Introduction
Samuel M. Shay, c. 1926 and 1934
Samuel M. Shay was born in New Jersey around 1885. He was appointed to a five-year term as Judge of the Common Pleas Court in Camden County in March of 1922 by Governor Edwards. He was reappointed in 1927.
During this time Samuel Shay was involved with several business and civic groups, and was active in the fund raising drive that culminated in the building of the Walt Whitman Hotel at Broadway and Cooper Street.
Judge Shay married at the age of 41. At the time of the April 1930 Census, he was renting a house at 314 Volan Street in Merchantville with his wife Alice and two daughters, Elizabeth A., not yet 2, and Joan E. Shay, 8 months of age. The Shays lived adjacent to E. Huelings Antrim, whose family business, Antrim Hardware, operated in Camden for over a century. A son, Samuel, was born after the Census was enumerated.
Samuel M. Shay had passed away by the time the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled. His wife and children were still residing in Merchantville, at 121 Browning Road, a block which included Albert S. Woodruff at 101; Dr. A. Lincoln Sherk at 106; contractor Edward Ellis at 125; the Bottomley family, who were connected to the Howland Croft & Sons Co. textile mill in Camden, at 129; E. Huelings Antrim at 131, and former Camden Mayor Roy R. Stewart at 226.
Samuel M. Shay Sworn as Judge
Philadelphia Inquirer —
SAMUEL M. SHAY SWORN AS JUDGE
New Jurist Is Youngest Man Ever Named to the Bench in Camden
With the honor of being the youngest man ever named to the bench in Camden, Samuel M. Shay was sworn in yesterday as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Camden county by County Clerk William D. Brown in the presence of a large gathering of lawyers, many friends and the father, brother and two sisters, Anna and Gertrude, of the new jurist. The Misses Shay were in deep mourning because of the recent death of their mother. Miss Gertrude was in tears when the oath was being administered.
John B. Kates, the retiring judge, urged the new jurist to leave his worries at the court house and advised him to have union rules and close court at 4 o’clock. He told Judge Shay that he was ready at all times to aid him in every possible way. Prosecutor Wolverton, former Judge Boyle, Walter Keown, John A. Penn and Harvey Drake congratulated the new judge and assured him of the support of the bar.
Expressing his appreciation of the high honor which had been conferred on him, Judge Shay said he would administer the affairs of the court to the best of his ability. The bench was filled with floral designs, including gifts from the Knights of Columbus and officials of Woodlynne, of which borough the new judge is solicitor. Judge Shay is 36 years old and is a graduate of Temple College and also of the Catholic University, at Washington, D. C.
John B. Kates — Samuel M. Shay — William D. Brown
Samuel M. Shay was today sworn in as the youngest judge on the Camden County Court of Common Pleas bench. The ceremony followed his appointment by Governor Edwards to fill a vacancy on the court. Shay, educated at Temple College and Catholic University in Washington, D.C., had established himself as a prominent Camden attorney before ascending to the bench.
Camden Democrats to Invade Trenton
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Aiming to take a thousand men to Trenton to march in the parade the Camden Democratic Club is preparing for participation in the inauguration of Governor-elect Edwards on January 20. A special train will carry the Camden faithful, who will be marshaled by George Kleinheintz. George Fisher is chairman of the committee and is being aided by Samuel Shay, E. J. Kelleher, R. Gimello, John T. Cleary, William Schmid, Joseph Keefe and Frank Homan.
Conn L. Mack Honored By Friends at Dinner
Camden Daily Courier —
By FRANK SERIDAN [sic].
Men of all political creeds gathered at the festive board on Saturday evening at Silver Lake Inn in honor of Daniel P. McConnell, sports editor of the Post-Telegram, better known as Conn L. Mack or Applesauce Dan.
Dan sort of owed the boys a dinner because of a new arrival at his home but we thought we would save him the money so we gave him the dinner. You married men, especially Howard Miller, know how that is.
Well it was some party. Judge Samuel M. Shay presided for a while as toastmaster then City Solicitor Howard L. Miller elected himself to rule over the restinies [sic] of the meeting much to the contempt of the Court.
“Red” Brigham, a newspaper man, made the speech of his life. He still insists that he is the only speaker, who paid a tribute to the guest of honor of the evening. “Red” was there when it came to quoting Shakespeare.
George Jacobs’s necktie was one of the bright spots of the evening. Mack Parker had a terrible time trying to set up an alibi. As cleanup man of the Post-Telegram staff, nearly all those of Democratic and No Party faith, agreed he was a good man to stay away from during campaigns.
But Charley Wolverton, former prosecutor, eased up the situation when he vouched that no newspaer [sic] man ever broke faith with him during his many years in the prosecutor’s office, either as an assistant or the big noise.
Genial Ethan Wescott, now Prosecutor of the Pleas, traveled all the way from Princeton to pay a tribute to our Dan and it came from his heart.
Al White, the jovial City Clerk, admitted he was a candidate for some office last Tuesday. He asked Charley Wolverton how it felt to know you were defeated before election. Charley said he was sure of his election a year ago, even after the votes were counted.
Frank Neutze paid a nice tribute to our Dan which the boys appreciated.
Eddie Kelleher, of Miami, Trenton and Camden, erstwhile political leader of Democrats, et al, said “May it please the court” and Judge Shay smiled as hopes of five more years on the bench loom on his horizon as a result of the election of Moore.
Mister Frank H. Ryan, sports editor of the Courier, simply blushed crimson pink when interrogated as to why he was so late.
Larry Doran, chief of county detectives, supported Mr. Wolverton in his contention that newspaper men never lie. All agreed that Larry must be a good detective because he has survived all kinds of administrations at the Court House.
“Tom” Littlehales, formerly a Councilman from the Ninth ward, but now a Philadelphian, crossed the river to join in the tribute to Dan and the bunch appreciated his thoughtfulness.
The guests included: Judge Samuel M. Shay, Prosecutor Ethan P. Wescott, former Prosecutor Charles A. Wolverton, Edward J. Kelleher, City Solicitor Howard L. Miller, Assistant City Solicitor Frank F. Neutze, City Clerk Alfred White, Edward Ferat, Thomas N. Littlehales, W. Brown, Charles H. Klump, Joseph Norcross, Lawrence Doran, Howard Smith, William Cleary, William Lyons, James Wren, George H. Jacobs, Frank H. Ryan, Andrew McLean Parker, John Brigham, Jack Dean and the oversigned.
4000 More Register in Camden Amid Fights
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Total Voters for May 10 Now 36,000; Eighth Ward Has Battles
More than four thousand unregistered voters in Camden took advantage of the special registration day, which the Walsh act, governing commission form of Government, allowed to take place yesterday.
The heavy enrollment boosted the number of qualified voters who may cast their ballot for a choice of city rulers at the municipal elections on May 10 to more than 36,000.
Incidentally, this is the largest number of voters that has ever signified their intentions of participation in the city elections since the founding of Camden in 1628, according to political leaders. Jubilation was expressed by political officials of the Non-Partisan League and Republican organization, both of whom have announced its candidates for the coming election “battle.”
The Eighth ward of Camden yesterday was the scene of two near-riots which resulted in the arrest of eight men and their subsequent release after a sharp debate between Judge Samuel M. Shap [sic] and city police officials.
The Eighth ward battle was waged with “Mikey” Brown, Republican executive committeeman, aligned against Joseph “Mose” Flannery, Browns’ one-time political lieutenant and present adversary. Flannery and Joseph Scarduzio, one of his cohorts, were twice arrested during the course of the day. Flannery, with four others, was released last night at a special hearing before Criminal Court Judge Samuel M. Shay following issuance of a writ of habeas corpus.
Patrons Announced for First Military Ball
Camden Courier-Post —
Patrons and patronesses for the first military ball of the Camden Post No. 960, Veterans of Foreign Wars, to be held on Friday evening February 3 in the Elks auditorium, Seventh and Cooper Streets, are announced today.
The following prominent men and women are listed: Mrs. J.W. Connor, Miss C.M. Day, Mrs. J.H. Forsyth, Mrs. H.J. Goodyear, Miss B. Graham, Mrs. R.E. Green, Mrs. E.F. Haines, Mrs. J. Hood Jr., Mrs. W. Hurley, Mrs. J. Jarrell, Mrs. T. Keefe, Mrs. J.F. Kobus, Mrs. L. Liberman, Mrs. F.L. Lloyd, Mrs. M.A. Logan, Mrs. T.P. McConaghy, Mrs. F.F. Neutze, Mrs. L.K. Marr, Mrs. J.A. Pennington, Mrs. M.E. Ramsey, Mrs. E. Truax, Mrs. S.M. Shay, Mrs. W.J. Staats, Mrs. B.G. Tarburton, Mrs. R.W. Waddell, Mrs. E. Watson, Mrs. E.P. Wescott, Mrs. C.A. Wolverton.
David Baird Jr., William T. Boyle, Isaac Ferris, William Hurley, John Hood Jr., John Jarrell, Victor King, William J. Kraft, Thomas Keefe, Joseph F. Kobus, Hon. Edmund B. Leaming, Dr. A. Haines Lippincott, James H. Long, L.K. Marr, Dr. Thomas P. McConaghy, Hon. Frank F. Neutze, Samuel P. Orlando, Albert E. Simmons, Edwin Watson, Ethan P. Wescott.
Lack of Work Hits Court Probationers
Camden Courier-Post —
Judge Shay Told Many Meet Obligations With Difficulty
Delinquent husbands are blaming acute industrial conditions for their inability to live up to support orders placed upon them by the court, it was revealed today in the annual report of Clifford Shemele, chief probation officer of Camden, to Judge Samuel M. Shay, common pleas court.
“For the past two or three months,” Shemele said in his report, “the employment situation has been acute making it difficult for those under probation to secure employment. This office has endeavored to secure employment for these men with the cooperation of the state employment office. However, it is possible working conditions may be adjusted soon and it may be easier to secure employment, especially for those on whom court orders have been placed.”
Shemele reported that from January 1, 1927, to December 31, 1927, the Camden probation office has collected $29,049.
This amount was divided as follows: Support orders, $26,140; fines, $1,623; restitutions, $1,286. The support money was collected from 117 probation officers. Of this number, 90 were court orders; 15 through the prosecutor’s office, and five were voluntary.
Ten persons seeking probation were reconciled to their families. Of the 131 new cases during the year, 51 were charged with desertion and non-support. There were 16 re-arrests and 41 summons for persons to appear in court were issued. Ten persons were committed to the county jail, one to the state prison and four to reformatories.
Judge Shay to Be Next Prosecutor
Camden Courier-Post —
Trenton, Jan. 31—The name of Judge Samuel M. Shay, of the Camden County Court of Common Pleas, has been handed to Governor Moore as the choice of the Camden Democratic organization for prosecutor, succeeding Ethan Wescott.
The name was submitted to Governor Moore last night by a delegation of Camden Democrats, headed by Edward J. Kelleher.
That Governor Moore will send the nomination to the State Senate appears certain, and it not likely that any serious objection will be raised in that body, inasmuch as Judge Shay’s reputation is of the highest and he has been twice before confirmed for the judgeship by the Senate.
The choice of Judge Shay was a big surprise in state Democratic ranks, and started a flurry of speculation. If Judge Shay is appointed to the prosecutorship it will leave a vacancy on the bench of the Court of Common Pleas. Although the Camden Democrats are said to be a unit in supporting Shay and also on the other changes they contemplate, no definite word leaked out as to who will be Shay’s successor on the bench.
Judge Shay’s appointment as prosecutor, it was said by Camden Democrats who were here last night, mean drastic changes to the personnel of the Camden Prosecutor’s office. One of the rumors in effect is that District Court Judge Frank F. Neutze will be elevated to the County judgeship and that Prosecutor Wescott will succeed Neutze. It is also rumored that Judge Shay’s present post may go to either former Judge William T. Boyle or former Judge William C. French. Both Boyle and French formerly held the county judgeship position.
Another rumor is that Samuel P. Orlando will be named first assistant prosecutor and that either Francis G. Homan or Lawrence Gregorio, the incumbent, will be named second assistant prosecutor.
The names of former Police Judge John T. Cleary and Assistant Prosecutor Joseph A. Varbalow also figure in the rumor. Cleary has been mentioned as first assistant prosecutor several times.
Judge Shay is now serving his second term as Judge. He was reappointed for a five-year tenure of office last March. The term of the prosecutor’s office also is five years.
The proposed changes are said to be steps toward a complete reorganization of the Democratic party in South Jersey.
State Senator Joseph H. Forsyth, whose ‘O.K.’ is necessary before the appointment of Judge Shay could become official, under the “Senatorial courtesy rule” would not comment on the situation here today.
Interviewed in the Senate Chamber prior to the opening of today’s session, Senator Forsyth refused to admit that Governor Moore had sent for him last night and had discussed the appointment of Judge Shay. Forsyth’s answer, however, indicated that he had been in conference with the Governor on the subject last night.
“I have not made up my mind as to my attitude on the nomination of Judge Shay,” Senator Forsyth said. “I want to take up the matter with the Governor first. I do not think it would be proper to give my decision to the newspapers before I discuss the matter with the Governor.”
Headed by Assistant Prosecutor Lawrence Gregorio, County Detective Frank Cocchilaraley and Justice of the Peace Jack O’Grady, a delegation of Camden Democrats were scheduled to arrive in Trenton this afternoon for a conference with Governor Moore in the interest of Prosecutor Wescott. O’Grady stated he will present letters from the Bricklayers and Ironworkers Unions urging the reappointment of Wescott.
‘Babe’ Denies Guilt
Camden Courier-Post —
Anthony Paradise And Two Alleged Dope Peddling Aides Enter Not Guilty Pleas
Pleas of not guilty were entered by Anthony “Babe” Paradise and two of his alleged dope-running accomplices when they were arraigned in Criminal Court today. Judge Shay did not fix a date for the trial of the three defendants but it was said they would be tried at the present term of court.
Paradise, James Mucci and Rocco De Cord are charged with peddling dope in this city. The Grand Jury recently returned eleven indictments against Paradise, five against Mucci and six against De Cord.
The trio was arrested by federal narcotic agents and city detectives who late in December raided Paradise’s home in Cramer Hill. The U. S. agents claimed that Paradise was the “master mind” of a local dope ring. The men will be tried later on federal charges, it is said.
Man Is Held in Court for Taking Cop's Pants
Camden Courier-Post —
There is an old yarn about the policeman who lost his badge. Down in Haddonfield there was a story told recently about a patrolman who had his gun stolen. But this limb of the law lost his trousers.
However Judge Samuel Shay dealt leniently with the offender when the case was given an airing in criminal court here today.
Suspended sentence was imposed on Andrew Wojtkowak, of 1227 Chase street, who pleaded non-vult to the charges of larceny and carrying concealed deadly weapons.
Wojtkowak was accused of robbing the home of Policeman William Michalak, 1204 Sycamore street on the night of May 29, of last year. He was captured with the policeman’s trousers and revolver in his possession. The man was subsequently committed to the county jail on default of $1000 bail.
Judge Shay suspended sentence on the charge of larceny of the trousers when Assistant Prosecutor Lawrence Gregorio interceded and said that the man had spent several months in jail which he thought was ample punishment for the crime. The judge, however, fined Wojtkowak $50 on the charge of carrying concealed deadly weapons.
Three Men Are Jailed in Slot Machine Theft
Camden Courier-Post —
Convicted of stealing a slot machine from a store conducted by Mrs. Rose DeMartin, whom they knocked down during a holdup, three men were sentenced today to terms of three months in the Camden county jail.
William Humphries, of 2252 Mickle street; Horace Haines, of 2253 Mickle street, and John Lemmons, of 2014 Cooper street, were the defendants. They were found guilty Tuesday. The crime was committed November 2 at Mrs. DeMartin’s store, Fourth and Mechanic streets. Judge Samuel M. Shay imposed the sentence.
Girl’s Screams Win Brother Clemency
Camden Courier-Post —
Judge Imposes Fine on Youthful Burglar After Her Mercy Plea
Piercing screams of a young woman that threw the Camden Criminal Court into disorder resulted in the changing of a three-months sentence imposed on her brother to a small fine.
The brother, Thomas Bradley, of Somerdale, and a friend, Joseph Pughis, of Magnolia Heights, had pleaded “non vult” to charges of breaking, entering and larceny, and were arraigned before Judge Shay yesterday afternoon for sentence. When the court imposed jail sentences of three months on each of the youths, Mrs. Florence Doris, of Somerdale, sister to Bradley, rose to her feet in the courtroom and hysterically screamed.
“Don’t send my brother to jail!”
Her screams were followed by convulsive moaning and sobbing and court attendants were obliged to lead her from the courtroom. Scott Cherchesky, counsel for the two youths, pleaded for leniency for the sake of the sister, while Samuel Campbell, proprietor of the Magnolia Heights poolroom which was robbed of a radio and battery by the two defendants, also recommended leniency. Upon a motion by Assistant Prosecutor Varbalow, the two boys were brought back from the cells to the court.
“The complainant in this case has recommended mercy,” stated the court. “I believe you stole these articles to annoy him, rather than to really steal. However, breaking and entering and robbery is a very serious offense, one for which you could serve seven years. However, on application of this complainant, I will reconsider sentence, fine you $75 each and place you on probation for one year.”
Gets 10 Years in Speedy Hold-Up Verdict
Camden Courier-Post —
A jury in criminal court this afternoon deliberated less than two minutes to find Arthur Baynard, 631 Sycamore street, guilty of highway robbery, carrying concealed deadly weapons and assault and battery. Judge Shay immediately sentenced Baynard to ten years at hard labor in State Prison. Baynard was charged with holding up Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bowes, of Bellmawr, on November 13 last.
“It’s a good thing you got me,” the prisoner shouted at Bowes as he was being led from the courtroom. “If you hadn’t got me first I’d have gotten you.”
Woman Admits Making Liquor for Medicine
Camden Courier-Post —
Her physician prescribed whisky for her ailment, so she secured a ten-gallon still and made it.
That was the novel defense offered by Mrs. Minnie Burmelo, 681 Van Hook street, who pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing liquor when she was arraigned before Judge Shay in Criminal Court yesterday. She was arrested when her place was raided by police in December.
“The doctor said I should drink a tiny bit of liquor once in a while,” she declared. “I didn’t have any money, and a man who was moving from Camden gave me his still, so I made my own medicine.”
“After you became well, why did you continue to manufacture it?” questioned the court.
“My husband got out of work,” she replied, “and I had to support my six children.”
She was fined $125, which she will be allowed to pay in weekly instalments.
Woman Witness Kidnapped, Belief
Camden Courier-Post —
Blonde, Accusing Three Men Disappears as Time for Trial Nears — Cops Are Unable to Find Any Trace — Husband Reports 2-Year Old Daughter Also Has Vanished
Vanishing from her home on the day she was to have appeared as complaining witness at the trial of three men accused of attacking her, Mrs. Sara Riccarti, 19-year-old blonde, of 118 Pearl street, is the subject of a wide police search today.
Declaring his belief that she had been kidnaped, Michael Riccarti, husband, reported her disappearance this morning to City Detective Fiore Troncone. The couple’s 2-year-old daughter, has also disappeared.
Troncone said this afternoon that he would question the three men who were to be tried for attacking the young woman, who has been missing since Friday. Trial of the trio was set for Friday before Judge Samuel M. Shay in Camden Criminal Court. When Mrs. Riccarti failed to appear, the case was postponed until today, and another postponement was taken when Judge Shay learned of the young woman’s disappearance.
Mrs. Riccarti is 5 feet 4 inches tall, has blonde hair and blue eyes. When last seen she wore a black hat, a dark brown coat, a black dress and white stockings.
It was on the night of January 11 that Mrs. Riccarti, according to her story to police at the time, was taken in a taxicab to a house at Second and Benson streets, where she was attacked. She had feared to leave the restaurant on North Third street where she was employed, she said, because of a group of men who had been loitering in the vicinity. She summoned the taxicab, she declared, and when it arrived one of the men slipped into the seat beside her and ordered the driver to go to Fourth and Washington streets, where two other men joined them. Then the cab went to Second and Benson streets, where she was attacked, she declared.
