Neil F. Deighan Sr.
Neil Deighan
1936
Circa 1920
1928
NEIL F. DEIGHAN was born July 7, 1892 in Florence NJ. His family moved to Camden when he was a youngster. A fine athlete, he was a star catcher in the semi-pro baseball leagues that flourished in the Camden area, and also was a well-known basketball player.
Neil Deighan entered the world of professional basketball in 1914, playing for the Billy Morgenweck-coached Camden Alphas of the 1914–1915 Eastern Basketball League. He left Camden to serve in the United States Army, and saw duty as an instructor in Aerial Balloon reconnaissance. His younger brother, John T. Deighan, also served in the Army, but passed away while visiting home during the Spanish Influenza epidemic of October 1918.
After returning home from military service, Neil Deighan returned to sports, and played professional basketball for the Camden Crusaders of the Eastern Basket Ball League, owned by Camden veterinarian Dr. Charles B. Helm and former Camden County Sheriff W. Penn Corson. Other team members included Neil Deighan’s brother Rich Deighan, Eddie Ferat, Sam Lennox, jimmy “soup” Campbell, Roy Steele, and Joe Hyde. The Crusaders were the 1919–1920 Eastern Basketball League champions. He also played professional baseball with the Louisville Colonels of the American Association.
At the time of the January 1920 census, Neil Deighan was then living at 839 Elm Street in North Camden, at the home of his step-father, William Park. Besides playing pro basketball, he was also working at one of Camden’s shipyards. Neil Deighan married his wife Clara shortly after the census was taken. He went into the restaurant and tavern business during the 1920s. His first bar was at 560 Carman Street, which he went into with his brother. This bar was later owned by basketball teammate Roy Steele. Neil Deighan was briefly involved with the bar at 28 Haddon Avenue in the late 1920s.
Neil Deighan also remained active in professional sports, remaining continuously active as professional basketball player until the end of the 1923 season, mostly with the Camden franchise of the Eastern League. He also appeared in four games during the 1926–1927 season with the Philadelphia Warriors of the American Basketball League. Besides his time with the Louisville Colonels, he played baseball in the low minors when Camden had a team, and as a player-manager for Madisonville in the Kitty League. He was still receiving offers to play and manage as late as 1928.
By the time of the April 1930 census Neil Deighan had gone into the restaurant business and had already done quite well. The Deighan family, which included sons Neil Jr., Hank, and Richard, lived at 101 Narberth Avenue in Collingswood NJ. Around this time he had operated a bar known as the Old Mill in Pennsauken NJ. He later moved this operation to another building, the new location known as the Red Hill Inn, at 9712 Westfield Avenue in Pennsauken, not far from where the Pennsauken Mart stands.
In 1934 Neil Deighan was a founder and was elected President of the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association, a trade group of bar, liquor store, and other merchants in the liquor business. He was re-elected at least two more times.
Neil Deighan gained great fame in his day from the restaurant that bore his name. Neil Deighan’s, located at the Airport Circle in Pennsauken NJ, was virtually a household name in its day. The restaurant, which has been known for many years as The Pub, is still open in 2004.
In an interview given to Camden Courier-Post columnist Kevin Riordan, Bob Schaeffer of Haddonfield said, “We used to think we were hot stuff if our parents took us to Neil Deighan’s for Sunday afternoon dinner. They had a Sunday afternoon stage show. It was like vaudeville.”
Besides the Airport Circle operation, and the Old Mill Inn in Pennsauken, Neil Deighan operated several other establishments in Camden. The Old Mill Inn made front page news in January of 1940 when its safe was blown open by robbers using nitroglycerine.
In the late 1940s Neil Deighan Sr. had Deighan’s Luncheonette at 805–809 Federal Street, Deighan’s Five O’Clock Club at 811 Federal Street, Deighan’s Den at 811 Market street, and Deighan’s Sport Center. Deighan’s Sport Center was a block wide, with addresses at 804–812 Market Street and 805–813 Federal Street.
Besides his restaurant business, Neil Deighan was involved in local politics. Neil F. Deighan passed away in May of 1967.
A Recollection of the Life and Times of Neil Deighan
Written and Printed with the Permission of his daughter-in-law Florence Mitchell and the Deighan Family
Neil had come to Camden from Florence, NJ with his family when he was ten years old. It is recalled by family members that Neil was a member of the US Army in WWI and was an instructor in Aerial Balloon Reconnaissance. It was further recalled that soldiers went up in tethered balloons to obtain information about enemy movement. It is not believed that “Pop” Deighan ever was sent overseas. Evidence of this branch of military service is housed in the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
Neil and his brother Rich became well known in the Camden, NJ area as fantastic basketball and baseball players. Neil became “rookie of the year” during his first season in the old Eastern League and an outstanding star of the championship teams of 1914–15 and 1919–20. During the years from 1917 to 1919 he served with honor in the armed forces. He played basketball against such stars as Charley O’Donnell, Billy Kummer, Nat Holman, Johnny Beckman, Jackie Adams and Bill Herron. Among the stars with whom he played were Roy Steele, Jimmy “Soup” Campbell, eddie dolin, dave kerr, Sam Lennox and Joe Hyde. He also distinguished himself on the baseball field for the old Camden AC and Fairview Club. In addition, he was considered one of the classiest catchers on the semi-pro circuit and played professional baseball with Louisville in the American Association.
Long active in civic affairs he was a member of the Moose, the Elks and American Legion. He was organizer and first president of the New Jersey License Beverage Association. Neil and his brother’s first tavern was at 560 Carman Street, Camden. Several of his former basketball teammates also became involved in taverns throughout Camden, notably Joe Hyde, Sam Lennox, Jimmy “Soup” Campbell, and Roy Steele. Later records show he had a tavern at 28 Haddon Avenue, in 1928 he had a tavern known as Deighan and Campbell’s; and in later years he and his brother opened the Five O’Clock Club at 804–812 Market Street, which was renamed Deighan’s Den. This property was razed in 1975. Family members recall that at some point his tavern was known as Neil’s Grill. The name of that tavern was in the cement sidewalk outside the tavern. He also at one point in time owned and operated a tavern known as The Old Mill, at the bottom of a hill in Pennsauken, he then moved the business to the top of the hill and named it the Red Hill. From there he built “Neil Deighan’s” at the old Airport Circle in Pennsauken.
Neil was honored by the N.J. Sports Alliance sometime in 1961. He was named “Mr. Sportsman 1961.” Frank Lario, Camden attorney was toastmaster. A delegation from the National Football League, Philadelphia Eagles including Chuck Bednarik, Pete Retzlaff, Bill Bains, Jerry Huth, Bob Pelligrini and Bobby Walston, former world welterweight and middleweight champion Mickey Walker, former welterweight champion Pete Latzo, former boxer Lew Tendler, AAU bantam weight champion Joe “Chubby” Stafford (who owned Chubby’s on Collings Road) and Joe Sweeney, president of the Veteran Boxers Association were in attendance. Also Anthony F. Marino “Mr. Sportsman of 1960,” Charles A. Bodine, president of the Camden County Beverage Association, Frankie Conway, former bantamweight boxer and Willie Mosconi, famed pocket billiard player.
Neil Deighan’s Basketball Career
Neil Deighan began playing professional basketball with the Camden Alphas of the Eastern League, a team owned by W. Penn Corson and Dr. Charles B. Helm. He played for the Camden team from 1913 through 1922. He came up late in the 1913–1914 season, and was a regular for the next four seasons, before going into the United States Army in 1917, after the nation entered World War I.
This was a year of turmoil in the world as the United States entered the great war. The New York State League and the Interstate Basket Ball League both suspended operations but the Eastern League began play in mid-November. On December 3 the league disbanded abruptly as both Jasper and Greystock withdrew from the league without warning. An unsuccessful attempt was made to reorganize with a four team league and the league remained inactive until the 1919–20 season.
One of Camden’s players during this abridged season was future Olympic rowing star, Jack Kelly. He later would become the father of Grace Kelly, movie star and Princess of Monaco.
After the abrupt season ending, Trenton and Camden agreed to play a best of seven series for the “Championship of New Jersey” with EBL President William J. Scheffer as referee. The first game was won by Camden 28–27 at Trenton on December 19, 1917. Two days later a second game was played at Camden and Trenton was the victor 47–19 but attendance was very poor. On December 14, 1917 the Camden owner, Dr. Helm called off the series due to the lack of fan interest.
After coming home from the Army, Neil Deighan resumed his basketball career with the Camden team, now known as the Camden Crusaders in 1919. He was joined at the end of the 1919–1920 season by his brother Rich Deighan. The Crusaders were the 1919–1920 Eastern Basketball League champions. With a combined record of 30 wins against 8 losses, Camden won both halves of the season, eliminating the need for a league championship series. Neil Deighan appeared in 38 of those games, more than any other team member, and was second on the team in points per game, behind league scoring leader james “soup” Campbell.
Both the Crusaders and Neil Deighan’s play the following year were almost carbon copies of the year before. Camden had the unusual distinction of having the best overall season record (29–11) and not being invited to the league championship series because they had won neither half of the season — finishing second by one game each time. Camden had five of the top eleven scorers in the league that year, Neil Deighan being the eleventh in total points for the season.
The team, now called the Camden Skeeters, met a similar fate in the 1921–1922 season, as the Trenton Tigers went an incredible 24–3 in the first half, and the Skeeters finished a game behind the New York Celtics. Again, four out of the top ten in total points played for Camden.
Sadly, Camden’s success on the court may have contributed to the league’s demise. Eastern League club owners on January 18, 1923 decided to suspend the season and attempt to reorganize the following year. The suspension was due to “one-sided races, high salaries and unusual overhead expenses.” When the Eastern league folded, Neil Deighan briefly played for the Paterson Legionnaires of the Metropolitan Basketball League, a New York area circuit. He played with Camden Skeeters of the semi-pro version of the Eastern League in 1925. He also appeared in four games during the 1926–1927 season with the Philadelphia Warriors of the American Basketball League.
As stated above, Neil Deighan’s brother, Rich Deighan, also played with the Camden Crusaders during the 1919–1920 season. Rich Deighan would play the next three seasons for the Coatesville Coats of the Eastern League, and go with his older brother to the New York area to play for Elizabeth in the Metropolitan League in 1923. He played for the Trenton Royal Bengals in that loop during the 1924–1925 season, and spent the next five years with the Cleveland Rosenblums of the American Basketball League, before being released during the 1928–1929 season. He briefly played for the Camden team of the Eastern Basketball League, at that time a semi-pro circuit at best, and briefly played for the Camden Brewers of the America Basketball League in 1933–1934.
Neil Deighan’s Eastern League Career Record
| Season | G | FG | FT | TP | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1913–1914 Camden Alphas | 3 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 2.7 |
| 1914–1915 Camden Alphas | 28 | 32 | 0 | 64 | 2.3 |
| 1915–1916 Camden Alphas | 37 | 43 | 0 | 86 | 2.3 |
| 1916–1917 Camden Alphas | 40 | 56 | 0 | 112 | 2.8 |
| 1917–1918 Camden Alphas | 6 | 8 | 27 | 4 | 4.5 |
| 1918–1919 Neil Deighan in Army | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1919–1920 Camden Crusaders | 38 | 57 | 65 | 179 | 4.7 |
| 1920–1921 Camden Crusaders Neil Deighan 11th in league scoring | 35 | 59 | 45 | 163 | 4.7 |
| 1921–1922 Camden Skeeters | 40 | 46 | 47 | 139 | 3.5 |
| 1922–1923 Camden Skeeters | 22 | 26 | 22 | 74 | 3.4 |
Neil Deighan’s Metropolitan Basketball League Career Record
| Season | G | FG | FT | TP | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1922–1923 Paterson Legionnaires (Second Half) | 2 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 5 |
Neil Deighan’s American Basketball League Career Record
| Season | G | FG | FT | TP | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926–1927 Philadelphia Warriors | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Camden Crusaders — 1919–1920 Eastern Basketball League Champs
Front row, left to right: Jimmy “Soup” Campbell and Joe Hyde. Second row, left to right: Dr. Charles B. Helm, Neil Deighan, Roy Steele, Eddie Dolin, Dave Kerr and Sheriff W. Penn Corson. Back row, left to right: Bill Mitchell, trainer; Sam Lennox, Manager Bill Kennedy, Richie Deighan and Timekeeper Jim Kane.
