Introduction
SAMUEL S. ELFRETH was born in Camden on August 13, 1845 at 109 North 2nd Street in Camden NJ. He was the middle son of Samuel D. and Martha Elfreth, coming after Jeremiah and before Charles Elfreth. His father was a prosperous blacksmith in Camden. Samuel D. Elfreth had become a volunteer with the old Perseverance Fire Company upon moving to Camden in the 1820s; one could very well say that Samuel S. Elfreth was born into his future career. After attending school in Camden, he worked for two years as a machinist, before entering the sash and blind trade at the age of eighteen.
Samuel S. Elfreth became involved in firefighting in Camden in 1865, when it was still an all-volunteer force, and served until the volunteers were disbanded in 1869. In 1871 he was appointed a member of the paid fire department, serving as an extra hoseman in Engine Company No. 2, when he was named to replace Abraham Bradshaw, who had been removed from service on May 16th. Samuel S. Elfreth was removed from service on December 5, 1871. He returned to service in 1873 and served into the spring of 1876 as Foreman (the equivalent of today’s Captain) of Engine Company 2. He did not serve with the fire department during the period in which Claudius W. Bradshaw was Chief of the department.
In 1879 Samuel S. Elfreth was elected Chief, succeeding Claudius W. Bradshaw, who went on to become the Mayor of Camden. He served a three year term. He was succeeded by Daniel A. Carter, who served one term. Samuel S. Elfreth was reelected again in 1885 for another three year term. Robert S. Bender, who had been Chief in the early 1870s, won the election for the chief’s position in 1888. Samuel S. Elfreth was reelected once again in 1891, and when the position ceased to be an elective office, he was retained, and served until his retirement in 1913. He was Chief from 1879 to 1882, from 1885 to 1888, and from 1891 until 1913—a total of 28 years, longer than any other person to have served in that capacity in Camden.
Samuel S. Elfreth married Kate Baker in 1870. The marriage produced at least one child, a daughter Fannie. Fannie Elfreth later married Rollo R. Jones, who rose to the rank of Captain in the Camden Fire Department. The Elfreths lived through at least 1900 at 109 North 2nd Street, where he was born.
Chief Elfreth responded to his last fire alarm, at 445 South 5th Street, on November 1, 1913. He was succeeded as Chief by Charles Worthington. By 1920 he was living at 638 State Street with his daughter, son-in-law Rollo R. Jones, and a grand-daughter. Samuel S. Elfreth died of natural causes on July 16, 1927.
Samuel S. Elfreth was a member of the New Jersey Fireman’s Association, and he was Past Sachem of the Wyoming Tribe, No. 55, Improved Order of Red Men in Camden.
Portraits
Samuel S. Elfreth, Chief of the Camden Fire Department
Chief Elfreth in his office at the 5th & Arch Street Firehouse, 1913
Biographical Revue, 1897
Samuel S. Elfreth, Biographical Revue of the Sixth Congressional District of New Jersey, 1897
The Camden Primaries
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A Stubbornly Contested Fight Among the Republicans Last Night.
One of the hardest fought political battles that has occurred in Camden for some time took place at the Republican primaries last night. There were fierce fights in the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth wards. In the Second ward Frank H. Burdsall, the ex-President of the Young Republicans, made the nomination for City Councils after a hard fight.
At an early hour this morning the First ward had not completed counting off their votes. The indications pointed to this ticket:
Delegates to the City Treasurer’s Convention—Joseph Burt, William Baily, James Logan. Councilman-at-Large—Samuel Elfreth, Robert Stehr, John T. Lovett. Excise Commissioner—Benjamin Hutchinson, Samuel Vanatta, Charles Heliker. City Council—Robert Smith. Board of Freeholders—William C. Hansell. Board of Education—Henry Winters.
The delegates to the City Treasurer will be unanimously for Frank F. Michellon, present incumbent. Dr. W. B. E. Miller will be nominated for Councilman-at-Large by acclamation. The delegates elected to the various conventions and the ward nominees are as follows:
Second Ward—City Treasurer, W. T. Y. Young, George E. Wilson, Harry Callowing; Council-at-Large, George Cook, John Broom, Thomas Reed; Excise Commissioners, Harry Walker, L. Peak, James Stewart; Freeholder, Cooper B. Hatch; City Council, Frank H. Burdsall; Board of Education, Charles Woolverton.
Third ward—D. Lewis Ireton, H. L. Lawler, George Walls; Council at Large, Thomas Bareford, Harry Twoes, William Schimp; Excise Commissioner, James M. Lane, D. M. Freeman, Isaac C. McKinnely; Council, George F. Hammond; Freeholder, William D. Wilson; Board of Education, Harry C. Sharp.
Fourth Ward—City Treasurer, Heber C. Robinson, Joseph B. Fox, Caleb Williams; Council-at-large, Frank B. Sweeter, Albert Barber, Harvey Flitcraft; Excise Commissioner, William D. Hart, William Schregler, John Baker; City Council, William S. Jones; Board of Freeholders, Richard C. Mason; Board of Education, Joseph B. Fox.
Fifth Ward—City Treasurer, John Mesham, Maurice A. Rogers, George W. Thompson; Council-at-large, John R. McCabe, Septimus Knight, Harry Mines; Excise Commissioner, John D. Leckner, M. D., J. Oscar Weaver, Harry Gibbs; City Council, Ben Lawton; Board of Freeholder, Harry Wolf; Board of Education, Homer Snyder.
Sixth Ward—City Treasurer, Samuel H. Stiles, Pierce Brown, Robert F. Stockton; Council at-large, Reuben Gaskill, Jacob Thompson, Samuel Stillwell; Excise Commissioners, John Snitcher, James Brown, Miles Sage; City Council, Edward E. Jefferis; Board of Freeholders, Mark H. Mapes; Board of Education, J. Wesley Sell.
Seventh Ward—City Treasurer, B. C. Lewis, Elijah Thompson, Frank A. Ward; Council-at-Large, Jacob T. Fish, Frank A. Ward; Excise Commissioner, W. K. Price, Edward Johnson, John Long; Board of Freehold, William Anderson; Board of Education, John Carmany.
Eighth Ward—City Treasurer, Gabriel Johnson, Horace J. West, Peter P. Custis; Council-at-Large, Jonas Mellor, Stephen Harvey, John Collins; Excise Commissioner, Charles H. Helmbold, Lawrence Rhoads, Gabriel Johnson; Freeholder, Henry Sparrow; Council, Samuel H. Mowery; Board of Education, James Ware, Jr.
Ninth Ward—City Treasurers, John N. Zanders, Martin Frank, Frank S. Heisler; Council-at-Large, L. B. Brown, G. W. Davis, Thomas Thornley; Excise Commissioners, D. B. Carriden, U. G. Lee, Edward Weston; City Council, P. W. Beale, M. D.; Board of Education, Frazier Baker.
Charles Berry’s Funeral.
Camden Daily Courier —
The funeral of Charles G. Berry, one of the bravest and most popular firemen in this city, took place at 2 o’clock this afternoon from his late residence at 226 Point street.
The firemen attended the funeral in a body, and the members of the First Ward Republican Club were represented in a large body, while Mayor Westcott, Councilman Robert Smith, George Barrett, and many other prominent men of this city viewed the body.
Rev. A. G. Lawson of the North Baptist Church preached the funeral sermon, after which the body was taken to Philadelphia where it was interred in Glenwood Cemetery. The body lay in a black cloth covered casket and was dressed in his fireman’s uniform with the cap lying on the breast.
A profusion of floral offerings lay around the coffin. Among these were a pillow with the words “Comrades of No. 4,” a fireman’s hat from No. 4 Company, cut flowers from Jesse Conley, a design of white roses from James Dunn and Joseph Love, two of his closest friends, a pillow from his family a handsome design from the Republican League and lilies from Councilman Smith.
The pall bearers were Chief Samuel Elfreth, of the Fire Department; Foreman Amadee Middleton, of No. 4; Engineer Frank Turner and Edward Hartman, Walter Browning, Robert Sheer, William Bogia and Charles Kay, all members of the Fire Department.
All the friends of the deceased accompanied the body to the ferry and there left the pall-bearers and family with his Philadelphia friends, who took the body to the cemetery.
Mr. Charles Berry was born in Philadelphia, in 1854. He graduated from the Friends’ Central School and attended the Chester Military Academy. When he left school he went with John Mundell, the shoe manufacturer of Philadelphia, and became foreman of Mr. Mundell’s extensive works. Ten years ago he came to Camden and was foreman of George Martin’s shoe factory, and from there he went to Deitrich’s place, on Market street, where he held a similar position, which he gave up to enter the fire department. He has been a fireman for three years, and was known as one of the bravest and best men in the department.
Stockton News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
While at work in the State street woolen mills, in Camden, yesterday, Robert Selah, of Stockton, had his right hand crushed in the machinery. He will lose four fingers.
While driving on the river road yesterday, John Seigfried, of Riverside, fell underneath a wagon and had a leg broken and was otherwise badly injured. He was removed to his home.
One thousand dollars was realized from the fair of the Citizens’ Fire Company, which closed last night. Chief Elfreth, of the Camden Fire Department, won a gold badge in a contest with Chief Welsh, of the Stockton department.
After debating the license question until 10 o’clock last night, the following licenses were granted by the Town Council of Stockton. First ward, John G. Schramm, George Doerfuss, Frederick Feil, John Hoosey, Moritz Gratz, Charles Voigt, Jacob Walz, Joseph Diehm, C. L. Dietz and Frank Powell; Second ward, Thomas O’Hara, Charles Kleemann, Jacob Schiller, Thomas Tracey, S. H. Long, John J. Trost, Mrs. Brown, Jacob Bendinger, William Denneller, August Muench, Gottlieb Eisener, John Costello; Third ward, Mrs. Rugart, Harry G. Vennell and Charles Mangold. Those refused are Louis Everly and William Cronmiller, both of the First ward. The resignation of Policeman Grantz was accepted, to take effect May 1.
Firemen Own Stockton
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Gallant Laddies Celebrated Thanksgiving With a Parade.
Representative firemen from New Jersey and Pennsylvania owned the Town of Stockton yesterday and the Knights of the Golden Eagle joined them in the annual Thanksgiving demonstration of the Volunteer Fire Department of the town.
To the merry jingle of hose carriage bells and the music of a dozen brass bands the many hundred uniformed firemen, old volunteers, with engines, hose carriages, hook and ladders and fire apparatus of all descriptions, modern and ancient, marched through the town’s most prominent streets. Chief Gick acted as marshal of the parade, with Martin J. Ryan, of the Stockton Hose Company; George Bremen, of the Citizens’ Fire Company; Milliard Daly, of the William Penn Company, and Jesse Milby, of the Rosedale Fire Company, as aids. The procession was led by Chief of Police Samuel N. Johnson and the police force, who appeared in new uniforms.
After the parade the Stockton Hose Company dedicated their new fire house. Ex-Chief of the Camden Fire Department William Abels delivered the address and a speech was also made by Chief Elfreth, of the Camden Fire Department.
After the parade the Rosedale Fire Company also burned all its notes, which were recently paid, and a reception followed at the fire houses. The Citizens’ Fire Company, William Penn Company, Pavonia Hose Company all kept open houses last night and many visitors were entertained until a late hour.
The Eagles held a reception at the Sigle Building, where addresses were made by J. C. T. Trachsel, of Stockton, and Colonel A. H. Troth, of Palmyra.
Citizens’ Fire Company Fair
Philadelphia Inquirer —
One thousand dollars was realized from the fair of the Citizens’ Fire Company, which closed last night. Chief Elfreth, of the Camden Fire Department, won a gold badge in a contest with Chief Welsh, of the Stockton department.
Blaze in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
BLAZE IN CAMDEN
Dry Goods Establishment of John H. Chew Destroyed by Flames
The biggest fire Camden has had for some time broke out at 10 minutes after 11 o’clock last night in the dry goods store of John H. Chew, at 218 and 220 Market Street. The fire followed an explosion of mysterious origin which occurred in the rear of the building. A policeman quickly turned in an alarm and the firemen from No. 2 engine house, the central station, which is only three squares distant, promptly responded.
The flames ran to the upper floors with surprising rapidity and were soon shooting through the windows. Chief Elfreth saw that he had a serious fire to contend with, and turned in a general alarm as soon as he reached the scene.
By the time the reserve engines had arrived the flames had eaten through the roof and were shooting high in air. The fire had communicated with the Columbia Hotel, at 221 Market Street, owned by August Hettmansperger, but the firemen saved the property, which was only slightly damaged.
Within an hour the flames were under control, but Chew’s dry goods establishment was gutted and adjoining property was somewhat damaged.
The burned building was built of brick, three stories in height and was filled from roof to cellar with valuable merchandise. The loss will probably not exceed $50,000.
Jersey Still Held in Storm’s Grasp
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Named: Samuel S. Elfreth, Mrs. Ellen Keegan, Mrs. Hannah Mitten, Samuel Ludwig, Walnut Street, Sixth Ward Republican Club, W.C.T.U., Temperance Hall, Benson Street, South 4th Street, Frank Stanton, William Stanton, Broadway, South 34th Street, and Highland Avenue.
Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A black horse was stolen from Julius Taylor’s stable at 1193 Penn street.
Jurors for the April term of court were drawn yesterday by Sheriff Baird.
George M. Berringer, a Camden druggist, has caused the arrest of Samuel B. Gaw, of Philadelphia, in Newark, N. J., on the charge of getting him to advance $25 on a bogus check.
Henry L. Bonsall, editor of the Camden Post, read a very interesting paper last evening at the Court House before the new Camden County Historical Society, of which he is president. The paper was on “Personal Recollections.”
Chief Elfreth, of the Fire Department, and his driver, Joseph Maxwell, came near being run down by a train at Fifth street and Bridge avenue while answering an alarm of fire on Monday night.
More Pay for Firemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Samuel Elfreth
East Camden Firehouse Cornerstone Plaque
1899
Built A.D. 1899 for the City of Camden
Joseph Potter
President of City Council
Fire Committee
Fred. W. George—Chairman
Chas. H. Ellis, Jr. Walter Edwards
Arthur C. Abele W. K. Burrough
H. D. Longacre Theodore Leas
City Clerk—Harry C. Kramer
Chief of Fire Department
S. S. Elfreth
Arnold H. Moses—Architect. Turner & Stewart—Builders.
107, 109, & 111 North 2nd Street, circa 1900
Samuel S. Elfreth lived at 109 North 2nd Street from his birth through at least 1897. Above: 107, 109, & 111 North 2nd Street. Below: 101 to 119 North 2nd Street.
