Introduction
John V. Wilkie — Camden Police
JOHN V. WILKIE was born on June 29, 1898. His father, William Wilkie, was born in Scotland and had worked as a merchant seaman.
On March 1, 1928 John V. Wilkie was appointed to the Camden Police Department along with the following men, Francis Guetherman, August Riehm, William Schriver, Edward Shapiro, Earl Wright, Edward Cahill, Marshall Thompson, Stanley Bobiak, Paul Edwards, Leon Feltz, George Getley, Joseph Lack, Thomas Stanton, Otto Toperzer, Walter Vecander and Frank Wilmot.
John V. Wilkie was known all through the city as Camden’s “notebook cop.” He was living at 1148 Haddon Avenue in 1936. The 1947 Camden City Directory shows that he had been promoted to Sergeant, and was living at 1144 Princess Avenue with his wife Theresa.
1953 saw great tragedy in the life of John V. Wilkie. His son John was killed in a crash in Japan in June. The marriage of John V. and Theresa “Tessie” Wilkie ended in divorce. By December of 1953, John V. Wilkie had gone out on sick leave from his job on the police force.
A third tragedy occurred in John V. Wilkie’s life on Sunday morning, December 20, 1953. Son James Wilkie, only seventeen years old, took his own life, using his father’s service revolver. John V. Wilkie, a devout Catholic, was determined to see his son receive full Catholic burial rites, so told authorities that he had shot his son during an argument and struggle for the weapon. This was quickly disproved by forensics personnel. James Wilkie was buried in a non-denominational Cemetery a few days later, and John V. Wilkie was cleared by the grand jury of any involvement in the affair. After spending ten days in the County Jail on the sixth floor of Camden’s City Hall, John V. Wilkie was released on December 31, 1953.
John V. Wilkie later moved to 1063 Haddon Avenue in Camden, where he resided as late as 1970. He later moved to Blackwood NJ. John V. Wilkie passed away in May of 1976.
Cemetery Cave Raided by City’s Notebook Cop
Camden Courier-Post –
Author Patrolman Reads Thrilling Narrative of Capture
MAN AND ‘VISITOR’ FOUND ASLEEP
Third Prisoner Nabbed by Second Policeman; All Get Jail
In the rear of Harleigh Cemetery, Haddon and Euclid avenues, there is a cave, which today is uninhabited. And if Camden policemen — John V. Wilkie, famed as the “notebook cop,” in particular, have their say, it will stay unoccupied.
For, today, Wilkie added another “one for the book,” in which he has recorded his activities since he became a member of the force four short weeks ago.
Wilkie, first plain rookie-policeman, then author-policeman, then sleuth and samaritan combined, now has turned explorer and discoverer, it would appear. For it was Policeman Wilkie who found the cave.
With the capture by him of two of its occupants and the lodging of them and another man arrested by Policeman Joseph Ward in jail, the story of this dugout may be told today.
But this story had its beginning many, many months ago. Wilkie — referring occasionally to his little red notebook, became its narrator this morning. Ward proved Wilkie’s collaborator.
Audience Attentive
Their listeners were Police Judge Bernard Bertman, three prisoners who already knew quite a little of the story and a score of court hangers-on.
Policeman Wilkie read from the book: “For months, the police have received complaints that persons were destroying headstone markers and trampling over graves in Harleigh Cemetery.”
The officer then related how he had searched the grounds, and finally about to give up, just before dusk, discovered the opening to the cave in a plot at the rear of the cemetery.
“It was large enough for a man to crawl into it, on his hands and knees. Inside, apparently asleep, but from closer observation, decidedly intoxicated, were two men. They are here in court today.”
And with that, Wilkie pointed a finger at his two prisoners. They gave their names as John Heim, 40 years old, and James Callahan, 45 years old. Heim said he had no home. Callahan said he lived at Ninth and Spruce and was “just visiting Heim.” Asked if they had built the cave behind the cemetery grounds, the men replied in the negative. They said they knew nothing about the place and disclaimed ownership of the four gallons of alcohol which Wilkie said he found inside the dugout.
The “notebook cop” testified he understood his prisoners had been in the habit of siphoning alcohol from automobile radiators, and then storing it away as “stock on hand” for future drinking bouts. This, too, the men denied.
Given 20 Days
Judge Bertman, apparently thinking otherwise, sentenced both to 20 days in the county jail.
Wilkie, his story completed, retired and Policeman Ward picked up the threads and continued.
He had one prisoner, he said, “whom he would offer as living evidence of violations at Harleigh Cemetery.” Ward said he had arrested the man who gave his name as William Meehan, 38 years old, of 304 Mickle Street, inside the cemetery last night. Meehan was sentenced to 20 days on a charge of being drunk and disorderly. Ward said police would raid the rendezvous of the cemetery “housekeepers” this afternoon and rid it of living inhabitants.
Camden Courier-Post – March 23, 1929
Stanley Powelek Given Choice of Paying or Prison for 4 Months
Charged with loitering on the streets during the early hours of the morning and unable to satisfactorily explain his actions, Stanley Powelek, alias Powell, 21, of 1256 Whitman avenue, an amateur boxer, was given the alternative in police court today of paying a $100 fine or spending four months in the county jail.
Powelek was arrested by Policeman John Wilkie, who was attempting to run down four young men who had beaten and robbed a Parkside man.
Wilkie told the court he had been driving through the streets of Whitman Park looking for the youths who assaulted Edward G. Kelly, 25, of 1322 Kenwood avenue, when he saw Powelek and two other boys talking. He said he suspected the men of planning a robbery and followed Powelek for 45 minutes.
When he arrested the pugilist, he said, he found a flashlight, a chance board and a bunch of keys in his car, and, returning to the place where he originally saw the boys talking, he found another flashlight, a chisel and a hack-saw blade. He also told the court Powelek had been arrested for robbery before and had been sentenced to four months in the county jail.
Powelek denied Wilkie’s charges, and said he had been riding around merely “to get the air.”
Georgie and Playmate His Ad Found
Camden Courier-Post –
George Kustner, 6, of 714 North Seventh Street, and his English Bull, “Babe” who wandered away Saturday and got herself locked up in the Camden Dog Refuge by Policeman John Wilkie and Commissioner David S. Rhone, M. D. Homemade signs, which George plastered about his neighborhood, resulted in neighbors telling him where he could locate his dog, after a picture of Wilkie and the animal had appeared in the Sunday Courier-Post. Now Georgie will tell you that it pays to advertise, and is he happy? Well, look at the picture.
Camden Courier-Post – December 3, 1930
Patrolman Wilkie Says Man Attempted to Have Case Hushed
A one-man raid on the grocery store of Benjamin Horwitz, 32, of 345 Liberty street, netted Patrolman John V. Wilkie a slot machine last night.
Wilkie reported that he entered the place at 8.30 p. m. after receiving several complaints, and found a five-cent slot machine fastened to a meat block by an 18-inch iron rod. According to Wilkie, Horwitz asked him if this thing can’t be “fixed up for a couple of dollars.”
When Wilkie replied negatively, Horwitz is purported to have said that if he were arrested, he would have it “fixed up” anyway. Whereupon Wilkie said he placed him under arrest to ascertain just how much “pull” Horwitz had. He said Horwitz refused to say where he had gotten the machine.
Horwitz was charged with possession of a gambling device, but when he was to be arraigned in police court this morning the case was postponed until Saturday.
Wilkie to Receive Reprimand on Raid
Camden Courier-Post –
(Continued from Page One)
Wilkie, but he refused to sign it. He was granted an audience by Mayor Stewart yesterday. The “note book cop” told the mayor that the transcript was incomplete and did not include many important things which developed at the hearing. He also advised the mayor that he wanted to be heard on some “other things.” His request that he be permitted to submit a detailed report on those “other things” met with no objections from the mayor.
Mayor’s Statement
Mayor Stewart’s decision follows:
“After reading the transcript of the examination given Patrolman John Wilkie by Major Charles V. Dickinson and staff, I have decided as follows:
“Patrolman John Wilkie be reprimanded for taking independent action in the making of a raid without first reporting to his superior officer and that he be warned that a like occurrence in the future will mean suspension.
“I have further decided to call before me Lt. George Ward and the officers under him to ascertain from them why they did not have knowledge of the violation of law existing at 831-833 Market street and why they failed to make a report of the same to either Major Dickinson or myself so that proper action might have been taken by the police department.
“I want it understood that it is the duty of every officer to report and receive orders from his superiors and it must be understood by all members of the department that the decision rendered in this case is equally applicable to them, the violation of which will be punishable by suspension.
“R. R. STEWART, “Mayor.”
CHECKED AND DOUBLE CHECKED
Camden Courier-Post –
OFFICER John V. Wilkie forwards this one to us. He says that his curiosity was aroused by a man who walks along the curb on the east side of Admiral Wilson Boulevard, going south, every morning and some time later, can be seen walking north on the west side.
Wilkie questioned him one morning, asking him if he was a motor vehicle inspector. The man replied he wasn’t. Upon further questioning, it developed that every morning he starts at Penn and Linden streets, goes as far as the circle at White Horse Pike and Crescent Boulevard and returns to his starting point.
“I find nickels and dimes,” he continued. “Sometimes I find quarters lying in the gutters. The highest I ever found was a $5 bill. But I find something every morning.”
It may or it may not please you who work hard and lose that money, to learn that this gentleman has not worked for three years!
WILKIE THREATENED BY EIGHT MEN IN AUTO
Camden Courier-Post –
Search for a maroon-colored touring car believed by John V. Wilkie, Camden’s “notebook cop,” to contain eight beer runners was made yesterday after Wilkie had been threatened by an occupant of the automobile while in his traffic booth at Baird and Wilson Boulevards.
The car containing the eight men, three in the front and five in the rear, was proceeding northwest on Admiral Wilson Boulevard when one of the occupants uttered the threat against Wilkie.
“Come on out and fight; you ____” the stranger shouted. Wilkie said he placed the light at amber and sought to learn the license number of the automobile. The plates however, were indistinguishable, he said, or had been either smeared or turned around to be unrecognizable.
Wilkie said he reported to police headquarters and that Major Charles V. Dickinson, deputy director of public safety, and Motorcycle Police Sergeant Jeff Kay and Policeman Nathan Wine searched and waited for hours for the return of the mysterious car without avail.
CHECKED AND DOUBLE CHECKED
Camden Courier-Post –
OFFICER John V. Wilkie, known as the notebook cop, laid his blackjack and handcuffs on a shelf in his traffic booth at Baird and Admiral Wilson Boulevards the other day. He forgot about it, and later began to wonder what had happened to them.
He searched the booth but could not find the “yools.” So he went to Mt. Ephraim, to his home, to a chapel and several other places where he had been, but could not find them.
The following day an automobile broke down on the boulevard. The driver went to the booth and asked Wilkie if he could use the telephone to call a garage. He did not know the number, so he asked for the telephone book.
Wilkie reached up on the shelf over his head, grabbed the book and took it down. The handcuffs and blackjack came down with it, the cuffs hitting him in the head and cutting it open.
Camden Courier-Post – June 4, 1932
What Do YOU Think? — This Town of Ours
Having nothing else to do I spent most of the early hours of yesterday morning at the Camden Dance Marathon…And what I saw would fill a book…The cheaters have stopped “watching the night planes come in” and moved down a piece to the marathon…I saw a Merchantville man making lovee with a former Camden High School frau (but he needn’t worry, ‘cause his Heart was over to a dance in Philly with another guy)…Then there was that Blonde who used to be a brunette…Sitting with a chap who has several children (not the blonde’s)…Sitting at the side was the son of a Broadway man with a gal his wife doesn’t know (and was her dress yeller!)…I saw a cloak room gal from one of the better county drinkee places chinning with a man who has something to do with automobiles…Then there were those two “young” girls with gray hair who attempted to “make” all the Johns in the place…But not everyone there was on the make…There was “Scotty” Cherchesky with his flower in coat lapel…Dressed as only L. Scott Cherchesky can dress…I heard Francis Murtha, ex-punchem fella, crooning like Bing Crosby…I saw Patrolman John V. Wilkie (and his shadow) looking beneath his chair (I don’t know what for, beer or fireworks)…Adolph Powdermaker, big bail-bond impresario, chewing a piece of candy…Apparently hoping they’d pinch the outfit…Then there was Stanley Sover sitting over on the bleachers looking like he was pining for his squaw (who is vacationing now)…I saw 30 cops (one to every community for 30 miles)…Then there was that newspaperman who couldn’t take his eyes off that brunette…
Camden Courier-Post – February 4, 1933
Laying aside his famous note book in which he has recorded details in many a crime puzzle, Patrolman John V. Wilkie, well-known Camden blue coat, has turned to the “Hi-Ho” puzzle for diversion. Wilkie admitted he had faced many baffling problems “in line of duty” and that the “Hi-Ho” Letter puzzle gave him plenty of trouble. But he finally mastered the puzzle, as photo shows. The “Hi-Ho” puzzles, which are claiming the attention of thousands in South Jersey, are featured in the Courier-Post Newspapers, a new puzzle being printed each day.
