James Wilson
JAMES WILSON was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 20, 1891. The 1920 Census shows him living at 823 Morgan Street in Camden with his wife and daughters Josephine and Margaret. He was working as a foreman at a shipyard, most likely the nearby New York Shipbuilding Corporation yard.
James Wilson was appointed to the Camden Police department on September 9, 1924.
The 1930 Census shows James Wilson living at 697 Fairview Street with his wife, the former Josephine Meyers, son James M. Wilson Jr., and daughters Josephine, Margaret, and Theresa “Tess” Wilson. His wife passed away on January 2, 1940 of a heart ailment. The Census shows James Wilson living with his son and daughter Theresa at 754 Sylvan Street.
When he registered for the draft in April of 1942, James Wilson was living at 224 Cooper Street.
Four Motorists Fined in City Police Court
Camden Courier-Post —
FOUR MOTORISTS FINED IN CITY POLICE COURT
Four motorists arrested for reckless driving or speeding were fined today by Judge Bernard Bertman in police court.
Thelman White, of Atlantic City, paid what Judge Bertman termed a “double fine” of $20. Thomas Kauffman, a motorcycle policeman, testified White had a “moonshine breath” when he apprehended him at Broadway and Kaighn avenue after a chase of several blocks.
Kauffman said he blew his police whistle constantly while pursuing White without avail. White, charged with reckless driving, said he did not hear the whistle.
John D. Wysocki, 20 years old, 1121 Atlantic avenue, was fined $20 after James Wilson, motorcycle policeman, charged he speeded 38 miles an hour along Kaighn avenue. Filippo Cuzbubo, 36 years old, Swedesboro, was fined $10 on testimony by Policeman Charles Stone that he drove recklessly past a bus at Broadway and Washington street, and Clifford Heminway, 19 years old, 924 Tulip street, was fined $10 on complaint of Emil Muckelsturm, Jr., 1441 Cresmont avenue, that Heminway’s truck had damaged his automobile in a crash at Sixth and Walnut streets.
‘Black Bill’ Is Hurt When Car Hits Wagon
Camden Courier-Post —
‘BLACK BILL’ IS HURT WHEN CAR HITS WAGON
Thrown from his wagon when it was struck by a truck, Claude Brooks, known in the sporting world as “Black Bill,” was cut on the hand and suffered body bruises yesterday afternoon.
Brooks was driving on Haddon avenue when at Mickle street a vehicle driven by Rocco Turchi, Jr., 22, of 1526 South Twelfth street, Philadelphia, crashed into the wagon.
The horse was injured and was killed by Dr. Charles B. Helm, city veterinarian and purchasing agent. Brooks was treated at Cooper Hospital.
Turchi, driver for John Morrell & Co., Philadelphia, was arrested by James Wilson, motorcycle policeman, for reckless driving. He was released under $227 bail for a hearing Tuesday. Brooks, at the height of his fistic career many years ago, fought such notables as Jack Johnson and others. He is 42 and lives at 1028 Linden street.
Police Escort Funeral of Former Chief Hyde
Camden Courier-Post —
POLICE ESCORT FUNERAL OF FORMER CHIEF HYDE
A police motorcycle squad under the command of Inspector Humes acted as escort today at the funeral service of Edward S. Hyde, former police chief and a member of the board of freeholders, who died Sunday.
Services took place at the home, 832 Haddon Avenue, and burial was in Harleigh Cemetery. Members of the police detail were Sergeant Jefferson Kay, patrolmen Thomas Kauffman, William Moll, John Stanton, Thomas Welch and James Wilson.
Hyde was appointed to the police force in April, 1894, and pensioned July, 1923. He succeeded Chief Gravenor when the latter resigned in 1922. Long interested in politics, he was elected freeholder two years ago. He is survived by his widow, Mina B. Hyde, and three daughters, Mrs. Marion Garlan, Mrs. Mary Van Hart and Emma Hyde.
