Introduction
JAMES HALSEY HUNT served with the Camden Fire Department in the late 1870s and 1880s, as an extra man with Engine Company 1. He was the older brother of George Sawyer Hunt, who served as stoker and as the hose cart driver for Engine Company 1 in the same years as James Hunt served.
James H. Hunt was born in New Jersey around July of 1849 to Isaac and Sarah Hunt. His father passed during the 1850s. Sarah Hunt and her sons James and George were living in Trenton at the time of the 1860 Census. George Hunt appears in Camden’s South Ward in the 1870 Census, living with his mother Sarah Hunt at the home of his uncle, Jason Sawyer. James H. Hunt, however, does not appear to have been living in Camden in 1870. He may have been living in Washington Township. James and Mary Hunt lived in Gloucester City for a few years in the mid 1870s before coming to Camden. By the spring of 1877 James H. Hunt and family were living with his brother George Hunt at 416 Pine Street.
James H. Hunt was working as a carpenter and George S. Hunt was working as a laborer when they were appointed to the Camden Fire Department in April of 1877. When the Hunt brothers were reappointed in 1878, brother fire fighter Edmund Shaw also was living at 416 Pine Street. By April of 1879 James H. Hunt had moved to 819 Kaighn Street, a small street that was renamed Dauphin Street in January of 1882. The Hunts stayed at this address into at least 1883. At the time of the 1880 census the family included children Isabella Hunt, George H. Hunt, Theodosia Hunt, Sarah E. Hunt, and Anna Hunt. Another son Eli Morgan Hunt, was born in 1882, and a daughter, Catherine, came in April of 1885. The City Directory for that year gives an address of 255 Pine Street.
James H. Hunt in time became involved in local politics, and over the years held a number of positions. By 1887 James H. Hunt, then the constable, and his family was living at 316 Line Street. He also served as the Fish Warden in 1894.
James H. Hunt and family were still at 316 Line Street when he passed away on March 21, 1910.
James H. Hunt’s sons George H. Hunt and Eli M. Hunt, and his nephew, brother George S. Hunt’s son, John Albert Stockton Hunt, all had careers with the Camden Fire Department. James H. Hunt’s daughter Theodosia Hunt Conaghy was also politically active and was the matron at the Camden County Jail from 1923 until her retirement in 1950. Another nephew, George S. Hunt’s son, David Hunt, was a member of the Camden Police Department in the 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s. He served as a detective for much of his career.
Extra Firemen Appointed
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Commissioners of the Camden Paid Fire Department, in addition to the regular, have appointed the following extra men on the force: Amadon Middleton, Charles Benton, George Tracey, John Stephens, Elijah Moorehouse, Francis Miller, Joseph B. Green, Jr., Charles Sawyer, Charles M. Lane, Christian Tenner, John Toy, Jacob App, William Deith, Amos Osler, Archie Clark, H. Sharp, Richard Cooper, James Hunt, Charles H. Reed, Richard Deitz, Benjamin Marshall, P. Brown, John Grav [sic], Isaac O. Randolph, Josiah Davis, Francis Boardman, Charles Elfreth, Alexander Watson, Howard Cuney, Francis Tamer. Nine of the above were members of the Fire Department a few years ago, under the now newly appointed Chief, R. S., Bender.
New Jersey Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Politics, Church News and Other Items of Interest.
The Third Ward Republican Club last night indorsed the candidates nominated at the recent primaries in their ward. The Young Men’s Republican Club also met and indorsed the candidates nominated recently throughout the city.
The Amateur Base Ball League met last night and received the report of the Schedule Committee.
Counsel for Samuel H. Morton, living on Bridge avenue above third street, appeared before Vice Chancellor Bird in Camden yesterday, and asked for an order to show cause why the Pennsylvania Railroad should not be restrained from drilling cars in front of his property. The decision was reserved.
A department for the teaching of Chinese has been organized in Camden in connection with the Third Street M. E. Church.
The will of the late Samuel H. Stiles was admitted to probate in the Camden Surrogate’s office yesterday.
James H. Hunt, of the Fifth ward, has been appointed District Court constable.
The new John S. Reed School, at Fifth and York street, was opened for the first time yesterday morning.
Frank C. Smith, the well-known temperance orator of Vineland, addressed a mass meeting at the Camden court house last night.
The congregation of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Gloucester City, donated $17,000 to the church fund during 1887.
On account of the Rev. H. H. Barbour, of the Trinity Baptist Church, accepting the call of a Chicago church, those of his congregation who were going to secede from the church and build a new edifice have abandoned the idea.
