Introduction
DR. PAUL NATHAN LITCHFIELD was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1873. After attending the University of Pennsylvania he graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1895. He was a general practitioner and was affiliated with Cooper Hospital and the Lakeland Tuberculosis Hospital run by Camden County. Dr. Litchfield was a member of the Camden County Medical Society, the Camden City Medical Society; the American Medical Association, and the Philadelphia Medical Club. He also at one time served as Camden County's coroner.
The 1900 Census shows Dr. Litchfield and his wife Rena at 1123 Kaighn Avenue. By 1906 he had moved to 1100 Kaighn Avenue, the corner of Mount Ephraim and Kaighn Avenues, where he had his medical practice and operated a pharmacy. He remarried in 1907, and was living with his wife Kirstine at the Kaighn Avenue address when the Census was taken in 1910, and when the 1914 City Directory was compiled.
Dr. Litchfield died May of 1918. When the 1920 Census was enumerated his widow had moved to Philadelphia. By the mid-1920s Dr. Samuel S. Butler had acquired the property at 1100 Kaighn Avenue. Dr. Butler would practice medicine and pharmacy at that address for many years thereafter.
Dr. Litchfield was a member of Camden Lodge No. 293, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
1100 Kaighn Avenue
1100 Kaighn Avenue — site of Dr. Litchfield's medical practice and pharmacy
Philadelphia Inquirer
Father Shoots His Son Then Suicides
CAMDEN, N. J., Jan 8—Joseph Caskey, a teamster, aged 60 years, of 820 Mount Vernon street, Camden, shot and instantly killed his son, Joseph, a weaver, aged 30 years, of 923 Chestnut street, Camden, in a stable yard in the rear of William Sultzbach’s saloon, at the southeast corner of Ninth and Walnut street, about half-past seven o’clock last night. The father afterwards put the pistol in his mouth, pulled the trigger and fell a corpse at his son’s feet.
Joseph Caskey, Sr., was one of the settlement, and his son was equally well known. Sunday they both attended a Polish christening and were apparently on good terms.
Last night the father was observed to drive into the stable yard shortly after seven o’clock with a team partially loaded. He was seen and heard by several neighbors in and about the barn.
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About half-past seven the housekeeper at Sultzbach’s, on whose premises the stable is located, came to him in a state of fright and declared there was a man on the roof. To satisfy her he lighted a lantern and went out on the roof, but found no one. As he flashed the lantern he discovered the street gate and barn door open.
He came down and fastened the gate and started for the barn door and found the bodies of both men.
The son was lying in the stable door with a bullet wound in his temple. The father, a few feet away, was found with a wound in the roof of his mouth. The revolver, a 32-calibre, was clutched tightly in his right hand.
Mr. Sultzbach immediately notified the authorities, and Captain Stanley and Sergeant Reeder [sic] took charge of the bodies until the arrival of Coroner Litchfield.
Both men were married. The father leaves a wife and three grown children and the son a wife and two little girls.
Camden Daily Courier
Named: George G. Felton, Hugh Boyle, Fithian Simmons, Mahlon Ivins Sr., John Foster, Dr. Paul N. Litchfield, Charles H. Felton, John L. Westcott, Dr. Frank N. Robinson, Clarence Hires, Charles F. Eastlack, Frank F. Michellon, Freedom C. Lippincott, Thomas M.K. Lee Post No. 5, G.A.R., Washington Street, George F. Kappel, Henry Longacre, Harry Miller, and Thomas Smith.
Camden Post-Telegram
COL. GEORGE G. FELTON ENDS HIS LIFE BY INHALING ILLUMINATING GAS
Body of the Former City Treasurer Found This Morning Cold in Death in His Real Estate Office With Gas Jets Turned On.
RUMORS OF FINANCIAL TROUBLE GIVEN AS CAUSE OF SUICIDE
Colonel George G. Felton, former City Treasurer, Deputy Quartermaster General of the National Guard of New Jersey, real estate broker and prominent in the building and loan association world, was found dead in the U. S. Pension office, in the Felton building, northeast corner of Second and Federal streets, shortly before 8 o’clock this morning. Death was due to inhaling gas, two jets in the office being turned on full head, and a cap having been removed from a pipe formerly used to supply gas to a radiator.
Colonel Felton occupied the front offices of the Felton building. When Thomas Smith, head bookkeeper for Mr. Felton, arrived at the office a few minutes before 8 o’clock this morning, a strong odor of gas was present.
Surmising that something was wrong, Mr. Smith at once notified Mahlon Ivins, whose paint office is directly across Federal street. Mr. Ivins in turn communicated with the Police Department, and Policemen Harry Miller and George Kappell were ordered to make an investigation.
FOUND DEAD ON THE COUCH.
Passing through Mr. Felton’s offices, the officers went into the long hallway, from which the other offices on the first floor open. The escaping gas was found to come from the pension office, the last room back, and on pushing open the unlocked door the searchers were horrified to see Colonel Felton dead on the couch.
The strong flow of gas almost knocked the officers down, and after turning off the two jets, they raised the windows. The hissing of escaping gas was still heard, and the officers found it pouring in volumes from a pipe, which formerly fed a radiator and from which the cap had been removed. The cap was found on the floor and was placed back on the pipe.
DISROBED BEFORE DEATH.
The Colonel lay on his back and appeared to have died peacefully. He had taken off his outer clothing and had placed his clothes on a chair.
In the meantime Councilman Henry D. Longacre, who was associated with Colonel Felton, reached the office, and closed it temporarily.
Coroner Litchfield was notified, and after viewing the body, gave a certificate of death from suicide. In the opinion of the Coroner, Colonel Felton had been dead about eight hours.
Mrs. Felton who with an adopted daughter is spending a few days at Stone Harbor, was notified by telegraph. Funeral Director Simmons removed the body to Colonel Felton’s late home at 413 Washington street.
RUMORS OF FINANCIAL TROUBLE.
While no one cares to assign a direct cause for his suicide, it is rumored that a tangle in Colonel Felton’s accounts in the building associations, of which he was secretary, have preyed on his mind and made him despondent. It is reported that not long ago he was hard pushed to settle his accounts with the People’s Association, after which he was succeeded in the secretaryship by Frank C. Sayrs.
For awhile the police were of the opinion that Colonel Felton was in the building since Saturday night as he was seen in the vicinity of his office late on Saturday acting strangely. This belief, however, was dispelled at noon through information given to the police by a business man to the effect that Colonel Felton was seen to enter the building by the side door at ten minutes past 12 o’clock this morning.
County Collector Ivins telegraphed Quartermaster General Richard A. Donnelly, of the death of Colonel Felton.
COLONEL FELTON’S CAREER.
Colonel George G. Felton was born in Winchedon [sic], Mass., in 1845, where he resided until he was fourteen years of age. After receiving a common school education he went to Northfield, Mass., where on September 1, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company F, Fifty-second Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers, serving until the close of the war. He then came to New Jersey in which state he took up his residence. He lived for a short time in Burlington, after which he came to this city.
In 1887 he associated himself with Charles H. Felton & Co., in the real estate business. In 1893 he entered the real estate business for himself and continued in it at Second and Federal streets until the time of his death.
Colonel Felton was for a number of years connected with the National Guard of this state. He entered the Guard on August 29, 1883, by appointment as First Lieutenant and Quartermaster of the Sixth Regiment. He attained the rank of captain, August 19, 1888, and was appointed to the staff of the Quartermaster-General with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on May 21, 1890. He was advanced to the rank of Colonel and Deputy Quartermaster-General April 26, 1894, which rank he held up to the time of his death.
Colonel Felton was one of the most popular officers of the National Guard. His energy and executive ability made him an invaluable assistant to Quartermaster-General Donnelly and every summer he practically had charge of the Quartermaster’s department at the state camping ground at Sea Girt.
Mr. Felton was appointed by City Council in 1896 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of City Treasurer Frank Michelon and in the spring of the same year was elected to fill the unexpired term of one year of Mr. Michelon’s term of office. On Tuesday, April 13, 1897, Mr. Felton was elected City Treasurer on the Republican ticket, by 45 majority over Freedom C. Lippincott, the candidate of the Democrats and Committee of One Hundred. He was appointed a member of the Board of Public Works in 1892 by Mayor Westcott.
He was well-known in building association circles, being secretary of the Mechanics and the Homestead Building and Loan Associations until his demise. Mr. Felton was also a director of the Central Trust Company for several years, but some weeks ago disposed of his stock and ceased to be an officer of that company.
