Herbert Hibbs
HERBERT “BERT” HIBBS was born in Langhorne, Pennsylvania on October 23, 1879. He was the son of Isaac J. Hibbs and his wife, the former Margaret Malseed.
When the census was taken in 1880, Isaac Hibbs was living in Langhorne PA with his wife Margaret and five children, Wesley, Mary, Katie, Harry, and Herbert, ranging in ages from 14 years to 8 months. Although Isaac Hibbs, like his father, often worked as a carpenter, in 1880 he was employed as a cigar maker. Returning to work as a carpenter, Isaac Hibbs moved to Camden during the 1890s, working for most of the rest of the decade in the cigar business, as did his children.
In Howe’s City Directories for 1894–1895 Isaac Hibbs is in the cigar business at 806 Walnut Street, along with his son Harry. Brother Wesley had gone into the cigar business at 453 Kaighn Avenue. The 1895–1896 Directory shows Wesley and Herbert at 1144 Broadway. Isaac Hibbs and his wife, son Harry and daughter Kate were still at 806 Walnut Street when this Directory was compiled.
The 1896 City Directory shows Wesley Hibbs at 441 Kaighn Avenue, where he had established a cigar store, selling the cigars his family manufactured, among them the “Hibbs Special.” Wesley Hibbs remained at this address through 1898. The 1896 Directory shows that Isaac Hibbs had gone into the saloon business at 1057 Kaighn Avenue, a venture that did not last, as he had moved the following year. The 1896 Directory shows children Katie, Harry, and Herbert, also known as Burt, living at 1057 Kaighn Avenue and working as cigarmakers, presumably for their older brother.
The 1897 Camden City Directory lists Isaac, Harry, and Herbert Hibbs at 1162 Mt. Vernon Street, making cigars. 1898 shows Herbert living with his brother Wesley at 441 Kaighn Avenue, while Isaac and Harry Hibbs had moved to 1419 South 10th Street. Sadly, Harry V. Hibbs died on December 12, 1898, aged 22 years and 8 months.
The 1899 edition states that Isaac Hibbs and Herbert Hibbs were once again together, this time at 1419 South 10th Street, while Wesley Hibbs had moved his home and business to 1144 Broadway, where he had been a few years before. Wesley Hibbs remained there for a number of years thereafter. By 1906 he had moved to 1146 Broadway and had gone into the stationary business.
When the census was taken in 1900 Isaac Hibbs was living at 913 South 8th Street with his wife Maggie and youngest son Herbert. He was working as a carpenter, Herbert was still making cigars. This would be Isaac Hibbs’ address through at least 1913. The Census indicates that the Margaret Hibbs had bore seven children, only three of whom were living at the time, Katie Hibbs, who had married Benjamin Terry, Wesley Hibbs and Herbert Hibbs.
Herbert Hibbs married sometime after the 1900 census. He was living at 759 Chestnut Street and working as a bartender in 1905.
On November 27, 1907 Herbert Hibbs was appointed to the Camden Fire Department, along with Newton Ash, John H. Lennox, Ephraim Hires, Gardner Corson, and Charles Schultz. Herbert Hibbs lived at 738 Mt. Vernon Street when the Census was taken in 1910. He was murdered in December of 1910. Most sources record the date as December 24th. One account, however, records his slaying as having occurred after midnight, thus the date would be the December 25th, Christmas Day.
The Camden Post-Telegram gave the account below of the death of Herbert Hibbs six years after the event, when reporting on the murder of Hibbs’ father, Isaac Hibbs.
Bert Hibbs, a city fireman and a son of the slain jailor, was murdered early Sunday morning, December 25, 1910 when his throat was cut by Clement Ridgway, a negro, aged 22 years, of Seventh and Sycamore Streets. It was about 12:20 on Christmas morning that Hibbs while crossing the lots at Seventh and Sycamore was accosted by Ridgeway, who wanted to shake hands with Hibbs. The latter refused, a quarrel ensued and Ridgeway whipped out a razor and slashed Hibbs across the throat with such violence that his head was nearly severed. Hibbs died while on the way to the hospital. Ridgway was arrested after a battle by Detectives Schregler, Painter and Brothers and several officers at his home, 1207 Lilly Row.
Indicted for murder Ridgway pleaded non vult. On April 24, 1911, to a charge of murder in the second degree, he was sentenced to 25 years in state Prison at hard labor.
Herbert Hibbs was survived by his parents, brother and sister, his then-pregnant wife Ella and three children, William, Isaac, and Margaret. A fourth child, a son named Herbert Jr. after his father, was born in February of 1911. Mrs. Hibbs eventually remarried.
After the death of Herbert Hibbs, his father, Isaac Hibbs secured a position as a guard at the Camden County Jail. He was killed in the line of duty during a jailbreak, on July 17, 1916. His killer, Wilson Ashbridge, already awaiting execution for a previous murder, was soon recaptured, tried and executed.
Clement Ridgway was still imprisoned in January of 1920. He does not appear in the 1930 Census. He may have been paroled, however it is equally likely that he died in prison.