Funeral Is Held for Bonner At Home as Cops Stand Guard
Camden Courier-Post —
At Final Rites for Slain Racketeer
Part of the 400 persons who crowded into the house and lined the sidewalks and street near it are shown in the above photo, taken this morning after funeral services were held for William “Shooey” Bonner, who was killed by gangsters’ bullets Sunday night. Services were held in Bonner’s home, 916 North Front street. Photo shows casket being placed in hearse which bore the remains to New Camden Cemetery.
Funeral Is Held for Bonner At Home as Cops Stand Guard
Slain Racketeer Buried in New Camden Cemetery After Brief Service—No Mass Said at Church
William “Shooey” Bonner, murdered North Camden racketeer, was buried today after simple funeral rites were held at his home, 916 North Front street.
While about 400 morbidly curious persons crowded in front of the small dwelling, Carroll P. Stanton, funeral director, read services over the bier at 11 a. m. Bonner’s widow and five children, and about 50 friends and relatives of the family, attended the services. Interment was in New Camden Cemetery.
An hour before the services, a Courier-Post reporter and a photographer were informed that Bonner’s friends did not want any photos taken of the funeral. They issued a warning that if pictures were taken, they would break the camera and beat the two newspapermen. The police were asked to prevent the taking of a picture.
Although four detectives and five patrolmen had been stationed at and near the house this morning, Sergeant Walter Rowand, of the First Police District, asked headquarters for more men. Five motorcycle cops under Sergeant James Wilson arrived in response to the call. A Pennsylvania car repeatedly circled the block in which the Bonner home is situated, and once parked directly in front of the newspapermen’s car. However, the pictures were taken without event.
Cops Escort Cortege
Two motorcycle policemen led the funeral cortege to the cemetery at 11.15 a. m. Another motorcycle cop and a bandit-chaser brought up the van. Mrs. Bonner was pale but composed as the cortege left the house, but she broke down and cried at the grave.
Rev. Father Thomas J. Whelan, rector of the Holy Name Roman Catholic Church, Fifth and Vine streets, today emphatically stated that no mass was said for Bonner in his church. Father Whelan said no arrangements ever had been made for any mass. In today’s Morning Post it was stated that mass was to be said in Holy Name church, while the burial was taking place. This was printed on information given a Post reporter by a woman at the door of the Bonner home last night. The Courier hereby makes the correction in fairness to Father Whelan and the Holy Name church.
2000 Visit Home
More than 2000 persons visited the Bonner home last night to pay last respects to the slain racketeer and to offer their condolences to his family. At midnight the last of the crowd departed.
Two patrolmen, however, remained on guard at the front of the house, in the faint hope that some person wanted by police in connection with “Shooey’s” death might seek to enter.
But known figures of the underworld were scarce at the Bonner home last night. Aside from a few neighbors and relatives the greater portion of the crowd had never seen in life the man that was Bonner.
Thoroughness Shown
Mute evidence of the thoroughness of the killers who murdered “Shooey” near his home, late Sunday, could be seen as the body lay in its flower-banked casket. Bonner’s closest personal friends expressed the thought that “they would never have known it was ‘Shooey’ lying there” if they hadn’t known what had happened.
Efforts of undertakers to cover the scars of more than 20 machine-gun slugs were successful, but in “making over” the face they left not the slightest resemblance of Bonner’s real countenance.
Those who called to pay respects—or to satisfy curiosity—were greeted at the foot of the bier by James “Jimmy” Rodgers, former pugilist, and William Pernier, both of whom are under bail as material witnesses in the slaying. The two kept the long line constantly moving. They were among the pallbearers today.
‘Sin Sermon’ Opposite
As a strange coincidence of the sombre scene at the Bonner home, special services were held in Gospel Hall, directly across the street, where Herbert Genz, a missionary worker, had as his text the sixth chapter, twenty-third verse, the book of Romans: “The Wages of Sin is Death.”
A large electrified sign bearing that scripture was displayed on the front of the hall.
Acting Sergeant of Detectives John Opfer and Sergeant Albert York were in charge of the police details at the home last night.
Cop Shakeup Today; Ax for 4th District
Camden Courier-Post —
COP SHAKEUP TODAY; AX FOR 4TH DISTRICT
Humes Due to Be Personnel Inspector, Replaced by Ward or Anderson
A resolution abolishing the fourth police district will be adopted by the City Commission Thursday at its semi-monthly meeting.
