Thomas P. Murphy
Thomas P. Murphy, August 1936
THOMAS P. MURPHY was born May 23, 1897 in New Jersey to Thomas J. Murphy and Anna Murphy. His father was a member of the Camden Police Department, serving for over 30 years beginning in August of 1902.
The Murphy family in January of 1920 was living at 705 North 2nd Street in North Camden. The elder Murphy was a member of the Camden Police Department. Thomas P. Murphy, who had not joined the force yet, was working as a machinist. Besides Thomas P., there were four other children, sister Frances and brothers William, Steven, and John. Sadly, Stephen Murphy died on November 24, 1922 of pneumonia at the age of 18.
The 1930 Census shows the Thomas P. Murphy residing with his parents at 545 Vine Street in North Camden. Also at home was older brother William, an accountant at the Victor Talking Machine Company, and younger brother John, who also worked there, as a clerk. Thomas P. Murphy and his father were then working as policemen when the census was taken in April of 1930. The elder Murphy had by then been promoted to Sergeant. He retired on January 1, 1933.
In 1934 Thomas Murphy was promoted to acting detective. He was instrumental, in August of that year, in solving the Haddonfield murder of Curtis W. Dobbins, which resulted in the conviction and execution of William J. Stephan. He was officially promoted to detective on August 19, 1937.
The 1947 Camden City Directory shows that Thomas Murphy had been promoted to Sergeant, and was still working in the Detective Bureau of the Camden Police Department. He was then living at 417 Cooper Street, where he resided there throughout the 1950s.
In December of 1949 Thomas Murphy was chosen to lead the newly formed Homicide Bureau, and was given Detective Sergeant William Marter, and Detectives Harry Tracy and Vincent Conley to work with. He was promoted to Captain on May 30, 1951. In 1955 he received his last promotion, to Inspector. He led Camden’s detectives throughout the 1950s until his retirement in 1958.
Thomas Murphy passed away in August of 1969.
Murphy and Pedigree To End Long Service With Camden Police
Camden Courier-Post —
Veterans at City Hall, Lauded by Superiors, Will Be Among 13 Cops and Firemen to Go on Pension Before First of Year
By William A. Gaffney
Sergeant Thomas J. Murphy, one of Camden’s best known and most efficient policemen, and Joseph “Si” Pedigree, police switchboard operator, are among the 13 members of the police and fire departments who have already retired from active duty on pension, or are to accept half-salary on retirement before the first of the year.
Nine men have turned in their “tools” within the past month and four other applications have been approved and will become effective in the next two months. Two other vacancies left by the deaths of Deputy Chief William W. Patterson and Policeman Fred Schaar, will make the entire number of the two departments 15 men less on January 1, 1933. None of the vacancies will be filled, according to Mayor Roy R. Stewart.
Although the actual reasons for the large number of men retiring is not known, it is reported through the police and fire departments that the men are anxious to have their applications approved before a rumored 5 percent pay cut is ordered.
Murphy Praised
Sergeant Murphy’s pension will become effective December 30. Both Acting Chief of Police John W. Golden and Captain Arthur Colsey, chief clerk of the police department, expressed regret at the veteran officer’s decision.
“Sergeant Murphy is one of the most efficient officers we have ever had in the police department,” the two officials said. “He is well-versed in the law and for many years has handled his position as desk sergeant at police headquarters with unerring judgment.”
He is 65 years old and resides at 545 Vine street. He was appointed on August 13, 1902. His son, Thomas J. Murphy, Jr., is also a policeman and is now covering the “beat” his father “worked” years ago.
Pedigree entered the city service as a fireman in 1900 and served in that department. He is also 65 and lives at 49 South Twenty-seventh street. He has worked on Sergeant Murphy’s shift as operator for the past 10 years.
Chief Pensioned
The pensioners’ list is headed by Thomas J. Nichols, chief of the fire department, whose application to retire will become effective on Dec. 1. He was appointed a fireman on Dec. 1, 1900, and will receive $163.30 each month.
Capt. Daniel W. Leach, also of the fire department, was pensioned on Sept. 15 at a monthly salary of $93.10. He is 68 and lives at 624 Bailey street. He was appointed Jan. 1, 1908.
Enginemen Harry V. Hankins and James McDermott also recently accepted pensions and will receive $83.30 each month. Hankins is 56 and lives at 424 Taylor avenue. He was appointed Jan. 1, 1908. McDermott is 64 and lives at 23 North Twenty-eighth street. He was appointed in 1906. Both men left the fire department Oct. 1.
Fireman Joseph T. Johnson, 60, of 1433 South Tenth street, who was appointed March 1, 1900, will retire on Dec. 1 at $83.30 a month.
Horner to Retire
Sergeant William C. Horner, of the police department, a member for 33 years, tops the list of veterans to bid adieu to the trials and troubles of a policeman. He will receive $90.65 a month.
Horner is well known in East Camden. He has worked nearly all of his 33 years as an officer in the third district and commanded that section for several years. He recently was made desk-sergeant at police headquarters and decided to “take the pension” after spending several months “booking” prisoners. He is 6[?] and lives at 2129 Forty-third street. His pension was granted and made effective Sept. 15.
Policeman Harry Bakely, 60, of 918 State street, a policeman for 24 years; Irving Varley, 56, of 1703 South Fourth street, a policeman for 25 years, and James M. Ellis, 52, of 776 Walnut street, a fireman for four years and a policeman for 17, all have accepted pensions effective Oct. 1.
Policemen William Bryant, 51, of 228 Cedar avenue, Woodlynne, and Samuel Hibbert, 55, of 730 Market street, will cease their official duties on Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, respectively. Bryant was appointed Jan. 1, 1908, and Hibbert July 10, 1911. All of the policemen retiring will receive $83.30 a month.
May Not Be Replaced
When asked if the men leaving the service would be replaced, Mayor Stewart said they would not.
“I don’t know what I will do later on,” the mayor said, “but as far as I know now, these men’s places in the police and fire departments will not be filled.
“I feel that under present conditions, the men now policing the city can do it almost as efficiently as with the added number, that is if we do not have any outbreaks of crime.
“Chief Nicholas will be replaced by an acting chief whose salary will not be advanced.”
Liberman Discharges 2 Held in Ring Thefts
Camden Courier-Post —
Charged with stealing seven diamond rings valued at $4000, two men were discharged by Police Judge Lewis Liberman yesterday when the complaining witness failed to appear in court.
John Burke, 42, of 736 Berkley Street, and John Bryan, 31, of 3009 Mt. Ephraim avenue, were arrested on complaint of Mrs. Anna Ricco, of 40 Terrace avenue, who accused them of taking her jewelry during a party on February 18.
Both men denied the charges and when Detective Thomas Murphy testified he notified Mrs. Ricco several times to appear at the hearing, they were dismissed.
Injury Kills Girl, 4, After Autos Crash
Camden Courier-Post —
Driver of Car Involved Captured After Fleeing Accident Sunday
Dolores Super, 4, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Super, of 1104 Van Hook street, died last night in West Jersey Hospital of injuries suffered Sunday in an automobile collision at Eighth and Van Hook streets.
The body was turned over to Dr. Charles H. Jackson, coroner, to determine cause of death.
Shortly before midnight the driver of one of the cars, who fled afoot after the crash, was arrested by Detective Thomas Murphy. He is Melvin Jackman, 18, Negro, of 1113 South Second street.
Jackman admitted driving the car which figured in the collision, according to Murphy. He was held on suspicion for investigation.
The Super girl was riding in a car operated by Walter Robinson, 30, of the Van Hook street address. He suffered a fractured shoulder blade. Also in his car and injured were his wife Anna, 18, internal injuries and a fractured jaw; Andrew Super, 28, father of the dead girl, Mrs. Dorothy Super, 26, the girl’s mother and Joseph Super, 7, who suffered cuts and bruises.
Two Negroes, riding in the other car also were admitted to West Jersey hospital. They are Napoleon Sympes, 18, of 256 Chestnut street and James Shaw, 15, of 1065 South Second street. They told police they did not know the name of the driver of the machine in which they were riding. Detainers have been placed against them at the hospital.
Neighbors Find Man Dead at Liney Ditch
Camden Courier-Post —
Friend Cross, 69, of 51 Jasper street, Liney Ditch, was found dead early last night by neighbors. They notified police. Detectives Thomas Murphy and Frank Crawford found Cross apparently had died of a stroke. The body was taken to Cooper Hospital morgue. Coroner Frank J. Leonard will perform an autopsy today.
Cross had lived at Liney Ditch for 15 years. He is survived by a brother, Harry, who lives at 119 North Sixth street, Darby, Pa.
Camden Man Slugged and Robbed of $1.25
Camden Courier-Post —
Edward Rue, 30, of 321 State street, reported to Detective Thomas Murphy early yesterday that he was walking on Seventh street near Pearl street, when two men stepped from behind a hedge and hit him over the head with a blunt object.
He was robbed of $1.25, he said. Rue was taken to Cooper Hospital for treatment of cuts of the head.
Pay Theft Tale Faked, Radio Worker Admits
Camden Courier-Post —
Admitting he faked a kidnaping and robbery story yesterday to fleece 12 of his fellow workers of their weekly earnings, a South Philadelphia youth last night was held without bail after he directed police to recover the money.
The youth is Anthony Carrozza, 20, of 1021 Wolf street, Philadelphia, an employe of the RCA Manufacturing Company.
After cashing the checks of 12 fellow workers totaling $369.64, police said, Carrozza gave the money to an unidentified friend to take to Philadelphia and after two hours returned to the plant and related a robbery story.
Carrozza was chosen by workers in the cabinet factory to cash a number of their pay checks every Friday at the West Jersey Trust Company, Third and Market streets. He was employed on a night shift, and would arrive at the factory shortly after noon on pay day, collect the checks and return the cash.
Tells of Kidnaping
About 2 p. m. yesterday Carrozza left the plant with the checks. At 4:30 p. m. he returned and told the 12 men he had been held up as he left the bank, abducted and tossed from a car in Moorestown after he had been robbed of their money. Carrozza told the workers he had reported the robbery to Moorestown police and they informed him he would have to make a report to Camden police, where the kidnaping occurred.
Accompanied by his fellow workers he was led to Detective Bureau where he told his story to Detectives Thomas Murphy and August Fortune.
Carrozza first said he was about to cross Third street to return to the plant after leaving the bank when he was accosted by two Negroes, revolvers in hand, who ordered him to enter a nearby parked car with a third man at the wheel and the motor running.
The car was driven to Moorestown, Carrozza told Murphy and Fortune, where he was robbed of the money and tossed from the car. Carrozza told police he then went to the Moorestown police headquarters and reported the theft.
Carrozza said he had some change in his watch-pocket and boarded a bus and returned to his place of employment.
After hearing Carrozza’s story, Murphy noted several discrepancies and ordered Carrozza held for further questioning.
Youth Confesses
Less than an hour later Murphy and Fortune announced Carrozza had admitted telling a false story to obtain the money. Carrozza, the detectives said, gave the money to a friend after he left the bank and instructed him to take it to Philadelphia, where he would meet him later after he finished work.
Murphy and Fortune then took Carrozza to Philadelphia and directed them to Warnock and Porter streets, where he pointed to a youth standing on the corner. Brought to the police car, the youth, whose name was withheld by police, readily gave the money to Carrozza. The entire amount was recovered.
Murphy said the 12 men whose checks were cashed by Carrozza will be summoned to the detective bureau today and their money returned. Murphy declared that in the event none of the 12 wished to prefer charges against Carrozza he would be released at that time.
The intended victims of the hoax are William Matteo, of 628 South Fourth street, and Vito Ladik, of 404 Clinton street, both of Camden, and Abraham Mozeff, of 3524 South Mildred street; Eugene DeRenzi, of 1144 Tree street; James Visconi, of 2017 Mercy street; Ralph Vulli, of 2128 Morris street; John Schipani, of 1728 Ellsworth street; Joseph Maroni, of 2225 South Chadwick street; Vincent Giannone, of 1634 South Eleventh street; Roger DiBenedetto, of 2100 West Stella street; Anthony Petroneck, of 26 Queen street, and Dominick Campagnola, of 1718 Morris street, all of Philadelphia.
Carrozza With Detectives Murphy and Fortune
Camden Courier-Post —
Anthony Carrozza, 20, of 1021 Wolf Street, Philadelphia, is shown standing between Detectives Thomas Murphy, left, and August Fortune behind the $389.64 he planned to take from fellow employees by telling them he had been kidnapped and robbed after cashing their pay checks.
Joe Auletto Fined After Craps Raid
Camden Courier-Post —
Pays $25 Fine to Escape 30-Day Term; Suspended Sentences Given 5
Charged with operating a craps game, Joseph Auletto, 40, of 909 South Fourth street, was fined $25, or 30 days, when arraigned Saturday before Police Judge Lewis Liberman. Auletto entered a guilty plea and paid the fine.
Auletto and five other men were arrested when detectives raided the former’s poolroom. Detective Sergeant Louis Shaw, who led the raid, confiscated a craps table cover and several pair of dice, and $3 on the table.
All of the others were given 30-day suspended sentences. They are Lawrence Palese, 22, of 420 Lansdowne avenue; Salvido Mignona, 25, of 630 South Fourth street; Joseph Bailey, 32, of 1354 Morton street; Louis Asiudo, 24, of 901 South Fourth street, and Mazzarino De Vecchio, 45, of 323 Line street.
Detectives Thomas Murphy, August Fortune and Clarence Arthur were in the raiding party. They said they found the men grouped about a pool table over which had been laid the “craps cover.”
Auletto was charged with being the proprietor of a gambling establishment under a city ordinance and the others with being material witnesses.
Camden Suspect Seized in Arkansas
Camden Courier-Post —
Parole Violator Accused of $217 Holdup at ‘Gas’ Station Here
Harry Sheer, 24, formerly of 139 Boyer’s court, sought by police here for parole violation, jumping bail, robbery, burglary and assault and battery, is being held by police at Fort Smith, Ark., the City Detective Bureau was notified last night.
Fort Smith police said Sheer told them he was wanted in Camden for jumping bail. A description of the man held in Fort Smith was given Camden police and tallied with that of Sheer.
Sheer’s most recent arrest here was on August 18, when he and two companions, Robert Waterhouse, 24, and Daniel Rudinoff, 31, of 635 Sycamore street, were chargd with assault and battery on James Law, 319 Mercer street, Gloucester. The three were released in bail. Sheer broke his parole by his failure to report to State Parole Officer Albert Brager.
