Introduction
HARRIET C. SMITH was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in December of 1842. She married William H. Smith around 1860, and gave birth to her first child, William Henry Smith Jr., on March 20, 1862. By 1870 four more children had arrived, Carrie, Virginia, Augustus D., and Charles N.; sadly, Carrie had died before her fifth birthday. The family was still living in Philadelphia when the 1870 Census was taken. William Henry Smith was then working as a harbor policeman. In April of 1873 another daughter was born, Sue G. Smith. The family moved to Camden, New Jersey shortly after her arrival. The 1874 City Directory shows the family at 729 Carman Street in Camden. By 1877 the family was living at 726 Federal Street. Harriet’s son Charles N. Smith died in 1877, another son, Howard M. Smith had been born in 1874 and by the end of 1877, Harriet Smith had given birth again, to Clarence S. Smith. The Smith family was still residing at 726 Federal Street when the 1880 Census was enumerated in June of that year. Another son, Walter H. Smith, had recently been born. Two more sons would follow, Crawford M. Smith and Roy A. Smith. Howard, Walter, and Roy would all go on to public service in Camden. The 1882 City Directory shows that the family had moved to 14 south 8th street.
Although the 1880 Census states that William Smith Sr. worked as a clerk, his real occupation was that of a “policy writer,” that is to say, he was engaged in the illegal lottery business, popularly known in our time as “the numbers racket.” Known in and about Camden as “Policy Bill,” he was arrested a number of times during the 1880s and had been given a one-year prison sentence in early 1883, which was reduced in February to a $100 fine and a $1000 bond not to go back into the business… which he promptly did. The Directories of these times are interesting. In the 1882 edition, William Jr. was also working, as a clerk. The family was still at that address in 1885. William Sr. working as a salesman, William Jr. as a baker. The Smith family remained at 14 south 8th street until 1889. “Policy Bill” was arrested again during police raids in January and May of 1886.
On September 9, 1886 William Henry “Policy Bill” Smith Sr. died, leaving Harriet Smith to take care of nine children, five of them under the age of 15. One of the ways she kept the family going was by staying in the family business, of “policy,” and she would have a number of encounters with the law through the rest of the decade and the 1890s. Her house was raided in the first part of 1887, and she attempted suicide in June of that year. In November of 1889, the Smiths were living in the unit block of North 10th Street when their home was again raided.
William Jr. was already working, and by 1890 second son Augustus D. Smith found work as a blacksmith. By August of 1890 Harriet Smith and family had moved to 741 Carman Street. Except for a brief interruption in the 1890s, the Smith family and their descendants would remain on this block into the 1960s. She soon got into a conflict with some of her neighbors, which ended in the courts, with no apparent resolution other than the neighbors seem to have moved off the block. Son Howard was running in some fast company as part of the “Tenth Street Gang” in 1890 but managed to stay out of serious trouble, which is more than can be said of fellow gang member Gilbert Boulton, who a few years later as a member of the then notorious “Spider Gang,” earned a trip to state prison for assaulting a policeman.
As best that can be determined as of this writing, Harriet Smith stayed out of trouble until 1895. The 1894 City Directory has Harriet Smith and her family at 758 Federal Street, the 1895 edition has them at 750 Federal Street. Harriet Smith lived at that address until at least 1899. Virginia Smith had married William N. Ferrell in 1887 and lived for the most part in Gloucester County until her death in 1924. Harriet Smith’s daughter Sue Smith had married John Warner Kinsey Jr. on November 26, 1892. They already had a daughter together, Ethel, born on March 21, 1892. The marriage ended in divorce, with Sue Smith Kinsey retaining custody of her daughter.
In April of 1895 Harriet Smith was indicted by the grand jury in Camden. She was tried and on May 24 sentenced to a year in prison. Although claiming ill-health, she received no support from Camden’s medical community nor the sentencing Judge. Her sentence was commuted on July 16, 1895 by the New Jersey State Board of Pardons, on the grounds that others who had been tried at the same time she was had escaped imprisonment, and to be honest, on the basis of her sex. Her son, Howard M. Smith, had married Helen Goldy Penn the day before. The young couple moved in with Helen’s family at 822 Kimber Street.
Before the month of July 1895 was out, daughter Sue Smith Kinsey was due in front of a judge on “policy” charges. Both Harriet Smith and her daughter were arrested again in September of 1895, and indictments were brought. These charges and those made against others were quashed when it was found that the evidence had been falsified by a paid operative of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, an anti-alcohol (some would say extremist) group with an unfortunately large following and financial resources. Harriet and Sue were arrested again on February 10, 1896.
Augustus Smith died in Camden on November 17, 1896 and was buried at Harleigh Cemetery. Sue Smith Kinsey married Harry J. Wagner Sr., on August 23, 1897. They set up house at 747 Carman Street, and as indicated above, they and their descendants remained on that block into the 1960s.
In October of 1898 the Harriet Smith and her sons were under indictment again, and appear to have all moved to Philadelphia to escape prosecution. In 1900 Census Harriet, and her sons William H. Jr., Walter, Clarence, Crawford, and Roy were living at 506 Hope Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Smiths reappear in Camden City Directories in 1903.
The 1904 City Directory shows that Harriet Smith had returned to Camden and was living at 609 North 6th Street with sons William H. Jr., Roy, Crawford, and Clarence, as well as Clarence’s wife Mary and daughter Harriet F. Smith. Sadly, Clarence, a steel construction worker employed by the Camden Iron Works, was killed when he fell from a 40 foot tall gas tank being erected in Moline, Illinois in 1907.
