Frank Guetherman
FRANCIS W. GUETHERMAN, who boxed professionally under the name of Tip Gorman was born on September 18, 1900. He was the oldest son of Clara and John William Guetherman, coming before brother John, born in July of 1902. The Guetherman family was living at 1228 North 32nd Street in Cramer Hill when the Census was taken in 1910, and were still at that address in the fall of 1918. His father worked as a clothes cutter.
Frank Guetherman had married by the summer of 1923. Daughter Doris was born on March 31st of the following year, and a son, Arthur, came later. The 1927 Directory shows Francis and Hazel Guetherman residing at 3229 Farragut Avenue in Cramer Hill. He was then working as a welder. By 1929 they had moved to 932 North 34th Street.
Frank Guetherman had another career during the 1920s, as a professional boxer. Records are incomplete as of this writing but newspaper accounts indicate that Frank Guetherman, fighting as a welterweight under the ring name of Tip Gorman, was quite successful as a club fighter in North Jersey and in the Camden Philadelphia area. He retired sometime in late 1927 or early 1928. One of his bouts was against North Camden-based fighter Young O’Connor, whose real name was Caesar Campana Sr., and who went on to own and operate a number of bars in Camden.
On March 1, 1928 Francis Guetherman was appointed to the Camden Police Department along with the following men: Edward Shapiro, August Riehm, William Schriver, Walter Vecander, John V. Wilkie, Earl Wright, Edward Cahill, Marshall Thompson, Stanley Bobiak, Paul Edwards, Leon Feltz, George Getley, Joseph Lack, Thomas Stanton, Otto Toperzer, and Frank Wilmot.
Frank Guetherman returned to professional boxing in September of 1928 at Convention Hall in Camden. He came away with a referee’s decision after eight rounds, although by all accounts the fans and local press thought otherwise.
By 1947 Frank Guetherman had been promoted to Sergeant. He was then living with his wife Hazel at 411 North 38th Street in East Camden. Adult daughter Doris Guetherman then also resided at that address.
After retiring from the police department Frank Guetherman eventually moved to Beach Haven, New Jersey. He was still a resident of Beach Haven when he died on February 3, 1988. He was survived by his wife, son and daughter. Hazel Guetherman passed away exactly six years after her husband, on February 3, 1994. Doris Guetherman joined her parents on August 5, 2000.
Gorman Meets Test Against Joe Bashara
Camden Courier-Post —
GORMAN MEETS TEST AGAINST JOE BASHARA
Hard-Hitting Middleweights Meet in Prelim to Forgione-McGorgary Bout Tuesday
ALLEN FIGHTS MURPHY
Successful so far in a comeback campaign launched recently, Joe Bashara, hard-hitting middleweight from Baltimore, will stack up against a tough customer in one of the preliminary bouts at the all-star show arranged by the Matthew Purnell Post, 518, Veterans of Foreign Wars, at the Camden Convention Hall next Tuesday.
Bashara opposes Tip Gorman, Camden’s fighting cop, himself in the midst of a comeback.
The Marylander was brought to Philadelphia by “Boo Boo” Hoff two years ago and he became one of the most popular club fighters then performing in this section.
He was inactive for some months, but has started fighting again and hopes to reach former heights.
Gorman, after a string of victories up North Jersey, gained favor here with triumphs over Watson Finch and Tony Gildo. He then joined the police force and retired temporarily. Now he is back in harness again, and rarin’ to go.
There should be plenty of action when the hard-hitting Tip tackles the tough Bashara.
The windup Tuesday brings together Vincent Forgione, Atlantic City speedster who is also a member of the Hoff stable, and Babe McGorgary, the rugged Oklahoma cowboy. McGorgary is a slugger but Forgione is a better boxer, and hits hard, besides.
The semi-windup presents two South Jersey Italians who rank among the leading lightweights in the state. Roxie Allen, fresh from a victory over Mickey Blair and a draw with Emery Cabana, opposes Tommy “Kid” Murphy, the Trenton flash.
Two terrific punchers mingle in the main preliminary. Al Gordon, Hoff’s southpaw lightweight, fights Jesse Goss, Trenton colored sensation. Goss is the boy who ended Jackie Hindle’s career with a knockout victory, during which he almost blinded the Camdenite.
