Leon Branch
Leon Branch, Camden City Detective
LEON BRANCH was born on September 3, 1885 in Bridgeton, New Jersey. He appears to have been born Leonza Harman, the son of Mrs. Harriet Harman. His mother was remarried around 1895 to William Branch. The Branch family resided at 816 Locust Street from the 1890s through 1920. By 1924 William and Harriett Branch had moved to 318 Line Street; this home would go to Leon Branch after the deaths of William Branch in the 1920s and Harriett Branch sometime after 1930. Leon Branch was still using the name Harman as late as 1914, according to the Census and City Directories up until that time.
By September 12, 1918 when he registered for the draft, Leon Branch had gone to work as a Camden policeman and had married. He and wife Amelia were then living at 844 Locust Street, not far from Detective George V. Murry, who lived at 649 Locust Street. Officer Branch did not, however, get caught up in the scandal that wrecked Murry’s career and rocked the Camden Police Department in January of 1922. Mr. and Mrs. Branch remained at 844 Locust Street into the 1930s. They were not blessed with children of their own; however, in 1930 they were raising a step-daughter, Muriel Valentine.
Leon Branch had moved with his wife Amelia to 318 Line Street by the end of 1935. He was still working as a detective with the Camden Police department, and was still on the force in early 1949. In 1948 New Jersey made 65 the mandatory age for retirement, so it can safely be assumed that Detective Branch left the force in September of 1950 or shortly thereafter.
Leon Branch is listed in the 1956 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory at 318 Line Street. He died on September 3, 1957. Amelia Branch resided at the Line Street address for many years. She passed away at the Camden County General Hospital in Blackwood, New Jersey in January of 1971.
Viciously Attacked in Fight on Street
Camden Post-Telegram —
VICIOUSLY ATTACKED IN FIGHT ON STREET
Leon Branch, aged 24 years, a negro of 816 Locust street, was stabbed in a row with a colored woman at Third and Cherry streets about 12.30 o’clock this morning and had certain parts of his anatomy so savagely slashed that but for the timely arrival of the Second District patrol wagon he might have bled to death.
The wagon took the razor-carved victim to Cooper Hospital, where the flow of his life-fluid was checked and long, deep, ghastly-looking gashes in an arm and one side of his body sewed up.
Branch was able to leave the hospital after having his wounds dressed and was then taken to Police Headquarters to make a complaint of atrocious assault and battery against his assailant. But the man could not be induced to press a charge against the wicked-hearted weapon-wielder and even refused to give Sergeant McClong any details of the bloody fracas.
He did state, however, that it was a woman who stabbed him and that her name is Lulu Parks.
Owing to the obstinate refusal of Branch to have a warrant issued for the negress no arrest could be made.
A policeman who investigated the slashing this morning could not find the woman at her old haunts. It was evident that fearful of arrest and a term in prison she skipped to a safe refuge in Philadelphia.
World War I Draft Card
Leon Branch — World War I Draft Registration Card, September 12, 1918
Bench Warrant Issued for North Camden Man
Camden Courier-Post —
BENCH WARRANT ISSUED FOR NORTH CAMDEN MAN
A bench warrant for Herman Max Schwartz in whose home at 214 Byron Street, a 50-gallon still was seized yesterday afternoon, was issued by Judge Bertman when Schwartz failed to appear at Police Court today. Bertman was informed by a policeman sent to find him that Schwartz was in Philadelphia.
Bertman called Harry Albert, formerly active in Seventh Ward politics, to the front of the courtroom. Pointing to Mrs. Rosie Speller, 39 years old, 241 Burns Street, held as a material witness, Bertman asked Albert if he had told the woman or Schwartz to stay away from the court. Albert denied he had said anything.
“I was told you had,” Bertman declared, as Albert returned to his seat.
Mrs. Speller was detained yesterday afternoon when Police Captains Naylor and Cunningham and Detective Branch seized the still, a quantity of mash, and 24 empty cans in Schwartz’s home.
Sleuth Found Dazed in Car; Accuses Cop
Camden Courier-Post —
W. C. Apgar, Chief of Gloucester Detectives, Names State Trooper
Officers Find Him at Bridge
George Hayes, Off Duty, Sought After Attack
W. Clayton Apgar, chief of Gloucester county detectives, was found beaten almost unconscious in an automobile at Bridge Plaza at 11 o’clock last night.