He was arrested in Camden in 1933 on a burglary charge and in 1934 on charges of having burglar tools in his possession. He served a term in Rahway prior to those arrests. Shortly after he broke parole in August, Detective Thomas Murphy had a warrant issued for his arrest for a $217 holdup-robbery of William A. Reed, a gas station attendant, at Marlton pike and Baird boulevard.
Sheer, Waterhouse and Rudinoff were all indicted by the grand jury and their case was called two weeks ago. Because Sheer had disappeared, no action was taken and Waterhouse and Rudinoff are still awaiting tried under bail.
Whether an officer will be sent to bring Sheer back will be decided by county officials. The three men, who pleaded not guilty to robbing Law, were also accused of robbing other persons in Gloucester.
The other robbery victims were Paul Sohl, 53, of 808 Monmouth street, and John McCormick, of Somerset street near Broadway, both of Gloucester.
Reaches for ‘Gun,’ Two ‘Bandits’ Flee
Camden Courier-Post —
Intended Victim, 66, Chases Youths After Foiling Holdup
An attempt of two youths to hold up Francis Drury, 66, of 826 York street, last night was frustrated when the intended victim threatened to “pull a gun.”
Drury told detectives he was walking on Eighth street, between vine [sic] and State, when the two youths approached him from behind. One of them touched Drury on the shoulder as the other extended a hand in which appeared a shiny object, like a revolver.
Drury said he drew away from the youths and shouted defiance.
“I can play at that game too,” Drury said he shouted, as he reached toward his pocket in a gesture to draw a weapon.
The youths withdrew a short distance from their intended victim and shouted epithets, Drury said. When he started toward them the two fled around a corner, the man said.
Detectives Thomas Murphy and Gus Fortune began an investigation and scoured the neighborhood with the assistance of police in radio cars, but failed to find the youths.
Drury was taken to the rogue’s gallery but he was unable to identify any photographs. He said both were swarthy complexioned, and approximately five feet five inches tall. One wore a light felt hat and a dark overcoat and the other was attired in dark hat and coat.
Heart Attack Fatal to Man in Hotel Here
Camden Courier-Post —
Henry F. Wilson, about 65, of Unionville, Pa., dropped dead of a heart attack last night at the Lenox Hotel, 22 Market street. He was taken to Cooper Hospital and pronounced dead. Detectives Thomas Murphy and Gus Fortune are attempting to locate relatives of the man.
2 Girls, Youth Held in Probe of Fatal Card Game Holdup
Camden Courier-Post —
Arrests in Delair and Here Follow 14-Day Hunt for Dum-Dum Bandit
Two girls and a man are held incommunicado by the Camden city and county police, pending an official examination of the brain of Angelos Malagas, a restaurant cook. Malagas died in the Cooper Hospital on Sunday, 13 days after he had been the victim of a holdup and alleged assault.
Malagas was one of the victims held up in a card game at 725 Penn street on January 11 and died after making a valiant fight for life.
The three prisoners are Luigi Tortu, 21, of 426 Line street, Camden; Pearl Wills, 18, of 7900 Day street, Delair, and Evelyn Buffa, 18, of 810 Florence street, Camden. Tortu was arrested yesterday in Delair as he was keeping a “date” with the Wills girl. He was seized by Detectives Harry Kyler and Thomas Murphy, of the city detective bureau, and James Mulligan of the county staff.
Second Girl Arrested
The Wills girl also was arrested and after the pair were questioned the sleuths came to Camden where they picked up Miss Buffa.
None of the detectives last night would give an inkling as to the reason for holding the prisoners “on ice,” or if any charges would be preferred against them.
Meanwhile Coroner Franklin P. Jackson III refused to give a certificate of death until the chemical test of Malagas’ brain is made by Philadelphia experts. Dr. David S. Rhone, county physician, sent the organ away yesterday, after Dr. Rhone had performed an autopsy. Dr. Rhone refused to disclose result of the post-mortem at this time.
Malagas’ funeral will be held from his home, 1110 Langham avenue, at 3 p.m. tomorrow, and from the Schroeder home, 715 Cooper street. Burial will be in Locustwood Memorial Park.
Hunted for 13 Days
Thirteen days’ hunt for Tortu came to a climax yesterday when the detectives learned that the young man was calling frequently on the Wills girl at her home. Armed with this information they went to Delair, posted themselves in the vicinity of the Wills’ home and waited for their quarry.
They were there a short time when Tortu appeared and was arrested immediately. The Wills girl and her friend, Miss Buffa, are said to be held as material witnesses, but the detectives refused last night to tell where they were detained.
Two men were identified with the holdup, according to the victims’ story told to the police. A search by the police of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware for the fugitive, who is believed to have severed Malagas’ arm with a “dum dum bullet” has been in progress since the crime was committed.
Also wounded in the holdup was Ross Pandeladia, 37, owner of a restaurant at 6846 Market street, Philadelphia.
Police do not have the identity of the bandit who accompanied Malagas’ assailant. The fugitive suffered a beating about the head with the pistol which was said to have been used on Malagas. Police recovered the weapon at the holdup scene.
The occupant of the place, Samuel Ermlios told police he had merely invited friends to the house for a friendly game, and that when the bandits entered shortly after midnight he and his guests were ordered to line up against the wall and throw their money on the table. More than $600 was taken.
As one of the bandits reached for the money the players struck him over the head with a chair and a struggle for the weapon ensued. The pistol was discharged during the struggle.
Eight material witnesses arrested after the holdup will be recalled to the office of Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando and re-examined. They are Pandeladia, George Summers, 46, of 2592 Baird avenue; Samuel Bosco, proprietor of a Broadway barber shop; George Caras, 45, of 581 Mickle street; Michael Dandrea, 47, of 1667 Norris street; George Matros, and his wife, Annie, living at the Penn street address, and Mrs. Ermlios.
Tortu was arrested late in December, 1937, when detectives took four suspects whom the police sought to identify with various holdups committed in South Jersey during the latter part of last year.
Tortu then gave his address as 426 Line street. Arrested at the same time was a girl who said she was Evelyn Buffalo, and who gave the address, 322 Penn street, as her home. It was at the Penn street house that the suspects were arrested.
Others captured at the time were Frank Luggi, 21, 322 Penn street; Nicholas Dandrea, 27, of 529 Line street, and Frederick Gasperone, who gave a false address when he was booked.
Justice of the Peace George Wilkinson, of Stratford, held Luggi, Gasperone and Dandrea for the grand jury, on the charge of breaking into the garage of Albert Weston at Stratford on Thanksgiving. Tortu was discharged.
Goldstein Photos
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Seize Evidence of Betting on Horse Races at 322 Kaighn Avenue
Scheduled police court hearings of five men seized in a raid Wednesday on an alleged horse-race gambling establishment at 322 Kaighn avenue were continued until today by Judge Gene R. Mariano at the request of counsel for the men. Bail of $1000 each also was continued until that time.
The defendants are Morris Goldstein, 32, of the Kaighn avenue address; Samuel Goldstein, 59, of 419 Chestnut street; William Talarico, 45, newstand operator, of 202 Chestnut street; Frank Gour, 41, cigar store manager, of 249 Kaighn avenue, and Herbert Gilbrith, 31, insurance salesman, of Lindenwold.
Morris Goldstein is charged with being the proprietor of a gambling establishment, the others with frequenting such a place.
John L. Morrissey, attorney for all but Gilbrith, said he had been retained only a short time before the hearings scheduled for today and requested postponement in order to confer with his clients.
Carlton W. Rowand, counsel for Gilbrith, said the salesman would plead not guilty to the charge against him. He said Gilbrith had sold an insurance policy to the younger Goldstein two weeks ago and was in the place collecting a premium when the raid occurred.
The raid was staged by Detective Thomas Murphy and Sergeant Gus Koerner. They said they found evidence indicating total bets of $79 had been placed on races at various tracks.
Inquest Rules Bullet Caused Holdup Death
Camden Courier-Post —
Samuel Bosco, Camden barber, one of the principal witnesses in the fatal shooting of Angelos Magalas, chef, during the holdup of a card game on January 10, is shown above at the Inquest yesterday. Bosco testified he held the kitchen door after making his escape from the scene of the robbery at 725 Penn Street. Bosco (right) is shown with N. Thomas Smaldore, an attorney, who attended as a spectator.
Jury Reports Magalas Fatality Superinduced By Wound
A coroner’s jury yesterday determined the death of Angelos Magalas, of 1110 Langham Avenue, was superinduced by a bullet wound received during the holdup of a card game.
It was the second time a coroner’s jury had been drawn in 29 years in Camden County. Witnesses said Magalas, a chef in a midtown restaurant, was shot on January 10 during a holdup at the home of Samuel Ermelois, of 725 Penn Street, and died in Cooper Hospital on January 23.
Several unusual developments pro-vided excitement during the inquest.
One witness, arrested with others as players in the card game, was asked to explain why he ran outside during the holdup and held the door so that others were unable to get out.
An attorney who sought to thwart questioning by Patrick H. Harding, assistant prosecutor, on the claim that he represented Frank Luggi, holdup suspect in the case, was silenced with the contention that he could not represent Luggi as long as the latter remained a fugitive from justice.
The case went before a coroner’s jury of six men, Rev. James Pemberton, Earl Jackson, Harry Chew, Howard Friant, Lawrence Ball and Guy Clokey, with Coroner Franklin P. Jackson III presiding.
Tells of Holding Door
Samuel Bosco, Broadway barber, testified that he was playing cards in the Penn Street house when the holdup man came in.
“When I turned around and faced the wall like the man ordered us to,” Bosco said, “I was facing the shed door. I ran out, pushed the door shut and held it. Five or six times somebody tried to get out but I held the door. I tried to get out the back way but I couldn’t.”
Bosco was the only one of the witnesses who said he was unable to identify Frank Luggi, a fugitive, identified by the others as the hold up man from pictures shown them.
Bosco told of a man calling him from his barbershop a few days before the holdup and attempting to borrow $5.
“Ermelios was in my shop at the time.” Bosco testified, “and said ‘Watch out he don’t hold you up!’”
Bosco was asked by Harding if he could identify the man who tried to borrow the money as Luggi and was shown a photograph of the man sought for the crime. Bosco said he could not.
Tried to Escape
“Why did you try to get out?” Harding asked.
“I tried to escape,” Bosco said. “There were six or seven others there. There was plenty of protection,” said Harding.
“The door was in front of me, so I went out,” Bosco maintained.
“Why did you hold the door?” Harding asked.
“I didn’t know who was trying to come out,” Bosco declared.
“Did the holdup man ask for you when he came to the house?” asked Harding. Bosco said he didn’t know. Asked if his car was parked in front of the house and if Luggi knew his car, Bosco said: “I don’t know.”
At this point, Elmer Bertman, an attorney, demanded that all testimony concerning Luggi be stricken from the record.
Can’t Produce Suspect
“I represent Luggi,” Bertman said. “This is an investigation into the cause of a man’s death, not a fishing expedition of the prosecutor’s office.”
“You have no right to appear here,” Harding said. “You cannot represent a fugitive from justice. No attorney has that right.”
Bertman maintained that the guilt or innocence of no party could be injected into the hearing. Coroner Jackson asked Bertman to sit down.
“If I have no right here.” Bertman said, “neither has the prosecutor’s office.”
Harding said he represented the state and demanded that Bertman produce Luggi if he represented him.
“I can’t” said, Bertman. “I don’t know where he is.” Bertman said he was serving notice on the coroner and the prosecutor’s office, however, that he, represented the fugitive.
Dr. David S. Rhone, county physician, said he did not wish to give a statement when he felt that the gunshot wound, a broken arm, the serum and the brain lesion contributed to Magalas’ death.
Harding instructed the jury as to its duty to inquire into the evidence presented in order to obtain all information available as to what caused the death of Magalas. There was some question as to whether Magalas died of natural causes or by violence, he said.
A Difficult Patient
Dr. Edward R. Ristine, of Cooper Hospital, said he examined Magalas January 11 and that he was a difficult patient. Magalas, the physician said, sought to strike doctors and nurses and scratch them whenever his condition needed attention. “He was far from normal,” Dr. Ristine said.
“Serum was administered,” the doctor went on. “Afterward, the condition and mental reactions of Magalas remained abnormal. We took him from Red to change his environment but when we put him in a chair on the sun porch, we had to tie him in the chair with a sheet. Then, in some manner, he slid down, breaking the arm which had been wounded.
“Death was due to a psychosis, a condition which may have been initiated by the wound, and then aggravated by the serum, the reaction to the breaking of the arm and shock.”
Under questioning, Dr. Ristine said emphatically that the gunshot wound was not the cause of death. The autopsy, he said, showed the man’s brain was swollen, and not normal. This condition, he said, he could not explain.
Brain Being Examined
Dr. Rhone, county physician, said the autopsy showed the membrane adhering to the brain. He said that while he felt the pressure was not the immediate cause of death, he had ordered the brain sent away for thorough examination.
Richard Powers, a policeman, told of making the arrests of the card players. Detective Thomas Murphy told of finding the weapon used by the holdup man on a chair. Powers was first to mention Luggi, saying that photos of the man had been identified by witnesses.
Ermelios gave a graphic description of what occurred. “We were playing cards in the kitchen,” he said. “There was a knock on the door and my wife, who went to answer it, did not appear at once. I went to see who was there. I got as far as the dining room when I saw a man with a gun behind a curtain.
“‘This is a stickup!’ he said. ‘Get into the kitchen. My mother is sick and I need money. No one will get hurt if they are nice. Throw all your money on the table.’”
One of the other players, William Caras, Ermelios said, threw his money on the floor. When the bandit attempted to pick up the money the players jumped on him, taking the weapon away from him. In the scuffle that followed the gun changed hands again and when Magalas fell to the floor the others turned to aid him and the holdup man fled.
Woman Testifies
Mrs. Mabel Ermelios, in whose home the holdup and shooting took place, told the jurors she answered the door when the two men appeared.
“I was lying down on the bed in the front room,” she said, “and when the bell rang I told my husband I would answer it. I looked out of the window first but I couldn’t see anyone. As I opened the door one of the men put his foot in the opening.
“He asked me ‘Is Bosco here?’ and when I told him I didn’t know he told me not to stall. Then he came into the house and told me he was holding the place up. The second came followed him in. He must have been hiding in the shadows of the porch. I didn’t see him when I opened the door.