Some of the Old-timers Who Will Attend Fete
Camden Courier-Post —
Shown above are members and officials of the Camden Electrics, 1901-02 champions of the National Basketball League, several of whom will attend the All Sports dinner to be held next Tuesday night, at Neil Deighan’s Inn. Those in the photo are: Lying down, Eddie Ferat; sitting, left to right, Bob Dippy, Winnie Kinkaid, John “Snake” Deal, Billy Keenan and Howard Thomas; standing, left to right, Billy Morgenweck, manager; Dr. Charles Bossert, Howard “Budge” Middleton and Charles Stevenson, president. Stevenson, Morgenweck, Keenan and Bossert are dead. The others are expected to be on hand for the dinner.
Skeeters Brought Camden Only E.L. Court Crown
Camden Courier-Post —
Dolin, N. Deighan, Campbell, Kerr, Steele 1919-20 Pro Champions
By JACK CARTY
There was an era when Camden was known for more than its production of ships, soups, radios and sundry other commercial items. That was when the Camden Skeeters were the scourge of the Eastern Professional Basketball League.
It was over 35 years ago when a banner line screamed across four columns of an old Daily Courier sports page proclaiming that “All Hail the Champions!”
The date was March 11, 1920. It was the day after the Camden team won its first and only championship of the old Eastern League.
Kennedy Was Manager
After 10 years of striving to bring home the coveted flag, Manager “Whispering Will” Kennedy’s Skeeters sewed up the title by defeating the Bridgeport, Conn., quintet, 45-34 at the Third Regiment Armory, now known as the Camden Armory at Haddon avenue and Mickle st.
The date is a memorable one for many, especially those who were around in the days when professional basketball was “the thing” in Camden. Days when such outstanding stars as Neil Deighan, Jimmy “Soup” Campbell, Rich Deighan, Dave Kerr, Roy Steele, Eddie Dolin and others were the masters of the cage game. They mastered it to the delight of two and three thousand fans every time they stepped on the floor at the Armory.
That season and that 1919-20 basketball team provide one of the proudest sports memories in the history of Camden. Although its short-lived glory lasted for less than two years, the mark the Skeeters left is indelible.
Corson, Helm Owners
The Skeeters, owned and financed by former Sheriff W. Penn Corson and Dr. Charles B. Helm, a veterinarian, had many near misses in the search for the pennant. But they never made the direct hit until Kennedy stepped into the picture.
It was the first season the Eastern League had resumed operation following World War I that the ex-Jasper coach took over the club.
He molded a winner with three veterans of former years—Steele, the captain, Dolin and Neil Deighan—with a couple of comparative unknowns, Kerr, and a youngster named Campbell.
With this aggregation as his nucleus, Kennedy won the pennant for Camden and it seemed that only he could have done it.
Frank H. Ryan, late editor of The Courier-Post, who then was sports editor of The Daily Courier, wrote of Kennedy following the team’s successful first half finish:
Describes Kennedy
“He has been connected with the cage game for a score of years, never bullyrags his men and can get results where others fail. Working hand and glove with Steele, who is captain and the king pin of the men on the floor, Kennedy has succeeded in giving Camden what others have failed to do, namely, the much coveted pennant. If the Skeeters can crown their achievement with the second half crown the natives from the city of ships, phonographs, soaps, furniture and fair zone activities can well afford to look our way and give us a silent sneer.”
And they did.
The Skeeters went right on to win 16 more games and the second half, which also included the “much coveted pennant.” They tied a league record of the Reading Bears with 30 wins per season, even though they had one more loss—10.
‘Reading Bear Pit’
Ryan had said of the Skeeters: “The desire to do the right thing at the right moment, a willingness for team play and a general pull together spirit made a combination which the other five teams found too formidable to surmount.” That was one description of the champions.
One of the biggest moments of that glorious season was marked when, for the first time in more than five seasons, Camden was able to beat Reading on the latter’s own court. The Skeeters prevailed 31-24 in the “Reading Bear Pit.”
Campbell, the import from Homestead, Pa., playing his first year in the “fast” ranks of professional basketball, fired the victory with an 11-point effort. That was Jan. 31, 1920—one of the opening games of the second half.
Wallop DeNeri
Prior to that, Campbell, Dolin and Neil Deighan were consistent leaders in point-making to spark the team to the first half championship.
During the season, Germantown, second place finisher in both halves, Trenton, Reading, DeNeri (Philadelphia) Bridgeport and North Philadelphia competed. Bridgeport took over the North Philadelphia franchise in the second half, after the North Phillies dropped out of the league.
In one game against DeNeri, Camden broke all existing records when it beat the Philadelphians, 53-28. Twenty-three field goals were registered by the “coming champs” that December night in 1919.
Campbell set the pace with seven double deckers, tieing the individual high score record for the season.
Only Two Regulars
DeNeri took the floor at the Armory with but two regulars in the lineup. That was blamed for the rout. The other regulars were playing with teams in other leagues—a situation which was to cost the Skeeters the pennant the following season.
The opening account of that particular Camden-DeNeri game read: “That the Eastern League is due to regret the rule which allows its men to play in other leagues was demonstrated by the misfit combination that Manager Myers, of De Neri, brought to this city last night to oppose the local league leaders at the Third Regiment Armory.”
The rule later was amended by league president William J. Scheffer. The amendment cost Adamless Express one of its brightest young stars and took away its championship in 1920-21 when the owners suspended Campbell.
‘Adamless Express’
The 1919-20 Skeeters often were called the “Adamless Express.” When Jackie tucked away his uniform after the league took time out for the first World War, Camden assumed the “Adamless Express” tag.
Brown was one of the mainstays of the North Philadelphia team during Camden’s Championship year, but missed much of the opening half campaign after he suffered a knee injury.
Meanwhile, the Adamless Express got up its head of steam and sailed merrily along its way.
A capacity crowd of nearly 3000 fans turned out at the Armory when the Skeeters opened the 1919-20 season by defeating De Neri, 26-18, on Nov. 5, 1919.
Trenton Causes Trouble
It was Steele, Campbell, Dolin, Neil Deighan and Kerr who played the entire game and Ryan’s account of the victory was very enthusiastic about their showing.
“It surely did seem strange to see the locals enter the cage minus the familiar and popular faces of Jackie Adams and Jimmy Brown as it was the advent of those two stars along with Eddie Dolin that took Camden out of the ‘also ran’ class in the Eastern and gave this city a permanent pennant contender. It can truthfully be said that more than one fan was indeed sorry to note the wrecking of the famous Adams Express, but at the same time no fault can be found with the aggregation Manager Bill Kennedy substituted in its place last night, as the new combination gave a dandy exhibition and looks strong enough to give any club in the circuit a battle for the pennant,” Ryan reported.
There were some squeakers in that first half. Four of them were with Trenton, a team which always had been a formidable foe of the Skeeters.
In the second game of the season Camden stacked up against the Royal Bengals and edged them, 20-18, in Trenton. Camden later won verdicts of 15-14, 24-23 and 20-18, the latter in overtime.
N. Deighan KO’s Schmeelk
However, in a game against Germantown, Kennedy’s cohorts dropped their second verdict of the race—their first at home that season—when the “Germs” prevailed, 21-18. Camden lost its next game and Germantown made it three straight reverses for the Adamless Express when it won, 35-27, Dec. 23, 1919.
The locals league lead was cut to a single game in the rip-snortin’ contest which featured the first fight of the season and banishment of two players. Kerr and Germantown’s Gary Schmeelk had come to blows, but it was Neil Deigham [sic], who entered the melee and “dropped Schmeelk to the floor.”
Referee Bill Kelley banished both men—Schmeelk and Deighan—from the game and both were fined $10.
However, two nights later on Christmas, Camden regained its winning ways by clobbering Reading, 36-15, when Deighan got back into action to score 11 points.
The overtime battle with Trenton clinched the first half diadem—before 2500 fans at the Armory.
Rich Deighan Plays
Camden breezed through the second half without too much trouble and wound up that part of the race with a 16-5 record, clinching the title with the win over Bridgeport and closing the season with Campbell’s 15 points sparking a 35-26 decision over Trenton on March 17, 1920.
Richie Deighan made his first appearance in the Camden lineup early in February that same year when he played the last 10 minutes against Bridgeport. The Skeeters romped home 42-15 winners, with Rich getting three points.
“The last six minutes of action saw the cloak-room boys, Sam Lennox and Joe Hyde in action for Camden and six points of Bridgeport’s total were amassed in this period,” clippings stated.
Rich Deighan, following the championship season, shifted his alliances to Coatesville.
Entered League in 1910
The championship was the end of a long and detoured road for the Skeeters. Early experiences by Camden teams were not quite as pleasant even though it had the pennant in its grasp twice. Once it was awarded to the Skeeters on forfeit, but even then they found a way to get rid of it.
Camden first entered the Eastern League in 1910 when it took over the franchise forfeited by Princeton. The Skeeters just about “tottered along for three years.”
However, they wound up in a three-way tie for first place in 1913-14 season but lost out in the playoffs, finishing second to Jasper. Trenton was third.
Reading Didn’t Show Up
The next season, the Skeeters were part of the league’s worst “fiasco.” Camden and Reading carried the fight from start to finish and ended in a stalemate (identical 25-15 records). Camden, then under Sam Herrmann, won the first game of the playoff at the Armory, but was clobbered in Reading.
The third game was to be played at the Musical Fund Hall at Eighth and Locust sts., Philadelphia. After the hall was packed and hundreds of fans turned away, Reading refused to play the game. In fact, the Bears never showed up.
The Reading team claimed Camden misrepresented the ticket situation. The first decision by the league, which had not handled the playoffs originally—leaving it up to the two teams—was to award the championship to Camden via the forfeit route. But the club owners thought different and agreed to close the season with no championship awarded.
It was one of the worst black eyes the Eastern League ever got.
Third in 1916
The Skeeters fell heir to third place in the spring of 1916 and fourth the following year. The first World War closed the Eastern for the next two seasons and the first year back in the harness Camden started its successful bid for its first championship.
The Champions couldn’t quit [sic] find themselves in the 1920-21 race. Although they were continually in contention for the flag, they never did make it two in a row.
The Skeeters finished third behind Reading and Trenton and ahead of Philadelphia, Germantown and Coatesville in the first half.
Owners Scold Players
They were going great guns in the second half as Campbell, Kerr and Steele began stepping up the attack. The Adamless Express once again was back in first place—all alone. Then one February 4, the disintegration began.
Headlines blurted: “Camden Owners Scold Players. Threaten to Suspend Team Members Playing in Other Leagues. Campbell, Kerr and Deighan Offenders.”
Kerr and Neil Deighan had been playing for a club in the Penn State League. Campbell was active in that and another circuit. Dr. Helm was quoted as saying: “It has come to a showdown. These players will either stick to the Camden team or play with others. A Camden player who violates the rule will be definitely suspended. We want to give the people of Camden a square deal. The players owe it to the fans. No man can serve two or three masters.”
Campbell Suspended
Two days prior to Helm’s attack, Reading had downed Camden, 25-32 and handed Germantown a tie for the lead. Camden won its next game, but still shared the lead with Germantown. Then came the big blow.