He was a director in the Security Trust Company at the time of his death. He was a member of the Masonic Order, and the A. O. U. W., and was also treasurer of the Camden Republican Club.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Named: George G. Felton, Dr. Paul N. Litchfield, George F. Kappel, Harry Miller, Thomas Smith, Charles H. Felton, Frank F. Michellon, Washington Street, Frank C. Sayrs, and Camden Republican Club.
The Paul Woodward Murder Case
–
On October 1, 1902 Paul Woodward murdered two young boys by giving them poison. Frank T. Lloyd, then Camden County prosecutor, was responsible for leading the investigation and prosecuting the case. Dr. Paul N. Litchfield was serving as County Coroner at the time, was involved in the investigation and at the trial. Woodward was arrested on October 4, 1902. He was indicted, tried, convicted of murder in the first degree, and on January 7, 1903 executed at the Camden County Jail.
People mentioned in coverage of this case: Joseph Jennings – Jennings' Third Regiment Band – Frank T. Lloyd – Dr. William S. Jones – William D. Hart – Dr. Paul N. Litchfield – F. Morse Archer – John Foster – John Painter – John Cherry – Isaac Toone – Paul Woodward – George M. Beringer – Charles G. Garrison – J. Wesley Sell – Christopher J. Mines Jr. – Frederick A. Rex – J. Frederick Voigt – George F. Kappel – Isaac Toy – Harry S. Scovel – Francis Ford Patterson Jr. – Hugh Boyle – George H. Stineford Sr. – Frank S. Albright – Thomas Walton – Dr. William H. Iszard
Philadelphia Inquirer
TWO CAMDEN BOYS HAVE DISAPPEARED
John Coffin, 11 years old, son of William Coffin, division freight agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and Price Jennings, 14 years old, son of Leader Joseph Jennings, of the Third Regiment Band, are missing from their homes and the Camden police have been asked to locate them.
They started for the Trenton fair Wednesday and failed to return. All intermediate points have been communicated with, but the lads have not been heard from.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Two Camden Boys Are Still Among Missing
TWO CAMDEN BOYS ARE STILL AMONG MISSING
Nothing has yet been learned as to the whereabouts of John H. Coffin, the eleven-year-old son of William Coffin, division agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and Price Jennings, fourteen years old, son of Joseph Jennings, leader of the Third Regiment Band, the two Camden boys who disappeared on Wednesday when they left, it is presumed, for the Trenton fair.
The Coffin boy has light hair, brown eyes and weighs 64 pounds. When he left home he wore a blue cheviot suit, knee trousers, a blue and green golf cap and a pink and white shirt waist. While somewhat older the Jennings lad bears a striking resemblance to his missing companion.
When the boys disappeared Price Jennings had about $10, but the Coffin boy had nothing of value about him except a small silver watch. The police of near-by cities have been communicated with, but they are unable to find any trace of the missing boys.
[Photo caption: JOHN H. COFFIN. The above photograph was taken two or three years ago, but is a good likeness of the boy as he appears to-day.]
Philadelphia Inquirer
Named: Frank T. Lloyd, Dr. William S. Jones, William D. Hart, Dr. Paul N. Litchfield, F. Morse Archer, John Foster, John Painter, John Cherry, Paul Woodward, Benson Street, and North 3rd Street.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Deep Mystery Still Envelops Camden Tragedy
DEEP MYSTERY STILL ENVELOPS CAMDEN TRAGEDY
Authorities Apparently at Sea Regarding Theory for Lads' Taking Off
THEY WERE MURDERED
Such Is the Belief of Prosecutor Lloyd and Others in the Case
WOODWARD UNDER FIRE
Declares Not Guilty of the Awful Crime — Two Boys to Be Buried To-day
[Note: Image pwood-100602-inq-1.jpg contains only the headline block. Full article text begins in pwood-100602-inq-2.jpg through inq-8.jpg. See full transcription of Oct 6 article in context of this image set.]
Philadelphia Inquirer
Woman Involved in Camden Mystery
WOMAN INVOLVED IN CAMDEN MYSTERY
After Being Questioned by the Prosecutor She Is Committed to the County Jail—Believed to Be an Important Arrest
[Photo caption: Crowds in Front of the Jennings Home During Funeral]
[Portrait caption: George M. Beringer — The Camden chemist who is making an examination of the internal organs of the two boys.]
While mystery apparently as absolute as ever still obscures the motive and the criminal in the case of John Houseman Coffin and W. Price Jennings, the unfortunate Camden lads whose trip to the country at Haddon Heights last Wednesday resulted so tragically, it is surmised from hints dropped now and again the matter may soon be cleared. However, those who are working so assiduously to bring the guilty person to justice are as close-mouthed as the proverbial clam, and but meagre information reaches the public.
Last night a woman, about 45 years old, was committed to the county jail by Recorder Stackhouse. On the commitment her name is given as Mrs. Barber. She was committed on complaint of County Detective John Cherry "as a material witness to prove certain allegations pending against one Paul Woodward, who is committed to the county jail charged with the murder of one John Coffin."
The woman was placed under arrest after a long conference in the Prosecutor's office. Prosecutor Lloyd said last night that the woman lives on a farm at Marlton, and that she is a very important witness in the case, so important, in fact, that she cannot regain her freedom without a good round sum being put up for her security.
Woodward Again Examined
The investigation into the case was somewhat retarded yesterday owing to an attack of rheumatism that made Prosecutor Frank T. Lloyd remain at home. The day's responsibility rested on F. Morse Archer, the assistant pro-secutor. The latter yesterday morning had Woodward brought into his office, where he underwent for the sixth time a thorough cross-examination. Mr. Archer said Woodward had made no confession, as had been rumored. On the contrary, he still maintained his innocence.
In answer to a question Mr. Archer said: "We are doing our best and while we are in possession of information which we consider important and vital to the case, it is impossible at this time to make it public."
On the other hand, County Physician Jones was very emphatic in this particular, saying the boys were murdered beyond a doubt.
Boys' Funerals
Yesterday afternoon the funeral of the boys took place at the same hour and within a square of one another's homes. Although the hour set for the obsequies, 2 o'clock in the afternoon, had been kept secret scores of persons stood about in knots discussing the tragedy and eager to get a glimpse of the caskets containing the remains of the boys.
Police Captain Boyle and Policemen Kappel, Toy and Ridgeley guarded the houses, and no one except relatives and intimate friends were permitted to enter. But when the caskets were carried from the houses the crowd could not be kept back. Many persons crowded about, and the mourners entered the carriages between two solid phalanxes of curiosity seekers.
The services over Jennings were conducted at his home, 219 North Third street, by Rev. C. A. Adams and Rev. John Lyell. At the Coffin home, 305 North Third street, Rev. William H. Fishburn had charge of the obsequies. Companions of the boys acted as pallbearers. Jennings was buried at Evergreen and Coffin at Harleigh Cemetery.
George M. Beringer, a Camden chemist, who has the important duty of discovering, if possible, traces of poison in the stomachs of the boys, said yesterday he is making a thorough chemical analysis and is of necessity proceeding slowly. He said he will not be able to report the result for some days to come.
A pathetic little incident occurred at the Cooper School during recess yesterday morning when the children, school mates of the lads, gathered about and listened to the muffled beats of a drum. The school flag was at half mast and in every room there was a flag draped with black crepe. The youngsters were visibly affected.
Philadelphia Inquirer
WOODWARD HAS KNOWLEDGE OF CAMDEN MURDER
So Confessed to Officers, Who Searched New York at Prisoner’s Instance
NO HAND IN THE CRIME
But Said He Knew Name of the Man Who Committed Awful Deed
YOUTH’S STRENUOUS DAY
Taken to the Scene of the Tragedy and Closeted With the Prosecutor
It is believed the authorities of Camden have cleared up the mystery surrounding the deaths of John Coffin and Walter Price Jennings, the two lads who mysteriously disappeared from their homes on October 1 and were found dead in a field. That the boys were murdered and that the law officers believe a strong case has already been made out against Paul Woodward, the suspect, there seems to be no doubt.
Last night, after a conference of the detectives at Prosecutor Lloyd’s home, the latter official gave out the following statement: “There is absolutely no truth in the story of Woodward’s confession. However, the State has enough to make a clear case against Woodward.”
Ever since the discovery of the bodies the city and county detectives have worked unceasingly on the case. On Sunday afternoon, while Woodward was being examined in the Prosecutor’s office in the county buildings, he admitted, it is said, that while he had no hand in the commission of the crime he knew the name of the man who did.
