Introduction
Joseph G. Ward
JOSEPH G. WARD was born in New York around 1897 to John Alexander Ward and his wife Catherine. He was the youngest of four children, coming after Elizabeth, Urquhart, and Robert C. Ward.
After serving in the United States Navy during World War I, Joseph Ward worked as a pipefitter for a few years. The 1920 Census shows him living with his parents and brothers at 1264 Mechanic Street.
Joseph Ward was appointed to the Camden Police Department. By January of 1928 he had been promoted to Detective.
Joseph Ward married around 1925. When the census was taken in April of 1930, he and his wife were living apart. Joseph Ward was then living at 1572 Louis Street, and still a member of the Camden Police Department.
On May 4, 1930 Joseph Ward and friends went to the Rainbow Clubhouse at Blackwood Lake. That evening Joseph Ward went off on his own to take a canoe ride. The canoe apparently capsized and Joseph Ward drowned.
Joseph Ward’s brothers both had interesting careers in Camden. Robert C. Ward, after serving in the United States Army during World War I, was appointed to the Camden Police Department and served from 1919 into the 1930s. Urquhart A. Ward worked as a plumbing contractor and was active in politics and city government.
Family Photos
Joseph & Anna Ward, mother Catherine Ward, sister-in-law Tillie Ward and nephew Robert Ward
2 Camden Youths Held on Charges of Hold-Up
Camden Courier-Post —
Held for grand jury on a highway robbery charge, two Camden youths today were committed to the county jail in default of $200 bail each, following hearing in police court.
Lawrence Richards, 1227 Morgan Boulevard and Stephen Baldyga, 1226 Mount Ephraim Avenue both 19 years old, were charged with holding up Marcy Wrule, 1183 Norris Street. City Detectives John Kowal and Joseph Ward arrested the boys after their identity had been revealed by a woman who saw the hold-up on Thurman Street. Wrule was robbed of $17.
Kowal testified the boys had played pinochle with Wrule at his store, Louis and Thurman Streets. Later when Wrule was on his way home he was held up and robbed.
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 Helm, 40 years old, and James Callahan, 45 years old. Helm said he had no home. Callahan said he lived at Ninth and Spruce and was “just visiting Helm.”
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.
City Policeman Drowns in Lake at Blackwood
Camden Courier-Post —
Body of Joseph S. [sic] Ward Found Near Upset Canoe
OFFICIALS START PROBE IN DEATH MYSTERY
Tragedy Comes as Climax to Outing by Social Club
JOSEPH G. WARD
An intensive investigation into the mysterious drowning of Joseph G. Ward, a Camden motorcycle policeman, was opened today by Police Chief William Ritter, of Gloucester township, following the recovery of Ward’s body in Blackwood lake.
Ward drowned when a canoe he occupied overturned. He was 34, attached to the Second Police District, and lived at 1572 Louis street. The body was found by searchers led by Chief Ritter and Lieutenant Ralph Bakley, of the Camden police, after an all-night search.
Ward’s father, Joseph Ward, Sr., who has been seriously ill, collapsed when informed of his son’s death. He operates a cafe on Mt. Ephraim avenue near Decatur street. The drowning victim’s mother also is reported to be ill. The tragedy has aggravated her condition.
The drowning is a tragic aftermath of an outing yesterday of the Moonlight Social Club, which rented a clubhouse at Blackwood two months ago. With Ward on the outing were Clifford Del Rossi, a driver of the Second District police patrol; Theodore “Dorie” Guthrie, Second District detective, and other members of the Camden police department whose names have not been learned.
Chief Ritter reported today having only meager clues as to the circumstances of the drowning. Ward is believed to have been in the canoe alone. Coroner Melvin Cain is expected to conduct an autopsy today or tomorrow.
Chief Ritter said there is no suspicion of foul play, as Ward’s body was unmarked. It was recovered at [?]:30 a. m. by William [sic] McGrath, a city detective, who had been diving for it with George Hess, near the clubhouse of the Moonlight Social Club.