Destructive Work of Flames in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
FLAMES’ WILD LEAP
Three Blocks Were Burning, When Aid Was Summoned From Philadelphia
4 ENGINES RESPONDED
Quaker City Fire Fighters Mastered the Foe and Were Heartily Cheered
ESTIMATED LOSS $225,000
Children playing with matches started a conflagration in Camden yesterday afternoon that destroyed nearly half a hundred buildings, rendered about forty families homeless and caused the destruction of $225,000 worth of property. It was the biggest fire in the history of the city and for a time threatened the destruction of several blocks of buildings in the heart of the city. So rapidly did the fire spread that the local Fire Department was unable to cope with the flames and called on Philadelphia for aid. Chief Baxter sent four engine companies across the river and it was due to their valiant efforts that the fire was mastered, and the block bounded by Federal and Fifth streets and Broadway and Hudson street was saved from destruction.
The flames started about 3 o’clock in the rear of the Market House, the south side of Federal street, between Fourth and Fifth streets. Arthur Rose, 6 years old, of 325 Taylor avenue, and Thomas Pinkerton, 3 years old, of 408 Taylor avenue, were playing in the rear of the market house, which extended through to Taylor avenue. The Delaware and Atlantic Telegraph and Telephone Company used the rear half of the building as a storage house for valuable electrical appliances, telephones, batteries, etc. Just outside the building were piled up 300 wooden cross arms for electric poles.
Fun for the Boys
The lads had some matches and set fire to a string hanging out of a barrel filled with excelsior. Then they stepped back and clapped their hands in childish glee as they saw the fire creep slowly up the string. In a moment the excelsior had caught fire and the barrel burst into flame setting fire to the pile of cross arms and some equally inflammable material inside the market house.
The children, trembling with fear when they saw the result of their playful deed, ran to their homes. Young Pinkerton rushed into his house, directly across the street, and told his father, William Pinkerton, that the market house was on fire. But a square away, at Fifth and Arch streets, is the headquarters of the Camden Fire Department. It took Pinkerton but a minute or two to run there and give the alarm. This was at 3:05 o’clock.
As quickly as possible the firemen responded. So rapidly did the flames spread that by the time the firemen reached the burning building the market house, with a frontage of about 100 feet on Federal street and extending through to Taylor avenue, was like a roaring furnace. The building had a high, oval roof. Fanned by a strong westerly breeze, the flames rushed through the shell like building and began to spread on both sides. The flames also leaped across Taylor avenue, a fifteen-foot thoroughfare, and began to gut a row of fifteen two-story brick and frame buildings on the south side.
As soon as Chief Elfreth arrived on the scene he saw that he had a desperate battle before him. Alarm after alarm was sent in quick succession, until every piece of fire apparatus and every fireman in the city was summoned to the scene. This force included four combined engine and hose companies, three additional hose companies from the East Side and South Camden, two chemical engine companies and two hook-and-ladder truck companies. Then the big extra engine kept at fire headquarters for emergency purposes was brought out and pressed into service. Scores of old volunteer firemen lent a hand with the hose, and the entire police force was called out.
Still the flames could not be gotten under control, and continued to spread. Within fifteen minutes after the firemen arrived on the scene the roof of the market house fell with a roar that could be heard for squares.
Now the fire took a great leap and assumed the proportions of a conflagration. The westerly breeze had carried a shower of sparks up Taylor avenue, and, jumping Fifth street and Samuel Davis’ livery stable, on the west side, they set fire to the roof of Joseph Swing’s house, at 509 Taylor avenue. The dwelling was soon in a fierce blaze and the flames extended to the rear of the wholesale drug and patent medicine store of William Cowgill, at 518 Federal street.
By this time it was seen that the entire block of business houses and dwellings on Federal street east of Fifth was in danger. The local firemen had all they could do to cope with the flames in the lower block, as the fire had leaped across Federal street to the roofs and fronts of several buildings on the north side. Aid was needed, and Chief of Police Foster, at 4:20 o’clock, telephoned to the Electrical Bureau in Philadelphia. Word was telegraphed to Chief Baxter, of the Fire Department, and although he had just subdued a big blaze in his own city and many of his men were still at work, the Chief promptly dispatched Engine Companies Nos. 6, 21, 22 and 43 to Camden, in charge of Assistant Chief Edward A. Waters.
Philadelphia to the Rescue
Too much credit cannot be given the Philadelphia firemen for the work they did, as it was due entirely to their efforts that the block above Fifth street was saved. As the Quaker City fire companies dashed up Federal street they were greeted with cheers from the crowd of spectators that drowned the roar of the flames. The engines were quickly put in service and streams were turned on the blazing Cowgill store, which was then nothing but a shell. The fire in the rear had destroyed the dwelling houses, Nos. 509-11-13-15-17-19-21-23 Taylor avenue, and Nos. 516 and 520-22 Federal street were gutted.
Foreman George Hood, of Engine Company No. 6, of Philadelphia, in trying to escape from a falling roof while fighting the flames in William Grosscup’s house, at 510 Federal street, ran outside and collided with a hitching post with such force as to break one of his ribs. Twelve members of the Camden Emergency Medical and Surgical Corps, with Doctor H. H. Davis at their head, were present. After examining Foreman Hood, they sent him to Cooper Hospital. The Emergency Corps also rendered aid to a man who went into convulsions over the excitement of seeing his house burning and to Mrs. James Morris, of No. 1 South Fifth street, who ran a nail through her foot.
Fire’s Wild Sweep
With the addition of the Philadelphia fire fighters to their force the Camden firemen tackled the fire with renewed energy and soon the streams from the nine engines got the mastery of the flames. Then it was merely a matter of drowning out the blazes in detail. The wide swath cut by the flames may be judged from the fact that 47 buildings were destroyed or badly damaged, and the fire’s ravages extended to four blocks.
The market house, on Federal street, above Fourth, was burned to the ground only the front wall being left standing. The old postoffice building on the east was gutted and M. S. Irvin’s grocery store and dwelling adjoining was badly damaged. On the west of the market house B. F. Sutton & Sons jewelry store and dwelling and Barber Charles Williams’ residence, at 412 and 410 Federal street, were damaged in the upper stories. The flames burned the fronts and roofs of Nos. 415 to 423 Federal street, on the north side. On Taylor avenue a row of thirteen brick and two frame houses on the south side and Nos. 403 and 427-29 on the north side were gutted. Houses Nos. 1 to 15, on the west side of South Fifth street, burned out in the rear and the roofs were destroyed. Cowgill’s drug store, at 518 Federal street, was burned to the ground, and Nos. 514, 516, 520 and 522 were gutted. On Taylor avenue, above Fifth street, Nos. 519-11-13 were destroyed, nothing but the brick chimneys being left standing. The fire gutted Nos. 515 to 523. The roof of the wholesale and retail drug store of George M. Beringer, northeast corner of Fifth and Arch streets, caught fire, but the flames were quickly extinguished. The building is filled with chemicals and valuable drugs.
The residents along Taylor avenue are of the poorer class and they made desperate efforts to save their possessions. Furniture was carried out and piled promiscuously in a heap on Fifth street. Much of it is so badly damaged that it is useless.
Plenty of Water
There was a scarcity of water when all the engines first started to work on the fire, but this was quickly remedied by Chief of the Water Department F. Walter Toms telephoning to the Pavonia Pumping Station and having the five-million gallon emergency pump put to work sucking water from the Delaware River and adding it to the artesian well supply. When the Philadelphia firemen found they had a pressure of from 100 to 139 pounds from a 10-inch main with five other engines taking a supply from the same source they declared they would like to have an equal force at some of the fires in their city.
The flames were gotten under control about 5:45 o’clock and shortly after 7 o’clock, after they had rendered all the service possible, the Philadelphia firemen returned across the river. They were greeted with rousing cheers as they drove back to the ferry. Camden Lodge of Elks, at Broadway and Federal streets, kept open house for the firemen and the restaurants of Edward Foster and S. B. Morris furnished food to the firemen without cost.
THIEVES AT WORK.
Sneak thieves took advantage of the flight of those whose homes were being burned out and began to pillage the houses of valuables under the guise of carrying furniture out to places of safety. Mrs. Robert Wible, of No. 3 South Fifth street, reported to the police that a gold watch and three gold rings were stolen from her house. Several articles of value were carried off from other houses, but the owners could not tell what was missing until they got their goods straighten out from the pile in which they were thrown.
Policeman Toy caught a man who is said to have taken a pocketbook out of Charles Foulon’s residence, at 524 Federal street. He was locked up and gave the name of Harry A. Miller, of 235 Berkley street.
When Chief of Police Foster telephoned to Philadelphia for assistance Superintendent Quirk generously offered to send a squad of policemen across the river to help the Camden blue coats protect property. While appreciating the offer Chief Foster thought the Camden policemen would be able to handle the situation.
After the flames were gotten under control Post 5, G. A. R. Hall, at Fifth street and Taylor avenue, and the old armory building, at West and Bridge avenue, were placed at the disposal of the homeless. Kind neighbors provided temporary quarters for the little ones.
During the services in North Baptist Church last evening a collection was taken for the fire sufferers that netted $110.89. John W. Cheney, C. W. Nichols and F. W. Potter were appointed a committee to distribute the money. Additional subscriptions will be received by the New Jersey Trust and Safe Deposit Company, at Third and Market streets, where Mr. Potter is paying teller.
The fire was so hot that the first line of hose run down Taylor street was burned up before a stream of water could be sent through it. The boys who started the fire were parolled by the police in the custody of their parents. Each lad accused the other of applying the match to the string.
Camden’s Pride Parades Before City’s People
Philadelphia Inquirer —
John Foster, Chief of Police
His Honor Mayor Hatch and the Judges Reviewing the Parade
Samuel S. Elfreth, Chief of Fire Dept.
Policemen and Firemen Make Their Initial Turnout and Present a Creditable Appearance—Reviewed by Officials—How the Departments Have Grown
With a line up that could not be surpassed by the famous “Broadway Squad” of New York, Camden’s policemen, or most of them, turned out in review yesterday. The military carriage of the men excited much favorable comment, especially among those who were not aware that the men have been drilled every week for a year past by Colonel D. B. Murphy, of the National Guard of New Jersey. The policemen were followed by an array of firemen and a variety of apparatus that made many of the natives gasp in astonishment. Altogether the procession was a revelation to Camden residents who thought they were well informed about their city.
The procession was headed by Jennings’ Third Regiment Band. Then came Chief John Foster, of the Police Department, followed by a line composed of Police Captains Stanley, Alberts and Doyle and Sergeant Bentley. Following them under the silken folds of “Old Glory,” which he carried with a steady grasp, was Policeman George A. Donovan, a colored member of the force. Two platoons of forty policemen each were led by Sergeants Horner and Hyde. The police patrol wagons and the city ambulance brought up the end of the policemen’s line. The total police force of the city consists of ninety nine men.
The City Band, followed by Chief Samuel S. Elfreth, of the Fire Department, in a carriage, marked the head of the firemen’s line. The seventy-two men of this department were in two sections, the first being led by Assistant Chief Samuel Buzine, of the department headquarters, and the second by Assistant Chief Benjamin Kellum of the East Side. Between the two sections marched the Ivy Fife and Drum Corps. The apparatus in line consisted of six hose carts, five engines, three hook and ladder trucks, two chemical engines and a supply wagon.
The growth of Camden’s police department may be seen by a comparison of the present with the year 1862, when six policemen sufficed to protect the entire city, which was then divided in three wards. In 1876 there were only sixteen policemen in the city and nine regular firemen under one chief. There were, however, thirty extra men subject to call by the chief.
The parade yesterday was reviewed by Mayor Hatch and the City Councilmen from the balcony on the Broadway side of the Court House.
Royal Welcome for Ex-Sheriff Baird
Philadelphia Inquirer —
New Jersey State Leader Meets With an Enthusiastic Reception in New York Harbor on His Return Home From Europe—Camden Men Extend Cordial Greeting
STATE ASSESSOR DAVID BAIRD
From a Staff Correspondent.
NEW YORK, Sept. 4.—Not since the time the lamented Sewell some years ago returned from the Emerald Isle, where he looked upon the graves of his ancestors, was perhaps such an enthusiastic welcome accorded a Jerseyman as that which greeted State Assessor David Baird, of Camden, on his return from Europe to-day. Every county in the State, from Sussex to Cape May, was represented among the two hundred and some odd friends of the returning voyager. Camden, of course, where was originated the idea of giving Mr. Baird a surprise welcome, sent the greater number of shouting admirers. They boarded a special train at Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, which left at 7 o’clock. Arriving in Jersey City shortly before 10 o’clock, they took the steamer Sea Gull, which had hardly swung away from the pier before the Fuerst Bismarck, on which Mr. Baird was returning, loomed up in the fog. The Camden City Band immediately struck up “Home Again,” while the two hundred men on the Sea Gull waved flags and hats in the direction of the big steamer. Soon Mr. Baird appeared on the upper deck, and a cheer went up from the smaller boat that drowned the band’s “Home, Sweet Home.” While the Bismarck warped her way into the dock the passengers on the Sea Gull, which kept close to the ocean liner, anchored up against an appetizing luncheon.
A committee headed by ex-Sheriff John Wesley Sell escorted the State Assessor from his steamer to the reception boat, where he shook the hand of each passenger. There was a trip up the Hudson, and about 4 o’clock the reception party, with Mr. Baird, left for South Jersey. “The Sheriff,” for everybody knows him as such, reached Camden about 7 o’clock, where another enthusiastic reception awaited him. Seldom has such a representative party of prominent Jerseymen gotten together on a like occasion. Among them were the following:
County Clerk Frank F. Patterson, Jr., former Sheriff John W. Sell, Judge Charles V. D. Joline, ex-Judge E. Ambler Armstrong, Prosecutor Frank T. Lloyd, Assistant Prosecutor F. Morse Archer, Postmaster Robert L. Barber, Senator William J. Bradley, Under Sheriff William D. Brown, Thomas P. Curley, Charles F. Currie, Register of Deeds Isaac W. Coles, Councilman E. W. Delacroix, John J. Burleigh, John Cherry, William Graeff, Assemblyman Theodore B. Gibbs, Assemblyman John S. Roberts, ex-Sheriff Henry J. West, ex-Senator George Pfeiffer, Postmaster Maurice B. Rudderow, of Merchantville; Irving Buckle, Samuel Wood, Jonathan Watson, City Treasurer Richard R. Miller, Street Commissioner Lewis H. Mohrman, David M. Anderson, G. William Barnard, Edward H. Chew, William Coffin, Dr. John B. Davis, Dr. H. H. Davis, Samuel S. Elfreth, Chief of Camden Fire Department; Councilman Charles H. Ellis, Levi E. Farnham, John Blowe, J. Palmer Earl, Samuel P. Jones, president of City Council; George W. Turner, City Solicitor Henry M. Snyder, Lewis Stehr, Assistant Postmaster Charles P. Sayrs, Henry J. Rumrille, William M. Palmer, Frank Peterson, Martin J. O’Brien, State Comptroller J. Willard Morgan, J. Alpheus McCracken, John R. McCabe, A. G. McCausland, superintendent of the Atlantic City Railroad; Joseph Kolb, John M. Kelly, E. E. Jefferies, Jacob S. Justice, Robert Jaggard, Harry L. Jones, former Senator Herbert W. Johnson, Upton S. Jefferys, William Kettler, John D. Courter, County Physician William C. Jones, County Collector Mahlon F. Ivins, City Controller Samuel G. Hufty, ex-Assemblyman Ephraim T. Gill and Francis R. Fithian.
