Introduction
Samuel P. Orlando
SAMUEL P. ORLANDO was born in Italy on April 26, 1900 to Tony and Fortune Orlando. He came to America in 1909. When the Census was taken in 1910 the family lived in Bridgeton NJ where the elder Orlando and older brother Mike, then 18, worked as laborers at a glass factory. A daughter, Jennie, was also at home.
Samuel P. Orlando was living in Bridgeton NJ and attending Bridgeton High School when he registered for the draft in September of 1918. The family was still in Bridgeton in January of 1920, when the Census was enumerated. No one in the family had by then become US citizens.
After high school Samuel P. Orlando pursued a career in law. By 1926 Samuel Orlando had married. His wife Elsie was also a lawyer. The couple soon moved to Camden. When the 1930 Census was taken in April of that year, the Orlandos and daughter Letitia lived at 2613 Baird Boulevard in East Camden. By this time he had his own established law firm. One of his early hires as an associate was Frank M. Lario Sr. He was involved in local politics as a Democrat, and would serve as an alternate delegate to the 1932 Democratic National Convention. He would return as a full delegate to such conventions in 1936, 1940, 1948, and 1956.
Samuel P. Orlando was appointed Assistant Camden County prosecutor on September 6, 1928 by County Prosecutor Ethan P. Wescott, replacing Joseph Varbalow, who had resigned in order to concentrate on business interests. On September 18, 1928 as Eighth Ward political figure, Joseph “Mose” Flannery, who had ties to organized crime, was mortally wounded outside a saloon in the 100 block of Kaighn Avenue. This sparked an investigation on the part of Orlando into vice and police corruption in Camden.
By October of 1936 Samuel P. Orlando had succeeded Wescott as County Prosecutor. During Orlando’s tenure, several capital cases were prosecuted to conviction, including those of William John Stephan in 1936 and the Reverend Walter Dworecki in 1939. Samuel P. Orlando worked closely with long-time Camden County Chief of Detectives Lawrence Doran in cracking these and other cases.
Samuel P. Orlando maintained offices at 130 North Broadway, in the Wilson Building. He moved his practice to Haddonfield NJ sometime after 1959.
Samuel P. Orlando was a resident of Camden at the time of the 1930 census. By 1947 he had moved to a house at 111 Upland Way in Haddonfield, where he resided until his death in May of 1972.
World War I Draft Card
Samuel P. Orlando WWI draft registration card, 1918
Orlando Admitted to the Bar
Camden Courier-Post —
Orlando Is Named to Varbalow’s Post
ORLANDO IS NAMED TO VARBALOW’S POST
Assistant Prosecutor Resigns to Devote Entire Time to Private Business
Resignation of Joseph Varbalow as first assistant prosecutor of Camden county and appointment of Samuel P. Orlando as his successor was announced yesterday.
The unexpected shift was revealed by Acting Prosecutor Ethan P. Wescott as arrangements were being made to induct Orlando into office tomorrow, when the change will become effective. In acknowledging Varbalow’s resignation, which was made several days ago, Wescott paid tribute to him and accepted the resignation with regret. Pressure of business and demands of his private practice, Varbalow said, made his withdrawal from public office imperative.
In announcing the appointment of Orlando, the prosecutor explained his choice was fixed by Orlando’s rapid rise in his profession and his ability. At the same time, Wescott announced the new personnel of the prosecutor’s office would “work in complete harmony” and that with the induction of the new grand jury next Monday he expected a “period of activity.”
The appointment of Orlando will make no other change in the prosecutor’s office. Lawrence Gregorio, second assistant, will remain at that post. No definite term for Orlando is possible under present conditions due to failure of the Senate to confirm a new prosecutor when Wescott’s term expired last Spring. Judge Samuel M. Shay, of the Common Pleas Court and Judge Frank Neutze, of the District Court, were denied confirmation to the post when their names were submitted to Governor Moore.
Orlando Appointed Prosecutor’s Aide
Incumbents of the office are serving under jurisdiction of the attorney general. The new member of the staff was born in Italy. As a small boy, he came to America with his parents. They settled in Bridgeton in 1908. After his graduation from Bridgeton High school he entered Lehigh University. Later he matriculated at Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle, Pa., where he won his degree, passing the New Jersey State bar examination in 1924. He opened his Camden offices soon afterward.
He married Elsie di Renzo, a graduate of Dickinson college. She practiced law in Philadelphia while her husband was engaged in the same profession here. She retired from the law business about a year ago, when a son was born. Orlando is a member of Delta Theta Phi and Woolsack Honorary fraternity. He is secretary of the Camden County Democratic committee, an active member of the Allied Democratic Clubs of Camden county, City Athletic Club, Elks, Moose and a number of South Jersey Italian organizations. He won the Democratic nomination for the State Assembly in 1927 and led his ticket in the subsequent election.
Few of Camden’s younger members of the bar have made such rapid progress as Orlando in the past few years. He is an able public speaker and has been an active Democratic worker for several years.
Orlando’s acceptance of the appointment follows:
“Ethan Wescott has asked me to accept the post of assistant prosecutor, heretofore occupied by Mr. Varbalow. After having given the matter considerable thought and receiving expressions of my friends, I feel that I owe it to my party and to my numerous friends to accept.
“I do this very reluctantly, because recently I enlarged my offices and increased my organization. Of course, this new post will take considerable time. However, with the office organization that I have established here in my private practice, I feel that I can faithfully discharge my duties and serve my clientele. I trust that I will be able to serve my community faithfully.”
Babe Paradise Drug Case
Camden Courier-Post —
Declared to have confessed that he headed a narcotic “ring,” which conducted an organized business in the sale of drugs throughout South Jersey, Anthony “Babe” Paradise was to have been given a hearing in Police Court today. His attorney, Samuel Orlando, appeared in the court and waited for a time this morning. Later because he had business elsewhere, he asked and received a postponement of the case until tomorrow. Detectives say Paradise had confessed the sale of drugs, but the widely known Third Ward character now declares he is the victim of a “frame-up” and does not know the three men arrested with him.
City Athletic Club Dinner
Camden Courier-Post —
City Athletic Club of Camden, N. J. — Patrick H. Harding, President; John O. Wilson, First Vice President; J. C. Remington Jr., Second Vice President; John B. Kates, Treasurer; James J. Scott, Secretary. Executive Offices: Wilson Bldg. Organized by Public Spirited Men, to Advance the Interests of Camden and to Promote Sports and Athletics. The First 500 Founder Members Will Determine the Definite Selection of the Club Site.
Interpreters Idle
Camden Evening Courier —
Dismissed Man Sticks, New Appointee Reports, But There Is No Work For Either
There were two Italian interpreters in Judge Bernard Bertman’s court today — and no work for either.
Under advice of Samuel Orlando, his attorney, James Canzanese reported for work as usual, although he was removed from office by the Camden City Commission early in the week. Canzanese has announced he will appeal his dismissal to the state Civil Service Commission and has retained Orlando to represent him.
Cipriano Moles, named by the City Commission to replace Canzanese as the Italian interpreter in City Court, also reported for work this morning for the first time. There were no cases requiring the attention of either interpreter.
Dealer Denies Thieves Took Slot Machine
Camden Evening Courier —
Bertman Doubts His Story After He ‘Shifts’ Loot to Cigars — Is Liable to a Fine on Gambling Machine
Grand Jury Probe is Hinted by Judge — Reporter Takes Stand
Lewis Shectman changed his story in police court today and declared that it was only a box of cigars, not a gambling machine that was stolen from his store, 708 Broadway, yesterday by two bandits. Police Court judge Bernard Bertman characterized Schectman as a prevaricator.
Shectman denied statements published in the Evening Courier yesterday, in which he and his wife and daughter related in detail how two men had carried away a gambling machine in an automobile after losing $2 playing the machine.
William Gaffney, Evening Courier reporter, was called to the stand and repeated the facts published in yesterday’s paper.
“I cannot help but believe you are lying,” Bertman said to Schectman. At the same time Bertman intimated that he would recommend a further investigation of the matter by County Prosecutor Wescott before putting the evidence before a grand jury.
Denies Stealing ‘Cigars’
Schectman appeared in Court today against two men the police arrested in the case. The defendants are Walter S. Nowak, 22 years old, 442 Jackson Street and Martin Bertherlet, 25 years old, 1218 Pavonia Street. Each was held in $500 bail for the Grand Jury after Samuel P. Orlando, counsel for the two men, had waived a hearing.
Orlando, after the hearing today, stated that both men deny the charge of stealing the cigars. He would not comment on the case further, however.
Nowak was caught after a two-mile chase through the streets of Camden yesterday by Schectman and Frank Helm, 2909 Stevens Street, who offered his car as Shectman cried “Help! Robbers!” in front of his store.
Nowak was turned over to Patrolmen Nathan Petit and Edward Carroll of the Second District patrol crew.
Both Are Identified
Berherlat was arrested. Police said he called at headquarters yesterday afternoon and reported that his automobile had been stolen from Hyde Park, Second and Kaighn Avenue. Police said they doubted his story, investigated, and placed him under arrest today.
Both Novak and Bertherlat were identified as the two men who rushed from his store yesterday noon, by Shectman.
A stir was created in court when the Broadway store proprietor said he did not own a gambling machine, and said that the thieves had stolen a box of cigars.
When Shectman, answering a question put to him by Bertman, denied that he had been asked to “change the story” Gaffney was called to the witness stand.
Gaffney recited in detail an interview with Schectman yesterday shortly following the robbery. How Schectman had said that he had been robbed at a slot machine by two well-dressed bandits and how he had pursued them through the principal streets of South Camden — account of which was printed in detail in Friday’s Courier — was told by the witness.
Shectman Questioned
Questioning of Schectman by Bertman followed statements by Detective Louis Shaw and attorney Orlando.
Shaw, asked the nature of the case against Nowak and Bertherlat said that it was over the “larceny of cigars.”
Orlando said that he understood that the matter involved his clients with the theft of a slot machine from Shectman’s store. Orlando said that his clients denied stealing cigars.
Neither of the defendants were called to testify.
Following Gaffney’s testimony, Judge Bertman said that he was tempted to hold the complainant under bail.
Shectman then again tried to “explain” the alleged discrepancies in the interview Friday and the statements made in court this morning.
“I don’t want to talk with you” was Bertman’s answer to Shectman’s request for a “few minutes” with the judge.
Police today said that they had arrested Harry Simons, 44, of 1447 South 4th street “on suspicion” last night. After Shectman positively identified Nowak and Bertherlat, Simons was released.
An erroneous report of the license number found on the Flint touring car used by the men on their flight from Shectman’s store was made yesterday. The license number, police said, was C16209 and not C16207 as reported yesterday.
It was through the tracing of the license number and the report that Bertherlat’s car had been stolen, that the second arrest in the case was made this morning.
Police said they figured the car had been used in several south Camden robberies during the past month.
Under the law, had Shectman admitted to possession of the slot machine, he would have been subject to a fine.
Patrons, Patronesses 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.
Colanduno Guilty of Dope Peddling
Camden Courier-Post —
Jury Out Less Than Hour; ‘Babe Paradise’ Up Next Week
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 is 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.
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. Cocchiaraley is heading a group of South Camden Italians who are also favoring the reappointment of Wescott.
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. Still another alleged “dope runner,” Alex Frumento, is being sought by police.
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.
The drug users, Nolan Clark, 28 years old who gave no address; George “Gyp” Haines, 29 years old, 527 Spruce Street, and Andrew Hill, 20 years, Locust Street and Kaighn Avenue, declared they had bought dope from Colanduno on various occasions.
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.” His wife Hazel and his wife’s grandmother, Mrs. Laura Brakeman, who lives with Mrs. Colanduno, both testified that they never had seen DeCord or the three addicts buying drugs at the inn, as they declared on the witness stand.
James Gatti, 18 years old, of Philadelphia, who is serving a six-month term in the county jail for robbery, took the stand on Colanduno’s behalf. He testified that DeCord had told him in the jail that the confessed dope peddler’s statement implicating Colanduno had been forced from him by police.
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.”