Harriet Smith’s three youngest sons remained in Camden. Son-in-law Harry Wagner was politically active, and possibly due to his influence and possibly due to the fact that the Camden Police Department’s baseball team needed a pitcher, Howard M. Smith was appointed to the Camden Police Department on March 20, 1906. He was a very active policeman from the beginning. His courage and skills were recognized and he was promoted to detective on January 1, 1918. He served in this capacity until his retirement on January 1, 1933, much of the time spent being on loan to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office where he investigated and solved many homicide cases.
Harriet Smith died on February 6, 1908. After services at her home at 609 North 6th Street, she was buried at Harleigh Cemetery on February 10, 1908.
Harriet Smith’s three younger sons also stayed in Camden. Walter Smith was appointed to the Camden Police Department on April 30, 1914. By 1925 he too had been promoted to Detective, and was still serving in that capacity as late as 1933. The youngest brother, Roy A. Smith, served as a member of the Camden Fire Department from 1910 to 1933, before retiring on disability. Crawford M. Smith worked as a steel construction worker like his brother Clarence, followed his sister Sue to the 700 block of Carman Street. He died in 1941. Crawford also had stayed in the “family business,” i.e., numbers, and was indicted in 1934, and sentenced to prison time for refusing to testify against Fred Klosterman and his brother Joseph Klosterman.
Elsie Kinsey aka Elsie Smith was briefly married to William Howell Tatem Jr., the son of Camden Fire Department member William Howell Tatem, and the nephew of Camden’s Chief of Police, James E. Tatem. She eventually remarried and lived out her days in Wildwood with her second husband, Magnus Ekstrom. Oldest son William H. Smith lived in Camden into the 1930s. He died in Philadelphia on June 28, 1941.
Sue Smith Wagner’s son, Harry J. Wagner Jr., served as a member of the Camden Fire Department for 39 years and 8 months, reaching the rank of Acting Chief of Department. Her son Roy A. Wagner owned Roy’s Cafe on Federal Street and employed his brother Phil Wagner and George C. Wagner as bartenders.
Clarence S. Smith’s daughter, Harriet Florence Smith, married John F. Bryant, the grandson of John Foster, who served as Chief of Police in Camden from 1899 until his death in 1906… a peculiar case where the paternal grandparents were on one side of the law and the maternal ones often on the opposing side.
Harriet Smith’s great-grandson was J. Kenneth Crane, the son of Laura Smith Crane, whose father was Howard Smith. He served as Chief of Police in Collingswood, New Jersey from 1963 to 1973.
Policy Arrests
Camden Daily Courier —
The Law Defied
Policy Writers Bribed Up in Their Nefarious Traffic.
Leniency Imposed Upon
Brokers and Writers Laboring Under Federal Street Suspicion That Their Identities Are Unknown, Continue as Boldly as Ever.
How They Are Mistaken
Hints For City Officials as Well as for the Robbers.
A Few Facts For Reflection.
When The Courier published, on last Friday and Saturday, an account of the policy writers, who were so boldly defying the law in the city of Camden, Judge Bond smiled and said he had confidence in the efficacy of his sentences; the policy men themselves laughed aloud, and intimated that The Courier was making guesses which were very wide of the mark. The backers congratulated themselves that their names had not been mentioned. They fondly imagined that The Courier had started on a mission which would prove a failure as far as specific facts were concerned, and beyond a general statement that the business was still carried on in Camden, it would not publish, or could not publish, any names or locations.
This was the conclusion arrived at by Backer Kerns, of Philadelphia; Backer Savage, of Camden; “Policy Bill” Smith, who ran the shop on Federal street below Front; William Miller, the man who carries the returns to Market street, Philadelphia, and who dare not put his foot upon Jersey soil for fear of being arrested upon a warrant which is to be executed the moment he makes an appearance in Camden. This is the conclusion arrived at by a Third ward constable; by a Third ward Justice of the Peace; by two police officers; by three lawyers; one saloonkeeper; one former employee at Starr’s foundry, (and one of the heaviest buyers, by the way, in Camden) all of whom are dupes and whose names are in possession of The Courier. None of them have the faintest idea of the extent of The Courier’s information.
The public at large does not appreciate the intimate relations existing between certain rogues and certain officials in high places in this city. They are not aware that a kinship is what has given these rascals such an unblushing impudence. They are not aware that to put into cold type the names of Messrs. Savage, Miller, Smith, Joslin, and then follow with the names of certain relatives, who are now holding positions in the city of Camden, and who are fully cognizant of their crooked relatives’ methods would upset political aspirations for years to come.
The Courier knows it! The Courier also proposes that the shameless robbing of the ignorant shall cease; that these sharps shall be driven into the penitentiary notwithstanding their connections; that the judiciary shall do its duty; that the Assistant Prosecutor of the Pleas is, and shall be the Assistant Prosecutor of the Pleas, whether in court or out of it.
“Policy Bill,” as William Smith the “writer,” is called, from whom the last two rows were purchased, stopped working for a day or so after the exposure. They have resumed work again, but with considerable caution. There are two books carried in South Camden, and this morning one of the writers, Fisher, when seen by a Courier reporter, had plays to the amount of $21.40. He also said that the “shirt row” which was out on Tuesday night “hit” him for thirty dollars, and that he had made a play himself for ten dollars.
Watson is doing a shifting business, but has many plays left for him in several places of presumed respectability. There are three cigar stores not far from the post office, in South Camden, who sell slips daily. It is not the purpose to expose every man or woman who happens to be unfortunate enough to be deceived by these sharpers; but under the law the party receiving such plays knowingly are responsible, and if the work is continued to-day the names of those receiving will be published in the same column that the writers appear in.