Others who joined in giving Mr. Baird a royal welcome were United States Marshall Thomas J. Alcott, of Mt. Holly; Speaker of the House John Herner, of Palmyra; Assemblyman J. Boyd Avis, of Woodbury; State Treasurer Franklin O. Briggs, Mayor Charles Y. Flanders, of Burlington, Clerk in Chancery Edward C. Stokes, ex-Senator Richard C. Miller, of Salem; Nathan W. C. Hays, of Burlington; Irving Maguire, of Palmyra; Internal Revenue Collector Isaac Moffett, Richard B. Reading, Senator George L. Shinn, of Ocean county; Judge Thomas W. Trenchard, of Cumberland; Factory Inspector John C. Ward, and many others.
Fürst Bismarck
1903
Camden Storage Warehouse Fire, May 1904
Camden Fire Department’s 125th Anniversary History, 1994
At 4:57 A.M. on May 6, 1904 a phone alarm and several pull boxes were received for a fire at the Camden Storage Warehouse at Delaware Avenue and Cooper Street. The massive five-story building contained 600 rooms with furniture storage. Smoke and fire could be seen coming from the fourth floor at the southeast corner of the warehouse. Upon arrival, Chief Samuel S. Elfreth transmitted a general alarm as the blaze spread through the entire fourth floor. Within minutes, engine companies had water on the fire as additional streams were directed from the roof of the adjoining E.G. Locke Paper Company. Hoselines were stretched down Penn and Cooper Streets and along Delaware Avenue to supplement water supplies.
Shortly after 5:00 A.M. part of the fourth floor collapsed, spreading the fire to the floor below. This collapse was quickly followed by the crashing of the fifth floor. By 5:30 A.M the front section of roof collapsed onto Cooper Street in a thundering roar, creating a shower of blazing embers that threatened numerous buildings along Amber Street. Within an hour of its discovery, the fire had engulfed the entire warehouse. Only through the gallant efforts of the firefighters was the huge blaze contained. While spectators described the fire scene as waves of withering heat, Camden’s Bravest held their ground within forty feet of the walls. The City of Philadelphia offered assistance but Chief Elfreth declined and by 7:00 A.M. he declared the fire under control.
While battling the blaze, Foreman Amedee Middleton was struck on the head by falling bricks. Only his helmet, which cracked, saved his life. Losses were placed at $50,000. Chief Elfreth and Assistant Chief Buzine stated that the blaze was harder to fight than the Victor Talking Machine fire two weeks prior. Engine Company 1 assigned to the foreground detail remained on the scene until 7:00 P.M. and before leaving found two black kittens still alive in an office area adjoining the ruins of the burned warehouse.
The Camden Post-Telegram newspaper described the departing crew of Engine Company 1 as “water soaked and the color of coal stained breaker boys.” A crowd of onlookers cheered the weary firefighters as they left the scene after fourteen hours at the fire.
Written by Lee Ryan for the Camden Fire Department’s 125th Anniversary history book, published in 1994.
First Ward Club Had a Jolly Time
Camden Daily Courier —
Annual Election and Feast of Fun Held Last Night.
PATTERSON ELECTED PRESIDENT
Hospitality was rampant at the First Ward Young Republican Club last night. The occasion was the annual meeting. Following the election of officers there was a delightful entertainment and a splendid feast, the honors being done by Captain William E. Alberts, simply resplendent facially in his new bunch of whiskers; Recorder O. Glen Stackhouse, who salivated more buttered ham sandwiches than George Kappel did fried oysters; Eph Hires, the school janitor, who saw to it especially that no one was unattended to; Exciseman Joseph Kolb, who insisted on everybody taking something every other minute; John Beard, who was happy over being elected a ward committeeman, and a number of others who looked after the comfort of the many guests in fine style.
The officers elected were: President, County Clerk Frank F. Patterson, Jr.; Vice President, Freeholder George P. Pechin; Treasurer, Thomas Walton; Board of Directors, Court House Superintendent Joseph Burt, Captain William Alberts, Walter Banks, E. T. Hires, William Lyons, Charles Cook, William Weaver and Robert Finley. Joseph Baumeister was re-elected secretary and none better could have been selected as he had everything down pat.
An Italian orchestra with an Irishman playing the flute furnished the music, and there was great fun when Walter Banks got under a rubber plant and roared out “Under the Bamboo Tree.” The cosy club rooms were prettily and patriotically decorated and pretty nearly everybody in te [sic] town was there, from Cooper’s Point to Centreville. Among them were Senator William J. Bradley, ex-Mayor J. Leighton Westcott, Fire Chief Samuel S. Elfreth, who warmed up on ginger ale; President of City Council Samuel P. Jones, Councilman Joseph Potter, County Clerk, Frank F. Patterson, Jr., whose re-election as president of the club was hearty and unanimous; Dr. John F. Leavitt, whose heroism and devotion to duty where disease stalks, has made Camden the healthiest city in the world; ex-County Physician William Iszard, Freeholder George Pechin, Fireman Joseph Logue, the owner of the great and only “Dewey;” Tony Mecca, president of the popular Italian Republican Club, and many others of equal note. The cigars were elegant, the menu grand, the orchestra in full harmony with the happy occasion, outside of playing “In the Goold [sic] Old Summer Time,” and the guests will ever remember the event as one of the pleasantest of incidents.
Big Blaze in Camden Entailed Nearly Half a Million Loss
Philadelphia Inquirer —
BIG BLAZE IN CAMDEN ENTAILED NEARLY HALF A MILLION LOSS
RUINS OF THE BIG RUG MILL BLAZE IN CAMDEN
Spontaneous combustion is thought to be responsible for the fire which destroyed the plant of the Fries-Breslin Rug Manufacturing Company, at Ferry avenue, below Atlantic avenue, Camden, early yesterday morning. The loss is estimated at over $400,000, with about $350,000 insurance. Five hundred employes are thrown out of work.
When the fire had been practically extinguished, leaving nothing only the bare walls standing, one of the latter fell with a crash and injured these firemen:
Josiah Sage, Engine Company No. 1, dislocated hip, cut knee, body bruises; taken to Cooper Hospital.
William Hill, Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, cut about the head.
Harry Haines, Chemical Engine No. 2, injured about the legs and back.
Harry Bassert, of 408 Webster street, discovered the building ablaze shortly after 2 o’clock. He ran to No. 3 engine house, at Broadway and Emerald street. A general alarm was at once sent in, and the entire department was at the scene in a short time. The fire had gained considerable headway, however, and Chief Elfreth directed his men to save adjoining property.
The three firemen injured were attempting to pull down one of the walls at the direction of Chief Elfreth, when, without warning, it toppled over on the men. That they were not killed outright is miraculous.
John M. Carroll, president of the company, estimated the loss at over $400,000. The destroyed building was 520 feet long, 50 feet wide, four stories high and “L” shaped, with a frontage on Ferry avenue of 400 feet. The mill had been running on short time, but Mr. Carroll said a full force of 500 employes were to have been put on whole time beginning with to-morrow.
There were about $175,000 worth of manufactured rugs in the structure. On the fourth floor there were 200 hand looms of expensive make, while on the other floors, Mr. Carroll said, there was machinery which cannot be duplicated. He was unable to give his plans for the future as to whether the plant will be rebuilt or not.
Camden’s New Fire Engine Works Well
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Philadelphia Inquirer, November 27, 1904
Eighteen New Firemen Named
Camden Post-Telegram —
Sixteen of the Men Will Not Go on Duty Until July Next.
TWO OTHERS TO FILL VACANCIES
City Council’s Fire Committee last night named 18 new firemen. Sixteen of these men will not go on duty until July 1, next, at which time the new fire house will be ready for service, while the other two, who were named to fill vacancies, will begin duty the first of next year.
It must not be inferred that the sixteen new men will all be assigned to the new company. Experienced men from the several houses, with one or two of the new ones, will make up Company No. 5, while the rest of the raw recruits will be apportioned among the several houses.
Rollo Jones, of the First ward, and William Miller, of the Eighth ward, are the men to go on duty January 1. They fill the vacancies caused by the retirement of John Ware and Samuel Peoples.
The others selected are:
First ward—Charles Cook.
Second ward—James White, Harry Anderson.
Third ward—Samuel Sheer, Edward Finley.
Fourth ward—Martin Carrigan.
Fifth ward—Joseph Daly.
Sixth ward—Joseph Ernest.
Seventh ward—Seth Monnell, William Buzine.
Eighth ward—Charles Sturgis.
Ninth ward—S. T. Whitezell.
Tenth ward—Ephraim T. Davis.
Eleventh ward—J. Oscar Till.
Twelfth ward—J. H. Vickers, Frederick Morse.
All the appointees must pass a physical examination which will be made by Dr. W. H. Iszard.
William Hertline, conected [sic] with headquarters, has been suspended pending a trial on a charge made by Chief Elfreth. The case will be heard on Monday night.
Chat Among the Local Firemen
Camden Daily Courier —
News Among the Men Who Man the Fire Fighting Apparatus.
New Member Given Initiation
Fireman Joseph Logue.
It is the honest and genial physiog of Fireman Joe Logue that confronts the readers of the “Courier” in to-day’s issue and it is safe to say that of all the surprised men in the town that same man is he, for not the least knowledge of its appearance had Joseph. The sight of his Christmas tree on Christmas morning when he was a mere strip of a lad in old Ireland could not have amazed him more. But there it is and as it shows up in fine style, Joe will no doubt forbear from swatting the Fire Editor of the “Courier” over his second crop county Cavan cocoanut with a section of hose.
Joe Logue is about the tallest fireman in the department and as to his being as good, strong, steady and courageous a man as there is in the city’s service there is not the least doubt. Joe was born at Milltown, county Derry, Ireland, and is, therefore, an Ulsterman. He is within a few years of [?], but doesn’t look it, and from his rugged, robust form appears good for another half a century at least, for it’s nothing unusual for the men of Ulster to live even a dozen or twenty years beyond a hundred. He was appointed a fireman in 1894 and has done duty since at two houses, Hook and Ladder Truck No. 1, at headquarters, and Engine Company No. 4, in North Camden. And that he has been ever brave and faithful in the discharge of his allotted work, Chief Elfreth, ex-Foreman [?] Peoples, Foreman Amidee Middleton, ex-Assistant Chief Ben Kellum and present Foreman Billy Patterson, of Engine Company No. 4, under all of whom he has served, can and will gladly testify to.
They tell a good many amusing jokes on Joe, but he takes them all with characteristic good nature and enjoys them as heartily as they do. Once, on Joe’s day off, No. 4’s hose cart went to a fire at Mathis’ shipyard, Cooper’s Point, with his helmet and uniform hanging on the guards. The hose cart got in such hot quarters that it was badly burned and Joe’s duds completely consumed.
When he heard of the fate of his official garments, Joe said: “Look at that, now! What a narrow escape I had. If I had been in that uniform I’d been burned to a crisp.”
Joe is a married man and has the happiest of homes. He is a brother of another good Ulster man, David Logue, the county jail turnkey. Both are active members of Star of Bethlehem Lodge, No. 12, American Protestant Association, and Diamond Purple Star Lodge, No. 104, Loyal Orange Legion.
In next week’s fire column will appear a picture of Dewey, the fire dog of Engine Company No. 4, the most sagacious canine in Camden, an interesting animal well worthy of a sketch. Dewey’s master and trainer is Fireman Logue and what he can do as a fire dog is something simply strenuous.
Former Fireman Wright Cox writes to be set right. It was Wright who rescued the two children at 306 Stevens street on last Saturday afternoon and had the fire under control when the firemen arrived. Credit had been given to his brother, George Cox, foreman of Hook and Ladder Truck No. 1, who resides on Stevens street above Third, but what’s the difference, Wright, isn’t the glory all in the family? Wright lives at 322 Stevens street, George at 334 and the fire was at 306. If Wright hadn’t been right on deck at the time, George would have, so more’s the power to them both. Wright was a good one when he was in the department and there is strong talk of his going back again.
Ladderman Budd Colkett, of Hook and Ladder Truck No. 1, it is said, is booked for an appointment on the police force when Mayor Ellis confers such favor. The above is not official, but is merely given as an item of chin music heard about the fire houses these days. If Budd does drop the ladder for the mace, he will not be the first fireman to change to the police force. Jeff Kay was another who tired of the at times protracted inactivity of a fireman’s life and longed for a change of scene and salary. The firemen, however, now get the same bunch of coin as the coppers do, $40 per fortnight, but they didn’t when Charles Jefferson Kay was one of the bravest at No. 4.
For a man of his years, John Renner, of Hose Company No. 2, in East Camden, is one of the youngest and sturdiest in the department. If you didn’t actually know his age you could no more guess it, with any greater degree of accuracy, than you could the seeds in a Georgia watermelon. John has been a soldier, a policeman, Constable, special officer and before being made a city fireman was a member of and at one time Chief of the Stockton Volunteers.
Driver Billy Hertlein, of Chemical Engine No. 1, is back at his post again, feeling fine and looking elegant. All the men were glad to see Billy on deck again, even his old team whinnying him a Happy New Year.
William Miller, of the Eighth ward, became a member of the crew of Chemical Engine No. 2, on Saturday evening, under harrowing circumstances. On Sunday evening he was put through the customary initiation at the fire house on Kaighn avenue above Sixth street. All the other men were down stairs about eight o’clock when some one struck box eleven. There is no such box on the fire alarm list, but William, who wasn’t wise, slid down the pole from the second floor just the same. Just as he landed on the rubber mat at the bottom of the pole, one of the men turned a hose on him, while several others bombarded him unmercilessly with boots, brooms, mops, etc. Poor William was a sight when they got through with him. He was drenched to the skin and covered with dirt. But when he discovered it was all a joke he took his medicine manfully and was duly installed in the new company as a “jolly good fellow.”
