Introduction
Walter S. Mattison, Captain, Camden Police Department. Printed caption: CAPT. WALTER MATTISON (Camden Courier-Post, August 1, 1950).
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.
Husband and Wife Sentenced
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 217 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.
Inspectors Arrest Autoists
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Impeachment proceedings are to be instituted against Justices of the Peace who refuse to accept complaints from motor vehicle inspectors against alleged violators of the laws regulating the use of motor vehicles. An inspector of the State Department made that declaration in Camden yesterday. He declared that the State had decided to act promptly in the future. He spoke in reply to a question as to what would be done if all the Justices of the Peace having jurisdiction along the White Horse pike refused to accept any more complaints. Justice Hibbs, a week ago, declined to act until he was told what would happen. More alleged violators of the laws regulating headlights on automobiles were stopped on the White Horse pike last night and warned. Justice Jackson, at Magnolia, imposed a fine of $25 on Frank Sadkan, of 12 South Sixty-first street, Philadelphia, who was charged with operating an automobile without a license. Nelson Graham, 17 years old, of 244 Walnut street, Camden, was arrested by Policeman Walter Mattison at Haddon avenue and Federal street on a charge of reckless driving, but the complaint was later withdrawn. John Williams, 21 years old, of Mantua, was arrested on a charge of violating the traffic laws and left $15 security for his appearance before Recorder Stackhouse.
Registration Card of Walter Stiles Mattison
U.S. World War I draft registration card —
REGISTRATION CARD
SERIAL NUMBER 766. ORDER NUMBER 982.
1. Name: Walter Stiles Mattison (First name, Middle name, Last name)
2. Permanent home address: 575 Clinton St., Camden, N. J. (No., Street or R. F. D. No., City or town, County)
Age in Years: 32. Date of Birth: March 19th, 1886
Race: White (checked)
U. S. Citizen: Native Born (checked)
15. If not a citizen of the U. S., of what nation are you a citizen or subject? [blank]
16. Present occupation: Policeman. 17. Employer’s name: City of Camden
18. Place of employment or business: City of Camden, Camden, N. J.
Nearest relative: Loice Mattison [address blank]
I AFFIRM THAT I HAVE VERIFIED ABOVE ANSWERS AND THAT THEY ARE TRUE. Walter Stiles Mattison (Registrant’s signature or mark)
P. M. G. O. Form No. 1 (Red)
REGISTRAR’S REPORT 29-3-8-C
DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT
Height: Medium (checked). Build: Medium (checked). Color of eyes: Brown. Color of hair: Light brown [?]
29. Has person lost arm, leg, hand, eye, or is he obviously physically disqualified? (Specify.) No
30. I certify that my answers are true; that the person registered has read or has had read to him his own answers; that I have witnessed his signature or mark, and that all of his answers of which I have knowledge are true, except as follows: [blank]
Frank J. Welsh [?] (Signature of Registrar)
Date of Registration: SEP 12 1918
Local Board for Division No. 2, City of Camden, State of New Jersey, Board of Education, Room #12, City Hall, Camden, New Jersey. (Stamp of Local Board)
(The stamp of the Local Board having jurisdiction of the area in which the registrant has his permanent home shall be placed in this box.)
63—6171 (OVER)
Camden Woman Run Down by Autoist
Philadelphia Inquirer —
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 —
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.
Stored against the wall on the first floor were 1500 empty five-gallon cans.
A 10-inch pipe line equipped with a force pump runs from the large storage tanks into Cooper river for dumping of residue from mash.
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 —
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.
2 Suspects Nabbed in Theatre Robbery
Camden Courier-Post —
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 Evening Courier —
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 Wilmont [sic], 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, 38, alleged 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 in a cell, jumped from the 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 20 inmates and patrons, will be presented by both Prosecutor Orlando and Chief Colsey.
Mickey Blair to Give Up
Mickey Blair, 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 his office at 1 p.m.
“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.”
‘Attended Funeral’
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.
