Harry Benzuk
Harry Benzuk, 1933
HARRY BENZUK was born in Kobryn, Poland on April 21, 1896. He married Mary Kaminska in Camden, New Jersey on August 24, 1919. By 1927 the marriage had produced four children, sadly three of them had died by the end of 1927, leaving only a son, Alexander, to grow to majority. A daughter, Vera, was born in the 1930s.
Harry Benzuk was in and out of the newspapers and in and out of involvement with the criminal justice system during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. In 1920 he tipped off police to a bootlegging operation on Ferry Avenue. The Benzuks were living at 699 Van Hook street in October of 1933 when Harry Benzuk got into a fight with Michael Mellniak, who was boarding with the family. Mellniak died of injuries sustained during the fight. Charged with murder, in January of 1934 Harry Benzuk was sentenced to fifteen months in prison for manslaughter. He was released in November, 1934. In 1936 he testified rather than face prosecution in a bootlegging case. In 1942 he was sentenced to one to three years in state prison for larceny and receiving stolen goods. There also were a number of other incidents which did not result in his imprisonment.
Harry Benzuk avoided further trouble after his last term in prison. He moved to the Bordentown, New Jersey area and engaged in farming for much of the rest of his life. He passed away on April 20, 1971, survived by his son and daughter.
Harry & Mary Benzuk
Wedding portrait photograph of Harry Benzuk and Mary Kaminska Benzuk, August 24, 1919.
Benzuk Bootlegging Arrest
Camden Daily Courier —
DISTILLERY IS RAIDED, 9 ARRESTED, BARRELS OF MASH CONFISCATED
Elaborate “Lay-out” Seized at Ferry Avenue Saloon On Eve of Owner’s Wedding
ARGUMENT OVER HERRING LEADS TO POLICE ACTION
City May Turn “Still” and Prisoners Over to Government For Federal Trial
An argument over the high price of herring early today led to a raid on a South Camden “white mule” distillery, the seizure of an elaborate “lay-out,” twenty-five barrels of liquor and the arrest of nine men.
Headquarters in City Hall today was piled high with bottles, barrels and jugs, scores of feet of copper coil and all smelling “mash” of grain, prunes and raisins, in the process of developing the “kick” for which “white mule” is justly famous.
Proprietor Arrested On Wedding Day
The alleged proprietor of the distillery, who was to have been married tomorrow, occupies a cell in the city prison. Eight of his customers, held as material witnesses and accomplices, occupy adjoining cells.
All were held to the grand jury.
It all happened when Harry Benzuk, 1961 South Sixth street, went into Steve Andruk’s saloon, 647 Ferry avenue, shortly before midnight last night. Benzuk tried to pay some herring of the bartender. He objected to the price. An argument began. A fight followed. Five minutes later Benzuk pulled himself up out of the gutter, highly indignant.
“Get a lot of policemen, I’ll show you something.” Benzuk told Patrolman Mines, whom he saw a few minutes later on his Ferry avenue beat.
Discovers Real Saloon
Benzuk phoned headquarters. Patrolmen Moore, De Angelo and Rose were sent to his aid. Headed by Benzuk they raided the saloon. Benzuk led two bluecoats to the third floor attic while two remained on guard in the saloon below.
It was there they discovered the distillery, elaborately arranged with copper siphons, coils and all the latest “inventions” calling for “white mule” which is described by police as “stronger” than the acidity of water and the strength of formaldehyde.
A truck was backed up to the front door of the saloon and the equipment brought down it.
U. S. May Prosecute
Barrels, casks, bottles, huge containers of many varieties were found in the back yard of the saloon alike with “white mule” undergoing the process of “aging.”
Captain of Police Homes, in whose platoon the “lay-out” is being kept, was in conference today with State, City and Federal officers in an effort to decide the course of action that will finally be pursued. It was partially decided that all the prisoners and the pile of “evidence” shall be turned over to the government and that the case shall be heard by U. S. Commissioner Jollee.
Andruk Innocent
Andruk, the proprietor, was not present during the raid. Police were preparing to leave with their other prisoners. Andruk came to the saloon with his fiancee, whom he intended to marry tomorrow.
