John "Happy" Kowal
JOHN KOWAL, whose full name was John Francis Kowalczyk, served on Camden's Police Department as a detective from the 1920s into the 1940s. He was popularly known as John “Happy” Kowal.
John Kowalczyk was born in Camden on November 15, 1892 to Ignatius Kowalczyk and his wife, the former Michalena Michalak. The family included an older sister, Pearl, and at least six younger children, Frank, Walter, William, Joseph, Anna, and Helen Catherine Kowalczyk.
By 1900 the family had moved to 1131 Louis Street, not far from St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, the heart and soul of Camden’s Polish community. At some point between 1906 and the summer of 1910 the family moved to 1049 Mechanic Street. John Kowalczyk was still living with his parents when he registered for the draft on June 5, 1917. He had been working as a bricklayer up to that time. John Kowalczyk served in the armed forces during World War I. By January 1, 1920 John Kowalczyk was appointed to the Camden Police Department. He was soon promoted to Detective and eventually reached the rank of sergeant.
In late 1927 or early 1928 John Kowalczyk married. The 1930 Census shows that his wife Mary lived at 1145 Whitman Avenue. Also then at home was Mary’s daughter from a previous marriage, Florence. He was still living at 1145 Whitman Avenue and working as a detective when the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled. The Kowalczyks are not listed in the 1956 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory, however.
Camden Gang Fighters Are Held for Trial
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Rival gangs created a stir at Lewis and Sycamore streets, Camden, early yesterday morning, resulting in several arrests. John Kowalch, aged 21 years, of 1049 Mechanic street, and Harry McCaffrey, aged 28 years, of 708 Mt. Vernon street, were held in $500 bail by Recorder Stackhouse on a charge of beating Albert Dudeck, of 1154 Mt. Vernon street. John Skulski, aged 37 years, of 818 Walnut street; Frank Kabinski, aged 37 years, of 1253 Sycamore street; William Jordan, aged 31 years, of 1117 Haddon avenue, and McCaffrey were given ten days by the Recorder for disorderly conduct.
When Policeman Cornog arrived on the scene there was a general riot, and he found himself in the midst of the fighters. In the melee he lost his badge, but he succeeded in corraling four of the belligerents, while Policeman Appley arrested Kowalch. About half a hundred engaged in the fight.
St. Anthony Notes
Camden Courier-Post —
“Happy” Kowal broke into the batting column on Saturday and helped to put the crimp on “Jim the Great’s” Babies.
Joe Hyde is without question the best shortstop in the league. Joe’s heavy hitting figured in the downfall of the Mulligan crew. Joe had a perfect average on Saturday, both in the field and at bat.
“Sapho” Tully keeps adding scalps to his belt. He now has eight victories to his credit. As a strikeout artist he is in a class of his own.
“Smiling Johnny” Blair is proving himself to be the best backstop in the circuit. Johnny’s great throwing arm foils many visiting henchmen.
As a third baseman “Whitey” Urban has it on anyone in the league, and also holds a batting average of 350.
George “Babe” Clayton, the king of first basemen, is playing like in his good old balmy days. He is is [sic] leading the column both in batting and fielding, holding an enviable average of .475.
Joe Christian is playing fast ball in the outfield, but at present Joe is in a batting slump. When he gets hold of his batting eye opposing pitchers take heed. Here’s hoping.
“Dutch” Fisher is worse than a German submarine or a 43 Centimeter gun to opposing pitchers. As an extra base specialist “Dutch” shines like “Sapolio.”
As a lead off man “Dutch” Barry needs no introduction. The midget outfielder has a record to be envied by older and more experienced players.
Smiling Jimmie Mangold requests all the loyal rooters to be on hand Saturday for the conflict with Lyceum. The Saints have an envied record of wins to their credit. As a hitting team they beat anything living, having 121 safe hits in eleven games. Here’s hoping they keep the good work up.
Turn out you loyal rooters on Saturday for the game.
World War I Draft Card
World War I Draft Card for John Francis Kowalczyk, registered June 5, 1917
Policeman Kowal Called to Pacific
Camden Post-Telegram —
Left for California to Testify in Murder of Former Camden Resident
Policeman John Kowal, at the South Camden district, last night began a trip across the continent. He will travel in Pullmans, put up at the best hotels and the six thousand mile journey will not cost him a cent.