Flannery Shooting — Orlando After Slot Machine ‘Racket’ Chief
Camden Evening Courier — September 18–20, 1928
Seals Lips as Police Seek to Learn Identity of Assailant
EIGHT UNDER ARREST IN SUSPECT ROUNDUP
Surgeons at Hospital Find Four Jagged Bullet Holes in Body
Victim of the gang feud—he denounced on his death bed, Joseph “Mose” Flannery, 26, picturesque Eighth ward political worker, was dying today in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.
Mortally wounded, his body riddled with bullets, Flannery was shot some time shortly before 4 a. m. today as he stood on the sidewalk outside a saloon at Front and Kaighn avenue.
Four or five men, grouped closely about the prone body of the political worker, hailed a truck which took Flannery to the hospital at 4.15.
Eight men had been arrested by police, seven charged with being a material witness, and the other being held at police headquarters “on suspicion.”
They were James L. Hawkins, 37, declared by police to be proprietor of the saloon at 101 Kaighn avenue; Walter Novak, 22, 442 Jackson street; Russell Sage, 25, of 407 Mechanic street; Joseph Novak, 34, of 508 Jackson street; Eugene Murphy, 51, of 101 Kaighn avenue; “Cuzzy” Scarduzio, 27, who gave police no home address, and Joseph Moll, 25, of 101 Kaighn avenue, all held as material witnesses; and Patrick Driscoll, 25, of 1225 South Third street, held “on suspicion.”
Cause of Shooting Unknown
Despite a far-reaching investigation, Flannery’s assailant or assailants, the details of the shooting, and its cause remained undetermined this noon. Every available county and city detective was engaged in the probe as Camden gangland’s victim hovered between life and death in the hospital.
Realising doctors had given him but a few hours to live, Flannery continued to maintain his silence concerning how he was shot, and which he had adopted when he was carried into the hospital on a stretcher.
“My lips are sealed and if I don’t live to get the fellows who did this my gang will get them,” he told physicians when placed on the operating table at 4:30 a. m.
At 9 o’clock this morning, the doctors had given up hope for his recovery, but Flannery still was alive at 2.30 this afternoon.
South Camden virtually buzzed with rumors to the effect that Flannery’s fate was the result of a war in the bootleg ring; that it was the aftermath of a feud over slot machines; that it was a case of “women,” and that it could be linked up with the shooting in January of Joseph Cimini, by Joseph Devon, known as “Polack Joe.”
At Loss for Motive
Police were at a loss to name the motive. Acting Assistant Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, in charge of the investigation, said the probe had not reached the point where anyone person could be accused of shooting Flannery, or where the gun fire could be traced to anything but a “gang feud.”
“Mose” Flannery had been shot. He probably would die. That much was known. The rumors naturally followed for Flannery was well-known, not only in the close-mouthed circle in which he moved, but throughout the city as well.
“Mose” Flannery is one of the most picturesque figures in Camden’s political “gangland.” For several years he has been a slot machine distributor in Camden and Philadelphia.
When “Polack Joe” Devon shot and killed Joseph Cimini, Philadelphia gambler in the Sixth Ward Republican Club early in the morning of January 14, last, Flannery was arrested as a material witness. It was disclosed by police that Flannery and Cimini had gone into the club together a few minutes before Devon’s gun pumped death into Cimini’s body after the Philadelphian had quarrelled with Devon.
Flannery was considered the most important of the material witnesses connected with the Cimini murder. Sage, arrested on suspicion this morning in connection with the felling of Flannery, was another “important” witness in the Sixth Ward Club shooting affair.
James Bonner, who was mysteriously shot several months ago, was questioned today by detectives but was not held. Walter Selby, a taxicab driver, also was taken before Chief of Detectives Golden and County Detective Chief Doran, but he too was released after being closeted with the officials for more than an hour.
Sage Ordered Held
After questioning Sage, Acting Assistant Prosecutor Orlando ordered that the man be held.
In the meantime, Flannery lay on a hospital cot, propped up on his side, his pain deadened by opiates. He mumbled incoherently to members of his family grouped about him. At times he lapsed into a state of unconsciousness.
The doomed political worker early today had asked for a priest. Rev. Father John J. Henry went to the hospital. “Joe,” he said, “you’re dying. You’d better give police a statement.”
Flannery was said by doctors to have replied he would tell nothing, that if he lived, “he’d settle,” and that if he died, “my gang will take care of that.”
After a session in which more than a dozen men were questioned, Captain Golden and Detective Chief Doran shortly before noon went to the scene of the shooting. They found evidence that a scuffle in the saloon at Front and Kaighn avenue had preceded the shooting.
Tables had been overturned. Glasses had been broken. Forty cents in change was found on a table beside a picture of a small baby. There was an empty glass on one table, another glass half-filled with beer on the bar.
Bullets Meant for Novak?
It was reported that police had been informed by one of those they questioned that the bullets which ripped their way through Flannery’s body had been meant for Walter Novak who they said had been standing at “Mose’s” side at the time of the shooting. The police officials refused to confirm that rumor. Novak had told them, Capt. Golden said, he was not with Flannery at the time. Later Novak admitted to being on the corner near the saloon, police said.
Police recalled that Novak was arrested several months ago in the alleged theft of a slot machine from the store of Louis Schectman, in Broadway near Line street. Novak was apprehended after a wild chase through South Camden streets.
Schectman at first told police Novak was one of two men who entered his store, and at the point of a gun, robbed him of a nickel slot machine. Testifying in a hearing in police court several days later, Schectman said he hadn’t kept a slot machine in his store, and that two men unknown to him stole a box of cigars and escaped in an automobile.
As far as could be learned by an Evening Courier representative, the case against Novak never was settled.
The bullets were fired from a “pump” gun and were of .32 calibre. According to Detective Thomas Cheeseman, they could have been fired only from a gun of the type common to gangsters who “shoot to kill.” Cheeseman said a “pump” gun was designed to hold nine shells or “wads,” as they are commonly known. The leaden bullet is surrounded by a coating of asbestos, which breaks from the lead upon the firing of the gun and allows the lead to enter its target.
Police were following every clue which developed, no matter how scanty. Detectives combed the Front street and Kaighn avenue neighborhood, it was learned, in an effort to discover the haunts of the gang known by police to center in that part of the city.
Chief of Police Lewis W. Stehr was asked if police would act against the owners of the habitats of the “Front and Kaighn avenue” gang or if a routine investigation into the shooting of Flannery would be conducted. Chief Stehr said the usual investigation was being made and would continue.
While members of the political worker’s family talked with Flannery, and while investigation of the shooting by county detectives and police was under way, doctors said the man who lives at 346 Jackson street, couldn’t “live out the day.”
Flannery had a bullet wound two inches in diameter in his back. Another bullet had pierced his abdomen, and he had been shot in both elbows, physicians said. Doctors said the bullets were two inches long and three-quarters of an inch in diameter.
It was shortly after 4 a. m. when Charles Foulk, of 219 Point street, driver of The Courier-Post delivery truck, was hailed by a group of men standing on a corner at Front street and Kaighn avenue.
“Have you got time to take a man to the hospital?” one of the group asked Foulk, according to the story he told Captain John Golden, chief of city detectives.
Flannery was lifted into the rear of the truck, two men jumped on the running board and the run for West Jersey Hospital began.
Walter Wartman, of 315 North Second street, another Courier-Post employe, who had assisted in the delivery of Morning Posts at the Reading Ferries, was with Foulk.
Foulk said one of the men jumped from the truck when it reached Mt. Ephraim and Atlantic avenues. The other went into the hospital, whispered a few words to Flannery, and then raced out the main entrance.
Mose’s Companion Escapes
Mrs. Edward McGrath, supervisor of nurses, called Policeman Frank Malec who for several days has been guarding a man known as “Two-Gun” Kelly, and Malec gave chase to the unknown companion of Flannery. Malec saw the man disappear on Mt. Ephraim avenue, but couldn’t find him in a search of the neighborhood.
In the meantime, City Detective William Boettcher, who had been working the morning shift, had notified Assistant Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando; Lawrence T. Doran, chief of Camden county detectives; Capt. Golden, and had called City Detectives George Ward, Louis Shaw, Thomas Cheeseman and Howard Pike to investigate the shooting.
Boettcher said Flannery refused to “talk.” “You are a policeman and I’m no friend of the police. I’ll never tell,” Flannery told the officer, Boettcher declared.
Later Flannery told physicians, “I have learned my lesson and hope this will be an example to other young men.”
Witness in Cimini Shooting
Flannery was held as a material witness in the fatal shooting of Joseph Cimini, 31, in the Sixth Ward Republican Club, early in the morning of January 14. Joseph Devon, known as “Polack Joe” fired the shot that killed Cimini. Devon was arrested but the case never came to trial.
Devon now is at liberty on bail and is under indictment for manslaughter in connection with Cimini’s death. Flannery also was released under bail.
While police continued their investigation, Flannery, still determined to refuse information to detectives and doctors, was surrounded by his wife, his 4-year-old son, his mother and father, and his 19-year-old brother James. Calling “Jim” to his side, Flannery, according to physicians, said, “I want you to promise me you’ll never get mixed up in these gang wars.” “Jim” promised, Detective Boettcher said.
Novak Under Suspicion
In their search for the “mysterious” companion of Flannery on the ride to the hospital, police pointed a suspicioning finger at Walter Novak who they had held “on suspicion.”
According to information given them by Foulk, the truck driver, Flannery, during the ride from Front and Kaighn avenue to the hospital, whispered, “Where are you taking me, Walt?” He was told the hospital was the truck’s destination, Foulk told police.
Detectives said Novak might have been the “Walt” to whom Flannery spoke. Novak said he was 22, was a “salesman” and lived at 442 Jackson street.
Taken by Strategy
Scarduzio’s arrest resulted from a piece of strategy on the part of Chief of County Detectives Doran. Doran with several members of his staff and city detectives were in the bar-room of the saloon at 101 Kaighn avenue when the telephone rang before noon.
Doran picked up the receiver and the party on the other end asked if Joseph Moll, son of former Policeman Frank Moll, was there.
Figuring that the persons might be some one who could help the authorities unravel the mystery, Doran answered:
“Yes, this is Joe Moll.”
“Well, I want to see you right away,” continued the other party.
“Will you come right down to 674 Fairview street. I want to see you,” finished the unidentified speaker who then hung up.
Doran with Captain of Detectives Golden hurried down to the address given and there found Scarduzio in the home of Garfield Del Duca.
Scarduzio, it is said, was more surprised to see the authorities than they were to find him as Chief Doran had been searching for “Cuzzie” for several hours.
He said he had nothing to do with the shooting of Flannery. Limping when the detectives escorted him from the house, Scarduzio was first taken to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital to discover whether or not he was suffering from any bullet wounds in the legs.
Scarduzio Not Shot
Doctors later said Scarduzio had not been shot and the man who had been surprised at the Del Duca home was taken to police headquarters.
He “knew nothing about the shooting,” Scarduzio told Captain Golden and County Detective Chief Doran. There were stains, possibly bloodstains, on Scarduzio’s trousers, the police said. “Cuzzy,” as he is known in police circles, wore a clean white shirt, and that fact sent detectives from headquarters on another tangent in their investigation.
Scarduzio was asked where he had left a “bloody shirt” he was reported to have been wearing early today. According to police, he denied his shirt was bloody, and refused to give them any information.
City Detectives David Hunt, Samuel Johnson, and Walter Smith were dispatched on the “side” investigation.
Detective Thomas Cheesman, of the city hall staff, also holds two warrants for the arrest of Scarduzio in connection with the holdup of a saloon in Gloucester several weeks ago and the theft of an automobile.
Moll was arrested while sleeping in a room over the saloon near Front and Kaighn avenue. He was arrested by Chief Doran, Captain Golden and Detective Ray Sapanore. Moll has been in police tolls several times recently, the last time in connection with the mysterious shooting of Bonner near the spot where Flannery fell.
Woman Describes Auto
The movements of an automobile bearing Pennsylvania license and containing several men whom she said ran out of the saloon near Front and Kaighn avenue an hour after Flannery was shot, were described to police officials late this morning by Mrs. Mary Brown, who lives near the saloon.
She was questioned at detective headquarters after she had reported seeing the car drive onto the Spruce street pier, four men alight and board a motorboat which set off across the Delaware river in the direction of Philadelphia.
According to Mrs. Brown, the driver of the “mysterious” automobile turned the car about and raced north on Front street.
