Introduction
Frank Sheridan
Frank Sheridan was born in Mt. Holly, New Jersey on June 10, 1887 to James F. Sheridan and his wife, the former Lydia Willets. He was baptized at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Mt. Holly on August 9, 1895. His father, who worked as a machinist, brought the family to Philadelphia not long afterwards. The 1900 Census shows Frank Sheridan and his parents living at 1709 McClellan Street in South Philadelphia. At some point in the 1900s Frank Sheridan came to Camden and found work as a reporter.
Aside from his marriage, not much is known to this writer of Frank Sheridan’s early life and activities during the 1900s. He is not one of the Frank Sheridans listed in city directories prior to 1910. He is said to have begun as a reporter for the Camden-Post Telegram, but had moved over to the Camden Daily Courier by the end of 1909. The 1910 Census indicates that he married early in 1908. He was working for the Camden Daily Courier in 1909. By April of 1910 he and his wife Anna were living at 530 North 7th Street. Anna B. Sheridan gave birth to a daughter, also named Anna, on January 17, 1910. A son, David F. Sheridan, was born on November 22, 1910, and another son Edward, arrived on January 7, 1912. The family lived at 530 North 7th Street as late as 1912. The 1913 and 1914 City Directories show the Sheridans at 524 North 7th Street. In 1914 the family moved to a relatively new house 941 Elm Street. The previous resident, Howard Padgett, had lost his arm in an accident at the Pavonia railroad yards in December of 1913.
What is known of Frank Sheridan’s activities in the early 1910s and beyond is that he became quite active in civic, fraternal, and political affairs in North Camden and beyond. Besides working as a reporter, he conducted a cigar store at North 7th Street and Birch Street. Best known of course for his many years as a reporter for the Courier-Post newspapers, Frank Sheridan’s activities involved him far beyond mere journalism. An unswerving Republican, in 1914 he was elected Justice of the Peace for Camden’s Tenth Ward and was reelected five times thereafter, and came to be known as “Squire” Sheridan. By October of 1921 his reporting was rewarded with a promotion to City Editor of the Camden Daily Courier.
He was active in the Lions Club, the Pyne Poynt Athletic Association, the North Camden Square Club, and many other community groups. Fraternally, he was affiliated with Trimble Lodge No. 117, Free and & Associated Masons; Camden Forest No. 5, Tall Cedars of Lebanon; and the Junior Order of American Mechanics.
Perhaps Frank Sheridan’s most lasting legacy is his work as the editor of the book History of Camden County In The Great War 1917–1918, a complete accounting of Camden County’s involvement overseas and on the home front. The book was authorized by a group of Camden’s leading citizens, the Victory Jubilee and Memorial Committee and published by the Publicity and Historical Committee. The Publicity and Historical Committee was comprised of Camden newspapermen, was chaired by Frank Sheridan, and included Frank H. Ryan, Benjamin W. Courter, Frank S. Albright, Charles J. Haaga, James L. Polk, Charles H. Schuck, William B. Wells, Richard B. Ridgway, Daniel P. McConnell, Alvah M. Smith, Daniel M. Stevens, John D. Courter, William H. Jefferys, and William Rothman.
Frank Sheridan wrote a number of other multi-part features covering historical events in Camden, including a six-part feature about the Camden Fire Department, published in October of 1936; and a five-part feature covering the early history of East Camden and Cramer from colonial times until the 1899 annexation of Stockton by Camden, published in May of 1949.
Frank Sheridan passed away at Cooper Hospital on May 30, 1954. He was survived by his wife, children, and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Little Sheridan in Town
Camden Post-Telegram —
Frank Sheridan, of the Courier local staff was greeted as “Papa” around the City Hall and Police Headquarters to-day, and at the same time showered with congratulations on the arrival at his home yesterday of a fine baby girl. Mrs. Sheridan and the baby are coming along splendidly.
January Magazines Now Out
Camden Post-Telegram —
Renew your subscriptions with
FRANK SHERIDAN,
Cigars and Stationary [sic],
Seventh & Birch Sts. Camden
Candidate for Office
Camden Post —
One of the seekers of political honors in the Tenth ward is Frank Sheridan a well-known young man residing at 530 North Seventh street. Mr. Sheridan seeks the nomination for Justice of the Peace to fill the unexpired term of John Barr. Frank has been a resident of this city for many years and is favorably known. He has been a member of the Courier staff for a number of years and a staunch supporter of the Republican party.
Charm Presented to Deputy Chief
Camden Daily Courier —
William Patterson Honored at Dinner Given to Members to No. 4 Engine Company.
BIG TURKEY FEED ENJOYED BY MANY
As a mark of appreciation for their splendid work while he was captain of No. 4 Engine Company, Deputy Fire Chief William Patterson last evening tendered the company members a fine turkey supper at No. 4 Engine House, Vine street near Fourth.
The caterers were Engineer Daniel Grimes, Firemen Robert Brice and Joseph Daly.
At the beginning of the banquet Capt. Charles Cook sprung a surprise when he presented the chief with a handsome watch charm of the Junior Order United American Mechanics. On the back was an inscription expressing the esteem of the members of the engine company. Chief Patterson expressed his appreciation for the gift and in a short address told the men he would always wear and cherish the gift.
Following the banquet addresses were made by Chief Peter B. Carter, Freeholder James M. Walton and Secretary Harvey Watts. Chief Carter spoke of the fellowship in the department at the present time and Freeholder Walton urged the men to be loyal. Lieutenant Joseph Logue, one of the oldest members of the company, spoke feelingly of his former captain. Then each guest was called upon and all expressed their esteem for Chief Patterson and showed their pleasure in his merited advancement.
Only one member of the company was absent, Ephraim Hires, who is ill at his home. Fireman Rollo Jones proposed a toast to former and departed members of the company and it was drunk in silence.
Gathered about the festive board were Deputy Chief William Patterson, Chief Peter B. Carter, Freeholder James M. Walton, Secretary Harvey Watts, Capt. Charles Cook, Firemen Arthur Wingate, Charles Hankins, Si Sage, Joseph Logue, Abraham Kerns, Charles Watkins, Jr., Martin Carrigan, Dollo [sic] Jones, Robert Brice, Joseph Daly, Daniel Grimes, John Miller and Frank Sheridan. The menu follows:
Oysters on Half-shell, Biscuits, Roast Turkey, Stewed Tomatoes, Green Peas, Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, Cold Slaw, Olives, Coffee, After-dinner Mints, Celery, Layer Cake, Dan Grimes’ Punch, Cigars.
October 16, 1916
Camden Post —
Justice of the Peace Frank Sheridan, of 941 Elm street, has the smypathy [sic] of a host of friends over the loss of his father, James F. Sheridan, who died on Friday evening at his Philadelphia home. The elder Mr. Sheridan will be buried to-morrow at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. ’Squire Sheridan is a member of the local newspaper fraternity.
Mother of Ten Is Accused
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Arrested together in a room, at 128 Federal street, Camden, by Frank Miller, a State Detective, Frank Dungan, 48 years old, of 564 Mt. Vernon street, and Mrs. Katie C. Beach, 47 years old, of 713 Perry street, were held in $300 bail each by Justice of the Peace Frank Sheridan, in Camden yesterday on a charge preferred by George Beach, husband of the woman in the case. Mrs. Beach, the husband said, is the mother of ten children and that they have been married for about twenty-eight years. It was while he was ill in a hospital, he said, that Dungan, a friend of his “stole my wife’s affections.”
World War I Draft Card
Frank Sheridan — World War I Draft Card
Camden County in the Great War
City Farm Gardens
Another weapon to defeat the enemy was the establishment of City Farm Gardens in the country. They were urged by the Government and not only provided food for city residents, but abolished unsightly vacant lots. Mayor Ellis named the first City Gardens Committee on April 19, 1917, as follows: E. G. C. Bleakly, Judge Frank T. Lloyd, Zed H. Copp, William Derham, L. E. Farnham, B. M. Hedrick, David Jester, O. B. Kern, M. F. Middleton, Dr. H. L. Rose, Asa L. Roberts, W. D. Sayrs, Jr., Charles A. Wolverton, Earl T. Jackson, H. R. Kuehner, Herbert N. Moffett and Hubert H. Pfeil. At the initial meeting of the above date B. M. Hedrick was elected chairman; Zed H. Copp secretary and M. F. Middleton treasurer. Brandin W. Wright, a farming expert, was employed as general superintendent on May 3, 1917. At a meeting on May 18, 1918, the names of Frank Sheridan and Daniel P. McConnell were added to the publicity committee in the place of Messrs. Pfeil and Jackson.
In his annual report to City Council on January 1, 1918, Mayor Ellis urged the appointment of a committee by City Council on City Gardens and Councilman Frederick Von Neida was named as chairman. This committee with a committee of representative citizens met in the City Hall in February, 1918, to organize for the ensuing summer. The members of the Councilmanic committee were: Frederick Von Neida, Frank S. Van Hart, William J. Kelly and John J. Robinson.
The committee planned an exposition of farm garden products for the fall of 1918, but this plan was frustrated by the Spanish influenza epidemic.
The war gardens became victory gardens in the year 1919 when the committee met on January 29, 1919. Meyers Baker was elected secretary and William D. Sayrs, Jr., treasurer. At the meeting on March 25 committees were appointed for the Victory War Gardens Exposition held in Third Regiment Armory from September 15 to 20. Benjamin Abrams was elected general manager and Frank Sheridan publicity agent.
April 26, 1920
Camden Daily Courier-Post —
Named: Fannie Silver, Louis Silver, Frank Sheridan, Samuel Axelrod, Frank H. Miller, O. Glen Stackhouse, and Pine Street.
Conn L. Mack Honored By Friends at Dinner
Camden Daily Courier —
By FRANK SERIDAN [sic].
Men of all political creeds gathered at the festive board on Saturday evening at Silver Lake Inn in honor of Daniel P. McConnell, sports editor of the Post-Telegram, better known as Conn L. Mack or Applesauce Dan.
Dan sort of owed the boys a dinner because of a new arrival at his home but we thought we would save him the money so we gave him the dinner. You married men, especially Howard Miller, know how that is.
