Steward D. Bakley
STEWARD D. BAKLEY was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in January, 1889 as a ladderman with the Hook & Ladder Company. He was still active with the Fire Department as late as January of 1920.
Steward Bakley was born on October 15, 1859 in Chews Landing, New Jersey to Christopher and Maria Bakley. He also gave a birth date October 1863 at one point. He was the eighth of eleven children in the family when the census was taken in 1870, coming after Susan, Savina, James Ellen, Harriet, Christopher Jr., and Samuel Bakley, and before Laura, Margaret “Maggie,” and Harry Bakley. Christopher Bakley worked as a laborer to support his family. The Bakley family was then living in Gloucester City, New Jersey. They lived next door to Ferdinand McWilliams, a veteran of the Civil War. By 1878 the family had moved to North Camden, settling in on North 9th Street, above State Street. The houses were numbered differently at the time. City Directories and the 1880 Census give the family’s address as 9 North 9th Street. The census indicates that it was near the corner of North 9th Street and York Streets.
Steward Bakley appears in the 1882–1883 and 1883–1884 at 3 South 15th Street. By 1885 he had moved back in with his family at 909 North 9th Street. A number of the family had found work with the nearby Camden Woolen Mills. Christopher Bakley Sr. and Steward Bakley worked as carders, while Laura and Maggie Bakley worked as weavers. Brother Samuel Bakley was also living there, but his occupation was not listed in the Directory.
The 1887 City Directory shows that Samuel Bakley had been appointed to the Camden Police Department. As stated above, Steward D. Bakley joined the Fire Department in 1889. He was living at 909 North 9th Street as late as 1893. The 1894–1895 City Directory shows that he had moved to 904 York Street. He moved to 913 York Street in late 1895, and stayed there into 1899.
The 1900 Census shows that Steward Bakley had moved back to the house at 909 North 9th Street. Still a bachelor, he married in 1905. The 1906 City Directory shows that he and wife Clara lived at 629 North 8th Street. When the Census was taken in 1910, Steward and Clara Bakley were living at 619 Elm Street. By 1912 they had moved to 828 North 8th Street, where they remained through 1920.
Steward Bakley fought many fires during his career as a Camden firefighter. Camden Fire Department historian Lee Ryan wrote about one in the 125th anniversary book, published in 1994:
Something akin to a miracle occurred on the frigid night of January 11, 1916 at the State Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Sixth and State Streets, North Camden. At 10 P.M., three alarms were transmitted in rapid succession for a serious fire involving the main auditorium of the church. Heavy fire conditions extended to destroy the roof, the organ loft, the altar, Sunday School classrooms, and the entire pew area throughout the auditorium. When the blaze was finally extinguished, all that remained standing were four granite walls. On the south side of the building along State Street, was a magnificent stained glass window of gigantic proportion depicting Christ breaking bread with Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus. The window had inexplicably withstood the flames and heat. The scene from the life of Christ was not blistered, scorched or marred in anyway. It has never been retouched and still stands as a miracle, surviving one of the most disastrous church fires in City history. Chief of Department Peter Carter was injured at this incident when he fell through a passageway between the auditorium and the school building. He was hospitalized for several weeks. Captain Joseph Maxwell and Fireman Steward Bakley of Hook & Ladder Company 1, Fireman John Hunt of Engine Company 3, and Fireman William McCauley of Chemical Company 1 were injured when the church roof collapsed on them. Under heavy smoke conditions and following some difficulty, the members were able to extricate themselves, three of them safely. Captain Maxwell was admitted to the hospital for a brief stay.
Steward and Clara Bakley moved to Pennsauken, New Jersey in the 1920s. He and Clara divorced on December 11, 1924. Steward Bakley was living at 6016 Camden Avenue when the Census was taken in 1930. Although 66 years old, Steward Bakley was still working for the Fire Department. Mandatory retirement at 65 did not go into effect until 1950. He was still living at the Camden Avenue address when the 1940 Camden City Directory was compiled.
Steward Bakley’s brother Samuel served for many years as a Camden Police officer, retiring at the rank of sergeant. Steward Bakley most likely was related to Camden Fire Department member David Bakley and his brother Ralph Bakley, who was Acting Chief of Police in Camden from September of 1939 to March of 1942, but this has not been verified to date.
No Legs on This Fox Terrier
Illinois Republican —
Lobster Claw, Chicken Wing and Kangaroo Kickers Keep Her Up.
Philadelphia, June 3.—Steward D. Bakley of Camden, has a dog which, instead of front legs, has a lobster claw and a chicken wing, and for hind legs has two kangaroo supporters.