A city-wide man-hunt had been made for Joseph “Cuzzie” Scarduzio, detectives said after the “surprise arrest” on Fairview street. Police had heard rumors Scarduzio, known by them to be a “pal” of Flannery, had been standing by “Mose” when he was “given the works” by the yet unknown gunman or gunmen. They had heard, detectives announced, that Scarduzio, coatless and hatless, had been seen leaving the scene of the shooting, his clothes spattered with blood from the wounds of his friend.
Camden detectives said they doubted if Philadelphia gangsters were responsible, believing, they announced, that the shooting was local to the Camden gang center they knew existed.
City Detective Walter Smith shortly after noon brought a South Camden bartender into police headquarters for questioning.
The man said he was Frank Smith, and tended bar in a saloon in the 1800 block on Broadway, near Ferry avenue, and said he had overheard three men telephone for a taxicab to take them to Front street and Kaighn avenue. Smith placed the time after midnight, according to police, and detectives doubted if the three men were connected with the Flannery “case.” Smith was not held by police.
Orlando After Slot Machine ‘Racket’ Chief
Assistant Prosecutor to Get Higher-ups in Distribution Plan
13 Gambling Devices Taken by Detectives
A surprise raid on 38 alleged gambling haunts in Camden County was carried out by county detectives and police. Assistant Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando engineered the raids in cooperation with Prosecutor Ethan P. Wescott. At the afternoon session, when the grand jury convened, both appeared before the jury in 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. “I am not going to give the proprietors of the slot machines time to exert political pressure on me. I am going to see with the co-operation of the members of the jury where they got their machines, on what percentage and who is protecting them.”
Orlando estimated approximately 300 slot machines in the county, averaging $30 a week per machine. “That money, however it goes, is coming from the people. They need it to pay their butchers and grocers.”
Several places had been tipped off before the raids. The raiders were led by Lawrence T. Doran, chief of county detectives, departing from the courthouse at 4:45 p.m.
For the first time, the raiders carried subpoenas. Where machines were seized, the proprietors were ordered to appear before the grand jury. Places where machines were found included 450 South Third street, 200 Clinton street, Third and Michigan streets, Stevens street, 106 South Second street, Eighth and Spruce streets, 506 and 530 South Third street, 432 South Third street, and 215 Line street.
Shooting of Joseph Connors
Camden Courier-Post —
Action Delayed in Gang Shooting
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.
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. Judge Pancoast promptly denied him bail.
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. “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.”
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 Olney Bank robbery.
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.
Marco Reginelli Shooting
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 will 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, a bank runner, who was slain during an ostentatious hold-up April 28 at the Belmawr Country Club.
All six prisoners were removed temporarily from the jail yesterday noon 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…
Rollie Waterhouse Murder Case
Camden Courier-Post —
Suspect in Holdup Identified at Trial
Suspect in Holdup Identified at Trial
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
(Continued on Page Two)
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.
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.
Waterhouse Case Continued
Camden Evening Courier —
Hotel Holdup Denied By 3 On Witness Stand
Hotel Holdup Denied By 3 On Witness Stand
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 had 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, 315 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.
Waterhouse Case — December 3, 1930
Camden Courier-Post —
3 Freed in Holdup By Jury Held for Woodbury Court
3 Freed in Holdup By Jury Held for Woodbury Court
Waterhouse and Pals Cleared in Robbery at Hotel Camden
Freed by Jury
Prosecutor Hits Acquittal Verdict
Lack of Separate Indictments Said to Have Led to Verdict
Exonerated last night by a jury that decreed them not guilty of holding up the Hotel Camden, Rollie Waterhouse, 19-year-old "man of leisure" and his two pals face hearings at Woodbury on charges of holding up a gas station attendant.
Detainers filed at the county jail against the three suspects prevented their release after the jury, comprising eight women and four men, returned with the verdict at 8.17 p.m. after deliberating for more than four hours.
Today, Sheriff Jacob K. Tryon, of Gloucester county, dispatched County Detective W. Clayton Apgar and deputies to this city at 11.15 a.m. to take the three men to Woodbury. There they will be given a hearing before Police Recorder Edward H. Curtis on charges of holding up Thomas Riley, 57, of Ashland, attendant at the Lincoln Service Station, Paulsboro.
Riley identified Waterhouse, who resides at 422 Mechanic street, as the "gunman" of the trio of bandits who on November 20, at about 11 p.m., or about six hours before the Camden hotel holdup, entered the station and robbed him of $27.
He could not positively identify Ralph Endt, 23, of 1161 Van Hook street, and Joseph McKenna, 29, of 550 Lansdowne avenue, as the other members of the bandit trio. McKenna and Endt were co-defendants of Waterhouse in the trial which ended yesterday.
Trial Delay Seen
A long delay in the trial of the three, if they are indicted by the Gloucester County Grand Jury, appears certain, as the next regular term of criminal court does not start until next
(Continued on Page Four)
February. Special Sessions Court is held twice a month at Woodbury for juryless trials.
The "not guilty" verdict came as a distinct shock to the state, and Prosecutor Baldwin characterized it as "a most outrageous insult to the community." He also stated that a charge of gambling will be placed against Waterhouse based on the prisoner's own testimony in court yesterday. Waterhouse averred that the sum of $67.83 found under the seat of the taxicab in which he and his two friends were arrested after a short chase on the Camden Bridge was won at craps in a Gloucester gambling establishment.
"In my opinion, the verdict was a most outrageous insult to the community," declared the prosecutor. "Our jury system is such that positive identifications are not relied upon. These particular men were found with the money (the sum found in the cab was only 40 cents in excess of the amount stolen from the hotel) which, it was testified, was stolen from the hotel and was found in their possession."
"How any jury could so far disregard its oath as to acquit these offenders against the public safety is beyond my comprehension. Any such ridiculous verdict rendered against a defendant could immediately be set aside by the trial court and a new trial granted, but it is merely another one of the criminal's privileges that once acquitted, he cannot be retried."
State to Keep Money
It was reported that because of the acquittal the state would have to return the money to Waterhouse. When asked about this the prosecutor stated:
"No money will be returned, because a specific charge of gambling will be lodged against Waterhouse, growing out of his own testimony that the money was the fruit of that gambling. Perhaps this action will not be taken until the Gloucester county authorities have had the opportunity of convicting Waterhouse on a more serious charge pending against him in that county."
The prosecutor appeared at the courthouse more than an hour after his customary time of arrival. He could not be located at his private law office or his home. His wife stated he had left at the usual time to take his daughter to school, and that she had not heard from him.
When questioned concerning his tardiness, the prosecutor would not reveal where he had been. He admitted it was pertaining to the case of Waterhouse, Endt and McKenna, but would divulge nothing more.
The state had based its case on positive identification made of Endt by Harry Auman, the Hotel Camden night clerk. Auman could not identify McKenna or Waterhouse. The three were arrested less than an hour after the holdup with a sum of money almost identical with that stolen from the hotel.
Waterhouse Case — December 4, 1930
Camden Courier-Post —
Writ Asked to Free Waterhouse, Pals
Writ Asked to Free Waterhouse, Pals
Attorneys Claim Trio Held Illegally at Woodbury in Holdup
By Staff Correspondent
Woodbury, Dec. 4.—Application for a writ of habeas corpus was made today to liberate Rollie Waterhouse, Ralph Endt and Joseph McKenna, who are being held in the Gloucester county jail without bail awaiting a further hearing on charges of holding up a Paulsboro gas station attendant.
Their attorney, Samuel P. Orlando, made application through an associate, Frank Lario, to Judge Austin H. Swackhamer here this morning for a writ, and it was made returnable Saturday morning. At the writ hearing Orlando will demand that the three be released. Failing that, he will ask that bail be fixed.
Following their acquittal Tuesday by a Criminal Court jury in Camden of charges of holding up two Hotel Camden employees, the three were brought here yesterday when arraigned before Police Recorder Edward H. Curtis. They were charged with holding up Thomas Riley, 59, of Ashland, attendant at the Lincoln Service Station, Paulsboro, on the evening of Nov. 20, and robbing him of $22.75.
No testimony was given at yesterday's hearing, nor was Riley there. Recorder Curtis held them without bail for a further hearing Monday, when Riley would attend to accuse the men. He has already identified Waterhouse as the "gunman" of the bandit trio who robbed him, and an additional charge of carrying a concealed deadly weapon is lodged against Waterhouse.
In making application for the writ today Lario held that the confinement of the three men is illegal. This was based on several contentions: that no proof was offered against the men at the hearing, that the offense charged is bailable, that the men were not given the right of counsel and that they were not given the opportunity to face their accuser.
Waterhouse Case — December 6, 1930
Camden Evening Courier —
Waterhouse, 2 Pals Win Fight for Bail
Waterhouse, 2 Pals Win Fight for Bail
Writ to Release Three Bandit Suspects Issued in Woodbury Court
By Staff Correspondent
Woodbury, Dec. 6.—Bail of $5000 each was set for Rollie Waterhouse, Joseph McKenna and Ralph Endt by Judge Austin H. Swackhamer here today in granting their application for a writ of habeas corpus.
The three are held on charges of holding up a gasoline station on the Crown Point road near Paulsboro early on the morning of Nov. 21. Thomas Riley, the station attendant, about 65 years old, positively identified Waterhouse at the habeas corpus hearing as the man who held him up while two other men robbed the gas station of $67.43.
Riley said he thought Endt was the man who took the money from the cash register but was not positive. He was unable to identify McKenna.
The three men were held without bail by Justice of the Peace Edward H. Curtis Thursday after they were acquitted in Camden of holding up the Camden hotel on Nov. 21 about 5 a.m. Samuel P. Orlando, their attorney, made application for the writ of habeas corpus shortly after the hearing and it was allowed by Judge Swackhamer.
Raymond Geoghegan, a Camden bridge policeman, arrested the trio at 6.10 a.m. on Nov. 21 when he saw them slouched in the rear of a taxi coming through the toll gates.
Policemen Albert Thompson and Charles Duer testified that they saw a roadster bearing the license number Z14397, the same as that of the car in the holdup, speeding up Delsea drive at 2.30 a.m. after the gas station holdup and later found the machine abandoned in the woods along the Turkey Hill road in Westville Grove.
Orlando asked that low bail be fixed for the three but Judge Swackhamer said he could not consider bail of less than $5000 in this case. Arrangements to raise the bail were being made this afternoon.
Judge Shay to Speak at Moore Meet Here
Camden Courier-Post —
Judges Samuel M. Shay and Frank F. Neutze will be among the speakers at an A. Harry Moore rally to be held Friday night by Democratic clubs of the Eleventh Ward at Maennerchor Hall, Twenty-seventh Street below River avenue.
Other speakers will include Samuel P. Orlando and the three Democratic Assembly candidates, William French, Jr., Vincent DePaul Costello and Fred Stanton. A North Jersey orator also is expected.
Mrs. Lillian Pisko, Democratic county committeewoman, is general chairman of the rally, and is being assisted by Charles Goldy, county committeeman; Mrs. Helen Rush, former committeewoman, and John Hutchinson.
Mrs. Pisko and Goldy will open Moore headquarters for the Eleventh Ward today at 923 North Twenty-seventh Street.
7 Democratic Rallies in County Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
Democratic speakers, urging suffrage in the interest of A. Harry Moore, gubernatorial candidate, and the local Democratic ticket, will invade seven political clubs in the city and county tonight.
County meetings, all at 8 p.m. and speakers are as follows:
First Ward Democratic Club, Gloucester, Mercer and Burlington streets, E. George Aaron, Firmin Michel and Marie V. Kelly.
Pennsauken Colored A. Harry Moore Club, Magnolia and Scovel avenues, Merchantville, Dr. Clement T. Branch, Eugene Aumaitre and Albert Melnik.
Lindenwold A. Harry Moore Club, Garden Lake fire hall, C. Lawrence Gregorio, Leon Rose, Joseph Varbalow and Mrs. Florence Melnik.
Glendora A. Harry Moore Club, fire hall, Mrs. Bertha Shippen Irving, Gene Mariano, Samuel P. Orlando and John Crean.
Somerdale Democratic Club, fire hall, Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, Edward L. Canning, Thomas Madden and John Delaney.