Andruk surrendered without a qualm, kissed his bride-to-be a fond good-bye and was arrested.
Benzuk, author of the tip, took his place. “I don’t want no burglars nosing around here.”
List of Defendants
Benzuk, the man who “tipped” the police to the distillery, was not arrested and is held as a material witness.
The other defendants are: William Aduki, 623 Ferry avenue; the bartender who threw Benzuk out of the saloon; Bibor Cherako, 413 Central avenue; John Danilock, Chester, Pa.; Ignatz Denediak, 2486 South Seventh street; Jake Akowski, 647 Ferry avenue; Anthony Sadowski, 413 Emerald street; Joseph Klim.
4-Year-Old Girl Dies of Burns; Mother Scared
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. Ethel Benzuk, 1907 Ferry Avenue, was seriously burned about the face and head when cinders fell from an open fire as she turned to speak to her four-year-old daughter, Dorothy, according to a report made to the police.
The little girl, it is said, had cinders fall upon her clothing, and before her mother could extinguish the flames the child was so badly burned that she died. Mrs. Benzuk’s screams brought neighbors to her aid. She was treated at Cooper Hospital for her injuries.
The child will be buried from the home of her grandmother, Mrs. Mary O’Neill, 1816 Jackson Street, on Thursday at 2 p.m. Services will be held at St. Anthony’s Church at 2:30 p.m.
Benzuk Bootlegging Arrest
Camden Courier-Post —
Complainant in Theft Held on Rum Charge
Camden Courier-Post —
COMPLAINANT IN THEFT HELD ON RUM CHARGE
A complaining witness was held in $500 bail for the grand jury in police court yesterday when a man he had arrested for stealing his car testified he had bought whisky from him.
Henry Benzuk, 32, 502 Jackson street, charged James Draper, 36, 1676 Ferry avenue, with stealing his new automobile. Draper denied stealing the car and said Benzuk had loaned it to him. He testified he bought liquor from Benzuk. Despite the fact that Draper did not wish to make complaint, Benzuk was held.
Woman Badly Hurt In Broadway Collision
Camden Courier-Post —
Woman Badly Hurt In Broadway Collision
A passenger in one of the cars in a crash early yesterday at Broadway and Atlantic avenue, Mrs. Ella R. Smith, 38, o’ 105 Marne avenue, Brooklawn, suffered lacerations of the scalp, a possible fracture of the skull and injuries to her left thigh, elbow and hip. She is in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.
Mrs. Smith was an occupant of an automobile driven by Arthur Regan, also of Brooklawn, which figured in a collision with an automobile operated by Harry Benzuk, of Jackson street, near Fifth, at the Broadway intersection. Arthur Comean, 209 Marne avenue, Brooklawn, another occupant of the Regan car, took Mrs. Smith to the hospital.
Regan was going west on Atlantic avenue and Benzuk’s car south on Broadway when the automobiles collided. No arrests were made.
U.S. Dry Men Raid South Camden Cafe
Camden Courier-Post —
U. S. DRY MEN RAID SOUTH CAMDEN CAFE
Proprietor Held in Bail as Liquor Is Reported in Place
Charged with conspiracy and manufacture and possession of liquor, John M. Bubien, 36, alleged proprietor of the Liberty Cafe, 1219 Mt. Ephraim avenue, was held under $2500 bail for the Federal Grand Jury by U. S. Commissioner Wynn Armstrong, following the man’s arrest yesterday by prohibition agents, who raided the place.
Bubien’s arrest followed three weeks of investigation by dry agents after a raid on a dwelling at 3215 Alabama road, Nov. 23, netted the agents a 300-gallon still and several thousand gallons of mash.
Two men captured in the place were each held under $1000 bail for further hearing. When questioned, the men, Alex. Slusaruk and Harry Benzuk, both of the Alabama road address, named Bubien as a partner in the operation, according to the agents.
Armed with a search warrant, the agents today visited the cafe and discovered 12 gallons of “moonshine” whisky, 16 gallons of wine, and three barrels of unlabelled beer, it is charged.