The dog is a full-bred fox terrier, and when she walks her breast touches the ground, and when in a hurry she hops along on her hind legs in kangaroo fashion.
Mr. Bakley has refused several tempting offers for his pet.
Steered Ice Yacht Right Into a Hole
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Two Camden Men and Their Wives Had a Narrow Escape From Being Drowned in the Delaware
Stewart Bakley, a Camden fireman, and Harry Bakley and their wives, were nearly drowned in the Delaware River along the North Cramer Hill shore, East Camden, yesterday afternoon. The party left the foot of Thirty-seventh street in the fireman’s ice yacht, and went sailing down the river at great speed. Suddenly there was a crash. The ice gave way and the entire party went under the water. The women became hysterical and their half-drowned husbands had great difficulty in rescuing them.
Mrs. Harry Bakley was unconscious when carried ashore. She was taken to the home of Mrs. A. McBurnek, on Farragut avenue, in a serious condition.
A thin coating of ice covered the river where the party went through caused by fishermen cutting ice from the river the day before. The yachtsmen were unaware of the fact and steered directly into it. The ice yacht was badly damaged.
Camden County Transfers
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden, No. 335 Pine st.—Mary A. Lynch to Leroy A. Britton … $1100
Camden, N. line Sycamore st.—The Provident Life and Trust Co. to Isaac Melnik … 2400
Camden, No. 828 N. Eighth st.—Thomas Gordon Coulter to Steward Bakley … 2200
Hook & Ladder Company No. 1
From Left: tillerman Bill Tatem, firemen Edward Finley, Charles Gladney, Harry Green; Lt. Harry Anderson; Firemen George Hollins, Steward Bakley; Captain Joseph Maxwell; driver Harry S. Burrough. Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 with new 1914 American LaFrance 75′, 4 cylinder aerial ladder, in front of Fire Headquarters.
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.
Police and Firemen Pay Tribute to Wright Cox
Camden Daily Courier —
POLICE AND FIREMEN PAY TRIBUTE TO WRIGHT COX
Officials of the Department of Public Safety, policemen and firemen, and many old friends in the Third and Sixth wards, mourned at the services held this afternoon in the Schroeder Funeral Chapel, Broadway and Royden street, for Wright Ellis Cox, officer at City Hall park previous to his passing. The beautifully impressive funeral ritual of the Episcopalian liturgy was recited by Rev. Camille Estornelle, rector of St. John’s church.
The Police Beneficial Association and the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association’s floral design was a policeman’s shield seven feet high and five in readth [sic], with the number of the veteran bluecoat “94” emblazoning its surface. That of the F. M. B. A., was a Maltese cross. The three pallbearers representing the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association of which Cox as a former member of the fire department was a member were Deputy Chief William W. Patterson, Joseph Johnson of Engine Company No. 7, and Steward Bakley, of Headquarters Hook and Ladder Truck.
Two o’clock this afternoon the policemen on off-shifts of the three districts, led by their captains, assembled at Broadway and Clinton street and marched to the funeral chapel, where the bluecoats passed around the casket. Borne from the chapel by three firemen and three policemen pallbearers, the casket passed between lines of bluecoats in final salute. A patrol wagon draped in mouring [sic] and laden with the flowers followed the funeral cortege to Bethel cemetery.
12 Firemen, 4 Policemen Apply for City Pensions
Camden Courier-Post —
HEAVY PAY CUT FEAR CAUSE OF RUSH TO RETIRE
Inspector Humes Highest Officer on List; Three Captains Are Included
PROTECTIVE FORCES LOSE THEIR OLDEST VETERANS
Sixteen Vacant Places Will Be Filled Without New Appointments
Four policemen and 12 city firemen yesterday applied for pensions effective at midnight tonight. In the interests of economy, no successors will be named by the city commission.
Sudden decision of the applicants was inspired by the fact that city employes may be given a 30 percent reduction in pay equal to that of county employes. Police and firemen accepted a 10 percent reduction this year. If given an additional 20 percent their salaries would be on a pre-war basis.
They also face a possibility of further reductions in pensions if existing mandatory legislation is repealed by the Legislature, which fixes salaries of police and firemen according to the class of cities and towns. By applying now they will receive pensions on basic 1931 salaries.
The big surprise was announcement that Inspector Charles T. Humes, in charge of personnel of the police department, had applied for a pension. Inspector Humes receives a salary of $3000 yearly. By applying at this time he is eligible to a pension of one-half that amount. The $1500 yearly would be within a few hundred dollars of what he would receive if he remained on the force and accepted a 30 percent reduction in salary.
Consider Requests Today
Other policemen to ask for pensions are Sergeants Albert York and Clarence Thorn and Detective David Hunt.