The policy writers boast that they can write in Camden with impunity, and intimate that “people at the front are right.” Just precisely what is intended by this remark can only be conjectured. One thing is certain the game goes on as usual. The machinery is in no way interrupted, the only change observed is the extra precaution taken by two of the writers in giving plays.
Yesterday morning a well-known character about town engaged an attache of The Courier in conversation. This morning he stopped in the office and said he could not get his “piece” from the writer this morning and was at a loss. The writer at first refused to give the reason for his action, but finally said it was in consequence of his having been seen in “suspicious” company. The “piece” is a small slip of paper given to the buyer as an evidence of the play or a receipt for the money.
The Courier is not jealous of buying any more. The piece published on Friday last is still extant and can be used when desired. At this writing the business of policy writing is now in full blast almost within a “stone-throw” from this office and it remains to be seen how long it will continue.
Policy Arrests
Camden Post —
Camden Post, February 21, 1883 — William “Policy Bill” Smith; Harriet Smith; John Fisher; George Watson; George Johnson; Harry Getty; John H. Fort; Charles T. Reed; Isaiah S. Woolston; Joel Horner; Theodore B. Gibbs
Policy Arrests
Camden Post —
Camden Post, February 26, 1883 — William “Policy Bill” Smith; Harriet Smith; John Fisher; George Watson; George Johnson; Harry Getty; John Clark; Charles Pursglove; James Wright; J.J. Walsh; Isaiah S. Woolston; Henry S. Scovel; Joel Horner; Theodore B. Gibbs; Thomas Miles; John Ross; “Doc” Quinn; Caffrey’s Carriage Works
Policy Arrest
Camden Post —
Things to be Seen.
To the Editor of the Post.
I understood from reading the papers that the Chief of Police notified a place on Front street, to shut up, on the ground that he understood that it was a policy shop. I think he went a great ways out of his road to find a policy office, when he can look out of the windows of the City Hall and see both colored and whites going into a private house all day long and has been so for two years, I allude to the policy office, No. 4 South Tenth street, the first house below Market street on east side, run by Bill Smith (alias Pretty Bill.) He claims he is under police protection and no one can interfere with him now. If the chief is anxious to break up the business let him do his duty and close his place up and after he closes it up I can mention some others that are under, the protection (they say) of the police.
Yours, FAIR PLAY.
Policy Arrest
Camden Daily Courier —
A Favorite Row Drawn After a Year's Rest — Mayor Bradshaw's Raid
4-11-44.
A Favorite Row Drawn After a Year's Rest—Mayor Bradshaw's Raid.
A raid was made by Chief of Police Matlack and Mayor Bradshaw on Saturday night on a house at 14 South Eighth street, where they had information a policy game had been in operation for some time under the charge of William Smith, alias “Policy Bill,” who has figured before the courts several times in connection with the business. The drawings had been brought in but a few minutes before the officers arrived, and the winning row is said to have been the old familiar 4-11-44, which has not been drawn for at least a year. This excited considerable comment, in the midst of which the mayor and chief stepped in. They secured the drawings, books and papers, but why they made no arrests is somewhat of a mystery. The chief said this morning that the parties got away, but that Smith would probably be arrested this afternoon. The authorities also have a list of the people who frequented the place, and bought rows. The game is said to have amounted to about one hundred dollars a week.
Policy Arrest
Camden Daily Courier —
Policy Bill' Did Not Come
"Policy Bill" Did Not Come.
Chief Matlack had an assurance that "Policy Bill" Smith would appear this morning and enter bail on the charge of writing at 14 South Eighth street, where the chief captured all the drawings and books on Saturday evening last; but Mr. Smith did not put in his appearance. The case was sent to the grand jury this morning, together with a list of about a dozen witnesses, who were frequenters at the place. Smith is said to be backed by Oscar Stein, the well-known Philadelphia backer.
Policy Arrest
Camden Post —
Camden Post, January 5, 1886 — William “Policy Bill” Smith; Harriet Smith; Claudius Bradshaw; South 8th Street; Josiah Matlack; Abraham Bradshaw; Oscar Stein
Policy Arrest
Camden Daily Courier —
The Smith Policy Case
The Smith Policy Case.
William, alias “Policy Bill” Smith, whose place, 14 South Eighth street, was pulled by the Chief and Officer Bradshaw on Saturday last, and who escaped at the time to Philadelphia, surrendered himself yesterday afternoon to the Mayor, and was admitted to bail in the sum of $300.
Policy Raids
Camden Post —
Camden Post, May 17, 1886 — William “Policy Bill” Smith; Harriet Smith; Harry H. Franks; Jesse Pratt; Charles O. Pedrick; Sylvester Kelly; South 8th Street; Francis Geist; John James; David Hopewell; Mrs. Rachel Bovell
Policy Raids
Camden Daily Courier —
“Policy Bill” Captured Again.
A Notorious Den Raided and William Smith Caught Selling Rows.
William H. Smith, Sr., alias “Policy Bill,” the notorious manipulator of the magic numbers known as policy rows, was again captured by the police on Saturday evening, running a game at his house, No. 14 new South Eighth street. The raid was made on information furnished by Mrs. Bechtel, a German doctress, living at 506 Jackson street, who claimed that Smith refused to pay her a “hit” of t dollars. Hall Officer Kelly and Officer Pedrick made the raid.
