Introduction
Joseph H. Leonhardt
JOSEPH HENRY LEONHARDT was born on July 1, 1894 in Camden, New Jersey to Charles Leonhardt and his wife, the former Mary Moore. The 1900 Census shows him living with his parents and older brother Frank at 553 Division Street. His father worked as a machinist and the Leonhardts owned their home. Sadly, on May 22, 1907 Charles Leonhardt passed away. The Leonhardts were still at the Division Street address when the Census was taken in 1910. Michael Moore, Joseph Leonhardt’s 85 year-old maternal grandfather was also living with them.
On October 20, 1914 Joseph H. Leonhardt married Margaret Eva Keenan. A son, Charles Leonhardt, was born in May of 1915, followed quickly by a daughter, Margaret Mary in October of 1916. When he registered for the draft on June 5, 1917 he was working at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyards and living at 1421 Norris Street. On May 8, 1919 his wife gave birth to a daughter, Anita. The 1920 Census shows the Joseph Leonhardt family, his mother and brother Frank all living at 553 Division Street. Both of the brothers were working as shipfitters. In December of 1924 another daughter, Mary V. Leonhardt, was born. The 1930 Census shows Joseph Leonhardt and his family at 514 Division Street. They moved back to 553 Division Street by the fall of 1932. On April 9, 1931 Joseph Leonhardt’s mother, Mary Moore Leonhardt, passed away. On November 14, 1932 his wife, Margaret Eva died.
Joseph Leonhardt was appointed to the Camden Police Department on April 15, 1924. He was promoted to Detective in the summer of 1934 and almost immediately was thrown into the center of controversy. He was with Detective William T. Feitz on September 2, 1934 when Feitz walked into a hold-up at a disorderly house at 243 Sycamore Street and was shot to death. A probe in the wake of the killing yielded indictments against six Camden police officers, including Joseph Leonhardt. He and four others were acquitted on April 1, 1935. He was reinstated on June 29, 1935 and returned to duty with the Camden Police Department a few days later.
Charles Leonhardt married Sarah Murphy and Anita Leonhardt married George Peyton. Late in 1939 Joseph Leonhardt retired on pension from the Camden Police Department. The 1940 Census shows Joseph Leonhardt, his brother Frank, son Charles and his wife, and daughters Margaret and Mary all at 553 Division Street. Joseph Leonhardt died May 8, 1941 and was buried at Calvary Cemetery.
World War I Draft Card
WWI Draft Card for Joseph H. Leonhardt. Registered June 5, 1917. Ship Fitter at the N.Y. S.B. Corporation, Camden, NJ. Born July 1, 1894.
Gangster Shot as Racketeers Open War Here
Camden Courier-Post —
GANGSTER SHOT AS RACKETEERS OPEN WAR HERE
Gloucester Man Near Death After Attack at Broadway and Kaighn Avenue
FELLED NEAR QUARTERS OF CAMDEN GAMBLERS
Brother of Frank Doris Accused After Police Round Up 10 Men
Shooting of an alleged racketeer at Broadway and Kaighn avenue, near the threshold of one of South Jersey’s notorious reputed gambling joints, threw Camden police into renewed warfare on gangdom yesterday.
Like the shots that riddled Hughy McLoon, the dwarfed Philadelphia hunchback—shots that blew off the lid off Philadelphia vice and police corruption—those that echoed in the recognized rendezvous of Camden gangdom promised to have far-reaching effects.
The victim was Joseph Connors, 28, of 135 North Broadway, Gloucester, alleged beer racketeer. With a bullet in his lungs and another in his abdomen, he was conceded “an even chance” to live at West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital last night.
John Doris, 24, brother of Frank Doris, who died in the electric chair for murder during the Olney Bank holdup is under arrest charged with the shooting.
A roundup by a special squad of detectives immediately following the shooting resulted in the arrest of 10 men, among them some well-known gangsters and racketeers. All were held in bail as material witnesses.
Those netted in the roundup and the bail demanded follow:
Russell Sage, 426 Mechanic street, several times suspected in Camden gang shootings, held without bail for trying to help Doris escape; James “Jimmie” Toland, former Philadelphia paplist and now operator of the Nonpareil Club, $2500 bail; Joseph Simms, cook in the Nonpareil Club, $500 bail; Charles Riehm, 1051 Haddon avenue, manager of the club; William Kelly, alias Leo Morton, 425 Van Hook street, $500; Harry Selah, 1240 South Third street, a spectator who named Doris as the assailant; William J. Merrick, 1128 Liberty street, $2500; Lorenzo Cole, 920 Jefferson avenue, $500; Ernest Matsios, 506 Kaighn avenue, $500; Leo McKenna, 426 Mt. Vernon street, $500.
Motive in Doubt
Motive for the shooting was so tangled in the mazes of gangland’s intrigues of love, avarice and rivalry that police confessed they were unable to fathom it. Gangland’s glib explanation was that Doris and Connors quarreled over change for a $5 bill in the Nonpareil Club at Broadway and Kaighn avenue several hours before the shooting.
The shooting took place in front of the American Restaurant, 506 Kaighn avenue after the two men had engaged in a bitter quarrel at a table inside. Other patrons saw both arise and punch viciously. Doris suffered several cuts on the face in the exchange. Then the fighters walked out to the street to finish the battle.
But as Connors raised his hands, the other pulled a pistol and began firing at point-blank range. Connors screamed and ran back toward the restaurant, the pistol still in readiness in pursuit.
Shot Shatters Pane
Three shots were fired. One crashed through a window of the United Shoe Repair Shop on the opposite side of the street at 505 Kaighn avenue.
In his haste to escape, Connors collapsed near the glass pane of the restaurant door, cutting his hands and face.
The wounded man ran through the kitchen into Amber street at the rear. Doris pursued him as far as Broadway but turned from the chase when a group of pedestrians ran toward him.
A few seconds later, Connors staggered into the restaurant, holding onto his stomach, ran through the kitchen into a back room, looking for a way out. And Doris, the gun still in his hand, followed, but tripped and fell, and then got up and continued the chase.