He accused State Trooper George Hayes, of Swedesboro, of attacking him while both were on a “party” last night. Hayes could not be found. Apgar, one of the best known police officials in South Jersey, was admitted to Cooper Hospital, suffering profuse cuts, bruises, shock, two teeth knocked out and two others loose.
Almost insensible, Apgar in his passenger sedan, passed two red lights in driving to the plaza, according to Acting Sergeant Isaac Smith, of bridge police, and upon questioning, was barely able to produce his credentials. Smith said Apgar was rapidly losing consciousness and said he didn’t wish to make a complaint. Smith summoned Bridge Motorcycle Policeman Aubrey Harper.
Harper drove Apgar to the hospital in a bridge car while Smith notified Camden detective headquarters.
Apgar was unconscious arriving at the hospital. Ten minutes later he became partly awake and was questioned by City Detectives George Zeitz and Leon Branch.
Accuses Trooper
Zeitz and Branch said Apgar first told them he was bringing a prisoner from Philadelphia when the prisoner hit him and escaped.
Later, they said, Apgar said he was hit by a “trooper from Swedesboro barracks,” but would give no reason.
Apgar said he did not know the trooper’s name.
Zeitz telephoned Swedesboro state police headquarters, learned from Corporal Waldinger, in charge, that the only trooper off last night was Hayes and that he would not return to duty until 8 a. m. today.
Zeitz said he asked Apgar if Trooper Hayes was the one who beat him. Zeitz said Apgar replied: “Yes, that’s the one.”
Say Apgar Was Dazed
Waldinger sent word several troopers would go to Cooper hospital early today to take over the investigation.
Zeitz and Branch said Apgar had not been drinking. They said he was “still in a daze” while they were questioning him.
Apgar, rated as one of the most skillful detectives in New Jersey, won his spurs in the famous Lilliendahl case. At that time he was a state trooper. Since taking over the county detective office at Woodbury, he was credited with a succession of solutions in crime affairs with a large percentage of convictions.
He lives with his wife and child at 612 Delaware Street, Woodbury, and has been identified with Democratic political circles in Gloucester County.
Crash Foils Thieves
Camden Courier-Post Evening Courier —
CRASH FOILS THIEVES
Thieves who used a ladder to remove a second-story window from Corbett’s Kut Price Drug Store, 725 Broadway, were frightened away early yesterday when the window crashed.
Mrs. Prossie Corbett, proprietor of the store, asleep in her bedroom in another part of the building, told the police she heard no noise.
The ladder, recently used by painters at the store, was discovered by David Hawkes, a private watchman in the neighborhood, at 4 a. m. He called the police and Detectives Leon Branch and George Zeitz responded. According to them, the thieves removed the window by using a brace and bit.
Walter Migala, 1482 South 9th Street, reported to the police that his wrist watch was stolen from the living room of his home while his family was away Thursday night. Entrance had been gained by forcing a rear window.
Man, Robbed, Left in Road by Kidnappers
Camden Courier-Post —
Byron P. Cobb Beaten by Autoists; Roll of $4700 Taken
Byron P. Cobb, 62, the “Sun Doctor,” was kidnapped by three men early yesterday, beaten and robbed of $4700 before being tossed from a moving automobile in Farnham Park.
Detectives found him in a sub-conscious condition laying in the middle of River Drive, after a motorist had heard his moans and notified police.
Three South Camden youths, arrested for a motor violation at about the time Cobb was found, later were identified by the awning manufacturer as the ones who kidnapped and robbed him. They are Primo Fioravanti, 20, of 435 Division Street; Anthony Scanalvilli, 20, of 326 Division Street, and John Piliere, 19, of 1130 South 3rd Street.
All are being held on charges of kidnapping, atrocious assault and battery and highway robbery. They will be given a hearing today in police court. Later a charge of larceny of an automobile was placed against them.
Cobb, who for many years operated an awning manufacturing shop at Fifth and Royden Streets, told police he met the three who robbed him in a restaurant near Broadway and Kaighn Avenue. He said he bought them food and in return they offered to take him to his home in their automobile. This was shortly before 2 a.m.
