John William Cullen
John William Cullen
John William Cullen, 22, was the manager of an American Store chain grocery at 1201 Lansdowne Avenue in Fairview. He lived at 1088 South Common Road, Fairview, with his wife, Virginia, and their daughter, Jacqueline, who was just over a year old. His family was originally from Crisfield, Maryland.
On the evening of November 28, 1930, Cullen was shot by holdup men who forced their way into the store as he was closing for the day. The bandits ordered him to open the safe; when he resisted, one struck him. Cullen fought back and was shot in the chest. The bullet lodged directly under his heart, penetrating a lung. He was rushed to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital, where he died two days later on December 1, 1930.
The two perpetrators — John “Fingers” Makowski, 19, of 1476 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, and Stanley Janasz (also known as Benny Jones), 18, of 1509 Newport Street — were arrested within hours of the shooting. Both were charged with murder and faced the death penalty. A grand jury returned murder indictments against them on December 8, 1930.
Manager Is Shot In Second Holdup Of Store In Week
Camden Morning Post —
Same Gang Returns and Flees With Only $5 Loot
VICTIM NEAR DEATH: HE ATTACKS THUG
Two Boys, Imprisoned, Later Give Alarm From Lansdowne Avenue
Shot down last night by the same bandits who robbed him of business papers a week ago, John Cullen, 22, manager of an American Store at 1201 Lansdowne avenue, is near death in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.
Physicians fear he will not recover from a bullet wound in the lung under the heart inflicted by one of the holdup men when Cullen struck out at them in an effort to protect himself.
Police have obtained descriptions of the assailants from Cullen and from two youthful employes whom they forced into a rear section of the store. The boys, John Drexel, 16, of 1242 Lansdowne avenue, a clerk, and Gordon Feltz, 13, of 1417 Louis street, an errand boy, notified police and aided Cullen after he dropped to the floor of the store.
Bandits Flee With $5
Unable to obtain the day’s receipts from the safe, the bandits escaped with $5 from a cash drawer. Last week’s holdup occurred at 6.05 p. m., November 19, as Cullen was leaving the store. As he stepped out the door, the two men stepped up to him, drew pistols and grabbed a packet of letters he was about to mail. The letters contained sales reports and requisitions for stock. They ran around the corner and disappeared down Louis street.
At 5.55 p. m., last night, Cullen, who lives at 1088 South Commons road, Fairview, had just placed the day’s receipts in the safe. He directed Drexel to lock the front door.
Drexel was about to turn the key when the same bandits forced open the door. Stalking into the store with pistols drawn, one of them covered Cullen. The other man ordered the two boys into a narrow passage behind an ice box and forced them to lie down between bags of sugar.
Victim Describes Event
The wounded manager, questioned at the hospital by Detective Sylvester McGrath, and the boys, who told their stories to Detective Lieutenant Samuel Thompson*, described the events which followed in quick succession.
The bandit covering Cullen gruffly ordered him to open the safe.
Cullen knelt and attempted to follow the order, but he said he was so nervous he was unable to work the combination.
“Come on, open it. Hurry up!” the bandit ordered as his companion, after warning the boys to remain silent behind the icebox, joined him.
I’m doing the best I can,” Cullen replied. Then, attempting to stall for time, he told the bandits: “Go outside. I can’t open this with you standing over me. I’ll bring the money to you.
At that remark one of the bandits struck him in the jaw. Cullen said he was uncertain whether the man used his fist or the butt end of his gun.
Don’t hit me again,” Cullen pleaded. “I’m doing this as quickly as I can.
The same bandit drew off to strike him again.
Shot Attacking Bandit
I went for him,” Cullen told police, “and then he shot me.
The bandits then ran from the store. The terrified boys, when they heard the door slam, ran from their uncomfortable prison.
“I’m shot, Jack,” Cullen gasped to Drexel.
As Feltz ran to his side, Drexel dashed across the street to the Camden Meat Company, on the opposite corner of Lansdowne avenue and Louis street and telephoned police. Motorcycle Policeman Nathan Wine was dispatched to the scene.