Kowal is on the way to Monrovia, California where he will figure as an important witness for the defense in the case of a wealthy Armenian hotel keeper at that place, who is charged with the murder of a former resident at South Camden named Schultz. He should not be confused with another former resident at South Camden, Gus Schultz, at one time in the bottling business on South Sixth Street, and a member of the old Excise Commission, who went to Los Angeles, California about twenty years ago. The defense for the accused California hotel keeper is that he shot Schultz in self defense when attacked, knowing him to be a desperate character. Kowal was subpoenaed by the defendant’s lawyer to prove Schultz’s unsavory character when a resident of South Camden, he having arrested him on several occasions in the theft of automobiles and other crimes.
Counsel for the defense came here from California to get Policeman Kowal as a witness for his client. Lawyer and witness started for the Pacific coast from Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, last night.
2 Camden Youths Held on Charges of Hold-Up
Camden Courier-Post —
Held for grand jury on a highway robbery charge, two Camden youths today were committed to the county jail in default of $200 bail each, following hearing in police court.
Lawrence Richards, 1227 Morgan Boulevard and Stephen Baldyga, 1226 Mount Ephraim Avenue both 19 years old, were charged with holding up Marcy Wrule, 1183 Norris Street. City Detectives John Kowal and Joseph Ward arrested the boys after their identity had been revealed by a woman who saw the hold-up on Thurman Street. Wrule was robbed of $17.
Kowal testified the boys had played pinochle with Wrule at his store, Louis and Thurman Streets. Later when Wrule was on his way home he was held up and robbed.
Girl Long Missing Located by Police
Camden Courier-Post —
Held With Man in Whose Company She Was Found
Missing from her home at 425 Stevens Street for two weeks, Anna May Frye, 15 years old, was arrested by city detectives last night.
She was arraigned in police court before Judge Bernard Bertman this morning, but the case against her was continued until tomorrow. She is being held at the Detention Home.
With her, when arrested, City Detectives John Kowal, Walter Smith, and Joseph Carponi [sic] testified was Louis Vennell, 34 years old, of 129 South King street, Gloucester City. Vennell was held “on suspicion” last night but this morning was booked on a statutory charge.
Vennell told Bertman that he wanted to marry the girl, but the judge said that on account of her age he refused to take the responsibility in the case, and declared he would ask local charitable organizations to investigate.
Detectives said that the girl was arrested a few weeks ago in a Camden hotel with a local bus driver. They testified that an uncle of the girl had complained of his niece’s actions and had said that he had received a letter from her, in which she threatened to “jump off the bridge and end it all.”
Boys Say Junkman Is ‘Fence’ for Loot
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Seek Defendant Following Revelation by Youthful Quartet
Boys Say Junkman Is ‘Fence’ for Loot
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Seek Defendant Following Revelation by Youthful Quartet
A South Camden junk dealer advertised himself as a “fence” and urged boys to steal, police said today as they continued a search for him which began last night.
Four boys who were arrested by a policeman set to watch the junk shop yesterday, told how the man said he “would buy everything they brought him and wouldn’t ask questions whether it was stolen or not.”
Policeman Anthony Fortune had been stationed outside the junk shop, which is on the corner of Rose and Sycamore streets, scarcely half an hour when Anthony Szwak, 15 years old, of 1037 Louis street, came along trundling a wheelbarrow with 200 pounds of lead battery plates.
Young Szwak entered the shop. Fortune, remembering that the Camden Storage Battery Company, Haddon avenue and Line street, was robbed the night before, arrested the boy, who was taken to police headquarters and questioned. Szwak confessed that the junk dealer had said he would act as a fence, Detective John Kowal said.
Fortune returned to his post. Later three youths carrying a radiator, battery and fittings for an automobile truck, staggered into the shop. Fortune nabbed them and like Szwak, they were taken to City Hall and quizzed. There they admitted stealing the parts from the truck, in a garage at Haddon lake, Audubon, on Thursday evening. They told the same story as Szwak had furnished Detective Kowal, police declared.
These boys gave their names as Sigmund Brozozowski, 17 years old, of 1411 South Tenth street; Joseph Novachan, 18 years old, of 1147 Liberty street, and Joseph Moslouski, 18 years old, of 1245 Whitman avenue. All were turned over to Sergeant Mark Singleton of the Audubon police department.
18 Persons Are Nabbed, 3 Released by Police
Camden Evening Courier —
Detective Suspended for Beating up Two Witnesses Awaiting Questioning
18 PERSONS ARE NABBED, 3 RELEASED BY POLICE
Cops Cruising in Bandit Chaser Nab Trio Near Scene of Crime
Joseph “Mose” Flannery was shot down and mortally wounded because he challenged another racketeer’s claim to the love of a woman.
