Introduction
ELWOOD MENZIES was born on December 6, 1895 in Camden, New Jersey. He went by the name of Edward Menzies most of his life.
Edward Menzies was born in Camden on December 6, 1895 to Lucy and Daniel Menzies. The Menzies appear in the 1896 Camden City Directory at 1135 Maple Street. The 1898 and 1899 Directories show the family at 1119 Maple Street. The family was living at 304 North 11th Street at the time of the 1900 Census. The family moved to East Camden not long afterwards.
The Daniel Menzies family was living at 2629 Carman Street in East Camden as early as 1906. The 1910 Census shows the family, which included older half-brothers George and William, living at the Carman Street address. Edward Menzies was still living with his parents at 2629 Carman Street as late as 1914. Daniel Menzies worked in one of Camden’s leather factories, and Edward Menzies had gone to work there before his fifteenth birthday.
Edward Menzies appears in the 1918–1919 Camden City Directory at 1992 Carman Street. The 1920 Federal Census was taken. Edward Menzies was working as a tank tester at one of Camden’s shipyards. He was still living at 1992 Carman Street. Edward Menzies was appointed to the Camden Fire Department around 1922. By 1924 the Menzies were living at 2126 Watson Street. He had moved to 29 Marlton Avenue by the time the 1927 City Directory was compiled. By 1929 he had moved to 25 Marlton Avenue. The 1930 Census shows Edward Menzies, city fireman, living at 2109 Berwick Street in East Camden with his daughter Kathryn, 13, and son Edward, 11. Fire Department records from 1931 also list him at that address. The 1940 Camden City Directory shows Edward Menzies at 156 Eutaw Avenue.
When he registered for the draft in 1942 Edward Menzies was living at 156 Eutaw Avenue in East Camden. He was attached to Engine Company 8 at 619 Kaighn Avenue. By 1943 he had moved to 2513 Carman Street. The 1947 Camden City Directory shows Edward Menzies at 2513 Carman Street.
On January 12, 1948, Fireman Elwood Menzies of Engine Company 8 died in the line of duty during a working fire at 713 Blaine Street in South Camden. Fireman Menzies was connecting a hose line to the apparatus when he collapsed in the street. He was 51 years of age at the time of his death and had completed more than 25 years of service with the Camden Fire Department. He was survived by his wife, Laura, daughter Kathryn, and son Edward D. Menzies.
Cops and Firemen in First Practice
Camden Post-Telegram —
Charles Younger, physical director of the Camden Y. M. C. A. and in charge of the candidates for the police and firemen teams which will compete in the first annual police and fire field day on September 19 at Forest Hill Park, sends his protégés through their stiffest workout of the season yesterday morning with several of the committee in attendance.
Plans were arranged between Younger and Captain Stehr, of the First district, to build a temporary track around the local high school’s gridiron. Meanwhile, both the police and fire candidates will do their stuff under the watchful eye of Professor Younger on the Forest Hill track, outside of the enclosed athletic field.
In a confab over the arrangement of the cinder track, Stehr suggested that a 100 and 220-yard straightaway be constructed on the west side of the field.
Joe Connell, of the Highway Department, also gave the field a once-over, as did Captains Golden and Humes. After the members of the committee had inspected the grounds, they witnessed the candidates going through the paces.
Archie Riess, who is in full charge of the “cops,” declared that but nineteen men would be candidates for his team while Walter A. Mertz, of Engine Company No. 1, acting as manager for the firemen, declared he had twenty-nine candidates on his list. These men will compete next Tuesday, but first they will have an opportunity for field day. The events will be run off separately, that is, the “cops” in division and the firemen in another. The bluecoats who will compete this Tuesday are as follows: Everett Joslin, Joseph McDonald, Vernon Jones, Frank Nelson, Bill Rogers, Harold Dunnit, John Bright, Edyard Callahan, Walter Larson, Gus Pfliderer, Clarence Phifer, Thomas Welch, Stanley Wirts, Charles Naylor, George Rothwell, Richard Donnelly, Lester Gleason and Joe Keefe.
