Introduction
Dr. Orris W. Saunders
DR. ORRIS WILLIAM SAUNDERS was born in Camden NJ in 1876. He was the son of John and Anna B. Saunders. His father worked at a shoe factory in Camden, and soon went into the shoe manufacturing business for himself. In 1880 the family lived at 441 South 4th Street.
Orris Saunders graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1898. When the Census was taken in 1900, Dr. Saunders was living with his parents at 420 North 2nd Street in North Camden. He married Lillian Marie Kelly after the 1900 census enumeration.
After interning at the Red Bank Sanitarium, Dr. Saunders set up his medical practice in Camden’s 8th Ward. He specialized in tuberculosis and general medicine. At the time of the 1920 census Dr. Saunders owned the home at 1700 Broadway, the corner of Broadway and Van Hook Street, with his wife Lillian, sons and daughter, also named Orris and Lillian.
Dr. Saunders was active in politics and civic affairs. He served on Camden’s City Council from the 8th Ward prior to the institution of Commission government in 1923. He ran for election to the City Commission in May of 1927. Although endorsed, along with commissioner Melbourne F. Middleton Jr. and Carroll P. Sherwood, by Camden’s Non-Partisan League, his slate, which included newly appointed Judge Frank F. Neutze, and realtor Carl R. Evered, did not win. Dr. Saunders also served as County Coroner, and was on the original Board of Managers of the county tuberculosis sanitarium at Lakeland. He also served as County Physician, and was elected the president of the Camden County Medical Society. Mrs. Saunders was active in the affairs of the Church of the Sacred Heart, a short walk away at Broadway and Ferry Avenue.
In 1918 Dr. Saunders, along with Alfred L. Sayres, Albert S. Woodruff, Mark Bulifant, William C. Davis, Dr. William E. Miller and O.O. Phillips founded the Parkside Trust Company, a bank which stood at the corner of Haddon Avenue and Kaighn Avenue. This bank later merged with the West Jersey Trust Company. Dr. Saunders served as director with the new bank after the merger.
At the time of the 1930 Census, Dr. Saunders was still living at 1700 Broadway. His neighbors, the Jucketts at 1702 and the Rosevelts at 1704 Broadway, would send their sons off in World War II; John Rosevelt would be killed while serving in the Army overseas in 1945.
In May of 1934, Dr. Saunders was nominated as the Republican candidate for freeholder in the 8th Ward, defeating Walter Sekula in the primary.
Dr. Saunders was still living at 1700 Broadway when he passed away in 1946. His wife Lillian joined him on August 27, 1954. For many years, up until 2003, his home and offices at 1700 Broadway was the site of the Georgiana Ramsey Memorial Home, a facility for the elderly, maintained by the Union American Methodist Episcopal Church.
1700 Broadway
Named: 1700 Broadway, the corner of Broadway & Van Hook Street, and September 15, 2003.
Doings in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Dr. Orris W. Saunders, of this city, has received the appointment of Health Officer for Camden, which position was made vacant by the resignation of Dr. Geo. S. Dayton some months ago.
H. P. Mulford and W. S. [?] have rented the large store recently occupied by Donnelly, on Broadway, near Spruce street, and will open a general merchandise store.
The various orders of Orangemen of Camden held their monthly meeting last Monday evening, and after the transaction of business, adjourned to Capt. James Hutchison’s new building, where an oyster supper was served.
A meeting of the Council of Relief Associations was held last Tuesday evening for the purpose of ascertaining the needs of the poor of the city preparatory to the opening of the winter season.
The many friends of Rev. Father O’Donnell, of the Holy Name Chapel, will be pleased to hear that he is recovering from a severe attack of fever with which he has been afflicted for the past few weeks.
The board of education has made provision for the payment of the teachers of the public schools of the city at the end of each week, instead of at the end of the month, as heretofore.
An attempt to steal a boat belonging to one of the steamboat captains was defeated last Monday night by the watchfulness of George Laing, the night watchman at the wharf. The would-be thief or thieves, being frightened away by Mr. Laing’s appearance, left the boat undisturbed.
Saunders Succeeds Wingender as Coroner
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Dr. Saunders Suffers Blood Poisoning
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Robert Miller Drops Dead as He Plays Pool
Camden Daily Courier —
Robert F. Miller Drops Dead as He Plays Pool
Former City Policeman and First Ward Constable Dies Suddenly
Succumbs From Apoplexy at Second and Arch Streets
While playing pool in Goldenberg’s parlor, Second and Arch streets, this afternoon at 2.35 o’clock, Constable Robert F. Miller, a former policeman, of 315 Pearl street, was stricken with apoplexy and died before medical attention could be summoned.
