Isaac C. Toone
ISAAC C. TOONE founded the Toone & Hollinshed department store which stood for well over 20 years at the northwest corner of Broadway and Kaighn Avenue. He was born about 1842 to Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Toone in Pennsylvania. His father was a merchant. Isaac Toone served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
Charles Hollinshed had established a dry goods store and notions store at Broadway and Kaighn Avenue by 1865, with a residence at 455 Kaighn Avenue. When he died in 1877, Isaac C. Toone succeeded him in business at that location. Isaac Toone had married Annie Hollinshed, daughter of Camden merchant Henry Hollinshed Sr. At the time of the 1880 census the Toone family lived at 463 Kaighn Avenue in Camden. At home at the time were wife Annie, son Jonathan, and daughters Laura and Florence. By 1883 he had moved his family to 554 Benson Street, where he resided as late as 1907. He also had taken on his brother-in-law, Thomas Hollinshed, as a partner, and together they owned the Toone & Hollinshed department store, selling “dry goods, carpets, hats, caps, clothing and boots and shoes.”
Isaac C. Toone was one of the founders of the Camden National Bank, which over time evolved into the First Camden National Bank & Trust. He also was elected to serve on Camden’s Board of Education in the 1880s as a Republican from the Fourth Ward.
Isaac C. Toone was friendly with City Engineer Levi Farnham, who lived at 550 Benson Street. On June 18, 1903 the Camden Daily Courier reported “William C. Riggs and wife, then City Surveyor Levi Farnham and wife, Daniel Garwood and wife, Isaac C. Toone and wife and George E. Taylor and wife are a party of Camdenites enjoying the grocers’ excursion to Eaglesmere, Pa. They will be gone a few days.” He was also friendly with Alexander G. Cattell.
On August 24, 1905 Isaac C. Toone’s daughter Florence married H. Raymond Staley, a merchant who in the 1920s became one of Camden’s city commissioners. The then new Staley Park in South Camden was named in his honor in 1926.
The 1910 Census shows Isaac C. Toone residing at 310 North 6th Street. He passed away on June 23, 1910. He was survived by his wife Annie, and a son Howard, then living in Collingswood, who was managing the family business. He had been a member of Camden Lodge No. 15, Free & Accepted Masons; Camden Forest No. 5, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, the Scottish Rite Masons; and Thomas M.K. Lee Post No. 5, G.A.R. Isaac C. Toone had been a member of William B. Hatch Post No. 37, G.A.R. in the early and mid-1880s.
The Toone & Hollinshed department store was destroyed in a fire on December 14, 1921.
Private Percy Hollinshed, United States Marine Corps, was killed in action in France at the Battle of Belleau Wood on June 7, 1918.
William B. Hatch Post No. 37, G.A.R.
George Reeser Prowell, History of Camden County, N.J., 1886
WILLIAM B. HATCH POST No. 37, of Camden, was instituted and chartered November 25, 1879, with eighty-one members and the following named Post officers:
Post Commander, John E. Grubb; Senior Vice-Commander, Richard J. Robinson; Junior Vice-Commander, Daniel J. Fullen; Surgeon, Thomas G. Rowand, M.D.; Chaplain, John Quick; Officer of the Day, John A. Dall; Officer of the Guard, Edmund G. Jackson, Jr.; Quartermaster, Christopher J. Mines, Jr.; Adjutant, Benjamin J. Pierce; Sergeant-Major, William A. Tatem; Quartermaster-Sergeant, William B. E. Miller.
At the first meeting of the Post it was decided by a unanimous vote to name it in honor of the late Colonel William B. Hatch, of the Fourth Regiment. When Mrs. C. Hatch, the mother of the colonel was informed that the post had honored the memory of her son by naming it after him, she sent to the Post the following response:
Camden N. J.,
November 26th, 1879John E. Grubb, Post Commander
Dear Sir,
It will afford me much pleasure to be identified with Post 37, G. A. R., named in honor of my son, William B. Hatch, by allowing me to present to the same its colors. The memory of my son is ever dear to me, and, while at the same moment I may have thought the sacrifice too great an affliction, yet I was consoled by the fact that I gave him up that this Union might be preserved. It was duty and patriotism that called him, and while I mourn him as a mother for a well-beloved son, yet I would not have stayed him, for the love of country and the upholding of this glorious Republic is what every mother should instill into her sons, as the purest and holiest spirit.Yours truly,
C. Hatch
The following is a complete roster of this post for 1886:
Post Commander, Benjamin H. Connelly; Senior Vice-Commander, Adam C. Smith; Junior Vice-Commander, William Haegele; Surgeon, George Pfau; Chaplain, Samuel Gaul; Officer of the Day, Robert Crawford; Officer of the Guard, John D. Cooper; Quartermaster, Samuel J. Fenner; Adjutant, William B. Summers; Sergeant-Major, Stacy H. Bassett; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Otto K. Lockhart.