Detective Troncone arrested Fiore Dalesandro, 20 years old, of 415 South Third street; Louis Derenzo, 26 years old, of 232 Pine street, and James Abbonzio, 23 years old, of 435 South Fourth street. Later, Thomas O’Neill, of Stevens near Second street, was also arrested. The four men were arraigned before Judge Bernard Bertman in Police Court and held under bail of $5000 each. They obtained bail and were released. Indicted by the grand jury, they were to have gone on trial on Friday.
Derenzo was the driver of the taxicab in which she was taken to the place of the attack, Mrs. Riccarti declared. Abbonzio, known as “Jimmy Al,” provided the bail bonds for himself and his companions.
Colanduno Guilty of Dope Peddling
Camden Courier-Post —
Convicted by a Criminal Court jury of conspiracy and the possession and sale of narcotics, Joseph Colanduno, 29 years old, 431 Walnut Street, said by police to be a member of a powerful dope ring in Camden, will be sentenced by Judge Shay tomorrow morning.
The jury deliberated less than an hour before returning a verdict of guilty on seven indictments, marking the end of the first of a series of “dope” trials scheduled to be heard by Judge Shay. The most important hearing will be that of Anthony “Babe” Paradise, who has been indicted in eleven counts on narcotics charges, six of them true bills accusing Paradise and James Mucci with conspiracy to sell narcotic drugs. Another alleged member of the gang, Rocco DeCord, 221 Spruce Street, who recently pleaded guilty to six indictments and who turned state’s evidence at yesterday’s trial, will be sentenced later.
DeCord and three confessed addicts testified against Colanduno at the trial yesterday. DeCord said that he had been hired by the defendant and Frumento to sell small packages marked “H” and “C” to certain men who had been introduced to him. DeCord declared that he did not know what the packages contained, nor did he ever use dope.
Colanduno, who until last December operated the Primrose Inn at Barrington with Frumento as his partner, denied that he ever possessed drugs or hired DeCord. His arrest, he said, was a “frame-up” engineered by his “enemies.”
Assistant Prosecutor Joseph A. Varbalow stated that the Paradise case probably would be disposed of next week with the return from Florida of Samuel P. Orlando, attorney for the alleged “Dope King of Camden.”
Couple’s Court Row Lands Man in Cell
Camden Courier-Post —
The domestic affairs of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Awonendo, 246 Pine street, were aired in police court today. After the smoke of verbal battles had cleared, Michael was in a prison cell.
Michael, arrested on complaint of his wife, Jennie, was charged with failing to support her and her nine-months-old daughter. Mrs. Awonendo said her husband, his sister and his mother had put her out of her home several weeks ago.
“I worked and saved $200 out of my salary and my husband took that away from me and gave it to his mother,” Mrs. Awonendo said. “When I asked my mother-in-law for the money she hit me on the head.”
“Look at the records in Judge Shay’s court,” Michael said. The case was then referred to the county jurist.
As Michael and his wife were leaving the court room, they became involved in another argument. Michael was called back, held in contempt of court and locked up.
Polack Joe Out on Bail Despite Murder Charge
Camden Courier-Post —
Slayer in 6th Ward G.O.P. Club Fracas Released From Jail by Varbalow
JUDGE SHAY, WESCOTT NOT CONSULTED IN MOVE
Findings of Grand Jury Will Not be Returned Until Tomorrow
Although still technically charged with murder, Joseph (“Polack Joe”) Devon was released from the Camden county jail last Thursday under $2,500 bail, it was learned today.
It is generally known around the Camden courthouse that Devon has been indicted for manslaughter, but the grand jury will not make its presentment in the case to Judge Samuel M. Shay until tomorrow afternoon. “It seems very unusual,” Judge Shay commented today when information reached him that Devon had been released on bail. “The court usually leaves these matters to the prosecutor, who is thus authorized to fix bail. Otherwise, the court would be constantly interrupted by bail applications.”
Murder Unbailable
“As a rule, murder is an unbailable charge. The fact that it was reported that the grand jury had indicted Devon for manslaughter can have no bearing on the point. I cannot see how the prosecutor or whoever fixed bail could have known what the grand jury’s presentment was to be when that presentment will not be made until tomorrow. The grand jury can reconsider and change its indictment at any time before making that presentment.”
Explanation of the unusual action came today from Walter Keown, county solicitor and attorney for Devon, and from Joseph Varbalow, assistant prosecutor. It was Varbalow who fixed bail. Prosecutor Ethan P. Wescott stated that he knew nothing of the action until he heard of it from newspaper men today.
Shot in Argument
Devon was arrested on January 14 and charged with the murder of Joseph Cimini, known also as Joe Gannon, of 1301 Ellsworth street, Philadelphia. The fatal shooting took place at the Sixth Ward Republican Club, 908 Broadway, where a crap game is reported to have been in progress.
Devon, a Republican organization political worker, declares that he shot Cimini when the latter attacked him with the butt of a revolver. According to witnesses who made statements to detectives, the shooting occurred after an argument which Cimini and Mose Flannery, another political worker, are declared to have started with Charles “Chick” Hunt, former pugilist and one of those who was in the club at the time of the slaying.
Read Newspaper Report
“I read in the paper that the grand jury was reported to have indicted Devon for manslaughter,” Keown said. “I knew that manslaughter was a bailable charge. I went to Mr. Varbalow and he fixed bail, as he also had read of the reported manslaughter indictment.”
Varbalow corroborated this statement. Bail for Devon was furnished in cash by James Lewis of 60[?] Kaighn avenue and accepted by Sheriff Walter T. Gross on the order signed by Varbalow. Warden Ed Powell said today he had been occupied at the county workhouse at Lakeland and did not know of Devon’s release under bail until today.
It was last Tuesday that witnesses in the case went before the grand jury and it was last Wednesday that the Evening Courier published the widely-circulated report that the grand jury had found an indictment for manslaughter, which Keown and Varbalow say was the reason for the granting of bail.
Katzenbach May Probe Release of ‘Polack Joe’
Camden Courier-Post —
Supreme Court Justice Will ‘Inquire Into’ Granting Bail to Devon on Murder Charge, Week Before Expected Grand Jury Action
An investigation into the release on bail of Joseph (“Polack Joe”) Devon a full week before the Camden county grand jury was scheduled to present its expected indictment for manslaughter and while the accused slayer of Joseph Cimini was still formally charged with murder, was imminent today.
Supreme Court Justice Frank S. Katzenbach, at his office in Trenton, stated this morning that he would “inquire into the circumstances of the case” when he comes to Camden next week to open the current term of court here.
At the same time Common Pleas Judge Samuel M. Shay revealed how it was possible for Devon to have been released on bail while still formally charged with murder, through the acquiescence of Joseph Varbalow, acting assistant prosecutor. Varbalow’s action, it was also pointed out, may be illegal. Attorneys recalled that only a Supreme Court justice can grant an application for bail to a defendant charged with murder. Instances in which a person accused of murder has been released on bail are few, the records show, and “in every case the bail warrant has been signed by a Supreme Court justice.” This was the procedure, for example, in the release on bail of Mrs. Frances Stevens Hall shortly after her arrest in the famous Hall-Mills murder trial.
In the case of Devon, however, no Supreme Court justice was notified.
Further than this, Judge Shay, whose signature appears on the bail warrant, was not consulted.
Devon was held without bail on a murder charge after the fatal shooting of Cimini at the Sixth Ward Republican Club last January. On March 27 the case was presented to the grand jury with appearance of witnesses to the shooting before that body. The following day the report was widely circulated around the Camden Court House that Devon had been indicted for manslaughter.
Apparently this report, “unofficial” in character, was the only basis for release of Devon on bail. The grand jury will not make its presentment until this afternoon. If the manslaughter indictment has been found, it will thus not be formally recorded until this afternoon. But on Thursday last, while he was still technically held for murder, Devon was freed under $2,500 bail.
“All bail warrants must be signed by the judge,” it was explained today by Judge Shay, who did not learn of Devon’s release until yesterday, although his name appears on the bail warrant. “For some time, however, the custom has been in this county and I believe in others as well for the judge to sign a number of these bail warrants in blank and turn them over to the prosecutor’s office. This is done because of the trust placed in the prosecutor’s office by the court, and in order that the judge may not be interrupted during court sessions or at his home with applications for bail.”
“Of course, if the judge finds that this trust is misplaced, it will be necessary for him to take over these matters himself and consider applications for bail individually instead of leaving it to the prosecutor’s office.”
Acting Prosecutor Ethan P. Wescott said yesterday that he had known nothing of Devon’s release on bail. The agreement for the acceptance of bail was made, it was learned, between Varbalow and Walter Keown, county solicitor and attorney for Devon.
“We could not refuse to fix bail after Devon had been indicted for a bailable offense,” Varbalow stated in explanation, although admitted that the only definite basis for his belief that the offense charged against Devon was bailable was an unofficial report that a manslaughter indictment had been found.
Varbalow definitely stated today that the indictment found against Devon was one of manslaughter and would be so reported this afternoon by the grand jury.
“The indictment for manslaughter was found by the grand jury last Tuesday,” he declared. “The clerk of the grand jury so informed me and a record to that effect was made on our books. That is how it came about that Devon was allowed to go free on bail. Yes, it is true that the grand jury proceedings are secret so far as the public is concerned, but we make a record of indictments on our books, which are not open to the public.”
“The situation is unusual,” Judge Shay added today. “The grand jury will make its presentment to me this afternoon and, of course, its findings will become known officially only at that time. Of course also, the grand jury can alter any indictment at any time up until the moment that it makes a presentment.”
“Suppose that a defendant was charged with murder and the grand jury, on first consideration, should have had an indictment for manslaughter. Then, let us say, a new witness appeared while the grand jury was still in session and gave evidence which convinced the grand jurors that the indictment should have charged murder. All the grand jury would have to do would be to recall its previous action and bring in a murder indictment. If in the meantime the defendant had been released on bail, it would even be possible for him to escape.”
Fine Ordered Returned to Man Who Killed Dog
Camden Courier-Post —
Judge Samuel M. Shay in Special Sessions Court today reversed the decision by which Max Freeman, Atco, was fined $8.92 for running over a dog with his automobile. The dog was killed and Freeman was forced to pay $60 to the owner of the animal.
In [illegible]aling the case Freeman said the owner of the dog had offered to settle the case for $50. He refused. Two days later, he said, he received a notice from the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ordering him to appear before Justice of the Peace George Wilkinson, Clementon township. Freeman was found guilty and fined.
Before Judge Shay, Freeman contended the dog had been killed in Mt. Ephraim and therefore the case should not have been tried before a Clementon justice.
Judge Shay said the case should have been tried in Mt. Ephraim. He also commented on the fact that neither Wilkinson nor a representative of the S. P. C. A. had appeared at today’s hearing. The $68.92 was ordered returned to Freeman.
Bar Urges Forsyth to Raise Neutze Ban
Camden Courier-Post —
Resolution Asks Senator to Permit Confirmation as Prosecutor
The Camden County Bar Association today was on record as urging State Senator Joseph H. Forsyth to permit confirmation of Judge Frank F. Neutze as Camden county prosecutor.
The association, composed of attorneys of both political parties, adopted a resolution yesterday which [?] upon Senator Forsyth to withdraw his opposition to Neutze.
Meanwhile, however, the Republican State Senators conferred at Trenton and decided to withhold confirmation of most of Governor A. Harry Moore’s important appointments. Neutze’s nomination, sent to the Senate after Forsyth had refused to approve the appointment of Judge Samuel M. Shay to the post, is among these, as is the nomination of Judge Charles Egan as Hudson county prosecutor.
The Camden county Republican organization, it is known, favors retention of Ethan P. Wescott as prosecutor until after the November election. Wescott is now serving as acting prosecutor under temporary appointment as deputy attorney general, to which position he was recently named by Attorney General Edward L. Katzenbach upon expiration of his regular term as prosecutor. Unless the senate confirms Neutze, it was said at Governor Moore’s office today, no further nominations to the post will be sent to the senate.
The Republican state leaders are also anxious to block approval of any of the governor’s nominations because of the hope of electing a Republican governor in the fall. If they should succeed in doing this, the way would then be open for the nomination and confirmation of a Republican prosecutor in Camden who would take over the office from Wescott.
In its resolution endorsing Judge Neutze for the appointment and urging his confirmation the bar association made no reference to county criminal affairs but limited its comment to a recital of Neutze’s qualifications for the post of prosecutor.
The resolution is as follows:
Whereas The Hon. A. Harry Moore, Governor of the State of New Jersey, has seen fit to twice honor the Hon. Frank F. Neutze, a member of the Camden County Bar Association, the second time naming him to the office of prosecutor of the County of Camden.
And Whereas, The office of prosecutor of the pleas, is an office of great importance to the people and bar of Camden county, and of particular interest to this association.
And Whereas, The nomination of Judge Neutze is now before the Senate of the State of New Jersey for confirmation.
And Whereas, On account of our association with Judge Neutze as a practicing attorney and our experience before him as judge of the Camden City District Court, we are certain of his ability and integrity.
And Whereas, We are certain of the efficient manner in which he has handled the position of judge of the said Camden District Court and feel that he would be equally efficient as prosecutor.
And Whereas, We are satisfied that it is our duty to give to the Hon. Joseph H. Forsyth, State Senator from Camden, the benefit of our judgment and experience.
Therefore, Be It Resolved, By the Camden County Bar Association that these facts be called to the attention of the Hon. Joseph H. Forsyth, State Senator from the County of Camden, and that he be urged to use his best endeavors to secure the confirmation of the nomination of the Hon. Frank F. Neutze as prosecutor of the pleas of Camden county.
And Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution, signed by the secretary and under the seal of this association, shall be immediately forwarded to the Hon. Joseph H. Forsyth, Senator from the County of Camden.
After passing the Neutze resolution yesterday, the bar association elected these officers: Judge William T. Boyle, president; Joseph H. Carr, and Judge Ralph W. E. Donges, vice presidents; Judge Neutze, treasurer; and George M. Stevens, secretary.
Each of these officers except Neutze were re-elected. Neutze succeeds Elmer ti Van Name, treasurer for more than 10 years, who asked to be relieved of the post.
At a meeting last week 60 members of Raymond C. Thomas Post, American Legion, adopted a resolution urging confirmation of Judge Neutze for the post of prosecutor. Neutze is a war veteran and a member of the Legion.
Sixty-Nine Indicted by Grand Jurors in Final Presentment
Camden Courier-Post —
‘Polack Joe’ Deven Charged With Manslaughter in G.O.P. Club Slaying — ‘Mose Flannery’ Named
Sixty-nine indictments, that of Joseph “Polack Joe” Devon for manslaughter, were in charge of Judge Samuel M. Shay and presented to the court yesterday by the Camden county grand jury for December.
Devon was indicted in the death of Joseph Cimini, also known as Gannon, 31 years old, 1301 Ellsworth street, Philadelphia. Cimini was killed in the Sixth Ward Republican Club, 908 Broadway, on January 14. Devon was released under $2,500 bail.
The grand jurors will be dismissed next Tuesday, when the April grand jury is sworn in.
Another manslaughter indictment presented yesterday is that against George Fein, Waterford, as a result of an automobile accident on White Horse pike at Waterford, on July 10. Fein’s automobile ran and killed Anthony Dentino, of Waterford.
Joseph “Mose” Flannery, Eighth ward political worker, faces three indictments. He is charged with assault with intent to kill and atrocious assault and battery, carrying weapons unlawfully and attempted murder on December 27.
Gypsies Named
Flannery also is at liberty on bail as a material witness to the fatal shooting of Cimini by “Polack Joe” Devon.
Three gypsies, members of a band which was reported to have hypnotized Black Horse and White Horse pike residents out of money last November, were indicted for larceny and receiving stolen goods. They are Frances Gee, 1150 South Tenth street, Philadelphia, on complaint of Albert Bennett, 173 Potter street, Haddonfield; Mary Doe, Philadelphia, on complaint of Patrick Mulvihill, 12[?] White Horse pike, Oaklyn; and Mary Stevenson, Philadelphia, on complaint of Thomas P. Wilson, Blenheim.
George Zimmerman, 22[?] Mechanic street, faces trial on a charge of unlawful possession of explosives. He was arrested February 3 after he and a companion staggered into Cooper Hospital and blamed their injuries on the “phantom sniper.” It was later discovered by detectives that the men had been preparing nitroglycerin which exploded.
‘Polack Joe’ Enters Plea of Not Guilty
Camden Courier-Post —
Arraigned in Court as Echo of Fatal Shooting in G.O.P. Club
Joseph “Polack Joe” Devon, sometimes political worker, who shot and killed Joseph Cimini, of Philadelphia, in the Sixth Ward Republican Club three months ago, today entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of manslaughter in connection with the slaying.
Devon, who was arrested for the murder after the shooting, was indicted for manslaughter by the Camden county grand jury and released under $2,500 bail by Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Varbalow a week before the grand jury made its report.
The accused man entered his plea in person today before Judge Samuel M. Shay. He was represented by William King, an associate of Walter Keown in the latter’s law office. Assistant Prosecutor C. Lawrence Gregorio appeared for the state and stated afterward that an early trial was expected.
Cimini was shot down on the night of January 21 after a quarrel which is supposed to have taken place during a crap game in the clubrooms at 908 Broadway. The shooting is declared to have occurred after Cimini had threatened to kill Charles “Chick” Hunt, a former pugilist.
Aged Man’s Sanity Debated as Nephew Contests His Will
Camden Courier-Post —
‘Kidnap’ Case Recalled as Islanders Declare E. Camden Cafe Owner Normal
LEFT $40,000 ESTATE
Attempts to prove that Nicholas Joseph Donahue, former East Camden restaurant proprietor, who died Sept. 12, 1927, was of unsound mind and was unduly influenced when he made his last will are expected to be made at a continuance of the hearing in which a nephew is contesting the will.
The hearing was scheduled to be resumed at 1.30 p. m. today in the Camden County Orphans Court, with Judge Samuel M. Shay presiding. Testimony was presented all day yesterday by Raymond Donges, prominent Camden attorney and executor of the will. Because Donahue was declared mentally deficient by a lunacy commission shortly before his death, the burden of proof fell upon Donges as executor to show that the wealthy restaurateur was of sound mind when he wrote the will. The latter disposed of an estate valued between $40,000 and $50,000.
Donges had a few more witnesses to present today, among them Mrs. Elizabeth S. Fernan, under whose care Donahue was placed on Chincoteague Island, off the coast of Virginia. Mrs. Fernan is a former Camden woman.
The nephew contesting the case is John Donahue, of 2411 East Boston avenue, Philadelphia. He is represented by Carlton B. Webb, of Haddonfield, while Donges is represented by Wilbert V. Pike, of this city.
Owned Shore Hotel
Donahue, who had no immediate family, originally owned a hotel at Townsend’s Inlet, but about 1896, a heavy storm drove the sea up on his property and ruined the building. He then opened an oyster saloon in East Camden, and later bought an old fire hall and opened a restaurant on Federal street near Twenty-fourth.
Donahue sold the restaurant and other properties during the 1925-26 real estate boom, and amassed his small fortune. He roomed in East Camden for a short time, and then went to live with his nephew, John.
The latter later claimed that Raymond Donges spirited Nicholas Donahue away from the Philadelphia home on a ruse and took him to Chincoteague Island. With another nephew, Edward Donahue, and a third man, John went to the island, according to previous allegations, and placed the elder Donahue in an automobile and started back for Philadelphia. Mrs. Fernan telephoned Raymond Donges of the alleged kidnaping attempt, and the two nephews were arrested at Dover, Del., on their way back to Philadelphia February, 1927. They were later released, while Nicholas Donahue was taken back to the island.
In September, 1927, John Donahue started habeas corpus proceedings in Virginia courts, and secured temporary custody of his uncle. After a lunacy commission quizzed Nicholas Donahue and declared him unsound of mind, the Orphans Court named the Haddonfield Safe Deposit and Trust Company guardian. After Donahue died and the will was filed here for probate, John Donahue filed a caveat against the will. The present hearing is a result of the caveat.