Jess also boasts a win over Murphy. It was after this bout that Murphy attacked a Trenton sports writer and was suspended by Commissioner Bugbee. He has been restored to good graces since.
The opening bout on the program shows Leon Lucas, former amateur champion who fought in the recent Olympics, making his professional debut. The Camden heavyweight meets Mushy Brown, formerly of Chicago, who has been under the care of the veteran Adam Ryan. Ryan thinks he has a comer in the 180-pound Brown, and Lucas is sure to be tested in his pro start.
In addition to these five star bouts, a novice scrap will be staged between Jimmy Russell, of Beverly, and George Jackson, of Camden.
Vincent Forgione Wins Decision Over Babe McCorgary
Camden Courier-Post —
VINCENT FORGIONE WINS DECISION OVER BABE McCORGARY IN VETERAN’S ALL-STAR BENEFIT SHOW
Trenton ‘Phantom’ Gains Verdict Over Local Italian for Third Straight Time
LUCAS STOPS BROWN
By TOM RYAN
Before one of the largest crowds that ever witnessed a boxing shot [sic] at the Convention Hall, Vincent Forgione, of Philadelphia, won the referee’s decision over Babe McCorgary, of Oklahoma, in the last-half of the double-windup of the all-star benefit show staged last night by the Corporal Mathews-Purnell Post, No. 518, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
More than 3500 fans poured through the portals of the Civic Center institution to witness the five eight-round scraps that comprised the night’s program of fisticuffs. While the Forgione-McCorgary fracas was anything but thrilling, the remainder of the bouts made up for the lack of thrills in the last set-to.
In the first-half of the double-windup, Tommy “Kid” Murphy, 141, the Trenton “phantom,” defeated Roxie Allen, of Camden, for the third time in as many starts against the downtown Italian. Al Gordon, 133, of Philadelphia, and Jesse Goss, 139, of Trenton, fought eight fast rounds to a draw in the semi-final, while Tip Gorman, 159, of East Camden, won the referee’s decision over Joe Bashara, 153½, of Norfolk, Va., in the second bout.
Leon Lucas, 185, of Whitman Park, former national amateur lightweight champion, making his initial appearance as a professional money earner, knocked out Mushy Brown, 193, of Philadelphia, after two minutes and sixteen seconds of fighting in the first round of the opener.
McCorgary Takes Sound Drubbing
The principals in the earlier bouts stole the thunder away from the finalists. Forgione can not be criticised for the uninteresting performance presented by the boys who rang down the curtain on one of the most successful benefit shows ever held here. Vince did the best he could to make a fight of it, but McCorgary, who appeared as though he hadn’t trained for the bout to any great extent, didn’t seem to care whether or not he showed to advantage.
In faqt [sic], Babe landed only a few clean punches during the course of the bout and what few wallops found their target didn’t do any damage. There is only one apt expression that can be applied to the bout and though it’s as old as the hills it’s the only way to describe the fray. Forgione went around McCorgary like a cooper around a barrel. Vince cut up his foe like hamburger steak, both of McCorgary’s eyes, his nose and mouth spouting gore before the bout was more than half completed.
McCorgary, who weighed 170½, was slow of foot and hand and showed that he wasn’t in the “pink” by sporting a roll of fat around his waist. Forgione, who came in at 162½, was as fast as a whippet in all respects. He forced the fighting from start to finish, pelting the Babe with a varied assortment of punches throughout.
The Philadelphian centered his attack on McCorgary’s head and the Babe was a sorry looking spectacle at the finish, while Forgione did not bear a mark of the encounter. If ever there was a one-sided match it was the one staged between Forgione and McCorgary last night. The fans didn’t take kindly to the affair and gave it the “berries” as early as the second round. At the close of that period, Deputy Boxing Commissioner Edward A. Welsh instructed Referee Ray Smith to inform McCorgary that he would have to make a better attempt at fighting or else the bout would be stopped by Welsh.
