Thomas M. Stanger
Thomas M. Stanger
THOMAS M. STANGER was born around 1861 to Jason B. and Mary Stanger. His early years were spent in Salem NJ, where, at the time of the 1870 Census, Jason Stanger was employed as a glassblower. The family moved to Camden around 1873, and settled in the area around Broadway Methodist Church, where they became members. The 1880 Census shows that Mrs. Stanger had passed away. Jason B. Stanger, now a bookkeeper, was living at 423 South 5th Street with his four children, Howard, a law student, Thomas, then employed as a tinsmith, Harry, a watchcase maker, and Leonora, who was still in school.
By 1887 Jason Stanger no longer appears in the Camden City Directories. Howard Stanger was now a lawyer, and the family was living at 520 Royden Street when the 1887–1888 Camden City Directory was compiled. Later in 1888 the family moved to 634 Berkley Street. Thomas M. Stanger listed his occupation as clerk then as “produce” in the directories. In June of 1893 Thomas Stanger married Ida Woodfield, whose father Joseph managed a scrap iron concern. By the mid 1900s he was managing the feed and flour store of Joseph Middleton, at South 5th and Royden Streets. The Stangers were living at 414 Chambers Avenue by 1910.
Around 1907 Mayor Charles Ellis appointed Thomas M. Stanger to the police force of the City of Camden. He served as clerk to Mayor Ellis, to Chief James E. Tatem and to the Detective Bureau of Camden’s police force. During his time in service he rose to the rank of sergeant. He established the department’s first photographic gallery of criminals and was in charge of criminal records for years. He also became a fingerprint expert before retiring in January of 1933 due to ill health.
Socially, Thomas M. Stanger was a thirty-second degree Mason, and was a past master of Trimble Lodge, No. 117 Free and Accepted Masons. He was a member of Excelsior Consistory, the Ninth Ward Republican Club, and was secretary of the Police Beneficial Association.
The Stangers had moved to the suburbs to live with their daughter, Mrs. Catherine Madera by 1930. His health declined rapidly after his retirement. On October 14, 1933 Thomas M. Stanger died at West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital in Camden. He was survived by his wife, daughter, brother Harry, and a grand-daughter.
The Camden Police Department provided an honorary escort at his funeral, which was held at the Joseph H. Murray & Sons funeral home at 406 Cooper Street, and at his interment, at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden.
400 Block of Chambers Avenue
400 Block of Chambers Avenue as seen from Berkley Street
Arrested for Robbing Own Home
Philadelphia Inquirer —
On complaint of his mother, Henry Perry, 19 years old, 1713 Mulford street was locked up in the Camden city jail yesterday for a hearing this morning on a charge of stealing articles from her home. The mother told Sergeant Stanger that her son is incorrigible
Holdup Victims to Scan Bandit Suspects Held in Terror Reign
Camden Courier-Post —
Counsel Will Apply for Release of Defendants Under Bail
EXPECTED TO BE LINKED WITH WIERMAN MURDER.
Grand Jury Indicts Prisoners Seven Hours After Arrest
Victims of the recent series of daring hold-ups were to be summoned today to attempt to identify four men who, arrested with two women in East Camden yesterday, are believed by authorities to be members of a bandit gang which has created a reign of terrorism in this vicinity.
Indicted in the amazingly short time of seven hours after their arrest, the six are being held without bail in the Camden county jail to await trial next Monday on charges of possessing numerous weapons and narcotics.
Application for bail was to be made this morning by Samuel P. Orlando, attorney for the six. Orlando stated that if Prosecutor Baldwin declines to release the prisoners on bail, he would attempt to effect liberation through the medium of a writ of habeas corpus.
The prosecutor stated he would ask all witnesses and victims in the eight recent major holdups to attempt to identify the four male prisoners on the theory that they may be members of an organized ring at whose doors are laid the holdups netting a total of $25,000.
He also believes that the prisoners may know something about the murder of William “Big Bill” Wierman, Camden beer runner, who was slain during an ostentatious hold-up April 28 at the Bellmawr Country Club.
All six prisoners were removed temporarily from the jail this forenoon and taken to city detective headquarters at City Hall, where they were photographed and fingerprinted by Detective Thomas Stanger.
Copies of the photographs and Bertillon records will be sent to police departments in Philadelphia, New York…
Holdup Victims to Scan Suspects
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…made a presentment of indictments to Judge Shay in Criminal Court.
The six are truly charged unlawfully possession of deadly weapons and the fourth alleged possession of narcotics. Of the weapon charges, one named Reginelli and one named Bartilucci jointly; another cited the Reginelli jointly, and the third named Fisher and Bartilucci. The narcotic bill was returned against Miss Christman. Count four charged all six.