“The first man had the gun. He told the other one to grab me and I noticed he had something which looked like metal on his knuckles. He pulled my arms in back of me and held me. In a few minutes I heard a shot. The man who was holding me let go of me and ran out.
Saw One Jump Into Car
“I followed him and saw him jump into a tan car across the street. I went to a neighbor’s home and called the police. When I returned they were carrying Magalas out.”
“Was Bosco the first one to arrive at your house that night?” Harding asked.
“I don’t recall. I know his car was parked outside.”
Mike Dandrea, another of the hold up victims, testified that he tried to follow Bosco out the shed door but he pulled it closed so fast he was unable to get out of the kitchen.
“I tried several times to push the door open and escape but Bosco was holding it and I couldn’t do it,” Dandrea said.
Harding announced after the jury had rendered its verdict that the entire case with the jury’s finding will be presented to the grand jury.
“Will a murder indictment be sought?” he was asked.
“I can’t answer that,” Harding said. “All the evidence will be presented and they can return indictments against anyone they see fit.”
Racket Book ‘Library’ Causes Man’s Arrest
Camden Courier-Post —
Joseph Spada, 24, of 312 Royden Street, was arrested on suspicion by Detective Thomas Murphy yesterday when Murphy said he found 72 blank numbers racket books in Spada’s automobile.
Murphy asked Public Safety Director Kobus for an opinion whether Spada could be held on this evidence for a lottery charge. If he cannot, Murphy said, the man will be released.
Bosco Denied Bail in Card Game Death
Camden Courier-Post —
Barber Seized as He Waits Outside Room of Grand Jury
Ready to Testify in Case When Indicted for Murder With Luggi
Attorneys Will Seek Habeas Corpus Writ
Samuel Bosco, widely known Camden barber, sat in the anteroom of the Camden County Grand Jury room yesterday, expecting to be called as a witness in the slaying of Angelo Magalas, Camden chef.
Instead he was arrested on the charge of murder.
With Frank Luggi, fugitive police character, he was charged with slaying Magalas, wounded fatally as he sat in a Penn street card game, January 10.
Magalas, who lived at 1119 Langham avenue, died Jan. 23 in Cooper Hospital. A coroner’s jury found death was superinduced by gunshot wounds inflicted during a scuffle between two bandits and players at the scene of the holdup.
Bosco, who also participated in the card game, was one of the principal witnesses at the inquest. And yesterday he readily answered the summons to appear before the jury.
Indicted by Jury
He was in the ante-room—still waiting to testify—shortly after 4 p. m. when Mark Reeve, clerk of the jury, came out and whispered to City Detective Thomas Murphy.
Murphy walked over to Bosco. He placed a hand on his shoulder and said:
“You are under arrest.”
“What for?” Bosco asked.
“The grand jury just indicted you on a charge of murder,” Murphy replied.
Bosco appeared stunned. He started to speak again. His lips moved but no sound came as he arose, put on his overcoat and accompanied Murphy to the city jail across the street from the old courthouse. He was booked at police headquarters on the murder charge, photographed, fingerprinted and held without bail.
John L. Morrissey and Benjamin J. Dzick, counsel for the accused barber, announced last night a rule to show cause for a writ of habeas corpus will be sought this morning from Common Pleas Court Judge Clifford A. Baldwin, in an effort to win Bosco’s release.
Evidence Held Lacking
“There was no evidence to warrant Bosco’s arrest on a charge of murder,” Morrissey said.
“If Judge Baldwin is available I will appear before the court and ask for a writ of habeas corpus. I intend to ask the court to dismiss the charge entirely. There was not sufficient evidence to warrant a charge of murder and certainly no evidence on which the arrest for murder was made.”
Both Morrissey and Dzick visited Bosco in the city jail last night. They held a brief conference after which Morrissey reported the barber still was stunned over the turn of events but otherwise was unworried.
Police said arraignment of Bosco would be delayed due to the Lincoln’s Birthday holiday. He probably will be taken before Judge Gene R. Mariano Monday morning, they said.
Barber Held Door
Bosco was one of the players in the game, but when the bandits entered, he ran into a shed and held the door in back of him. He told police he held the door to prevent the bandits from following him. None of the players could have fled by the door, either, Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando pointed out.
At the time of the coroner’s inquest, officials of the prosecutor’s office questioned Bosco at great length concerning his act in holding the shed door closed.
“I didn’t want the bandits to follow me. I didn’t want to be robbed,” Bosco answered his questioners.
Luggi has been sought for questioning in connection with the holdup ever since it occurred.
Luggi has been identified by other participants of the card game, which was held at the home of Samuel Ermilios, 725 Penn street, as the gunman with whom Magalas was wrestling when the gun went off, the bullet severing an artery in Magalas’ arm.
Police Jailer Hurt as Bosco Hurls Platter
Camden Courier-Post —
Barber Indicted in Murder Cuts Patrolman With Shattered Plate
Officers Grab Arms, Lead Him Back to Cell
Sam Bosco, Camden barber indicted and arrested on a murder charge last Friday, went temporarily berserk in the city jail late Saturday, police revealed yesterday.
In a fit of nerves and rage, according to the police, the heavy-set prisoner flung a platter of food in the face of the jailer, Policeman William Michalak, who had opened Bosco’s cell to give him a hot meal he brought from a nearby restaurant.
Bosco then menaced the jailer with a jagged fragment of the platter that shattered on the cell floor. Michalak rang an alarm which attracted Police Lieut. Herbert Anderson, detective Thomas Murphy, Motorcycle Policeman Marshall Thompson, Sgt. Gus Koerner and Policeman James McLaughlin from the adjacent police headquarters in City Hall.
Anderson and Murphy went into the cell tier at the end of which Bosco stood, still brandishing the piece of broken dish. After grabbing his arms, they led him back to his cell. He offered no resistance.
“I was excited,” he told them later.
11 Nabbed by Police in Gambling Raids
Camden Courier-Post —
7 Arrested in Bingo Numbers Racket; 4 Seized in Betting Place
Ten men and a woman were arrested in gambling raids over the weekend by Camden city and county authorities.
Seven were arrested for operating a “bingo numbers” racket. A warrant also was issued for Frank Palese, 400 Spruce street, a member of a widely known South Camden family, as the “big shot” of the racket, according to Chief Lawrence T. Doran, of county detectives. Doran said last night Palese is still a fugitive.
In another raid by Camden police, three men and a woman were arrested in an alleged horse racing betting establishment at 1149 Lansdowne avenue. The place was on the second floor over a grocery store, according to Sergeant Gus Koerner, City Detective Thomas Murphy, Jr., and Patrolman James McLaughlin, who made the raid. Koerner and Murphy also figured in the second raid.
Several racing forms and four telephones with two direct wires to tracks now in operation were seized, according to Koerner and Murphy. The police first arrested Roland Flynn, 36, of 589 Carman street; Neil Zeldman, 43, of 1064 Langham avenue, and James O’Donal, 27, of 1119 Empire avenue, and held them in $1000 bail for violating the State crimes act.
Woman Arrested
Later Mrs. Rose Koplin, 37, who lives in an apartment over the store, was taken into custody on the same charge and held in $500 bail. Mrs. Koplin’s brother, Milton Katz, posted cash bail for her release.
Katarina Pologruto, 420 West street, posted bail for O’Donal, who also is known as O’Donnell, and Flynn. Frank Davalos, saloonkeeper, of 441 Benson street, furnished bail for Zeldman.
Murphy reported that $700 had been bet on race horses at the establishment up until 3.30 p. m., Saturday, the time of the raid.
Among those arrested in the “bingo numbers” racket was Fred Rossi, who fought in the prize ring under the name of “Pee Wee” Ross. He was arrested Saturday afternoon at his home at 438 Mickle street by Koerner and Murphy.
O’Donal, Flynn, Zeidman and Mrs. Koplin will be given hearings today in police court. Others under arrest in the lottery game gave their names and addresses as Joseph Marino, 288 Chestnut street; Harry Girard, 446 Pine street; Peter Branco, 1109 South Third street; Donald Goodman, of Woodlynne; Irving Chapman, 43 South Merchant street, Merchantville, and John Holmes, 227 Main street, Merchantville. An eighth man, James Lodge, Brooklawn, was questioned and released as a material witness.
Rossi, Branco, Goodman and Holmes were released in $500 bail each for the Grand Jury by Justice of the Peace Samuel Rudolph. Prosecutor Orlando said he would demand bail of $1000 each for release of Girard and Marino.
Refused to Sell
Lodge told the detectives he was approached to sell the slips but that he refused to take them.
Doran stated that Marino insists he is the operator of the lottery, but the county detective chief declared that Marino was merely trying to “take the rap” for Palese.
City and county authorities have been aware of the existence of the new racket for about 10 days. Murphy and Koerner had been detailed specifically by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus to investigate and break up the ring. The two sleuths followed numerous suspects, watching where they went, and getting a list of stops and suspects.
The trap was sprung when Marino, Girard, Chapman and Holmes were arrested on South Centre street in Merchantville as they sat in a parked car. The car, according to Doran, bore license plates issued to Palese.
Merchantville police and Doran arrested the four and seized bingo numbers slips. Murphy and Koerner also arrested Branco, while County Detectives James Mulligan, Elmer Mathis, Wilfred Dube and Casmir Wojtkowiak arrested Goodman.
Doran admitted that the automobile in which the four men were found was the property of Palese. A search was made at the home of Palese, on Fourth street, near Spruce, but nothing indicating he was connected with the racket was found, Doran said. But Doran added he has information which leads him to believe Palese was the head of the new racket.
Frank Palese Surrenders in Racket Quiz
Camden Courier-Post —
FRANK PALESE
Lent Car to Others He Says; Denies Charges
Frank Palese, 26, of 900 South Fourth street, wanted as one of the alleged operators of the new “bingo” lottery racket, surrendered yesterday to County Detective Wilfred Dube.
Palese had been sought during the weekend as the “big shot” of the racket after Joseph Marino, Harry Girard and five others were seized in the case.
All but Marino and Girard were released in $500 bail before the surrender of Palese.
Prosecutor Orlando fixed bail at $1000 each for Palese, Marino and Girard. Carl Kisselman, retained as counsel for the defendants, said he would provide the amount for them.
According to Palese he simply lent his automobile to Marino and Girard, who were in Palese’s car when arrested, and he knows nothing whatever about the lottery charge.
Among those out on bail is Fred Rossi, former boxer, who used the ring name of Pee-Wee Ross.
3 Men and Woman Nabbed
Police Judge Mariano overruled police objections and postponed until Wednesday morning the hearing of three men and a woman arrested as the result of a gambling raid at 1149 Lansdowne avenue Saturday.
The request for a delay was made by Benjamin Asbell, defense lawyer, who said he had been retained only late Saturday and had lacked an opportunity to prepare his case.
Sergeant Gus Koerner and Detective Thomas Murphy, Jr., asked that the case go on at once, saying they had enough evidence to hold the suspects for the grand jury. Murphy said Safety Director Kobus had asked that the hearing be held yesterday.
Judge Mariano, however, said that Asbell’s request was not unusual and that attorneys should be allowed time to obtain their evidence or witnesses. He continued the same bail which police set when the four were arrested.
Lines to Tracks Seized
Koerner, Murphy and Patrolman James McLaughlin said that horse race betting was conducted on the second floor of the Lansdowne avenue building, the ground floor of which is occupied by a grocery.
Several racing forms and four telephones with two direct wires to tracks now in operation were seized, according to Koerner and Murphy. The police first arrested Roland Flynn, 36, of 589 Carman street; Neil Zeidman, 43, of 1064 Langham avenue, and James O’Donal, 27, of 1119 Empire avenue, and held them in $1000 bail for violating the State crimes act.
Later Mrs. Rose Koplin, 37, who lives in an apartment over the store, was taken into custody on the same charge and held in $500 bail. Mrs. Koplin’s brother, Milton Katz, posted cash bail for her release.
Katarina Pologruto, 420 West street, posted bail for O’Donal, who also is known as O’Donnell, and Flynn. Frank Davalos, saloonkeeper, of 441 Benson street, furnished bail for Zeidman.
Murphy reported that $700 had been bet on race horses at the establishment up until 3.30 p. m., Saturday, the time of the raid.
Bosco Committed to County Jail Cell
Camden Courier-Post —
Barber Held in Slaying Case Pending Formal Indictment by Grand Jury
Sam Bosco, mid-city barber, was held for the county prosecutor’s office on the charge of murder, following court action yesterday termed by Police Judge Gene R. Mariano as unprecedented in Camden legal annals.
Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando announced he tried to bring the grand jury together for action in a true bill against the prisoner. The members had scattered so widely, however, they could not meet, but the true bill is expected Friday, when the jury makes its presentment.
Bosco is cited in connection with the death of Angelo Magalas, restaurant chef who died as a result of a holdup of a card game at 725 Penn Street, January 10. Magalas was shot in the arm during the crime, and the wound reputedly hastened his death from another ailment from which he was suffering.
Arrested at Jury Room
The action against Bosco follows an odd legal path. The barber was waiting to be called by the grand jury as a witness into the death of Magalas, for which Frank Luggi is now sought.
While Bosco was sitting in the anteroom awaiting his call before the grand jury, Detective Thomas Murphy placed him under arrest.
At the time it was believed a true bill had been found against the man, but it has developed the arrest was on a warrant obtained by Murphy.
When Bosco arraigned yesterday it was revealed the charge was murder, but he was held under the warrant which Murphy had obtained, and the grand jury had not found the true bill to date.
The court was puzzled as to the action that could be taken in the case, but Judge Mariano said he remanded Bosco, on the wish of the prosecutor who told the court he would summon the grand jury to act on Bosco’s case.
“I was informed the grand jury would be summoned,” said Judge Mariano, “and I know the prosecutor did get in touch with some of the members, but they were not all available to sit.
Held for Prosecutor
“Hence the prosecutor may bring them today, tomorrow, or any other day that suits. No case such as this has ever come to my attention, and I simply acted to aid the county prosecutor’s office, and to put Bosco in charge of the county officials and out of the city’s hands, where I do not believe the case should rest at present time.
“I suggested to Prosecutor Orlando that it would be well to obtain a bench warrant in order to hold Bosco, and he agreed with me at that time. We also called in John L. Morrissey, counsel for Bosco, and I understand that he agreed with the procedure I had outlined.
“So I held Bosco to await the action of the county prosecutor’s office and he is being held a prisoner under those exact circumstances. Bosco is charged with murder now.”