When arraigned, Bubien pleaded not guilty and waived a hearing. He furnished a real estate bond and was released.
$1600 Awarded Pair as Result of Crash
Camden Courier-Post —
$1600 AWARDED PAIR AS RESULT OF CRASH
Woodbury, Dec. 30.—Evan Westcott, Woodbury, was awarded a consent verdict of $1400 and Miss Veronica White, Paulsboro, $200 against Lieut. Jonathan H. Worman, U. S. N., Washington, in the county circuit court today. Circuit Court Judge Francis B. Davis presided. The verdicts were for damages suffered in an automobile collision on the Mantua pike November 26, 1930.
Augustus A. Woodbury and Martha P. McEwen, Philadelphia, trading as Wood-Stretch Company, were granted $318.50 against Harry Benzuk, Fairview. There was no defense offered in the suit which was based on an automobile collision in Camden a year ago.
Café Man & Bottler Go on Trial for Possession
Camden Courier-Post —
Witness Declares Defendants Paid Him to Make Rum
Bubien Denies Charges and Declares Accuser Tried to Slug Him
TRIAL RESUMES TODAY
Charged with possession of liquor and operating a still, a Camden saloonkeeper and a Bottler went on trial yesterday in United States District Court before Judge John Boyd Avis and a jury.
They are John Bubien, 38, of Liberty street and Mt. Ephraim Avenue, proprietor of a saloon at 1219 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, and Anthony Dolinski, of 1166 Mechanic Street, head of the Liberty Bottling Company [error—Dolinski owned Keystone Bottling Company —pmc].
The government’s principal witness is Harry Benzuk who was arrested last September [error—Actual date November 1931 —pmc] during a federal raid with Alek Slusaruk at 3215 Alabama Road. Benzuk has been in jail in default of bail since the raid on a charge of transportation of liquor.
Bubien on the stand denied he had anything to do with a still in the Fairview house. He testified he bought liquor from Benzuk and sold it in his saloon. He accused Benzuk of threatening to “get him” when he refused to buy any more liquor from him. He declared Benzuk accused him of luring federal agents to the Alabama road house.
When Bubien accused Benzuk of threatening him the latter arose in the court room and asked Judge Avis permission to deny the charge. The judge frowned at him.
Bubien was undergoing a vigorous cross-examination from Assistant United States District Attorney Isidore S. Worth when court was adjourned until 10 a. m., today. He admitted he beat Benzuk over the head with a rubber hose.
Benzuk testified that Bubien and Dolinski paid him $50 weekly to operate the still. He declared Bubien bought the still in Philadelphia and erected it. He said Bubien still has two copper kettles from the plant in his cellar.
Albert W. Ross, 1425 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, baker supplies salesman, testified he sold large quantities of yeast, cans and rye to Benzuk and glasses only to Bubien.
Still Attendant Convicts 2 Owners
Camden Courier-Post —
Saloonkeeper and Bottler, Found Guilty of Making Liquor
A Camden saloonkeeper and a Bottler were convicted yesterday in Federal Court here, of violating the prohibition laws. They were charged with manufacturing liquor.
They are John Bubien, 38, of Liberty street and Mt. Ephraim Avenue, proprietor of a saloon at 1219 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, and Anthony Dolinski, bottler, of 1166 Mechanic Street.
Reports that Dolinski is head of the Liberty Bottling Company were denied yesterday by Teofil Knast, president of that company. Dolinski, is not affiliated with the Liberty company in any way, Knast said.
The government’s principal witness was Harry Benzuk, who was arrested last September [error—Actual date November 1931 —pmc] during a federal raid with Alek Slusaruk at 3215 Alabama Road. Benzuk has been in jail in default of bail since the raid on a charge of transportation of liquor.
Bubien on the stand denied he had anything to do with a still in the Fairview house. He testified he bought liquor from Benzuk and sold it in his saloon. He accused Benzuk of threatening to “get him” when he refused to buy any more liquor from him. He declared Benzuk accused him of luring federal agents to the Alabama road house.