Gave a Name
He gave, it is said, the name of a white man who committed the murder, and said he was then in hiding in New York. He furnished the detectives with his whereabouts in that city.
Acting on this information Detectives Painter and Smith went to New York and made a thorough search, following closely the prisoner’s suggestions. The search proved fruitless.
On Monday Detective Painter learned that John Farmer, a colored man, employed by John H. Carroll, of Haddon Heights, had seen Price, Coffin and Woodward together in the field in which the bodies of the boys were afterwards discovered. Yesterday Farmer was brought to the Prosecutor’s office, where he stated that he had seen the boys alive in the field at 3 o’clock on the afternoon of the day they disappeared.
Last to See Them Alive
He was confronted with Woodward, and in his presence told the story. At its conclusion Woodward exclaimed, “You’re a liar!”
The authorities lay great stress on Farmer’s story, for he was the last man to see the boys alive and to their minds almost fixes the hour of the murder.
A prominent jail official said last night that Woodward said yesterday to a fellow prisoner: “I’ll never give the man away who done the job.”
In his cell last night Woodward was a picture of abject misery. He was trembling like an aspen leaf. He has barely touched his food for the last two days. His only consolation seems to be in cigarettes, of which he daily consumes several packs.
Taken to the Scene
The feature of yesterday was the taking of Woodward to Haddon Heights. He was driven to the scene of the murder in a double team and was accompanied by Assistant Prosecutor F. Morse Archer, County Detective John S. Smith and City Detective John Painter. Woodward was carefully manacled and guarded during the trip.
The party went over the field where the bodies were found in an endeavor to arouse some emotion in the youth that might lead to a confession. Instead he simply smoked cigarettes and picked up a few chestnuts lying about, and was apparently unmoved.
After going over the field he was taken to several places in the vicinity where persons saw the ill-fated lads last Wednesday afternoon. It was stated that in one instance at least Woodward was positively identified as the young man last seen with the boys late in that afternoon. From 1 o’clock until after 6 he was kept on the move.
When Assistant Prosecutor Archer arrived at the court house he was besieged with questions, but after a talk with his chief over the telephone he said: “The administration of justice would be seriously hampered if at this time the facts in the case were given to the public. The case is now in a critical stage.”
At Prosecutor’s Home
After coming in from the country the prisoner was taken to Prosecutor Lloyd’s home on the East side. Here Woodward was kept until after 6 o’clock, all the time being under a cross fire of questions. At half-past 6 he was admitted to the county jail, still manacled and still smoking cigarettes. He was visibly affected, trembling like a leaf.
Late yesterday afternoon County Detective Cherry and City Detective Hart visited the home of Woodward on Benson Street and brought back with them some clothing and about fifty novels. The latter were of a trashy order.
Harry Bowen and Joseph Simpkins, a trolley crew on one of the West Collingswood cars of the Camden and Suburban Railway Company, were examined by Assistant Prosecutor Archer. They had charge of a car that left Camden at 10:43 and arrived at West Collingswood at 11:13 Wednesday morning. It is believed that on this car the two dead boys and Woodward went to West Collingswood and from there walked over to Haddon Heights.
Money for Defense
Mrs. Woodward, mother of the accused boy, was at the Court House yesterday and said her father had sent her $5,000 with which to use in defense of his grandson. She claimed to have engaged the services of Harry S. Scovel, who defended Eli Shaw. Mrs. Woodward also said that the Mrs. Barber arrested Monday night was a personal friend of the family, and that Paul had simply boarded with her.
County Physician Jones has advanced a theory as to the killing of the boys. He maintains poison was administered with no intention of killing. According to his theory, the boys were given “knockout drops,” or chloral, in sufficient quantities to kill a man. It was the intention of the murderer, however, to just give them a sufficient quantity to render them unconscious, and while in this state discover them at the solicitation of the boys’ families and receive a reward.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Camden's Mystery Is Still Unsolved
CAMDEN'S MYSTERY IS STILL UNSOLVED
While Authorities Are at Work, Public Watch and Wait. Weaving a Net About Paul Woodward, the Young Suspect Now in Jail
[Portrait caption: Paul Woodward — Portrait drawn from life.]
[Portrait caption: Mrs. Edith Barber.]
It is now generally believed that the Camden county authorities have succeeded in establishing a clear case against young Paul Woodward, who is in the county jail, charged with the crime of taking away the lives of little John Coffin and Price Jennings. It was just a week ago yesterday when the boys went on their trip to Haddon Heights from which they were destined never to return alive.
Since the discovery of the bodies last Saturday partially hidden in rain soaked weeds, the Prosecutor's office, assisted by County Detectives Smith and Cherry and City Detectives Painter and Hart, have left no stone unturned.
No Confession
Prosecutor Lloyd yesterday reiterated his statement that Woodward had made no confession, but it is generally conceded as true that the accused youth did tell a story in which he makes some one else the principal criminal in the case.
Several incidents transpired yesterday that threw off the monotony of waiting for developments. Joseph Jennings, brother of one of the murdered boys, was taken to the cell in which Woodward is confined. He had no difficulty in recognizing the prisoner before. But as to whether he ever saw him in company with the dead lads he was not permitted to say.
Wild Rumor
There was much excitement about the Court House when it became rumored that Mrs. Edith Barber, the woman detained as a material witness against Woodward, had the small pox. To allay the alarm County Physician Jones called in representatives of the Board of Health, who concluded she had no sign of the disease.
After matters quieted somewhat the woman was taken into the Prosecutor's office and questioned. When taken back to her cell she was crying and appeared to be almost unable to walk.
Woodward spent the day in his cell, smoking cigarettes as usual. He was visited in the morning by Lawyer Harry Scovel, who has not yet been engaged as counsel, as reported. Again in the afternoon Lawyer Scovel visited the youth in company with Woodward's mother. At first Mrs. Woodward was denied admittance, but after waiting on the jail steps for nearly an hour she was permitted to go in and see her son. Lawyer Scovel and Mrs. Woodward were with the young man for a couple of hours.
Talked a Whole Lot
To all questions Lawyer Scovel said: "Woodward talked a whole lot, but I have nothing to say."
He said he had not confessed to him. On the other hand Woodward had maintained his innocence.
When asked if Woodward could have a hearing if he demanded it Mr. Archer said he could. Asked if enough evidence was in hand to hold him, Mr. Archer said there was.
"On a simple assault charge?"
"No, sir, for the crime he is charged with—committing the murder of John Coffin," replied Mr. Archer.
Coroner Litchfield said last night he would not set a date for the inquest before some time next week. Despite all reports to the contrary, Coroner Litchfield says Chemist George M. Beringer, who is analyzing the internal organs of the boys, will not complete the work before the end of the week.
Prosecutor Lloyd, who is still confined to his home with rheumatism, would make no statement last night, although admitting that the day's work had not resulted in anything of material importance.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Prosecutor Lloyd Declares That Woodward Is the Guilty Man
NO MORE ARRESTS LIKELY
Weaving Web Around Alleged Slayer of the Murdered Boys
“Beyond all question the murderer of these little boys is now in jail and the public’s anxiety can now be allayed,” said Prosecutor Frank T. Lloyd last night in making the first important statement concerning the tragedy of last week, when John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, two Camden lads, were murdered in an uncultivated field near Haddon Heights. The mystery which has enshrouded the case since the discovery of the bodies last Friday has almost been cleared up with the exception of the report of Chemist George M. Beringer, who is making an analysis of the internal organs of the boys.
Prosecutor Lloyd gave out the following statement shortly before 8 o’clock at his home on the East Side:
“Because of a suspicion that more than one person was engaged in the murder of these little boys the State has been obliged to work with much secrecy and to withhold from the press the result of our work. That suspicion is now removed. Beyond all question the murderer is now in jail and the public’s anxiety can be allayed. Woodward was alone the perpetrator of this crime.
Case Nearly Complete
“It is my duty to say this much in view of the deep public concern and the apprehension of other parents having little ones, but it would be improper for me to state the character or the quantity of evidence upon which our conclusions are based. I will only say that with the exception of the report of the chemist, which has not yet been received, the State’s case is almost complete.
“Woodward himself has made a number of statements, which, while not confessions, will be materially helpful toward securing his conviction.”
This statement precludes the possibility of another arrest being made in connection with the case, as has been currently reported during the week.