Referee Smith warned McCorgary and the Babe loosened up a bit in the third, but soon assumed the watchful waiting attitude he had displayed in the first two rounds. He started out with his right poised for a knockout thump and still had it in the same position when the bout ended. He landed one or two punches in the third that appeared to carry a little steam, but that was his last flash of the night. One wit pulled a wise crack at the end of the sixth when he yelled, “Wait’ll Monaghan hears about this.”
That about sums up the bout. Still, Forgione hustled throughout and it was no fault of his that the bout didn’t come up to the expectations of the fans.
Murphy Too Fast For Allen
The Murphy-Allen fracas was fast from start to finish with Murphy doing all of the forcing and most of the leading. Tommy proved he can outsmart the downtown Italian any time he meets him. He beat him to the punch continually, shooting his left to the body and crossing his right to the jaw so often that Roxie appeared to be dazed by the avalanche of punches Tommy sent in his direction. Murphy won six out of the eight rounds, Allen barely winning the second and eighth rounds.
Tommy scored a tainted knockdown in the first. Almost as soon as the bout started, Tommy charged into Allen, let go a left hook to the body which caught Allen off balance and spilled him in his own corner. Roxie, however, was up before a count could be started. Allen’s best round was the second. They exchanged punches in a fast mixup on the ropes and Allen came off best. Tommy backing up for the first and only time of the bout.
Allen got in a couple of effective straight lefts to the head and also registered two one-two punches in the same spot. Murphy resumed the offensive from that round till the last period, peppering Roxie aplenty on every part of his anatomy.
Gordon-Goss Stage Great Fight
Murphy’s best round was the fifth. Tommy gave Roxie the works in that session. He cut loose with everything he had and Roxie finished the round with a gash under his left eye, while he also suffered a cut on his lower lip which Murphy managed to reopen in each succeeding round.
It was the third time the boys have met, and the third time that Murphy has won the decision. Referee Smith was the third man in the ring.
Gordon and Goss probably staged the best scrap of the night. Both tried hard to end the bout by a knockout, but neither accomplished his purpose. It was a great fight and Referee Tom Walters’ decision was a popular one, yet the writer felt that Gordon had slightly the better of the milling owing to his aggressiveness and his harder punching. True, Goss might have landed a few more punches than Gordon, but the latter’s carried far more power than any Goss landed. Al made the Trenton lad hold more than once from lefts to the stomach, while Gordon never once was guilty of clinching in order to escape his opponent’s punches.
The writer credited Gordon with four rounds, gave Goss three and called one even. It was a close fight due to the fact that Goss carried the second round by a wider margin than any credited to Gordon, still to those close to the ringside. Gordon appeared to have just a shade the better of the bout.
Gorman Beats Bashara
After Bashara’s seconds, one of whom was Joe Ferguson, one of the best lightweights in the east 15 years ago, had argued about the bandages on Gorman’s hands for about five minutes the bout finally got under way, Tip and his manager winning the argument, as Gorman entered the fray without disturbing his hand coverings.
Referee Joe “Pose” Robinson awarded Gorman the decision at the close of the fuss and got the “razz” for his version of the scrap. The writer is forced to string along with the fans, as he credited Bashara with six out of the eight rounds. Joe appeared to have given Tip a pretty good lacing, both upstairs and downstairs, but Referee Robinson must have thought otherwise.
Although Gorman landed plenty of hard rights to Bashara’s head, Joe got in many more wallops, especially shots to the body, which appeared to sap Tip’s stamina early in the bout. Tip might have won, as Referee Robinson decreed, but in all fairness to Bashara it appeared as though he had won by the length of the new Broad street subway.
Lucas Drops Brown In First
Lucas made short work of Brown. Mushy must have learned his stuff in a pony ballet. He attempted to show his dancing ability, but it didn’t go over so big with the crowd nor with Lucas. Leon merely bided his time until he could get an opening at Brown’s jaw. It finally arrived, but Lucas’ right landed too high to hit a vital spot, the punch landing on top of Brown’s head.
Yet it was hard enough to send him down on one knee, where he remained until he was counted out. However, he appeared to be in agony and when Referee Robinson had completed his count he claimed that he had wrenched the tendons in his right leg when he fell to the mat. Dr. Shannon, who was among the spectators, examined the injury and stated that Brown had wrenched the muscles in going down.