Comrades: Philip Achenbach, George L. Allchin, Isaac Albertson, Joseph Applegate, John W. Barclay, Martin M. Barney, Joseph Baxter, William W. Bennett, Charles L. Bennett, Henry Bickering, Abel Biddle, George K. Biddle, John Bieri, Robert M. Bingham, Socrates T. Bittle, George W. Bittle, Benjamin F. Blizzard, Joseph Borton, Frederick Bowers, Benjamin M. Braker, John Breyer, William H. Brians, Wm. J. Broadwater, William Broadwater, John Brown, Harris Brooks, William H. Brooks, Joseph F. Bryan, Joseph Buddew, J. Q. Burniston, George Burton, Frederick Buser, Thomas L. Bush, William Butcher, Isaac B. Buzby, Edward C. Cattell, Joseph Cameron, James H. Carey, William Carey, James Chadwick, James Chafey, George M. Chester, James D. Chester, Lewis L. Chew, Henry S. Chew, John W. Churn, Andrew B. Cline, Charles Clarke, Samuel J. Cook, Levi E. Cole, John J. Collins, John C. Cooper, John W. Cotner, Thomas L. Conly, Harvey M. Cox, Jason S. Cox, Harris Crane, Charles Cress, Joel G. Cross, O. C. Cunningham, John A. Dall, John Dalby, John H. Damon, Westley Dare, John E. Dawson, Adam T. Dawson, James L. Davis, William Davis, Amos R. Dease, Henry Deford, Lewis T. Derousse, Michael Devinney, Glendora Devo, John Digney, Joseph Dilks, William A. Dobbins, George W. Dunlap, Aaron B. Eacritt, John J. Early, Christopher Ebele, Godfrey Eisenhart, John Elberson, Charles Elwell, Charles Eminecker, John Esler, John H. Evans, Charles S. Fackler, James Fanington, James A. Farraday, John H. Farry, John Faughey, Wm. H. Fenlin, George G. Felton, George W. Ferguson, Charles W. Fish, Israel L. Fish, James Finnan, Samuel B. Fisher, Edward L. Fisher, Ephraim B. Fithian, Jacob T. Fisher, Edward Fitzer, Samuel Flock, Leonard Flor, John Fox, John S. Fox, H. H. Franks, Chas. B. Frazer, Thomas J. Francis, Samuel W. Gahan, Chas. H. Gale, James Galbraith, Thomas Garman, Harry Garren, John W. Garwood, Josiah Garrison, John B. Gaskill, Richard Gaunt, Wm. German, Christopher Getsinger, Christopher Gifney, Jacob Giffens, Albert Gilbert, James Gillen, Wm. Giffins, C. C. Greany, Charles Green, W. H. Griffin, Louis Grosskops, William Grindrod, John B. Grubb, Mark H. Guest, John Guice, Alfred Haines, Charles G. Haines, Japhet Haines, George F. Hammond, Charles Hall, Solon B. Hankinson, Samuel P. Hankinson, James Hanson, Charles Hannans, H. A. Hartranft, Mahlon E. Harden, William F. Harper, George W. Hayter, Samuel B. Harbeson, J. T. Hazleton, H. Heinman, James Henderson, William H. Heward, Franklin Hewitt, James T. Hemmingway, Charles Hewitt, Edward K. Hess, Samuel B. Hickman, George Higgens, Ephraim Hillman, C. M. Hoagland, Guadaloupe Holl, William A. Holland, Isaac K. Horner, Count D. G. Hogan, William H. Howard, Baxter Howe, Alien Hubbs, Charles G. Hunsinger, Presmel D. Hughes, I. N. Hugg, Sebastian Hummell, Edward Hutchinson, C. Innes, Alfred Ivins, Benjamin Ivins, E. G. Jackson Sr., E. G. Jackson Jr., Thomas Jameson, George Jauss, William P. Jenkins, James L. Johnson, Alfred Jones, B. F. Jones, William Joline, Charles Joseph, Charles Justice, C. H. Kain, E. E. Kates, Benjamin Kebler, Frank Kebler, Peter Keen, Henry N. Killian, J. W. Kinsey, C. H. Knowlton, Thomas W. Krips, Joseph H. Large, John E. Leake, John Lecroy, Charles Leonhart, George W. Locke, E. J. Long, Charles L. Lukens, J. H. Lupton, Valentine Machemer, Edward Macloskey, Edward A. Martin, William P. Marsh, John Mapes, William Mead, William Metcalf, E. A. Meyer, C. Meyers, George Meilor, C. A. Michener, William B. E. Miller, Jacob Miller, W. D. Miller, Samuel Mills, William W. Mines, Christopher J. Mines, George Molesbury, William Moran, Edward More, Richard Morgan, John F. Moore, S. H. Moyer, Jacob L. Morton, John Muir, John J. Murphy, Isaac Murray, Charles Myers, W. H. McAllister, James McCracken, Edward C. McDowell, Hugh McGrogan, H. M. Mcllvaine, W. F. McKillip, W. J. McNeir, Lewis McPherson, E. McPherson, Jacob Naglee, William Naphas, Antonio Nosardi, Robert O’Keefe, John S. Owens, Robert Owens, Edward H. Pancoast, James Pancoast, Robert B. Patterson, William Patterson, E. W. Pease, John B. Pepper, Joel Perrine, John Peterson, D. E. Peugh, Frederick Phile, Samuel B. Pine, William M. Pine, Adon Powell, John Powell, John Portz, J. B. Prucella, John Quick, S. E. Radcliffe, Isaac C. Randolph, James A. Regens, Philip Reilly, Charles P. Reynolds, Alexander Rhodes, Benjamin F. Richard, Andrew Ridgway, Benjamin Robbins, Edward C. Roberts, James Roberts, Richard J. Robinson, William B. Robertson, Isaac Rogers, John Rogers, William H. Rogers, Thomas G. Rowand, Sebastian Schaub, Maurice Schmidt, Christian K. Schallers, James Schofield, George W. Scott, John E. Scott, John M. Shemelia, Edward M. Siemers, John Simmons, Benjamin F. Shinn, Thomas Sheeran, James Shield, Charles Smith, George H. Smith, William W. Smith, Charles S. Small, Adolph Snow, W. Souder, Francis Senders, Robert Sparks, David C. Sprowl, Alfred L. Sparks, Abraham Springer, George W. Stewart, William L. Stevenson, Thomas G. Stephenson, Samuel R. Stockton, Thomas Stockton, Thomas H. Stone, Henry Strick, E. J. Strickland, Charles String, George F. Stull, George W. Swaney, Crosby Sweeten, William F. Tarr, William A. Tatem, Thomas S. Tanier, G. Rudolph Tenner, Charles L. Test, Leonard Thomas, Benjamin Thomas, Henry C. Thomas, George F. Thorne, Wesley Thorn, Thomas W. Thornely, Alexander W. Titus, Joseph Tompkins, J. E. Troth, Isaac C. Toone, Samuel Tyler, Jacob M. Van Nest, Albert Vansciver, Joseph Wakeman, Theodore F. Walker, Charles Walton, George Walton, Joseph Welsh, David Watson, George W. Wentling, Edward West, Elmer M. West, George Weyman, Wilmer Whillden, James Whittaker, Samuel Wickward, Calvin T. Williams, George W. Williams, William H. Williams, John Williams, Samuel Winner, Amos P. Wilson, D. H. Wilson, G. A. Wilson, Richard Wilson, George Wispert, John W. Wood, Joseph Woodfield, Walter Wolfkill, E. W. Wolverton, Elijah Worthington, C. M. Wright, George B. Wright, Henry S. Wright, Wesley T. Wright, William Zane.