WILKIE DENIES CHARGE BROUGHT BY GIRL
Camden Courier-Post –
Mayor Roy R. Stewart yesterday opened a secret hearing on charges brought against Patrolman John V. Wilkie, Camden’s “notebook cop,” by Miss Tessie Iusiak, 19, of Mechanic Street near Mt. Ephraim Avenue.
The nature of the charges was not revealed, but it was said Wilkie made an emphatic denial of the accusation.
The hearing continued all day in the mayor’s office and will be resumed at 9:00 AM today.
Mayor Stewart said no report on the matter will be made until after the hearing is concluded.
DECISION ON WILKIE RESERVED BY MAYOR
Camden Courier-Post –
Hearing on Girl’s Charges Against ‘Note Book Cop’ Is Concluded
Decision on charges preferred against Patrolman John V. Wilkie by a 19-year-old South Camden girl was held under advisement yesterday by Mayor Roy R. Stewart at the conclusion of a hearing which lasted a day and a half.
Complainant in the case is Miss Tessie Iusiak, of Mechanic Street near Mt. Ephraim Avenue. Miss Iusiak was escorted to the hearing both days by police officials who taxied her from her home to city hall.
The nature of the charges was not revealed by the mayor, Wilkie made denial of the charge, it was reported. The hearing, which was held behind closed doors, started Wednesday.
WILKIE TO ANSWER GIRL’S CHARGE TODAY
Camden Courier-Post –
‘Notebook Cop’ Is Father of Her Unborn Child, Affidavit Says
Patrolman John V. Wilkie will voluntarily appear in Camden police court this morning to answer charges made by Miss Tessie Iusiak, 19, of 1177 Mechanic Street.
Miss Iusiak yesterday signed a complaint before Police Judge Garfield Pancoast charging Wilkie with being the father of her unborn child.
Judge Pancoast refused to issue a warrant for Wilkie, explaining he would allow him the courtesy of appearing voluntarily because he is a policeman.
To Postpone Case
No hearing will be held today, the police court judge explaining he will postpone the case until after the child has been born, which is the customary practice in such cases.
When she appeared before Pancoast with a written complaint, Miss Iusiak admitted she did not understand everything in it.
It was on Miss Iusiak’s accusation that Mayor Roy R. Stewart conducted a secret hearing all day Wednesday.
COP ON LEDGE THRILLS HUNDREDS DRAWN BY FALSE BURGLAR ALARM
Camden Courier-Post –
Several hundred persons, attracted by the loud ringing of a burglar alarm at the King jewelry store, 4 Broadway, watched Patrolman John V. Wilkie last night as he climbed over the roof of the building and across a narrow ledge to an open second story window to investigate the alarm.
Failing to find anyone, Wilkie climbed back over the ledge to the roof after finding himself locked in the building.
A score of police detectives and motorcycle patrolmen answered the alarm. William Schoeffling, manager of the jewelry concern, was notified of the “false alarm.”
The block of stores at 2–20 Broadway in the late 1920s (top) and 1937 (bottom). King Jewelers, at 4 Broadway, would be the second from left, next door to the A. Schulte cigar store. The large building at the far right on Broadway was the Merchants Trust bank.
Camden Courier-Post – August 23, 1935
3 Saloonkeepers, Other Women Implicated, Police Say
A sweeping investigation into a white slave ring, operating in several central city taprooms, is under way by Camden police.
That was revealed last night by Patrolman John V. Wilkie following an arrest by him of a runaway girl who, Wilkie declared, admitted to police her part in the ring.
Wilkie has been concentrating his efforts on smashing the ring since early in the week when he conferred with Mayor Frederick von Nieda and was instructed by the Mayor to “clean up the disorderly taprooms.”
The probe was started after Wilkie had arrested Margaret Pone early yesterday on Third street, between Federal and Arch streets. The girl said she was 21 years old and lived at 121 Penn street, but after questioning by Wilkie, admitted she was 18 and had run away from her parents’ farm in Maple Shade.
Held for Probe
Following her arraignment before Judge Lewis Liberman in Police Court, when she was held for further investigation, the girl confessed her part in the ring and made a statement to police implicating three saloonkeepers and several other girls, Wilkie said.
The Pone girl, Wilkie said, told police of being kept in a local hotel for three months and having men sent to her room by the accused saloonkeepers. Wilkie also said the girl told him she had entered the ring only after she had been persuaded to do so by several other girls who told her of the “easy money” in the “racket.”
Wilkie said he accosted the Pone girl at 3.30 a. m. yesterday in a restaurant after he had seen her walking the streets of North Camden.
Girl Penniless
Asking the girl what she was doing on the streets at that time, Wilkie said, the girl told him she was out for a cup of coffee. Further questioning by Wilkie revealed the girl was without funds and had no place to sleep.
According to Wilkie the girl then told him she had left the home of her parents because she could not get along with them. Wilkie then said he offered to attempt to re-instate the girl in her home and she said she would not return under any circumstances. She said, Wilkie declared, that she was one of ten children, three of which had also left home.
Wilkie then told the girl he did not believe she was telling the truth and informed her he was going to send her to police headquarters. As the patrol wagon arrived, Wilkie said, the girl sobbed that she would tell the truth if he would not send her to jail.
Girl Silent in Court
In police court, the girl still refused to talk and was held in the detention room for further investigation. Later in the day, Wilkie said, he went to the detention room and asked the girl if she had made up her mind to tell the truth and she told him she had confessed all she knew and had signed statements to that effect.
While leaving the jail, Wilkie said, he met City Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, who was escorting his wife through the jail, and City Prosecutor John H. Reiners, Jr.
Informing them of the girl’s case, Wilkie said Hartmann asked him if it had any connection with a white slave ring and the former said it was positively connected with such operations.
Commissioner Hartmann and Prosecutor Reiners, Wilkie said, then questioned the girl and said the case should be thoroughly investigated and proper punishment meted out to members of the ring.
Wilkie said that previous to the arrest of the Pone girl he had been in conference with the mayor in regards to the three places named by her and had had them under scrutiny.
GIRL CONFESSES THEFT OF RINGS FROM WILKIES
Camden Courier-Post –
Following a two-hour grilling in police headquarters last night, a 20-year-old girl Patrolman John V. Wilkie said he took into his home confessed theft of jewelry from Mrs. Wilkie, police reported.
The girl, Rosie Gieldonski, who ran away some weeks ago from her parent’s home at 1100 Orchard Street, told Wilkie she sold two diamond rings to a Philadelphia girl for $5. The Philadelphia girl, whose name was withheld, is named in a warrant for her arrest.
The Gieldonski girl appeared several weeks ago at the Wilkie home, 1148 Haddon Avenue, and was taken in by Mrs. Teresa Wilkie, who learned the girl had not eaten for days.
The next morning, the girl and the rings disappeared. The girl was arrested yesterday asleep in Fairmount Park. Detective John Kaighn brought her to Camden. She will be arraigned today in police court.
John Lynch Faces Police Court Today
Camden Courier-Post –
Taproom Proprietor Charged With Allowing Disorderly Persons to Gather
John Lynch, 32, proprietor of a taproom and hotel at 201 Cooper street, is scheduled to be arraigned in police court today on a charge of allowing disorderly persons to congregate on the premises. The case has been twice continued.
Lynch was arrested August 23 when Chief of Police Arthur Colsey launched a drive against street brawling in front of saloons and disorderly conduct in such places.
The arerst [sic] was made by Lieut. George Frost on information obtained by Patrolman John Wilkie from a 17-year-old girl, Margaret Pone. She later was sentenced to 30 days in city jail and is now serving that term.
According to Wilkie, the girl told him that she and other girls and women frequented Lynch’s place and met men there that accompanied them to hotel rooms.
Her charges that minors were sold liquor in various saloons and taprooms also brought on an investigation, now underway.
Cafe Case Delayed By Girl Witnesses
Camden Courier-Post –
Hearing of Lynch, Second and Cooper, Put Off Third Time in Police Court
Charged with allowing disorderly persons to congregate at his cafe, John Lynch, 32, taproom and hotel proprietor of Second and Cooper streets, again heard his case postponed in police court yesterday because several girl witnesses had failed to appear. Thrice postponed, the Lynch hearing is now scheduled for next Thursday.
Meanwhile, Judge Lewis Liberman, who granted the postponement at the request of City Prosecutor John H. Reiners, instructed Police Lieutenant George Frost to “go out and bring these girls in — see that they are on hand for next week’s hearing.”
Lynch, who denies the charge, was represented by Anthony Marino at the hearing.
Lynch was arrested August 23 when Chief of Police Arthur Colsey launched a drive against street brawling in front of saloons and disorderly conduct in such places.
The arerst [sic] was made by Lieut. George Frost on information obtained by Patrolman John Wilkie from a 17-year-old girl, Margaret Pone. She later was sentenced to 30 days in city jail and is now serving that term.
According to Wilkie, the girl told him that she and other girls and women frequented Lynch’s place and met men there that accompanied them to hotel rooms.
Her charges that minors were sold liquor in various saloons and taprooms also brought on an investigation, now underway.
COPS WATCH AUTO, THIEF GETS ANOTHER
Camden Courier-Post –
Stolen Car Located Near Hospital But Vigil of Police is in Vain
After abandoning a four-night vigil, kept in the hope that thieves would return for a stolen automobile left in the Cooper Hospital parking lot, the police have learned that another car was stolen from the same place.
The first car, owned by G. R. Wood, of 208 West Holly Avenue, Pitman, was stolen Oct. 16. Last Tuesday, Wood was in Camden and noticed his car parked in the hospital yard.
He communicated with Pitman police. Chief Lloyd came to Camden and joined with Detective Stanley Wirtz, Acting Detective John Wilkie and other detectives who took turns watching the car, ready to pounce upon the thieves from places of concealment around the hospital if they came back.
By Saturday evening, however, when no one showed up, they gave up the watch and Wood drove the car home. Over the license plates of his car, the thieves had placed tags stolen from S. Earl Rue, of 914 State Street, Camden.
At 11.45 p. m. Saturday, only a few hours after the policemen had left the yard, Mrs. Vera B. Carter, of Cook Lane, Bridgeton, discovered her car had been stolen from the yard while she was visiting an ill friend.
Because of the duplicate license plates, police believed the theft of Wood’s car, and possibly that of Mrs. Carter’s, was the work of bandits, rather than ordinary car thieves.
Fine or Jail Term Ordered to Make Bootleg Buyer Talk
Camden Courier-Post –
Reveal Rum Source or Else, is New Rule of Police Court — 2 Wilkie Nabbed Are Among First ‘Victims’
Unless they tell where they bought it, drinkers of bootleg liquor arrested by Camden police henceforth will receive the full penalty of $200 fine or 90 days in jail, Police Judge Lewis Liberman decided yesterday.
The new policy of getting to the bootleg seller through the bootleg drinker was announced by Judge Liberman when he imposed maximum sentences on two men arrested by Acting Detective John V. Wilkie at Eighth and Cooper Streets last night.
The men were Albert Waite, 29, of 916 Pearl Street, and John Barrett, 34, of 237 North Eighth Street. In the latter’s pocket, Wilkie said he found a half pint of “white mule.”
Barrett refused to tell Wilkie where he bought it, so in a pre-hearing conference with Judge Liberman and Court Clerk Edward Smith, it was decided to give Waite and Barrett, originally arrested as just drunk and disorderly, a trial on the more serious charge of possessing illicit liquor. If Barrett gets a change of heart and names the seller, his sentence later will be suspended, said the judge.
“This is a fine idea to make the purchasers of illegal whiskey tell where they got the stuff,” said the judge. “There will be mighty few willing to pay $200 or spend three months in jail rather than tell on a speakeasy.”
VET SOUGHT BY COPS; FOUND BY WILKIE
Camden Courier-Post –
Ex-Marine Was in City Hall Basement Aiding Pals on Bonus Data
A former U. S. marine who spent a week in the basement of city hall helping veterans make out their bonus applications while police searched throughout the city for him, was arrested by Acting Detective John V. Wilkie Saturday night.
Edwin W. Eddington, 26, who said he has no home, was held without bail for the grand jury by Police Judge Lewis Liberman on two charges of larceny. A warrant for his arrest was issued on complaint of Joseph Cohen, of 1406 Broadway, three weeks ago, after Cohen told police he stole electric wire and tools valued at $54.75.
The warrant was given to Wilkie and he immediately began a search for Eddington. He visited several former homes and a number of tap-rooms where Eddington was known to spend some of his time, but he evaded arrest each time.
On Saturday night Wilkie was approached by Harry Taylor, of 567 Mickle Street, a retired U. S. Navy machinist, who told the officer that a man named Eddington had stolen a suit of clothes and some other wearing apparel from his room. He said Eddington occupied an adjoining room.
“Why, I’ve been looking for that fellow for nearly two weeks,” Wilkie said. “Where is he now?”
“I don’t know where he is now, but all last week he was in the basement of city hall from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m. helping veterans make out their bonus applications.”