Almost identical testimony was given by James Sims, also a cook.
Doris was the only witness for the defense. He “remembered nothing” of how he happened at being “punched in the nose, some place in South Camden.” Doris was on the stand only a few minutes. As he left, Keown rested his case.
Doris first was tried in the Connors’ shooting last June. Arraigned on charges of atrocious assault and battery and carrying concealed deadly weapons, he was returned to the county jail pending a second trial when the jury, although believing him guilty, disagreed as to his charge. The first trial was comprised of eleven women and three men.
Doris, in addition to being involved in the Broadway and Kaighn avenue shooting, is believed by police to hold the key to solution of the mysterious murder of Joseph “Mose” Flannery, for which he is under indictment.
He was “sent in” by Policeman Joseph Leonhardt after telling an incoherent story of “bumping off” a guy. Leonhardt sized him up as helplessly drunk and arrested him near the Nonpareil Club less than 30 minutes after the shooting.
It was not until later, when Doris’ friends, a woman among them, called police headquarters for news of him. Asked for “John King,” the right name except the woman. She asked first for Doris and then for “John King.” This gave Detective Johnson the alias, but it was not until he was actually arrested that police were certain they had the right man.
A squad of detectives Koerner, Cheeseman, Carpani, McGrath and Troncone continued to bring suspects into headquarters for questioning. Selah, one of the first questioned on the night of the shooting, was asked as a detective pointed to Doris: “Is that the man?” Selah nodded.
Records Bad
Doris has a criminal record that dates back to a few days. An attorney, Judge James E. Gorman of Philadelphia, told him he was headed for the electric chair—an end that looms as a distinct possibility since Doris is suspected in the murder of Joseph (Mose) Flannery, in Kaighn avenue, between Front and Second streets, a few years ago.
So far as Camden authorities were able to determine last night, Connors’ place as a peer in the underworld is that of a beer racketeer and is known as a frequenter of gambling joints, police said, but local records show no mark against him.
Machine Gun Helds Mystery
Two mysterious elements stand out. Further doubt as to the motive of the shooting: One is the sudden closing of two South Camden gambling joints—one in a second floor room on Broadway, the other at Tenth street and Kaighn avenue. These places, both operating at full blast, closed their doors today for the first time.
Speculation concerning the closing of the gambling houses jumped from gambler to gambler as rival gangland warnings of a holdup or a police raid. Paraphernalia was removed from the places. One of them was alleged to spread discreet warnings for patrons to keep away. The place at Tenth street on Kaighn avenue was “given the works” three months ago. Its opening was unexplained.
The shooting spurred police officials to clean up in “their district.” Detective Sylvester McGrath said an arrest would be made in a short time. “Orders went out three months ago to close the lid. We have been working hard to keep it on. This shooting may have forced things into the open. There is need to wipe out the practices of carrying weapons.”
Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd was recently appointed to serve the district in Camden, declared he intends to review the facts in yesterday’s shooting to determine if a general investigation of Camden racketeering is warranted.
Justice Lloyd’s charge to the April grand jury demanding a curb on the carrying of guns launched an earlier campaign to curb the influx of Philadelphia criminals into South Jersey.
Woman Missing as Doris Trial Is Opened Here
Camden Courier-Post —
WOMAN MISSING AS DORIS TRIAL IS OPENED HERE
Key Witness in Cafe Shooting Fails to Appear; Jury Selected
ONLY THREE ARE MEN; PRISONER PICKS THEM
Police on Guard to Block Any Attempt to Free Gangster
A key witness in the shooting of Joseph Connors, of Gloucester, by John Doris, Philadelphia gangster, Mrs. Rose Gibbs, 18, of 411 Henry street, failed to answer her name when called during the trial of Doris today in Criminal Court.
Mrs. Gibbs had been held in $500 bail as a material witness. Her bondsman, Abraham Lutz, was ordered by Judge Shay to produce her this afternoon in lieu of forfeiture of bail.
It was Mrs. Gibbs, according to police, who recounted details of an argument between Connors and Doris, after her pocketbook was missing, while the three and Eli Conaghy, 28, of 818 South Sixth street, were at a party in the 2200 Block on Broadway on the morning of April 28 when Connors was wounded.
The trial of Doris opened shortly before noon before Judge Shay and a jury comprised of nine women and three men whom Doris had virtually selected single-handed.
Doctor Is Called
Doris is charged with atrocious assault and battery with intent to kill Connors, and also is charged with carrying concealed deadly weapons, to wit, a loaded revolver.
The first witness called by Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese, representing the state, was Dr. Ralph Warwick, an interns in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital. Walter S. Keown and William King are representing Doris.
Dr. Warwick testified Connors was admitted to the hospital, suffering from bullet wounds, at 7.45 a. m., April 28, and was discharged on May 15.
Patrolman Joseph Leonhardt testified he heard a disturbance and saw a man trying to break into the Nonpareil Club, Second street and Kaighn avenue, the morning of the shooting. The man was bleeding from the head, and there was blood on his coat and shirt, Leonhardt said.
John B. Toland, 1043 Haddon avenue, caretaker of the club, said he was awakened and recognized Doris as the man trying to enter the place. He said Doris threatened him when warned to leave.
Conaghy was the next witness. He told of entering a restaurant at Broadway and Kaighn avenue with Connors and Mrs. Gibbs. When he started to tell a different story than that which was revealed to the prosecutor, Palese announced that the witness had “turned hostile to the state.” Palese quickly excused Conaghy and called Mrs. Gibbs.
Mrs. Lillie R. Kelton, a clerk, of 405 State street, Camden is foreman of the jury, selection of which took almost an hour, with Doris questioning each of the 29 veniremen called.
Spectators’ gallery was bare, however, more than a score of lawyers and law students were seated in the courtroom.