Flames Wreck Big Camden Elevator
Philadelphia Inquirer —
FLAMES WRECK BIG CAMDEN ELEVATOR
Sitley & Son’s Plant Destroyed by an Early Morning Fire of Mysterious Origin, Entailing Loss of $150,000
Fire of mysterious origin destroyed the grain elevator and warehouse of Sitley & Son, Sixth street, Chelton avenue and the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad, Camden, early yesterday morning, resulting in damages amounting to $150,000, fully covered by insurance. The elevator was the largest in New Jersey.
It was twenty minutes after two o’clock when James Cahill, the watchman, heard a muffled report coming from the centre of the building. Almost immediately a sheet of flames burst into view and so [col 1 continues in p1-2] the recently erected plant of the Camden Brewery Company to the southwest of the burning structure.
Firemen’s Work Unavailing
Under the direction of Chief Elfreth the firemen made every effort to save the structure, but the fire had gained such headway that their work was unavailing. Thick volumes of smoke of a pungent odor nearly blinded the men. Firemen Joseph Maxwell, of No. 2 Fire House, was taken to the Cooper Hospital for treatment.
rapidly did the blaze gain that Cahill, before he could turn in an alarm from the plant, was badly burned. He succeeded in turning in a general alarm, every fire company in the city responding.
A strong northwest wind was blowing at the time and, although this fanned the flames until they leaped hundreds of feet, it had a tendency to shift them from [col 2 continues below] As the flames were reaching the stables containing eight horses a crowd of men, headed by John Hines, broke in the door and succeeded in taking the animals to a place of safety. Two hours after the fire was discovered the entire elevator was a mass of ruins.
Frank B. Sitley, a member of the firm, [Continued on 2d Page, 5th Col.]
Eight Escape Broadway Fire
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Eight members of the families of S. Asbell and L. Granoff, who occupy the rear of the house at 1114 Broadway, Camden, escaped in their night clothes when the structure became ablaze early yesterday morning. But for Policemen Brothers who aroused the sleeping occupants, they would probably have been burned to death. As it was, they had narrow escapes. The fire did damage amounting to $560. Its origin is being investigated by Chief Elfreth, of the Fire Department.
[continuation] occupants, they would probably have been burned to death. As it was, they had narrow escapes. The fire did damage amounting to $560. Its origin is being investigated by Chief Elfreth, of the Fire Department.
Fireman in a Mix-Up
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Charles Worthington Accuses Edgar Bolton of Assault
Fireman Edgar Bolton, former foreman of Engine Company No. 5, of Camden, was arrested by Captain of Police Albert yesterday, on a charge of atrocious assault and battery preferred by Charles Worthington, a member of the same company. Worthington, while returning to the fire house after supper, was so badly beaten at the hands of a man he says was Bolton, that he was taken to Cooper Hospital, where a number of stitches were found necessary to close the wounds.
The facts were immediately reported to Chief Elfreth and he suspended Bolton. A special meeting of the Fire Committee of City Council has been called for to-morrow night to take action on the charges preferred by Chief Elfreth against Bolton.
Three Firemen Met Death in Camden Blaze
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Trapped in Fire at the Old Sixth Regiment Armory They Perished in Flames
NINE OTHER PERSONS RECEIVED INJURIES
Three firemen were killed and nine persons injured at a fire last night which destroyed the old armory building at Bridge avenue, West and Mickle streets, Camden, causing a loss estimated at $50,000.
The dead firemen are: GEORGE SHIELDS, 525 Kaighn avenue, member of the Kaighn avenue chemical company. WILLIAM HILLMAN, 229 Beckett street, of the Kaighn avenue chemical company. WILLIAM JOBES, 57[?] Line street, member of Engine Company No. 2.
The Injured
The injured, all of whom will recover, are: Josiah Sage, 917 South Eighth street, Kaighn avenue company, cut head and face; Seth Monnell, 744 Mt. Vernon street, Kaighn avenue company, scalp wounds; George Quinn, 516 Line street, Kaighn avenue company, cut face; Martin Carrigan, 516 Clinton street, Engine Company No. 1, lacerated face and hands; J. W. Simpson, 551 Cedar street, Engine Company No. 2, lacerations of scalp and face; James Elberson, 628 North Fourth street, Engine Company No. 4, contused wounds of the legs; William Elberson, 231 Taylor avenue, Engine Company No. 2, injured about the back; Charles Worthington, 1017 Penn street, Engine Company No. 3, internally injured; Harry Dease, a citizen, cut about the face.
The six o’clock whistles were blowing when smoke was seen issuing from the northeast corner of the building. A moment later two boys ran out of a door, one of whom notified Policeman Isaac Toy that the structure was on fire. The officers immediately turned in an alarm. In rapid succession other alarms were given, until the entire department was on the scene.
One of the first companies to arrive was the Kaighn avenue truck. As the men drove up to the scene great tongues of flame were fast eating their way through the yellow pine timbers of which the interior was constructed. The main doors at the entrance on Mickle street were burst open and the firemen entered amid a perfect shower of sparks and falling debris. In this party were the three ill-fated firemen, Dease, and Firemen Harry Haines, Joseph Ernest, George Quinn, Seth Mounell and Joseph Gail.
After great difficulty the men worked their way into the blazing building about twenty feet. Dense volumes of smoke almost suffocated them and several dropped to the floor.
Dash for the Doors
While the firemen were waiting for the water a false ceiling thirty feet above them and composed of floor boards began cracking and bending. A shout of warning was given by Dease, and he and his companions made a dash for the doors. It was impossible to see a foot before them, and all blindly groped their way to the open doors but Jobes, Shields and Hillman. That they did not come out of the building was not known for several minutes later. Then reports were circulated that they had been taken to nearby houses, but these were found to be false. Their companions then tried to work their way back to their assistance, but by this time the interior was a seething furnace.
Subsequently, when the blaze had been somewhat subdued, firemen and policemen instituted a search for the missing men. Where the latter had been there was a great pile of blackened timbers and twisted iron. After vigorous efforts this was removed.
Finding the Bodies
First there came to light Shield’s helmet, and a few feet distant his body and those of Hillman and Jobes, scorched and blackened almost beyond recognition, were found. It was then learned how they had met their deaths. Instead of going toward the open doorway they had evidently become bewildered and, turning, ran into a toilet room to which there was no outlet. There they were quickly cut off from their comrades and, becoming unconscious from the smoke, all three dropped to the floor, where death overtook them.
The bodies were carried out and taken to the Morgue.
In the meantime every portion of the structure became a mass of flames. Fed by the pine, great tongues of fire sprang into the air, across Mickle and West streets, where the dwellings were badly scorched. The families residing in these in several instances became panic-stricken and began removing their household effects. Men, women and children ran excitedly about. It is owing to the excellent work of the firemen that these structures were not destroyed.
Spectacular Blaze
Chief Elfieth quickly concluded there was no hope of saving the armory and he directed a dozen lines of hose toward the dwellings, many of which became so hot that the streams of water fairly sizzled.
The fire was a spectacular one, lighting up the heavens for miles around. Thousands of persons crowded the thoroughfares leading to the blaze, but excellent order was preserved under the direction of Acting Chief of Police Schregler, who quickly had the streets roped off and guarded by the officers.
There was considerable danger at first from falling electric wires, which spluttered among the firemen and ofttimes amidst the onlookers. These wires also fell across the Pennsylvania Railroad Company’s tracks on Bridge avenue and suburban trains were stalled for over an hour. At one time the flames approached so near the passenger coaches that they had to be taken back into the yard.
Stubborn Blaze
For three hours the firemen fought the flames before they got them under control and it was not until an early hour this morning that they left the smouldering ruins.
The building was occupied by several concerns, including the Camden Bowling Alleys Company; whose loss amounted to $6000; F. G. Hitchener, wall paper; loss $1000; Sperry & Hutchinson, household articles, loss $2000; William Morgenweck, lumber, loss $500, and M. W. Taylor, theatrical scenery, loss $500.
The houses badly scorched and their occupants follow; 102 West street, John Sharwood; 104, vacant; 106, John Ackerman; Lewis Certain; 110, Richard Carpenter; 112, and 114. Daniel Mehlin; 120, Mrs. Ida Paul; 122, Mrs. Farley; 124, John Campbell; 126, Harry Chase. 416 Mickle street, John Widden; 418, Nelson Hart; 420, H.-W. Wilson; 422, Jules Bosch; 424, Gardner Corson; 426, Mrs. Borquin.
The stable immediately adjoining on the west side of the armory, and belonging to C. M. Alcott, was flooded with water. At this place there were forty horses, all of which were rescued.
Formerly a Market
The destroyed building was erected in 1873, by a number of well-known Camden men, as the Farmers’ and Merchants’ Market. From the first it was not a success, and subsequently became known as the Camden Opera House. After a more or less successful season the promoters of this scheme closed the doors. In 1886 the building was purchased by the State as an armory for the old Sixth Regiment, N. G. N. J. For ten years Camden’s citizen soldiers drilled and gave balls and receptions in the building. When the regiment moved to the new armory on Haddon avenue the old structure was cut up into several rooms and had been used by many different concerns. Recently it was purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company to make way for the elevated railroad. All the tenants had been ordered to vacate.
The origin of the fire is unknown. Incendiarism is hinted at and Mayor Ellis declared he will detail the detectives on the case to-day to make a rigid investigation.
Speaking of the matter, he said it is very peculiar that most of Camden’s fires occur about the time the firemen are at their meals. This has been the case in most every blaze if [sic] any importance in the city. The Mayor also highly commended the excellent work of the men in preventing a spread of the flames.
In Memory of Dead Heroes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mayor of Camden Calls for Services in Two Churches
Mayor Ellis, in Camden, yesterday issued a proclamation calling on the citizens to assemble at the First Baptist and the Broadway M. E. Churches on Sunday to participate in the services to be held in memory of Firemen George Shield [sic], William Jones and William Hillman, who were killed at the Armory fire last Friday night. The first service will be held at the Baptist Church, at three o’clock, while the one at the Methodist Church will be held at quarter after four o’clock. The subscription fund being raised for the families of the firemen had reached nearly $2000 last night.
The funeral of Fireman Shields took place yesterday from his home, 525 Kaikhn [sic] avenue. Hundreds of persons viewed the body, both Tuesday night and yesterday morning. hTe [sic] services were in charge of Rev. John S. Heisler, of the M. E. Church. The body reposed in a handsome oak casket and was surrounded by numerous floral tributes. The services were attended by forty firemen under Chief Elfreth, while the pall-bearers included Firemen Samuel Price, William Deno, Charles Robinson, Peter Carter, Joseph Ernest and George Quinn. Interment was made at the Evergreen Cemetery.
Camden City Fire Department Pension Fund Incorporated
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Articles incorporating the Camden City Fire Department Pension Fund were filed in the county clerk’s office yesterday. The trustees named are Henry C. Grosscup, George P. Cox, Walter Browning, John A. Stockton and Samuel S. Elfreth. The latter is chief of the Camden Fire Department.
Plenty of Mix Ups Caused by Blaze
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Fire Chief’s Horse Ran Away, Store Was Wrecked and Two Victims Went to Hospital
South Camden was thrown into a turmoil yesterday afternoon indirectly through a slight fire at the Dunn Oil Cloth Works, at Railroad avenue and Jefferson street. A vat of oil boiled over and Charles Hampton, of 2124 Miller street, was terribly burned. He was removed to the Cooper Hospital. When the blazing oil set fire to the place an alarm was turned in. On the way to the fire the carriage containing Chief Elfreth dashed into the moving van of John Schmidt, at Broadway and Chestnut street. The horse ran away and collided with the awning pole of the Story Furniture Company, at Sycamore street, the structure being partly wrecked.
Beneath the awning Harry Haines, a blind man, of 232 Kaighn avenue, was playing a fife for alms. The noise startled him, and when he attempted to get out of the way the frenzied horse dashed over him. Haines was taken to the Cooper Hospital, suffering from lacerations and contusions pretty much all over the body. The fire at the oil cloth factory did less than $25 worth of damage.
White Lead Works Wrecked by Flames
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Fire of Unknown Origin Swept Through Camden Plant, Entailing Loss of About $50,000
Fire of mysterious origin destroyed a two-story brick building 50x150 feet, known as building No. 19, of the Camden White Lead Works, Inc., Sixth and Everett streets, Camden, yesterday. William Rose, a fireman of Kaighn avenue company, was injured about the head by a brick during one of the many explosions the firemen had to contend with. The loss is estimated at $50,000 and is fully covered by insurance. As in all previous fires, the officials of the company refused to give a statement as to the origin of the fire or the amount of the loss. They even refused to talk to Chief Elfreth.
Building No. 19 was used to manufacture red lead, and notwithstanding the reticence of the officials one of the workmen said the fire was caused by one of the big heating pans boiling over. At that time the night shift was about going off and the day men coming on. A series of explosions followed, and when the firemen reached the scene they were compelled to chop down the gates to effect an entrance. The explosions continued until the fire burned itself out and with each upheaval the firemen were treated to a dose of red lead until some of their rubber outfits looked as if they had been soaked in red paint pots.
The firemen devoted their energies to saving surrounding property, and in this they were successful. The explosions, Chief Elfreth stated after the fire was under control at 10.30 o’clock, were due to the mixing of ammonia water and sulphuric acid, both of which were in use in the burned building.
Occurring while great numbers of persons were on their way to work, thousands were attracted to the scene, but the explosions soon scared them off.
Fire Chief and Aides Hurled From Buggy
Philadelphia Inquirer —
They Barely Escape Death on Run to Barge Fire When Vehicle Hits Stump
Hurled from their carriage in responding to an alarm of fire from the shipyard of Peter Hagan, head of Thirty-sixth street, Camden, Fire Chief Samuel Elfreth and his driver, Joseph Maxwell, narrowly escaped fatal injury yesterday. While Chief Elfreth escaped with bruises and a general shaking up, Maxwell had the tendons of his neck strained, and his attending physician stated that he had escaped having his neck broken by a narrow margin.
They were driving rapidly out River road shortly after [?] o’clock, and owing to the darkness failed to see a stump. The wheels struck it with such force that both men were thrown through the air.
It is believed that the fire, which partly consumed four barges, was of incendiary origin. As the boats were located at the end of a long wharf it was necessary to use a line of hose 1000 feet in length. The loss of about $5000 was covered by insurance.