He said two of the men were dressed in brown suits and the third wore a “greenish blue suit.” All wore light hats.
As soon as he entered the machine, Cobb told Detectives George Zeitz and Branch, who found him in the park, someone hit him over the head.
Two of the men then went through his clothing and took the $4700 from his pockets. He told police that he drew the money from his bank yesterday and intended to pay off a mortgage on a property today.
The men held Cobb, he told police, until they reached Farnham Park, where he was tossed out of the machine as the driver slowed up.
A few minutes after 2 a. m., William P. Tyler, of 1493 Greenwood Avenue, driving past the park, heard someone shout “murder” several times. He hurried to a telephone and called police headquarters.
Found In Roadway
Detectives Zeitz and Branch searched the section where Tyler had heard the shouts. Then they drove down through River Drive, where they discovered Cobb lying in the middle of the roadway.
The injured man was taken to Cooper Hospital where he was revived, and then to detective headquarters.
Meanwhile Motorcycle Patrolmen George Getley and Earl Stopfer stopped a car at Mt. Ephraim and Ferry Avenues, which had aroused their suspicions as it sped down Mt. Ephraim Avenue.
Piliere was driving the machine and could not produce either a registration card or driver’s license. He said he had borrowed the car from a man he knew as “Pete.”
The car was claimed yesterday by Pietro Tocco, 35, of 717 South Fourth Street. He told Zeitz and Branch the car had been stolen from in front of his home “sometime around 2 a. m.” yesterday.
Piliere and his pals were taken to police headquarters where the former was booked on a motor-vehicle charge. When police found two pieces of rubber hose in the rear of the machine, all three were taken to detective headquarters.
There Cobb identified them as the three who had robbed him. He pointed out Fioravanti, the only one with a previous police record, as the man who hit him on the head.
Police held all three without bail for the hearing before Judge Pancoast.
At the Cobb home yesterday, Mrs. Byron P. Cobb said she knew nothing about the holdup. She said Cobb “appeared to have a headache when he got up,” but failed to mention anything was wrong and left the house before her return from church.
All of the suspects deny the robbery. They said they took a friend to his home in Woodlynne and were en route to their homes in Camden when arrested.
Piliere told Detectives Zeitz and Branch that he “borrowed the car from his uncle,” whom he only knew as “Pete.”
Theft of 3 Screens Brings 30-Day Term
Camden Courier-Post —
John Rafferty, 35, of 222 Stevens Street, was sentenced Saturday by Police Judge Pancoast to 30-days in county jail on a charge of stealing three screens belonging to Giacomo Daraio, of 706 South Third Street.
Rafferty has been frequently in police court during the last year on charges of drunkenness, and Judge Pancoast expressed surprise that he should now be accused as a thief. Leon Branch, a detective, testified that Rafferty had stolen the screens.
Thurman St. Man Ends Life with Gas
Camden Courier-Post —
Note Blames Unemployment; Found by Neighbor as Wife Works
Peter Korkowski, 38, of 1068 Thurman street, ended his life yesterday by inhaling illuminating gas.
Korkowski died in a second floor bed room of his home during the absence of his wife and daughter.
He left a note, saying: “I am doing this on account of being out of work and not able to support you.”
The body was discovered by Daniel Pyzek, of 1090 Thurman street, who told detectives he detected gas coming from the Korkowski home shortly before noon. He broke down a door and found the man lying on the floor.
Korkowski had detached a plug from the gas line after tightly closing doors and windows of the room. Pyzek hailed a motorist and took the body to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital where Coroner Arthur H. Holl issued a death certificate naming suicide.
Korkowski’s wife, Stanislawa, was at work at a Camden plant when her husband’s body was found. Their 16-year-old daughter, Stella, told Detective Leon Branch her father had been unemployed for several months and had been drinking heavily recently.
Own Life Taken by Music Teacher
Camden Morning Post —
Miss Elizabeth M’Creight, 65, Found Dead in Home at 321 State Street
An elderly North Camden music teacher ended her life last night by gas.
