Introduction
Walter A. Mertz, Acting Chief Engineer, Camden Fire Department, 1949.
WALTER ALVIN MERTZ was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 30, 1877. He appears to have been either the son or nephew of Jonas Mertz, a barber, who was living in Lambertville, New Jersey when the 1880 Census was enumerated, and who relocated to Camden shortly thereafter. Jonas Mertz lived at 530 Cedar Street in 1881, and from 1884 through 1888 was at 278 Sycamore Street.
Walter Mertz first appears in Camden’s City Directories in the 1890–1891 edition. He was working as a mill hand and living at 267 Kaighn Avenue, the same address as Jonas Mertz. Walter Mertz lived with Jonas Mertz at this address through 1892. It appears that Jonas Mertz moved to Philadelphia shortly after the 1892–1893 City Directory was published. By 1894 Walter Mertz had begun boarding at 1134 South 2nd Street and had begun working as a carpenter. Walter Mertz was still living at 1134 South 2nd Street and was working as a carpenter when the 1906 City Directory was compiled. He began working at the C.B. Coles lumberyard around 1895.
Walter Mertz married Sarah Stineford around 1905. She bore a daughter, Helen L. Mertz, in 1907. Around this time, Sarah’s brother, George Henry Stineford Jr., was appointed to the Camden Fire Department.
When the Census was taken in April of 1910, the Mertz family was living at 272 Chestnut Street. Walter Mertz was still working for C.B. Coles, as a frame maker and as a windows sash maker. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on October 1, 1911. Soon proving his mettle and ability, Walter Mertz was promoted to Lieutenant effective October 1, 1915 and to Captain effective April 1, 1918.
When he registered for the draft in September of 1918, Walter Mertz was still living in the rented home at 272 Chestnut Street in South Camden with his wife Sarah and daughter Helen. The family was still at that address when the Census was taken in January of 1920. By the time the 1924 Camden City Directory was compiled, they had moved to 3016 North Constitution Road in the then new Yorkship Square neighborhood.
Walter Mertz commanded Engine Company 1 at 409 Pine Street during the 1920s and into the early 1930s. On September 14, 1932 he was promoted to Battalion Chief. Two years later he was again raised in rank, this time to Deputy Chief of the Camden Fire Department.
At 9:30 P.M. on Monday, March 25, 1937, a second alarm was transmitted for Box 34 at Broadway and Kaighn Avenue, South Camden for a basement fire in a shoe store that extended to the loft above. Deputy Chief Mertz was seriously injured in a twenty foot fall from a roof of an exposure under heavy smoke conditions. He sustained a broken back with some partial paralysis, but was able in time to return to duty.
On March 2, 1941 at 9:30 P.M., Deputy Chief Mertz transmitted a second alarm for a heavily involved frame dwelling at Clinton and Henry Streets, South Camden, when fire communicated to the roof of the adjoining Camden Chemical Company. This extension was quickly extinguished.
On January 12, 1943 the Camden Fire Department answered twenty alarms in a twenty-four hour period. Deputy Chief Mertz stated that it was the busiest 24 hour period in recent history. There were one hundred alarms in the City during the first ten days of the new year while the monthly average was usually 112 alarms. The following day on January 13th, another second alarm at the Cooper School, Third and Linden Streets, would heavily damage the 71 year-old structure and leave 500 students without classrooms. The building was erected in 1871 and condemned as a fire trap in 1940. The property was subsequently modernized in 1942 under W.P.A. Yet another second alarm for a school occurred on January 22nd at the Stevens Public School, Fourth and Berkley Streets, South Camden. The blaze broke out in a basement storage room shortly after 9 A.M. The building erected in 1867 sustained moderate damage.
In February of 1947, Chief of Department John H. Lennox passed away at the age of 66 following a long illness. As the last Chief Engineer from the horse drawn era, the death of Chappie Lennox would close a glorious chapter in the history of the Department. Deputy Chief Walter Mertz would be appointed interim chief, a position he would hold in an acting capacity until January 15, 1950. A similar situation happened in the Camden Police Department, where Samuel E. Johnson served as an interim Chief for two years before a permanent chief, Gustav Koerner, took over in December of 1949.
On March 30, 1947 eight people were burned to death at the home of Andrew W. Johnson, 217 Sycamore Street. Four other homes were damaged in this fire.
In his budget address before City Council on January 9, 1948, Commissioner David S. Rhone testified that “the Department is so undermanned that when a member reports off duty on sick leave, some fire companies do not have sufficient manpower to operate the apparatus and have to borrow men from other firehouses. We must correct this condition.”
On January 10th, the City authorized a $1.5 million dollar fiscal appropriation. On the same day firemen rescued four youths stranded for several hours on a raft in the Delaware River. One boy had fallen into the icy water but was pulled to safety by his companions. In a remote area of Cramer Hill, other boys on shore set a grass fire at 36th Street and Farragut Avenue to attract help. The plan worked and responding firemen rescued the boys who were removed to the hospital for exposure.
On January 12, 1948, Fireman Elwood Menzies of Engine Company 8 died in the line of duty during a working fire at 713 Blaine Street, South Camden. Fireman Menzies was connecting a hose line to the apparatus when he collapsed in the street. He was 51 years of age and had more than 25 years of service.
In 1949, the City awarded a contract to American La France Fire Equipment of Elmira, New York for delivery of the first new pumper in over twenty years. This new, cab forward design, was affectionately referred to by some firemen as bathtubs because of the vehicle’s low profile sides and the manner in which fire fighters sat in individual jump seats, facing rearward. Between 1950 and 1960, an entire fleet of these apparatus would eventually replace the City’s 1920 and 1930 vintage pumpers. These new pumpers would also be equipped with Hardie Guns as new, state-of-the-art, high pressure booster nozzles that provided straight, spray and fog stream patterns.