Well it was some party. Judge Samuel M. Shay presided for a while as toastmaster then City Solicitor Howard L. Miller elected himself to rule over the restinies [sic] of the meeting much to the contempt of the Court.
“Red” Brigham, a newspaper man, made the speech of his life. He still insists that he is the only speaker, who paid a tribute to the guest of honor of the evening. “Red” was there when it came to quoting Shakespeare.
George Jacobs’s necktie was one of the bright spots of the evening. Mack Parker had a terrible time trying to set up an alibi. As cleanup man of the Post-Telegram staff, nearly all those of Democratic and No Party faith, agreed he was a good man to stay away from during campaigns.
But Charley Wolverton, former prosecutor, eased up the situation when he vouched that no newspaer [sic] man ever broke faith with him during his many years in the prosecutor’s office, either as an assistant or the big noise.
Genial Ethan Wescott, now Prosecutor of the Pleas, traveled all the way from Princeton to pay a tribute to our Dan and it came from his heart.
Al White, the jovial City Clerk, admitted he was a candidate for some office last Tuesday. He asked Charley Wolverton how it felt to know you were defeated before election. Charley said he was sure of his election a year ago, even after the votes were counted.
Frank Neutze paid a nice tribute to our Dan which the boys appreciated.
Eddie Kelleher, of Miami, Trenton and Camden, erstwhile political leader of Democrats, et al, said “May it please the court” and Judge Shay smiled as hopes of five more years on the bench loom on his horizon as a result of the election of Moore.
Mister Frank H. Ryan, sports editor of the Courier, simply blushed crimson pink when interrogated as to why he was so late.
Larry Doran, chief of county detectives, supported Mr. Wolverton in his contention that newspaper men never lie. All agreed that Larry must be a good detective because he has survived all kinds of administrations at the Court House.
“Tom” Littlehales, formerly a Councilman from the Ninth ward, but now a Philadelphian, crossed the river to join in the tribute to Dan and the bunch appreciated his thoughtfulness.
The guests included: Judge Samuel M. Shay, Prosecutor Ethan P. Wescott, former Prosecutor Charles A. Wolverton, Edward J. Kelleher, City Solicitor Howard L. Miller, Assistant City Solicitor Frank F. Neutze, City Clerk Alfred White, Edward Ferat, Thomas N. Littlehales, W. Brown, Charles H. Klump, Joseph Norcross, Lawrence Doran, Howard Smith, William Cleary, William Lyons, James Wren, George H. Jacobs, Frank H. Ryan, Andrew McLean Parker, John Brigham, Jack Dean and the oversigned.
‘Peppery Pot Mack’ Laid to Rest Today
Camden Courier-Post —
Charles Leo McKeone, the Courier’s widely read “Peppery Pot Mack,” was buried this morning, with Requiem Mass in the new Church of the Holy Name. Old friends, those who enjoyed his reminiscences, those who had known “Mack” in the long ago were at the church. Last night many viewed the body in the funeral parlor of B. F. Schroeder & Sons, Broadway and Royden streets.
At the church this morning mass was sung by Rev. Thomas Whelan. Incidentally “Mack’s” funeral was the first in the new $250,000 church, which was dedicated yesterday. There was evidence of the Christmas season about which Mack was wont to write in other days. That was by way of yuletide greens at the side of the altar, of sprigs of holly here and there.
Interment was at Calvary cemetery, the pall bearers being members of the Courier-Post editorial staff. Edward N. Teal, William J. Paul, Frank Sheridan, Stephen O’Keefe, Benjamin Zorck, Ben Courter. The funeral also was attended by the Courier-Post management.
400 Friends Pay Homage To ‘Good Gray Poet’
Camden Courier-Post —
Men and Women From Many Sections Visit Walt Whitman’s Tomb and Old Mickle Street Home on His 114th Anniversary
By FRANK SHERIDAN
“It’s just a little street where old friends meet”
That’s Mickle Street where Walt Whitman, the “Good Gray Poet,” once lived, and old friends came back here from near and far yesterday to mingle under the portals of the house in which he wrote his famous works, on the 114th anniversary of his birth.
Among them was Mrs. Augusta K. Dole, 71, of Metuchen, whose husband has been a sports writer on New York newspapers for 45 years.
“They call it a dingy street and some are ashamed to return and say they lived there,” Mrs. Dole said. And with a gesture of the hand she pointed out the homes of some of neighbors, who became famous.
Among them was Button; famous artist [architect]. Another was the grandmother of J. B. Van Sciver.
“I lived at 319 Mickle Street when I was a young lady,” she said. “I was one year old when we moved into the house right across the street from Whitman. I remember when he lived on Stevens Street before he moved to Mickle Street.
Knew Whitman Well
“We lived at the Mickle Street address about 15 or 16 or 20 years; I knew Whitman well. He always stopped and exchanged greetings with me. I frequently saw him on the ferryboats crossing the rivers.
“I want to take issue right here with those who have questioned his chastity. He was more like Christ than anyone else. I saw him admiring me as a young woman one day on a ferryboat.”
“Years later I read a description of myself in one of his works. I did not begin to read his work until 30 years ago. He wrote of the true things in life. He wrote of life as it is and as we see it. I am glad to come here today at the invitation of the committee,”
Mrs. Dole sat in the last chair in which the poet rested before his last illness. She was introduced to Dr. Alexander MacAlister, who was his personal physician in his last illness and who is a member of the Walt Whitman foundation.
Then she posed with an etching by Lewis Daniel, New York artist, at the Walt Whitman art gallery, 641 Market Street. It is one of 14 the young artist drew on “The Song of the Open Road.” Two lines taken from the book are sketched under the etching as follows:
“The earth is crude and incomprehensible at first— Nature is rude and incomprehensible at first.”
400 Visit Home
More than 400 guests visited the home of the poet during the day to be welcomed by members of the foundation. Mrs. Charles A. Wolverton, wife of Congressman Wolverton, was chairman of the reception committee.
Many of the guests visited the tomb of the poet in Harleigh Cemetery where the door is ajar at his request “that his spirit may come and go as I choose.’” But no flowers were placed there as he requested none.
Born on May 31, 1819, near Huntingdon, Long Island, he had a varied career as a writer, war correspondent and poet. During the Civil War he ministered the wounded of both the North and South at Washington. He spent the last 19 years of his life in Camden, where he died in 1892.
Under the bed in his second story front bed room today is a huge metal bathtub, which he designed for use in his invalid days. His library, horsehair furniture, his favorite rocking chair and a cane with which he knocked on the floor to call his housekeeper.
Some of his writings, manuscripts and other works are the property of Miss Ann Harned and Madge Barton Feurer. They are now at the New Jerseyanna Exhibition at the State House at Trenton.
New Painting Viewed
A new painting of Walt Whitman has been completed by Byron T. Connor, of 4320 Manor Avenue, Merchantville, and is now on display at the Hotel Walt Whitman. The painting was completed in three weeks, so as to be ready for the birthday ceremonies.
Later it will be moved from the hotel and placed either in the Whitman home or hung in the lobby of the Walt Whitman Theatre.
Miss Harned, daughter of the late Thomas B. Harned, one of Whitman’s literary executors; Joseph Praissman and Mrs. Martha Davis curator of the Whitman home, were members of the anniversary committee headed by Mrs. Wolverton.
With few exceptions, members of the Walt Whitman Foundation attended yesterday’s program, including Dr. Macalister, chairman; Dr. Cornelius Weygandt, vice chairman; Mrs. Juliet Lit Stern, Joseph M. Conover, Mrs. Helen Taft Manning, Mrs. Allen Drew Cook, Mrs. Nicholas Douty, Dr. Herbert Spencer Harned, J. Frederick Harned, Roy Helton, William T. Innes, Eldridge R. Johnson, William H. Ketler, Dr. Rufus M. Jones, former Mayor Victor King, Oscar Wolf, John Frederick Lewis, Jr., Dr. Bliss Perry, Harrison S. Morris, Agnes Repplier, former Mayor Winfield S. Price, Vernon Whitman Rich, Dr. J. Duncan Spaeth, Dr. Felix E. Schelling, Dr. Robert E. Spiller, Mrs. David Abeel Storer, Frederick Von Nieda and Ralph W. Wescott.
Among the visitors was former Assemblyman William H. Iszard, who is secretary of the committee, which acquired the home as a national shrine. Iszard sponsored legislation in the Assembly for its upkeep.
High Schools Here Revised; Junior-Senior Plan Cut Out
Camden Courier-Post —
New System Gives Choice of Academic or Commercial and Arts Courses
Saves $500,000 Annex, Relieves Crowding
Hours Reduced; Study Programs Rebuilt; Omit Spanish; Music Optional
By FRANK SHERIDAN
Reorganization of Camden junior and senior high schools has been effected with the approval of the local and state boards of education.
By establishing the Camden Academic High School and Camden Commercial and Practical Arts High School the school population of the present Camden High School will be reduced 50 percent when the September terms begin, according to Dr. Leon N. Neulen, superintendent of schools.
It also will reduce the student roster of all junior high schools even with the promotions of this month added.
Saves $500,000
“This plan will give Camden room for expansion for years to come in high school education and preclude the necessity of building the $500,000 annex to the senior high school, plans for which have been drawn at the cost of thousands of dollars,” Dr. Neulen declares.
“It will eliminate a number of studies and give the students more education in the more essential subjects. The hours of instruction will be reduced from 30 hours per week to 23. The state law’s minimum is 19 hours.”
Dr. Neulen points out that 2400 students are now registered in Camden High School and promotions from junior school this month would have added 700 more. Under the new plan 1500 will attend the Academic High School and 1300 the Commercial school.
The balance will be redistributed back into the junior and seventh grade grammar schools.
Wilson High Commercial
The new plan will cause a general redistribution of pupils in East Camden because the Woodrow Wilson Junior High School will become the Commercial high. The present junior high pupils will be sent back to Cramer school, from which they originally were transferred. Students in the Garfield and Dudley Schools will take their seventh grade in those institutions instead of junior high.
Camden Junior High School No. 1, which now has 849 pupils, will have 730 next term. Hatch Junior High School has 1106 pupils now and will have 1127 next term. Woodrow Wilson Junior High School now has 970 pupils and will have 643 at the Cramer school.