Will Made on Island
The will, a typewritten document, was executed on the island on May 19, 1927. Provision is made that if any legatee or beneficiary “attempt to have me declared of unsound mind or incompetent to manage my own affairs, to have guardian appointed to care for my estate, the legacy or bequest shall lapse and be void and shall revert to the estate.” Raymond Donges was named executor to serve without bond, and was given full power to sell or dispose of the estate, which according to the will, must be converted into cash.
The will provides for:
Setting aside of $1000 for masses on the souls of relatives of the deceased; replacing of an old monument in Calvary Cemetery with a new one and $2000 provided.
An original “tpyewritten” [sic] bequest of $1000 to a niece, Mrs. Katherine Cavanaugh, 295 Cedar street, Philadelphia, later was changed in ink to $3000.
Various sums of from $500 to $2000 are left to relatives. John Donahue, the nephew, is bequeathed $2000. Dr. Clarence Donges is left $1000. An amount of $5000 is to be divided equally between John W. Donges, Katherine M. Donges, and Raymond R. Donges, Jr., children of, and Marry [sic] Hanna, ward of Raymond R. Donges.
To the woman who cared for him on Chincoteague Island, Mrs. Elizabeth S. Ferman [sic], is left $2000.
Educational Fund
One-half of the entire estate is set aside and to be held in trust by Dr. Donges, Walter T. Pratt and Katherine Donges, and they are allowed to advance such moneys from the fund as they see fit to young men and women under 25 years of age to be used in obtaining an education. The three are not held responsible for any losses incurred by failure of students to repay loans.
The residue of the estate is to be divided among the legatees in proportion to the amount already willed them.
At yesterday’s hearing testimony indicated that Donahue was unsound of mind only during occasional periods, when excitement or commotion would upset him. Dr. Clarence B. Donges, his physician and adviser, testified he had been a close friend of Donahue for 35 years and had prevailed on the former hotel proprietor to come to Camden and start again in business. The prominent physician further stated that he frequently advised Donahue in real estate deals, and all of them were profitable to Donahue.
The physician further said that Donahue did not suffer from any ailment which would incapacitate him mentally, although physically he was ill during the latter days of his life. A number of witnesses from Chincoteague Island testified that they thought him entirely normal.
Clarence Derrickson and his wife, Lottie, witnesses to the will, testified, through depositions, that when they saw Donahue sign the will he was entirely aware of what he was doing.
Called Easily Persuaded
In cross-interrogatories the Derricksons concluded that Donahue was a self-willed man and could not be easily persuaded. Both Dr. Donges and Raymond Donges stated that following the sale of his restaurant he lived in a room, and they told him he should have a more healthy environment. They arranged with his nephew, John, for the latter to take care of the elderly man, it was alleged.
Finally, Raymond Donges said, John Donahue said that he did not wish to take care of Nicholas any longer, and the Donges then told Donahue about the island where Mrs. Fernan lived. The attorney said that Donahue had known Mrs. Fernan’s husband when the latter was alive and resided in Camden and agreed to the change. So did the nephew agree, said Donges. There was no ruse or secrecy about taking the semi-invalid to the island, where he could get the proper food and surroundings, the Donges said.
Donges also introduced a letter purported to have been written by Donahue on the island and addressed to Raymond Donges a short time before the will was made. In the letter Donahue urged his attorney to complete the will. Donges said that for nearly a year before May of 1927 the former restauranteur discussed various terms of the will.
In the present will a bequest of $1000 to a niece was changed by pen to $3,000. Donges said that in a former will Donahue gave the woman $3000, then wrote to Donges asking him to change it to $1000. However, when the drafted testament was ready to be signed Donahue himself increased the bequest to its original figure, it was stated.
Enos B. Dellmuth Dies from Stroke
Camden Courier-Post —
Death Ascribed to Devotion to Duty as Grand Jury Foreman
Enos B. Dellmuth, 43, prominent civic leader and foreman of the June term of Camden county grand jury, died at his home, 426 Chambers street, yesterday following a stroke at the close of the jury’s last session on Friday.
Dellmuth died a martyr to his duty, according to the members of his family and his friends. He had not been feeling well for about five weeks, but continued to attend the grand jury sessions every Tuesday. Finally his condition became such that he could not attend the regular session last Tuesday.
He was staying at his summer home in Seaside Heights last Friday when he was notified that the grand jury would meet that afternoon to make its final presentment to Judge Samuel M. Shay. As the foreman must sign all true bills and recommendations, Dellmuth motored to this city. While he was driving he suffered a slight stroke, but he continued to the courthouse.
Some premonition of serious illness and possibly death must have come to him during the meeting, for while the grand jurors discussed a resolution calling upon the board of freeholders to appropriate more money for a Camden charitable institution one of the jurors, who knew that Dellmuth was a candidate for freeholder from the Ninth, remarked,
“I guess that will be taken care of when Mr. Dellmuth gets on the freeholder board.”
“I don’t know about that,” Dellmuth was heard to mutter.
A few minutes after the jury had been officially dismissed by Judge Shay, the foreman complained of severe pains in the head, and he was accompanied to his home by fellow jurors. His condition rapidly grew worse, and Dr. Wesley Barrett diagnosed his ailment as cerebral hemorrhage. Dr. Elliott Schull and two specialists confirmed the diagnosis.
Dellmuth would have been 44 on October 24. According to members of his family, he always dreaded his forty-fourth birthday, as his father and a sister had died in their forty-fourth years.
The deceased served four years as councilman from the Ninth ward, and was the Republican candidate for freeholder at the coming general election. He was a former president of the Ninth Ward Republican Club and at the time of his death was vice-president. He was a member of Excelsior Consistory, Trimble Lodge, No. 117, F. & A. M.; Camden Shrine Club; A. A. O. N. M. S., of Trenton; The Seven O’Clock Club of Philadelphia; Camden Elks, Camden Rotary Club and other civic associations.
He was manager of the eastern division of the C. Howard Hunt Pen Company, Camden.
The deceased is survived by his wife, Florence D.; his sister, Mrs. A. Dellmuth Hauser, of Camden; a son, Carl, former Camden High School three-letter athlete and now a student at Swarthmore College, and four daughters, Ethel, Dorothy, Marian and Mary.
The members of the grand jury will convene tomorrow evening and go to the Dellmuth residence to pay their last respects. The members of the Ninth Ward Republican Club, of which Edward Holloway is president, will meet 8 p.m. tomorrow at [?] Broadway and then visit the home of the late vice-president.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at his late residence. Masonic and Elk services will also be held. Interment will be in Harleigh Cemetery.
Orlando Raids 35 Gambling Haunts in Slot Machine Drive
Camden Evening Courier —
The second blow within 24 hours at the slot-machine “racket” in Camden was to be made this afternoon in the grand jury rooms in Camden County Court House.
[illegible] with evidence secured in [illegible]ay’s surprise raid, Assistant Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando was to ask the jury to inquire into the illegal operation of the machines in Camden saloons, cigar stores and cafes.
The grand jury convened at 1:30 p. m.
[illegible]teen of the “money” devices were seized, and as many proprietors of the places where they were found were summoned to appear before the jurors when county detectives and constables swooped down on 35 alleged gambling haunts.
A conference of Republican organization leaders was held this morning, at which the slot machine raids and the impending grand jury investigation were discussed. According to authentic reports, it was the opinion of the leaders that an intensive grand jury probe would be “bad politics.”
It was decided to bring pressure to bear upon Prosecutor Ethan P. Wescott to “call off” Assistant Prosecutor Orlando, who engineered the raids last night.
This afternoon, when the grand jury convened, both Wescott and Orlando went before the jury, in their closed session.
Orlando made it clear, in a statement, that he is not after “small fry” but intends to get the “higher-ups” in the slot machine “game” in Camden city and county.
“I am not going to give the proprietors of the slot machines time to exert their usual political pull, but I intend to have them before the grand jury immediately. I am going to find out, with the help and co-operation of the members of the jury, where they got their machines, how they arrive at their percentage and who is protecting them.
“I have been making a survey of Camden county, including the city, since I took office ten days ago,” he continued, “and I have considerable evidence. I believe that there are, conservatively, 500 slot machines in Camden county and that the income from each of them averages from $50 [illegible] a week. You can make your own multiplication. I believe nearly $[illegible],000 a week is split up, in various ways, from the slot machine racket in the city and county. That money, wherever it goes, is coming from many people who can ill afford to lose it. They need it to pay their butchers and grocers.”
Several Places ‘Tipped Off’
Although Orlando struck quickly, there were several places where the coming of his men had been “tipped off.” A few places, where the noise of machines had been heard for weeks by passersby were strangely silent last night when the county raiders got busy.
Orlando, co-operating with Prosecutor Wescott, will go before Judge Shay soon to ask for a court order to destroy all seized machines.
The raiders were led by Lawrence T. Doran, chief of county detectives. The party included County Detectives Wren, Smith, Cleary, Lyons and Cocherailly, and Constable Max Beals.
Five p. m. was set as the zero hour, and the raiders, two to an automobile, set out from the courthouse at 4:45 p. m. The raids were timed so as to be almost simultaneous.
The raiders walked into the suspected places. If no slot machine was in sight, they bought a cigar or a package of cigarettes and walked quietly out. If they saw a slot machine, they seized it.
Raiders Carried Subpenas
For the first time, the raiders carried subpenas, and where machines were seized, the proprietors were summoned to appear before the grand jury today.
They found no machines in saloons. Bartenders grinned at them when they went in, they reported. In several stores they were met with smiles, they said.
The places where machines were found were: 450 South Third street, store of D. Auletto, 200 Clinton street; Third and Mickle streets, Third and Stevens streets 106 South Second street, Eighth and Spruce streets, store of Earl Sanderson; 656 South Third street, store of Antonio Auduini; 530 South Third street, store of Frank Delgarzo; 452 South Third street, store of Peter Bernardo, and store of Betty Leopold, 215 Line street. In some places two machines were found. They ranged from penny to quarter affairs.
Action Delayed in Gang Shooting
Camden Courier-Post —
Shooting Witness
MRS. ROSE GIBBS
Who is held as material witness in shooting of Joseph Connors Sunday night near Broadway and Kaighn avenue.
Indictment of Doris in Flannery Murder Revealed After Arrest
Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese was prepared last night to go to the bottom of all charges against John Doris, brother of an executed Philadelphia bandit murderer, in an effort to determine whether to press for his immediate trial on indictments accusing him of the killing of Joseph (Mose) Flannery, or to seek other indictments first on charges of shooting Joseph Connors, at 6 a. m. Sunday.
The condition of Connors, a reputed Gloucester racketeer, remained the same last night in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital, where doctors said the crisis was not yet passed. He has bullet wounds in the lung, abdomen and the hand, physicians saying it was too soon to predict whether he had a chance for recovery.
Doris Arraigned
Doris was arraigned before Police Judge Pancoast yesterday charged with shooting Connors near Broadway and Kaighn avenue, after a brawl which took them into two resorts and finally ended on the street outside. The judge held him for grand jury action on that charge, and was about to close the case when City Detective J. Wesley McGrath took the stand and revealed that Doris was wanted in the mysterious murder of “Mose” Flannery, Camden racketeer, seven months ago at Front street and Kaighn avenue. Pancoast promptly denied him bail.
Records at the prosecutor’s office disclosed Doris was indicted secretly by the grand jury two days after the killing of Flannery, September 20, 1928. The indictment was kept secret when it was learned Doris had disappeared and Judge Shay automatically ordered the indictment impounded against a fugitive.
Palese Studies Case
The Flannery case was placed before the grand jury by former Assistant Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, who left his notes with the indictment in the office when he relinquished his post to Palese.
“I will study the case tomorrow,” Palese said last night. “Until I do, and can learn the strength of the old case against Doris in the Flannery murder, I can’t say which charge I might take before a jury, provided, of course, that we can get an indictment in the Connors case against the youth.”
Connors, who is 28, lives at 135 North Broadway, Gloucester. He has been arrested twice, once in Gloucester for disorderly conduct in 1924, and later on a grand larceny charge, on which he was acquitted.
Doris is a brother of the late Frankie Doris, who with three other youths went to the electric chair for the murder of a policeman in the famous Olney Bank robbery in Philadelphia. The man held here was tried and acquitted of another murder charge in Philadelphia, at which time the trial judge predicted that he, too, would die in the chair.
A detainer warrant asking that Doris be held for the Philadelphia police was received by Chief County Detective Lawrence T. Doran, in the afternoon. According to the detainer, Doris is wanted in “the State of Pennsylvania” on charges of being a fugitive from justice; carrying concealed deadly weapons, and attempting to kill. No amplification of the charges is made in the warrant which was turned over to Warden Edward Powell of the county jail.
Doris pleaded not guilty to charges of atrocious assault and battery with intent to kill and carrying a concealed deadly weapon, before he was held for the grand jury.
A few minutes before Doris was arraigned yesterday, Mrs. Rose Gibbs, 18, of 411 Henry street, was arraigned as a material witness in the shooting. She repeated the story that she told detectives, in which she said Connors accused Doris of stealing her pocketbook, and an argument ensued. She was held in $500 bail as a material witness.
It was revealed that 12 men were arraigned before Judge Pancoast at a special hearing on Sunday and held as material witnesses in the shooting. Included among these were Connors’ brother and Russell Sage, who was also held as a material witness in two other Camden gang shootings, one of which was the Flannery case.
Mrs. Gibbs declared that she, Connors and Eli Conaghy, 28, of 814 South Sixth st., were at a party in the 2200 block on Broadway, and went to the Nonpareil Club, Second street and Kaighn avenue. There they met Doris and Sage. Mrs. Gibbs said she suddenly missed her pocketbook, which contained $4, and she told Connors, who accused Doris of taking it. An altercation between the two men started, and all five left the club. Mrs. Gibbs said she parted from the men outside. The men went into a restaurant, came out later, and the shooting followed.
Doris has a long criminal record, though but two minor convictions rest against him. Police dockets show him arrested as follows: January 7, 1925, arrested tried and acquitted in the murder of Joseph Rika, Philadelphia; December 12, 1925, arrested for larceny of automobile, dismissed; August 23, 1926, arrested for gambling, fined $13.50; September 11, 1926, gambling on the highway, dismissed; January 9, 1927, arrested as suspicious character, dismissed; April 9, 1927, arrested for disorderly conduct, sentenced to ten days; February 26, 1928, arrested for carrying concealed deadly weapon, and aggravated assault and battery, and was found not guilty; February 26, 1929, arrested and found not guilty of assault and battery and carrying a weapon.
Connors was arrested but twice, as far as police can learn. Once he was arrested in Gloucester on a disorderly conduct charge, while in 1924, he was tried on a charge of grand larceny, and was acquitted.
Sage was held as a material witness in the fatal shooting of Joseph Gannon, Philadelphia, in the Sixth Ward Republican Club, for which Joseph “Polack Joe” Devon received a state prison sentence, and in the murder of Flannery. He was arrested June 3, 1919, on a charge of larceny of a car on complaint of Margaret Chapman, 410 Federal street.
WARD OF WOMAN DOCTOR ASSUMES HER SURNAME
Camden Courier-Post —
John Kopcinski, 22, of 577 Stevens street, ward of Dr. Emma M. Richardson, was permitted yesterday to change his name to Robert John Richardson by Judge Shay in Common Pleas Court.
In his petition Kopcinski said he had been supported and educated by Dr. Richardson 18 years. He said he was at a disadvantage using his own name and it often is mispelled.
John Doris Trial Opens
Camden Courier-Post —
WOMAN MISSING AS DORIS TRIAL IS OPENED HERE
Key Witness in Cafe Shooting Fails to Appear; Jury Selected
ONLY THREE ARE MEN; PRISONER PICKS THEM
Police on Guard to Block Any Attempt to Free Gangster
A key witness in the shooting of Joseph Connors, of Gloucester, by John Doris, Philadelphia gangster, Mrs. Rose Gibbs, 18, of 411 Henry street, failed to answer her name when called during the trial of Doris today in Criminal Court.
Mrs. Gibbs had been held in $500 bail as a material witness. Her bondsman, Abraham Lutz, was ordered by Judge Shay to produce her this afternoon in lieu of forfeiture of bail.
It was Mrs. Gibbs, according to police, who recounted details of an argument between Connors and Doris, after her pocketbook was missing, while the three and Eli Conaghy, 28, of 818 South Sixth street, were at a party in the 2200 Block on Broadway on the morning of April 28 when Connors was wounded.
The trial of Doris opened shortly before noon before Judge Shay and a jury comprised of nine women and three men whom Doris had virtually selected single-handed.
Doctor Is Called
Doris is charged with atrocious assault and battery with intent to kill Connors, and also is charged with carrying concealed deadly weapons, to wit, a loaded revolver.
The first witness called by Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese, representing the state, was Dr. Ralph Warwick, an interns in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital. Walter S. Keown and William King are representing Doris.
Dr. Warwick testified Connors was admitted to the hospital, suffering from bullet wounds, at 7.45 a. m., April 28, and was discharged on May 15.
Patrolman Joseph Lenhardt testified he heard a disturbance and saw a man trying to break into the Nonpareil Club, Second street and Kaighn avenue, the morning of the shooting. The man was bleeding from the head, and there was blood on his coat and shirt, Lenhardt said.
John B. Toland, 1043 Haddon avenue, caretaker of the club, said he was awakened and recognized Doris as the man trying to enter the place. He said Doris threatened him when warned to leave.
Dr. Warwick testified Connors was admitted to the hospital, suffering from bullet wounds, at 7.45 a. m., April 28, and was discharged on May 15.
Patrolman Joseph Lenhardt testified he heard a disturbance and saw a man trying to break into the Nonpareil Club, Second street and Kaighn avenue, the morning of the shooting. The man was bleeding from the head, and there was blood on his coat and shirt, Lenhardt said.
John B. Toland, 1043 Haddon avenue, caretaker of the club, said he was awakened and recognized Doris as the man trying to enter the place. He said Doris threatened him when warned to leave.
(Continued on Page Three)
Woman is Missing at Trial of Doris
(Continued from Page One)
Conaghy was the next witness. He told of entering a restaurant at Broadway and Kaighn avenue with Connors and Mrs. Gibbs. When he started to tell a different story than that which was revealed to the prosecutor’s office in a statement, Palese announced that the witness had “turned hostile to the state.” Palese quickly excused Conaghy and called Mrs. Gibbs.
There was no answer. It was at this point Judge Shay ordered the girl’s bondsman to have her in court not later than 1.30 p. m.
How Doris attempted to board a bus for Pitman after the shooting and how he was prevented by Russell Sage, a friend of Doris, was described by William Jones, of Barnesboro, driver for an independent bus line between Philadelphia and Pitman.
Court recessed at 12.30 for lunch.
Mrs. Lillie R. Kelton, a clerk, of 405 State street, Camden is foreman of the jury, selection of which took almost an hour, with Doris questioning each of the 29 veniremen called.
The spectators’ gallery was bare, however, more than a score of lawyers and law students were seated in the courtroom.
Besides Mrs. Kelton, the jury is composed of:—Bessie Kunitz, housewife, 926 Fern street; William Wescott, painter, 628 Walnut street; Bernice Branch, clerk, 722 Mt. Vernon street; Mrs. F. L. Barber, housewife, 204 Maple avenue, Merchantville; David Rolle, retired, 1047 North Twentieth street; Abbie Lewis, housewife, 119 North Thirty-sixth street; Mary Heake, housewife, 105 Kingston avenue, Barrington; Stella McGowan, housewife, 780 Walnut street; Catharine LeSage, housewife, Haddonfield; Michael Carrigan, Laurel Springs; Alva P. Joseph, 327 Harvard avenue, Collingswood.
Before the trial began, the jury was used to settle a “friendly” damage suit. After being out of the room 15 minutes, the jury returned and the Doris trial was opened, with Palese making his opening argument.
Palese outlined the shooting of Connors by Doris near Broadway and Kaighn avenue. It was the shooting that led the April grand jury into the investigation of vice and crime in Camden county.
John Doris is a brother of Frankie Doris, who participated in the Olney Bank robbery in Philadelphia nearly two years ago and in which a policeman was killed. Frankie Doris was electrocuted in the penitentiary at Bellfonte, Pa.