Camden Justly Proud of Splendid Fire Department
Philadelphia Inquirer —
HEADQUARTERS OF CAMDEN FIRE DEPARTMENT
Change From Volunteer to Paid “Laddies” Will Be Appropriately Celebrated Next Wednesday
It is probably unknown to the average citizen that Camden had a paid Fire Department some years before Philadelphia. It is just forty years since the gallant volunteer fire-fighters went out of service. To be exact, it was September 2, 1869, that Camden City Council provided to pay its firemen, and on December 10 of the same year they went into service. This event is to be fittingly celebrated next Wednesday in a demonstration in which the business men of the city, as well as the municipal departments, will participate.
It was not until March 15, 1810, that Camden boasted of even a volunteer fire company, and it was on that date that the Perseverance Fire Company was organized. In 1834 there were two such organizations which had been increased to six by 1851. For the most part these distinct aggregations of fire-fighters did not get along very well together and controversies were frequent.
SAMUEL S. ELFRETH
Chief of the Camden Fire Department
Companies Reorganized
City Council felt itself called upon to reorganize these companies in 1866 by ordinance, and some semblance of system was inaugurated by electing James Ayers marshal, followed by Wesley P. Murray. But while the companies did gallant service, it was thought best to have a department under the control of the city and that the firemen should receive some compensation for their services.
It was in consequence of this that Council on September 2, 1869, adopted the ordinance providing for the appointment of five fire commissioners, marshal and two assistants. The commissioners included Messrs. Harbert, Kirkbride, Perks, Bingham and Daubman. William Abels was appointed the first marshal, with William W. Mines as assistant in the First district at Fourth and Pine streets, and William H. Sherman, assistant in the Second district at Fifth and Arch streets.
Bender Made Chief
Abels was succeeded in 1871 by Robert Bender, who gave place to Henry Serault. In 1876 Bender was again placed in charge but was soon displaced by Claudius W. Bradshaw, afterwards Mayor of the city. Then Samuel S. Elfreth, the present chief, was placed in charge. He remained until 1881, when Daniel Carter was made chief. Three years later Elfreth was once more in charge. In 1887 Bender was given the office which he retained until 1890, when Chief Elfreth succeeded him and has since remained in that position.
As presently constituted, the department includes Chief Elfreth, First Assistant Samuel S. Buzine, Second Assistant George P. Cox and Third Assistant Walter Browning, beside captains, lieutenants, engineers and others to the total of one hundred efficient men who have repeatedly proved their value in saving valuable proptrty [sic].
Department Well Equippd [sic]
As to the aparatus [sic], there are six fire engines, six combination hose and chemical wagons, two hose carriages, one aerial hook and ladder, one chemical engine, beside other necessary vehicles, some of which are held in reserve.
There are thirty-nine horses distributed in the nine houses. The headquarters are located at Fifth and Arch streets, which is thoroughly modern in all of its equipments.
Under Chief Elfreth, who has been in the service nearly forty years, the department has been brought to such a high standard of efficiency that the Underwriters’ Association recently paid special attention to it by decreasing insurance rates fifteen per cent. Councils’ Fire Commissioners, of which Councilman Harry R. Read is chairman, has also done much to make the department the success it is at present.
Wish Bone Club in Annual Banquet
Camden Post-Telegram —
The second annual dinner was given on New Year’s eve by the members of the Fire Department at headquarters, known as the Wish Bone Club, after having been called out twice to fires. The evening was spent in music and song, prayer being offered by Engineer Dold. They all sat down to an elaborate dinner prepared by Chef Wingate, assisted by Lieutenant John H. Lutts.
MENU.
Relishes—Celery, olives, pickles, chili sauce.
Roast—Roast Turkey, oyster filling (a la Wimley), gibet [sic] sauce; jellied cranberries, browned sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stewed corn, stewed tomatoes.
Mince pie, Coffee, Vienna rolls, butter, aqua, de lair.
The following were the guests of the evening: Chief Samuel S. Elfreth, Assistant Chief Samuel Buzine, Captains George B. Wade, Peter B. Carter, Lientenants [sic] John H. Lutts, Peter S. Gray, Engineer John A. Dold, Stoker Newton G. Ash, Drivers Joseph Johnson, Arthur Wingate, Joseph Maxwell, Richard Marter, Harry Barroughs, Laddermen and Hosemen William Elberson, John H. Lennox, Harry Selby, Harry Green, William Tatem; Heuseman [sic] John Gardner.
Invited guests—Charles Minckle, of Public Service Corporation; Harry Lee, Collingswood; Reserve Chas. Hose.
The old year out and the new year in, they retired to well—just retired to their respective bunks.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden News Notes
** These officers have been elected by the Camden Fire Department Pension Fund: President, Charles Worthington; secretary, Walter Browning; treasurer, Samuel Elfreth.
Flames Wrecked New High School
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Walls Left of Handsome Building Erected at Woodbury Only a Short Time Ago
Believed Blaze Originated in Boiler Room by Joists Taking Fire. Pride of County Seat
Special to The Inquirer.
WOODBURY, N. J., Dec. 19.—The William Milligan High School, a practically new institution that has been occupied just about a year, and cost, including the lot, about $88,000, was burned early this morning, and the building, with all its handsome furnishings, is a wreck. Only the walls are standing, and it will be necessary to tear the greater portion of these down to rebuild, which will be done at once. There is an insurance of about $60,000 on the buildings and furnishings.
From what can be ascertained the fire originated over the boiler in the engine room, which was on the extreme northwest end of the basement. The first floor joists were in close contact with the chimney, and it is supposed, according to Fire Chief A. W. Cattell, that sparks got on the wood work. It is also believed that the fire had been burning for about three hours, as when the firemen attempted to go in the front doors, the smoke was so thick that they were driven back.
Discovered Flames
Charles M. Garrett, who lives on New street, at the rear of the school house, was awakened by his wife. He saw a bright light in the engine room and knew there was a fire. He telephoned an alarm and firemen responded. Another alarm was sounded, and lines of hose were attached, but the pressure was so light that the stream would not reach far above the second story. Fire Chief Cattell telephoned to Camden, and ten minutes later Fire Chief Elfreth had an engine and Company No. 2 at the Camden terminal. In the meantime several firemen from Gloucester came, but there was little to do, except watch the fire. Several firemen attempted to go inside the building, and Foreman Edward Martin was injured by falling material, and Charles Graham, a Gloucester fireman, was knocked down by exploding chemicals in the laboratory.
A. A. Allard, the engineer, left the building last night about 5 o’clock, and is sure there was no smoke in the building at that time.
The school had sixteen rooms, including two recreation and a large assembly room, with a chemical laboratory, and two gymnasiums. In the commercial room were ten new typewriters, and new and up-to-date desks. These were all purchased at the beginning of the school year. In the basement was a new manual training outfit, which arrived only last week, but not unpacked, and some of this will probably be saved.
Woodbury has over a hundred out of town pupils who come here, and when they arrived this morning, all jubilant over the approaching holidays, some of the girls cried.
The Board of Education held a meeting this afternoon and decided to open the four upper rooms in the academy, rent three more in Green’s Block, two in the old Friends’ School, and it is possible that the old Starr homestead on Broad street will be used.
Prisoners in a Panic
During the fire the prisoners in the county jail, which is within a hundred yards of the school, were thrown into a panic. They were all locked in their cells.
The men, who were under Fire Chief Elfreth, of Camden, and those who did good work in connection with the local firemen, were George Weight, Harvey Watson, William Elverson, Harry Hankins, William Ladd, Chappis [sic] Lennox, Joseph Johnson, Josiah Savage, Augustus Dold and Arthur Wingate. The Gloucester firemen aided in every way possible.
Firemen Trapped in Burning Store
Camden Post-Telegram —
Seven Fight Their Way Out After Being Surrounded by Flames.
BLAZING CHILDREN PERIL WHOLE BLOCK
Caught like rats in a trap in a fire that threatened the entire business block on the east side of Broadway between Chestnut street and Kaighn avenue, yesterday morning, seven firemen, back to back, fought their way through flames and smoke escaping with singed hair and eyebrows and slight burns of the face, head and hands.
And while these brave men were battling against great odds, the father and mother of two pretty little girls, aged eighteen and thirty months, were alternately laughing and crying, or praising a plucky little woman who saved their tots from being burned to death.
Six of the firemen—Captain Charles Robinson, Captain Samuel Price, Lieutenant Harry Haines, Morton Clark, James McDermott, John McTaggart—were from the Kaighn avenue house. The other was Roy Smith, of the Chemical Company from House No. 7.
The children who were saved from an awful fate are: Florence Erlick and Martha Erlick, and their rescuer is Mrs. Tillie Sackett, of 1122 Broadway.
Three stores, 1118, 1120, 1122 Broadway, were practically gutted and the upper stories in the rear badly damaged, the whole entailing a loss estimated at $6,500 of which the major portion is covered by insurance. The police arrangements were perfect, the entire block being roped off within a few minutes after the fire alarm was turned in at Broadway and Kaighn avenue by Reserve Policeman Matlack.
Harry Erlick conducts a dry goods, notion and gents’ furnishing store at 1120 Broadway. About 10.45 o’clock he left the front of the store to go to the kitchen, leaving the little girls, Florence, aged 30 months, and Martha, aged 18 months, at play in the store, his wife being out on an errand. Only a short time elapsed when he was startled by the screams of Florence and rushing into the store saw her standing near the coal stove trying to beat out the fire in a paper belt that she had around her body.
As Mr. Erlick entered she ran towards him, the blaze from the belt setting fire to some of the goods on the counter. Thinking only of his children, Mr. Erlick beat out the fire on the little one’s clothing but by this time the flames were rapidly spreading over the rear of the store.
Believing that the little ones were all right he took them into the store 1122 occupied by Edward T. Sackett, manager of a branch office of the Singer Sewing Machine Co., and, calling to Mrs. Sackett to care for them, he started for the door to turn in an alarm. As Mrs. Sackett rose to go to the little ones she discovered that Florence’s dress was on fire and before she reached the child the dress of Martha was ablaze.
With great presence of mind Mrs. Sackett threw both children to the floor and covered them with a big rug, instantly smothering the flames, and she then tore off the outer garments to be sure that there was no further danger. In the meantime the firemen had been summoned and by the time the companies from Kaighn Avenue arrived the flames were leaping above the roof of 1120. The children were then taken to the home of friends where it was found they were only slightly burned.
Assistant Chief Cox, of the southern district, immediately ordered a general alarm and it was undoubtedly due to this that the block was saved, for the frame buildings were rapidly going in the rear when powerful streams from nearly every engine in the department checked the further spread of the flames and in less than thirty minutes the fire was out.
The seven firemen who had a close call went into the front of Mr. Erlick’s store with hose from two chemical engines to hold the blaze in check until water could be forced by the engines, and although they were fighting valiantly they were making but little progress owing to the inflammable nature of the stock and the fact that the building was frame and very old.
They were there only a few minutes when they were startled by the crashing of glass and in turning they saw that each bulk [sic] window was on fire and that a sheet of flame was extending across the front of the building.
“Back to back and fight both ways” shouted Captain Robinson and the men obeyed, two streams being directed against the front of the store and two in the rear. In what seemed like an age, according to a statement made by Captain Robinson, after returning to the house, but in reality only a short space of time, the men conquered the fire in the front part of the store and then attacked the [?] body.
The flames rapidly communicated to the provision store of Mrs. Mary Polasky, 1118 Broadway, another frame building on the north, but by this time several of the engines were in service and lines of hose were run to the backs of the three houses where the fire could be fought to better advantage. When it looked as if the jewelry store of H. Nurock, 1124 Broadway, would be licked up, ladders were brought into play and extra streams were run in from the upper stories from Broadway, and from that instant all danger of a big conflagration was over.
The insurance on the Palosky’s household goods expired less than a month ago and they decided that they would not take out any more policies until after the first of the year. Although a great many of their household goods were saved, their loss on stock and other goods is estimated at $1,000. The property is owned by Samuel Shane. The estimated loss is $500, covered by insurance.
Mr. Erlick places his loss at $2,000, with insurance. The property is probably damaged to the extent of $1,000. It is owned by Joseph Hermann and is fully insured.
No. 1122 is owned by the estate of Harry Pinsky. The property is damaged to the amount of $500. The loss of the Singer Sewing Machine Co. may amount to $1,000, and that of the tenant, Edward T. Sackett, $500, all covered by insurance.
Peter Gray and Harvey Watts, stationed at headquarters, were off duty at the time, but hearing of the fire returned to the house and went to the scene with the supply wagon. On the way an automobile ran into them and although Gray had a rib cracked he remained on duty until the fire was out and when Chief Elfreth wanted to send him to a hospital Gray drove the team back and then went home.
All during the fire Jeweler Nurock’s store was heavily guarded by policemen and when everything was over he not only congratulated the officers but the heads of the Fire Department, stating that too much praise could not be given for the excellent service rendered. This view was shared by many other business men of the neighborhood.
Cyclone of April 2, 1912
Philadelphia Inquirer —
NORTH CAMDEN HIT BY A GREAT CYCLONE; HOMES WRECKED
Hundreds of Houses Ruined by Violent Wind and Rain and Two Persons May Die. Streets Strewn With Debris
Two lives will probably be sacrificed, property valued at at least a hundred thousand dollars, was virtually destroyed and the northwest section of the city was laid in ruins when a storm of cyclonic intensity swept over Camden last night. It continued hardly fifteen minutes, but in that time more havoc was wrought than by any storm that has ever visited that section, even including the locally historic cyclone of 1885.
Those who will likely offer up their lives as a sacrifice to the tremendous force of wind include Miss Anna Cleary, a nurse in the Cooper Hospital, whose house is at 317 Vine street, and Miss Anna Gebrend, of 2359 Amber street, Philadelphia. Both were taken to the Cooper Hospital crushed.
WERE IN TROLLEY CAR
The two women were in a Crosstown trolley car. It was going up Fifth street, when, at Elm, it encountered the full force of the storm. It was the centre of a maelstrom of flying roofs, falling telegraph poles and trees and odds and ends of debris.
Miss Cleary and Miss Behrend were seated in a section of the car over which a tangled mass of debris fell, the great weight crushing in the top like so much paper. Both were pinned beneath a weight of hundreds of pounds and notwithstanding the fierce wind and air, filled with every conceivable sort of material, the police worked until the women had been released. At the hospital it was found that they had been cut, bruised and cut all over their bodies and it seemed impossible that they could recover.
Many Houses Wrecked
Scores of houses were wrecked, many beyond all hope of repair, and the miracle was that there were no more fatalities. This is attributed to the fact that the force of the wind spent itself along the tops of the structures, otherwise hundreds would have been killed.