On Thursday night a meeting will be held at the First Presbyterian Church to consider the advisability of organizing a Society for Christian Endeavor.
Waldron Shapley, superintendent of the Welshback Factory, Gloucester City, was held in $600 bail for a further hearing last night by Justice Cassidy, on a charge of giving a custom house officer $5, contrary to the statute laws.
Alleged Neglect
Camden Post —
Mrs. Annie Eckert, of 1233 Pavonia street, was arrested this morning by Overseer of the Poor Hunt, on complaint of the Society Prevention Cruelty to Children, on the charge of neglecting her children. Constable Hunt made a visit to the house yesterday, the mother was out. He found one of the children, a boy, 13 years of age, with several other companions “running the growler.” When asked where his mother was was [sic], he said, “I don’t know, nor care.” The mother will be given a hearing before Recorder Braker to-morrow.
The Case Postponed
Camden Post —
The case of Mrs. Annie Eckert, of 1233 Pavonia street, was brought before Recorder Braker again this morning, at the instance of Secretary Abel Smith, for the Society of Prevention to Cruelty to Children. The husband who is an oysterman, was away at the time Mrs. Eckert was arrested, but came on this morning. The secretary and Recorder, after a consultation postponed the case for two weeks. During this time the mother will retain charge of the children.
Hill Faced Death with Firmness
Philadelphia Inquirer —
NEW JERSEY NEWS
The Youthful Colored Murderer Hanged in the Camden Jail.
Religion Braced His Nerves and He Felt No Fear.
A Quiet, Speedy Execution, and Death Was Quick and Apparently Painless—The Murder of Joseph Dodson Avenged Without the Usual Delay in Such Cases.
Camden county’s new gallows scored its first victim to-day when John Hill was hanged for the murder of Joseph Dodson. The execution took place at the County Jail. It was successfully conducted and was devoid of sensational incidents.
The gallows had been erected in a room with a lofty ceiling in the southeast corner of the jail building. Tall windows looked out on Federal street and Broadway, but they were veiled with dark curtains, which gave a sombre hue to the room. The instrument of death had been built on plans furnished by the Sheriff, modeled after the gallows used in the Philadelphia County Prison. There were two trap doors, which fell down when a lever was pulled, allowing the condemned man to fall about seven feet.
John Hill, the murderer, was a small, slender youth, in his 18th year. He had professed conversion after his conviction and walked firmly to the gallows, having overcome the terror of death by his religious faith.
AROUSED FROM HIS LAST SLEEP.
Hill was awakened from a sound slumber at 6.30 o’clock by Constable Renner, one of the death watch. He dressed himself in a new suit of black diagonal striped goods purchased by the Sheriff for the execution.
A gray mist hung like a veil before the jail windows, and Hill said he regretted this for he had hoped to see the sun shine once more before he died.
He displayed no fear of death, and when his lawyer, Frederick A. Rex, came at 8 o’clock to bid him good-bye the condemned lad said:
“I am not afraid to die, for I love Jesus.”
Hill ate sparingly of the breakfast of beefsteak and potatoes sent in from a neighboring restaurant, and satisfied his longing for pie by eating a big piece of the pastry. Then he lit a cigar and paced up and down the corridor until the arrival of his spiritual adviser, Rev. J. H. Scott, a colored Methodist minister. The last hour preceding the execution was spent in prayer and reading the Bible.
WORE A ROSE TO THE GALLOWS.
Before going to the gallows Constable Hunt handed the lad a white rose, which he pinned on his coat. When Hill’s body fell the rose broke from its stem.
At twenty minutes past 10 o’clock, County Clerk Barber called the roll of the Sheriff’s jury in the jailor’s office. They all responded and took the oath to see that the death penalty was carried into effect. Then the spectators were drawn up two by two, in a line at the left of the door from which the prisoner would emerge as he passed from the jail to the place of execution.
It was half-past 10 when these preparations were made and the condemned man sent for.
His hands had been secured behind his back with handcuffs and he walked with unfaltering steps down the iron stairways of the jail, through a dark passage way and into the corridor, where the Sheriff stood, with the black cap in his hand.
The minister walked by Hill’s side. In front were Deputy Sheriff Sell and ex-Deputy Joseph Porter. Constables Hunt and Renner, the death watch, brought up the rear. There was a shuffling of feet in the line of spectators and the procession moved along the corridor and into the dimly-lighted room, where the gallows stood.
FACED DEATH WITHOUT FLINCHING.