The overturned canoe was found last night in the lake by girls who also have a clubhouse at Blackwood. Police Chief Ritter, with Peter English and Walter Wilkie, all of Blackwood, began grappling immediately for the body.
Ward is believed by Chief Ritter to have drowned when the canoe upset. Whether he had a companion or companions in the boat is not known, but Ritter reported today that he found four hats in the rear of Ward’s automobile parked near the lake.
Auto Window Broken
In addition to finding the four hats, Ritter also discovered that the left rear window had been broken. How the glass was smashed, Ritter would not venture to say, pending completion of his investigation.
The upset canoe was found opposite the summer home of Sheriff E. Frank Pine which borders the lake on the Camden county side. North of Pine’s place is the social club’s headquarters. The girls’ club is on the Gloucester county side.
Ward was a brother of Urquhart Ward, superintendent of Camden sewage disposal plants and Thirteenth Ward Republican county committeeman, and Robert Ward, a Third District detective. He was appointed to the force in 1925. He was married but had been separated from his wife.
Ward, it was learned today, left Camden yesterday at 4:30 p. m. with Del Rossi and Guthrie. They were expected back at midnight.
Ward had stopped for Del Rossi at the latter’s home, 417 Winslow street, and the two then went to Guthrie’s home on Ferry avenue near Eighth street.
Reaching Blackwood, Ward parked his car near the lake and after exchanging greetings with members of the social club, informed Del Rossi that he was going out into the lake in a canoe.
Del Rossi said today that he did not go into the canoe with Ward, having informed him that he wanted to get some sleep. Del Rossi said he waited a half hour for Ward to return from canoeing, but Ward failed to appear and Del Rossi reported for work at midnight, when he learned his companion on the trip was missing.
Exonerated In Scandal
The drowning victim was one of the central figures in a police scandal in 1927. Suspended from the force February 23 of that year on charges of extortion, he was exonerated by the State Civil Service Commission after a hearing and returned to duty in the Second District the following July 2.
Ward had been accused with Policeman John Smith and a pensioned former officer, Maurice Mensch, of an attempt to “shake down” Michael Matthews, a storekeeper, 60, of 801 Florence street. He denied the charges against him, including an accusation that he had spoken disrespectfully about the then Mayor King with a remark that “King is no good.”
Matthews had told former Police Chief James E. Tatem that Ward and Smith had entered the store and introduced Mensch as “the biggest prohibition guy in the country and a great friend of President Coolidge.” They had agreed to “forget” charges of violating the dry law, which otherwise would be made, if Matthews would pass them $100, the storekeeper had charged.
Several witnesses for Ward attacked the story related by Matthews, and Ward himself insisted at the hearings that he had not said anything to Matthews about raid or money. His testimony was corroborated by Smith and others.
Since his reinstatement after being cleared of the charges, Ward proved to be a very efficient officer, according to Captain Arthur Colsey, stationed at headquarters. Other police officials also spoke well of the policeman.
Policeman’s Body Dragged From Lake
Trenton Evening Times —
(Associated Press)
BLACKWOOD, N. J., May 5. — The body of Joseph Ward, a Camden policeman, was recovered from Blackwood Lake today by two Camden policemen after an all-night search.
Ward left a group of friends in a Rainbow Clubhouse early last night to take a canoe ride. Later a capsized canoe was found tied to the clubhouse landing and led searchers to believe Ward had fallen into the water as he stepped into the craft.
Ward is survived by his widow.
Drowning of Cop in Blackwood Lake Probed by County
Camden Courier-Post —
Prosecutor Baldwin Investigates Death of Joseph Ward as Coroner Expresses View Sunday’s Canoe Tragedy Was Purely Accidental
Was the drowning of Joseph G. Ward, a Camden motorcycle policeman, in Blackwood lake Sunday accidental? Was any one with Ward in the canoe when it upset and he sank to his death? What circumstance preceded and followed the drowning, a tragic aftermath of an outing of the Moonlight Social Club of Camden police and firemen?