They found Smith busy with his books and slips, which were captured. Two colored men, who appeared to be customers, were also taken into custody. The prisoners were brought before Mayor Pratt; Smith was released on $500; and the colored men paroled as witnesses. A similar raid was made on the place by the police last winter, and Smith was captured. He was indicted at the January term of court, but has not yet been tried.
Policy Arrest
Camden Post —
Camden Post, June 30, 1886 — William “Policy Bill” Smith; Harry H. Franks; Terrance Miles; South 8th Street; Harriet Smith; Jesse Pratt
Harriet Smith Attempts Suicide
Camden Post —
Camden Post, June 29, 1887 — William “Policy Bill” Smith; Harriet Smith; Dr. Daniel Strock; Charles Pedrick; J. Ehrman Lehman; 800 Market Street; South 8th Street
A Policy Den Raided
Camden Post —
A raid was made by Hall Officer Stackhouse and Policeman Cable this morning on the policy den on Tenth street below Federal. They captured Harriet Smith, the widow of “Policy Bill” Smith, and James Brown.
The visit of the officers of the law was sudden and entirely unexpected upon the part of the inmates of the house. A panic ensued and a wild dash was made to hide the tell-tale articles used by policy sellers. It was useless, however, and the officers gathered in the books, slips, writings, drawings and a quantity of the other paraphernalia of the business.
The prisoners and the goods were carried off to the city hall. The accused waived a hearing and entered bail in $500 each for trial.
Policy Arrest
Camden Daily Telegram —
DARLINGS DOUSED.
CARMAN STREET IN A WATERY WARFARE.
MRS. SMITH LAYS FOR THE BABIES
‘Squire Schmidt’s Hard Time With Ten Turbulent Females—Torridity and Tongue Wagging Extraordinary—A Common Scold.
Carman street, between Seventh and Eighth streets, is the scene of a local warfare between neighbors, and if epithets could kill the residents of the entire square would have met untimely ends before now.
The lives of “the babies on our block” are daily endangered by a water-throwing fiend in female form who seems determined to drown out the infant population.
Mrs. Harriet Smith, who dwells at 741 Carman street, is accused.
Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Smith was arrested on a warrant issued by Justice Schmidt. She was charged with being a common scold, and although she strenuously denied the charge, her tongue wagged so alarmingly that Squire Schmidt was completely rattled.
SHE DUCKS THE DARLINGS.
The suit grows out of a row on Wednesday, when Mrs. Smith had Mrs. Owens and Mrs. Rork arrested for raising a disturbance and calling her pet names, such as “old morphine,” “gray-haired devil” and “humpbacked good-for-nothing.” Recorder Braker, acting in Mayor Pratt’s stead, held them in $100 each to keep the peace. Now, Mrs. West, living directly across the street from Mrs. Smith, has brought charges against the latter.
Mrs. Smith, it was alleged at the hearing, has a penchant for throwing water, and habitually lies in wait for the baby carriages of neighbors. When the babies come beneath her window a bucket of water is dashed out, and the promising young scion of Carman street is taken home on a galley.
INVERTED INFANTS.
It is said that on several occasions the infants have had to be turned upside down to get the water out of them.
Mrs. Smith has, it is said, on several occasions publicly stated that she would “drown the blank blank brats if they wheeled the blank things about her house.”
In Justice Schmidt’s small office yesterday afternoon eight excited females of the Carman street type, accompanied Mrs. Smith and Mrs. West, her accuser, to see the fun.
EVERY BODY TALKED
at once, and ‘Squire Schmidt’s efforts to maintain order were fruitless.
Above all was heard Mrs. Smith’s shrill voice in a choice vocabulary of invectives.
Through the din of warring female tongues the squire finally got at the facts and held Mrs. Smith in $300 bail for court. The neighbors threaten to move, but the agent of the property assures the residents that the obnoxious water-thrower will be ejected on a thirty days’ notice and peace shall reign.
Policy Arrest
Camden Daily Telegram —
Camden Daily Telegram, August 2, 1890 — Harriet Smith; Howard Smith; Gus Smith; Frank Miles; Gilbert Boulton; William Fogarty; Frank Skalla; Josiah Freeman; Pennsylvania Avenue; Benjamin Braker
Policy Arrests
Camden Post —
Camden Post, December 3, 1890 — Harriet Smith; Sally Hunt; Penn Street; Wilson S. Jenkins; Fogarty Avenue; Carman Street; John K.R. Hewitt; Mrs. Alonzo Thompson; Mrs. Joseph Young; Mrs. Lewis; Mrs. Hannah Hartwell
Harriet Smith, indicted for being a common scold, was tried. Sallie West was the complainant and said that at the time referred to she lived on Carman street, and that Mrs. Smith would go out in the street in all kinds of weather and “jaw every man, woman and child who passed in front of her house.” A verdict of not guilty was found and the jury was discharged.
Policy Indictment
Camden Daily Telegram —
Camden Daily Telegram, April 24, 1895 — Harriet Smith; Walter Garwood; John Walters; Fred Parker; William Parker; James Levy; Thomas White
Policy Trial
Camden Post —
Camden Post, May 2, 1895 — Harriet Smith; Walter Garwood; John Walters; Fred Parker; William Parker
Policy Trial
Camden Daily Courier —
Alleged Policy Offenders Bailed
ALLEGED POLICY OFFENDERS BAILED
Harriet Smith, John Walters, Walter Garwood and William and Fred Parker, arrested by the police Tuesday as alleged violators of the lottery law, were arraigned before Justice Craig this morning for hearing.
In the absence of witnesses the hearing was postponed until Friday, May 10, at 10 a. m.