The great force of this wind was evidenced at the plant of the Orford Copper Company at Tenth and Elm streets. This concern has a structure about 50 by 100 feet. Five great boiler stacks graced the main building until the wind came. Then these stacks went over like so many tenpins, being blown hundreds of feet away. In addition the roof was doubled up and sent through the air until it landed in an adjoining vacant lot.
Got the Full Force
The full intensity of the wind was felt on Fourth street from Vine to Elm street. Beginning at the butchershop of former Councilman Edward Francis at the southeast corner Fourth and Vine and going on both sides of Fourth street the cyclonic blast took off every roof, filling the thoroughfare with a mass of debris a dozen feet high.
The homes of Mrs. Mills, 417; Albert Roberts, 423; Mrs. Mary Goldy, 425, and Charles Houser, 427 North Fourth street, were among those unroofed and wrecked. The home of Edward Trappe, 619 North Fourth street, was completely blown out, nothing standing but the party walls, everything being hurled into the street. The family escaped miraculously. Virtually the same was with respect to the home of Joseph Layton, 632 North Fourth street.
Wind Took a Leap
Four two-story dwellings stood on North Fifth street, between Vine and Elm, including those of August Weber, 715; Mrs. George Waldis, 717; John Presher, 719, and Mrs. Susie Aborn, 721. These were sheltered by higher buildings, but the storm seemed to bounce like a rubber ball, and it descended with such fury that the roofs and porches were thrown down with a tremendous crash, the volumes of rain descending and destroying the furniture.
On Elm street, from Second to Third, stood a row of tall trees. They were broken off like stems and hurled against the homes of Edward Preisendanz, 217 Elm street, and Harry Curtis, 215 Elm street, with such force that the structures were simply caved in as though made of clay. In the same locality the homes of Frank Nice and George Beckert were denuded of their roofs.
Left the Walls Standing
At 406 Vine street lived Mrs. A. M. Magrath in a cozy two-storied dwelling. When the wind had finished its work with that structure there was little aside from a brick wall remaining. Mrs. Magrath lost everything, not even having a bed to lie upon.
Policeman Thomas Reed had his home at 613 Vine street wrecked, and the same fate befell that of George Eckenhoff, southeast corner Sixth and Vine streets.
Others whose homes were unroofed and, in some instances, damaged almost beyond repair, included the following:
Others in Wind’s Path
Mrs. Lillian Rhoades, 620 North Sixth street.
S. M. Blair, 622 North Sixth street.
John Getty, 618 North Sixth street.
Mrs. Howard Ivins, 630 North Fourth street.
George Batchelor, 702 North Sixth street.
Raymond Wallen, 704 North Sixth street.
Charles Jordan, 708 North Sixth street.
Michael Burke, 710 North Sixth street.
Allen Naylor, 640 North Eighth street.
William Conerdi, Second and Elm streets.
Matthew J. Lemon, 635 North Fifth street.
Dr. H. F. Pahn [sic], 612 North Second street.
William Askley, 646 Linwood street.
Thomas Wescott, 648 Linwood street.
Frank Kears, 950 Vine street.
Otto Shapiro, 648 Vine street.
Two Hundred Houses Hit
In addition to these there were scores of others more or less badly damaged. The police said that probably two hundred dwellings were involved, many of which will have to be torn down because they are absolutely unsafe to live in, and in most of these instances the torrents of rain simply flooded the interiors, ruining the household furniture.
It was about 7 o’clock when the storm made its appearance. The air was damp and humid until there was a sudden gust of cold, keen wind which preceded the cyclone. In South Camden the residents thought they were experiencing a mere spring thunder storm, although its intensity was marked. It was in the area bounded by the river and Fifth street and from Vine to Elm that the full force was felt. Those who had the temerity to observe the storm said it came with a rush and a roar, striking down in the centre of that district with a funnel-like movement. It was this which is declared to have twisted off roofs, trees and telegraph poles, flinging them in every direction and piling the streets high with the debris.
Storm Was Brief
In less than a quarter of an hour the storm had spent its fury, aside from some vivid flashes of lightning. It was then that the residents in the stricken district began peering cautiously from their homes. They were afraid to venture forth because everywhere they found a tangle of electric wires which hissed and sputtered death at every step. It was thought that when such damage had been wrought there must have been great loss of life. In consequence of this Chief of Police Gravenor and Fire Chief Elfreth massed most of their men in the damaged area. In the meantime all lights had been extinguished, the lighting plant having been closed to avert possible tragedies. Everything was in absolute darkness, and because of this the police and firemen had great difficulty in going over the district in search of possible victims. They were aided, however, by scores of volunteers, who looked high and low about the wreckage. Up to a late hour last night no bodies had been found, but the search will be continued today.
Thousands on the Scene
After the storm had subsided thousands of Camden residents visited the damaged area. It was necessary to rope it off to prevent the venturesome ones from going into unnecessary danger. Many came from the southern section of the city and were greatly surprised over the havoc wrought. South Camden was hardly touched.
Among those who were not perturbed to notice, the cyclone was Scott Veazey, a barber, of Third and Elm streets. He said that his impression was that a train had struck a trolley car. He heard one great crash, looked out of his door, saw the air filled with debris and was glad to get in. Vezey’s place is right in the midst of the area damaged, but he escaped unscathed.
Celebrations by 3 Fire Companies
Camden Post-Telegram —
No. 7, Headquarters and No. 1 Truck Make Merry at Respective Homes.
CHIEF ELFRETH MAKES ADDRESS
Engine Company No. 7 is the baby company of the fire department, that is, in years of service, but in up-to-date completeness in every respect, harmony and quick response to duty, the men in blue out Kaighn avenue, under Captain Charles Todd, are right there on the tap of the gong. Captain Todd is a stickler for good feeling among his men for the good of the service, and at a New Year’s Eve banquet this unanimity of good fellowship was strongly manifested.
It was the first New Year’s blowout given by Company 7 and the guests had as grand a time as if they were gathered about their own firesides at home. From door to roof, the firehouse was ablaze with a glow of the holiday and patriotic spirit. Flags, festoons of green, Christmas bells, and lights gladdened all hearts and a Christmas tree glistening with tinsel and topped with an electric bulb gave the banquet hall a homelike air. Over the tree was the gladsome greeting, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”
Fifteen guests sat down to the festive board. In the centre of the table glowed in a big fireman’s horn a big bunch of electric lit American Beauties and from one end of the board to the other it was one sweep of delicacies, turkey, raw and fried oysters, stuffing chicken salad, cake, pie and a lot of other luxuries that make life happier as far as the inner man is concerned.
Chief Kelly presided at the head of the table and made a genial toastmaster. Chief Kelly supplied the electrical effects with his usual aptness. “Brother” Lutz said a short and timely prayer and then the guests sat down and for two hours were regaled with all the palatable good things of the season of good cheer. Cigars of pungent aroma being passed around, “Jim” Nevins and George Boone entertained delightfully with grapophone selections, including ‘Has Anyone Here Seen Kelly?” He was there.
With the midnight hour came the blowing of factory whistles and the tolling of bells. And from below in the firehouse came a terrific clangor and clash and gongs and bells. The firemen instinctively made for the sliding pole, but soon same [sic] back a-laughing. It was only Chief Kelly and Chief Chef Lutz ringing in the first alarm of the New Year, No. 1-9-1-3.
Those who had the great pleasure to participate in this most happy affair are as follows:
City Electrician John W. Kelly, Jr., Captain Charles Todd, Lieutenant John Lutz, Engineer William Buzine, Stoker James Nevins, Drivers Richard Marter and Joseph Sparks, Hoseman George Boone, Roy Smith and Edward Simpson, and as welcome guests, Richard Saeur, John Watson, Albert Glanders, William Robinson and Harry Knowles, the faithful houseman of No. 7.
Chief Elfreth and Assistant Chiefs Cox, Stockton, Wade and Browning, were to have been there, but business on a holiday kept them at Headquarters awaiting alarms.
AT HEADQUARTERS.
Under the auspices of the Wishbone Club, firemen at headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, held their annual dinner on Tuesday evening. Cheer and good-fellowship was the by word and the fire laddies and their friends made the evening one long to be remembered.
A short addrss [sic] was given by Chief Elfreth and Assistant Chief Stockton. John Dold offered prayer before the guests partook of the tasty dishes ase [sic] prepared by Arthur Wingate and William Laud. The table presented an attractive appearance and the laddies and guests greatly enjoyed the fine spread. The menu follows:
Roast Sweet Potatoes,
Peas,
Cranberry Sauce, Mince Pie,
Coffee,
Cigars, Aqua De Lair,
Olives, Beets, Celery,
Roast Turkey,
Oyster Filling, Giblet Sauce
Mashed White Potatoes.
Those participating were as follows: S. S. Elfreth, John S. Stockton, Captain George B. Wade, Lieutenant Jos. Ernest, John A. Dold, Josiah Sage, Daniel Smith, Arthur Wingate, Joseph Johnson, Harry Hankins, William Laird, William Elberson, John Lennox, Martin Carrigan, Charles Cook, Harry Selby, Harry Khrier, Charles Menke, Edward S. Gahan, D. P. McConnell.
With a fine feed, a grand graphophone concert, songs and speches [sic] of a happy and humorous order, “the Jolly Nine” saw the old year out and the New Year in, at the house of Hook and Ladder Truck No. 1, on Fifth street above Arch street. Accoutred in their uniforms of blue, ready at a second’s tap of the gong to jump on the truck, the brave laddies and friends formed a happy picture of congeniality. The menu was most appetizing. Beginning with oysters on the shell and winding up with a delicious dish designated “Creme-a-la-Truck,” the guests were kept busy munching their molars, as the sedate and genial waiters, togged out in linen of spotless white. William Howell Tatem [?] and ‘Chief’ Harry Anderson did the elegant. Stewart Bakely, a slick Cooper river boat house cook from away back, was the popular chef of the feast, and that grand old fire hero, Captain “Joe” Maxwell, the Commander-in-Chief of festivities, who saw to it that no one got left as the plates passed around.
The floral and holiday decorations of the banquet hall were munificent and in happy accord with the gracious and good-natured gathering.
Camden Pays Honor to Dead Fire Chief
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Body of Department Head Who Lost Life While on Duty to Lie in State
Camden is to pay fitting honor to its martyred Chief of the Fire Department, Charles Worthington, who was killed Friday night at the fire in North Delaware avenue when he fell from a roof while directing his men. Council’s Fire Commisioners [sic] met yesterday in special session and decided to have the body of Chief Worthington lie in state in the main corridor of the City Hall on Tuesday night from 7 to 9 o’clock. A special guard of twenty-six of the city firemen will be announced. Mayor Ellis, members of Council and others prominent in the municipality’s official life will pay their tribute to the fallen chief. The funeral will take place on Wednesday from Chief Worthington’s late home, at 101[?] Cooper street.
Chief Worthington had been at the head of the department less than a year, having succeeded Chief Elfreth, who had held that position for many years. A young man and filled with modern methods and ideas, Chief Worthington was bringing the department up to a high state of efficiency, which was recognized by the insurance and business people as well.
Until the appointment of Chief Worthington’s successor, Assistant Chief Stockton will have charge of the men.
Firemen of Long Service Receive Good Promotion
Camden Daily Courier —
Chief Stockton Became a Member of Department 31 Years Ago
CHIEF CARTER ENTERED FORCE AS DRIVER IN 1900
JOHN A. STOCKTON, Retiring Chief of Fire Department.
After a continuous service of merit for thirty-one years as a fireman, Fire Chief John A. Stockton last night tendered his resignation to take effect on October 1, and Deputy Chief Peter B. Carter was chosen last night by City Council as his successor. The resignation of the veteran fire fighter caused a general move up in the Fire Department.
Captain William Patterson, of Engine Company No. 4, was elected deputy fire chief. Captain Thomas Nichols, of Engine Company No. 3, was chosen battalion chief, a newly created position, bringing the battalion chiefs up to the number of three.
Through the promotions of the two captains Lieutenant Charles Cook and Lieutenant John H. Lennox were advanced to the rank of captain. Lieutenant Cook will likely be in charge of Engine Company No. 4, and Captain Lennox in command of Engine Company No. 3. Firemen Walter Mertz and William Cassen were promoted lieutenants and two new firemen appointed were John S. Hunt, of the Sixth ward, and George L. Cattell, of 427 Line street, Fourth ward. Hunt was a chauffeur for the Child’s Grocery Company and will make a competent driver. Robert Whitley was made an engineer.
PETER B. CARTER, Deputy Chief who has been Promoted Chief.
WILLIAM PATTERSON, Captain Advanced as Deputy Chief.
THOMAS NICHOLS, Created a Battalion Chief.
Chief Stockton entered the service as a fire captain thirty-one years ago and he remained at Engine Company No. 1 until four years ago, when he was made deputy chief. On the death of Fire Chief Charles Worthington a year ago he was made chief of the department. During that time he has rendered capable and efficient service and had the good will of the entire fire fighting force.
Chief Carter became a member of the department March 1, 1900, as a driver of Chemical Company No. 1, Sixth street and Kaighn avenue. He was made captain of Truck Company No. 1 at Fire Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, in 1907. He was transferred to the captaincy of Engine Company No. 1 on the promotion of Chief Stockton in 1911 and he was promoted deputy chief July 1 last year when Deputy Chief Stockton succeeded late Chief Worthington. In the new chief the department has a capable leader.
Captain Patterson is a fireman of twenty years standing. During all that time he has been connected with Engine Company No. 4 at Fourth and Vine streets. He entered the service as a hoseman and ten years ago he was advanced to the rank of captain on the death of Captain Samuel Peoples.
Fifteen years of service are accredited to Captain Thomas Nichols, of Engine Company No. 1. He entered the service as a hoseman in 1900 at the Centerville fire house. When Captain William Deno was transferred to Engine Company No. 7, at the opening of that new house five years ago, Nichols was advanced to the rank of captain. He receives the rank of Battalion chief under the new order of things and will likely have charge of the Centerville companies.
Lieutenant Charles Cook entered the department in 1905 as a driver and was driver for Chief Samuel S. Elfreth and Chief Worthington. He was made lieutenant of Engine Company No. 1 a year ago and will likely be in charge of Engine Company No. 4 as captain.
Lieutenant Lennox has been in the service for ten years, entering as a hoseman with Engine Company No. 2 at headquarters. He was promoted lieutenant of Engine Company No. 3 five years ago and will likely be in charge as captain at the same engine house. “Chappie,” as the firemen all call him, is one of the most popular men in the department.
