John J. Keefe
JOHN J. KEEFE was born in New Jersey in January of 1862. The 1880 Census shows him living with his father, Michael Keefe, 61, a teams driver at 6 Day Street, which was off of South 7th Street in Camden’s Fourth Ward. Also at home were three younger brothers, Thomas, 15, Michael, 13, and James, 8. John Keefe was then working as a dyer. During the 1890s he secured an appointment to Camden’s police department.
By 1900 John Keefe was operating a saloon at 745 Carman Street, the corner of Carman Street and Fogarty Avenue, where he lived with his wife of 15 years Elizabeth and their four children, Florence, William, John Jr., and George.
When the Census was taken again, in 1910, John J. Keefe owned and operated a saloon at 600 South 6th Street, the corner of 6th and Royden Streets, with his wife Elizabeth. Only son John Jr. was still living at home then. This bar was known from the 1930s through at least 1959 as the 600 Club and as the 600 Cafe.
The Keefe family later moved to 1132 Marion Street, off of Kaighn Avenue, where they lived at the beginning of 1920. John J. Keefe was then working as a watchman at one of Camden’s many ship yards. He later took a position as a watchman at a local bank.
John J. Keefe died on February 2, 1936 from injuries sustained when he fell from a ladder. He was preceded in death by his wife. Of his children, only son John Jr. survived him.
Evil Doers Quake
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mayor Hatch, of Camden, Starts in to Wipe Out Speak-Easies
FIRST RAID A SUCCESS
Fines Imposed by Recorder Nowrey for Operating Gambling Machines. Sunday Sellers Hope to Escape
Mayor Cooper B. Hatch is making life miserable for evil doers in Camden. After waging relentless warfare on Sunday liquor sellers and seizing all the gambling machines in saloons and cigar stores, he is now clearing out speak-easies. The first raid was made yesterday afternoon, when Captain Stanley, Sergeant Hyde, Detective Painter and Policeman Shaw swooped down on Mrs. Mary Mahan’s house, at 1062 South Front street. They found nearly enough liquor there to stock a saloon. There were two cases of bottled beer, five gallons of whisky, a large quantity of California wines, and other “wet” goods. This was all confiscated and was sent to the City Hall, together with Mrs. Mahan and a young girl.
For some time past Mayor Hatch’s private detectives have been gathering evidence against speak-easies and disorderly houses in different parts of the city, and several more arrests will be made.
The saloonkeepers arrested about ten days ago for operating slot machines in their places were arraigned yesterday before Recorder Nowrey. Maurice Hertz, of Locust street and Kaighn avenue, was the first to be tried. He was represented by former Judge Howard Carrow. The complaints against Hertz charged him with operating nickel-in-the-slot gambling machines on July 2 and 9.
Harry Williams, one of Secretary Gibboney’s detectives, who was employed in the recent Sunday liquor crusade, testified that he played “The Owl” in Hertz’s saloon on July 9. He lost five cents on the red but hit the black and quit even. On cross-examination Williams refused to tell by whom he was employed, and Recorder Nowrey would not compel him to answer. Detective Fields swore that he was with Williams in Hertz’s place, and also played the slot machine. Police Captain Stanley said he found four of the slot machines in Hertz’s place when he made the raid.
At this point Judge Carrow moved to dismiss the complaint, as it was dated in the year “189.” Decision was reserved, and the other complaint was taken up. Judge Carrow wanted this set aside on the ground that it did not specify the premises where the law was alleged to have been violated. Recorder Nowrey overruled the motion.
Detective Graper said he played the slot machine at Hertz’s saloon on Sunday, July 2. On cross-examination he refused to give his address, but said he worked for Mayor Hatch. He didn’t know, he said, whether he was on the city pay roll.
David B. Kaighn and other Kaighn avenue residents testified that they never saw slot machines in operation in Hertz’s place, but had seen them standing in the office.
Hertz, in his own defense, said he was agent for the slot machines, and those found in his office were samples to be examined by prospective purchasers.
Recorder Nowrey sentenced Hertz to pay a fine of $50 and costs. Judge Carrow gave notice that he would appeal the case, but the Recorder refused to permit Hertz to depart without paying the fine.
Peter Kelly, of Eighth street and Ferry avenue, was also convicted and paid his fine.
John Keefe, of Haddon avenue and Carman street, and Marshall Hutchinson, of Ninth and Walnut streets, pleaded guilty and were fined $50 and costs each. There were about seven more cases, which Recorder Nowrey adjourned until next Wednesday.