He served several years on the force and was well liked in the Third ward in which he resided.
He was re-elected constable last election by a good majority in the First ward.
Coroner Saunders gave a certificate of death.
‘Bob’ Miller Dies in Sudden Attack
Camden Post-Telegram —
‘Bob’ Miller Dies in Sudden Attack
Former policeman Robert Miller dropped dead this afternoon in Goldenberg’s cigar store, No. 10 North Second street. Mr. Miller, who was nearly 60 years old, was elected constable at the last election.
Mr. Miller who has a family, lived at 315 Pearl street.
Coroner Saunders was summoned.
Baby Suffocated, Mother Held
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Baby Suffocated, Mother Held
Prosecutor Boyle, in Camden last night, stated he had decided to hold Mrs. Eva Zark, of 717 Ringgold street, whose infant daughter was found dead beside her, until she can be examined as to her sanity. Both County Physician Dr. Jones and Coroner Saunders, who viewed the body of the infant, concluded the body had been suffocated while lying in bed.
Crushed Under Trolley
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Crushed Under Trolley
Women Became Hysterical When Car Struck Boy
Running directly in front of a Gloucester trolley car at Fourth street and Kaighn avenue, Camden, Samuel Goldstein, 15 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Goldstein, of 417 Kaighn avenue, was crushed to death yesterday. Charles Stevenson, the motorman, and Albert Taylor, the conductor, were placed under arrest by order of Coroner Saunders. Taylor was subsequently released, but the motorman was held for a hearing today.
As the time the car was filled with persons going to various suburban points, many of them being women. These became hysterical when they learned that a child had been killed, and especially when it was necessary to jack up the car to get the little body out.
2 Policemen Hurt by Tumbles on Ice
Camden Post-Telegram —
2 POLICEMEN HURT BY TUMBLES ON ICE
Tommy Cunningham and John Gilbert Among the Victims of Slippery Walks.
KNEECAP BROKEN IN WOMAN’S FALL
Driven by a northeast wind, a fine drizzle almost like frozen mist last night coated the pavements with a slippery surface which made walking as safe as though one were on a polished mirror. Those who went to church and others who braved the dangerous conditions to visit friends or relatives found they had their work cut out for them in trying to get along. The streets were as bad as the pavements, even worse where there was rubble stone, for the humps were as many polished projections on which the feet could not possibly get purchase.
Somewhat moderating winds this morning had taken away much of the icy coating, but it was still very treacherous and many had severe falls.
Policeman Cunningham, while patroling his beat at midnight, fell near Mt. Ephraim and Kibalghn [sic] avenues. He struck the back of his head with such force that he was rendered temporarily helpless. He managed to make his way to the patrol box when he sent in a call for the auto ambulance. He was found by the crew profusely bleeding and when taken to the Homeopathic Hospital the interne had a very nasty gash to mend. In addition “Tommie” had a slight concussion of the brain and he was kept at the institution until to-day.
When Policeman Leitenberg neared Locust street and Kaighn avenue about 8 o’clock this morning he saw in the semi-darkness the figure of a man lying on the pavement. On closer inspection he found it was his brother officer, John Gilbert. The latter had fallen with such force that he had wrenched his back. He was unable to assist himself and it was only with the aid of Leitenberg that he was able to make his way to his home on South Fourth street. He was able to go to work later.
Alexander Armstrong, aged 47 years, of 565 Washington street, fell and dislocated his shoulder. He was taken to Cooper Hospital.
Mrs. Ross Alcone, aged 43 years, of Third and Division streets, broke her knee cap in a fall at Sixth and Mechanic streets this morning. She was taken to the Homeopathic Hospital.
A badly bruised rib was sustained by Lewis Allison, a popular Eighth warder, of 798 Viola street, this morning, when he lost his footing and fell heavily to the icy pavement. He is confined to his home under the care of Dr. Saunders.
Seven-year-old Dorothy Penney, of 1539 Lewis street, slipped and fell yesterday, sustaining lacerations of the chin. The little girl was treated at the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.
Charles S. Folwell, aged 65 years, of West Haddonfield, fell near his home and was badly bruised.
Mrs. Nellie Harris, of 1220 Sheridan avenue, slipped on the ice on the porch and broke her knee cap. She is under the care of Dr. W. Moore.