Hill looked at the instrument of death without flinching. He constantly repeated, in a whisper, “Jesus, save me.”
With firm tread he mounted the steps to the scaffold. The work of death was quickly done. There was no prayer or final speech. The minister whispered a last word of cheer and stepped back.
It took but a minute for the Sheriff to drop the noose over the lad’s head, for ex-Deputy Porter to pull down the black cap, and then both men stepped back from the drop. Hill did not waver.
The Sheriff reached for the cord attached to the lever under the drop, gave a short, quick pull, and as the doors fell with a crash the murderer’s body dropped, whirled once around, and then hung motionless.
A PAINLESS DEATH.
There were no convulsive movements of the body, although the legs were not pinioned. County Physician Iszard, assisted by Coroner’s Physician Mattern, of Philadelphia, and Drs. Tomlinson, Jones and Levis, of Camden, timed the fleeting spark of life.
In four minutes and fourteen seconds the pulse stopped beating and at the end of six minutes and fifty-seven seconds the action of the heart ceased. The body had been shaken slightly by a few tremors, but there was no death struggle.
After the body had been hanging for twenty minutes the noose was unloosened and the corpse carried into a room adjoining the jailor’s office. The eyes were closed and the face bore no evidence of a violent death.
The silent spectators formed a group around the corpse, while Rev. Mr. Scott read the Methodist service for the dead. Four hours later the physicians made an autopsy and late in the afternoon Coroner Jefferis conveyed the remains in his dead wagon to the New Camden Cemetery where they were interred in a grave paid for by the county.
SWIFT JERSEY JUSTICE.
Jersey justice has not been leaden-heeled in Hill’s case. It is less than six months since he committed the crime for which the law took his life. At 1 o’clock on Sunday morning, October 16, 1892, John Hill, secreted in the bushes near Reed & Derrickson’s saloon, at Seventh and Sycamore streets, fired a bullet into Joseph Dodson’s brain.
The latter was a young colored man who had beaten Hill during a row, a few days previously, in the dance hall attached to the saloon. Hill had threatened to get even with Dodson. He took a revolver from a drawer in the saloon, drank liquor to nerve himself for the deed, and then fired the fatal shot.
At the trial, early in February last, Hill swore that Reed & Derrickson, the proprietors of the saloon, had hired him to kill Dodson. The two men were tried as accessories and acquitted. Three weeks ago Hill confessed that his charge against these two men was false.
Camden County Fish Wardens
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Constable James Hunt, a Republican, has been appointed a Fish Warden for Camden county by the new non-partisan State Fish Commission. The other warden, William Guthridge, is a Democrat.
State Fish Wardens Appointed
Philadelphia Inquirer —
State Fish Wardens Appointed. At a meeting of the State Game and Fish Commissioners here yesterday the following Wardens were appointed: Atlantic county, Henry Schneider and Louis H. Barrett; Bergen county, George Ricardo; Camden county, William Guthridge and James Hunt; Cape May county, Gustavus Hilton; Essex county, John R. Riley; Gloucester county, Benjamin F. Denston and Charles B. Platt; Hunterdon county, George W. Dunham; Middlesex county, Joseph Tucker, Jr.; Ocean county, Clayton Robbins; Passaic county, Charles A. Shriner; Sussex county, Jacob Hendershott; Salem county, Samuel H. Callahan; Somerset county, George H. Stone; Warren county, Edwin Hill.
Charles A. Shriner, of Passaic county, was appointed Game Protector, under the provisions of an act of Assembly. Under the act the Game Protector has supervision over the Wardens.
It was also decided that in the future the Wardens would be compelled to do the work, and they were not empowered to appoint any deputies. During the shad season the Wardens from the inland counties will be sent to assist the Wardens where gill net fishing is carried on.
Claims She Lost Her Pin
Camden Daily Telegram —
Claims She Lost Her Pin. Mrs. Harriet Smith, who was sentenced yesterday to one year in State Prison for policy writing, claims that she lost a diamond pin when she fainted while being taken out of the court room to the county jail. Constable Hunt, Leon and others who assisted in carrying Mrs. Smith out say that she wore no pin at the time she fainted.
Costly Shots in a Cemetery
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Three Gunners Bagged in Camden and Heavily Fined.