Meanwhile Feltz with difficulty aided the wounded man to stagger to the steps outside, where a passerby assisted in making him as comfortable as possible until Wine arrived.
Wine commandeered a laundry truck operated by Russell Kaighn, of 642 North Eighth street, in which Dorothy Austin, 1443 Broadway, was also riding. They took Cullen to the hospital.
Dr. Charles Ley, police surgeon, who examined the wounded man, said he feared he was suffering from an internal hemorrhage.
Suspect Not Identified
Cullen and the boys failed to identify as one of the bandits an armed man who was arrested several hours later at Third and Penn streets by Mounted Policeman Earl Wright.
Wright became suspicious of a hatless man whom he saw leaving a house at 219 Friends avenue. As the man saw Wright he ran north to Penn street. Wright chased him and, threatening to shoot the fugitive, halted him at Third street. A 22-calibre pearl-handled pistol was found on him. One of the five chambers was empty.
Taken to police headquarters, the man said he was John Yovankin, 22, of Forked Landing road, Maple Shade.
Immediately after his arrest Detectives Walter Smith and Alfred Shires raided the house on Friends avenue and arrested Irma Marconi, 18. She and the Maple Shade man are being held on suspicion.
Though police brought several suspects before the holdup victims, one of them a former employe of the store, they were unable to identify any as the bandits.
Police said they had an establishment under surveillance and expected an arrest early today.
According to Cullen and the boys, both bandits appeared to be foreigners. One was about 18 and the other, 22. The younger man, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, wore a dark overcoat and cap, while the other, slightly taller, wore a dark gray overcoat and a light felt hat.
Cullen has a wife, Virginia, and a daughter, Jacqueline, a year old.
* Samuel Johnson was erroneously named “Thompson” in the above article.
Two Miss Death Sentence by Fraction of Inch; ‘Sheiks’ Confess Shooting Store Manager
Camden Morning Post —
A mere fraction of an inch is all that saved the two “sheik” bandits, who robbed and shot a South Camden chain store manager, from death in the electric chair.
And they are still in the shadow of the “chair” as John Cullen, 22, of 1088 Common road battles for his life on a tiny cot in the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.
If he dies the prosecutor’s office will undoubtedly ask that the death sentence be imposed for the crime. A state law in New Jersey decrees that all those participating in a robbery or holdup in which an innocent man is killed are equally guilty.
A .32-calibre bullet entered his chest and punctured a lung causing internal hemorrhages, which physicians say may yet cost his life. The bullet passed within a small fraction of an inch of his heart, and missed several arteries that would have caused instant death had they been hit.
The bandits, who at first denied participating in the holdup, are John “Fingers” Makowski, 19, of 1476 Mt. Ephraim avenue and Stanley Jananaz, also known as Benjamin Janasz and Benny Jones, 18, of 1509 Newport street.
Order Safe Opened
They entered the American store at 1201 Lansdowne avenue just as Cullen as the manager, about to close up last Friday. Forcing the clerks into the rear of the store, the bandits ordered Cullen to open the safe.
One of the bandits emptied the cash register of about $5 in change, while the second man kept threatening Cullen with a gun. When he failed to work fast enough the bandit struck him and then attempted to strike him a second time.
Cullen made an attempt to defend himself and the bandit shot him and fled.
The two men were captured more than eight hours after the crime was committed when police took advantage of a “tip” given them by one of the store clerks.
Claims Shot Was Accidental
Although Cullen could not say which of the two had shot him, Janasz, better known as Jones, admitted that he accidentally discharged his revolver and that the bullet struck Cullen as the latter sought to defend himself.
2 Bandits Face Death As Manager of Store Dies of Holdup Wound
Camden Courier-Post —
Shot Fired in Robbery of Grocery is Fatal to John Cullen
BALDWIN TO ASK SUPREME PENALTY
Shooting is Admitted by Pair, But Plea of Accident is Made
The grim spectre of the electric chair today loomed over two Camden youths, one 18 and the other 19, following the death of a chain store manager whom they admittedly shot. The victim, John Cullen, 22, of 1088 South Common road, died at the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital today.