There were several conferences held yesterday between Assistant Prosecutor Archer and Detectives Smith, Cherry, Painter and Hart and Chief of Police Linderman, of Merchantsville. During one of the conferences John Farmer, the colored man who recognized Woodward as having been seen with the boys last Wednesday afternoon, was called in and closely questioned. Following the detectives departed apparently on several different clues.
Detectives Hard at Work
Detective Hart subsequently returned with a Mrs. Somers, said to reside on Royden street. She was interviewed by the Assistant Prosecutor, but what connection she has with the case the authorities refused to divulge. The woman refused to talk.
Louis Ross, a German, who resides near Haddon Heights, was also called into the Prosecutor’s office late in the afternoon. At first he was thought to be an important witness, but it was afterwards learned that he knew little about the case.
Detective Robert J. McKentry, of Philadelphia, and Detective Smith took over the river Mrs. William H. Hubbert and another young woman. It is at the home of Mrs. Hubbert, at West Philadelphia, that Woodward said he was present last Friday night.
Woodward became rather obdurate yesterday, refusing the usual prison fare. He waited until his mother sent him coffee and other victuals. The accused youth was at first placed in the cell formerly occupied by Lafayette Gruff, the wife murderer, who was hanged September 19. He has now been placed in another cell.
Philadelphia Inquirer
MORE ARRESTS IN CAMDEN MYSTERY
Following the statement given out Thursday night by Prosecutor Frank T. Lloyd the authorities have made additional arrests. First came the arrest of William Woodward, another brother of the prisoner, held them for a time, but then released them. Later three additional arrests were made. These were those of William Woodward, who had been arrested, and Mrs. Edith Woodward with her were also taken in custody. Charles May, 28 years old, and William May, his East London, both of whom boarded at the Woodward home on Benson Street. When asked the significance of the arrests Prosecutor Lloyd said: “It is decided advisable to lock them up as witnesses and possible accessories after the fact.”
More Arrests Made
Contrary to the inference in the Press statement, word from the prosecutor’s statement, three additional arrests were made. These were of Woodward’s mother Mrs. Woodward, with her were also taken in custody. Charles May, 28 years old, and William May, his East London, both of whom boarded at the Woodward home on Benson Street. When asked the significance of the arrests Prosecutor Lloyd said: “It is decided advisable to lock them up as witnesses and possible accessories after the fact.”
Denied Admittance to Jail
Mrs. Keeler then went to the jail door and demanded admittance of other Detectives. She was permitted to enter and visited Woodward’s cell, where she conferred with the prisoner for nearly an hour.
Prosecutor Lloyd went to Haddon Heights in company with County Detectives. The remains of the murdered boys are still at their homes. Detective Smith interrogated for the boys’ internal organs analysis. He was taken to the Prosecutor’s office. It is stated he had not presented his report of the chemical examination.
Philadelphia Inquirer
OFFICERS TRACED WOODWARD’S STEPS
Camden Authorities Rest After Weaving What They Believe to Be Strong Chain of Evidence About the Alleged Youthful Murderer
[Portraits: Detective William D. Hart | Detective John Painter — Camden City detectives who have done some good work in helping to bring about a solution of the murder mystery.]
In less than one week from the discovery of the bodies of John Houseman Coffin and Walter Price Jennings, near Haddon Heights, the city and county authorities of Camden have apparently solved the mystery of the most cruel murder in the history of the county. Paul Woodward the authorities are certain is that murderer. The motive was robbery. The officers say Woodward expected to get a large sum of money. A form of chloral used by photographers was administered. An overdose was given and death resulted where unconsciousness only was planned.
In the cell formerly occupied by Francis Abbatto, who was executed for an atrocious murder, Woodward is acting like a crazy man. In another wing of the jail Mrs. Edith Barber, his alleged paramour, refuses to eat and the authorities believe she is trying to starve herself to death.
Authorities Rest
Independent of Woodward’s latest confession the authorities have built such a stone wall of facts against him that at the conclusion of yesterday’s work the officials practically took their first rest since the discovery of the crime.
Mrs. Annie Irving Keeler, who was retained to defend Woodward, has withdrawn from the case, it is said on the advice of her physician. It is known, however, that at an interview with Woodward in jail yesterday he abused Mrs. Keeler.
Mrs. Woodward, mother of Paul, has been released from jail after making a complete statement and giving the law officers the right to enter and search her home at will. County Detective Smith yesterday found several more important witnesses.
Wanted to See Prosecutor
On Friday afternoon, while Prosecutor Lloyd was in consultation with George M. Beringer, the expert chemist, Woodward expressed a desire to see the prosecutor. He was taken to the latter’s office and in a half hour’s conversation talked freely of his crime. He said he had known both the boys for a long time. Attaches of the prosecutor’s office say Woodward thought the boys’ parents were wealthy and that it would be easy for them to get possession of a large sum of money. It was an easy matter for him, with the wonderful tales of adventure he had read, to so fill the boys’ heads that it would be no trouble for him to lure them from home, drug and rob them and have several hours’ advantage of flight before the discovery of the crime.
Left on Wednesday
Last Wednesday was fixed for the departure of the trio. They left according to schedule, going by trolley to West Collingswood. The Prosecutor has traced the trio along the White Horse pike and at a stop made at the Cyclers’ Rest, where soft stuff and pies were purchased from Miss Lillian Martin. Then they entered the field. Here it was that a drink was suggested, according to the authorities. Filling a can Woodward, after pretending to drink, gave it to the boys. Between them they emptied it. The Jennings boy fell unconscious on the spot. The Coffin boy wandered away. Shortly afterwards, the authorities say, Woodward robbed their bodies, came to Camden and wrote a letter to Mrs. Barber, which the authorities have. When arrested he had just returned from her home, near Marlton, N. J. The watch which the Jennings boy wore has not been recovered, although the authorities are on its track and expect to get it.
After being taken back to the jail yesterday Woodward began to act queerly. At times he would wave his hands and arms like a windmill. He followed this by jumping to and fro like a hobby-horse in action. He varied this by crouching on the floor of his cell and barking like a dog. At night he screamed and yelled until sleep was impossible for the rest of the prisoners. A threat of Jailor John Lee to lock him up in the dungeon caused him to cease.
Coroner Litchfield said last night that the analysis of the boys’ stomachs will not be completed for two weeks and that the inquest will not be held until that date.
Philadelphia Inquirer
West Philadelphian and a Supposed Companion of Young Paul Woodward Taken in Custody
There is but little remaining in the way of a mystery for the Camden county authorities to clear up in the murder case of little John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, of Camden. After working practically day and night during the past week Prosecutor Lloyd and his able assistants have brought to light such strong evidence against Paul Woodward, the young man in the county jail charged with the crime, that it will be next to impossible to refute it.
The sixth arrest in the case was made yesterday, when James Sheiding was taken into custody by County Detective Smith and committed to the county jail by Recorder Stackhouse as “a material witness.” Sheiding, who lives in West Philadelphia, was lured across the river to Camden, when Detective Smith at once took him in custody.
The prisoner is believed to be the companion of Woodward who, on the Friday night preceding the discovery of the murdered boys, was in the company of the accused murderer. On that occasion it is said Woodward had considerable money and that Sheiding assisted him in spending it.
Woodward did not give any evidence yesterday of being insane. On the other hand he was very quiet and evidently saw the futility of trying to make the Prosecutor believe him to be of unsound mind. He utterly refused to take part in the regular Sunday jail services. His whole concern seemed to be as to whether or not his mother would visit him to-day. He was of the opinion yesterday that his mother had gone to West Chester, where she is said to have relatives of means. Woodward thinks such a visit would result in him having sufficient funds with which to engage counsel.
Mrs. Edith Barker, the woman witness against Woodward, is very ill. Two of her children are ill with typhoid fever and the worry over this in connection with her important part in the case has made her one of the most wretched prisoners ever incarcerated at the county prison. Prosecutor Lloyd tried to have her admitted to a hospital, but his efforts were unavailing.
In all probability the case will come up before the present grand jury and be tried this month. Prosecutor Lloyd said last night that as soon as Chemist Beringer has made his report on his analysis of the viscera of the boys the Coroner’s inquest will be held. Immediately the court will be asked to take up the case.
Philadelphia Inquirer
But little developed in the murder case in Camden, for which Paul Woodward is incarcerated in the county jail. Prosecutor Lloyd has everything well in hand and his sole object is to have a speedy trial of the accused youth. He said yesterday his office would give out nothing further before the trial.