The firemen who will also attempt qualification for field day include Fred Schacker, Harry Wagner, Chris Moll, Harry Huda, Arthur Laird, Herman Havercamp, Frank Huda, Harry Kleinfelder, William Poeble, Tom Shanley, Harrison Pike, William Hood, Lester Anderson, William Wood, George Townsend, Allen Palmer, William Mertz, Nelson Hubbs, James Mogan, John Strauss, Frank Oberman, Edward Mensales, John Mulligan, Frank Kates, William Hare, Joseph Andrews and Harry Leigh. From the present outlook, “Cops” appear strongest, coming out second best. The firemen are confident of finishing once more in front of the bluecoats. The leader will be Stehr’s cohorts at the last Armory meet.
The tug-of-team of eight men will also be selected by the firemen’s leader. Merts will choose his varsity from Layton, Smith, Lennox, Walker, Pike, Palmer, Moll, Greenan, Laird, Mulligan, Haver, Merigan and Camp.
The Camden Athletic Club may stage a free exhibition of a motorcycle polo game during the meet. Stehr favors this arrangement, as no extra minutes of actual time is taken up. The local club is willing to donate their services without charge. Nelson Hubbs, local manager, has dates at the Trenton, Long Harbor, Allentown and Bridgeton fairs, while his riders have already performed in many eastern states. The “Camden Blue Devils,” as they are known, will furnish more thrills in the forty minutes than sport lovers have ever seen in the east, declares Nelson Hubbs. If they are on the bill at the games, they will also give an exhibition of trick and exhibition stunt.
Blue Devils No. 1—Joseph Bernurt, captain; Frank De Vivey, Carl Preisman and Edward Moll.
Blue Devils No. 2—Charles Ellis, captain; George Gummel, Bennett Arnold, Clayton Alberson.
Athletic Stars Have Their Inning at Police and Fire Field Day
Camden Courier-Post —
More than 1,200 persons witnessed the second annual track and field day of the Camden police and firemen.
Ed Menzies, a fireman is seen winning the 100 yard dash. Menzies is second from the left. At his left is Clarence Phifer, a policeman, who finished second, while at Menzies’ right is George Nicktern, another cop, who took third place.
The inset shows Barney Berlinger, Mercersburg Academy star, who, competing for Meadowbrook, triumphed in the pole vault.
5 Firemen Hurt in Traffic Crash
Camden Courier-Post —
Truck Rams Apparatus Speeding to Blaze in Yorkship Square.
Five city firemen are in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital today suffering from injuries when their apparatus collided with a truck at Ninth street and Ferry avenue while they were racing to a Yorkship square fire late yesterday.
All are attached to Engine Company No. 8. They are:
Captain Charles Erickson, 43, of 579 Line street; bruises of the left leg and left hip.
Wallace Phifer, 37, of 1215 Atlantic avenue; possible fractured vertebrae.
Adam Mead, 32, of 1634 Sheridan street; admitted for observation.
Herbert Baxter, 45, of 320 Liberty street; cuts over the left eye and face, bruises on both knees.
Edward Menzis, 36, of 2402 Berwick street; possible fractured skull and cut over the right eye.
Fire Damage $5000
The fire to which they were hurrying damaged the apartment and drug store of V. I. Chestnut, 1200 Yorkship Square. The blaze was confined to the apartment upstairs, but water and smoke caused damage to the store and fixtures. Total loss was estimated at $5000.
The truck which hit the combination fire apparatus was operated by Joseph Scheurer, 22, of 1859 East Ontario street, Philadelphia, and owned by the Stores Realty Company, of 424 North Nineteenth street, Philadelphia.
Failed to Hear Siren
The fire truck driven by Phifer was speeding south on Ninth street while the machine driven by Scheurer was proceeding west on Ferry avenue. Scheurer said he did not hear the siren until he reached the intersection and that it was then too late to stop. The fire engine was turned around by the impact and the five occupants thrown to the street. Both trucks were damaged.
Scheurer was arrested by Detective Joseph Caputi and held in $1000 bail pending a hearing.
A short circuit in an electric heater caused the blaze in the Chestnut apartment. The fire was discovered by Marvin Chestnut, 8, who called to his father downstairs. It was extinguished with little difficulty.
World War II Draft Card
