Introduction
SAMUEL B.F. ALCOTT was born in New Jersey in February, 1855 to John Alcott and his wife, the former Elizabeth Fox, most likely in Burlington County, New Jersey, where he resided though at least 1870. By 1880 Samuel Alcott had moved to Camden, New Jersey.
Samuel Alcott served with the Camden Fire Department in 1882 and 1883, as a turnkey at the County Jail in the late 1880s, and also was a member of the Camden Police Department as late as 1905. Late in life he worked as a watchman at the Camden Post Office. Politically aligned with the Democrats, in the full-contact sport that was Camden politics in the years between the Civil War and World War I, Samuel Alcott was a frequent participant.
Samuel Alcott married Rhoda Conn in 1887. Two sons, Richard Smith Alcott and William J. Alcott were born of this marriage.
Samuel B.F. Alcott passed in 1921 and was buried at Pemberton Baptist Church in Pemberton, New Jersey.
Election Frauds in Camden.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
RETURNS ALTERED TO FAVOR THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY CLERK.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Nov. 7, 1885.—At a quarter after twelve o’clock to-day a warrant was sworn out before Magistrate Cassady, of Camden, for the arrest of Harry Gallagher, the democratic judge of the First precinct of the Seventh ward, on the charge of altering and falsifying the returns of his precinct in the interest of Branning. Officers are now scouring this city and Camden for him, but it is alleged that he has fled. Mr. Burrough, the republican candidate for County Clerk, claims a clear majority of 120 over Mr. Branning, and his friends propose to stand up for his and their rights and to secure them. The Seventh ward and Gloucester city precinct returns bear every evidence of having been altered. City Solicitor Morgan, while Harry Gallagher, the Judge of the First precinct of the Seventh ward, was reading off his returns, looked over his shoulder and states that he saw where the words “eighty-three votes for Burrough” had been crossed out and the words “forty-three votes for Burrough” written over it, and the words “one hundred and sixty-three votes for Branning” changed to “two hundred and three votes for Branning.” The ink was not dry on the paper, and it had evidently just been done.
THE PLOT.
It is alleged that the leaders of the democracy, as early as Wednesday morning, determined to put Mr. Branning in office by fair means or foul. That gentleman had put $8,000 in the campaign, and to overcome a supposed majority of fifty-five for Burrough the leaders thought would prove an easy job. Then it was that the returns from the First ward of Gloucester were altered by sixty-one, which would have given Branning a majority. The manipulators, however, were figuring on the reporter’s figures, and knew nothing at that time of the error in the First precinct of the First ward. If they had it is not likely that the attempt of yesterday would have been made. Yesterday morning, finding that Branning still lacked a majority it was decided to alter the other returns, and accordingly the heelers were notified to be on hand, and if any kick was made to squelch the republicans, who were unsuspecting any thing of the kind and totally unprepared for it, into submission. Deputy County Clerk Morgan, after the rush was made for him yesterday, passed through the court room, and here he says he was grabbed by the throat by Samuel Alcott, night turnkey at the jail, who, with an oath, demanded the returns. Morgan refused, and escaped to his fireproof vault with a howling mob at his heels. He was accompanied by Joseph Sweeten and James Crews. After remaining locked up and sending for protection, which was refused, he finally escaped to Philadelphia, returning afterward to his father’s home at Fifth and Linden streets.
The Branning party endeavored to obtain from Judge Parker this morning an order compelling Clerk of the Court Hollingshead to yield possession of the office to John W. Branning. The Court refused. The County Clerk also refused to receive the alleged records. Mr. Harned entered the room, which was full of spectators, and advised the Clerk to place a force in the office and hold it against every assault which the Branning wing of the democracy might make. It is said that Judge Wescott administered the oath of office to Mr. Branning this morning at three o’clock.
Camden News.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Resignation of a Pastor, Meeting of a Council Committee and Other Items.
Jail Warden Samuel Alcott, of Camden, yesterday took Daniel Quinn, a 10 year-old lad, to the Reform school. He was sentenced to that institution last week by Judge Hugg for larceny.