Three men were shooting game at Harleigh Cemetery, Camden, yesterday, when Police Lieutenant Foster and Policeman Shaw, pounced upon them. They resisted, but were subdued by the officers’ revolvers. Their game bags contained thirty-seven birds and a gray squirrel. The prisoners gave the names of Joseph and Philip Demarko and Nicholas Walpa, and said they were Philadelphia peddlers. Game Warden James Hunt made a charge against them of killing nine robbins [sic] and a gray squirrel out of season. Joseph Demarko was fined $60 and costs and Philip Demarko and Nicholas Walpa were each fined $40 and costs.
Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Atlas Improvement Company filed articles of incorporation yesterday.
Samuel Stout, colored, was committed to the county jail by Justice Moss, of Haddonfield, on charges of stealing two bicycles and attempting to assault small girls.
By a fall Andrew Smith, a one-legged man, broke his artificial limb and cut an artery in the leg to which it was attached. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital in a patrol wagon.
Herman Lanford, a conductor on the Gloucester trolley line, was committed to jail yesterday by Justice Evans in default of $500 bail on a charge of embezzling twenty-two fares.
Elizabeth Sanders and Sarah Stapes, the alleged proprietresses of houses at 142 and 144 Birch street, which were raided by the police, were each held in $500 bail by Mayor Westcott yesterday.
Jurors for the September term were drawn at a special session of the Criminal Court yesterday. Charles Fields and Thomas Cunningham, convicted of petty larceny, were sentenced to three and six months’ imprisonment respectively.
Constable James Hunt and James Cavanaugh had a narrow escape from drowning by the capsizing of their boat while on a trip down Delaware Bay. They were rescued by a passing sloop. Their camping outfit and guns were lost.
William Bachrach, a Kaighn avenue business man, was locked up in the county jail last night in default of $3000 bail on a capias in the suit of Wilbur B. Ellis, who claims $10,000 damages for the alienation of his wife’s affections. The husband alleges that about a month ago Bachrach and his wife went off together on a trip to Baltimore and Washington. Ellis has also instituted divorce proceedings.
Ponds Stocked With Game Fish
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Fish Wardens William Guthridge and James Hunt, of Camden, have stocked the ponds at Good Intent and Grenloch with several hundred calico bass. At Good Intent a large number of black bass were placed in the lake.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Policeman Thomas Guthridge was bitten on the hand by a dog at Tenth and Kaighn avenue yesterday.
At the risk of his life former Constable James Hunt stopped a runaway team at Fourth and Spruce streets yesterday amid great excitement.
Robert Washington, a colored veteran, aged 68 years, died suddenly yesterday from apoplexy.
Nelson Hardy, the negro who attacked Mary Boullion, a white girl of 1911 Kossuth street, as she, with several companions, was crossing Line Ditch, at Sixth street, Tuesday night, was committed to the county jail by Recorder Stackhouse yesterday in default of $2000 bail.
Word was received in Camden yesterday, that Dr. E. L. B. Godfrey, who recently underwent an operation at Los Angeles, Cal., for appendicitis, is out of danger.
Camden hod carriers have made a demand on the boss bricklayers for an increase in their pay from 35 to 40 cents an hour. They say this new scale must go into effect by April 1 or a strike will result. In such an event the big building boom in Camden will be seriously hampered.
Mrs. Eliza Houghton, aged 80 years, was found by Policeman Booth alone and deserted in a house at 1866 South Tenth street yesterday. The aged woman had been neglected five days, her husband, less than half her age, being among the missing. Kind-hearted neighbors volunteered to care for Mrs. Houghton.
There was a rumor in Camden yesterday to the effect that a company which supplies small communities throughout the county with water, had surreptitiously made connections with the city’s main, thus stealing the supply from Morris Station. Chief Hollingsworth, of the Water Department, made an investigation by digging up the roads at the company’s terminal pipes but he found the rumor to be unfounded.
News Events of a Day in City of Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The public schools throughout the city open to-morrow. All the teachers reported for duty Saturday. The day was spent in the assignment of new pupils, arranging of classes, receiving of supplies and general preparations for the opening day.
Mayor Charles H. Ellis has promised the use of the police force to aid the truant inspectors to enforce the law.
Hereafter all boys within the school age found at play on the lots or standing on street corners during school hours will be taken in charge by the police and sent to the nearest school and the case immediately investigated.
The Line Ditch Commission, in pursuance of a resolution adopted at a meeting held in the office of Mayor Ellis, yesterday announced a list of names of a sub-committee, whose duty it shall be to visit owners of property abutting on the ditch and obtain consents to construct sewers and fill in to grade. The list contains sixty names and includes the most prominent men who live or are engaged in business in the wards which are most affected by a ditch that has several times been declared a nuisance by the Board of Health.