Neither Chief Colsey or other police or detective officials would comment upon what they hoped to learn from Tenerelli that might bring an early solution of the murder and lead to the arrest of the killers.
Prosecutor Orlando at the conference with Justice Lloyd in his City Hall-Court House offices, was to present a complete report on the murder of the detective together with statements obtained from all persons who figured in the crime.
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 wil [sic] 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 Evening Courier —
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’
Questioned in Feitz Murder
Michael Tenerelli, 25, known in pugilistic circles as Mickey Blair, is shown above during a lull in the questioning by detectives investigating the murder of District Detective William Feitz. Tenerelli surrendered to police yesterday and on order of Prosecutor Orlando was held without bail on charges of being a material witness and with conspiracy in a robbery in connection with the holdup in progress in the South Camden alleged disorderly house at the time Feitz was shot.
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, 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. During the conferences held in Justice Lloyd’s offices at City Hall-Courthouse, the murder of District Detective William T. Feitz, alleged graft and corruption in the Camden police department and protected vice were thoroughly discussed.
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. Twenty-three patrolmen and detectives were ordered before the mayor yesterday in addition to the 12 others who were indefinitely suspended by order of Police Chief Arthur Colsey.
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.
Seven other men and women taken into custody by police after the shooting of Feitz in the alleged disorderly house operated by the late Mrs. Emma Heisler at 243 Sycamore street, were to have been arraigned in Camden Police Court today on orders of Prosecutor Orlando and then turned over to the county authorities. Bail, Prosecutor Orlando declared, would be “sufficiently high” to insure their later appearances when wanted.
However there were no appearances of material witnesses or others in the Feitz investigation before Judge J. Harry Switzer in Camden Police Court during its session today and it was unofficially reported that the prosecutor had changed his plans.
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 others 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 Weber, Thomas Cheeseman, Frank Wilmot, John Houston and Vernon Jones, all attached to the Second district station.
Interviews Police
Three of the suspended officers, Mayor Stewart revealed, were among those interrogated yesterday. They are Lieut. Ralph A. Bakley, commander of the Second Police District or Division “H” in which territory the alleged disorderly house existed where Feitz was fatally shot; Sergeant Richard Cornog and Acting [lines between the bottom of crop 15 and the top of crop 16 are not captured in the scanned crops]
Edwin Andrews, Winslow township; Joseph Dougherty, 140 Prospect avenue, Merchantville.
William Tomlinson, Glendale, Voorhees township; Edmund S. Stafford, 546 Stevens street; Harry Buffington, 123 East Clinton avenue, Oaklyn; Samuel A. Dobbins, 2599 Baird boulevard; Charles H. Thatcher, 129 Kendall boulevard, Oaklyn; Richard S. Thompson, East Zane avenue, Collingswood; Benjamin F. Stemmer, 420 Third Avenue, Haddon Heights; Horace J. Harvey, 721 Amherst avenue, Audubon; H. B. Cox, Evesham avenue, Voorhees township; Dr. Walter F. Wood, Collingswood; John W. Underwood, 801 Cumberland street, Gloucester; Clarence Alloway, Blackwood; Charles A. McWilliams, Blackwood; Louis G. Clark, Barrington; Albert J. Cline, 18 East Crystal Lake avenue, Westmont; Robert Bushbeck, First avenue, Pine Hill, Harry Burkhardt, Bell road, Mt. Ephraim; George T. Schuster, 223 Woodland terrace, Collingswood; Chesley L. Hutchins, 711 Market street, Gloucester and Otto Vierling, Evergreen avenue, Runnemede.
The order of Justice Lloyd for a wide grand jury probe of crime follows upon a decision he made 10 days ago to have the same body open an investigation into the “numbers” racket in Camden city and county. At that time he declared he did not believe any graft or corruption existed in the Camden police department in connection with the operation of the lottery game here.
Tenerelli was identified, Colsey said, as a frequenter of Mrs. Emma Heisler’s disorderly house at 243 Sycamore street, where Feitz was killed, and was booked as a material witness in the Feitz murder, and on a charge of “shaking down” Mrs. Heisler by force, prior to the murder.