…until he presents the case to the grand jury next Monday, when he will seek murder indictments. The prosecutor pointed out that the youths are held without bail and that rearraignment on a formal charge of murder is not necessary “unless an attempt is made by an attorney to effect their release on a writ of habeas corpus. In the event of such an attempt, the charge will be changed to murder.”
Cullen made a fight for his life in the hospital. A .32-caliber bullet lodged directly under his heart, penetrating a lung with resultant internal hemorrhages. The bullet missed several arteries by the barest of margins, otherwise Cullen would have died instantly.
An autopsy was conducted late this morning by Dr. Edward B. Rogers, county physician, and it was determined that Cullen had died of internal hemorrhages. The bullet was found and will be used by the state in evidence to establish the means of death.
The victim’s father, William Cullen, of Crisfield, Md., arrived here today to make arrangements for the funeral, which will be in charge of Arthur B. Holl, of Parkside. Services will be held tomorrow evening at the dead man’s home, with Rev. Thomas Martin, pastor of the Fairview Community Church, officiating. Then the body will be taken to Crisfield Wednesday for burial.
In addition to his wife and child, the deceased is survived by his father, mother, Mrs. Olivia Cullen; a sister in Merchantville and a brother living at a Camden hotel.
James Murray, 37, of Florence, gun-toting suspect, pleaded guilty in police court today to a charge of carrying concealed deadly weapons and was held without bail for the Grand Jury.
The slain man, who was married and the father of a year-old daughter, was manager of the American Store at 1201 Lansdowne avenue. A clerk and an errand boy were with him in the store as he was about to close for the day, when Makowski and Jones entered.
Bandit Hit Cullen
With drawn revolvers, the bandits forced the young clerk and errand boy to lie down behind a counter in the rear of the store. One of the bandits obtained $5 from the cash register and then ordered Cullen to open the safe so they could get the day’s receipts. Nervous, Cullen obeyed, but when he hesitatingly knelt before the safe, one of the bandits struck him. Again the bandit attempted to hit Cullen, but the manager threw out his arm to defend himself.
A single shot rang out, and the bandits fled. The clerk, John Drexel, 16, of 1242 Lansdowne avenue, and the errand boy, Gordon Feltz, 13, of 1417 Louis street, summoned aid, and Cullen was taken to the hospital.
Drexel told Detective Sylvester McGrath that he had recognized one of the bandits as John Makowski, against whom he had played football about three weeks ago. McGrath went to the manager of the football team on which Makowski played, obtained his address and was also informed that Makowski’s “buddy” was Jones.
Makowski was arrested at his home about four hours after the holdup. Jones was captured early Saturday morning at his home. Detectives also found an empty .32-calibre revolver on a bureau in Jones’ bedroom, as well as eight cartridges and one discharged shell.
Both suspects admitted being in the store that evening, but denied the crime. They were taken to the hospital, where Cullen identified them. However, the wounded man could not say which had fired the shot. City and county detectives continued the questioning, and the two suspects are finally said to have confessed the holdup.
Jones is declared to have admitted it was his gun which was discharged, but he said the gun accidentally exploded and that he had not intended to shoot Cullen. Makowski admitted throwing his gun from a bus while going across the Camden Bridge after the holdup.
Cullen also identified Jones as one of two bandits who on Nov. 19 confronted him as he was leaving the store and stole business papers from him. He was not certain whether Makowski was in the previous holdup.
Although Makowski did not fire the shot, he is as guilty of the crime of murder as Jones, the prosecutor pointed out. Statutes provide that where a murder is the result of a robbery or holdup, all participants are guilty of the worst crime, as it is an outgrowth of the original crime.