Chief Mertz announced his plans to retire in 1949, and left the Camden Fire Department on January 15, 1950. He was succeeded by William Van Pfefferle.
The Mertz family had left Camden by the time the 1956 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory was compiled.
Firemen of Long Service Receive Good Promotion
Camden Daily Courier —
Chief Stockton Became a Member of Department 31 Years Ago
CHIEF CARTER ENTERED FORCE AS DRIVER IN 1900
JOHN A. STOCKTON, Retiring Chief of Fire Department.
After a continuous service of merit for thirty-one years as a fireman, Fire Chief John A. Stockton last night tendered his resignation to take effect on October 1, and Deputy Chief Peter B. Carter was chosen last night by City Council as his successor. The resignation of the veteran fire fighter caused a general move up in the Fire Department.
Captain William Patterson, of Engine Company No. 4, was elected deputy fire chief. Captain Thomas Nichols, of Engine Company No. 3, was chosen battalion chief, a newly created position, bringing the battalion chiefs up to the number of three.
Through the promotions of the two captains Lieutenant Charles Cook and Lieutenant John H. Lennox were advanced to the rank of captain. Lieutenant Cook will likely be in charge of Engine Company No. 4, and Captain Lennox in command of Engine Company No. 3. Firemen Walter Mertz and William Cassen were promoted lieutenants and two new firemen appointed were John S. Hunt, of the Sixth ward, and George L. Cattell, of 427 Line street, Fourth ward. Hunt was a chauffeur for the Child’s Grocery Company and will make a competent driver. Robert Whitley was made an engineer.
PETER B. CARTER, Deputy Chief who has been Promoted Chief.
WILLIAM PATTERSON, Captain Advanced as Deputy Chief.
THOMAS NICHOLS, Created a Battalion Chief.
Chief Stockton entered the service as a fire captain thirty-one years ago and he remained at Engine Company No. 1 until four years ago, when he was made deputy chief. On the death of Fire Chief Charles Worthington a year ago he was made chief of the department. During that time he has rendered capable and efficient service and had the good will of the entire fire fighting force.
Chief Carter became a member of the department March 1, 1900, as a driver of Chemical Company No. 1, Sixth street and Kaighn avenue. He was made captain of Truck Company No. 1 at Fire Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, in 1907. He was transferred to the captaincy of Engine Company No. 1 on the promotion of Chief Stockton in 1911 and he was promoted deputy chief July 1 last year when Deputy Chief Stockton succeeded late Chief Worthington. In the new chief the department has a capable leader.
Captain Patterson is a fireman of twenty years standing. During all that time he has been connected with Engine Company No. 4 at Fourth and Vine streets. He entered the service as a hoseman and ten years ago he was advanced to the rank of captain on the death of Captain Samuel Peoples.
Fifteen years of service are accredited to Captain Thomas Nichols, of Engine Company No. 1. He entered the service as a hoseman in 1900 at the Centerville fire house. When Captain William Deno was transferred to Engine Company No. 7, at the opening of that new house five years ago, Nichols was advanced to the rank of captain. He receives the rank of Battalion chief under the new order of things and will likely have charge of the Centerville companies.
Lieutenant Charles Cook entered the department in 1905 as a driver and was driver for Chief Samuel S. Elfreth and Chief Worthington. He was made lieutenant of Engine Company No. 1 a year ago and will likely be in charge of Engine Company No. 4 as captain.
Lieutenant Lennox has been in the service for ten years, entering as a hoseman with Engine Company No. 2 at headquarters. He was promoted lieutenant of Engine Company No. 3 five years ago and will likely be in charge as captain at the same engine house. “Chappie,” as the firemen all call him, is one of the most popular men in the department.
Carter Chief as Stockton Retires
Camden Post-Telegram —
Head of the Department Resigns After Continuous Service of 31 Years.
WILLIAM PATTERSON IS ELECTED DEPUTY
PETER CARTER, New Fire Chief,
In recognition of the long and valiant service to the city as a fighter of flames, Fire Chief John Stockton was yesterday given September on full pay as a vacation prior to his retirement on a pension on October 1. He retires after nearly thirty-one years of continuous service in the department. He succeeded the late Chief Charles Worthington, who was killed at the fire on George street. Chief Stockton rose from the ranks and has always been very popular with the men.
Deputy Chief Peter B. Carter, of the Fifth ward, was selected to fill the vacancy. He has been a member of the department for about fifteen years and is an experienced fire fighter with up-to-date ideas that will bear fruition with the thorough motorization of the department.
Captain William Patterson, of No. 4 Engine Company and who hails from the Second ward, was made Deputy Chief, and Captain Thomas Nicholas, of No. 3 Engine Company and an Eighth warder, was made a battalion chief.
Other appointments made in the department included the following: Captains, William Cook, Fourth ward, and John Lennox, Ninth ward; lientenants [sic], William Cason, Fourth ward, and Walter Mertz, Fifth ward; engineer, Robert Whitley, Sixth ward; machinist, T. G. Middleton, second ward. John Hunt and George Cattell were appointed firemen.
Council also filled vacancies occasioned by the death of Chief Clerk Bowman H. Shivers, of the Highway Department. Walter W. Johnson, of the Seventh ward, who has been first assistant, was made chief clerk, and Walter W. Lee, of the Ninth ward, first assistant; Clarence Baker, Ninth ward, second, and Walter Wolverton, Tenth ward, third assistant.
