George W. Whyte

GEORGE WALTON WHYTE was born in England to James and Eliza Whyte. The family eventually settled in Chicago IL, where James Whyte was a superintendent in a rolling mill.

George Whyte married his wife Jennie, who was born in Illinois, around 1885. The Whytes came to Camden NJ sometime after 1891. He became involved in politics as a Republican, and was elected to the New Jersey State Assembly from Camden County in 1909. While an Assemblyman, he authored a bill ceding the land in Gloucester City upon which the immigration station was built.

After leaving the Assembly, George Whyte considered running for election as Camden’s mayor, but ill-health caused him to abandon these plans in August of 1913.

At the time of the 1920 Census George Whyte was working as the Camden County Surrogate, and living at 909 Cooper Street in Camden. In the early 1920s he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce committee that raised money towards the erection of the Hotel Walt Whitman at Broadway and Cooper Street.

George Whyte was still working as Camden County’s Surrogate and residing at 909 Cooper Street in the spring of 1934. He had been ill for a time in late 1933, and in late April he took ill once again.

Eight-Year Controversy over Property of Former Detective Ends Here

An eight-year controversy over the estate of former City Detective George Murry, one time alleged vice czar of the Third Ward, ended yesterday when Wife No. 2 withdrew her claims.

Murry, who died under mysterious circumstances on the eve of going on trial for graft January 29, 1922, died intestate and Cora J. Murry, who claimed to be his wife, applied for letters of administration. She was the mother of 10 children of the detective. She since has remarried, her name now being Butler.

Elizabeth Murry came forward after the man’s death and made a claim that she was the real widow and the other woman was only the detective’s common law wife.

Former State Senator Albert S. Woodruff yesterday withdrew Elizabeth Murry’s claim in the estate and Judge Shay granted letters of administration to Cora J. Murry Butler upon application of Surrogate George W. Whyte.

Murry’s sudden death caused a sensation in political and police circles. He had been accused of offering protection to gambling dives, dope sellers and disorderly house proprietors for which he was said to have received large sums of money.

It was reported at the time of his death that he drew $200,000 from a bank the day before and gave it to the Butler woman. He once was reputed to have owned nearly all of the property in the Third Ward tenderloin,

The inventory filed in the application for administration papers, however, shows but $2000 in real estate as visible assets.

Cutting off a son with $5, the will of Domenico A. Loscalzo, who lived at 1016 South Fourth Street, until his death last January 29, was admitted to probate by Surrogate George W. Whyte yesterday.

The estate is valued at $23,000, including real estate appraised at $17,000. The widow, Mrs. Filomena Loscalzo is named executive and sole heir. A son, Juliano, of Philadelphia; is bequeathed $5. Upon Mrs. Loscalzo’s death, the estate is to be divided equally between two daughters, Anna A., 4, and Theresa, 2.

Six Supporters Made Trustees; Others Yield Executive Positions

Harmony once more reigns in the ranks of the First Presbyterian Church, Fifth and Penn Streets, with six supporters of Rev. Augustus Dedge Whitney, Jr., being elected without opposition to the board of trustees last night at the annual congregational meeting of the church.

It has been rumored that eight remaining members of the board are those who favored Rev. Whitney’s ouster, which the Presbyterian General Assembly recently threw out after affirmative action by the Synod of New Jersey. It is evident, however, that all who opposed Rev. Whitney have forgotten the incident and will abide by the decision of the Assembly as final.

It was revealed last night that three members of the board have resigned executive positions but are retaining their membership on the board. They are Samuel B. Millar, former president; Surrogate George W. Whyte, vice president and Marcus Olsen, treasurer.

Five elected, to fill expired terms are Assistant Postmaster Robert J. Payne, James Neilson, Dr. A. P. Isenberg, Joseph G. Broderson and James Peacock. John Wilson was elected to fill the unexpired term left vacant by the death of Clarence R. Fisher. Payne was elected treasurer of the board. Auditors elected are George J. Robinson, William Isenberg and Allan Mickle. The congregation voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes to “avoid unpleasant things of last year” and closed the meeting with the singing of “Blest Be the Tie that Binds Our Hearts In Christian Love.”