47 More Men Join League to Aid Baird
Camden Courier-Post —
Professional and Business Leaders Back Camden Man for Governor
Forty-seven more prominent professional and business men yesterday joined the Baird-for-Governor Business Men’s League and pledged themselves to work actively in interest of David Baird Jr., for governor, and add special impetus to his campaign.
The league was organized this week at an enthusiastic meeting of 18 outstanding Baird supporters in professional and business life at the Camden Club, 315 Cooper Street. The league membership is open only to business, professional and industrial leaders who are not holding public office and who are not politicians.
The latest enrollments among community leaders pledging themselves to devote themselves to the Baird cause are the following:
F. Morse Archer, president of the First Camden National Bank; Clinton L. Bardo, president of the New York Shipbuilding Company and of the New Jersey Taxpayers’ Association; George C. Baker, of the Baker-Flick Company; Watson Shallcross, president of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce; Howard J. Dudley, Broadway merchant; Thomas E. French, prominent attorney; J. David Stern, publisher of the Courier-Post newspapers and of the Philadelphia Record; Wellington K. Barto, of the West Jersey Trust Company; Dr. Joseph Roberts, Cooper Hospital; William Clement, of the Clement Coverall Paint Company; Robert Wright, of the Haddonfield National Bank; Arthur J. Podmore, of the Camden Pottery Company; Nathan Leopold, Haddonfield druggist; Dr. J. Edgar Howard, of Haddonfield.
Dr. Alfred N. Elwell, of this city; Edward Preisendanz, Clarence Peters, N. Franks, of Franks & Sweeney; U. G. Peters, Ralph D. Baker, prominent real estate man; Archibald Dingo, George Bachman, Sr., and George Bachman, Jr., Dr. O. W. Saunders, Henry Cooperson, Leon Cooperson, Herman Z. Cutler, Charles Bauman, Harry Rose, George Austermuhl, Walter Gulick, Albert Voeglin, Howard Fearn, John A. Schlorer, Ernest L. Bartelt.
William S. Casselman, George M. Carr, J. Price Myers, Carl R. Evered, former president of the Camden County Real Estate Board; Francis B. Wallen, former president of the Camden County Chamber of Commerce; William H. Alff, Edmund J. Alff, Harry Pelouze, Walter Campbell, Dr. Thomas R. Bunting, Joseph F. Kobus and Henry E. Kobus.
Enrollments, it was announced, may be made through the following committee of the league:
Ludwig A. Kind, Thomas Gordon Coulter, Charles H. Laird, Walter J. Staats, Frank C. Middleton, Jr., Frank J. Hineline, William T. Read, Charles S. Boyer, W. W. Robinson, George R. Pelouze, Paul A. Kind, Dr. Paul A. Mecray, Jerome Hurley, Harry A. Moran, James V. Moran, William J. Strandwitz, former Judge Lewis Starr and Frank C. Norcross.
Women — And What They Are Doing
Camden Courier-Post —
Named: Dr. Mabel Grier Lesher, Camden High School, Dr. Helen A. Shrack, Dr. Jennie Sharp, Mrs. A. Haines Lippincott, Mrs. Arthur J. Casselman, Mrs. Orris W. Saunders, Mrs. Alexander MacAlister, and Mrs. William A. Wescott.
Mrs. Saunders Attends Union League Luncheon
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. William F. Zink, of 1151 Princess Avenue, this city, was guest of honor at a luncheon given by Mrs. John B. Ludy, of Germantown, at the Union League, Saturday. Mrs. Zink with Mr. Zink will sail early next month to spend the Summer abroad. Additional guests at the luncheon were Mrs. Philip E. Smith and Mrs. Orris Saunders, of Camden, Mrs. Agnes Richter, of Haddonfield; Mrs. William G. Conroy, of Woodlynne; Mrs. Charles van Ronk and Mrs. Edmund Funk, of Germantown.
Rival Candidates Enter Baird's Fold
Camden Courier-Post —
Endorsements From Same Organizations Cited in Eighth Ward
Contests for the Republican nomination for freeholder and for Republican county committeeman and committeewoman will enliven the primary election May 15 in the Eighth Ward.