Besides Mrs. Kelton, the jury is composed of:—Bessie Kunitz, housewife; David Rolle, retired, 1047 North Twentieth street; Abbie Lewis, housewife, 119 North Thirty-sixth street; Mary Heake, housewife, 105 Kingston avenue, Barrington; Stella McGowan, housewife, 780 Walnut street; Catherine LeSage, housewife, 722 Mt. Vernon street; Mrs. F.L. Barber, housewife, 628 Walnut street; Bernice Branch, clerk, 722 Mt. Vernon street; Michael Carrigan, Laurel; Alva P. Joseph, 327 Harvard avenue, Collingswood.
John Doris is a brother of Frankie Doris, who participated in the Olney Bank robbery in Philadelphia nearly two years ago and in which a policeman was killed. Frankie Doris is in the penitentiary in Bellefonte, Pa.
Doris also is under indictment charged with the murder of “Mose” Flannery, in a saloon at Second and Kaighn avenue one year ago. While police searched the eastern United States for him in connection with the Flannery murder Doris was living with his mother at Second and State streets. When he was arrested in the Connors shooting he was recognized as the man long wanted in the Flannery murder.
On the night of the Connors shooting Doris and Russel Sage, his companion, were drinking in a night club at Second and Kaighn avenue. An argument started and Connors left and went to a restaurant on Kaighn avenue, east of Broadway.
The men met again there and a fight started. Doris is alleged to have drawn a revolver, chased Connors from the restaurant to the street and fired several shots. He was captured several hours later.
Police Sergeant Truax Buried at Harleigh
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Sergeant Frank Truax, who died Thursday night from a complication of diseases, was buried yesterday in Harleigh Cemetery.
More than two score policemen, as well as city officials, attended services at the funeral parlor of Frank J. Leonard, 1451 Broadway. Rev. E.M. Munyon, pastor of Eighth Street M.E. Church, officiated. More than 50 cars were in the procession that wound its way to the cemetery. A patrol wagon was used to carry the flowers sent by numerous individuals and organizations.
Pallbearers, all policemen, were John Cole, Joseph Leonhardt, James McTaggart, Andrew Truman, William McGrath, Paul Jackson, Joseph Mardino, and Clarence Boyer.
Sergeant Truax was 50 and resided at 1139 Kenwood Avenue. He died five minutes after being taken to Cooper Hospital. He had been a member of the police department since 1917, and was made a sergeant in 1930. He is survived by a widow, Linda, and a sister, Mrs. Viola Wilkinson.
Pernier Convicted in Gun Case, Faces Three to Seven Years in Prison
Camden Courier-Post —
Pernier Convicted in Gun Case, Faces Three to Seven Years in Prison
ONLY 12 MINUTES REQUIRED BY JURY TO REACH VERDICT
Three Cops Tell of Warm Weapon in His Hand in Fight With Enemies
PAL OF SLAIN BONNER
A jury of 12 men after deliberating 12 minutes yesterday convicted William Pernier of carrying a revolver.
The trial of the former pal of William “Shooey” Bonner, slain gangster, was one of the shortest in the history of Camden County Criminal Court. The trial consumed but 25 minutes from the time the jurors were sworn until they were sent out for their deliberation.
Pernier, who is 32, and who gave an address of 293 Liberty street, through his attorney Julius Sklar, offered a defense which Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese termed a “smoke screen.”
After three policemen testified that they found Pernier with a revolver in his hand on the night of Oct. 30, after he had allegedly fired on thugs who shot him at Locust street and Kaighn avenue, Pernier said the weapon was not his.
“I was walking along Kaighn avenue with my wife, Mary, and three men friends,” he said, “when as we reached Locust street, this car pulled along the curb and the occupants fired at me. I was shot in both legs and after shooting me they threw the revolver at me. I picked it up and tried to shoot at them with it, but it would not go off. I never owned a gun.”
Policemen William Whaland, Joseph Lack and Joseph Leonhardt, however, testified that the gun with four empty shells and one cartridge in it, was still warm when they took it from Pernier’s hand.
After the jury announced that they had found Pernier guilty, Palese stated that he would ask for sentence this morning. Judge Samuel M. Shay remanded Pernier to jail without bail pending sentence. He faces a sentence of from three to seven years in prison.
12 Questioned, 2 Men Held in Murder Probe
Camden Evening Courier —
12 QUESTIONED, 2 MEN HELD IN MURDER PROBE
Comrades Eager to Avenge Feitz, Shot 4 Times in Back at Holdup
ORLANDO CONDUCTS OWN INVESTIGATION
Mad Scramble of 20 to Escape Tragedy Scene Described by Sleuth
The greatest man-hunt in the history of the Camden police department was under way today to apprehend the murderers of Detective William T. Feitz, slain early yesterday when he surprised bandits holding up 20 persons in a South Camden disorderly house.
Feitz, recently promoted from a patrolman, was shot four times in the back as he attempted to reach the front door of the establishment at 243 Sycamore street to summon aid.
Police today said they “had a pretty good idea” as to the identity of his slayers, although none has been charged with the crime.
A “mystery blonde” was arrested in the case early today in Atlantic City by Detective Stanley Wirtz. Police refused to reveal her name and will not allow anyone to talk to her.
A man, first believed to have been the trigger-man, arrested in Philadelphia early today, was released by police after a few minutes’ questioning. Two men are being held “incommunicado” in connection with the case, while a dozen material witnesses were being questioned at detective headquarters.
Probe Rushed
The investigation into the shooting, begun within a few minutes of the slaying continued throughout the day and night without a break.
Police Chief Arthur Colsey took personal command of the probe with Detective Lieut. George Ward and Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner.
Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, who “sat in” yesterday as police questioned a score of witnesses, stated this morning he will open his own investigation today. He intimated “new developments” may throw a startling light on the case.
Feitz’ slayers escaped as 20 inmates and frequenters of the alleged disorderly house scrambled mainly for freedom beneath the eyes of Detective Joseph H. Leonhardt, who sat inside the place in a police radio car.
Leonhardt told his superiors he was so startled by the shooting he failed to act until after the slayers had escaped.
Feitz and Leonhardt had driven to the scene in the radio car, after trailing a suspicious sedan for 15 minutes through a maze of South Camden streets.
