John G. Opfer
JOHN GEORGE OPFER was born November 10, 1890 in Camden NJ to John and Katie Opfer. His grandfather, also named John Opfer, worked as carpenter for the Pennsylvania Railroad. His father worked as a laborer. The family lived at 540 North Front Street in the early 1890s. After his grandfather died, his grandmother, Margaret Opfer, conducted a grocery there for a time. By the end of the 1890s his father had moved the family to 423 North Front Street, where he operated a saloon from the 1890s through at least 1910.
John G. Opfer was working as molder and living at home at the time the 1910–1911 Camden City Directory was compiled, and was still unmarried. Over the next few years he wed, and secured a position with the Camden Police Department. When he registered for the draft in June of 1917 he was living with his wife Catherine at 112 Pearl Street. He had already served three years as a private with the Third Regiment, New Jersey National Guard by this time, however it does not appear that he was called to active duty during World War I. A son, John E. Opfer, was born around the time he registered for the draft.
By 1920 John G. Opfer and family had moved around the corner to 423 North 2nd Street. By 1930 John G. Opfer was working as a detective for the Camden Police Department. The family still lived at 423 North 2nd Street, near the corner of North 2nd and Pearl Streets, and would remain there into the 1950s.
John G. Opfer was still working with the Camden Police Department when he registered for the draft in 1942. His son, John E. Opfer, had joined the Camden Police department on September 23, 1940. Sadly, John G. Opfer passed away by 1947.
World War I Draft Card
Named: John George Opfer, World War I Draft Registration Card, 1917, Name: John George Opfer, Address: 112 Pearl, Camden NJ, Born: November 10, 1890, Occupation: Police Officer, City of Camden, and Military service: Private, 3rd Regiment, New Jersey National Guard, 3 years.
What Do YOU Think?
Camden Courier-Post —
We hear that City Detective Johnny (Bumps) Opfer has been suspended from the house committee of the First Ward Republican Club because he made some of his famous snapper soup for another Republican club in town … Your soup’ll taste better’n ever now, Johnny … And every club in the city will request you do them the favor of making some for their members … And the man responsible for your discomfiture has not made any friends by his move…
At Final Rites for Slain Racketeer
Camden Courier-Post —
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.
What Do YOU Think?
Camden Courier-Post —
… Detective Benjamin Simon recently lost two gold teeth on a small bridge … And with crime at a minimum the past week the entire detective force have been invoked in the search for them … I wonder if Johnny Opfer is gonna make any of his famous snapper soup for the First Ward pig roast? … There’s a budding romance on the top floor of one of the city’s skyscrapers (There’s only three you know, so that ought to be easy) … I’ve been told about a recent offer of $150 to three children of a man killed in the line of duty … This is in full settlement for the man’s death, which came by no fault of his own … I’m wondering if the company making the offer can really afford it … Even though it will be denied Philly is wide open … And beer as plentiful there as in Camden … What Philadelphia councilman staged a wide-open party at a certain Republican club Thursday night … And transported the entire ensemble of a Philadelphia burlesk house to the place for his guests entertainment. … See you later.
Sleuth Back on Duty
Camden Courier-Post —
After an enforced idleness of several weeks due to the amputation of one of his fingers, Detective Robert Ashenfelter returned to duty last night at detective headquarters.
Patrolman John Opfer, assigned to the detective division to fill Ashenfelter’s place during his absence, has been transferred back to uniform duty, Acting Police Chief John W. Golden announced the change last night.
60 Overcome While at Work in RCA Victor; Probe Started
Camden Courier-Post —
New York Ship Employees Sent to Hospital From Ptomaine — Workers of 4 Firms Listed Among Victims — Sandwiches Served by Philadelphia Caterer Believed to Be Responsible
Nearly 100 Camden factory and shipyard workers were poisoned yesterday after eating food contained in box lunches.
More than 60 of the workers, stricken at their machines in the RCA Victor Company plants, were rushed to the company’s dispensary and local hospitals. Many are reported in serious condition.