Several days ago Assistant Prosecutor Palese received a tip that a number of Philadelphia gangsters were coming to Camden to hear the trial. Prosecutor Baldwin then announced that during the trial only newspapermen and witnesses would be allowed in the courtroom.
Doris also is under indictment charged with the murder of “Mose” Flannery, in a saloon at Second and Kaighn avenue one year ago. While police searched the eastern United States for him in connection with the Flannery murder Doris was living with his mother at Second and State streets. When he was arrested in the Connors shooting he was recognized as the man long wanted in the Flannery murder.
On the night of the Connors shooting Doris and Russel Sage, his companion, were drinking in a night club at Second and Kaighn avenue. An argument started and Connors left and went to a restaurant on Kaighn avenue, east of Broadway.
The men met again there and a fight started. Doris is alleged to have drawn a revolver, chased Connors from the restaurant to the street and fired several shots. He was captured several hours later.
Doris Convicted at Quick Trial; Gets Ten Years
Camden Courier-Post —
Shay Warns Gangdom Shootings in Camden Must Cease; Jury Out 40 Minutes
WIFE FAINTS IN COURT AS JUDGE SETS PENALTY
Brother of Olney Bank Bandit Acquitted on One Charge in Kaighn Avenue Brawl
Wheels of justice spun quickly yesterday when John Doris, 30, ambitious young Philadelphia gangster, was tried, convicted, and sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison in the shooting of Joseph Connors, Gloucester, in Kaighn avenue, near Broadway, last April 29.
To the sentence which nips a brief but hectic underworld career in which Doris also faces a murder indictment for another Kaighn avenue gun duel, Judge Shay added a stern ultimatum to gamblers and racketeers that they cannot use Camden streets for their sanguinary warfare.
“There have been too many racketeer shootings in Camden lately,” the jurist declared. “They all seem to have the same code—to shoot it out and then keep silent in the courts. Even Connors, the man who was shot, comes before this court and denies Doris was the guilty man. Fear may silence these witnesses, which in itself is serious, but these shootings must end and they will.”
Tries to be Tough
Then he sentenced Doris. The young gangster, brother of Frank Doris, executed Olney bank bandit, blanched. The confident air with which he approached this trial, following a disagreement at the first trial of the charges last June, had failed and left him a trembling, shaken boy who tried to be tough.
Pathos was added to the drama as Helen Doris, frail, [?] wife of the convicted youth, suddenly seemed to realize what had happened. She screamed. Her slender body sagged perilously toward the floor. Doris’ brother and a friend carried her from the court room.
On the main floor of the building the girl went into a dead faint, from which she was revived by Edward Holloway, custodian. She then became hysterical, in which condition she was taken away.
Guilty on Two Counts
The jury which convicted Doris, the first drawn from the “million dollar” panel, cleared the youth of one count but found him guilty of two after 40 minutes of deliberation.
Deliberations were started at 3.25 p. m., and at 4.05 o’clock Judge Shay was called back to the bench to receive the verdict from Fred Euhenfeld, 3100 Highland avenue, jury foreman.
Solemnly he announced that in the eyes of the jurymen Doris was guilty of atrocious assault and battery, and guilty of carrying concealed deadly weapons, but was not guilty on a third count alleging atrocious assault and battery with intent to kill.
All eyes in the courtroom turned to the immaculately-clad Doris, who started forward in his chair and looked appealingly to his counsel, Walter S. Keown.
Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese reviewed the high points of the case and called upon Judge Shay to give Doris the maximum possible sentence, 15 years.
Attorney Asks Clemency
Keown in his final appeal pointed out Doris stood before the court as a first offender, that he and Connors had been engaged in a heated fistic combat when Connors was shot, and that Doris’ youth should entitle him to consideration.
“The jury gave Doris a ‘break’ in clearing him of the intent to kill charge,” Keown pleaded. “Will the court give him a ‘break’ in its sentence?”
Judge Shay responded with his dramatic broadside against the gun toters of the underworld and gave the defendant a seven-year term for atrocious assault and three additional years for carrying weapons.
Although Connors, on the witness stand shortly before court adjourned for the noon recess, denied Doris shot him, Lorenzo Cole, a cook in the American Restaurant, Kaighn avenue, testified Connors ran into the place early in the morning, groaning and holding onto his stomach, with Doris, a gun in his hand, following him.
Denies Doris Shot Him
“Doris and I fought, that’s true,” testified Connors. “But Doris didn’t shoot me. Somebody, I don’t know who, sneaked up on us during the argument and fired on me.”
Doris talked with his wife before the case was called. Mrs. Doris was the only woman in the spectators’ section.
The first witness, Eli Conaghy, 29, of 814 South Sixth street, testified he was at the Nonpareil Club, Second street and Kaighn avenue on the night of the shooting, with Mrs. Rose Gibbs. Conaghy proved to be a reluctant witness. He mentioned an argument Doris had “with somebody,” over the loss of the Gibbs girl pocketbook.
Mrs. Gibbs, 18, who said she lived “on Henry street,” was next called. She said she had not met Doris before the night of the shooting. She had gone to the club with Connors and Conaghy, who, she testified, had an argument with Doris over the loss of the pocketbook. Under cross-examination, the Gibbs girl admitted she had been drinking. She said she went to the Nonpareil club at 12:30 a. m. after visiting two “parties,” one in Fairview.
Restaurateur Tells Story
Then Ernest Matsios, proprietor of the American Restaurant was called. He testified that about 6.30 a. m., Connors came into the place, followed by a man who looked like Doris. An argument started, Matsios said, and he was forced to eject the men. A short time later, he heard shots, he said. “That’s all I know about the shooting,” he added.
Matsios was followed on the stand by Lorenzo Cole, colored, 904 Jefferson street, a cook in the restaurant. Cole testified he was in the kitchen looking through a window into the restaurant. He heard the argument, saw Doris and Connors leave the place, and saw them “swapping punches” on the sidewalk.
“I saw a gun in Doris’ hand and heard two shots,” Cole said. “A few seconds later, Connors staggered into the restaurant, holding onto his stomach, ran through the kitchen into an alleyway, known as Amber street. Doris, the gun still in his hand, followed, but tripped and fell, and then got up and continued the chase.”
Almost identical testimony was given by James Sims, also a cook.
Doris Remembers Nothing
Doris was the only witness for the defense. He “remembered nothing,” other than being “punched in the nose, some place in South Camden.” Doris was on the stand only a few minutes. As he left, Keown rested his case.
Doris first was tried in the Connors’ shooting last June. Arraigned on charges of atrocious assault and battery and carrying concealed deadly weapons, he was returned to the county jail pending a second trial when the jury, although believing him guilty, disagreed as to the charge upon which to convict him. The jury comprised nine women and three men.
Doris, in addition to being involved in the Broadway and Kaighn avenue shooting, is believed by police to hold the key to solution of the mysterious murder of Joseph (Mose) Flannery, for which he is under indictment. Flannery was found dying September 18, 1928, in front of a saloon at Front street and Kaighn avenue.
Secrecy Hides Date Doris Goes to Pen
Camden Courier-Post —
Trial for Flannery Murder to Be Called Later
Secrecy will conceal the date when John Doris, Philadelphia gangster, who was convicted of shooting Joseph Connors, Gloucester, will be taken to state prison, according to Sheriff Walter T. Gross.
Gross said last night he is taking no chances with Doris, whose brother Frank was electrocuted with three others for the Olney bank robbery and murder. Gross said the prisoner will be taken to state prison any time within the next 21 days heavily guarded.
No attempt will be made by the state to try Doris on an indictment charging him with the murder of Joseph (Mose) Flannery, before he begins serving the sentence of 10 years meted out by Judge Shay yesterday.
“The state is not ready to move the murder indictment against Doris,” said County Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin yesterday.
3 Inn Proprietors Get Trials Delayed
Camden Courier-Post —
Baldwin Resents Shifting Cases for Million-Dollar Jury
Proprietors of three Black Horse pike road houses, scheduled to go on trial today before Judge Samuel M. Shay in Criminal Court on charges of liquor violations as a result of recent raids by county authorities, have obtained postponements.
Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin said late yesterday it was singular that the proprietors of these road houses, said to be some of the most notorius [sic] in the county, should try to evade the issues early in the court calendar. These cases will be the first heard by the new “million dollar” petit jury.
He said Chester Henderson, proprietor of Orchard Inn, Bellmawr, where an alleged gangster attacked a woman with a chair, secured a postponement because his counsel, Samuel P. Orlando, has been operated on and does not feel strong enough to defend his client at this time.
Garfield Del Ducca [sic] was to have gone on trial on charges as an aftermath of a raid on the Everglades Club, West Collingswood Heights, but his counsel, Judge Henry Burt Ware, Salem county, will be in another court that day.
Joseph Regan, proprietor of the Northmont Inn, Mt. Ephraim, also was scheduled to stand trial but Walter S. Keown, his counsel, asked a postponement because of being compelled to try a case in another court.
Gun Toter Fined $150 After Leniency Plea
Camden Courier-Post —
Found guilty of carrying a gun, Richard H. Morrow, 24, of 2319 Howell Street, was fined $150 by Judge Shay in Criminal Court yesterday. He will be permitted to pay the fine in installments.
The fine was imposed after a plea for leniency was made by Morrow’s attorney, Bernard Bertman. Morrow was arrested in a raid on a house at Second and Spruce Streets.
C.F. Squillace Gets Suspended Sentence
Camden Courier-Post —
After he had changed his pleas of not guilty to non vult, Charles F. Squillace, former Camden attorney, was given one year in state prison by Judge Samuel M. Shay yesterday afternoon and then the sentence was suspended.
Squillace was charged with embezzlement, larceny as bailee and issuing a worthless check. He had been a fugitive from justice six years. The court suspended sentence after it was announced he had made restitution to former clients.
A fugitive from justice since the December, 1923 grand jury returned nine true bills against him, Squillace was arrested in Washington, D.C., last July by County Detective Fiore Troncone, who found him and his wife operating a beauty shop.
Squillace is said to have readily admitted his guilt and agreed to return to this city and face the consequences. He was released in $3500 bail on August 3, 1929, his bond being signed by Ralph Cavallo of Kaighn Avenue near Third Street.
The indictments for larceny as bailee, his accusers and amounts involved, are: Frank Canola, $800; Mrs. Marie Fannelli, $600; Albert Covitto, $245; Antonio Di Maio, $350; Angelina Palaia, $600; Aorozio Martines, $125, and Nick Monocchio, $100.
Man Blames Arrest on Wife's Animosity
Camden Courier-Post —
Despite his plea that he was the victim of his estranged wife’s animosity, Charles Yatzus, 45, formerly of 978 Ferry Avenue, but now of Baltimore, was fined $75 in criminal court yesterday by Judge Shay on a charge of carrying a concealed deadly weapon.
M.L. Cobbin, attorney, asked leniency for his client, declaring that Yatzus and his wife had separated, and he took his .32-caliber revolver from the Ferry Avenue home intending to carry it to his rooms in Philadelphia. Cobbin alleged that Mrs. Yatzus telephoned police that her husband was carrying a revolver, resulting in his arrest as he was about to board a ferryboat for Philadelphia.
Judge Shay admitted the story might be true, but imposed the fine because the gun was loaded.
Second Mrs. Murry Drops Estate Fight
Camden Courier-Post —
An eight-year controversy over the estate of former City Detective George Murry, one time alleged vice czar of the Third Ward, ended yesterday when Wife No. 2 withdrew her claims.
Murry, who died under mysterious circumstances on the eve of going on trial for graft January 29, 1922, died intestate and Cora J. Murry, who claimed to be his wife, applied for letters of administration. She was the mother of 10 children of the detective. She since has remarried, her name now being Butler.
Elizabeth Murry came forward after the man’s death and made a claim that she was the real widow and the other woman was only the detective’s common law wife.
Former State Senator Albert S. Woodruff yesterday withdrew Elizabeth Murry’s claim in the estate and Judge Shay granted letters of administration to Cora J. Murry Butler upon application of Surrogate George W. Whyte.
Boys Held in Gem Theft
Camden Courier-Post —
Charged with the theft of a $725 diamond ring, two small boys were ordered held for Juvenile Court by Police Judge Pancoast yesterday. One of the boys, William McGinnis, 11, of 2639 Carman Street, had been released from the county detention home last Thursday on probation by Judge Shay. He had been one of six boys held in connection with a series of nine robberies in East Camden.
The other boy is John Auletto, 10, of 2824 Howell Street.
Mrs. Catherine Tydeman testified the pair had come to her apartment at Twenty-eighth Street and Westfield Avenue Thursday afternoon and told her she was wanted on the phone. Returning, she saw the two boys leaving her apartment, and a short time later she discovered that her pocketbook containing a $725 diamond ring was missing. District Detective William Hurlock arrested the pair at the Garfield School. He said he found the ring in their possession.
Dr. Lesher Trial In Dope Case To Open Tomorrow
Camden Courier-Post —
Penn Street Physician Accused of Giving Drugs to Woman Addict
She Also Will Face Court on Charges
Doctor Says in Defense That He Administered to Her as Patient
Indicted on five counts for violation of the state narcotic act, Dr. Charles B. Lesher, 40, of 331 Penn street, will go on trial tomorrow before Judge Shay and a jury in Camden Criminal court.
The physician is accused of “administering, giving and prescribing drugs” to Mrs. Doris Jenkins, 32, of Lester terrace near Broadway, mother of a year-old daughter, Doris. She was indicted five times for being a drug addict and will go on trial after Dr. Lesher.
Trial of Dr. Lesher was to have started a week ago, but on request of D. Trueman Stackhouse, his counsel, a delay was granted by Prosecutor Baldwin to give Stackhouse additional time to prepare his defense.
Dr. Lesher was arrested January 22 last, shortly after he had appeared before Police Judge Pancoast as a witness in the hearing of Mrs. Jenkins, who was charged with attempting to abandon her child a second time.
A month previous Mrs. Jenkins had been arrested on a charge of seeking to abandon the baby in a coach on the street and sent to jail to take the “drug cure.”
In Jail 25 Days
She remained in jail 25 days and was discharged as cured of the drug habit.
A few days later she again was seized with the desire for drugs and once more found herself in the toils of the law. She was taken to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital, from which she escaped clad in a nightgown and blanket early on the morning of January 20 as the thermometer hovered near the zero mark. She walked two miles along icy pavements to the home of a friend at 808 Morgan street, who notified the authorities.
The defense of Dr. Lesher will be that he prescribed drugs to relieve Mrs. Jenkins of pain suffered from gallstones. After she had been committed to jail a second time, she was stricken seriously and taken to the hospital, where an operation was performed.
Physician Testifies
Dr. Lesher testified at the last hearing of the woman before Judge Pancoast that she came to his office on August 13 last and complained of severe internal pains. After learning of her condition, the physician said he advised an operation, but she said she could not afford it. Then he is said to have given Mrs. Jenkins a hypodermic injection to relieve her suffering. From that time on, according to Dr. Lesher’s testimony, the woman came to him for relief.
Mrs. Jenkins, according to Dr. Lesher, owes him $1080 for drugs and services which she has made no attempt to pay.
The physician’s records of Mrs. Jenkins in possession of the prosecutor’s office are said to show that he had given her 300 hypodermic injections.
Dr. Lesher also must stand trial in Federal court as the result of seven indictments returned against him several weeks ago, charging violation of the Harrison anti-narcotic act.
Judge Quashes 5 Drug Charges Against Doctor
Camden Courier-Post —
Indictments Dismissed on Grounds They Allege No Crime; All Worded Alike
Baldwin Will Carry Case to High Court
Law Permitting Use of ‘Dope’ to Cure Habit Cited by Defense Attorney
Five indictments charging Dr. Charles B. Lesher, of 331 Penn street, with violation of the state anti-narcotic act of 1929, were quashed by Judge Shay in Criminal Court today when the defense contended that the indictments were faulty in that they alleged no crime.
Prosecutor Baldwin immediately gave notice that he would petition the State Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari for a review of the case. If the Supreme Court reverses Judge Shay’s decision, the prosecutor will then move for sentence.
Seven indictments have also been returned against Dr. Lesher by the Federal Grand Jury, but no date has been fixed for trial on those bills.
The North Camden physician, who is represented by D. Trueman Stackhouse, was to have gone on trial on the five true bills which accused him of unlawfully administering, giving and prescribing narcotics to Mrs. Doris Jenkins, 32, of Lester terrace near Broadway. Mrs. Jenkins has also been indicted on five counts as a drug addict. She, too, was to have gone on trial, but she was released on her own recognizance today pending the Supreme Court’s ruling on Baldwin’s writ.
When court opened today, Stackhouse called for a side bar conference, at which he retracted his client’s former plea of not guilty and substituted a plea of guilty. He averred that in doing this, Dr. Lesher was not pleading guilty to a crime, but to a lawful act, as the indictments do not charge him with unlawfully giving and prescribing drugs for a malady other than habitual use of drugs, whereas the anti-narcotic act permits that.
Effort to Cure Claimed
Prosecutor Baldwin then pointed out that the indictments charged that Dr. Lesher knew Mrs. Jenkins was a drug addict, and that the state act prohibits the administering of drugs to an addict. Stackhouse then set forth that the act also permits a physician to give or prescribe drugs to an addict for the purpose of curing the patient of habitual use of drugs.
The prosecutor declared he was “taken back” by the defense’s apparent claims that Dr. Lesher had intended to cure Mrs. Jenkins of the drug habit. Baldwin averred he was under the impression that Dr. Lesher would claim that he had given the morphine to Mrs. Jenkins to relieve her of pain from gallstones, for which she underwent an operation.
Baldwin then moved for sentence, declaring that Dr. Lesher had forfeited the right of trial by pleading guilty.
Judge Shay agreed with Stackhouse and dismissed the indictments, whereupon Baldwin asked for an exception, which was granted.
The indictments charge the physician with violating the state drug code on November 1, December 9 and 10, and January 6 and 13. With the exception of the different dates, each bill reads as follows:
“Dr. Charles B. Lesher, being a duly licensed physician, did unlawfully administer, give and prescribe a certain quantity of a preparation, admixture or compound containing morphine, or a salt, derivative or chemical compound of morphine unto Doris Jenkins, known to him to be a habitual user thereof, said preparation, admixture and compound not having been then and there administered for the cure or treatment of some malady other than the drug habit to the evil example of all others in like case offending, contrary to the form of the statute provided, against the peace of this state and government, and the dignity of the same.”
Prosecutor Baldwin read the indictments into the court records to be submitted to the Supreme Court. The anti-narcotic act is contained in Chapter 301, laws of 1929, supplement to the Crimes Act. It reads:
“No physician or dentist shall sell, dispense, administer, distribute, give or prescribe any drugs to any person known to him to be a habitual user of any said drugs, unless said drug is administered, distributed, given or prescribed for the cure or treatment of some malady other than the drug habit;
“Provided, however, that if any physician desires to undertake in good faith the cure of the habit of taking or using opium or any of its derivatives in any form, said physician may prescribe or dispense opium or any of its derivatives to the patient;
“Provided that such opium or its derivatives are prescribed, dispensed in good faith for the purpose of curing such patient of such habit and not merely for the purpose of satisfying the craving for drugs.”
Dr. Lesher was arrested January 22 last, shortly after he had appeared before Police Judge Pancoast as a witness in the hearing of Mrs. Jenkins, who was charged with attempting to abandon her child a second time.
Dr. Lesher testified at the last hearing of the woman before Judge Pancoast that she came to his office on August 13 last and complained of severe internal pains. After learning of her condition, the physician said he advised an operation, but she said she could not afford it.
Mrs. Jenkins, according to Dr. Lesher, owes him $1080 for drugs and services which she has made no attempt to pay.
The physician’s records of Mrs. Jenkins in possession of the prosecutor’s office are said to show that he had given her 300 hypodermic injections.
Bandit Given Year in Holdup of ’Mikey’
Camden Courier-Post —
BANDIT GIVEN YEAR IN HOLDUP OF ‘MIKEY’
Eighth Ward Cafeman Reluctant Witness Against Man Who Took Ring
Convicted by a criminal court jury of stealing a $3000 diamond ring at the point of a gun from “Mikey” Brown, former Eighth ward politician, Samuel Ungaro, alias Ungardo, 28, of 3133 North Hamburg street, Philadelphia, was sentenced to one year in state prison today.