Albert Denise, of the Fifth ward, was appointed an engineer in the Water Department to fill the vacancy occasioned by the recent death of William Barr.
Fire Chief Retired
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Head of Department Placed on Pension, Deputy Elected
After thirty-one years of continuous service as a member of Camden’s Fire Department, during which he rose from the bottom to the top, Fire Chief John Stockton was yesterday retired at his request by City Council. Deputy Chief Peter B. Carter was elected to fill the vacancy, while William Patterson, who has been captain of No. 4 Engine Company, is made deputy chief. Captain Thomas Nichols, of No. 3 Engine Company, is made a battalion chief. Other appointments made were: Captains, William [sic] Cook and John Lennox, lieutenants, Walter Mertz and William Casson, engineer, Robert Whitley, machinist, T. G. Middleton, firemen, John Hunt and George Cattell.
Council also appointed Walter W. Johnson chief clerk of the Highway Department to succeed the late B. H. Shivers. Others appointed included Walter W. Lee, assistant, Clarence Baker, second assistant, and Walter Wolverton, third assistant. Albert Denise was made an engineer in the Water Department to succeed the late William Barr.
Shipyard Wages Lure to Firemen
Camden Post-Telegram —
Chief Presents Six Resignations at Meeting of Council Commission.
MERTZ IS CAPTAIN IN WHITSELL’S PLACE
Camden’s Fire Department has been hard hit by the call of the shipyards and death. The report of Fire Chief Peter B. Carter presented last night at the meeting of the Fire Committee of City Council showed six resignations, two deaths and one vacancy from the draft.
The resignations follows [sic]: Louis Neuman, No. 3 Truck Company; George H. Pursglove, No. 7 Engine Company; Roy De Haven, Julius Hubert and Harry W. Stone, No. 3 Truck Company, and Lieutenant Joseph Sparks, No. 7 Engine Company.
Deaths reported were Captain Samuel Whitzell, of No. 1 Engine Company, and William Elberson, of Headquarters. William Schucher, of No. 4, was drafted into the Army.
To take the place of Captain Whitzell, Lieutenant Walter Mertz, of the same company, was appointed captain, and Horace Kerns was made lieutenant. The following appointments were made by the Fire Committee: Robert L. Knox, 822 Division street, to fill place of Julius Hunbert [sic]; Allen Palmer, 120 North Eleventh street, for vacancy of Louis Neuman; Clarence Pursglove, 751 Mt. Vernon street, taking place of his brother George; Anthony Paradise, 658 South Second street, filling place of Roy De Haven; Harry B. Maxwell, 422 North Sixth street, for vacancy of Harry W. Stone; Robert Welsh, 512 Borton street, vacancy of William Schucher, and William Vile, 570 Carman street, to fill place of Captain Whitzell.
The American La France Company was awarder [sic] the contract to furnish a new two-in-one motor apparatus for $10,000.
A petition from members of the Firemen’s Pension Fund asked that the rule of ten years’ apprenticeship be abolished in view of the wages paid men employed in other industries. The petition requests that all men in the department be placed on full salary at once. The petition will be presented to City Council.
Six Camden Firemen Quit for Better Jobs
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Higher Wages Lure Members of the Force to the Local Shipyard
High wages paid at shipyards is proving a big lure to the members of the Camden Fire Department, resignations of six laddies being presented to the Fire Committee of City Council yesterday by Chief Carter. The men quitting to become shipbuilders are Louis Neuman, George H. Pursglove, Roy De Haven, Julius Hubert, Harry W. Stone and Joseph Sparks. Their places were filled by the appointment of Robert Knox, Allen Palmer, Clarence Pursglove, Anthony Paradise, Harry B. Maxwell and Robert Welsh. Lieutenant Walter Mertz was made a captain to succeed Samuel Whitzell, deceased, and Horace Kerns was made a lieutenant. A contract was awarded to the American-La France Engine Company for a new motor engine. The price is $10,000.
World War I Draft Card
Walter Alvin Mertz, WWI Draft Registration Card, September 12, 1918. Serial #1475, Order #2251. Address: 272 Chestnut Street, Camden. Occupation: City Fireman, City of Camden. Nearest relative: Sarah A. Mertz. Registrar’s report (back): height short, build medium.
Rescue 5 Persons at Camden Fire
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Paralyzed Woman and Three Children Carried From Burning Apartment House
Captain of Engine Company Overcome by Smoke Found Unconscious in Hall
Five persons, an unconscious fire captain, a paralyzed woman and three little children, were carried to safety shortly before 9 o’clock yesterday morning when fire gutted the third floor of the apartment house at 417 Vine street.
David Baird Robinson, an assistant deputy surrogate, braved the flames and smoke to carry the sick woman and children to the street.
Mr. Robinson lives on Larch street directly back of the Vine street apartment. Seeing smoke pouring from the third floor apartment occupied by the family of Winston Pickel, he hurried to the house and was informed that Mrs. Anna Mosley, 72 years old, was helpless in her bed from paralysis. Making his way to her room Robinson carried Mrs. Mosley down the smoke-filled stairs. Returning to the third floor, he found three little children in the apartment of William Carey, sleeping in one bed. Placing them in a blanket he carried them down stairs, and gave them in care of neighbors.