The defendants were all bailed. Ex-Policeman Isaac Shreeves and W. H. Jones, of Eighth ward, were bondsmen for some of them.
Policy Trial
Camden Daily Telegram —
Camden Daily Telegram, May 2, 1895 — Harriet Smith; Walter Garwood; John Walters; Fred Parker; William Parker; Isaac Shreeve; Wilson Jenkins; George Roop; Henry S. Scovel; William Jones
Policy Sentencing
Camden Post —
Camden Post, May 24, 1895 — Harriet Smith; Walter Garwood; William Parker; Washington Ketline; Henry S. Scovel; J.J. Crandall; Joseph Swing; John Cochran; Taylor Avenue; Pine Street; Garret D.W. Vroom
A Year Each for Policy People
Camden Daily Courier —
Some Severe Sentences.
Lottery Policy Dealers Given Their Full Extent of the Law.
A Blazing Court Which Announces Its Purpose to Punish Law Breakers at the Limit that the Law Allows—Tribute Awarded Where Tribute is Due.
Policy sellers felt the strong hand of the law this morning, and Judge Vroom, speaking from the bench of the Quarter Sessions Court, asserted that all offenders in the same line who came before the Court would receive the most serious penalty the law allowed. Judge Vroom’s language when speaking of the reaction of policy calling was most severe and condemnatory.
“This Court,” said he, “has fully determined to break up the nefarious traffic and all offenders hereafter convicted will receive the full penalty of the law.”
This was an exciting day at the Quarter Sessions Court this morning, and four persons convicted of violating the law concerning lottery, were early arraigned before the Court for sentence. William Jacobs, who was convicted yesterday of involuntary manslaughter in killing George Whittington, was sentenced to one year in State Prison.
When the convicted policy dealers were arraigned Lawyer H. S. Scovel said he desired to make a few remarks in their behalf. He said that in the case of William Parker the jury failed to agree and he advised Parker afterwards to enter a plea of guilty. Parker had never been accused before of a crime and Lawyer Scovel asked that the Court be lenient. He also said there was no record of Parker having been convicted before. Lawyer Scovel also asked that mercy be shown in the case of Mrs. Harriet Smith, who pleaded guilty. He said there was no question but what she had been convicted before of policy writing but her husband was dead and she had a large family to support. “I do not think the State Prison was ever erected for the imprisonment of a woman unless she had committed some great crime,” said Lawyer Scovel.
The Court said that some of the convicted policy writers had been convicted before of violating the policy laws and the Court had been lenient and imposed fines instead of imprisonment.
“The Court is determined to break up policy playing in this city,” said Judge Vroom. “The sentence of Walter Garwood and Washington Ketline is that they serve one year in the State Prison and pay a fine of $100 each. This is the full penalty of the law. Harriet Smith and William Parker will serve one year in State Prison without a fine.”
As the defendants were being taken out of the court room to the county jail Mrs. Smith swooned away just outside of the entrance to the court room. A cot was secured from the county jail and Constable Jacob Leon and Jailor David Logue placed her on it and carried her over to the county jail.
Lawyer J. J. Crandall asked that Washington Ketline be released on bail as he had secured a writ of error to carry the case to the Supreme Court. Bail was fixed at $1,000 and John Cochran and Joseph Swing appeared to enter the necessary security. They were closely questioned by the Court.
A Year Each for Policy People
Camden Daily Telegram —
Mrs. Harriet Smith Fainted When Sentenced.
DETERMINED TO STOP THE GAME
Judge Vroom Says the Court Is Decided About This Matter and in Two Cases Imposes the Full Penalty.
This was the last assize day for the present term of the Quarter Sessions Court. Judges Vroom, McDowell and Burdsall held a consultation in the law library until twenty minutes after ten o’clock when they came into the large court room.
Lulu Robinson was sworn and said that David Fry had cut her with a razor during a quarrel one evening at Eighth and Ann streets. Fry was quarreling with the others and the witness interfered when Fry cut her across the cheek with a razor. Fry has pleaded guilty to the assault.
Mrs. William Still, of Snow Hill, was sworn, and stated that on a Saturday night her husband came home and seemed to be in a bad humor. He quarreled with her all night Saturday and all day Sunday. He asked her if she was going to stop running around and as she did not answer him Still pulled out a revolver and shot her. He fired three more shots at her as she laid on the floor and when she was going out the door he shot her in the head.
“Did this not occur over your running with other men?” asked Lawyer John L. Semple, who is counsel for William Still.
No, sir. I did not go with other men.”
Witness said she knew a man by the name of Grey, but denied that she had ever been intimate with him.
In answer to Judge Vroom Mrs. Still said that she had been shot three times and was in the Cooper Hospital some time. She said her husband had threatened to cut her throat on other occasions. Still was not present and the court ordered that he appear on Monday or his bail would be forfeited and a bench warrant issued.
William Jacobs, who was convicted yesterday of involuntary manslaughter in killing George Whittington, was sentenced to one year in State Prison.
When the convicted policy dealers were arraigned Lawyer H. S. Scovel said he desired to make a few remarks in their behalf. He said that in the case of William Parker the jury failed to agree and he advised Parker afterwards to enter a plea of guilty. Parker had never been accused before of a crime and Lawyer Scovel asked that the Court be lenient. He also said there was no record of Parker having been convicted before. Lawyer Scovel also asked that mercy be shown in the case of Mrs. Harriet Smith, who pleaded guilty. He said there was no question but what she had been convicted before of policy writing but her husband was dead and she had a large family to support. “I do not think the State Prison was ever erected for the imprisonment of a woman unless she had committed some great crime,” said Lawyer Scovel.