Sentence was imposed by Judge Shay after Brown, who operates a saloon at Ferry avenue and Hale street, very reluctantly testified against Ungaro.
Brown alleged that on June 15, 1929, Ungaro and several companions went to his saloon and said they wanted to rent a small garage. They asked him to help them find a suitable place. Brown averred that he got into their car and they drove him to Colestown, where he was covered by revolvers and robbed of his ring.
He testified that he later met Ungaro and the others at Second street and Washington avenue, Philadelphia, and the ring was returned to him upon payment of an unnamed sum of money. He promised to pay them an additional $75, he said.
When Brown failed to pay the $75, Ungaro and a companion allegedly went to Brown’s saloon on the night of February 22, last, and demanded payment. Brown refused and Ungaro, according to witnesses, drew a revolver. A special officer, Philip De Palo, 629 Van Hook street, tried to get a revolver from a drawer and was slightly wounded in the arm by Ungaro, it was testified. Ungaro was captured, but his companion escaped in a fusillade of shots.
Brown was a reluctant witness and Assistant Prosecutor William C. Gottshalk was forced to question him closely to obtain the testimony.
Ungaro was charged with highway robbery and carrying a concealed deadly weapon. Judge Shay sentenced him on the weapon charge, but suspended sentence on the robbery charge.
Three youths were sentenced to 18 months each in states’ prison by Judge Shay when they were found guilty at a trial without jury of having broken into the saloon of Ernest Steubing, Fifth and Chestnut streets. They are Harry Metzer, 1138 South Fourth street; Frank Binker, Fourth and Benson streets, and Edward Trotman, 1704 Sylvan street.
Judge Shay found them guilty of having stolen cigars, cigarettes, and a radio set, and other merchandise, valued at $300. The robbery occurred February 6.
Charles Cecil Watson, colored, of Lawnside, was sentenced to two years after being convicted of stealing $100 worth of merchandise from the cigar store and poolroom of Mrs. M. Lambs, Warwick road and Oak avenue, Lawnside, last April 12.
Suspect in Holdup Identified at Trial
Camden Evening Courier —
Hotel Night Clerk Not Certain of 2 Others in Robbery
Positive identification was made of one of three bandit suspects who went on trial today in Criminal Court on charges of holding up and robbing the night clerk and elevator operator of the Hotel Camden on the morning of November 21.
The defendants, all of whom deny the charges, are Rollie Waterhouse, 19, of 422 Mechanic street; Joseph McKenna, 29, of 550 Lansdowne avenue; and Ralph Endt, 23, of 1161 Van Hook street. They are named in one joint indictment charging robbery.
They were arrested less than an hour after the holdup when they were crossing the Camden Bridge in a taxicab. Under the seat was $76.83, just 40 cents more than the bandits took from Harry A. Auman, the night clerk, and Jacob Davis, the elevator operator.
Auman, the first witness called by the state today, walked over to the defense table and dramatically identified Endt as the bandit who leaped over a desk and commanded him to throw up his hands. Endt nervously rubbed his lips but stared steadily at his accuser during the brief ordeal.
But when he was asked to identify Waterhouse and McKenna as the other bandits, Auman could not do so, although he testified that a second bandit had run behind the desk and poked something against his ribs. The lobby was dark, the clerk averred, and he couldn’t distinguish the features of the other two men. He further declared that Endt had no weapon in his hands, but had sharply commanded him to open the safe.
The trial opened before Judge Samuel M. Shay shortly after 10 a. m., and a panel of 24 veniremen was summoned. The prisoners were handcuffed together when they were escorted into the court room by Constable Vernon Lyons, William Gaskill and William Sawyer. However, Prosecutor Baldwin later ordered the handcuffs removed.
When the panel was called, the prosecutor asked if any of the prospective jurors knew the defendants, and there was no response. Samuel P. Orlando, defense attorney, then asked the veniremen if they had read newspaper accounts of the holdup, if they knew the complainants or had any connection with the hotel, if they were clients of the prosecutor or his aides and if they had cases or friends who had cases in the prosecutor’s office. Again there was no response, and the selection of the jury began.
All three defendants were held as material witnesses in the murder of Angelo Solury, sailor killed in the “Little Club,” a Mt. Vernon street speakeasy, June 6. Later, Albert Saunders, who was tried for Solury’s murder, named Waterhouse as the actual slayer, as did two other defense witnesses. Saunders was acquitted. [sic] and Prosecutor Baldwin, when asked if Waterhouse would be charged with the murder, announced that the case was closed.
Waterhouse has, since his arrest in the hotel holdup, been identified as the “gunman” in the holdup of a Paulsboro gasoline filling station, which occurred about six hours before the hotel robbery.
The three were arrested, arraigned in police court and indicted on the same day of the holdup. They were to have gone on trial last Monday, but the case was postponed until today on Orlando’s request.
The jury was completed in one hour at 11.20 a. m. Eight women and four men were chosen from a total of 48 veniremen. The state used 10 of its 12 preemptory challenges, while the defense used 18 of its 20 challenges. The first juror drawn, as is customary, was named forelady.
The jury follows:
Mrs. Mary L. Klein, housewife, 127 North Thirty-second street; Mrs. Mary J. Sayre, housewife, Brooklawn; John Quirk, clerk, 859 North Thirty-second street; Cecilia Cahill, saleslady, 116 North Sussex street, Gloucester; Mrs. Minnie Hines, housewife, 2729 Lincoln avenue; Mrs. Elizabeth S. Sharp, housewife, Blackwood; Russell Kleaman, mechanic, 228 Hampshire avenue, Audubon; Mrs. Nellie Powell, housewife, 613 Market street, Gloucester; George James, retired, 428 Middlesex street, Gloucester; Mrs. Ida M. Palme, housewife, 13 West Wayne terrace, Collingswood; Mrs. Mary Cantwell, housewife, 1030 North Twenty-first street; and Thomas Haggerty, mechanic, Stratford.
Hotel Holdup Denied By 3 On Witness Stand
Camden Evening Courier —
Alleged Bandits Tell Jury They Were Gambling at Time of Robbery
Waterhouse in Clash With State’s Attorney
Defendant Says Money Found in Taxi Had Been Won in Gloucester
Three Camden men on trial on charges of holding up the night clerk and elevator operator of the Hotel Camden November 21, and robbing them of $67.43, went on the stand in their own defense today and made a complete denial.
They are Rollie Waterhouse, 19, of 422 Mechanic street; Joseph McKenna, 29, of 550 Lansdowne avenue; and Ralph Endt, 23, of 1161 Van Hook street. Under direct examination by their counsel, Samuel P. Orlando, and in cross examination by Prosecutor Baldwin, they presented an alibi in which they said they had been gambling in Gloucester at or about the time of the holdup.
Waterhouse and the prosecutor clashed while the former took the stand as the first defense witness. It was after Waterhouse had retraced his movements of the morning of the holdup that Prosecutor Baldwin started to delve further into Waterhouse’s affairs.
Under cross examination, Waterhouse admitted that he hasn’t worked for a year. He stated he lived with a sister.
“Where do you get the money with which to gamble?” asked Baldwin.
“From my brother.”
Then, after Waterhouse averred he had left Gloucester for Camden between 5 and 5.30 a.m., “just at dawn,” Baldwin asked him if he knew that on that particular morning the sun rose at 6.51 a.m.
“I don’t know anything about the sun rising,” replied Waterhouse. “It was just beginning to become daylight.”
Then Baldwin questioned him closely about a gambling den which Waterhouse said he had visited with McKenna and Endt early that morning.
He averred he did not know the name of the proprietor nor its exact address, except that it was on Jersey avenue between Seventh and Eighth streets, Gloucester. He didn’t know the names of any of the other men there, except there was an “Ed,” “Quirt” and “John.”
“Would you be willing to point out this house to the prosecutor if he went down there with you this afternoon?” asked Orlando.
“Yes.”
Refuses to Make Complaint
“If you showed it to me, would you be willing to sign a complaint against the proprietor?” pressed Baldwin.
“No. Why should I?” asked Waterhouse.
Waterhouse, in direct examination, testified that he and his two companions had gone to the private house in Gloucester and played dice. He said he won some money, and the three walked to Broadway at about 5.30 a.m., where they got a “hop” to Camden with a motorist whom they did not know. They alighted at Broadway and Federal streets, and decided to go to a Turkish bathhouse at Twelfth and Federal streets in Philadelphia. They went to Broadway and Cooper street, where they called a cab.
In the cab, Waterhouse said, he took out his winnings and started to count them in order to split with his companions. He referred to his friends as “Mr. Endt” and “Mr. McKenna.” He had the money in his hands when the cab was stopped by bridge police. He placed it on the seat. Under cross-examination, he said he did not know how the money came to be found under the seat. He said he might have had a P.R.T. token, as he sometimes used the tokens in Philadelphia. A token was in the loot stolen from the hotel.
He then told how the night clerk could not identify him or McKenna, and hesitated before identifying Endt, finally saying to the latter that “if it wasn’t you, it was your twin brother.” When questioned how he had happened to have a paper roll of five-cent pieces, Waterhouse said some of the money he had won was paid to him in that form. His winnings, he said, comprised one-dollar bills and change, and he had counted up to $50 when the bridge cops appeared.
Waterhouse was a state’s witness at the trial of Albert Saunders, who was acquitted of the murder of Angelo Solury, U.S. sailor slain in the Little Club, a Mount Vernon street speakeasy, last June. At that time it was not the state but the defense which brought out that Waterhouse to all appearances was a “man about town,” in that he did not work for a living.
At Saunders’ trial, Saunders and two other defense witnesses flatly accused Waterhouse of the Solury murder. When the jury exonerated Waterhouse, Prosecutor Baldwin was asked if Waterhouse would be arrested. The prosecutor averred that the “case is closed.” A short time later Waterhouse was arrested in the hotel holdup and was also identified as the “gunman” in a Paulsboro gas station holdup. McKenna and Endt had also been held as material witnesses in the Solury murder, but were not called upon to testify by the state.
Defense Motions Denied
The state rested at 10.37 a.m., and then Judge Shay denied two motions by Orlando for a directed verdict of acquittal. Orlando first moved for acquittal of McKenna and Waterhouse.
Orlando held that the state had failed to identify Waterhouse and McKenna with the holdup, and that the fact they were arrested less than an hour after the holdup with Endt in a taxicab in which $67.83 was found under the seat, was purely circumstantial evidence occurring after the holdup. Defense counsel also pointed out that while Harry A. Auman, the clerk, had identified Endt as one of three bandits, he failed to identify Waterhouse and McKenna, and had even refused to sign a complaint against them in police court.
Second Motion Denied
When Judge Shay dismissed the motion on the ground that there was enough evidence to permit the case to go to the jury, Orlando then moved for a verdict of acquittal for all three defendants. He said the joint indictment against them charges “robbery by force and putting in fear,” and that the state had failed to prove the elements of robbery, that any violence was used or that Auman was put in fear.
Judge Shay denied the second motion, averring that the hotel lobby was dark, and one of the bandits placed something, a finger or a weapon, against Auman.
“If I were in his position, I would be frightened under those circumstances regardless of whether it was a gun or not, especially since it was too dark to determine this,” stated Judge Shay.
The state today moved to spike what had appeared to be the foundation of a defense alibi. Yesterday, Edward Schreyer, 124 North Tenth street, driver of the taxicab in which the three were arrested, testified that at 5.25 p.m., he had picked up three fares at the Pennsauken police station and taken them to Camden. A short time later, he picked up Waterhouse, McKenna and Endt at Broadway and Cooper street.
This was brought out under cross-examination by Orlando, and it indicated the defense might contend that the money might have been placed under the seat by the previous fares.
Three Fares Called
Today the state called the three fares, James McGinnis, 1115 Federal street; Joseph Dent, 318 Taylor avenue, and his brother, Walter Dent. They averred they had been playing cards at a friend’s house the preceding night and were speeding on Crescent boulevard when their car overturned near Central Airport. They were either at Cooper Hospital or at the Pennsauken police headquarters between 1.30 a.m. and 5.25 a.m. They said they had not been playing for money and had little cash.
Two Pennsauken policemen, Fred Weyman and James Hoff, corroborated their testimony insofar as their whereabouts at the time of the holdup. Sergeant Michael Bachmayer, of the Camden Bridge police, the last state’s witness, described how two bridge cops chased Schreyer’s cab on the bridge and overtook it to arrest the three suspects.
2 Men Indicted for Murder of Store Manager
Camden Morning Post —
Grand Jury Cites Janasz and Makowski for Killing of John Cullen
YOUTHS CONFESSED TO FAIRVIEW HOLDUP
Auto Fatalities and Kidnaping Listed in 94 True Bills Returned
The electric chair loomed closer for Stanley B. Janasz, alias Benny Jones, and John Makowski, alias “Fingers,” yesterday when the retiring September grand jury presented indictments charging murder against them to Judge Samuel M. Shay in Criminal Court.
The two true bills were included in a presentment of 94 indictments. The two youths have confessed to holding up John Cullen, 22, of 1088 South Common road, Fairview, manager of the American Store at 1201 Landsdowne avenue, who died from a bullet wound inflicted by Janasz. The holdup occurred November 28. Cullen left a widow and a one-year-old baby.
Automobile fatalities resulted in two indictments charging manslaughter against Randall Buzby and Leon Burak.
Other indictments were:
Kidnaping — Frederick Cheeseman, William Cameron and Rose Wilkins.
Disorderly house — Dorothy Van Meter.
Abandonment of minor child — Sallie Fries.
Unlawful possession of liquor — Charles Palmer, Mathias Paulus, two indictments.
Obtaining money under false pretenses — Julia Eden, two counts; Eugene Beach, Jr., Leo F. Buck and Martha Carmely.
Carrying weapon unlawfully — Charles Webb.
Robbery — Harry Schultz, William Dempsey, James Brody, two counts each.
Breaking, entering and larceny — Douglas Bradley, Thomas Johnson, Elwood Quann, Frank Robinson, Paul Bond, Earl Bundy, Roland Batts, Shelton Bryant, Leonard Peculski, Paul Burkhardt, Raymond Kocinski, Peter Bendorbick.
Breaking, entering and attempted larceny: Dominick Rafko, Peter Warren and Carmen Diciano.
Assault and battery: Preston Cooper, Charles H. Cooper, Samuel Lesky, Joseph Corson.
Atrocious assault and battery: Pasquale Juliano, Jr., 2 counts.
Conspiracy: John Kienzle, Sr. and Sallie Fries.
Perjury: John Moskow.
Driving vehicle without owner’s consent: Albert E. Davies.
Embezzlement: Ernest B. Thompson, Robert Langer.
Forgery: Albert Hahn.
Uttering forged document: John Moskow.
Larceny and receiving stolen goods: John Doyle, Alfred Bradley, Delbert Vaniver, Albert Vogel and Samuel Baker, 2 counts each; Robert Langer, Harry Schultz, William Dempsey, James Briody, Leonard Peculski, Paul Burkhardt, Albert E. Davies.
Receiving stolen goods: Allie Girard, Victor Price, Leonard Angelastro.
Larceny as bailee: Milford F. Muzzy, Charles H. Friars.
Tampering with meter: Victor A. Elmer, two counts.
Statutory offenses: Thomas Deva, Anthony Bertett, Ralph Pitnu, Frank Vilardo, George Whittaker.
Non-support: Frank Boner, Charles Burk, Nicholas Rossodivito, Jacob D. Hitchinson, Isaac Newport, Martin J. Tully, William Davis, Joseph Lionel Beetham, Howard Patterson, Owen J. Kent, Leslie R. Watkins, Charles H. Cooper, Harry Paul O’Drain, Harry Anderson.
Malicious mischief: Raymond Archer.
The grand jury returned resolutions commending the conduct of county institutions at Lakeland, the Detention Home and the prosecutor’s office.
Store Robber Given 10 Years in Prison
Camden Morning Post —
Case of Companion Will Be Put Before Grand Jury This Wek [sic]
Floyd Alter Bell, 36, alias “Twenty,” of 1719 Van Buren street, Philadelphia, was sentenced to 10 years in state’s prison yesterday by Judge Shay in Criminal Court on charges of robbery and carrying a gun.
Bell pleaded guilty to robbing the Star Beef Company, Sixth street and Kaighn avenue, on September 12, the charge on which he was sentenced to seven years. According to Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin, Bell and Frank M. Bank, 19, of 717 Baxter street, Camden, robbed the store of sausages, ham and other food stuffs, loaded them on a truck and escaped.
Both were arrested December 1 by Policemen Rheim and Feitz after the car they are alleged to have stolen from Railroad avenue and Van Hook street struck a pole at Sixth street and Kaighn avenue.
The case of Bank will be presented to the grand jury this week, Baldwin said. Bell, according to the prosecutor, confessed to committing several holdups in Camden and vicinity since July 1. Hams stolen from the beef concern were sold at $1 each in the Eighth Ward, $23 being collected.
Holdup Victims to Scan Bandit Suspects Held in Terror Reign
Camden Courier-Post —
Counsel Will Apply for Release of Defendants Under Bail
EXPECTED TO BE LINKED WITH WIERMAN MURDER.
Grand Jury Indicts Prisoners Seven Hours After Arrest
Victims of the recent series of daring hold-ups were to be summoned today to attempt to identify four men who, arrested with two women in East Camden yesterday, are believed by authorities to be members of a bandit gang which has created a reign of terrorism in this vicinity.
Indicted in the amazingly short time of seven hours after their arrest, the six are being held without bail in the Camden county jail to await trial next Monday on charges of possessing numerous weapons and narcotics.
Application for bail was to be made this morning by Samuel P. Orlando, attorney for the six. Orlando stated that if Prosecutor Baldwin declines to release the prisoners on bail, he would attempt to effect liberation through the medium of a writ of habeas corpus.
The prosecutor stated he would ask all witnesses and victims in the eight recent major holdups to attempt to identify the four male prisoners on the theory that they may be members of an organized ring at whose doors are laid the holdups netting a total of $25,000.
He also believes that the prisoners may know something about the murder of William “Big Bill” Wierman, Camden beer runner, who was slain during an ostentatious hold-up April 28 at the Bellmawr Country Club.
All six prisoners were removed temporarily from the jail this forenoon and taken to city detective headquarters at City Hall, where they were photographed and fingerprinted by Detective Thomas Stanger.
Copies of the photographs and Bertillon records will be sent to police departments in Philadelphia, New York city and Atlantic City to ascertain whether they are wanted for any crimes in those cities.
The six were arrested in three East Camden houses yesterday morning by the recently organized police vice squad. They gave their names as:
John Fisher, 38, of 41 South Thirty-third street, Camden.
Nicholas Bartilucci, 23, of 764 South Warwick street, Philadelphia.
Joseph Conti, 34, of 708 South Eighth street, Philadelphia.
Catherine Christman, 28, of 2202 Lambert street, Philadelphia.
Marco Reginelli, 32, of Apartment No. 2, at 143 North Thirty-fourth street, Camden.
Mrs. Mary Reginelli, 24, his wife, same address.
At 1:45 p. m. yesterday Prosecutor Baldwin took the case before the grand jury. At 2:05 p. m. the grand jury made a presentment of indictments to Judge Shay in Criminal Court.
Three of the true bills charged unlawful possession of deadly weapons and the fourth alleged possession of narcotics. Of the weapon charges, one named Miss Christman, Conti and Bartilucci jointly; another cited the Reginellis jointly, and the third named Fisher and Bartilucci. The narcotic bill was returned against Miss Christman, Conti and Bartilucci jointly.
Three of those held have long criminal records in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia police have no record on John Fisher, but hangers-on in the Philadelphia tenderloin hint he is a big racketeer who was hiding out in Camden.
Has Police Record
Bartilucci was arrested in January, 1924, by Philadelphia police on suspicion of peddling narcotics, disorderly conduct, and violating a parole. He was sent to the protectory at Norristown, Pa., served about a year and was discharged. He was arrested again Dec. 30, 1926, charged with disorderly conduct and inciting to riot, and was discharged by a Philadelphia magistrate. On Jan. 19, 1926, he was arrested as a suspicious character and was again discharged by a magistrate. On Feb. 12, 1927, he was arrested by the Philadelphia bandit squad on suspicion of hold up and robbery, and again was discharged by a magistrate. Arrested on suspicion after a gang shooting March 25, 1927, he was discharged again. In June of the same year he was arrested as a frequenter of a gambling house and was released under a $300 peace bond.