Fifth Ward Democratic Club, Fifth and Pine Streets, Samuel T. French, Rev. Robert A. Jackson, David L. Visor and Sabba Verdiglione.
Eighth Ward Democratic Club, 509 Ferry Avenue, Isaac Eason, Francis Homan, Charles Degnan and Judge Frank F. Neutze.
Democrats to Hold Meetings Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
The campaign for A. Harry Moore, gubernatorial candidate, and local Democratic candidates, will be carried into six wards of the city and in seven communities of the county tonight.
All meetings and speakers are as follows:
Second Ward Democratic Club, 841 Market Street; Eugene Aumetre, John Crean, Vincent Gallagher, Leon H. Rose and Charles Woods.
Fourth Ward A. Harry Moore Club, 455 Berkley Street; Samuel T. French, Victor King, Thomas Madden, Leon H. Rose, Gene Mariano, Samuel P. Orlando and Rev. Robert H. Jackson.
Sixth Ward Democratic Club, Fourth and Walnut Street; Frank Connor, Albert Melnik and Thomas Madden.
Tenth Ward Democratic Club, Fifth and Vine Streets; Boyd Morrison, Joseph E. Nowrey, Charles Degnan and David L. Visor.
Seventh Ward A. Harry Moore Club, Seventh Street and Kaighn Avenue; Dr. Leroy Baxter, of Jersey City; Isaac Eason, Dr. Clement Branch, Rev. Robert H. Jackson, Mrs. Bertha Shippen Irving and Frank Suttill.
Eleventh Ward Democratic Club, 927 North Twenty-seventh street; Boyd Morrison, Firmin Michel, Victor King, Mrs. Bertha Shippen Irving.
Gloucester City Democratic Club, 308 Monmouth street; Boyd Morrison, Gene Mariano, Joseph Varbalow.
Magnolia A. Harry Moore Club, Evesham and Gloucester avenues; Firmin Michel, Edward L. Canning, John Delaney, Marie V. Kelley and Francis Homan.
Lindenwold Colored Voters’ Club, Blackstone Hall, Lindenwold, Eugene Aumetre, William Williams and Oliver Bond.
Somerdale Club, Whelen home, Somerdale road and Oggs Avenue; Marie V. Kelly, David L. Visor and Mrs. Emma E. Hyland.
Somerdale Democratic Club, Leone Hall, Warwick Road and Helena Avenue; Samuel P. Orlando, Aaron Heine, Lawrence Gregorio and E. George Aaron.
East Haddonfield Democrat Club, Crescent and Berlin Road; Edward L. Canning, Albert Melnik and Judge Frank F. Neutze.
East Haddonfield Improvement Association, Batesville, Delaware Township; Ralph Wescott, Judge Frank F. Neutze and Mrs. Florence Melnik.
Moore Rallies Tonight in 3 Wards, Ashland
Camden Courier-Post —
Rallies in the interest of A. Harry Moore, gubernatorial candidate, and local candidates on the Democratic ticket will be conducted tonight in Ashland and in three wards of the city.
The meetings and speakers are as follows:
Sixth Ward Democratic Club, Fourth and Walnut Streets; E. George Aaron, Samuel P. Orlando, Boyd E. Morrison, Charles Degnan and Sabba Verdiglione.
Third Ward A. Harry Moore Club, Third and Benson Streets; Samuel T. French, Orlando, Edward L. Canning, C. Lawrence Gregorio, Frank Homan and Anthon Ruffo, of Trenton.
Eleventh Ward A. Harry Moore Club, 927 North Twenty-seventh street; Aaron, Canning, Isaac Eason, Marie V. Kelly and Judge Frank F. Neutze.
Ashland Democratic Club, home of Ida May Heidrick, Burnt Mill road and Second Avenue; Thomas Madden, Leon H. Rose and Eugene Mariano.
Gloucester Democrats Open New Quarters
Camden Courier-Post —
The Gloucester City Democratic Club opened its new headquarters in the former banking house on Monument street, near Broadway, with a housewarming attended by many guests. The various Democratic clubs, both men and women, were represented. Joseph Bastien, president, presided and welcomed the visitors.
There were talks by Mayor J. Emerson Jackson, Joseph W. Ackroyd, James Madden, county chairman; Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, Attorneys Samuel P. Orlando and William T. Costello, Miss Marie Kelly, Councilman W. W. Mullin and William J. Costello and members of the county committee.
$40,400 Suit Opens Over Auto Crash
Camden Courier-Post —
Collingswood Man and Daughter File Heavy Damages From 2 Car Owners
A Collingswood man and his daughter are plaintiffs in a $40,400 suit before Judge William R. Shuler in Circuit Court as the result of a collision last month on the road between this city and Jerseyville, Monmouth County, between Freehold and Asbury Park.
The plaintiffs are Samuel B. Franklin of 111 East Summerfield Avenue, Collingswood, and his daughter, Jessie Ada Franklin, head of an elocution school.
Mrs. Cora Franklin, 56, the mother of Jessie A. Franklin and three other children, was fatally injured in the accident.
Defendants named in the suit are Emmett C. Rowan of Elizabeth, represented by Mark Townsend, and Isaac Harris of Jersey City, represented by Samuel P. Orlando. The Franklins are represented by former Judge William T. Dowie.
Franklin was driving a car in which his wife was a passenger, while Miss Franklin drove another automobile in the rear of her father’s car. Their automobiles figured in a crash which involved the Rowan and Harris cars.
4 Youths Guilty in Assault Case
Camden Courier-Post — June 16–18, 1932
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
Shay Denounces Defendants, Promises Stiffer Sentences in Future
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 to 10 years in prison and two others to seven years each. William Lopergola, 26, of 420 Royden street, and Tony Basile, 46, 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 Corafolo, 25, of 210 Senate street, were sentenced to seven years each in the state prison at Trenton.
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.
“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.”
City Athletic Club to Act on Opening
Camden Courier-Post —
Plans for early occupancy of the City Athletic Club’s building at Admiral Wilson and Baird boulevards, will be submitted to members at a mass meeting Monday at 7.30 p.m.
The first unit of the $1,000,000 structure is 95 percent completed, Samuel P. Orlando, secretary, said last night. Members will inspect the building before the meeting and act on a proposal by the board of governors to open the unit. Details of the plan will not be disclosed until the meeting.
The unit, built at a cost of $120,000, lacks only furnishing and minor interior décor to be ready for occupancy. Work on the other seven sections of the clubhouse will be completed later.
Construction of the project was started last January. The building is three stories and contains all modern club facilities. In the basement will be a grill, dormitories for employees and offices. The gymnasium, cloakroom, steam room, reception room, and solarium are on the first floor. The second floor is given over to reception and reading rooms, billiard parlor and squash courts. Main and private dining rooms, roof garden, barber shop and other rooms are on the third floor.
Plans for the building were drawn so that work on the other units can be started at any time.
Magistrates Organize
Camden Courier-Post —
O’Grady Elected President of County Association — ‘Racket’ Attacked
Permanent organization of the Camden County Magistrates and Constables Protective Association was effected last night at a meeting in American Legion Hall, Mt. Ephraim, when officers were elected. Ninety-two persons attended.
The officers are John S. O’Grady, Camden, president; Winfield Clark, vice president; W.L. Sauerhoff, secretary; Frank Timmons, financial secretary; William E. Laird, treasurer; Fern Glenn and Joseph Scarduzio, sergeants at arms; Samuel P. Orlando and Gene Mariano, solicitors; Michael J. Mulvihill, Harry C. Longerbein, Albert C. Becker, Vernon Lyon and Thomas Feeser, trustees.
The association went on record unanimously opposing magazine advertising “rackets” and announced it would support anyone who gives information concerning the sponsors of such schemes. The association will meet again February 20.
New Athletic Club Here Is Inspected
Camden Courier-Post —
Members Visit Building and Discuss Plans for Opening
The new City Athletic Club building at Admiral Wilson and Baird boulevards was inspected last night by the membership, when plans for immediate opening were discussed at a mass meeting attended by 100.
The structure, the first unit of a $1,000,000 project, was built at a cost of $120,000. The clubhouse is artistically laid out and provides for every social and athletic activity.
Franklin P. Jones, president of the First National Bank of Beverly and chairman of the club’s finance committee; Samuel P. Orlando, secretary, and other officers of the club submitted reports and plans at the meeting which are expected to assure immediate opening of the club.
The club has 785 members, of which 600 are founder members. The land, comprising seven and one-half acres, was purchased for cash at $150,000. George W. Shaner & Sons, Palmyra, are the contractors, and Paul P. Cret and Joseph N. Hettel, the architects.
E.E. Shumaker, former president of the RCA Victor Company, is president of the club. The vice presidents are Eldridge R.F. Johnson, George L. McGinley and Charles W. Russ. George B. Yard, Jr., is treasurer. Construction of the first unit was started last January. The building is three stories. Plans for it were drawn so that work on the other units can be started at any time.
Joe Montana Wed to Miss Palladino
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Wrestler and Bride Are Given Dinner Attended by Notables
Miss Emma Palladino, one of the fairest daughters of Camden’s “Little Italy” yesterday became the bride of Joseph Montana, heavyweight wrestler, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Fourth and Division streets.
Idol of Italian youth in this city, Montana was hailed by hundreds of them outside the church. A number of relatives and friends, including prominent figures in the legal and professional life of the city, attended a dinner in honor of the couple at Overbrook Villa, Lindenwold, following the ceremony.
The bride, 20, is the daughter of Joseph Palladino, commercial photographer of 1115 South Fourth street. She graduated from Camden High school in 1928. Montana is 26 and a contender for the world’s heavy-weight wrestling diadem.
Following a wedding tour through the West the couple plan to reside in Camden.
The guest list at the bridal dinner included: Assemblyman Frank M. Travaline, Jr., City Commissioner Clay W. Reesman, director of parks and public property; Acting Chief of Police John W. Golden, former Prosecutor and Mrs. Ethan P. Wescott, Samuel P. Orlando, Guido Laurini, Detective Fiore Troncone, Antonio Mecca, Mr. and Mrs. William Denof, Mr. and Mrs. Pasquale Ianuzzi, Frank H. Ryan, Thomas H. Ryan, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Principato, Mr. and Mrs. William Averall, Luke McKenna, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Mariani, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Abbott, Frank P. Cocchiaraley and Miss Regina Cocchiaraley, all of Camden; Miss Mary Montana, and Mr. and Mrs. Ettore Montana, of Columbus OH., and Aristadino D’Guilia and sons, Albert and Peter, of Buffalo, NY.
Noted Italian Flier Guest of Orlando
Camden Courier-Post —
Captain Cesaro Sabelli, noted Italian ace, who is planning a New York to Rome flight late this month, was a weekend guest of Samuel P. Orlando, Camden attorney, at 2613 Baird Boulevard.
He expressed great concern for his friend, Jimmie Mattern, around the world flier, who is believed lost on the first leg of his flight to Paris. Captain Sabelli’s plane is under guard in the hangar at Floyd Bennett field, where Mattern also kept his ship.
Borden to Be Guest of Realty Board
Camden Courier-Post —
Newly Elected President of Commission Will Be Honored at Dinner
Edward J. Borden will be guest of honor tonight of the Camden County Real Estate Board at a banquet in honor of his election as president of the New Jersey Real Estate Commission.
The banquet, to be held in the Camden Club, 315 Cooper street, will be attended by lawyers, real estate men and public officials from all sections of the state. The Real Estate Board, of which Borden was thrice president, is giving the dinner.
Among the guests who will attend are former U.S. Senator David Baird, Jr., Assemblyman Frank M. Travaline, Jr., Mayor Roy R. Stewart and other members of the Camden City Commission; Dr. Leon N. Neulen, city superintendent of schools, and Police Judge Garfield Pancoast. The speakers include Samuel P. Orlando, former assistant prosecutor of Camden county.
Celebration Planned — Fourth of July Address
Camden Courier-Post —
A flag-raising and parade are among the events planned in the Fourth of July program being arranged by the Dayton Community Association.
Four-year-old Barbara Fallon will unfurl a large flag at the home of J. Nehring, 1223 Dayton Street, at 9 a.m. In the flag-raising exercises, Nehring has donated the banner.
Arrangements have been completed to have American Legion Posts 74, 231 and 2685, together with two troops of Boy Scouts and a motorcycle police escort to parade with the officers and members of the association from Kaighn and Mt. Ephraim avenues to the scene of the flag raising.