As of 1886, the Hatch Post met every Thursday evening in their own G. A. R. Hall, on Stevens Street, below Fifth Street. This same building had been used in the late 1870s as the original home of the congregation that formed the Tabernacle Baptist Church. The Hatch Post was affiliated with Hatch League No. 2, of the Loyal Ladies League, their auxiliary, which met at the Post Hall.
Death Notice for Charles Hollinshed
Philadelphia Inquirer —
HOLLINSHED.—On the 2d of January, 1877. CHARLES HOLLINSHED, aged forty-five years.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, this afternoon, at 2 o’clock, from his late residence, No. 455 Kaighn’s Point avenue, Camden, N. J. To proceed to Evergreen Cemetery.
1878 City Directory Listing & Advertisement
TOONE ISAAC C., dry goods dealer, 455 Kaighn’s Pt ave
ISAAC C. TOONE, SUCCESSOR TO C. HOLLINSHED, DEALER IN DRY GOODS, Kaighn’s Point Ave. and Broadway, (455 KAIGHN’S POINT AVENUE.)
Century Trade Cards, circa 1878
Trade cards for Isaac C. Toone, Dry Goods & Notions, Kaighn’s Ave. & Broadway, Camden, N.J., circa 1878.
Camden News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN NEWS.
Notes of Interest from the City Across the Delaware.
The stockholders of the new Camden National Bank held another meeting yesterday and elected the following Board of Directors: Henry B. Anthony, Dr. George W. Bailey, Irvin C. Beatty, Howard M. Cooper, John Cooper, James Davis, Herbert C. Felton, Philip H. Fowler, George P. Haines, Zophar C. Howell, Zophar L. Howell, Rudolph W. Birdsall, William B. Mulford, Charles E. Thomas, Isaac C. Toone, Henry B. Wilson, Charles B. Coles. Zophar C. Howell was chosen president; John Cooper, vice president; Howard M. Cooper, solicitor, and Isaac C. Martindale, cashier. The committee, on procuring a suitable location, reported in favor of securing the store of Thomas Boyle, Kaighn’s avenue, above Locust street. The were instructed to procure the same and to make necessary alterations as speedy as possible. Fifty per cent. of the capital stock was paid in at the meeting.
New Jersey News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
NEW JERSEY NEWS.
Camden Board of Education and Other Local Gossip.
President Toone called the meeting of the Board of Education of 1887–1889, of Camden, to order last night. A motion to adjourn sine die prevailed, and after swearing in the following newly elected members the board organized: First ward, James R. Corson; Second ward, I. C. Beatty; Third ward, Edward Gillingham; Fourth ward, W. H. Husted; Fifth ward, Homer Snyder; Sixth ward, J. Wesley Sell; Seventh ward, Edward A. Martin; Eighth ward, James Ware; all of whom are Republicans.
James A. Carson, of the First ward, was elected president, receiving 10 votes to 6 for Joseph M. Engard, of the Fifth ward. Charles Copewall, of the Fifth ward, was re-elected secretary on the third ballot. Martin V. Bergen, Fred. A. Rex and C. V. D. Joline were re-elected superintendent, treasurer, and solicitor respectively.
The Fire Department were called out last night by a slight fire at Frank Lee Dickinson’s flour and feed store, Water and Vine streets.
The case of the estate of the late A. J. Greene again occupied the attention of the Camden Orphans’ Court yesterday.
The Camden Press Club will take charge of their newly fitted-up headquarters at No. 139 Federal Street to-day. At a meeting held last night the following were added to the list of members: C. S. Magrath, editor Camden Democrat; Adam P. Sloan, Call and News; Robert F. McDougall, Item and Bulletin, and Alexander Schlessinger, editor Camden County Journal.
Historical and Industrial Review of Camden, N.J.
1890
TOONE & HOLLINSHED, DRY GOODS & NOTIONS
BROADWAY & KAIGHN’S AVENUETHERE is not an establishment in the city that is better known than the store of Toone & Hollinshed. This business was originally started by a lady by the name of Treble, many years ago, the present firm buying it out and being in business about seven years. The individual members of the firm are the well-known gentlemen Isaac C. Toone and Thomas Hollinshed.
The store occupied is on the corner of Broadway and KAIGHN’S avenue, and has a frontage of about 100 feet on each street. Here may be found one of the largest and most varied stocks in the States. All grades of Dress and Dry Goods, all kinds of Silks, Cashmeres, Mohairs and the many grades of Plaids, Muslins, etc. All sizes and kinds of Hosiery and Underwear are always kept in stock. A special department is made of the Carpets, in which may be found all grades of Moquette, Brussels, Tapestries, Ingrains, Rugs, Matting, etc.
Boots and Shoes are also in a special department. Hats and Caps occupy a large space, and the stock in this line is particularly fine. Clothing occupies the second floor, in which department may be found one of the largest lines of Custom and Ready Made Goods. Full lines of Neckwear, Notions, Fancy Goods and Small Wares are constantly kept.
Twenty-five salespeople, who are ever on the lookout for the firm’s interests, are given constant employment.
Both gentlemen are well known and respected residents of the city…
Burglars on Kaighn Ave.
Camden Daily Telegram —
LAST EDITION
BURGLARS ON KAIGHN AVE.
Toone & Hollingshed’s Store is Robbed.
$500 Worth of Goods Taken.