Followed 3 Men
The sedan had stopped near the Sycamore street place and three of the men had entered the dwelling. Feitz followed and Leonhardt remained in the car.
Mrs. Emma Heisler, 38, alleged proprietress of the house, and Cornelius Murphy, 50, doorkeeper, headed a list of 14 witnesses held by police for questioning or as material witnesses.
Murphy was booked early today as a material witness, with Thomas Bonelli, 27, of 207 Walnut street; Edward Grapatin, 32, of 246 Kaighn avenue; Joseph McKenna, 30, and Catherine Lougheed, 32, an inmate, and Edith Miller and Edna Butler, colored domestics employed by Mrs. Heisler.
Joseph Powell, 25, former Camden boxer, and Stanley, his brother, were the two men held incommunicado. Police refused to reveal what connection either had with the murder, although stating they were merely being held pending investigation.
Feitz died five minutes after being admitted to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital, where he was taken by Leonhardt and McKenna, who stopped in his flight from the house to assist the wounded policeman. Three .32-calibre slugs were buried in his back and a fourth had pierced his wrist.
Lieutenant Ward today clamped down on news of the investigation, ordering all detectives and police to refuse information to news reporters.
Orlando said he would make known facts in the case known to him later today.
The Heisler woman, said by police to be the sister-in-law of Patrolman George A. Ward on duty at Second and Sycamore streets the night Feitz was killed, was questioned by Detective Sergeant Stanley Wirtz. Officers refused to disclose the results of their inquiry.
Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd last night declared the case would be investigated by the September Grand Jury. It will not, he said, assume more importance in that body’s deliberations than the numbers racket.
Note Lack of Noise
Investigators were at a loss to understand, with Leonhardt, seated in an automobile on a quiet side street within 20 feet of where a holdup was taking place, did not hear any accompanying sounds. The belief was expressed that 20 men and women, being robbed, would become hysterical and noisy. The Sycamore street house is a ramshackle, two-story structure, with no vestibule leading into the parlor. There is no porch.
Powell drove first to the Lougheed woman’s home, where Mrs. Hiegler, the Lougheed woman and Grapatin alighted. He then drove to Atlantic City with the unidentified girl, he said.
Police, advised of Powell’s presence in the house, dispatched the license number of his green sedan over the police teletype system.
Powell was apprehended at Folsom, 40 miles from Camden, as he was heading to Atlantic City with the unidentified girl. Sergeant Albert T. Varreiman of the Mt. Ephraim state police barracks stopped Powell’s machine and took him into custody. Powell was alone.
Feitz’s murder was a climax to half an hour’s scrutiny by him and Leonhardt, into the suspicious actions of the four bandits. A car in which they were riding was sighted in the neighborhood by the two detectives at 2 a. m.
Trailed Car Fifteen Minutes
They trailed it in their police car for 15 minutes, as it wound through the narrow streets, repeatedly passing the Sycamore street house. Finally, the detectives saw the bandits park their machine on Locust street. Three of them emerged, walked down Sycamore street, and entered the house.
According to Leonhardt, neither he nor Feitz obtained the license number of the bandit car.
Upon seeing them enter the place, Leonhardt drove the police car around the block and stopped in front of the house.
Feitz and Leonhardt sat outside in their machine for 15 minutes. Finally, Leonhardt said, Feitz opened the door and stepped to the sidewalk.
“I’m going in there and see what’s going on,” he said.
Turning, he walked up the steps and rang the doorbell. Leonhardt said the door was opened after a short pause, and Feitz entered. The door was closed.
Hears Bandits’ Guns
Almost immediately, Leonhardt heard the muffled roar of the bandits’ revolvers. Feitz’s body came flying through the door. Pandemonium followed as the persons in the house went wild, neighbors came to doors and windows. Almost immediately, the street was filled.
Leonhardt was so shocked he was unable to drive. An unnamed witness drove the police car with Feitz’s body in it to the hospital.
Shooting Reconstructed
With the aid of witnesses, police yesterday were able to reconstruct the shooting.
“Feitz walked into the house just as the three bandits were holding up the inmates,” Detective Gus Koerner said.
“Witnesses say that when the doorbell rang, the three bandits conferred briefly and decided to admit whoever was at the door. They thought it was another frequenter. ‘They let him in; we’ll take his money too,’ one of the witnesses said a bandit ordered.”
One of the bandits went to the door, opened it and admitted Feitz. The detective took five steps into the living room, pausing at the door of the dining room, where he was recognized by a bandit who was frisking the inmates. “This bandit shouted: ‘It’s a dick; let ‘im have it!’”
Shot in Back
As Feitz reached for his revolver, the man who had admitted him shot him in the back. Feitz attempted to reach the front door, apparently to call Leonhardt, “and three more slugs tore into his body.”
“It is not known whether the shooting was done by only one of the bandits, or whether all three fired. We do not know whether Feitz opened the front door himself or whether the bandits opened the door and pushed him to the street.”
“The front door was broken later by police, who struck it with their blackjacks in order to gain admittance. Leonhardt told me he is unable to clear up this point, as everything happened too quickly.”
“He said he suddenly heard shots, and a moment later, saw Feitz’ body on the pavement.”
Under the direction of Detective Lieut. George Ward, Camden was subjected yesterday and last night to a fine tooth-combing for suspects. All police leaves were cancelled, and all patrolmen volunteered to do active duty until some results of the probe are forthcoming.
A series of raids on known disorderly houses resulted last night in the arrests of more than 20 persons, all of whom were taken to police headquarters and lined up for the perusal of witnesses. It is not known whether this scrutiny brought results.
Chief Colsey declared last night the murder will be the signal for an intensive “cleanup” of the city. Policemen in patrol cars were dispatched on prowl duty, ordered to pick up everyone of a suspicious nature.
City officials and citizens voiced their regrets at the killing. Feitz was the father of two children, a boy and a girl. Their names could not be obtained last night. He was estranged from his wife, who resides in Cape May with the children.
Woman Questioned
Mrs. Heisler, regarded by police as a key witness, was questioned several hours in detective headquarters by Chief Colsey, Ward, Orlando and Koerner. The officers refused to disclose the results of their questioning.