Campbell was suspended for not complying with the management. He did not play for the Skeeters again until the next season. There went their chances for the pennant.
Louis Sugarman took over the Homestead star’s position and made a creditable showing, but it just was not up to the standard of Campbell.
‘Say It With Flowers’
Camden retook the lead with its eighth victory by defeating Philadelphia, 32-15, Feb. 9. But a loss to Germantown the following week dropped them into second place and they never were to regain outright possession of first place again.
The Skeeters tied for the lead twice in the late stages of the second half race in March and had a chance of forcing the race [text missing between the crops] week but finished out of the money.
The first half saw the Skeeters in a tight race with Trenton. That half merited Camden second place with over 20 victories. In the final half race Kennedy’s courtmen again became the bridesmaid, despite a 15-5 record.
Campbell was back in the harness again and with Kerr, Dolin, Steele and Neil Deighan they had a pretty powerful club.
Eight teams, including the New York Celtics, battled in the first half, while the roster dwindled to six quintets in the final race.
But the league registered eight teams when it opened its 1922-23 season. It was believed by many to be the best setup for the Eastern League in its history. The other major circuits in the area had folded and the Eastern was supposed to be set solidly.
League Folds
It started an early season (October) and that was the beginning of the end. Football was in full swing. Baseball had just ended. Fans like their sports in season.
The league began to crumble when Scranton and then Wilkes-Barre dropped out. Atlantic City and Reading were next to toss in the towel. A meeting at Musical Fund Hall saved the league for a short time when Trenton, Camden, Coatesville and Philadelphia vowed to make a go of it.
However, in mid-January of 1923 the Eastern League succumbed as the four remaining teams went broke. The main reason for the crackup was put to the “inflated salaries” of the players. But the Skeeters’ backers decried that explanation when they said “every Camden player was worth every cent.” They had kept Camden in first place until the league folded.
Fans Were Confused
Following one of the last games played in the league in Camden, Ryan wrote, “Wednesday night’s crowd would have been a disgrace to the East Side Church League.” That about summed it up.
Constant rearrangement of the league had jumbled the schedule. Fans never knew when or where their teams were playing. The gates were pitiful and the teams couldn’t operate without the money.
That was the end of the championship era of players like Steele, the Deighans, Campbell, Kerr, Dolin and the others. Some of them competed in the Philadelphia League the following season, but Camden dropped out of that league in 1924-25.
Old-timers who can recall the days of the championship Skeeters claim it was the “greatest basketball” team the East ever had.
Players Still Around
And some of the boys who played on that club are still around to verify that. Neil Deighan runs a restaurant in Gloucester and brother Rich manages the Sports Center here in Camden.
Eddie Dolin is a familiar figure as the bridge operator at 12th and Federal sts. Sam Lennox tends bar on Hudson st. and Davey Kerr deals in sporting goods in Ohio.
The rest — Steele, Campbell, Hyde, timekeeper Jim Kane, Helm, Corson and Kennedy—have passed away. But the memories of their court capabilities are very much alive.
Camden A.C. Loses to Lincoln Stars
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Winners Score Four Runs in Oppening [sic] Frame When Rapp’s Arm Goes Bad
Johnson and Lillig Hit for Homers, Camden’s Rally in Fifth Falls Short—Score, 9 to 7
In the presence of a record-breaking crowd, Camden A. C. went down to defeat at the hands of the Lincoln Stars by a score of 9 to 7. Rapp started to pitch for Camden, but retired early, owing to a bad arm. The Stars gathering four runs in the opener, one of which was a smash for the circuit by Johnson.
Camden gave hope to the fans in the fifth, when Lillig hit for a home run with two on bases, bringing the home team within one of the score of the Stars. In the sixth inning, however, the Stars sent two more across and the best Camden could do was to gather another tally, coming in the ninth. Catches by Charleston and Bolger were the fielding features.
CAMDEN LINCOLN STARS
r. h. o. a. e. r. h. o. a. e.
Fenton, cf.. 1 2 1 0 0 C’town, cf 2 3 3 0 0
Murphy, 2b. 1 1 1 3 0 Parks, ss 1 3 0 2 1
O’R’rke, 3b. 1 0 4 1 1 Parks, ss 1 3 0 2 1
Lillig, rf.... 1 1 2 1 1 Stanton, c 2 2 3 0 0
Hetrick, 1b. 2 2 10 1 0 J’nson, 2b 1 2 1 4 0
Bolger, ss.. 1 1 2 3 0 Bailey, lf 0 2 4 0 0
Wiley, lf... 0 0 0 0 1 Miller, 3b 0 1 4 3 0
Crandall, p. 0 0 0 0 0 Sykes, rf,p 0 1 0 0 0
Deighan, c.. 0 1 7 4 0 T’son, p 1 0 0 0 0
Rapp, p,lf.. 0 0 0 1 0 S’th, p,rf 0 1 1 0 1
xFoster..... 0 0 0 0 0
Totals... 7 8 27 14 3 Totals 8 18 27 9 2
x—Batted for Crandall in ninth inning.
Lincoln Stars ... 4 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 0—9
Camden A. C...... 1 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 1—7
Deneri’s Winning Streak Halted by Greystock; Jimmy Campbell Is Sensation Against Beckman
Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger —
Camden Will Try to Break Into Winning Column at Expense of Trenton When They Clash Tonight
Greystock Proves Best “Home” Team
In Clash at Musical Fund Hall
De Neri, without Captain Joe Dreyfuss in the line-up, bowed to the prowess of Greystock at Musical Fund Hall last night, the final score being 21 to 17. The contest unearthed another “amateur” star in the person of “Jimmy” Campbell. Pitted against the veteran Johnny Berkman [sic], the youngster outplayed his opponent from the start and unless his exhibition proves to be a flash in the pan, Joe Fogarty has unearthed a star. Jack Lawrence and Hill also played brilliantly. The center of the Greys had it all over Moringred, and Zahn made Barlow look “bad,” although it was Tom’s first time out. Miller and Powell, who have been showing up so well, were away off and did little outside of having their names appear in the line-up. The victory boosted the Grey’s percentage to even .500, while De Neri dropped to third place.
Here’s how the forty minutes was contested: The Greys were first to count on a goal and when McWilliams sent a pass to Lawrence the length of the hall “Jocko” landed the first field goal of the engagement. On free tosses the figures climbed to 9 and then Muller landed a goal, the ball hitting the oblique bar and then dropping through the net. Campbell and Zahn then added interest to the affair with sensational shooting, the former netting the ball twice and the latter once. The half ended 13 to 6 in favor of the Greys.
De Neri gradually cut down their opponents’ lead as the second period progressed. A foul and Beckman’s two-timer on Barlow’s assist brought the figures to 13 to 9. The Greys got into the running when Campbell landed another field goal and sent the score to 17 to 9. Once more the De Neri [illegible] and when Muller and Becky counted in succession a single point separated the contestants, with the Greys leading at 17 to 16. In the remaining minutes five more points were made by the winners on three penalty tosses and Lawrence’s field goal. The final tally was 21 to 17. The baskets went to Muller 2, Beckman 2, Campbell 3, Lawrence 3 and Zahn 1.
Trenton to Meet Camden
Jersey fives will oppose each other in tonight’s Eastern League game in Camden, as the Skeeters will have Trenton as their opponents. With this announcement we would naturally look for a big score, as the clubs play wide-open ball. The Potters have been performing consistently since the opening of the season. To date they have totaled forty-five field goals as against thirty-four for their opponents, and the team as a whole is going fine.
On the other hand, the Camden boys have been doing poorly. Deighan, Brown and Steele form as good a trio of professionals as any club possesses, but the consensus of opinion is that they are hooked up wrong. Jimmy Brown is no guard, and to retain him in the backfield with a youngster just breaking in would appear poor judgment. Several remedies have been suggested. One is to get a new center man and shift Brown up with Steele and move Deighan back. If no new pivot is obtainable, it would appear that a profitable switch would be Steele and Brown. One thing is certain, the Skeeters’ defense must tighten if they are to cut any splash in the first-half pennant.
Eastern League Goes Into Discard
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Attempt to Reorganize Basketball Organization With Four Club Circuit a Failure
Squabble Over Players and Latters’ Fickleness Caused Blowup; Trenton and Camden to Play Series
Jimmy “Soup” Campbell — Roy Steele — Neil Deighan — Dr. Charles B. Helm
Jack Kelly — Chol Engle — Pete Kilpatrick — Willie Miller
Eastern League Goes Into Discard
Attempt to Reorganize Basketball Organization With Four Club Circuit a Failure
Squabble Over Players and Latters’ Fickleness Caused Blowup; Trenton and Camden to Play Series
The attempt to reorganize the Eastern Basketball League has resulted in a dismal failure. In an effort to get the purposed four-club circuit composing Philadelphia, Camden, Trenton and Reading, going [sic] the league held another special meeting last night in this city and when Reading failed to send a representative to the conference the other three clubs present decided to throw up the sponge for the season and officially disband.
The magnates decided that this was the best course to pursue in the face of the existing conditions. The exhorbitant salaries demanded by the players and the inability of some of the four clubs to reach a mutual agreement over the allotment of players to certain teams left such a chaotic condition remaining that those present decided it was futile to attempt to make a re-start for the rest of this season. Those who were present, Dr. Charles B. Helm, of Camden; B. C. Kuser, of Trenton, and William Meyers, of this city, went on record that they were in favor of reorganizing next fall if the conditions improve
There is little doubt, however, but that the league would have tried it again this season had Reading put in an appearance last night. The other three clubs expressed a willingness to continue and were ready to post their increased guarantee of $200. When the Reading club failed to have a representative at the pow-wow the magnates decided they had wasted enough time in trying to make the re-start and that it was time to call a halt for the rest of the season.
When the league disbanded last Monday night when Jasper and Greystock quit the other four clubs attempted a comeback the next night with a four-club circuit. With the Jasper and Greystock teams out of business several valuable players were thrown on the market and the reorganization scheme was to have the best of these men distributed between three of the four clubs, Trenton being satisfied with its present team. This scheme was feasible enough and promised to give four equally matched clubs, but, unfortunately, there arose a violent dispute between the teams over these players, and it was this which ultimately resulted in the grand blow off last night.
Thrown on the market by the retirement of Jasper and Greystock were McWilliams, Lawrence, Fogarty, Campbell, Zahn, Leonard, Dark, Norman, White, Moorehead and White. Most of these men are good players, yet of this group only three were in demand, McWilliams, Lawrence and Dark. There were two other players, however, who became involved in this grab list by the action of Camden and Reading in letting Brown and Sugarman go. This left a good field to pick from and during the first meeting of the attempted re-organization it was decided to let Reading have Brown, Dark and Lawrence, which was satisfactory to the Bears, who intended to round out the team with Morris and O’Donnell.
This brought the issue up between Philadelphia and Camden. The latter club wanted McWilliams and Sugarman and Philadelphia expressed a decisive desire also for McWilliams. Over these men the two clubs bickered for nearly two hours on Wednesday night and then did not reach any conclusion. The next day Philadelphia waived the point and let Camden have free rein to go after Sugarman and McWilliams, which meant a mighty nifty lineup for the Skeeters, for with Steele, Deighan and Kelly as a nucleus the team would have been of championship calibre. Philadelphia was to stand pat on Beckman, Muller, Dreyfuss, Dengath and Powell, with the possibility of securing another first-class man. Tom Barlow, a Trenton boy, on the reserve list of the Philadelphia team, had been turned over to Trenton and apparently the clubs were ready for the re-start.