HIBBS — Harry V. Hibbs
Philadelphia Inquirer —
HIBBS.—On December 12, Harry V., son of Isaac J. and Maggie A. Hibbs, aged 22 years 8 months. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Thursday, 15th instant, at 7 o’clock A. M., from his parents’ residence, 1419 South Tenth street, Camden, N. J. Remains can be viewed on Wednesday evening, between 7 and 9 o’clock P. M. Interment at Langhorne, Pa. Take 11.32 A. M. train. Reading Terminal. Services at the Friends’ Meeting House, at Langhorne, at 1 o’clock.
Fire and Police Forces Increased
Philadelphia Inquirer —
New Men to Be Added to Each Department in Camden—Move Against the “Pennsy”
At last night’s meeting of Camden City Council the police force was increased to 130 men, as follows: 1 chief, 2 captains, 2 house captains, 9 sergeants, 4 detectives, 10 patrol crew, 101 policemen, an increase of 25 men. By ordinance the following new firemen were appointed: Ephraim T. Hires, First ward; Charles Schultz, Second ward; Gardner Corson, Fourth ward; Gilbert Hibbs, Seventh ward; John H. Lennox, Ninth ward; Newton Ash, Tenth ward. Dr. A. Haines Lippincott was appointed police surgeon by Mayor Charles H. Ellis.
Resolutions of sympathy on the illness of Councilman Besser were expressed in a rising vote. The ordinance which provided for an increase of salary of every city official was not introduced. The highest increase was $1000 for the Mayor and the lowest $300 for a clerkship.
A resolution was adopted that a committee of five be appointed to appear before the State Railroad Commission in company with City Counsel Bleakly, when argument is heard relative to the re-establishment of Haddon Avenue Station; ordering City Counsel Bleakly to report on the ownership of the foot of Arch street, and if the Pennsylvania Railroad Company is unlawfully occupying the street ends to take steps to collect rentals, both current and in arrears; inviting the officials of the new Terminal Company to appear and present the plans for the new Camden terminal.
Bitten by Fire Horse
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Fireman Albert Hibbs, connected with Kaighn Truck Company (Ladder Company 2), has a bad case of blood poisoning as a result of being bitten by one of the fire horses.
White Peacemaker Brutally Killed By Negro Combatant
Charlotte Observer —
Camden, N. J., Dec. 25.—Albert Hibbs, a white man, aged 30 years, was murdered today while returning to his home on South Eighth street. Hibbs saw two negroes fighting and attempted to separate them. The larger of the fighters threw Hibbs to the pavement and drawing a razor almost severed his head, killing him instantly. Clement Ridgeway, who lives in a negro settlement in South Camden, was arrested on suspicion of knowing something about the murder.
Peacemaker is Slain
Cleveland Plain Dealer —
CAMDEN, N. J., Dec. 25.—Albert Hibbs, a white man aged 30 years, was murdered today while returning to his home here. He saw two negroes fighting, and attempted to separate them. The larger of the two threw Hibbs to the pavement, and drawing a razor almost decapitated him. Clement Ridgeway, who lives in a negro settlement in South Camden, was arrested on suspicion.
Funeral of Bert Hibbs
Camden Post-Telegram —
Samuel Price, Charles H. Fitzsimmons, Jr., Morton Clark and John McTaggart, of the Kaighn avenue fire house, were pallbearers at the funeral of Bert Hibbs, who was killed by a negro at Seventh and Sycamore streets, early Sunday morning. Interment was made in the Friends Cemetery, Langhorne, Pa.
Before Grand Jury in Camden Today
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Men “Higher Up” Will Likely Be Called Up Regarding Frauds at the Recent Election
Most anyone who amounts to anything in Camden’s political field will be in waiting on the grand jury today. Half a hundred of the powers that be and the lesser lights of both parties have been summoned, especially the members of the county executive committees. It is said the inquisitors, who are apparently making an endless probe into political conditions, want to know all about the respective funds, how they are raised, where the money goes and the like.
Far from losing interest, the jurors are just beginning to liven up, it is said, with the result that little or nothing will escape them. Yesterday they had several witnesses from the Fourth ward, the second time these individuals have been summoned within as many weeks. Witnesses were also examined in the case of Clement Ridgway, the negro who is alleged to have murdered Herbert Hibbs, a former city fireman.
Fireman Slayer Sentenced
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Negro Goes to State Prison for Twenty-five Years
Clem Ridgway, the negro who slashed to death former City Fireman Herbert Hibbs early last Christmas morning, was sentenced to twenty-five years in State Prison by Supreme Court Justice Garrison in Camden yesterday. He entered a plea of non vult.
The tragedy occurred while Hibbs was on his way home with some presents for his children. There was a fracas at Seventh and Baxter streets while Hibbs was passing. He tried to pacify the disputants, but his efforts resulted in him being nearly decapitated by Ridgway, who used a knife. With his presents clutched in his arms, Hibbs sank to the pavement, dead.
Twenty-five Years, in Luck
Philadelphia Inquirer —
When Special Deputy Sheriff Marter returned to Camden yesterday after taking Clemy Ridgway to Trenton to serve twenty-five years for fatally slashing former City Fireman Herbert Hibbs, he stated that the negro had expressed his regrets for his offense. Ridgway, who is well connected, having a brother a physician in New York, declared he recalled nothing about the tragedy and that no one regretted his act more than he. “I certainly was lucky to get off with this sentence,” said Ridgway.