Leading his men up on the stairs with a line of hose, Captain Rollo Jones, of No. 6 Engine Company, was overcome by smoke on the second floor. Fellow firemen stumbled over his unconscious form and he was carried to the street by Captain William Mertz, of No. 1 Engine Company. Captain Jones and Mrs. Mosley were taken to Cooper Hospital. For a time Jones was in a serious condition, but was finally revived through the liberal use of oxygen. Jones was overcome in spite of the fact that he was wearing a smoke mask.
The fire was caused by an over-heated hot plate and gutted the third floor of 417 and badly damaged the top floor of the house at 415. Household effects owned by William E. Curtis, E. F. Crane, B. E. Lane and William Carey, occupants of their apartments, were damaged by smoke and water. The apartments are owned by J. W. Young and the loss is placed at $3000.
Camden Fire Fighters Here
Bridgeton Evening News —
Chief Carter and Captains Jones and Mertz Visit Bridgeton and Give Exhibition.
Shown Over the Farms and Through the Park Before Demonstration At the Fire House.
Bridgeton’s fire fighters were the audience for a highly instructive and entertaining demonstration of how to meet fire emergencies last evening. Chief Charles A. Carter, of the Camden, Fire Department, with Captains Jones and Mertz and four hosemen, came to Bridgeton and gave a most valuable demonstration to the department members here.
Met by a committee at Seabrook Farms, the visitors were shown over the big enterprise and then taken over the Minch Brothers properties. They were literally amazed at the big agricultural developments at the two places. A trip through the park only intensified their interest in Bridgeton. A dinner was given the visitors at the Commercial Hotel.
At seven thirty practically every member of the Bridgeton department was at the fire house for the demonstration. Captain Jones talked on emergency problems and Captain Mertz gave a graphic exhibition of much of the talk. How to fight a fire in a cellar, how to raise a ladder quickly, with the foot at the proper distance from the wall and how to climb it readily and keep the hands free. The easiest way of taking hose over a roof and how to carry it with the least exertion was shown. How to carry a person was another exhibition and as in most of the cases the Bridgeton firemen immediately tried the methods shown and became promptly acquainted with the ideas.
The Camden firemen naturally meet many larger problems than do the Bridgeton boys and the experience of the larger company was most invaluable as it was passed on last evening. The Camden men were thanked heartily for their evening’s demonstration and their only reply was that they wanted to come back here in the fall and see more of Bridgeton and would be glad to hold another session afterward at the fire house.
Cops and Firemen in First Practice
Camden Courier —
Bluecoats and Ladder Climbers Get Ready for Field Day
MR. YOUNGER IN CHARGE
Firefighters Have Large Team of Athletes
Charles Younger, physical director of the Camden Y. M. C. A. and in charge of the candidates for the police and firemen teams which will compete in the first annual police and fire field day on September 19 at Forest Hill Park, sent his proteges through their stiffest workout of the season yesterday morning with several of the committee in attendance.
Plans were arranged between Younger and Captain Stehr, of the First district, to build a temporary track around the local high school’s gridiron. Meanwhile both the police and fire candidates will do their stuff under the watchful eye of Professor Younger on the the Forest Hill track, outside of the enclosed athletic field.
In a confab over the arrangement of the cinder track, Stehr suggested that a 100 and 220-yard straightaway be constructed on the west side of the field.
Joe Connell, of the Highway Department, also gave the field a once-over, as did Captains Golden and Humes. After the members of the committee had inspected the grounds, they witnessed the candidates going through the paces.
Archie Riess, who is in full charge of the “cops,” declared that but nineteen men would be candidates for his team, while Walter A. Merts [sic], of Engine Company No. 1, acting as manager of the ladder-climbers, counted up twenty-nine candidates on his list. These men will compete next Tuesday, the first three in each event to qualify for field day. The events will be run off separately, that is, the “cops” in one division and the firemen in the other. The bluecoats who will compete this Tuesday are as follows: Everett Joslin, Joseph McDonald, Vernon Jones, Frank Nelson, Bill Rogers, Harold Dunnit, John Bright, Edyard Callahan, Walter Larson, Gus Pfliderer, Clarence Phifer, Thomas Welch, Stanley Wirts, Charles Naylor, George Rothwell, Richard Donnelly, Lester Gleason and Joe Keefe.
The firemen who will also attempt to qualify on Tuesday include Fred Schucker, Harry Wagner, Chris Moll, Harry Layton, Edgar Ellender, August Havercamp, Frank Huda, Harry Kleinfelder, William Foehle, Tom Shanahan, Harrison Pike, William Rudd, Lester Anderson, William Wood, George Townsend, Allen Palmer, William Swartz, Nelson Fill, William Mourtvey, John Strauss, Frank Oberman, Edward Menzies, John Mulligan, Frank Kates, Clifford Hare, Nelson Andrews and Harry Leigh. From the present outlook the “Cops” seem to be coming out second best. The firemen are confident of finishing once more in front of the bluecoats, they having beaten Stehr’s cohorts at the last Armory meet.
The tug-of- team of eight men will also be selected by the firemens’ leader. Mertz will choose his varsity from Layton, Smith, Lennox, Walker, Pike, Palmer, Moll, Greenan, Laird, Mulligan, Haver, Merigan and Camp.
The Camden Motorcycle Club may stage a free exhibition of a motorcycle polo game during the meet. Stehr favors this performance, as but forty minutes of actual time is taken up. The local club is willing to donate their services free of charge. Nelson Hubbs, local manager, has dates at the Trenton, Egg Harbor, Allentown and Bridgeton fairs, while his teams have already performed in many eastern states. The “Camden Blue Devils,” as they are known, will furnish more thrills in the forty minutes than sport lovers have ever seen in this locality, according to Hubbs. If they are on the bill at the games, they will also give an exhibition of trick and expert riding stunts. Those on his teams, there being four on each, are well known in riding circles, some of the best hill climbers and polo players being included in the personnel of the teams are as follows:
Blue Devils No. 1—Joseph Bernurt, captain; Frank De Vivey, Carl Preisandanz, Edward Paul.