At the New York Shipbuilding Company others became ill after partaking of the lunches. Four are in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital recovering from the effects of the poisoned food. At least three more were stricken at the leather plant of the John R. Evans Company, Second and Erie Streets.
In Philadelphia more than a score of laundry workers were carried to physicians and hospitals, all said to be victims of contaminated foods. Physicians believed all would recover.
Dr. David D. Helm, city sanitary inspector, believed the ptomaine condition resulted from the eating of egg sandwiches.
Dr. Helm, along with Sergeant Rox Saponare and detectives, last night questioned Ray Konst, 3313 D Street, Philadelphia, owner of a Philadelphia box lunch concern.
Put Ban on Sales
Following the quizzing, Konst was ordered to refrain from further selling of the box lunches in Camden, pending the result of an investigation. He also must obtain complete approval from the Philadelphia Board of Health before being allowed to resume operations here.
The boxes, distributed by Konst, are labeled “The Majestic Lunch.” Konst declared that never before had complaint reached him as to the quality of his food.
“I have ordered distribution of Majestic Lunches in Camden be stopped,” Dr. Helm said, “until the investigation has been completed and the health authorities in Philadelphia to whom all evidence will be given because they supervise this company, give them a clean bill of health.”
Two of the box lunches have been obtained by police and will be chemically analyzed today by order of Dr. A. L. Stone, city health officer.
Konst assured police he would assist in any manner possible to learn the source and nature of the foodstuff causing the illness.
Woman First Victim
The first illness occurred shortly after 3 p. m. at the RCA Victor plant. A young woman was overcome after partaking of a glass of water. She was taken to the dispensary where Dr. Reuben L. Sharp said she was suffering from ptomaine poisoning.
Within a short time several other girls and men in various sections of the plant were stricken. Some fainted at their machines and had to be carried to the dispensary.
Soon Dr. Sharp and his staff of nurses had more than they could handle. Private automobiles were pressed into service and many of the victims taken to Cooper Hospital, where stomach pumps were used to clear their bodies of the poisonous food.
One man, B. H. Poole, 40, of 144 North Sixtieth street, Philadelphia, was admitted and his condition described as serious.
Others were treated and sent to their homes, where many were attended last night by their personal physicians.
Girl Describes Scene
Miss Clara Schaeffer, 19, of 226 South Fifth Street, Gloucester, employed at the RCA Victor, told of the scenes near her shortly before she became ill and was rushed to Cooper Hospital for treatment.
“I saw many of the girls running upstairs to the restroom,” Miss Schaeffer said at her home, where she is confined to bed, “but paid little attention to them, although several had to be assisted up the steps.”
“Suddenly I felt sick at my stomach and had a desire for a drink of water. I asked the girl next to me to get me a drink, but she was unable to leave her machine at the time and I walked to the fountain.”
“After taking the drink everything seemed to whirl about and I thought I was going to faint. I told my foreman and he ordered me taken to the dispensary.”
“When I arrived there the place was filled and someone took me to Cooper Hospital, where the doctor gave me some medicine and I was taken to my home.”
Miss Schaeffer said she grew worse after she arrived home and her parents summoned a physician.
Fall at Machines
Others told similar stories of the scenes as worker after worker was stricken. Plant officials said many had fallen where they stood, the ptomaine attack seizing them so suddenly they had no time to summon aid.
Konst told Detectives Benjamin Simon and John Opfer that he sells more than 200 box lunches in Camden daily. He has agents at the RCA plants, New York Shipyard and at the leather companies.
He also sells more than 500 box lunches daily in Philadelphia.
The lunch yesterday was made up of a cheese sandwich, an egg and lettuce sandwich, a piece of apple pie, cupcake and fruit. Some of the lunches contained tuna fish sandwiches.
Man’s Condition Serious
According to Dr. Helm, all of those taken ill had eaten the egg sandwiches, some had partaken of the tuna fish and others of the cheese.
One man became ill when he ate half an egg sandwich given him by a fellow employee late in the afternoon.
The laundry workers affected were employed at the Forrest Laundry, 1225 West Columbia Avenue, Philadelphia.