No adequate description of the bandits could be furnished by any of the witnesses, Koerner said. Two were described as being of average height, one taller. Two were dark, the third blond.
None of the three was masked. Each was armed.
Mrs. Heisler and Murphy were held without bail as material witnesses. Powell, accompanied by Camden detectives, left for Atlantic City to show them where he dropped off the unidentified girl inmate of the house. They had not returned at a late hour last night.
According to Murphy, two of the bandits previously had visited the house as patrons, and at one time attempted to “shake down” Mrs. Heisler. She resisted their demands, Murphy declared.
Other persons arrested as material witnesses who, after hours of questioning, were released in their own recognizance, include:
Frank Adams, 21, of 938 Atlantic avenue; Joseph McDonald, 20, of 1605 South Sixth street; Henry Gorba, 19, of 17 North Twenty-first street and Edward McKenna, 31, of 1304 Broadway.
Edith Miller, 28, colored, of 205 Sycamore street, and Edna Butler, 32, also colored, 1122 South Second street, who were arrested and held as witnesses, are inmates of the house, Koerner said.
Police said the bandits, in their search for booty, forced their victims to remove their shoes during the holdup to ascertain whether they were concealing any money. Only $8 was taken.
An autopsy performed on Feitz’s body yesterday by Coroner Arthur H. Holl and County Physician Edward B. Rogers showed that two of the bullets had penetrated the detective’s body. Coroner Holl, in whose undertaking establishment the detective’s body lay last night, declared Feitz was virtually instant.
Chief Colsey last night denied Feitz and Leonhardt were acting under orders to watch the Sycamore street house.
“There have been general orders out to clean up all disorderly houses for a long time,” Colsey said.
“I imagine the detectives were more interested in what the four men were doing than they were in the house. I talked at great length with Leonhardt and he told me neither he nor Feitz knew the place was a disorderly house.”
Leonhardt could not be reached last night to give his version of the affair. Colsey said Leonhardt was taking an active part in police efforts to solve the crime.
“If I had known the house in Sycamore street was a disorderly house,” Colsey said, “I course have ordered it raided long ago.”
Feitz and Leonhardt were assigned to detective duty from the uniformed ranks last week, replacing former Detectives Thomas Cheeseman and Vernon Jones, who are now reduced to the rank of patrolmen.
Chief Colsey said the reason Cheeseman and Jones were reduced was “merely for the good of the department.” He would not amplify that statement.
According to Detective Rox Saponare, Cheeseman is the brother-in-law of Mrs. Heisler, charged with operating the house. According to Orlando, he was active in the investigation of the killing, could not be reached last night to comment.
Commended for Bravery
Feitz was appointed to the police force March 1, 1928. He was appointed to the detective bureau last week by Mayor Roy R. Stewart. In 1931, Feitz was commended for bravery in arresting three men in a holdup at a chain grocery store at Locust street and Kaighn avenue.
Last week, the same store was robbed, and Feitz arrested three other men for the theft.
Leonhardt, 39, resides at 512 Division street. The last arrest he made in company with Feitz was at 12.45 a. m. the morning of Feitz’ death. The officers nabbed Cecilia Spencer, 28, colored, at 806 Locust street, a block from the Sycamore street house, on charges of soliciting.
Chief Colsey and other city officials reached Feitz’ bedside in the hospital too late to see him alive. The officer died without regaining consciousness. Funeral arrangements were not completed last night.
The estrangement from his wife two years ago. He lived with her and their children at 1062 Langham avenue. He resided recently at the Liberty street address with his widowed mother, Mrs. Pauline Feitz, who last night was prostrated at the news of her son’s death.
Chief Colsey last night absolved Leonhardt of any negligence in not chasing the killers. The police declared Leonhardt’s first duty was to look to the condition of Feitz.
Chief Colsey said Mayor Stewart, vacationing in Ocean City, will not return until tomorrow morning. Any investigation into possible negligence on the part of police in permitting the Sycamore street house to operate, will be conducted after the mayor returns, Colsey said.
ABOVE LEFT: Police Chief Arthur Colsey and detectives leaving the house at 242 Sycamore Street, where Detective William T. Feitz was slain. The place, police said, was operated as a disorderly house by Mrs. Emma Heisler, 38, who is under arrest as a material witness. INSET: Detective William T. Feitz
Police Chief Arthur Colsey examining a bullet hole in the wall of the living room of 243 Sycamore Street.
LEFT: Detective Lieutenant George A. Ward and Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner at the rear of 243 Sycamore Street. CENTER: Mrs. Emma Heisler, 38, who conducted a disorderly house at 243 Sycamore Street; and RIGHT: Thomas Bonnelli, of 370 Walnut Street, were held as material witnesses in the shooting.
Mayor Hints Shakeup in Police as Result of Detective Feitz Murder
Camden Evening Courier —
MAYOR HINTS SHAKEUP IN POLICE AS RESULT OF DETECTIVE FEITZ MURDER
STEWART SAYS LAXITY ON VICE WILL BE PROBED
Pushes Inquiry in Killing With Chief Colsey Lending Co-operation
WHOLESALE CHANGES LIKELY IN DEPARTMENT
Ward Has Nothing to Say Regarding Feitz Probe
Detective Lieutenant Ward in charge of the Camden detective bureau, had “nothing to say” today for the second straight day in connection with the investigation of the murder of District Detective William T. Feitz.
Yesterday in starting his campaign of keeping the activities of the police probe from newspapers, he ordered newspapermen out of the detective bureau. At the time he declared he was “going to do police duty.” Today he declared he had “nothing to say.”
Artist’s X-ray view of alleged disorderly house at 243 Sycamore street shows three rooms on ground floor. In the front room, without vestibule, at left, Detective William T. Feitz was shot in back by bandit when he turned to door to call for help after surprising hold-up of patrons and inmates in middle room. According to the police, two of the three bandits frisked the victims of the hold-up in the middle room while a third guarded those who were passed into the rear room after they were robbed. On the street, at extreme left, is shown the police car in which Feitz’ partner, Detective Joseph H. Leonhardt, remained outside while Feitz entered the house.