Entrance Was Effected From a Back Cellar Window—The Entire Store is Looted by the Burglars—The Police Were Missing.
Kaighn avenue during the last few hours has been the scene of many crimes.
Messrs. Toone and Hollingshed’s large general store, at Broadway and Kaighn avenue, about two o’clock this morning was entered and about $500 worth of goods taken.
The burglars effected an entrance through a back cellar window by tearing the grating away. They then went through the underwear department in the basement. From there they passed to the grip department and then went upstairs to the gents’ furnishing place and later on to the ladies’ clothing, the carpet and other departments, appropriating valuable goods in every place. They then broke into and looted the big bulk window at the front, under the glare of the electric light.
The robbery was not discovered until this morning when the place was opened.
The police could not have been very vigilant in this locality. The burglars are thought to be in the same gang as those who entered Grocer Morrison’s store, near by, and attempted to brain his daughter.
Crime Runs Riot Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CRIME RUNS RIOT OVER IN CAMDEN
A Murder, an Attempted Murder and Two Bold Robberies Within a Few Hours.
Mrs. Copliein’s Assassin Confesses, But Says the Fatal Shot Was Accidental.
A Girl Struck on the Head By a Hatchet in the Hands of Some Person Unknown—Burglars Use Chloroform and Ransack a House.
Crime is rampant in Camden and two residents are in fear of their lives. Within a radius of a few squares a murder, an attempted murder and two robberies were committed in ten hours. The murder was the shooting of Mrs. Lizzie Copliein on Friday, an account of which was published in The Inquirer yesterday.
Stanley Murray made a confession at the City Hall yesterday morning, in which he said he had stolen a revolver from James A. Jordan’s hardware store on Baring street, at Seventh and Sycamore streets, and went into Mrs. Copliein’s store to sell it. He was not careful in handling the loaded gun and fell pulling the trigger and the shot was fired accidentally. He saw Mrs. Copliein stagger, and, becoming frightened, ran from the store.
An inquest will be held next Tuesday morning. Mrs. Copliein will be buried to-morrow.
An Attempted Murder.
About half-past 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, within a square of the scene of the Copliein crime, pretty 19-year-old Mary Morrison was attacked by two supposed burglars. There is considerable mystery attached to this case.
James Morrison’s grocery store is occupied by Mr. Morrison and his wife. Adjoining the store on the second floor live Mrs. Morrison’s daughters, Mary, Celia and Maggie, and in the two back rooms live his two sons and Walter Weeks, a barber, also a relative.
Hit With a Hatchet.
Miss Morrison was awakened by a noise about 2.30 o’clock and attempted to get out of bed, when she was struck on the head with a hatchet. She fell back unconscious and the intruder escaped. The noise awoke her sister Celia, who called to her father. He immediately sent for a physician, who declares that the wound is quite serious.
The assault was at first supposed to have been committed by a burglar. He was told that the burglar had effected an entrance through the window below, but on investigation he found the dust on the window sill was quite undisturbed.
The chief says he told Mr. and Mrs. Morrison he could lay his hands on the person who had committed the deed and asked if there was a suspect in the house. They answered they did not think any one in the house had done it. He was chief left.
They Were Chloroformed.
Burglars visited the drug store of Francis Crossley, 729 Chestnut street, Camden, and after chloroforming the inmates ransacked the establishment. They secured about $10 and several valuables.
The firm of Toone & Hollinshed, of Broadway and Kaighn avenue, was also robbed of $500 worth of goods.
Chief of Police Davis, Lieutenant Smith and Patrolman Guthridge drove Jordan, 19, to Gloucester, where they arrested Charles A. Jordan, 29, of 1119 Sycamore street, Camden.
Says It Was Accidental.
Jordan made a confession and said he had stolen a revolver from James A. Jordan’s hardware store on Baring street, Seventh and Sycamore streets, and went into Mrs. Copliein’s store to sell it. He was handling the loaded gun and fell pulling the trigger and it was fired accidentally.
Business Men in Line
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Organizing a Sound Money League in Camden.
A movement has been started in Camden to organize a Sound Money League of business men. An address has been issued, which says:
“Believing that the adoption of the Chicago platform as our national policy would be a menace to the welfare and prosperity of our country and realizing that those engaged in commercial enterprises would be the first to endure the evils resulting from the radical methods indorsed therein, it is important that business interests of the country should be allied in an aggressive movement in favor of a stable financial policy.
“It is proposed to organize the Business Men’s Sound Money League of Camden, and the co-operation of all those engaged in mercantile, manufacture or other business callings or occupations is solicited, irrespective of past party affiliation, to unite in the formation of a league for the election of McKinley and Hobart, as the representatives of sound money.”
The address is signed by Democrats as well as Republicans. Among the signers are the Esterbrook Steel Pen Company, Farr & Bailey, Gately & Hurley, Toone & Hollingshed, Frank D. Sitley & Sons, Howland Croft, George D. Van Sciver, William S. Scull, Anthony Kobus and John Campbell, Jr.
It is proposed that the organization shall take an active part in the campaign
In the Whirl of Camden Politics
Philadelphia Inquirer —
IN THE WHIRL OF CAMDEN POLITICS
May Be Opposition to Ex-Sheriff Barrett’s Mayoralty Candidacy
CHAMBERS HESITATES
Thompsonites Hope to Coax Him Into Taking Their Nomination. Printing Registry Lists
Former Sheriff George Barrett, who is looked upon as the probable nominee of the Camden Republicans for Mayor, is likely to have opposition in the convention. He has stated that he will not accept the nomination unless it is tendered him unanimously. Delegates to the convention will be elected to-morrow night. The Fifth ward delegates will probably favor the nomination of Harry F. Wolfe, Director of the Board of Freeholders, for Mayor. Isaac Toone may be the choice of the Ninth ward delegation, while Lawyer John H. Fort is likely to have a few delegates. To insure Barrett’s acceptance of the nomination it will be necessary to overcome this opposition, but the leaders say this will be easy.