The primary election of both Republican and Democratic parties will be held on Tuesday. Each person before voting must be registered anew. There are contests in four wards on the Republican ticket, but it is quite likely that the regular nominees will be successful. James Hunt, who has been the constable from the Fifth ward for over a quarter of a century, yesterday withdrew his name for renomination for harmony’s sake.
A call has been issued for a meeting of young Republicans for next Thursday night, with the view of organizing a social and political club to be known as the Young Republican Club, of Camden.
Andrew Cummiskey, a saloon-keeper, of Fifteenth and Federal streets, was held in $600 bail by Recorder Stackhouse, yesterday, on the charge of stabbing Samuel Gordon, aged 38 years, of Broadway and Liberty street, with a penknife during a quarrel in the saloon Friday night.
Rev. Michael Di Ielsi, rector of the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which was partially destroyed by fire Friday, endangering the lives of two priests, returned yesterday and immediately started a rigid investigation. Insurance adjusters inspected the building, but declined to express an opinion. Rev. Di Ielsi said that the fire was undoubtedly started by enemies of the church. Acting Chief of Police Gravenor said yesterday that the detectives at work on the case had struck a promising clue and that arrests might shortly follow.
With his head swathed in bandages and scarcely able to talk, Samuel Lake, of the East Side, appeared before Recorder Stackhouse yesterday and said that his brother-in-law, George W. Sears, beat him into insensibility on Friday. Sears had nothing to say in explanation and was held in $600 bail.
On a charge of beating his wife and threatening to cut her head off with a razor, Emmor Lightcap, of 605 Ferry avenue, was committed to the Camden county jail yesterday by Justice Rouh. Lightcap admitted the charge and said he was prompted to do it by jealousy.
Mrs. Margaret Bell and her two pretty children were committed to the Almshouse at Blackwood yesterday by Justice Barr. Deserted by her husband Mrs. Bell had trouble with her mother-in-law and was committed to jail. To avoid being separated from her children she consented to go to the county institution.
The Commissioners of Appeal will sit at the City Hall to-morrow to hear and determine appeals made from assessments on the buildings of local bank and trust companies.
Jottings from South Camden
Camden Daily Courier —
Budget of Chat from the Lower Section of the City
PERSONAL NOTES OF INTEREST
George Staib, of 1308 Broadway, who recently underwent a delicate operation, is recovering in the Jefferson Hospital.
The William M. Dilmore Club will hold its annual election of officers on Thursday night at its headquarters, Fourth and Kaighn avenue.
The business men of Eighth street, between Line and Kaighn avenue, have donated $50, which will be used as prizes for the New Year associations which pass that way.
Thursday night the Fireside New Year Association will parade over the following route to advertise its ball, which takes place Friday night at Turner Hall: Form on Kaighn avenue, right r[?]ting on Third, to Pine, to Second, to Chestnut, to Front, to Kaighn avenue, to Broadway, to Federal, to Second, to State, to Fourth, to Market, to Second, to Federal, to Haddon avenue, to Benson, to Sixth, to Kaighn avenue, to Broadway, to Walnut, to Fifth, to Spruce, to Fourth, to Kaighn avenue.
Eli Hunt, son of Constable James Hunt, is home to spend the holidays with his parents. He is a member of the crew of the battleship Texas.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert James yesterday had a Christmas family reunion at their home on Broadway. About forty persons participated in the event, which was pronounced by all as an occasion long to be remembered.
Mrs. Matthew Acker, of 806 Pine street, is recovering from an illness of several days.
William Daly, of the battleship Virginia, is home on a furlough for the Christmas holidays.
Kaighn avenue and Broadway business men say they never had such a rush as that of Saturday night. Everyone seemed to be anxious to lay in a store of food and gifts. All sorts of stores were, in many instances, almost depleted of stock. This morning there was comparatively little poultry to be had. Christmas trees and greens had disappeared, too, for on Saturday everything in this line was toted off by men, women and children. All of which shows this era of prosperity is being enjoyed to the limit.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
All of the victims of the acid fumes who were overcome at a machine shop in George street on Friday were able to leave the Homoeopathic Hospital yesterday.
The funeral of Agnes Ferguson, who died Wednesday at her home at 822 Broadway, took place yesterday, interment being made in the Darleigh Cemetery.
Constable James Hunt, who figured prominently in the Leeoney and Miller murders of two decades ago, is seriously ill at his home, at Fourth and Line streets.
Fire resulting from a lighted cigarette stub being thrown on the floor damaged the home of William T. Beckett, 149 Spruce street early yesterday morning.