A general shakeup in the police department is scheduled for announcement immediately after the meeting by Mayor Roy R. Stewart, director of public safety.
Chief among the scheduled changes is appointment of Inspector Charles T. Humes, now stationed at police headquarters, to inspector in charge of personnel of the entire department.
Humes would be succeeded at police headquarters by either Lieut. Herbert Anderson or Lieut. George Ward.
Anderson commands the fourth district, which will merge with the second police district under command of Lieut. Ralph Bakley.
Ward heads the first district police. In the event he replaces Humes, he will be succeeded by Anderson.
A number of sergeants also will be shuffled. Sergt. Edward Hahn, now stationed in the third district, and Sergt. John Garrity, of the fourth, will be transferred to the traffic squad. Two acting sergeants now in the traffic bureau, George Jefferis and James Wilson, will be patrolmen.
Sergt. Edward Carroll, of the fourth, will go to the third district to replace Hahn. The other sergeant from the fourth district, John Skolski, will become a desk sergeant at headquarters.
Skolski will replace Sergt. Stiles Whitaker, now a headquarters desk sergeant. Whitaker will return to his former post, duty at the city banks.
Loser in Taproom Fight Halts Assault Charge
Camden Courier-Post —
LOSER IN TAPROOM FIGHT HALTS ASSAULT CHARGE
Harry Crothers, 45, of 705 Pearl street, told Police Judge Lewis Liberman he was sitting peacefully in a taproom at Seventh and Birch streets when John Albert Waite, of 318 Point Street, walked in.
“The next thing I knew he hit me on the nose,” Crothers testified. “I attempted to find out the reason for the unexpected attack and he hit me in the mouth.
“Then I got angry and socked him four times.”
Waite appeared in court with a fractured nose, two discolored eyes and puffed lips.
Motorcycle Patrolman James Wilson, who was called to quell the disturbance, said Crothers was charged with assault and battery and Waite was a material witness.
“I was drunk—I don’t remember what happened,” Waite mumbled. “I want to withdraw the charge.” The court complied and they walked out arm-in-arm.
Tipsy Driver Cases Draw Court’s Fire
Camden Courier-Post —
TIPSY DRIVER CASES DRAW COURT’S FIRE
Mariano Says He Won’t Postpone Any More as Complaint is Thrown Out
Police Judge Mariano gave notice yesterday that “unless a very good reason is advanced,” there will be no more drunken driving cases postponed in Police Court.
He made that statement after telling Virgil Moffett, 47, of 303 North Forty-first street, that he was “very lucky” and that he would be “given the benefit of the doubt.” He then dismissed a drunken driving complaint against the man.
Moffett was arrested last Saturday night after a truck on which he was riding, and a car driven by Ernest Herman, 25, of 214 Byron street, were in collision at Fourth and Federal streets. The hearing scheduled for Monday, was postponed until today so that “additional witnesses” could be called.
Although Lieutenant George Ward testified that Moffett was drunk when brought into police headquarters, Sergeant James Wilson, who arrested Moffett, said he was not intoxicated, but had been drinking.
Moffett admitted driving the truck into the city and said he had a couple of drinks at a restaurant. He said that he did not want to drive back and that two men whom he met in the restaurant and whom he did not know offered to go along with him and drive the truck. The men were not with Moffett when he was arrested.
Herman said he didn’t know who was driving the truck but that after the collision Moffett came over to him. He said he didn’t know whether Moffet was drunk.
“I must dispose of these cases upon the evidence presented here under the law,” Judge Mariano declared. “I will dismiss the complaint. This will be the last drunken driving case that will be postponed by me unless a very good reason is advanced.”
Accused Officer Studies Payroll
Camden Courier-Post —
Accused Officer Studies Payroll
CAPT. NATHAN PETIT, who with seven other officers in the city traffic department, which he heads, is accused of receiving pay from state highway funds for work at the Baird boulevard overpass while on duty for the city, is shown scanning payroll records upon which the charges are based by the city. Director of Public Safety Dr. Rhone stands in the background viewing the proceedings yesterday while questioning is directed by Louis T. Goldman, assistant city solicitor, left.