When Bubien accused Benzuk of threatening him the latter, arose in the courtroom and asked Judge John Boyd Avis, permission be deny the charge. The judge frowned at him.
Benzuk testified that Bubien and Dolinski paid him $50 weekly to operate the still. He declared Bubien bought the still in Philadelphia and erected it. He said Bubien still has two copper kettles from the plant in his cellar.
The jury deliberated three hours.
They will be sentenced Friday.
Car Seizure Notice
Camden Courier-Post —
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, for the District of New Jersey. United States of America vs. Chevrolet Sedan, Motor 4608731, Ser. 2AB 68059, Lic. NJ C-18658, H08731, Benzuk, Case 12980 (Misc. 4605). In obedience to a Monition of Seizure to me directed in the above-entitled cause, I have seized and taken into my possession the following-described Chevrolet Sedan, Motor 4608731, Ser. 2 AB 68059 Lic. NJ C 18658. For the causes set forth in the Monition now pending in the U. S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, at Trenton, I hereby give notice to all persons claiming the said described Chevrolet Sedan, Motor 4608731, etc., or knowing or having anything to say why the same should not be condemned and forfeited, and the proceeds thereof distributed according to the prayer of the Monition, that they be and appear before the said Court, to be held in and for the District of New Jersey, at the United States Court Room, in the City of Trenton, on the 21st day of July, 1933, at 10.00 o’clock on the forenoon of that day. If the same shall be a day of jurisdiction, otherwise on the next day of jurisdiction thereafter, then and there to interpose a claim for the same, and to make their allegations in that behalf. F. C. SCHNEIDER, U. S. Marshal District of New Jersey.
Murder Charged in Mellniak Death
Camden Daily Courier —
MURDER CHARGED IN MELLNIAK DEATH
Police Claim Confession From Harry Benzuk; First Story Here Upset
A South Camden man was under arrest last night charged with murder in the death Monday of Michael Mellniak, 48, former prosperous Eighth Ward saloonkeeper.
Mellniak died, police said, following injuries suffered in a drunken brawl at a South Camden home where all residents were being cared for by the emergency relief.
Police did not disclose where the liquor had been obtained for the “party.”
Charged with the crime is Harry Benzuk, 34, at whose home, 699 Van Hook stret, the brawl occurred.
(Detective Benjamin Simon,) who with Detective Clifford Deh Rossi, investigated the case, said late last night that Benzuk confessed punching Meliniak, knocking him to the floor and kicking him in the head.
First Story Upset
Mellniak boarded at the Benzuk home. He was found on the kitchen floor there early Monday and died six hours later in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital without regaining consciousness.
Benzuk and his wife, Mary, 32, told police they had found the former saloonkeeper, who was penniless at death, on the floor upon their return to their home after a round of drinking excursions into various downtown cafes.
They said they believed he had fallen down the stairs, but police discarded this theory. The stairs are in another room.
Benzuk was taken into custody for questioning, while police checked his story.
Last night, after several hours grilling by Police Chief John W. Golden, County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran, Simon and Del Rossi, Benzuk is said to have admitted the fight and resultant injuries to Mellniak.
Boy 8, Questioned
According to Simon, Benzuk said he had been drinking quite a bit and went into his living room to lay down on the couch there. He said Mellniak followed him and sat on his stomach. An argument resulted, with the men pushing each other until they were in the kitchen.
There Benzuk struck the blow which sent Mellniak to the floor.
Mrs. Frances Kalminska, 60, mother of Mrs. Benzuk; Alenander Benzuk, 8; Peter Klemichuc, 52, of 1929 South Sixth street, and Miner Schmuchuk, of 1901 Filmore street, along with the wife, Mary, were held as material witnesses. All were eyewitnesses to the crime, police said.
Meliniak formerly owned a saloon and was prosperous. Friends said he had met with reverses and was practically penniless at the time of his death.
Police last night were endeavoring to locate a daughter, who is said to be living in Camden. His wife is dead.
Police further learned that Meliniak conducted a saloon at Broadway and Jefferson avenue until eight years ago. Then he was engaged in the grocery business at Ninth street and Wcland avenue. He was purchasing this property but lost it at a foreclosure sale last year, police said. The man was living on a city order at the time of his death.