Three of those held have long criminal records in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia police have no record on John Fisher, but his hang-on in the Philadelphia tenderloin hint he is a big racketeer who was hiding out in Camden.
Bartilucci was arrested in January, 1924, in Philadelphia, on suspicion of peddling narcotics, disorderly conduct, and violating a parole. He was sent to the protectory at Norristown, Pa., served about a year and was discharged. He was arrested again Dec. 30, 1926, charged with disorderly conduct and inciting to riot, and was discharged by a Philadelphia magistrate. On Jan. 7, 1927, he was arrested as a suspicious character and was again discharged by a magistrate. On Feb. 12, 1927, he was arrested by the Philadelphia police, again on suspicion of hold up and robbery, and again was discharged by a magistrate. Arrested on suspicion after a gang fight in March, 1927, he was discharged again. In June of the same year he was arrested as a frequenter of a gambling house and was released under a $300 peace bond.
Formerly lived at the Fulton Hotel, Chester, Pa., and at Weldon, Pa., according to the Philadelphia police. He was arrested Oct. 19, 1926, for selling whisky to a squad for sale and possession of liquor. He was turned over to Federal officials. No disposition was made of the case. Later in the same year he was arrested for assault and battery and fined $100.
Reginelli was arrested in Philadelphia Jan. 1, 1920, as a suspicious character. Arrested in 1924 on suspicion of larceny in a taxi, he was discharged by a magistrate. He was discharged after his arrest on a similar charge in August of that year.
In December, 1928, he was arrested for conspiracy and larceny by trick, film-flam and receiving stolen goods and was sentenced to county prison for a year by Judge Edward L. Lewis. Philadelphia police have no record on the two women.
According to county detectives, Reginelli, also known as John De Marco, was involved in connection with the Black Horse pike gang murders in December, 1928, but was released.
All were arrested “on information secured,” the only explanation the police would give. It was learned that the special vice squad, organized by police heads a few days after a Camden bank messenger was robbed of $3,500 in broad daylight May 23, has had the three dwellings under surveillance for a couple of weeks.
Three Veteran Cops Will Go on Pension as Old Year Fades
Camden Courier-Post —
Painter, James and Stanger to End Long Service in City Employ
ONE ON JOB 49 YEARS
Three veterans of the Camden police department yesterday were granted pensions by the Police and Fire Pension Fund Committee. A widow of another who died recently, also received approval of an application.
Those who applied were Captain A. Lincoln James, attached to police headquarters; Detective John Painter, Camden’s “oldest cop,” and Detective Thomas M. Stanger.
All three will be placed on the retirement list Dec. 30 next. Capt. James will receive $130.66 a month, while the two detectives will each be paid $92.50 monthly pension.
Detective Painter, who is 76 years old, lacks only six months of a half century of service to the city of Camden, having been appointed to the police department in June of 1883. He has been attached to the city detective bureau and, according to his superiors, has been “faithful and efficient.” He figured in a number of widely publicized murder cases.
When he applied for pension Painter stated he took great pride in the fact that during his nearly 50-year service he has never once been “on the carpet.” He gave as his reason for retirement that he has not been feeling well for several months. He resides at 1242 Princess avenue.
Captain James, who is 69 and resides at 922 Cooper street, was appointed to the force March 12, 1892. He gave no reason for his wish to retire.
Stanger, who is 70 and resides with a daughter at Collingswood, has been on the force for nearly 25 years. He is in charge of the Bertillon records at the city detective bureau, having been official “photographer” and finger-printer in many spectacular cases.
Mrs. Rose Caputi, of 1263 Park boulevard, widow of Detective Joseph Caputi, who died last week, applied for and was granted a widow’s pension by the police and fire group. Mrs. Caputi will receive $1000 yearly.
Stewart Joins Shay In Battle on Vice
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…is suspicion or evidence of vice and graft,” inasmuch as Judge Shay, in declaring the vice war voiced the belief that vice could not exist without the consent of police.
Mayor Stewart expressed the opinion that the city has “cleaned up virtually all of the ugly conditions” prevalent here in the past.
Two More Women Held
Judge Shay deferred sentences on the five disorderly house-keepers and remanded them to jail when he learned that several of them were willing to make complete statements to authorities about the white slave racket. Two more accused vice den proprietresses were arraigned yesterday and they too were sent back to jail to be further questioned.
Cops Are Shifted by Mayor Stewart
Camden Courier-Post —
Retirements on Pension Cause Changes; Sergeant Petit, Traffic Head
Police Sergeant Nathan Petit yesterday was named head of the city traffic bureau to succeed Lieut. Charles L. Laib, who will retire on pension tonight.
A number of other transfers to fill vacancies left by other members of the police department who are to accept pensions were made yesterday by Mayor Roy R. Stewart.