Of that police were certain today as they resumed the investigation of the murder of the Eighth ward political worker who died in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital at 6:08 p.m. yesterday.
A startling development, a “tangent” in the probe of the shooting at Front street and Kaighn avenue, came today when a Camden city detective was indefinitely suspended on charges of assaulting two men who were awaiting questioning at detective headquarters.
City Detective John Kowalski, known as “Happy Kowal,” was ordered dropped from the police payroll this morning by Chief of Police Lewis W. Stehr. He is charged with beating up Joseph Moll, 25, son of former Policeman Frank Moll, and James Bonner, of 907 North Front street.
At the same time that the Kowalski suspension order was revealed, County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran and Capt. John W. Golden, chief of city detectives, announced that of 18 persons arrested yesterday and today, 13 were being held in police headquarters, two had been released under bail, and three had been cleared of any connection in the Flannery murder.
Funeral services for “Mose” Flannery will be held at 8:00 a. m. Saturday at the undertaking parlors of Frank L. Leonard, 1451 Broadway, and will be followed by requiem mass in Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Broadway and Ferry avenue at 9:30. Rev. Fathers Kelly, Henry and McCorriston will officiate. The body may be viewed in the Leonard parlors Friday evening.
Two of those in cells today are women, and detectives declare the two “know more than they have told of the background of the slaying of “Mose” Flannery.” Of those released after questioning, two were women.
Woman Tells of Fight
The four women were arrested through a strategic move by city detectives made yesterday in a house at 103 Kaighn avenue, which had been raided a month ago. The proprietor had been arrested and fined [illegible] for maintaining a disorderly house. Seven alleged inmates of the place also had been arrested, but released on their promise to leave the city.
Detectives said that the two women detained today were believed to have been in the Kaighn avenue house at the time bullets rained out of an automobile at Front street and Kaighn avenue and found their mark—“Mose” Flannery.
The women are Rita Leslie, 21, of 3816 North Tenth street, and Joyce Harris, 23, of 1011 North Twelfth street, both of Philadelphia.
It was a story of a fight in a house at Sixth and Van Hook streets told by the Leslie girl early today that led the investigators to believe that Flannery’s fatal slaying was the result of an argument “over a woman.”
Detectives were investigating the story of the Lewis [sic] girl when Detective Kowalski made the alleged attack on Moll and Bonner.
It was shortly after 12:30 a. m. today when County Detective Chief Doran and Captain Golden were questioning “witnesses” in Golden’s private office. Moll and Bonner were awaiting their “turn,” and were seated in the main room at the detective bureau. Detectives were at their desks. Among them was Detective Wesley McGrath.
Detective Hits Prisoners
The door from the corridor was flung open and Detective Kowalski entered.
What followed was recounted today by Chief of Police Stehr, whose account of the alleged assault he said was based on details given him by witnesses.
According to Chief Stehr, Kowalski, without warning, approached Moll and with clenched fist, struck him full in the face, kicked his shins, and then turned on Bonner, on whom he repeated the performance. McGrath tried to stop his fellow detective, but Kowalski brushed him aside and struck Moll again in the mouth, the blow cutting Moll’s lip. Kowalski, according to eye-witnesses, then repeated his attack on Bonner.
(Continued on Page Ten)
Three Arrested in Flannery Death
(Continued From Page One)
William D. McDonald, a court stenographer, who had been sitting at a desk, smoking, rushed into Golden’s private office. Doran and Golden hurried into the main room and seized Kowalski. Others who entered the room at the time of the attack were James Hollis, chauffeur for Captain Golden, and several men called into the investigation.
The suspension order was given to Captain Golden by Chief Stehr this morning but had not reached Kowalski, who was scheduled to report for work at 4 p. m. today. He has the right to ask for a trial before the police board.
Stehr said he had received no official statement but had been informed by Captain Golden that Kowalski “might have had a few drinks.” Stehr said he would investigate the reports that Kowalski was intoxicated.
Kowalski had been an efficient detective, Chief Stehr said. The suspended officer joined the city police force in 1919, and has been a detective for a year and a half.
Many Suspects Grilled
Suspected of being Philadelphia gunmen, two men who gave their names as Samuel Katz, 29, of 208 North Franklin street, and James Wallace, 26, of 670 North Eleventh street, both of Philadelphia, were arrested today and held as “material witnesses.”