Samuel P. Orlando, former assistant prosecutor, will deliver an address after the flag-raising. Herbert C. Vennell, the president, will preside. Henry Knauer, Republican county committeeman, will address the association at 1 p.m.
Third Ward Democratic Club
Camden Morning Post —
Banquet to Orlando Planned by Club Here
BANQUET TO ORLANDO PLANNED BY CLUB HERE
At a meeting of the Third Ward Democratic Club, held last night at 311 Stevens street, it was decided a dinner would be given in honor of Samuel P. Orlando, Democratic leader and prominent Camden attorney. The dinner will be held at the Black Horse Farms, Mt. Ephraim, on Sunday afternoon. Activities for the coming campaign also were discussed.
William Denof Murder Case
Camden Courier-Post — May 9–11, 1934
Denof Denies He Ran in ’31 for Kelleher
Was First to File, He Says, and Stayed on Ticket by Own Choosing
William Denof last night denied the statements attributed to Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando and Attilio C. Marino, that Edward J. Kelleher was responsible for having Denof file a petition as a candidate for city commissioner in 1931. “In 1931 I was the first person to file my petition as a candidate for city commissioner. My petition was filed after a number of influential Italians in Camden county had held conferences to discuss the fact that the Hyland-Maloney leadership of the party was not giving any recognition to those of Italian extraction.”
Denof stated he had intended to retire from the race but Mrs. Hyland and Mr. Maloney had removed his brother and two friends from the election board. He said he informed Kelleher and Judge Shay he would retire if the three were restored, but that refusal was made. “Prosecutor Orlando’s statement is certainly out of line with the true facts in the situation,” Denof concluded.
Mrs. Hyland Raps Answer by Denof
Personal Vengeance Dominated His Motives, Committeewoman Charges
“Upon his own statement William Denof convicts himself of the charge that by refusing to withdraw his city commission candidacy in 1931, he placed personal vengeance above civic interest and purposely sacrificed Democratic chances of winning the city government that year.”
This was the answer by Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, Democratic state committeewoman, to Denof’s denial. “Denof is seeking to drag a red herring across his trail when he states that Kelleher did not prompt his candidacy,” Mrs. Hyland said. “His statement that he became a candidate because Italians were not being given recognition by the party, is pure bosh.”
Chiseling in the Breadline or on the Payroll?
Camden Evening Courier —
Exemplary punishment — $1000 fine or three years in jail — is what Prosecutor Orlando offers to “charity chiselers” whom he finds receiving county relief without needing it.
His crusade to break up this contemptible practice is based upon several cases discovered by the Camden County E.R.A. advisory board and a 1931 law making false acceptance of relief a misdemeanor.
This adds credence to frequent charges that emergency relief has been used as a political racket. And a thorough cleaning up is propitious. But wait!
In his report to the government, State Relief Chairman John Colt said in the cost of ADMINISTERING relief the salaries of relief employees were included as relief administered.
By this token, persons on the relief payroll are as much relief-recipients as the destitute persons in the bread line.
Where are the records showing how much of the total relief expenditure goes for salaries? John Colt told the Courier-Post there were no records and “no way to tell.”
When the new Camden county relief director, W.W. Logan, tried to find out the same thing concerning the $2,000,000 spent for county relief since last October the records suddenly disappeared from the Camden county relief office!
The crusade of Prosecutor Orlando against relief chiselers will serve a valuable purpose if it provides the clue and SHOWS WHY THOSE RECORDS DISAPPEARED.
Who was afraid of those figures becoming PUBLIC?
If payroll employees of the county relief have bank accounts or other wealth or means of support, then under their designation by Colt as relief recipients, they are just as answerable to prosecution as the man who has something and goes to the food order line for more.
If the jobs in the county relief are taken away from those who do not need them and given to those who DO — then Prosecutor Orlando’s investigation will perform far-reaching good.
He cannot act too soon!
Detective William Feitz Murder — Store Bandits to Be Quizzed
Camden Courier-Post / Evening Courier — September 3–4, 1934
12 Questioned, 2 Men Held in Murder Probe
Comrades Eager to Avenge Feitz, Shot 4 Times in Back at Holdup
Orlando Conducts Own Investigation
The greatest man-hunt in the history of the Camden police department was under way today to apprehend the murderers of Detective William T. Feitz, slain early yesterday when he surprised bandits holding up 20 persons in a South Camden disorderly house.
Feitz, recently promoted from a patrolman, was shot four times in the back as he attempted to reach the front door of the establishment at 243 Sycamore street to summon aid. Police today said they “had a pretty good idea” as to the identity of his slayers, although none has been charged with the crime.
Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, who “sat in” yesterday as police questioned a score of witnesses, stated this morning he will open his own investigation today. He intimated “new developments” may throw a startling light on the case.
Police Chief Arthur Colsey took personal command of the probe with Detective Lieut. George Ward and Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner. Mrs. Emma Hejsler, 38, alleged proprietress of the house, and Cornelius Murphy, 50, doorkeeper, headed a list of 14 witnesses held by police for questioning or as material witnesses.
Feitz’s murder was a climax to half an hour’s scrutiny by him and Detective Joseph Leonhardt. According to Leonhardt, Feitz opened the door of their police car and said: “I’m going in there and see what’s going on.” Almost immediately, Leonhardt heard the muffled roar of the bandits’ revolvers. Feitz’s body came flying through the door.
Feitz died five minutes after being admitted to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital. Three .32-calibre slugs were buried in his back and a fourth had pierced his wrist. He was the father of two children.
Chief Colsey last night declared the murder will be the signal for an intensive “cleanup” of the city. “There have been general orders out to clean up all disorderly houses for a long time,” Colsey said. Feitz was appointed to the police force March 1, 1928, and was commended for bravery in 1931 in arresting three men in a holdup at a chain grocery store at Locust street and Kaighn avenue.
Feitz Murder Investigation Continued
Camden Courier-Post / Evening Courier — September 10–14, 1934
Lieut. Bakley and 11 Police Suspended in Feitz Inquiry
Justice Lloyd Joins Probe Into Murder
Chief of Police Arthur Colsey at noon today announced the indefinite suspension of Lieut. Ralph Bakley, commander of the Second district of Camden police, and 11 other policemen in connection with the investigation into the killing of Detective William T. Feitz.
Those suspended include: Lieut. Ralph Bakley, Sergt. John Garrity, Sergt. Walter Mattison, Acting Sergt. Edward Leonard, Sergt. Richard Cornog, Policemen George Weber, Joseph Leonhardt, Leon Branch, Thomas Cheeseman, Frank Wilmot, John Houston and Vernon Jones.
Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd today entered the investigation into the murder of District Detective Feitz in an alleged South Camden disorderly house Sept. 2. The jurist, upon returning from his Summer vacation at Seaside Park, called an immediate conference with Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando and Police Chief Arthur Colsey.
Mickey Blair, a boxer whose real name is Michael Tenerelli, 25, whose Camden address is 833 South Fourth street, was surrendered to Camden police for questioning in connection with the murder of Feitz by his attorney, Edward V. Martino. “Mickey knows absolutely nothing about the killing of Feitz,” Martino told newspapermen.
Prosecutor Orlando stepped in and assumed nominal charge of the investigation, ordering police to submit to him all reports and statements of witnesses. Justice Lloyd ordered a wide grand jury probe of crime to follow upon a decision he had made 10 days ago to investigate the “numbers” racket in Camden city and county.
Store Bandits to Be Quizzed in Chester on Feitz Murder
Camden Evening Courier —
Material Witness Will View Suspects Caught by Camden Sleuths — Brickner Questioned by Colsey on Holdup
Seven men and women held by Camden police as material witnesses in the murder of Detective William T. Feitz two weeks ago in an alleged South Camden disorderly house will look over two men arrested in Chester PA after a store holdup here.
This was announced today by County Detective Lawrence T. Doran, who is directing the investigation for Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando.
At the same time, Chief Doran disclosed that after a conference with Police Chief Arthur Colsey, orders were issued that every person arrested in Camden, whether the charge is trivial or serious, will be placed in a police “lineup” and the material witnesses will face them to see if any of Feitz’s killers are among them.
Chief Doran was not sure whether the Camden County authorities would be able to bring the two robbery suspects to Camden because they are also wanted in Pennsylvania for almost a score of other holdups and burglaries.
Will Visit Chester
In the event that Chester authorities will not turn the two men over to Camden detectives, the witnesses will go to Chester to examine them, Chief Doran said.
Those held in Chester in connection with the holdup Wednesday night of the candy store of Michael Guzik at 1301 Sheridan Street identified themselves as Peter Muraska, 10, of 342 McDowell Street, and Ray Tuttle, 30, of 2529 West Ninth Street, both of Chester.
While neither Chief Doran nor Chief Colsey believe Muraska or Tuttle may be implicated in the murder of the detective because they are not known to be killers, both declared the suspects will be questioned as to their whereabouts at the time Feitz was shot to death.
“We are letting nothing slip through our fingers at this stage of the investigation,” Chief Doran said. “There is a bare possibility that either of these two suspects may be implicated or have some knowledge that would be useful to us in solving this crime.”
While negotiations were under way between Camden County authorities and Chester police to bring the suspects here, Chief Colsey was making inquiry into the actions of Patrolman William Brickner during the holdup.
Questioned by Colsey
Brickner was summoned to Chief Colsey’s office at City Hall today to explain why he had rushed from his home at 1263 Chase Street to the scene of the holdup when told by neighbors that it was taking place and then gave his gun to his son Elmer so he could watch the place so he the policeman could telephone police headquarters for help.
According to Guzik, the proprietor of the store, the bandits were in his store 30 minutes. They locked the doors behind them and gagged Guzik and guarded his wife, Blanche, and her sister, Mary Pitura, 18.
The bandits broke open a trunk from which they took $100 in pennies, $30 in scrip, and $4 in silver. Guzik said the pennies represented his profit in a penny vending machine over a period of time.
It was while Guzik was left alone that he shouted from one of his windows and neighbors called Brickner who was at home and off duty. His son Elmer fired one shot at the fleeing car before the patrolman came back from telephoning for help.
Several numbers of the license plates on the bandits car were covered with tape but one of the youngsters in the neighborhood succeeded in pushing aside the tape and getting the complete number which was turned over to police. Yesterday Detective Lieutenant Ward, accompanied by Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner and Detective Joseph Carpani went to Chester and made the arrests.
The car, which carried Pennsylvania tags, was listed in the name of Archie Hendrickson of Morton Avenue, Chester, police said.
Crawford Smith Murder Trial
Camden Courier-Post — September 14–15, 1934
Mickey Blair Admits Visit to Heisler Home on Fatal Night
Boxer Tells of His Attempt to Borrow Money From Woman
Stewart Launches Bank Account Probe
Mickey Blair yesterday admitted to the Courier-Post that he was in Mrs. Emma Heisler’s house trying to borrow money a few hours before Detective William T. Feitz was shot to death. Mayor Roy R. Stewart, at the same time, announced that he will launch an investigation of the bank accounts of “certain policemen” to determine their wealth.
Blair charged the police with manufacturing a fake alibi for him, for the purpose of tearing it down later. “Chief Colsey lies if he says police have broken down my alibi. I have no alibi, only that I know nothing about this murder,” Blair said. “Police have accused me of attempting to shake her down for money. That is not my racket. I did attempt to borrow from Emma on Saturday, but I can’t see anything wrong in that. I tried several friends, because I needed a little money at the time to purchase flowers for my brother-in-law’s funeral.”
“Police say I am the ‘finger-man’ in the shooting. That makes me laugh. They know they haven’t a shred of evidence to prove such a lie. They’ve got to hang it on somebody, so they blame it on me.”
Police Admit Feitz Slaying Is ‘Mystery’
“Still in the Dark,” Cops Say After Three Weeks of Vice Probe. Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando continued the investigation under the supervision of Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd, while Chief Arthur Colsey and Chief County Detective Lawrence T. Doran directed the search for Feitz’s killers.