Four Courses at Academic High
Dr. Neulen explained that the new Academic High School will teach four courses: College preparatory, college technical, normal preparatory and general. Students will be given four-year courses, in the first three mentioned courses and three years in the latter. Camden High is now a three-year school.
That will mean the ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades will be taught in the college preparatory, college technical and normal preparatory and the tenth, eleventh and twelfth in the general course.
The Commercial and Practical Arts High School will teach commercial and practical arts courses in three-year courses in the tenth, eleventh and twelfth.
Practical arts will be taught exclusively to boys in the school because only 27 girls elected to take that course this year and they will be transferred to Academic in the Fall, Dr. Neulen explained.
Four Years Latin; No Spanish
The new plan provides for the teaching of general foreign languages but eliminates Spanish because of so few taking the subject. Latin will be taught four years, French three and German two.
A general business course is included in the plan known as introductory business to be taught at the Commercial High. Students will start this course in the last junior high year. The practical arts course to be taught at Commercial will enable a student to continue manual training and shop begun in the junior years. The student may elect from automobile mechanics and electrical, print shop or woodworking.
Art and Music Optional
Art and music no longer will be compulsory under the new plan. Students in Academic will be taught music and art appreciation during the first two years and may discontinue those studies in their last two years.
A complete business course has been mapped out for Commercial.
The students are given elementary business practice in their ninth year. During their first year at Commercial High bookkeeping, typewriting and shorthand is added.
During the third and fourth year they will elect from three sequences to fit them for secretarial positions and general business. Sequence A provides for the continuation of shorthand and typewriting in the third year and office practice is added in the fourth. Sequence B in the third year teaches bookkeeping, business organization and marketing. Common law, bookkeeping and practice is added in the fourth year. Sequence C provides business organization, marketing, exchange and selling. Commercial art and advertising is included in the fourth year.
As students advance through the Commercial course they may be transferred from one sequence to another. This will be guided by their adaptability or whether they desire to follow a secretarial or business career.
If students elect Sequence A they may have the option of bookkeeping or world history in the third year. Business organization may be taken instead of American history in the fourth year.
Committees Named for Tenth Ward Ball
Camden Courier-Post —
Republican Club Will Be Hosts at Eagles Hall February 28
The tenth annual ball of the Tenth Ward Republican Organization Club, Fifth and Pearl streets, will be held February 28 at Eagle’s auditorium, 415 Broadway.
William Dolan, Jr. is chairman; William B. Sullender, treasurer, and Fred Becker, secretary of the general committee.
The members of the other committees are as follows: Hall, Louis Kahnweiler, chairman, Harry Everhart, James Flaherty; advertising, Henry W. Aitken, chairman, John Stringer, Frank Sheridan and Andrew Robinson; door, Alonzo Hires, chairman, Andrew Robinson, Jacob Strecker; music, Becker, chairman, William B. Chain, William Robinson and Andrew Robinson; printing, Stringer, chairman, Dolan and Harry Harwood; refreshment, George Morgan, Ralph Shill, Charles Bowen, Harry Harold, Edward Stafford, Henry Clevenger and Frank Turner; program, Stafford, chairman, Charles Marsh, John Hedegan, Otto E. Braun, George Zietz, William Hughes, Earl Wright, Albert C. Raeuber, Charles Schultz, Stringer and Dolan; floor, Becker, chairman, Garwood, Judson Solley, Howard E. Baird, William Lafferty, James F. Lovett, Henry I. Haines, William Robinson, Braun and Samuel J. Edwards; audit, Dolan, Garwood, William Robinson, and Aitken; wardrobe, Marsh, chairman, Benjamin Harvey and George Cox; tickets, John Winstanley, chairman; executive, Dolan, chairman, Stringer, William Robinson, Sullender and Haines. The Penn Troubadors will play for dancing.
A History of Fire Fighting in Camden 1810–1936
Camden Courier-Post — October 7 to
December 11, 1937
Camden Courier-Post —
Named: Gordon Mackay, Frank Sheridan, John B. Kates, Dan McConnell, Oliver Stetser, and Frank Stetser.
Lloyd Reveals He Declined Offer From Governor for Another Term
Camden Courier-Post —
Justice Declares Pace of Court Work Calls for Toil Unsuited to Man of 78
Sails Next Week on Ocean Cruise
By FRANK SHERIDAN
Back to Practice After 30 Years
Resuming law practice after 30 years on the bench, former Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd yesterday revealed that Governor Moore offered to reappoint him for another term but he declined.
“The work in the Supreme Court in these days is terrific,” Judge Lloyd said at his desk at the law offices of Starr, Summerill and Lloyd, of which his son, Frank T. Lloyd, Jr., is a partner. Justice Lloyd retired from the bench on Saturday.
“My physical and mental faculties are good, but the endurance of the pace is too much,” the former jurist, who is 78, said with a kindly smile. “You are required to read 2000 law books in a year. You read them in the daytime and lay awake at nights thinking about them.
“I am leaving on February 11 for an ocean cruise to and from Venezuela. I have made these trips before, but took about 25 briefs with me to write opinions on Court of Errors and Appeals cases. This time I will have no opinions to write, but will enjoy a complete rest, returning on the last day of the month.”
Reminiscing he recalled a number of circumstances, which led him into public life and eventually to the dream of every attorney, the Supreme Court bench.
Native of Delaware
Born at Middletown, Delaware, on October 29, 1859, he was graduated from the Middletown Academy. In 1875 he moved to Camden and became a compositor. While serving his apprenticeship he studied law in the office of Judge James Otterson, of Philadelphia. He was admitted to the bar of Pennsylvania in 1882 and practiced in the Philadelphia courts 15 years.
“Here is where the series of coincidents come in,” Justice Lloyd said. “I was elected to the Assembly from Camden county in 1896, a year before I was admitted to the New Jersey bar.
“The chairman of the State Examining Board asked why I did not apply for admission to the New Jersey bar. It was only through his persuasion that I was admitted in 1897, and that year I was re-elected to the Assembly.
“Three years later I became a counselor-at-law. That was in 1900. That year I was named prosecutor of Camden County. One of the requirements to qualify as a prosecutor is that an attorney must be a counselor-at-law.
“Wilson Jenkins was prosecutor and William Carson his assistant. Then came another series of coincidents. Mr. Jenkins fell dead. Mr. Carson was slated for prosecutor. But before the appointment could be made he was shot and killed by a relative in North Jersey.
Named as Prosecutor
“I was named prosecutor to succeed Mr. Jenkins at a time when lawlessness was rampant in Camden county. The county had not recovered from the racetrack days. Legislature had passed drastic laws to wipe out the evils of the racetrack days but they had not been effectively enforced as yet. That lot fell to me.
This conversation led up to the recent criticism of the jurist in enforcing laws against lotteries of churches and lodges.
“I have quite a little feeling about gambling,” Justice Lloyd declared. “I had nothing to do with making the laws restricting gambling and putting an end to racetracks in the state. They were made before I went to the Legislature.
“As judge I had to recognize them and bring them to the attention of the grand juries from time to time. The rigid enforcement of these laws sometimes was not so easy.
Views on Gambling
“There is a great difference in gambling. If I had the laws to make, I would not make them so drastic. There is a difference between the games conducted in churches and lodges and those of the commercial and professional gambler. The trouble is the law does not raise the distinction.
“And perhaps after all if the people would stop to think the development of the gambling spirit can be created among youth, with pinball machines and bingo games in churches and lodges. I hate to see so many thousands of dollars taken out of Camden County by professional gambling syndicates. I am speaking of horse race betting and the numbers racket. The income taxes some of these people pay gives you an idea what honest people are losing by playing either of them.
“When little children spend their lunch pennies to play the numbers, as they have done in South Camden, then it is alarming. If the people knew how many wives came to me and complained that their husbands were playing all of their wages on the numbers and horse race betting. This habit grows on the player as the dope habit grows on an addict. I think he can never get rid of it,”
Here and there Justice Lloyd mentioned some celebrated cases he participated in as presiding jurist.
Praises Courier-Post
“The Gladys May Parks case was the outstanding trial I ever presided at on the Supreme bench,” he declared. “I mean that also from a psychological standpoint.”
Then he inquired about the health of the Sphinx woman, who was convicted in his court of slaying two children—second cousins. He was informed she is alive and at the State Hospital for Insane.
Then Justice Lloyd commended the Courier-Post Newspapers for their enterprise in reporting the woman’s trial, recalling a camera smuggled into the room and a photograph taken without the use of a flashlight bulb. At the time the photo was taken, Justice Lloyd was asking the woman 13 questions as to why she even wanted the children in her custody.
“We had considerable difficulty to get sugar as the supplies were limited,” he declared. “At one time none of the small dealers had sugar in stock and appealed to the American Stores Company and the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company to divide their stocks with the small storekeepers, which they did handsomely.”
Speaks of His Career
In summing up his career of distinguished service he said:
“Any mistakes I have made have been of the head and not the heart. No matter whether they agreed with me politically or not the people will have to agree with me on that.”
And in conclusion he said:
“Have said this before and wish to reiterate it. I want to thank the Courier-Post Newspapers for their kindly and courteous treatment. Of course, they have not always agreed with me. I did not expect them to. And I am grateful for the manifestation of confidence on the part of the people.” During his second term in the Assembly, Justice Lloyd served as chairman of the judiciary committee and sponsored new marriage laws, few of which have since been revised. He was appointed to the Circuit bench in 1906 by former Gov. Edward C. Stokes. He was re-appointed by Gov. James F. Fielder in 1914 and Gov. Edward I. Edwards in 1921. He was named to the Supreme Court in 1924 and re-appointed in 1931.
“If we had had that same enterprise while I was prosecutor I would not have had so much trouble in solving the Paul Woodward murder case,” he said. “Woodward coaxed two boys into robbing their parents’ homes. Then he lured them to the woods and murdered them by giving them pie filled with deadly poison just to get the few trinkets they had stolen from home.”
Refers to Noted Trial
Speaking of his career on the Circuit Court bench Justice Lloyd said one of the outstanding cases tried before him was an alienation suit in which former Gov. George S. Silzer was one of the attorneys.