Questioned last night after they were taken to city hall from the house at 103 Kaighn avenue, Naomi Carey, 19, of 5325 Callowhill street, and Jean Kenny of the Bell Ridge apartments, Fifteenth and Spruce streets, both of Philadelphia, were released shortly after midnight.
William Bonner, 27, brother of James Bonner, arrested “on suspicion” at 9 p.m. yesterday by Policemen Arthur and Bunker, was released in $500 bail as was Patrick Driscoll, 25, of 1225 South Third street.
Theodore Baker, 22, of 222 West Merchant street, Audubon, arrested yesterday and suspected of being the driver of a taxicab which carried the Flannery slayers, was released today after detectives marked “no complaint” against his name on the police blotter.
In addition to those arrested yesterday, Henry Matorisch, 26, of 232 Graisbury avenue, Audubon, and John H. Kenny, 33, of the Bell Ridge apartments, Philadelphia, were detained by police as material witnesses.
Matorisch was arrested at 2:35 a. m. today by Sergt. John Skolski. Kenny was “picked up” yesterday by policemen at Front street and Kaighn avenue.
Seven others were in cells, including some of those who asked a truck driver to take the mortally wounded Flannery to the hospital early yesterday.
They were: James L. Hawkins, 37, declared by the police to be the owner of the saloon at 101 Kaighn avenue; Walter Novak, 22, of 442 Jackson street; Russell Sage, 25, of 407 Mechanic street; Joseph Novak, 34, of 508 Jackson street; Eugene Murphy, 51, of 101 Kaighn avenue; Joseph “Cuzzy” Scarduzio, 30, of 419 Winslow street, and Joseph Moll, 25, of 101 Kaighn avenue.
Twice yesterday detectives impersonated racketeers in answering telephone calls in the Front street and Kaighn avenue neighborhood. On one occasion, County Detective Chief Doran answered a call which told him of the whereabouts of “Cuzzy” Scarduzio and which led to Scarduzio’s arrest.
Police “Trap” Women
Arrest of the four girls in the house at 103 Kaighn avenue resulted from similar strategy of other investigators, City Detective Thomas Cheeseman revealed today.
The telephone at 103 Kaighn avenue rang yesterday afternoon while detectives were searching the house which was then vacant. One of the officers answered. The voice on the other end of the line asked for “Joe.” Detectives said Joseph Moll was the “Joe” sought.
“This is Joe,” answered one of the detectives.
“Is it all right for us girls to come over from Philadelphia tonight?” a woman inquired.
The impersonator of “Joe” assured the inquirer “it would be O.K.”
The four women arrived at the Kaighn avenue address shortly after [text missing between crops] which had its climax with the arrest of “Cuzzy,” surprised in the home of Garfield DelDuca, 674 Fairview street, by Doran and Golden.
After Rita Leslie had informed police of a party which ended in a fight in the saloon at 101 Kaighn avenue last Monday night detectives left headquarters shortly before midnight, their mission not revealed, but said to be a search for a man who police said ran a “shady” business near the spot where Flannery was “given the works.”
Says They’re Lying
“I don’t see why the other girls are lying,” Rita was said to have told her questioners. “We had nothing to do with the shooting. I’m just telling you about what happened before. I don’t know anything about how Flannery was shot and I don’t think the other girls do, either.”
Details of the “fight” in the saloon were not revealed by police, but they said they were convinced that an argument “over a woman,” in which Flannery took a prominent part, had a bearing on the case and would be “run down” to the limit.
That there was a “woman in it” police were certain. Tall, strong-featured blonde, Flannery looked more the part of a “model for a collar ad” than he did the underworld “worker” police declared him to be.
“Mose” was a “sheik” to young women in his “set,” police said, as they investigated the report that Flannery struck a woman in a house at Sixth and Van Hook streets last week, and that the woman’s “man” had sought revenge and had been successful.
It was that information which led to the arrest of the four Philadelphia women last night.
‘Cuzzy’ Held as Suspect
“Cuzzy” Scarduzio was questioned more rigidly than any of the others, and shortly before last midnight detectives took a step which they refused to explain, but which was seen as significant.
While they held the other men as material witnesses, they deferred slating Scarduzio in the police docket until the last minute. And when they did, they slated him “on suspicion,” and marked it as an arrest by Lawrence T. Doran, chief of county detectives.