The teacher was Miss Elizabeth McCreight, 65, of 321 State street. Her body was found in the kitchen.
Because Miss McCreight lived alone, police guarded the house during the night, after she had been discovered dead, when it was reported she owned many valuables.
Detectives reported finding a chair upset directly in front of the kitchen gas stove, indicating, they said, Miss McCreight was overcome by the fumes and had fallen from the chair.
The body was discovered after two boys, William K. Huff, 16, of 317 State street, and Dermott Dollar, 16, of 408 Cooper street, had smelled the odor of gas as they passed. Huff went to his home, directly across the street, and told his father, William K. Huff, Sr., who telephoned police.
Detectives William Dolan and Leon Branch forced a rear window and found the body on the floor of the gas filled kitchen. All gas jets of a cook stove were open. Coroner Arthur H. Holl was summoned and issued a certificate of death by suicide. Holl declared the woman had probably been dead for three or four days.
Neighbors informed police the woman lived in the house alone and was a music teacher. Other information revealed she was an active social worker of the North Baptist Church, Linden street near Fourth street, and had not been seen since Sunday when she returned from church.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at the Holl Funeral Home, 1401 Princess avenue, by Rev. George H. Hemingway, former pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. The body will be on view tomorrow night at the Holl parlors. Interment will be on Tuesday in the family burial plot at Springfield, Ohio.
Boy Shot, Many People Hurt in Eighth Ward Riot
Camden Courier-Post —
Youth Cut in Chest by Bullet; Bystander Cut on Head
Political Leaders Put to Quiz by Detectives
At least one person was shot and many were hurt in a street battle last night that was the aftermath of a bitter political contest at the primary election between rival Republicans factions in the Eighth ward.
When nearly a score of police arrived in response to a riot call from Sixth and Viola streets a crowd of 1000 excited residents of the ward had gathered there and a dozen or more individual combats were in progress.
Bullet Hits Boy
Nicholas Sustich, 15, of 1804 Hale street, was treated at Cooper hospital for a flesh wound of the chest, which police said was caused by a ricocheting bullet.
Joseph Samenich, 1005 South Sixth street, was treated at the West Jersey Homeopathic hospital for cuts on the forehead. He claimed to be an innocent bystander.
Others were treated for minor injuries by local or family physicians, having been taken away from the scene of the riot by friends before the arrival of the police.
Detectives investigated a report that Isaac D. Shute, former city detective and former county committeeman from the Eighth Ward, had been shot in the leg. According to Detective George Zeitz, he learned from a member of Shute’s family that he had received treatment by a physician for cuts of the right hand resulting from a fall.
After questioning a score of persons at detective headquarters last night, including leaders of each of the rival Republican factions, John Hess, 24, of 1825 South Sixth street, was arrested on a charge of illegal possession of firearms and held in $1000 bail for a hearing in police court this morning.
Parade Starts Melee
According to Zeitz, the melee started when a parade led by Nicholas Scarduzio, of 1963 South Fourth street, a former summer policeman, stopped in front of the saloon of William Tansky, Jr., 1903 South Sixth street, two doors below Viola street.
Tansky was unsuccessful candidate for the post of county committeeman in the Tuesday primaries. He was reputed to be backed by the Woodruff-Verga faction.
The parade was in celebration of the victory of Dr. Orris W. Saunders, who won the Republican nomination for freeholder, defeating Walter Sekula, the incumbent, of Edmund A. Walsh, who defeated Tansky, and of Maime F. Piraine, re-elected county committeewoman over Theresa Malony Di Lello. The successful candidates were of the Baird-Baker faction.
Walsh and Miss Piraine were in the parade, according to Zeitz. The celebration of victory had started the night before and centered largely throughout the day in the saloon of Celie Ellis, across the street from that of Tansky.
More than 100 persons were in the procession, which was led by an improvised band of accordians, fifes, drums and bugles.
When it stopped in front of the Tansky place, according to the police, Benjamin Tansky, 30, a brother of the proprietor, came to the door of the saloon and objected to the political jibes that were hurled by the parading factionalists.
Bloody Free-For-All
When the paraders remained, the police said, hot words were exchanged, a dozen or more others who were in the Tansky place came out, and the battle started.
