Introduction
George Cable was born George Frederick Kappel in New Jersey around 1866, the son of Frederick and Lizzie Kappel. The family was known in city directories and newspapers into the 1890s as “Cable.”
The 1878–1879 and 1879–1880 Camden City Directories shows the Cable family at 530 North Front Street. George Cable had gone to work by 1879 as a spinner in one of Camden’s textile mills. The 1880 Census shows the Cable family, which included younger sisters Lizzie and Amelia, were living at 538 French’s Court, a short street that was in the 400 block of Sycamore Street. The family moved back to 530 North Front Street by the middle of 1882.
George Cable is listed in the 1884–1885 and 1885 City Directories at 538 North Front Street. The 1887–1888 Directory shows him living at 5 England Place. George Cable was worked as an extra man with the Engine Company 2 of the Camden Fire Department in 1887. When the 1888–1889 Camden City Directory was compiled, George Cable had been appointed to the Camden Police Department. He was then living at 523 North Front Street. The 1890–1891 and 1891–1892 City Directories indicate that George Cable was living at 108 Birch Street. The 1892–1893 Directory shows George Cable had moved to 609 North Front Street.
In 1895 George Frederick Kappel appears to have stopped using the “Cable” spelling once and for all, although the newspapers continued to use the “Cable” spelling on occasion. For further information about him, his family, and career, click here.
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Philadelphia Inquirer —
Joseph J. Hubb, driver of an ice wagon, was arrested by Policeman Cable yesterday for obstructing the highway.
By His Victim’s Bedside
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A Dying Man Identifies Andrew Eckert as His Murderer.
Camden is likely to have three murder trials at the next term of court. The third and last victim is Thomas Holland McDonough, of Eighth and Mountain streets, this city, who was stabbed at Beideman’s station, which is on the outskirts of Camden, on Monday evening last. The man who is accused of having done the cutting is Andrew Eckert, of Port Richmond.
About 8 o’clock last night word was received at the City Hall, Camden, that the injured man, who had been removed from his home to the Pennsylvania Hospital, would die before morning. The police of this city also suggested that the prisoner be brought across the river at once and made to appear at the dying man’s bed to see if he could identify his assailant. This suggestion was communicated to Sheriff Baird, who at once went before Judge Hugg and sought his advice about taking the man out of the State.
Judge Hugg informed the Sheriff that as the prisoner was in the custody of the Camden county authorities he would take him to Philadelphia.
Acting under the judge’s instructions the Sheriff procured a cab, and with Mayor Pratt, Policeman Cable, of the Camden police force, and Magistrate Kerswell, drove to the County Jail.
The prisoner was then handcuffed and driven on board a ferryboat. After crossing the river the cab was driven to the hospital. One of the officers and prisoner disembarked and the Camden man was taken before Chief Detective Fox.
Detective Hulfish was detailed to assist the Camden officers. The officers and prisoner then went to the Pennsylvania Hospital.
They were met at the hospital by Magistrate Eisenbrown. Their first proceeded to the bedside of the dying man, when the latter made the following dying declaration:
“Thomas McDonough, who being sworn according to law, did depose and say that on or about August 5, 1889, at a public eating house in New Jersey, deponent was cut and stabbed in the abdomen with a knife or sharp instrument by one Andrew Eckert, and at present verily believes he will die from the effects of said stab or slash.”
Magistrate Eisenbrown swore him to this statement and he made his mark over his signature. The witness to the statement were Detective Hulfish. The dying man’s wife and his sister were at his bedside at the time of the ceremony.
The prisoner never spoke a word throughout the journey.
Lost His Prisoner
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A Philadelphia Burglar Was Too Much for a Camden Policeman.
Among a crowd of passengers who stepped from a ferryboat at Market street, Camden, at a late hour last night, was a man who was immediately recognized by Officer Cable as Harry Hugson, a well-known burglar. The officer promptly nabbed his man and started with him to the City Hall. They had gone but a short distance when the prisoner threw away some burglar tools and a candle which he had been carrying in his pocket.
Officer Cable was unwilling to allow such valuable bits of evidence to be lost and stooped to pick them up. At the same time Hugson suddenly remembered that he had important business in another section of Jersey and promptly shot out Market street. Officer Cable was dazed for an instant and then drew his revolver and fired six shots after the flying burglar, one of which he believes took effect. But the man escaped.