The dead political worker was a son of James and Mary Flannery, who now live at 1123 Princess avenue. Flannery in 1924 married Anna M. Bogga, from whom he had separated after a stormy married life during which Flannery several times was arrested on his wife’s complaint.
“Mose” Flannery was raised in Camden, and in the Eighth Ward. His avocation was politics, and even before he was of age he was a power in the turbulent Eighth Ward. Later his underworld activities led him mostly to South Philadelphia, but always, at election time, he came back to work in the Eighth.
Went to Camden High
He went to the local schools and was widely known. He was a year or two in Camden High School, and would have graduated with the class of 1923. It was often said that he wasn’t even 26, but nearer 24. There were stories that he said he was older so he could vote before he was of age.
His rise in gangdom was meteoric, as it was in politics. His fellow gangsters were wont to say “Mose has got brains.” Judges before whom he appeared at first told him he was making a mistake—that he had a good future before him if he followed the right trail.
He spoke well and dressed well. He looked like an earnest, enthusiastic young professional man.
An order to close the Kaighn avenue saloon and revoke the license of James L. Hawkins, its proprietor, was issued by David S. Rhone, city director of public safety.
Commissioner Rhone instructed Chief of Police Lewis W. Stehr to “close up the saloon at once.” The orders were carried out immediately and two policemen placed on guard at the spot where Flannery crumpled up under gun fire.
Rhone Refuses Statement
Commissioner Rhone absolutely refused to make any statement in connection with the case, nor would he discuss his order to Chief Stehr to close the saloon.
“You’ll get no statement from me,” Rhone told a newspaper man. “I don’t care to be quoted in the newspapers. I’ve given my orders to Chief Stehr. If you want to know about them, talk to him.”
“As head of the department—the
Military System Adopted for Cops
Camden Evening Courier —
Dickinson Makes District Heads Responsible for Men; Vice Squad Disbanded
Following closely upon the heels of disbanding the special vice squad, Major C. V. Dickinson, deputy director of public safety, today announced that the commander of each of the four police districts will be responsible for the conduct of the men under him.
The same system of burden of responsibility existing in military services will be in effect in the Camden police department, the major averred. Each patrolman will be responsible to his sergeant, each sergeant to his lieutenant and the lieutenants to the deputy director.
Major Dickinson, Camden’s new “police czar,” also reiterated that he is demanding strict adherence to the police regulations and rules. One rule requires that no member of the police department, whether he is in uniform or plainclothes, on duty or off, may enter a soft-drink parlor or other drinking resorts “except in the strict commission of duty.” He has also informed the police heads to instruct their men to faithfully observe all other rules, including those requiring salutes to superior officers and those regulating neat appearance.
Major Dickinson completely abolished the special vice squad last night, reassigning the remaining five members to other units in the department.
Three of the squad were assigned to special duty and will work directly under Major Dickinson. They will be stationed in his offices at city hall and will take orders from him alone.
They are Detectives Theodore Guthrie, former head of the squad; James Paradise and Clarence Bunker. Guthrie and Paradise both live in the Sixth ward, the home bailliwick of Major Dickinson, while Bunker lives in the Thirteenth ward, within a few blocks of the residence of Dr. Rhone.
Of the two remaining members, Howard Smith is assigned to detective headquarters and Clarence Arthur was ordered to report to the Fourth Police District today in uniform. Smith, a resident of the Second ward, will take up his new position at 4 p. m. today. Arthur was appointed to the police department from the Third ward.
Other Changes Made
Two other changes in the department were announced yesterday by Major Dickinson. Henry Lutz, a patrolman in the Second district, was appointed a member of the mounted squad under Sergt. Clarence Thorn. John Kowal, who was an acting district detective in the Fourth district, was shifted to police headquarters as a member of the bandit chaser crew stationed there.
The vice squad was formed by Police Chief Lewis H. Stehr on May 26 after a series of holdups had been perpetrated. The squad originally consisted of nine men, but gradually became smaller as the members were reassigned to the various districts.
An order was sent to all district commanders compelling members of the department on patrol duty to remain in their district until relieved. In order that this may be carried out all policemen must report at their various station houses 15 minutes earlier than previously. Instead of each shift leaving the station houses on the hour they will leave ten minutes sooner thus reaching their districts before the man they are relieving has reported off for the day.
Police rules and regulation books have been issued to all men and they will be expected to “learn the contents by heart,” according to Major Dickinson.