There are plenty of candidates for the City Recordership nomination. Among those who would like to preside in the police court are: Justices Philip Schmitz, O. Glen Stackhouse, Charles Baldwin, George R. Thompson and Frederick B. Kauffman. Recorder Benjamin M. Braker is also seeking renomination.
COAXING CHAMBERS.
The Thompson Democrats are working hard to induce David M. Chambers to reconsider his declination to stand as their candidate for mayor, despite the fact that Mr. Chambers has contributed to the funds of the Committee of One Hundred, has voted the “One Hundred” ticket, and is now a member of the Executive Committee of the reformers’ organization. Mr. Chambers has promised to withhold his formal declination until to-morrow morning. He told an Inquirer reporter last night that he had not receded from his determination to decline the nomination. He said he was getting along in years and had interests that would seriously interfere with his official duties if he was elected, to say nothing of the fact that his health compelled him to spend every summer out of the city.
If Mr. Chambers cannot be coaxed into accepting the nomination the Committee on Vacancies may select former Chief of Police W. H. Davis or Dr. J. W. Donges to head the ticket. Postmaster Harry B. Paul’s name is also mentioned.
The County Democracy has decided to save the expense of having ballots printed and distributed bearing their party caption. As they will indorse the Committee of One Hundred nominations they will use the committee’s tickets.
LISTS TO BE PRINTED.
For the first time in sixteen years the City Clerk will not order the registry lists printed. Lack of funds in the printing appropriation is given as the excuse. The Committee of One Hundred has ordered the lists printed at its own expense. Next Tuesday is the last registry day, and voters must appear in person to be registered.
Sheriff Baird, who went South with City Clerk Varney about two weeks ago, will return in a few days.
George W. Jessup, the Committee of One Hundred Councilmanic nominee in the Second ward, by order of his physician started yesterday on a ten-days’ trip through the South for his health.
To Arrange for Memorial Day
Camden Post-Telegram —
TO ARRANGE FOR MEMORIAL DAY
Old Veterans and Sons of Veterans Meet in Post 5 Hall To-night.
R. J. ROBERTSON AS CHAIRMAN
The joint committees of the several Grand Army Posts and Sons of Veterans, will meet to-night in Post 5 Hall to make arrangements for a proper observance of Memorial Day.
R. J. Robertson, of Post 37, is chairman of the joint committee. J. R. Kirkbride, of Post 5, is secretary, and Isaac Toone, of Post 5, is treasurer.
The members of the committee are: Post 5, S. W. Weaver, J. R. Kirkbride, Silas Volk, Robert Hillman, Isaac Toone, Robert Sheppard, Charles Boyer, A. R. Underdown, Julius Smith, J. Caldwell.
Post 37, M. W. Barney, Charles Hewitt, R. J. Robertson, Theodore Adams, John Donaldson, Albert Gilbert, Thomas Finney.
Post 51, Theodore B. Brown, S. Chrisden, J. Frank, James Hart.
Sons of Veterans, J. Brandscheet, J. Holt, W. Elverson, D. Hadley, William Joline, Charles Cook, William Marshall.
Any person having knowledge of an unmarked soldier’s grave is requested to communicate with the chairman or secretary of the committee.
Paul Woodward Murder Case
On October 1, 1902 Paul Woodward murdered two young boys by giving them poison. Frank T. Lloyd, then Camden County prosecutor, was responsible for leading the investigation and prosecuting the case. County Coroner Dr. Paul N. Litchfield was involved in the investigation and empaneled a jury on October 4, 1902 for a coroner’s inquest. Isaac Toone was among the members of that jury. Other members included David Kaighn, George Leathwhite, George J. Pechin, Elmer E. Cox, and T.L. Bear. Woodward, who had been arrested earlier that day, was indicted for murder, was tried, and was convicted of murder in the first degree. On January 7, 1903 Paul Woodward was executed at the Camden County Jail.
Two Camden Boys Have Disappeared
Philadelphia Inquirer —
TWO CAMDEN BOYS HAVE DISAPPEARED
John Coffin, 11 years old, son of William Coffin, division freight agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and Price Jennings, 14 years old, son of Leader Joseph Jennings, of the Third Regiment Band, are missing from their homes and the Camden police have been asked to locate them.
They started for the Trenton fair Wednesday and failed to return. All intermediate points have been communicated with, but the lads have not been heard from.
Two Camden Boys Are Still Among Missing
Philadelphia Inquirer —
TWO CAMDEN BOYS ARE STILL AMONG MISSING
Nothing has yet been learned as to the whereabouts of John H. Coffin, the eleven-year-old son of William Coffin, division agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and Price Jennings, fourteen years old, son of Joseph Jennings, leader of the Third Regiment Band, the two Camden boys who disappeared on Wednesday when they left, it is presumed, for the Trenton fair.
The Coffin boy has light hair, brown eyes and weighs 64 pounds. When he left home he wore a blue cheviot suit, knee trousers, a blue and green golf cap and a pink and white shirt waist. While somewhat older the Jennings lad bears a striking resemblance to his missing companion.
When the boys disappeared Price Jennings had about $10, but the Coffin boy had nothing of value about him except a small silver watch. The police of near-by cities have been communicated with, but they are unable to find any trace of the missing boys.
[Photo caption: JOHN H. COFFIN. The above photograph was taken two or three years ago, but is a good likeness of the boy as he appears to-day.]
Missing Camden Boys Murdered in a Field
Philadelphia Inquirer —
MISSING CAMDEN BOYS MURDERED IN A FIELD
Young John Coffin and Price Jennings Believed to Have Been Poisoned—Companion Arrested and Committed to Jail
The discovery of their bodies cold in death, the victims of an atrocious double murder, yesterday solved the mystery surrounding the disappearance from their homes in Camden on Wednesday of John H. Coffin, the 11-year-old son of William Coffin, division freight agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and Price Jennings, his chum and playmate, the 13-year old son of Josephus Jennings, leader of Jennings’ Third Regiment Band, of Camden.