Hearing Held Unnecessary
Bosco appeared in court unkempt, unshaven and handcuffed on complaint by Detective Murphy that on Jan. 10 Bosco “did feloniously and willfully murder, kill and slay” Magalas in a card game holdup was not read to the prisoner and he was not even asked to plead.
“For the purpose of the prisoner being committed to the county jail pending a further hearing next Monday, there is no necessity for a hearing at this time,” said City Prosecutor Cohen. “He has already been indicted.
“The usual procedure is to hold a hearing only when there has been no action by the Grand Jury, but in this case, the indictment having been found, it is necessary only to send him to the county jail on the strength of the indictment.”
John L. Morrissey, Bosco’s attorney, objected that no indictment officially has been presented, the Grand Jury not being scheduled to make its formal presentment until Friday.
“Detective Murphy,” Cohen replied, “was instructed last Friday by the Grand Jury to take this man into custody because an indictment had been found. If counsel insists on production of the indictment, I believe the case should be postponed until Monday.”
“In three days,” Morrissey argued, “we have been able to obtain absolutely no information regarding the evidence or witnesses. There is no indictment officially. Of course, it is common gossip that the defendant has been indicted, but neither the county nor the city seems to know what to do with him. I think some evidence should be presented to show us why he is being held.”
Murphy interjected that both the Grand Jury foreman and Assistant Prosecutor Patrick J. Harding had instructed him to arrest Bosco, but Morrissey replied that “that is only hearsay evidence.”
Jury To Be Called
“I have been in touch with County Prosecutor Orlando,” Judge Mariano explained, “and he is going to call the Grand Jury together as soon as he can to make a special presentment.”
“Well, what is our status here?” inquired Morrissey.
“He is a county prisoner,” said Mariano, “the city has nothing to do with it. If an indictment has been presented, the county would be able to have the defendant. I see no harm committing him until further action by the Grand Jury.”
Morrissey then asked that bail be set. Cohen objected on the ground that the court had no legal right so to do. Mariano said he had the right but would not set bail.
“This is the first time I ever saw a defendant held without evidence or testimony,” remarked Morrissey.
“There will be plenty of witnesses when the time comes,” Cohen answered.
“What do you know about it?” Morrissey shot back. “You don’t know anything about it. You don’t even know who the witnesses will be.”
Pair on Trial Claim They Were ‘Dupes’ in Check Fraud
Camden Courier-Post —
State Closes Case Against 2 Men Charged With Pay Swindle Plot
Cops Read Statement
Two men who declare they were the unwitting dupes of a third, who is still at large, went on trial yesterday in Criminal Court before Judge Clifford A. Baldwin. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to defraud tradesmen and others through the use of counterfeit paychecks of the R. C. A. Manufacturing Company.
The defendants are Alfred J. Bittner, 25, of 892 Lois avenue and Benjamin Joie, 25, of Williamstown. The third man, accused by the others as the “brains” of the alleged plot, is George Hickman, now a fugitive.
The State closed its case late yesterday when Detective Thomas Murphy read a statement made to him by Bittner at the time of his arrest. James Mulligan and Heber McCord, two other detectives, said they were present when Bittner made the statement.
According to the document Murphy read to the jury, Bittner said Hickman came to him and asked him to do a printing job. When Bittner heard it was a check job, he refused to take it, saying he did not want to get into trouble.
Refused Printing Job
Hickman went away, returning several days later with material which he asked Bittner to look over. Bittner said he told Hickman the material could be used in a check printing job. Again Hickman asked Bittner to do the work, Bittner said, and again he refused.
According to the statement, Bittner’s reply each time was: “Not interested.” Hickman again appealed to him to do the job, asserting “no one will catch up with you, if you do it.” Finally Bittner said he would tell Hickman about the printing business.
Hickman promised Bittner money for the information, and then came to Bittner’s home and started using his press. Bittner noticed Hickman was printing RCA checks and asked him where he obtained the trademark.
The reply, Bittner said, was: “In Philadelphia.”
Bittner told Murphy he watched Hickman print the checks until about 100 were printed. Several days later, Bittner said, he heard Joie was arrested, and a couple of days later he, himself, was arrested.
Murphy testified under cross-examination a search of Bittner’s home resulted in discovery of four pieces of blank paper “that looked similar to the paper used in the forged checks.”
Murphy also testified Joie said he had been paid $25 by Hickman for the use of his car one day, but that he knew nothing about Hickman’s business or any conspiracy to use the paychecks to swindle victims.
Photograph Identified
James Bennett, Oaklyn grocery clerk, was the first witness. He identified a photograph of Hickman as the man who came in and cashed one of the counterfeit checks. Bennett said he saw no one else in the car. He said he wrote down the license number of the car on the sleeve of his white coat.
Others who identified the photograph of Hickman as the passer of similar checks were: Charles Brodson, 1220 Empire avenue, owner of the Central Liquor Company; Albert Drell, employee of a meat store at 1192 Yorkship Square; David Raphael, chain grocery employee at Haddon and Kaighn avenues; Jules Rosenberg, grocer, of 618 West Maple avenue, Merchantville, and Samuel Kaplan, of a chain store at 1068 Kaighn avenue. Cecelia Rosenberg, wife of the proprietor of a liquor store at 2320 Federal street, was the only victim who could not positively identify Hickman’s picture.
Edwin Bigger, assistant paymaster of the RCA Manufacturing Company, testified the checks were not those issued by his company. Lawrence M. Crowther, an executive of a Philadelphia firm that prints the RCA checks, also testified they were counterfeit.
The trial is expected to continue for several days.
Engraver Testifies
John S. Quirk, 218 North Tenth street, Philadelphia, a designer and engraver, said he had done some work for Bittner. He told how County Detective James Mulligan came to his office when he showed the detective a copy of an RCA trademark cut on which he had worked for a man he said may have been Bittner. Under cross-examination Quirk said the copy shown him in court and the copy also presented for examination, bore no relation.
Edward H. Fritsch, office manager for Ruttle, Shaw and Wetherill, typesetters, said Hickman came to his establishment for type set on three occasions. Joie, he said, picked up one order. He identified some of the type shown him in court as set by his firm. He also identified a style book shown him as coming from his company’s offices.
E. Irving Silverstein, 5503 Pine street, a photo engraver for the Atlas Photo Engraving Company, identified a border on the checks which he said he made up for Hickman.
Chief of County Detectives Lawrence T. Doran told of the investigation. He said he had gone to Bittner’s printing establishment, where he found the stylebook shown in evidence, as well as four blank sheets of paper similar to that used for the bogus checks.
4 Men Arrested in Race Bet Raid
Camden Courier-Post —
Bookmaking Sheets Found in Rear of Broadway Cigar Store
Four men were arrested when police raided a room in the rear of a cigar store at 433 Broadway, late Saturday, and confiscated a telephone and horse-racing sheets as evidence the place was used for bookmaking on races.
They gave their names as Dominick Di Pilla, 40, of the Broadway address; Anthony Di Pilla, 38, of 512 Benson street; Nicholas Dentina, 20, of 249 Pine street, and Edward Bock, 26, of 219 Cooper avenue, Woodlynne. None would admit being in charge and each was held in $1000 bail for a hearing in police court today.
The raid was made by Detective Thomas Murphy, Sgt. Gus Koerner and Policeman James McLaughlin.
4 Held for Grand Jury After Gambling Raid
Camden Courier-Post —
The plea of four men that they were only listening to a radio broadcast Saturday on War Admiral’s latest turf triumph failed to prevent their being held yesterday for grand jury action when arraigned in police court.
Judge Gene R. Mariano held Dominick Di Pilla, 40, of 433 Broadway, in $1000 bail as the owner of an alleged gambling house and three companions in bail of $500 each as material witnesses. The latter are Nicholas Dentina, 20, of 249 Pine street; Anthony Di Pilla, 38, of 512 Benson street, and Edward Bock, 26, of 219 Cooper avenue, Woodlynne.
They were arrested late Saturday when a squad of police, headed by Detective Thomas Murphy, raided the Broadway address and seized horse racing sheets and other evidence.
Woman and 2 Men Seized in Numbers
Camden Courier-Post —
Slips Representing $138 Play Reported Taken in Jackson Street House
Two men and a woman were arrested and numbers slips representing play of $138 were seized in a raid on a house at 1039 Jackson Street yesterday.
Detectives described the place as “drop” for the slips and said they believed they were left there by writers and delivered to “banks” at night.
Those arrested gave names and addresses of Joseph Orlowski, 31, of the Jackson Street address; Mary Stanska, 29, of 1275 Chase Street, and John Pawela, 21, of 1564 Louis Street. All were charged with violating the State Crimes Act pertaining to gambling.
The raid was made by City Detectives Thomas Murphy, Jr., and Gustav Koerner and Policemen James McLaughlin and Raymond Carson. Besides the slips, the detectives seized $52.97 in money lying on a table.
Murphy said he and Koerner have been watching the place for several days and raided it today when they saw several persons enter. Those arrested are being held in $2000 bail for a hearing in police court tomorrow.
Photos
Camden Courier-Post – 1938
PAROLEE SEIZED IN STOLEN AUTO BY CAMDEN COP
Sadowski Was Freed by Judge in 20-Year Term for Bank Holdup
ARRESTED AT WHEEL OF ELUSIVE MACHINE
Mitchell Sadowski, 21-year-old paroled convict, who was given a “break” five months ago in Federal Court by Judge Philip Forman, was under arrest again last night after being found at the wheel of a stolen Pennsylvania automobile.
Sadowski was arrested yesterday by Detective August Pfleiderer after Camden police searched the city for the elusive car since Monday when it was stolen in Philadelphia.
The car was sighted Wednesday by a Parkside resident who called police but the machine disappeared again before detectives arrived. The car, a 1938 Packard coupe, is owned by John Holdstein, of 7614 Brewer avenue, Philadelphia.
Sadowski’s last escapade with the police occurred when he was given a sentence of 20 years in State’s prison which was suspended by Judge Forman on the gunman’s plea he “had a job.”
Judge Forman placed the youth on probation for five years after a jury found him guilty as the getaway driver in the $4119 robbery of the First National Bank of Marlton.
At that time Sadowski had just finished a two-year term in the state prison for holdup near Atlantic City. He was convicted on two indictments in the bank holdup and sentenced to 20 years on each count. Judge Forman ruled the sentences would run concurrently and ordered probation in each instance.
The machine in which Sadowski was arrested was first reported in front of 1310 Park boulevard by Calvin Hunsingur, who called police giving them the license number. Detectives Clifford and William Casler told Hunsingur to watch the car until they could send a tow wagon out for it. A few minutes later Hunsingur saw
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(Continued from Page One)
a young man get into the machine and drive it away.
Detectives Stand Watch
The next time it was reported seen in Camden was at 4 p. m. yesterday when George Mayo, of 812 Kaighn avenue, called and said the car was in front of 824 Kaighn avenue and had been there since 6 a. m. Pfleiderer with Detectives Carr and Joseph Mardino and Detective Sergeant Thomas Murphy went to the address and tore out a wire from the distributor to prevent the machine from being started. They then took stands to watch for anyone entering the machine. At 5:30 p. m., when no one appeared Sgt. Murphy, Carr and Mardino returned to the Detective Bureau leaving Pfleiderer standing at Ninth street and Kaighn avenue.
At 6:30 p. m., Pfleiderer said, he noticed someone get into the machine and try to start it. The detective with gun drawn approached the driver and told him he was under arrest. Pfleiderer immediately recognized the man as Sadowski.
When the detective accosted Sadowski, the youth is alleged to have pleaded with Pfleiderer to shoot him and kill him instead of returning him to state prison.
“Go ahead and shoot me,” cried Sadowski, according to Pfleiderer. “I would rather be shot than go back to prison.”
Pleads Innocence
Last night while Sadowski was in the detention cell in Detective Bureau he paced the floor constantly, pleading with detectives he was innocent and not to send him back to prison.
The gunman’s criminal career began in January, of 1933, when he was arrested for stealing an automobile in Camden and attempting to rob a Mantua chain store.
In 1934 Sadowski was arrested with five others for the holdup of the Public Service bus garage at Fifteenth and Mickle streets and robbery of the cashier of more than $300. He was found guilty of participation and sentenced from seven to 10 years in prison and released on parole in July, last year after serving less than four years.
On his release Sadowski was arrested again for the Marlton bank robbery in which he and three others escaped with $4000. The others were Stanley Krause, Stanley Geda and John Lenkowsky. The four bandits were the same quartet which robbed the Public Service Garage. Each was arrested as he was released from prison. Krause and Geda both drew suspended sentences on March 21, before Judge Frank A. Hendrickson after entering pleas of non vult on the bank holdup charges.
At the time when the four pleaded guilty to the garage holdup, they also admitted robberies of the Genova Cafe, Third and Arch streets, and of the Mantua chain store.
Detectives last night were attempting to link Sadowski with the holdup last Tuesday afternoon of the Dublin National Bank, at Dublin, Pa. Three bandits, all armed and two of them masked, cowed a woman employe and a customer into a corner and forced the cashier, Henry Schanbacker, to hand over $3500 in cash from the cashier’s cage.
Pinball Shooting Suspect Is Held
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Now Claim Gunplay Was Aftermath of Fight at Roadhouse
Detectives yesterday arrested a man in the shooting of Joseph Osinski, 21, of 1162 Mt. Vernon street, and announced they had discarded the theory Osinski may have been the victim of a war between pinball machine distributors.
Theodore S. Malina, of 1096 Thurman street, was arrested on suspicion of being a material witness to atrocious assault and battery by Detectives Thomas Murphy and Clifford Carr. The policemen indicated they were searching for another man.
Malina was beaten early Monday in a roadhouse outside the city by Osinski and a companion, the detective said. They explained Malina was arrested for questioning in the shooting, and said “so far the questioning has proved satisfactory.”
Shortly after the man’s arrest, an attorney, Angelo Malandra, appeared at detective headquarters with a writ of habeas corpus. The writ, however, was directed to the police chief, and was not served on the detectives.
Malandra said he will appear with the writ today, directing the police chief to bring Malina before Judge Clifford Baldwin to show why he should not be released.
Osinski was struck on the mouth by one thug and shot in the leg by another as he lay on a couch in the rear of the R. & M. Amusement Company Office at 1140 Louis street Monday afternoon. The company distributes pinball machines.