Conti formerly lived at the Fulton Hotel, Chester, Pa., and at Weldon, Pa., according to the Philadelphia police. He was arrested Oct. 19, 1926, by a Philadelphia police squad for sale and possession of liquor and was turned over to Federal officials. No disposition was made of the case. Later in the same year he was arrested for assault and battery by automobile.
Reginelli was arrested in Philadelphia Jan. 1, 1920, as a suspicious character. Arrested in 1924 on suspicion of larceny by trickery, he was discharged by a magistrate. He was discharged after his arrest on a similar charge in August of that year.
In September, 1925, he was arrested for conspiracy and larceny of $1800 by film-flam and receiving stolen goods and was sentenced to county prison for a year by Judge Edward L. Lewis. Philadelphia police have no record on the two women.
According to county detectives, Reginelli, also known as John De Marco, was questioned in connection with the Black Horse pike gang murders in December, 1928, but was released.
All were arrested “on information received,” the only explanation the police would give. It was revealed that the special vice squad, organized by police heads a few days after a Camden bank messenger was robbed of $6700 in broad daylight May 23, has had the three dwellings under surveillance for a week.
Prentice Cleared of Drunken Driving
Camden Courier-Post —
RULING ESTABLISHES PRECEDENT IN TESTS BY POLICE PHYSICIAN
Former Freeholder’s Crippled Condition Taken into Consideration by Judge
EVIDENCE IS DOUBTED
Conviction of John Prentice, former director of the board of freeholders, on a charge of drunken driving, was reversed by Judge Samuel M. Shay, in Criminal Court yesterday with an opinion which sets a precedent in South Jersey and places the examination by a police physician open to question in court.
The acquittal of Prentice ended a case that occupied nearly the whole day in court. Prentice, who lives at 439 Carteret street, was convicted in police court after his car collided with that of Sol E. Zeiger, 1065 Kaighn ave., at Haddon and Lansdowne avenues.
The court was openly skeptical of Zeiger’s version of the accident. Zeiger claimed Prentice, after driving in a zig-zag manner, smashed into Zeiger’s car. He admitted however that the accident occurred in such a way that the front of his own car and the rear of Prentice’s were damaged.
In questioning the testimony of Dr. Charles Ley, police surgeon, who pronounced Prentice drunk, Judge Shay pointed out that the “best physicians” frequently disagree on the stand. Three physicians testified that Prentice was crippled in such a way that he could not maintain his balance, could not stand with his heels together and was otherwise unsteady on his feet, although entirely competent in operating an automobile. This was introduced as the reason Prentice failed to pass the examination when arrested.
“Bickerings over money” also were referred to by Judge Shay in his opinion. Prentice’s wife said Zeiger asked $300 to drop the case. Mrs. Prentice denied she ever had visited Dr. Ley and asked him to change the record on her husband’s case. Dr. Ley testified she had.
“I am basing my verdict,” Judge Shay said, “upon the facts that the policemen in the case would not make a complaint, the driver of the other car told a story which is not entitled to credibility and told of feats which I cannot believe. I have greatest respect for Dr. Ley. However, I do not let a physician who may testify be my sole guide for we frequently find the best physicians disagreeing on the witness stand. The Prentice case is that of a man whose physical condition is bad, due to injury. Furthermore, there were other witnesses to testify that he was not intoxicated, and it has been shown he never had been in any other accident. A bickering over money by those concerned also arouses considerable doubt. I therefore acquit Prentice.”
Samuel M. Shay presided over a drunken driving trial, December 1930
4 Years in Prison Given Husband in Shooting of Wife
Camden Courier-Post —
Judge Tells Man He Is Lucky Not to Be Tried for Murder
OTHERS ARE SENTENCED
One man was sent to the state prison for four years and five others were given light sentences by Judge Shay in criminal court today.
Censured by the court and told he was lucky he was not being tried for murder, Harvey Magowan, 45, of 304 Mickle street, was sentenced to four years on charges of shooting and seriously injuring his common-law wife, Theresa, of 304 State street.
Mrs. Magowan told Judge Shay that her husband entered her home on October 2[?], fired one shot through a door and another through her arm. Magowan admitted the charges and said he had been drinking.
Accused of attacking two small children, Louis Works, 32, of 512 Borton street, was given two years in prison. The sentence carried with it a recommendation for a mental examination. Complaint against him was made by Mrs. Louise F. Walsh, secretary of the S. P. C. C.
18 Months Given in Cutting
John Jones, 28, of 1018 Lawrence street, was sentenced to 18 months when he admitted he “almost carved off the head” of Frank Williams, 22, of 1126 Carpenter street. Williams displayed a scar which he said took 16 stitches to close. Jones said the argument started over his housekeeper, and he only cut Williams in self-defense.
Being acquainted with “nearly everybody in town” did not help Lemuel McGreggor, 48, of 222 Kaighn avenue, when he was arraigned on charges of assault and battery made by George Kerr. He testified he had been an orderly in both Camden hospitals. He was sentenced to three months in the workhouse.
Charged with carrying weapons, John Cheeks, of Second and Sycamore streets, and James Wallace, of 636½ Van Hook street, were both given four months in the workhouse. Cheeks was convicted of carrying a blackjack and Wallace, a revolver.
Purse Snatcher Jailed
An indefinite sentence to the state reformatory was meted out to Harry Jones, 17, of 174 Sycamore street. He was charged with being a purse snatcher. Three women testified against him.
A $7-a-week support order was imposed on Peter Petrie, 30, of 20 Nicholson road, West Collingswood Heights. His wife, Elsie, of the same address, testified she had not received any money for herself and their two children for several weeks. Petrie said he had been out of work.
Sentences were suspended on William Dolby, Jr., of Lenola, charged with stealing gasoline and oil, and Howard Bittner, 17, of 415 Erie street, charged with stealing a watch, ring, overcoat and $1 in cash.
Indictments were nol prossed in favor of William Dolby, Sr., of Lenola; Robert Langer, of Maple Shade; Charles Magee, of Collingswood; Edmund Brozozowski [?], Felix Zablessosio [?] and Robert Langer, of Maple Shade.
‘Bus Bandits’ Found Guilty; Face 15 Years
Camden Courier-Post —
Thompson and Mallet Convicted of Robbing Drivers in Short Time
‘CONFESSION’ FORCED, DEFENDANT DECLARES
Juror Slugged, Case Goes on With Eleven in the Box
Found Guilty
REINO A. THOMPSON
805 Linden street, who with Henry N. Mallet, of 119 North Ninth street, co-defendant, was found guilty of highway robbery by a jury in Criminal Court yesterday. The jury consisted of 11 persons. One was released after he informed the court he was “put on the spot.”
Reino A. Thompson, 19, of 805 Linden street, and Henry N. Mallet, 21, of 119 North Ninth street, were both found guilty of highway robbery by a jury in Criminal Court yesterday after one hour and 20 minutes’ deliberation.
The maximum penalty for this crime is 15 years in state prison. Judge Samuel M. Shay will sentence the pair next week.
At the opening of the case yesterday, it was revealed that one of the jurors had his head bandaged. An inquiry from the court brought out the fact that the juror had received two alleged beatings and was “put on the spot.”
Judge Shay allowed the man to leave the jury box and proceeded with 11 persons, an unprecedented situation in the history of the county court.
Mallett Scores Police
Thompson in his testimony exonerated Mallet of the crime and told the jurors he did the robbery. Mallet, who had made a signed confession, which was introduced into court, testified he was given rough tactics by the police and compelled to sign the statement.
Mallet said that at the time of the robbery he was eating in a Camden restaurant. Later he met Thompson and they went for a ride through Merchantville. When several policemen approached, Thompson wrecked the car in attempting to escape and Mallet suffered a severe cut over his right eye.
When taken to the station house, Mallet testified, Bangs struck him repeatedly on his injured eye “until I would have confessed anything and signed without knowing what I was doing.”
Thompson, who admitted his part in the holdup, corroborated Mallet’s testimony.
Charles B. Kay, 53, of 435 Liberty street, was the juror who said he had been attacked by thugs. He declared he suffered four broken ribs and cuts and bruises. His head was swathed in gauze when he appeared in the courtroom.
In further explanation, Kay said he was put “on the spot.” He volunteered no further explanation than that, but asked to be excused, as he had to report back to the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital today for treatment.
Excused From Duty
He was excused by the court after Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese and Frank M. Lario, attorney for the defendants, agreed to continue with eleven jurors.
Kay walked into the hospital at 4 a. m. and asked for treatment. He said that a man offered to give him a lift in an automobile while he was standing at Third and Mechanic streets. A woman was with the “good samaritan,” according to Kay, who averred that instead of going to the Market street ferries the man drove the car out Mt. Ephraim avenue.
Kay asserted that when he protested the man struck him and threw him out of the machine. No attempt was made to rob him. Police investigating the attack stated that Kay had been drinking and told varying stories, first saying he knew the couple and later denying he knew who they were.
Reino, who was exonerated of killing his father last April, and Mallett are said to have confessed to 13 robberies, but they were placed on trial on charges of holding up Leon Garringer, 4725 Poplar avenue, Pennsauken, and Fred Crowder, 6308 Shelbourne street, Philadelphia, on Aug. 5. Garringer and Crowder are bus drivers and were on the witness stand today.
Garringer said he stopped his Public Service bus at Park avenue and Haddonfield road, Pennsauken township, at 11 p. m. that night. Later, Crowder parked his bus and came into Garringer’s bus. Garringer was reading a paper and Crowder was counting his receipts when a coupe containing two men pulled up beside the buses.
One of the coupe’s occupants entered the bus, levelled a revolver at the two drivers and yelled, “Stick ‘em up!” He stole $19 from Crowder and then ran back to the coupe, where his companion had been waiting at the driver’s wheel.
Caught After Chase
Crowder corroborated Garringer’s testimony, and Chief of Police William H. Linderman was called by the state. Chief Linderman said his men captured Thompson Aug. 9 after a long chase and later arrested Mallett. The following day, Thompson sent for him, saying he wanted “to come clean.” Thompson confessed to the bus holdup, Chief Linderman said, and implicated Mallett. Palese succeeded in having the confession accepted in evidence and it was read to the jury.
Policemen Edward J. Hare and Herbert A. Davidson, Jr., of Merchantville, stopped an automobile at Maple and Westminster avenues. They were suspicious of the registration, and bade the driver, who was Mallett, to follow them to the police station. Thompson was in the car. Instead of stopping at the station, the driver turned into Park avenue, where a pistol was thrown out of the automobile. The police gave chase. Near Maple Shade, the car went into a ditch and overturned. Thompson was caught but Mallet escaped. He was later arrested in Camden when his mother allegedly revealed his hiding place to police.
Thompson was arrested when his father died last April of injuries to his head suffered when he fell after being struck by Reino. The youth said he struck in self-defense. Also his mother pleaded his cause. Young Thompson promised to “lead a good life” and help support his mother and her family. He was then released by the grand jury.
Judge M’Devitt Calls Prohibition Breeder of Crime
Camden Courier-Post —
Speaks at Dinner in Honor of South Jersey Law Graduates
‘GANGSTERS COWARDS’
Though all crime cannot be blamed on the Eighteenth Amendment, it has encouraged the breaking of other laws, Judge Harry S. McDevitt, president judge of the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, declared last night in an address at the sixth annual dinner in honor of the graduating classes of the South Jersey Law School and the College of South Jersey.
The dinner, followed by a dance, was held in Log Cabin Lodge, Medford. More than 200 attended.
Judge McDevitt, who started his 11th year on the bench yesterday, said:
“Gangsters all are cowards. The greatest example of gangster cowardice was the Lindbergh kidnaping and it shows just how bad conditions are when we must deal with the underworld.
“If people tried to correct the evils of crime, they could, but they won’t try.”
Crime on Increase
Pointing to the increase of crime, he declared that Philadelphia has more gangsters today than at any time in its history and that 26 cents of every $1 spent in Philadelphia went for crime prevention and prosecution.
He declared that almost 50,000 persons walking the streets of New York have criminal records.
“Fifteen million young people in the United States are becoming gangsters because they lack religious education and proper home training and influence. There are more firearms sold in the United States today than in all the other countries of the world,” he said.
Other speakers were Judge Samuel M. Shay, of Camden county Common Pleas Court; Arthur E. Armitage, registrar of the law school; Floyd Bradley, of the character and fitness committee of the school; Senator S. Rusling Leap, Salem county; Elmer G. Van Name, president, and Edward M. Platt, associate dean, of the law school; Charles M. Maurer, dean of the College of South Jersey, and A. Charles Mitchell, of Merchantville, a member of the graduating law class, who was toastmaster.
Exercises Tomorrow
The commencement exercises of the school will be held tomorrow at 8.15 p. m. in Hotel Walt Whitman. The invocation will be made by Rt. Rev. Monsignor William J. FitzGerald. President Van Name will make a brief address. The salutatory will be delivered by W. Warren Luckenbill. The mantle ceremony for the college will be in charge of Thomas Gramigna, president of the class, and the valedictory will be given by Fred A. Gravino. J. Bernard Rogovoy, president of the 1932 law class, will confer the mantle upon his successor.
The principal address will be delivered by Rev. Milton J. Hoffman, Hope College, and former Rhodes scholar at Oxford.
The graduating class of the college will be presented by Mean [sic] Maurer, and the graduating class of the law school by Associate Dean Platt, after which the degrees will be conferred by President Van Name.
The academic honors for the year in the law school have been won by Charles E. Seltzer. Wilson S. Thomson is honor man in the college. Twelve men will graduate from the law school and 15 from the college.
2 Cops Go on Trial Tuesday as Echo of Election Row
Camden Courier-Post —
Jersey City Democrat Charges Bakley and Truax Violated Law
2 COURTS IN SESSION
Two Camden police officers, Lieut. Ralph W. Bakley, commander of the Second district, and Sergeant Frank Truax, are scheduled to go on trial in Criminal Court tomorrow on an indictment charging them with violation of the election laws.
The charge resulted from the arrest of Joseph Tumulty, Jersey City attorney and Democratic challenger at the Camden city polls during the gubernatorial election last November. Mayor Roy R. Stewart will be summoned as a defense witness, according to the officers’ counsel, T. Harry Rowland. The latter added that Major Charles V. Dickinson, deputy superintendent of police; Captain Arthur Colsey, business men, several bankers and a score of other character witnesses will be called to the stand.
Two Courts in Session
The case is one of a large number listed for trial, pleas or sentences this week by Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin in an attempt to clear up the Criminal Court calendar to permit adjournment in July. Two criminal courts will be in session today, tomorrow and Wednesday. Judge Samuel M. Shay will preside in the fourth-floor courtroom, while Judge Austin H. Swackhamer will hold court on the second floor.
Thirteen defendants will face court today, 11 for trial and two to enter pleas.
One of the two who will enter pleas is Mrs. Mable J. Steyer, of 4603 Conshohocken avenue, Philadelphia, who is under indictment on the charge of manslaughter by automobile. She is charged with the death of William Sharkey, of Berlin, on the White Horse pike last February. Six times Prosecutor Baldwin has endeavored to have the woman in court, but she refused to appear. She visited in the prosecutor’s office several days ago and was released under $1000 bail. She had previously forfeited the same amount of bail. She is charged with driving her automobile on the wrong side of the pike and crashing into the car operated by Sharkey.
The other defendant who is scheduled to appear to plead is Harry Willingmyer, charged with assault and battery.
The 11 defendants who are listed to stand trial today include Dr. C. N. Mason, of 85 Lincoln avenue, Delaware township. Dr. Mason is charged with false pretense in obtaining $1000 from Gustave Huseman, of 616 Rogers avenue, Merchantville. The other defendants are John Uboldi, larceny; Albert Cohen, false pretense; James Jordan, assault and battery; Herman Romaine, statuatory [sic] charge; Harold Nickturn, larceny, and four indictments against the much arrested Howard C. Franklin, Oaklyn automobile dealer who is charged with false pretense.
Tomorrow, Arthur “Gyp” Del Ducca, convicted disorderly house keeper, will be sentenced by Judge Swackhamer. Del Ducca was convicted in the criminal court last Wednesday of operating a resort at 764 Fairview street. Charles Fanelli, of 319 Penn street, who was convicted of holding up John Weeks, of Eighth and Tabor road, Philadelphia, on November 13, last, and robbing him of $50, will also be sentenced on Tuesday.
Several roadhouse proprietors whose establishments were recently raided, are also scheduled to appear in court tomorrow for trial. They include Harry Fleisher, 300 Rand street; John Cernivo, of Camden; Thomas Gibbons, of Gloucester; Walt Mills, alleged proprietor of the Maze Cafe in Stratford; Edward J. Walsh, alleged proprietor of the Little Grill, in West Collingswood Heights; Owen Sweeney, alleged proprietor of the Haddon Lake, at Mt. Ephraim; William Marshall, alleged proprietor of the Royal Haven Inn, at Berlin; Conrad Bittner, 456 Broadway, Gloucester, and Harry Underwood, also of Gloucester. There are two indictments against Underwood.
Walter Kennedy, former Camden boxer who fought under the ring name of Walter West, is also scheduled to go on trial tomorrow on a charge of carrying concealed deadly weapons. Kennedy, who is a shell-shocked World War veteran and former Camden soft drink parlor proprietor, is charged with attempting to hold up a Public Service bus on State street, four months ago.
Other defendants on tomorrow’s trial list are Louis Ward and Dean Kessler, larceny; Pasquale Massi, Jacob Melzer and Frank Atwater, attempted breaking and entering; Louis Scott, Edward Brady, Carl Pisco, Joseph Pisco, carrying concealed deadly weapons; Jim Jackson and Woodrow Stevens, breaking and entering; Frank Mucci, disorderly house; W. H. Seckel, false pretense; Davis Keese, statuatory [sic] charge, and Gustave Seletos, three indictments for false pretense.
On Wednesday ten defendants are scheduled to go on trial in the criminal courts. They are:
Roland Davis, desertion; William Bopergola, Tony Basile, Joseph Gogenti, Frank Carofolo, statuatory [sic] charges; Edward North, larceny; Joseph Carboni, larceny from person; George Huber, larceny; Roland Davis board bill; George Walters, tampering with meter.
Judge Shay will be asked tomorrow to sign court orders authorizing the prosecutor’s office to destroy all the liquors seized in the various roadhouse raids during the past year. The liquor is at present stored in the cellar of the old court house under lock and key.
Bakley and Truax Freed
Camden Courier-Post —
BAKLEY AND TRUAX FREED BY COURT IN ELECTION ROW CASE
Indictments on Charges by Jersey City Democrats, Quashed at Trial
POLICEMEN EXONERATED
Indictments against Police Lieutenant Ralph W. Bakley and Sergeant Frank Truax, growing out of election disorders last November, were quashed before a crowded Criminal Court yesterday when prosecution was dropped.
Approximately 75 policemen, from Deputy Director Charles V. Dickinson down, business men and others were waiting to testify for the accused officers when the three Democratic attorneys from Hudson county who had preferred the charges asked that the case be dropped.
The latter are Joseph Tumulty, of Jersey City, nephew of the private secretary to President Wilson; his brother, John Tumulty, also of Jersey City, and Charles Rubenstein, of Bayonne. Their charges of assault and battery and false arrest had brought three indictments of four counts each, against the defendants.
T. Harry Rowland, attorney for the policemen, at first objected strenuously to disposing of the case without a jury verdict, but consented to quashing the indictments after a conference with his clients. Judge Austin H. Swackhamer, who came from Gloucester county to assist Judge Samuel M. Shay, then ordered the case dismissed, saving what might have been a lengthy and expensive trial.
Political Sores Healed
The sudden denouement of a case which had attracted statewide attention, indicated that bitter feelings, engendered during the election campaign which sent A. Harry Moore back to the governor’s chair over David Baird, of Camden, had been forgotten.