Blue Devils No. 2—Charles Ellis, captain; George Gummel, Bennett Arnold, Clayton Alberson.
Fire Chief Guest at Honor Dinner
Camden Courier-Post —
Capt. Kreher, Veteran of 22 Years, Given Send-Off on Eve of Retirement
Fire Capt. Herman Kreher, a veteran of 22 years in the city fire-fighting forces, was tendered a dinner last night by more than 60 comrades upon the occasion of his fiftieth birthday.
His efficient supervision of Engine Company No. 11 was lauded by Acting Chief John Lennox, who presented him with a gold wrist watch in behalf of his fellow firemen. George Wonsetter was toastmaster.
The affair was held in Stefiel’s Hall, directly across from the firehouse at Twenty-seventh and Hayes avenue.
Attending the dinner weer [sic] Mrs. Kreher, their children, Tillie, Wilhelmina, Herman and Edwin, and Motorcycle Patrolman Harry Kreher, brother of Captain Kreher. Addresses were also made by Deputy Chief William Herring and Battalion Chiefs Walter Mertz, Charles Errickson and Waldo Jones.
The committee included Firemen William Mountey [sic], chairman; Howard Curry, Nelson Till, William Gettner, Michael Mungoli, John Mohrfeld, Herman Dreas, John Peterson and Harry Hess.
Acting Chief Hurt in 3-Alarm Blaze
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Junkyard Swept; Couple Forced to Flee as Fire Menaces Home
Two persons were forced to leave their home last night when a three-alarm fire damaged a junkyard owned by Rocco Fanelle and Sons at 263 Cherry street. Patrolman Marshall Thompson, one of the first on the scene, warned George W. Jackson and his wife, Flora, living at 265 Cherry street, of their danger and aided them in removing part of their furniture in the living room to the dining room.
Acting Battalion Chief Leonard Megee was injured slightly when he fell while inspecting the damage.
The first alarm to be turned in came from the fire box at Third and Spruce streets at 8.18 p.m. When Chief John Lennox arrived on the scene and discovered flames issuing from both floors of the storage building he ordered the second alarm pulled at 8.35 and at 8.46 p.m. another was ordered.
Firemen were hampered in fighting the blaze due to the great amount of smoke caused by the burning rags and paper bailed [sic] and stored on the two floors.
Six hose lines were played on the building. Deputy Chief Walter Mertz said the flames were under control after a half hour’s battle.
The damaged furniture in the Jackson home was covered partially by insurance, Jackson said.
Henry Magin Laid to Rest By War Veteran Buddies
Camden Courier-Post —
TRUCKS OF FLOWERS IN FUNERAL CORTEGE
Funeral services for City Commissioner Henry Magin were held today with his colleagues in official and veterans circles participating.
Services were conducted in city commission chambers on the second floor of city hall, in charge of Rev. Dr. W.W. Ridgeway, rector of St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church.
The casket was carried by war veteran associates of the public works director, who died from a heart attack Friday. A color guard from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion preceded the casket, followed by the four remaining members of the city commission, Mayor George Brunner and commissioners E. George Aaron, Mrs. Mary W. Kobus and Dr. David S. Rhone.
A guard of honor lined both sides of city hall steps, 22 policemen on one side and 22 firemen on the other, representing Magin’s age, 44 years.
Hundreds of men and women waited outside the building to pay their respects as the solemn procession filed by. Mayor Brunner had declared this morning a holiday for city employees. The casket was borne by Thomas Jackson and Samuel Magill, both past Legion commanders; Leon McCarty, past commander of August Walter Chapter, Disabled American Veterans; Richard Jermyn, past commander of Post 1270, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Benjamin P. Thomas, past captain of Sparrow Ship No. 1269, V.F.W.; and William Miller, past State commander, D.A.V.
Three trucks were required to carry the floral pieces from the scene of the services to the National Cemetery at Beverly, where burial took place.
An estimated 8000 persons from all walks of life paid their respects to the late official by viewing the body as it lay in state in the commission chambers.
The throng of mourners of Camden city and county was the largest to converge on a public building since the funeral of Fire Chief Charles Worthington, who was killed while fighting a fire almost 20 years ago. His body was placed on public view in the rotunda of the old county courthouse.
File Past Bier
A continuous progression of people filed past the flag draped bier for more than three and one-half hours. Scores of Republicans and hundreds of Democrats joined in the tribute.
Services were conducted by Camden lodges of Elks and Moose. Military rites were conducted by the Fairview Post, American Legion, of which Magin was a founder and past commander. The tribute was led by Mitchell Halin, post commander, and C. Richard Allen, past department commander.
James W. Conner, chief clerk of the city water bureau and past State Commander of the V.F.W., conducted rites at the grave.
Mayor Brunner and Commissioners Kobus, Aaron, and Rhone came early and remained throughout the hours of viewing. Mrs. Helen Magin, the widow, and daughter Helen, attired in deep mourning, arrived shortly after 7:00 PM.
Embraces Widow, Daughter
Commissioner Kobus, who knelt in prayer before the bier, arose and went over to Mrs. Magin and her daughter. Mrs. Kobus embraced and kissed the widow and daughter of the late commissioner. They were in tears.