Crawford Smith Trial — October 12, 1934
Camden Courier-Post —
Bribery Charged by Grand Jurors
26 Other Persons Named in 111 True Bills on Numbers
A bumper crop of 111 indictments was returned yesterday by the September grand jury probing gambling against alleged numbers operators alone. In addition, Mickey Blair, free on bail as a material witness in the murder of Detective William T. Feitz, was indicted on charges of graft and bribe-taking, along with 26 other individuals.
Those indicted among policemen include: Patrolman Thomas C. Cheeseman, 30 indictments; Patrolman Vernon Jones, 30 indictments; Patrolman George Weber, also known as “Bucky Weaver,” 20 indictments; Patrolman Frank Wilmot, one indictment. All are attached to the Second district and were among those suspended from the force two weeks ago in connection with the Feitz inquiry.
Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando directed the grand jury investigation under the supervision of Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd. Judge Frank F. Neutze presided over the Criminal Court proceedings.
Crawford Smith Trial — January 4, 1935
Camden Courier-Post —
2 More Arrested in Numbers War
Pair Seized Few Hours After Neutze Gives 12 Heavy Sentences
Judge Frank F. Neutze, in criminal court, meted out sentences of from one to six months and fines of from $100 to $250 to 12 minions of the “highups” in the numbers racket. A few hours later two more alleged number writers fell into the police net.
Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando expressed agreement with the suggestion of Judge Neutze that the practice of numbers barons paying salaries to their henchmen while the henchmen are in jail can be broken up by placing so many “small fry” behind the bars that the “big shots” cannot afford to pay them, and thus their names will eventually come out.
Among those sentenced was Crawford Smith, 702 Carman street, who received three months in jail and a $100 fine. Former Police Judge Garfield Pancoast appeared as counsel for one defendant; District Court Judge Joseph Varbalow argued for another.
The Klosterman brothers, Fred and Joseph, of East Camden, have been indicted as number lottery operators but their trial has been postponed. Orlando said the men sentenced were lieutenants or employees of the Klostermans.
Crawford Smith Trial — January 21, 1935
Camden Courier-Post —
Prison Terms for Reneging Witnesses in Number Case
5 Who Shifted Stories in Klosterman’s Trial Get 2 to 3 Years
Five of the eight state witnesses who recanted at the trial of the Klosterman brothers, alleged “numbers barons,” were sentenced today to serve from two to three years in state’s prison.
The sentences were imposed by Judge Frank F. Neutze in Camden Criminal Court in the presence of only Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando and his assistants, Patrick H. Harding and Isaac W. Eason.
The five men, who were serving sentences in Camden County jail for “numbers” writing, include Walter Hart, Andrew Pointkowski, Thomas Kirk, Crawford Smith of 702 Carman street, and Arthur Woodridge of Pennsauken. Crawford Smith nearly collapsed in a chair in which he was permitted to sit during sentencing, as he has been suffering from a heart ailment.
At the trial of the Klosterman brothers, the five men were evasive in their testimony as to whether the Klostermans were the “numbers” bankers. Today when lined up before Judge Neutze in Criminal Court they gaped in astonishment at the swiftness with which they were sent to prison for longer terms.
Crawford Smith Trial — January 22, 1935
Camden Courier-Post —
Lloyd Again Prods Orlando and Cops in Numbers Cases
Detectives Told to Produce or Quit by Jurist
Five state witnesses, who thought they got off “easy” in numbers cases, yesterday underwent reversal of county jail terms and found themselves sentenced to the penitentiary. Judge Frank F. Neutze sentenced them in Criminal Court, with terms ranging from two to three years, following their “about-face” in the Klosterman brothers’ case.
Censure of the prosecutor’s office by Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd followed. Justice Lloyd called Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando and his staff to his chambers. Attending the conference in addition to Orlando were: Assistant Prosecutors Harding and Eason, Chief County Detective Lawrence T. Doran, County Detectives James J. Mulligan, James Wren, Joseph Bennie, Casimir Wojtkowiak and Elmer Mathis.
“Go out and do some work, or else be replaced,” is the ultimatum said to have been hurled at the detectives by Justice Lloyd. He is said to be aroused over apparent inactivity of county detectives and inaction in the numbers cases.
Bathtub Gin Maker Is Held for Court
Camden Courier-Post —
Two district detectives yesterday told Police Judge Lewis Liberman that Earl Bundy, 24, was making bathtub gin in the family boiler at his home, 824 Sycamore street, when they raided the place Tuesday. He also had four barrels of mash, John Burns and John Huston, the sleuths, testified. Bundy denied the charge, but Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando asked that Bundy be held without bail to await the action of the grand jury. Bundy was held.
South Eighth street accused Edward Hargrove, 18, of 1178 Penn street, and James Walter, 15, of 1185 Penn street, of taking the garment from his store yesterday. According to the evidence Hargrove presented a ticket calling for a coat that had been left for repairs. The tailor and his customer searched for the garb, but couldn’t find it. Erconani asked that the youths be convicted, declaring that if the coat was gone he would have to pay for it, and that he had a sick child that required the money for medicine and professional attention.
Detective Robert Ashenfelter asked for a further hearing to make an investigation, but Herbert Richardson, attorney for the boys, said no evidence had been introduced to prove that they had taken the coat. Judge Liberman agreed and dismissed the charges.
Francis Murtagh, 24, of 117 North Thirty-fourth street, paid a $3 fine for reckless driving. It was testified that Murtagh was doing 55 miles an hour at 2.30 a.m. when he was chased a mile and a half before he was overhauled.
Bart Sheehan Appointment
Camden Courier-Post —
3 IN ASSEMBLY RACE PLAN TOUR TONIGHT
Lodge, Sheehan and Roye to Speak at Democratic Rallies
All three Democratic Assembly nominees—Henry Lodge, Bartholomew Sheehan and Harry Roye—will speak tonight at three Roosevelt rallies, one at Magnolia and the others in the First and Ninth wards, Camden. Announcement was made they also will endeavor to address other Roosevelt meetings tonight.
The other rallies tonight will include meetings in Ashland, Pennsauken and the Fourth, Twelfth and Thirteenth wards. A Collingswood rally will be conducted this afternoon, at 3.30 o’clock, at 784 Haddon avenue, that borough. Lodge will be the principal speaker at the Ashland rally, to be held at the hall of Ashland Fire Company, under sponsorship of the Ashland Democratic Club. The other Ashland speakers will include Edward J. Kelleher, Camden county campaign manager; former Prosecutor Ethan P. Wescott, Frank M. Lario, Grover Richman, Jr.; Samuel T. French, Jr.; William Brooks; Thomas M. Madden, of the Camden County Board of Elections, and Benjamin Dzick. The Magnolia rally, sponsored by the Roosevelt Democratic Club, will be held at the fire hall there at Evesham avenue, west of Warwick road. The speakers will include Sheehan, Roye and Lodge; Mrs. Bertha Shippen Irving, Guy Lee, Jr., nominee for Congress; Mayor-designate George E. Brunner, of Camden, state committeeman; Howard Callingham, Daniel West, Mildred Yemmans, Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, Democratic state committeewoman; Oliver H. Bond. Kelleher, Prosecutor Samuel Iando, Alice Pearl Harris and George Aaron.
Rally in First Ward
The First ward meeting will be at 325 State street, sponsored by the First Ward Democratic Club. The speakers include Lodge, Roye and Sheehan, City Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, Jr.; Gene Mariano, Camden county Italian campaign chairman; Aaron, Samuel T. French, Sr.; Kelleher, Norman Heine, Frank Crawford and John Blandy. Sheehan, Roye and Lodge also will address the Ninth Ward Democratic Club’s Roosevelt rally at Sixth and Berkley street. Also listed for addresses are Lee, Dr. Ernest Larossa, nominee for coroner; Aaron, Angelo De Persia, Blandy, and Kelleher. Mrs. Bertha Shippen Irving, Haddonfield postmaster, will address the Collingswood meeting this afternoon under auspices of the Collingswood Democratic Club. Other speakers also will be heard. The Twelfth ward meeting will be that of the Twelfth Ward Democratic Club at 2822 Mitchell street. Among the speakers will be Kelleher, Allen Dolgin, Samuel Gelfand, Dr. Bowman, Carl Egerton, Foster Meekins and Ralph Acoo.
Fourth Ward Rally
The Fourth ward rally, to be conducted at 428 Stevens street by the Fourth Ward Democratic Club, will be addressed by Meyer Wessel, formerly of the Camden Board of Education; Benjamin Daick, Madden, Lario, Kelleher and De Persia. The Pennsauken Colored Democratic Club is sponsoring a Roosevelt rally at 1838 North Forty-ninth street, Pennsauken, with Dr. Howard Primas, Grace Jones, Dr. Bowman, Milton Jones, Clarence Leigh, and Kelleher listed as the speakers. The Thirteenth Ward Democratic Club will conduct another Roosevelt rally at Haddon and Kaighn avenues. The speakers tonight will include Isaac Eason, assistant prosecutor; Freeholder Andrew J. McMahon, Frank Suttill, Edward Fox, Leonard Savadove, Howard Callingham, Kelleher, Anthony Mitchell and Abe Greenberg. A group of speakers will address two central-city rallies in the morning and afternoon, one at 11.45 o’clock and the other at 7.45 p. m. The speakers listed are Theodore French, John Donges, Clarence Dunkelberger, Grover Richman, Jr.; Joseph Moss, A. David Epstein, S. A. Levy, Harry Adams, Benton Childers and Victor Rocco.
Democratic Party News
Camden Courier-Post —
A. Harry Moore Club to Hold Rally Tonight
A mass meeting of Democrats will be held at 8 p.m. today by the A. Harry Moore Third Ward Democratic Club, at Third and Benson streets, with Postmaster Emma E. Hyland, Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando and all county candidates listed as speakers. Charles Salvaggio is president and Joseph Bennie chairman of the club.
Zeid Still Guilty, Says Prosecutor
Trenton Times —
CAMDEN, April 18 — Samuel P. Orlando, Camden County prosecutor, has informed Governor Hoffman he does not feel that “new evidence” in the case of Charles Zeid, sentenced to die for slaying a detective, warranted any further inquiry.
Orlando announced last night he had written his opinion to the Governor, asserting he has not changed his belief in the prisoner’s guilt.
Zeid, 37, formerly identified with the “Tri-State Gang,” out of existence since the execution of its leaders a year ago, was convicted of killing Detective William Feitz in the holdup of a Camden disorderly house last April. He was granted a 30-day reprieve by Governor Hoffman on March 31.
Zeid will be re-sentenced after his reprieve expires April 30.
Zeid Case — April 24, 1935
Zeid Faces Trial, Court Is Guarded
Accused Camden Slayer Is Linked with Tri-State Gang
New Jersey swung its far-famed “Jersey justice” into action today against Charles Zeid, seeking retribution from him for the slaying of one of its officers of law. The Philadelphian — a member, police say, of the notorious “tri-state gang” — goes on trial in a heavily-guarded court room on charge of shooting Detective William T. Feitz in an attempted hold-up of a reputed disorderly house.
New Jersey is the third State to charge a murder against members of the gang. In Virginia, Robert Mross and Walter Legenza, co-leaders of the gang, paid with their lives for the fatal shooting of a bank truck driver. Pennsylvania recently charged the kidnap-slaying of William Weiss against Frank Wiley and Martin Farrell, reported members, who have been sentenced to die in the electric chair.
Judge Frank F. Neutze, who has refused to grant further postponement to Zeid, declared he will take no chances and has ordered officers to mingle with the spectators and watch for any outbreak. Feitz was shot to death September 2, 1934, as he entered an alleged disorderly house during a holdup.
Zeid’s court-appointed attorney, John A. Fenn, in reply to a request for a bill of particulars, has been told by Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando that “Zeid or one or two accomplices” were the slayers.
Luigi Tortu Murder Case
Camden Courier-Post —
Arrests in Delair and Here Follow 14-Day Hunt for Dum-Dum Bandit
Two girls and a man are held incommunicado by the Camden city and county police, pending an official examination of the brain of Angelos Malagas, a restaurant cook. Malagas died in the Cooper Hospital on Sunday, 13 days after he had been the victim of a holdup and alleged assault at a card game at 725 Penn street on January 11.