Those were the questions asked today by Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin and Lawrence T. Doran, chief of county detectives, as they continued their probe of Ward’s mysterious death.
Investigation to date has failed to reveal that any one was with the policeman when his canoe upset and he sank.
Prosecutor Baldwin and Doran are of the opinion that it was an accidental drowning, but they said today that they want to make certain before closing the case.
Meanwhile, Coroner Melvin Cain and Chief of Police William Ritter, of Gloucester township, expressed positive belief today that no suspicious circumstances attended the drowning. Coroner Cain said he would conduct no autopsy. Ritter said that so far as he is concerned “the case is closed.”
Ward Party Guest
Ward, 34, of 1572 Louis street, drowned sometime before 9:15 p. m. His body was found 12 hours later after an all-night search.
Ward, with 100 other policemen, firemen and their friends had been on a party at the Moonlight Social Club’s cottage on the Camden county side of the lake.
It was not until Erma Anton, 16 of Blenheim, reported a canoe had upset and there were cries of “man overboard!” that search had been made for him. Members of the party apparently did not miss Ward, as they were of the belief, according to reports, that he had taken a canoe to visit a friend on the other side of the lake, and was there.
As the investigation was continued today into various angles of the drowning, arrangements were being completed for the funeral. It will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock from Ward’s late home at 1572 Louis street. Interment will be in New Camden Cemetery. Services will be conducted by the Camden Lodge of Elks, 203, Wednesday evening, and by members of the Captain H. G. Sparrow Post 1269, Veterans of Foreign Wars at the grave.
Members of the Camden Police Beneficial Association, the Police Benevolent Protective Association, the Camden Nest 107, Fraternal Order of Orioles, the Whitman Park Improvement Association and of the Thirteenth Ward Republican Club, in all of which Ward was a member, also will view the body tomorrow night.
An escort of police will lead the procession to the cemetery, including squads of motorcycle and mounted men and policemen afoot. A squad from the V. F. W. post also will be in the line. The pallbearers will include three members of the post, three policemen, including Clifford Del Rossi, Frank Wilmot and Stanley Wertz, and two members of the Elks’ Marching Club.
Wife Notified
Mrs. Anna Ward, the widow, who had been at the shore, was notified of her husband’s death yesterday after recovery of the body and is now at the Louis street home.
Ward’s father, Joseph Ward, Sr., who operates a cafe on Mt. Ephraim avenue, is seriously ill and will not be able to attend the funeral. He has been ailing with a complication of diseases and is not expected to survive the week. Mrs. Ward, the mother, has been recovering from illness. Neither knows of Ward’s death.
Chief Ritter said today he is dropping his personal investigation of the drowning because he has no reason to suspect foul play. He reported, however, that guests of the social club were skeptical of a drowning when a Boy Scout sought their aid after cries of “Man overboard!” had echoed throughout the lake region.
“Reports made to me by the Boy Scout,” Chief Ritter said, “were to the effect that they were skeptical that a man was overboard after the overturned canoe was found. They walked around the border of the lake for some time and waited to make certain. They couldn’t believe it, but when Ward could not be located they became alarmed and did everything possible in the search for him in the lake.”
Ritter said the Scout was from Barrington and that he had been in a canoe when people began shouting that a man had fallen into the lake.
Scout Becomes Exhausted
Although Ritter did not know the boy’s name, he is believed to have been Robert Stone, 15, of 225 Kingston avenue, Barrington, a son of former Mayor Stone there. Young Stone became exhausted after diving several times for Ward’s body. He is a freshman at Haddon Heights High School.
Ritter said he is convinced that Ward took the canoe into the lake alone.
“He was out there by himself," Ritter related, "and the boat upset in the middle of the lake. No one missed him at the Moonlight Social Club, as the members thought he had crossed the lake to visit ‘Jimmy’ Durkin, a Camden saloonkeeper.