The Court said that some of the convicted policy writers had been convicted before of violating the policy laws and the Court had been lenient and imposed fines instead of imprisonment.
“The Court is determined to break up policy playing in this city,” said Judge Vroom. “The sentence of Walter Garwood and Washington Ketline is that they serve one year in the State Prison and pay a fine of $100 each. This is the full penalty of the law. Harriet Smith and William Parker will serve one year in State Prison without a fine.”
As the defendants were being taken out of the court room to the county jail Mrs. Smith swooned away just outside of the entrance to the court room. A cot was secured from the county jail and Constable Jacob Leon and Jailor David Logue placed her on it and carried her over to the county jail.
Lawyer J. J. Crandall asked that Washington Ketline be released on bail as he had secured a writ of error to carry the case to the Supreme Court. Bail was fixed at $1,000 and John Cochran and Joseph Swing appeared to enter the necessary security. They were closely questioned by the Court.
Policy Sentencing
Camden Daily Telegram —
Claims She Lost Her Pin.
Mrs. Harriet Smith, who was sentenced yesterday to one year in State Prison for policy writing, claims that she lost a diamond pin when she fainted while being taken out of the court room to the county jail. Constable Hunt, Leon and others who assisted in carrying Mrs. Smith out say that she wore no pin at the time she fainted.
Policy Trial Coverage
Camden Post —
Camden Post, May 27, 1895 — Harriet Smith; Frederick Rex; Henry S. Scovel; Garret D.W. Vroom
Policy Trial Coverage
Camden Daily Telegram —
NO HOPE FOR POLICY WRITERS
The Court Refuses to Reconsider Sentence in Three Cases.
Lawyer Fred. A. Rex in the Court of Quarter Sessions this morning stated that a petition had been presented to the Court asking for a reconsideration of the sentence of Gilbert Bouldin, the leader of the “Spider Gang” who was sentenced to State Prison for assault and battery on an officer. He asked that the Court consider the petition in a favorable light. Judge Vroom said the Court had investigated this matter thoroughly and he believed no good would be accomplished by a reconsideration of the sentence; the petition was denied.
Lawyer F. H. Scovel made an earnest appeal for a reconsideration of the sentence of Mrs. Harriet Smith, who pleaded non vult contendere to writing policy and was sentenced to one year in State Prison. Lawyer Scovel said that at the time Mrs. Smith was sentenced he had made the statement that she had previously been convicted of a similar charge. He had since investigated and found the records failed to show that she had ever before been convicted of any crime. He spoke of her ill health and the large family of children that she had, some of whom were of tender age. He asked that if the Court considered it necessary that she should be imprisoned that they sentence her to confinement in the county jail and impose a fine, but not to subject this widow and her children to the disgrace of serving time in the State Prison.
Lawyer Rex also added a plea for mercy for Mrs. Smith. He said that this was not a heinous crime, but only made a crime by the statute.
The court held a short consultation and then Judge Vroom said: “The court has carefully considered the matter before imposing sentence. We absolve Lawyer Scovel for any feeling he may have in the matter caused by his stating that she had been convicted when she had not. We had an object in view when we imposed sentence, and as we consider that object right and just, in order to sustain that object we cannot reconsider the sentence in this case.”
Lawyer Scovel said that Mrs. Walter Garwood was present to ask for mercy for her husband, who has been sentenced to one year in State Prison and a fine of $100 for policy writing. The Court, however, refused to hear her. Judge Vroom stating that there had been a number of persons to see him in his office in relation to a reconsideration of the sentence of the convicted policy writers. “The Court believes the sentence was just and as Garwood was convicted of the crime and also committed perjury it will have no weight for Mrs. Garwood to ask for a reconsideration of the sentence,” said Judge Vroom.
Pardon Coverage
Camden Daily Telegram —
Camden Daily Telegram, June 6, 1895 — Harriet Smith; Henry S. Scovel; Dr. William S. Jones; Dr. Alexander McAllister; George Barrett; Garret D.W. Vroom
Pardon Coverage
Camden Post —
BENTON HALL CASE
Lawyer Crandall Asks for a New Writ of Error.
CASE OUT OF THE COURT’S HANDS
Judge Carrow Asks for a Reconsideration of Sentence in the Case — Still Trying to Keep Harriet Smith from State Prison.
Edward Benton and Joseph Hall, who were sentenced to three months each on conviction for criminal libel and whose appeal to the Supreme Court was dismissed on Tuesday, owing to the neglect of Counselor John J. Crandall, who failed to appear, have not yet given up their fight.
Judge Carrow has been retained, and the case assumes another phase. In court this morning Prosecutor Jenkins declared that if ever there was a manifestation of counsel’s neglect this was one.
The court gave Crandall an opportunity for argument tomorrow, when it is expected the remittitur will arrive.
Lawyer Wm. J. Kraft said that Judge Carrow was counsel in the case also, and would have something to say.
“If Carrow is in the case I’ll withdraw,” declared Lawyer Crandall.
Later on Judge Carrow appeared and asked that the Court reconsider the sentence of three months in jail and make the sentence a fine. He said that while he had not been acting openly he had all along been associated with the defense. He placed the case in Mr. Crandall’s hands.
Mr. Carrow did not appear as hired counsel, but the defendants were friends of his and he made this plea for them. Obvious punishment was already had. The crime was not of a serious character. The publication was made in good faith and for the good of the public. The defendant’s did not know that Kappel and Cable was the same man. There was some foundation for the article and it was admitted at the trial that money had been unlawfully obtained.