Over in Camden.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A 12-year-old son of Policeman Ripley was badly bitten by dogs.
On complaint of his wife that he had removed shells from their child’s grave, Samuel B. F. Alcott was held under bail yesterday by Justice Quinn.
James Cullen, at one time a popular comedian on the boards of Fox’s Variety Theatre, Philadelphia, was before Justice Paul as a “drunk” yesterday.
Hotelkeeper Charles Ricker, of Tenth and Federal streets, discovered that his bartender, who was about to sail for Australia, had “knocked down” $170 from the bar receipts. The money was recovered.
Alcott Retaliates.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Prefers Charges Against W. J. Thompson in the Americus Club.
There will probably be a lively meeting of the Americus Club, of Camden, to-morrow evening. The club is an organization of stalwart Democrats. Ex-Assemblyman William J. Thompson, owner of the Gloucester race-track, and Samuel B. F. Alcott, are members.
Alcott until recently was a jailer in the county prison. He was discharged by the Court House Committee of the late Democratic Board of Freeholders, of which Thompson was chairman. He claims that Thompson had him discharged and a Republican was appointed in his place.
Alcott has retaliated by preferring charges against Thompson in the Americus Club of “conduct unbecoming a Democrat.” He claims in the charges that Thompson voted to retain a Republican County Physician in office when three Democrats were seeking the position.
The charges were referred to the Executive Committee and Alcott is authority for the statement that the committee will recommend Thompson’s dismissal from the club.
Had a Lively Session.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Sheriff Barrett Says He Will Not Let New Jailers in the Jail.
The new Board of Freeholders of Camden county had a lively meeting yesterday. The appointment of jailers for the county prison was the bone of contention. A minority of the Court House Committee recommended the appointment of John Lee, in place of Abel Miller; Frank B. Vache, in place of D. M. Spence; George Lawson, in place of Jailer Johnson, and W. K. Price as assistant janitor, in place of James Mortimer.
An animated discussion followed. Director Davis, after calling Freeholder Johnson to the chair, advocated tabling the report until the next meeting. A motion to that effect was lost by a vote of 7 to 12. The report was adopted by a vote of 12 to 9, after an amendment was adopted making Edward Endicott one of the new jailers.
Miller, Johnson and Mortimer, who are turned down by the adoption of the report, were selected by a majority of the Court House Committee at a recent meeting, but their names were not referred to the board.
Jailer Spence was recently appointed by Sheriff Barrett to fill the vacancy caused by the discharge of Samuel B. F. Alcott by the recent Democratic Board of Freeholders. The Sheriff is indignant over the removal of Spense [sic] and will not allow the new appointees in the jail. Under the law he is responsible for the safe keeping of prisoners, and he claims that he should have the appointment of at least one jailer.
Simon Kohoet presented to the board a certificate of election as a freeholder from the new borough of Chesilhurst. It was referred to the solicitor for an opinion as to whether or not he was entitled to a seat. Ex-Jailer Samuel B. F. Alcott presented a bill for $27 for extra services, which was paid, despite the opposition of W. J. Thompson, who was instrumental in having Alcott discharged from his position.
More Policemen to Go in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Democratic Members of the Force Are Marked for Dismissal From the Department
According to a statement made by a member of the Police Committee of Camden City Council to an Inquirer reporter, yesterday, charges will be preferred against a number of Democratic policemen during the week and the resignations of the officers are likely to follow.
It was hinted that the resignation of Captain of Police Arthur Stanley will be asked for. Captain Stanley was appointed to the force by Mayor Hatch and has made a number of important arrests.
Charges were preferred against Policemen Samuel B. F. Alcott, of the Fifth ward, and John Miller, of the Fourth ward, yesterday. Alcott is charged with having assaulted William Morris, a fireman, on last election day and Miller with failing to report the operation of slot machines on his beat. The accused men are Democrats. They will probably have a hearing before the Police Committee of City Council the coming week. Alcott was appointed by Mayor Nowrey and Miller by Mayor Hatch.