Unlike Mrs. Heisler, who leaped to her death after 60 hours freedom in the detective bureau, Blair was slapped without bail into the “cold storage” or incommunicado cell in the bureau.
Blair, after surrendering to Colsey, was sent to the “downstairs” jail and kept there until about 4 p. m. yesterday. Then he was questioned for an hour and a half by Prosecutor Orlando and Colsey.
Blair denied all knowledge of the murder, Colsey said, after the grilling ceased, but added that two inmates of Mrs. Heisler’s house, whom he would not identify, named Blair as one of several men who had come several times to Mrs. Heisler’s place, attempted to extort money from her and, failing, had “held up the place” or a “shakedown.”
This coincided with the statement of Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner, on the day Feitz was killed, that the place had been held up several times, and Mrs. Heisler, because of the nature of her occupation, would not report the holdups.
Prosecutor Orlando, subsequently, had stated that Feitz met death in an attempt to block a “shake-down” holdup of the place.
Boxer Is Identified
Both the inmates of Mrs. Heisler’s place, held incommunicado, looked at Blair in the new detective bureau “lineup” room and identified him as a shakedown visitor, but said he was not in the house on the night of the murder, Colsey said.
The chief then was asked if he believes friends of Blair staged the fatal shake-down and killed Feitz, and replied:
“That’s what we want to know. We don’t know yet. But we are getting somewhere and will solve this case.”
The two inmates of the Heisler house were brought back to the lineup room a second time, took another look at Blair through the screen that made him a “high-lighted” figure and prevented him from seeing them and reaffirmed their previous statements, Colsey said.
Upon the suspension of the twelve members of the force and the installation of a new acting second district commander and new acting sergeants to relieve those suspended, Chief Colsey said he issued the following order to the entire department:
Calls for Cleanup
“All vice must be eliminated absolutely and entirely in Camden. This means all types of vice, including the numbers racket, gambling houses, disorderly houses, horse-race bookmaking speakeasies and everything else though it may not be specifically enumerated here.
“In the future if any complaint of vice comes in, and is proved to be justified, and is attributable to negligence on the part of any patrolmen of police officer [sic], immediate suspension of the negligent members of the force will follow without exception.”
Chief Colsey also said he will recommend that bail of $2000 be set in all numbers racket cases in future, and that all arrested be held for grand jury action, except in cases where innocent players are brought in.
‘Prompted by Facts’
In making public the suspensions of the policemen, Chief Colsey said his action was “prompted by facts” uncovered during the course of his investigation.
In announcing the taking over of the murder investigation, Prosecutor Orlando said:
“As a result of my conference with Justice Lloyd it has been decided that the prosecutor’s office from this time on will take charge of the murder investigation.
“In doing so, however, it does not mean that the city police will cease acting in the matter and will act with just as much zeal as is within their command in bringing about the apprehension of those responsible.
“This investigation has been taken over by this office by reason of the policy assumed in other murder investigations. Hereafter all murder investigations in Camden county will be under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office and at the same time through co-ordinated efforts of this office and the police department of the particular community where the murder takes place.
“As far as developments are concerned, there is nothing new in the case except the arrest of Mickey Blair, who was surrendered by his counsel and who is in the custody of the police until he is committed.”
Lieutenant Walter Welch in command of the Third Police District was assigned by Chief Colsey to replace Lieutenant Bakley and make the suspensions of all sergeants and patrolmen in that precinct effective immediately. Sergeant John Potter of the Third District was named an acting lieutenant to replace Lieutenant Welch as commander of that precinct.
Welch said he will instruct every policeman under his new command that he must work in harmony with earnest efforts to stamp out vice.
“If they do not do this,” Welch said, “I do not want them. They will be of no use to me. They know what to expect if they fail to cooperate. My efforts will be directed to maintaining order without vice in the Second district, just as I have done in the Third.”