It is said Woodward has declared he gave John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, the murdered boys, bichloride of gold and not chloral. He is also reported to have said he did not intend giving such a large dose as would terminate fatally.
While as yet Woodward has no counsel it is probable he will be defended by Lawyer Edwin Hillman, who will be named by the court.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Paul Woodward, the youth accused of the murder of John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, the Camden boys whose bodies were found near Haddon Heights last Saturday week, may possibly be indicted for the crime to-day or to-morrow. Prosecutor Lloyd has the case so well in hand that he will present the facts before the grand jury this morning.
The State has practically concluded its investigation with the exception of making the necessary preparations for the trial. It is believed the grand jury will speedily find a bill of indictment against Woodward, and he may know his fate before the end of the present month.
Harry H. Robinson, a Philadelphia lawyer, was yesterday engaged to defend Woodward.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Woodward Indicted for Cruel Murder
WOODWARD INDICTED FOR CRUEL MURDER
The case of Paul Woodward, who is charged with the murder of John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, was considered by the Camden County Grand Jury yesterday. Among the witnesses were the father and aunt of the Jennings boy. The prisoner was promptly indicted.
There will be no inquest. Coroner Litchfield says the facts of the killing and that the boys met their death by violence being manifest to the authorities.
Philadelphia Inquirer
MORPHIA KILLED TWO CAMDEN BOYS
Chemist Beringer Makes His Report to Prosecutor Lloyd—Another Witness in Murder Case
George M. Beringer, the chemist who made an analysis of the organs of John Houseman Coffin and Walter Price Jennings, who were found dead near Haddon Heights two weeks ago, has made a report of his findings to Prosecutor Frank T. Lloyd.
Philadelphia Inquirer
MUST NOW PRODUCE WOODWARD IN COURT
Counsel for Paul Woodward, the young man accused of the murder of John Coffin and Price Jennings, two Camden boys, yesterday applied to Judge Garrison, at Mount Holly, for a writ of habeas corpus for their client. The application was granted and made returnable Friday next at Camden.
It is said the object of Woodward’s counsel is to make the State show its hand as to the evidence it has against the alleged youthful murderer. In all probability the indictments will be presented and the writ dismissed.
Philadelphia Inquirer
WOODWARD WRIT TO BE ARGUED TO-DAY
The rule granted by Judge Garrison last Tuesday to show cause why Paul Woodward, the youthful Camden murderer, should not be released on habeas corpus proceedings will be argued in Camden to-day. The indictment against Woodward may be presented and the case hurried toward the trial which will take place this term.
Prosecutor Frank T. Lloyd was able to be at his desk again yesterday after an attack of rheumatism.
Philadelphia Inquirer
YOUNG WOODWARD INDICTED BY JURY
He Is Charged With Robbery and Murder in the Bill Presented to Judge Garrison
Two indictments against Paul Woodward, charging him with the murder of John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, the two boys whose bodies were found in a field near Haddon Heights, have been presented to Judge Garrison.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Jurors to Try Woodward
Sheriff Sell, in Camden, yesterday drew a special panel of forty-eight jurors, twelve of whom will try Paul Woodward, charged with the murder of John Coffin. The trial will begin November 12. Woodward will be arraigned to-day before Judge Garrison to plead to the indictment charging him with murder.
Philadelphia Inquirer
WOODWARD SAYS HE IS NOT GUILTY
Paul Woodward, in Camden yesterday, pleaded not guilty to the indictments charging him with the murders of John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, the two Camden boys whose dead bodies were found near Haddon Heights a month ago.
Woodward was taken from the county jail to the court-room, where Justice Garrison was waiting to hear the plea. The accused youth did not give any evidence of emotion.
After listening to the reading of both indictments Woodward answered “not guilty” in a firm voice.
Prosecutor Lloyd then moved for the trial to take place Wednesday, November 12.
Trenton Evening Times
Trenton Evening Times – November 12, 1902
Philadelphia Inquirer
Named: Less Than Six Weeks After Alleged Crime Case Is Called in Camden Court, The Prisoner’s Appearance, and What State Will Try to Prove. Jury members: William Robinson, George Asay, William Powell, William Anderson, Charles Eiley, Thomas J. Atkinson, Wilson English, Harry Avis, George H. Stineford Sr., John M. Hyde, William Heggan, John St. Clair, Charles S. Hess, William Rex..
Philadelphia Inquirer
Frog Killed in Jersey Court
FROG KILLED IN JERSEY COURT
Queer Experiment in Trial of Youth for Murder of Two Boys
By Associated Press to The Patriot.
CAMDEN, N. J., Nov. 13.—A frog was poisoned in court to-day to show a jury the agonies of a human being dying as a result of being poisoned with strychnine.
Paul Woodward, who is alleged to have lured two boys, Brice Jennings and Paul Coffin, from this city, into the woods, and having caused their death with strychnine, was on trial, and Professor Marshall, of the University of Pennsylvania, was testifying. He took some of the poison extracted from the liver of Paul Coffin and forced it into a live frog.
The jury and all others in court became intensely interested. In a few minutes the frog went into convulsions. The professor explained the action of the drug as the frog, writhing, exhibited all the agonies the boy had suffered as he died. The experiment caused a sensation in the court room.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Named: Daniel J. Horgan, Isaac Siebert, W. Wilmer Collins, Druggist, Major Edward Coffin, Coffin's Corner, Ashland, William Coffin, William Coffin Jr., Mary Eiler, William F. Smith, James Sheiding, Fayetta Jennings, and Lee Hubert.
Philadelphia Inquirer
State Rests Its Case and the Defense Opens With an Effort to Prove an Alibi. Father and Mother Say Paul Was at Home.
“I wish I had a good gun; I’d get a bead on Lloyd and plug him sure,” Paul Woodward is said to have remarked yesterday to Constable Christman as he crossed the “bridge of sighs” from the Camden Court House to the county jail at the conclusion of the fourth day of his trial on the charge of killing John Coffin. He was angered at the merciless cross-examination of his mother by Prosecutor Lloyd during the last half hour of the session.
A few minutes before court adjourned he leaned over to Lawyer Robinson, one of his counsel, and uttered a string of oaths.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Woodward Spent a Quiet Sunday
WOODWARD SPENT A QUIET SUNDAY
Apparently Buoyed Up by the Efforts of His Counsel, Who Now Have Their Inning
Paul Woodward, the young man on trial for his life before Judge Garrison, charged with the murder of little John Coffin, spent a quiet Sunday in his cell in the Camden county jail. He ate his meals as usual and gave no evidence whatever of being affected by the ordeal through which he has passed since last Wednesday. Since the defense has opened its case he appears to be more cheerful, presumably expectant of something occurring before the end of the trial that will strengthen his chances of acquittal.
"The trial has caused more comment in Camden than anything since the time Eli Shaw was accused of the murder of his mother and grandmother some years ago."
There was great surprise manifested when Lawyer Daniels, in outlining the defense, said it would be proven Woodward could not have been present when the crime was committed, and the subsequent attempt to prove an alibi. Woodward may be placed on the stand to-day and it remains to be seen how his story will stand the keen cross-examination of Prosecutor Lloyd. One of the features of the trial has been the manner in which the jury has noticed every move and characteristic of the defendant as he sits in the prisoners' dock.
The jurymen were yesterday taken out for exercise. They were accompanied by constables and walked about the streets for some time.
Several letters have been received at the county jail, where Woodward is incarcerated, from persons who are desirous of securing the young man's brain in the event of him being convicted and hanged.
Philadelphia Inquirer
WOODWARD SMILED WHEN HE HEARD DEATH VERDICT
Camden Trial Came to a Sudden End With the Jury Returning a Conviction of Murder in the First Degree, After Deliberating Less Than an Hour
[Illustration caption: Attorney Robinson Making His Address to the Jury. Paul Woodward in Foreground.]
[Photo caption: Interior View of Camden Court House in Which the Case Was Heard and Which Has Been the Scene of Many Famous Murder Trials.]
Paul Woodward was last evening found guilty of murdering little John Coffin, whose body, with that of W. Price Jennings, was found in a field near Haddon Heights on October 4. Woodward’s trial began last Wednesday before Judge Garrison in Camden.
The jury retired at 3.45 o’clock, after a brief charge by Judge Garrison. At twenty minutes to 5 o’clock an agreement had been reached, but it was two minutes to 6 o’clock before Judge Garrison arrived, he having gone to his home at Merchantville.