A fine, Judge Carrow said, would dispose of the matter, and the best element of this county wanted the sentence reconsidered.
The Court said it could do nothing now as it was out of the Court’s hands, but the matter could be heard when the records arrive from the Supreme Court.
In the matter of Harriet Smith, who was sentenced to one year in State Prison for policy writing, County Physician Jones was called to the stand. He said he had examined Mrs. Smith’s condition in jail and found her suffering from palpitation of the heart. Dr. Jones said that in his opinion there was nothing to prevent her being taken to State Prison.
Dr. McAllister corroborated Dr. Jones’ statement, he having also examined Mrs. Smith.
Counselor Harry S. Scovel, who with Mr. Rex appeared for the defendant, said he had nothing more to say, but that Judge Wescott had been brought into the case and would make a motion the nature of which Mr. Scovel did not know.
The Court laid the matter over until tomorrow to hear Judge Wescott, who is in Trenton today.
Mrs. Grantz, wife of Police Officer Grantz of Stockton, who got three months for assault and battery, appeared before the Court but could say nothing through her sobs. Judge Vroom questioned her for some time relative to her husband’s business and her family and then said the Court would consider the matter.
Camden Daily Telegram, June 7, 1895 — John W. Wescott; Harriet Smith; Dr. William S. Jones; Dr. Alexander McAllister; Garret D.W. Vroom
Harriet Smith’s Condition.
Dr. Jones and Dr. McAllister reported on the condition of Mrs. Harriet Smith, whose friends wanted her sentence to a year in State Prison for violating the policy law remitted to a fine, because of ill health. The doctors did not think her condition serious. The Court took the matter under advisement and judgment on law points is expected tomorrow.
Pardon Coverage
Camden Daily Telegram —
MRS. SMITH GOES TO TRENTON.
Court Refuses to Interfere and She Departs for Home.
Mrs. Harriet Smith, who was sentenced to one year in State Prison, for policy writing was taken to Trenton this morning by Under Sheriff Hartshorne.
The Court of Quarter Sessions refused to interfere with the carrying out of the sentence imposed, although an effort was made to secure reconsideration. Mrs. Smith was taken to the Federal depot in a cab. She created no end of commotion upon leaving the jail as was expected. She was very nervous, however, and while sitting in the waiting room waiting for the 9 o’clock train kept constantly biting her finger nails.
Taken to Trenton To-day.
Mrs. Harriet Smith, recently convicted in the Court of Quarter Sessions of violating the lottery laws by selling policy slips, was quietly taken to Trenton today, where she will serve a sentence of one year. The appeal of her counsel for clemency on account of her health was not successful, the judges of the court deciding against the appeal.
Pardon Granted
Camden Post —
THE QUALITY OF MERCY
Mrs. Harriet Smith, of This City, Pardoned.
EX POLICEMAN ZAISER PAROLED
Camden Comes in for Two Cases of Clemency When Pardons Issue.
TRENTON, July 16.—The Board of Pardons, at a meeting held at Sea Girt yesterday, granted pardons or parole to the following from this county:
Harriet Smith, writing policy, sentenced April, 1895, one year, pardoned.
Mrs. Smith was sentenced for policy writing, and ex-Policeman Zaiser was sentenced for assault and battery in a drunken election brawl while in uniform.
POLICY WRITER PARDONED.
Mrs. Smith, of This City, and Seventeen Others Set Free.
SEA GIRT, N. J., July 16.—The Court of Pardons met yesterday at the Governor’s cottage and pardoned fourteen convicts from State Prison. Among the pardoned is Mrs. Harriet Smith, of Camden, who was sent to the State Prison to serve one year for writing policy.
Among those pardoned were William Zaiser, of Camden, sentenced in March last for one year for assault and battery, and Patrick Shanley in July, 1894, for a year and a half for forgery. Both paroles were recommended by the Prosecutor of the Prisons.
Among those paroled was ex-Policeman William Zaiser of Camden, sentenced to serve one year for assault and battery.
Policy Arrests
Camden Daily Telegram —
Camden Daily Telegram, July 20, 1895 — W. Harry Getty; William H. Carson; William L. Franklin; Howard S. Franklin; North 2nd Street; Philip Schmitz; Frank O’Brien; James M. Cassady; Andrew Collins; John Kelly; Harriet Smith; David Miller; John W. Wartman; Samuel Levy; William Thompson
Policy Arrests
Camden Daily Courier —
Policy and Pleasantries.
Quite a number of trivial occurrences were heard by the Squire, W. H. Getty, in the police court at his office on Saturday morning. Harry Getty, who got into a fracas at Seventh and Chestnut streets, was the first one of the accused to appear and answer to the charge of keeping the peace. Two colored men appeared on behalf of the accused man, and they were put under $100 bail to appear at the next term of court.
Evidence was heard regarding various policy transactions and related court matters. Richard Quinn, colored, swore that he was there when Smith assaulted him. There were several fine cases and Lawyer Burdsall and Lawyer Johnson engaged in arguments regarding the legality of cases before them involving policy matters. The Squire rendered judgment on questions regarding whether certain transactions constituted violations of the policy laws.
Various witnesses appeared regarding their purchase of policy slips and other related transactions. The case involved multiple parties and was heard before Squire Getty in his court proceedings.
MRS. SMITH’S RELEASE.
Prosecutor Jenkins Had Nothing Whatever to Do With It.
To the Editor of the Courier.
DEAR SIR:—It has been stated in the press that I aided Mrs. Harriet Smith, convicted of policy writing, to secure her release from State Prison. I beg to say, the undoubted truth of the matter is, that I rendered no assistance whatever, by advice, influence or encouragement in procuring her discharge.