Freeholder contestants include Dr. Orris W. Saunders, 1700 Broadway, “Regular Republican,” and Walter Sekula, 1635 South Sixth street, “Regular Organization Republican”; for committeeman, Edmund A. Walsh, 1633 Broadway, “Regular Republican,” and William Tansky, 1903 South Sixth street, “Regular Organization Republican”; for committeewoman, Mamie F. Piraine, 2006 Broadway, “Regular Republican,” and Theresa Maloney Di Lello, 723 Ferry avenue, “Regular Organization Republican.”
Both the “Regular Republican” candidates and the “Regular Organization Republican” candidates announce that they are with the Baird-Baker faction. At the same time both groups claim the endorsements of Republican clubs in the ward.
Active in Politics
Dr. Saunders is a former Camden county coroner, a former member of city council from the eighth Ward, a former city commissioner candidate; a member of the Board of Managers of the Lakeland Tuberculosis Hospital; a director of the West Jersey-Parkside Trust Company.
Walsh has been a county committeeman for two years. He expressed confidence of re-election with a large majority.
Mrs. Piraine has been county committeewoman for three years. She predicts a big majority for the “Regular Republican” candidates at the primary.
Walsh said that Dr. Saunders, Mrs. Piraine and himself have been endorsed by the precinct committeemen and women of the ward; by the Eighth Ward Republican Association, and by the Regular William H. Jones Colored Republican Club, both men and women.
Walsh added that at a workers’ meeting last night at Mill Tavern, Broadway and Jefferson street, attended by 150, the Baird-Baker ticket was endorsed. Mrs. Florence Baker, candidate for state committeewoman, was among the speakers, he said.
Mass Meeting Friday
Walsh also announced that a mass meeting will be conducted May 11 at Empire Hall, Fillmore and Viola streets, when the Baird-Baker candidates will speak.
Sekula said the candidacies of himself, Tansky and Mrs. Di Lello have been endorsed by the Eighth Ward Republican Club and the Jones Colored Republican Club. Sekula said neither club has endorsed the candidacies of Dr. Saunders, Mrs. Piraine and Walsh, who, he added, have only the endorsement of a new Republican club in the ward that has just been organized. Sekula said that as to endorsements by precinct committeemen and women, they are divided in their support.
Sekula is seeking the nomination for a second term as freeholder. He is in the trucking business and served as president of the Eighth Ward Republican Club, 1718 Broadway, for eight years.
Tansky, who has lived in the ward 24 years, served three enlistments in the Army and the Navy and is in the cafe business. He was 15 when he served in the World War, the youngest soldier. He is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wards, Post 980.
Sekular [sic] predicted victory for himself, Tansky and Mrs. Di Lello.
Club Endorsement Denied in 8th Ward
Camden Courier-Post —
Denial was made by three Eighth ward candidates, Walter Sekula, William Tansky, Jr., and Mrs. Theresa Maloney Di Lello, that their opponents have the endorsement of two political clubs.
Boy Shot, Many People Hurt in Eighth Ward Riot
Camden Courier-Post —
Youth Cut in Chest by Bullet; Bystander Cut on Head
POLITICAL LEADERS PUT TO QUIZ BY DETECTIVES
At least one person was shot and many were hurt in a street battle last night that was the aftermath of a bitter political contest at the primary election between rival Republicans factions in the Eighth ward.
When nearly a score of police arrived in response to a riot call from Sixth and Viola streets a crowd of 1000 excited residents of the ward had gathered there and a dozen or more individual combats were in progress.
Bullet Hits Boy
Nicholas Sustich, 15, of 1804 Hale street, was treated at Cooper hospital for a flesh wound of the chest, which police said was caused by a ricocheting bullet.
Joseph Samenick, 1005 South Sixth street, was treated at the West Jersey Homeopathic hospital for cuts on the forehead. He claimed to be an innocent bystander.
Others were treated for minor injuries by local or family physicians, having been taken away from the scene of the riot by friends before the arrival of the police.
Detectives investigated a report that Isaac D. Shute, former city detective and former county committeeman from the Eighth Ward, had been shot in the leg. According to Detective George Zietz, he learned from a member of Shute’s family that he had received treatment by a physician for cuts of the right hand resulting from a fall.
After questioning a score of persons at detective headquarters last night, including leaders of each of the rival Republican factions, John Hess, 34, of 1825 South Sixth street, was arrested on a charge of illegal possession of firearms and held in $1000 bail for a hearing in police court this morning.
Parade Starts Melee
According to Zeitz, the melee started when a parade led by Nicholas Scarduzio, of 1863 South Fourth street, former summer policeman, stopped in front of the saloon of William Tansky, Jr., 1903 South Sixth street, two doors below Viola street.