“A boarder alienated the affections of the wife of his landlord,” he said. “After breaking up the landlord’s home, he deserted the new-found wife and then alienated the affections of her daughter from her husband.”
Speaking of his experiences as food administrator during the war he commended the people on their loyalty to the Government.
Housing Unit Reorganizes to Get Funds
Camden Courier-Post —
Present, Former Members Resign to Prevent Long Litigation
Dixon Given $4600 Position
Housing Director
HORACE R. DIXON Who yesterday was elected executive director of the Camden Housing Authority. He has served as chairman of the authority since it was first established. His salary will be $4600 a year as fixed by the Federal government.
By Frank Sheridan
Present and former members of the Camden City Housing Authority resigned yesterday to facilitate obtaining funds from the U. S. Housing Authority for administration and other purposes.
The resignation of the authority members were climaxed when the City Commission named a new authority, which immediately organized and elected Horace R. Dixon, former chairman, as secretary and executive director, at a salary of $4600 year.
John W. Diehl was elected new chairman of the authority, Dr. Howard E. Primas vice chairman and Walter S. Anderson was reconfirmed as solicitor.
Then the new authority approved all contracts existing between the U. S. Housing Authority, the City of Camden and private individuals. A temporary office force, as required by Federal regulation, was set up.
All this legal action, which required 12 hours, was put into motion so the local authority today may obtain a check for $73,000 from Washington. As a matter of fact the check has been signed but it was necessary to carry out the reorganization to satisfy government objections to the removal of three former members after the recent city commission election and to comply with requirements of the Federal housing setup.
New Job Created
The office of statistician was created at a salary of $2000 but no appointment was made. The government also required the employment of a stenographer, clerk and accountant in the central office along with the executive director. These jobs were created and a clerk now in service was continued. Two furloughed employes were renamed in the same status.
The government questioned the removal of William H. White, Dr. M. F. Wheatland and John Green as members of the authority. City Solicitor Firmin Michel explained any litigation might tie up Federal funds for a year as it would take that long to get the issues settled in court. The other course, he pointed out, was to have the former and present members resign. The city commission, after an executive session, accepted the
resignations of White, Dr. Wheatland and Green and those of the present members, Dixon, Dr. Primas, Diehl and Burnell S. Hartman. There was no legal question raised over the appintment [sic] of Wilbur F. Dobbins last April and he continued in office.
Then the commissioners re-elected Dr. Primas, Diehl and Hartman. Charles W. Anderson, 1019 North Twenty-eighth street, was elected to succeed Dixon as a member of the authority.
Mrs. Kobus States View
Commissioner Mary W. Kobus announced at the outset she intended to vote for accepting the resignations and electing a new authority but she disagreed with the government’s contention, branding the action as “technical.”
“I concur in anything to bring a low cost of housing project to the Negro population of our city,” the commissioner said. “I don’t want any delay. But I stand on advice of counsel. Our solicitor advised us it was legal to remove these members of the authority from office and I feel we have done no wrong.”
She continued she did not wish to hold up the proposed project for Negroes to be known as the Clement T. Branch Village.
Dr. Wheatland said in his resignation:
“For several days past I have given careful consideration to the advisability of resorting to litigation for the purpose of challenging the action taken by you at your meeting of May 25th, 1939, when, by resolution, you declared vacant the offices of several of the Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Camden. My hesitancy in this respect has in nowise been prompted by any doubt concerning the soundness of my position. I am convinced that the said resolution was, in all respects, improper, imprudent and illegal.
Housing First Interest
“Rather have I delayed taking positive action in this matter for the reason that I have been informed that any litigation which might be commenced relating to the Housing Authority would result in the loss of funds with which it is hoped we may build in this city better houses for Negro residents of Camden. My interest in any movement which has as its purpose a benefit to members of my race necessarily transcends any purely personal consideration I may have.
“In the hope that by so doing I may assist in the early continuation of the work of providing a low cost housing project for Negro residents, I herewith tender to this Honorable Board my resignation as a Commissioner of the Housing Authority of the City of Camden, New Jersey, the same to be effective upon lawful acceptance thereof.
“I respectfully request that this communication be incorporated in the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Commissioners at which it may elect to accept this resignation.”
According to Mayor George E. Brunner, he requested the present and former members of the authority to submit resignations whereupon a new group was to be appointed. White was the first to comply with the request.
Prior to the city commission election last month, Brunner charged White with engaging in political activities at Westfield Acres. The charges subsequently were dropped when White, Green and Dr. Wheatland were replaced.
White’s Statement
In his resignation, White said:
“It is now a matter of general knowledge that the low cost housing program in the city of Camden has become jeopardized as a result of the doubt which has arisen concerning the legality of the recent action in vacating offices of commissioners of the housing authority. Together with others who were affected by your action, I share the belief that you have acted improperly and without legal justification. I am unwilling, however, that my personal concern in this regard should in any way contribute to the loss of low-cost housing projects in Camden. I therefore tender herewith my resignation, the same to be [cut off at the crop edge]
Frank Sheridan
Camden Courier-Post —
Excerpt from Dan McConnell’s Scrapbook column
Frank Sheridan
Those of us who have tolled through the years with him affectionately call Frank Sheridan, dean of the local newspapermen, “Squire.” A burning ambition was realized by Sheridan when he was elected president of the Pyne Poynt Athletic Association. For more than 25 years “Squire” has been affiliated with the North Camden association.
For more than a quarter of a century Sheridan has been a Tenth ward justice of the peace, a position which he has filled with dignity and honesty. The authentic history of the World War was recorded for posterity by Frank Sheridan, newspaperman and author. His tome, “Camden County in The Great War” is his war monument.
Through the years this reporter has treasured the friendship of Frank Sheridan. One Monday back in 1911 we met Frank at No. 6 firehouse. That was our first job of reporting for the old Camden Daily Courier, although as a schoolboy we contributed news bits to Billy Wells’ Pyne Poynt column. The Pyne Poynt Athletic Association should have its most successful year with Frank Sheridan as its president.
November 10, 1939
Camden Courier-Post —
Frank Sheridan — Camden Courier-Post, November 10, 1939
Justice of Peace
Camden Courier-Post —
Excerpt from Dan McConnell’s Scrapbook column
Justice of Peace
Just make a mistake, or leave some guy’s name out of a pillar like this and the phone will ring or mail will arrive.
This reporter has erred and will continue to do so. Right here we would like to add that Frank Stetser, ace Gloucester county reporter, like his eminent daddy, Oliver J. Stetser, is a justice of the peace.
Also acknowledging a grunt from the business office. We neglected to mention that Hyman Weiss is also a judge of the small cause court. It already has been mentioned that our own Frank Sheridan has been a squire more than 25 years and has been reelected to his for another five-year term. Sheridan is just a youngster compared to Squire Oliver Stetser who recently was elected to his eight five-year hitch.
The gentleman who is believed to be the dean of all of the J.P.’s is Squire Frank Schneider, who many years ago conducted a photography studio on Kaighn Avenue in Our Town, has served more than 50 years. A salute to you, sir.
In those good old days of Washington Park and Gloucester beach, Squire Schneider was a formidable arm of the law. Justices of the peace in those days wielded potent judicial powers, including the legal right to marry folks.
Through all these years, Squire Schneider has had his sign outside his home in Gloucester, but business is not what it used to be, says Frank.
We are the law, Squires Schneider, Stetser, Sheridan, Stetser, Weiss, and McConnell.
World War II Draft Card
Frank Sheridan — World War II Draft Card
Golden Jubilee of the Stockton Annexation
Camden Courier-Post — May 16 to
Pyne Poynt Officers on Committee To Aid Moose Minstrel Show Plans
Camden Courier-Post —
North Camden News:
By FRANK SHERIDAN
Officers of the Pyne Poynt Athletic Association were appointed members of the ways and means committee on Wednesday night by Nicholas W. Hahn, president, to assist in completing arrangements for the minstrel show to be given by Camden Lodge of Moose on April 28 in Webster’s Sport Center, Eighth and Market streets.
J. Theodore Kates is chairman of the committee. The other members include Mrs. Matilda A. Garwood, Mrs. Alfretta Warner, Mrs. Mary F. Hendricks, Charles Falkenburg, Carroll P. Sherwood, Alfred Weiss, Edward M. Schlereth, Frank Sheridan, Ralph M. Madden and Miss Lucy Devine. Madden and Miss Devine also were named members of the finance committee.
The minstrel show will be staged to assist the association in raising funds to finance its golden jubilee Independence Day celebration at Pyne Poynt Park this year. Tickets for the show are now available at the Moose Lodge Home, 315 Cooper street, from Kates at the Milner hotel, Second and Penn street, and from association members. Kates announced the Police Athletic League is cooperating in helping to make the show a success and talented children that organization is selecting in the city schools will appear on the program. A dance will follow the show.
* * *
HONOR BUTTONS have been presented to 53 children of all grades of the Cooper school, Third and Linden streets, for excellent scholarship and attendance. Louis Feinstein, principal, announces. They include all grades from the third to the seventh.
They are:
Seventh grade—Michael Graver, Miriam Holshin, Lynda Shaw, Roberta Williamson, Howard Bussard, Jonathan Gubin, Charles Latko, Judith Albrecht, Sandra Badame, Dorothy Duncan, Jeanette Emore, Juliana Sevick.
Sixth—Arlene Engstrom, Claudia Stevens, Malcolm Bond, Joseph Gellura, Norman Lepofsky, Russell Jentsch, Harold Fingerhut, John Rossi, James Stewart, Betty Parker, Deborah Gubin, Elizabeth Rowan, Alice Mary Trost.
Fifth—Deanna Liebrand, Eleanor D’Ottavi, Hedda Jacobs, Frank Watson, Albert Ferrante, Barbara Badame, Alberta Mannino, Albert Mannino, Herbert O’Dell.
Fourth — Dorothea Flowers, Kathleen Krill, Patsy Mason, Harry Berkowitz, Alice Cassady, Rose Chierici, Sally Gamble, Edward Stevens, James White, Franklin Witherow.
