Introduction
Walter S. Mattison, Captain, Camden Police Department
WALTER STILES MATTISON was born in Camden, New Jersey on March 19, 1886. He was the son of Joseph B. Mattison and his wife, the former Maggie Pennington. He was the youngest of three children, coming after Samuel K. and Rebecca L. Mattison. The Mattisons were originally from Bridgeton, New Jersey. Joseph Mattison had worked as a farm laborer there before coming to Camden in 1882. The family is listed in City Directories at 54 North 2nd Street from 1883 to 1885, Joseph B. Mattison’s occupation being given as seaman. The 1887 Directory states that he was working as a driver for the Camden Horse Railroad Company, but gives no address.
It is unclear as to what became of Joseph B. Mattison. He does not appear in Camden City Directories after 1889. Maggie Mattison is listed by herself from 1891 through 1894 at 105 South 5th Street. The 1895 City Directory shows Maggie Mattison at 701 Berkley Street. The 1896 and 1898 Directories show Margaret Mattison, widow of Joseph, at 703 Berkley Street. The 1900 Census also states that Joseph B. Mattison had passed away. The family was living at 704 Berkley Street. Mrs. Mattison had a boarder, John T. Davis Jr., a house painter. City Directories and census records indicate that John T. Davis began boarding with Maggie Mattison around 1894 and that he was still boarding with her as late as 1911. It is likely that he and Mrs. Mattison had a relationship and that Mr. Davis was something of a stepfather to Walter Mattison.
City Directories show Maggie Mattison, Walter Mattison and John Davis at 701 Berkley Street from 1901 to 1904, and at 422 South 7th Street in 1905 and 1906, 728 New Street in 1907, and at 563 Mickle Street in 1908 through 1910. The 1910 Census shows of the three children, only Walter was still living with their mother. Walter Mattison was at that time employed as a grocery salesman.
On June 7, 1911 Walter S. Mattison married Loice Winford Corson at the First Methodist Episcopal Church at South 6th Street and Stevens Street. The witnesses were Dorothea Corson and Charles H. Suders. The marriage produced two children, daughter Leah Mae in 1915 and son Walter S. Mattison Jr. in 1916.
The young couple were making their home at 576 Auburn Street by 1913. By the end of that year the Mattisons had moved to 575 Clinton Street, which would remain the family home through at least 1947.
On April 11, 1917 Walter S. Mattison was appointed to the Camden Police Department, along with Nathan Petit. Both served well over 30 years with the department. At least one other man, Harry Kyler, was appointed the next day. He too put in over 30 years with the Camden Police.
On September 12, 1918 Walter S. Mattison registered for the draft. After the war Walter Mattison began rising through the ranks in the police department. City Directories from 1923 through 1926 show him as the turnkey at the City Hall Annex, which is to say, he managed the jail. In 1929 Walter Mattison was promoted to Sergeant, and was assigned to the Second District house on Chestnut Street.
In 1934 Walter Mattison’s daughter Leah Mae Mattison married George Getley, an officer of the Camden Police Department assigned to motorcycle duty. The marriage produced two grandchildren, Janet L. Getley and George E. Getley Jr. by 1940. Sadly, Walter Mattison’s wife passed away in 1941 and George and Leah Mattison Getley’s marriage foundered shortly before the compilation of the 1943 City Directory. By 1946 Leah had moved back to 575 Clinton Street. Leah Mattison Getley remarried after 1946, moved to Pennsauken by 1954, and later moved to Texas.
Walter S. Mattison was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1943, and to Captain in November of 1949. Captain Mattison died of pneumonia on August 1, 1950 after a short illness. He had been living at 541 Washington Street, the home of Camden County freeholder Oscar Moore, to whom he was related by marriage, Mrs. Moore having been a niece of the late Mrs. Mattison.
Patrolman Mattison Named
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mattison, a Camden policeman, was attracted to Second and Benson streets by a racket yesterday and he found William Jones, 28 years old, of 2627 Benson street, the cause of the disturbance. Mattison essayed to corral Jones when the man’s wife, Stella, went to his aid, kicking the officer in the side. Both husband and wife were arrested. Recorder O. Glen Stackhouse later sentencing Jones to a month and his wife to twenty days in jail.