The Tumultys and Rubenstein were among a score or more of attorneys sent here by the Hudson county Democratic organization on election day last November to aid Camden county Democrats at the polls. The three attorneys were on duty at the Third precinct of the Fifth ward, a difference arose over a point of law and the policemen were called in. The North Jersey men said they were roughly handled and then arrested, later obtaining their release.
When the case was called in court yesterday, the three lawyers conferred with Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin for 15 minutes. Baldwin then told the judge the plaintiffs wanted to drop prosecution, since they had no personal grievance against the policemen and felt the officers only were following the orders of superiors.
“I would like to have a jury in the box to hear this, and bring in a verdict of not guilty,” Rowland objected. “We have prepared this case at a great disadvantage, scouring the highways and byways for witnesses, and if these plaintiffs have suffered a change of heart, that does not compensate these policemen for the ridicule and criticism they have suffered on account of these indictments. If they want to drop the case, let it be done before a jury and a verdict of not guilty be returned.”
Judge Questions Request
Judge Swackhamer said, “You don’t expect me to order that, do you?”
“I do not feel I can agree to that, either,” said Baldwin.
“But I want a jury verdict so that these charges cannot be resurrected at some time in the future,” Rowland persisted.
“I cannot guarantee immunity from indictments,” retorted the prosecutor. “These lawyers have assumed a fair attitude. They came here prepared to go ahead and we are ready to do so. But they realize the policemen are merely wage earners, and they bear no malice.”
Rowland conferred with his clients during a five-minute recess while the witnesses were ordered outside. On their return, Rowland addressed the Court.
“I must confess the wisdom of my clients is greater than my own,” he said. “They feel, as I do, it would take a week to try this case and put the county to great expense. I’ve known these men all my life. As a kid I worked in a foundry and Bakley was my foreman. But they are willing to take the criticism as good police officers and co-operate with the prosecutor. We feel we’ve had our day in court, and have no further objection to quashing of the indictments.”
Holdup Man Given 4 Years in Prison; Burglar Gets 2
Camden Courier-Post —
Four Others in Mt. Vernon Street Stickup Elect to Stand Trial
GUN TOTER SENTENCED
A Camden man who admitted he held up two stores was sentenced to four years in state’s prison, and a Philadelphian was given a three-year term for burglarizing two Gloucester homes, in Special Sessions of Criminal Court yesterday.
The former is Jack Gannon, 32, of 312 North Third street. He and Walter Lynch, 32, same address, were indicted jointly on a charge of holding up Fiori Mascarini, 244 Mt. Vernon street, soft drink establishment proprietor, at the point of a gun and stealing $28 on May 14. Lynch pleaded not guilty, choosing to stand trial, but Gannon pleaded guilty and was sentenced.
Gannon, Lynch and three other men were arraigned on an indictment charging that on May 13 they held up John Rossi, storekeeper at 542 North Front street, at the points of guns and stole $7.05. Gannon pleaded guilty and received two more years. The others pleaded not guilty and will be tried later. In addition to Lynch, the defendants are Nicholas Parisi, of the North Third street address; Carman Mercantini, 327 Line street; and Frank Tucci, 409 Beckett street.
Phila. Man Sentenced
The Philadelphia prisoner is Herman Smith, 24, of Twelfth and Lombard streets. On May 18, he broke into the home of Dr. R. T. Fox, 14 North Broadway, Gloucester, and stole a revolver. Next he was surprised in the home of Mrs. Agnes M. Officer, 233 South Broadway, where he stole a wrist watch. Mrs. Officer called her father and brother-in-law, who chased Smith. The latter was captured by Patrolman Martin McNulty, whom Smith threatened to shoot. Smith received a year on each of the two larceny charges and a third year for the threat count.
Judge Shay also meted out a number of less severe sentences. Alfred Swindell, 8 North Twenty-eighth street, pleaded guilty to assault and battery on his wife, Anna, and was given six months. Joseph Dzietczyk, 1519 Mt. Ephraim avenue, admitted he threatened to kill his wife, Helen, and was also sentenced to six months. Sandy Jackson, 1721 Van Buren street, was given 60 days for assault and battery on Minnie Coleman, same address.
Patrick Joy, Charles Saunders and Paul Hagerty, all of Gloucester, charged with breaking into the home of Mrs. Amelia B. Adams, 616 Market street, that city, on April 18, pleaded guilty. Joy and Saunders were given indeterminate sentences in the Rahway Reformatory, while Hagerty was given an 18-month term at state’s prison.
Forger Sentenced
William D. Keck, 722 Grant avenue, Collingswood, pleaded guilty to forging the name of C. F. Rell, of Collingswood, to several checks and passing them to the amount of $35. He was given four months in the county jail.
William Green, 765 Sycamore street who when arrested May 13, had an unloaded revolver, was given six months.
Harold Gentile, 32, of Haviland avenue, Audubon, pleaded guilty to a charge of non-support brought by his wife, Edith, of Barrington. They have two children. Judge Shay suspended a one-year sentence and ordered Gentile to pay $6 a week as support.
Judge M’Devitt Calls Prohibition Breeder of Crime
Camden Courier-Post —
Speaks at Dinner in Honor of South Jersey Law Graduates
‘GANGSTERS COWARDS’
Though all crime cannot be blamed on the Eighteenth Amendment, it has encouraged the breaking of other laws, Judge Harry S. McDevitt, president judge of the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, declared last night in an address at the sixth annual dinner in honor of the graduating classes of the South Jersey Law School and the College of South Jersey.
The dinner, followed by a dance, was held in Log Cabin Lodge, Medford. More than 200 attended.
Judge McDevitt, who started his 11th year on the bench yesterday, said:
“Gangsters all are cowards. The greatest example of gangster cowardice was the Lindbergh kidnaping and it shows just how bad conditions are when we must deal with the underworld.
“If people tried to correct the evils of crime, they could, but they won’t try.”
Crime on Increase
Pointing to the increase of crime, he declared that Philadelphia has more gangsters today than at any time in its history and that 26 cents of every $1 spent in Philadelphia [text lost between crops] went for crime prevention and prosecution.
He declared that almost 50,000 persons walking the streets of New York have criminal records.
“Fifteen million young people in the United States are becoming gangsters because they lack religious education and proper home training and influence. There are more firearms sold in the United States today than in all the other countries of the world,” he said.
Other speakers were Judge Samuel M. Shay, of Camden county Common Pleas Court; Arthur E. Armitage, registrar of the law school; Floyd Bradley, of the character and fitness committee of the school; Senator S. Rusling Leap, Salem county; Elmer G. Van Name, president, and Edward M. Platt, associate dean, of the law school; Charles M. Maurer, dean of the College of South Jersey, and A. Charles Mitchell, of Merchantville, a member of the graduating law class, who was toastmaster.
Exercises Tomorrow
The commencement exercises of the school will be held tomorrow at 8.15 p. m. in Hotel Walt Whitman. The invocation will be made by Rt. Rev. Monsignor William J. FitzGerald. President Van Name will make a brief address. The salutatory will be delivered by W. Warren Luckenbill. The mantle ceremony for the college will be in charge of Thomas Gramigna, president of the class, and the valedictory will be given by Fred A. Gravino. J. Bernard Rogovoy, president of the 1932 law class, will confer the mantle upon his successor.
The principal address will be delivered by Rev. Milton J. Hoffman, Hope College, and former Rhodes scholar at Oxford.
The graduating class of the college will be presented by Mean [sic] Maurer, and the graduating class of the law school by Associate Dean Platt, after which the degrees will be conferred by President Van Name.
The academic honors for the year in the law school have been won by Charles E. Seltzer. Wilson S. Thomson is honor man in the college. Twelve men will graduate from the law school and 15 from the college.
Raps Gangs
JUDGE HARRY S. M’DEVITT
The president judge of Philadelphia Common Pleas Court described the Lindbergh kidnaping as the “greatest example of gang cowardice” in an address at a dinner to the graduating classes of the South Jersey Law School and the College of South Jersey at Log Cabin Lodge, Medford.
Man Gets Year’s Term on Non-Support Charge
Camden Courier-Post —
A man who told Judge Samuel M. Shay in Criminal Court yesterday that he sleeps every night under a tree in the Locustwood Cemetery, was sent to state’s prison for a year on charges of failing to support his wife.
Elmer Catlin, formerly of 2802 Tyler avenue, was summoned into court on complaint of his wife, Bertha, of the Tyler avenue address. She said that he has not kept up an order of $12 a week for the support of four children and herself which was made in December, 1931.
Catlin told Judge Shay that he has been out of work for several months. He recently obtained work at the cemetery, he said, but received so little money that he has not been able to rent a room and has been sleeping under a tree in the graveyard.
Wife Wins Freedom for Accused Husband
Camden Courier-Post —
Charged with carrying two five-inch bladed knives in his clothes, Anthony Orsini, of 519 South Third street, was released by Judge Samuel M. Shay in Criminal Court yesterday after the man explained his wife placed the weapons in his pocket to prevent them from falling into the hands of their two small children.
Orsini was arrested January 28, at Front and Erie streets when police answering a telephone message of a holdup, found Orsini in a parked car with the knives in his clothes.
Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin questioned the man, who said he used the knives in his work at a Camden laundry. He was released when the prosecutor explained the case to Judge Shay.
Blair Indicted by Grand Jury for Threat to Blow Up Home
Camden Courier-Post —
Boxer Must Stand Trial With Pal on Pennsauken Man’s Charge
DRY RAIDERS CLEARED IN COOK’S GRILL CASE
Two Agents and 4 Truckmen Absolved of Mischief in Bar-Wrecking Episode
The April grand jury yesterday returned a true bill against Mickey Blair, Camden pugilist, on a charge of threatening to kill a Pennsauken man by bombing his home.
It was the first time Blair has ever been indicted, although his police record shows he has been arrested 10 times for various offenses.
In addition the grand jury “no billed” a malicious mischief charge made by Basil Cook, owner of Cook’s Grill, 939 South Fifth street, against two prohibition agents and four employes of a trucking firm who tore out the bar and fixtures of the cafe in a raid several weeks ago.
Dismissal of the charges against the federal men and their collaborators had been forecast by Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin. The agents are Nelson Snedecor, 38, of 138 North Tenth street, Allentown, N. J.; and John J. Stokes, 41, of 6100 North Seventeenth street, Philadelphia, both of the Philadelphia prohibition office.
Controversy Ends
The Grand Jury’s action, taken in a first partial presentment made to Justice Frank T. Lloyd while Judge Samuel M. Shay was busy in Criminal Court, officially concludes a case that attracted wide attention and brought stormy conferences between Prohibition Administrator John D. Pennington, Mayor Roy R. Stewart and United States Attorney Philip Forman.
Police Judge Garfield Pancoast, who issued the warrant for the agents’ arrest, freed them on their own recognizance at the request of federal authorities. Cook contended the agents unlawfully destroyed his property after leaving the place following a raid, and entering it again without a warrant. The agents said they stayed in the hotel all night following the raid, excepting for the time they were forcefully taken out by police.
The workman [sic] are Floyd E. Slamp, 20, of 148 Marne avenue, Haddonfield, son of the secretary and treasurer of the Troth Warehouse and Trucking Company, Fifth and Byron streets; Robert McKee, 45, of 4837 Duffield street, Philadelphia; John Shrom, 19, of Moorisville, Pa., and John Adams, 20, of 542 Erie street.
Pal Accused With Blair
Blair, whose true name is Michael Tenerelli, was indicted on charges made by Calvin Bell, 45, of 7349 Remington avenue, Pennsauken. Thomas Bonelli was indicted with Tenerelli on the same charge. Tenerelli is 23 and lives at 833 South Fourth street. Bonelli is also 23 and lives at 270 Walnut street. Bell, who is colored, had them held in $2500 bail each by Police Recorder George W. Yost, of Pennsauken, last May 6. Bell charged they threatened to bomb his home unless he paid them $100 to make good for 100 gallons of liquor they allegedly purchased from one of his sons and found it worthless. The defendants were arrested in Bell’s home.
Tenerelli and Bonelli were released on bail a week ago in connection with the alleged holdup of Mrs. Barbara Lehman in her cigar store at 1209 Arctic avenue, Atlantic City. Although Tenerelli has figured in police records since he was 12 this is the first indictment to be returned against him, police say.
Other indictments returned yesterday are:
Desertion and non-support: John Councellor, John Morgan, Joseph Casini, Raymond Sykes, August Remler, Thomas Early, Isadore Kramer, Martin O’Toole, Harry Gallagher, William Johnson, Charles Krown, Curtis Myers, Clarence Brinning, George Price, William Slaughter, Grover C. Bennett.
Breaking, entering and larceny: Elisha and Anna Coleman, Theodore Ruteski and Anton Zakrewski, Patrick Williams and Louis Thomas, Henry Parzewicz, Tony Renczykowski and Stanley Kidzierski.
Robbery—John Duboski, John H. Linicky; assault and battery—John Barr, Louigi Celeni, Fred D. Coleman, Benjamin Wallace, Zack McGriff, John Collins, Max Platkin, Joseph Panacola, Albert Pickering, Adolph Smith, Millard Wallace.
Larceny and receiving stolen goods—Warren Cormulewicz, Harold Wolf, William Mitchell, Stanley Kramer and Frank Gymuszuk.
Possession of liquor—Herman Fleisher, Gene Geffner, David Gold.
Statutory charge—Robert J. Sutters.
Three Veteran Cops Will Go on Pension as Old Year Fades
Camden Courier-Post —
Painter, James and Stanger to End Long Service in City Employ
ONE ON JOB 49 YEARS
To Get Pension
CAPT. A. LINCOLN JAMES
Whose application for pension was granted yesterday, to become effective Dec. 30. On that date, Capt. James, who is 69, will have served 40 years, nine months and 18 days in the Camden police department. He resides at 922 Cooper street.
Three veterans of the Camden police department yesterday were granted pensions by the Police and Fire Pension Fund Committee. A widow of another who died recently, also received approval of an application.
Those who applied were Captain A. Lincoln James, attached to police headquarters; Detective John Painter, Camden’s “oldest cop,” and Detective Thomas M. Stanger.
All three will be placed on the retirement list Dec. 30 next. Capt. James will receive $130.66 a month, while the two detectives will each be paid $92.50 monthly pension.
Detective Painter, who is 76 years old, lacks only six months of a half century of service to the city of Camden, having been appointed to the police department in June of 1883. He has been attached to the city detective bureau and, according to his superiors, has been “faithful and efficient.” He figured in a number of widely publicized murder cases.
When he applied for pension Painter stated he took great pride in the fact that during his nearly 50-year service he has never once been “on the carpet.” He gave as his reason for retirement that he has not been feeling well for several months. He resides at 1242 Princess avenue.
Captain James, who is 69 and resides at 922 Cooper street, was appointed to the force March 12, 1892. He gave no reason for his wish to retire.
Stanger, who is 70 and resides with a daughter at Collingswood, has been on the force for nearly 25 years. He is in charge of the Bertillon records at the city detective bureau, having been official “photographer” and finger-printer in many spectacular cases.
Mrs. Rose Caputi, of 1263 Park boulevard, widow of Detective Joseph Caputi, who died last week, applied for and was granted a widow’s pension by the police and fire group. Mrs. Caputi will receive $1000 yearly.
Stewart Joins Shay In Battle on Vice
is suspicion or evidence of vice and graft,” inasmuch as Judge Shay, in declaring the vice war voiced the belief that vice could not exist without the consent of police.
Mayor Stewart expressed the opinion that the city has “cleaned up virtually all of the ugly conditions” prevalent here in the past.
Two More Women Held
Judge Shay deferred sentences on the five disorderly house-keepers and remanded them to jail when he learned that several of them were willing to make complete statements to authorities about the white slave racket. Two more accused vice den proprietresses were arraigned yesterday and they too were sent back to jail to be further questioned. They [cut off at the crop edge]
Pernier Convicted in Gun Case, Faces Three to Seven Years in J[?]
Camden Courier-Post —
![Pernier Convicted in Gun Case, Faces Three to Seven Years in J[?] - Camden Courier-Post, January 25, 1933](https://assets.dvrbs.camdenhistory.com/people/prom-2019/williampernier-012533-1a.jpg?w=960&fmt=auto)
![Pernier Convicted in Gun Case, Faces Three to Seven Years in J[?] - Camden Courier-Post, January 25, 1933](https://assets.dvrbs.camdenhistory.com/people/prom-2019/williampernier-012533-2a.jpg?w=960&fmt=auto)
![Pernier Convicted in Gun Case, Faces Three to Seven Years in J[?] - Camden Courier-Post, January 25, 1933](https://assets.dvrbs.camdenhistory.com/people/prom-2019/williampernier-012533-3b.jpg?w=960&fmt=auto)
ONLY 12 MINUTES REQUIRED BY JURY TO REACH VERDICT
Three Cops Tell of Warm Weapon in His Hand in Fight With Enemies
PAL OF SLAIN BONNER
A jury of 12 men after deliberating 12 minutes yesterday convicted William Pernier of carrying a revolver.
The trial of the former pal of William “Shooey” Bonner, slain gangster, was one of the shortest in the history of Camden County Criminal Court. The trial consumed but 2[?] minutes from the time the jurors were sworn until they were sent out for their deliberation.
Pernier, who is 32, and who gave an address of 293 Liberty street, through his attorney Julius Sklar, offered a defense which Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese termed a “smoke screen.”
After three policemen testified that they found Pernier with a revolver in his hand on the night of Oct. 30, after he had allegedly fired on thugs who shot him at Locust street and Kaighn avenue, Pernier said the weapon was not his.
“I was walking along Kaighn avenue with my wife, Mary, and three men friends,” he said, “when as we reached Locust street, this car pulled along the curb and the occupants fired at me. I was shot in both legs and after shooting me they threw the revolver at me. I picked it up and tried to shoot at them with it, but it would not go off. I never owned a gun.”
Policemen William Whaland, Joseph Lack and Joseph Leonhardt, however, testified that the gun with four empty shells and one cartridge in it, was still warm when they took it from Pernier’s hand.
After the jury announced that they had found Pernier guilty, Palese stated that he would ask for sentence this morning. Judge Samuel M. Shay remanded Pernier to jail without bail pending sentence. He faces a sentence of from three to seven years in prison.
4 Youths Guilty in Assault Case
Camden Courier-Post —
Liable to Maximum Penalty of 35 Years for Attack on Girl
After deliberating one hour and 45 minutes a Criminal Court jury late yesterday found four South Camden young men guilty of criminally assaulting a pretty Pennsauken township girl.
Sentence will be imposed tomorrow by Judge Samuel M. Shay, who presided at the two days’ trial. The youths were convicted on five indictments each. Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese, who prosecuted them, said they were liable to a maximum penalty of 35 years in state prison.
The girl who collapsed on the witness stand while testifying against the four men is Miss Martha Tomlinson, 18. During her recital of the attack she broke down and Judge Shay ordered a recess until the young woman could regain her composure.
The defendants are: William Lopergola, 420 Royden street; Tony Basile, 419 Clinton street; Joseph Girgenti, 305 Benson street, and Frank Corafolo, 210 Senate street, all in their early twenties.
The youths took the stand in their own defense yesterday afternoon and admitted the attack but denied criminal intent.
Two Youths Given 7 to 10 Years in Attack on Girl
Camden Courier-Post —
Shay Denounces Defendants Promises Stiffer Sentences in Future
SCORES CRIME INCREASE
Convicted of criminally assaulting a girl they had promised to take home from a dance, two young men were sentenced by Judge Samuel M. Shay yesterday to 10 years in prison and two others to seven years each.
William Lopergola, 26, of 420 Royden street, and Tony Bassile, 24, of 419 Clinton street, received the heavier sentences because they had been previously convicted of larceny.
Joseph Girgenti, 17, of 305 Benson street, and Frank Corofola, 25, of 210 Senate street, were sentenced to seven years each in the state prison at Trenton.
The sentences were the heaviest imposed here for that offense in years. The prisoners were stunned. In announcing the punishment, Judge Shay delivered a scathing denunciation of the prisoners and their crime, and warned he will double the prison terms for any others convicted of similar offenses in his court.