Feitz to Be Given Funeral of Hero
Camden Evening Courier —
FEITZ TO BE GIVEN FUNERAL OF HERO
100 Policemen Expected to Attend Rites Today—Officials to Be Present
William T. Feitz, Jr., Camden’s first policeman to be murdered in line of duty, will be laid to rest this afternoon with the honors of a hero. Probably half of the police force of more than 200 men will turn out in their nattiest uniforms to attend the funeral services for their slain comrade and accompany his body to the grave. Feitz was shot to death early Sunday when he walked into a disorderly house at 243 Sycamore street. Three gunmen suspected in the slaying escaped.
A crowd of close to 1000 persons is expected to gather about the undertaking establishment at 1401 Princess avenue, where the services will be held. Rev. Christian Hansen, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Kenwood and Kaighn avenue, will officiate.
Colsey to Attend
Police Chief Arthur Colsey and all high officials of the department will attend, and some of the five city commissioners are expected to be present. Mayor Roy R. Stewart, director of the department of public safety, was not certain this morning whether the pressure of business in his office would permit him to attend. If he cannot be there, his secretary, E. Howard Broome, will represent him.
More than 20 automobiles are expected to be in the funeral procession. The cortege will be led by a dozen motorcycle police, four more will drive slowly beside the hearse and another quartet will bring up the rear.
Chief Colsey, Lieutenant Ralph Bakley, Feitz’ superior as commander of the Second district; Lieutenant George Ward, in command of the detective bureau, and other police officials will ride in a car immediately behind that occupied by members of Feitz’ family.
At the meeting, the policemen attending will meet at Central station, in the basement of city hall, at 1 o’clock. The services will begin at 2 p. m.
Nearly 1500 persons thronged the funeral parlors last night when the body of the slain detective, only recently promoted from patrolman, was placed on view. His mother, Mrs. Pauline Liebich Feitz, with whom he lived at 1125 Liberty street, fainted when she saw her son’s face for the first time since he died.
Later she recovered sufficiently to sit in a chair and watch the procession as it filed past her son’s body. Taken to a davenport and revived. Mrs. Feitz lay there moaning in her grief as Mayor Stewart, Chief Colsey, Lieut. Ward, Lieut. Bakley, and 100 other policemen in uniform filed past the bier.
Again, when the Camden Elks Club held its memorial service for departed members, she also fainted. Frank M. Travaline, Jr., exalted ruler, and Albert Austermuhl, secretary, with other officers and a quartet from the club were holding the service, eulogizing Feitz and lamenting his death when Mrs. Feitz swooned the second time. From 6.30 until 10.30 p. m. a steady stream walked past the detective’s bier. Old women hobbled in, and men, children were among in, and many people who hobbled those to look at Feitz. Police said hundreds of curious men and women came from Philadelphia to see the body.
Lieut. Bakley and 11 Police Suspended in Feitz Inquiry
Camden Evening Courier —
Pall-bearers removing William Feitz’s body from the undertaking establishment of Coroner Arthur H. Holl, at left. The pall-bearers, left to right: Patrolman Joseph Leonhardt, Feitz’s companion the night he was slain; Otto Toperzer; Delaware Palmer; William Weaver; Paul Jackson.
Police officials at the funeral service. Left to right: Lt. Herbert Anderson, Chief of Police Arthur Colsey, Lt. Ralph Bakley, E. Howard Broome, secretary to Mayor Roy R. Stewart, Lt. George A. Ward.
LIEUT. BAKLEY AND 11 POLICE SUSPENDED IN FEITZ INQUIRY
3 Sergeants Included in List Set Down by Chief Colsey
JUSTICE LLOYD JOINS PROBE INTO MURDER
Chief of Police Arthur Colsey at noon today announced the indefinite suspension of Lieut. Ralph Bakley, commander of the Second district of Camden police, and 11 other policemen in connection with the investigation into the killing of Detective William T. Feitz.
The full list of those suspended is as follows:
Lieut. Ralph Bakley, Sergt. John Garrity, Sergt. Walter Mattison, Acting Sergt. Edward Leonard, Sergt. Richard Cornog, Policemen George Weber, Joseph Leonhardt, Leon Branch, Thomas Cheeseman, Frank Wilmot, John Houston and Vernon Jones.
Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd today entered the investigation into the murder of District Detective William T. Feitz in an alleged South Camden disorderly house Sept. 2.
The jurist, upon returning from his Summer vacation at Seaside Park, called an immediate conference with Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando of Camden county and Police Chief Arthur Colsey of this city.
Although no confirmation could be obtained officially, it was learned from authoritative sources that Justice Lloyd would take up the charges made earlier in the week by Prosecutor Orlando that graft and corruption exist in the Camden police.
May Probe Suicide
The jurist was also expected to delve into the unusual circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Emma Heisler, who met her death as the operator of the disorderly house where Feitz met his death at 243 Sycamore street.
Mrs. Heisler, who was detained in the Camden detective bureau at the order of Detective Lieutenant George Ward instead of being locked up, jumped from a fifth floor window of Ward’s office September 4 while two detectives assigned to guard her were nearby.
The progress of the police investigation into the killing of Feitz, whom police declare was shot when he surprised three bandits in the act of holding up 30 inmates and patrons, will be presented by both Prosecutor Orlando and Chief Colsey.
Mickey Blair to Give Up
Mickey Blair, a boxer whose real name is Michael Tenerelli, 25, who has been living in New York City, but whose Camden address is 833 South Fourth street, is to be surrendered to Camden police for questioning in connection with the murder of Feitz.
He has been sought by detectives for grilling since a few hours after the shooting of Feitz.
His attorney, Edward V. Martino, of 540 Cooper street, notified Chief Colsey today that he would surrender Tenerelli or Blair to the police in Camden at 1 p.m. today.
“Mickey knows absolutely nothing about the killing of Feitz,” Martino told newspapermen. “Learning through a friend that police were seeking him for questioning, he called me Saturday night and asked me to ascertain the facts.”