Third—Margaret Bishop, Catherine Cassady, Kathleen Cobb, Barbara Meckle, Judith Jacobs, Joanne Badame Patricia Patterson, Kenneth Fisher, Edward Penney, Ricardo Santana.
* * *
MEMBERS of Centenary Tabernacle, State Street and Bethany Churches will attend the mid-year conference of the Camden [words missing at the column seam] rich presiding. A monthly meeting of the Sunday School association will be held at 8 p. m. Tuesday with Walter A. Boyer, superintendent, presiding.
* * *
MEMBERS of the Fellowship Club of State Street Methodist Church will be served a covered dish supper at 6.30 p. m., in the church social rooms at Sixth and State streets. The members are married couples. The pastor, the Rev. Joseph T. Edwards, will preach on “God’s Message to the World” at 10.30 a. m., Sunday. The church school meets at noon and the Youth Fellowship at 6.45 p. m. The pastor will preach at 7.30 p. m.
* * *
AT GRACE LUTHERAN Church, State street above Fourth street, the pastor, the Rev. William L. Ziegenfus will preach at 11.15 a. m., on “It is Finished” and at 7.45 p. m., his topic will be “The Prefigurative Christ.” The Luther League meets at 7 p. m.
* * *
THE SEWELL A. A. will open its baseball season at the Cornelius Martin County Park, Tenth and Elm streets, on April 30, it was announced at this week’s meeting of the club by George Smith, manager. The team will play independent ball, he said following the meeting Wednesday night at Ford’s cafe, Tenth and Pearl streets. Ray Keeser and Ed Mortimer, coaches, said the club expects to have a strong team in the field this season. Tryouts are being held this afternoon and beginning Sunday at noon.
* * *
A BOY was born this week at West Jersey hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Moyer, 528 Cedar street. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hamby, 817 Linden street, also are parents of a boy born at the same hospital.
Twelve persons, who were baptised on Easter Sunday night at Linden Baptist Church, Ninth and Linden streets, will be formally welcomed into church membership at 7.30 p. m., Sunday by the pastor, the Rev. B. Ellsworth Snoddy.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Foote, 845 Grant street, have announced the engagement of Mr. Foote’s sister, Miss Doris F. Foote, to Mr. Norman Cross, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cross, 305 Morse street.
Lindenwold Okays 6 Street Lights
Six new street lights have been authorized by Lindenwold council, according to John P. Collins, chairman of the lighting committee.
Three of the lights will be erected in the Garden Lake section at Scott and Wade avenues, Columbia avenue and Lake boulevard, and at Park and Fifth avenues. A single light in the Lucaston section will be placed at United States avenue and Bernhard street. In Lindenwold, lights will be located at Holland [cut off at the crop edge]
May 31, 1954
Camden Courier-Post —
Frank Sheridan — Camden Courier-Post, May 31, 1954
Volunteer Firemen Worked 14 Years To Pay Off $5000 Debt on Engine
Camden Courier-Post —
Above is shown a photo of fire headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, before it was remodeled to provide sleeping quarters for each fireman. The photo was taken in the Gay 90’s. A hook and ladder truck was housed in a building to the north of it. The main building contained horse-drawn apparatus. The stables were in the rear. Note the tower from which hose was suspended to dry after a fire.
Answered No Alarms but Paid Dues and Staged Benefits
BITTER RIVALRY HAMPERED MEN
This is the third installment of a history of fire fighting in Camden from the formation of the first volunteer company in 1810 to 1936. It is the first complete history of the fire department written since 1886 and links the old volunteers with the new paid motorized department. It is being published in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, sponsored by the Camden County Fire Chiefs’ Association and the Camden Fire Department. Yesterday’s installment told of the purchase of the first steam pumper by Weccacoe in 1864.
By FRANK SHERIDAN
The New Jersey Fire Company was organized May 1, 1851, and on July 21 that year obtained the fire apparatus formerly owned by the Mohawk company. The organizers of the company were James Carr, Samuel Adams, Thomas Butcher, Aaron Giles, John Wood, David H. Sparks, William Garwood, E. B. Turner, William Woodruff, Henry Coombs, Adam Newman and Caleb Clark. Coombs was elected president and Sparks secretary.
Frank Sheridan
The fire apparatus was housed in a stable at Broadway and Spruce street for a time. Better quarters were obtained later on Walnut street near Fourth. The New Jersey Company then purchased a lot on Chestnut street near Fourth street and erected a two-story brick building.
The company was incorporated in 1854 and disbanded in 1866. Its other presidents in succession were Carr, John Crowley, Joshua L. Melvin, Samuel Hickman, John Warrington, Jeremiah Brannon, Richard C. Mason and C. De Grasse Hogan.
A second Fairmount Fire Company was organized in 1854 and City Council gave the company the old Fairmount apparatus. The firemen rented a one-story frame building on Pine street near Third. The structure had been vacated by the Shiffler Hose Company.
[text missing between the crops]
Organizers were William C. Figner, president; William J. Miller, secretary; Frederick Breyer, treasurer; William H. Hawkins, John W. Hoey, Henry A. Breyer, and Alfred H. Breyer. Additional members enrolled were George W. Watson, Anthony R. Joline, Thomas Francis, John L. Ames, George W. Howard, William F. Colbert, Francis Fullerton, John S. Ross, Joshua Spencer, Lawrence Breyer, William H. Lane and James Scout.
Incorporated in 1853
The company was incorporated on February 17, 1853. The name was changed to United States Fire Company, No. 5, on February 10, 1854. Scout was elected president and George Deal, secretary.
New fire apparatus was purchased by the reorganized company. A lot was acquired and a two-story frame house was erected at 239 Pine street. The company continued at the fire house until it disbanded with other volunteer companies in 1869.
The Weccacoe Hose Company, No. 2, was organized on March 15, 1858, and housed with Weccacoe Fire Company on Arch street between Fifth and Sixth streets, for two years. In 1860 the company moved to a stable at Hudson street and Bridge avenue. Later the firemen moved to De La Cour’s labratory [sic], Front street near Arch. In 1863 the company bought ground on Benson street above Fifth costing $450 and built a two-story brick building costing $2200.
The organizers were Allan Ward, Edward T. James, Edward J. Steer, John W. Garwood, George W. Thomas, Simeon H. Pine, Thomas C. Barret, Thomas Ellis, and John Thornton. Thomas D. Laverty was elected president; Ward, vice president; James, secretary, and Steer, treasurer.
Steam Engine Purchased
The company was incorporated on February 2, 1860. A steam fire engine was purchased in 1868 at a cost of $5800. The company proposed to pay off the debt by subscription, but agitation for a paid department prevented collection of the money. When the company went out of service in 1869 to be succeeded by a paid department the members decided not to disband and remained intact to pay off its indebtedness of $5000 remaining to sustain the honor of the company.
The firemen met at regular periods, paid dues and carried on for 14 years to wipe out the debt. On September 8, 1883, the company met, voted to pay the last claim of $14.25 and adjourned rather than disband. During the 14 years the company answered no alarms but held entertainments and benefits to raise funds to pay off its indebtedness.
The volunteer firemen were prompt, daring and efficient but each company was independent and misdirection frequently resulted in loss of property. This led to agitation for a fire department under complete control of the city, which had maintained indirect jurisdiction over the volunteers.
City Council passed an ordinance in 1866 to reorganize the system and provided for appointment of a fire marshal with approval of the companies. James W. Ayers, of Weccacoe Engine Company, was elected marshal for a term of two years. He was succeeded by Wesley P. Murray, of Weccacoe Hose Company, in 1868.
2 Fire Districts Formed
Both men were good organizers and popular but the rivalry between companies and insubordination re- [cut off at the crop edge]
Camden Fire Department Started in 1810 As Bucket Brigade Comprising Leading Citizens
Camden Courier-Post —
When Camden City Council established a paid fire department in 1869 it purchased steam engines, hook and ladder trucks and a hose carriage, a photo of which appears above.
By FRANK SHERIDAN
Camden’s Fire Department has grown from a bucket brigade in 1810 to the present motorized equipment of 25 pieces of modern apparatus.
Prior to 1810 bucket brigades were formed to combat fires. And with the advent of the first hand pumper in 1810, the bucket brigade still carried water from wells to be pumped on fires.
The advancement of fire fighting in the early days of the colonies was slow. For nearly 125 years nothing was done even to introduce the Roman method of spraying a fire with bellows.
The first hand-pumper was purchased in 1810 by the Perseverance Fire Company, which was organized on March 15 of that year. The company was composed of leading citizens. The pumper was manufactured by “Pat” Lyons, of Philadelphia.
Placed in a frame building at Front street above Market, now the site of an RCA building, it later was moved to a frame house on Second street adjoining the State Bank.
Women Helped Men
The bucket brigade continued after the introduction of the hand-pumper. Civic-minded citizen dug wells at convenient places on main thoroughfares to supply water for fire-fighting. An alarm of fire called both men and women to duty. Every citizen was compelled to respond to the alarm. They formed lines to and from the pumper and the nearest well. Buckets of water were passed from the well to one person and another until it had run the gauntlet of a human chain to the pumper. Another line carried the buckets back to the well for replenishment of the supply.
Every householder was expected to have sufficient buckets handy for fire-fighting. Children frequently joined their parents on the fire lines. The equipment of the pumper included a hand-pumper, already known as an “engine,” and a cart to carry buckets. The apparatus was hand-drawn.
Wells and pumps also were deemed essential as fire fighting equipment by city council. The council encouraged the digging of wells. As proof thereof Joseph Kaighn dug a well in 1834 on Kaighn avenue and was reimbursed for part of the costs. George Genge dug one on Market street and the bill was paid by the city. Abraham Browning enlarged a well near Front and Market streets and was allowed part of the costs.
Divided Into Five Districts
In 1834 the city was divided into three fire districts, Cooper and Line streets being the dividing lines. But there was no organized fire department until several years later. It was not until the establishment of the first water works in 1848 that any steps were taken to increase materially the efficiency of the fire fighting equipment. Until the water works were established strong men mounted the hand pumps, pushed the levers down and pulled them up. Usually eight men operated the pumps, four on each side of the apparatus.