Eye-witnesses described it later as a bloody free-for-all in which fists and “billies” were used. The riot call was sent to police at 7.30.
Motorcycle policemen converged to the scene and a squad of detectives arrived led by Zeitz and including Leon Branch, Fiore Troncone and Richard Donnelly. Many of the combatants fled, but hundreds remained as police and detectives strove to locate the injured, most of whom had been removed.
Scarduzio Beaten Badly
They learned that Scarduzio had been badly beaten on the head and that two shots had been fired in the melee.
According to Zeitz, Hess admitted at detective headquarters that he had fired the shots from a revolver which he had procured from back of the Tansky bar, and that he had aimed the shots at the pavement for the purpose of “scaring” the parade crowd away.
Benjamin Tansky told police that when he remonstrated with the rival political group about 15 of them attacked him. They knocked him down, he said, and poked him in the eye with a pole. He exhibited a black eye to substantiate his story.
Zeitz said he found a loaded revolver, with two shells fired, in a radio cabinet in the living room behind Tansky’s barroom.
Lieut. Bakley and 11 Police Suspended in Feitz Inquiry
Camden Courier-Post Evening Courier —
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.
The conference between Justice Lloyd, Prosecutor Orlando and Chief Colsey comes on the eve of swearing in the September Grand Jury tomorrow at which time the grand jurors will be ordered among other issues to probe into the “numbers” racket in Camden county.
Grand Jury Vice Probe to Be Ordered by Lloyd; Stewart Quizzes Cops
Camden Courier-Post Evening Courier —
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.
Upon the suspension of the twelve members of the force and the installation of a new acting second district commander and new acting sergeants to relieve those suspended, Chief Colsey said he issued the following order to the entire department:
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.
‘Prompted by Facts’
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.
“If they do not do this,” Welch said, “I do not want them. They know what to expect if they fail to cooperate. My efforts will be directed to maintaining order without vice in the Second district, just as I have done in the Third.”
Bribery Charged by Grand Jurors
Camden Courier-Post —
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.
Looking on in court with Detective Frank T. Feitz on the night of September 2, were detectives George Ward and Samuel Mardino.
Cheeseman was a brother-in-law of Mrs. Emma Heisler and was shot through a city hall window while being used as a target to identify others.
Those indicted, with the exception of the six policemen, were among the 12 members of the force suspended by order of Police Chief Arthur Colsey two weeks ago in connection with vice connections with vice.
Patrolman George Weber is named in 20 indictments; jointly indicted with other detectives in numbers policy indictments; as having paid the policemen along with Patrolman Vernon Jones, in March. They are reported to have also been indicted on 29 separate counts of accepting policy payments.
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.
5 Youths Arrested as Holdup Suspects
Camden Courier-Post —
Police believed they had frustrated the formation of hoodlum bandit mob yesterday with the arrest of five South Camden youths after a holdup of a grocery store at Tenth Street and Ferry Avenue.
Two of the five suspects were identified by the grocer, John Jacobs, as the bandits who entered his store at 960 Ferry Avenue, held him up at gun point and escaped with $23.95. Jacobs told Detectives Heber McCord and Clarence Arthur that he recognized one of the bandits as Anthony Mona, 19, of 947 South Third Street, a former boxer, whom he saw fighting in the ring, McCord said.
A radio call was sent to all cars to pick up Mona. A short time later, District Detectives Leon Branch and John Houston arrested Mona as he was eating in a restaurant near Broadway and Kaighn Avenue.
After questioning by McCord and Arthur, Mona implicated the others. They are Dominick Spinagotti, 17, of 251 Mt. Vernon street; Vito Brandimorto, 20, of 245 Chestnut Street; Salvatore Martorano, 21, of 344 Cherry Street, and Victor Labato, 19, of 274 Mt. Vernon street.
Mona was searched in the detective bureau. Police found $6.65 in change in his pockets. The others were rounded up at their homes by Detective Sergeant Benjamin Simon and Detectives Joseph Mardino and Robert Ashenfelter.
According to Simon the youths were “just beginning to embark on a career of crime.”
When the others were brought to the detective bureau for questioning, all but $2 of the loot was recovered, Detective McCord said.