The 130 saloonkeepers rounded up in the recent crusade against Sunday liquor selling were in high glee yesterday over the discovery of a law that they hoped would save them from punishment for their alleged misdoings. This law was passed in 1874, and makes it unlawful to prosecute any person by indictment for violations of the liquor laws in municipalities where city ordinances provide punishment for such offenses. As the Supreme Court has set aside the Camden excise ordinance, the saloonkeepers hoped to escape further prosecution.
City Counsel Bleakly, after looking up the matter yesterday, said: “A house in which the unlawful sale of liquors is habitually made is an indictable nuisance, although there is a city ordinance prescribing penalty for such sales. Such traffic is not only a breach of the city law, but is also forbidden by the State law.” This decision was made by Judge Van Syckel in 1880, in the Court of Errors and Appeals, and was reaffirmed in 1888. It is now a State law.
The Excise Commission, at its regular meeting next Wednesday evening, will probably adopt a substitute ordinance against Sunday liquor selling to conform to the city charter, under the Supreme Court’s decision setting aside the old ordinance.
Fourteen Caught in Saloon Round-Up
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Latest Haul Made by the Law and Order League in Camden
There was another round-up of Camden county liquor dealers yesterday. Complaints were made against fourteen persons by George B. M. Adams, an agent of the Law and Order League.
Those for whom warrants were issued are: Walter S. Hubbs and wife, charged with running a speak-easy in Pensauken township; John Keefe, of Fogarty avenue and Carman street; Thomas Farnham, Ninth and Lawrence streets; John Daly, 321 North Seventh street; William Gallagher, 106 Kaighn avenue; Charles E. Bakley, 2318 Federal street; John H. Carroll, Third and Cherry streets; John H. Jones, 517 North Front street; George W. Hoskins, 505 Main street; William Convery, Eleventh and Carpenter streets; John Opfer, Front and Pearl streets; Joan Dugan, Front and Pearl streets; Michael J. Walsh, 503 Federal street.
All entered bail before Justice Schultz for hearings to-day except Opfer, Gallagher and Walsh. The latter was locked up and the other two sent word they would appear this morning. The complaints will at once be submitted to the grand jury.
Writs of Error in Saloon Cases
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Convicted Camden Liquor Dealers Have Ray of Hope to Escape Punishment
Application Will Be Made for Their Release on Bail Pending Final Disposition of Their Cases
There is joy in the hearts of the eleven saloonkeepers sentenced by Judge Armstrong, in Camden, to serve terms of imprisonment for selling liquor on Sunday. To-morrow may see them at liberty. Lawyer John Semple announced yesterday that he had taken out writs of error in the cases, and expected to secure the liberty of his clients to-morrow.
The men whom Lawyer Semple represents are Henry Felden, John H. Jones, Peter J. Kelly, William Riley, Thomas McNamee, sentenced to one year each; Thomas J. Farnam, Walter O. Hubbs, John J. Keefe, George W. Hoskins, Michael J. Walsh and William Convery, who were sentenced to six months each and to pay fines ranging from $50 to $150.
The writs will be served on Judge Armstrong to-morrow, and application made to name the amount of bail for the release of the defendants until their cases are finally disposed of. The writ is made returnable at the November term of court, and if it is dismissed Lawyer Semple says he will carry the case still further. Argument may not be made before the February term, and a decision handed down at the following June term. This would give the saloonkeepers nearly a year of liberty, even if they have to serve their sentences eventually. Secretary Hann says he will oppose the action of the saloonkeepers’ counsel to avoid the punishment of the prisoners. The amount of bail will probably be fixed at $2000 in each case.
It is said that application will be made to the Board of Pardons for the pardon of the men. Petitions for that purpose are now in circulation.
John J. Keefe, 74, Dies; Ex-Camden Policeman
Camden Courier-Post —
John J. Keefe, 74, former Camden policeman, died Sunday in Cooper Hospital of internal injuries suffered last Thursday when he fell off a ladder. He resided at 1132 Marion street.
A life-long resident of this city, Mr. Keefe was a member of the police department more than 40 years ago. He later conducted a saloon at Sixth and Royden Streets. A son, John, employed by Public Service; three brothers, Thomas, Michael and James Keefe, and two grandchildren survive. His wife, Elizabeth, died two years ago.
The funeral will take place Thursday morning from the parlor of Frank J. Leonard, 1451 Broadway, followed at 9 a. m. by requiem mass in Sacred Heart Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.