It was not until 1851 that city council appointed a committee to exercise supervision over fire apparatus, which had grown to six by that time.
Although formed in 1810 the Perseverance Company was not incorporated until March 15, 1832. The charter was for 20 years. The names appearing on the charter were among the foremost citizens of that period. They included Nathan Davis, Gideon V. Stivers, Jeremiah H. Sloan, John Lawrence, Samuel D. Wessels, Isaac Cole, Ledden Davis, John Browning, Joab Scull, Richard W. Howell, Auley McAlla, Dr. Thomas Lee, William H. Ogden, Richard H. Fetters and Abraham Browning.
The charter was renewed in 1852 with the following incorporators: James C. Morgan, William E. Gilmore, Samuel Hanna, William Hanna, Lewis P. Thompson, Joseph D. Howell, Pancoast Roberts, Alfred Hugg, Amos Stiles, Jr., Samuel Cooper, Nathan Davis, Jr., Samuel Ashurst, Andrew Zimmerman, David Sheppard, John W. Carter, Henry Kesler, John Warner, John Ross, Charles A. Garret and Thomas Sulger.
War Broke Up Company
The company prospered until the outbreak of the Civil War, when a majority of the able-bodied men enlisted in a company of volunteers commanded by Capt. Richrd [sic] A. Lee.
Another fire engine of the hand pumper type was purchased in 1830 for the Perseverance company by a committee including Browning, McAlia and Howell. It was purchased from the Fairmount Company, Philadelphia. The committee presented a bill for $50 to city council for the pumper on August 27, 1830. It was five feet high and eight men could hardly get gold [sic] of the levers.
It was called the “Fairmount.” It was purchased by the Weccacoe Fire Company in 1848. Then it passed to the reorganized Fairmount Company in 1851. It was eventually stored away after long usage. It was purchased by Robert S. Bender in 1864 for $20. He sold it to a Woodbury company for $50. Shortly afterward it was destroyed by fire.
Historians give conflicting accounts of the purchase of the “Fairmount.” Pennypacker not only says the city purchased it in 1830, but in his account of the organization of the Fairmount Fire Company, on October 7, 1830, he says the Fairmount Company purchased the apparatus from the Fairmount Fire Company, Philadelphia. It is evident that this company had the use of the apparatus because the fire fighters changed the name of the company to “Niagara” when the name was changed on the sides of the old pumper. It is also evident that it was city property, as the same historian says it was loaned to the Weccacoe company for a few months after that company organized in 1848.
(Tomorrow’s installment will tell of the formation of the first famous Weccacoe Company.)
Weccacoe Company Made Camden History As Leaders of Early Volunteer Fire Fighters
Camden Courier-Post —
First Steam Engine Used to Stop Flames Was Purchased in 1864 for $850
1300-Pound Bell Suspended From Two Poles Served as Alarm for City
This is the second installment of a history of fire fighting in Camden from the time of the formation of the first volunteer company in 1810 to 1936. It is the first complete history of the fire department written since 1886 and links the old volunteers with the new paid motorized department. It is being published in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, which is being sponsored by the Camden County Fire Chiefs Association and the Camden Fire Department. Yesterday’s installment told of the formation of the Perseverance Fire Company in 1810, the first in the city’s history.
The famous Weccacoe Fire Company was instituted in 1830 and incorporated in 1852. It was the parent to the Weccacoe Hose Company. The company had its fire house on Plum street, now Arch, between Fifth and Sixth streets. A marble slab between the second and third floors was a marker with its history briefly inscribed. The building, later used as The Grill, was razed for the erection of the new city hall and court house annex.
By FRANK SHERIDAN
The Fairmount Company, later known as the Niagara, was reorganized as the Weccacoe Fire Company, No. 2, in 1848. The headquarters of the company was moved to the old City Hall lot on Federal street, where the Public Service building now stands. William Hanna joined this company in 1835, James M. Cassady in 1838 and James W. Ayers in 1843. Ayers was later fire marshal.
Weccacoe Fire Company, No. 2, should not be confused with Weccacoe Hose Company, No. 2, the “Last of the Mohicans,” as far as volunteer fire companies are concerned in the city’s history. The Camden paid department succeeded this and other companies in 1869.
Richard Fetters presented the names of Edward Steer and 32 other persons to City Council on September 1, 1848, as the personnel of the new Weccacoe company. Council gave the company the use of the old “Niagara”, after giving its recognition.
Steam Engine Bought in 1864
In 1850 the company purchased a better second-hand pumper from the Southwark Commissioners, Philadelphia, for $750. It was rebuilt in 1853 by John Agnew at a cost of $850. The first steam engine was purchased by this company in 1864.
A bell weighing 1300 pounds was suspended from two poles in front of the fire house. It served as an alarm for the entire city. Several attempts by incendiaries to destroy the building finally succeeded on February 17, 1854.
Then the company established headquarters on Fifth street above Arch in a two-story brick building on the site of the old Columbia Gardens, which was originally a cemetery.
The company was incorporated in 1852 with the following as incorporators: John Lanning, James M. Cassady, James W. Ayers, Isaac Shreve, Wesley P. Murray, Joseph F. Murray, Joshua S. Porter, Daniel B. McCully, Richard G. Camp, James Doughten, Stone H. Stow, Charles H. Thorne, and Matthew Miller, Jr.
Mohawks Formed in 1849
Ayers was elected president at the time the company was organized and continued until 1854, when he was absent from the city for a year. He was president until the company was disbanded.
The Mohawk Fire Company was organized in the Spring of 1849, but its career was turbulent and short lived. The company met in a three-story brick house at the northwest corner of Third and Cherry streets. The organizers were men of reputation.
Lambert F. Beatty was president and William S. Frazier secretary. The company was strong in numbers but a lawless element got into the membership with the result there were brawls, riots and other disorder. Fearing incendiarism the company disbanded on April 23, 1851.
Independence Fire Company, No. 3, was organized to take the place of the Mohawk company and Beatty was chosen president and Frazier secretary of the new group. Joseph Wagner was named secretary. Among the early members were Claudius W. Bradshaw, later chief of the paid fire department and still later mayor; Robert S. Bender, also later a chief in the paid department; Jacob Prettyman, David Page, Thomas Stites, Andrew Stilwell, Francis E. Harper, Restore Cook, John Wallace, William H. Hawkins, Christopher J. Mines, later sheriff; Albert V. Mills, Lewis Yeager, Thomas McCowan and William W. Mines.
Fire Destroys Home
The company met in a frame building at Third and Cherry streets for a year. The building was destroyed by fire and Yeager gave the company a plot of ground near Third and Cherry streets. Charles Stockham, lumber merchant, gave lumber for the construction of a new firehouse. The company purchased another lot on Third street above Cherry street in 1853. This was occupied until 1859 when a defect in the title resulted in the property being offered for sale by the sheriff.
When the sheriff arrived on the scene the day of the sale he found the firemen and their apparatus were on an adjoining lot, and James B. Dayton, who caused the sale, was in possession of the firehouse.
In 1860 the company bought a lot on Pine street, east of Fourth, and built a three-story brick building, one of the most substantial firehouses in the city. The building was subsequently sold to the city for $4500 and now houses Engine Company No. 1.
Independence was a hose company until June 4, 1864, when an Amoskeag steam fire engine was purchased. It was the first steam engine used in the city. In 1869 the company purchased a larger engine, selling the Amoskeag to Millville. Millville sold it to the city of Camden in 1874.
Disbands in 1874
Bender served as president of the company from 1854 until October 13, 1874, when the company formally disbanded after paying all claims. It had a roster of 60 men.
Other presidents of the company were Timothy C. Moore, who was also a president of Mohawk; Beatty, William L. Frazier, Mines, John Wallace, Hawkins, J. Kelly Brown and Gilbert. Other secretaries were Mines, Mortimer C. Wilson and McCowan. Bender and Joseph Wagner served as treasurers.
The Shiffler Hose Company, No. 1, was organized March 7, 1849, and was given councilmanic recognition on August 30 that year. The charter members were George W. Thompson, president; George F. Ross, secretary; Joseph Brown, W. W. Burt, Charles Cheeseman, Robert Maguire, Samuel Brown, John G. Hutchinson, Armstrong Sapp, Richard Cheeseman, Albert Robinson, George F. Ross and William Wallace.
The company purchased a horse hose carriage from the Shiffler Hose Company, Philadelphia, for $10. That marked the introduction of horse-drawn apparatus. The apparatus was housed in a carpenter shop on Sycamore street, near Third, and remained there until a two-story brick firehouse was erected on Fourth street, below Walnut.
The company was incorporated in March, 1852, by Burt, Sapp, Thompson, Robert Maguire, James Sherman, Wallace, Hutchinson, Brown and William Harris.
Jacob C. Daubman, later a sheriff, was elected president in 1854 and served until the company was disbanded in 1869. On March 29, 1864, the company obtained a new charter as the Shiffler Hose and Steam Fire Company. A steam engine was purchased and the company maintained a high state of efficiency until it disbanded in 1869.
First City Fire House Located at 5th and Arch
Camden Courier-Post —
Hosemen, Tillermen and Laddermen Paid $50 Monthly While Call Men Received $75 a Year; Steam Engine Held for Emergency
This is the fourth installment of a history of fire fighting in Camden from the time of the formation of the first volunteer company in 1810 to 1936. It is the first complete history of the fire department written since 1886 and links the old volunteers with the new paid motorized department. It is being published in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, which is being sponsored by the Camden County Fire Chiefs Association and the Camden Fire Department. Yesterday’s installment told of the disbanding of volunteer companies and city council creating a paid department in 1869.
By FRANK SHERIDAN
The Camden Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, was organized in 1869 as a unit of the paid fire department with headquarters at the northwest corner of Fifth and Arch streets, and was connected with Camden Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 2. The hook and ladder and engine companies occupied adjoining buildings.
The company was equipped 50 years with a ladder truck 45 feet long and nine other ladders, one an extension of 63 feet in length, one battering ram, two fire extinguishers, four buckets, two axes, four pitchforks, one crowbar and four lamps.