Taylor said, “You might try the Naval Veterans’ clubrooms at 304 State Street.” Wilkie explained he works from 7 p. m. to 3 a. m. Wilkie immediately went to the State Street address, and while he stayed in the car, Taylor went inside.
While he was in the place, Eddington came along accompanied by a woman and went in. Taylor brought him out under the pretext of taking him to a tap-room. When he reached the pavement he shouted to Wilkie, “Here’s your man.”
Wilkie then took Eddington to city hall and in the basement where the applications were made out he found Eddington’s personal belongings. Several of the articles of clothing were identified by Taylor. In court he pleaded guilty to both charges and said he sold the suit in Philadelphia.
TWO WOMEN EXILED BY LIBERMAN ORDER
Camden Courier-Post –
Two young women were ordered to leave Camden by Police Judge Lewis Liberman yesterday when they were charged with disorderly conduct on a complaint made by Acting Detective John V. Wilkie.
Miss Dorothy Mendenhall, 24, and Miss Peggy Schultz, 24, both of whom gave addresses of 523 Penn Street, were arrested by Wilkie Saturday night after he received a complaint from a boarding house proprietor at the Penn Street address.
Three men also were arrested as a result of the investigation made by Wilkie. Two were released with a warning while the third was fined $10.
Wilkie testified he went to the address in response to a radio call and was told by Mrs. Harry Barton, the proprietor, that Miss Mendenhall and Leonard Angelastro, 28, of 258 Pine Street, created a disturbance when she ordered them to move. The Schultz woman went to live in the room with Miss Mendenhall Wednesday, Wilkie said.
Wilkie testified both girls had been arrested before. Judge Liberman said if they were found in Camden again they would be given six months. Both girls denied that Angelastro lived at the room they occupied. Angelastro was fined $10.
Wilkie Embraced and Bitten By Woman ‘Cutting Up Capers’
Camden Courier-Post –
Notebook Cop Finds Suspect Clinging to Porch Rail at Fifth and Cooper Streets; Charges Her with Mayhem
Kindness to women should be a part of the code of ethics of every police officer, with certain limitations according to Acting Detective John V. Wilkie, Camden’s notebook sleuth.
Sometimes they get unruly, and allowances can be made for their conduct, Wilkie believes, but when they start biting the hand that tries to guide them out of trouble then it’s time to take action.
And action it was when the detective encountered Johanna Hyde, 40, of 1607 Diamond Street, Philadelphia, last night.
Wilkie and Patrolman Henry Leutz answered a police radio summons to go to Fifth and Cooper Streets, where a woman was reported “cutting up capers.”
Arriving at the spot, Wilkie observed the woman clinging to a porch rail in front of a Cooper Street home. When he questioned the woman, the detective said, she embraced him and imbedded her teeth in one of his fingers. At police headquarters she was charged as drunk and disorderly.
A charge of mayhem also was entered on the docket. She will be arraigned before Police Judge Lewis Liberman today.
MYSTERY WOMAN FOUND HURT IN FALL
Camden Courier-Post –
Friend Identifies Victim and Tells of Accident Near Railroad Here
A severely injured woman, who was found lying in snow near railroad tracks at Front and Division Streets early yesterday, was identified last night as Ida Bernardi, 31. She mumbled the word automobile when she was found and after regaining consciousness at Cooper Hospital she mentioned the name of Samuel Alersi, 215 Federal Street, a friend. Police first thought she had been struck by a train as she was suffering from a compound fracture of the leg among other injuries.
Detective Sergeant Joseph Carpani, Acting Detective John V. Wilkie and Detective Robert Ashenfelter questioned Alersi, who said the woman fell on the ice and he had to walk to Second Street and Kaighn Avenue to get a telephone to call police. He declared the woman had been removed to the hospital by police before he could return to the scene.
Wilkie said an examination of the scene revealed that her foot had become wedged between a gas pump and a high curbing, causing a fracture of the leg as she fell.
Alersi’s statements were corroborated by Frank Losito, 42, of 331 Benson Street. The two men said they had been companions of the woman on a drinking party during the night. Neither was held.
The woman gave her address as a taproom at 221 Federal Street.
FORMER BONDSMAN HELD PROBE OF LARCENY
Camden Courier-Post –
Thomas Morris, 27, former professional bondsman, and sportsman, was under arrest last night on suspicion of breaking and entering and larceny.
Morris was arrested by Detective John V. Wilkie on complaint of Mrs. Sarah Kilderry, of 32 Market Street.
Mrs. Kilderry is owner of the Lenox Apartments, 22 Market Street, which were rented by Morris. Because rent payments were alleged to be in default, the owner placed a lock on the door of the building.
Morris allegedly forced entrance to the building and removed furniture owned by Mrs. Kilderry. He is being held pending further investigation. Morris gave an address of 562 Carman Street.
Wilkie Stars in Role of ‘Mountie’ on Trail of 2 Missing Girls
Camden Courier-Post –
‘Note-Book Cop’ Gets His Men as Four Are Held For Investigation; Finds High School Students, 15, at Sicklerville
Members of the Northwest Mounted Police have nothing on Acting Detective John V. Wilkie.
When he wants a man he gets him, just like the Canadian boys.
Last night he got four of them in investigating the disappearance of two Woodrow Wilson High School girl students. He also located the girls.
All are held at police headquarters pending further investigation by Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando.
The girls are Lorraine M. Snuffin, of 229 South Thirty-fourth Street, and Eleanor Haley, of 205 South Thirty-fourth Street. Both are 15.
Fourth Man Not Involved
The men seized are: Peter Henley, 25, of Sicklerville; his half-brother, William Meddings, 18; Harry Ryan, 19, of 611 Pine Street, and Harry Wood, 23, of 4003 Myrtle Street.
Wood, police said, is not involved in any charge that may be filed but is held as a material witness.
Frantic parents of the two girls reported them missing early Tuesday after they failed to return from an automobile ride with Henley. None of the parents knew Henley’s address.
That didn’t bother Wilkie, who with Patrolman Henry Leutz, was assigned to investigate disappearance of the girls.
Wilkie learned, he didn’t say how, that Henley once lived in Camden. That was all he wanted to know. If Henley had lived here, Wilkie figured, someone knew where he lived now.
Takes Hours of Quizzing
It took hours of incessant questioning, moving from here to there and back again, but eventually Wilkie got the information he wanted through Wood.
Wood not only knew where Henley lived but would show Wilkie the way. The way led to a bungalow near Sicklerville and when Camden’s famous “note book cop” reached there, Henley and the two girls, along with Ryan and Meddings were getting ready for a chicken dinner.
Wilkie let them eat their dinner and then brought them all back to Camden.
The girls told Wilkie they went to Henley’s house of their own accord and denied they were held there against their will. They said it was all “just a lark.”
Patrick Haley, father of Eleanor, and Mrs. Edna Snuffin, mother of Lorraine, however, refused to dismiss the matter as being so insignificant.
Wilkie Scents Plot to Release Prisoners as Two Tires Go Flat
Camden Courier-Post –
Policeman John V. Wilkie doesn’t mind getting a flat tire.
But when two tires on a brand new car go flat within a block of each other, Wilkie goes to work.
Especially when the notebook cop is transporting three prisoners in his radio car.
Whether the tires were deliberately cut by friends of the men under arrest who meant to follow Wilkie’s car and effect the escape of the men when he stopped, or whether the tires went flat accidentally is something which Wilkie means to ascertain.
The tires blew out on the White Horse Pike between Kings Highway and Station Avenue, Audubon, while Wilkie was taking four prisoners and two other men to the Berlin barracks of the state police.
The men in his car were: Peter Hanley, 25, and William Meddings, 18, both of Sicklerville; Harry Ryan, 19, of 611 Pine Street, and Harry Wood, 23, of Myrtle Avenue, Pennsauken; Edward Haley and John Snuffin. Hanley, Meddings and Ryan were being taken to Berlin to answer charges of contributing to the delinquency of minors; Wood was a material witness, and the others were fathers of two girls who caused the arrest.
The girls are: Lorraine Snuffin, of 229 South Thirty-fourth Street, and Eleanor Haley, of 205 South Thirty-fourth Street. Both are 15.
They are students at Woodrow Wilson High School and were found by Wilkie Wednesday night in the company of the four men in a bungalow at Sicklerville. Wilkie made the arrest during an investigation of the girls’ disappearance.
When Wilkie reached Station Avenue and found his tires were losing air he notified Policeman John B. Shaw, of Haddon Heights, that he had the prisoners in his car and asked him to get help. Shaw summoned Mayor William J. Dallas and Police Inspector Burton M. Rodgers, who stayed by the car until a mechanic arrived from Camden to repair the tires.
The prisoners and witnesses were transferred to a car operated by Corporal George Small, of the Berlin state police barracks, who aided Wilkie in his investigation.
Meantime, Detective Henry Lutz, operating another car with the two girls and Mrs. Snuffin as passengers, drove to Berlin unaware Wilkie’s car had been disabled.
“The tires on my radio car were all right when I had the car in front of police headquarters this morning,” Wilkie said. “The mechanic told me that they were cut on the sides and while the car was standing still would not lose air, but as soon as it was moved the tubes would be cut.”
“I think friends of these men may have cut the tires with the intention of taking them away from me when I stopped to fix the tires. The men face seven to 10 years in jail.”
After the tires were fixed, Wilkie took the men to Berlin where Meddings, Ryan and Hanley were held without bail for the grand jury by Justice of Peace Milton D. Schweizer. Wood was released.
Wilkie in his report to Commissioner of Public Safety Mary W. Kobus said he believed the two tires had been cut deliberately by someone using a penknife.
Commissioner Kobus promised an immediate investigation and thanked the Haddon Heights mayor and policeman for assisting the Camden officer.
Policeman and Strike Sympathizer Put on ‘Bout’
Kansas City Journal-Post –
After serious rioting in Camden, N.J. in which half a dozen persons were injured, police guards were increased at the Victor plant of the RCA manufacturing company. This picture made as a policeman and a strike sympathizer came to grips.
Labor trouble continued at the Victor plant, culminating in another small riot at the Victor plant on July 7th. John V. Wilkie, who is depicted at left, was charged with assaulting a strike sympathizer. On August 12th, 1936 the charges were thrown out by Judge Liberman after the accuser failed to appear in court for the tenth time.
WILKIE CONTINUES APARTMENT DRIVE
Camden Courier-Post –
Seeks Operator of North Camden House After Raid by Tenant’s Wife
Seeks Operator of North Camden House After Raid by Tenant’s Wife
Continuing his drive to enforce the city ordinance providing for licensing and regulating rooming and apartment houses, Police Inspector John V. Wilkie yesterday sought the proprietor operating at 301 Penn street and other alleged violators of the ordinance.
Wilkie sought a “Mrs. Dutton” after a police court hearing yesterday morning at which Mrs. Ethel Gray, 59, was released in her own recognizance until Tuesday on charges of violating section 422 of the city ordinance forbidding disorderly persons to congregate on premises. Mrs. Gray said she is only a caretaker at the place, and that a “Mrs. Dutton,” of Philadelphia, is the proprietor.
In furthering his crusade, Inspector Wilkie also caused notices to be served on the receivers of one of the largest apartment houses in South Jersey to appear in police court Tuesday before Judge Lewis Liberman. Justus Brick, head of the real estate department of the Camden Safe Deposit & Trust Company, claimed to have written to City Solicitor E. G. C. Bleakly regarding the licensing of the Pierre apartments.
Wilkie charged no application had been made for a permit for the Pierre Apartments, 306 Cooper street. Wilkie said registration cards for persons in the apartment house had not been filed with the police department, as required by city ordinance.
Wilkie had arrested Mrs. Gray as the result of a statutory charge made in court. Then the matter of permits brought John Best, 30, and Mrs. Mary Lenher, 23, who gave their address as 301 Penn street. Best and Mrs. Lenher were held for the grand jury.
Mrs. Gray said that while the city owns the property, the rooming house is operated by “Mrs. Dutton.” Mrs. Gray said Mrs. Dutton receives the income from the place.
Police Judge Lewis Liberman, who heard the case, told Mrs. Gray to give Inspector Wilkie the full name and address of the Dutton woman in Philadelphia. The court asked Wilkie to have Mrs. Dutton in court Tuesday, at which time Mrs. Gray also will appear again.
Wilkie said enforcement of the apartment and rooming house ordinances had only been seriously attempted in recent months. He declared summonses will be given all who have failed to fulfill the requirements of the ordinance. The purpose of checking registrations at the rooming houses, he said, is to determine whether any of them may be housing roomers with criminal records, and to rid Camden of undesirables.
Camden Courier-Post – August 4, 1936
Named: Beringer’s Cafe, Club Royal, Arcadia Cafe, Broadway, Federal Street, John V. Wilkie, Gus Fortune, Lewis Liberman, Harold Clark, Fannie Mazer, and Freda Beringer.
Wilkie’s Father Finds Kin Was Notebook Cop
Camden Courier-Post –
Son Emulated in ‘Notebook’ Visit to Scotland
Son Emulated in ‘Notebook’ Visit to Scotland
By THOMAS O’HALLORAN
Back from a voyage of discovery, William Wilkie, seafaring father of Patrolman John V. Wilkie, famed as Camden’s “notebook cop,” brought with him — of all things — a notebook.