The show was staged to provide funds with which to care for members of the local veterans’ post who are in need of assistance. It could not be determined today just how much the show had netted the organization, but it is thought that a reasonable amount had been realized from the affair.
LOCAL FIGHT RESULTS
The winners, losers and their weights in the benefit boxing show held under the auspices of the Corporal Matthew Purnell Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, at the Convention Hall last night, follow:
Vincent Forgione, 162½ pounds, of Philadelphia, won the referee’s decision over Babe McCorgary, 170½ pounds, of New York, in eight rounds.
Tommy Kid Murphy, 141 pounds, of Trenton, won the referee’s decision over Roxie Allen, 143½ pounds, of Camden, in eight rounds
Referee—Sergt. Ray Smith.
Al Gordon, 133 pounds, of Philadelphia, and Jesse Goss, 139 pounds, of Trenton, fought eight rounds to a draw.
Referee—Thomas Walters.
Tip Gorman, 159 pounds, of Camden, won referee’s decision over Joe Bashara, 153½ pounds, of Norfolk in eight rounds.
Leon Lucas, 185 pounds, of Camden, knocked out Mushy Brown, 193 pounds, of Philadelphia, in first round. Time, 2 minutes, 16 seconds.
Referee—Joe Robinson.
Inspector—Edward A. Welsh.
Timer—George Dean.
Announcer—Joseph Schmaltz Valentine.
Gunmen Fire at Saloon, Outrace Police
Camden Morning Post • Camden Courier-Post —
MOTORISTS PUT SHOTS THROUGH SOUTH CAMDEN CAFE WINDOW
Car Sighted by Cops After Attack on ‘Bluch’ Golding’s Place
TURN OUT LIGHTS, SPEED OFF AT ORDER TO HALT
Pursuers Send 12 Bullets After Fleeing Machine; May Have Hit One
Occupants of a roadster who are alleged to have fired two shots through a saloon window escaped early today after police fired a dozen shots at the car during a chase of a mile and a half.
Shortly after 1 p. m., Thomas “Bluch” Golding, proprietor of a cafe at 650 Central Avenue, notified police of the attack.
Motorcycle Policemen Frank Guetherman and William Thorn saw the car described by Golding, at Ninth and Ferry Avenue. When the officers ordered the car to halt, its lights were extinguished and it sped away.
The police chased it to Fillmore Street, to Van Hook Street to Fourth Street where it disappeared, amid a barrage of bullets from a pump gun fired by the pursuers.
The car was seen to swerve just before it disappeared and police believe the driver may have been struck.
Camden Bridge police were notified to watch for the car, which bore a Camden county license.
Golding is a well known Eighth ward politician. He could give no reason for the attack.
Cedars of Lebanon Plan Charity Ball
Camden Courier-Post —
Floor Show to Be Added Feature of Dance Here on Saturday
Plans for a snappy floor show as an additional feature of the second annual charity ball of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Camden Forest No. 5, were announced yesterday.
Sonny James with the recording and broadcasting orchestra that bears his name, will supply the music—interspersing swing for the youngsters with waltzes for the old-timers.
James will present as the floor show attraction The Musical Aces and Their Queens, radio performers.
Harold Stephans, vocalist with the orchestra, also will be featured.
The ball is scheduled for Saturday night at Hotel Walt Whitman.
The general committee consists of the membership of all other committees, which are:
Executive: Joseph C. Brown, Grand Tall Cedar, ex-officio; William E. Strouse, chairman and Daniel W. Forsyth, secretary and treasurer.
Grand Conductor: Walter W. Giffins.
Reception: Paul C. Ireton, leader; George Murray, Walter Morris, William Rohrer, Harry Holt, Vic Marx, Charles Ackley, Howard Dahl, Francis Gaskill, Frederick von Nieda, and Frank Hartmann.
Tickets, Walter Mattison; door, Louis Bull and Paul B. Miles, press, Frank H. Ryan. Electrical, Wilbur Peters; wardrobe, Charles Neil, William Strong, Elmer Burgess, Taylor Kellogg and Charles Green; safety, Lieut. George W. Frost, Frank Jaggard, Russell Young and Francis Gutherman; decorations, Fred Knodel, Charles Dorrman, Harry Sykes, Harry Flowers, Merton McCormick, Edward Zimmerman and William Delbaugh.