One of these, John Gilligan, 52, of 1923 East Willard Street, was taken to St. Luke’s and Children’s Homeopathic Hospital in a critical condition.
Police were checking other hospitals to learn if additional victims were unreported.
Partial List of Poisoned
Camden Courier-Post —
A partial list of the nearly 100 persons poisoned by food at local factories yesterday follows:
RCA Victor Employees:
Treated at Dispensary:
Barbara White, 3136 North Twenty-ninth Street, Philadelphia. Vera White, 825 North Sixth Street, Philadelphia. E. B. Bauers, 1255 Kenwood Avenue. Mary Mossman, 3163 Amber Street, Philadelphia. Anna Cullen, 2124 Memphis Street, Philadelphia. Clyde Lape, 562 Mickle Street. William H. Scott, 222 Crestmont Terrace, Collingswood. M. E. Wagner, 581 Carman Street. A. Burman, 1466 Kenwood Avenue. Miss M. Brennan, 2141 North Dover Street, Philadelphia. Emma Randelbach, Lindenwold. John Derry, Camden. Helen Shevlin, 854 South Fifth Street. Miss Shaefer, 2825 Amber Street, Philadelphia.
Treated at Cooper Hospital:
B. H. Poole, 40, of 144 North Sixtieth Street, Philadelphia. Admitted to hospital. Miss Violetta Brown, 21, Brooklawn. Miss Clara Schaeffer, 226 South Fifth Street, Gloucester. Dorothy Kurtz, 32, of 308 Penn Street. Alfred Shaefer, 42, of 932 Cooper Street. Gertrude Carl, 17, of 820 Brown Street, Gloucester. Peter I. Cassell, 42, of 353 East Cambria Street, Philadelphia. Willard Stipezell, 25, of 3918 Camden Avenue. Frank Di Nardo, 24, of 222 Second Street, Schenectady, N. Y.
New York Shipyard Employees:
Treated at West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital:
Howard Fryer, 42, of 214 Bergen Street, Gloucester. William Shaeffer, 54, Woodbury Heights. Philip Saponaro, 33, of 422 Evans Street. John Joyce, 32, of 310 Manton Street, Philadelphia.
Two Armed Men Rob Gas Station and Flee
Camden Courier-Post —
Two armed bandits last night held up a Camden gasoline station attendant, scooped $7 from the cash register and disappeared in a maroon coupe driven by a third man.
Carlton G. Weatherby, of 1 Kings highway, Haddonfield, attendant at the Gulf station, Ferry and Mt. Ephraim avenues, reported to Detectives John Opfer and Robert Ashenfelter the two men jumped out of the car which the driver parked a short distance away on Ferry Avenue. Entering the station, they forced Weatherby to turn away from the cash register and after one of them took the money, the other struck him on the head and warned him to make no outcry. Then they ran out and disappeared. Both bandits carried steel-colored pistols. Both were of medium build and wore dark clothes.
Hunch Saves Man $700 in Robbery
Camden Courier-Post —
Gloucester Pigeon Fancier Lured to Camden by Fake Phone Call
A “hunch” that he might be robbed early today saved Daniel Flynn, 47, an automobile accessory dealer, of Broadway and Morris street, Gloucester, a roll of about $700 he usually carries.
Two men lured him to a dark spot near Sixth street and Chelten avenue, through a fake telephone call. One robbed him while the other held him by the throat, but they got only $5.
A flyweight boxer in Camden in his youth, Flynn is nationally known as a pigeon fancier, founder and past president of the South Jersey Homing Pigeon Club. He received a telephone call at 12:15 a. m. A man said he was calling for a friend of Flynn, whose name he gave. He declared the friend had serious trouble with his automobile at Sixth Street and Chelten Avenue, Camden, and wanted Flynn to drive there and help him.
Suspecting it might not be well to carry much money, Flynn left all but $5 at home and drove there. He saw no car. Two men approached on foot. They directed him to a dark spot at the dead end of Sixth Street. There one of the thieves seized him by the throat, scratching his face, while the other went through his pockets. Neither displayed a weapon. Flynn said both outweighed him and he was powerless to resist.
