Introduction
FRANK SHAW was appointed to the Camden Fire Department to serve as an extra man with Engine Company 1 on April 8, 1876 to fill the position of Charles Hagerman. He resigned on November 21, 1876 and was replaced by James McCracken. Frank Shaw was an active member of the local Democrat party in Camden and served as the turnkey, a position equivalent to that of warden, of the Camden County Jail in the mid-1880s.
Frank Shaw was born in New Jersey, around 1853. Exactly when is a matter of question, as census records yield dates from 1847 through 1853. There also is a bit of confusion as to his full name. The 1880 Census lists him as Franklin Shaw, the 1910 Census indicates that his son’s name was John F. Shaw, while the 1914 City Directory shows Frank Shaw and Frank Shaw Jr. living at the same address. Suffice to say that throughout his life, he was known about Camden as Frank Shaw.
Frank Shaw first appears in Camden’s City Directories in 1870, living in the South Ward. He was then boarding with Keturah Conklin, and lived next door to the Lewis Buzine family. Lewis Buzine’s sons, Samuel S. Buzine was then serving as a member of the Camden Fire Department, a younger son, also named Lewis Buzine would also become a Camden fire fighter. Frank Shaw married soon after the Census. His wife, Joanna, bore a son, Frank Shaw Jr., around 1873.
As stated above, Frank Shaw took an active interest in politics as a Democrat, and secured an appointment to the Camden Fire Department in 1876 when incoming chief Claudius Bradshaw made wholesale changes among the department’s personnel. Frank Shaw was working as a picture frame gilder at the time of his appointment, and was then living in the 500 block of Spruce Street with his wife and son.
The 1878–1879 and 1879–1880 Camden City Directories show Frank Shaw at 918 South 4th Street and the 1880 Census has him at 342 Spruce Street with his wife and son. At 910 South 4th Street in those years and into 1881 lived Joseph Shaw Sr. and Joseph Shaw Jr., who also worked with picture frames. Frank Shaw is listed at 433 Spruce Street in the 1881–1882 City Directory. The 1882–1883 City Directory does not list Joseph Shaw Sr., but does list Joseph Jr. and Frank Shaw both as living at 910 South 4th Street. It is likely that the two Joseph Shaws were Frank Shaw’s father and brother. The 1884–1885 and 1885–1888 City Directories give Frank Shaw’s address as 806 Market Street.
Frank and Joanna Shaw had two more children after the 1880 Census. The identity of one is not known, however. The third child, daughter Regina Shaw, tragically died in November of 1895 when her clothes caught fire as she was burning leaves. She was but ten years old.
Political fortune smiled on Frank Shaw in November of 1884. Camden County Sheriff appointed him to the position of turnkey at the Camden County jail, a position akin to that of warden. Frank Shaw held the post through 1887.
The 1888–1889 Camden City Directory indicates that he was operating a bar at Cooper Avenue and Pleasant Avenue in Stockton, and a newspaper article from June of that year states that he had it built. Cooper Avenue was renamed North 27th Street after Stockton was annexed to Camden in 1899. This property, at 576 North 27th Street, was still functioning as a bar into the 1960s.
Frank Shaw’s whereabouts and activities between 1889 and 1898 are not known as of this writing. The Shaws are not listed in Camden City Directories for these years. However, a newspaper article for 1895 places him at 591 Bridge Avenue. Frank Shaw reappears in the 1898 edition, living at 843 Federal Street, working again as a picture gilder. By the time the 1899 Directory was being compiled, he had moved to 905 Federal Street. He appears to have separated from his wife when the 1900 Census was enumerated, as she appears in the census living with her son, but apart from her husband. Frank and Joanna Shaw are reunited in subsequent records. The 1906 Camden City Directory shows Frank Shaw working as an ironworker, and living at 758 Federal Street. His son Frank Jr. (listed as John F.) was also living there. When the Census was taken in 1910, Frank and Joanna Shaw and their son were living at 924 Market Street. Frank Shaw’s occupation was then “sheet iron worker.”
Frank Shaw ran for Camden County freeholder from Camden’s Second Ward in 1910.
The 1914 Camden City Directory shows Frank Shaw at 906 Market Street. He was then working as a machinist. His son Frank Shaw Jr. lived with him. Frank Shaw, then in his mid-70s, was still living at this address with his wife and son as late as April of 1930, when the census was enumerated.
Frank Shaw Appointed Day Jailor
Philadelphia Inquirer —
NEW JERSEY.
