Introduction
RICHARD J. “HARRY” CURTIS was born in the state of New York in December of 1851, according to the 1900 Census. He started going by the nickname “Harry” after moving to Camden in the early 1880s.
Harry Curtis was living in Pennsylvania in the mid-1870s, marrying his wife Selana, in 1877. When the census was taken in 1880 the Curtis family, which included daughters Elizabeth and Nellie, was living in Montoursville, Pennsylvania. Harry Curtis worked in a sawmill at the time of the Census. The family came to Camden in the early 1880s. He appears in the 1881–1882 City Directory at 122 Federal Street, working as a teamster. By the following year he had moved to 904 Howard Street in Camden's First Ward. Harry Curtis was then working as a teamster for William A. French & Company, a builder's supply firm then located at North 3rd and Vine streets. Around this time Harry Curtis made the acquaintance of another relative newcomer to Camden, Thomas A. Walton, who lived nearby at 225 Bailey Street. Both men became involved as Republicans in local politics, served briefly with Camden's Fire and Police Departments, and then went to work as detectives for the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Harry Curtis and family stayed at 904 Howard Street through at least 1885. A third daughter, Laura, was born in 1884. In August of 1886, Harry Curtis was appointed to the Camden Fire Department as a replacement for Thomas A. Walton, who had been appointed to the Camden Police Department.
When the next City Directory was published, the 1887–1888 edition, Harry Curtis and family had moved into Thomas Walton's former home at 225 Bailey Street, where they remained through 1888. Harry Curtis served with the Fire Department into January of 1889.
The 1890 Camden City Directory shows that Harry Curtis had by then been appointed to the Camden Police Department. He was living at 905 North 3rd Street, where he remained until 1894 when he moved to 907 North 3rd Street. The Curtis family moved to 203 York Street prior to the compilation of the 1897 Camden City Directory. They remained at this address into 1900. When the census was taken that year, Harry Curtis was living at 203 York Street with his wife and three daughters, Elizabeth, Nellie, and Laura.
In May of 1899, Harry Curtis again followed his friend, Thomas A. Walton, in a job. He resigned from the Camden Police Department to take a position as a special officer with the Pennsylvania Railroad, which had been made open when Walton was moved to another post. When Thomas A. Walton passed away in February of 1905, Harry Curtis succeeded him once again, being promoted to Detective of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
The 1906 Camden City Directory shows Harry Curtis and family at 604 North 2nd Street. He moved around North Camden in the ensuing years. His address was 217 Elm Street in 1910, 219 Pearl Street in 1914, 511 Elm Street in 1918, and 430 Grant Street in 1924.
By the time the 1929 Camden City Directory was compiled, Harry Curtis had passed away. His widow was then living at 622 State Street, with her daughter Nellie Koelle and her husband Frederick.
(news brief — Harry Curtis appointed fireman)
Philadelphia Inquirer —
(news brief — Harry Curtis appointed fireman)
At a meeting of the Fire Commission last night Harry Curtis, of the First ward, and Charles Todd, of the Fourth ward, were elected regular firemen in the places of Charles Walton and Isaac Schreives, recently appointed on the police force. Isaac Lovett was elected an extra man in the department.
At a meeting of the Fire Commission last night Harry Curtis, of the First ward, and Charles Todd, of the Fourth ward, were elected regular firemen in the places of Charles Walton and Isaac Schreives, recently appointed on the police force. Isaac Lovett was elected an extra man in the department.
He Announces the Names
Camden Daily Telegram —
The Mayor Appoints the New Force To-day.
MANY OLD OFFICERS TAKEN BACK.
Some Surprise Manifested at the Mayor's Appointment of Dodd Instead of Jones — This Afternoon All the Names Will be Announced.
Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Dr. J. S. Baer has returned from a two months' trip to Oregon.
Mrs. John Bassett, of Norfolk, Va., is visiting relatives in this city.
Comptroller Hollingshed and family have returned from Cape May.
Lawyer Wartman has returned after a two weeks' gunning trip through Canada.
Miss L. Kimble, of North Fifth street, is spending a ten-day sojourn at Newport, Pa.