The most celebrated example of how that law is effected was in the case of the four Olney bank bandits, who were arrested for the shooting of a Philadelphia policeman some five years ago. One of the bandits was under arrest and disarmed before the shooting began. Nevertheless, he was charged with murder along with the other three and was electrocuted with them.
Two Alleged Gangsters Trapped by Cops in Harleigh Cemetery
Camden Courier-Post —
BANDITS ROUTED BY CAMDEN GROCER
Four Held for Grand Jury in Drive to Curb Crime
Trapped by police in Harleigh Cemetery, two alleged gangsters were arraigned in police court today and held without bail for the Grand Jury when they pleaded not guilty to carrying concealed deadly weapons.
Arrest of the pair marked a weekend in which two bandits were routed in a battle with a South Camden grocer and two other suspects were arrested on charges of carrying concealed deadly weapons.
One of the latter was nabbed by police in the automobile of Dr. Charles Ley, police surgeon, 20 minutes after the car was reported stolen early Sunday morning.
According to Detective Sylvester McGrath who signed the formal complaints against the two alleged gangsters caught in the cemetery, both are out on parole from prison in Pennsylvania.
The pair gave their names and addresses as Michael Quinn, 22, of 856 Craney street, and Harry Schwartz, 27, of 608 Cantrell street, both of Philadelphia. They were represented in court today by Walter S. Keown.
According to Motorcycle Policeman Nate Wine, he arrested Murray near Broadway and Federal street Saturday night after customers in a nearby store told him the man was carrying a gun. The policeman said Murray threw away six bullets before he was captured.
Guns Found
A sawed-off shotgun, a .38-calibre revolver and several boxes of shells were found by the police in Harleigh Cemetery a short distance from where they captured the other two suspects.
The suspects were alleged to have fled into the cemetery when their automobile hit a pole at Lansdowne and Princess avenues, but they told the police after their arrest that they were in the cemetery “to keep a date with two girls.” They denied knowledge of the guns.
Shortly before noon yesterday police were notified of an automobile crash. Their informant said two men had jumped from the car, one carrying a carpetbag, and dashed in the direction of Collingswood.
Patrolman Howard Bean and George Schuyler went to the scene in a bandit chaser car. They followed the general direction taken by the men and were informed by several pedestrians they had entered Harleigh cemetery.
The patrolmen started to make a search of the cemetery and saw two men standing beside a tree. They fled.
Admit to Jail Sentences
In the meantime Motorcycle Policeman George Smith, of the Collingswood police, joined in the chase and helped trap the men as they were about to climb a fence.
They were arrested on suspicion and placed in a cell. Questioned by Detective McGrath, the men admitted to having served time in jail but would not disclose the reason.
According to Philadelphia police records Schwartz was sentenced to from three to ten years in jail after his arrest on April 4, 1927, for forcing his way into a Pennsylvania railroad gasoline station and was released on parole, Nov. 4, of this year.
The records also show Quinn was sent to a reformatory in 1917 for removing fixtures from a vacant house, again in 1924 on suspicion of arson. He was put on probation for larceny of an automobile. He was twice found not guilty on the same charge in 1925 but later the same year was sentenced to from five to ten years in jail for larceny of an automobile. He is still on parole from that sentence, according to police records. In September of this year Quinn was found not guilty of stealing an automobile in Philadelphia.
Harry Yates, an employee of the cemetery, found the shotgun and revolver, as well as the carpetbag which proved to be empty, near where the police first saw the men.
The automobile figuring in the crash was a sedan, that had been reported to police as stolen on October 31, from Broad and Buttonwood streets, Philadelphia. It is the property of the Guy A. Willey Motor Company, 415 North Broad street, Philadelphia.
Two bandits held up and attempted to rob Bronislaw Zemba, who operates a small grocery store at 160 Norris street. When the grocer grabbed a knife and attempted to chase the bandits they fired their gun at him and then fled. One bullet pierced a window directly over the head of the grocer.
The men jumped into a waiting automobile and escaped. Zemba, however, noticed the license number of the car and reported to police.