Items of Interest in Camden County and Vicinity.
Frank Shaw, of the Second ward, has been appointed by Sheriff Richard F. Smith day jailor at the county jail.
Choked to Death
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Woman Found Near Camden Declared to Have Been Murdered.
The mystery surrounding the cause of the death of the woman who was found dead in the woods near Homestendville, on Sunday last, was fully solved at the coroner’s inquest yesterday afternoon. The inquest was conducted by Coroner Beale, at the Morgue.
The fact that the woman was murdered, was fully established by the testimony of County Physician Gross, who declared that from the position in which the body was, when found, it must have been placed there after death. A post-mortem examination demonstrated that the woman died of suffocation caused by strangulation. All circumstances pointed to violence. He testified he was satisfied the woman was choked to death.
After hearing the testimony of a number of other witnesses, the jury rendered the following verdict: “We find that the deceased came to her death by violence at the hands of some person or persons unknown to this jury.”
Frank Shaw, a jail warden, says positively that the dead woman is not Maggie Crawford, but is Annie Dugan, who had been committed to the county jail a number times. This statement has given rise to some doubt as to who the woman really is.
The Men Responsible
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A Complete List of the Chosen Freeholders of Camden County.
The Chosen Freeholders of Camden county, under the law, are really responsible for the care of the County Jail. The regular meetings of the board are held on the second Wednesday of each month at the court house in the city of Camden. After the latest meeting, held on Wednesday of last week, the Freeholders “inspected” the jail. Some of them have never been in the jail before and the following is said to have taken place:
“I must say that I am surprised at their condition,” said Mr. Archer.
“Looks to me as though they needed some plaster and whitewash around here,” remarked Mr. Sharp.
The cells on the south side were found in the filthiest condition. Nearly all the colored prisoners are confined on that side.
“I wouldn’t get too near those beds, if I were you,” remarked Jailor Shaw, significantly, to a Freeholder, whose overcoat brushed against one of the pallets of straw. The visitor took the hint and moved hastily away.
The members of the board are as follows: First Ward—Benjamin F. Archer. Second Ward—Joseph J. Read. Third Ward—Edward Francis. Fourth Ward—Robert M. Patton. Fifth Ward—Thomas Gordon. Sixth Ward—Isaac H. Sharp. Seventh Ward—Joseph A. Starr. Eighth Ward—John C. Lee. Merchantville—Charles P. Spangler. Stockton Township—Allen Hubbs. Delaware Township—William Graff. Centre Township—John D. Glover. Haddon Township—Samuel Wood. Winslow Township—John R. Dubia. Waterford Township—James C. Bishop. Gloucester Township—George H. Higgins. Gloucester City, First Ward—Wm. C. Burch. Gloucester City, Second Ward—G. Farrell.
The Jail and Court House Committee is composed of Messrs. Patton, Gordon, Sharp, Farrell, Burch.
Building Boom in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The building boom has extended to Camden. A large number of houses are being removed in the neighborhood of the site for the new Kaighn’s avenue depot. Roberts & Kuhn, contractors, are tearing down twelve brick buildings at Locust and Mechanic streets, and two frame houses on Knight street, north of Kaighn’s avenue. At the northeast corner of Front and Chestnut streets they are building ten two-story brick dwellings and nine three-story on Stevens street, above Broadway. The German Catholic Church at St. John and Spruce streets is under contract. P. McDonald has the contract for the stone work. The Keystone Chemical Company are making four additions to their works on Viola street. George Hall is building two three-story houses at Nos. 561 and 563 Benson street.
James Cox has just begun six two-story brick houses on Cox street, below Second.
William Key, of Philadelphia, has commenced a brick stable two-stories in height, 18x40 feet at 509 Berkley street.
Charles Camduff will build on the Peacock estate at Berlin.
Frank Shaw will erect a hotel at Cramer’s Hill. The building will be located at the corner of Mt. Pleasant street and Cooper [Avenue].
Pavonia Park Assault
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN NOTES.
Cris Eckert, proprietor of Pavonia Park, was held in $500 bail yesterday by Squire Schmitz for selling liquor on Sunday.
Chief Officer Frank Shaw, of Pavonia Park, was arrested yesterday and taken before Squire Schmitz, who held him in $500 bail for assault and battery on Julius Gorish, president of the German-Hungarian Beneficial Society, of Philadelphia.
Camden Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN NOTES.
Mayor Pratt yesterday held Augusta Wolf in $500 bail for selling liquor on Sunday.
