Introduction
EDWARD J. WESTON was born in Pennsylvania in June of 1855 to Alice and William H. Weston. The family appears in the 1860 Census and the 1870 Census in Philadelphia. The family moved to Camden in the 1870s. The 1880 Census shows William H. and Alice Weston at 625 Cherry Street. At that point the family consisted of Edward Weston, his parents, and sisters May, Alice, Beth, and Minnie. An older sister, Agnes, was not living at the Cherry Street home. William H. Weston was a shoemaker and Edward Weston initially followed his father into that trade. Edward Weston appears in the 1881–1882 and 1883–1884 Directories at 625 Cherry Street, working as a shoemaker in Philadelphia.
The 1884–1885 City Directory shows the Weston family had moved to 566 Walnut Street. He was still working as a shoemaker in Philadelphia. By 1885 he had moved to South 6th Street north of Walnut Street. The 1887–1888 edition indicates a move to 1002 South 2nd Street. Still working as a shoemaker in Philadelphia, Edward Weston had moved to 640 Cherry Street by the spring of 1888. He was living at 747 Berkley Street and still working as a shoemaker in Philadelphia, when in the spring of 1890 he was selected to serve with the Camden Fire Department as an extra man. Edward Weston also married Etta J. Wood in 1890.
He worked as an extra man into 1892. The 1892–1893 City Directory shows Edward Weston had moved to 515 Edmund Street. The 1893–1894 shows he had been taken on as a full-time ladderman. He was then living at 738 Berkley Street. His widowed mother was still living at 515 Edmund Street. Edward Weston moved back to 515 Edmund Street the following year. The 1895–1896 Directory indicates that he had moved to 712 Berkley Street. He stayed at that address into 1896, then moved to 708 Berkley Street. The 1898 City Directory shows he moved to 721 New Street. The 1899 Directory states the Westons were living at 467 Trenton Avenue.
In 1899 the City of Camden annexed the town of Stockton, and took over firefighting operations in what is now East Camden and Cramer Hill. Edward Weston was assigned to one of the new companies stationed at the firehouse that was built at North 27th Street and Federal Street. The 1900 Census shows Edward Weston, wife Etta, and stepdaughters Fannie and Irene living at 15 South 34th Street. The 1906 City Directory show him at 114 South 34th Street. He was then serving as Foreman of Hose Company No. 1, which was renamed Engine Company 9 on January 1, 1922.
In December of 1908 Edward Weston and brother firefighter John Vickers were badly injured when their apparatus collided with a trolley car at 26th and Federal Streets. He was then living at 3510 Federal Street and was still at that address in 1910 when the Census was taken. Badly injured, he was placed on the retired list effective July 1, 1911.
By the time the 1914 City Directory was compiled the Westons were living at 3171 Highland Avenue. He spent his remaining years at that address. The 1918–1919 City Directory and the 1920 Census shows he was working as a storekeeper in one of Camden’s shipyards.
Edward Weston passed away on January 6, 1928. His widow, step-daughter Irene and her husband and children were still at the Highland Avenue address in April of 1930.
Accidents of the Day
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A Big List of Victims of the Firecracker and Pistol.
The following victims of firearms were admitted to the Cooper Hospital, Camden, yesterday:
Martin Frand, of 571 Royden street, forefinger blown off and face and eyes burned by the premature discharge of a cannon.
Edward Weston, of 747 Berkley street, lacerated wound of the hand, caused by a cannon shot.
Allie Bechtol, a lad, 704 Lime street, wound of the face, caused by a gun shot.
George H. Johnson, colored, aged 31 years, living at 811 Locust street, eye destroyed and in a precarious condition, the result of the careless handling of a revolver by Herman Testmeir. The ball was removed by Dr. Macuen.
Samuel Cover, aged 15 years, 560 Benson street, face and eyes burned from fireworks.
The Camden Primaries
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A Stubbornly Contested Fight Among the Republicans Last Night.
One of the hardest fought political battles that has occurred in Camden for some time took place at the Republican primaries last night. There were fierce fights in the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth wards. In the Second ward Frank H. Burdsall, the ex-President of the Young Republicans, made the nomination for City Controller a hot race.
At an early hour this morning the First ward had not completed counting off their votes. The indications pointed to this ticket:
Delegates to the State Party’s Convention—Joseph Burt, William Baily, James Logan. Councilman-at-Large—Samuel Elfterh, Robert Smith, John R. Peck. Board of Freeholders—Benjamin Hutchinson, Samuel Yanaits, Charles Holber. City Council—Robert Smith. Board of Education—Francis D. Haussell. Board of Education—Henry Winters.