Several hours later Detective Joseph Carpani located the automobile on Mt. Ephraim avenue, opposite Evergreen Cemetery.
The tags on the automobile were those of Arthur Quigley, 2014 Broadway, while the car had been stolen from Herman Natal, 1254½ Kaighn avenue.
Carpani found two revolvers, both a .38-calibre and the other .38, and a sawed-off shotgun under the front seat of the car.
Arrested in the automobile of Charles Ley, police surgeon, 20 minutes after the car was reported stolen, Stanley Sheldon, 23, of 1621 Olympia road, pleaded guilty in police court today to charges of stealing an automobile and carrying concealed deadly weapons.
Policeman Anthony Melloch testified that he found a pair of brass knuckles on Sheldon when he arrested the man in Dr. Ley’s car at 1:20 a. m. yesterday. The car was reported stolen at 1 a. m. from Seventh and Federal streets while Dr. Ley was eating at a restaurant nearby. Melloch found it at Mt. Ephraim and Kaighn avenues.
Sheldon was held without bail for the grand jury. Brass knuckles are “deadly weapons,” according to the law.
Varbalow Retained In Store Slaying
Camden Courier-Post —
Youth of Two Bandits to Be Stressed, Attorney Indicates
Former Assistant Prosecutor Joseph A. Varbalow has been retained as attorney for the two Camden youths accused of murdering John William Cullen, 22-year-old chain store manager, who died yesterday of a wound he suffered in a holdup last Friday evening.
The state will ask that the death penalty be imposed on John “Fingers” Makowski and Stanley Jananaz, who is better known as Benny Jones, despite the fact that the former is only 19 and the latter, 18.
Indication that the defense will be based on the youthfulness of the prisoners, the fact that they have no criminal records and are not the accidental bandit was seen in a statement by Varbalow. The lawyer said that “the extreme youth of the boys must be borne in mind, I hope the public will suspend judgment until their side of the story is told.”
When arraigned in police court Saturday, the youths pleaded guilty to charges of atrocious assault and battery with intent to kill. They were without counsel when they made the plea. The charge has not yet been changed to one of murder, but Prosecutor Baldwin will ask the Grand Jury next Monday to return murder indictments. Just what pleas the accused youths will enter in the event murder bills are returned against them is not known, but it is likely they will elect to stand trial. In fact, the state is not obliged to accept a plea of guilty to a charge of murder.
When they were informed at the county jail yesterday that Cullen had died, Makowski and Jones were at first stunned and then broke down crying.
2 Men Indicted for Murder of Store Manager
Camden Morning Post —
Grand Jury Cites Janasz and Makowski for Killing of John Cullen
YOUTHS CONFESSED TO FAIRVIEW HOLDUP
Auto Fatalities and Kidnaping Listed in 94 True Bills Returned
The electric chair loomed closer for Stanley B. Janasz, alias Benny Jones, and John Makowski, alias “Fingers,” yesterday when the retiring September grand jury presented indictments charging murder against them to Judge Samuel M. Shay in Criminal Court.
The two true bills were included in a presentment of 94 indictments. The two youths have confessed to holding up John Cullen, 22, of 1088 South Common road, Fairview, manager of the American Store at 1201 Landsdowne avenue, who died from a bullet wound inflicted by Janasz. The holdup occurred November 28. Cullen left a widow and a one-year-old baby.
Automobile fatalities resulted in two indictments charging manslaughter against Randall Buzby and Leon Burak.
Other indictments were:
Kidnaping — Frederick Cheeseman, William Cameron and Rose Wilkins.
Disorderly house — Dorothy Van Meter.
Abandonment of minor child — Sallie Fries.
Unlawful possession of liquor — Charles Palmer, Mathias Paulus, two indictments.
Obtaining money under false pretenses — Julia Eden, two counts; Eugene Beach, Jr., Leo F. Buck and Martha Carmely.
Carrying weapon unlawfully — Charles Webb.
Robbery — Harry Schultz, William Dempsey, James Brody, two counts each.