They, however, had failed to take into consideration the fickleness of some of the players. McWilliams jolted the Camden club by announcing that he had quit basketball and would not play another game, Dark refused to go to Reading because he found it would interfere with his police duties in town, but expressed a desire to play with either Camden or Philadelphia; Sugarman announced that he was going to continue playing with Carbondale in the Pennsylvania State League, and Lawrence only wanted the modest sum of $25 per game to play in Reading. Finding that they could not get McWilliams and Sugarman, Camden wanted Brown back and when Reading learned this on top of the stand taken by Dark and Lawrence it brought a storm of disapproval from the owners.
This brought about a condition bordering on panic among the other magnates, and after a hurried meeting on Friday night, which was adjourned until last night, the owners decided they had enough of the uncertainty pertaining to this season, and that it would be good business to disband.
This probably could have been avoided had some of the clubs been willing to take Leonard; Norman, Campbell, Moorehead, White, Fogarty and Zahn, but these men were not satisfactory to the warring clubs, who only wanted the five men mentioned.
After the meeting B. C. Kuser, of Trenton, and Dr. Charles B. Helm, of Camden, said they would like to give their patrons a few more games and agreed to play a series of seven games for the championship of New Jersey. It is a real championship series, for each team posted a $200 forfeit with President Scheffer. The winner of the series takes the forfeit. The receipts of the games will be kept by each home team, and if a seventh game is needed the receipts will be divided equally. William Kelley was selected to referee the games. The line-up of the teams will be the same as used in the regular league games, as follows: Trenton, Franckle, Tome, Newman, Hargreaves, Lloyd, Ballard and Watt; Camden, Steele, Deighan, Engle, Kelly, Kilpatrick, Muller, and one other professional and one other minor leaguer to be named. The first game will be played in Trenton tomorrow night, and the second in Camden on Wednesday of this week. The games will then continue on those two nights until one team wins four games. If a seventh game is needed, it will be played in Camden or Trenton, as a toss of a coin will decide. Jimmy Kane, of Camden, and Charles Barlow, of Trenton, will be the official timekeepers.
Campbell Leading Eastern Scores
Trenton Evening Times —
Camden Forward Gathers 112 Points in 18 Games—Barlow High
“Soup” Campbell, of the Camden “Skeeters,” continues to hold the lead in the Eastern League basketball race for individual point honors.
In 18 contests the Camden forward has netted the ball 31 times from the floor, and has dropped in a half hundred tosses from the fifteen-foot mark, for a total of 112 points.
“Liz” Powell, a forward on the Germantown five, is in second place, ten points behind Campbell. “Liz” moved up from fourth place during last week. Eddie Dolin, centre of the “Skeeters,” is holding down third place with 97 points. Powell and Campbell are the only two players of the 52 in the league who have passed the century mark.
Dolin and Campbell are in a deadlock in field goal tossing, each having sent the ball through the basket 31 times.
The eighth week of the first half race saw Camden practically sew up first place. Although given a setback by Germantown, the New Jersey five had an easy time with Reading. The “Skeeters” need but split even in order to win the first half title.
Camden continues to lead the other quintets in team scoring, but only by the slight margin of six points, being that number ahead of Germantown. De Neri is third and Reading last.
The New Jersey aggregation has scored 138 field goals and 158 foul goals for 434 points, Germantown has registered ten less field goals than the “Skeeters,” but it has tallied 172 points from the fifteen-foot mark. De Neri is in second place in foul goal shooting being one behind the Germantown five.
INDIVIDUAL SCORING
| Player | G. | Fd.G. | Fl.G. | A. | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell, Camden | 16 | 31 | 50 | 10 | 112 |
| Powell, Gtn. | 16 | 29 | 44 | [?] | [?] |
| Dolin, Camden | 16 | 31 | 35 | 4 | 97 |
| Cross, Reading | 15 | 30 | 36 | 4 | 9[?] |
| Beckman, De Neri | 11 | 28 | 36 | 6 | 92 |
| Barlow, Trenton | 15 | 20 | 44 | 3 | 8[?] |
| Grimstead, N. Phila. | 14 | 31 | 22 | 16 | 8[?] |
| Dreyfuss, De Neri | 15 | 2[?] | 2[?] | 19 | 81 |
| Dieghan [sic], Camden | 16 | 25 | 22 | 4 | 7[?] |
| Steele, Camden | 16 | 24 | 28 | 22 | 76 |
| Dunleavy, N. Phila. | 15 | 25 | 23 | 9 | 7[?] |
| Franckle, Gtn. | 12 | 22 | 26 | 8 | 7[?] |
| Brown, N. Phila. | 13 | 26 | 13 | 10 | 65 |
| Kerr, Camden | 16 | 2[?] | 19 | 14 | 61 |
| L. Sugerman, De N. | 11 | 20 | 21 | 14 | 61 |
| Tome, Trenton | 15 | 18 | 22 | 6 | 58 |
| W[?]e, Trenton | 7 | 21 | 15 | 0 | 57 |
| Muller, Trenton | 16 | 13 | 27 | 2 | 53 |
| Black, Gtn. | 11 | 18 | 14 | 8 | 50 |
| Holman, Gtn. | 6 | 13 | 22 | 9 | 4[?] |
| Reich, Reading | 8 | 14 | 19 | [?]6 | 47 |
| Haggerty, Reading | 14 | 18 | [?] | 8 | 42 |
| Leonard, De Neri | 8 | 6 | 25 | 4 | 3[?] |
| Bredbenner, Reading | 9 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 3[?] |
| Dietrick, N. Phila. | 12 | 7 | 19 | 7 | 3[?] |
| Miller, De Neri | 7 | 11 | [?] | 1 | 29 |
| Maline, De Neri | 5 | 7 | 12 | 0 | 26 |
| Schmulk, Gtn. | 6 | 7 | 1[?] | 4 | 24 |
| Cashman, N. Phila. | 11 | [?] | 12 | 7 | 22 |
| Meehan, Gtn. | 4 | 4 | 13 | 2 | 21 |
| Fife, Gtn. | 3 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 20 |
| Norman, Reading | 3 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 1[?] |
| Fogarty, De Neri | 4 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 18 |
| Hough, Trenton | 6 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 17 |
| Macken, Reading | 6 | 4 | [?] | 1 | 16 |
| Simindinger, Gtn. | 13 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 13 |
| Lennox, Camden | 5 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 12 |
| Beggs, Reading | [?] | 1 | 6 | 0 | 8 |
| Lloyd, Trenton | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Hargreaves, Trenton | [?] | 1 | 6 | 3 | 8 |
| Armstrong, De Neri | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Troutwein, N. Phila. | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Boyle, Reading | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Carney, Gtn. | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Fitzgerald, Gtn. | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Klotz, N. Phila. | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| H. Sugerman, De N. | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Harvey, De Neri | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Hyde, Camden | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2[?] |
| Roach, Reading | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Clark, Gtn. | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TEAM SCORING
| Team | G. | Fd.G. | Fl.G. | A. | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | 16 | 1[?][?] | 15[?] | 52 | 43[?] |
| Germantown | 16 | 12[?] | 172 | 5[?] | 4[?][?] |
| De Neri | 16 | 123 | 171 | 70 | 417 |
| North Philadelphia | 15 | 1[?]9 | 13[?] | 61 | 35[?] |
| Trenton | 15 | 9[?] | 1[?]1 | 35 | 3[?][?] |
| Reading | 16 | 1[?][?] | 105 | 33 | 32[?] |
Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger — March 22, 1922
Jimmy “Soup” Campbell — Neil Deighan — Roy Steele — Eddie Dolin — Dave Kerr — Richie Deighan
Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger, March 22, 1922
Trenton Times — January 17, 1925
Neil Deighan — jimmy “soup” Campbell
Trenton Times, January 17, 1925
Eastern League Opens Monday with Trenton Playing Camden
Trenton Times —
Reading Takes on Philadelphia
Neil Deighan — Rich Deighan — jimmy “soup” Campbell — Dave Kerr — Bob Griebe — George Boone — Eddie Brando — Oscar Grimstead
Trenton will help to “blow open” the reorganized Eastern League Monday night when the Bengals meet the Skeeters on the Camden Armory floor. On the same evening the Reading Club will oppose the Quaker City team on the Philadelphia floor.
The Camden game was originally scheduled for November 11 but the date was moved forward when it was found that the Armory would not be available Armistice night.
Camden has made great preparations for the opening night and the team has been practicing for several weeks. At least those members who hail from down Camden way. The others have been playing in the Metro League and are in good shape. It is expected that the Skeeters will line up with “Soup” Campbell and Scrone, forwards; Grimsted, center, with Grieb and Neil Deighnan [sic] guards. Eddie Brandt and George Boone will be the extra men. Kerr and Richie Deighnan [sic] have gone to Ohio and will not play in the Eastern loop this Winter.
Captain Teddy Kearns is having difficulty in lining up the men he wants for the team but promises a championship five by the middle of the month. In the opening game Saunders will pair with the floor leader on the forward line with Meehan jumping center and Dick Smythe, partnered with Tom Barlow, in the backcourt. “Lefty” Colendar will likely be the extra man. This combination, however, is but a temporary one but Kearns at this time is unable to announce his permanent lineup. However he feels that the Trenton boys will be able to give Camden a hard battle this Monday and Pottsville here next Friday and then look out for the Bengals.
The decision to play the side-line game will be given a test in the league games next week. The court in the Camden Armory has been shifted and the baskets will be located on the east and west ends of the playing space. An “open court” will be used and but one man will shoot the fouls as was the rule back in the days when Harry Hough, Suils Sears and Fogarty used to toss them in with regularity.
The collegiate regulations will be followed and it will be interesting to watch the way in which the cage veterans adopt themselves to the new order of things.
The game is on the table and a week’s play will develop the question as to whether the new order will replace the old or whether the cage game will again come into its own in the Eastern League. The fans will decide.
Immaculate Conception Takes Over Camden Elks Franchise in South Jersey Cage League
Camden Courier-Post —
New Entrant to Retain Six of Elks Players
Lennox, Cunneff, Hyde, Deighan, Boone, and Burns to Play With ‘Irish’
Millers Nose Out Elks
By Tom Ryan
When Millville handed the Camden Elks there second straight reverse in the second-half race of the South Jersey Basketball League by beating them 30–26 at the Convention Hall Annex last night it saw the finish of the Elks as a member of that circuit. The Elks sustained their first defeat at Bridgeton last Tuesday night when the “Moose” turned in a 26–23 victory.
“Immaculate Conception has taken over the Camden Elks franchise and will finish out the second half schedule under the name of Immaculate Conception.”
That’s the bombshell Jim Mulligan, manager of the “fightin’ Irish,” dropped in local basketball circles when he made the above announcement today.”
“I talked the matter over with Larry Callahan, who has been handling the Elks, after Camden hand dropped their second league game to Millville last night at the Convention Hall and Callahan agreed to surrender the franchise to Immaculate Conception,” continued “Big Jim.”
To Retain Six Local Players
“The players signed by the Elks are our property now, but I’ll be forced to cut some of them loose in order to retain some of the Immaculate players whom I think are plenty good enough for the South Jersey League. I’m going to keep Hughey Lennox, Joe Hyde, Harry Cunneff, Joe Burns, George Boone and Neil Deighan, all local players who go with the franchise, but will have to drop the other Camden players. Bart Sheehan, Bernie Maguire and Roger Brown are the Immaculate Conception players who will be retained in order to round out the South Jersey League roster.”
“1 would have liked to have retained Joe Scrone, but he informed me last night that he had been offered a job with Salem, and when he told the financial inducements they had offered him, I told him to go ahead and sign with them, for I could not pay him that much money. I consider Scrone one of the best men in the league, but rather than have him with us and be dissatisfied, I thought it best to let him sign where he pleased.”
“Dolin and Richelderfer would hardly fit in with my plans, so they also are free to join any other club in the league.”