The delegates to the City Treasurer nomination are in doubt. Dr. Michles, present incumbent, Dr. W. B. E. Miller will be nominated for Councilman-at-large by acclamation. The delegates pointed to the various conventions and the ward nominees are as follows:
Second Ward—City Treasurer, W. T. Y. Young, George Wilson, Harrison, following: Council-at-Large, George Cook, John Broom, Thomas Barr; Excise Commissioner, E. H. Armstrong; Peck, James Stewart; Freeholder, Cooper B. Hatch; City Council, Frank H. Burdsall; Board of Education, Charlie Sharp.
Third ward—D. Lewis Irtoo, H. L. Lawler, George Walls; Council at Large, Thomas Barr; John Harrison; Excise Commissioner; County Commissioner, James M. Lane, D. M. Freeman, Isaac C. McKinsky; Council, George F. Hamilton; Freeholder, Frederick D. Wilson; Board of Education, Harry C. Sharp.
Fourth Ward—City Treasurer, Heber C. Robinson; Council-at-Large, Frank B. Sweeter, Albert. Barber, Harvey Fliteraft; Excise Commissioner, William D. Hart, William Soles, for one each; Board of Freeholders, Philip C. Mason; Board of Education, Joseph B. Fox.
Fifth Ward—City Treasurer, W. T. Y. Young, Maurice A. Rogers, George W. Thompson; Council-at-large, John R. McCabe, Benjamin Knight, Harry Sorrenter; Excise Commissioner, Josiah Lockner, M. D. J. Oscar Weaver, Harry Gibbs; City Council, B. H. Ward, Samuel S. Worbler, Harry Wolf; Board of Education, Homer Snyder.
Sixth Ward—City Treasurer, Samuel H. Stiles, Fred Emrich; Council at-large, J. Troutman; Excise Commissioner, Reuben Gaskill, Jacob Thompson, Samuel Stillwell; Excise Commissioner, John Snitcher, Frank Estelow, C. H. Corsnell, Frank J. Tull, E. Jefferis; Board of Freeholders, Mark H. Mapes; Board of Education, J. Wesley Sell.
Eighth Ward—City Treasurer, T. Lewis, Elijah Thompson, Frank A. Ward; Council-at-Large, Jacob T. Fish, Frank A. Ward; Excise Commissioner, W. H. Fisher, C. E. Linfoot, John Long; Board of Freehold, William Anderson; Board of Education, John Carmany.
Ninth Ward—City Treasurers, John N. Zanders, Martin Frank, Frank S. Heister; Council-at-Large, not announced; City Council, S. Thornley; Excise Commissioners, D. B. Carriden, U. G. Lee, Edward Weston; City Council—D. Elm, M. D.; Board of Education, Frank Baker.
Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Edward Weston and Edward Hartman have been given positions in the Fire Department.
Reading Supplies Burned
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Their Camden Storehouse Destroyed and Three Men Injured.
A relic of the Centennial Exposition was wiped out of existence by flames yesterday. It was a large wooden building that in 1876 served as an annex to Horticultural Hall. Later it was sold to the old Atlantic City Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and was removed to Camden and used as their depot at the foot of Bulson street. After the road was purchased by the Reading Company the old depot was used as a storehouse for supplies.
Two car loads of supplies for the Reading’s South Jersey lines had just been received in the building and it contained the books and accounts of the supply department.
The fire started shortly after 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon, and in spite of a general alarm which brought all the Camden engines to the scene, the building and its contents were entirely destroyed. The loss is at least $10,000 with but little insurance.
H. A. Wallington, the store-keeper, was badly burned about the arms while trying to save some of the account books.
William Deno, foreman of Engine Company No. 3, was overcome by the heat, and was removed to the engine house. His condition is rather serious.
Edward Weston, a hook-and-ladder man, had his leg injured while working at the fire.
(brief)
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Fireman Edward Weston, who was recently badly injured, was taken suddenly ill at No. 2 engine house last night, and had to be removed to his home in a patrol wagon.
Could Not Agree on New Fireman
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Councilmen From East Side Split on Selecting Appointees
There Is Also Trouble in the Second Ward — Benjamin Kellum Made Assistant Chief — Other Promotions
The Camden Fire Commissioners last evening selected firemen for the five new fire companies from all the wards except the Second, Eleventh and Twelfth, as the Councilmen in these wards could not agree on the candidates the appointments were laid over until Monday evening next.
In the Second ward the Councilmen have agreed on John W. Vanhart. The other candidates are W. Scott Franklin, backed by Freeholder Whyte, and Edgar Bolton, who is the choice of Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill. Bolton will probably be selected.