“I learned that police wanted to talk to him and telephoned him to that effect in New York City where he has been staying for the past few weeks. He later called me back and told me that he would be in Camden at 1 p.m. today.”
Martino revealed that Tenerelli or Blair said he had been in Camden prior to the killing of Feitz and also on Labor Day, the day following the shooting of the detective. He was here to attend the funeral of a brother-in-law, Martino said.
Neither Chief Colsey nor other police or detective officials would comment upon what they hoped to learn from Tenerelli that might bring to early an arrest of the killers and lead to the arrest of the killers.
Prosecutor Orlando at the conference with Justice Lloyd in his City Hall-Court House offices, was to present a complete report on the murder of the detective together with statements obtained from all persons who figured in the crime.
Will Probe Numbers
Prosecutor Orlando stepped in and assumed nominal charge of the investigation last Thursday when he ordered police to submit to him all reports and statements of witnesses. However it was learned that the police are still directing the search for the killers.
Grand Jury Vice Probe to Be Ordered by Lloyd; Stewart Quizzes Cops
Camden Evening Courier —
GRAND JURY VICE PROBE TO BE ORDERED BY LLOYD; STEWART QUIZZES COPS
FEITZ MURDER, CITY GRAFTING TO FACE INQUIRY
Action Follows Parley With Orlando and Mayor on Conditions
MORE SUSPENSIONS OF POLICE INTIMATED
Mickey Blair Quizzed on Detective’s Killing; Stewart Warns, ‘Clean Up’
Ward Reported on Way Out as Detective Chief
Reports around Camden police and detective headquarters today were to the effect that Lieutenant George Ward was on “his way out” as head of the Detective Bureau.
Dissatisfaction with the manner in which both police and detectives have handled the investigation so far into the Feitz murder will result in Mayor Stewart, director of public safety, ordering a change in detective chiefs today, as it was authoritatively learned.
Lieutenant Herbert Anderson, commander of the First Police District, will succeed Lieutenant Ward as it was reported, the latter being sent back to that police precinct which he formerly commanded.
“A sweeping investigation of all phases of crime” in Camden County, will be the first order given the new September Grand Jury today after it is sworn in at Camden Courthouse by Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd.
That was the decision reached by Justice Lloyd after three hours of separate conferences with Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, of Camden County, and Mayor Roy R. Stewart, director of public safety. During the conferences held in Justice Lloyd’s offices at City Hall-Courthouse, the murder of District Detective William T. Feitz, alleged graft and corruption in the Camden police department and protected vice were thoroughly discussed.
Today, Mayor Stewart, who has inaugurated his own personal investigation of existing conditions in the police department, continued to question and take statements from police officials, patrolmen and detectives. Twenty-three patrolmen were ordered before the mayor yesterday in addition to the 12 others who were indefinitely suspended by order of Police Chief Arthur Colsey.
Tenerelli Quizzed
Michael Tenerelli, 25, also known as Mickey Blair, former Camden lightweight boxer, was still being questioned at police headquarters in connection with the murder of Detective Feitz. Tenerelli who surrendered to police here yesterday after returning from New York, is booked as a material witness and on a charge of conspiracy in a robbery. Both charges were ordered placed against Tenerelli by Prosecutor Orlando who has assumed direct charge of the investigation. He is being held without bail.
Seven other men and women taken into custody by police after the shooting of Feitz in the alleged disorderly house operated by the late Mrs. Emma Heisler at 243 Sycamore street were to have been arraigned in Camden Police Court today on orders of Prosecutor Orlando and then turned over to the county authorities. Bail, Prosecutor Orlando declared, would be “sufficiently high” to insure their appearance in court.
However, there were no appearances of material witnesses or others in the Feitz investigation before Judge J. Harry Switzer in Camden Police Court during its session today and it was unofficially reported that the prosecutor had changed his plans.
Police Chief Colsey warned all detectives and patrolmen in the department that further suspensions will follow justified complaints of vice anywhere in the city limits if it can be traced to police neglect.
Chief Colsey also admitted that the 12 patrolmen and detectives suspended yesterday on his orders, will receive no pay as long as their suspensions last.
In addition to Lieutenant Bakley, Sergeant Cornog and acting Sergeant Leonard, the other suspended include Sergeant Walter Mattison of police headquarters; Sergeant John Garrity, District Detective Joseph H. Leonhardt who was with Feitz when he was shot; Patrolmen Leon Branch, George Cheeseman, Frank Wilmot, John Houston and Vernon Jones, all attached to the Second district station.
Interviews Police
Three of the suspended officers, Mayor Stewart revealed, were interviewed yesterday. They are Lieut. Ralph A. Bakley, commander of the Second Police District or Division “H” in which territory the alleged disorderly house existed where Feitz was fatally shot; Sergeant Richard Cornog; Edwin Andrews, Winslow township; Joseph Dougherty, 140 Prospect avenue, Merchantville. William Tomlinson, Glendale, Voorhees township; Edmund S. Stafford, 546 Stevens street; Harry Buffington, 123 East Clinton avenue, Oaklyn; Samuel A. Dobbins; Charles H. Thatcher, 129 Kendall boulevard, Oaklyn; Richard S. Thompson, East Zane avenue, Collingswood; Benjamin F. Stemmer, 420 Third Avenue, Haddon Heights; Horace J. Harvey, 721 Amherst avenue, Audubon; H. Cox, Evesham avenue, Voorhees township; John P. Boyer, 418 West Boyer boulevard, Glenwood; John W. Underwood, 801 Cumberland street, Gloucester; Clarence Alloway, Blackwood; Charles A. McWilliams, Blackwood; Louis G. Clark, Barrington; Albert J. Cline, 18 East Crystal Lake avenue, Westmont; Robert Bushbeck, First avenue, Pine Hill; Harry Burkhardt, Bell Road, Mt. Ephraim; George Schuster, 225 Woodland terrace, Collingswood; Chesley L. Hutchins, 711 Market street, Gloucester and Otto Vierling, Evergreen avenue, Runnemede.