Miss Burnice Bacon, of North Fourth street, has come home after a pleasant stay at Seaville.
Mr. Wolf and family, of North Camden, have returned home after a three months' stay at Pitman Grove.
Mayor Westcott has brought his family to the city from Brown's Mills.
Howard Butcher is again on duty after his summer vacation.
The family of ex-Sheriff David Baird have returned from Cape May, where they have been summering.
Police Officer Harry Curtis, of the First ward, enjoyed his week's outing in Atlantic City.
Here's Camden's Finest, With Whiskers, in 1898
Camden Courier-Post —
Reading from left to right, those in the picture are: First row, William A. Schregler, Rox Comley, Jules Bosch, Lieutenant John Foster, Chief Samuel Dodd, Lieutenant H. Frank Pettit, Edward Hartman and Charles Wilbur. Second row, Thomas Brothers, Ralph Bond, John Dall, George Kappell, Silas Sage, Edward S. Hyde, George Selby and E. B. McClong. Third row, Edward Powell, John Sinclair, William Laird, Benjamin Middleton, Alfred L. Sayers, John Anderson, William Butts, John Painter and Frank Matlack. Fourth row, Thomas Hicks, Alfred Haydon, Abe Jackson, Albert Shaw, Edward Steen and Samuel Bakely. Fifth row, Caleb Williams, E. A. Gravenor, Thomas Buchanan, Samuel Cox, George Horner, Godfrey Eisenhardt, Harry Curtis and John Barnett. Sixth row, Casper Hart, Charles Fitzsimmons, A. Lincoln James, Oscar Weaver, Charles Ridgely, William Fish and George Cooper.
The Recorder's Court
Camden Daily Courier —
He Metes Out Justice to a Number of Violators of the Law.
The Recorder this morning had a miscellaneous crowd before him.
Archie Robinson, recently from Philadelphia, was charged by his wife, Wilhelmina Robinson, with disorderly conduct while drunk. She said he choked her and slapped her little daughter in the face. Archie was before the Recorder a couple of weeks ago, when sentence was suspended. This time he drew twenty days.
William Dugan, of Philadelphia, came to Camden yesterday with a bottle, from which he drank so much that he fell into the hands of Officer Roche. As he had never been arrested before he was allowed to go.
Henry Johnson, said he was from Chicago on his way to New York and stopped over to see a daughter at Collingswood. He drank too much, and as he had considerable money on him Officer Butts sent him in. As he was new in Camden he was also allowed to go.
Katie Green was found by Officer Weaver, lying on a lot on Division street, unable to take care of herself. She was sent to the hall. She told the Recorder she was going to Scotland in four weeks, so his honor gave her thirty days to keep her out of bad company until she was ready to sail.
George Ritter, living on Haddon avenue, was picked up by Officer John Miller in the lower part of the Fourth ward. He said he had money to burn and the officer sent him to the hall to get matches. This morning he wasn't so free with his cash and sentence was suspended.
Harry Watson and Alfred Porter were arrested by Policeman Curtis for disorderly conduct at Cooper's Point. Each drew ten days.
Knight Wood, of Philadelphia, for indecent conduct on a Kaighn avenue ferry boat, was sent to the hall by Special Officer Knox. He will stop in Camden jail for ten days.
(news brief — Harry Curtis)
Philadelphia Inquirer —
(news brief — Harry Curtis)
Policeman Harry Curtis, of the First ward, has resigned to accept a position as special officer at the Federal street depot of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He will succeed Detective Thomas Walton, who has been assigned to duty at the ferries on the Philadelphia side.
Policeman Harry Curtis, of the First ward, has resigned to accept a position as special officer at the Federal street depot of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He will succeed Detective Thomas Walton, who has been assigned to duty at the ferries on the Philadelphia side.
(news brief — Harry Curtis, Pennsylvania Railroad)
Philadelphia Inquirer —
(news brief — Harry Curtis, Pennsylvania Railroad)
Detective Harry Curtis, of the Pennsylvania Railroad, has been doing good work ridding South Jersey of tramps who had been stealing freight from West Jersey and Seashore Railroad trains.