In the meantime Woodward had been brought into the court room, and after the jury had filed in he was told to stand up. He arose without a tremor, looked at the ceiling, at the Judge and then turned to the twelve men who had his fate in their hands. His peculiar features lit up with a broad grin when the County Clerk said:
“Jury look upon the prisoner; prisoner look upon the jury.”
Guilty of Murder
Then when the jury was finally asked for its verdict and the foreman had solemnly announced “Guilty of murder in the first degree,” Woodward, apparently unmindful of the import of the words, turned to his counsel and laughed with a low chuckle. Each juror was polled and each man repeated “guilty of murder in the first degree.”
“The prisoner may retire,” said Judge Garrison, and with a sidelong glance at his counsel Woodward was led across the “bridge of sighs” to his cell in the county jail. He laughed loudly and slapped his custodian on the back in a playful mood, as if the whole proceedings had been a joke, but when he reached the jail he let go a tirade of profanity against the Prosecutor and those who appeared against him. He remarked that he did not care what became of him, all he cared for, he said, was his mother.
Motion for New Trial
Lawyer Rex immediately made a motion for a new trial, Judge Garrison stating he would hear argument on a date to be set. The jury was then discharged.
One of the features of the last day was the reappearance of Woodward’s mother, haggard, careworn and her eyes swollen with weeping. She was recalled to testify she had sworn falsely on Saturday when she denied even having been convicted of crime.
The climax in the defense’s case occurred in the morning, when Woodward, the defendant, was placed on the stand to testify. When he took his seat his eyes roamed about the room. He looked everywhere except in the direction of the jury. He admitted he was with the murdered boys, but denied absolutely having killed them. The alibi the defense tried to build about him during the period of the boys’ disappearance, was practically destroyed by contradictions made by Woodward concerning his movements. All the statements he made to Prosecutor Lloyd immediately following his arrest, he said, were false. He said he told the different stories because he was “scared.” The defense also tried to prove both boys were alive on Friday, October 3.
The defense called Dr. J. A. Leuf as an expert. He described the effects of strychnine on the human system. He said there were several other poisons that might have similar effects.
No Rebuttal Testimony
To the surprise of the assemblage no rebuttal testimony was given, Prosecutor Lloyd at once beginning his argument. He spoke for over an hour and at times was eloquent. He said the State asked for nothing but a first degree verdict, as the facts developed could have no other result consistent with the oath of the jury. It was a case of premeditation because there was first, an attempt at robbery, and second, because there was an attempt to do great bodily harm. The State, he said, had proved the crime against Woodward and followed him almost to the death bed of the boys.
Lawyer Robinson opened for the defense. He spoke for over an hour. “Paul is not guilty and if you follow the evidence you must acquit him,” concluded the defense.
Judge Garrison’s charge lasted just four minutes. He explained the law covering the case. He said anyone administering poison for robbery was guilty of murder in the first degree. If, however, it was not proven to the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant administered the poison, then he should be acquitted.
The jury then retired at 3.45.
Another postal card was received yesterday, asking for Woodward’s brain, but these seekers after the convicted man’s gray matter will be disappointed.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Thinks Woodward Is Deficient
That Paul Woodward, the Camden murderer of John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, is mentally deficient is likely to be made the basis of a plea by his counsel for commutation of the death penalty in his case before the Board of Pardons. That his conduct since conviction has been such as to furnish some ground for the appeal is believed by some of those with whom he has come in contact.
Far from being impressed by his terrible position Woodward laughs and jokes with his jailers.
He does not want ordinary prison fare. He asked a turnkey if a convicted murderer was not entitled to have his meals, including wine, brought from a restaurant. When he was jocularly told that he was, he exclaimed:
“Maybe I won’t live high! Then, I don’t care for myself; all I care for is my mother.”
During the day he saw James Bland, who is accused of the murder of James Morrisey. To Bland he said:
“Oh! don’t you get gay; you won’t eat your Christmas dinner either.”
Philadelphia Inquirer
Woodward Desires No Spiritual Advice
WOODWARD DESIRES NO SPIRITUAL ADVICE
Counsel for Paul Woodward, convicted for murdering John Coffin, have little hopes of getting a new trial for their client. The Board of Pardons may be asked to commute his sentence.
When asked whether he wanted a spiritual adviser yesterday Woodward replied: "No. I guess they could do me no good."
Philadelphia Inquirer
No New Trial for Murderer Woodward
NO NEW TRIAL FOR MURDERER WOODWARD
Counsel for Paul Woodward, convicted of murdering John Coffin, will not ask Judge Garrison for a new trial to-day, as they had announced.
The Board of Pardons will be appealed to, when counsel will try to prove the irresponsibility of the convicted man, who may be sentenced to-day.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Woodward to Go to Gallows on January 7
WOODWARD TO GO TO GALLOWS ON JANUARY 7
Camden Murderer Hears His Doom With a Smile, Then Curses Wildly
VISITED BY PARENTS
They Tell the Prisoner an Effort to Secure Life Imprisonment Will Be Made
Justice Garrison in Camden yesterday sentenced Paul Woodward to be hanged on January 7 for the murder of John Coffin and Walter Price Jennings near Haddon Heights on October 1.
Smiled, Then Swore
When sentence was pronounced Woodward smiled. As Sheriff Mines escorted him across "the bridge of sighs" he uttered vile curses and said that everybody connected with the case was a liar and that he was innocent. The prisoner's counsel withdrew the motion for a new trial. The death watch will be placed on duty to-morrow.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Death Watch on Woodward
Death Watch on Woodward
The death watch was yesterday placed on Paul Woodward, the young man in the Camden County Jail under sentence of death for murdering John Coffin and W. Price Jennings. He is under surveillance day and night. Yesterday he acted queerly, as though making an effort to have his jailors believe him insane.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Woodward Had Many Vices
WOODWARD HAD MANY VICES
Some Things That Prosecutor Lloyd Held Back
From the Prosecutor's office in Camden it is learned that much more evidence was in hand than that which was presented against Paul Woodward, convicted of murdering John Coffin and W. Price Jennings and who is under sentence to be hanged. The Prosecutor had knowledge that Woodward blackmailed a South Camden woman and her husband, almost resulting in a separation. Then he is said to have proposed to a young man a scheme of operating a "knock-out" resort.
One of his plans for getting money, it is said, was to play detective by going to certain women, telling them of misconduct on the part of their husbands and demanding a fee for watching the latter. Then he would turn around and work the same scheme on the men.
Kalamazoo Gazette
Cigarettes Make Him a Demon and a Murderer.
Camden, N. J., Nov. 28.—“Cigarettes have been my ruin. I will never smoke another,” said Paul Woodward, the condemned murderer of John Coffin and Price Jennings, who has been sentenced to death.
“Since I was a small boy I have smoked those things,” Woodward continued, “and they have driven me crazy. Yes, I am dangerously crazy. I do things against my own will.
Salt Lake Telegram
So Says Paul Woodward, the Condemned Murderer of Two Boys.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 1.—“Cigarettes have been my ruin. I will never smoke another,” said Paul Woodward, the condemned murderer of Paul Coffin and Price Jennings, in the Camden jail.
“Since I was a small boy I have smoked those things,” Woodward continued, “and they have driven me crazy. Yes, I am dangerously crazy. I do things against my own will. Sometimes I feel some demon within me that impels me to do injury to my dearest friends.”
Philadelphia Inquirer
Good Price for Expert Testimony
GOOD PRICE FOR EXPERT TESTIMONY
Camden county will have to pay $3100 for the expert testimony which figured in the State's case in the murder trial of Paul Woodward, who was convicted of murder. The bill was presented to Auditor George, of the Board of Freeholders, yesterday. The bill is divided as follows:
Dr. Marshall, toxicologist, $1200; Geo. M. Beringer, chemist, $1200; Dr. Cophn and assistants who performed the autopsy on the bodies, $350; Professor Hobart Hare, medical expert, $300, and $50 for sundries.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Rev. Gilbert R. Underhill, rector of St. John’s P. E. Church, Camden, visited Paul Woodward, the condemned murderer, in the Camden county jail yesterday and had a long talk with him. After the interview Woodward expressed himself as well pleased with the clergyman’s visit and said he liked the minister better than any of the others who had called.
To one of the jailors he said he realized that he must die and when the time came he would walk unflinchingly to the gallows.