The scene of the shooting at first led police to believe Oskinski [sic] might have been wounded by rival pinball machine distributors.
Police Seeking Hidden Motive in Bar Slaying
Camden Courier-Post —
Doubt ‘Brawl’ Explanation in Fatal Bellmawr Shooting of Andrew Scarduzio
COUNTY DETECTIVE CHIEF ORDERS MORE QUIZZING
Police sought a “hidden motive” for the slaying early Sunday of Andrew Scarduzio, Eighth ward political worker, in a Bellmawr taproom.
Little credence was given to the story that the shooting occurred during a brawl which followed the barring of three men from the taproom at 5.30 a. m.
County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran today ordered the questioning of two women, one a resident of Camden, who were at the establishment when the shooting occurred.
Fresh Quiz Ordered
Doran also ordered further questioning of Dale Rose, proprietor of the saloon where the shooting occurred, on the Black Horse pike, at Bellmawr.
A third man was taken to City Hall early today for questioning by police, but whether he was held was not disclosed.
He is Joseph Romanowski, 28, of Mt. Vernon street, near Orchard street. According to Doran the latest man questioned denied he was present at the time of the shooting of Scarduzio, but was there two hours before when there was an argument over who was to pay for the drinks.
Romanowski was taken into custody in a tavern near his home by Detective Sergeant Thomas Murphy.
“I was at the Bellmawr saloon at 3 a. m., when the bartender closed the place for the night,” Romanowski told Doran, the detective chief said. “But I did not return at 5 a. m., when the murder was committed.”
Two Others Held
Police said the only criminal record against Romanowski was an arrest 10 years ago for carrying concealed deadly weapons. Disposition of the case is not on record.
The second man questioned and held in connection with the investigation is Joseph Lenkowski, 29. According to Dominic “Mickey” Hanley, bartender, who had an argument with five men over payment of drinks at 3 a. m., Lenkowski was one of them. Lenkowski is being held as a material witness.
Stephan Jaskiewicz, 22, a criminal registrant who came here from Pittsburgh in 1937, was held for investigation Sunday night.
Two other men are being sought. They are believed to have been members of the trio which forced its way into the Black Horse pike tavern, engaged in a free-for-all battle, fired seven shots from three guns and ran out.
Scarduzio, Eighth ward political worker, was shot in the groin and the ankle and died several hours later in West Jersey Hospital. The dead man was a brother of Nicholas Scarduzio, recently employed by City Commissioner Mary W. Kobus, director of public safety, to check parking law violations. Nicholas was a witness to the shooting.
Lenkowski, who was arrested yesterday, first broke into police records in May, 1931, when he was convicted of being one of four bandits who broke into the old Bridge Cafe at Front and Pearl streets. One of the bandits was killed by Policeman Everett Joslin. A jury convicted Lenkowski and on its mercy recommendation he was sent to Rahway.
Still Seeking Motive
When arrested by Chief Doran and City Detective Harry Kyler, Lenkowski gave his address as 535 South Eighth street. He was booked after being taken to Bellmawr for identification.
Hanley told the police that when the men refused to pay for what had been served to them, he said: “Okay. It’s my mistake and we’ll call it a little Christmas party on the house.”
A. B. C. Enters Case
No guns were flashed on the first visit and no reports of threats by the departing quintette have been made public.
Three agents for the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission entered the case yesterday to determine why Rose’s place was open at 5.30 Sunday morning. The agents are William Brooks, Bayard Sullivan and Roscoe Lockwood. They went to Bellmawr and took statements from Rose and others who were in the tavern at the time of the shooting.
The A. B. C. entered the case after the borough council at a special meeting Sunday afternoon suspended Rose’s license pending investigation by the council, mayor and county officials.
Cops Seek Owners of Chance Boards
Camden Courier-Post —
60,000 Pieces of Illegal Paraphernalia Taken to City Hall
Camden police were searching last night for the owners of 60,000 illegal punchboards seized in a raid late Thursday night at a South Camden three-story building.
Acting on Commissioner Mary W. Kobus’ orders, Detectives Thomas Murphy and Clifford Carr were trying to uncover evidence which would lead to the arrest of the punchboard owners on charges of possessing illegal gambling devices. Commissioner Kobus directed that charges be placed against the proprietors when located.
Seizure of the boards was made by Carr, Murphy and Patrolman Marshall Thompson when they entered a building situated on the south side of Viola street, east of the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines tracks.
Last night the paraphernalia was being transferred from the building to a room on the fifth floor of the City Hall in city-owned trucks by city employees. The boards were valued at between $10,000 and $15,000.
The Viola street property is listed on city records as belonging to the Goodwin Company, Inc., with a notation that all tax bills are to be sent to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
The seizure was made on the first floor of the building, which was vacant on the second floor and housed a dress shop on the third. The raid followed orders by the commissioner for police to watch any transfer of the business from Philadelphia to this city following police raids last month in Philadelphia.
Pair Believed Seeking to Rob Numbers Auto
Camden Courier-Post —
Flight Ends with Crash into Pole; One Captured in Newton Creek Swamps
MASKED MEN PURSUED WHILE CHASING VICTIM
Pistol shots spitting from a speeding sedan at a fleeing coupe ahead—
Police in red cars and private motorists in wild pursuit—
A splintering crash against a pole, two men firing in the air to scatter playing children as they ran in headlong flight—
One frightened fugitive captured by a doughty citizen trying to hide in a garage.
The second trapped in the swamps of Newton Creek by squads of police and firemen and finally tracked down in the glare of floodlights as hundreds of curious watched—
Real-life Drama
That’s the outline of a real-life melodrama enacted on the southern fringe of Camden last night with the resultant capture of two ex-convicts and subsequent detention of a third man in what detectives believe was an attempt by hijackers to rob a numbers writing banker believed to be carrying a large sum of gambling money.
The spectacular shooting—at 80-miles-an-hour—started near Gloucester and the grim man-hunt ended in the marshes of Newton creek south of Collings road, Fairview, with half a dozen public servants and private citizens performing heroic deeds at the risk of their own lives in a drama whose meaning they did not learn until hours afterward.
The two men held as the attempted hijackers are Stanley Geda, 25, of 1273 Whitman avenue, a paroled convict, who only last Monday was held without bail in Camden police court on a charge of holdup and robbery, and Stanley A. Gasior, 25, of 930 Mechanic street, another police character with a criminal record.
Bullet Hole in Car
The man taken in custody for investigation as the intended victim of a number bank hijacking, is George Pestridge, 46, of the Milner Hotel, Second and Penn streets, who was convicted of number writ-
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2 Ex-Convicts Seized in Gun Chase After Auto Crashes into Pole
(Continued from Page One)
ing and fined $50 in Camden police court October 8, 1937. Police say they recovered his coupe with a bullet hole through the right side window and other marks of having been the target of marksmen.
The alleged hijacking attempt first came to notice at Crescent boulevard and Market street, Gloucester, about 4:10 p. m. Edward Garrity, 21, son of Chief of Police James Garrity, of Bellmawr, said he was driving his father’s car and had stopped for a red light.
“I saw two speeding cars cutting in and out of traffic from Gloucester,” said Garrity. “One man in a coupe seemed to be trying to get away from two pursuing men in a sedan, each of whom wore Halloween masks on his face. The coupe sped through the red light and swerved in a sharp turn on two wheels into Crescent boulevard, headed for Fairview. The sedan followed it an instant later through the red light and around into the boulevard.
Joins in Chase
“My father’s shotgun was in the car and I gave chase. I opened up the siren (my father uses his car for police business) and we did 80 miles an hour to the West Collingswood Circle on the Black Horse pike, with the masked man beside the driver in the sedan blazing away out his window at the coupe ahead with a revolver, and the coupe swerving from side as if to duck the bullets zig-zagging.
“At one point I saw the coupe miss a woman pedestrian by inches. At the pike both cars ahead swung around the island at the circle and the coupe suddenly pulled by with screeching brakes before a row of stores. The men in the sedan, seeing they were being pursued, swung off the pike into one of the streets of Fairview. I followed them and a moment later saw the sedan, approaching a right angle turn in the rear of the Church of St. Joan of Arc, leap the curb, dash across the lawn and smash against a pole. The two men got out and ran.”
Fire Into Air
Accounts varied as to exactly what happened there, but several Fairview residents said the two fugitives from the badly damaged sedan, still wearing false faces, flourished revolvers and fired into the air to scatter children playing on the lawn of the combined church and school at Collings and Alabama roads as they darted toward the Fairview baseball park and adjoining swamps along Newton creek.
George Hess, Sr., 38, of 1332 Merrimac road, a husky electrician at the New York shipyard, who was a Summer cop from 1927 to 1930, saw the first fugitive run past his windows, then the second. At some distance back came a group of citizen pursuers. Hess, shirt-sleeved, dashed after the fugitives and caught the second as he tried to hide in a vacant private garage. That man was Geda.
Struggles With Suspect
Hess struggled with the suspect and was aided a moment later in subduing him by George Datz, High street, Mullica Hill, and Elmer Ulrich, 119 Virginia avenue, Audubon, both used car salesmen at a lot on Black Horse pike near Alabama road, and other citizens who had joined the chase.
The first fugitive—Gasior—disappeared into the high reeds of the creek bank with a dozen or more men at his heels as Geda was taken prisoner to a telephone in the candy store of William Hastings, 73, at 1384 Collings road. Hearing Haddon township police had been chasing the men, Hess telephoned the police there and Patrolman Charles Craig, who had joined in the chase himself, only a short time before, arrived and handcuffed Geda.
While Geda was being taken to Haddon township police headquarters and then to the Camden city hall detective bureau, the alarm was spread and Camden police red cars began arriving with sirens screaming to join in the search. Public Safety Commissioner Mary W. Kobus sped to the scene, surveyed the situation and called out first one, then a second fire department emergency squad, with powerful flood lights on long extension cords.
Blaze of Light
As police deployed along the north bank of the marshland to prevent the fugitive from circling around and escaping, Junior Captain Raymond Smith, of the fire emergency squad, in hip boots and carrying a powerful hand flood light, worked his way into the mud of the swamp and beat the reeds to east and west while more powerful lights atop the roofs of the high emergency trucks pierced the blackness in wide sweeps.
In the course of the search, Garrity had fired several shots at suspected movements with his father’s shotgun and policemen had let loose occasional barrages of pistol fire to keep the fugitive from breaking cover.
After approximately two tense hours combing through the reeds and sloshing hip-deep in mud, John Githens, 1032 Monitor road, a Public Service bus driver among the volunteer searchers, came upon the figure of a frightened, coatless fugitive, more than half-buried in the water and mud of the creek’s edge. It was Gasior, shivering and shaking, and he cried, “Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!” Githens did not even have a weapon. He brought his prisoner to shore. Gasior was rushed to the detective bureau, stripped of his wet clothes and in nothing but an overcoat taken to Cooper Hospital for treatment for exposure by orders of Mrs. Kobus.
Detective Sergeant Murphy said Geda refused to answer any questions or make any kind of a statement, while questioning of Gasior was postponed until the danger of pneumonia was past. From descriptions detectives obtained of the coupe that had been pursued by the men in the sedan, detectives went to the West Jersey Cafe, Third and Market streets, and took Pestridge into custody for questioning.
At City Hall he told them his car was parked near that corner. It was taken to City Hall and, reputedly, three bullet holes were found in it. Murphy would not reveal for the present whether Pestridge gave them any information. One report had it he is prominent in a numbers bank in or near Gloucester, was known to carry large sums of money at that hour in the afternoon, representing collections from numbers writers, and had been pursued by the men in the sedan for several miles on roads south of Gloucester before young Garrity joined in the chase. It was reported Pestridge had several narrow escapes from being shot and also forced off the road by his pursuers.
‘Looking for Trouble’
According to Patrolman Craig, the coupe disappeared after having stopped in front of the Crescent Theatre on the Black Horse pike in West Collingswood, as the pursuing sedan swept past it with bullets spitting from its right side window at the coupe. Daniel Campbell, 30, of 306 Landis avenue, Woodlynne, proprietor of the gasoline station there, ran up to
the coupe and asked the driver what was wrong, Craig said. The answer was, “They’re looking for trouble,” then the coupe sped off, turned into a side road, and disappeared.
The sedan, an almost new car is owned by Harvey E. Stewart, a commission merchant at 123 Dock street, Philadelphia, and was stolen from the driveway at his home at 430 Thomas avenue, Riverton, sometime between 10 p. m. Monday and 3 a. m. Tuesday, he said. He discovered it was gone when he arose to go to business at 3 a. m. Tuesday.
**Threw Away Guns**
Detectives said Geda and Gasior apparently threw away their guns as they ran from the wrecked sedan. A Halloween false face was found in Gasior’s water-soaked clothes. Patrolman Craig said Geda threw away a similar mask as Craig was taking him, handcuffed, the [sic] police station, leering.
“See, I don’t have anything!”
Haddon Township Patrolman George Hyrup was cruising on Crescent boulevard and saw the speeding coupe, sedan and Garrity’s car in hot pursuit. He joined the chase but his gears inexplicable slipped from high into low as he was making top speed and were stripped, putting the car out of commission.
**Record Listed**
Geda’s police record was given out at the Detective Burea [sic] uas [sic] follows:
Sept. 27, 1930, Camden, larceny; disposition not given.
March 9, 1931, Camden, larceny of auto; disposition not given.
April 8, 1932, Camden, atrocious assault and battery; disposition not given.
July 11, 1932, arrested at Vineland; charge, burglary, nol-prossed.
Nov. 14, 1932, arrested by State police at Bridgeton; charge, burglary; disposition not given.
Nov. 26, 1932, returned to Camden county jail; chair [sic], attempted breaking and entering; disposition not given.
July 7, 1933, arrested in Atlantic City; charge, breaking and entering, released on bail; same date arrested Somers Point; charge, disorderly person and suspicion of breaking and larceny; sentenced to 90 days in Atlantic county jail.
Jan. 22, 1934, arrested in Gloucester; charge, loitering and attempt to steal; fined $25 and costs.
June 18, 1934, arrested in Philadelphia; charge, holdup and robbery and fugitive; turned over to Camden police; June 21, 1934, sentenced to seven to 10 years in state prison.
**Held Without Bail**
Geda was held without bail for the grand jury in Camden Police Court by Judge Gene Mariano only last Monday morning after John Miller, 39, of 2827 Clinton street, who operates a used car lot at 2031 Federal street as the M. and M. Motors identified him as one of two masked robbers who held him up at the point of revolvers and robbed him of $2046.49 in the driveway of his home October 12.