Benzuk has also been unemployed two years and his family is on the relief, police learned.
Benzuk Denied Bail for Fatal Brawl
Camden Courier-Post —
Accused Slayer
HARRY BENZUK
Held without bail yesterday on a manslaughter charge in connection with the death Monday of Michael Mellniak, former saloonkeeper. Police declare Benzuk has confessed the slaying.
BENZUK DENIED BAIL FOR FATAL BRAWL
Confessed Attacker of Mellniak Held for Jury on Manslaughter Charge
Harry Benzuk, 38, of 699 Van Hook street, was held without bail yesterday when arraigned in Camden police court on a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of Michael Mellniak, former Eighth Ward saloonkeeper.
Benzuk, with whom Mellniak boarded, confessed he beat Mellniak during a drunken brawl at his home early Monday, according to the testimony in police court by Detectives Benjamin Simon and Clifford Del Rossi.
The accused man made no reply when Judge Pancoast asked him how he wanted to plead. A short time later he was led back to a cell to await grand jury action.
Mellniak died in the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital, six hours after Benzuk told police he found him, unconscious, on his kitchen floor.
Slayer Is Sentenced
Camden Courier-Post —
SLAYER IS SENTENCED
Pleading non vult to a charge of manslaughter in the death of a former South Camden saloonkeeper, Harry Benzuk, 34, of 699 Van Hook street, was sentenced to 15 months to three years in state prison by Judge Samuel H. Shay in criminal court yesterday.
Benzuk was arrested after Michael Mellniak, 48, a boarder at his home, died in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital October 9, six hours after a beating administered by Benzuk, according to the police.
The police questioned Benzuk for several hours and he confessed there had been a drunken fight. He had first told detectives that Mellniak was injured in falling downstairs.
Five Murderers Freed As N.J. Pardon Board Issues 253 Paroles
Camden Courier-Post —
Five Murderers Freed As N.J. Pardon Board Issues 253 Paroles
George E. Dobson, Two Other Camden Slayers, Granted Clemency; Score Convicted of Manslaughter to Leave Prison
Trenton, Nov. 26.—Thanksgiving presents of paroles or pardons were ordered today for 253 prisoners in state penitentiaries by the State Board of Pardons.
Included in the dispensation of clemency were five men convicted of murder and approximately a score convicted of manslaughter.
One Camden county murderer was ordered paroled, on condition that he is deported to Canada. He is George E. Dobson, imprisoned for life in 1922, for the murder of his common law wife, Isabella, September 8, 1921, at Runnemede.
Two other Camden slayers, recently convicted of manslaughter, were ordered freed.
The woman was beaten to death by Dobson, who battered her head
(Continued on Page Seventeen)
with a fence rail after having tied her by her hair to a doorknob. After the murder, he took their two children and fled to Canada. He was captured, brought back to Camden for trial and sentenced.
His application for pardon was his third since his commitment. On his two previous applications, former Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin opposed his plea for clemency, holding him to be a brute deserving his full sentence.
Baldwin charged, at the time of his last application, that his brutality was responsible for his lawful wife being in an insane asylum at the time the common law wife was slain.
On each of his previous applications, Dobson promised that he would return to Canada and “never harm a soul in the United States” if given his liberty.
The other Camden slayers ordered freed are: Harry Benzuk, who entered the state prison last January, and Guilio Marcozzi, who was sentenced to serve three to five years December 30, 1933.
Benzuk, 34, pleaded non vult to a charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of Michael Meliniak, 48, a boarder in the Benzuk home at 699 Van Hook street. Meliniak died in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital October 9, 1933, six hours after he had received a beating from Benzuk during a drunken brawl. Benzuk was sentenced to serve 13 months to three years by Judge Samuel M. Shay.
Marcozzi, 55, admitted that he struck his wife on the arm with a bottle in an argument about some fish. Marcozzi said he did not like fish around his home, 321 Pine street.