New Cafe Applications
Dr. Rhone, director of Public Safety, announced yesterday that new application forms for 1931 soft drink permits will be made. A drastic change will be made in the forms.
They will delve extensively into the personal character and integrity of the applicant. He will be asked if he is naturalized, and if so when he obtained his final papers. He must tell if he has ever been arrested and the disposition made of his case. He will be asked if any place of a like nature operated by him has ever been raided or padlocked.
If the applicant can satisfactorily answer all questions on the form and his permit granted a $100 fee is charged. The permits will probably be granted the latter part of January, Director Rhone said. He will endeavor to keep the number below 100.
Funeral for Stehr to Be Held Saturday
Camden Evening Courier —
City in Mourning as Rites Are Planned — Burial Will Be in Harleigh
FUNERAL FOR STEHR TO BE HELD SATURDAY
City in Mourning as Rites are Planned—Burial Will Be in Harleigh
With the city in mourning today, funeral arrangements were being completed for Chief of Police Lewis H. Stehr, who died yesterday in Cooper Hospital. Hundreds of friends will view the body in state tomorrow between 7 and 10 p. m. at the Schroeder Chapel, Broadway and Royden streets. Many others will attend the funeral services, which will be held at 2 p. m. Saturday at the chapel.
Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.
A list of honorary pall bearers was compiled today, as well as the police escort. The police stations in the four city districts were draped in black and flags were at half-mast today, and will remain so for 30 days.
The pallbearers will be Lieutenants Ralph Bakely and George Ward; Sergeants George Nowry and Frank Truax; Policemen Thomas Cheeseman and Harry Kyler.
Honorary pallbearers are Sergeants Herbert Anderson and John Skolski; District Detective Archie Reiss, Policemen John Kowal and Clarence Phifer, and Donald Swissler, clerk of the chief’s office.
There will be a guard of honor formed by the mounted squad of the police department which will be changed every two hours while the body is viewed. Funeral arrangements are in charge of Lieut. George Ward.
The police of the city will view the remains Friday at 7.30 p. m. at the funeral parlors.
(Continued on Page Two)
Mrs. Anna Stehr had been at the bedside of her husband constantly since he was stricken Thanksgiving Day. Yesterday nurses assured her her husband’s condition was unchanged and she was making Christmas purchases at Chief Stehr’s request when he died. Condolences were being received by Mrs. Stehr from many city and county officials as well as legions of friends. Deputy Public Safety Director Charles V. Dickinson and Captain Arthur Colsey, police chief clerk, were to convey to Mrs. Stehr today the official condolence of the city.
Cops Express Sorrow
A letter of condolence was sent to Mrs. Stehr today along with a resolution adopted by the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, Camden Local No. 35. The letter read:
“It is with heartfelt regret and with deepest sympathy that we offer condolences to you in this hour of bereavement. The sudden action of the Almighty in plucking this noble man from our midst has overwhelmed us with sorrow and regret that words alone cannot express. This, however, being the desire of the Lord, we feel that the benevolent performance of our beloved chief so ably executed upon this humble earth, will be amply rewarded in a celestial sphere not made by man.
“We sincerely trust, we, his brothers and friends, have lessened your grief in this, our expression, of what your faithful husband has meant to us, the members of the P. B. A. as well as yourself.
“Respectfully yours, “CLIFFORD A. FLENNARD, “President.”
The resolution declares: “Whereas this local feels that it has sustained a severe loss in the passing of its greatest force for good, and “Whereas we deeply deplore his passing, “Be it resolved that it is the unanimous opinion of the membership of this organization that the death of Lewis H. Stehr, chief of police of the City of Camden, N. J., has caused great sorrow among us. His good deeds in life might well cause one to write a never-ending stream of eulogies but in this case we wish to call him and always think of him as a friend, a word that is applied to him whole-heartedly and in the fullest sense of the word. It is impossible to express to what extent we shall miss him but we shall always and forever remember Chief Stehr as a friend whose place made vacant by death will be very difficult to fill.
“Be it further resolved that Camden Local, No. 35, P. B. A., also wishes to extend its sympathies to Mrs. Stehr and to offer whatever assistance possible at this time of her bereavement and at any other time this organization may find it in its power to do so.
“Be it further resolved that we also extend our sympathies to his relatives and friends who are no doubt feeling his passing as deeply as we do so.”
Copies of the resolution were sent to Director of Public Safety David S. Rhone, Mrs. Stehr and the press. The resolution was passed at the regular meeting of the local yesterday. The resolution was signed by Flennard, the president, and Joseph Keefe, the secretary.