Paul Woodward, 18 years old, a companion of both the boys, is charged with their murder and is locked up in the county jail awaiting the further action of the authorities. There are no evidences of external injuries and the only theory to which the police can attribute the cause of death is that the assassin of the boys administered poison to them, and it is along this line that County Physician Jones and Prosecutor Lloyd are conducting an investigation.
The details surrounding the atrocious crime makes it one the like of which has never been known in the criminal history of this section of the country. The youth of the boys, their heretofore relations of good companionship, and many other circumstances make of it an almost unparalleled crime, and while there is said to be every evidence of a motive for the murder, in the opinion of those who are in close touch with the case, it is an instance in which the work is that of a degenerate boy in whom all sense of right and wrong have long since been dead. Certain it is that the crime has stirred the people of Camden and vicinity to a feverish heat to which it has not been stirred since the days following the murder of Annie Leconey.
Found in a Field
The bodies of both the lads were found yesterday morning in a field near the Haddon Heights Station of the Reading Railroad on what is known as the Lippincott farm, about a quarter mile from Station Avenue. The body of young Jennings was found lying in a clump of bushes and less than forty yards away lay the remains of Coffin. Both bodies were stiff and in a state of decomposition. Coffin’s body was the first discovered, and it was not long after when that of his companion was found.
No sooner did the news of the discovery become known than the greatest excitement prevailed through the city of Camden and its suburbs. All sorts of rumors began to circulate, some of them hinting that the bodies were in a horribly mutilated condition and that the work was that of a negro. In a short time, however, whatever element of mystery there was about the case, so far as present indications go, was dissipated when the identification of the bodies was made and the arrest of young Woodward was accomplished soon afterwards.
Then the mystery began to clear somewhat. Both boys disappeared from their homes on Wednesday afternoon. When they failed to return that night the police were notified and a description of them was sent around the country adjacent to Camden and also to Philadelphia. Some persons said they had gone to Trenton to the fair, while others told of having seen them in the vicinity of Haddon Heights Station. Nothing came of these statements at the time, and meanwhile the boys failed to return home. Coffin’s father was of the opinion that the boys had been kidnapped, but this theory was not held by the police.
First Body Discovered
Late Friday night, Clarence Kreuson, whose home is at Haddon Heights, and a friend of his, Frank Johnson, who lives in this city, were returning from an afternoon of blackbird shooting. While crossing the field they came across the body of a boy. It was lying in the bushes, half concealed, and when they made a closer examination they discovered that life was extinct. In alarm Kreuson and his companion ran to the home of A. H. Wood, near-by, and communicated their intelligence. Wood immediately sent a telephone message to Coroner Litchfield in Camden, apprising him of the discovery. That official, through some misunderstanding, thought it was a man named Brown who had been talking to him. He hitched up his horse and drove to Haddon Heights, but was unable to locate the body. He was also unable to locate anyone named Brown. Further investigation was, therefore, postponed until yesterday morning, when the Coroner again visited the scene and found the body in the bushes.
From the clothing worn it was thought at first it might be Coffin’s, and after it had been brought to the Morgue, William Coffin, the lad’s father, was sent for. He was accompanied by Kingston Jennings, elder brother of the other missing boy. Mr. Coffin when nerved to look at the remains, exclaimed, “My God, it’s Price. Where is my boy. He must be found.” The identification was then made complete by the dead boy’s brother.
Meanwhile a number of persons had been going over the field where the body had been found in the search for clues that might lead to a discovery of the murderer of the boy, when one of them chanced across the remains of the other lad lying under a dead tree. This body was identified on the spot by Detective Curtis, of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The lad’s body was also taken to the Morgue and laid on a slab alongside of his chum.
Police at Work
The police in the interim had not been idle, and after scouring the vicinity of the place where the bodies had been found, came across Lillian Martin, the 15-year-old daughter of J. Wilson Martin, who conducts a “Cyclers’ Rest” at Collings avenue and the White Horse pike. She remembered having seen two boys answering the description of the dead lads in their place on Wednesday. They were accompanied by an older and a taller boy. Jennings seemed to have considerable money and purchased three pies and three bottles of soda water. After that they left the place and she never saw them again until she looked upon their bodies.
Prosecutor Frank Lloyd at once set to work, and Detective Hart was sent in search of young Woodward. Inquiry at his home, at 221 Benson street, brought the response that he was not at home. His mother learned what he was wanted for, and about 2 o’clock sent for Detective Hart and turned the boy over to him. She accompanied him to the Prosecutor’s office and, talking to the newspaper reporters, said that beyond being addicted to the use of cigarettes Paul was a good boy. She persisted that he could not have committed the crime as he was home all of Wednesday, Thursday and yesterday until the afternoon, when he went to Philadelphia to visit relatives. What the police are reported to view with importance is a statement that the mother is also alleged to have made to the effect that on Wednesday he had bothered her a great deal about money for a hat and shoes. While the authorities will make no admission, it is intimated that the motive they ascribe for the crime is robbery, and that the fact that Jennings had $10 when he disappeared was what led to his murder, and the murder of the other little fellow followed as a necessity for hiding the crime, as well as to get possession of a silver watch he is said to have had.
Identified Woodward
After young Woodward was taken into the Prosecutor’s office, besides the Prosecutor there were present Assistant Prosecutor F. Morse Archer, Court Stenographer Berry, Chief of Police Foster, of Camden; Chief of Police Linderman, of Merchantville, and Detectives Painter and Hart. In a few minutes Detective Cherry arrived with Lillian Martin. The latter had been cautioned not to say anything to anybody, either in or out of the room. She was inside for less than thirty seconds, and when she came out she is reported to have said that Woodward was the young man whom she had seen with the boys on Wednesday in her father’s place. She was taken back a second and a third time, and after the latter, it is said, she told the detectives that she was certain he was the person. She then left for her home, where she resisted all attempts to interview her.
In the meantime Recorder Stackhouse issued a commitment for Woodward on the oath of Detective Cherry, charging the young man with the murder of Coffin. Jennings’ name was not mentioned, as Coffin’s answered the same purpose.