Having sailed before the mast as a boy and man and circumnavigated the globe four times or more, the elder Wilkie had not for 50 years set eyes on his home town of Montrose in Scotland. So on April 7 last, at 68, he took passage on the good ship Caledonia to see what he could see, and to be as well, in the land of the Wilkies.
Excerpts from the notebook of William Wilkie, under the heading of discoveries: “An old shipmate at Montrose who recognized me on the quay after 50 years. A cousin in St. Cyrus who was long a policeman like my son in Camden and who always carried a notebook. In all of Scotland they’re building, building, building. People are being moved out of city slums into mansions, which are modern low-rented apartments with gardens front and back. There’s plenty of work, especially in the building trades. For years they’ve had old-age pensions for those who reach 65. There’s a sense of security in the land. All the movies are American.”
On the day of his arrival in Montrose, Wilkie went for a walk along the harbor, and there recognized an old shipmate, Jack Taylor. “It must be over 50 years since we met and it was rather wonderful we should recognize each other after all these years. We had a great crack about old times.”
Making his headquarters at an ancient inn in Montrose, Wilkie searched out relatives in the town and in the surrounding area of the Scotch Highlands. In Montrose he met two former shipmates and was taken in tow by Policeman James Brown, no relative, who could not do too much for him when he learned that Wilkie had a son in the Camden police department. In St. Cyrus he was welcomed at the home of his cousin, Charles, who for years was a policeman in Dundee and is now a firemen in a large industrial establishment. There were four generations represented at a family reunion, Wilkie’s uncle, 91, hale and hearty, his son, Charles, a grandson and a great grandson.
“Everywhere I went I was treated royally,” Wilkie said. “They like Americans over there and can’t do too much for them.”
Before sailing for home, July 24, Wilkie visited Belfast and Londonderry, in Ireland. He arrived on the Caledonia in New York Monday. In the upper picture, front row left, William Wilkie, of Camden, with four generations of the Wilkies of St. Cyrus, Scotland. In centre of front row, his uncle, Robert, 91. At right his son, Charles Wilkie, formerly a Dundee policeman, whose wife and son are shown in rear. The boy in front is Charles’ grandson. In the lower picture Charles is shown in his uniform as a policeman. At left, Police Inspector John V. Wilkie, of Camden.
Holdup Victim Held in Speakeasy Raid
Camden Courier-Post –
Man Robbed for ‘Thrill’ Arrested as Proprietor of Illegal Liquor Den
The victim of a “thrill” holdup in Camden last March was arrested yesterday as the proprietor of a “speakeasy.” He is Jesse Seybold, 44, of 923 St. John street, who was held in $2000 bail for police court today on charges of possessing untaxed liquor and violation of the city ordinance allowing disorderly persons to congregate.
Seybold was held up March 3 by a youthful “two-gun” bandit and his 16-year-old sweetheart and robbed of $19. They were Harvey Arnold, 22, of 314 Arch street and Edith Gaylord, who roomed at the Arnold home. They were captured after a short chase in which Seybold took part. Arnold was sentenced to Rahway for his part in the crime, while the girl obtained a suspended sentence. At their trial they testified they staged the holdup for a “thrill.”
Seybold was arrested yesterday in a raid staged by police on information obtained when two men and a woman were arrested Monday night after an automobile collision. The raid was made by Patrolman John V. Wilkie, inspector of rooming houses, together with Sergt. Richard Cornog, Acting Sergt. Edward Leonard and Patrolman Nathan Wine. A quantity of untaxed liquor was found on the premises, Wilkie said, including two gallons of purported “moonshine.”
According to Wilkie, Seybold has been arrested on seven different occasions between May 29, 1924, and Jan. 17, 1936, and twice has been fined $100 for operating a disorderly house.
Information that led to the raid was obtained, Wilkie said, from William Smith, 34, of 739 Mickle street, who was arraigned in police court yesterday on a charge of possessing unlicensed liquor and fined $100. Arraigned at the same time was Mrs. Theresa Anderson, 31, of 211 Byron street, and Raymond Doughty, 30, of 329 Richey avenue, Collingswood. Each was fined $25. The three were arrested by Wilkie late Monday at Seventh and Federal streets when the car in which they were riding bumped another machine while waiting for a traffic light to change. After questioning Smith, Wilkie said he bought the liquor at Seybold’s place. After Smith made an affidavit to that effect, Wilkie obtained the warrant that led to the raid and arrest of Seybold.
Seybold Hearing Off Until Friday
Camden Courier-Post –
Charges of Possessing Untaxed Liquor Delayed at Lawyer’s Request
Police court hearing for Jesse Seybold, 44, of 923 St. John street, on charges of possessing untaxed liquor and violation of the city ordinance allowing disorderly persons to congregate, has been postponed until Friday. Acting Prosecutor John D. DiMona yesterday informed Police Judge Lewis Liberman he had been requested to delay the hearing by Carlton W. Rowand, Seybold’s attorney, who is out of the city. Seybold, victim of a “thrill” holdup in Camden last March, was arrested Tuesday in a raid by police on information obtained when two men and a woman were arrested Monday by Patrolman John V. Wilkie after an automobile collision. A quantity of untaxed liquor was found on the premises.
Former Cafe Man Pays Fine of $200
Camden Courier-Post –
Untaxed Liquor Seized by Wilkie Leads to Police Court Sentence
Jesse Seybold, 44, of 923 St. John street, a former South Camden cafe operator, was found guilty in police court yesterday on the charge of violating Section 422 of a city ordinance. He was fined $200 which he paid.
Seybold was arrested last Tuesday by Patrolman John V. Wilkie in his home. On Monday night Wilkie arrested William Smith, 34, of 739 Mickle street; Raymond Doughty, 30, of 329 Richey avenue, West Collingswood, and Mrs. Theresa Anderson, 31, of 211 Byron street, at Seventh and Market streets. Wilkie charged the trio with being disorderly and said he found a small quantity of untaxed liquor in their car. In police court next day Smith was fined $100 and his companions $25.
Wilkie questioned regarding where he had obtained the liquor and a short time later the policeman raided Seybold’s home and seized a small quantity of liquor.
In police court Seybold entered a plea of guilty. Wilkie testified that when he entered Seybold’s home and explained his mission Seybold turned the liquor over to him.
Seybold, following his arrest, was released under $500 cash bail posted by Newton Blanchard, of White Horse pike, Collingswood. Blanchard paid Seybold’s fine.
Bartender to Get Raid Hearing Today
Camden Courier-Post –
Employe of 14th Ward Democratic Club Faces Charge of Gambling Suspicion
John “Jackie” Hindle, 35, of 685 Woodland avenue, will appear before Judge Lewis Liberman at a continued hearing today in connection with a raid on the Fourteenth Ward Democratic club, 2461 South Seventh street.
Hindle, a former boxer, who is bartender at the club, was arrested Friday night by Patrolman John V. Wilkie. Wilkie, armed with a John Doe warrant, raided the club for slot machines, but found none visible. Hindle was booked on the charge of “on suspicion and violating the city gambling ordinances.”
At a hearing Saturday before Liberman, Joseph Lipkin, Camden attorney and vice president of the club appeared as Hindle’s counsel and asked that the case be dismissed. He stated that William E. Davis, of 3072 Constitution road, Wilkie’s informant, was expelled from his office, as trustee of the club a week ago for conduct unbecoming a member. Judge Liberman refused the motion for dismissal and said he would hear Wilkie’s testimony.
Wilkie testified that when he was unable to find the machines he asked the president of the club to open the safe. The president, Wilkie said, told him that the bartender was the only man who knew the combination. The bartender told him, Wilkie said, that the treasurer had the combination and he lived in Hurffville. Lipkin asked Wilkie if he found any gambling in the club and the policeman testified that he did not. Wilkie also said that under cross examination that Davis gave him the key to the club.
Lipkin asked Wilkie to turn the key over to him but Judge Liberman told Wilkie to keep it until today and ordered him to bring Davis into court. Hindle was released in the $1000 bail posted Friday for his release by John P. Bissinger, Fourteenth Ward Democratic leader and chief clerk of the city district court.
Wilkie arrested Davis at his home Saturday and took him to headquarters, where he was booked as a material witness in the case, and released in $50 security to appear today.
Court Frees Hindle After Gaming Raid
Camden Courier-Post –
Rules Evidence Insufficient in 14th Ward Club Raid
Gambling charges against John “Jackie” Hindle, former boxer, growing out Patrolman John V. Wilkie’s raid on the Fourteenth Ward Democratic Club, were dismissed in police court yesterday for lack of evidence.
In freeing Hindle, Judge Lewis Liberman said “there was no doubt” in his mind that there were gambling machines in the club, but that no testimony had been offered to prove the former boxer either had possession of them or operated them. Hindle is bartender and steward at the club, located at 2467 South Seventh street.
Patrolman Wilkie led a raid at the club Friday night after William E. Davis, of 3072 Constitution road, signed a complaint charging gambling was conducted there. Davis is a former trustee at the club.
At a hearing on Saturday, Joseph Lipkin, an attorney, represented Hindle and asked that the case be dismissed. Judge Liberman, however, postponed the hearing and ordered Wilkie to have Davis in court yesterday. Lipkin is vice-president of the club.
Wilkie arrested Davis after the hearing as a material witness and he was released in $50 security. Davis was the principal witness yesterday and was questioned by City Prosecutor John H. Reiners, Jr.
“When were you last in the club?” Reiners asked. “On July 9,” Davis replied. “Did you see any gambling devices?” “No, not on that night, but two weeks before that I did. I saw several members playing slot machines.” “Who had charge of these machines?” “Hindle would take them out of the safes and place them on top every night and when the club closed he would put them back in the safes.”
Under cross-examination by Lipkin, Davis admitted he was a former trustee at the club. “Then as a trustee, you know Hindle had no control over club property, didn’t you?” Lipkin asked. “No, he had no control over it,” Davis replied.
“I have just been informed by Inspector Wilkie,” Reiners said, “that the club is willing to turn over the slot machines.” “I have no doubt the machines were in the club,” Judge Liberman said, “but there is no evidence here to show that Hindle had possession of them or operated them. I will dismiss the charge.”
After the hearing, Police Chief Arthur Colsey was asked to comment upon the case and said: “I don’t know what will happen now that police have no evidence that there are slot machines operating in the club.”
Wilkie Exonerated of Strike Assault
Camden Courier-Post –
Complainant Fails to Appear for Eleventh Time; Girl Gives Testimony
Charges of assault and battery made against Inspector John V. Wilkie by a man arrested on July 7, during a riot in the RCA strike, were dismissed yesterday by Police Judge Lewis Liberman.
A striker also charged with assault and battery by a girl worker who was injured when a brick broke the glass in a bus window, also was freed when Judge Liberman said there was no evidence to prove he threw the brick.
The Wilkie case had been postponed 10 times previously, because the complaining witness, Martin Merriman, of 2015 Ogden Street, Philadelphia, had not appeared in court. When Merriman’s name was called today he again was not present, but was represented by Alfred P. Morowitz, a Camden attorney. Morowitz said his client’s appearance was not necessary, as he could not identify Wilkie as the policeman who struck him over the head with a club.
2 Pin Ball Games Seized In Raids by 3 Policemen
Camden Courier-Post —
Cops Score High on This Slot Machine
Raiding a store at 1808 Broadway yesterday, Camden police seized this pin-ball slot machine, one of the type that has been barred by Chief of Police Arthur Colsey. The alleged owner was arrested for possession of a gambling device and is scheduled for arraignment in police court today. Another machine, of a different type, was seized a few doors away. Camden policemen, taking part in the raid, are, left to right, Patrolmen John Kaighn, Oliver Morgan, Earl Wright and John V. Wilkie.
Proprietor of One Store Gives Tip to Location of Second Device; Wilkie Finds It After Long Search
Two pin-ball slot machines of the type outlawed by Chief of Police Arthur Colsey were seized by Camden police yesterday.
The alleged owner of one of the machines was arrested and the other given a summons, with both scheduled for hearings in police court today.
Patrolmen John V. Wilkie, Earl Wright and Oliver Morgan, who staged the raids that led to the seizures, named Michael Matsourajas, 42, of 1808 Broadway, and Phillip Zonies, of Broadway and Viola Street, as the owners.
Felix Bocchicchio, 28, police character also known as “Man O’ War,” also was arrested when he appeared at police headquarters to inquire about the machine taken in the raid on Matsourajas’ store.
Bocchicchio is held on a charge of suspicion for investigation.
The Broadway store was raided, Wilkie said, after he received an anonymous tip that one of the barred machines was being operated there.
Information obtained from Matsourajas, the patrolman said, led to the seizure of the second machine at the Zonies store.
Wilkie said a search of the building at 1808 Broadway and an adjacent building failed to disclose the machine and that it was not found until the patrolmen searched a small storage room in the rear.