In the Eleventh ward a meeting was held by the Councilmen and the candidates agreed upon. Councilman Arnold has since repudiated the agreement, and last evening presented a new set of names to the conference of the commissioners. Councilman Longacre presented those previously agreed upon.
In the Twelfth ward Councilman Lee submitted names in opposition to those of Councilman Leas. It is quite probable that the choice of Councilmen Leas and Longacre, who are members of the Fire Committee, will be selected.
Benjamin Kellum, foreman of Truck No. 1, was appointed assistant chief. He will have charge of the East Side companies.
Charles Robinson, of the Seventh ward; George B. Wade, of the Sixth ward; Albert Jones, of the Ninth ward; George Cox, of the Third ward; Edward Weston, of the Ninth ward, and Samuel Peoples, of the Fifth ward, were elected foremen. They will be assigned to their posts of duty on Monday.
The selection of new firemen was as follows: First ward, Harry B. Middleton, Harry Burroughs; Third ward, Robert W. Colkett, William G. Hillman; Fourth ward, James E. Navins, Charles Todd; Fifth ward, Daniel Smith, Peter B. Carter; Sixth ward, Alfred Hayden, Henry Elliott; Seventh ward, Josiah Sage, Samuel Price; Eighth ward, William Rose, Charles Sturgis; Ninth ward, Daniel Grimes, Harry Wagner; Tenth ward, Augustus Kester, William Simpson.
The commissioners presented the bell now in the William Penn hose house, East Side, to the First Baptist Church.
Firemen Selected
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mayor Hatch’s Candidates Were Pushed to the Front
Increase in Camden Fire Department Agreed Upon After Sharp Contest
The trouble over the selection of new firemen from the Second, Eleventh and Twelfth wards of Camden was settled at an executive session of the Fire Commissioners last evening. As predicted in The Inquirer on Sunday last, John W. Vanhart and Edgar Bolton, backed by Mayor Hatch and Councilman McGill, were selected from the Second ward, and Councilman Longacre in the Eleventh ward and Councilman Leas in the Twelfth landed their candidates.
Prior to the meeting a delegation of Second ward Republicans marched to fire headquarters wearing badges inscribed, “For firemen, Second ward, John W. Vanhart and W. Scott Franklin.” The latter was a candidate against Bolton, who also had a number of friends present. There was no opposition to the appointment of Vanhart.
As the delegation crowded in on the second floor of the fire house there was a cracking noise that sounded as if the floor was giving away. This caused a rush, but the alarm soon subsided.
The Commissioners were in secret session for nearly a half hour before they finally settled the contest over the Second ward appointments. Mayor Hatch, Councilman McGill and Freeholder Whyte were each called before the Commissioners. The latter favored the appointment of Franklin. After the Second ward appointments were settled it did not take long to decide upon the new firemen from the Eleventh and Twelfth wards. Councilman Arnold, who has been opposing Councilman Longacre’s candidates in the Eleventh ward, was not present, neither was Councilman Lee, who was opposing the men backed by Councilman Leas in the Twelfth ward.
The men selected for firemen from these two wards are as follows: Eleventh ward, Robert Gick, Joseph Till, Edward Kelly and Christian Stark; Twelfth ward, Samuel Collins, William Madison, John Renner and Josiah Pedigree.
The following were promoted to foremen: George F. Cox, foreman Hook and Ladder Company No. 1; George Wade, Hook and Ladder Company No. 2; Samuel Peoples, Hook and Ladder Company No. 3; Charles Robinson, Chemical Engine Company No. 1; Edward Weston, Hose Company No. 1, East Side; Albert C. Jones, Hose Company No. 2, East Side.
The appointments, together with those made last Thursday evening, will be confirmed by City Council to-morrow night.
Fire Engine Hit Trolley
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Foreman and Driver of Chemical Wagon Painfully Injured
Foreman Edward Weston and Driver John H. Vickers, of the East Camden Fire Company, were near to death yesterday, when the chemical engine on which they were riding crashed into a trolley car at Twenty-sixth and Federal streets. The apparatus was on its way to the residence of Thomas Lore, on East State street, in response to an alarm. An outbound Merchantville car had stopped to await the passing of the engine, but the rear wheels of the engine bound in the rails of the car track when Vickers endeavored to pull to one side, and he was unable to halt his team.
The engine struck the front of the car with terrific force, upsetting the apparatus and hurling both men to the street, where they lay senseless and bleeding. As far as doctors at Homeopathic Hospital have been able to discover, no bones were broken, but each of the victims has many lacerations and appears to be hurt internally. None of the passengers on the car was hurt, and the motorman saved himself by jumping. Both engine and car were badly damaged. Weston is 50 years old and lives at 3510 Federal street. Vickers is 45 and resides at 15 North Twenty-fourth street.