Detective Harry Curtis, of the Pennsylvania Railroad, has been doing good work ridding South Jersey of tramps who had been stealing freight from West Jersey and Seashore Railroad trains.
Camden Police on the Watch
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Railroad Men Still Hold to Theory That It Was the Work of Tramps
The officials of the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad Company, in Camden, were without a clue yesterday to the miscreants who attempted to wreck a train containing 200 passengers on the meadows near Atlantic City, on Friday night. Special Detective Harry Curtis said he was of the opinion that the obstructions were placed on the track by tramps, who sought revenge for their ejection from a freight train. He did not believe that robbery was the motive for the attempted wreck, inasmuch as the meadow affords no opportunity for men to hide themselves, except, perhaps, behind some of the advertising signs near the track. Mr. Curtis thought it likely that the tramps had placed the loose ties on the track, and then walked to Atlantic City.
Chief of Police John Foster, of Camden, expressed a similar view, while other officials of the police force expressed wonder over the failure of the train crew to organize a posse to search, with lighted lanterns, every spot along the embankment where men might possibly lie concealed, and to look for footprints in the mud.
Still No Clue to Bandits
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Police Unable to Catch Up to Desperadoes Who Invaded Camden
The Camden police are still running out clues that might lead to the detection of the band of robbers that terrorized Pavonia early last Saturday morning. Nothing of any consequence had developed up to a late hour last night. Harry Curtis, detective of the Pennsylvania Railroad, was detailed yesterday to look over the score or so of suspects that have been arrested in various parts of New Jersey.
The recent visit of the bandits has caused such alarm among residents of Pavonia that Mayor Nowrey has appointed Jacob Handley a special officer to patrol the lonely streets at night. Business people who petitioned the Mayor have promised to foot the bill.
Man and Wife Under Arrest
Philadelphia Inquirer —
On a dispatch from Chief of Police George Senft, of Egg Harbor City, Detective Harry Curtis, of the Pennsylvania Railroad force, arrested Edward and Mary Sanderman, man and wife, in the Camden terminal yesterday as they were about to board a train for Salem. Senft appeared before Recorder Stackhouse with a warrant charging them with the larceny of a watch and clothing belonging to a farmer named Jacob Loux, living near Egg Harbor. The prisoners were turned over to Senft and he took them back to Egg Harbor for a hearing.
Motive for Attempt to Wreck Train
Philadelphia Inquirer —
May Be Work of Someone Disappointed in Suit Against Railroad for Damages
WOODBURY, N. J., Nov. 12.—After an all-day search, Harry Curtis, detective for the Pennsylvania Railroad, who was investigating the attempt to wreck the north-bound Cape May express, near Woodbury Heights, last night, returned to Camden to-night without having solved the mystery.
Detective Curtis said “I believe it to be the work of some one actuated by revenge, the motive being disappointment in a law suit for damages. I did not get the slightest clue to the perpetrator. The work was evidently done by one man. The tie was the smallest one in the pile from which it was taken. The two other pieces of lumber could have easily been handled by one man.
“The tie and pieces of lumber placed on the track were not fastened or wedged in any manner and could not have wrecked the train.”
The woods were searched by a posse. The investigation will be continued so long as there is a chance of solving the mystery. If anyone is suspected it is alone on the part of the railroad people.
When the locomotive first struck the planks the train hands thought the engine had “lifted” them from a small crossing a few hundred yards below, but the few planks that comprise that crossing were intact this morning.
The theory that it might have been the purpose to wreck the pay train is exploded in the minds of many by the fact that this would not have been a suitable place, being near the junction of three roads, and within a few hundred feet of a tower, where a telegraph operator is on duty day and night.
The fact that it was the same train that killed Mrs. Mary E. Pancoast, last Monday evening, as she was on her way home in Woodbury Heights, is looked upon as merely coincident.
Two Hurled to Death in Wild Crash of Auto
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Horror Stricken Occupants of Touring Car Thrown Thirty Feet From Bridge
STEERING GEAR BROKEN; BIG MACHINE SKIDDED
Neil Wolf and Miss Marie Hamill, of Germantown, Lose Their Lives Near Atco, N. J.