Philadelphia Inquirer — July 22, 1918
Walnut Street — O. Glen Stackhouse
World War I Draft Card
Walter S. Mattison, World War I Draft Registration Card, September 12, 1918
Philadelphia Inquirer — June 19, 1919
Mrs. Margaret Ward, 65 Years Old, May Have Sustained Fractured Skull
Hit by an automobile as she was crossing the street near her home in Camden yesterday, Mrs. Margaret Ward, 65 years old, of 1726 Master street, sustained a probable fracture of the skull and was taken to the Cooper Hospital in the machine that struck her. Mrs. Ward was reported as being in a serious condition last night.
Alfred Altitomanto, 22 years old, of 1827 South Fourth street, Camden, driver of the machine, was taken to police headquarters by Policeman Walter Mattison. The automobilist told the police that Mrs. Ward walked in front of the machine and a like statement was made by Frank Trailona, of 1915 South Fourth street, who was in the automobile at the time. The automobilist was held in bail by Captain of Detectives Schregler for his appearance in the Police Court this morning.
Probe Started by Dickinson in Raid ‘Leak’
Camden Evening Courier —
Probe Started by Dickinson in Raid ‘Leak’
Men Fled $250,000 Still Before Cops Arrived, Deputy Learns
Baldwin Gave Clue to Giant Plant
Vast Amount of Rum Supplies Seized in North Camden
Major Charles V. Dickinson, deputy director of public safety, today started an investigation to ascertain how plans for a raid on a $250,000 North Camden distilling plant leaked out more than an hour before the raid was made late yesterday afternoon.
The inquiry to locate the “leak” was prompted by rumors that neighbors saw employes of the distillery running from the plant at Ninth and State Streets an hour and 20 minutes before detectives and the police raided it. Major Dickinson, however, insists he and Lieut. George Ward were the only persons in the police department who knew the location of the plant prior to the raid.
Police believe the distillery to be one of a chain of such places operated throughout this state with headquarters in Newark.
The raid was the result of an investigation made by Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin after he had heard rumors a large distilling plant was being operated in North Camden. Baldwin assigned Lawrence T. Doran, chief of county detectives, and other county detectives, to make a survey, and men were stationed near the plant.
Baldwin Orders Raid
When Chief Doran reported the results of the survey to Baldwin the prosecutor immediately notified Major Dickinson and ordered him to make the raid. Dickinson called in Lieutenant Ward and plans were made for descending on the plant.
A squad of detectives and patrolmen, led by Dickinson, raided the plant a few minutes before 4 p.m. It was the third raid on the plant within two years, Lieutenant Ward having seized a 1500-gallon still there on March 25, 1929, and federal prohibition agents confiscating $100,000 worth of alcohol distilling equipment about 18 months ago.
“If there was a leak, and if the employes and operators were tipped off, I would like to know how it happened,” Major Dickinson said today. “As soon as I heard of this distilling plant I called Lieutenant Ward into my office and we made arrangements and completed plans to raid the place immediately. The plans, however, were not completed until 3 p.m. about an hour after I was notified of the existence of the plant.”
“All arrangements were made by telephone and there could not have been anyone, to my knowledge, who knew the plans. Detectives and patrolmen were told to assemble at the First District police station. They were not told where they were going or what for. Ward and myself were the only ones in the police department who knew the location of the plant.”
Alcohol Seized
The raiders seized 915 gallons of alcohol in 53 five-gallon cans and 12 50-gallon drums, 1500 pounds of brown sugar, 400,000 gallons of mash, 12 bags of white powder and one bale of hops.
Five steel tanks, each of 80,000 gallons capacity, two stills of 50,000 gallons capacity each, one 3000-gallon still, several large wooden tanks, thousands of feet of piping and coiling equipment were found in the plant. The steel tanks had been built in, a section of one floor having been removed to make room. The plant was located on four floors, the fermentation tanks being on the top floors and pipes arranged so that the products could be “worked down” to the first floor tanks where the alcohol was put in five-gallon cans for shipping.
Baldwin called the plant the largest illicit distillery in the United States and said he believed it to be operated by a big liquor ring. He believed it took several months to install the extensive equipment, which was new. An elaborate system of signal alarms, secret telephones, tunnels for hurried exits and arrangements for lookouts two blocks from the plant were found.
All of the equipment, as well as supplies for the plant, were taken there by boat, Baldwin believes. Arrangements had been made for emptying the mash into Cooper River. The entire plant was surrounded by a high fence.