Many persons yesterday attended the funeral of William H. Payne of 263 Mt. Vernon street. He had been a resident of the city for thirty five years and had about thirty inventions to his credit.
Permits were taken out yesterday by D. H. Sharn for the erection of a three story warehouse for S. C. Childs & Co., to be located at Front and Walnut streets.
Lured to Third and Kaighn’s avenue by his wife whom he is alleged to have abandoned nearly a year ago Louis Kohler was arrested yesterday and subsequently held in $500 bail by Recorder Stackhouse pending his removal to Philadelphia. He is under bonds in the latter city to support his wife and children.
Probable fatal injuries were received yesterday by August Justice, 72 years old, at Llin Station, Camden county, when he was struck and pinned to the ground by a falling pole. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital in Camden, where it was found that he had a compound fracture of both legs.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Accused of taking a false affidavit in order to become naturalized, Max Greenburg, of 510 North Fifth street, was held in $2000 bail by United States Commissioner Morgan, in Camden, yesterday, to await the action of the United States grand jury.
Many yesterday attended the funeral of Constable James Hunt, who had held that office for over a quarter of a century. Politicians of the city and county sent many floral emblems. The services were held at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Abrams, 316 Line street.
There was a pretty service at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Broadway and Ferry avenue, Camden, yesterday, when a hundred boys and girls attended exercises incident to Holy Thursday. They were preceded by half a dozen girls dressed in white and all carried flowers. After the ceremonies the children almost covered the lawn of the church with beautiful blossoms.
JERSEY SHORE.—General Superintendent Albert A. Brazier, of the New York Central Railroad, met a committee representing the striking car workers yesterday and adjusted the wage scale. The men will return to work to-day.
As a result of cutting a corn, Isaac Harris, 72 years old, of Williamstown, was taken to the Cooper Hospital, Camden, to have a foot amputated.
Arrangements are being made by the Citizens’ Republican Club to hold a smoker and banquet on March 31 at its headquarters, 1148 Broadway.
After a stay of three months at Columbia, S. C., where she went to regain her health, Attorney Annie Irving Keeler has returned to her home.
County Clerk Frank Patterson and family are at Atlantic City, where they will spend the Easter holidays.
City Clerk Brown yesterday issued permits for the erection of twenty dwellings, mostly in the Southern section of the city.
The funeral of Mrs. Nellie Lippincott, wife of Dr. A. H. Lippincott, took place yesterday from her home, 21 Broadway, the services being in charge of Rev. Percy Perinchief, pastor of the Centenary M. E. Church.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Councilmen were advised last night through the city’s legal department that the public utilities bill signed by Governor Fort on Thursday does not deprive their body of any of the powers it now exercises over public service companies, except that they cannot grant franchises or privileges unless approved by the commission which the bill creates.
Convinced that the fractured skull sustained by Frank Ostertag was the result of an accident, Recorder Stackhouse yesterday released in nominal bail William Sofield, who is accused of being responsible for Ostertag’s condition.
Falling from a toy express wagon, John Crain, aged 8 years, of 316 North Tenth street, fractured his left leg.
Suit for $2000 for the loss of two horses and the demolition of a wagon was yesterday begun against the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad by Andrew B. F. Smith in the Supreme Court. The team was struck by an electric train at Seventh and Royden streets on February 4, and the driver, George Miller, was so badly hurt that he died while on the way to Cooper Hospital in the ambulance.
City Council will next Thursday name a successor to James Hunt, deceased court constable. The place will likely go to William Williams.
The German-American Alliance is making extensive preparations for a big celebration of Whitsuntide Monday on May 16 at Riverview Park. Mayor Ellis has accepted a part in the exercises of the day.
Flames caused by an overheated stove yesterday damaged the rear of the dwelling of James Dare, 707 Locust street.
Falling down stairs, Mrs. Louise Johnson, of 758 Sycamore street, sustained sprains of both ankles. She was taken to Cooper Hospital.
Five hours after he escaped from a sanatorium at Byberry, Pa., Michael Morgan was captured in Camden by Detectives Brothers and Moffett.
Falling while carrying a kettle of hot soup at a canning factory, Allen McGraw, aged 49 years, of 444 South Third street, was badly scalded about the arms. He was taken to the Homeopathic Hospital.
Arrested by Detective Carroll at Wilmington, Del., on a charge of deserting his bride of a few months, Samuel Williams asserts that he married the girl in fear of harm at the hands of a relative. He says that he never intended living with his wife.