ATCO, N. J., Sept. 5.—Standing upright on the rear seats of a large touring car with horror-stricken faces, Neil Wolf, 35 years of age, and Miss Marie Hamill, 25 years of age, both of Germantown, Pa., were hurled thirty feet to their death on the tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad from the platform of Hays' Bridge, two miles below this town, at 2 o'clock this afternoon, when the automobile in which they were riding became unmanageable and skidded over the bridge, crashed into the railing and precipitated the occupants to the ground.
F. G. Plummer, the chauffeur, who was employed by a Philadelphia automobile company, held firmly to the steering wheel and escaped without any injury whatever.
Miss Hamill's death was instantaneous and Wolf died before physicians arrived from Berlin, N. J., from whence they were summoned immediately after the accident.
Soon after the fatal accident Plummer, the chauffeur, gave his version of the accident to an Inquirer correspondent. He was bringing Wolf and Miss Hamill to Philadelphia and his passengers desired to reach the city quickly. They had been spending their vacations at Atlantic City. The automobile was a large touring car with a capacity for high speed.
The Chauffeur's Story
After leaving the seashore Plummer sped the machine along the Jersey road at a lively clip. There was nothing to indicate that the machine was out of order until the party were about two and a half miles below Atco.
Plummer says that he then noticed that the steering apparatus worked rather stiffly. Little was thought of that, however, although Plummer declares he cut off the speed to ten miles an hour.
Reaching a turn in the road where the bridge crosses the railroad tracks, in consequence causing a slight elevation, the chauffeur let the car go to get over it safely.
When he endeavored to turn the car about he was horrified to find that the steering apparatus would not respond to his frantic efforts to swerve the machine into the centre of the road. So rapidly was the auto moving he had no time to apply the brakes, although he declares he slowed down to about a five-mile rate.
Wild Death Ride
After leaving the elevation the machine, with tremendous momentum, raced on the bridge. Plummer was frantically endeavoring to turn the steering gear. Still it stuck as though locked.
Terror stricken, Wolf and Miss Hamill, who were in the two rear seats of the machine, then realized their danger. Rising in their seats they excitedly directed Plummer to turn out.
Hardly had they had time to speak when the big machine “skidded” across the plankings of the bridge. The next moment it plunged into the stout guard rail with a tremendous impact.
Both Wolf and Miss Hamill were thrown out as though hurled by a catapult. Their bodies arose above the railing and described an arc before they plunged thirty feet to the tracks below.
Death Nearly Instantaneous
Plummer, who was uninjured, had in the meantime applied the brakes, immediately went to the aid of the man and woman. He found both lying motionless, Miss Hamill quite dead, while Wolf was still breathing.
Physicians were summoned from Berlin, N. J., but before their arrival Wolf died. His body was taken to the undertaking establishment of H. R. Henry, at Berlin. He took charge of the remains until this morning, when they will be removed to Wolf's late home.
The body of Miss Hamill was placed on a train and taken to the terminal in Camden. Undertaker Fithian Simmons subsequently took charge of it until tomorrow morning.
Coroner Stemm, of Berlin, viewed the bodies and gave a certificate of accidental death.
Plummer accompanied Miss Hamill's body to Camden. When he reached the latter city he was placed under the surveillance of Detective Harry Curtis. Prosecutor Lloyd subsequently ordered his release, deciding the affair to be purely accidental.
(news brief — Bessie Willmeyer rescued)
Philadelphia Inquirer —
(news brief — Bessie Willmeyer rescued)
Jumping from a rapidly moving trolley car at Fifth and Federal streets, Camden, Bessie Willmeyer, 10 years old, of 1105 Fillmore street, was severely injured yesterday. The child was picked up unconscious by Detective Harry Curtis, of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and taken to the office of a physician. The girl's body was badly bruised and her head and face lacerated.
Jumping from a rapidly moving trolley car at Fifth and Federal streets, Camden, Bessie Willmeyer, 10 years old, of 1705 Fillmore street, was severely injured yesterday. The child was picked up unconscious by Detective Harry Curtis, of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and taken to the office of a physician. The girl's body was badly bruised and her head and face lacerated.