“In taking over the Elks franchise, we must relinquish our Camden County League franchise, as we will be not be able to compete in both leagues. We also ask permission of the League to change our home-playing night to Monday instead of Wednesday, which has always been Camden’s night to play their home games, as we can only obtain the Catholic High School gym on Monday nights.
Must Assume Elks Standing
“We will start under a big handicap as we will have to assume the Elks league standing of two losses and no wins, but I feel certain we can make a respectable showing during the remainder of the season,’’ concluded Mulligan.
The transfer of the Elks franchise had been hinted at more than once during the past two weeks, due to lack of patronage at the home games. Callahan, one of the best sportsmen in the city, is “stuck” for several hundred dollars. He lost plenty last year, but decided he would make another attempt to make the club a success but to no avail.
However, it is thought that the entrance of Immaculate Conception will solve the difficulty here, as the “Irish” have one of the largest followings of any club in South Jersey.
Better marksmanship from the 15-foot mark during the last few minutes of play enabled the Millers to turn back Camden last night. Coach Roy Steele again started Neil Deighan at center with Hughey Lennox up in front alongside of Joe Scone. Captain Joe Hyde and Harry Cunneff did guard duty.
Gets Good Offer — Neil Deighan
Camden Courier-Post —
Neil Deighan — Local basketball and baseball star, who has received an offer from the Hagerstown club of the Blue Ridge League, to act in the capacity of player-manager. Deighan, who is a member of the Immaculate Conception club, of the South Jersey Basketball league, is seriously considering the offer and may clinch the job within a day or two. He has had previous experience in that line, having managed the Madisonville club, of the Kitty League, several years ago.
Hanson Wanted Sheehan for His Syracuse Team
Camden Courier-Post —
But Joe, Released From Cleveland, is Through for Season; Deighan Still Considering Managerial Offer; Hyde Signs With Montreal
Neil Deighan — Freddy Heimach — Joe Hyde — Lou Schaub — Joe Sheehan — Abe Corotis
Immaculate Conception
HANSON WANTED SHEEHAN FOR HIS SYRACUSE TEAM
But Joe, Released From Cleveland, is Through for Season; Deighan Still Considering Managerial Offer; Hyde Signs With Montreal
By ABE COROTIS
When Vic Hanson, nonpareil of college athletes, asked for and obtained his release from the Cleveland basketball club last month, one of the causes advanced by puzzled fandom was his inability to “get along” with the veteran Cleveland players.
Another was the fact that he sat on the bench in a game or two while Joe Sheehan got the call to start. This led to the rumor that Hanson and Sheehan, ex-collegians, were enemies.
Nothing could be further from the truth, as a matter of fact. Not only do Vic and Joe deny such allegations, but, by actions, they show them to be false.
The writer sat with Hanson during the first half of the Cleveland-Phillies game at the Arena, when Sheehan started and the Syracuse alumnus did not get into the game until the second half.
It was apparent that bench duty did not appeal to Vic. While he did not voice his feelings, it is only natural that a boy who has occupied the centre of the stage as has Hanson in school should resent being cast out of the spotlight.
Replying to a query about Sheehan, Hanson was lavish in his praise of the Camden athlete, who had just graduated from Villanova College.
“He’s a mighty good basketball player right now,” declared the great Vic, “and he has the makings of one of the best of them all. He is fast, can shoot, knows plenty about the game and is always willing to learn more. I’d like to be in there with him.”
The conversation turned to Hanson’s college career. Then I suddenly asked him if he intended to stick with Cleveland; if he liked professional basketball.
“Gonna’ Quit Tomorrow”
“Oh, I like it all right,” he replied, “but I think I’ll quit. Yes, sir, I’m gonna’ ask for my release tomorrow and run a team of my own in Syracuse.”
That was interesting news, if true. But I thought Hanson was just “letting off steam,” showing his resentment at being out of the game. Why should he quit? Vic was a big drawing card; Cleveland realized it and he was being paid handsomely.
In the light of later developments, however, Hanson was in dead earnestness that night. He showed that he cares more about the game than the money, for in running his own team he is taking a gamble. At Cleveland he was sure of a nice income.
Incidentally, Hanson sought Sheehan’s services for his team, but Joe preferred to remain with Cleveland.
“If anything goes wrong here, just let me know and I’ll have a job for you,” Hanson told him.
Last week Cleveland signed Elmer Ripley, and simultaneously Sheehan was given his release. Joe seriously considered joining Hanson’s Syracuse club, but at the last minute he changed his mind.
“I guess I’ve had enough basketball for this season,” is the way he put it. “I’m going to get a job and go to work.”
* * *
Neil Can’t Make Up Mind
Another well known basketball star has been in public print recently. Singularly enough, it is he who recommended Sheehan to Cleveland.
Neil Deighan, a member of that great Camden Eastern League club of bygone days, who was with the Phillies in the American League last year, has been offered a position as playing manager for the Hagerstown (Md.) club in the Blue Ridge League. The husky Collingswood athlete formerly managed Madisonville in the Kitty League, and in his heyday ranked as one of the greatest catchers outside the major. Last year he gave up playing for the less strenuous duties of an umpire.
Neil showed me several telegrams from Hagerstown, and the financial inducements were unusually good for a club of that class. But Deighan is undecided.
“I don’t like managing a ball club,” is the way he puts ft [sic]. “And, besides, I have family ties here. I don’t seem able to decide what to do. I haven’t answered yet.”
One thing, if Neil does decide to accept the offer, he will carry with him to Hagerstown the good wishes of hundreds of local players and fans.
* * *
Hyde Signs Contract
Joe Hyde, another local baseball and basketball star, has returned his contract, signed, to the Montreal Club in the International League. Hyde, who, like Deighan, formerly played with Camden in the Eastern League and is now with Immaculate Conception’s court combination, caught for Jersey City in the International two years ago. He left the club and was barred from organized baseball.
When Montreal purchased Jersey City’s franchise, efforts were made to have him reinstated, and they were successful. Whereupon a contract was offered Hyde, and he accepted.
* * *
Seibold Reinstated, Too
Harry “Sox” Seibold, former Athletics twirler, who, after being blacklisted, pitched for Lou Schaub’s Camden club, is back in organized baseball, too.
Seibold, who lives in Riverside, has joined Portland in the Pacific Coast League, the same club on which Freddy Heimach, Camden southpaw, pitches.
Deboskey’s Goals Aid Bengals To Beat Camden in Final Rally
Trenton Times —
Trenton was triumphant in another cage duel with the Camden club when Lou Lansing’s Bengals toppled the Immaculate Conception outfit with a 25-23 count in Camden last night. The victory was earned, as it required more than 37 minutes of the hardest kind of battling for the Tigers to stick their beaks out in front of the score. They trailed from the sound of the starting whistle until foul and field checks by rugged Frank “Butch” Deboskey gave them the edge 24-22 with less than three minutes to play. Johnny Lansing’s lone penalty cast furnished the final counter and the visitors managed to play out the last 70 seconds without having their lead shaved.
This conquest puts the Tigers closer to Salem and Ocean City, the South Jersey League pace-setters, and drops the Irishers down to last place again. Trenton has copped six games while losing half that number, while the Catholic clubmen languish in the cellar with only one victory in nine tilts.
A one-hand “circus” shot from the corner of the court by Bernie Maguire gave the Camden team the lead at the start and they boosted this to 10-5 after about twelve minutes of action. Trenton tied it up at 11-11 a few minutes later, but two free shots by George Boone and another field heave by Maguire gave the home crew the advantage of 15-12 when rest was called.
Fouls by Bart Sheehan, Boone and Harry Cunneff shoved Camden further ahead and they maintained this lead throughout a greater part of the fray. Fourteen minutes after the closing round began Joe Burns replaced Neil Deighan, who was doing noble duty against Lansing at centre. The score favored the Irish at 23-20 when the change was made. Jimmy Ahlbach, the speedy Trenton midget, trimmed a point from the lead and Deboskey followed with another foul. The latter, who sparkled throughout the duel for Trenton, came through with a double-decker that boosted his mates to the fore for the first time.
Ninety seconds of play followed without either side scoring. Sheehan blew a foul and Lansing tallied the last goal. Maguire also missed a toss from the 15-foot mark. The latter shared the feature role for Camden with Boone, while Sheehan and Cunneff plugged hard.
Trenton
| Fld | Fl | FT | FC | A | TP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahlbach, rf | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Deboskey, lf | 3 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 11 |
| Lansing, c | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Salt, rg | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Radice, lg | 1 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 2 | 5 |
| Totals | 7 | 11 | 16 | 25 | 2 | 25 |
Immaculate Conception
| Fld | Fl | FT | FO | A | TP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H. Sheehan, lf | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Boone, rf | 0 | 9 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Deighan, c | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Cunneff, rg | 0 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 4 |
| B. Maguire, lg | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Burns, c | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| H. Lennox, lf | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 4 | 15 | 25 | 18 | 0 | 23 |
Score, first half—Immaculate Conception, 15; Trenton, 12. Referee—Jimmy Brown. Timers—Lansing, Trenton, and Ward, Immaculate Conception.
Umpires’ Asso. Set for Second Season
Camden Courier-Post —
Organization Has Proved a Real Success; Members Are Uniformed Alike
By Abe Corotis
UMPIRES’ ASSO. SET FOR SECOND SEASON
Organization Has Proved a Real Success; Members Are Uniformed Alike
By ABE COROTIS
The South Jersey Umpires’ Association is ready to embark on its second baseball voyage.
This organization, the only one of its kind in the history of South Jersey sports, is the “brain-child” of Frank Ryan, renowned as the organizer of countless baseball and basketball leagues. The formation of this arbitrators’ union is not the least of his achievements.
Organizations of this kind rarely succeed. Usually there is a group or an individual or two who convince themselves that the officers are running things; that they are “being left out in the cold” when the choice assignments are being given out.
Fully realizing this fact, Ryan called his baseball umpires together early in the 1927 season. He suggested an organization; pointed out the numerous advantages which could be derived from one. Also, he pointed out the dangers.
He saw the remedy for one evil which led to the downfall of so many similar groups. Take the assigning of games out of the hands of an active umpire and give it to an outsider, who, while close in touch with the various leagues and schools, wanted no work for himself. This was done, and so the complaint of favoritism and preference was eliminated right at the start.
Judd An Ideal President
Then the “umps” made a good move—they elected William J. Judd to the presidency. Bill Judd is recognized as one of the most capable officials in this section, a man who is respected alike by players, fans and his fellow-arbiters.
Under Judd’s guidance, and with Ryan’s co-operation, the new association went through its nascent season without a murmur of dissatisfaction.
Now, on the eve of its second campaign, the membership has just about doubled. The working staff comprises 24 experienced officials. The complete membership is as follows:
George Adams, David Aron, Emil Aron, Neil Deighan, Elton Ellis, Lindsay Box, Joseph Heitzman, Allen Hubbs, Kenneth Hughes, William Judd, Roy Knaub, Raymond LeNoir, Frank Luker, Isaac Mathis, Leon Metelits, Lee Michael, Roy Nichols, Howard Perkins, Howard Phillips, Thomas Saylor, William Sedgley, Robert Smith, Oscar Stewart and James Tracy.
Last year the association supplied the umpires for the following leagues: Camden County, Camden County Industrial, Camden-Suburban, Reesman Twilight. In addition, members worked in the Burlington County and Gloucester County loops, beside officiating in scholastic games.
School League Falls In Line
The newly-formed Camden Suburban High School League will employ association members exclusively. There is also a strong possibility that the Burlington and Gloucester County circuits will join the Camden County and the others in using association men.
The umpires meet weekly during the active season, and bi-weekly during the winter months. These off-season sessions are held at the homes of various members, thereby adding a social atmosphere to the business activities. This brings the members closer together and strengthens the organization.