Walter S. Mattison
Camden Evening Courier —
Walter S. Mattison — Camden Evening Courier, 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 streets 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 DiNiculo 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 —
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.
Sergt. Albert “Dick” Cornog was elected without opposition as sergeant-at-arms.
Trustees elected are Acting Police Chief Ralph Bakley, Acting Lieut. John Garrity, Detective Joseph Mardino, Acting Lieut. Herbert Bott and Patrolman Edward Leonard.
CAPT. GEORGE CLAYTON — All officers were elected for one year. Detective Dolan served as acting president after Middleton’s death.
Registration Card of Walter Stiles Mattison
U.S. World War II draft registration card — 1942
REGISTRATION CARD—(Men born on or after April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897)
SERIAL NUMBER U 7379 [a penciled number above reads 1370 [?]] 1. NAME (Print) Walter Stiles Mattison ORDER NUMBER [blank]
2. PLACE OF RESIDENCE (Print) 575 Clinton St., Camden, Camden, New Jersey (Number and street) (Town, township, village, or city) (County) (State) [THE PLACE OF RESIDENCE GIVEN ON THE LINE ABOVE WILL DETERMINE LOCAL BOARD JURISDICTION; LINE 2 OF REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE WILL BE IDENTICAL]
3. MAILING ADDRESS: Same. [Mailing address if other than place indicated on line 2. If same insert word same]
4. TELEPHONE: 1445 J, Camden 5. AGE IN YEARS: 56 DATE OF BIRTH: March 19, 1886 6. PLACE OF BIRTH: Camden, N. J.
7. NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERSON WHO WILL ALWAYS KNOW YOUR ADDRESS: Loice W. Mattison (wife), 575 Clinton St, Camden. 8. EMPLOYER’S NAME AND ADDRESS: City of Camden 9. PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT OR BUSINESS: City Hall, Camden, Camden, N. J.
I AFFIRM THAT I HAVE VERIFIED ABOVE ANSWERS AND THAT THEY ARE TRUE. Walter S. Mattison (Registrant’s signature)
D. S. S. Form 1 (Revised 4-1-42) (over) 16—21630—2
Koerner Made Police Chief; Carroll, Mattison Promoted
Camden Courier-Post —
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 H. Frost [sic], who resigned Jan. 1, 1948. Capt. Samuel Johnson had been acting chief since then.
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.
At the same time, Director 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
Aaron also announced the following transfers, effective Dec. 1:
Capt. John Garrity, from chief clerk of the police bureau, to command of the 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 [sic], to command of the detective bureau, succeeding Carroll.
Capt. Walter Rowand, 56, one of those made eligible for the appointment as chief by civil service tests, will continue in charge of the second police district, Director Aaron said, and Capt. Nathan Petit, 57, another eligible for the appointment, will remain in charge of the traffic bureau.
More than 100 police and firemen attended the ceremony at which Chief Koerner was sworn in, including Patrolman Frank Call, president of Local 35, Police Benevolent Association. Others included Deputy Mayor Malandra, acting for Mayor Brunner who was unable to attend; Freeholder Ewing and Captain of County Detectives James J. Mulligan.
After administering the oath, Judge Sheehan shook hands with Chief Koerner and said:
“I am certain that you will demonstrate your unquestionable integrity and courage in your new office and add lustre to our police department.”
Says Selection Difficult
Selection of Koerner over Captain Petit and Captain Rowand, Director Aaron said, was “an extremely difficult one to make.”
“All three captains,” the director said, “are my personal friends, and have been for many years. I considered each of them well qualified for the job of police chief. In naming Captain Koerner, however, I took into consideration his age and his excellent physical condition.”
The civil service tests in which the three qualified for appointment were taken after Chief Frost resigned. Koerner outpointed the other two, receiving an average of 78.5 percent against 76.3 for Petit and 74.3 percent for Rowand.
Captains Garrity, Johnson and Carroll did not take the examinations.