Plant in Use 10 Days
Dickinson said he believed the plant had been in operation not more than 10 days as the valves, turnhandles, spigots and brass work showed little signs of wear. Preparations had been made against a possible raid. Dickinson learned after visiting the plant, as the names on shipping labels had been torn so they were not readable. Tar paper had been placed over the window. Names had been removed from the lunch boxes of workmen.
Large packing boxes such as used for the shipment of radio and phonograph sets were used to hide the machinery and also for shipping the cans of alcohol.
The stills and steel tanks were dismantled by acetylene torches, the mash and chemicals were dumped in Cooper river and the alcohol was taken to city hall. The alcohol probably will be turned over to hospitals and charitable institutions.
Lessors Sought
Dickinson and Baldwin are making surveys today to ascertain, if possible, who leased the building. Nearby plant owners and neighbors will be questioned.
The building for many years was headquarters of the old Highland Worsted Mills and extends from Ninth street to the Cooper river; on State Street, and runs back about a half square to Moore Street.
Yesterday the buildings were empty when the big squad of cops swarmed into the place. The lunch baskets of several employes were found on tables in the room and there were other evidences of a hasty exit having taken place. There were rumors that a “tip off” had been given the men in the building, and it was reported they were seen to rush from the building a few minutes before the arrival of the raiders.
Owners Escape
The raid, observers recalled, bears every indication of paralleling that on Chestnut Street, near the second district police station, on October 22 when a $200,000 distillery was uncovered. Of nine men arrested there, six were fined $300 each and three were dismissed yesterday. Their attorney declared the men were merely employes and that the “owners have skipped out, leaving these men in the middle.”
Neighbors stated they had smelled peculiar odors in the vicinity for several weeks past but were unable to establish the location of the still until it was uncovered by yesterday’s raid. The raid also brought to climax a series of reports that have been in circulation for several weeks that there was a bigger still in operation in Camden than the one found on Chestnut street.
The raiders entered the building through a tunnel on the banks of Cooper river. The tunnel ended under the building with a trapdoor giving ingress to the basement of the distillery.
None of the stills was in operation. Warm storage tanks containing mash indicated that two stills had been in operation recently. Three huge storage tanks reaching to the third floor had a total capacity of 240,000 gallons. It is estimated that the distillery had an output of about 500,000 gallons of alcohol per day.
On the same factory site is a building now occupied by the Joseph A. Middlebrook Company, Inc., wool washers. The building occupied by the distillery is separated from the Middlebrook Company by a roadway.
An official of the Middlebrook Company said he had seen no activity in or about the building opposite, but declared it was leased by Joseph A. Madison of Philadelphia, agent for the owner.
Only three five-gallon cans of alcohol were found when the policemen arrived. Fifty cans were filled from one still by the raiders. The distillery was so enveloped in darkness, with few electric lights, that the raiders were forced to use flashlights in inspecting the five floors and locating equipment.
The raiders in addition to Deputy Director Dickinson and Lieutenant Ward included Sergeant Walter Mattison, Sergeant Jeff Kay, Detectives Howard Smith, Alfred Shires, Harry Kyler, Archie Reese, and Patrolmen Walter Smith, Alfred Shires, Harry Cattell, Earl Rider, Charles Smith, a second patrolman of the same name, John Toll, John Taylor, Frank Carle and Oscar Thompson.
Cops and Firemen Will Meet Rulers on 30% Pay Slash
Camden Courier-Post —
Cops and Firemen Will Meet Rulers on 30% Pay Slash
Police Raise Question of Basis on Which Reduction Will Be Made
MEN’S STAND UNKNOWN
Representatives of the Camden Police and Firemen’s Association will call on the City Commission today to discuss the city’s proposal to cut salaries 30 percent as an economy measure.
That was announced last night by Herbert Botts, president of the association, after a meeting at its headquarters, 1175 Whitman avenue.
The representatives will include: Patrolman Walter E. Vecander and Sergeant Walter Mattison, for the police, and Captain Alvin S. Thompson, for the firemen, in addition to the association’s wage committee, which comprises Patrolmen Botts and Clifford N. Flenard, for the police, and John Plum, William P. Spencer and Harry Haines, Jr., for the firemen.
One of the questions to be presented to the commissioners by the police is expected to be the status of 41 policemen who were placed on the five-year basis last year.
The basic pay for police serving four years is $1800 and that for five years $2040.