On parole from the state prison, Geda was arersted [sic] when he reported to Albert Brager, parole officer, after Miller had identified his photograph in the rogues’ gallery. He denied the charge and offered and alibi. In court Monday, Miller charged Geda was trying to disguise his voice.
Detective Sergeant Thomas Murphy, in charge of the Detective Bureau last night, said he knew nothing of Geda having been released after Monday’s hearing until Geda was brought in under arrest last night. He said he had no idea how a paroled convict with a long police record, held without bail on a holdup charge, could have obtained his liberty.
Two Ex-Convicts Seized in Gun Chase
Figures and Scenes in Chase and Capture of Suspects
Top view shows flight’s finish for fugitive Stanley Gasior (center), suspected would-be hijacker of a number writing banker, as he was brought out of the swamps along Newton creek, south of Collings road, Fairview, last night, after a two-hour chase and search, by Fire Captain Raymond Smith (right), and a patrolman. Lower photo shows part of the crowd of 300 Fairview residents who watched the manhunt by the light of powerful flood lights brought into play by the Camden fire department emergency squad.
3 Hurt in Boulevard Accident Caused by Runaway Bakery Horse
Camden Courier-Post —
Animal Rams Car Stopped for Traffic Light; Passengers in Two Other Automobiles Injured in Crash
A runaway horse was the indirect cause of three persons being slightly injured last night at Admiral Wilson boulevard and Baird avenue.
According to Detective Thomas Murphy, the horse, which had broken loose from a tether in the yard of Ralph Marchione, operator of a bakery at 3939 Marlton pike, rammed into the rear of an automobile driven by Jack Silverman, of 506 Beideman avenue. Silverman was stopped on Baird avenue for the traffic light at the intersection.
Charles Bleyer, 57, of 905 Atlantic avenue, Atlantic City, was driving north on the boulevard when he saw the runaway horse. He stopped and got out to lead the horse from the highway.
He left Mrs. Lillian McNamara, 44, of 419 Trenton avenue, in his car when he got out. Another automobile, driven by Harold B. Ash, 20, of 982 North Twenty-third street, crashed into the rear of Bleyer’s car, police said.
Mrs. McNamara, Ash and John F. Dease, 20, of 109 North Sixth street, a passenger in Ash’s car, suffered lacerations. Ash and Mrs. McNamara were treated at Cooper Hospital for minor cuts, while Dease was treated by his physician.
Police reported the horse also was hurt when he rammed Silverman’s car.
Camden Detectives Get Escaped Felon
Camden Courier-Post —
Trap Police Character in Phone Booth at Airport Circle
A Camden police character, who escaped Sunday from the Bordentown state prison farm, was captured late yesterday by two city detectives in a telephone booth of an airport circle taproom while he was talking with a former girl friend.
The convict, Anthony Mona, 26, of 947 South Third street, who had served only a month of a two-to-three year sentence for larceny of a saddle and violation of parole, was trapped in the booth and meekly submitted for arrest.
Detective Sgt. Thomas Murphy and Detective Clifford Carr captured Mona about an hour after they received a tip he had been seen in East Camden and Pennsauken township. On this information John L. O’Hara, principal keeper of the state prison, and Thomas A. Mahaney, parole officer, came to Camden to aid in the search. Last night they took Mona back to prison.
Mona made himself conspicuous by wearing a heavy dark beard and dark glasses. The detectives first checked the escaped convict’s home and were told he had not visited there. A second unsuccessful clue led to a house on River avenue near Thirtieth street.
Warned that Mona was armed the detectives received a “sure tip” he was seen entering the Pennsauken taproom. Detective Capt. Gus Koerner told Murphy and Carr to fire their pistols if Mona moved to use a revolver.
Entering the taproom the detectives converged on the telephone booth with drawn revolvers. They kicked in the booth door. Mona was heard to say to the woman he was talking with: “Here’s the law now. No use talking now.”
Mona fled from Bordentown while doing farm work. He was sentenced by Judge Sheehan Nov. 17, 1943, after his conviction on a charge of stealing a saddle from a Haddonfield riding academy. The court suspended sentence and fined Mona $100, payable in weekly installments. When he failed to keep up the payments he was brought before Judge Sheehan on May 10 and sentenced to serve the term.
Mona’s Camden police record dates from Feb. 9, 1938 when he was arrested for a holdup. On March 2, he was given a suspended sentence of 18 months to three years. In February, 1940, he was arrested on a statutory charge and a support order was later made against him. He was arrested on May 8, 1940, on an assault and battery charge. No disposition was made of this charge.
Picked up as a fugitive on Jan. 1, this year, he was turned over to state police of the Columbus station. On Feb. 3, he was arrested on suspicion in Pennsauken township and later fined $10 and costs for failing to have his driver’s license.
Police Seek ‘Break’ in Sadowski Death
Camden Courier-Post —
Vengeance by Quinn and Doublecross Seen as Likely Motives
Police today were hopeful of a “lucky break” which might help them to solve the slaying of Mitchell Sadowski, 27-year-old ex-convict shot to death here Friday midnight.
While they were following up every clue, however meagre, the investigators admitted they were without any definite leads to the identity of the killer.
Local and county detectives were investigating the possibility that Sadowski was killed by or on orders of Mickey Quinn, recently escaped holdup man, or by someone else in reprisal for a recent $1800 holdup allegedly perpetrated by Sadowski.
Sadowski was killed by shotgun blasts through the right eye, head and side as he left the Camden Pottery plant, Mt. Vernon and Orchard streets, where he was employed as a kiln operator.
Doublecross Suspected
City Detective Thomas Murphy said he had been informed Sadowski had held up a Camden sportsman and robbed him of $1800 which the latter won in a dice game. Murphy also said he was investigating the possibility Sadowski was killed in reprisal for that job as well as the alternative that Sadowski may have doublecrossed the Quinn mob in giving information on the Casablanca roadhouse holdup.
Sadowski has a criminal record dating back to 1933, when, at the age of 14, he was arrested for auto theft and attempted robbery of a chain store.
He was out on probation and parole from a sentence for the $4119 holdup of the First National Bank of Marlton when on June 14, 1939, he was picked up by Detective Gus Pfleiderer in a stolen car. Pfleiderer walked up to Sadowski as he was sitting in the parked car on Kaighn avenue near Mt. Ephraim avenue. As Pfleiderer walked up to him, Sadowski attempted to escape. Pfleiderer drew his gun and warned Sadowski he would shoot.
“Go Ahead, Kill Me”
“Go ahead and shoot and kill me,” the parolee answered, according to Pfleiderer. “I’d rather be killed than go back to state prison.” Pfleiderer said Sadowski threw away a pair of dark glasses and tried to hide a flashlight as he was awaiting the patrol car.
Police records show Sadowski has been involved in at least four holdup and robbery arrests and a series of attempted burglaries.
Detectives said they fear other Camden police characters and one from Philadelphia may meet Sadowski’s fate if his killers are not located quickly. One of the men said to be “on the spot” is Leon Grenkwicz, 30, of Bellmawr, who was shot March 22, 1945, when Romeo De Sanctis, star witness in the Casablanca robbery, was slain by gang guns. Grenkwicz recovered from the shooting but police have not been able to locate him since.
Pleads Guilty In Fatal Stabbing
Evening Gazette, Indiana, Pa. —
CAMDEN, N. J., Mar. 21.—Forty-year-old Frederick Weiss told Police Judge Mitchell Cohen yesterday he pleaded guilty to a charge of murder in the fatal stabbing of his 25-year-old wife.
Cohen, however, entered a plea of innocent, explaining that New Jersey law prohibits a guilty plea in cases where the state might seek a conviction of first degree murder.
He ordered Weiss held without bail for court.
Weiss was arrested yesterday an hour after his wife was found stabbed to death with a kitchen knife.
Detective Sgt. Thomas Murphy said Weiss otld him he cut his wife in self defense when she attacked him with a knife during an argument.
A machinist, Weiss was discharged from the Coast Guard in 1939 after serving 12 years. The Weiss couple had two children.
Man, 69, Is Killed, Another Injured By Hit-Runners
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Victim Hurled 60 Feet by Impact; Was on Vacation
Three hit-run accidents in the city early today caused the death of a 69-year-old Camden man, injury to a Philadelphian and damage to a parked car.
Joseph Wright, 1716 Ferry avenue, was struck as he alighted from a bus and attempted to cross Broadway at Van Hook street. He died a few minutes after being taken to West Jersey hospital.
Vincent Ardiuno, 33, of 4108 Germantown avenue, Philadelphia, was admitted to Cooper hospital suffering a compound fracture of the right elbow. He was injured when a truck sidewiped a car operated by his brother on Linden street near Eleventh street.
Police said Wright’s body was hurled 60 feet from the point of impact as the hit-run car slowed momentarily and then sped south on Broadway. A description of the car was broadcast to all surrounding police departments and police in eight states have been alerted.
John Wright, son of the victim, said his father was on vaca-
(Continued on Page 2—Column 2)
Hit-Run
(Continued from Page One)
tion from the Camden Forge Co. where he has been a machine operator for 31 years. The son said Wright was returning from Doylestown, Pa., where he had visited friends after starting his vacation last Saturday.
Coroner Blake said Wright probably died of a fractured skull and internal injuries. He said an autopsy would be performed.
Ardiuno was a front seat passenger in a car driven by his brother, Arthur T. Ardiuno, 32, of the Germantown avenue address, who told Detective Sergeant Murphy his car was sidewiped by a truck on Linden street west of Eleventh street while he was driving toward the bridge.
Ardiuno said the truck failed to stop and disappeared while he was attempting to assist his injured brother. No description was obtained.
Suspect Is Arrested
In the third hit-run accident police arrested the alleged driver after being furnished with a partial description by the owner of the damaged car.
George Warner, 2119 Watson street, told Sgt. Frank Geutherman he was awakened by the sound of a crash shortly after midnight and going to the street discovered his car badly damaged in front of his home.
Warner said he saw a car, with lights out, driving from the scene and he obtained a partial reading of the license number. The description and part number were broadcast over the police radio and Patrolman Frank Cavallo spotted the suspected car at Sixth and Chestnut streets.
Cavallo said the front grille and one headlight of the car was smashed. The owner, Harry Plum Sr., 24, of 1100 Baring street, was arrested at his home. Warner signed a hit-run charge against Plum.
Marshall Thompson Photos
Camden Courier-Post —
Marshall Thompson — Walter H. Lehman. Printed captions: “DEATH WEAPON with which Walter H. Lehman, 22, of 1822 South Seventh street, ended his life early today, is shown in the hands of Detective Marshall Thompson” and “WALTER H. LEHMAN.”
GI Ends Life With Gun in Parked Car
Camden Courier-Post —
GI Ends Life With Gun in Parked Car
GI Ends Life With Gun in Parked Car
Walter H. Lehman Due to Return to Fort Dix Today
By WALTER N. CARLEY
Minutes after two patrolmen questioned him about parking, a 22-year-old South Camden man, who entered the army two months ago, ended his life early today by firing a bullet through his head.
Walter H. Lehman, 1822 South Seventh street, was discovered about 6 a. m. seated behind the wheel of his coupe parked along the west side of the Black Horse pike, facing south, between Burma and Olympia roads.
A .32 calibre bullet had entered his head through the right temple and came out through the left temple. The death weapon was lying in his lap partly covered by his right hand. County Physician Cavalli said death was instantaneous and self-inflicted.
Said He Was Sleepy
About 5.30 a. m. Patrolmen Edward Watson and Joel White, passed the Lehman car as they were driving south on the pike in a patrol wagon. Seeing no driver they stopped and walked back.
Lehman, the officers said, was lying across the seat and rose when they spoke.
“What is the matter?”
Watson said Lehman, who was in civilian clothes, smiled and replied:
“Nothing, I was a little sleepy and I thought I would take a little nap before proceeding.”
Watson said he advised Lehman that was the best thing to do rather than have an accident. Lehman, Watson said, thanked them for stopping and the officers drove away. They said they stopped at the newsstand at Black Horse pike and Collings road and returned north on the pike, noticing the car with Lehman apparently lying on the seat.
Was on Vacation
A short time later Acting Sergeant Frank Cavallo and Patrolman Frank Senator [sic] drove past the car and saw Lehman seated…
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Hitt Murder Quiz Stymied by Lack Of Clues, Motive
Camden Courier-Post —
After the release of two orderlies Sunday night, Sgt. Thomas P. Murphy, head of Camden’s homicide bureau, announced his investigators were without a clue in the murder of George E. Hitt, 70-year-old Cooper hospital elevator operator.
Murphy said the two men, one who was held since Saturday, and the other taken in custody several hours before his release, were questioned after statements taken from other members of the hospital personnel showed discrepancies with theirs.
One orderly, Murphy said, had been an employe for only two months while the other had been at the institution for several years.
Murphy said more than a score of persons have been questioned in the knife slaying which occurred Dec. 8 in the basement of the Ann Canning maternity building as Hitt was about to be relieved from duty shortly before 11 p. m., but not a single clue has been uncovered.
The lack of a motive, other than the theorized one that the slayer was surprised in the act of attempted robbery, Murphy said, has greatly hampered the probe. Murphy also pointed out the absence of the death weapon which, he said, might have produced a clue in the way of fingerprints.
Detective Captain Murphy Questions Paul D. O’Neill
Philadelphia Bulletin —
NY400-5/13-CAMDEN,N.J.:Detective Capt. Thomas Murphy (44) questions Paul D. O’Neill, 24, at police headquarters here, 5/12. O’Neill has been named by William R. Toy, who has confessed slaying two men during West Philadelphia used car lot holdup, as his partner in previous robberies. O’Neill was not with Toy on the night of the murders. (ACME TELEPHOTO) (PHILADELPHIA BULLETIN DO NOT USE)
Numbers Suspect With 9800 Plays Caught at Span
Camden Courier-Post —
On Way From Phila.; $2122 Bets Indicated; Previously Arrested
A suspected runner for a numbers ring was arrested Friday at the Camden bridge toll gates by Camden detectives who said the suspect was carrying 9800 numbers plays.
Held in city jail on a charge of maintaining a lottery in violation of the state crimes act is Thomas Lauria, 34, of 1296 Van Hook street.
District Detective Edward Shapiro and John Moffa, who seized Lauria as his automobile was approaching from Philadelphia, said the slips indicated a total play of $2122.