The three prisoners are Luigi Tortu, 21, of 426 Line street, Camden; a Wills girl of J. Das street, Delair; and Evelyn Buffa, 18, of 810 Florence street, Camden. Tortu was arrested in Delair as he was keeping a “date” with the Wills girl by Detectives Harry Kyler and Thomas Murphy of the city detective bureau, and James Mulligan of the county staff. The Wills girl was also arrested; after questioning the sleuths came to Camden and picked up Miss Buffa.
The house occupant of the place, Samuel Ermilios, told police he invited friends to the house for a friendly game, and that when the bandits entered shortly after midnight he and his guests were ordered to line up against the wall and throw their money on the table. More than $600 was taken. As one of the bandits reached for the money the players struck him over the head with a chair and a struggle ensued. The pistol was discharged during the struggle.
Eight material witnesses arrested after the holdup will be recalled to the office of Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando and re-examined. Among them: Ross Pandeladia, 37, owner of a restaurant at 6846 Market street, Philadelphia; George Summers, 2592 Baird avenue; Samuel Bosco, proprietor of a Broadway barber shop; George Caras, 45, of 581 Mickle street; Michael Dandrea, 47, of 1667 Norris street; George Matros, and his wife, Annie, living at the Penn street address, and Mrs. Ermilos.
Sam Bosco Murder Case
Camden Courier-Post —
Bosco was in the ante-room — still waiting to testify — shortly after 4 p.m. when Mark Reeve, clerk of the jury, came out and whispered to City Detective Thomas Murphy. Murphy walked over to Bosco. He placed a hand on his shoulder and said: “You are under arrest.”
“What for?” Bosco asked. “The grand jury just indicted you on a charge of murder,” Murphy replied.
Prosecutor Orlando said: “I will give the grand jury the full facts. The members will decide for themselves what action to follow.”
11 Nabbed by Police in Gambling Raids
Camden Courier-Post —
Portrait photograph, Camden Courier-Post — February 14, 1938.
Ten men and a woman were arrested in gambling raids over the weekend by Camden city and county authorities.
Seven were arrested for operating a “bingo numbers” racket. A warrant also was issued for Frank Palese, 400 Spruce street, a member of a widely known South Camden family, as the “big shot” of the racket, according to Chief Lawrence T. Doran, of county detectives. Doran said last night Palese is still a fugitive.
Police Chief William Linderman, County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran and County Detectives Wilfred Dube, James J. Mulligan, Joseph Bennie and Casmir Wojtkowiak arrested the four men, all of whom were taken at once to the office of Prosecutor Orlando for questioning.
It was revealed at the prosecutor’s office that an attempt to flood Camden city and county with the new numbers game has been made during the last two weeks.
Pinner Given Hospital Rule on Admission to Lakeland
Camden Courier-Post —
Freeholder Group Rescinds Right of Mrs. Gray to Govern Patients
Authority to decide whether patients shall be admitted to or excluded from the County General Hospital at Lakeland was transferred last night from Mrs. Mary A. Gray, the superintendent, to Dr. Warren E. Pinner, chairman of the Freeholders’ general hospital committee.
The action was taken by the institutions committee of the Freeholders — the body which succeeded the old Lakeland central committee as the supreme arbiter of county institutional affairs.
Director J. William Mullin of the Freeholders board made the announcement in his capacity as chairman of the institutions committee. Dr. Pinner could not be reached by telephone for comment.
It was reported by Mullin that the finance and budget committees will take whatever action is suggested by Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando that the three process servers in the sheriff’s office be transferred back to the prosecutor’s office.
Real Estate Board Annual Banquet
Camden Courier-Post —
“We must put an immediate curtailment on this lavish spending down in Washington, which leads only to unbalanced budgets,” so declared Congressman Dewey Short, Republican, of Missouri, principal speaker last night at the 22nd annual banquet of the Camden County Real Estate Board, held in the Hotel Walt Whitman, with more than 400 attending.
Among the guests were, former Judge Frank F. Neutze, Judge Clifford A. Baldwin, County Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, Assistant County Prosecutor Patrick H. Harding, State Senator Albert E. Burling.
Camden Courier-Post — February 9, 1938
Reform in Parole Urged by Orlando
REFORM IN PAROLE URGED BY ORLANDO
Sees Freed Convict Needing More Help; Grand Theatre Shows Prison Film
Parole work virtually ends where it should start and does not follow through properly or sufficiently.
County Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando took this attitude yesterday while discussing the parole laws of New Jersey and the possibility of the passage of new legislation or amendments to the old to correct flaws which the county official declared exists.
“Take a look at the record,” he said. “Parole is primarily intended to give the chap who has made a false step and repents a chance to retrieve his lost caste and to go straight afterward. That means that the time to start parole work is after the man has been discharged from a penal institution. As matters stand now a prisoner gets a parole. The State gives him a stake, a few dollars usually and perhaps a suit of prison-made clothes.
“That convict is released to be virtually tossed out into a world that is ready to aim a kick at him whenever the chance occurs. That convict, though, should be helped after he is freed, that is when he needs it the most. And none should be paroled unless he means to go straight and shows a desire to become a decent citizen again.
“As a citizen and a prosecutor, I have a recommendation to make. Prisons have many young chaps who have made a misstep. Some turn of chance or fate drove them to commit a crime. They are not criminals by instinct or choice. I don’t believe in any parole system as such for those chaps. I think they should be investigated in prison and inquiry be made into the turn these young fellows intend to take after they are free. If they intend to make good, eschew crime, and become citizens, don’t parole them, pardon them.
“Let the Governor do it, too. The parole board can inform the Governor after the convict has served a sufficient time to pay for his misdeed that he is eligible for a pardon. Let the Governor accept the recommendation and free the boy, without any strings. That lets him start from scratch again and makes him as good a citizen as anybody else.
“Let’s start this business of helping the parolees after they get out, not before. Let’s not desert them and give them a kick, let’s give them a chance for a good start and put it right up to them. And let’s not free men whom we cannot trust to go straight after they get out. We have too many sex murders now by congenital criminals who managed to fool parole boards and cost decent persons their lives afterwards.”
Warner Brothers are giving you a chance to see the inside of a prison, and to let you get at first hand the picture of the convict’s life. The Grand Theater is showing “Penitentiary” and prizes are to be awarded to the patrons who turns in the best letters on the parole system and the picture. The film is scheduled to start next Thursday. For the 50 best letters on the subject, the Grand management will award 50 pairs of guest tickets.
Checked and Double Checked by Jiminy
Camden Courier-Post —
“Checked and Double-Checked” column by Jiminy in the Camden Courier-Post, February 19, 1938, containing social notes and brief items about David Baird Jr., Emma E. Hyland, Marie V. Kelley Verdiglione, Charley Humes and other Camden figures.
Frank Palese — South 4th Street
Portrait photograph of Frank Palese, subject of a 1938 gambling warrant, at 900 South Fourth Street. His brother Rocco Palese also figures in the Camden Democratic organization.
Grand Jury Probe Ordered by Lloyd
Camden Courier-Post —
Grand Jury Vice Probe to Be Ordered by Lloyd; Stewart Quizzes Cops
Feitz Murder, City Grafting to Face Inquiry
Action Follows Parley With Orlando and Mayor on Conditions
“A sweeping investigation of all phases of crime” in Camden County will be the first order given the new September Grand Jury after it is sworn in at Camden Courthouse by Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd.
That was the decision reached by Justice Lloyd after three hours of separate conferences with Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando of Camden County, and Mayor Roy R. Stewart, director of public safety. During the conferences held in Justice Lloyd’s offices at City Hall-Courthouse, the murder of District Detective William T. Feitz, alleged graft and corruption in the Camden police department and protected vice were thoroughly discussed.
Michael Tenerelli, 25, also known as Mickey Blair, former Camden lightweight boxer, was still being questioned at police headquarters in connection with the murder of Detective Feitz. Tenerelli, who surrendered to police after returning from New York, is booked as a material witness and on a charge of conspiracy in a robbery. Both charges were ordered placed against Tenerelli by Prosecutor Orlando, who has assumed direct charge of the investigation. He is being held without bail.
Mayor Stewart, who has inaugurated his own personal investigation of existing conditions in the police department, continued to question and take statements from police officials, patrolmen and detectives. Twenty-three patrolmen were ordered before the mayor in addition to the 12 others who were indefinitely suspended by order of Police Chief Arthur Colsey.
Michel Confirmed as Prosecutor Here
Camden Courier-Post —
Trenton, June 30. — Firmin Michel, former Camden city solicitor, was confirmed tonight by the Senate as county prosecutor, succeeding Samuel P. Orlando. He was nominated two months ago by Governor Edison.
District Judge Bartholomew A. Sheehan, of Camden, was confirmed as a member of the State Labor Mediation Board.
Michel, widely known member of the South Jersey Bar, had the support of Mayor George E. Brunner, of Camden, and was favored by State Senator Alfred E. Driscoll, Republican majority leader and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Orlando has been serving as prosecutor by virtue of holding a position as special assistant attorney general. Opposition to Orlando’s reappointment developed following suit he instituted for pay deducted under an economy program extending back several years.
Driscoll, as the Senate representative of Camden county, blocked reappointment of Orlando in January and the position went over to the administration of Governor Edison when appointive powers of former Governor A. Harry Moore expired. Michel’s name then was proposed by State Democratic Committeeman Vincent L. Gallaher and was endorsed by Driscoll. Michel lives at 313 South Sixth street and has law offices at 309 Market street.
Crippled Children to Attend Outing
Camden Courier-Post —
100 Little Folks to Be Guests on Sgt. Ray Smith’s Birthday
More than 100 crippled children from this vicinity will be entertained at the seventh annual Sgt. Ray Smith’s crippled children’s day and birthday party, next Monday.
The party, an annual affair, is staged by the Elks’ crippled childrens committee and the Sgt. Ray’s birthday party committee.
The youngsters will meet at the Elks Home, 808 Market street, and will be taken to Clementon Park in buses where Theodore Gibbs, manager of the park will throw open the entire facilities of the park for the crippled children, staging a special show in the afternoon. A luncheon will be served at the park by the committee.
At four o’clock the youngsters will be taken to the Silver Lake Inn where a special amateur show will be staged on the lawn by the crippled children themselves.
Those who have been invited to attend are Mayor George E. Brunner, Congressman Charles A. Wolverton, Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, Firmin Michel, Albert E. Burling, Albert Austermuhl, secretary of the Board of Education, George I. Shaw, Mary W. Kobus, director of Public Safety; Dr. Henry J. Schireson, Camden county freeholders Robert Worrell, Mrs. Alice Predmore, S. Norcross 3rd, members of Veterans of Foreign Wars of Camden County Council and many business men and civic leaders.
The Wilkie Tragedy — December 1953
A difficult case that Samuel P. Orlando was only indirectly involved in was the tragic suicide of James S. Wilkie, son of a veteran Camden police officer, John V. Wilkie, in December 1953. The elder Wilkie and Orlando had worked together and been friends since the 1920s. For several days after the shooting, Sgt. Wilkie claimed that he had shot his son, in order that he receive a Catholic funeral. He retracted his confession after it became apparent that he could not deceive the city and county investigators, and was released after the grand jury refused to return an indictment.
This tragic case saw the involvement of many of Camden’s law enforcement and legal community, including Mitchell H. Cohen, Benjamin Asbell, Wilfred Dube, Thomas Murphy, James J. Mulligan, J. James Hainsworth, John Healey, and Joseph Bennie, among others.
Wilkie Son Dies From Gun Shot
WILKIE SON DIES FROM GUN SHOT
Youth, 17, Found Suicide in Home By Officer
The 17-year-old son of Camden Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie was found shot to death in his home early Sunday, with his father's service revolver lying on the living room floor beneath his body.
James S. Wilkie, of 1144 Princess ave., was found by his father shortly after 2 a.m.
Coroner John A. Healey, after an autopsy Sunday afternoon, also said he was "satisfied the death was suicide." He issued a death certificate with that finding.
Younger Children Questioned
Benjamin Asbell, first assistant prosecutor, with County Detective Chief James J. Mulligan, City Detective Capt. Thomas P. Murphy and Detective George Ellis, questioned Wilkie, two other Wilkie children, their friends and neighbors for more than three hours in detective headquarters Sunday night.
Capt. Murphy reconstructed the death as follows:
W. Richard Wilkie, 16, and his sister Teresa, 14, with Paul Ragone, 15, of Bridgeboro rd., Moorestown, a friend of Richard, were decorating the living room of the Wilkie home for Christmas when James came home about 1:30 a.m. and evidently had been drinking.