The last “social meeting” will be held tomorrow night, and election of officers will take place. The nominating was done two weeks ago. Judd, Luker and Stewart were named for the offices of president, vice president and secretary, respectively, unopposed. Stewart and Dave Aron were both nominated for treasurer.
The association has held various functions during the winter and raised sufficient funds to outfit every member in a regulation uniform. So when the season opens an association umpire will be known by the suit he wears.
64 Plead Not Guilty to Dry Charges Here
Camden Courier-Post —
Horace Brewer — Lillian S. Turner — Neil F. Deighan — John L. Durkin — Thomas J. Boland — Bronx Cafe
64 Plead Not Guilty to Dry Charges Here
Camden Courier-Post —
Bench Warrants Issued for 10 Others When They Fail to Appear
Sixty-four men and women charged with violations of the national prohibition act entered pleas of not guilty today before U. S. District Judge John Boyd Avis at the courthouse here.
Bench warrants for 10 additional defendants who failed to appear were granted by Judge Avis on application of Assistant U. S. Attorney Isadore Worth.
Horace L. Brewer, of 3080 Federal street, owner of Brewer’s restaurant at 531-533 Market street, and Miss Lillian S. Turner, an employe, of 1108 Federal street, were among those who entered not guilty pleas to possession and sale of intoxicating liquor. They are at liberty under $1000 ball [sic] each pending trial.
Neil F. Deighan, 38, of 101 Narberth terrace, Collingswood, owner of the Old Mill Inn, Burlington pike near Pennsauken Creek, also pleaded not guilty to possession and sale.
John L. Durkin, alleged owner, and Thomas J. Boland, bartender, of 205 Arch street, entered pleas of not guilty to indictments charging sale and possession of liquor at the Bronx Cafe, 29 North Third street.
Joseph Regan, 38, of Mt. Ephraim; Robert Shaw, 37, of Philadelphia; and Charles Hendrickson, 30, of Haddon Heights, also pleaded not guilty to possession and sale at the Northmont Inn, Black Horse pike and Fourth avenue, Mt. Ephraim.
Sunday Beer, Bars Adopted by Assembly
Camden Courier-Post —
Amendments to Temporary Law Passed in Early Morning
Sent to Senate for Floor Battle
Hours of Debate Center On Local Option Phase Of Measure
Trenton, June 22 (Thursday)— Sunday sale after 1 p. m. and bars are permitted by a supplement to the temporary state beer law adopted by the Assembly early today. The Sunday sales are dependent on resolutions by the local governing bodies. The temporary law is extended from July 1 to September 1.
The Senate was considering the measure in the hope that adjournment of the Legislature until Fall would be possible early today.
No effort was made to pass a permanent measure, sponsored by Senate President Emerson L. Richards, chairman of the beer control commission. The Assembly vote on the bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Thomas M. Muir, of Union, was 31 to 18 with most of the Democrats opposing it because it did not permit local referenda.
Finally Get Passage
Passage came on reconsideration, after an attempt earlier in the session failed. During the first debate on the bill, Assemblyman Herbert J. Pascoe, of Union, had it amended to provide for Sunday sale on resolution of the local governing bodies.
Minority Leader John J. Rafferty, of Middlesex, led the opposition to this proposal, demanding a referendum clause. Then Assemblyman F. Stanley Bleakly, of Camden, a member of the beer commission, sought to amend it to continue its provisions to December 31.
Fight Sunday Sale.
“We would have had a permanent bill if there had not been so many deals in the Senate,” he declared. His proposed amendment was voted down. Rafferty moved to strike out the Sunday and bar clauses. His motion lost. The measure was put to a vote and mustered only 26 of the necessary 31 votes in favor, and 24 against.
Pascoe then demanded that telegrams be sent to absentee assemblymen to obtain the necessary number of votes. No action was taken on this proposal.
“We can pass a beer bill if the majority will eliminate the bars and Sunday sales,” Rafferty declared.
Majority Leader Joseph Altman, of Atlantic, criticized the minority and “a few disgruntled members of the beer commission who have caused the Legislature to say that beer is to run rampant in New Jersey.” The Assembly then sidetracked the beer problem to continue its other work.
Joining in the protests against Richard’s proposed permanent bill yesterday, was the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association, composed of more than 15,000 dispensers of beer and wine.
Telegrams sent to every state senator by the legislative committee headed by Neil Deighan, of Camden, read:
“On behalf of all licensed beverage dispensers, we urgently request that you oppose the proposed permanent alcoholic beverage act as detrimental to the interests of our community and of those engaged in beverage retailing.
“If the bill is to receive consideration, a public hearing should be held before submitting it to a vote of the Legislature.”
Richards Opens Camden Quarters
Camden Courier-Post —
Jack Weinberg in Charge of Senator’s Campaign for Governor Here
Camden campaign headquarters for State Senator Emerson L. Richards, one of the four candidates seeking the Republican nomination for governor, was opened yesterday in the Hotel Walt Whitman building on the Broadway side.
At the same time, Jack Weinberg, who is supervising the campaign of Senator Richards in Camden, announced a committee of 50 business and professional men of Camden county who will aid him. Weinberg stated a similar committee of women will be announced later this week.
A speakers’ committee is being formed by Edward Martino, Camden attorney, and will meet at headquarters Friday morning. Distribution of Richards campaign material has been started and speakers will begin a tour of the city and county this weekend.
Weinberg has been an active figure in Republican politics in this city for many years. In 1927, he took a prominent part in settling factional differences that existed between State Senator Albert S. Woodruff, former U. S. Senator David Baird, Jr., and Mrs. Elizabeth C. Verga. Weinberg was in charge of the Republican headquarters in that campaign which resulted in the election of the Price-Smith-Sayrs-Reesman-Rhone ticket. He has been an adherent of the Republican organization all his life.
It was because of his personal friendship with Senator Richards that Weinberg agreed to supervise his campaign here. It was at Weinberg’s request that Senator Richards introduced the Sunday sports and amusements bill in the 1933 legislature.
Richards will make two or three speeches in Camden county next week. Noon-day meetings also will be held in the headquarters every day beginning Monday, according to Weinberg.
Weinberg announced the personnel of the general committee as follows: Former Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese, Jack Reiners, L. Scott Cherchesky, Carl Kisselman, Barney Brown, Benjamin Asbell, Eugene Verga, Jay Remington, William D. Sayrs, Jr., Neil Deighan, former Police Captain Charles T. Humes, Meyer Adelman, James Roberts, Neil Zeidman, Dr. Marvin Segal, Byron Edwards, Ellis Goodman, Edward Callow, Morris Bloom, Milton D. Sweiger, Horace Acco, Abe Lippman, William Mead, Ellis Kircher, George B. Ulizio, R. L. Brest, Henry Jones, Samuel Lippman, John McCarroll, Anthony Balatesta, William Kelly, E. L. Kappel, William Felt, James McCarroll, Herman Greenberg, John Sappio, Benjamin Hardy, Joseph Fuhrman, Harry Chew, George Maggee, John Frost, George Smith, John Weber, Frank Evans, R. Radcliff, John Plum and William Udell.
Lou Martin Dies Suddenly at Shore
Camden Courier-Post —
Former W. of P. and Southern High Cage Star Succumbs While on Vacation
Louis Martin — Frank Creeley — Charles Glendenning — Russell Swain — Amos Shirley — Paul “Chink” Taylor — Archie Feinman — Teddy Weinstein — Goldberg — Jack Weinberg — Frank “Sis” Clouser — John Hanson — Neil Deighan — Jim Mulligan — Walter Murphy — Herman Neissner — Tom Kerr — Camden High School
Lou Martin Dies Suddenly at Shore
Camden Courier-Post —
Former W. of P. and Southern High Cage Star Succumbs While on Vacation
Dr. Louis Martin, former basketball and baseball star of the University of Pennsylvania and Southern High School, died in the Atlantic City Hospital yesterday.
He had arrived at the shore several days previous for a vacation and was stricken suddenly with pancreatitis yesterday morning. Rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, he failed to respond to emergency treatment and died two hours later.
For the last decade or more, Dr. Martin had practiced dental surgery in Philadelphia, engaging in that profession upon his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania dental college.
Lou Martin was the greatest basketball player ever developed by Southern High School, Philadelphia. He was captain of the team and played forward. He was a fast floor man and had a great eye for the basket. He was one of the greatest foul tossers of his high school days. (One man shot the fouls at that time.)
Played in Camden against the Camden High School team of 1913, when the Camden team comprised Frank Creeley, center; Charles Glendenning and Russell Swain, forwards; Amos Shirley and Paul “Chink” Taylor, guards. Camden defeated them in that game.
Also played with the Vindex team in the memorable game against the Pyne Poynt Athletic Club. Vindex was in last place in the league standing and the Pyne Poynt A. C. needed only that game to clinch the championship of the Camden City League. Archie Feinman, manager of Vindex, imported the Southern High School team for that game and Pyne Poynt was defeated 37-34. The defeat placed St. Aloysius in a tie for first place, but Pyne Poynt protested the game on the grounds that Vindex had played a “phoney” under the name of Teddy Weinstein. Jack Weinberg was president of the league and he refused to allow the protest.
Weinberg ordered a playoff series between the Pyne Poynt and St. Aloysius teams but the former refused to engage in the series and forfeited the championship.
Later it was discovered that the man who had played under the name of Weinstein was a Philadelphia man by the name of Goldberg.
The Pyne Poynt team at that time was comprised of Frank “Sis” Clouser and John Hanson, forwards; Neil Deighan, center; Jim Mulligan and Walter Murphy, guards, with Herman “Spec” Neissner and Tom “Harp” Kerr as substitutes. It was from that team that Deighan graduated into the major circuit as a member of the Camden team, better known as the Adams Express.
After graduating from Southern High, Martin entered the University of Pennsylvania and proved one of the cleverts [sic] athletes ever to wear the Red and Blue. He played forward on the basketball team and captained one of the teams that won the intercollegiate championship. He played second base on the baseball field.
Name of ‘Old Mill’ Causes Court Row
Camden Courier-Post —
Owner of Vacated Property Seeks to Prevent Transfer to Another Site
Neil Deighan — Raymond Saltzman — George Weidenmann — Charles Wiedenmann — Francis B. Davis — Old Mill Inn
Chancery proceedings to restrain Neil F. Deighan, former president of the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association, from using the name Old Mill or Old Mill Inn were instituted yesterday.
Raymond Saltzman, attorney for George and Charles Wiedenmann, lessors of a property which Deighan has operated as the Old Mill Inn on the Burlington pike, Pennsauken township, applied to Vice Chancellor Francis B. Davis for a restraining order. A rule to show cause was granted, returnable next Tuesday.
The attorney stated Deighan moved from the Old Mill Inn early Tuesday and opened a new place on the Burlington pike at Haddonfield road, about two blocks from the vacated property, and is using the old name. He contended that the name was attached to the Wiedenmann property for many years before operation of the inn by Deighan.
Deighan said last night he had many reasons for claiming the right to the name and that they would be revealed when the rule to show cause is argued. He said the name was registered by him in 1931 and that the business has been incorporated as the Old Mill Inn, Inc., since last February.
N.J. Beverage Men Re-Elect Deighan
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Man Chosen to Head State Association Third Term
N.J. BEVERAGE MEN RE-ELECT DEIGHAN
Camden Man Chosen to Head State Association Third Term
Atlantic City, Oct. 1.—Neil F. Deighan, of Camden, was re-elected president of the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association for a third term at the closing session of the organization’s convention here today.
Election of eight vice-presidents resulted in the following being named: Archie McNew, Gloucester City; John D. Somerlin, Salem; William Rainey, Trenton; Frank Fiore, Atlantic City; Michael Donovan, Bayonne; Gus Fricks, Jersey City, and Walter Rhaesa, Elizabeth.