In 1932 forty-one men were eligible to become five-year policemen. When the subject of pay cuts was broached at that time, it was proposed by the city that the four-year men not be advanced, but that they should take a cut on the basis of the $1800 salaries. The five-year men, however, objected to this, agreeing that they would take a $140 cut, providing the four-year men were advanced to the $2040 basis before being cut.
Through that arrangement, every patrolman in the department received a salary of $1900 for 1932. This was made possible by cutting the five-year salaries by $140 and advancing the four-year salaries by $100.
Now the question appears to be whether the salaries of the five-year men who were classified as four-year men in 1931 are to be cut 30 percent on the basis of the five-year salary of $2040 or on the basis of their 1931 salary of $1800. If these 41 men are cut 30 percent on their 1931 salaries of $1800, they would receive only $1260 while the other five-year men would receive $1428.
Raiders Arrest Three, Seize Wash Boiler Still
Camden Courier-Post —
Second District police seized a “wash boiler” still and arrested three persons last night when they raided a dwelling at 954 South Ninth Street.
Arrested were George Young, 29; his wife, Ethel, 19, and Anna Fussel, 37, of 614 Chestnut Street. Police also took along the Young’s three-year-old son, Julian, and lodged him in the detention room under the care of a police matron until his parents obtain bail.
The raid was staged by Sergeant Walter Mattison and District Detectives Vernon Jones and Thomas Cheeseman.
Young was held as proprietor and the others as material witnesses. He will be given a hearing today.
Policeman Suspended on Drunken Charge
Camden Courier-Post —
A Camden policeman was suspended indefinitely and relieved of his badge yesterday on a charge of drunkenness on duty.
The patrolman is Alfred Trusty, colored, of 1858 South Ninth Street. He is attached to the Second police district.
Chief of Police John W. Golden ordered the suspension after he had received telephone calls informing him there was “a drunken policeman raising cain downtown.”
Golden ordered Lieutenant Ralph Bakley, commander of the district, to investigate. Trusty was brought into the station house by Sergeant Mattison. He has been ordered to appear before Golden today.
Camden Courier-Post — April 2, 1934
Two South Camden men were arrested early today on suspicions of robbing the Lyric Theatre, Broadway and Mt. Vernon street, where a safe was forced open and a radio receiver stolen.
The men under arrest gave their names as John Lockwood, 28, of 246 Kaighn avenue, and Martin Ward, 34, of 400 Liberty street.
Police Sergeant Walter Mattison and Patrolman Frank Wilmont [sic] arrested the men at 2:30 a. m. at Fourth and Liberty streets. Ward’s pocket yielded $53 in change, according to Mattison.
Abraham Franks, manager of the theatre, reported the robbery. He said that a ladder was used to reach a second floor fire escape, where a door was forced open. Lockwood and Ward are being held pending further investigation.
Lieut. Bakley and 11 Police Suspended in Feitz Inquiry
Camden Courier-Post, Evening Courier —
Lieut. Bakley and 11 Police Suspended in Feitz Inquiry
3 Sergeants Included in List Set Down by Chief Colsey
Justice Lloyd Joins Probe Into Murder
Chief of Police Arthur Colsey at noon today announced the indefinite suspension of Lieut. Ralph Bakley, commander of the Second district of Camden police, and 11 other policemen in connection with the investigation into the killing of Detective William T. Feitz.
The full list of those suspended is as follows: Lieut. Ralph Bakley, Sergt. John Garrity, Sergt. Walter Mattison, Acting Sergt. Edward Leonard, Sergt. Richard Cornog, Policemen George Weber, Joseph Leonhardt, Leon Branch, Thomas Cheeseman, Frank Wilmot, John Houston and Vernon Jones.
Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd today entered the investigation into the murder of District Detective William T. Feitz in an alleged South Camden disorderly house Sept. 2.
The jurist, upon returning from his Summer vacation at Seaside Park, called an immediate conference with Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando of Camden county and Police Chief Arthur Colsey of this city.
Although no confirmation could be obtained officially, it was learned from authoritative sources that Justice Lloyd would take up the charges made earlier in the week by Prosecutor Orlando that graft and corruption exist in the Camden police.
May Probe Suicide
The jurist was also expected to delve into the unusual circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Emma Heisler, who met her death as the operator of the disorderly house where Feitz met his death at 243 Sycamore street.
Mrs. Heisler, who was detained in the Camden detective bureau at the order of Detective Lieutenant George Ward instead of being locked up, jumped from a fifth floor window of Ward’s office September 4 while two detectives assigned to guard her were nearby.