Yours truly,
WILSON H. JENKINS.
Policy Arrests
Camden Daily Telegram —
Camden Daily Telegram, July 23, 1895 — Harriet Smith; Sue Smith Kinsey; Isaac Shreeve; James M. Cassady; Henry S. Scovel; Archie Clark; Kate Miskelly; William Sampson; Benjamin Shaw; Richard Quinn; Samuel Davis; Jacob Derry; Baxter’s Court; Edward Bassett; Herbert Drake; Fred Parker; John Scanlon; John Brady; John Walters; W. Harry Getty; Charles Gilbert; Philip Schmitz; Mary Ellis
Policy Arrests
Camden Post —
Camden Post, September 11, 1895 — Harriet Smith; Washington Ketline; Philip Schmitz; Mrs. M.J. Pullen; Sue Smith Kinsey; Henry S. Scovel
Policy Arrests
Camden Daily Telegram —
Camden Daily Telegram, September 13, 1895 — Willoughby “Dad” Fields; Pine Street; Harriet Smith; Washington Ketline; Sue Smith Kinsey; Philip Schmitz
Policy Arrest
Camden Daily Courier —
Criminal Court Tomorrow.
Policy Cases on the List Promise Lots of Interest.
There was no session of Criminal Court this morning, but it promises to be busy in court tomorrow, there being a number of policy cases on the docket. Among them are Washington Ketline, who has been before the court before; Charles Gilbert, Harriet Smith, a woman who was convicted of selling policy slips, sentenced to the State Prison and pardoned; Harriet Smith’s daughter, Susie Kinsey; Archie Clark, colored, and Edward Bassett, Harry Drake and the somewhat noted Willoughby “Dad” Fields.
Policy Arrest
Camden Post —
Camden Post, January 24, 1896 — Washington Ketline; Charles Gilbert; Harriet Smith; Sue Smith Kinsey; Archie Clark; Edward Bassett; Harry Drake; Willoughby “Dad” Fields; Albert Shaw; John W. Wescott
Policy Arrest
Camden Daily Telegram —
Camden Daily Telegram, January 24, 1896 — Washington Ketline; Charles Stell; W.C.T.U.; Thomas McKenna; N. Front Street; John W. Wescott; Charles Gilbert; Albert Shaw; Garret D.W. Vroom; Frank H. Burdsall; Wilson S. Jenkins; William Carson; Harriet Smith; Sue Smith Kinsey; Archie Clark; Edward Bassett; Harry Drake; Willoughby “Dad” Fields
In Jail With a Baby
Camden Post —
Harriet Smith and Her Daughter Charged With Policy Selling
Harriet Smith, who has often been before the court on the charge of selling policy, and who was pardoned after being sentenced to state’s prison, was again arrested last night, together with her daughter, Susan Kinsey, on the charge of selling policy. Mrs. Kinsey carried to jail with her a six months’ old baby. Policeman George Anderson arrested the women. Police, constables and deputy sheriffs have been looking for them for months. Other members of the family, it is said, are also wanted.
After spending the night in the county jail Mrs. Smith and daughter were released this morning under $500 bail each.
Admitted to Bail.
In chamber session this morning, the judges of the county courts heard the application of counsel for Harriet Smith and Susie Kinsey to have the defendants admitted to bail. The accused women, indicted for policy selling, were arrested on a bench warrant, having failed to appear at the last session of court. The defendants were admitted to bail in the sum each of $500 to appear at the next term of court. Mrs. Kinsey has a baby in arms. She is the daughter of Mrs. Smith. John Cochran and Joseph Smith became bondsmen for the accused women and they were released from the county jail.
The Policy Indictments
Camden Post —
The following persons were indicted for writing and selling policy, those arraigned and pleaded not guilty: Charles Gilbert, Harry Smith, Crawford Smith, Clarence Smith, Howard Smith, Walter Smith, Harriet Smith, Andrew Collins, Theodore Laferta, Dyke O’Brien, Jonathan Cox, Robert Nichols, Robert Nevil, William Parker, George Dace, Sarah Brown, Lavinia Fussell. Bail was fixed at $500 in each case for trial on Friday. It is not expected that the cases will come up then, as Lawyer John L. Semple, counsel for nearly all the accused, will be engaged in another court on that day.
Seven in One Family
Camden Post —
Among the policy indictments were seven against one family, the Smith family of the Ninth ward. Mrs. Harriet Smith, the mother of the family, was sentenced to one year for policy writing several years ago, but was pardoned after serving three months. The whole seven are now said to be fugitives from justice and bench warrants have been issued for their arrest, if they can be found.
Death Notice
Camden Daily Courier —
SMITH—On February 6, 1908, Harriet Smith, née Steward, widow of William H. Smith, aged 62 years. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock, from her late residence, 609 North Sixth street, Camden, N. J. Remains may be viewed on Sunday. Interment at Harleigh.
Funeral Notice
Camden Daily Courier —
Mrs. Smith to Be Buried Monday.
The funeral of Mrs. Harriet Smith, who died on Thursday last after a long illness, will take place from her late home, 609 North Sixth street, on Monday afternoon. The services will be held at 2 o’clock. The remains will be exposed to view on Sunday afternoon. Interment will be made in Harleigh Cemetery.
Burial Notice
Camden Daily Courier —
At 2 o’clock this afternoon, from her late residence, 609 North Sixth street, the funeral services of Mrs. Harriet Smith, aged 62 years, were held. Interment was made in Harleigh Cemetery.