Policeman Will Contest Dismissal
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Samuel Alcott, Discharged by Councils, Will Take Case to Supreme Court
Policeman Samuel B. F. Alcott was tried last night by the Police Committee of the Camden City Council and dismissed from the service of the city, having been charged with assault and battery upon William Morris, a fireman.
Morris charged that Alcott assaulted him on election day of last year in the Fourth precinct of the Fifth ward, and that Alcott knocked him down. Morris said that Alcott was in uniform at the time of the assault.
After hearing the testimony the Council Committee went into executive session and a few minutes later announced the dismissal of Alcott.
Alcott is a Democrat. He was defended by Attorney William C. French, who said last night, after the decision against his client, that he would ask for a writ of certiorari and carry the case to the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
This is the first move on the part of the Democrats to have the Supreme Court sit in review on the dismissals of Democrats from the service of the city of Camden.
New Police Appointments Under Mayor Ellis
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mayor Ellis, in Camden yesterday, appointed as members of the local police force Samuel Bakley and Edward Laws to fill the vacancies occasioned by the removal of Policeman Alcott and the resignation of Harry Hope. Cornelius Appley and George Murray were appointed substitute policemen.
Alcott Injured at Taylor Grain Elevator
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Former Policeman Samuel B. F. Alcott fell at the Taylor grain elevator yesterday, tearing his left leg. He was treated at the Cooper Hospital.
Camden Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Hugh Kelly, James Harris and William Conway were held in $800 bail each by Recorder Stackhouse yesterday charged with beating Special Officer Samuel B. F. Alcott.
Tax Receiver John S. Roberts, who was stricken Friday at his desk, was reported last night to be greatly improved.
Blood poisoning from burns of the right hand received in fighting a fire at the old “Red Mill” property on April 14 caused Fireman Chros [sic] Stark, of the East Camden fire companies, to undergo an operation yesterday.
Miss Effie Lucas, of Brown’s-Mills-in-the-Pines, and a school teacher at New Lisbon, was admitted to the Cooper Hospital yesterday with her lower limbs severely burned. She was placing twigs on a brush fire when her clothing became ignited.
Herbert Johnson, 12 years old, of 775 Pine street, was attacked and badly bitten by a dog near his home yesterday.
News of a Day in the City of Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Comparatively heavy sentences were imposed by Judge Gaskill, sitting for Judge Joline in the Criminal Court in Camden yesterday. Hugh Kelley, William Conway and James Harris, Philadelphians, who assaulted former Policeman Samuel Alcott, were given eighteen months in State prison. Two years and six months in the same institution was the sentence imposed on Stanley Murray, convicted of breaking into the place of Richard Green, 272 Division street, and stealing $15 worth of junk.
Harry Livermore was given two years for robbing the place of Jonathan Simpkins, 531 Berkley street. Walter Willets, detected in the act of looting the grocery store of Isaac Harris, 1001 Kaign avenue, was sentenced to two years in State prison.
Spontaneous combustion caused a fire which damaged the Wissahickon Dye Works, at Eighth and Spruce streets, $2000 yesterday.
Camden Democrats File Fusion Ticket
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Former Progressive and Republican on Slate—No Nomination Made for Coroner’s Office
As predicted in yesterday’s Inquirer a fusion ticket is to be supported by the Democrat machine at the coming primaries in Camden. Yesterday was the last day for filing nominating petitions and a mixed ticket is shown by the Democrats.
Dr. Duncan W. Blake, the candidate for Sheriff is a former Progressive, and Louis Le Duc, one of the aspirants for Assembly, is a Republican. The rest of the ticket is made up of Democrats and shows no change from that published yesterday.
No nomination is made for the office of Coroner. For membership-at-large on the county ticket the nominations are Walter Farrell, John Cleary, Russell Carrow and Samuel B. F. Alcott.
Photos
Gravestone of Samuel B.F. Alcott, Pemberton Baptist Church, Pemberton, New Jersey