While this was going on County Physician Jones was holding an autopsy in the basement of the jail, where the morgue is located. A personal examination showed that there were no external marks of violence, and in order to clinch the result of the autopsy he summoned from Philadelphia Professors Copeland and Rosenberger, of the Jefferson Hospital. Dr. Copeland performed the autopsy, and was at work until nearly 6 o’clock, when it was announced that no results other than that death was not due to external injuries, had been accomplished.
Prosecutor Lloyd said: “There was a double murder. Of that much we are certain. Death was not due to external injuries. What we suspect you will have to conjecture. The organs of both the boys have been sent to a chemist for examination. More than that I cannot say, except that we have arrested Paul Woodward on suspicion and that he is charged with the murder. The same man that killed one of the boys no doubt killed the other. All I ask now is that judgment be suspended for a few days, when I believe all will be cleared up.”
Woodward Visited Mr. Coffin
Mr. Coffin, whose home is at 305 North Third street, yesterday said: “It’s an awful blow that has come to me and I hardly know what to say. It does seem to me that Paul Woodward exerted an evil influence over my boy. I remember now that on Thursday he came to the house and wanted me to hire him to look for John. He then said that he thought he could find him.”
At the Woodward home it was stated that the mother and father of the boy had gone to Philadelphia. Charles May, a boarder, said there would be no trouble in proving that Paul was home all day of Wednesday, as well as the day following. He said that on each of those nights the boy had been in bed by 8 o’clock. This testimony, he said, would be corroborated by the boy’s mother, father, sister and himself. The only time Paul was out of the house, he said, was when he went several errands for his mother.
Late yesterday afternoon Coroner Litchfield empaneled the following jury: David Kaighn, George Leathwhite, Isaac Toone, George J. Pechin, Elmer E. Cox and T. L. Bear. At 5 o’clock they viewed the remains, after which the bodies were sent to their respective homes. No date for the inquest has been fixed. The stomach and other organs of both the youthful victims are in the possession of George M. Beringer, a druggist and chemist, at Fifth and Federal streets. Last night he said he had begun his examination, but it would take him probably a day or two more to complete his analysis.
Wedding in Baptist Church
Camden Daily Courier —
WEDDING IN BAPTIST CHURCH
Miss Florence Toone the Bride of Harry Raymond Staley.
Last evening in the First Baptist Church, Miss Florence Clapton Toone, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Clapton Toone, was united in marriage to Harry Raymond Staley by the Rev. John W. Lyell. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Laura Estelle Toone as maid of Honor. Miss Elizabeth McCully, of this city, and Miss Bertha Pearce, of Long Branch, were the bridesmaids and Miss Margaret Riggs served as flower girl.
The groomsman was Davis Draper and the ushers were: Howard G. Toone, Percy England, Charles Austermuhl, Burrough Robertson, all of this city, and Eugene Haines, and Harry Bullock, of Mt. Holly.
After the ceremony a reception was given at the bride’s home, 554 Benson street, and upon returning from the wedding tour the young couple will reside at 704 Linden street.
65 Years as Man and Wife
Camden Post-Telegram —
65 YEARS AS MAN AND WIFE
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hollinshed are To-day Celebrating Wedding Anniversary.
HUSBAND’S SIGHT IS ENTIRELY GONE
Surrounded by relatives to the fourth generation and kind and loving friends, Mr. Henry Hollinshed, Sr., and Mrs. Rose Ann Hollinshed, are to-day celebrating the sixty-fifth anniversary of their wedding at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Toone, 554 Benson street. Each of the aged couple is 85 years old and barring blindness, which came upon Mr. Hollinshed several years ago, each is in good health and of active mind.
It was originally intended to have a big reception with all the accompaniments, but the health of Isaac C. Toone, their son-in-law, with whom they live, has been so poor for the past month that he has been confined to his home and his physician has ordered absolute rest.
Mr. and Mrs. Hollinshed came from England and settled in Camden in 1850. For a number of years Mr. Hollinshed conducted furniture warerooms at 313 Market street. After retiring from business he rested for several years and engaged in the real estate business, continuing in that line until his sight failed.
Mr. and Mrs. Hollinshed had nine children, seven of whom lived to attain their majority. One son, Henry Hollinshed, Jr., is a lawyer living at Delair. Another son is Thomas Hollinshed, of Toone & Hollinshed.
Mr. Hollinshed was one of the charter members of Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church and for years the aged couple devoted considerable time and money to further church work.
The friends of the couple made informal calls at the house from 3 to 6 p. m. while the relatives made a day of it. Mr. and Mrs. Hollinshed received a number of handsome presents.
Death Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer —
TOONE—On June 21, 1910. ISAAC C. TOONE aged 66 years. Relatives and friends, also Camden Lodge, No 15, F and A M; Camden Forest, No 5, Tall Cedars of Lebanon Valley, of Camden; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons; also Post No 5, G A R, and employes of Toone & Hollingshead Co. are invited to attend the funeral, on Friday afternoon, June 24, at 2 o’clock, from the residence of his son-in-law, H. Raymond Staley, 704 Linden st., Camden, N. J. Interment private, Harleigh Cemetery. Remains may be viewed Thursday evening, from 7 to 9.
Isaac Toone Buried with Masonic Honors
Camden Post-Telegram —
ISAAC TOONE BURIED WITH MASONIC HONORS
The funeral of Isaac Toone, whose death occurred on Tuesday took place this afternoon from the residence of his son-in-law, H. Raymond Staley, 704 Linden street, and was largely attended. The services were conducted by Rev. John W. Lyell, pastor of the First Baptist Church, of which deceased was a member.
The members of T. M. K. Lee Post, No. 5, G. A. R., viewed the body last night and held their services. The employes of the Toone & Hollinshed Company also viewed the body last night. The services at the grave were conducted by Camden Lodge, F. and A. M.