Lights of an approaching automobile appeared, and the men took to their heels. Flynn reported to John Opfer, Camden detective, that the thieves leaped in a car parked some distance away and escaped. He gave Opfer a good description.
Hit-Run Car Victim Critically Injured
Camden Courier-Post —
Victim of a hit-run motorist, William Veddiman, 56, of 122 Stanley street, was admitted to Cooper Hospital yesterday afternoon with a possible fracture of the pelvis. He is in a serious condition.
The man was struck at Second and Sycamore streets by an automobile proceeding north on Second street at high speed, according to witnesses. The driver, they told police, turned into Chestnut street, one block north, and continued east on Chestnut street.
The witnesses were Matthew Erich, of 2005 Fillmore street, and Jesse Murphy, of 129 Boyer court. They picked up Veddiman from the street and placed him in the car of Orol Ledden, Jr., of Sewell, who drove to the hospital. They told Detective John Opfer they had seen another car in pursuit of the hit-run driver.
Cop’s Guest Beaten; Colsey Probes Row
Camden Courier-Post —
Youth ‘Blackjacked’ at Party; Father Retains Lawyer, to Investigate
Police Chief Arthur Colsey yesterday detailed three detectives to investigate a street row early Sunday at Fourth and Mechanic streets in which a Fairview youth and a Camden policeman were involved.
The youth, Walter Callahan, 21, of 1375 Roanoke Road, is confined to Cooper Hospital with a slight brain concussion and head cuts he said he received when “blackjacked” by Policeman Earl Cunningham, of 448 Mechanic street.
Chief Colsey removed Cunningham from duty yesterday afternoon pending completion of the probe.
The investigation ordered by Colsey followed after Walter Callahan Sr., father of the youth, retained an attorney for the purpose, he said, “of getting at the bottom of this.” Chief Colsey said that young Callahan had refused to talk to detectives at the hospital.
The elder Callahan, a Gloucester druggist, said he had learned that his son was “more or less of an innocent bystander” in a row that started in the Cunningham home and that he received a “severe beating” from Cunningham and the latter’s son, “bud.”
“My son went to a party at the Cunningham home,” Callahan said, “and there, I am told, a row started between young Cunningham and a girl. My son objected to a remark passed to the girl and then Cunningham and his son jumped on my boy and beat him.”
“I have retained Charles A. Cogan, a Camden attorney, and have instructed him to make a thorough investigation preliminary to proceeding with court action.”
Prefers Drunk Charge
Detectives Clifford Carr, Donald Switzer and John Opfer were named by Colsey to make an investigation for the police department.
Cunningham, who caused a detainer to be lodged against Callahan on a charge of being drunk and disorderly, told his superiors he was forced to use his blackjack on Callahan when the youth attacked him and tore his shirt and underwear.
According to the policeman, who was off duty at the time, Callahan attended a party in the Cunningham home celebrating the policeman’s wedding anniversary. Cunningham said Callahan left the house and became engaged in a noisy argument with two girls outside. He said the youth attacked him when he came out and sought to quiet Callahan.
Draft Registrant Leaps 5 Floors to Death at City Hall
Camden Courier-Post —
Sleuths Vainly Try to Grab Florida Man Who Asked About Status
A 30-year-old Florida descendant of one of North Carolina’s blue-blooded families walked into police headquarters Saturday afternoon and asked them to check his status with a Florida draft board. Two hours later the man was dead, his crushed body lying on the Market street pavement of the City Hall after he leaped from a fifth floor window in the City Hall detective bureau. The jump was made before the eyes of three detectives all powerless to reach him in time.
Identified tentatively as Manly McDowell, he had told detectives he was living at the Dixie Hotel, Florida. He was dead on arrival at Cooper Hospital. The man’s head was crushed and his arms and legs were broken.
Detective Harry Kyler was walking through police headquarters in the City Hall basement, when Patrolman Marshall Thompson called his attention to McDowell’s request. The man wanted to know if any notifications had been sent out by the board to him lately, explaining that for the past several months he had been traveling in the South and had been out of touch with his local board.