Breaking, entering and larceny — Douglas Bradley, Thomas Johnson, Elwood Quann, Frank Robinson, Paul Bond, Earl Bundy, Roland Batts, Shelton Bryant, Leonard Peculski, Paul Burkhardt, Raymond Kocinski, Peter Bendorbick.
Breaking, entering and attempted larceny: Dominick Rafko, Peter Warren and Carmen Diciano.
Assault and battery: Preston Cooper, Charles H. Cooper, Samuel Lesky, Joseph Corson.
Atrocious assault and battery: Pasquale Juliano, Jr., 2 counts.
Conspiracy: John Kienzie, Sr. and Sallie Fries.
Perjury: John Moskow.
Driving vehicle without owner’s consent: Albert E. Davies.
Embezzlement: Ernest B. Thompson, Robert Langer.
Forgery: Albert Hahn.
Uttering forged document: John Moskow.
Larceny and receiving stolen goods: John Doyle, Alfred Bradley, Delbert Vaniver, Albert Vogel and Samuel Baker, 2 counts each; Robert Langer, Harry Schultz, William Dempsey, James Briody, Leonard Peculski, Paul Burkhardt, Albert E. Davies.
Receiving stolen goods: Allin Girard, Victor Price, Leonard Angelastro.
Larceny as bailee: Milford F. Muzzy, Charles H. Friars.
Tampering with meter: Victor A. Elmer, two counts.
Statutory offenses: Thomas Deva, Anthony Bertett, Ralph Pitnu, Frank Vilardo, George Whittaker.
Non-support: Frank Boner, Charles Burk, Nicholas Rossodivito, Jacob D. Hitchinson, Isaac Newport, Martin J. Tully, William Davis, Joseph Lionel Beetham, Howard Patterson, Owen J. Kent, Leslie R. Watkins, Charles H. Cooper, Harry Paul O’Drain, Harry Anderson.
Malicious mischief: Raymond Archer.
The grand jury returned resolutions commending the conduct of county institutions at Lakeland, the Detention Home and the prosecutor’s office.
2 Youths Face Court And Deny Store Murder
Camden Courier-Post —
Makowski and Janasz Indicted in Killing of John W. Cullen
PROSECUTOR WILL ASK FOR DEATH PENALTY
Collingswood Burglar is Named By Grand Jury in Its Report
Two Camden youths, nervous and incoherent in speech under the threat of the electric chair, today stood before Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd in criminal court and pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering a store manager to get $5 in receipts.
They are John “Fingers” Makowski and Stanley B. Janasz, also known as Benny Jones.
Both were white-lipped as they listened to the grave charges contained in indictments returned by the retiring September Grand Jury yesterday and read in court today by Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese. At the conclusion of the reading, Palese asked them how they would plead.
Neither made answer, and Justice Lloyd then put the question to them. Their answer, made in a low, indistinct voice, was:
Not guilty.
State Aid Asked
Janasz is represented by Joseph A. Varbalow, but Makowski has no lawyer. His mother, a widow who has four other children, then made application to Justice Lloyd for the court to appoint counsel for her son at the state’s expense, as she has not the money with which to procure legal defense for him.
Prosecutor Baldwin will place the youths on trial probably in January, when the death penalty will be asked.
They are accused of murdering John William Cullen, 22, of 1088 South Common road, Fairview, manager of an American Store at 1201 Lansdowne avenue, and father of a 13-month-old girl. The shooting occurred at the store on the night of November 28 and Cullen died two days later in the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.
On the day following the shooting the two captives are alleged to have confessed to the robbery and shooting. When arraigned in police court on atrocious assault and battery charges, they pleaded guilty. Jones admitted it was his gun that fired the fatal shot, but he said it was discharged accidentally.
They are probably two of the youngest defendants in a Camden county murder case in which the electric chair has ever been asked by the state. Jones is 18 and resides at 1509 Newport street, while Makowski is 19 and lives at 1476 Mount Ephraim avenue.