Court Holds 2 Men In Game ‘Pay-Off’
Camden Courier-Post —
Reiners Gets 16 Nickels for One in Test of Seized Pin-Ball Machine
City Prosecutor John H. Reiners put one nickel in a pin-ball machine and got 16 back in police court, so two men were held on gambling charges yesterday.
Judge Lewis Liberman continued the cases of both until Monday, but ordered Felix Bocchicchio, 28, police character known as “Man o’ War,” to produce the key to one of the machines and turn it over to Police Chief Arthur Colsey before Monday.
Arrested with Bocchicchio was Michael Batsouraqus, 42, of 1806 Broadway, operator of a restaurant and pool room at the Broadway address. He denied ownership of the machine set up in his place and said he had it removed as soon as he learned it was illegal.
The machine, found by Inspector John V. Wilkie in a shed behind Batsouraqus’ place, was taken into court and examined by Liberman. Batsouraqus testified that Bocchicchio collected money from the machine each week.
Bocchicchio also denied owning the machine, saying a man named “Frankie” was the owner. He couldn’t remember “Frankie’s” full name or where he could be found.
Bocchicchio resides at Oak Avenue and King’s Highway, Mt. Ephraim.
A second machine was found by Wilkie and Patrolman Earl Wright and Oliver Morgan at the store of Philip Zonies, of Broadway and Viola Street. Zonies, for whom a summons was issued, was not arraigned.
Angelo D. Malandra, attorney for the two, told Liberman they wanted to waive a hearing and be held for the grand jury. Liberman said he was obliged to dispose of a city ordinance violation in the city police court.
Wilkie testified he received an anonymous phone tip that the pin ball machine was being operated at the Broadway address. After a conference with Colsey, he said he went to see Batsouraqus, searched the premises and found nothing. He said he asked Batsouraqus if he had a machine there and was told that it had been taken out three days before.
After Wilkie told how he had found the machine in the shed, he explained in detail how the machine operated.
Reiners Profits
Before the hearing police, reporters and Reiners played the machine in the courtroom, putting in several nickels, getting one ball to shoot and nothing else. Reiners, trying his luck, put in a nickel and received 80 cents.
Bocchicchio was arrested, Wilkie testified, when he came up to detective headquarters at the city hall to inquire after the seized machines. The inspector said Bocchicchio told him he worked for the owner of the machines, but when asked who that was he said:
“Never mind, I’ll take the rap.”
Wilkie also declared Bocchicchio told him there was a warehouse full of the machines in Camden.
“I know where there are three or four of the same kind of machines in the city, and I want to start an investigation to find out how they got into the city,” Wilkie said.
Batsouraqus said Bocchicchio and a man he knows only as “Allentown Pete” installed the machine in the store and came around once a week to collect the money. He said he had the machine on a 50-50 basis, and each week received about $35.
“The other night I read in the paper that the machines were illegal and I immediately dismantled it and put it in the shed,” he said. “Then I called Bocchicchio on the phone and told him to come and get it. He said he would be back in a few days for it.”
Bocchicchio admitted installing the machine in the restaurant, but said he worked for “Frankie.”
“I want to know who this ‘Frankie’ is,” Liberman demanded.
“I don’t know,” Bocchicchio said.
“Where is this big warehouse?” asked Reiners.
“I don’t know about any warehouse,” was the reply.
“You’re kind of forgetting now, aren’t you?” Reiners queried.
“No, that’s the only machine Frankie had. He asked me to get a truck, and then he went with me over to a place in Philadelphia, and brought back the machine. It cost $139.
“All I do is collect the money, take it home and give it to Frankie when he comes. That’s all I know about it.”
“What a rotten memory,” Liberman declared. “You’ve got a memory like the boys in the numbers business. Where is the key you used to take the money out?”
Bocchicchio said he had the key home.
Bocchicchio said he made $20 a week, to which Reiners said:
“That’s a swell business for ‘Frankie.’ He gets $70 out of the machine, gives Mike $35 and you $20. He’s made the investment and gets $15.”
To all questions about “Frankie,” Bocchicchio said he could not recall.
“Now, don’t give me that bunk,” Liberman exclaimed, “because I don’t believe it.”
Unruffled, Bocchicchio replied, “I don’t remember.”
Judge Fixes Ball [sic]
Liberman, in announcing the continuance, said he would continue Batsouraqus’ bail at $300, set last night, and ordered Bocchicchio to post $500 cash bail for his release.
Before the hearing, Wilkie asked Bocchicchio if he were registered as required by a city ordinance requiring all persons with a criminal record to register with police. Bocchicchio refused to answer, so Liberman ordered Wilkie to check police records.
In 15 minutes Wilkie reported Bocchicchio was not registered and added that he lived in Mt. Ephraim.
“That’s right, I’m not registered,” Bocchicchio volunteered. “I came into the city at 2 p. m. yesterday and I have until the same hour today to register.”
Bocchicchio has a long police record of charges including suspicion of murder, jail break and larceny. He has been arrested in various cities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Nevada, police records reveal.
Pin Ball Crusade Pushed by Wilkie
Camden Courier-Post –
Alleged Gaming Devices Are Taken From 8 Stores in Tour of City
Alleged gambling equipment was seized in eight Camden stores yesterday by Patrolman John V. Wilkie in a continuation of his drive against pinball and slot machines. Proprietors and attendants at the establishments, all neighborhood cigarette and candy shops, were ordered to appear in police court at 9 a. m. today.
“Warrants charging violation of Section 423 of the city ordinances, which prohibits possession of gambling devices, will be sworn out for those who fail to attend the session,” Wilkie warned. No formal complaints were made by Wilkie, who was accompanied by Patrolman Earl Wright during the seizures.
The first establishment visited was that of W. P. Ambrose, of 37 Ferry walk, where a five-cent pin ball machine was found. At 301½ Penn street, Wilkie discovered a similar machine. A penny machine was found at the store of David Lynn, of 1101 Cooper street. The establishment of Frank Hammell, 518 Broadway, had four punchboards. In the store of Emil Berger, 527 South Sixth street, a penny machine, punchboards and prizes were confiscated, while similar equipment was found at 578 Royden street.
At the candy shop of Kate Buck, 1001 Kaighn avenue, Wilkie found a penny gambling device consisting of a quart jug filled with water with a slot cut in the tin cap. “There were almost 150 pennies lying near the glass at the bottom,” he added. “Mrs. Buck admitted she gave premiums when a penny landed in the glass. We took this with us, too, as it is a game of chance.”
Seizure Near School
One store in which a seizure was made is opposite a grammar school, and Wilkie declared he will make every effort to put a stop to gaming in such localities. “To tempt children to gamble away their pennies is nothing short of criminal. In a few weeks the schools will reopen and I intend to clean up the situation before that time arrives.”
“These visits made today are only the first of many on the schedule. If shopkeepers are wise they will dispose of their gambling devices before I get to them.”
2 Men Fined $125 in Pinball Raids
Camden Courier-Post –
Poolroom Proprietor and Owner of Machine Were Arrested by Wilkie
An aftermath to Police Inspector John V. Wilkie’s “pin-ball raids” last Tuesday cost two men $125 in fines when arraigned in police court yesterday. Felix Bocchicchio, 28, of Oak avenue and Kings highway, Mt. Ephraim, was fined $75, and the alleged owner of a pin-ball machine seized in his poolroom was fined $50.
Camden ‘Gang’ Linked With Avena Murder
Camden Courier-Post –
Victim Staked ‘Game’ Raided by Cops, Wilkie Says — SLAYING TERMED FIGHT FOR POWER
Camden racketeers are suspected of plotting the slaying of John “Big Nose” Avena and “Marty” Feldstein, Patrolman John V. Wilkie declared last night while the search for the slayers was pushed.
The disclosure was made as a police shakeup and widespread gang warfare loomed in Philadelphia, where Avena, “big time” gambler, and his “small time” lieutenant were slain Monday.
Avena was the backer of three alleged gambling houses here which were opened in June, and in entering the city incurred the enmity of local underworld characters, according to Wilkie. “I have in my possession information definitely linking Avena with gambling establishments raided successively at the Hotel Camden, Second and Penn streets; at 132 Federal street, and 1205 Broadway,” Wilkie said.
“A report will be made tomorrow to Police Chief Arthur Colsey and Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando. They will be furnished with the names of six men I know were associated with Avena in operations in this city. These men and one other notorious Camden character are definitely suspected.”
On June 8, Camden police swooped down on an establishment at 132 Federal street, set up on city-owned property. Heretofore it was believed the place had not been put into operation. Last night Wilkie said a gambling house at 1205 Broadway was visited. In police court the next day Police Judge Lewis Liberman fined Samuel Guthrie, the alleged proprietor, $100. “The men who ran the ‘joint’ at 132 Federal street were hard hit the first week,” Wilkie declared. “They then contacted Avena to supply the money to keep the place running. The place was closed up before it made any money. Avena lost money in both ventures, and I can prove he was interested in them, too.”
“There is a local gambling figure who was incensed when ‘Naz-zone’ came over here. ‘The town isn’t big enough for both of us,’ he told Avena.” “I intend to report fully to Chief Colsey and Prosecutor Orlando,” Wilkie continued.
Pinball Racketeers Terrify Small Storekeepers of City
Camden Courier-Post –
Wilkie Tells How Merchants Face Personal Injury and Destruction of Property Unless They Use Certain Type of Device
Gambling racketeers have Camden storekeepers in the grip of a reign of terror. Unless these small merchants agree to promote the use of certain pinball machines they face the destruction of their property as well as personal injury.
This was the sensational revelation made yesterday by John V. Wilkie, Camden’s “notebook cop” and “one-man crusader,” after his testimony had resulted in the fining of seven storekeepers charged with having gambling instruments in their possession. Wilkie let fall the added information that he and Police Judge Lewis Liberman decided to make a short shrift of offenders in the future, holding all convicted under the Crimes Act and sending their cases to the grand jury.
Wilkie’s revelations came after court adjourned. He went into microscopic detail about the manner in which the racketeers were browbeating and cowing the storekeepers who have incurred their anger and reprisals. “My investigations,” said Wilkie, “prove that Camden is held fast in a reign of terror by these racketeers. Many of the merchants have installed these pinball machines and were going along all right until these men appealed to the police department for protection.”
“These men said that they had been approached on several occasions and told to install machines or suffer the consequences in their stores. Unless they complied with this demand their machines would be wrecked and they faced a trouncing themselves, several of them said. One storekeeper in South Camden told me several men entered his store last week. They saw a pinball machine in his place and looked it over. ‘I’ll get rid of it,’ said one of the strangers, ‘and put in ours.’ The merchant bridled right up then and said that he wouldn’t do anything of the sort. Instead he insisted that the pinball machine suited him all right and he wasn’t running his business to suit a lot of thugs and racketeers.”
“The next morning the storekeeper knew of the intruders yanked out some sort of tool and started to work on that machine. While the merchant protested one of the others told him to ‘stop squawking’ and the man with the tool ruined the machine.”
Wilkie’s drive against the gambling machines was heartily praised by Judge Liberman during the hearings given to the seven defendants. Seven storekeepers were fined: Kate Buck, 1001 Kaighn avenue, fined $5; David Lynn, 1101 Cooper street, fined $5; John Lynch, 301½ Penn street, cigarette gaming device, $5; Max Marker, 333 North Third street, chewing gum device, $5; Walter Ambrose, 37 Terminal Walk, pinball machine, $10; Frank Hammell, 518 Broadway, $5; Virgil Clark, 578 Royden street, punch boards, $5.
Police Judge Holds Pair Wilkie Nabbed
Camden Courier-Post –
Girl, 14, in Detention Home, Brother-in-Law Faces Jury Action
A 14-year-old girl was sent to the Detention home and her 35-year-old brother-in-law held without bail for the grand jury on a statutory charge Saturday by Police Judge Lewis Liberman.
They were arrested by Inspector John V. Wilkie in a North Third Street rooming house. Two other girls taken into custody by Wilkie at the same time were released in police court.
The girl in question is Tessie Chodkowska, of 321 North Third Street, scene of the arrests, and the man is Henry Eberle, of 2527 East Somerset Street, Philadelphia.
Wilkie and acting Sergeant Herbert Bott arrested an East Camden tailor in connection with the same case and charged him with permitting disorderly persons to congregate on his premises. He was held as a material witness.
Works With S. P. C. C.
Wilkie went to the house while cooperating with Miss Emilia Haase, an agent of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. For the last two days they have been seeking the Chodkowska girl, who ran away from the society’s headquarters while commitment papers to send her to an institution were being made out.
Miss Haase traced her to Camden and when she came here Wilkie was assigned to assist her. He learned the girl was working in a restaurant on Market Street between Second and Third Streets, and was living on Fourth Street near Linden.
When he went to the house she had moved and he then learned she was living at 321 North Third Street. When he went there the other two girls and Eberle were in a second floor room. Wilkie said that Eberle and Tessie were living together, the man is her brother-in-law, Wilkie said.
Gave Wrong Names
They gave fictitious names, Wilkie said, when they were told they were under arrest. “There is more behind this case than appears on the surface,” Wilkie said. “I am going to find out why this rooming house was not licensed.”