As head of the department, Chief Koerner will be paid at the rate of $4425, the present salary of police chief, until Jan. 1, when, through the increase approved at the Nov. 8 election, he will receive $4885 a year. His captain’s salary was $3500 a year.
On Force 32 Years
The promotion for Captain Mattison not only was a reward for 32 years of service in the department but also brought him a salary increase from the rate of $3220 a year, the present scale for lieutenants, to $3500, the rate for captains. After the first of the year, he will receive $3960 a year.
Director Aaron said he did not know whether Inspector Carroll will draw a greater salary than that allowed captains. The city has not had a police inspector since the late Inspector Charles L. Humes Sr. [sic], retired Jan. 1, 1933.
Police Chief Koerner, a native of Camden, is one of 10 children of the late Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Koerner. His father for many years was an engraver employed by the Theodore Presser Co., music publishing firm of Philadelphia.
Directed Detectives
Educated in public schools, Koerner was appointed to the police department June 16, 1923, and after a probationary period, was assigned to the motorcycle squad. He was named a sergeant in September, 1930, and a lieutenant in November, 1941. Shortly after the latter appointment, he was placed in charge of the detective bureau, a post he held when named a captain in April, 1943, and continued to hold until placed in charge of the First district.
He is married and lives with his wife, Mary, at 807 Haddon avenue. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and has been active in the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association practically from its start here.
Played Baseball in Youth
As a youth, Chief Koerner played sandlot baseball in East Camden and later, as an infielder, played with several teams in the old Eastern Shore League. On receiving his police appointment, he played with the Camden police team in the Penn-Jersey League.
He has never relinquished his interest in baseball and at present is chairman of the Police Athletic League which sponsors sports for teen-agers.
Koerner had the appointment once before, Dr. David S. Rhone naming him chief last Oct. 28 a few hours after Rhone was removed as public safety director and Aaron assigned that department of the city government. The appointment, however, was cancelled the following day.
Chief Koerner was cleared of three charges of misconduct in office a year ago by a ruling of Judge Sheehan in Camden county court. The charges grew out of his alleged failure as head of the detective bureau to question persons whose names were found in a notebook on the body of Frank Luggi, who was murdered Dec. 31, 1946.
Veteran of War I
Inspector Carroll, who lives at 427 Lansdowne avenue, has had 27 years service in the department, being appointed on July 14, 1922. He was promoted to sergeant in April, 1930; to lieutenant, October, 1941, and to captain, March 23, 1943. He is a veteran of World War I. Previously to being placed in charge of the detective bureau in December, 1947, he commanded the Second Police District and prior to that, the headquarters division.
Captain Mattison lives at 541 Washington street and was appointed a patrolman on April 11, 1917. He was promoted to sergeant Aug. 1, 1929, the rank he held for 14 years before being named a lieutenant on March 23, 1943. He commanded the First District for several years but without the rank of captain and for the last two years, has been in command of police headquarters.
134 Years of Service
Captains Johnson, Petit, Rowand and Garrity—all veterans of the department—have a combined service of more than 134 years, with Captain Johnson, who is 70, topping each of them with almost 40 years of service, receiving his appointment to the department in April, 1910.
Captain Petit, who is 57, was appointed a patrolman in April, 1917; Rowand, in December of that year, and Captain Garrity, in January, 1919, after serving six years as a member of the fire department.
Last August, Captain Petit was suspended for 28 days after he had been charged with violating a police regulation forbidding police to hold outside employment. He was accused of doing traffic work for a construction company during the building of the Baird boulevard overpass.
Capt. Garrity was indicted along with Director Rhone and Chief Frost in connection with the Van Riper probe of police laxity and gambling charges two years ago but was exonerated along with Rhone when their indictments were nolle prossed last May 13 by Prosecutor Cohen. Frost was acquitted by a directed verdict three days previously.
Cops Study for Hours; Find Way To Get Huge Tank Under PRSL Span
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden police were baffled today—and not by any major crime.