Shapiro said the slips were in a briefcase alongside Lauria in the front seat of the car. Some of the slips were for plays as high as $20, but most were for 10 to 25 cents, Shapiro said.
Sought for Week
Lauria was booked at 5 p. m. after he was taken to detective headquarters and then to the office of Police Chief Koerner, where he was questioned by Koerner and Detective Capt. Thomas Murphy. When booked in police headquarters, Lauria listed his occupation as laborer.
According to Shapiro, police have been seeking Lauria for more than a week as a suspected runner for a South Philadelphia ring. Learning that Lauria usually returned from Philadelphia in mid-afternoon, Shapiro and Moffa stationed themselves at the tollgates at 1.45 p. m. and nabbed Lauria as he drove up at 2.30 p. m.
Shapiro indicated Lauria escaped arrest earlier this week during an 80-mile-an-hour car chase in which the suspect eluded police after the pursuit led to Delaware township.
Previous Arrests
A total of $92.43 in cash was found on Lauria when he was searched in detective headquarters. However, it was not determined if the money was a part of the numbers play collections. Murphy said it is believed the slips were being brought here for tabulation after the money had been turned in to other members of the ring in Philadelphia.
Murphy said Lauria was arrested last week in Philadelphia on a similar charge. In addition, Lauria was arrested here in 1937 and again in 1947, according to detectives.
Police said the suspect formerly boxed in Philadelphia and Camden under the name of Tommy Ricco.
Burglary Victims Recover $4360 In Stolen Goods
Camden Courier-Post —
Display at City Hall Rivals Oriental Bazaar In Variety Shown
Loot valued at $4360 by detectives was returned to its owners in detective headquarters in city hall Tuesday night.
Headquarters resembled an Oriental bazaar as the stolen articles were spread over seven tables, two large desks, and hung on clothing racks.
Detectives are holding George Wilmer, 30, of 521 Liberty street, a parolee, whom they suspect of being Camden’s daytime “phantom burglar” who has been plaguing the department for the last three months. To date police say they have charged Wilmer with 29 counts of breaking and entering and two counts of attempting to break and enter.
Captain of Detectives Thomas Murphy said that Tuesday night’s display was only a portion of the loot and that police believe Wilmer pawned a quantity of the goods in Philadelphia. They also suspect he sold some to secondhand and antique dealers, Murphy said.
The display that met the claimants when they went to headquarters looked like a mail order catalog come to life. There were women’s dresses, men’s suits and top coats, several types of radios, an oil space heater, binoculars, cameras; costume jewelry, empty wallets and even a clothes chest with the clothing still in it.
Missing from the collection were two parakeets which detectives returned to their owner Thursday because—unlike the other items—the birds had to be fed.
Assisting Capt. Murphy in the identification and return of the stolen items were: Detective Sergeants Earl Quinton, William Neal, William Kelly and Clifford Carr, and Detectives William O’Brien, John Huston, August Pfleiderer, George Ellis and Marshall Thompson.
Crowd Views Articles
According to Capt. Murphy the claimants, their addresses, the stolen objects and their estimated value are:
Mrs. Waid Young, 526 Washington street, electric sewing machine, woman’s jewelry, $358; Miss Catherine Sparks, 110 South Fourth street, table model radio, $19; Mrs. Ethel Kelly, 1068 Princess avenue, jewelry, $155; Mrs. Leo Jekel, 548 Haddon avenue, table model radio, portable typewriter, woman’s ring, $85; William Snyder, 1304 Park boulevard, table model radio, $55; Milfred Layser, 416 Chambers avenue, carpenter’s tools, a dress coat, $175; James Glennon, 802 Mt. Ephraim avenue, jewelry, $300; Mrs. Williams Cogswell, 914 Linden street, clothing and jewelry, $1242.50.
Mrs. Lena Bruns, 772 Line street, metal clothes chest with clothes, tool chest, jewelry, $125; Mrs. Anna Halliwell, 870 Haddon avenue, foreign money, no value given; Mrs. Martha Oehlert, 643 Mt. Vernon street, oil space heater, jewelry, $138; Mrs. William J. McCaffrey, 1030 Spruce street, antique clock, $400; Mrs. Lillian Simons, 412 Taylor avenue, clothing and jewelry, $20.
Veteran Boxers’ association, 868 Mt. Ephraim avenue, record player, amplifier and recorder, $100; John McNutt, 1620 Ferry avenue, jewelry and clothing, $300; Romeo Simonelli, 404 Haddon avenue, men’s and women’s clothing, $94; Mrs. Theresa Auletto, 929 South Third street, jewels, $405; Mrs. Vera Doughton, 1023 South Sixth street, table model radio, $16; Emidio Giorgi, 1353 Princess avenue, clarinet and man’s suit, $125.
Convict Gives Up; Fled for a Binge
Camden Courier-Post —
A New Jersey convict, who escaped from a work gang at the new State hospital project in Ancora last Friday, gave himself up in Philadelphia yesterday by telephoning Camden detectives, “Come and get me.”
The fugitive is Edward (Biggie) Swietkanski, 31, of 8th st. near Fern, Camden. He was waiting in front of a pawnshop at 7th and Vine sts., here, when Detective Capt. Thomas Murphy and Detective Sgt. William Kelly arrived from Camden.
Swietkanski, sentenced to three to seven years in the Leesburg State Prison near Port Norris, N. J., told the detectives he escaped so he could go on a binge. He was taken to detective headquarters here to await extradition.
The prisoner was convicted of holding up a toll collector at the old Pennsylvania Railroad ferries.
Camden Man Held In Store Beating Of Aged Widow
Camden Courier-Post —
Suspect’s Police Record Started at Age of 9 Years
A Camden man with a record of arrests since he was nine years old is being held by Camden police today charged with the near fatal beating of Mrs. Rachel Weiner on Oct. 1.
Woodley Rex Snyder, 26, of 737 Kaighn ave., was booked Wednesday night in police headquarters on a charge of atrocious assault and battery with intent to kill after he allegedly admitted the savage beating of Mrs. Weiner in a small candy store she operates at 763 Kaighn ave. Her condition remains critical at Cooper Hospital.
Snyder “surrendered meekly” and was arrested at 6.15 p. m. Wednesday at the parsonage of the Rev. George Nicholas, 823 Walnut st., pastor of the Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church, Ann and Sycamore sts. Police said Snyder lived at the parsonage until Sept. 11.
Convinced by Pastor
Detective Sgt. Vincent Conley and Detective Clifford Del Rossi, who had worked around-the-clock since the beating in an effort to capture Mrs. Weiner’s assailant, made the arrest. The detectives said the Rev. Mr. Nicholas cooperated with police and had convinced Snyder he should give himself up.
Police Chief Koerner said Snyder “admitted hitting Mrs. Weiner on the head seven or eight times” with the butt of a .25-calibre automatic pistol.
The blood-stained pistol and a blood-stained jacket and pair of pants, recovered during the investigation, are being sent to Trenton for examination at the State Police laboratory.
Lived With Brother
Detective Capt. Thomas Murphy disclosed how suspicion fell on Snyder.
“Snyder and a roommate, William Spearman, lived at the home of Snyder’s brother, Julius, on Kaighn ave., Murphy stated. “Spearman told police that some of his clothing was missing. A search of the room revealed bloodstained clothing, which Spearman said must belong to Snyder.
“Further search disclosed a .25 calibre revolver under a mattress and Spearman said this did not belong to him and must be Snyder’s. Snyder’s brother backed up Spearman on identification of the clothing.”
Conley and Del Rossi quoted Snyder as saying:
“I had no motive. I walked into the store to get something to eat and she walked toward me. A feeling came over me.”
The detectives said Snyder admitted having the gun in his possession, but denied that he entered the store planning a hold-up. Snyder was quoted as saying:
“If I needed money, I could get it this way.”
Snyder’s trail after the beating led from Camden to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Rockville Center, L. I.; back to Philadelphia, to Camden, to Philadelphia, to Washington, to Baltimore, to Philadelphia and then to Camden Wednesday when he was arrested.
Eluded Pursuers
Detectives were on Snyder’s trail continually and missed him by less than an hour in Baltimore. Conley and Del Rossi traced him to an uncle’s home in Baltimore, but Snyder at the same time was in an aunt’s home in the same city, where he allegedly stole $12, according to detectives.
According to detectives, Snyder served time continually from the time he was nine years old until he was 20. In 1942 he was sentenced to Jamesburg on five charges of breaking, entering and larceny, and served additional time for escape.
Agrees to Surrender
Detectives said Snyder returned to Camden at 4 a. m. Wednesday after telephoning the Rev. Mr. Nicholas, who pleaded with him to give himself up, from Philadelphia.
Detectives quoted the preacher as saying Snyder told him he’d “rather be shot walking down the street than return to prison.” The Rev. Mr. Nicholas fed him and after continued pleadings Snyder “told him to call police,” Conley said.
Snyder was first aware that he was wanted by police when he visited an aunt in Rockville, L. I., on Monday.
Three Men Held Without Bail in Tavern Holdup
Camden Courier-Post —
Trio Nabbed at Shore Identified by Victim Of $2000 Theft Here
Three men suspected of the $2000 robbery of a Camden woman tavern owner last Friday were held without bail for further hearing by Judge Dzick today.
Dzick acted in compliance with a request by Detectives Marshall Thompson and George Ellis, who said the investigation was not complete. The three were arrested Sunday in Atlantic City.
Booked on charges of armed robbery were Stanley Slagle, 22, of 1408 Broadway; James J. Lenahan, 24, of 1734 Broadway, and Robert Sharp, 26, of 19 N. Johnson blvd., Gloucester.
Identified as Boxer
Slagle was identified as a middleweight boxer, who started to fight last fall and appeared twice at a Philadelphia club.
Arrested at 2 a. m. Sunday the men were returned to Camden, where they were identified by Miss Mary Lynch, 44, who operates Lynch’s Cafe at 3rd and Erie sts. Charles Clark, 33, of 538 N. Front st., a patron who was slugged on the head with a blackjack, was able to identify Lenahan and Sharp as participating in the daylight holdup, according to Detective Capt. Thomas Murphy.
Murphy said the men will be included in a police lineup Tuesday at 8 p. m. so that other victims of holdups in the area during the past year may view the suspects.
Atlantic City police said Patrolmen Adelmo Fidelli and Edward Shaw, acting on information from Camden detectives, nabbed Lenahan in the Nomad Club.
Fifteen minutes later, other officers took Sharp and Slagle into custody in the Jockey Club.
Shore police said they had been notified Camden authorities in a raid on an apartment in Camden had learned from a girl-friend of one of the men that she was to meet them in Atlantic City.
Some Money Recovered
Murphy said $600 of the stolen money was recovered on the men, in addition to $125 discovered in the apartment in the 1700 block on Broadway.
The detective captain said Detectives George Ellis and Marshall Thompson, who along with Detectives Harry Tracey and Sgt. William Kelly returned the suspects from the shore, had spent 43 hours without sleep on the trail of the bandits.
Murphy said the key to the capture was a license number obtained by Patrolman Oliver Morgan from an automobile seen near the scene of the holdup.
Car Was Stolen
The car, Murphy said, had been stolen from John J. Hegar, 640 Federal st., a certified public accountant, who was unaware of the theft until after the car was recovered Saturday on 7th st., between Liberty st. and Kaighn ave.
Later Saturday, Murphy related, Detective Harry Kyler and Detective Sgt. Vincent Conley obtained information linking Lenahan to the job and, still later, the apartment in Camden was raided.
Discovered in the apartment, Murphy said, were a .45-calibre automatic and the cash, found hidden under a chair cushion.
Murphy said Lenahan and Sharp, under questioning Sunday night in Camden, admitted their part in the holdup. Slagle, however, denied knowledge of the crime, Murphy added.
Discarded Weapons
Reconstructing the holdup and the trail of the gunmen, Murphy named Sharp as driver of the getaway car and said the men drove around the city and then later threw a shotgun and blackjack from the car.
The men went to Philadelphia, Murphy continued, where they purchased new clothes and wrist watches and other accessories and agreed to meet in Atlantic City.
Murphy said all have police records, Lenahan having been paroled in July from state prison after serving a term for grand larceny in Atlantic City. Sharp was released from state prison last year after serving a term for larceny of an automobile in Camden County and Slagle was released from the prison where he was sent for robbery, Murphy said.
Holdup suspects booked at police headquarters
Camden Courier-Post —
HOLDUP SUSPECTS are shown as they were booked Sunday on charges of armed robbery of a Camden tavern which netted $2000 Friday. Left to right are Stanley Slagle, 22; Detective Sgt. Vincent Conley; James Lenahan, 24; Detectives Marshall Thompson and George Ellis, and Robert Sharp, 26. Desk Sgt. John V. Wilkie records the information.
—Courier-Post Photo
John V. Wilkie Case
A difficult case that Detective Captain Murphy investigated in 1953 was that of the tragic suicide of James S. Wilkie, son of a veteran Camden police officer, John V. Wilkie. For several days after the shooting, Sgt. Wilkie claimed that he had shot his son, in order that he receive a Catholic funeral. He retracted his confession after it became apparent that he could not deceive the city and county investigators, and was released after the grand jury refused to return an indictment.
This tragic case saw the involvement of many of Camden’s law enforcement and legal community, including Benjamin Asbell, Mitchell H. Cohen, Wilfred Dube, James J. Mulligan, J. James Hainsworth, Samuel P. Orlando, John Healey, and Joseph Bennie, among others.
Wilkie Son Dies From Gun Shot
Camden Courier-Post —
Youth, 17, Found Suicide in Home By Officer
The 17-year-old son of Camden Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie was found shot to death in his home early Sunday, with his father’s service revolver lying on the living room floor beneath his body.
James S. Wilkie, of 1144 Princess ave., was found by his father shortly after 2 a. m.
Coroner John A. Healey, after an autopsy Sunday afternoon, also said he was “satisfied the death was suicide.” He issued a death certificate with that finding.
Younger Children Questioned
Benjamin Asbell, first assistant prosecutor, with County Detective Chief James J. Mulligan, City Detective Capt. Thomas P. Murphy and Detective George Ellis, questioned Wilkie, two other Wilkie children, their friends and neighbors for more than three hours in detective headquarters Sunday night.
Capt. Murphy reconstructed the death as follows:
W. Richard Wilkie, 16, and his sister Teresa, 14, with Paul Ragone, 15, of Bridgeboro rd., Moorestown, a friend of Richard, were decorating the living room of the Wilkie home for Christmas when James came home about 1.30 a. m. and evidently had been drinking.