The progress of the police investigation into the killing of Feitz, whom police declare was shot when he surprised three bandits in the act of holding up 30 inmates and patrons, will be presented by both Prosecutor Orlando and Chief Colsey.
Mickey Blair to Give Up
Mickey Blair, a boxer whose real name is Michael Tenerelli, 25, who has been living in New York City, but whose Camden address is 833 South Fourth street, is to be surrendered to Camden police for questioning in connection with the murder of Feitz.
He has been sought by detectives for grilling since a few hours after the shooting of Feitz.
His attorney, Edward V. Martino, of 540 Cooper street, notified Chief Colsey today that he would surrender Tenerelli or Blair to the police in Camden at 1 p.m. today.
“Mickey knows absolutely nothing about the killing of Feitz,” Martino told newspapermen. “Learning through a friend that police were seeking him for questioning, he called me Saturday night and asked me to ascertain the facts.”
“I learned that police wanted to talk to him and telephoned him to that effect in New York City where he has been staying for the past few weeks. He later called me back and told me that he would be in Camden at 1 p.m. today.”
Martino revealed that Tenerelli or Blair said he had been in Camden prior to the killing of Feitz and also on Labor Day, the day following the shooting of the detective. He was here to attend the funeral of a brother-in-law, Martino said.
Will Probe Numbers
Prosecutor Orlando stepped in and assumed nominal charge of the investigation last Thursday when he ordered police to submit to him all reports and statements of witnesses. However it was learned that the police are still directing the search for the killers. The conference between Justice Lloyd, Prosecutor Orlando and Chief Colsey comes on the eve of swearing in the September Grand Jury tomorrow at which time the grand jurors will be ordered among other issues to probe into the “numbers” racket in Camden county.
Grand Jury Vice Probe to Be Ordered by Lloyd; Stewart Quizzes Cops
Camden Courier-Post, Evening Courier —
Grand Jury Vice Probe to Be Ordered by Lloyd; Stewart Quizzes Cops
Feitz Murder, City Grafting to Face Inquiry
Action Follows Parley With Orlando and Mayor on Conditions
More Suspensions of Police Intimated
Mickey Blair Quizzed on Detective’s Killing; Stewart Warns, ‘Clean Up’
Ward Reported on Way Out as Detective Chief
Reports around Camden police and detective headquarters today were to the effect that Lieutenant George Ward was on “his way out” as head of the Detective Bureau.
Dissatisfaction with the manner in which both police and detectives have handled the investigation so far into the Feitz murder will result in Mayor Stewart, director of public safety, ordering a change in detective chiefs today, as it was authoritatively learned.
Lieutenant Herbert Anderson, commander of the First Police District, will succeed Lieutenant Ward as it was reported, the latter being sent back to that police precinct which he formerly commanded.
“A sweeping investigation of all phases of crime” in Camden County, will be the first order given the new September Grand Jury today after it is sworn in at Camden Courthouse by Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd.
That was the decision reached by Justice Lloyd after three hours of separate conferences with Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, of Camden County, and Mayor Roy R. Stewart, director of public safety.
Today, Mayor Stewart, who has inaugurated his own personal investigation of existing conditions in the police department, continued to question and take statements from police officials, patrolmen and detectives.
Tenerelli Quizzed
Michael Tenerelli, 25, also known as Mickey Blair, former Camden lightweight boxer, was still being questioned at police headquarters in connection with the murder of Detective Feitz. Tenerelli who surrendered to police here yesterday after returning from New York, is booked as a material witness and on a charge of conspiracy in a robbery. Both charges were ordered placed against Tenerelli by Prosecutor Orlando who has assumed direct charge of the investigation. He is being held without bail.
Police Chief Colsey warned all detectives and patrolmen in the department that further suspensions will follow justified complaints of vice anywhere in the city limits if it can be traced to police neglect.
Chief Colsey also admitted that the 12 patrolmen and detectives suspended yesterday on his orders, will receive no pay as long as their suspensions last.
In addition to Lieutenant Bakley, Sergeant Cornog and acting Sergeant Leonard, the other suspended include Sergeant Walter Mattison of police headquarters; Sergeant John Garrity, District Detective Joseph H. Leonhardt who was with Feitz when he was shot; Patrolmen Leon Branch, George Cheeseman, Frank Wilmot, John Houston and Vernon Jones, all attached to the Second district station.