Asks for Cigarette
Kyler took McDowell to the Detective Bureau and telephoned Miami police asking them to check McDowell’s draft status and his record. Kyler told McDowell to sit down until the return call was made. The detective told Acting Sergeant John Opfer about the man, then left to answer another call. On his return at 5.55 p. m, Kyler learned of the leap.
Others besides Opfer in the bureau were Detectives Heber McCord and Clifford Del Rossi. All three said McDowell drank considerable water and smoked several cigarettes but gave no indication of contemplating suicide.
Opfer said McDowell sauntered over to the accident bureau to McCord and asked for a cigarette. McCord gave him one, then turned his back. After several puffs, McDowell put the cigarette on a filing case, leaped to the top of a table and out the window. Opfer saw the man ascend the table and yelled to McCord to stop him. McCord was too far away to grab him.
Makes Grab in Vain
DelRossi, meanwhile, walked into the bureau just in time to see the man going out of the window. He also attempted to grab him.
Acting Desk Sergeant Frank Nelson had reported off duty a short time before and as he turned the corner of the city hall on the Market street side, he saw the man’s body on the pavement. Believing him to be a heat victim, or drunk, Nelson went over to investigate just as the police ambulance arrived.
Five minutes after the death plunge, the return call was made from Miami police which said McDowell was not wanted by either police or draft board. They said the draft board had been instructed to get in touch with Warren Steiffell, employed in the Brooklyn State Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y., whenever they wanted to reach McDowell. Kyler later learned Steiffell had been inducted into the Army and stationed at Madison Barracks, Watertown, N. Y. A call to the barracks revealed Steiffell was on 48-hour leave.
Was Hospital Orderly
Attaches at the hospital said they knew McDowell as a former orderly, who had worked in hospitals in the New York City area. Kyler learned the man had worked as an orderly last year for several months at the Pilgrim State Hospital, Brentwood, N. Y.
Kyler contacted an aunt yesterday, Mrs. W. A. Leslie, of Morganton, N. C., who said McDowell’s only living close relative was a sister, Mrs. W. J. Verbeck, of Manlius, N. Y. Word was sent to the sister of McDowell’s death and she is expected to arrive here today to make positive identification.
World War II Draft Card
Named: John George Opfer, World War II Draft Registration Card, Serial No. U 01907, Address: 423 N. 2nd Street, Camden NJ, Born: November 10, 1890, Age: 57, Employer: Camden City, and Place of employment: City Hall.
Youth Held in Attempt To Strangle Girl, 16, Quizzed on Murder
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Grill Suspect About Garroting of Church Worker
A South Camden youth is under questioning today in the garrote slaying of Richard H. Thompson, 36-year-old churchworker, after his arrest Thursday night for attempting to strangle a girl with a length of clothesline.
Leroy Snyder, 18, of 736 Cherry street, was arrested on complaint of Gertrude Jones, 16, of 536 Liberty street.
The girl told police she was walking along Walnut street near Sixth about 11 p. m. when she was attacked by a youth who looped a piece of clothesline about her neck and tossed her to the ground.
The girl said she screamed and began to struggle. Her shouts were heard by a minister, the Rev. Isaac Foulkes, pastor of the New Union Baptist Church, 608 Walnut street, of which the girl is a member. The Rev. Mr. Foulkes was looking at books in the church and ran outside. Seeing him, the suspect fled.
District Detective John Opfer responded to the alarm and with the girl in his car began a tour of the neighborhood. About a block from the scene, Opfer said, the girl pointed to Snyder and he was arrested. At police headquarters Miss Jones identified Snyder as the one who attacked her.
Detective George Ellis and County Detective James McLaughlin, who are investigating the Thompson murder, were notified.
Ellis said Snyder would be questioned and the clothesline would be checked against the one found knotted tightly around Thompson’s neck when he was discovered Oct. 15 in an areaway behind a row of garages at Fifth and Mickle streets.