The members of the Camden Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, in 1886, when the last history of the department was written, were Amedy Middleton, tillerman; Benjamin L. Kellum, driver; Thomas Walton, and John W. Toy, laddermen; William Doughten, Peter S. Gray, John Gray and Charles A. Todd, callmen.
The Camden Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 1, was organized in 1869 and stationed at Fourth and Pine streets, where Engine Company, No. 1, still is housed. The company was equipped with one second class steam fire engine made by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, New Hampshire; one hose cart, manufactured by the Silsby Company, Seneca Falls, N. Y.; three horses and 1600 feet of hose.
The members of the company in 1886 were John A. Stockton, foreman; G. Rudolph Tenner, engineer; William Deno, driver; William W. Laird, stoker; Wilson Bromley and Jacob F. Nessen, hosemen; William Deith, Andrew Miller, William Bogia and W. Elwood Campbell, callmen.
Stockton became chief of the department in 1914.
Organized in 1869
The Camden Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 2, was organized in 1869 and located at the paid fire headquarters at Fifth and Arch streets. The ground floor had two connections with the hook and ladder company.
In 1886 the department consisted of one chief engineer, an assistant, 18 regular men and 12 call men. The regular men devoted full time to the service while the call men could go about their regular occupations.
Engineers received $60 monthly, hosemen, tillermen and laddermen $50 monthly. The call men received $75 a year.
In 1886 the fire department owned three steam fire engines, two hose-carriages, one hook an [sic] ladder truck, nine horses, 3200 feet of hose, 21 fire alarm boxes with 12 miles of wires, a connecting electric battery, with 80 one-gallon jars to create power for long distance alarms, striking gongs lighting gas jets, unhitching horse apparatus and stopping clocks.
The department now has 162 men including a chief, two deputy chiefs, two battalion chiefs and a senior and junior captain for each of the 13 companies.
Held for Emergency
The engine company was equipped in 1886 with a second class Amoskeag apparatus, one hose carriage and a supply wagon. A Gould steam fire engine was held for emergency. On the second floor was a large reception room, a battery room and 13 beds.
The roster of the company in 1886 included Samuel S. Elfreth, chief engineer; Samuel S. Buzine, assistant chief engineer; Jacob W. Kellum, extra engineer; Harry C. Grossup, foreman; William Morris, engineer; C. B. Harvey, driver of engine; Frank Turner, stoker; Charles Robinson and Isaac Shreves, hosemen; James Carey, Logan Bates, William Lyons and Howard Currie, callmen.
The early chiefs of the paid department were William Ables, Robert S. Bender, two terms; Cladius [sic] W. Bradshaw, mayor from 1880 to 1886; Henry F. Surault, Samuel S. Elfreth, Daniel A. Carter. These chiefs served for the duration of the terms of the fire committees of city council. This system was changed later and Elfreth was named permanent chief. Buzine was deputy chief under Elfreth.
(Tomorrow’s installment will describe a sudden succession of chiefs brought about by the resignation of Elfreth and the death of Charles Worthington, who was fatally injured in a fall from a roof at a fire.)
Motorization of Camden Fire Department Completed Under Chief P. B. Carter in 1915
Camden Courier-Post —
Above is shown a photo of part of the Camden Fire Department after it was motorized. The above companies are stationed at Fire Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets.
This is the fifth installment of a history of fire fighting in Camden from the time of the formation of the first volunteer company in 1810 to 1936. It is the first complete history of the fire department written since 1886 and links the old volunteers with the new paid motorized department. It is being published in the interest [sic] with Fire Prevention Week, which was sponsored last week by the Camden County Fire Chiefs Association and the Camden Fire Department. Saturday’s installment told of the formation of the paid fire department.
By FRANK SHERIDAN
Samuel S. Elfreth was reappointed for several terms as chief by the fire committee of city council before he was made permanent head of the department.
After more than 30 years of service he retired in October 13, 1913, and was succeeded by Charles Worthington, captain of Engine Compony [sic] No. 6, on November 1, 1913. Worthington was killed in a fall from a roof on May 14, 1914, and was succeeded by Deputy Chief John A. Stockton. Stockton retired the following year and was succeeded by Peter B. Carter on October 1, 1915.
Under Carter the motorization of the department was completed. Carter was injured in a fall from a roof when fire destroyed the interior of State Street Methodist Episcopal Church. He retired on a pension on March 31, 1926, to become chief of the Collingswood Fire Department. He remained as Collingswood’s chief until August 29, 1927, when he resigned. He was succeeded as chief of the Camden department by the late Thomas J. Nicholas. Nicholas retired in November, 1932, and was succeeded by John H. Lennox, who was named acting chief by former Mayor Roy R. Stewart on December 1, 1932. He was sworn in as a full-fledged chief on October 1, 1934.
Lennox Heads Department
Lennox is now chief. The deputy chiefs are William R. Harring and Walter A. Mertz and the battalion chiefs, Charles Erickson and Rollo R. Jones. Bernard J. Gallagher is fire marshal, James A. Howell, chief of the electrical bureau, and James H. Long, chief of the water department.
Deputy chiefs were known as assistant chiefs until the two-platoon system was inaugurated in Camden on January 1, 1921, under fromer [sic] Mayor Charles H. Ellis.
Company commanders were at first called foremen. Later they were named lieutenants. When the two-platoon system was adopted, requiring the men to be on duty one-half day instead of 24 hours the ranks of senior and junior captain were created.
The present equipment of the department includes two pieces of apparatus at Engine Companies No. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9 and one piece at Nos. 10 and 11. The department also has four hook and ladder trucks. Three of these are aerial trucks stationed at Nos. 1, 2 and 4. Company No. 3 has a city service truck. The department also has a supply wagon, four chief cars and a coffee service wagon for third alarms.
Fire headquarters is now maintained at Fifth and Arch streets and the Electrical Bureau is in modern offices on the eighth floor of the new city hall. Engine Company No. 2 is housed with Truck Company No. 1, at headquarters.
The other companies are housed as follows: Engine Company, No. 1, Fourth and Pine streets; Engine Company No. 3, Broadway and Ferry avenue; Engine Company No. 6, Front and Linden streets; Engine Company No. 7, Kaighn avenue above Mt. Ephraim avenue; Engine Company No. 8, and Truck Company No. 2, Sixth street and Kaighn avenue; Engine Company No. 9, and Truck Company No. 3, Twenty-seventh and Federal streets; Engine Company No. 10, and Truck Company, No. 4, Ninth street and Morgan boulevard; Engine Company No. 11, Twenty-seventh street and Hayes avenue.
Engine Company No. 4, Fourth and Vine streets, was abolished in 1932 for economy reasons. Engine Company No. 5, Federal street and Cooper river, was closed with the building of the Federal street viaduct in 1926.
Company Commanders
Company commanders at present are: Engine Company, No. 1, Acting Senior Captain Harry Wagner, Jr., Acting Junior Captain Joseph Gentlesk; Engine Company, No. 2, Acting Senior Captain Rocco Fanelli Acting Captain Edward Ellender; Engine Company, No. 3, Senior Captain Leonard Megee, Junior Captain Eli Hunt; Engine Company, No. 6, Acting Senior Captain George Salnders, Junior Captain George Townsend; Engine Company No. 7, Senior Captain William F. Rose, Junior Captain Henry Zook; Engine Company No. 8, Senior Captain Lawrence Newton, Junior Captain Alvin Thompson; Engine Company No. 9, Senior Captain Daniel Smith, Junior Captain Howard Glick; Engine Company No. 10, Acting Senior Captain Jarrett Zanders, Acting Junior Captain Maurice O’Brien; Engine Company, No. 11, Senior Captain Charles Watkins, Junior Captain Herman Kreher.
Truck Company No. 1, (hook and ladder), Senior Captain William Van Pfeferle, Acting Junior Captain William Judge; Truck Company, No. 2, Acting Senior Captain James Young, Acting Junior Captain Frank Oberman; Truck Company No. 3, Senior Captain Clarence Madden, Acting Junior Captain David Humphreys; Truck Company No. 4, Senior Captain Mordecai Clark, Acting Junior Captain William Scholl.
The coffee wagon was presented to the department by Mrs. Laura Frey, widow of former City Treasurer George A. Frey, on July 20, 1930. The wagon was presented at the request of Frey. It is a modern kitchen on wheels, according to Chief Lennox.
The pumpers of Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 6 have pumping capacity of 1000 gallons per minute. Companies 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 can pump 750 gallons a minute. Nos. 9, 10 and 11 have three-in-one chemical, hose and pumping units. Companies No. 1 and 6 have booster tanks with 100 gallon capacity, replacing chemical, with three-quarter-inch rubber hose.
City Council authorized the motorization of the Camden Fire Department on January 1, 1913. The first motor car was assigned to Chief Elfreth. The motorization was completed under Chief Carter. Camden was one of the first cities in the country to motorize its department and was so equipped before Philadelphia began to use the modern equipment with powerful pumpers.
When the fire department was motorized City Council retained two of the steam pumpers, having them mounted on tractors. After a survey of the city’s fire, water and police equipment and building codes in 1932 by the National Board of Fire Underwriters a recommendation was made that this apparatus be replaced by more modern motor driven and operated equipment. This was done two years ago while former Mayor Roy R. Stewart was director of public safety.
Six Killed at Fire
Six men have been killed in the line of duty fighting fires. The worst catastrophe was at a fire which destroyed the old Fifth Regiment Armory at West and Mickle streets on March 16, 1905. The fire broke out at 5.55 p. m. William Jobes, Engine Company, No. 1; George Shields and William Hillman, Truck Company, No. 2, were trapped in a room in the building and were killed.
Chief Worthington was killed in a fall from a roof while directing the fighting of a fire at Delaware avenue and George street on May 14, 1914.
Capt. Martin Carrigan, of Engine Company, No. 2, was killed directing a fight against a fire which wrecked the interior of the Morris Handle department store at 427 and 429 Kaighn avenue on January 18, 1922.
Hoseman John J. Reilly was killed on January 19, 1925, when a fire extinguisher exploded while fighting a fire at 924 North Second street.