While police and detectives were scouring the city to learn whether or not the warning issued 36 hours ago to all proprietors of gambling houses to close down and stay closed was being enforced, Mayor Stewart was continuing the questioning of police officials and detectives at his City Hall office.
Walter S. Mattison — Camden Courier-Post, September 11, 1934
Two Tipsy Drivers Fined by Liberman
Camden Courier-Post —
Two Tipsy Drivers Fined by Liberman
Judge Refuses Alibi Offered That One ‘Drowned Grief’ in Friend’s Death
Two drunken drivers were given the alternative yesterday of Police Judge Lewis Liberman of paying fines of $200 or spending 90 days in jail.
They are Samuel Boykin, 42, of 514 Lawrence Street, and George Kendig, 41, of 2332 Broadway.
Boykin was arrested Monday at Broadway and Federal Street by Patrolmen William Stibi and Gus Rhiem, after they noticed his driving in a zig-zag manner.
Boykin pleaded not guilty, but admitted having “taken a drink to drown my sorrow over the death of a friend.”
“There is no question in my mind that you were drunk,” Judge Liberman told him, “because I have personal knowledge of it. I saw you in my office shortly after your arrest.”
Kendig, who was arrested last Thursday after his car was in collision with another car, was first arraigned yesterday, but the hearing was postponed to permit police to make further investigation.
Yesterday Sergeant Walter Mattison and Patrolman Maurice DiNicola testified they were on duty when Kendig was brought in to police headquarters and that he was under the influence of liquor. Kendig pleaded not guilty but admitted having had a “few glasses of wine.” Both sentences carry with them automatic suspension of drivers’ licenses for one year.
Honors Arranged for Lodge Leader
Camden Courier-Post —
Charles Siegel, Supreme Tall Cedar of the United States, and his official Camden Forest No.5, staff will be honored at a dinner and at the second annual charity ball of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, at the Walt Whitman Hotel Saturday night.
Among the guests will be City Commissioner Frederick von Nieda and Mrs. von Nieda; City Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann and Mrs. Hartmann, Surrogate F. B. Hanna and Mrs. Hanna, Sheriff Joseph Van Meter and Mrs. Van Meter, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Pearson, Mr. and Mrs. August Romelle, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Hicks, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Cook, Mr. and Mrs. James Knox, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Brown.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Forsythe, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Giffins, Mr. and Mrs. William Del Baugh, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Reeves, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Strouse, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Peters, William G. Rohrer, Miss Flora Tulk, Mr. and Mrs. George Murray, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Dahl, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ireton, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Mattison, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Burgess, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Miles, Lieutenant Albert Eckenroth and Mrs. Eckenroth.
Music will be furnished by the Famous Sonny James Orchestra.
Cedars of Lebanon Plan Charity Ball
Camden Courier-Post —
Plans for a snappy floor show as an additional feature of the second annual charity ball of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Camden Forest No. 5, were announced yesterday.
Sonny James with the recording and broadcasting orchestra that bears his name, will supply the music—interspersing swing for the youngsters with waltzes for the old-timers.
James will present as the floor show attraction The Musical Aces and Their Queens, radio performers. Harold Stephans, vocalist with the orchestra, also will be featured.
The ball is scheduled for Saturday night at Hotel Walt Whitman.
The general committee consists of the membership of all other committees, which are: Executive: Joseph C. Brown, Grand Tall Cedar, ex-officio; William E. Strouse, chairman and Daniel W. Forsyth, secretary and treasurer. Grand Conductor: Walter W. Giffins. Reception: Paul C. Ireton, leader; George Murray, Walter Morris, William Rohrer, Harry Holt, Vic Marx, Charles Ackley, Howard Dahl, Francis Gaskill, Frederick von Nieda, and Frank Hartmann.
Tickets, Walter Mattison; door, Louis Bull and Paul B. Miles, press, Frank H. Ryan. Electrical, Wilbur Peters; wardrobe, Charles Neil, William Strong, Elmer Burgess, Taylor Kellogg and Charles Green; safety, Lieut. George W. Frost, Frank Jaggard, Russell Young and Francis Gutherman; decorations, Fred Knodel, Charles Dorrman, Harry Sykes, Harry Flowers, Merton McCormick, Edward Zimmerman and William Delbaugh.