Wright Cox Dies in His 66th Year
Camden Courier-Post —
Many Escapes Marked 40 Years as City Fireman and Policeman
Wright Cox, veteran fireman and policeman for over two score years, died in Homeopathic Hospital, early yesterday morning. He was in his 66th year. An invalid who heroically stuck to his post despite the protests of his superior officers, Cox was taken to the hospital from his home at 564 Mt. Vernon street, about a month ago. He was suffering from stomach trouble, aggravated by an attack of sciatic rheumatism. The end came unexpectedly early yesterday morning.
Shortly before three o’clock he called the nurse and Policeman “Joe” Keefe, convalescing in the ward, to his bedside and in a faint voice said: “Well, goodbye all, I’m going to leave you.” With those parting words he passed away.
The career of Wright Cox as a fireman and a policeman was a colorful one. He was appointed a fireman in the mid-1880’s. An expert horseman, he was for years driver for former Chiefs Robert Bender and Samuel S. Elfreth. He had many thrills as a fire fighter. At the big fire at the cork and licorice plants downtown 20 years ago, he was among the valiant firemen who were nearly blinded by the stifling fumes. He nearly forfeited his life at the Sixth Regiment Armory fire on March 16, 1906, in an heroic effort to save the three firemen who perished in that awful blaze. Baffled in his search by the blinding, strangling smoke, he and the late Ed Hartman escaped from the burning building by following a line of hose leading out into Mickle street.
On January 1st, 1908, Cox was appointed to the Police Department by Mayor Charles H. Ellis. He was assigned to duty in the Third ward, where among his important arrests were a gang of desperate yeggmen and safeblowers and a notorious gang of burglars who were terrorising Cooper street for an entire summer.
About seven years ago Cox was appointed sergeant of the Police Department, with headquarters at the Second District station house, Chestnut street near 6th. Last spring the mounted police unit was disbanded, and the horses sold at auction. His position as stable sergeant being thus ended he was appointed a special officer at City Hall park. He was filling that assignment when taken ill about a month ago.
A short time before he was stricken last month, the veteran of over 40 years’ service as fireman and policeman made application for retirement on pension, and favorable action was about to be taken on it when death intervened.
Cox is survived by a daughter and a brother, George Cox, pensioned Battalion Chief of the Fire Department, now of Wildwood. He was a son of the late George Cox, who for years was a driver for Andrew Lyons, marble yard proprietor.
Funeral arrangements are being arranged by the brother and daughter of the deceased. The flags at the police station houses where Cox served as an officer will droop at half mast for 30 days in honor of the dead patrolman, and an escort of policemen and firemen will attend the funeral.
The funeral of Policeman Cox will be held in the Schroeder Funeral Chapel at 538 Broadway, on Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock. Following services interment will be made in Bethel cemetery.
On Keeping Chimneys Clean
Camden Courier-Post —
First Act of Camden City Council, Over Century Ago, Was to Cut Down Fire Hazard By Way of Ordinance for ‘Sweeps’
By Ben Courter
COMPARING Camden’s fire-fighting equipment of today with what the city had when it was incorporated, 103 years ago, the wonder is that some of the fires did not wipe out the tiny community. With their pumpers, chemicals and water mains, the average suburban town is protected like a metropolis when we consider the methods in vogue a century ago.
Fire ever has been man’s most implacable foe, and even yet it is merely a matter of degree—from barbarian ancestors and their rude thatched shacks, to modern skyscraper as to the terror it inspires. Camden, in the late 20s of the last century, was merely a clutter of tiny dwellings, only the more prosperous citizenry such as the Coopers and Kaighns having brick domiciles graced with attics.
It was thus in keeping with the times to have thought first for safety from the fire demon when City Council held its first session, April 11, 1828. That was by way of an ordinance directed against those inclined to be careless and let their chimneys collect through the years, a great mass of soot. There were those who kept their chimneys clean as the proverbial whistle, first, so the fire would draw, and again to remove the fire hazard. But many apparently, took pot luck and let things go with little thought of what might happen until it did—oft-times in the dead of night with long tongues of flames wiping out their humble domicile.
Wood Exclusively Used
Electricity was little more than the mysterious force Ben Franklin had toyed with over the Delaware. Coal still was to be brought from its carboniferous beds in Pennsylvania. It had not even been proposed as “stones that would burn and give heat.” Oil came from whales and such and was used sparingly on new fangled mysteries called machinery. So the thick, clumps of trees here about were hewed down for heat in winter and to cook the meals. It was that constant use of wood that filled the chimneys with soot and soot evidently was most of the cause of fire.
When a fire started in Camden village it was a serious affair. If it wasn’t caught in the nick of time the house burned to the ground. So council passed its first ordinance to help the boys of old Perseverance in keeping down the fire record although in those days there were no records kept, of course. That first company, by the way, was on Second Street above Market, about where the National State Bank first built. The little frame shack was still there in the 70’s when the bank enlarged its building and tore it down, the company meanwhile having taken its quarters to Third Street.
But getting back to the ordinance of council, it required the thorough sweeping of every chimney at least once in three months. If a sweep tried the short cut to earning his money by burning out a chimney he was fined $1 because that method was declared to endanger surrounding property. The sweep was supposed to get into the chimney or at least sweep it in regulation fashion and not “cut corners,” as some persons have a habit of doing whether it’s sweeping chimneys or building a house.
That part of the ordinance is interesting for it provides “that if any person from or after the first day of May next, ensuing, shall burn his, her or their chimney, or suffer the same to burn or blaze out of the top thereof, unless the roof of the house thereof is covered with snow, or during the time of a storm of rain or snow, every such person shall forfeit and pay the sum of one dollar.” If a chimney should take fire the house owner was required to prove that it had been properly swept out within three months.
Further, it was provided if such a chimney burst into flame after it had been swept out the chimney sweep was to forfeit a dollar. That evidently was due to the determination of Laning, Cowperthwaite, Sloan and Lawrence, the city fathers, to make more and better chimney sweeps and to aid the Perseverance boys in staying the ravages of the flaming foe.
Outstanding Fireman
And if any of the boys of the present generation imagine they have the niftiest apparatus hereabouts; with all their compound engines, extension ladders and what not, they have nothing on Samuel D. Elfreth, who “ran” with old Perseverance so soon as he came to Camden, in 1824. Old annals relate, he was always on the spot when “she” was needed, meaning the hand engine, and was regarded as the outstanding fireman of Camden. In 1882 my grandfather wrote in the Courier that Elfreth, although verging on 80, was then still one of the most active volunteer firemen in Camden. He then resided within the shadow of his beloved old company and was filled with reminiscences of the days when he ran with the boys. His son, Samuel (S. Elfreth), then was chief of the paid fire department as he was in later years until his death some 15 years ago. Charles F. Elfreth, a veteran attaché of the city’s finance department, is a grandson of the first Elfreth, a nephew of the late chief.
Those old ordinances relative to keeping chimneys clean seem amusing now, but they were vitally important then. They were, in fact, the very beginning of the present day system of keeping down fire losses by way of every possible method in alarms, in equipment, in man efficiency. It is from such humble beginnings that have evolved the methods in battling blazes in skyscrapers, in extensive plants, in keeping tabs on the very last thing in conquering the foe ever ready, and seemingly willing, to raze the works of man.
Camden, Now Eighty Years Old, Is Proud of Its Wonderful Growth
Philadelphia Inquirer —
City on Saint Valentine’s Day, Will Observe the Anniversary of Its Incorporation—Some Facts and Figures Concerning “Slow Town” Across the River
High School. City Hall. Mayor Charles H. Ellis. Camden Safe Deposit & Trust Co. Carnegie Library. Birds Eye View of Camden. North Baptist Church. Federal Building. Court House. Armory. N. Wayland Ayers’ Residence.
EIGHTY years will have passed on Friday, February 14, since Camden became an incorporated city, and just now the citizens are looking back over those years and recalling with a pardonable pride the epochs that have made it a community of homes, of splendid industries and of clean, progressive government. Luckily, Camden has comparatively few moss-bunkers and in consequence it has always been in the van of the modern spirit that means so much to American municipalities. With an energetic executive, with a rejuvenated Board of Trade composed of the representative business men of the city and containing residents who are anticipating an even greater Camden, the future bids well.
Although there was a settlement in what is now Camden late in the seventeenth century, it did not discard its swaddling clothes until long years after. It was in 1828 that the 1143 persons who made up the district bounded by the Delaware river and Sixth street and Cooper and Line street concluded that they should become an incorporated community. This was brought about principally as a result of the crowds that crossed the river from Philadelphia on Sundays and did pretty much as they pleased to the discomfort and anger of the townspeople. So a bill was prepared, and on February 14, of that year, the Legislature adopted it, thus making Camden the proud possessor of a charter. Samuel Laning was elected the first Mayor.
So Far, So Good
This was all very well, but Camdenites chafed over the fact of being a part of Gloucester county. There were those who thought they should have a county of their own, but Gloucester strenuously objected to having such a goodly portion sliced off for the benefit of the new city. Under the leadership of Captain John W. Mickle, however, the Camdenites carried the war into the Legislature and as a result Camden county was created. After this matters went along smoothly until 1848, when the question arose as to which community should be the county seat. Camden was opposed by Long-a-Coming, now Berlin. Matters waxed exceedingly warm, the ruralites aiding Long-a-Coming, the cities Camden.
Even yet old residents speak of the strenuous times in awesome whispers. Finally the question was decided at a special election and Camden lost. Possessed of that persistency that has made much for the success of the city, the residents did not give up by any means. They carried the fight to the Legislature and a new election was ordered. This time Camden was the victor. The farmers made all sorts of charges, but Camden remained the county seat and at present the wisdom of that selection is apparent.
Now for Town Hall
So soon as Camden became an incorporated city Mayor Laning and his counselors decided that there must be some municipal meeting place. At first the “Town Hall” was located on the second floor of Richard Fetter’s store at Third and Market streets. But in 1829 City Council voted to set aside $2500 to build a “City Hall, courthouse and jail.” This was located on Federal street, below Fifth, where stood the old market, burned down several years ago. Many exciting episodes occurred in this building, but it withstood the gibes of the residents until the early ‘70s. Then the “progressives” began agitating the question of having a new building, but it was not until 1875 that the present structure on Haddon avenue, then a corn field, was erected. And what a howl went up all over the city. “The idea of building a City Hall away out on the outskirts.”
True, it was fifteen minutes’ walk from the ferry and thirty minutes by the old Camden House Railroad Company. Well, the City Hall as it stands today, was built, and all around it and for blocks beyond are to be seen some of Camden’s most substantial residences. Now the question is being agitated for a more pretentious and modern building, the consummation of the plan not being such an idle dream as seems to be the impression.
Dark Days
Camden made steady increases in its population from the time of its incorporation until 1856. Up to that year there seemed to be every evidence that it would soon be a city of many thousands. Hundreds had moved across the river and come from distant lands to settle there, but a catastrophe occurred on March 15, 1856, which retarded its growth. While crossing the river the ferryboat New Jersey, crowded with passengers, caught fire. The river was full of ice and there was little opportunity of giving aid. In consequence sixty-one souls perished. Even yet that tragedy is often referred to by the older residents with horror.
This made many return to Philadelphia and caused others to fear going to Camden because of the fear of crossing the Delaware. Then came the panic of 1857 which also had a deterrent effect. But better times were coming for the little city and when more opportunity was given it by the revised charter of 1870, the population began increasing again. By 1880 there were over 40,000 men, women and children within the city’s confines. In two decades this had more than doubled and now there is close to 100,000 inhabitants. With increasing territory, it only being a matter of time when Merchantville, Collingswood, Woodlynne, Haddonfield, Gloucester City and other communities will be absorbed, Camden will very soon have many thousands added.
Spirit of Progress
As to the city’s government, there is everywhere in evidence a spirit of progress. Especially is this so with reference to the fire and police service. Concerning the former, Camden points with pride to the fact that last year the fire losses did not exceed $125,000. The present fire department is the outgrowth of the old volunteer organizations of nearly half a century ago. There were the Perseverance, the Niagara, the Weecacoe and other volunteer companies which did valiant service, but owing to the rivalry much valuable property was lost in sanguinary battles. In 1869 a paid fire department was created consisting of five commissioners, one fire marshal and two assistants. Thus was Camden among the first of New Jersey’s towns to have men paid to fight the flames. From that humble beginning grew the present force of nearly a hundred men under the direction of Chief Samuel Elfreth.
In the police department, under the direction of Chief Elisha A. Gravenor, there are 135 men, the outgrowth of a force of three men who protected forty years ago, the north, middle and south wards. Recently twenty-five men were added to the force, among them being several mounted men to look after the suburban sections of the city. These have already proved their value. As to crime there is little of it except of a petty nature and when the occasion arises the majesty of the law is upheld in such a manner as to give the impression that nowhere in the State is there a better exemplification of the declaration that “Jersey justice moves swiftly” than in Camden.
And Camden Water
Camden’s water is admittedly without a peer. It is drawn from artesian wells and every day over 15,000,000 gallons of it is sent through the mains. This comes from a $600,000 plant at Morris Station, which is always hailed as “Camden’s greatest asset.” Plans are under way now to augment this plant. The city’s first water plant was established after considerable controversy in 1854 at Pavonia. The Delaware River water was pumped through the mains for years. In consequence the harvest of death from typhoid fever was great. In the nineties the contagion manifested itself in such an alarming manner that the artesian plant was proposed. It was not put in operation until 1898, but the change in the water supply was at once apparent in the better health of the city. While a hundred new cases of typhoid fever within a month prior to that time was by no means unusual, subsequent to the installation of the new supply, less than half a dozen were reported within a like period. Last year there were but 38 cases of this disease and most of them were traced to other cities.
Camden has many miles of paved streets. All the principal thoroughfares are asphalted as a result of an agitation that began over a decade ago. Only lately the principal outlets of the city were ordered paved with that material—Federal street from Cooper Creek to Twenty-fifth street, Haddon avenue from Line street to Ferry avenue, and Broadway from Emerald street to Newton Creek.
The Public Schools
Then there are the schools, which are educating an army of nearly 12,000 children. Four additional modern school buildings were recently completed, making in all thirty-four, with a commodious high school. As has already been shown by The Inquirer in a previous article, Camden’s educational system is of the highest order, which has been demonstrated repeatedly by the pupils winning first prizes at contests in exhibitions of national prominence.
Camden is a city of churches. Within its confines there are close to a hundred churches and missions of all denominations. In consequence of this comparatively great church-going host, the city is peculiarly strict on Sabbatarian questions. This was evidenced a year or so ago when certain dealers sought to sell on Sunday as on other days of the week. In consequence the laws were enforced to such an extent that the Sundays, for several months, savored of the Simon Pure New England Sabbaths of Puritan days.