The body reposed in a black cloth covered cedar casket with satin tufted lining and had antique silver extension bar handles. The pall-bearers were selected from members of Camden Lodge who are also members of the Scottish Rite bodies, and members of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon.
The floral offerings were numerous and of handsome design, among them being a large gates ajar, from the employes of Toone & Hollinshed, and a broken circle with immortelles with the words, “Our President.” A shower bouquet from Class A-7, First Baptist Sunday-school; a shower bouquet from former Judge and Mrs. E. A. Armstrong; the usual floral emblems of the Masonic bodies; a shower bouquet of lavender sweet peas from Mr. A. M. Ward’s Bible Class of the First Baptist Bible-school; a handsome bouquet with a tall cedar in the center from the Tall Cedars of Lebanon.
The interment was made in Harleigh Cemetery under the direction of Funeral Director W. B. M. Burrell.
Lightning Starts Fires, Hits Trees, Stuns Three Boys
Philadelphia Inquirer —
LIGHTNING STARTS FIRES, HITS TREES, STUNS THREE BOYS
Costly Blazes in Camden—Youths Under Awning Badly Shocked
Sudden Torrent of Rain, High Wind and Bolts Cause Widespread Damage
Sudden and furious was the electrical storm which yesterday afternoon took Philadelphia, Camden and nearby towns by surprise. Fires were started by lightning in many sections, rain fell in torrents and the wind rose suddenly and played wide-spread havoc.
Camden was the centre of the disturbance and suffered the heaviest damage. Three boys were severely shocked there and the total damage from fires mounted to the $50,000 mark. Bolts in Ardmore felled trees across many roads, split a flag pole in front of the Ardmore public school and tumbled a chimney off the building.
Between 2.45 and 3.15 in the afternoon the thermometer dropped twenty degrees, from 85 to 65, a southwesterly wind rising at the same time to a velocity of thirty miles an hour. Typical of summer thunderstorms was the unheralded start of the downpour and its brief duration. The precipitation from 3.12 to 3.35 in the afternoon, the time during which the rain fell, was only .45 of an inch, but the greater part of this poured down in ten minutes’ time.
Every piece of apparatus in the Camden Fire Department was pressed into service at one and the same time, only quick response to the alarms averting disastrous blazes in two instances.
The three Camden boys who were shocked, A. Goldberg, 15 years old; Richard Noon, 14 years old, and Howard Robbins, 9 years old, living at 310, 336 and 330 North Tenth street respectively, were all taken to the Cooper Hospital. Only one of the trio, Goldberg, is still in a serious condition. All were paralyzed when admitted to the hospital.
Boys Hurled to Pavement
When the storm made itself manifest with vivid flashes of lightning and reverberating thunder, the boys sought shelter beneath an awning at Tenth and Penn streets. Goldberg was leaning against an iron pole with his companions nearby. There was a blinding flash and the next instant the three boys were hurled to the pavement.
Others beneath the awning went to their assistance, although several were slightly affected by the bolt also. The boys were apparently dead when placed in the auto ambulance, but after several hours of work at the hospital, the youthful victims were revived. They said it looked like a great greenish white ball which descended from the darkened skies and which apparently struck the pole against which Goldberg was leaning.
Within five minutes four alarms of fire had been turned into the Camden Electrical Bureau. One was from the Parkside school at Wildwood and Princess avenues, another from the elevated bridge of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Third and Bridge avenue, the third from the department store of Toone & Hollinshed, at Broadway and Kaighn avenue, and the fourth from the Camden Curtain Rod Factory, Broadway and Jackson streets. In each instance it was a bolt of lightning that struck electric wires that caused the blaze.
At the Toone & Hollinshed store, one of the largest in Camden, and which is located in a three-story building, the fire had its origin in the basement. There were large quantities of mens’ and boys’ furnishing and duplicate supplies of dry goods stored there ready for display. This material was excellent food for the flames, and for a time they threatened to mount up through the stairway of the main floors, but the quick work of the firemen averted such a contingency.
Woman Saves Firm’s Books
At the height of the blaze, which raged fiercely in the basement, Miss Anna Brennan, chief bookkeeper, mounted a fire escape to the second floor. Standing by a window from which the smoke issued in thick volumes, she superintended the rescuing of the firm’s books. Not until all had been taken out did she leave her post. Fireman John McTaggart, of Chemical Company No. 1, rescued the books.
There was such thick, pungent smoke issuing from the windows that several firemen were temporarily overcome, but they were revived and went back to work. Harry Green, of Engine Company No. 1, was badly cut about the hands by falling glass.
It was stated by Thomas Hollinshed, a member of the firm, that the damage to the store and stock would total at least $25,000. This was due not only to the blaze, but also to the smoke which permeated all parts of the three-story building.
It was in the southwest corner of the building of the Camden Curtain Rod Company that the fire had its origin. It spread with great rapidity and for a time it was feared the entire three-story structure would fall prey to the flames. The fire fighters confined the blaze to the first floor however. The tons of water coupled with the fire caused damage estimated at $25,000, fully covered by insurance.
At the Parkside School it was found that the fire had caused but little damage and the railroad bridge at Third and Bridge avenue was only scorched. There was something of a furore at the latter place because over the structure were passing many seashore trains laden with passengers for Camden and this city.
The storm was one of the most intense Camden has experienced this summer, although it was less than half an hour in duration. Throughout the city trees and fences were leveled and on the surrounding roads, especially the White Horse pike, hundreds of autoists were forced to seek shelter. Some of the thoroughfares in the lower sections were converted into veritable torrents, so great was the rainfall.
4 Big Camden Fires in Six Weeks Bring Losses of $595,000
Camden Courier-Post —
Four fires in Camden’s business district within the past six weeks have destroyed or damaged a dozen retail stores, entailing losses fixed at $595,000.
They were:
| Baker-Flick Department Store | $150,000 |
| Toone & Hollingshed and five nearby retail stores and shops | $225,000 |
| Nell’s Haberdashery | $20,000 |
| Economy Store and three other stores | $200,000 |