Wilkie Declared Ideal as Witness
Camden Courier-Post –
Former Grand Jury Foreman Says Most Cops Lag in Giving Evidence
Camden policemen are efficient and energetic — but when it comes to presenting evidence to the grand jury — they make poor witnesses. Take it from an ex-grand jury foreman, there is only one policeman in the whole department who knows how to go about presenting evidence “clearly and succinctly.” He is Inspector John V. Wilkie, whose notes have served him in good stead.
Declaring that “Camden policemen are very bunglesome witnesses,” the Rev. Eric A. Oesterle, pastor of Collingswood Baptist church, told members of the Y’s Men’s Club at their weekly luncheon at the Hotel Walt Whitman, that he had called in Commissioner Mary W. Kobus to take steps to remedy the situation. Mr. Oesterle served as foreman of the April term grand jury, which concluded its deliberations Sept. 1.
Describing his experiences with the jury, Rev. Oesterle lauded state police as “expert witnesses” when summoned before the grand jury. “But something should be done about members of the Camden police department. They are very bunglesome witnesses as compared to the state police. The Camden policeman’s method of keeping and presenting evidence is poor. This is true of everybody in the department but one man — John V. Wilkie. We welcomed the sight of Wilkie. His notes were always clear and he knew just how to present the evidence in the proper manner. We discussed this situation with Mrs. Kobus who told us she would take steps to remedy the condition. We effected a plan calling for a police school which would teach, among other things, how to draw up evidence.”
“The way the oath is very often jumbled in court, it is difficult for the witness to tell whether he is swearing on the Bible or a catalogue,” he said.
Woman Arrested for Kicking Wilkie
Camden Courier-Post –
Notebook Cop Nurses Sore Shin After Making Series of ‘Pinches’
John V. Wilkie, the “notebook cop,” nursed a bruised shin yesterday and regretted whole heartedly that duty sometimes leads an officer into family quarrels.
The strange series of events started Wednesday when Wilkie arrested Samuel Mentine, 21, of 1180 Kaighn avenue, on a wife beating charge. While Wilkie was talking to Mentine, the latter’s brother, Tony, 23, of 316 Clinton street, drove up in an automobile and began asking questions, the tone of which little pleased the officer. Wilkie asked a few questions of his own. He found that Tony carried no driver’s or registration cards, and so he arrested Tony also.
Samuel Mentine’s wife, Josephine, of 776 Line street, told Wilkie the argument that caused her husband to hit her started when she refused to live in rented rooms at the home of Frank Salerno, 48, of 445 South Fourth street, and that Samuel furthermore refused to return her furniture from the rooms. Wilkie went down to the Fourth street address and there discovered that Salerno had not obtained a permit in accordance with the city apartment and rooming house ordinance. Thus Salerno joined the list of “arrestees” in the case.
In Police Court Judge Lewis Liberman fined Salerno $25 for not having a permit, held Tony in $25 security for Traffic Court Oct. 15 and gave Samuel a suspended sentence of 60 days with the provision that he return his wife’s furniture. After court, Mrs. Mentine asked Wilkie to go to the Fourth street house to help claim her furniture. He did. There, he said, Mrs. Salerno became more than mildly abusive, in fact kicked him on the shins and generally tossed him around. He arrested her on a charge of assault and battery on an officer.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Mentine obtained some of her furniture. Wilkie, rubbing his shins, told her to go see a justice of the peace. She did that and had her husband arrested for larceny of furniture.
GOTTA STOP KICKIN’ JOHN WILKIE AROUND
Camden Courier-Post –
Police Judge Slaps $10 Fine on Woman to Discourage Practice
They gotta stop kickin’ John Wilkie around, unless they want to pay $10 fine. Mrs. Frank Salerno, who lives at 445 South Fourth street, discovered that fact when she was arraigned before Judge Lewis Liberman in the police court.
Wilkie said she kicked him lustily in the shins when the “notebook cop” went to her home to reclaim some furniture which Mrs. Josephine Mentine, 776 Line street, said her husband, Samuel, was keeping from her.
Mrs. Salerno was arrested for kicking Wilkie and Samuel Mentine was freed when his wife had him arraigned on a charge of larceny. The articles involved were some bedclothes and sheets, which the man said his aunt had given him for a wedding gift. “Aunt’s don’t give bedclothing to men for wedding presents,” observed the sentenious court.
Mentine’s attorney raised the point that a man couldn’t steal from his wife and Judge Liberman agreed. So Samuel was freed. The strange series of events started Wednesday when Wilkie arrested Mentine, 21, of 1180 Kaighn avenue, on a wife beating charge; his brother Tony was also arrested for no driver’s or registration cards; and when the Mentine wife’s furniture dispute uncovered a rooming-house permit violation by Frank Salerno at 445 South Fourth street.
TERM IS SUSPENDED IN CRIME LIST CASE
Camden Courier-Post –
Police Judge Lewis Liberman yesterday found Anthony Mentine, 23, of 316 Clinton Street, guilty of failing to list himself with the criminal registration bureau but suspended sentence.
Mentine was arrested by Patrolman John V. Wilkie for driving without a license last week and was fined $25 on the charge in traffic court Thursday night. The additional charge of failing to register then was lodged against him.
Sgt. Rox Saponare in charge of the identification bureau, admitted that Mentine called to register last August but that he was too busy to see him and told him to come back the following Wednesday. Mentine said he forgot to return.
Man Jailed in Threat to Shoot Woman Here
Camden Courier-Post –
Walter Glassneck, 56, of 65 Penn street, was arrested on charges of threats to kill his common-law wife last night when he appeared in the street near his home with a revolver following a quarrel with the woman.
Glassneck, who was intoxicated, was held without bail for hearing in police court today. Telephone calls to police headquarters reporting a man “in the street with a gun,” brought the entire police reserves to the rooming house at the Penn street address, but Patrolman John V. Wilkie was already on the scene when police arrived.
Wilkie and Sergeant Walter Rowan, searching the house, found the revolver with one cartridge in it and 12 others in a trunk.
The woman, Mary Barnard, said she ran out of their room when he went for the revolver, but managed to return and locked him out when he went to the street in search of her.
4 Chinese Observers Inspect RCA Here on Tour of World
Camden Courier-Post –
Nanking Follows Purchase of Short-Wave Equipment By Wide Research — Visitors Saw Women And Children Slain in Shanghai
Official representatives of the Chinese Nanking government are in Camden making a study of radio transmission for commercial use at the RCA plant. Above, left to right, are Yeh Woo, G. L. Tung, R. H. Shen, and N. H. Teng. Shipments were made recently by the Camden plant of an allotment of radio equipment to China for use in establishing an international short-wave hookup.
Four representatives of the Chinese Nanking government are on an official visit to Camden where they are studying methods used in the manufacture of radios at the RCA plant. Mild-mannered and courteous, the four visitors are Yeh Woo, N. H. Teng, P. H. Shen and C. L. Tung, all university graduates whose government recently ordered 16 short wave radio transmission sets and equipment at a cost of about a half a million dollars from RCA. Their visit is sponsored by the department of telegraphs, ministry of communications, Nanking.
After leaving the United States in May, the party will visit radio manufacturing plants in Germany, England and other countries with the purpose of learning the best features of radio sets for commercial use.
The group left China last September just after the Japanese opened hostilities with an air raid over Shanghai. In their first offensive move, Woo said, six of nine Japanese bombers were brought down by the fire of Chinese troops. Bombs from enemy planes, he added, failed on several occasions to explode when dropped during raids.
“However,” said Woo, “the Japanese bombers soon got into action and were dropping their explosives on schools and hospitals, killing women and children.”
“The Japanese government is ambitious to conquer other countries and acquire new resources. We Chinese harbor no hatred for the Japanese people. They are victims of their own government’s misdeeds.”
The four Chinese representatives were escorted on a tour of inspection of the Camden police and detective departments in city hall, the city jail, firehouses and other places of interest by Policeman John V. Wilkie, Camden rooming house inspector. Wilkie volunteered his services in co-operation with a proposal made by Police Chief Arthur Colsey that the visitors see the city.
TAVERN-OWNER ACCUSED OF SELLING TO MINORS
Camden Courier-Post –
Antonio Panetta, 52, proprietor of the Big Horn Grille, Fourth and Arch Streets, was arrested yesterday on a warrant by Patrolman John V. Wilkie.
Panetta was charged with violating the city ordinance forbidding the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors. Wilkie said the warrant was based on statements obtained from several persons less than 21 years of age.
CAFE OWNER FREED OF SALES TO MINOR
Camden Courier-Post –
Girl Tells in Court of Twice Buying Beer But He Assails Her Story
Arrested on a charge of violating the city ordinance forbidding the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors, Antonio Panetta, 52, proprietor of a cafe at Fourth and Arch Streets, was found not guilty by Police Judge Mariano yesterday.
Panetta was arrested by Patrolman John V. Wilkie after Wilkie said he acted on a statement made to him by Nora Williams, 18, of 625 North Front Street.
The girl testified she and several other girls bought beer in the place last Christmas night and again on New Year’s Eve, from two waitresses whom she described as “Betty” and “Harriet.” She declared she had bought beer on several previous occasions at the cafe, and identified Elizabeth Matlack, 1287 Thurman Street, as “Betty.”
Panetta testified he “keeps a strict watch” on his place and that the girl could not have been served without him knowing it. He said whenever he thinks a customer is under age, he gets the suspected person to sign a card. He said he was in his establishment on both nights when the girl alleged she got beer, but had not seen her there. Mrs. Panetta corroborated her husband’s testimony and the waitress denied serving the girl.
Prosecutor Mitchell Cohen asked that a conviction be found, pointing out that the girl was the only “disinterested witness,” while the others were “members of the family and an employee.”
Carlton W. Rowand, attorney for Panetta, wanted to know “if these things happened on those days, why the warrant was not issued until yesterday.”
Judge Mariano replied that the “information did not reach the police department until a few days ago.”
In freeing Panetta, Judge Mariano declared the state “had not borne the burden of proof and that the benefit of the doubt must be given to the defendant.”
Illegal Operation Charged to Doctor
Camden Courier-Post –
Dr. Phillips, Collingswood; Girl and 2 Men Placed Under Arrest
Dr. Claude B. Phillips, prominent Collingswood physician, was arrested Saturday on charges of performing an illegal operation.
Nora Williamson, 18, of Camden, named by police as victim of the operation, and two Collingswood men were held on statutory charges in connection with the case.
Dr. Phillips was held in $1000 bail for action by the grand jury by Police Recorder R. Cooper Brown.
The Williamson girl, whose address was given by police as 625 North Front Street, was held in $500 bail. Frank C. Lingo, of 15 East Collings avenue, and Francis Croman, of 42 Lincoln avenue, were also held in $500 bail. Croman, police said, is the father of five children.
When arraigned before Recorder Brown, Dr. Phillips entered a plea of not guilty and indignantly denied the charge against him. According to police, he declared that he had never seen the Williamson girl prior to the hearing.
The girl was unable to get $500 bail and taken back to the Collingswood police station and then to the county jail.
The operation, according to the formal complaint, was performed by Dr. Phillips at a place in Gloucester.
According to a statement given police by the girl, the two men took her to Dr. Phillips. The physician, she charged gave her medicine and later performed the operation.
The girl was turned over to Collingswood police a week ago after she was found in an apartment at the North Front street address by Patrolman John V. Wilkie, Camden “Notebook Cop,” when he was making a routine check of rooming houses.
Wilkie reported he questioned the girl and learned that she had been employed as a nursemaid in Collingswood, where she met Lingo. She said she had several “dates” with Lingo. After she gave up her job at Collingswood, she said, she moved to Haddonfield. Lingo telephoned her there last October 1, she told police, and invited her to a party at a taxicab office.
Had Several Beers
The girl said she drank several glasses of beer at the party and charges she was enticed by both Lingo and Croman to a garage. Lingo and Croman were arrested Friday night. Dr. Phillips was taken into custody at his home, 891 Haddon avenue, Collingswood, Saturday and held at police headquarters one hour before the hearing, which took place at Recorder Brown’s office, 607 Haddon avenue.
John McTaggart Faces Operation
Camden Courier-Post –
Patrolman McTaggart, 53, Camden’s Broadway cop, early today was removed to Cooper Hospital for an appendicitis operation. Patrolman McTaggart was stricken at his home at 1381 Kenwood Avenue. Dr. David S. Rhone, city commissioner, and his personal physician, ordered his removal to the hospital.
Dr. Rhone and Inspector John V. Wilkie waited at the hospital for the arrival of McTaggart. Dr. Paul M. Mecray, Jr., was summoned for an operation. McTaggart was bodyguard to former Governors Morgan F. Larsen and Harold G. Hoffman at Governor’s Day receptions at Sea Girt.
In Cafe Holdup
Camden Courier-Post –
Police Search All Night for Thugs Who Took $1000
Camden police today arrested three men in connection with an armed holdup yesterday of a Camden saloon.
Police worked through the night on the case. They broke off the investigation for a short rest at 6 o’clock this morning, however, and were to continue it later.