“Ward had been out in the canoe before supper at the club, and he boarded it again after eating and helping to wash the dishes. I inquired among the members whether he had been ill before he got into the canoe, but they told me that he was not, although he had eaten a heavy meal.”
Ritter said that so far as he could learn Ward entered the canoe about 8 o’clock, or just before dark. The overturned canoe was not discovered by the Anton girl until an hour and a quarter later.
The police chief said he did not reach the lake until midnight as he had been fighting a forest fire.
“There were not more than 20 persons at the club when I arrived,” Ritter said. “They were still searching for the body.”
Erma Anton, a life guard at the lake, gave a vivid description of the finding of the canoe and what followed.
“I was in a canoe with Roy Stock, of Hurffville road, Blackwood terrace, when we saw the overturned canoe," she said. "I knew the way it was turned over that someone was missing and I got the shivvers. We found a paddle under it.
“The canoe was about 100 feet from the Camden county side, and was drifting down the lake near the Moonlight Social Club where they were having a party.
“We headed toward shore and told members of the club about the canoe. They hadn’t any idea then that Mr. Ward was missing. They didn’t seem to be worried because they said they thought he had crossed the lake to visit Mr. Durkin and was with him.
“But later, when they couldn’t find Mr. Ward, they seemed to become frightened, the party went flat and they almost went mad. Then some of them began playing the lights of their automobiles on the lake, while others got into canoes and searched for the body. I paddled one group around until almost 11.30. I went home then because people were saying that Mr. Ward was safe, that he was in Camden eating spaghetti. But I believe they said that to quiet the excitement and so people would go home.
“I imagine there were about 100 people at the party of the club. I don’t think anybody heard Mr. Ward scream, I know I didn’t. I don’t think he had a chance to scream if he had cramps. He must have had them, because when the body was found, about 30 feet from where I had seen the canoe, his hands and knees were rigid near his stomach.”
Stricken With Cramps
Miss Anton said that the position of the body after it was found indicated that Ward may have been stricken with cramps after he attempted to swim to shore.
“The head was toward Pine’s beach, near the clubhouse, when they found the body,” she said, “and the body was about 30 feet nearer shore than where I had discovered the upset canoe.”
Miss Anton said it is possible that Ward may have fallen into the lake just before she and Stock sighted the overturned canoe as other canoes were passing there right along.
Policeman Clifford Del Rossi had been invited to make the canoe trip with Ward but he declined. District Detective Theodore Guthrie also was among those who attended the outing.
Friends who knew Ward as an expert swimmer expressed great surprise over his death by drowning. However,
Military Funeral for Drowned Policeman
Camden Courier-Post —
Impressive military rites marked the funeral yesterday of Joseph G. Ward, a Camden motorcycle policeman, 1572 Louis street, who drowned Sunday in Blackwood lake when a canoe upset. Burial was in New Camden Cemetery. Police and military organizations acted as an escort to the body, borne on a flag-draped caisson, shown in the photo. Two patrol wagons filled with flowers followed the motor escort. Then came eight mounted policemen, a 17-piece band from Philadelphia Navy Yard, 24 patrolmen and delegates from organization of which “Joe” Ward was a member.
Son’s Drowning Hastens Death of John A. Ward
Camden Courier-Post —
Shocked by the drowning of his son, Policeman Joseph G. Ward, in Blackwood lake two weeks ago, John A. Ward, 68, proprietor of a cafe at 1768 Mt. Ephraim avenue, died late yesterday at his home.
Ward had been suffering from heart trouble for more than a year, but his condition became serious only after the death of his son.
His son was drowned when a canoe overturned during an outing of the Moonlight Social club.
He is survived by two other sons, Urquhart Ward, county committeeman from the Thirteenth ward, and Robert Ward; his widow, Catherine, and a nephew, Henry Iubeck, who was at his bedside when he died.
The funeral will take place Saturday at 2 p. m. at Broadway and Lansdowne avenue, with burial in New Camden cemetery.