Three firemen and three policemen maintained a vigil as a guard of honor. They were Patrolmen Jack Kaighn, George Weber, and William Deery and Firemen Arthur Batten, Warner Carter and William Reed.
American Legion and V.F.W. members in uniform alternated as members of the military guard of honor. A detail of 50 policemen was under command of Acting Lieutenant John Garrity. Fifty firemen, under supervision of Deputy Chief Walter Mertz, assisted the patrolmen in handling the crowd, which at times choked the stairways leading to the second floor.
Freeholders Arrive
Albert H. Molt, director of the Board of Freeholders and Freeholders John J. Tull, Oscar Moore, Ventorino Francesconi, Stanley Ciechanowski, Earl Armstrong and Emil J. McCall arrived shortly after 7:00 PM. Moore and Tull wore American Legion overseas caps. Albert S. Marvel, clerk of the board, accompanied the freeholders.
Employees of the various bureaus in the department of public works, headed by Commissioner Magin, came in delegations with the highway bureau having 150, the largest number.
Frank A. Abbott, acting director of the department, accompanied by James P. Carr, superintendent of Streets, led the highway bureau employees. Abbott is deputy director of revenue and finance and first assistant to Mayor Brunner. He was named by Brunner as acting director until the City Commission elects Mr. Magin’s successor.
County Clerk Frank J. Suttill, City Clerk Clay W. Reesman, Fire Chief John H. Lennox and James A. Howell, chief of the city electrical bureau, attended, as did Albert Austermuhl, secretary of the board of education. Every city department sent a floral piece.
Outstanding Floral Tribute
Outstanding among the floral tributes was a six-foot broken circle of varied flowers, an offering from Mayor Brunner and Commissioners Kobus, Aaron, and Rhone.
A floral chair was sent by the Camden Police and Firemen’s Association. The word “Rest” was made up of flowers. The offering of the Veterans League of South Jersey, an organization formed by Commissioner Magin and of which he was the first president, was a large floral pillow.
The freeholders and county officials gave a large floral basket. Floral tributes came from the employees of the board of education, the RCA Manufacturing Company, the police and fire bureaus, Pyne Point Athletic Association, the Elks, Moose and several Democratic clubs.
The floral tributes came in such numbers yesterday afternoon that Funeral Director Harry Leonard and his assistants could not find room for them in the commission chamber proper. They were banked on both sides, in the rear and over the casket.
Among prominent officials and citizens who came to pay their respects were Congressman Charles A. Wolverton and his son, Donnell, Assemblymen Joseph W. Cowgill and J. Frank Crawford, Sidney P. McCord, city comptroller, Thomas C. Schneider, president of Camden County Council No. 10, New Jersey Civil Service Association.
Others at Bier
Others were Sue Devinney, secretary to Mrs. Kobus; Fred S. Caperoon; Henry Aitken, city sealer of weights and measures, Horace R. Dixon, executive director of the Camden Housing Authority; George I. Shaw, vice president of the board of education.
Sgt. Ray Smith, chairman of the Elks Crippled Children Committee and commander of East Camden Post, V.F.W.; Albert Becker, commander of Camden County Post 126, Jewish War Veterans; Dr. Howard E. Primas and Wilbur F. Dobbins, members of the Camden Housing Authority; Postmaster Emma E. Hyland; Samuel E. Fulton, member of the Camden local assistance board.
Also former Assemblyman Rocco Palese, former Freeholder Maurice Bart and wife, County Detective James Mulligan, Deputy City Clerk William D. Sayrs, Mary King, secretary to City Clerk Reesman, Charles W. Anderson and John W. Diehl Jr., former members of the housing authority, Walter P. Wolverton, chief clerk of the public works department; Thomas J. Kenney, Maurice Hertz, Isadore Hermann, chief of the city tax title bureau; S. Raymond Dobbs; acting chief of city property, John Oziekanski, building inspector, Harry Langebein, city assessor.
Oliver H. Bond, housing manager of Clement T. Branch Village; former Judge Joseph Varbalow, acting city counsel John J. Crean, assistant City Counsel Edward V. Martino, Paul Day, secretary of city board of assessors, former Assemblyman William T. Iszard, Harry Roye, district director of NYA; Victor J. Scharle and Martin Segal, Democratic and Republican registrars, respectively, of the Camden County permanent registration bureau.
Mrs. Marian Garrity and Mrs. Mary F. Hendricks, vice chairman and secretary respectively, of the Republican City Committee; Dr. Ethan A. Lang and Dr. Richard P. Bowman, members of the board of education; Edward J. Borden, Carl Kisselman, Harry A. Kelleher, Samuel T. French Sr., former Freeholder Walter Budniak, Coroner Paul R. Rilatt, County Treasurer Edward J. Kelleher, William Shepp, of the city legal bureau, Marie Carr, stenographer, mayor’s office; Samuel T. French Jr., member, board of education.
Also John C. Trainor, member of the Camden County Board of Elections; Antonio Mecca, funeral director; Alexander Feinberg, solicitor of the housing authority, former Freeholder John T. Hanson, Sterling Parker and Paul Reihman, member of the county park commission.
James O’Brien, commander of the Camden Disabled American Veterans, was in charge of services by veterans at the cemetery. Former Freeholder Edward J. Quinlan, county vice-commander of the American Legion, directed last night memorial services and was in charge of the firing squad at the grave.
World War II Draft Card
Walter A. Mertz, WWII Draft Registration Card. Serial #U 1751. Address: 3016 N. Constitution, Camden, N.J. Age: 64, born May 30, 1877, Philadelphia, PA. Employer: City of Camden N.J.