Mania for Assaulting Women
Philadelphia Inquirer —
While Miss Lillie Miller, of North Camden, was on her way home on Saturday night, she was assaulted by an unknown man, who struck her several times and then ran. Miss Miller gave Policeman Cable, of the First ward, a description of the man, and the latter subsequently saw a well dressed man acting suspiciously around Front and Market streets. The officer had been watching the man a few minutes when a lady, named Mrs. Frank O’Neil, came along. The man stepped out from behind a tree box and dealt her two terrific blows in the face. Officer Cable captured the man and took him to the City Hall. He proved to be Frank Humphreys, a clerk. He will have a hearing to-day.
Camden’s Latest Murder Mystery
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Carrie Humphreys’ Body Found in the River.
A Scream, a Splash and Two Men Are Seen Running.
Police Officials Puzzled as to the Cause and Busy Running Out Clues—Sketch of the Early Life of the Woman.
The body of a handsome young woman, believed to be Carrie Humphreys, of Wood street, above Eighth, was found in the mud alongside the dock at Morris & Mathis’ shipyard, at Cooper’s Point, early yesterday morning, and certain circumstances connected with the case indicate that the police authorities across the river have a good-sized mystery to wrestle with.
While Thomas Holland, a riverman, was at work in a spar yard adjoining the shipyard shortly after 6 o’clock, he discovered a woman’s hat, gloves, pocketbook and handkerchief on a pile of logs at the water edge. Policeman Cable was notified and a search was begun along the adjoining wharves for the owner of the articles. The tide was going out and in the shallow water the men discovered the object of their search.
The body was that of a woman, aged from 21 to 25 years, with regular and handsome features, and long, blonde hair. It was attired in a black Jersey, black cashmere skirt, navy blue stockings and buttoned gaiters. One wrist was encircled by a bracelet and rhine stones in gold settings were in the ears. Near the body was a caba containing a change of underclothing and a pocketbook.
In the pocketbook were a card of J. Cyrus Edenborn, modiste, 1620 North Eighth street, Philadelphia, and a bill of Edenborn’s for dressmaking, made out to Blanche Humphreys. There were also two Walnut Street Theatre checks of May 12, two watch club tickets and three pennies.
The body was but slightly affected by the water and appeared to have been immersed but a few hours. At the morgue an examination was made and several bruises were found on the lower limbs.
A NEIGHBOR’S STORY.
Shortly after the news of the finding of the body had been circulated in the neighborhood Mrs. Margaret Coalmeirer, who lives at 826 Beach street, stated that about midnight she heard a woman’s voice coming from the direction of the wharf. She looked out of her window and saw two men talking with a woman. The latter appeared to be arguing with her companions.
Suddenly she heard the woman cry “Oh, don’t,” the sound of a struggle reached her ears and the men disappeared. There is one point in Mrs. Coalmeirer’s story which is of great importance in regard to its bearing on the discovery of the body. The woman she saw was quite stout. The drowned woman is of slender build.
Detective Warner went on the case with another official. Charles Simkins, a deck hand on the Vine Street Ferry, stated that two men and two young women went over on the boat about 11 o’clock and the men came back without the women some time later. Miller and his companion came to Philadelphia during the afternoon and after consulting Chief Wood started uptown with Detective Donaghty to investigate the circumstances of the girl’s departure from this city. They found that she had been learning the trade of dressmaking at Edenborn’s establishment, and that she had been frequently seen with a young man known as Harry Sparkle, who boarded at the Hotel Plunkett, Eighth and Spring Garden streets. At the hotel they were informed that Sparkle no longer boarded there.
Later in the day the detectives found their man. He said that he last saw the girl at Franklin and Vine streets on Monday night. She was accompanied by two men. He conversed with her for a short time and left her. He stated that the girl had frequently threatened to commit suicide and that he had once taken poison from her which she was going to swallow.
There is no charge against the man, and he agreed to go to Camden for the purpose of identifying the girl. Information obtained by the police later in the day was to the effect that the girl’s real name was Carrie, and that she came from Shamokin. No arrests have been made.
Odds and Ends of News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Odds and Ends of News.
William Sturer, a lad living at Front and Wharton streets, this city, was picked up by Policeman Cable in Camden yesterday, while pretending to have a fit. The lad said he was to have appeared before the grand jury, of this city, and that he was advised by friends to go to Camden and feign sickness.