Introduction
SAMUEL F. KESLER, whose nickname was “Rebel Sam” appears to have come to Camden in 1879 from Virginia to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a machinist. The 1880 Census and Camden city directories shows him living at 434 Berkley Street from 1880 through 1887, and at 234 Benson Street in 1890. He also appears in Camden city directories at 888 Penn Street beginning in 1894 and ending in 1898.
According to the 1880 census, Samuel Kesler was born in Virginia in 1843. He married Emma Gamble around 1870, and a son, Laurence, was born in Virginia in 1872. A daughter, Lizzie, was born in New Jersey around February of 1880. The 1880 Census shows Samuel Kesler and his family living at 434 Berkley Street with his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Gamble, her sons Harry, Charles, and George, and her daughter Annie.
Samuel Kesler was appointed to the Camden Fire Department to serve as a Engineer with Engine Company 1, replacing G. Rudolph Tenner. Samuel Kesler served with the Fire Department for one year, then was replaced when Tenner was reappointed.
Epidemic of Crime
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Evil Rampant on Both Sides of the Delaware.
Two Men Severely Wounded in Trying to Protect an Unhappy Woman—Police Records of a Week.
A cutting affray occurred in Camden on Saturday night, which may result in a homicide. In a neat three story frame house, at No. 434 Berkley street, lives Mrs. Gamble, a widow, her married son, married daughter and a single son and daughter. About 11 o'clock on Saturday evening Samuel Kessler, alias “Rebel Sam,” an ex-member of the late Democratic Fire Department, and the husband of the married daughter came home somewhat under the influence of liquor. Seated around the sitting room were his wife, her youngest brother, George Gamble, and his most intimate young friend, Theodore Johnson, who resides at No. 447 South Third street.
It seems that Kessler had always been jealous of his wife, and on numerous previous occasions had threatened to take her life. He called her from the sitting room to the yard and commenced to quarrel with the woman.
As alleged, after a few minutes of this kind of conduct, he drew a penknife from his pocket. Mrs. Kessler made an outcry, which brought her brother and friend from the sitting room to the yard; the two young men attempted to prevent Kessler from killing his wife, which so enraged him that he turned around and plunged the knife into his brother-in-law’s side, felling him to the ground. Then he seized Johnson and slashed him in ten different places about the body and left him lying apparently lifeless on the ground, and endeavored to escape, but was captured about two hours later by Policemen Bob Miller and Shannon, and taken to the city hall, where he was locked up for a hearing before the Mayor to-day.
In the meanwhile Dr. E. R. Smiley was summoned and made an examination of the young man’s wounds. He found ten different cuts about the body of Johnson, the most serious being in the breast, where the knife blade had penetrated the left lung and caused considerable loss of blood. Last night Dr. Smiley stated to an Inquirer reporter that the recovery of Johnson was doubtful, and that he might die before morning.
Kessler, the accused, tells two conflicting stories. One is to the effect that he was leaving the yard by means of the back gate, when he was met by his brother-in-law and young Johnson, who jumped on him and commenced beating his head with a blackjack, and that he did the cutting in self defense. While the other story is that he did not do the cutting, but that it was done by his thirteen-year old son.
The unfortunate young man was taken to the residence of his brother, George Johnson, on Berkley street, below Third, where he now lies in a precarious condition. The neighbors say that the reputation of the family, with the exception of Kessler, is above reproach, while the latter was ill tempered, it is said, owing to his jealousy, which was wholly without provocation. Only a few weeks ago he locked his wife, it is said, in her bed room before going to work in the morning, exhibited a revolver and threatened to shoot her.
Kessler’s Stabbing Victim Out of Danger
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Dr. Smiley has pronounced Theodore Johnson, who was cut by Samuel Kessler last Saturday night, out of danger. Mayor Pratt has fixed Kessler’s bail at $1000.