Judge Alfred Hugg is lying at Dr. H. F. Hunt’s cottage at Cape May suffering from a severe attack of typhoid fever.
A contract for inclosing the paupers’ burying ground in the new Camden Cemetery was awarded to K. R. Sorbert for 35 cents per foot.
Peter Rollin, a well-known citizen of Gloucester, was held in $300 bail by Justice Snyder for assault and battery on Robert Smith.
The Board of Excise Commissioners met last night and granted two wholesale licenses and three pool licenses and transferred four others.
Mayor Pratt yesterday investigated the charges against Officer Litenberger preferred by Gustav Dietchman and found them unfounded. He exonerated the officer.
Complaint was made to Justice Cassady yesterday by Frank Shaw against Julius Grish, president of the German Hungarian Beneficial Society, for assault and battery.
Justice Rankin yesterday issued a warrant for the arrest of John Sheetz on complaint of his brother Harry Sheetz, a baker, of Sixth and Mount Vernon streets, who charges John with having robbed him of $50.
Court Detective Patrick Gallagher was assaulted Tuesday night on a ferry boat by John Wright, a colored desperado, who was arrested and taken to the City Hall. Yesterday morning his wife Carrie called at the hall and was recognized by Officer Butts as the woman who robbed the house of Mrs. Randall, of 328 North Second street, last April.
A Child Burned to Death
Philadelphia Inquirer —
She Was Burning Leaves When Her Clothing Caught Fire.
Ten-year-old Regina Shaw, daughter of ex-Jailer Frank Shaw, of 591 Bridge avenue, Camden, was badly burned yesterday afternoon by her clothing catching on fire and died three hours later in the Cooper Hospital.
She was burning some leaves in a box when her dress caught fire. The flames spread rapidly and soon all her clothing was in a blaze. She screamed and rushed across the street, where some neighbors took hold of her and extinguished the flame. A patrol wagon was summoned and she was taken to the hospital.
Camden’s Mayor Has Field to Himself
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Candidates Named for City Offices by Camden Democrats and Republicans
Charles H. Ellis will have no opposition for renomination on the Republican ticket for a third term as Mayor of Camden. When the time for filing nomination papers expired last night, the Mayor’s petition was the only one in the hands of the city clerk. To run against the Mayor the Democrats yesterday afternoon placed in nomination Dr. William H. Kensinger, one of the two representatives in City Council from the Eleventh ward. He is the only aspirant to head the city ticket. The city and Councilmanic tickets nominated by the two parties follow:
Republican Ticket.—Mayor, Charles H. Ellis; Recorder, O. Glen Stackhouse; Receiver of Taxes, John S. Roberts; City Treasurer, George A. Frey; Board of Education (full term), William J. Fox, Edmund E. Read, Jr., Harry C. Sharp (to fill the unexpired term of C. K. Deacon), Harry C. Dole.
City Council—First ward, Charles H. Greer; Second ward, David Jester; Third ward, Edward H. Way; Fourth ward, Harry R. Read; Fifth ward, Robert W. Gordon; Sixth ward, Joshua C. Haines; Seventh ward, Frank C. Van Hart; Eighth ward, J. William Mills; Ninth ward, Raymond L. Warren; Tenth ward (full term), C. K. Deacon; (unexpired term of Charles S. Wolverton), Daniel Smith, Henry S. Gordon; Eleventh ward, Frederick Finkeldey, Frederick von Neida; Twelfth ward, Henry D. Longacre, J. Morton Pennock.
Democratic Ticket.—Mayor, Dr. William H. Kensinger; Recorder, John H. Irwin; Receiver of Taxes, Dr. Silas H. Quint; City Treasurer, John J. Welsh; Board of Education (full term), Alfred R. White, William H. Deets, Harry R. Barrett (unexpired term of C. K. Deacon), John Miller.
City Council—First ward, B. W. Poland; Second ward, Frank Shaw; Third ward, E. J. Kelleher; Fourth ward, Harry Richmond; Fifth ward, William C. King; Sixth ward, William Wynn; Seventh ward, George Clark; Eighth ward, George N. Stokes; Ninth ward, John F. Hurley; Tenth ward, George W. Evans; Eleventh ward, F. A. Finkeldey; Twelfth ward, Jonas Shaw.
The Republicans have Councilmanic contests in Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth wards. In the Eleventh, Mr. Finkeldey is after the nomination on both tickets. He is the lone candidate of the Democrats, but has opposition on the Republican ticket.