A quarrel followed in which Richard chided James about “coming home drunk,” and James wanted to fight his brother, but Richard and the Ragone boy went outside the house. At that point, James went to his father’s second-floor front bedroom and took Wilkie’s .38-caliber police revolver from a chest of drawers and returned to the living room.
‘I’ll Kill Myself’
James ordered his sister to tell Richard to return to the house, and Richard instead directed Teresa to “come outside,” Asbell said. When the girl left the home, James went to the front door, waved the gun and shouted, according to Asbell:
“If you don’t come in I’ll kill myself.”
The children said James then turned and went back into the house. They stated he slammed the front door so hard the blind fell off.
Seconds later, Richard heard what he called a shot. Richard, Teresa and Ragone called for James at the front and rear doors but got no response.
After trying unsuccessfully to reach Sgt. Wilkie, the three were taken by a friend of Ragone’s to the home of Mrs. Tessie Bogacki, mother of the Wilkie children, in Woodlynne. Mrs. Bogacki remarried after she and Sgt. Wilkie were divorced several months ago.
Father Finds Body
Wilkie told the investigators he had been to a restaurant and discovered the body when he returned shortly after 2 a. m., but thought his son had cut his head in a fall. The weapon beneath the body was not found until after police, summoned by Wilkie from a police box at Haddon and Kaighns aves., arrived and moved the body.
The spent bullet was found near the body in a pool of blood by Detectives Edward Shapiro and John Moffa. Another bullet taken from the gun, police said, showed evidence it had misfired.
Police said a preliminary investigation by doctors at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, where James was pronounced dead on arrival at 3 a. m., indicated the bullet had entered the left side of the head and left the right temple, but no powder burns could be found on the left side.
Autopsy Performed
The body was transferred to Cooper Hospital where an autopsy was performed by Dr. William T. Read. Healey said the autopsy showed conclusively the bullet had been fired into the right temple and left through the left temple. Powder burns were found on the right side, Healey stated.
Capt. Murphy said tests were made of the boy’s right hand and the gun and forwarded to the State Police laboratory at Trenton.
A separate investigation is being made, Murphy said, to determine where the youth had been drinking.
Wilkie, famed for years as Camden’s notebook cop, has been away from duty for several months because of illness. Wilkie told investigators his son suffered a head injury in early youth and had complained of headaches. Wilkie said he felt the death might be accidental and expressed the possibility his son may have staggered and fallen with the loaded revolver. Wilkie said James also had been despondent since the death of another son, John, killed last June in a plane crash in Japan. James was employed as an apprentice by a Philadelphia belt manufacturing firm.
Coroner Healey said the youth’s employers had elevated James in their apprentice program only last week. Young Wilkie celebrated the promotion by buying a new suit and topcoat, the coroner added.
Detective Is Held For Shooting Son
Gettysburg PA Times —
Camden NJ (AP)—A Camden city detective, Sgt. John V. Wilkie, is being held on a manslaughter charge in the shooting of his 17 year-old son.
Police said last night Wilkie told them his son was killed accidentally as he and the youth struggled for his service revolver Sunday morning.
The boy’s death had been called a suicide by Camden County Coroner John A. Healy. A pathology report indicated that the head wound sustained by the younger Wilkie was self-inflicted.
Camden County Prosecutor Mitchell H. Cohen said the detective told him he tried to take his own life after his son was shot but the pistol misfired.
Wilkie was charged with manslaughter and held in custody pending a hearing to set bail.
Sgt. Wilkie Is Still Held in Jail, His Bail of $50,000 Unchanged
Camden Courier-Post —
Cut Considered After Retraction Of ‘Confession’
Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie, Camden’s notebook cop, remained in jail today in default of $50,000 bail despite his admission Thursday he “confessed” accidentally killing his son in an effort to have full burial rites of the Roman Catholic Church accorded the youth.
Wilkie’s admission of the fabrication as a desperate self-sacrificing attempt for his son came Thursday afternoon after he learned the church had reiterated that his son, James, 17, could not be given requiem rites and be buried in consecrated ground.
Wilkie admitted that when he returned to his home, at 1144 Princess ave., at 2.18 a. m. Sunday, he found his son dead of a revolver shot instead of having been shot in a struggle with Wilkie for the latter’s service revolver.
Services for Wilkie’s son will be held Monday at 11 a. m. in the Robert J. Blake Funeral Home, 851 Haddon ave. Burial will be in New Camden Cemetery, Mt. Ephraim and Ferry aves., a nondenominational cemetery. There will be a public viewing at the funeral home Sunday night.
Wilkie, a member of Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Broadway and Ferry ave., will be permitted to attend the services under guard.
Asked about the continuing high bail, Prosecutor Mitchell Cohen said there has been “no request from Wilkie nor his attorney, Elmer Bertman, for reduction of bail.”
Favorable to Lower Bail
Cohen, however, continued, “In light of the new circumstances, I certainly would entertain such a request.” He continued:
“In view of the holiday weekend, I probably won’t be in my office until Monday. Nor is the sheriff’s office open during the weekend to receive the bail.
“It would be necessary to contact me with a request for bail reduction and also to make special arrangements with Sheriff Hainsworth to post the bail.”
Late Thursday, Cohen told reporters he had no alternative but to present all of the facts in the case to the grand jury and “let them decide.”
Tells of Repudiation
“In the presence of Chief Mulligan and Capt. Dube of the county detectives staff; Capt. Murphy of the Camden City detective bureau; Samuel P. Orlando as a friend of Wilkie’s, and Fred Albert, court stenographer, Wilkie has made a statement which repudiates a ‘confession’ he made to me earlier this week.
“He states that he found his son, James, dead of a gunshot wound when he returned to his home early on the morning of Dec. 20.
“Wilkie states that he concocted his story that he and his son wrestled over possession of the gun, which was Wilkie’s service revolver, and that the gun was discharged accidentally.
Father Denied Suicide
“Wilkie told us he had determined to do everything within his power, say anything and be willing to take any kind of punishment, in order to obtain a Catholic funeral for his son.
“He still insists that his son did not commit suicide, that he had just bought some new clothes and had said or done nothing to indicate he might take his life.
“I must say here that the facts available to us do not coincide with a theory of accidental death.
“After Wilkie had made his ‘confession’ to us, we had him illustrate several times with county detectives how he said he tussled with his son. We knew then the son could not have been accidentally shot in such a struggle.
State Police Tests
“All tests by state police laboratories and our medical reports clearly evidenced Wilkie was not telling the truth.
“The bullet entered one temple and emerged from the other on a straight line instead of at an angle. The course the bullet took made it clear the shot was fired with deliberation by a gun held in the decedent’s hands or in some other hands.
“Since a complaint has been made and a court has instructed me to present this matter to the grand jury, I must do so. Therefore the charge of manslaughter will remain pending the grand jury’s deliberation.”
Wilkie, according to Sheriff Hainsworth, spent a “restful day” Christmas in a cell in E block on the sixth floor of City Hall.
The sheriff said Wilkie was in “good spirits and talked frequently with other prisoners.”
‘Going Home and Take Care of My Children’
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie was released from the Camden County jail late Wednesday afternoon shortly after the grand jury returned a no bill on a manslaughter charge against the veteran policeman in the death of his son James Wilkie, 17.
Wilkie, as he was released from the county jail, told Undersheriff Charles O’Keefe he was “going home and take care of my children, they are my only concern now.”
Young Wilkie was found shot to death Dec. 20 at his father’s home, 1144 Princess ave. A certificate of suicide was issued by Coroner John A. Healey.
Admits Hoax
Later, Sgt. Wilkie surrendered at police headquarters and said he had accidentally shot his son in a struggle for possession of his service revolver. Wilkie was confined to the county jail in default of $50,000 bail on a manslaughter charge.
Last Thursday, Wilkie admitted to Prosecutor Cohen he had concocted the story of shooting his son in an attempt to obtain the full burial rites of the Roman Catholic Church for his son.
Cohen accepted the withdrawal of Wilkie’s “confession” but said he would have to submit the case to the grand jury. Cohen summoned Wilkie’s two other children, Richard, 16, and Theresa, 14, and City Detective Capt. Thomas Murphy before the jury Wednesday.
Murphy was questioned by the jurors 25 minutes and Richard was in the jury room for 15 minutes. Theresa was not called before the jury and at 3.30 p. m. was dismissed, less than a half hour before the jurors returned a no bill on the charge against the father.
Kills His Bride and Then Suicides
Gettysburg PA Times —
CAMDEN, N.J. (UP) — Two Camden newlyweds were found shot to death yesterday in a climax to what their landlords said was a day of quarreling.
Police found Mrs. Joan Salwan, 21, dead and her husband, Norman P. Salwan, 25, dying, when they arrived at the couple’s apartment in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Prentice.
Police Chief Gustav Koerner and Det. Capt. Thomas P. Murphy said Salwan killed his bride of two months, then turned the gun on himself.
Patrolman Harry Brown said he found Salwan lying beneath his wife’s body, a .22-caliber automatic in his hand.
Salwan died about an hour later in Cooper Hospital.
4 Here to Take Test As Police Inspector
Camden Courier-Post —
Four Camden police captains will take an examination Wednesday at 10 a. m. in competition for the $5140 vacant post of police inspector. The examination will be given in Room 400 at City Hall.
Capt. Willard C. Schriver has been acting inspector since the post was created in May, 1952. The only other inspectorship is filled by Inspector Edward Carroll.
Schriver will compete with Capts. Anthony Skolski, August Riehm and Thomas P. Murphy. The captain’s post pays $4600 annually.
A civil service examiner will conduct the examination.
County Prisoner Dies in Hospital
Camden Courier-Post —
A Camden County jail inmate, who was taken ill shortly after his commitment Wednesday morning, was taken to Cooper Hospital and died there shortly before 2 p. m.
Police said the man was Herbert Bloxsom, 47, who gave two addresses, one in the 200 block Chestnut ave., Woodlynne, and the other in the 200 block Chestnut st., Camden.
Bloxsom was picked up Tuesday afternoon on the Best Market parking lot by Ptl. Cecil Picou and William Bennett, who charged him with being drunk and disorderly.
Municipal Court Judge Marino sentenced Bloxsom to 10 days in jail for the specific purpose of a medical examination.
Shortly after entering the jail, Bloxsom complained of feeling ill and Undersheriff Charles O’Keefe had him taken to Cooper Hospital.
Coroner Creran was notified and Inspector of City Dets. Thomas Murphy and County Det. Capt. Philip Large said they will await the coroner’s report before launching an investigation.
Ten Retired Camden Policemen Praised, Receive Gold Badges
Camden Courier-Post —
At Benevolent Group Dinner:
By James M. Neville
Ten retired members of the Camden Police Department answered their last roll call Tuesday night.
They received gold retirement badges and lifelong membership cards in the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association at the second annual dinner of Local 35 in Kenney’s.
Their ages ranged from 52 to 65 and collectively they represented a total of 327 years of service to the city.
“You have put aside badges and clubs and now the new men can take over,” commented guest speaker County Judge Anthony C. Mitchell.
Lauded By Judge
“You can go home tonight and look in the mirror and say: ‘I wasn’t the worst cop in the world,’ for some of you are among the finest men we’ve had in the department over the years. You deserve your reward of retirement now,” the judge said.
E. George Aaron, commissioner of police, who was toastmaster, said some of the retiring men being honored by more than 125 members and guests “have given good and long service.”
“I’ve worked with them and I’ve lived with them,” continued Aaron.
“We have one of the finest and hardest working police departments in the state or anywhere. I even think the public is now aware of that, with a new respect for the policeman today.”
Retiring Officers
Those retiring in the year 1957–58 are:
Insp. Walter E. Rewand, with 41 years; Det. Harry Kyler Sr., 35; Sgt. John Stanton, 35; Det. Benjamin Simon, 34; Ptl. Samuel Corsella, 32; Sgt. Karl Friedrichs, 31; Insp. Thomas P. Murphy, 30; Det. Marshall Thompson, 30; Det. Sgt. Clifford Carr, 30, and Ptl. William Thorn, 29.
Insp. Anthony Skolski, in charge of the patrol division, was also presented with a gold card in a leather case for outstanding service, along with a lifelong membership.
Sgt. Joseph Hooven was given a silver card and lifelong membership for outstanding work. Hooven is in charge of auto investigation division.
Juvenile Problem
In lauding the hard tasks confronting the policeman of today, both Judge Mitchell and Commissioner Aaron rapped the soft attitude of the public toward juveniles who consistently break the law.
“Unfortunately everybody is worried about the juveniles,” Judge Mitchell said.
“We are not worried, as we should be, about the man who has his car stolen, his purse robbed, his daughter molested.
“Instead, everybody’s worried about poor little Johnny, who’s always in trouble with the police.
“Sometimes you have to struggle just to keep your hands off Johnny. You even feel like doing what his father should have done.
“The ability of today’s patrolman to hold within the line of duty, keep his hands off, hold his patience with little Johnny, is commendable.”
Law Change Urged
“What Judge Mitchell has said is important to you policemen,” said Aaron. “Before I entered police work I considered myself something of a reformer. But ever since I came up against these youngsters who don’t mind breaking the law, I’ve found it very disturbing.
“I’d like to see the Legislature pass a law reducing the age from 18 to 16.
“I have no quarrel with arguments about broken homes and other causes for misbehavior, but we must see to it that these youngsters do not do more damage.”
The commissioner pointed out that only two percent of the youth in the nation can be classified as delinquent.
‘But that adds up to a considerable number when you figure it out,’ he stated. “Besides, we have first-hand evidence that these youngsters can be real nasty. Some are sadistic and cruel to a point that few adults realize.
Defiance Shown
“When taken into custody, these youngsters know that nothing is going to happen to them, which doesn’t make the job of the policeman any easier.
“It seems to me that a lot of these youngsters must be taught they can’t do wrong before 18 years of age and get away with it.”
Second Vice President Mike Lombardi, of Maple Shade, informed the membership that plans are underway to present a bill in the Legislature which will provide policemen with three-fourths full pay, instead of one-half, for 20 years service.
Other speakers included Sen. Joseph W. Cowgill who said he would vote for any legislation favoring policemen.
“I have always and will always support any legislation which is reasonable,” he added.
“The Camden police department has lost much in the retirement of these 10 good men.”