Injured as Fire Destroys Kresge Building
Camden Courier-Post —
BROADWAY STORE BUILDING WRECKED BY THREE-ALARM FIRE—Shown is the interior of the S. S. Kresge building, at 29-33 Broadway, which was destroyed by fire last night and early today. Five firemen were burned in the blaze, which threatened the central business district.
2nd Blaze Calls Out All Men
Camden’s entire fire-fighting facilities were called on during the night to battle two blazes, one a three-alarm in which five firemen were injured.
The three-alarm fire swept the S. S. Kresge building at 29-33 Broadway, threatening the central business district until brought under control.
Discovered at 10.17 p. m., the Kresge fire brought all except three of the city’s 12 companies to the scene. At 1.52 a. m. fire broke out at the Camden Foundry Co., Front and Elm streets, requiring the three remaining companies.
The North Camden blaze was confined to a small section of the building. Firemen said it was caused by an overheated stove which set moulding afire. Firemen returned from this blaze at 2.15 a. m.
With five firemen temporarily unavailable for service because of face and hand burns, Deputy Chief Erickson appealed to the city electrical bureau at 12.30 to summon all available off-duty firemen.
Firemen were forced to lie flat on the slush-covered pavements to play hoses into the Kresge building because of the dense smoke billowing from doorways and windows. After two hours, many were at the point of exhaustion.
Smoke Fills Building
The fire was believed to have started in the basement and the building was filled with smoke when firemen arrived. They were unable to enter the building.
At 2 a.m. the flames broke through the roof and were visible for 10 blocks. The first floor was sagging at the ends of the building after the fire broke through the center.
Forcing a corrugated iron receiving door in the rear, firemen of Engine Company No. 8 were forced to drop to the street as flames shot 35 feet into Hudson street.
Lines Through Terminal
Hose lines were run through the highspeed line terminal, which adjoins the fired building. A line was played into the building from the roof of the terminal.
Several times firemen were forced to crawl backward from the building as back-lashes of flames roared from the interior.
Taken to Cooper hospital with burns of the face were Firemen William Reed, Thomas Winstanley and Thomas McParland. All returned to the fire for duty.
Treated at the scene were Acting Captain Howell Needham and Fireman Theodore Guthrie. They were burned about the hands and face.
Water Bureau Helps
Shortly after arrival Acting Chief Walter Mertz announced the city water pressure was low and water barely trickled from a plug on Hudson street near the rear of the building.
Water Superintendent Edward Sheehan was notified and upon an inspection of the plug, found the control system had been broken as firemen attempted to open it. This reduced the ordinary flow by about two-thirds, Sheehan said.
Before he arrived at the fire, Sheehan ordered five extra pumps put into operation at various city pumping stations to increase pressure. When the fire broke out, the city pumps
Infant Rescued From Burning Home
San Diego Union —
A fireman yesterday cradled the blanket-swathed body of a baby as he descended a ladder from the second-story window of the home of the Andrew Johnson family in Camden, N. J. Mrs. Johnson, six of her 14 children, one grandchild perished in the blaze. (AP Wirephoto.)
Mother, 7 Others Die in Blaze
San Diego Union —
CAMDEN, N. J., March 30 (AP) —A mother, six of her 14 children, and a grandson were burned to death early today in a fire that swept their home and damaged four adjoining residences.
Six other members of the family of Andrew Johnson escaped from the burning house. Three children were absent from home at the time.
The dead were identified at Cooper Hospital as: Mrs. Gladys Johnson, 40; two sons, Lawrence, 8, and Howard, 9; four daughters, Mary, 9 months; Pauline, 5 years; Catherine, 7; Susan, 18; and the grandson, Frederick, 2 months. All were Negroes.
Occupants of the two homes on either side were forced to flee as the fast-spreading flames raged through the Johnson house just before 5 a.m.
Walter Mertz, Deputy Fire Chief, said he learned that James Johnson, 15, had gone to a shed adjoining the rear of the home to light the five kerosene burners of a bake oven and shouted an alarm to other members of the family when he saw flames following the feed line to the fuel storage tank.
Marie Johnson, 11, and Emma, 17, jumped through windows to the street and another daughter, Anna, 20, carried her 6-year-old sister, Joan, down the stairs to safety. Some neighbors said they believed Mrs. Johnson had reached the street safely, then returned to the house in an effort to aid the children.
8 Perish in Blazing Jersey Residence
Omaha Morning World-Herald —
CAMDEN, N. J. (AP) —A mother, six of her 14 children, and a grandson burned to death early Sunday in a fire that swept their home and damaged four adjoining residences.
Six other members of the family of Andrew Johnson escaped from the burning house. Three children were absent from home at the time.
Occupants of the two homes on either side were forced to flee as the flames raged through the Johnson house shortly before 5 a.m.
Deputy Fire Chief Walter Mertz said he learned James Johnson, 15, had gone to a shed adjoining the rear of the home to light the five kerosene burners of a bake oven. James shouted an alarm to other members of the family when he saw flames following the feed line to the fuel storage tank.
Seven Lose Lives in Fire; 6 Escape
Uniontown Morning Herald —
CAMDEN, N. J., March 30.—(AP)—A mother, six of her 14 children, and a grandson were burned to death early today in a fire that swept their home and damaged four adjoining residences.
Six other members of the family of Andrew Johnson escaped from the burning house. Three children were absent from home at the time.
The dead were identified at Cooper Hospital as: Mrs. Gladys Johnson, 40; two sons, Lawrence 8, and Howard, 9; four daughters, Mary, three months old; Pauline, 5 years; Catherine, 7; Susan, 18, and the grandson, Frederick, two months. All were Negroes.
