Introduction
George William Willingmyre was born May 21, 1881 to George Washington Willingmyre and the former Clara Tice. The marriage did not last. Clara was remarried shortly after the birth of her son, to Joseph Duchneskie. Another son, also named Joseph Duchneskie, was born in June of 1883.
George Willingmyre came to the attention of the police in September of 1903 when he went on a shooting spree in South Camden. Fortunately for all involved, he was shooting bird shot and no one was seriously wounded. For this escapade George Willingmyre received a two-year prison sentence.
The 1910 Census shows George Willingmyre living at 811 Sycamore Street with his mother Clara, step-father Joseph Duchneskie, and siblings Joseph and Lizzie Duchneskie. By 1914 Joseph Duchneskie had passed away, and the family had moved to 711 Central Avenue. When it came time for George Willingmyre to register for the draft in September of 1918 they had moved to 954 Central Avenue. He was then working as a laborer for an ice company.
Shortly afterwards this arrangement ended. In January of 1920 his mother Clara was still living at 711 Central with her daughter, Mrs. Lizzie Pantella, husband Peter, and several grandchildren. Half-brother Joseph Duchneskie was living around the corner at 1737 Kossuth Street with his wife and child. Both the 1919 Camden City Directory and the 1920 Census indicate that George Willingmyre was living at 954 Central Avenue, where he operated a junk business. The 1924 Directory shows that he was living at 711 Central Avenue, and had a business at 649 Ferry Avenue.
Although he does not appear in the 1929 Camden City Directory or the 1930 Census, it appears that George Willingmyre stayed in Camden. Never having married, he died in March of 1938, and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Camden on March 5th of that year.
With Gun and Dog Man Created a Big Scare in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
With Gun and Dog Man Created a Big Scare in Camden
Shot Into a Crowd, Wounding Four; Took to a Swamp, Dodged Bullets and Is Now Hard Pressed
Like a bad man of the wild and woolly West, George Willingmire went through the southern section of Camden yesterday afternoon, creating all kinds of excitement. At last reports late last night he was heading in the direction of Pavonia, with policemen, constables and special officers in hot pursuit.
He had been chased out of the Eighth street swamp, in South Camden, into which, with a loaded shotgun and a big bull terrier, he had plunged after being pursued by officers, whom he threatened to shoot if they dared place a hand on him.
In Wild West Fashion
Willingmire began his escapade early in the afternoon, at Tenth and Liberty streets, when he compelled a wandering musician to grind out popular airs. Tiring of this diversion, he leveled his gun at a number of bystanders and insisted that they dance to the air of “Good Old Summer Time” and other time-worn melodies.
Satisfied with this feat, he sauntered along Liberty street until he saw a dog gnawing a bone. Then he proceeded to urge his terrier to attack the inoffensive mongrel, which resulted in several persons remonstrating with him. This angered Willingmire, who deliberately shot into the crowd.
Four Were Shot
Mrs. Loutowski, 1219 South Tenth street; Mrs. Zeishastie, of 1270 Mechanic street, an unknown man and a child received the contents of the shells in the gun—No. 11 bird shot.
Police Captain Stanley and several officers, attracted by the firing, went to the scene. They arrived in time to see Willingmire walking leisurely out Liberty street. The officers gave chase and Willingmire made a bee-line for the swamp. Arrived at the morass the man began jumping from tussock to tussock, with Captain Stanley in close pursuit. The latter was within twenty feet of Willingmire when the fugitive stopped, loaded his gun and threatened to fill the officer full of birdshot if he came any nearer. Willingmire then plunged deeper among the reeds and tangled growth, his bulldog following him.
South Camden Excited
Last night the excitement in the lower part of Camden was intense, hundreds of persons surrounding the swamp while a detail of officers made ineffectual efforts to escape the black, slimy ooze and penetrate the place. At regular intervals shots were fired into the swamp in an effort to frighten the fellow.
Along about 9 o’clock Willingmire came to the edge of the swamp. Policeman Cornog got sight of the desperate fellow and blazed away at him. Willingmire brought his shot gun to his shoulder and fired at the officer, who, fortunately, was not wounded, although Willingmire is counted a good shot.
Back Into the Swamp
The fugitive, after shooting at Policeman Cornog, went back into the swamp. Half an hour later he was reported to be in a saloon at Haddon avenue and Line street. Instantly there was a rush of determined officers for the place, but by the time they reached there Willingmire had fled.
He had discarded his shot gun, but kept his bulldog, and the last heard of the fugitive he was hastening out along the railroad in the direction of Pavonia with officers close on his trail.
This Man Baffles Camden Policemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
This Man Baffles Camden Policemen
Willingmyre, Who Shot Six Persons and Caused Much Alarm, Cannot Be Found
George Willingmyre, the youth who created a furor in Camden Monday afternoon and night by shooting several persons and evading arrest by hiding in a swamp, is still at liberty. The police hunted high and low for him yesterday, but Willingmyre could not be located. The last seen of him was late Monday night, when he was noticed making his way toward Pavonia with the declared intention of “jumping a freight” for New York.
The police on investigation yesterday found Willingmyre had peppered with bird shot no less than six persons as follows: Helene Lotowski, aged 28, 1219 South Tenth street, shot in left side; Leon Dobrowski, aged 22 years, same address, shot in chin; Emil Popiel, aged 22 years, same address, shot in cheek and ear; Lottie Piotrowicz, aged 35 years, 1217 South Tenth street, shot in right arm; Caroline Zeisch, aged 38, 1270 Mechanic street, shot in face, chin and neck; Julia Zeisch, aged 2 years, daughter of the former, shot in face and neck. Because of the smallness of the shot none of the victims was seriously injured.
Strenuous Camden Youth Is Jailed
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Strenuous Camden Youth Is Jailed
George Willingmyre, who shot into a crowd of women and children Monday and performed other stunts that aroused the southern section of Camden, was arrested at Centerton, Burlington county, yesterday by Constable Gilbert. Detective Hart and Policeman William Harvey were at once sent to bring the youth to Camden.
When he appeared before Recorder Stackhouse he faced two charges of shooting Mrs. Helene Lotowski, aged 28 years, of 1219 South Tenth street, and Mrs. Caroline Zersch, aged 38 years, of 1270 Mechanic street, two of the six persons who received the contents of Willingmyre’s gun when he fired into the crowd.
Willingmyre claimed he shot a dog. He was committed to the county jail in default of $1500 bail.
Wilson Gets Three Years
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Willingmire, Who Held Police at Bay, Is Given Two Years
Joseph Wilson, the Snow Hill negro convicted last Tuesday of manslaughter in the killing of Aaron Wright on February 12 last, was yesterday sentenced to State prison by Judge Joline in Camden for a term of three years at hard labor.
George Willingmire, the youth who held the police at bay recently in the Eighth street swamp after shooting at and wounding six persons, was sentenced to two years in the same institution.
Willingmyre Committed to County Jail
Philadelphia Inquirer —
George Willingmire, for whom the police have been looking for several weeks on a charge of stabbing Leo Hubner, who roomed with him at Ninth and Chestnut streets, was committed to the county jail by Recorder Stackhouse, in Camden, yesterday, in default of $500 bail. Willingmire, who has already served a term in State prison for stabbing two women, was located by Police Captain Stanley. While the latter was taking his prisoner to jail Willingmire attempted to escape. There was a desperate struggle, in which the bluecoat overpowered the man.
World War I Draft Card
Named: Central Avenue, Clara Willingmyre, and Camden Ice Company.
Evergreen Cemetery
George William Willingmyre – Evergreen Cemetery, Camden