The order of Justice Lloyd for a wide grand jury probe of crime followed upon a decision he made 10 days ago to have the same body open an investigation into the “numbers” racket in Camden city and county. At that time he declared he did not believe any graft or corruption existed in the Camden police department and was skeptical of the operation of the lottery game here.
Tenerelli was identified, Colsey said, as a frequenter of Mrs. Emma Heisler’s disorderly house at 243 Sycamore street where Feitz was fatally shot. Instead of being locked up, however, he was booked as a material witness on the fifth floor window of Ward’s office September 4 while two detectives assigned to guard her were nearby.
Unlike Mrs. Heisler, who leaped to her death after 60 hours freedom in the detective bureau, Blair was slapped without bail into the “cold storage” or incommunicado cell in the bureau.
Blair, after surrendering to Colsey, was sent to the “downstairs” jail and kept there until about 4 p.m., when he was questioned for about an hour and a half by Prosecutor Orlando and Colsey.
Blair denied all knowledge of the murder, Colsey said, after the grilling ceased, but added that two inmates of Mrs. Heisler’s house, whom he would identify, named Blair as one of several men who had come several times to Mrs. Heisler’s place, attempted to extort money from her and, failing, had “held up the place” or a “shake-down.”
This coincided with the statement of Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner, on the day Feitz was killed, that the place had been held up several times, and Mrs. Heisler, because of the nature of her occupation, would not report the holdups.
Prosecutor Orlando, subsequently, had stated that Feitz met death in an attempt to block a “shake-down” holdup of the place.
Boxer Is Identified
Both the inmates of Mrs. Heisler’s place, held incommunicado, looked at Blair in the new detective bureau “lineup” room and identified him as a shakedown visitor, but said he was not in the house on the night of the murder, Colsey said.
The chief then was asked if he believes friends of Blair staged the fatal shake-down and killed Feitz, as alleged.
“That’s what we want to know. We don’t know yet. But we are getting somewhere and will solve this case.”
The two inmates of the Heisler house were brought back to the lineup room a second time, took another look at Blair through the screen that made him a “high-lighted” figure and prevented him from seeing them and reaffirmed their previous statements, Colsey said.
Calls for Cleanup
“All vice must be eliminated absolutely and entirely in Camden. This means all types of vice, including the numbers racket, gambling houses, disorderly houses, horse-race bookmaking speakeasies and everything else though it may not be specifically enumerated here.”
“In the future if any complaint of vice comes in, and is proved to be justified, and is attributable to negligence on the part of any patrolmen of police officer, immediate suspension or dismissal of the negligent officer of the force will follow without question.”
Chief Colsey also said he will recommend that bail of $2000 be set in all numbers racket cases in future, and that all arrested be held for grand jury action, except in cases where innocent players are brought in.
In making public the suspensions of the policemen, Chief Colsey said his action was “prompted by facts” uncovered during the course of his investigation.
In announcing the taking over of the murder investigation, Prosecutor Orlando said:
“As a result of my conference with Justice Lloyd it has been decided that the prosecutor’s office from this time on will take charge of the murder investigation.”
“In doing so, however, it does not mean that the city police will cease acting in the matter and will act with just as much zeal as is within their command in bringing about the apprehension of those responsible.”
“All murder investigations in Camden county will be under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office and at the same time through co-ordination of efforts of this office and the police department of the particular community where the murder takes place.”
“As far as developments are concerned, there is nothing new in the case except the arrest of Mickey Blair who was surrendered by his counsel and who is in the custody of the police until he is committed.”
Lieutenant Walter Welch in command of the Third Police District was assigned by Chief Colsey to replace Lieutenant Bakley and make the suspensions of all sergeants and patrolmen in the precinct immediately. Sergeant John Potter of the Third District was named an acting lieutenant to replace Lieutenant Welch as commander of that precinct.
Welch said he will instruct every patrolman in his new command that he must work in harmony with earnest efforts to stamp out vice.
Bribery Charged by Grand Jurors
Camden Courier-Post —
BRIBERY CHARGED BY GRAND JURORS
26 Other Persons Named in 111 True Bills on Numbers
KLOSTERMANS TO FACE TRIAL
2 Speakeasy Owners Paid Hush Money, Graft Probers Hear
COLSEY DROPS ACCUSED MEN
A bumper crop of 111 indictments was returned yesterday by the September grand jury probing gambling against alleged numbers operators alone.
In addition, Mickey Blair, free on bail as a material witness in the murder of Detective William T. Feitz, was indicted at 26 individuals with craft and bribe-taking, and 111 wholesale indictments constituted the first visible results of the grand jury probe of vice in Camden in connection with the police vice graft probe conducted by Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd.
Those indicted:
Patrolman Thomas C. Cheeseman, 30 indictments; Patrolman Vernon Jones, 30 indictments; Patrolman George Weber, also known as “Bucky Weaver,” 20 indictments; Patrolman Frank Wilmot, one indictment.
All are attached to the Second district and were among those suspended from the force two weeks ago in connection with the Feitz inquiry by the Commission.
Left: Thomas Cheeseman. Right: Vernon Jones.
Four of the six policemen indicted yesterday on charges of bribery. They are George Weber, (upper left) also known as “Bucky Weaver”; Frank Wilmot (upper right), Howard Fisher, (lower left), and Joseph Leonhardt, (lower right), who had been dismissed from the police department.
Joseph Leonhardt, Policeman, Dies at 46
Camden Courier-Post —
JOSEPH LEONHARDT, POLICEMAN, DIES AT 46
Joseph Leonhardt, 46, Camden policeman for 18 years, died at 2.15 p. m. yesterday after an illness of a year. A life-long resident of Camden, Mr. Leonhardt lived at 553 Division street. He was pensioned from the force 18 months ago.
Surviving are a son, Charles; three daughters, Mary, Margaret and Mrs. Anita Peyton, all of Camden, a grandson, George Peyton, Jr., and a brother, Frank. His wife died nine years ago.
Funeral services will be held Monday, with solemn requiem mass at 9 a. m. at SS. Peter and Paul Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.