A quarrel followed in which Richard chided James about "coming home drunk," and James wanted to fight his brother, but Richard and the Ragone boy went outside the house. At that point, James went to his father's second-floor front bedroom and took Wilkie's .38-caliber police revolver from a chest of drawers and returned to the living room.
'I'll Kill Myself'
James ordered his sister to tell Richard to return to the house, and Richard instead directed Teresa to "come outside," Asbell said. When the girl left the home, James went to the front door, waved the gun and shouted, according to Asbell:
"If you don't come in I'll kill myself."
The children said James then turned and went back into the house. They stated he slammed the front door so hard the blind fell off.
Seconds later, Richard heard what he called a shot. Richard, Teresa and Ragone called for James at the front and rear doors but got no response.
After trying unsuccessfully to reach Sgt. Wilkie, the three were taken by a friend of Ragone's to the home of Mrs. Tessie Bogacki, mother of the Wilkie children, in Woodlynne. Mrs. Bogacki remarried after she and Sgt. Wilkie were divorced several months ago.
Father Finds Body
Wilkie told the investigators he had been to a restaurant and discovered the body when he returned shortly after 2 a.m., but thought his son had cut his head in a fall. The weapon beneath the body was not found until after police, summoned by Wilkie from a police box at Haddon and Kaighns aves., arrived and moved the body.
The spent bullet was found near the body in a pool of blood by Detectives Edward Shapiro and John Moffa. Another bullet taken from the gun, police said, showed evidence it had misfired.
Police said a preliminary investigation by doctors at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, where James was pronounced dead on arrival at 3 a.m., indicated the bullet had entered the left side of the head and left the right temple, but no powder burns could be found on the left side.
Autopsy Performed
The body was transferred to Cooper Hospital where an autopsy was performed by Dr. William T. Read. Healey said the autopsy showed conclusively the bullet had been fired into the right temple and left through the left temple. Powder burns were found on the right side, Healey stated.
Capt. Murphy said tests were made of the boy's right hand and the gun and forwarded to the State Police laboratory at Trenton.
A separate investigation is being made, Murphy said, to determine where the youth had been drinking.
Wilkie, famed for years as Camden's notebook cop, has been away from duty for several months because of illness. Wilkie told investigators his son suffered a head injury in early youth and had complained of headaches. Wilkie said he felt the death might be accidental and expressed the possibility his son may have staggered and fallen with the loaded revolver. Wilkie said James also had been despondent since the death of another son, John, killed last June in a plane crash in Japan. James was employed as an apprentice by a Philadelphia belt manufacturing firm.
Coroner Healey said the youth's employers had elevated James in their apprentice program only last week. Young Wilkie celebrated the promotion by buying a new suit and topcoat, the coroner added.
Gettysburg PA Times — December 23, 1953. “Detective Is Held For Shooting Son.” Camden NJ (AP) — A Camden city detective, Sgt. John V. Wilkie, is being held on a manslaughter charge in the shooting of his 17 year-old son. Police said last night Wilkie told them his son was killed accidentally as he and the youth struggled for his service revolver Sunday morning. The boy’s death had been called a suicide by Camden County Coroner John A. Healy. A pathology report indicated that the head wound sustained by the younger Wilkie was self-inflicted. Camden County Prosecutor Mitchell H. Cohen said the detective told him he tried to take his own life after his son was shot but the pistol misfired. Wilkie was charged with manslaughter and held in custody pending a hearing to set bail.
Sgt. Wilkie Is Still Held in Jail, His Bail of $50,000 Unchanged
SGT. WILKIE IS STILL HELD IN JAIL, HIS BAIL OF $50,000 UNCHANGED
Cut Considered After Retraction Of 'Confession'
Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie, Camden's notebook cop, remained in jail today in default of $50,000 bail despite his admission Thursday he "confessed" accidentally killing his son in an effort to have full burial rites of the Roman Catholic Church accorded the youth.
Wilkie's admission of the fabrication as a desperate self-sacrificing attempt for his son came Thursday afternoon after he learned the church had reiterated that his son, James, 17, could not be given requiem rites and be buried in consecrated ground.
Wilkie admitted that when he returned to his home, at 1144 Princess ave., at 2:18 a.m. Sunday, he found his son dead of a revolver shot instead of having been shot in a struggle with Wilkie for the latter's service revolver.
Services for Wilkie's son will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the Robert J. Blake Funeral Home, 851 Haddon ave. Burial will be in New Camden Cemetery, Mt. Ephraim and Ferry aves., a nondenominational cemetery. There will be a public viewing at the funeral home Sunday night.
Wilkie, a member of Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Broadway and Ferry ave., will be permitted to attend the services under guard.
Asked about the continuing high bail, Prosecutor Mitchell Cohen said there has been "no request from Wilkie nor his attorney, Elmer Bertman, for reduction of bail."
Favorable to Lower Bail
Cohen, however, continued, "In light of the new circumstances, I certainly would entertain such a request." He continued:
"In view of the holiday weekend, I probably won't be in my office until Monday. Nor is the sheriff's office open during the weekend to receive the bail.
"It would be necessary to contact me with a request for bail reduction and also to make special arrangements with Sheriff Hainsworth to post the bail."
Late Thursday, Cohen told reporters he had no alternative but to present all of the facts in the case to the grand jury and "let them decide."
Tells of Repudiation
"In the presence of Chief Mulligan and Capt. Dube of the county detectives staff; Capt. Murphy of the Camden City detective bureau; Samuel P. Orlando as a friend of Wilkie's, and Fred Albert, court stenographer, Wilkie has made a statement which repudiates a 'confession' he made to me earlier this week.
"He states that he found his son, James, dead of a gunshot wound when he returned to his home early on the morning of Dec. 20.
"Wilkie states that he concocted his story that he and his son wrestled over possession of the gun, which was Wilkie's service revolver, and that the gun was discharged accidentally.
Father Denied Suicide
"Wilkie told us he had determined to do everything within his power, say anything and be willing to take any kind of punishment, in order to obtain a Catholic funeral for his son.
"He still insists that his son did not commit suicide, that he had just bought some new clothes and had said or done nothing to indicate he might take his life.
"I must say here that the facts available to us do not coincide with a theory of accidental death.
"After Wilkie had made his 'confession' to us, we had him illustrate several times with county detectives how he said he tussled with his son. We knew then the son could not have been accidentally shot in such a struggle.
State Police Tests
"All tests by state police laboratories and our medical reports clearly evidenced Wilkie was not telling the truth.
"The bullet entered one temple and emerged from the other on a straight line instead of at an angle. The course the bullet took made it clear the shot was fired with deliberation by a gun held in the decedent's hands or in some other hands.
"Since a complaint has been made and a court has instructed me to present this matter to the grand jury, I must do so. Therefore the charge of manslaughter will remain pending the grand jury's deliberation."
Wilkie, according to Sheriff Hainsworth, spent a "restful day" Christmas in a cell in E block on the sixth floor of City Hall.
The sheriff said Wilkie was in "good spirits and talked frequently with other prisoners."
Sgt. Wilkie Remains in County Jail As Son Is Buried Without Ritual
SGT. WILKIE REMAINS IN COUNTY JAIL AS SON IS BURIED WITHOUT RITUAL
Funeral Director Recites Prayer
Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie, whose "confession" that he accidentally killed his son proved to be a hoax, remained in the county jail today during the funeral of his 17-year-old son, James.
Wilkie, Camden's "notebook cop," is being held in county jail in default of $50,000 bail pending submission of his case to the grand jury, although authorities accepted his admission that the story of accidental death was concocted in an effort to obtain the full burial rites of the Roman Catholic Church for his son.
James, whose death on Dec. 20 was officially declared a suicide, was buried from the Robert J. Blake Funeral Home, 851 Haddon ave.
Only about 20 persons were present, and there was no formal service of any kind. Among those at the funeral home were James' mother, Mrs. Tessie Bogacki, of Woodlynne; his brother, Richard, 16, and sister, Teresa, 14, and two aunts, Mrs. Elizabeth Meredith and Mrs. Jane Salus.
James was buried in the rain in New Camden Cemetery, Mt. Ephraim and Ferry aves., a nondenominational cemetery, also without any formal service. Blake recited the Lord's Prayer as the casket was lowered.
Members of the immediate family and a few friends attended.
Attends Viewing
Wilkie attended the public viewing at the funeral home Sunday night in the company of County Detectives James McLaughlin and Joseph Bennie and a guard from the sheriff's office, Walter Wilkie, no relation.
He was promised release from jail so he could attend today's burial, but James J. Mulligan, chief of county detectives, said Wilkie sent word to the prosecutor's office this morning that he had no desire to be present at the rites.
"He was present at the viewing," Mulligan said, "but he said he just didn't want to go to the funeral. So we made no arrangements for him to go."
Approximately 100 persons attended the viewing, and Wilkie was present the entire time.
Fabricated Confession
Wilkie's admission he fabricated the "confession" that he accidentally killed his son came Thursday after he learned that church authorities had declined to alter their original ruling that the youth could not be given solemn requiem rites and be buried in consecrated ground. Canons of the Church forbid religious services and burial in suicide cases.
The veteran police sergeant had claimed that he accidentally shot the boy in a struggle for possession of Wilkie's service revolver at the Wilkie residence, 1144 Princess ave. But, in his admission that this version of the death was untrue, he said he found his son dead of a revolver shot when he returned home at 2:18 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.
Cohen said no request for reduction of Wilkie's $50,000 bail had been made, but that he would consider such a request if it is received. He said he had no alternative but to present all the facts in the Wilkie case to the grand jury.
Going Home and Take Care of My Children
'GOING HOME AND TAKE CARE OF MY CHILDREN'
Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie was released from the Camden County jail late Wednesday afternoon shortly after the grand jury returned a no bill on a manslaughter charge against the veteran policeman in the death of his son James Wilkie, 17.
Wilkie, as he was released from the county jail, told Undersheriff Charles O'Keefe he was "going home and take care of my children, they are my only concern now."
Young Wilkie was found shot to death Dec. 20 at his father's home, 1144 Princess ave. A certificate of suicide was issued by Coroner John A. Healey.
Admits Hoax
Later, Sgt. Wilkie surrendered at police headquarters and said he had accidentally shot his son in a struggle for possession of his service revolver. Wilkie was confined to the county jail in default of $50,000 bail on a manslaughter charge.
Last Thursday, Wilkie admitted to Prosecutor Cohen he had concocted the story of shooting his son in an attempt to obtain the full burial rites of the Roman Catholic Church for his son.
Cohen accepted the withdrawal of Wilkie's "confession" but said he would have to submit the case to the grand jury. Cohen summoned Wilkie's two other children, Richard, 16, and Theresa, 14, and City Detective Capt. Thomas Murphy before the jury Wednesday.
Murphy was questioned by the jurors 25 minutes and Richard was in the jury room for 15 minutes. Theresa was not called before the jury and at 3:30 p.m. was dismissed, less than a half hour before the jurors returned a no bill on the charge against the father.
Crippled Children’s Party Tomorrow
Camden Courier-Post —
41st Annual Affair
The Crippled Children’s Committee of Camden Elks Lodge 293 will sponsor its 41st annual party for crippled children tomorrow.
S.S. Norcross 3rd, exalted ruler of the lodge, and Edward J. Griffith, president of the Crippled Children’s Committee, said the children will board buses at 10:30 AM at the Elks’ home, 807 Cooper Street.
First stop will be Sergeant Ray Smith’s home on Lake Renee, where the children will have their annual picnic lunch. Following lunch they will ride horses from the Persian Acres Dude Ranch operated by County Detective Robert Di Persia.
Erial Fire Company will pick up the children for a ride to the Nike Missile Base in Erial, then onto Clementon Lake Park. Following dinner in the Chick Barn at Silver Lake Inn, the youngsters will return to the Elks’ Home.
Among those helping Sgt. Ray celebrate his 72nd birthday at Silver Lake Inn later in the evening will be former Judge Samuel P. Orlando, Congressman John E. Hunt, Jersey Joe Walcott, Mayor Alfred Pierce and state Senator Frederick J. Scholz and recently appointed Prosecutor A. Donald Bigley.