Two Camden firemen were crippled as a result of being caught under a falling wall while battling a fire at the Enterprise Wall Paper plant at Collingswood on January 6, 1915. Injured with them was a Westmont fireman and former Judge John B. Kates, of the Collingswood department, then a member of the General Assembly of New Jersey. The late Battalion Chief George B. Wade and the late William E. Laird, a hoseman, were caught under the falling debris and were in the West Jersey Hospital several weeks. Kates, Wade and Laird suffered crushed limbs.
(Tomorrow’s installment will tell of the most serious fires in the history of the city.)
Stained Church Window Saved in Miracle Fire
Camden Courier-Post —
This is the seventh and last of a series of articles linking the history of fire fighting in Camden from volunteer days of 1819 [sic] to 1936. The series was published in co-operation with Fire Prevention Week, observed last week under the sponsorship of the Camden Fire Department and the Camden County Fire Chiefs Association.
By FRANK SHERIDAN
When flames wrecked the interior of State Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Sixth and State streets, on January 11, 1916, a miracle was written into the history of Camden fire fighting. On the south side of the building along State street, is a magnificent stained glass window of gigantic proportions. It depicts Christ breaking bread with Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazurus [sic].
The flames, breaking out at 9.53 p. m., destroyed the organ on the west side, the roof and the Sunday school room to the north was wrecked. When the firemen extinguished the flames four granite walls stood. The window of the scene from the life of Christ had withstood the heat. It was not blistered, scorched or marred in any way. It has never been retouched [words cut by the crop seam] and still stands as a miracle surviving one of the most disastrous church fires in the history of the city.
Chief Peter B. Carter was injured directing the battle against the flames when he fell through an areaway between the main church auditorium and the Sunday school building on the north and was in the hospital several weeks.
Second Church Fire
It was the second serious church fire in the history. St. John’s Protestant Episcopal Church, Broadway and Royden street, was destroyed by fire on Christmas Day, 1870. The church was originally the floating chapel of the Redeemer and was brought here from Philadelphia and converted into a church.
Candles on the altar set fire to Christmas decorations and in a few minutes it was a pile of ruins, a “burnt offering to the Babe of Bethlehem,” the rector said.
The P. R. R. Y. M. C. A., Third and Mickle streets, was badly damaged by fire on March 1, 1932. The fire broke out at 5.33 p. m. and swept the interior of the building, which was originally the Third Street Methodist Episcopal Church, now known as First Church.
Other Serious Fires
Other serious fires in the history of the city were as follows:
Sitley & Son, grain elevator, Sixth street and Chelton avenue, April 23, 1905.
David Baird, lumber yard, Delaware avenue and Pearl street, 1.05 p. m., June 17, 1907.
Toone & Hollinshed, department store, Broadway and Kaighn avenue, August 8, 1915.
New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Broadway and Bulson street, fire in hold of battleship Oklahoma, 8.50 p. m., July 19, 1915, eight hours’ service.
Victor Talking Machine Company, river front, 4.09 a. m., February 14, 1918, sawdust conveyor, ten and one-half hours’ service.
Evanson Soap Company, Delaware avenue and Linden street, 8.17 p. m., January 21, 1919, six and one-half hours’ service.
Frank G. Hitchner, Fifth and Mickle streets, wallpaper showrooms and warehouse, February 19, 1919.
Baker-Flick department store, Market street between Second and Third streets, 1.21 p. m., December 1, 1921.
Toone & Hollinshed department store, Broadway and Kaighn avenue, 12.29 a. m., December 14, 1921.
Morris Handle department store, 427 and 429 Kaighn avenue, 12.07 a. m., January 18, 1922. Capt. Martin Carrigan, Engine Company No. 2, killed.
Frank G. Hitchner, Fifth and Mickle streets, wallpaper showrooms and warehouse, 5.32 a. m., December 10, 1924.
F. W. Woolworth, 550 and 552 Federal street, 10.29 p. m., November 23, 1928.
Campbell Soup Company, Front and Market streets, 1.31 a. m., January 15, 1929, ammonia leak.
Shulte-United store, 21, 23 and 25 Broadway, 2.34 a. m., December 30, 1929.
Sitley, Sixth street and Chelton avenue, grain elevator, 4.17 a. m., April 18, 1930.
Public Service garage, Starr avenue, 2.55 a. m., July 29, 1932.
Bolen Brothers, 23 and 25 Broadway, 12.41 a. m., December 25, 1932.
Martin’s, cleaning and dyeing, 222 Federal street, 2.50 p. m., January 3, 1933.
Curry and Van Fossen, 121 Federal street, printers, 7.16 a. m., January 29, 1933.
Samuel Bernstein and Son, Tenth and Elm streets, wool scourers, 8.38 p. m., January 20, 1933.
Linden School, Tenth and Linden streets, 8.46 p. m., February 11, 1933.
Taylor Brothers, Point and State streets, grain elevator, 6.13 p. m., August 22, 1933.
New Broadway Theatre, Broadway and Carman street, 4.22 a. m., April 29, 1934.
Bell and Evans, 551 North Twenty-seventh street, poultry dealers, 1.34 p. m., May 5, 1934.
Helped Other Towns
The Camden department has never failed to render assistance to other cities and towns. The department performed valiant work at Pennsgrove, Atlantic City, Gibbsboro, Collingswood, Woodbury, Riverside and Woodlynne.
The Camden firemen responded to a call for help from Atlantic City at 11.40 a. m., April 3, 1902, and fought a Boardwalk fire with backfire and brought it under control.
The department battled for nine hours a fire, which destroyed Woodbury High School. The alarm was received at 6.15 a. m., on December 19, 1910.
Camden went to the aid of Collingswood on February 26, 1913, when the postoffice, Masonic hall and an entire block in the business centre was destroyed and numerous houses were set on fire by sparks.
In response to a call from Riverside Camden joined in a fight against a fire at the Taubel hosiery mill on January 2, 1916. The alarm was received at 1.48 a. m.
The Pennsgrove Fire
The most disastrous out-of-town fire fought by the Camden department was at Pennsgrove on March 1, 1932. The alarm was received at 1.30 p. m. Fifty-seven buildings, mostly dwellings, were destroyed. There was a water scarcity and the blaze got beyond control of Salem county fire companies. Camden placed a pumper on the wharf and relayed water from the Delaware River to check the blaze.
In August, 1915, the department sent its motorized equipment on its first out-of-town call to Gibbsboro, where the Lucas paint works was burning beyond control and threatening to destroy the town. The town was without a fire company and the Camden firemen pumped water from the Gibbsboro lake to check the flames.
Woodlynne, without a fire company, summoned Camden to battle a blaze which destroyed Woodlynne Park on March 15, 1914.
On February 23, 1914, the department aided Collingswood in fighting a fire at the home of Burleigh B. Draper, Camden banker.
The department established a Fire Prevention Bureau on July 1, 1933. A training school for firemen was established July 5, 1934. A card fire alarm system was established on September 1, 1933, showing every company’s record, assignments and transfers.
The new fire alarm office on the eighth floor of the new City Hall went into service on April 13, 1934, with all new and modern equipment. The city has a total of 1574 fire hydrants, 331 of which are in East Camden.
The department was placed under the jurisdiction of the director of public safety with the adoption of commission form of government in 1923. The present commissioner is Mary W. Kobus.
When the department attacks a two-alarm fire the water pressure is increased at the city pumping stations. The deputy water chief responds to the alarm and the chief on the third alarm.
THE END
Wolverton Holds ‘Brain Trust’ Drew U. S. Constitution
Camden Courier-Post —
Believes New Day Awaits Graduates Coming Out of Colleges
Traces G. O. P. Record
By FRANK SHERIDAN
The U. S. Constitution was called the greatest security document ever written by Congressman Charles A. Wolverton last night in addressing the Young Republicans of Haddonfield at the Birdwood Club.
“There were 24 college graduates in the convention, which drew the constitution and that was a large number for that period,” Wolverton declared. “Six of them had been or were later college presidents. Seven of them were either trustees or founders of colleges. That was the finest ‘brain trust’ ever asembled [sic].”
In emphasizing opportunity for youth of America he pointed out that some of the members of that convention were in their early 20’s.
“Madison was only 36 and Alexander Hamilton 30,” he said. “One man was 30, another 26 and three more younger than that. There is opportunity in America for young people when you consider the average of the men at that convention was 43.
“The thing that concerns me is young people coming out of colleges and after their effort find no place in the world for them. The same holds true for those coming out of high schools. To you who are in that position I say continue to be courageous. I have faith in America and I believe there will be a new day for you. We are in a day of darkness, but we are coming out, and you will get your opportunity.”
Then Wolverton pointed out that there are two major parties in the country, the Republican and the Democratic. He said they were not created by law but by the voice of the people, and it has worked out satisfactorily for the nation.
“You should choose one or the other parties of the two-party system,” he said. “Nothing can be gained by being independent, or an individualist. You must identify yourselves with one party or the other to accomplish something.
“Most of the accomplishments of the nation came with the Republican party. Fifty-eight out of 75 years the Republican party has been in power. There have been but three Democratic presidents in that time, Grover Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt. There have been 13 Republican presidents. All of the advancements of the country have been synonymous with the party.
“The Republican party was founded on human rights. Its leaders have always been for human rights as against property rights. No party offers more opportunity to the youth than the Republican party.”
About 200 heard Wolverton’s address. He was introduced by George H. Walton, Haddonfield county committeeman, also a Young Republican.
Other speakers were Assemblymen J. Claud Simon and Henry M. Evans and Daniel R. Creato, state secretary of Young Republicans. Henry Del Snyder 3rd, president, introduced Walton and Evans.
“The issues of this campaign are more vital to you than it is to your parents,” Simon said. “If you were a stockholder in a corporation you would attend a meeting of stockholders. The government is a co-operation corporation and you should take as much interest in the government as you would a corporation.”
Simon said it is an honorable thing for a man to hold public office. He declared it is also honorable for young people to take an active interest in public affairs.
“You may not always agree with what your party does,” he declared. “I have not always agreed with with [sic] what the Republican party has done, but as a whole I do agree with its principles.”
Evans said he sponsored a bill in Legislature prohibiting the solicitation of votes from relief clients. He expressed the belief politics and relief should not be mixed. He charged that 11 Democratic members of Legislature voted against his measure and the Republicans all voted for it.