Three fire captains applying for pensions are James R. White, Harry Haines and William H. Miller, Jr.
The applications were filed with Mrs. Louise F. Walsh, secretary of the Police and Firemen’s Pension Fund. The pension fund commission will act on the applications today.
Inspector Humes’ retirement comes at the conclusion of a quarter century of service in the police department. He was appointed as a patrolman on Jan. 1, 1908, and six years later, on Jan. 1, 1914, was elevated to a sergeancy. He was promoted to captaincy on July 1, 1918. Then, by act of the city commission, he was made an inspector on June 23, 1927.
Recognized as Authority
While a captain, he was in command of the First District and later of the Third. As an inspector, he was head of the traffic bureau for several years. He was a nationally recognized authority on traffic problems, having been requested for advice by various automobile clubs and traffic commissions. He played a leading role in a traffic convention at Chicago and once was called in by the federal traffic commission at Washington for advice. At the present time, he is in charge of the personnel of the entire city police department.
Inspector Humes is 56 and resides at 4115 Myrtle avenue, Pennsauken. He stated that he has no plans for the immediate future, but will find “something to do” after he has taken complete rest.
“Naturally I feel a little badly about leaving the force,” he commented. “I feel that I have spent the better years of my life in the department. I have always had the ambition to become chief of police. Of course, I am a little disappointed that this ambition has not been realized. But I am glad that I have been able to serve the department and the citizens as faithfully as I have.
“I am proud, too, of my record as a loyal Republican. I have always been loyal to the party and always will be.”
Appointed by Ellis
Inspector Humes was appointed to the department by Postmaster Charles H. Ellis during his term as mayor. Humes will receive a pension of $133.83 a month.
Sergeant Clarence H. Thorn is taking the pension because of disability. He was ill and away from his duties from April until November of this year, after suffering severe injuries while a member of the traffic motorcycle squad. Later he was injured again while working in the mounted squad, of which he was in charge.
He is 46, lives at 23 Cooper avenue, Erlton, and has been a member of the department since April 17, 1917. His pension will be $92.50 monthly.
“Dave” Hunt is one of the most widely known detectives in the department. He has been connected with the automobile division for several years and has helped in the recovery of hundreds of stolen cars.
Detective Hunt and the late Capt. of Detectives William G. Schregler captured Wilson Ahsbridge [sic], jailbreaker and murderer, 15 years ago in the Keystone Hotel, Chester, Pa. Ashbridge escaped from jail here after he and William E. Thompson, forger, killed a keeper and wounded another.
Helped Capture Slayer
Ashbridge and his wife, who was an accessory to the jailbreak, were captured in the dining room of the hotel the following day while they sat at a dinner table. The detectives approached from behind Ashbridge. One pinned his arms around him while the other removed two loaded revolvers and several cartridges from his pockets.
Hunt also figured in the “kidnaping” of Charles Powell, who confessed to the murder of “Honest” John Brunen, circus showman. State Trooper Herman Bading and Hunt watched the apartment house in which Powell and his wife lived at Cooper and Point streets. After learning Powell’s habits, they set a trap, with County Detective Clifford Cain and State Senator Clifford R. Powell joining them.
Powell was seized as he approached his home and whisked away to Mt. Holly in an automobile. Mrs. Powell raised a cry of “kidnaping” but Powell was placed in “cold storage” in the Burlington county jail until he confessed.
He is 51, lives at 331 Walnut street and was appointed to the police force in November, 1909. He will receive $90.65.
York Has Fine Record
Sergeant York, 57, is a veteran of 24 years. He was appointed to the department November 15, 1909, by then Mayor Ellis. During most of these years Sergeant York has been assigned to the First police district.
He was acting-captain of the district for a short period several years ago and has created an excellent record while a member of the department. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant September 29, 1923. He lives at 641 Elm street and will receive a monthly pension of $90.65.
Captain Haines has been connected with Engine Company No. 7 for many years. He is 66 and lives at 1244 Mechanic street. He was appointed to the department in April, 1896, and will be retired on a pension of $100 a month.
Firemen Seek Pension
Besides Captain White and Miller, other firemen who seek the pension include James E. Navin, 67, of 527 Mickle street; George W. Hollins, 64, of 51 North Twenty-fifth street; Richard S. Marter, 60, of 463 Mechanic street; Arthur A. Wingate, 64, of 542 South Seventh street; Joseph T. Earnest, 63, of 612 Pine street; Samuel E. Harring, 64, of 613 North Second street, and Daniel Grimes, 111 North Twenty-fifth street, engineer of Engine Company, No. 5.