Frank Davis, of Glassboro, was re-elected treasurer. Two South Jersey men were among trustees elected. They are L. Van Horn, of Camden, and William B. Acton, of Pennsville. George Max, of Clifton, was named sergeant-at-arms, and Edward McCann, of Phillipsburg, was elected secretary.
The Association caustically replied to action of the recent Methodist Conference urging pastors and those who would align with them to exact bone-dry pledges from political candidates.
The Association declared that it was in harmony with all moves to raise moral standards but that it would fight the action of any church group injecting itself into politics in order to gain the return of anything resembling prohibition.
The prohibition experiment was branded in the resolution as the antithesis of improving morality and was called synonymous with other means which increase criminality, disrespect for law and general license. The resolution was one of a series.
Another resolution called the one-man Alcoholic Beverage Commission in New Jersey entirely satisfactory for the enforcement of liquor laws and opposed any change. Still other resolutions termed bootleggers and speakeasies the greatest menace to liquor law enforcement and urged that $100,000 be added to the budget of the enforcement commission, stating that strict enforcement would add $1,000,000 in New Jersey income.
The association urged support of the campaign for moderate drinking and safe driving and volunteered to act as a clearing house for supplying information to authorities on violations and violators of the law.
Old Timers Hold Fete in Paulsboro
Camden Courier-Post —
Bing Miller, Hans Lobert, Big League Coaches, to Attend Banquet Tonight
Bing Miller, Hans Lobert, Big League Coaches, to Attend Banquet Tonight
Paulsboro, Jan. 23.—Bing Miller, former Athletic and Boston outfielding star, and Hans Lobert, erstwhile big leaguer and now coach of the Phillies, are among the top notch diamond athletes who will be on hand this evening to participate in the annual old timers' program which John Fitzgerald is presenting at his grill on Broad street.
Neil F. Dieghan [sic], one-time star backstop in this area, and "Curley" Ogden, Pennsgrove High School athletic director, will also attend. Ogden formerly pitched for the Athletics and for Baltimore.
Mayor Neil Dempsey and members of borough council are also to have dinner with Fitzgerald and take part in the program which follows. "Fitzy," who managed the Paulsboro team and caught when that club was the class of the baseball aggregations here abouts, has promises from most of the players who performed with him 15 and 18 years ago, that they will again turn out for the annual affair. The dinner starts at 6.30 o'clock. Fitzgerald expects that more than 100 persons will be present.
N.J. Beverage Association Opposes State Stores
Camden Courier-Post —
More Power Urged for Burnett Office on Fair Trade Pact
Curb on Price Cutting Sought in Resolution of State-wide Organization
Heavy Penalties Asked
The New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association, in a one-day special convention, passed resolutions flatly opposing inauguration of state-operated liquor stores in New Jersey and asking the Legislature to grant State A. B. C. Commissioner D. Frederick Burnett wider powers to enforce the Fair Trade Act it was announced last night by Neil F. Deighan, president of the association.
Deighan reported the Camden and Jersey City delegations offered the only open opposition to the resolution against the state stores. They argued, Deighan said, that the association may be forced later to advocate state stores to break up price cutting by package stores.
The additional powers asked for Burnett are designed to break up price cutting, Deighan pointed out. He said the resolution asks setting of mandatory penalties, to be enforced by Burnett, of 30 days suspension for the first offense and license revocation for the second offense against the fair trade act.
Deighan said he supported the anti-state stores resolution, both personally and as president.
The association, which met Monday in Trenton, also passed a resolution urging that breweries be placed under the same Federal permit system as that which now prohibits ownership of liquor selling establishments by distillers.
Another resolution continued a committee, authorized to select private brands of whisky to bear the association’s emblem and to be sold only by association members.
The association also passed a resolution disavowing criticism of Burnett as expressed in quotations from Roy Dunn, counsel for the Original Tavern Owners’ Association of Newark, in the Newark News of January 28, went on record as being “not in agreement” with the criticism, and commended Burnett’s administration. Deighan said the resolution pointed out also that “the association represented by Mr. Dunn is not affiliated with the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association.”
A resolution urging the display of “Buy American Whisky” signs in taverns was passed also.
Deighan was given a vote of confidence by the delegates when questions involving administration policies was brought up, John Pennington, head of the Camden Unit, reported.
Camden delegates to the convention were Pennington, Roy Steele, Alfred Munyon, Bruno Bronislaus, Celia Ellis and Tony Paretto.
Safety Council Reorganized Here
Camden Courier-Post —
Harry Roye Chosen President; Committee Heads Named
Harry Roye — Loyal D. Odhner — Charles B. Crabiel — James W. Burnison — Thomas N. McCarter — Mrs. Rocco Palese — John F. Gilliams — Oliver C. Boileau — Arthur Colsey — Charles Errickson — Rev. James S. Pemberton — Dan McConnell — Leon H. Rose — Laura Moore — Russell E. Nickerson — Elber Reim — Elmer C. Pratt — Mrs. Miriam Lee Early Lippincott — Samuel Brest — Neil F. Deighan — William Atkinson — Roy Lanning — Albert M. Bean — Dr. Leon N. Neulen — George W. Guyer
Harry Roye Chosen President; Committee Heads Named
The Camden County Safety Council was reorganized yesterday at a meeting at the Camden County Chamber of Commerce.
Harry Roye, of Westmont former Assemblyman, was chosen president. Loyal D. Odhner was named secretary and Charles B. Crabiel, treasurer.
Four vice presidents were picked to head as many safety divisions. Each vice president also will serve as a district committee chairman.
The The [sic] vice presidents are James W. Burnison, industrial; Thomas N. McCarter, Public Service Corporation, highway; Mrs. Rocco Palese, home and school; John F. Gilliams, Camden, Fire Insurance Association, fire prevention.
Vice chairmen of committees are O. C. Boileau, industrial; Police Chief Arthur Colsey, highway; Battalion Fire Chief Charles Erickson, fire; Rev. James S. Pemberton, First M. E. Church, home and school. Dan McConnell, Courier-Post Newspapers, was appointed director of publicity by Roye.
Leon H. Rose is chairman of the board of directors.
Others named as directors were: Industrial committee, Miss Laura Moore, Elber Reim, Russell E. Nickerson and Elmer C. Pratt; highway, committee, Samuel Brest, William Atkinson, Neil F. Deighan, Mrs. Miriam Lee Early Lippincott, Roy Lanning and Rose; home and school, Albert M. Bean, Dr. Leon N. Neulen and George W. Guyer.
The reorganization was directed by Burnison, president of the Chamber of Commerce, assisted by Roye, Odhner, Brest and Rose.
The council will be affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce. A meeting of the group will be held early in March when directors will be requested to ratify the committee’s action.
Roye said plans to place the council on a workable basis with an active membership will be announced at the next meeting.
Hotel, Cafe Owners Invited by Bar Group
Camden Courier-Post —
Proprietors of Camden hotels, restaurants and cafes, together with their employes, have been invited to attend an open meeting tomorrow of Local No. 263, Hotel and Restaurant Employes and Bartenders International League.
The meeting will be held at the Camden Labor Temple, Broadway and Royden street, and will begin at 2 p. m.
Scheduled speakers include John Daly, First ward freeholder; Neil Deighan, president of the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Dealers Association; John O’Neal, president of the Camden Building Trades Council; Charles Hollopeter, chairman of the Camden county housing program; James W. Bamford, president of the Camden Central Labor Union; and A. K. Plone, attorney.
Charles Pierson, president of the local, will preside.
Old Mill Inn — Matchbook Covers
Old Mill Inn matchbook covers
Safes Blasted in Old Mill Inn, $5000 Is Taken; Guard Tied Up
Camden Courier-Post —
‘Pros’ Work Unmolested by Vicious Police Dog at ‘Deighan’s Place’
Empty Box Passed Up; Charity Fund in Loot
’Pros’ Work Unmolested by Vicious Police Dog at ’Deighan’s Place’
EMPTY BOX PASSED UP; CHARITY FUND IN LOOT
Safe crackers with professional technique early yesterday looted two steel safes at the Old Mill Inn, on Route 25, Pennsauken township, after blasting doors from the strong boxes with nitroglycerine.
Neil F. Deighan, proprietor of the place and president of the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association, estimated the haul was between $4500 and $5000.
Police were mystified by the fact that a vicious police dog, tied in the rear of the building, failed to bark as the robbers parked their automobile near him.
Only two or three yeggmen known to police in South Jersey were capable of the job, it was said. Authorities were convinced that at least one of the robbers knew the dog and was familiar with the entire layout of the building.
Passed Up Empty Safe
The fact that the robbers passed by a large safe which contained no money and went directly to two smaller safes in the rear of the office in the building led to this belief.
So far as is known, only two men worked the robbery—first bigtime safe job in South Jersey in many months—but the dozen police assigned to the case worked on a theory the men had one, perhaps two, confederates.
They escaped in an automobile, later found abandoned in Camden.
The night watchman, Otto R. Vohringer, 42, of 903 Federal street, was alone in the building at 5.45 a. m., two hours and three-quarters after it had been closed in compliance with regulations, when the pair of masked men gained entrance. A bartender, Ernest Mitchell, had left for home an hour before. The men knocked out a cardboard that temporarily was replacing a pane of the front door broken during the past week. The door, police learned, is seldom used.
Investigate Noise
One of the men reached through the empty pane and turned the lock. Vohringer said he was cleaning up the main dining room and heard the noise out front, sounding like the tapping of a steam pipe. He went to investigate.
With the terse assertion “this is a hold-up,” one man, a black scarf masking his face stuck a gun against the watchman’s body. The other man, shorter in stature than the leader, followed. They commanded Vohringer to walk backward the length of the 100-foot dining room and forced him to open, with his keys, a small adjoining storeroom. They shoved him inside. There they bound him with a clothes line, brought along for the purpose, and tied him to a chair.
Warned on Outcry
“We don’t want to hear any outcry,” the first bandit, described as being about five feet nine inches tall, and weighing 180, warned Vohringer. “If you do, we’ll blow your brains out!”
The watchman said he heard a mumble, as the men left him tied in the dark closet:
“This Mr. Deighan has tried to clip me. Now we’ll clip him!”
Vohringer heard their footsteps die down in the direction of the kitchen, in the rear of the south side of the place. Then he said he heard a sound indicating more men—how many he could not guess—were being let into the building through the back door.
There was silence, he said, for 10 or 15 minutes. Suddenly he heard a muffled explosion from the direction of Deighan’s office, directly across from the kitchen. Five minutes later there was another blast, a slight detonation like the first. Then, in a few minutes, footsteps of men hurrying out the back door, the purr of a starting automobile, which sounded as though is was going toward Camden.
Telephones Police
Vohringer struggled with his bonds and in 15 minutes worked himself loose. He telephoned Pennsauken police, and Sergeant Willis Perkins and Patrolman Fred Wyman arrived in a radio car. Police Chief Thomas Thorpe was on the scene a few minutes later.
Chief Lawrence Doran and Detective James Mulligan, of the Camden county detective force, joined the local police in inspecting the work of the safemen. They concluded at once experts performed the job.
The Deighan office is a long and narrow room. The two damaged safes were piled, one on the other, in a back corner. The larger safe was next to the doorway, and near to it were desks where Deighan and his wife, Mrs. Clara Deighan, usually worked. Although the room was a shambles—pieces of cement and steel spattered about from the two blown safes, a typewriter tossed from a desk to the middle of the floor, and an electric fan, which had been on the top safe, thrown on a desk—no damage was done to any other part of the building. The big safe, in which there was no money, was not molested.