Clayton New Chief of Police Society
Camden Courier-Post —
Clayton New Chief of Police Society
Elected President of Camden Beneficial Association; Other Officers Picked
Captain George “Babe” Clayton, chief clerk of the police department, was elected unanimously yesterday as president of Camden Police Beneficial Association, succeeding the late Edward Middleton.
Detective William Dolan and Traffic Patrolman John B. Stanton were re-elected vice president and recording secretary, respectively. Neither was opposed.
Two offices were contested on friendly terms. Archie Reiss, principal clerk in the detective bureau, was elected financial secretary over Lieut. George Frost, the vote being 34 to 28. Sergt. Edward Carroll defeated Sergt. Walter Mattison for treasurer 38 to 23.
Trustees elected are Acting Police Chief Ralph Bakley, Acting Lieut. John Garrity, Detective Joseph Mardino, Acting Lieut. Herbert Bott and Patrolman Edward Leonard Sr.
World War II Draft Card
Walter S. Mattison, World War II Draft Registration Card
Koerner Made Police Chief; Carroll, Mattison Promoted
Camden Courier-Post —
Koerner Made Police Chief; Carroll, Mattison Promoted
Johnson, Garrity Move as Aaron Shifts Officers
Capt. Gustav Koerner, youngest of six men holding that rank in the department, today was named Camden police chief.
Public Safety Director Aaron announced the appointment and the 53-year-old Koerner, a member of the department 26 years, was sworn in by County Judge Sheehan in Aaron’s office.
Aaron announced the promotion of Detective Capt. Edward Carroll, 56, to police inspector, and the promotion of Lieut. Walter Mattison, 63, to captain, replacing Chief Koerner in command of the first police district and police headquarters.
Both were sworn in by Mrs. Mary MacClennan, acting city clerk.
Transfers Announced
Capt. John Garrity, from command of the police school, was named to command of Third Police District, vacant since the retirement on pension two weeks ago of Capt. Richard Cornog.
Capt. Samuel Johnson, who has been acting police chief since the resignation Jan. 1, 1948 of Chief George H. Frost, to command of the detective bureau, succeeding Carroll.
Named Chief of the Camden police department today, Captain Gustav Koerner, a 26-year veteran of the department and one time baseball player, is shown receiving the congratulations of Public Safety Director Aaron. A native of Camden, Chief Koerner succeeds George W. Frost, who resigned Jan. 1, 1948. Captain Samuel Johnson had been acting chief since then.
Gustav A. Koerner — George W. Frost — E. George Aaron — Mary MacClennan — John Garrity — Walter Mattison — Albert Cornog — Edward Carroll — Samuel Johnson — Walter Rowand — Angelo Malandra — James J. Mulligan — Bart A. Sheehan — Nathaniel Petit — David S. Rhone — Mitchell Cohen — Charles T. Humes
Captain Walter S. Mattison
Camden Courier-Post —
Captain Walter S. Mattison — Camden Courier-Post, May 16, 1950
Captain Walter S. Mattison Dies
Camden Courier-Post —
Named: Washington Street, Oscar Moore, Charles H. Ellis, Trimble Lodge No 117, F. & A.M., Camden Lodge 293, B.P.O. of Elks, Camden Lodge 111, L.O. of Moose, Gustave A. Koerner, and E. George Aaron.
Camden Courier-Post — August 2, 1950
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NORTH CAMDEN friends were shocked to learn of the death of Capt. Walter Mattison, commander of the First police district. Captain Mattison was a member of the Square club of North Camden and the members will join in a final tribute to him at 7:30 p. m., Friday at the Murray funeral home, 408 Cooper street.
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Camden Courier-Post — August 3, 1950
Walter S. Mattison death notice, Camden Courier-Post, August 3, 1950
Funeral Services for Captain Mattison
Camden Courier-Post —
POLICEMEN HE COMMANDED perform the final service for Captain Walter S. Mattison, veteran of 33 years with the Camden Police Department, as they act as pallbearers at his funeral today from a Cooper Street funeral home.
Named: Gustave A. Koerner, E. George Aaron, Edward Shapiro, Stanley Zuchowitz, Carmin Fuscellaro Jr., Harry Brown, William Yeager, Charles Hance, Sidney Doughty, Earl Quinton, Earl Wright, Charles Stone, John Trout, Walter Zimolong, Robert Kelly, William Miller, Joseph Fearon, William McDade, Herman Keubler, Walter Rowand, Willard Schriver, Rev. Stacy D. Myers, and Broadway Methodist Episcopal Church.