McCord said the youths signed statements saying Mona and Labato entered the store while the others waited in Mona’s car outside the store, all fleeing together after the holdup.
Burglar Is Routed as Woman Screams
Camden Courier-Post —
BURGLAR IS ROUTED AS WOMAN SCREAMS
Grocer’s Wife Aroused by Rustling of Paper in Her Bedroom
Aroused by the rustling of paper in her bedroom, Mrs. Mary Smith, of 1043 South Second Street, was awakened early yesterday to discover a colored intruder standing over her bed.
The man fled as she screamed, escaping through a rear bedroom window in a room where her husband, Arthur, was asleep. Smith, who is a grocer, told police that on the previous Sunday his son, Leonard, had seen a man depart through his bedroom window on the second floor; and that about a year ago a wrist watch was stolen from under his pillow.
The thief yesterday obtained $10 and small change in a paper bag taken from a bureau drawer in Mrs. Smith’s room. Smith has given the name of a suspect to Detectives Clifford Del Rossi and Leon Branch.
Mrs. Jennie Simone, of 529 South Second Street, reported to police that on returning to her home Saturday after a week’s absence she found thieves had gained entrance through a rear window and taken a watch, brooch and wedding ring.
World War II Draft Card
Leon Branch — World War II Draft Registration Card
2 Thugs Break Arm of Woman, 60, Flee With Handbag on Broadway
Camden Courier-Post —
Robbed on Way to Church:
A 60-year-old South Camden woman was admitted to West Jersey hospital Sunday night after she was injured while battling two youths who stole her purse on Broadway near Liberty Street.
Mrs. Lillian Heard, of 535 Mechanic street, who told police she was on her way to services at the Union Methodist Church, Fifth and Mt. Vernon streets, when attacked, suffered a broken left arm.
Two youthful suspects were chased from the scene to Second street and Kaighn avenue by passersby who rushed to aid Mrs. Heard when she screamed.
A search of the neighborhood failed to uncover any persons answering the description given by Mrs. Heard but Detective Leon Branch said the youths answered the description given by Mrs. Rose Garriola, of 306 Cherry street.
She told Detective Marshall Thompson two youths snatched her purse Saturday night at Spruce and Coates streets.
Mrs. Heard said she was walking on the west side of Broadway above Liberty street when the two overtook her. She said one grabbed her purse and the other held her arm.
As Mrs. Heard battled to save her purse, which she said contained only about 90 cents and some keys, she fell to the curb, pulling one of the youths to the street with her.
Lester F. Cranmer, of 2251 Gross avenue, Pennsauken, who was visiting at Broadway and Mechanic street, heard Mrs. Heard scream and went to her aid. An unidentified passerby called police.
Mrs. Garriola told police her purse contained $14 in addition to keys and cards.
Detective Leon Branch to Retire on Pension
Camden Courier-Post —
Leon Branch, 33-year veteran of the Camden police force, was granted a pension Friday by the Police and Firemen’s Pension board of the city.
Branch, a detective, is 65 years old and will retire on half of his annual $3300 salary.
The board declined to reinstate James Young, a retired fire captain, who recently sought to return to duty after being placed on pension for physical disability.
Leon H. Branch Dies; Retired Policeman
Camden Courier-Post —
Leon H. Branch, 77, a retired city policeman, died today at his home, 318 Line st. Born in Bridgeton and a Camden resident most of his life, he retired in September 1950, after 33 years’ service.
Surviving are his wife, Amelia, and a niece, Mrs. Albert Honey, of Camden.
Services will be held on Saturday, at noon in the Mt. Zion A. M. E. Church, Bridgeton. Relatives and friends may call Friday night at a funeral home. Burial will be in Bridgeton Cemetery.
Branch
Camden Courier-Post —
BRANCH
In Camden General Hospital of 318 Line St., Camden, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 1971. Amelia (Wells) Branch, wife of Leon (Bucky) Branch and aunt of Mrs. Muriel Honey. Age 80 years. Funeral services will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Lively Funeral Home, 656 E. Commerce St., Bridgeton, N.J. Burial in Cedar Hill Memorial Park, Bridgeton. Friends may call prior to service from 1 to 2 p.m.