Asked by Prosecutor Orlando to tell who appeared around the club when he was there, the witness said:
“Well there was “Gassy,” Charlie Smith, “Peaches,” Walter Hart, Andrew Piontkowski, Crawford Smith . . . and I also saw Fred Klosterman walk in and out but he never stayed long.”
Frenia was called to the front of the courtroom by the prosecutor and Topolski identified him as the man with whom he left the bag of “numbers” slips daily. The prosecutor then called Frenia’s wife and Topolski identified her but said he never left any “numbers” slips with her.
“Did any of the slips which you picked up ever hit?” the prosecutor asked.
“Yes, there were several hits,” said the witness. “On one hit I received $15 which I gave to the “numbers” writers to distribute to the winners. They went mostly to Charles Stewart.”
Crawford M. Smith
Camden Courier-Post —
Crawford M. Smith
Crawford M. Smith, 60, of 702 Carman street, a lifelong resident of Camden, died Sunday. A steel construction worker, Mr. Smith's job took him all over the United States. He was a brother of Walter Smith, retired city detective, and of Howard Smith, former county detective. He is survived also by his widow, Lillian R.; three sons, Belford E. and Edward B., of Camden, and Crawford M., Jr., Philadelphia; two daughters, Mrs. Della Durney and Mrs. William Davis, also of this city; four grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Harry Wagner, Camden. Services will be held tomorrow at 2 p. m. at the Schroeder Funeral Home, 715 Cooper street, with burial in New Camden Cemetery.
Mrs. Lillian R. Smith
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. Lillian R. Smith
Services for Mrs. Lillian R. Smith, 70, of 702 Carman street, who died yesterday, will be held at 11 a. m. Thursday in the Schroeder funeral home, 715 Cooper street, where friends may call tomorrow night. Burial will be in New Camden cemetery. Mrs. Smith was born in Swedesboro and was a resident of Camden about 50 years. She is survived by three sons, Crawford M., Philadelphia; Edwin B. and Edward B., both of Camden; two daughters, Mrs. Charles Carroll, Pennsauken, and Mrs. William Davis, Camden; and eight grandchildren.
Crawford Miller Smith — World War I Draft Registration Card
World War I Draft Registration Card — 1918
REGISTRATION CARD
Serial Number: 471
Order Number: 2752
Name: Crawford Miller Smith
Permanent Home Address: 736 Carman St., Camden, N. J.
Age in Years: 36
Date of Birth: Dec. 24, 1880
Race: White
U. S. Citizen: Native Born
Present Occupation: Pr[?]ucer Dep[?]
Employer’s Name: R. D. W. [struck through] Camden Iron Works
Place of Employment or Business: Foot of Line St., Camden, N. J.
Nearest Relative: Lilian Smith, 736 Carman St., Camden
I affirm that I have verified above answers and that they are true.
Signed: Crawford Miller Smith
REGISTRAR’S REPORT
Description of Registrant: Height, medium; build, medium; color of eyes, brown; color of hair, brown.
Has person lost arm, leg, hand, eye, or is he obviously physically disqualified? Physically O.K.
Signature of Registrar: Joseph A. Hurley
Date of Registration: Sep. 12, 1918
Stamp of Local Board: Local Board for Division No. 2, City of Camden, State of New Jersey, Board of Education, Room 12, City Hall, Camden, New Jersey.