Woodward’s mother and sister, the latter a pretty girl not yet out of her teens, and a student in a Philadelphia college, called on the doomed man yesterday and spent several hours with him.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Will Try to Save Woodward's Neck
Will Try to Save Woodward's Neck
An effort will be made to-day by counsel for Paul Woodward, the Camden youth, under sentence to be hanged January 7, for the murder of John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, to have a special meeting of the Board of Pardons held to present Woodward's case. The board will be asked to commute Woodward's sentence to life imprisonment on the ground he is mentally unsound.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Annoys Prisoners With \"Music\
Annoys Prisoners With "Music"
Paul Woodward, the Camden youth under sentence to be hanged January 7, is the bane of the inmates of the county jail. Some days ago visitors gave him a few pennies. With the money he had Death Watch Voigt purchase a tin whistle and a mouth organ. With these instruments, which he cannot play half well, he annoys the inmates of the jail all night long.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Murderer Given Talking Machine
MURDERER GIVEN TALKING MACHINE
Woodward, Condemned Boy Slayer, Operates Phonograph in the County Jail
IS HAVING LOTS OF FUN
Familiar Strains Ring Through the Cells to Youthful Prisoner's Great Delight
Philadelphia Inquirer
Plenty of Amusement for Young Woodward
PLENTY OF AMUSEMENT FOR YOUNG WOODWARD
Between his tin whistle, mouthorgan and gramaphone and book of "Arabian Nights," Paul Woodward, the youthful Camden murderer who will be hanged January 7 for murdering John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, spent a busy Sunday. His new diversion, the gramaphone, was of course his main attraction. He has about eighty records of songs, speeches and orchestral music. These selections broke the monotony to many scores of prisoners, the squeaky voices and musical notes being heard all over the jail.
Woodward has given his whole thought to his amusements. If he dreads January 7 he gives no evidence of the fact.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Pardon Board on Woodward's Case
PARDON BOARD ON WOODWARD'S CASE
Governor Will Reprieve Prisoner If Action Is Not Taken by December 24
Special to The Inquirer.
TRENTON, N. J., Dec. 16—The case of Paul Woodward, the condemned Camden murderer, is to be considered by the Court of Pardons. This was promised to-day by Governor Murphy to Lawyer Fred A. Rex. Governor Murphy says if the case has not been reached when the court adjourns, December 24, he will grant Woodward a reprieve until some action is taken.
Mr. Rex’s ground for appeal is that there was some intermarrying of relatives in Woodward’s family which might justify a degree of insanity that would warrant the commutation of the condemned man’s sentence.
In the jail at Camden Woodward continues to amuse himself with his gramophone. He is sanguine of getting his death sentence commuted. He eats and sleeps regularly and apparently does not worry in the least.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Knife Found in Woodward's Cell
KNIFE FOUND IN WOODWARD'S CELL
Its Discovery Apparently Explains the Murderer's Declaration That He Would Never Be Hanged
The seeming confidence with which Paul Woodward, sentenced to be hanged January 7 in the Camden county jail for the murder of the Jennings and Coffin boys, expressed himself that he would not be executed was easily accounted for when in a search of his cell the other day a pocket knife with an edge as keen as a razor was found.
Several times had the officials searched the cell thoroughly as they supposed. Each time Wodward met their efforts with a mocking laugh. Convinced that there was something hidden one of the "watch" placed his fingers in a pipe in the cell and pulled forth the knife. Woodward has not done very much talking since—except to his favorite keeper.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Trying to Save Woodward's Neck
TRYING TO SAVE WOODWARD'S NECK
The New Jersey Court of Pardons, in secret session, yesterday, gave a hearing to counsel for Paul Woodward, the Camden murderer, who is under sentence to be hanged on January 7. Counsel asked for a commutation of sentence on the ground of insanity.
The court postponed decision in the matter until next Tuesday, in order to give counsel an opportunity to present testimony.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Murderer Woodward Had Merry Christmas
MURDERER WOODWARD HAD MERRY CHRISTMAS
Paul Woodward, the youthful murderer in the Camden County Jail under sentence of death for killing John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, spent a happy Christmas.
It was a happy one because he had plenty to eat—stewed chicken, mince pie, candy, etc.—and also because he has an idea he will not be hanged, at least on January 7.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Last Effort to Save Woodward
LAST EFFORT TO SAVE WOODWARD
Lawyer Frederick A. Rex, counsel for Paul Woodward, the youth under sentence to be hanged January 7 for the murder of John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, will go to Trenton to-day to ask that Woodward's sentence be commuted to life imprisonment.
Woodward's counsel has little prospect of getting anything favorable from the Board of Pardons, however.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Woodward's Last Hope Vanished
WOODWARD'S LAST HOPE VANISHED
Court of Pardons Refuses to Interfere in Case of Camden's Condemned Murderer
Special to The Inquirer.
TRENTON, N. J., Dec. 30—The Court of Pardons in special session this afternoon refused to interfere in the case of—
Philadelphia Inquirer
Murderer Woodward Unconcerned
Murderer Woodward Unconcerned
Paul Woodward, who next week will be hanged for murdering little John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, spent the greater part of yesterday in his cell at the Camden county jail reading his Bible. While apparently unconcerned, he is being closely watched to prevent him from committing suicide. Sheriff Mines yesterday sent out invitations to the execution, January 7.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Christopher J. Mines Jr. – Rev. John Warnock
Philadelphia Inquirer
Woodward's Last Sunday on Earth
WOODWARD'S LAST SUNDAY ON EARTH
Listens to Religious Services in Jail and Threatens to "Call Down" Ministers
Paul Woodward, who has but two days more before he will be hanged for the murder of John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, spent his last Sunday in his cell at the county jail in Camden reading and smoking. He listened to the devotional services held in another part of the jail with apparent interest, but remarked: "If those preachers say anything about me I'll call them down." Woodward ate an enormous dinner ordered from a near-by restaurant, consisting of stewed chicken, fried oysters, rolls, coffee and other things.
Philadelphia Inquirer
\"I'll Be a Dead One\"—Woodward
"I'LL BE A DEAD ONE"—WOODWARD
Nearing Day of Doom, Camden Murderer Facetiously Addressed a Grand Juryman Yesterday
With a little over twenty-four hours between him and eternity, Paul Woodward, the youthful Camden murderer, who will be hanged to-morrow morning for the cruel murder of two boys, continues his nonchalant manner.
After a brief visit from his father and mother yesterday Woodward took out his harmonica. A few minutes later the jail was filled with the strains of "In the Good Old Summer Time." Then he took a turn at several marches. These selections were a prelude to his midday meal. This consisted of roast lamb, sweet potatoes, French peas, one-half dozen raw oysters, minced onions (raw), stewed fruit.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Woodward's Nerve Fast Leaving Him
WOODWARD'S NERVE FAST LEAVING HIM
Paul Woodward will be hanged at the Camden County Jail this morning, shortly after 10 o'clock, by Sheriff Mines, for the murder of two boys. Unless he regains his wonted nonchalance he will undoubtedly create a scene.
The condemned youth arose yesterday early, ate a hearty breakfast and read the newspapers. Then he whiled away the morning by playing popular airs on his harmonica.
When the dinner hour approached he said:
"Well, this will be my last dinner. It's up to me to eat and I want my favorite dish. It's rabbit."
Wilkes-Barre Times
CAMDEN, N. J., Jan. 7.—Paul Woodward, the youthful murderer of the boys, John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, was hanged at 10:01 this morning.
Sheriff Christopher J. Mines conducted the execution, which was his first, with decency and dispatch.
The crime for which Paul Woodward forfeited his life was the murder of two boys, John H. Coffin and W. Price Jennings, aged 11 and 14 years, respectively. The former was the son of Wm. Coffin, division freight agent of the Pennsylvania railroad company and the latter of Joseph Jenkins, the well known leader of the Third Regiment band.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Murderer of Two Camden Boys Was Executed Without Creating a Scene
DECLARED HIS INNOCENCE
Floral Offerings From the Family, Body Was Interred in a Philadelphia Cemetery
Philadelphia Inquirer
MURDER CASE FINALLY CLOSED
The last chapter in the murder of John Coffin and W. Price Jennings, for which Paul Woodward was recently hanged, was enacted yesterday when Prosecutor Lloyd directed County Clerk Patterson to cancel the indictment charging Woodward with the murder of young Jennings. It was done simply to make the records in the case complete.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Named: Diamond Street, John S. Smith, John Cherry, Dr. Paul N. Litchfield, Frank Taianoski, Jacob Chopper, Peter Opluski, John Schwenze, John Vanank, Stanislaus Weruski, and Edward Wolfe.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Factory on the Outskirts of Camden Wrecked by an Explosion of Mysterious Origin---Ten Received Injuries---Officers of the Company Placed Under Arrest
[Photograph, captioned:] MAIN BUILDING WRECKED BY THE EXPLOSION
With a roar and concussion that shook buildings and shattered windows for miles around an explosion occurred at the Independent Fireworks Company, Ferry and Cooper avenues, Camden, yesterday morning about half-past 6 o’clock. Three Italians were blown to fragments, another died in the Cooper Hospital late last night and nine persons were more or less seriously injured.