The saloon, Briggs Cafe at Lansdowne Avenue and Louis street, was robbed of about $1000 at 3.05 p.m. yesterday by two neatly dressed, armed bandits.
Shortly afterward the bandits took a watch, $20 in cash and the automobile of two men who pursued them.
Truck Driver Quizzed
Booked on “suspicion” at 5.30 o’clock this morning at Camden police headquarters was Angelino J. Martelli, 22, a truck driver, whose home at 1173 Lansdowne avenue, is near the Briggs Cafe. Police explained he is being held for further questioning.
At 5.45 a.m. two other men were booked as material witnesses in the case. They are Charles Beyer, 23, an electrical worker, 727 South Eighth Street, and Dominic Maione, 24, a salesman, 405 South Fifth Street.
Detective Capt. Koerner took charge of the investigation late yesterday, and, with Detective Sgt. Trout and Detective Cahill, Sgt. Trout and Detectives Cahill and Schultz, worked through the night.
2 Women Held at Bay
The saloon owner, Mrs. Mary Derengowski, 52, and her daughter, Mrs. Stella Briggs, 34, reported the bandits held them at bay with pistols while they rifled a cash drawer and cash register.
Mrs. Briggs was upstairs painting when the robbers entered the saloon.
Mrs. Derengowski was in a back room when she heard the door bell.
As she approached the bar to serve two men standing there, she noticed they had drawn pistols.
Warned to ‘Keep Quiet’
“Keep quiet,” one told her, “and you won’t get hurt.”
She told police, however, she screamed as one of the gunmen forced her into the back room.
Attracted by the screams, Mrs. Briggs ran downstairs and was confronted by a gunman who ordered her in the back room with her mother.
At that point, the women said, the bandit holding them at bay became nervous. He ran over to his partner in the barroom and told him to hurry and take the money.
Mrs. Derengowski slipped through a side door into Louis street and screamed for help.
Victims Chase Them
The bandits fled down Lansdowne avenue toward Rose street with the women chasing them.
Joseph J. Lesniewski, 28, of 1179 Lansdowne avenue, took up the chase and was gaining on the thugs when he noticed an automobile driven by William Szmborski, 40, of 1165 Kenwood avenue, moving in the same direction.
Lesniewski leaped on the running board, told Szmborski of the holdup and persuaded him to follow the fugitives down Rose street to a point near Mechanic street, where the car drew abreast of the bandits.
Szmborski stopped the car and Lesniewski leaped from the running board just as the bandits turned their guns upon him and ordered him back to the machine. They forced Lesniewski into the car and climbed in behind him.
The bandits forced Lesniewski to surrender $20 in cash and his wrist watch, then ordered the driver to “get going.”
Drive Off In Car
Szmborski drove to Louis street near Mt. Vernon, where the bandits ordered their pursuers from the car and drove it away.
Radio car Patrolmen James Caputi and William Prucella were notified and took up the hunt. The car was found abandoned at Second and Clinton streets.
A short time after the holdup, Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie recovered an abandoned machine which he said apparently was to be used as a “get-away” car.
The auto, a green sedan with the key in the ignition lock, was found in the 1200 block of Lansdowne avenue.
Neighbors told Wilkie they saw three men drive up in the car shortly before the hold-up. Two, who Wilkie said fitted descriptions of the robbers, left the car and walked toward the saloon. The third remained at the wheel.
Third Man Escapes
Wilkie said when the bandits fled from the bar they apparently became confused and ran west on Lansdowne avenue, instead of east toward the car. The third man abandoned the car and fled on foot.
Mrs. Derengowski told police the cash drawer contained about $1000 to cash checks.
One bandit wore a panama hat pulled low over his forehead and a black jacket. The women said the second thug had a mustache and wore an Army jacket and pants.
Navy Vet Sought
The automobile abandoned near the scene was registered in the name of Joseph A. Gimello, 20, of 325 Washington street. Wilkie declared Gimello’s parents said he had not returned home and admitted he owned the machine.
They said the youth enlisted in the navy when he was 17, served three years and was discharged recently. However, according to Wilkie, the parents stated his entire attitude had changed and they feared he was suffering from a mental condition.
An alarm has been broadcast to hold Gimello for questioning in connection with the holdup.
2 Ambulances Needed For Hospital Run
Camden Courier-Post –
An Erial woman, being taken to Cooper hospital Monday night, was transferred from the Pine Hill ambulance to the Camden VFW ambulance which completed the run.
Mrs. Helen Snethen was admitted to the hospital for observation. Her condition was not serious. The driver of the Pine Hill ambulance said his vehicle broke down on Admiral Wilson boulevard at Thorndyke street. He called Sgt. John V. Wilkie, at police headquarters. Wilkie dispatched a call for the city ambulance which was driven by Patrolman Anthony Moffa.
Three Men Held Without Bail in Tavern Holdup
Camden Courier-Post –
Trio Nabbed at Shore Identified by Victim Of $2000 Theft Here
Three men suspected of the $2000 robbery of a Camden woman tavern owner last Friday were held without bail for further hearing by Judge Dzick today.
Dzick acted in compliance with a request by Detectives Marshall Thompson and George Ellis, who said the investigation was not complete. The three were arrested Sunday in Atlantic City.
Booked on charges of armed robbery were Stanley Slagle, 22, of 1408 Broadway; James J. Lenahan, 24, of 1734 Broadway, and Robert Sharp, 26, of 19 N. Johnson blvd., Gloucester.
Identified as Boxer
Slagle was identified as a middleweight boxer, who started to fight last fall and appeared twice at a Philadelphia club.
Arrested at 2 a. m. Sunday the men were returned to Camden, where they were identified by Miss Mary Lynch, 44, who operates Lynch’s Cafe at 3rd and Erie sts. Charles Clark, 33, of 538 N. Front st., a patron who was slugged on the head with a blackjack, was able to identify Lenahan and Sharp as participating in the daylight holdup, according to Detective Capt. Thomas Murphy.
Murphy said the men will be included in a police lineup Tuesday at 8 p. m. so that other victims of holdups in the area during the past year may view the suspects.
Atlantic City police said Patrolmen Adelmo Fidelli and Edward Shaw, acting on information from Camden detectives, nabbed Lenahan in the Nomad Club.
Fifteen minutes later, other officers took Sharp and Slagle into custody in the Jockey Club.
Shore police said they had been notified Camden authorities in a raid on an apartment in Camden had learned from a girl-friend of one of the men that she was to meet them in Atlantic City.
Some Money Recovered
Murphy said $600 of the stolen money was recovered on the men, in addition to $125 discovered in the apartment in the 1700 block on Broadway.
The detective captain said Detectives George Ellis and Marshall Thompson, who along with Detectives Harry Tracey and Sgt. William Kelly returned the suspects from the shore, had spent 43 hours without sleep on the trail of the bandits.
Murphy said the key to the capture was a license number obtained by Patrolman Oliver Morgan from an automobile seen near the scene of the holdup.
Car Was Stolen
The car, Murphy said, had been stolen from John J. Hegar, 640 Federal Street, a certified public accountant, who was unaware of the theft until after the car was recovered Saturday on 7th st., between Liberty st. and Kaighn ave.
Later Saturday, Murphy related, Detective Harry Kyler and Detective Sgt. Vincent Conley obtained information linking Lenahan to the job and, still later, the apartment in Camden was raided.
Discovered in the apartment, Murphy said, were a .45-calibre automatic and the cash, found hidden under a chair cushion.
Murphy said Lenahan and Sharp, under questioning Sunday night in Camden, admitted their part in the holdup. Slagle, however, denied knowledge of the crime, Murphy added.
Discarded Weapons
Reconstructing the holdup and the trail of the gunmen, Murphy named Sharp as driver of the getaway car and said the men drove around the city and then later threw a shotgun and blackjack from the car.
The men went to Philadelphia, Murphy continued, where they purchased new clothes and wrist watches and other accessories and agreed to meet in Atlantic City.
Murphy said all have police records, Lenahan having been paroled in July from state prison after serving a term for grand larceny in Atlantic City. Sharp was released from state prison last year after serving a term for larceny of an automobile in Camden County and Slagle was released from the prison where he was sent for robbery, Murphy said.
2 Camden Co. GIs Died in Air Force Disaster in Japan
Camden Courier-Post –
Police Sgt. Wilkie’s Son, Brooklawn Youth Victims
Two youths from Camden County died in the fiery crash of the giant Globemaster transport plane in Japan in aviation’s worst disaster.
They were:
Pvt. John V. Wilkie Jr., 19, son of Sgt. John V. Wilkie Sr., Camden’s famous “notebook cop” and Mrs. Wilkie, of 1144 Princess ave.
Airman 2/c Donald I. Painter, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman I. Painter, of 208 N. Broadway, Brooklawn.
The names of two others from South Jersey and of one Philadelphian were included in the casualty list.
Both Camden County boys enlisted in the service while sophomores at high school — Wilkie from Camden High and Painter from Gloucester High.
Pal Killed Earlier
Young Wilkie enlisted Feb. 11, 1952, with his close friend, Pfc. Wallace B. Bradly, son of Mrs. Eleanore L. Bradly, of 1153 Kenwood ave., and Wallace Sr., of 81 Manor ave., Oaklyn. In mid-April the latter, serving in Korea with the Airborne Engineers, was reported killed in an accident involving heavy road machinery.
Both Wilkie and Bradly were assigned to the Engineers, both were stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., and they were together when they went to Korea five months ago.
Six weeks ago their assignments separated them. Bradly’s body was brought home and buried last Saturday.
Visited Home Last Year
Sgt. Wilkie said his son last visited home in August, 1952. There are two brothers, James, 17, and Richard, 16, and a sister, Theresa, 14.
Painter was an only son. He is survived by two younger sisters, Alice and Virginia.
Mr. and Mrs. Painter were both prostrated by grief when they learned of their son’s death and are under the care of a doctor.
The father, who retired two years ago with a heart ailment, has been unable to leave the house for many months. His condition is considered serious.
Painter enlisted Oct. 15, 1951, in the Air Force. He was at home on a furlough, his sisters said, in November and was then sent to Korea. The last letter his parents received from him, dated April 24, was written in Japan.
On Leave From Korea
Both the dead Camden County youths, as was the case with so many of the 129 service men who died in the crash of the great Globemaster, are believed to have been sent to Japan for a period of rest after active service at the front.
Others from South Jersey were Sgt. Marvin J. Fogelhut, husband of Mrs. Chanda B. Fogelhut, of 64 S. Main st., Toms River, and Airman 3/c Raymond Mihalic, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mihalic, of 428 Centre st., Trenton.
Sgt. Wilkie Flies to Calif. to Serve As Guard of Honor of Son’s Body
Camden Courier-Post –
Victim of Crash In Japan Due Friday in U. S.
Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie arrived in Oakland, Calif., today by Sky Coach to act as the guard of honor in returning the body of his son, Pfc. John Jr., to Camden for burial next week.
Young Wilkie died last June 18 in the greatest air crash disaster in history, the explosion of a C-124 Globemaster at the Tachikawa Army Airbase near Tokyo.
The plane, loaded with 129 officers and men, went into a flat spin shortly after the take-off. In the smash-up, 3000 gallons of high octane gasoline exploded and every one aboard was lost.
Army Approval Given
Since the disaster, Sgt. Wilkie, famed as Camden’s “Notebook Cop,” has been in almost constant touch with Army authorities through Congressman Charles A. Wolverton and U. S. Sen. H. Alexander Smith.
Sgt. Wilkie originally sought to go to Tokyo, where the long, slow process of identifying the victims was in progress. But this request was turned down.
The Army finally agreed for Sgt. Wilkie to act as one of the two honor guards who will accompany his son’s body home for burial in Calvary Cemetery here.
Pays Own Air Trip
The policeman flew to Oakland at his own expense from International Airport in Philadelphia, and will accompany the body home by train at government expense.
Wilkie said he learned the C-124 victims will arrive in San Francisco on Friday. While at the Oakland Airbase, he will be the guest of Lt. Col. William H. Keller, port quartermaster.
Young Wilkie, who was born in Camden, attended Parkside School, Hatch Junior High and Camden High. He enlisted on Feb. 11, 1952, at the Philadelphia Recruiting Office and was sent to Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.
In September, 1952, he was home for a final 30-day leave, then flew to Oakland and was shipped overseas, arriving in Japan in November. Assigned to the 919th Engineer Maintenance Co., he was sent to Korea and had been returned to Japan. The Robert J. Blake Funeral Home, 851 Haddon ave., will be in charge of local arrangements. There will be a Solemn Requiem Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Broadway and Ferry ave. Besides his parents, young Wilkie is survived by two brothers, James S. and William R., and a sister, Teresa, of Camden.
WILKIE SON DIES FROM GUN SHOT
Camden Courier-Post –
Youth, 17, Found Suicide in Home By Officer
The 17-year-old son of Camden Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie was found shot to death in his home early Sunday, with his father’s service revolver lying on the living room floor beneath his body.
James S. Wilkie, of 1144 Princess Ave., was found by his father shortly after 2 a.m.
Coroner John A. Healey, after an autopsy Sunday afternoon, also said he was “satisfied the death was suicide.” He issued a death certificate with that finding.