Just Enough Nitro
The setup indicated, police said, the burglars inserted almost a perfectly-gauged amount of the highly explosive nitro into each safe, or else the concussions would have inflicted damage for many yards around and been heard for at least a half mile.
In each case, the safes were opened by hammer blows on the tumblers. Then small holes were drilled through the walls, the “soup” was inserted, connecting wires placed in the holes, and a switch adjusted to set off the blasts. The wires were found in the wreckage.
Five hours after the burglary, Camden police received a telephone call an automobile was abandoned on Clinton street near Thirtieth. Radio Patrolman Clarence Barnes and Russell Maurer searched the machine and found a sledge hammer, apparently used to dislodge the safe dials; two broken bottles, one a small vial that had contained nitroglycerine; a box of cigars identified as stolen from the Old Mill Inn; a box containing several hundred pennies, and some loose change strewn around the tonneau.
About this time Louis R. Vogelin, of 702 Division street, notified police his car, which he left in its customary place in a garage at 786 Division street, had been stolen. A check proved it the same car abandoned in East Camden.
Charity Funds Taken
Deighan said the loot consisted of money that was to have been paid employes today for their weekly salaries, Saturday night’s receipts, some money he had withdrawn from a bank to pay a bill, and funds that had been turned over to him as chairman of the state-wide drive for the Betty Bacharach Home. It also included $400 he had intended to give his son, Neil, Jr., as tuition when he left yesterday for Villanova. About 18 months ago the Licensed Beverage Association started a drive to raise $25,000 for the hospital for invalid children at Longport near Atlantic City.
The police dog at the Old Mill, it was learned, is a vicious animal which several weeks ago inflicted wounds on a man’s legs that caused him to have seven stitches taken. The investigators said if the dog had not known the intruders, it would have barked at their approach.
At the scene of the burglary and on the stolen car, state police of the identification bureau obtained fingerprints they said would prove valuable in tracing the bandits.
Camden Courier-Post, January 8, 1940. Otto R. Vehrlinger, Night Watchman.
Checked and Double Checked
Camden Courier-Post —
by Jiminy
Feed Bag: Former Judge Joseph Varbalow will soon announce he has purchased the Towers and Broadway Theatres from the Ellis family … Circuit Court Judge V. Claude Palmer will probably file his decision today in the fraud charges made by the Republican League against the election of Freeholders Ciechanowski and Francesconi … Since Judge Palmer told the Democratic attorney, Alex Feinberg, that Feinberg must complete his entire case in a half a day “because, frankly, I don’t see what answer you can make to this testimony,” you can draw your own conclusions about what the decision will be … Incidentally, Judge Palmer will take a plane July 12 for a vacation at Calgary in the Canadian Rockies … The name of Walter Uliase, Seventh ward Democrat, has been withdrawn from powwows on appointments to the county tax board … Senator Al Driscoll was willing to okay Joe Ackroyd, Democrat, as successor on the board to Fred Schorpp, whose term expired a few weeks ago … The Republicans are said to have figured that in that way, they could hold Victor King on the board awhile longer, even though his term expired more than a year ago … Lee Smith, former WPA director, is still a possibility for the tax board job … The Democrats are holding frequent conferences on who the assistant prosecutor shall be … Police Judge Gene R. Mariano, a strong contender, has reportedly been dropped with Ben Dzick, Tony Mitchell, Charlie Rudd and the Kraft boys still in the running … Police court habitues believe that Gene himself announced indirectly that he had been eliminated when he said from the bench, while hearing a case, “Lady, you’ll find that even your best friends sometimes stab you in the back. I found that out myself only 1 o’clock yesterday afternoon” … That was on Thursday … Mayor George Brunner told the dept that our guess was still as good his, so that leaves Ben Dzick still with the fence position in the race … Mariano may be considered for the $5000 State job as sealer of weights and measures …
***
Miscellany: Neil F. Deighan, the saloonman who led the opposition to a legislative bill which proposed that liquor manufacturers and wholesalers be prevented from selling goods to any retailer who owed them money and that all purchases be made with cash or quick payment credit plan (the bill will die in committee), is having his troubles with some wholesalers … Suits have been filed against Deighan and the Old Mill Inn, Inc., by Galsworthy, Inc., for $1713.51 plus interest; Joseph A. Reinfeld, Inc., for $1366.43 plus interest, and Majestic Wines and Spirits, Inc., for $1579.80 plus interest … The suits are in the New Jersey Supreme Court and allegedly represent unpaid balances of liquor bills … Tom Dickinson, courthouse custodian, is wearing a bright red face these days because the missus sent him to the store the other night for some sandwich meat for their guest… Because of a similarity of trade names, Tom returned home with a package … Of razor blades … The new office of Bishop Eustace may be established at the old Rodger homestead at 721 Cooper street … Vice Chancellor Al Woodruff has left for Chile and some deep sea fishing.
Advertisement — Neil Deighan’s Restaurant
Camden Courier-Post —
neil Deighan’s Restaurant–Night Club — Bar
At Airport Circle Pennsauken (Camden) N.J.
Jersey’s Newest Modernistic Show Place
Healthfully Air Conditioned
Daily Lunches 50¢
Full Course Dinners Daily and Sunday Until 9 P.M.
3 Floor Shows Nitely, Dinner Show 7:00 P.M.
Banquets—Wedding Parties: Res. Mer’tville 2800
Never a Cover Charge
1940s Vintage Postcard
1940s vintage postcard. “Club Shaguire” had been printed on after the card was originally issued.
Neil Deighan’s
Camden Courier-Post —
Restaurant-Night Club
Bar
AT AIRPORT CIRCLE PENNSAUKEN (Camden) N. J.
ELEVATED STAGE
LEONARD COOKE, M. C.
The SINGING GUARDSMEN AND THEIR GIRL FRIEND MARION
The Singing Sensations of Nite Life
HALE HAMILTON, JR., & CO.
MADGE & KARR WARREN BODEN
The RHYTHM MANIACS
IN THE COCKTAIL ROOM EVERY EVENING AND SUNDAY AFTERNOON, 3 TO 5 P. M.
Music by GEORGE MARCHETTI’S ORCHESTRA
ALL-STAR SHOWS NITELY, 7.30, 11.00 AND 1 A. M.
RES.: MERCHANTVILLE 2800
BANQUET, BIRTHDAY AND WEDDING PARTIES
Ad from St. Joseph’s Church Golden Jubilee Yearbook — 1943
Photos
Neil Deighan
A Recollection — Florence Mitchell, August 2004
Pop Deighan made sure he stayed in touch with everyone he had EVER known. He maintained an index of cards with birthdays, anniversaries, addresses, etc. and you could be sure if there was a card in your name you received a birthday card. Pop carried those cards around with him to each tavern he opened. And, if he spotted you in his tavern/restaurant you were treated to at least a drink. There was many, many a time when I saw him approached by an old friend, obviously in need, and Pop never failed to reach into his wallet. And I’ll bet the loan was never repaid, mainly because Pop never expected it. He did not die a rich man for that reason. A more interesting man never lived.
— Florence Mitchell, August 2004
Neil Deighan’s Sons
Hank, Neil Jr. and Rich “Zeke” Deighan
Court Stars of Yesteryear Plan to Turn Out for Dinner
Camden Courier-Post —
Eddie Ferat, Winnie Kinkaid, Bob Dippy and Howard Thomas, Members of Old Camden Electrics, Plan to Attend All Sports Banquet
By FITZ
On a chill March night back in 1902, a driving rain beat against the old Sixth Regiment Armory at West and Mickle streets. Inside a crowd of 1200 persons were cheering 10 husky gladiators.
It was that night that Camden won the National Basketball League championship by defeating New York, 47-34. Sports critics said the Camden team which captured that championship was one of the greatest basketball teams in the history of the game.
Four members of that team will attend the All Sports dinner which will be held at Neil Deighan’s at the Airport Circle, next Tuesday night.
The team was the Camden Electrics. It was organized by the late “Billy” Morgenweck, who also organized the first basketball league in the United States, and the Camden team ranked the best tossers of the 90’s.
Before every game and between halves Morgenweck would give his team members a pep talk and they would receive electric shocks from a battery machine Morgenweck had in the dressing room. The machine accompanied the team on its playing trips. That was how the team got the name of the Camden Electrics.
Four Still Living
The team members who brought that championship to Camden included, “Snake” Deal, Eddie Ferat, forwards; Bill Keenan, center; Charlie Bossert and “Winnie” Kinkaid, guards; and Howard Thomas, all-around substitute. Keenan and Bossert have passed on but the other four will mingle with about 400 other athletes who will also attend the event.
Morgenweck managed other great Camden teams in the 1900’s and some of his stars included Robert “Bob” Dippy, A. L. “Budge” Middleton and Howard Thomas. Morgenweck also loved to enthuse over the doings of Randolph Cramer, Ray Wynne, Tommy Peterson, Leon Goff, Al Gettie, George Tyler, who were among the “boys” who played for him in the old Camden YMCA when the playing floor was lined off and the forwards did all the scoring.
The late Dr. Bossert, who for many years was beach surgeon at Atlantic City, was one of the first men in basketball to develop the “scoring guard” idea under the tutelage of Morgenweck. In those days, the guards devoted all their time to covering the forwards, but when Morgenweck developed the “guards up” play, the idea revolutionized the game. Bossert was a wonder in going up the floor and scoring on center plays.
New York Also Had Stars
The old aggregation played in the Sixth Regiment Armory which figured in a tragic fire some years ago. Such popular figures as “Al” Wendelken and Bob Abadie played with the brilliant New York aggregation while “Sandy” Shields, “Reddy” Barber and John Penino were other stars in the circuit.
With the development of basketball in the New England states and in the old Central League in western Pennsylvania, Morgenweck retired from the basketball picture about 1904, but got back into harness again as coach of the Camden Alpha team in the Eastern League. Ormond “Army” Fitzgerald, Walter McCallion, Charles “Jesse” James, Frank Eames, Howard Thomas, Howard “Kidder” Bourquin and Howard “Bud” Henry were among the players on the team at that time. He gave up the game after several strenuous seasons and was succeeded by the late Ward Snyder, who was responsible for the introduction of Jackie Adams, Jimmy Brown and Eddie Dolin to Camden fans in Alpha uniforms.
Neil Deighan’s
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church Golden Jubilee Year Book — 1943
COMPLIMENTS OF
AIRPORT CIRCLE CAMDEN, N. J.
Phone, Merchantville 2800
The Origin of St. Joseph’s Parish—Continued
held in Camden, the interruption being caused by the burning of Starr’s Hall.
When the mission reopened in 1853, conditions were changed. The Diocese of Newark had been erected, and Camden now came under the jurisdiction of the Most Reverend James Roosevelt Bayley, first Bishop of Newark, instead of the care of the Most Reverend John Nepomucene Neumann, then Bishop of Philadelphia. However, Father Hannegan continued for a short while longer to minister to the spiritual needs of the Camden people. On the 11th day of November, 1855, Camden was erected into an independent parish, separated from Gloucester, and placed under the pastoral charge of the Reverend James Moran. Between Gloucester and Burlington there was not a single Catholic Church, and only occasionally had the several settlements along the Delaware received a visit from a priest.
The old City Hall, or Starr’s Hall, continued to house public Catholic worship until 1859, when a new church building was erected and put into use. This, however, soon proved too small. In 1863 Father Moran was transferred and the Reverend Patrick Byrne appointed to succeed him. Under Father Byrne the new, larger church of the Immaculate Conception was built at Broadway and Market Streets in 1864. The same fine structure stands today, with the addition of the
Bell Phone, 2869 Keystone, 24553
N. Clements
PARTS FOR ALL MAKES OF AUTOMOBILES
Automobiles Bought, Sold and Exchanged
GLASS INSTALLED
Office and Shop, 2027 Howell Street Camden, N. J.