Lieut. Samuel Johnson will be assigned in charge of police headquarters in place of Capt. A. Lincoln James and will serve also as a desk-sergeant on the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift daily. Policeman William Robertson will be made an acting desk-sergeant to fill the vacancy left by Johnson.
Policeman Frederick Watson, who has been doing special work in the detective bureau, will be returned to police headquarters to work at his old position of jailor in place of Samuel Hibbert, another pensioner.
Detective William Boettcher will be assigned to take over the duties of Detective Thomas Stanger, who also will retire tonight. Stanger has been in charge of Bertillion records and police photographic work for many years.
Rumors to the effect that Lieutenants George Ward and George Frost would be shifted from their present positions were spiked in the an…
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Thomas M. Stanger, Veteran Cop, Dies
Camden Courier-Post —
Retired Sergeant Succumbs in Hospital at 72—Had Brilliant Record
After an illness of 11 weeks, Thomas M. Stanger, 72, retired police sergeant, died Saturday afternoon in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital of a complication of diseases.
The funeral will be held at 2 p. m. tomorrow at the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray and Son, 408 Cooper street. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.
Sergeant Stanger retired last January after more than 25 years’ service. He had served as clerk to former Mayor Charles H. Ellis, was clerk of former Police Chief James E. Tatem, and clerk of the detective bureau and a fingerprint expert. He established the first photo gallery of the police department and was in charge of criminal records for years.
Few men in the department were better known or more popular. Before entering the department, he was manager of the feed and flour store of Joseph Middleton at Fifth and Royden streets.
Mr. Stanger was a thirty-second degree Mason and a past master of Trimble Lodge, No. 117, F. and A. M. He was a member of Excelsior Consistory, the Ninth Ward Republican Club and was secretary of the Police Beneficial Association.
He had been a member of Broadway M. E. Church 60 years. He and his wife, Ida, celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary last June.
They lived at Chambers avenue and Washington street for years before moving to Collingswood to live with a daughter, Mrs. Catherine Madara, 220 Burrwood avenue, Collingswood. He is also survived by a brother, Harry, of Cynwyd, Pa., and one granddaughter.
Masonic services will be conducted at the funeral home tonight. Details of police will view the body tomorrow and provide an honorary escort at the funeral tomorrow.
Thomas M. Stanger, Veteran Cop, Dies
Camden Courier-Post —
Retired Sergeant Established Police Photo Gallery of Criminals
Funeral services will be held tomorrow for Thomas M. Stanger, 72, retired police sergeant, who died Saturday afternoon in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital. Services will take place at 2 p. m. at the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray & Son, 408 Cooper street, and burial will be in Harleigh cemetery.
Stanger, who had been in ill health for three months, died of a complication of diseases. He retired last January after more than 25 years service.
Sergeant Stanger, who was a fingerprint expert, established the police photographic gallery, and was in charge of criminal records for years. He served as clerk to former Mayor Charles H. Ellis, was clerk to former Police Chief James E. Tatem, and clerk in the Detective Bureau.
Few men in the department were better known or more popular. Before entering the department, he was manager of the feed and flour store of Joseph Middleton at Fifth and Royden streets.
Mr. Stanger was a thirty-second degree Mason and a past master of Trimble Lodge, No. 117, F. and A. M. He was a member of Excelsior Consistory, the Ninth Ward Republican Club and was secretary of the Police Beneficial Association.
He had been a member of Broadway M. E. Church 60 years. He and his wife, Ida, celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary last June.
They lived at Chambers avenue and Washington street for years before moving to Collingwood to live with a daughter, Mrs. Catherine Madara, at 220 Burrwood avenue. He is also survived by a brother, Harry, of Cynwyd, Pa., and one granddaughter.
Masonic services will be conducted at the funeral home tonight. Details of police will view the body tomorrow and provide an honorary escort at the funeral.
Thomas M. Stanger Buried at Harleigh
Camden Courier-Post —
Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon for Thomas M. Stanger, 72, retired police sergeant, who died Saturday. Services took place at the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray & Son, 406 Cooper street. Burial was in Harleigh Cemetery.
A police detail escorted the cortege to the cemetery. Pallbearers were Detectives William Boettcher and William Dolan, representing the police department; Arthur Abele and Charles Garman, representing Trimble Lodge, F. and A. M., of which Sergeant Stanger was a past master, and two friends, George Carels, of Merchantville, and Lemuel Joyce, of Haddon Heights. Several hundred persons viewed the body last night. Masonic services were conducted.
Mr. Stanger retired last January after more than 25 years’ service. He established the city police photographic gallery and was in charge of criminal records for years. He and Mrs. Stanger, who survives him, resided at Chambers avenue and Washington street for years before moving to Collingswood to live with a daughter, Mrs. Catherine Madara, at 220 Burrwood avenue.