Younger Children Questioned
Benjamin Asbell, first assistant prosecutor, with County Detective Chief James J. Mulligan, City Detective Capt. Thomas P. Murphy and Detective George Ellis, questioned Wilkie, two other Wilkie children, their friends and neighbors for more than three hours in detective headquarters Sunday night.
W. Richard Wilkie, 16, and his sister Teresa, 14, with Paul Ragone, 15, of Bridgeboro Rd., Moorestown, a friend of Richard, were decorating the living room of the Wilkie home for Christmas when James came home about 1:30 a.m. and evidently had been drinking.
A quarrel followed in which Richard chided James about “coming home drunk,” and James wanted to fight his brother, but Richard and the Ragone boy went outside the house. At that point, James went to his father’s second-floor front bedroom and took Wilkie’s .38-caliber police revolver from a chest of drawers and returned to the living room.
‘I’ll Kill Myself’
James ordered his sister to tell Richard to return to the house, and Richard instead directed Teresa to “come outside,” Asbell said. When the girl left the home, James went to the front door, waved the gun and shouted, according to Asbell: “If you don’t come in I’ll kill myself.”
The children said James then turned and went back into the house. They stated he slammed the front door so hard the blind fell off. Seconds later, Richard heard what he called a shot.
After trying unsuccessfully to reach Sgt. Wilkie, the three were taken by a friend of Ragone’s to the home of Mrs. Tessie Bogacki, mother of the Wilkie children, in Woodlynne. Mrs. Bogacki remarried after she and Sgt. Wilkie were divorced several months ago.
Father Finds Body
Wilkie told the investigators he had been to a restaurant and discovered the body when he returned shortly after 2 a.m., but thought his son had cut his head in a fall. The weapon beneath the body was not found until after police, summoned by Wilkie from a police box at Haddon and Kaighns Aves., arrived and moved the body.
The spent bullet was found near the body in a pool of blood by Detectives Edward Shapiro and John Moffa. Another bullet taken from the gun, police said, showed evidence it had misfired.
Autopsy Performed
The body was transferred to Cooper Hospital where an autopsy was performed by Dr. William T. Read. Healey said the autopsy showed conclusively the bullet had been fired into the right temple and left through the left temple. Wilkie, famed for years as Camden’s notebook cop, has been away from duty for several months because of illness. Wilkie told investigators his son suffered a head injury in early youth and had complained of headaches. Wilkie also said James had been despondent since the death of another son, John, killed last June in a plane crash in Japan.
Detective Is Held For Shooting Son
Gettysburg PA Times –
Camden NJ (AP) — A Camden city detective, Sgt. John V. Wilkie, is being held on a manslaughter charge in the shooting of his 17 year-old son.
Police said last night Wilkie told them his son was killed accidentally as he and the youth struggled for his service revolver Sunday morning.
The boy’s death had been called a suicide by Camden County Coroner John S. Healy. A pathology report indicated that the head wound sustained by the younger Wilkie was self-inflicted.
Camden County Prosecutor Mitchell H. Cohen said the detective told him he tried to take his own life after his son was shot but the pistol misfired.
Wilkie was charged with manslaughter and held in custody pending a hearing to set bail.
WILKIE FAILS TO POST BAIL OF $50,000
Camden Courier-Post –
Probe Still Open; Will Confer On Funeral
Sgt. John V. Wilkie, Camden’s “notebook cop,” was transferred from the city jail to the county jail late Wednesday when he failed to raise $50,000 bail under which he is being held during the investigation of the fatal shooting Sunday of his son, James, 17.
The $50,000 bail was ordered by Prosecutor Cohen after Wilkie confessed shooting his son in the head accidentally during a struggle for the policeman’s service revolver in their Princess Ave. home.
Coroner John A. Healey, however, has listed the death of the youth as a suicide.
Will Confer on Funeral
“There are many discrepancies in the various versions Wilkie has told me and there have been changes in the story itself,” Cohen said in commenting on the suicide report.
Robert J. Blake, funeral director, said he planned to confer with the elder Wilkie today in the county jail on funeral arrangements for the youth. Blake said there had been no change in the position of Catholic officials, who have refused to permit burial of the youth in consecrated ground, in accordance with canonical law prohibiting such burial to suicides, except in cases of insanity.
According to the story told by the children and Paul Ragone, 15, of Moorestown, a friend, James came home at 1:30 a.m. Sunday and after words with Richard went upstairs and then reappeared with his father’s service revolver. The others fled from the house and quoted James as saying: “If you don’t come in, I’ll shoot myself.” A minute later, they said, they heard a shot.
SGT. WILKIE IS STILL HELD IN JAIL, HIS BAIL OF $50,000 UNCHANGED
Camden Courier-Post –
Cut Considered After Retraction Of ‘Confession’
Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie, Camden’s notebook cop, remained in jail today in default of $50,000 bail despite his admission Thursday he “confessed” accidentally killing his son in an effort to have full burial rites of the Roman Catholic Church accorded the youth.
Wilkie’s admission of the fabrication as a desperate self-sacrificing attempt for his son came Thursday afternoon after he learned the church had reiterated that his son, James, 17, could not be given requiem rites and be buried in consecrated ground.
Wilkie admitted that when he returned to his home, at 1144 Princess Ave., at 2:18 a.m. Sunday, he found his son dead of a revolver shot instead of having been shot in a struggle with Wilkie for the latter’s service revolver.
Services for Wilkie’s son will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the Robert J. Blake Funeral Home, 851 Haddon Ave. Burial will be in New Camden Cemetery, Mt. Ephraim and Ferry Aves., a nondenominational cemetery. There will be a public viewing at the funeral home Sunday night.
Wilkie, a member of Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Broadway and Ferry Ave., will be permitted to attend the services under guard.
Asked about the continuing high bail, Prosecutor Mitchell Cohen said there has been “no request from Wilkie nor his attorney, Elmer Bertman, for reduction of bail.”
Favorable to Lower Bail
Cohen, however, continued, “In light of the new circumstances, I certainly would entertain such a request.”
Late Thursday, Cohen told reporters he had no alternative but to present all of the facts in the case to the grand jury and “let them decide.”
Father Denied Suicide
“He still insists that his son did not commit suicide, that he had just bought some new clothes and had said or done nothing to indicate he might take his life. I must say here that the facts available to us do not coincide with a theory of accidental death. All tests by state police laboratories and our medical reports clearly evidenced Wilkie was not telling the truth. The bullet entered one temple and emerged from the other on a straight line instead of at an angle. Since a complaint has been made and a court has instructed me to present this matter to the grand jury, I must do so. Therefore the charge of manslaughter will remain pending the grand jury’s deliberation.” — Prosecutor Cohen
SGT. WILKIE REMAINS IN COUNTY JAIL AS SON IS BURIED WITHOUT RITUAL
Camden Courier-Post –
Funeral Director Recites Prayer
Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie, whose “confession” that he accidentally killed his son proved to be a hoax, remained in the county jail today during the funeral of his 17-year-old son, James.
Wilkie, Camden’s “notebook cop,” is being held in county jail in default of $50,000 bail pending submission of his case to the grand jury, although authorities accepted his admission that the story of accidental death was concocted in an effort to obtain the full burial rites of the Roman Catholic Church for his son.
James, whose death on Dec. 20 was officially declared a suicide, was buried from the Robert J. Blake Funeral Home, 851 Haddon Ave.
Only about 20 persons were present, and there was no formal service of any kind. Among those at the funeral home were James’ mother, Mrs. Tessie Bogacki, of Woodlynne; his brother, Richard, 16, and sister, Teresa, 14, and two aunts, Mrs. Elizabeth Meredith and Mrs. Jane Salus.
James was buried in the rain in New Camden Cemetery, Mt. Ephraim and Ferry Aves., a nondenominational cemetery, also without any formal service. Blake recited the Lord’s Prayer as the casket was lowered.
Attends Viewing
Wilkie attended the public viewing at the funeral home Sunday night in the company of County Detectives James McLaughlin and Joseph Bennie and a guard from the sheriff’s office, Walter Wilkie, no relation. He was promised release from jail so he could attend today’s burial, but James J. Mulligan, chief of county detectives, said Wilkie sent word to the prosecutor’s office this morning that he had no desire to be present at the rites. Approximately 100 persons attended the viewing, and Wilkie was present the entire time.
‘Going Home and Take Care of My Children’
Camden Courier-Post –
Wilkie Freed By Vote of Grand Jury
Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie was released from the Camden County jail late Wednesday afternoon shortly after the grand jury returned a no bill on a manslaughter charge against the veteran policeman in the death of his son James Wilkie, 17.
Wilkie, as he was released from the county jail, told Undersheriff Charles O’Keefe he was “going home and take care of my children, they are my only concern now.”
Young Wilkie was found shot to death Dec. 20 at his father’s home, 1144 Princess Ave. A certificate of suicide was issued by Coroner John A. Healey.
Admits Hoax
Later, Sgt. Wilkie surrendered at police headquarters and said he had accidentally shot his son in a struggle for possession of his service revolver. Wilkie was confined to the county jail in default of $50,000 bail on a manslaughter charge.
Last Thursday, Wilkie admitted to Prosecutor Cohen he had concocted the story of shooting his son in an attempt to obtain the full burial rites of the Roman Catholic Church for his son.
Cohen accepted the withdrawal of Wilkie’s “confession” but said he would have to submit the case to the grand jury. Cohen summoned Wilkie’s two other children, Richard, 16, and Theresa, 14, and City Detective Capt. Thomas Murphy before the jury Wednesday. Murphy was questioned by the jurors 25 minutes and Richard was in the jury room for 15 minutes. Theresa was not called before the jury and at 3:30 p.m. was dismissed, less than a half hour before the jurors returned a no bill on the charge against the father.
John V. Wilkie, 77, ‘notebook cop’
Camden Courier-Post –
WOODBURY — John Valentine Wilkie, Camden’s famous “Notebook Cop” of the 1930s, died Saturday in Underwood-Memorial Hospital here. He was 77.
He got the nicknames from former Courier-Post reporter William A. Gaffney because of the copious notes he always took while investigating a case.
A well-known police department reformer, Prohibition enforcer and gambling raider, the former Camden police sergeant was a colorful character with his own flair for police work.
The New Jersey State Police even recommended that its officers emulate Mr. Wilkie’s careful record keeping.
He was once described in an Evening Courier editorial as having been “promoted, demoted, shifted, transferred, tried, fined, suspended, sued, shot at, threatened, arrested, scolded and reprimanded.”
He summed up his own career when reminiscing with a reporter on the eve of his 20th year as a policeman.
“When I became an officer on March 1, 1928, I decided I would do everything in my power to make good at the job because I felt it was one of the most important a man can choose. From that day to this, I have followed the pattern that policemen are servants of the public and paid from public funds to protect life and limb.”
A hardnosed law enforcer, Mr. Wilkie proved to be the scourge of illegal beer running operations during Prohibition. As a patrolman in December 1931, he stopped a truck headed for a Camden club and found that 10 cases labeled “RADIOS” actually contained beer.
During his career he gained notoriety by charging that Camden police actually were serving as guards for beer and liquor runners. Alarmed by that, he began taking his evidence to federal authorities in Philadelphia — again gaining nationwide attention.
Despite his popular nickname of “The 25-hour Cop,” Mr. Wilkie had a more tender sensitive but less well-known side evident to those he arrested.
An April 1933 Courier story recounts how Mr. Wilkie raided a private club at 4th and Pearl streets and confiscated three slot machines. Just days later, he was asked by that same club to chaperone a dance there.
Shortly after charging members of Camden’s police department with being dishonest and staging numerous gambling and vice raids, Mr. Wilkie found himself patroling at Admiral Wilson Boulevard and Baird Avenue.
It was at this intersection on July 8, 1931, that three gunmen, traveling in a sedan, twice fired shots at Mr. Wilkie in murder attempts. Mr. Wilkie was uninjured but contended the homicide attempts were due to his outspokenness.
In March 1938 he concluded a three month tour of Europe. His goal? To evaluate police departments in Europe’s major cities.
As a dedicated police officer, Mr. Wilkie would probably best like to be remembered as he was described in a Courier editorial on March 20, 1942, when he was promoted to detective.
“As the notebook cop, Wilkie’s long chain of adventures has filled the headlines for 14 years,” the editorial reads, “and many of the troubles he earned were not because he wasn’t a good cop — but because he was too good a cop.”
Mr. Wilkie is survived by a son William R.; a daughter, Theresa Wilkie, and five grandchildren, all of Blackwood.
Services will be 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the Robert J. Blake Funeral Home, 226 Collings Ave., Collingswood. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Broadway and Ferry Avenue. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill. There will be no viewing.
Neighbor’s Memory
My Grandmother lived at 1141 Princess Avenue while Mr. and Mrs. Wilkie lived at 1144 Princess, right across the street. I grew up at 1157 Princess and while Mr. Wilkie was as nice as a man could be, we were surely at our best behavior when he was home. A “no nonsense” type of guy.
— Pat Yocalano, September 2007