Webster Will Join Forces With Georgette, Prince
Camden Courier-Post —
By Tom Ryan
A new boxing triumvirate soon will be formed in Camden, it was learned today.
Those involved are Tony Georgette, Joe Webster and Eddie Prince, all Camden residents.
The merger of the trio into one group has been talked over for the past two months among the three boxing figures and soon will become a reality, it is rumored. None could be reached today to confirm the report.
While Webster is a comparative newcomer to Camden boxing compared with Georgette and Prince, the former manager of record of Jersey Joe Walcott brings a wealth of knowledge and prestige to the group.
He was manager of record for Walcott for three years till his contract with the Camden heavyweight expired last May.
With the expiration of the contract, Walcott decided he would do his own business in the future and severed relations with Webster.
Webster, who never, before he became Walcott’s manager of record, had been identified with the fight game in any capacity other than as a fan, made a host of friends and a number of excellent contacts while he was connected with the Camden heavyweight.
After becoming identified with Walcott, it didn’t take long for Webster to establish himself as one of the best-liked men in boxing.
Affable and intelligent, the Camden restaurateur met all the big-time promoters and managers and his connections should be invaluable to Georgette and Prince.
Georgette and Prince are the two best-known figures in the fight game in Camden. Both have been connected with the game for over 20 years, and like Webster, are well-liked and respected.
Tony and Eddie grew up together in Camden boxing. The former started as a second and Eddie started as a trainer who also had his own gym here when boxing was at its peak.
Both later became managers, with Georgette eventually becoming the more prominent. Among those Tony managed during his early days in the game were Mickey Blair, Johnny Lucas, Frankie Blair, Joey Allen, Joey Powell, Joey Straiges and a number of lesser local lights.
He and Joey Allen, who now trains Walcott, were the two who brought out of obscurity Pedro Firpo, Camden featherweight, during World War II.
Georgette and Allen bought Firpo’s contract for $400 and at one time had the genial little Negro listed among the first 10 lightweights. Incidentally, Firpo retired over a year ago upon the advice of Georgette.
For the past two years, Georgette has centered his attention upon Gene Jones, young Negro heavyweight, who is considered one of the best prospects in the nation.
However, he has several youngsters of different weights in training, but will not start them in the pro game till he feels they have had the proper schooling.
Prince for years has acted as a co-trainer of Georgette’s fighters; they long have been known as the Damon and Pythias of Camden boxing.
Eddie is a modest and retiring individual who has shunned the spotlight, but there isn’t a wiser head in the fight game. He can get the work out of boxers and that’s the secret of success in any sport.
Now that Webster soon will join hands with Georgette and Prince, the trio should become a winning combination.
They are determined to develop South Jersey talent and will comb this area for prospective boxers.
Georgette always has believed that good boxers can be developed in Camden and vicinity provided they received proper training.
And under Prince, boxers can be developed. Eddie is a stern taskmaster and will brook no nonsense from the youngsters he trains.
So, accorded the proper training, there’s no reason why Camden once more shouldn’t be represented by such outstanding boxers as Walcott, Roxie Allen, Mickey Blair, Tip Gorman, Bobby Zimmerman, Lucas, Joey Allen, Frankie Rapp, Frankie Blair and others who made boxing pay here in the 1920’s.
With Webster and Georgette’s experience in arranging matches and Prince’s ability to train fighters, the three should get somewhere in the boxing game.
And no fighter will be hurt under their guidance unless it’s of his own doing.
They will separate the chaff from the wheat and even the wheat will not be hurt.
Man, 69, Is Killed, Another Injured By Hit-Runners
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Victim Hurled 60 Feet by Impact; Was on Vacation
Three hit-run accidents in the city early today caused the death of a 69-year-old Camden man, injury to a Philadelphian and damage to a parked car.
Joseph Wright, 1716 Ferry avenue, was struck as he alighted from a bus and attempted to cross Broadway at Van Hook street. He died a few minutes after being taken to West Jersey hospital.