Chief George W. Black, secretary of the International Chief of Police Association, sent his regrets and letter of condolence to Captain Arthur Colsey and asking that a floral design be sent to the funeral at the association’s expense.
Mayor Expresses Sorrow
Mayor Price issued the following statement: “I was very greatly shocked to learn of the death of Chief Stehr. While I understood he was in a serious physical condition, I did not anticipate his death.
“Chief Stehr had devoted practically his entire lifetime to the service of the city, having entered the police department in his early youth, and is entitled to the commendation of his fellow citizens for his efforts in the public service.”
Commissioner Frank B. Hanna, when apprised of the police chief’s death, said: “The news of Chief Stehr’s death was a terrible shock. I feel a personal loss, as we were close friends. I knew him since I was a young boy, and our contacts in the past two years were most pleasant.”
Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin declared: “The suddenness of the death of Chief Stehr comes as a shock to those of his friends who were wishing him well in his illness. His passing naturally causes grief to those whose work brought them into close contact with him.”
City Commissioner Clay W. Reesman said: “The passing of Chief Stehr is a great loss to the community. We were all hoping that Chief Stehr was on the road to recovery and only several days ago when I inquired at the hospital, I learned that his condition was greatly improved. His sudden passing is a terrible shock.”
Pallbearers Named for Stehr Funeral
Camden Morning Post —
Body Will Lie in State Tonight—Burial Tomorrow Afternoon
Funeral arrangements were completed yesterday for Chief of Police Lewis H. Stehr, who died Wednesday in Cooper Hospital following a heart attack.
The body will lie in state tonight between 7 and 10 p. m. at the Schroeder Chapel, Broadway and Royden streets. The funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Saturday at the chapel. Thousands of friends are expected to view the remains.
Burial will be in Harleigh cemetery.
A police escort and a list of honorary pallbearers was compiled yesterday. All police buildings in the city were draped in black and flags over municipal buildings were at half-mast and will remain so for 30 days.
The active pallbearers will be Lieuts. Ralph Bakely and George Ward, Sergts. George Nowry and Frank Truax, Policemen Thomas Cheeseman and Harry Kyler.
Honorary pallbearers are Lieut. Herbert Anderson, Sergt. John Skolski, District Detective Archie Reiss, Policemen John Kowal and Clarence Phifer and Donald Swissler, clerk of the chief’s office.
There will be a guard of honor formed by the members of the mounted squad. A fire truck will convey the flowers to the cemetery.
The police of the city will view the body at 7:30 p. m. tonight at the funeral parlors.
Members of the Sixth Ward Republican Club, of which Chief Stehr was an active member, will assemble at their headquarters at 7 p. m. and march to the funeral parlors. They will be led by John J. Breslin, president of the club.
Rev. Edward Weeks, pastor of the Union M. E. Church, Fifth and Mt. Vernon streets, will conduct the services.
Popeye Turns Back Independent Umps
Camden Courier-Post — 1929–1935
Nicktern Twirls Rhone Leaguers to 8–4 Win; Hanna and Fulton Play
Fergie McGrath’s Popeye club, members of the Rhone Twilight League, easily defeated the Independent Umpires’ Association in their annual contest last evening at Civic Center by the score of 8 to 4.
At times, the game turned into a clownish affair, with both clubs attempting to excel each other in fun-making for the fans. Commissioner Frank B. Hanna, in addition to officiating, acted as a pinch-hitter for the “blindmen,” while Samuel E. Fulton, president of the Board of Education and also prexy of the Rhone Twilight circuit, officiated and pinch hit for the same outfit, getting a single in his lone trip to the plate, while Hanna walked and also scored.
Pat Heppard worked on the hill for the “umps” and was touched for 11 hits. The winners bunching these in the third inning when they scored five runs. Nicktern twirled for Popeye and gave up seven blows, two of which were made by Leo Pusey, while Vandy, Tully, Ackerman and Nicktern each collected a brace of blows for the winners.