5 Accused Cops To Ask Rhone for Full Exoneration
Claim Falsifications Of N. J. Work Record In Overpass Case
Director of Public Safety Rhone soon will be asked to “completely exonerate” five of eight Camden traffic officers who have been accused of accepting pay from the state for traffic duty at the Baird boulevard overpass during their regular city hours.
State Senator Wallace made that announcement today on behalf of Sgt. Anthony Skolski and Traffic Patrolmen Charles Hance, Martin Nelson, George Getley and Everett Joslin.
Wallace said he would base his appeal to Dr. Rhone on testimony produced at a preliminary hearing held yesterday on orders of Dr. Rhone for all eight men, including Captain Nathan Petit, and Sgts. James Wilson and Walter Vecander.
“There is no question that the payroll records which were the basis for the accusations against the five men I represent, were falsified,” Wallace said. “Sergeant Wilson, who kept the records admitted frequently in his testimony yesterday the records were ‘mistakes, errors and not based on actual time put in.’”
‘Charges Groundless’
“The whole hearing proved without doubt that the charges against the five men were groundless and I will ask Dr. Rhone to make a public statement that the records were falsified and these five men were blameless and not guilty of accepting state pay for work on city time.”
Wilson admitted at the hearing he did not pay the traffic men the full time recorded for them on the overpass payroll records. He was asked by Assistant City Solicitor Goldman:
“Then it comes down to the fact that the men in the traffic bureau only worked on their off hours. That the reports are mistakes. They only received the money to which they were entitled. You got more money than they were entitled to but you won’t tell us where that money went to, is that correct?”
“Yes,” Wilson answered.
Wilson said the hours marked on the payroll were a mistake.
Cops and Counsel in Dual Job Case
FIVE CITY TRAFFIC BUREAU MEMBERS are shown at top presenting their defense through counsel to Public Safety Director Dr. Rhone on charges they collected pay from the state for traffic duty at the Baird boulevard overpass at the time they were required to be on duty for the city. State Sen. Bruce A. Wallace is at extreme right denying the charges for the five officers he represents. Standing with him from left are Sgt. Anthony Skolski, Patrolmen Charles Hance, George Getley, Everett Joslin and Martin Nelson. The lower photo shows Traffic Sgt. James Wilson and Walter Vecander, and Park Guard Anthony Palese waiting to be called.
Traffic Officers Testify in Overpass Pay
PRINCIPALS IN THE CITY PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR’S PROBE of eight traffic department members, accused of receiving pay from the state at the time they were scheduled to be on duty for the city, are shown above yesterday testifying in their own defense. At the left is Capt. Nathan Petit, in command of the city traffic bureau, and Sgt. James Wilson, who admitted he signed the payroll sheets. The hearing was in the office of Public Safety Director Rhone.
All of the officers were fully exonerated of any wrongdoing.
Photos
James Wilson
James Wilson, 58, Retired Camden Policeman, Dies
Camden Courier-Post —
James Wilson, 58, Retired Camden Policeman, Dies
Sgt. James Wilson, 58, retired Camden policeman, died Monday in his summer home in Fortescue. He lived at 120 State st. Born in Philadelphia, he resided in Camden 40 years.
He was appointed to the police force Nov. 8, 1924, was promoted to sergeant Dec. 9, 1944, and retired in May, 1950. For many years he was on motorcycle duty in the traffic department.
Sergeant Wilson was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Ionic Lodge 84, FAM, Camden; Camden Forest 5, Tall Cedars of Lebanon; Excelsior Consistory, Collingswood; Crescent Temple, Trenton, the Craftsmen, North Camden Square Club and the Police Beneficial Association for 25 years.
Surviving are his widow, Mary H.; two step-daughters, Joyce and Gloria, both of Camden, and two brothers, Charles, Westville, and Harry, Philadelphia.
Services will be held Thursday at 11 a. m. in the Murray Funeral Home, 408 Cooper st. The Rev. William L. Ziegenfus, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery, Pitman. Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday night.