Vincent Ardiuno, 33, of 4108 Germantown avenue, Philadelphia, was admitted to Cooper hospital suffering a compound fracture of the right elbow. He was injured when a truck sidewiped a car operated by his brother on Linden street near Eleventh street.
Police said Wright’s body was hurled 60 feet from the point of impact as the hit-run car slowed momentarily and then sped south on Broadway. A description of the car was broadcast to all surrounding police departments and police in eight states have been alerted.
John Wright, son of the victim, said his father was on vaca-
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Hit-Run
(Continued from Page One)
tion from the Camden Forge Co. where he has been a machine operator for 31 years. The son said Wright was returning from Doylestown, Pa., where he had visited friends after starting his vacation last Saturday.
Coroner Blake said Wright probably died of a fractured skull and internal injuries. He said an autopsy would be performed.
Ardiuno was a front seat passenger in a car driven by his brother, Arthur T. Ardiuno, 32, of the Germantown avenue address, who told Detective Sergeant Murphy his car was sidewiped by a truck on Linden street west of Eleventh street while he was driving toward the bridge.
Ardiuno said the truck failed to stop and disappeared while he was attempting to assist his injured brother. No description was obtained.
Suspect Is Arrested
In the third hit-run accident police arrested the alleged driver after being furnished with a partial description by the owner of the damaged car.
George Warner, 2119 Watson street, told Sgt. Frank Geutherman he was awakened by the sound of a crash shortly after midnight and going to the street discovered his car badly damaged in front of his home.
Warner said he saw a car, with lights out, driving from the scene and he obtained a partial reading of the license number. The description and part number were broadcast over the police radio and Patrolman Frank Cavallo spotted the suspected car at Sixth and Chestnut streets.
Cavallo said the front grille and one headlight of the car was smashed. The owner, Harry Plum Sr., 24, of 1100 Baring street, was arrested at his home. Warner signed a hit-run charge against Plum.
Gold Badges To Be Given 15 City Cops
Camden Courier-Post —
Fifteen retired Camden City policemen will be honored by the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, Local 35, Wednesday night at the Police and Fire Club, 1175 Whitman Avenue.
Police Chief William H. Neale will present awards. The awards will be gold retirement badges mounted in wallets. The men receiving them will have served 20 or more years.
According to Patrolman Robert Mentz, PBA secretary, this is the first time since 1960 that retirement badges have been presented. The ceremonies will follow the organization’s business meeting.
Awards will be made to: Edward Suski, Harry Cattell, Clifford DelRossi, Frank Gutherman, John Houston, Thomas Kauffman, William Stibi, Leon Feltz, Russell Young, Henry Leutz, George Ellis, Everett Joslin, Ralph Cline, John Kaighn and former Chief Gustav Koerner.
Frank “Tip Gorman” Guetherman’s Known Professional Boxing Record
As known as of January 4, 2018 — 3 Wins, 0 by KO, 6 Losses
| Date | Opponent | Opp. Record | Location | Result | Method | Rds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926-01-28 | Young O’Connor | 0-0-0 | Temple Theater, Camden, NJ | L | NWS | 8 |
| 1926-04-08 | Jimmy O’Toole | 1-1-0 | Temple Theater, Camden, NJ | L | NWS | 8 |
| 1926-07-23 | Watson Finch | 0-2-0 | Camden, NJ | W | NWS | — |
| 1927-03-04 | Ray Maxwell | 11-2-1 | City A.C., Camden, NJ | L | NWS | — |
| 1927-08-12 | Tony Gildo | 1-5-0 | City A.C., Camden, NJ | L | NWS | 8 |
| — | Tony Gildo | 1-5-0 | City A.C., Camden, NJ | W | NWS | 8 |
| 1927-10-13 | Joe Mooney | 0-0-0 | New Castle, PA | L | PTS | 6 |
| 1927-11-10 | Joe Mooney | 1-1-0 | Auditorium, Wilmington, DE | L | NWS | 6 |
| 1928-09-18 | Joe Bashara | — | Convention Hall, Camden, NJ | W | Ref | 8 |