Mrs. Philomena Marcozzi’s arm was so badly cut when the bottle broke, that she died of loss of blood a few hours after receiving the gash. Her death occurred June 26, 1933.
Mrs. Marcozzi instructed her two children to tell police she stepped on a bottle while descending the cellar stairs, fell, broke the bottle and cut her arm in that manner. She told police the same story, and her children and neighbors corroborated it.
Detective Fiore Troncone, of Camden, however, doubted the story because of the absence of bruises and other evidences of a fall.
Under grilling, Marcozzi admitted he was responsible. He said he picked up a bottle and threatened to hit his wife, that she threw up her right arm, struck the bottle, causing it to break, and received her injuries in that manner.
Marcozzi was sentenced September 25, 1933.
Another South Jersey murderer given freedom is Luigi Di Matteo, alias Louis Moto, of Bridgeton. He was sentenced to serve 30 years for the murder of his brother-in-law in a drunken brawl at Bridgeton in 1926. His conviction was in the second degree, and was based largely on circumstantial evidence.
Prosecutor Thomas G. Tuso, of Cumberland county, recommended a pardon for Moto, and the late Col. Edward B. Stone, warden, for whom Moto acted as cook for several years, also recommended him highly for pardon.
Other men convicted on murder charges and given freedom were James Bell, serving ten years from Essex county; Paul Capiello, serving a life term from Essex county; and Ottario Sparacio, serving life from Sussex county, for participation in a slaying which occurred during the hold-up of a silk truck.
In all, 620 applications for paroles or pardon were considered by the board, it was announced.
Benzuk Bootlegging Trial
Camden Courier-Post —
Driver Jailed as Drunk After Ramming 2 Cars
Camden Courier-Post —
DRIVER JAILED AS DRUNK AFTER RAMMING 2 CARS
An alleged drunken driver who crashed into two parked cars on Kaighn avenue near Haddon avenue will be given a police court hearing today.
According to Motorcycle Policeman Earl Stopfer and Gus Relhm, a car driven by Harry Benzuk, 38, of 646 Ferry avenue, struck the parked automobiles of Harry G. Foster, 58, of 644 Royden street, and Mary A. White, 40, of Vineland, yesterday.
Benzuk was arrested, examined by Police Surgeon Garnett P. Summerhill, and pronounced drunk, police said. He was held in default of $500 bail.
Three Held on Charge of Stealing Poultry
Camden Courier-Post —
THREE HELD ON CHARGE OF STEALING POULTRY
Williamstown, Dec. 24.—Charged with stealing chickens, geese and guinea hens valued at $100 from the farm of Mrs. Harry Brader, Black Horse pike near Grenloch, a Camden man and two others were held in $500 bail each for the grand jury by Justice of the Peace Albert Frederick, of Williamstown, tonight.
The accused are John Dziedzic, 41, of 1194 Atlantic avenue, Camden; Harry Benzuk, 41, of Creek road, Bellmawr, and Andrew Gebrulek, 50, of Marlton. They were arrested today by Trooper John Hannely, of the Berlin barracks. The fowl were stolen November 10.
Defendant Denies Taking Friend's $444
Camden Courier-Post —
DEFENDANT DENIES TAKING FRIEND’S $444
Harry Benzuk, 46, of Glover avenue, Mt. Ephraim, denied to Camden police yesterday he stole $444 from a friend of 20 years’ standing, but offered to give the friend $250 in defense bonds if the larceny charges were withdrawn.
Accusing Benzuk is Alex Slucareck, 59, of Mt. Ephraim avenue near the Camden Forge plant. He said Benzuk visited him on Feb. 14, grabbed the money from his hands and fled in an automobile. He could not report the theft sooner he said, because he was ill.
Benzuk was arrested Saturday night by Detectives Benjamin Simon and Harry Kyler. He will be arraigned in police court tomorrow.
Jury Convicts Man of Dump Robbery
Camden Courier-Post —
JURY CONVICTS MAN OF DUMP ROBBERY
Harry Benzuk, 46, of Mt. Ephraim, was convicted by a jury of six women and six men in the Camden Criminal Court yesterday on the charge of robbery. He was found guilty of robbing Alex Slucareck, 65, of $444.