The city’s two oldest firemen go on pension. They are Engineer Andrew Miller, Engine Company, No. 1, Fourth and Pine streets, and Stewart Bakley, Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, Fifth and Arch streets.
Miller is 73 and has served 48 years in the department. Bakley is 68 and would be 45 years in the department if he had stayed until Jan. 4. Bakley served as a ladderman while Miller put all of his time as a hoseman, stoker and engineer at the Fourth and Pine streets house.
Engineer Miller lives at 1345 Princess avenue and Bakley at 410 Camden avenue.
White, 67, lives at 36 Terrace avenue, while Captain Miller, 62, resides at 2831 North Constitution road.
Captain White has been in charge of Engine Company No. 4, Vine street, near Fourth, for a number of years. He has been a member of the fire department for 27 years, receiving his appointment in June, 1905, and has compiled a splendid record while a member of the bureau. He will receive a pension of $100 monthly.
Others Who Retire
Junior Captain Miller was appointed to the fire department in December, 1904, 28 years ago. He is now connected with Engine Company No. 10 at Ninth street and Morgan avenue. He will receive a monthly pension of $93.10.
Harring was appointed in 1908 and is connected with No. 4 Company at the present time. Hollins, for 25 years a fireman, is stationed with Headquarters Company, Fifth and Arch streets. Both will receive monthly pensions of $83.33.
Marter and Navin are members of No. 8 Engine Company, 617 Kaighn avenue. Navin is an engineer, appointed to the department in December, 1899, who will receive a pension of $90.65 a month. Marter was appointed in March, 1906. He will get $83.33.
Wingate was made a fireman in February, 1906, and at present is an engineer with Engine Company No. 3, 1813 Broadway. He will be given a pension of $90.65.
Bakley and Earnest will receive pensions of $83.30. Bakley, appointed in December, 1887, is attached to headquarters company while Earnest is a member of Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, at Kaighn avenue. He was appointed in January, 1905.
Pensions Awarded 6 Cops, 17 Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
Inspector Humes Refuses to Withdraw Application in Spite of Requests
Pensions for six policemen and 17 firemen took effect with the dawn of the New Year yesterday.
Proposed Salary reductions from five to 30 percent prompted the wholesale requests for pensions which were approved Saturday at noon by the Police and Firemen’s Pension Commission, of which Mayor Roy R. Stewart is chairman.
The proceedings were delayed one hour while efforts were being made by political leaders and friends to have Inspector Charles T. Humes reconsider his application. But he refused to withdraw his application and it was approved.
Two sergeants, a city detective and four captains of the fire department were included in the list of applicants.
Sergeants Albert York and Clarence Thorn, Detective David Hunt and Fire Captains Harry Haines, John Lutts, James R. White and William H. Miller, Jr., were included among the pensioners.
Major W. Greenwood and Adrian Bateman, two patrolmen, completed the list from the police department, while the others receiving pension awards who are member [sic] of the fire department were:
Elmer Burkett, 66; Robert M. Coffman, 57; Howard E. Currie, 52; James E. Navin, 67; George W. Hollins, 64; Richard S. Marter, 60; Arthur A. Wingate, 64; Joseph T. Earnest, 63; Samuel E. Harring, 64; Andrew Miller, 73; Stewart Bakley, William K. Buzine, 63, and Daniel Grimes.
The application of Marter’s was passed, but an improviso [sic] was made by the commission which gave him the opportunity of recalling his decision but he failed to take advantage of it.
It was explained that the city commission’s resolution passed at noon, providing that members of the police and fire departments could continue in their employment under the 1933 wage scale, but that their pensions would not be affected by the cut and they could retire under the 1931 basic pay, might cause Marter to want to rescind his action.
Mayor Stewart and Commissioner Bennett, both members of the commission, said they regretted so many “young men” were asking to be pensioned at this time.
Greenwood, 54, was appointed to the police department 21 years ago and during nearly all of this time has been attached to the First district. He lives in the First ward, at 220 York street, and will receive a pension of $83.30 monthly.
Buzine is a veteran of nearly 28 years’ service. He is 63, lives at 856 Haddon avenue and will be pensioned at $90.65. He was classed as an engineer in the fire department.
The applications of Captain John Lutts, of Engine Company No. 6, Front and Linden streets, and Elmer Burkett, engineer of the No. 4 Company, were filed shortly before noon.
Captain Lutts, 62, lives at 456 Royden street, and will receive a pension of $100 monthly. He was appointed 33 years ago.
Burkett, 66, lives at 330 North Ninth street. He was appointed to the fire department in 1907 and spent a great portion of his service at the fire station at Front and Linden streets, recently being transferred to the Vine street house. He will be pensioned at $90.65 monthly.