Friends Car Stolen
The girl who accused the men is Martha Tomlinson, of Delaware township, 18, blonde and attractive, [sic] She attended a dance February 9 at Tenth and Liberty streets. The automobile of the young man who was to take her home was stolen, and he left her unescorted to report the theft to police. One of the defendants drove up and offered to take her home, she said.
On his promise he would drive direct to her home, she testified, she accepted, only to find the three others jumping into the car as it started away, and immediately making advances. She said she was attacked five times in a dark spot near the waterfront, robbed of $1, saving her wrist watch only by her pleas, and finally thrown out of the car in South Camden at 3:30 a.m. She took the license number of the automobile and the men later were arrested.
In the two-day trial they admitted being with the girl but averred she did not resist their advances. They denied the theft charge.
Before he handed down sentence, Judge Shay was told by Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese that Papergola [sic] and Basile have been convicted before on larceny charges, and that Basile, Girgenti and Corafolo are under bail now in connection with a holdup a week ago last Saturday night. Samuel P. Orlando, defense counsel, said he will file a motion later for a new trial. After hearing the sentences, he said Girgenti should have been sent to a reformatory instead of State Prison, but Judge Shay refused to change his decision, saying he wanted to keep Girgenti under his supervision.
Penalty is 35 Years
It was pointed out the laws under which the men were convicted permit a maximum penalty of 35 years in prison.
In denouncing the prisoners, Judge Shay said:
It has been called to my attention many times, unofficially, over a period of several months, that this business of taking young girls in automobiles by gangs of men and mistreating them has been increasing in this county. I have received a number of complaints of girls riding in automobiles innocently, and being subjected to all kinds of treatment.
“The parents of these girls do not want to make complaints for fear of blasting the character of the girls, and therefor [sic] many families, and the girls themselves, suffer the humility and stench in silence, rather than ruin their good name. The crime for which these men were convicted is degrading. The Judge of the Common Pleas Court is regarded as the keeper of the morals of the county.
“I am going to set an example with these men, to show that this county will not tolerate such conditions. If any other men are convicted in my court of a similar crime, I am going to double the sentence that I am going to give these men. Not every girl can have a chaperon. It is natural for girls to want to go to dances, and all the girls cannot go to the fashionable country clubs to dance.
“Some girls’ stations in life do not permit that. When these four men promised to take the girl home, they should have done so, and treated her properly.”
Numbers Slips Just Ain't—They're Only Timetables!
Camden Courier-Post —
The strangest exhibit ever to bob up in a Camden court was produced before Judge Shay yesterday during the trial of Joseph and Fred Klosterman on numbers racket charges.
Walter S. Keown, defense attorney, produced a piece of paper, apparently identical in type style and arrangement to the numbers slips introduced by the prosecution, and declared it was a railroad timetable and not a numbers slip.
“I’ll show it to Judge Shay,” parried Keown. “I don’t want to see it,” laughed Judge Shay, as Keown paced around the courtroom, followed by Gotshalk. “It has nothing to do with this case,” repeated Keown.
Shaw testified that he, Detective Clarence Arthur and Patrolman John Kaighn entered the saloon December 10, and went out the back door. They followed a path to the Green Street house, broke down the door and found Henry Bagroewski, 17, and his mother burning numbers slips in a stove. Shaw said he recovered a half basket of slips.
Shaw and Arthur also declared that they found a bell in the house and that it was connected to a push button in the saloon, allegedly for an alarm.
Mary King, deputy city clerk, testified that at the time of the raid the license for the saloon was in Joseph Klosterman’s name. The case was continued.
Klosterman Boys Found Guilty in Numbers Case
Camden Courier-Post —
Joseph and Fred Klosterman were convicted in Camden Criminal Court yesterday of operating a numbers racket.
A jury returned a guilty verdict against the two South Camden sportsmen-brothers at 6:25 p.m., after deliberating only a short while.
Both were in the courtroom when the verdict was announced, but were allowed to depart under bail pending sentence later by Judge Samuel M. Shay.
Judge Shay delivered his charge to the jury after denying motions by Walter S. Keown, defense counsel, first to quash the indictment on grounds that its language was faulty, and second, to direct a verdict of not guilty for lack of evidence.
Called ‘Big Shots’
The two brothers were characterized as “big shot numbers barons” by Assistant Prosecutor William C. Gotshalk in his closing argument to the jury.
The Klosterman saloon, Mechanic and Green Streets, was raided December 10 by city detectives who testified Tuesday they followed a footpath to an adjacent house at 1312 Green Street. They broke down the door and found a woman and her son burning numbers slips. Acting Lieutenant Louis Shaw, of the city detective bureau, testified he recovered some of the slips and also found a brief case containing numbers slips and a post card addressed to “F. Klosterman.” Detective Clarence Arthur and Patrolman John Kaighn corroborated Shaw’s testimony.
Fred Klosterman, who resides at 1255 Decatur Street, denied he was a “numbers baron” and said he merely “happened” to be there on the day of the raid. Under cross-examination he admitted having pleaded guilty to slot machine charges in June of last year.
New Citizens Graduate From Y.M.C.A. Classes
Camden Courier-Post —
Diplomas and certificates were awarded 25 graduates of the Y.M.C.A. naturalization class last night.
They were presented by Herman Hensgen, chairman of the naturalization committee. The new citizens recently were naturalized by U.S. Judge John Boyd Avis and County Judge Samuel M. Shay.
Hensgen delivered the address of welcome. A zither duet was given by Eugene Heilig and John Gruetzer; recitation by Doris Graves, McKinley School; address by Rev. Elwood A. Harrar, pastor of First Baptist Church, and vocal solo by Alfred L. Huttelmeyer.
William C. Cramer, clerk of the U.S. District Court, presented certificates to the new citizens.
Mothers Hysterical in Boy Vandal Trial
Camden Courier-Post —
Hysterics among three mothers, one of whom fainted, as their young sons were held for court yesterday inspired another attack on Police Judge Garfield Pancoast by Frank J. Hartmann, Jr., secretary of the North Camden Civic Association.
The three women shouted frantically as their sons, each 15, were led from the court to be taken to the Juvenile Detention Home on charges of incorrigibility. They had been accused of vandalism in North Camden. It was brought out, however, that Hartmann did not make the complaints against the boys, who will be detained until the next session of juvenile court is held by Judge Samuel M. Shay.
Pancoast remained adamant in his decision despite the shrill protests of the mothers; the plea of one of the boys, who begged for release with arms outstretched, and of the complainant, who urged leniency.
Criticizes Hartmann
Pancoast criticized Hartmann for “condemning him for showing leniency in such cases, yet never making formal complaint himself against youthful vandals in a specific case.”
The boys are: Lester Jamison, of 326 North Second Street; Frank Smith, of 521 Elm Street, and Henry Egerton, 15, of 212 Bailey Street.
Complaint against the youths was made by G.T. Moore, of 313 State Street, who charged that he had found the boys destroying a property at the northeast corner of Third and State Streets.
Value $25,000, Now 25 Cents
“That property once was worth about $25,000,” Moore testified, “Today it could be bought for 25 cents because of vandalism.”
Hartmann’s Reply
In replying to Pancoast’s criticism Hartmann said: “I learned from the father of one of the boys committed to jail by Judge Pancoast that the three boys could not be released unless I gave the word. This parent was quite alarmed, and I am told made threats against me. He declared that he had a gun and was going to use it. I can appreciate this man’s feelings… But I can’t go to the detention home and order release of the boys. That’s impossible. Only the judge can do that.”
Hartmann, in company with Frederick von Nieda, president of the Congress of Civic Associations, and George I. Shaw, vice president of the uptown group, conferred with Captain Arthur Colsey, at police headquarters. Captain Colsey promised further co-operation of the police in stamping out the practice of wrecking vacant dwellings and invited all citizens to report such instances to the police.
4 Judges Guests on Lawyers Cruise
Camden Courier-Post —
Millville, June 29.—A number of South Jersey jurists were guests today of the Cumberland County Bar Association on a cruise of Delaware Bay and a fishing trip.
Among them were Judge Samuel M. Shay, Camden; Circuit Court Judge V. Claude Palmer, Mt. Holly; Vice Chancellor W. Frank Sooy, Atlantic City; Judge Palmer M. Way, Cape May; former Judge Austin H. Swackhamer, Woodbury; William B. Knight, Camden, special master in Chancery; Judge J. Forman Sinnickson, Salem, and Judge Francis A. Stanger, Jr., of Bridgeton.
Other Camden attorneys in the party were Samuel T. French and Frank T. Lloyd Jr. Leon Bardfelt of Vineland, was chairman of the committee.
The party consisted of 60 barristers, who embarked on the state guard boat Firman M. Reeves, which left Bivalve at 11 a.m. The boat went as far as Cape May Point. Stops were made at the fishing banks and some large catches were reported. Luncheon and dinner were both served aboard the boat, which docked at Bivalve at 9 p.m.
Five Women Faint as Court Jails Men
Camden Courier-Post —
A court room crowded to the doors was thrown into a turmoil of excitement yesterday when five women became hysterical upon hearing Judge Samuel M. Shay impose prison terms on three men who pleaded guilty to vandalism in special session of criminal court.
Completely losing control of themselves, the women threw their pocketbooks, hats and gloves across the court room. Screaming at the top of their lungs, they were joined in the bedlam by small children they had brought to court with them.
All five women fainted and were carried from the court room by attendants. When they were revived they continued the disturbance in anterooms and corridors.
The jail sentences were meted out by Judge Shay as the opening shot in his campaign to stamp out vandalism in Camden County. The three men and their sentences are Elmer Baxendale, 32, of 1647 Forty-ninth Street, Pennsauken, two to three years in state prison; Thomas Henry, 32, of 1211 Bergen Avenue, 18 months, and John Schwab, 31, of 1739 Lexington Avenue, Pennsauken, 18 months.
Judge Shay sounded a warning that he will show no mercy to convicted vandals, who may, in the future, expect a sentence of 10 years.
“The kind of stuff you fellows have been doing strikes at the very foundation of organized government,” said the court. “We can lock our automobiles and jewelry, but owners of unoccupied houses are at the mercy of men like you. I am not going to tolerate it.”
“You can broadcast to the city and county,” the court then said, “that I have a way to break up this vandalism. I’m going to sentence convicted vandals to 10 years.”
Deserter of Child Must Shun Women to Keep From Cell
Camden Courier-Post —
Ex-Policeman Who Turned Bandit Jailed 18 Months For $70 Holdup — 10 Lawbreakers Imprisoned Out of 12 Arraigned Before Judge Shay — Alibi Fails Gun Toter
Five state prison sentences, four “light” terms in the county jail, a fine, a suspension of sentence and a sending of a youth to reform school were among the rulings of Judge Samuel M. Shay yesterday in Special Sessions of the Camden County Criminal Court.
Leniency was accorded a father who abandoned and failed to support a boy, but with the promise he must stay away from women to keep out of jail.
Parker Hunter, of 1722 Ferry Avenue, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering a gasoline service station at Broadway and Webster Streets, on the night of July 14 and stealing seven quarts of oil. Hunter’s plea that he was intoxicated at the time did not save him from a 60-day sentence in the county jail.
Girder Thieves Jailed
George Edmonds, 48, and Alonzo Martin, 31, both of 1300 South Eighth Street, were sentenced to from one to three years each when they pleaded guilty to the theft of steel girders and beams belonging to the Acres of Diamonds Realty Co., near Central Airport. The beams were valued at $957.
Two Years for Gun Toter
Emmanuel Trappan, 33, 473 East Rittenhouse Street, Philadelphia, a paroled convict from the Eastern Penitentiary, was sentenced to from two to three years when he pleaded guilty to a charge of carrying concealed deadly weapons.
He was arrested at 3 a.m. on July 17 by William Markward, 513 North Tenth Street, a special officer, near Second and Vine Streets. The prisoner told the court he had come to Camden to attend a fireworks display in connection with the celebration of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel day.
“So you came to see the fireworks,” said Judge Shay. “I imagine you saw them well at 3 a.m., didn’t you?” “No, Your Honor, they were over.” “Well,” continued the judge, “I would hate to see you disappointed.” He paused to look at the clock. “I’ll show you some at 11 a.m. Two to three years.”
Ex-Cop Sentenced
William F. McKittrick, Somerdale, was given a one year’s suspended sentence when he pleaded guilty to a charge of deserting his 12-year-old son and failing to support him. In suspending sentence, Judge Shay told McKittrick, “If I hear of you running around with any women back to jail you go.”
Floyd Griffin, Lucaston, a World War veteran and a former Philadelphia policeman, was sentenced to state prison for a term of from 18 months to seven years on a charge of holding up and robbing Edward Glassburg, a milk wagon driver at Lindenwold on July 10. He took $70 away from the driver at the point of a gun.
Three Years on Girl’s Charge
Marvin Taylor, of 931 Howard Street, was sentenced to serve 18 months to three years when he pleaded non vult to a statutory charge brought by the parents of a 9-year-old girl.
Roland Greer, of 332 North Second Street, was given a three months county jail sentence when he entered a guilty plea to a statutory charge, preferred by a 14-year-old girl.
Garry Denney, 1070 Sycamore Street, was fined $100 when he pleaded guilty to breaking into the home of his sister-in-law, Marie Sims, 358 Walnut Street.
Edward Lewis, of 327 Cole Street, and Charles Dunn, 611 Mt. Vernon Street, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering the plumbing supply house of the J.D. Johnson Co., Newton Avenue and Division Street, on July 5, and taking a quantity of copper beer coils. They were sentenced to serve six months each.
Two youths who pleaded guilty to tearing fixtures from a Clementon home were sentenced to serve indefinite terms in Rahway by Judge Shay. They are Ralph Ernst, 16, of 19 Atlantic Avenue, Clementon, and Frank Medick, 16, of Lucaston.
Schiller Indicted on Murder Charge
Camden Courier-Post —
William Schiller, 30-year-old former summer cop, was indicted for murder today and must stand trial for the fatal shooting of his father, Jacob Schiller, 72, well-known and well-liked politician.
The indictment was one of 39 true bills in a presentment made by the new September term of grand jury to Judge Samuel M. Shay.
In addition to Schiller, five other men were indicted for murder. These are Peter Citeroni, 28, of 919 South Fifth Street; Samuel DiGiacomo, 18, of 314 Berkley Street; Stanzo Palumbo, 20, of 314 Clinton Street; Joseph Patricci, 21, of 320 Berkley Street, and Fred Williams, colored, of Camden. All are in the county jail without bail and awaiting trial.
Schiller shot and killed his father at their home, 2420 Carman Street, last Saturday night. The elder Schiller had long tried to act as a conciliator between his son and the latter’s wife, Augusta, who were estranged.
Bill in ‘40-Cent Murder’
Palumbo, DiGiacomo and Patricci are indicted in the “40-cent murder” of Archie Pidgeon, who was found slain at Third and Berkley Streets August 21. The three are said to have admitted they held up Pidgeon and got only 40 cents from him, which they spent for “hot dogs” and coffee.
Other Indictments
Receiving stolen goods—Richard A. Wiggins, Lawnside; Harry Smith and William Bow, Camden; Joseph Hampton, Gloucester; Edward Hendricks, Gloucester.
Non support—Charles Van Dusen, Camden; Elmer P. Peters, Gloucester; John Shoemaker, Clementon; Martin Burns, Camden; William Lachzynska, Camden; George A. Spingler, Barrington; William Patten, Camden; Jerry Fagen, Gloucester; Harry L. Blaetz, Merchantville, and Frank Kunitz, Camden.
Breaking and entering—Ira Munroe, 10 indictments for breaking into houses at Haddonfield; Charles Priesly, indicted with Munroe in two true bills; Charles Hill, Camden.
Carrying concealed deadly weapons—Trim L. Austin, Pennsauken, for carrying brass knuckles.
Embezzlement—Raymond Weaver, Pennsauken, $543.50 from the Standard Oil Company.
6 to Make Pleas Monday to Murder Charges
Camden Courier-Post —
Six alleged slayers will appear in Camden Criminal Court Monday to enter pleas to indictments. That is the largest number of persons charged with murder to appear in the court at one time for more than 20 years.
Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin intends to move for speedy trial of defendants who will plead not guilty. Those who will stand trial will be tried before Judge Samuel M. Shay, who has been designated by Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd to conduct the murder trials alone.
Among those who will plead will be William Schiller, of East Camden, who is charged with shooting and killing his father, Jacob Schiller, 72, former Republican leader of the Twelfth Ward and city light inspector.
Three youths also will face Judge Shay on a murder charge. They are John Petracci, Sam DiGiacomo and Stanzo Palumbo, who are charged with beating Archie Pidgeon to death at Fourth and Berkley Streets several weeks ago and robbing him of 40 cents.
Peter Citeroni, who shot and killed his sweetheart, Jennie Zucchi, at Wright and Haddon Avenues on the night of August 13, will plead to a murder indictment.
Other defendants who have pleaded not guilty and who are scheduled to be placed on trial include Joseph Hendricks and Edward Hendricks, charged with possession of stolen goods; Robert Carey, assault and battery; Tony Tzaskowski, embezzlement; James Jordan, assault and battery; Ray Weaver, embezzlement; Lacy Mooney, Joseph Rizzo and Hackle Gamble, attempted larceny; Harry Sheer and John McShany, larceny and breaking and entering.
K. of C. to Decorate Washington Statue
Camden Courier-Post —
Military Parade Also Will Precede Birthday Ball Here Feb. 22
A military parade climaxed by laying a wreath on a statue of George Washington will mark the opening of the Washington’s Birthday Ball to be given at the Hotel Walt Whitman Feb. 22 by Camden Knights of Columbus.
The statue will be erected in the ballrooom [sic] of the hotel. Detachments of the New Jersey Officers Reserve Corps, the United States Naval Reserve, with members of Matthew Purnell Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Fairview Post, American Legion, will march about the ballroom as escorts of Miss Mary Verga, of Haddonfield, who will present the wreath.
Walt Leopold and his orchestra will play patriotic airs during the parade. A gala floor show will be followed by dancing.
John A. Reynolds, chairman of the ball committee, has called a final meeting of the women’s and men’s committee tonight at which time final arrangements will be announced.
Among the many public officials of South Jersey who have been invited are Mayor Brunner, of Camden; Mayor John Gorman, of Gloucester; Mayor Patrick F. Courtney, of Barrington; Mayor Neil Dempsey, of Paulsboro; Judge Samuel M. Shay and Congressman Charles A. Wolverton.
Judge Shay to Preside in Burlington County
Camden Courier-Post —
Trenton, Feb. 18.—Judge Samuel M. Shay will preside over Burlington county under a rearrangement of district areas announced today by Chief Justice Thomas J. Brogan, of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Judge Shay will relieve Judge Wilfred H. Jayne who will continue to sit in Atlantic and Cape May counties. The Hunterdon county charge, previously presided over by Judge Shay, was transferred to Judge A. Dayton Oliphant. Judge Shay will continue to sit in Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem.
Truck Owner Cleared in Injuries to Boy, 6
Camden Courier-Post —
Woodbury, Jan. 31—A truck owner was absolved of liability today in a suit in the Supreme Court to recover damages for injuries suffered by a six-year-old National Park boy last June.
Judge Samuel M. Shay directed a verdict in favor of Burt Casey, National Park florist, but ruled the suit, also directed against his driver, Maynard Gayner, be continued tomorrow.
Eugene Szostak Sr. brought the suit to recover damages for his son, Eugene Jr. Szostak testified his son’s back was injured by the truck while playing on St. James Walk, near his home.
Casey testified Gayner borrowed the truck to go home to dinner on the day of the accident.
Father, Son Win Claims Against Truck Driver
Camden Courier-Post —
Woodbury, February 1.—A jury in Supreme Court today awarded $1500 to Eugene Szostak, Sr., of National Park, and the same amount for his son, Eugene, Jr., six, for injuries sustained by the boy when he was struck by a truck while playing on St. James Walk near his home last June. The jury deliberated two and a half hours.
The verdict was against Maynard Gayner, of National Park, who was driver of the truck, owned by Burt Casey, National Park florist. Yesterday Judge Samuel M. Shay, who presided at the trial, directed a verdict clearing Casey, who was also named as defendant in the suit.