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Tansky was unsuccessful candidate for the post of county committeeman in the Tuesday primaries. He was reputed to be backed by the Woodruff-Verga faction.
The parade was in celebration of the victory of Dr. Orris W. Saunders, who won the Republican nomination for freeholder, defeating Walter Sekula, the incumbent, of Edmund A. Walsh, who defeated Tansky, and of Maime F. Piraine, re-elected county committeewoman over Theresa Malony Di Lello. The successful candidates were of the Baird-Baker faction.
Walsh and Miss Piraine were in the parade, according to Zeitz. The celebration of victory had started the night before and centered largely throughout the day in the saloon of Celie Ellis, across the street from
that of Tansky.
More than 100 persons were in the procession, which was led by an improvised band of accordians, fifes, drums and bugles.
When it stopped in front of the Tansky place, according to the police, Benjamin Tansky, 30, a brother of the proprietor, came to the door of the saloon and objected to the political jibes that were hurled by the parading factionalists.
Bloody Free-For-All
When the paraders remained, the police said, hot words were exchanged, a dozen or more others who were in the Tansky place came out, and the battle started.
Eye-witnesses described it later as a bloody free-for-all in which fists and “billies” were used. The riot call was sent to police at 7.30.
Motorcycle policemen converged to the scene and a squad of detectives arrived led by Zeitz and including Leon Branch, Fiore Troncone and Richard Donnelly. Many of the combatants fled, but hundreds remained
as police and detectives strove to locate the injured, most of whom had been removed.
Scarduzio Beaten Badly
They learned that Scarduzio had been badly beaten on the head and that two shots had been fired in the melee.
According to Zietz, Hess admitted at detective headquarters that he had fired the shots from a revolver which he had procured from back of the Tansky bar, and that he had aimed the shots at the pavement for the purpose of “scaring” the parade crowd away.
Benjamin Tansky told police that when he remonstrated with the rival political group about 15 of them attacked him. They knocked him down, he said, and poked him in the eye with a pole. He exhibited a black eye to substantiate his story.
Zietz said he found a loaded revolver, with two shells fired, in a radio cabinet in the living room behind Tansky’s barroom.
Shooting Suspect in 8th Ward Riot Held in $1,000 Bail
Camden Courier-Post —
John Hess, left, was held for the grand jury on charges of illegal possession of firearms as a result of the shooting incident at Tansky’s Cafe. At right is his attorney, Edward V. Martino.
Medical Auxiliary to Hear Physicians
Camden Courier-Post —
Diabetes and Mental Hygiene Subjects for Public Relations Meeting
Diabetes and mental hygiene in their relation to public health will be discussed authoritatively at the annual public relations meeting and tea of the Auxiliary to the Camden County Medical Society to be held tomorrow afternoon in the Camden Woman’s Club, 424–26 Linden Street.
A discourse on diabetes will be presented by Dr. Alexander Ellis, of this city, who is a member of the Cooper Hospital staff, in charge of the out-patients diabetic clinic.
“The Basic Principles of Mental Hygiene” is the topic which has been announced for a second speaker, Dr. Camilla M. Anderson, secretary of the Mental Hygiene Committee of the Pennsylvania Public Charities Association.
Dr. Anderson covers the entire state of Pennsylvania. She is the psychiatrist in charge of the women’s division in the Pittsburgh City Hospital and the Allegheny County Hospital. She is assistant professor of nursing at Duquesne University and a special lecturer on mental hygiene in the department of nursing education at the University of Pennsylvania. “Emotional Hygiene, the Art of Understanding” is the title of a book which was written by Dr. Anderson during the past year and which recently has been published.
Mrs. Orris W. Saunders, of this city, is hospitality chairman for the day. Mrs. Arthur J. Casselman, of this city, and Mrs. E. Reed Hirst, of Haddonfield, will pour and those assisting will be Mrs. William Braun, Mrs. Penrose Thompson, Mrs. A. Lincoln Sherk, of Merchantville; Mrs. Kenneth B. MacAlpine, of Gloucester; Mrs. Kenneth Athey and Mrs. Alfred M. Elwell, of this city.
The Auxiliary has planned a fashion show to be followed by cards for Monday evening, March 7, in the Hotel Walt Whitman. Mrs. H. Wesley Jack, of Haddonfield, is general chairman for the affair.
Mrs. Oswald R. Carlander, of Merchantville, is president of the Auxiliary.