Popeye vs. Umpire Ass’n. Box Score
Camden Courier-Post — 1929–1935
POPEYE ab r h o a
Laxton, cf. 4 1 1 2 1
Vandy, ss. 4 2 2 2 3
Tully, lf... 4 2 2 1 0
Miller, 3b. 3 0 0 1 0
M’Grath, 1b 1 0 0 1 0
Roth, rf... 3 0 0 1 0
Ack’man, c. 3 2 2 6 0
Egbert, 2b. 3 1 1 2 0
Nicturn, p. 3 0 2 1 3
Lenhart, 1b. 1 0 1 4 0
Totals. 29 8 11 21 7
UMPIRE ASS’N. ab r h o a
Abbott, cf. 1 0 0 0 0
Laca’ro, 1b 3 0 0 6 0
Pusey, 2b 3 0 2 1 0
Hoff’n, ss 3 0 0 0 3
Heppard, p 3 1 1 3 2
O’Neil, 3b 3 0 1 3 0
Kowal, lf. 1 0 0 0 0
Ctlorese, c. 3 0 1 3 1
Mathis, rf 2 1 0 1 0
Wil’m, lf. 1 0 1 1 0
Phillips, 1b 1 0 0 0 0
Hill ...... 1 0 0 0 0
Hanna ... 0 1 0 0 0
Fulton ... 1 1 1 0 0
Totals. 26 4 7 18 6
Umpires . . . . . . . . 0 0 1 1 0 0 2—4
Popeye . . . . . . . . 0 0 5 0 2 1 x—8
Errors—McGrath, Roth, Kowal, Colorese. Two-base hits—Laxton, Ackerman, Three-base hits—Heppard. Struck out—By Nicturn, 6; Heppard, 2. Base on balls—By Nicturn, 2. Umpires—Fulton, Hanna, Howell and Leeds.
Del Duca on Trial in House Raid Case
Camden Courier-Post —
Cops to Testify Prisoner Was Proprietor of Fairview Street Place
Arthur “Gyp” Del Duca went on trial yesterday before a jury of 12 men in Criminal Court before Judge Austin H. Swackhamer on an indictment charging him with operating a disorderly house. The trial will be continued today.
The house, at 674 Farview street, was raided twice in 24 hours last June 29, once by armed bandits, who robbed two sailors of $26, and once by the police.
Del Duca was not in the house when it was raided after the sailors notified the police they had been robbed. A warrant was issued for his arrest, but he surrendered the next day.
The first two witnesses yesterday were Richard Powers, 17, and David Hickman, 21, inmates of the Rahway Reformatory. They were sentenced by Judge Swackhamer in Gloucester County Criminal Court last April 18 after they had admitted participating in robberies in Camden, Gloucester and Burlington counties.
They were brought here by a guard and testified that on several occasions they had gone to the house and had seen Del Duca there.
Anthony Fields, a vacuum cleaner salesman, said he had gone to the house to sell a cleaner and was there when the police raided the place.
Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin introduced as evidence a certified copy of a deed in which Del Duca is shown to be the proprietor.
More than 20 Camden policemen are expected to testify for the state. All of them took part in the raid. The first one called was John Kowal, district detective, who testified that six men and three girls were arrested in the place.
Major Charles V. Dickinson, deputy director of public safety, and Lieut. George Frost will be among the witnesses today.
Illness Causes Shifts for Police Officials
Camden Courier-Post —
Temporary changes in the police department to offset the absence of Lieutenant George Frost, head of the First District, who is ill, and Lieutenant George Ward, of headquarters, who is away on police business, were announced yesterday by Chief Arthur Colsey.
Sgt. John Potter, of the Third District, is made acting lieutenant and placed in charge of the First. Patrolman Louis Schmidt, of the Third, replaces Potter as acting sergeant.
Lieutenant Herbert Anderson, of the Fourth District, replaces Ward at headquarters, with Sgt. John Skolski acting as lieutenant in charge of the Fourth.
Sgt. Gustav Koerner, of the Second District, who has been working in plain clothes, is to report in uniform.
Patrolman John Kowal, of the Second District, is shifted to the First district, with Patrolman William Schultz going from the First district to the Second district.
Police, Fire Group to Honor Wallace
Camden Courier-Post —
The Camden Police and Firemen’s Association will hold an informal buffet supper tonight at its headquarters, 1175 Whitman Avenue, for Bruce A. Wallace, counsel for the association and member of the Delaware River Joint Commission. Invitations have been issued to police chiefs throughout the county, as well as to other officials.
Patrolman William Schriver, president of the association, is chairman of the committee. Other members are Fire Captain Winfield Leviseur, Sergeant Edward Carroll, and Patrolman John Kowal, William McGrath and Arthur Batten.
World War II Draft Card
World War II Draft Card for John Francis Kowalczyk