Occupants of the two homes on either side were forced to flee as the fast-spreading flames raged through the Johnson house shortly before 5 a.m.
Deputy Fire Chief Walter Mertz said he learned that James Johnson, 15, had gone to a shed adjoining the rear of the home to light the five kerosene burners of a bake oven and shouted an alarm to other members of the family when he saw flames following the reed line to the fuel storage tank.
Marie Johnson, 11, and Emma, 17, jumped through windows to the street and another daughter, Anna, 20, carried her 6-year-old sister, Joan, down the stairs to safety. Some neighbors said they believed Mrs. Johnson had reached the street safely, then returned to the house in an effort to aid the children.
Mertz said the first knowledge firemen had of casualties came when firemen fighting the blaze through second floor windows saw bodies inside.
Van Pfefferle Acting Head Of Fire Dept.
Camden Courier-Post —
Named as Mertz Gets Leave and Prepares To Retire on Jan. 15
Camden has a new acting fire chief today—William Van Pfefferle.
The new department head was appointed by Safety Director E. George Aaron, after he received a letter Wednesday from Acting Chief Walter Mertz, announcing his desire to retire on Jan. 15. Mertz also requested a leave of absence until that date. The leave was granted.
Van Pfefferle, now a battalion chief, will fill the acting chief’s post during the interim, Aaron said.
Both men have been stationed at fire headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets.
Mertz, who is 72 and lives at 3016 Constitution road, has been a member of the fire department since Oct. 1, 1911. He was promoted to lieutenant on Oct. 1, 1915, then raised to captain on April 1, 1918, became battalion chief on Sept. 14, 1932, and two years later was raised to deputy chief.
On the retirement of the late John Lennox, Mertz assumed the acting chief’s duties Nov. 19, 1945.
Van Pfefferle joined the department Oct. 1, 1917, as an electrician. At that time the fire department had several pieces of electrically driven apparatus with power supplied by storage batteries. At that time fire department personnel had been depleted because of War I service.
Due to his experience with electrically-driven equipment, Van Pfefferle was placed in charge of all apparatus in the city on July 1, 1918. He was promoted to junior captain on Feb. 2, 1927; senior captain, March 30, 1930, and to battalion chief on Sept. 18, 1944.
Van Pfefferle, who is 58, lives at 619 North Fourth street.
The Civil Service Commission has called for an examination for fire chief, with battalion chiefs and captains eligible to take the test.
New Fire Dept. Head
Camden Courier-Post —
After 38 years of faithful and efficient service to the city in the fire department, the last four as acting chief, Walter Mertz has been granted retirement and will officially step out Jan. 15, at the age of 72. He has been a splendid public servant and has well earned a rest.
His retirement paves the way for the appointment of William Van Pfefferle, a battalion chief, as acting chief. Van Pfefferle was one of only two battalion chiefs who had been eligible for the post, the other being the late Leonard J. Megee, who died just a few days ago after a short illness.
Like his predecessor, Chief Van Pfefferle enjoys a fine reputation both as a man and as a department officer and can be sure of the loyalty of those under him. He joined the department in 1917 as an electrician and rose rapidly. He is responsible for much of the modernizing of the city’s fire equipment.
An examination of eligible captains and battalion chiefs for the position of fire chief has been called for by the Civil Service Commission. It is likely that in the near future a permanent fire chief as well as a permanent police chief will be named, Commissioner Aaron having indicated he believed both posts should be occupied on a permanent rather than an acting basis when he took over the Department of Public Safety a short time ago.
This change would seem to be desirable in the interest of efficiency and morale, and in fairness to the men who have the duties and responsibilities of a chief to carry out.
Attendance Record
Camden Courier-Post —
Courier-Post Photo
ATTENDANCE RECORD for firemen to aim at is one set by Edward E. Peraria Sr., right, of 2927 Mickle street, who retired from the fire department March 1 after missing only 62 days work in 30 years. Peraria was a chief’s aide having driven for former Fire Chief Walter Mertz and the late Chief John Lennox. Chief William V. Pfefferle, left, presents cash token to him Wednesday at Twenty-seventh and Federal streets.
Walter A. Mertz Dies in Hospital
Camden Courier-Post —
Walter A. Mertz, retired acting chief engineer of the Camden Fire Department died today at West Jersey Hospital at the age of 79. Chief Mertz, who lived at 3016 N. Constitution rd., was admitted to the hospital on Saturday suffering from a heart ailment.
Mr. Mertz entered the fire department on Oct. 11, 1911, as a hoseman. He was promoted to lieutenant on Oct. 1, 1915, to Captain, April 1, 1918, Battalion Chief Sept. 14, 1932, and Deputy Chief, Aug. 30, 1934.
He was sworn in as acting chief engineer in March, 1947, after the death of Chief Engineer John H. Lennox. He remained as the acting chief engineer until his retirement Jan. 16, 1950.
Chief Mertz suffered numerous injuries in the line of duty, the most serious of which occurred Jan. 25, 1937, when he fell from a second story roof into an areaway, sustaining back injuries which hospitalized him for six months.
On Feb. 1, 1920, he was the first man assigned to the Philadelphia Fire School. On his return to Camden he became the instructor of the Camden Fire Dept.
During War II Mertz attended an FBI Sabotage School. Previous to entering the fire department Mertz worked for 16 years as a woodworker for the old C.B. Coles Lumber Company of Camden.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah A., and a daughter, Mrs. Helen Gormley, of 1634 Crosslynne ave., Woodlynne.