3 Are Hurt as Car Hit Fire Truck
Camden Post-Telegram —
Members of East Side Hook and Ladder Company Narrowly Escape Death in Collision This A.M.
Tillerman Kelly Is Worst Injured
Three firemen of the East Camden fire house, located at Twenty-seventh street and Westfield avenue, had a marvelous escape from fatal injury about 8.15 o’clock this morning, when a big eight-wheeled trolley car of the New York and Trenton line smashed into hook and ladder truck No. 3 directly in front of the fire house.
Fortunately, however, no fatality resulted, the three victims of the crash escaping with cuts and bruises of the limbs, head and body. The firemen injured are as follows:
EDWARD KELLY, tillerman of truck; badly bruised and lacerated about the head and particularly the hips and back; also sustained a severe internal shock. His back is feared is sprained.
FRANK MORSE, assistant driver of truck; bruised and cut on a elbow and side.
SCOTT FRANKLIN, driver of truck; slight injuries of an arm.
Kelly and Morse had their injuries attended to by Dr. H. H. Sherk, whose office is in the immediate vicinity. Franklin’s wounds did not require medical treatment. Tillerman Kelly was the most seriously injured of the three firemen and after having his wounds dressed at Dr. Sherk’s office, he was taken to his home at 2823 Pleasant avenue in the ambulance.
The hook and ladder truck was struck by the trolley car just as the team was being taken into the fire house at Twenty-seventh street and Westfield avenue after morning practice.
It was one of the long, heavy and ponderous New York and Trenton trolleys that did the damage. The car, according to witnesses, was coming into the city at a fast clip and smashed into the side of the truck near the rear, as the driver of the fire apparatus was making desperate efforts to clear the tracks and get safely in the fire house.
The motorman of the car, however, was unable to stop the trolley in time to avert a collision and with a ripping crash the big eight-wheeler smashed into the rear of the fire truck, upsetting the apparatus and horses as if they were parts of a toy machine and sending the three members of the crew hurtling through the air with a violence that appeared to mean mortal injury to one of the unfortunate firemen at least.
He was Tillerman Edward Kelly, who was hurled into the front vestibule of the trolley car with a force that knocked him senseless. Morse and Franklin landed in the street dazed and sore, luckily managing to escape being caught beneath the overturned truck or getting entangled with the flying hoofs of the frantic horses which were prevented from running away in their frenzy by firemen rushing at their heads and holding them fast until their fright had abated.
The three firemen were also quickly cared for by their comrades, and the ambulance phoned for to take them to a hospital, but the injured men declined to go to any institution and were treated at the office of Dr. Sherk.
The hook and ladder truck was considerably damaged by the collision. The side of the apparatus at the point of collision with the trolley car was torn to splinters and one of the two long ladders had a big slice snapped off and ruined. The wrecked truck was sent to the shops for repairs and will be out of commission for a day or two.
The front vestibule of the trolley car was also badly smashed in the collision, the terrific and sudden jar, the roar of the crash and the jangling of broken glass causing an uproar of excitement among the many passengers, a number of whom leaped off the platforms almost before the trolley had recoiled from the shock of the terrific impact.
This is the second accident of a like nature during the past year to East Side firemen. Several months ago Fireman Eddie Weston and J. H. Vickers were thrown from their apparatus when the carriage attempted to turn out of the path of a trolley car near the Public Library. Weston is still unable to do duty having been confined in the Homeopathic Hospital for several months after the accident.
Trolley Hit Ladder Truck
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Three Camden Firemen Narrowly Escaped Being Killed
Three Camden firemen narrowly escaped death yesterday when a Camden and Trenton trolley car crashed into the hook and ladder of Truck Company No. 3. Edward Kelly, the tillerman, was badly injured about the head and back, while Frank Morse and Scott Franklin received lacerations. They were treated by Dr. H. H. Sherk.
It was just after morning practice, while the team was being taken back to the fire house, that the accident occurred. The driver attempted to cross Westfield avenue at Twenty-seventh street in front of the car. The motorman applied the brakes, but was unable to avert the collision. The apparatus was badly damaged, but the horses escaped injury.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Permanently injured two years ago by the upsetting of a chemical engine, Edward Weston, captain of the East Side Fire Company, was notified yesterday by the Fire Commissioners that he will be placed on the retired list on July 1. He had been in the service twenty-one years. Lieutenant Christopher Stark will be made captain to fill the vacancy.