The Dead Are
SINEONE TIERANTOZODI, aged 17 years, of 248 Division street, Camden. LEONARDO PINTO, aged 45 years, Tenth and Ferry avenue; expert workman. UNKNOWN ITALIAN, probably Joseph Logalla, of Philadelphia. UNKNOWN ITALIAN.
Ten Were Injured
The injured are:
MICHAEL SCALONA, aged 52 years, of 109 Powelton avenue, Woodlynne, foreman of the factory, mangled thigh. Condition serious; Cooper Hospital. HANNAH PARKER, aged 16 years, 203 Haddon avenue, Stonetown, cut and bruised, concussion of the brain; Cooper Hospital. STELLA LEWIS, aged 18 years, 203 Haddon avenue, Stonetown, cut about face, head, arms and body by flying glass; Cooper Hospital. MARY ENGLE, aged 14 years, 1807 South Tenth street, lacerated face and chin and shock; Cooper Hospital. JULIUS ENGLE, aged 12 years, 1807 South Tenth street, cut, bruised and suffering from shock; Cooper Hospital. PETER KEARNEY, aged 15 years, of 653 Ferry avenue, contusion of back, head and face; taken home. JEROSA MONGELLO, aged 41 years, of 246 Division street, burned about legs; Cooper Hospital. TONY DINIGRO, aged 17 years, 657 Ferry avenue, right hand torn and leg injured; Cooper Hospital. UNKNOWN YOUNG MAN, cut about hands and face.
The sight was appalling. The body of one of the victims was found a hundred yards from the scene of the explosion. Every thread of clothing had been torn from the body. Morgue Keeper O’Brien removed the remains to the morgue.
A few minutes after the explosion the police were notified by Charles Dubell. A squad of officers under Captain Stanley and Sergeant Hyde were at once sent to the scene to keep the crowd away.
The force of the explosion was terrific. The brick building occupied by the company, 30 by 40 feet, was twisted so badly that it will have to be torn down. A frame structure, known as the labeling building, was shattered as though splintered with an ax.
Many of the packing boxes were broken by the concussion and the splintered wood was hurled hundreds of feet.
Windows Broken
Probably there is not a house in Wood Lynne but what suffered by broken windows. Twenty-one windows were wrecked at the home of R. A. Rockhill, 108 Wood Lynne avenue. The houses occupied by J. A. Diebert, 116 Wood Lynne avenue; Eberhardt Renning, 108 Wood Lynne avenue; Wilson Cunningham, 110 Wood Lynee avenue, and R. A. Raphal Cooper avenue, were shaken so violently that in some instances not only the windows but the sashes as well were knocked out.
Jerosa Mongello probably had one of the narrowest escapes from death. He was working about the place when he suddenly felt himself hurled high in the air. He alighted in a recently plowed field, minus some clothing and suffering from burned legs. He was badly shocked but will recover. He was near the three other Italians who were blown to pieces.
Miss Parker was just entering the labeling house when she was hurled with terrific force a dozen feet away. When found, she was sitting on the ground with a large wooden box resting on her head. She was delirious from fright and severe injuries when discovered.
Hurled Through Doorway
Tony Dinigro said he was working and all he knew there was a big noise. “Then I was hurled through a doorway,” said he. “I don’t know how I got home, I was so scared.”
Peter Kearney said he had just gone into the powder house to get ready for work when the explosion occurred. He was thrown into the street.
According to these men both dynamite and powder were used by the concern, Kearney declaring he was employed to carry the explosive to the mixing plant.
Had the explosion occured a few minutes later the loss of life would have been much greater. Just as the catastrophe occurred a trolley car loaded with female employes was within a block of the place. Inside of five minutes they would have been working in the labeling and storage rooms, which were shattered by the concussion.
Placed Under Arrest
Prosecutor Lloyd took charge of the case and County Detectives Smith and Cherry are at work in an effort to learn just what caused the explosion. While the management of the concern declares there was no powder, dynamite or nitro-glycerine in the buildings, neither Prosecutor Lloyd nor Coroner Litchfield is satisfied, and a most rigid investigation will be made.
Coroner Litchfield will announce his jury to-day and a date on which an inquest will be held.
Chief of Police Foster, on information received, made complaint against Herbert Weser, president; W. P. Teller, secretary; A. Walter Geller, treasurer, and Joseph Scanola, superintendent of the company, charging them with manslaughter. Weser and Scanola were arrested and held in $1500 bail each. The Gellers had not been arrested up to a late hour last night.
Jerosa Mongella and Jean Viola, workmen, were also arrested by order of Coroner Litchfield. They were held in their own recognizance as witnesses.
Cause of Explosion a Mystery
There is considerable mystery as to the cause of the explosion. According to Joseph Scanola, superintendent, neither dynamite, nitro glycerine nor powder were used by them in the manufacture of fireworks. He said his father, Michael Scanola, was taking chloride of potash from a keg in a tin scoop when the explosion occurred. According to Scanola some unknown substance, probably sulphur, must have been on the scoop which, coming in contact with the potash, resulted in the explosion.
The fireworks plant is located in the extreme southeast of Camden just across Ferry avenue from Wood Lynne. The residents of the latter place were about sitting down to breakfast when they were suddenly almost stunned by a deafening report. About the same time car No. 159, of the Camden and Suburban Railway Company, was passing, in charge of Motorman William Martin and Conductor Walter Ferguson. These, with the passengers, were badly shaken. Martin and Ferguson, with Wood Lynne residents, at once went to the scene of destruction.
Applied for Work
The Engle children had applied for work a few minutes before the explosion. Julius, who had secured a position, was about to start in when he was blinded by a flash and hurled in the air many feet away. His sister was knocked down by the concussion. Both were later picked up dazed.
In a statement made by Joseph Scanola he said:
“Father (Michael Scanola) told me that he was trying to scoop out a tin full of chloride of potash from a keg when the explosion occurred. If that is so the potash could not have been pure as it would have been impossible for such a thing to have happened. That is all I know about it and all I can tell.”
The office of the company is at 530 Walnut street, this city. The plant has been located at the present site about eighteen months. Prior to that time it was at Vineland. Owing to the approaching Fourth of July the place was working overtime, from 6 o’clock in the morning to 7 o’clock at night. There were thirty-five employes, mostly girls.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Named: Emma Dease, South 5th Street, and Dr. Paul N. Litchfield.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Named: James Brown, Dr. Paul N. Litchfield, Summit Avenue, Ida Burton, and Dr. William S. Jones.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Named: James Brown, Dr. Paul N. Litchfield, Ida Burton, and Philip Schmitz.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Dr. Paul N. Litchfield – Isaac V. Bradley
Camden Daily Courier
Named: Elisha A. Gravenor, E.E. Jefferis, Frank Schaffer, Carpenter Street, Dr. Rowland I. Haines, Dr. Paul N. Litchfield, and Elbridge B. McClong.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Named: Daniel Weldon, Dr. William S. Jones, and South 3rd Street.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Named: Ann Street, Kaighn Avenue, Sarah Kindy, Henry C. Moffett, and Dr. Paul N. Litchfield.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Named: Dr. Paul N. Litchfield, Joseph Ross, Mrs. Rosa M. Ross, and Walnut Street.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Funeral of Dr. P. N. Litchfield
With scores of persons prominent in all walks of life in attendance the funeral of Dr. Paul N. Litchfield, Assemblyman from Camden county, was held yesterday afternoon from his late home at 1100 Kaighn avenue. Over four thousand persons viewed the remains Friday night and yesterday and among those in attendance at the burial were a large number of members of the Legislature, headed by Speaker Charles A. Wolverton. The services at the house were conducted by Rev. J. Hardenbrook Townsend, rector of St. John’s P. E. Church, and interment was made at Harleigh. The pallbearers were Speaker Wolverton, State Treasurer William T. Read, County Clerk F. F. Patterson, State Senator Joshua C. Haines, Assemblyman Ralph N. Keilam, City Assessor Wilbur B. Ellis and John R. Mick.