Slucareck, who lives in a shack on a dump near Mt. Ephraim and Ferry avenues, charged that Benzuk came to his shack last Feb. 1, and took his life savings which he made as a scavenger on the dump.
It was testified that after taking the money Benzuk went to the Mt. Ephraim postoffice and bought two $200 defense bonds. Postmaster Beaston, of Mt. Ephraim, testified the bonds were purchased on Feb. 2, the day following the robbery. Slucareck testified that when he complained to Benzuk about the robbery, the latter offered him one of the bonds which he refused to accept.
Benzuk denied he took the money although he admitted visiting the complainant on the day of the robbery. Benzuk has a police record, it was revealed at the trial.
Check Forger Gets Suspended Sentence
Camden Courier-Post —
CHECK FORGER GETS SUSPENDED SENTENCE
Pleading guilty to forging two checks for $25 each, William D. Kech, 51, of 38 East Knight avenue, Collingswood, was given a one to two year suspended sentence and fined $50 yesterday by Judge Katzenbach in Camden criminal court.
Kech made restitution, the court was informed. Both checks were forged in the name of the defendant’s employer, Walter B. Gray, of 402 North Thirty-second street.
Harry Benzuk, of Mt. Ephraim, received a one to three year sentence in state prison after being convicted by a jury of stealing $444 from Alex Slucareck last February. Slucareck lives in a shanty near a junk yard on Mt. Ephraim avenue and the money represented his life savings.
Benzuk was charged with having invested $400 of the loot in war bonds and subsequently offering to return $250 of them to Slucareck.
82 N.J. Slayers Ask Paroles; 347 Other Convicts Make Bids
Camden Courier-Post —
82 N. J. SLAYERS ASK PAROLES; 347 OTHER CONVICTS MAKE BIDS
3 Camden County Lifers in Group; Applying to Board of Pardons
Trenton, Aug. 22.—The New Jersey Court of Pardons disclosed today that 82 persons convicted as murderers and serving terms in New Jersey penal institutions have applied for parole.
Their pleas for freedom, along with those of 347 men and women convicted of lesser crimes, will be considered by the court at its term next month. Three murderers from Camden county are among 23 from South Jersey seeking parole.
The three from Camden county are Isaac Bombskin, of Camden, sentenced July 28, 1938, for life; William Doughty, Delaware township, sentenced May 14, 1932, for life, and James Turner, of Camden, sentenced Nov. 20, 1935, for life.
Besides the three men convicted of murder, 24 others from Camden county, sentenced for other crimes, also are asking for parole. … Harry Benzuk, larceny and receiving stolen goods; Camden; sentenced May 25, 1942, one to two years. …
Harry Benzuk, Retired Farmer
Trenton Times —
Harry Benzuk, Retired Farmer
BORDENTOWN — Harry G. Benzuk, 75, of the Georgetown Road, here, died Saturday.
Born in Russia, he had resided in this area for 25 years and was a retired farmer.
He is survived by one son, Alexander Benzuk of Camden; one daughter, Mrs. Vera Stockton of Pemberton and three grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. from the Huber Funeral Home, 517 Farnsworth Avenue, here. The Rev. Charles R. Jackson will officiate with interment in Baptist Cemetery, Pemberton.
Friends may call Monday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Mrs. Frances Kaminska
Camden Courier-Post —
MRS. FRANCES KAMINSKA
Riverside, May 11 — Mrs. Frances K. Kaminska, 84, of Chester ave., died Sunday. Born in Lithuania, she lived in Camden many years before moving here. She was employed as a machine operator 40 years in the Cross Woolen Mills, Camden, until she retired in 1942.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Eva Rocanella, of Riverside, and Mrs. Mary Benzuk, of Bordentown; three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Friends and relatives will meet Thursday at 8:30 a. m. in the Charles T. Murray Funeral Home, 408 Cooper st., Camden. Requiem high Mass will be sung at 9 a. m. in St. George’s Church, 9th and Chelten ave. There will be a viewing in the funeral home Wednesday night. Burial will be in New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.