When Andrew Carnegie was ridding himself of his wealth some years ago, establishing libraries in many cities of the country, it was suggested that he be asked to contribute something for the benefit of the book-loving public of Camden. For months this matter hung fire, but Dr. Dowling Benjamin finally brought the subject to an issue by appealing to the Scotch ironmaster. As a result it was not long before $100,000 was sent to Camden with which to build a library with the proviso that the city expend $10,000 annually for its maintenance. This was agreed upon and a structure was erected at Broadway and Line streets that is not only pleasing to the eye because of architectural embellishments, but also on account of the thousands of volumes that are circulated to over 18,000 men, women and children.
City of Homes
Camden has approximately over 20,000 homes. These are of all kinds, from the more pretentious structures in which the wealthy reside to the humble but homelike dwellings in which the great bulk of the inhabitants live. And with the coming spring hundreds of additional dwellings will be erected in the outlying districts.
There is also a public park which is being slowly but surely developed, and if Mayor Charles H. Ellis has his way there will be several squares, a recreation pier or two and beautiful shade trees throughout the city. He proposes to have one day each year set aside to be known as the “Day of the City Beautiful” devoted to making Camden better from an artistic and orderly standpoint.
As to Camden’s business interests, they are legion. With a river front of several miles backed by the Cooper creek there is ample natural provision for industrial concerns of a varied character. A new era is heralded from the fact that the creek is to be deepened by the government so that craft of fairly deep draught may use it. Already a number of industrial manufacturing plants have signified their intention of locating along the banks of the stream and before many years there promises to be one complete chain of industries.
Just a Review
At the annual gathering of the Board of Trade last week the value of some of the city’s manufactories was expressed something in this wise: “Camden has within its border a population of nearly 100,000, and shipbuilding firms that can either supply a launch or the greatest battleship; the largest lace curtain manufactory in America; a talking machine that speaks every known language; iron works that make enough pipe to girdle the earth; leather manufactories that tan skins from all parts of the globe; the largest furniture house, whose products reach to the Philippines; banks and trust companies whose resources are not affected by panics; linoleum works, which manufacture one-half the country’s whole product; a plant whose kitchens annually make enough soup to float all the vessels built in our shipyards, a pickle works, which furnishes Uncle Sam with material for slot machines; a department store, whose experiment has proved a decided success; pen works, which produce two-thirds of the pens used in the world; an expanded metal works—the material produced there will stretch from Maine to Texas and its mills rival the largest.”
So, with the thousands of homes, its scores of industries, its charitable institutions and the manifold creations of a modern civilization, Camden is a city which is not slow, which is always in the van of progress and municipal improvement in all lines of endeavor.
First City Fire House Located at 5th and Arch
Camden Courier-Post —
Hosemen, Tillermen and Laddermen Paid $50 Monthly While Call Men Received $75 a Year; Steam Engine Held for Emergency
This is the fourth installment of a history of fire fighting in Camden from the time of the formation of the first volunteer company in 1810 to 1936. It is the first complete history of the fire department written since 1886 and links the old volunteers with the new paid motorized department. It is being published in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, which is being sponsored by the Camden County Fire Chiefs Association and the Camden Fire Department. Yesterday’s installment told of the disbanding of volunteer companies and city council creating a paid department in 1869.
The Camden Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, was organized in 1869 as a unit of the paid fire department with headquarters at the northwest corner of Fifth and Arch streets, and was connected with Camden Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 2. The hook and ladder and engine companies occupied adjoining buildings.
The company was equipped 50 years with a ladder truck 45 feet long and nine other ladders, one an extension of 63 feet in length, one battering ram, two fire extinguishers, four buckets, two axes, four pitchforks, one crowbar and four lamps.
The members of the Camden Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, in 1886, when the last history of the department was written, were Amedy Middleton, tillerman; Benjamin L. Kellum, driver; Thomas Walton, and John W. Toy, laddermen; William Doughten, Peter S. Gray, John Gray and Charles A. Todd, callmen.
The Camden Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 1, was organized in 1869 and stationed at Fourth and Pine streets, where Engine Company, No. 1, still is housed. The company was equipped with one second class steam fire engine made by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, New Hampshire; one hose cart, manufactured by the Silsby Company, Seneca Falls, N. Y.; three horses and 1600 feet of hose.
The members of the company in 1886 were John A. Stockton, foreman; G. Rudolph Tenner, engineer; William Deno, driver; William W. Laird, stoker; Wilson Bromley and Jacob F. Nessen, hosemen; William Deith, Andrew Miller, William Bogia and W. Elwood Campbell, callmen.
Stockton became chief of the department in 1914.
Organized in 1869
The Camden Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 2, was organized in 1869 and located at the paid fire headquarters at Fifth and Arch streets. The ground floor had two connections with the hook and ladder company.
In 1886 the department consisted of one chief engineer, an assistant, 18 regular men and 12 call men. The regular men devoted full time to the service while the call men could go about their regular occupations.
Engineers received $60 monthly, hosemen, tillermen and laddermen $50 monthly. The call men received $75 a year.
In 1886 the fire department owned three steam fire engines, two hose-carriages, one hook an [sic] ladder truck, nine horses, 3200 feet of hose, 21 fire alarm boxes with 12 miles of wires, a connecting electric battery, with 80 one-gallon jars to create power for long distance alarms, striking gongs lighting gas jets, unhitching horse apparatus and stopping clocks.
The department now has 162 men including a chief, two deputy chiefs, two battalion chiefs and a senior and junior captain for each of the 13 companies.
Held for Emergency
The engine company was equipped in 1886 with a second class Amoskeag apparatus, one hose carriage and a supply wagon. A Gould steam fire engine was held for emergency. On the second floor was a large reception room, a battery room and 13 beds.
The roster of the company in 1886 included Samuel S. Elfreth, chief engineer; Samuel S. Buzine, assistant chief engineer; Jacob W. Kellum, extra engineer; Harry C. Grossup, foreman; William Morris, engineer; C. B. Harvey, driver of engine; Frank Turner, stoker; Charles Robinson and Isaac Shreves, hosemen; James Carey, Logan Bates, William Lyons and Howard Currie, callmen.
The early chiefs of the paid department were William Ables, Robert S. Bender, two terms; Cladius [sic] W. Bradshaw, mayor from 1880 to 1886; Henry F. Surault, Samuel S. Elfreth, Daniel A. Carter. These chiefs served for the duration of the terms of the fire committees of city council. This system was changed later and Elfreth was named permanent chief. Buzine was deputy chief under Elfreth.
(Tomorrow’s installment will describe a sudden succession of chiefs brought about by the resignation of Elfreth and the death of Charles Worthington, who was fatally injured in a fall from a roof at a fire.)
Motorization of Camden Fire Department Completed Under Chief P. B. Carter in 1915
Camden Courier-Post —
Above is shown a photo of part of the Camden Fire Department after it was motorized. The above companies are stationed at Fire Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets.
This is the fifth installment of a history of fire fighting in Camden from the time of the formation of the first volunteer company in 1810 to 1936. It is the first complete history of the fire department written since 1886 and links the old volunteers with the new paid motorized department. It is being published in the interest [sic] with Fire Prevention Week, which was sponsored last week by the Camden County Fire Chiefs Association and the Camden Fire Department. Saturday’s installment told of the formation of the paid fire department.
Samuel S. Elfreth was reappointed for several terms as chief by the fire committee of city council before he was made permanent head of the department.
After more than 30 years of service he retired in October 13, 1913, and was succeeded by Charles Worthington, captain of Engine Compony [sic] No. 6, on November 1, 1913. Worthington was killed in a fall from a roof on May 14, 1914, and was succeeded by Deputy Chief John A. Stockton. Stockton retired the following year and was succeeded by Peter B. Carter on October 1, 1915.
Under Carter the motorization of the department was completed. Carter was injured in a fall from a roof when fire destroyed the interior of State Street Methodist Episcopal Church. He retired on a pension on March 31, 1926, to become chief of the Collingswood Fire Department. He remained as Collingswood’s chief until August 29, 1927, when he resigned. He was succeeded as chief of the Camden department by the late Thomas J. Nicholas. Nicholas retired in November, 1932, and was succeeded by John H. Lennox, who was named acting chief by former Mayor Roy R. Stewart on December 1, 1932. He was sworn in as a full-fledged chief on October 1, 1934.
Lennox Heads Department
Lennox is now chief. The deputy chiefs are William R. Harring and Walter A. Mertz and the battalion chiefs, Charles Erickson and Rollo R. Jones. Bernard J. Gallagher is fire marshal, James A. Howell, chief of the electrical bureau, and James H. Long, chief of the water department.
Deputy chiefs were known as assistant chiefs until the two-platoon system was inaugurated in Camden on January 1, 1921, under fromer [sic] Mayor Charles H. Ellis.
Company commanders were at first called foremen. Later they were named lieutenants. When the two-platoon system was adopted, requiring the men to be on duty one-half day instead of 24 hours the ranks of senior and junior captain were created.
The present equipment of the department includes two pieces of apparatus at Engine Companies No. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9 and one piece at Nos. 10 and 11. The department also has four hook and ladder trucks. Three of these are aerial trucks stationed at Nos. 1, 2 and 4. Company No. 3 has a city service truck. The department also has a supply wagon, four chief cars and a coffee service wagon for third alarms.
Fire headquarters is now maintained at Fifth and Arch streets and the Electrical Bureau is in modern offices on the eighth floor of the new city hall. Engine Company No. 2 is housed with Truck Company No. 1, at headquarters.
The other companies are housed as follows: Engine Company, No. 1, Fourth and Pine streets; Engine Company No. 3, Broadway and Ferry avenue; Engine Company No. 6, Front and Linden streets; Engine Company No. 7, Kaighn avenue above Mt. Ephraim avenue; Engine Company No. 8, and Truck Company No. 2, Sixth street and Kaighn avenue; Engine Company No. 9, and Truck Company No. 3, Twenty-seventh and Federal streets; Engine Company No. 10, and Truck Company, No. 4, Ninth street and Morgan boulevard; Engine Company No. 11, Twenty-seventh street and Hayes avenue.
Engine Company No. 4, Fourth and Vine streets, was abolished in 1932 for economy reasons. Engine Company No. 5, Federal street and Cooper river, was closed with the building of the Federal street viaduct in 1926.
Company Commanders
Company commanders at present are: Engine Company, No. 1, Acting Senior Captain Harry Wagner, Jr., Acting Junior Captain Joseph Gentlesk; Engine Company, No. 2, Acting Senior Captain Rocco Fanelli Acting Captain Edward Ellender; Engine Company, No. 3, Senior Captain Leonard Megee, Junior Captain Eli Hunt; Engine Company, No. 6, Acting Senior Captain George Salnders, Junior Captain George Townsend; Engine Company No. 7, Senior Captain William F. Rose, Junior Captain Henry Zook; Engine Company No. 8, Senior Captain Lawrence Newton, Junior Captain Alvin Thompson; Engine Company No. 9, Senior Captain Daniel Smith, Junior Captain Howard Glick; Engine Company No. 10, Acting Senior Captain Jarrett Zanders, Acting Junior Captain Maurice O’Brien; Engine Company, No. 11, Senior Captain Charles Watkins, Junior Captain Herman Kreher.
Truck Company No. 1, (hook and ladder), Senior Captain William Van Pfeferle, Acting Junior Captain William Judge; Truck Company, No. 2, Acting Senior Captain James Young, Acting Junior Captain Frank Oberman; Truck Company No. 3, Senior Captain Clarence Madden, Acting Junior Captain David Humphreys; Truck Company No. 4, Senior Captain Mordecai Clark, Acting Junior Captain William Scholl.
The coffee wagon was presented to the department by Mrs. Laura Frey, widow of former City Treasurer George A. Frey, on July 20, 1930. The wagon was presented at the request of Frey. It is a modern kitchen on wheels, according to Chief Lennox.
The pumpers of Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 6 have pumping capacity of 1000 gallons per minute. Companies 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 can pump 750 gallons a minute. Nos. 9, 10 and 11 have three-in-one chemical, hose and pumping units. Companies No. 1 and 6 have booster tanks with 100 gallon capacity, replacing chemical, with three-quarter-inch rubber hose.
City Council authorized the motorization of the Camden Fire Department on January 1, 1913. The first motor car was assigned to Chief Elfreth. The motorization was completed under Chief Carter. Camden was one of the first cities in the country to motorize its department and was so equipped before Philadelphia began to use the modern equipment with powerful pumpers.
When the fire department was motorized City Council retained two of the steam pumpers, having them mounted on tractors. After a survey of the city’s fire, water and police equipment and building codes in 1932 by the National Board of Fire Underwriters a recommendation was made that this apparatus be replaced by more modern motor driven and operated equipment. This was done two years ago while former Mayor Roy R. Stewart was director of public safety.
Six Killed at Fire
Six men have been killed in the line of duty fighting fires. The worst catastrophe was at a fire which destroyed the old Fifth Regiment Armory at West and Mickle streets on March 16, 1905. The fire broke out at 5.55 p. m. William Jobes, Engine Company, No. 1; George Shields and William Hillman, Truck Company, No. 2, were trapped in a room in the building and were killed.
Chief Worthington was killed in a fall from a roof while directing the fighting of a fire at Delaware avenue and George street on May 14, 1914.
Capt. Martin Carrigan, of Engine Company, No. 2, was killed directing a fight against a fire which wrecked the interior of the Morris Handle department store at 427 and 429 Kaighn avenue on January 18, 1922.
Hoseman John J. Reilly was killed on January 19, 1925, when a fire extinguisher exploded while fighting a fire at 924 North Second street.
Two Camden firemen were crippled as a result of being caught under a falling wall while battling a fire at the Enterprise Wall Paper plant at Collingswood on January 6, 1915. Injured with them was a Westmont fireman and former Judge John B. Kates, of the Collingswood department, then a member of the General Assembly of New Jersey. The late Battalion Chief George B. Wade and the late William E. Laird, a hoseman, were caught under the falling debris and were in the West Jersey Hospital several weeks. Kates, Wade and Laird suffered crushed limbs.
(Tomorrow’s installment will tell of the most serious fires in the history of the city.)
ERECTED 1913
1913
MAYOR
PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL
COUNCILMEN 11TH WARD
FREDERICK A. FINKELDEY WILLIAM H. KENSINGER, MD
FIRE COMMITTEE
HARRY R. READ CHAIRMAN
ROBERT W. GORDON JOHN A. MATHER, JR
ARTHUR L. JONES DAVID JESTER
GEORGE J. SCHNEIDER J. WILLIAM [?]
CHIEF ENGINEER
SAMUEL S. ELFRETH
BUILDER
JAMES W. DRAPER