They were stopped cold, for several hours anyway, by a truck carrying a 22,000-pound tank which was unable to go underneath a railroad bridge to South Camden.
The problem, which had most of the First District patrolmen calculating and figuring, finally was solved.
The truck and its lumbering cargo finally squeezed underneath the South Fifth street bridge of the PRSL by skirting the left curb, the lowest point of the roadway.
Destined for the Public Service Electric and Gas Co. coke plant at Front and Chestnut streets, the truck and its huge cargo came to an unhappy halt at Third and Federal streets while police struggled to figure out a way to get the monster under the Fourth street PRSL bridge to South Camden.
The truck remained at its halting spot more than two hours, stalling traffic.
It came from the Cruse Kemper Co., Ambler, Pa., via the Camden bridge, arriving at its Waterloo at about 1 p. m.
The driver tried to get under the PRSL bridge, but couldn’t make it because the clearance there is only 13.6 ft.
Then he sought relief at the truck driver’s union on Federal street, but they told him they’d long had the same problem.
Police Capt. Walter Mattison finally appeared and suggested the driver try the Fifth street route.
It worked.
Captain Mattison, Police Veteran, Succumbs at 64
Camden Courier-Post —
CAPT. WALTER MATTISON
Pneumonia Proves Fatal; Named to Department in 1917
Capt. Walter S. Mattison, a veteran of more than 33 years’ service with the Camden police department, died today at 6.20 a. m. in West Jersey hospital, after an illness of a week. He was 64.
Captain Mattison was taken to the hospital Monday from his home at 541 Washington street, where he lived with relatives, Oscar Moore, Camden freeholder, and Mrs. Moore. Returning from the seashore about a week ago, Mr. Mattison suffered a chill and went to bed at home. His illness was diagnosed as pneumonia.
Joined Force in 1917
Appointed to the force April 11, 1917, by Mayor Charles H. Ellis, Captain Mattison was elevated to district detective in February, 1929, and to sergeant in July of the same year. He was named a lieutenant in March, 1943, and promoted to captain last November by Director of Public Safety Aaron.
During his service in the department he served as commander of the First Police District and in a minor capacity in every district of the city, which at times had four such sections. He recently was in charge of the First District and police headquarters, jointly.
Member of Many Lodges
He was a member of Trimble Lodge, FAM; a past grand tall cedar of Camden Forest 5, Tall Cedars of Lebanon; Excelsior Consistory; Cresent Temple; North Camden Craftsmen’s club; Pitman Masonic club; Camden Lodge of Moose; Camden Lodge of Elks; the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, and the South Jersey Police Association, and a former president of the Camden Optomists club.
He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Leah McCracken, of Fair Haven; a sister, Mrs. Leah Wheeler, of Philadelphia, and two grandchildren.
Services will be held Friday at 1 p. m. from the Murray funeral home, 408 Cooper street. Burial will be in the Harleigh cemetery.
Police Chief Koerner has issued a general order for Camden police to meet at 7 p. m. Thursday at Roosevelt plaza to proceed to the funeral home for the viewing.
North Camden Friends Pay Tribute to Capt. Mattison
Camden Courier-Post —
* * *
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.
* * *
Capt. Walter Mattison
Camden Courier-Post —
Capt. Walter Mattison’s death at the age of 64, after a short illness, is a real loss to the Camden police department, of which he was one of the most efficient and faithful members.
Captain Mattison was named to the force by Mayor Ellis in 1917 and successively became district detective and sergeant in 1929, lieutenant in 1943, and captain, by appointment of Commissioner Aaron, last November. At the time of his death he was in charge of the First District and police headquarters. He was long active in Masonic and other fraternal circles.
A host of friends will mourn Captain Mattison, and none more so than the many in the newspaper profession with whom he came in contact. On numberless occasions he went out of his way to be courteous and helpful to reporters, particularly if the reporter was a timid young “cub” who needed to be shown the ropes. Not every policeman is so considerate. But kindliness and consideration for his fellow-man was an outstanding characteristic of Captain Mattison.
Funeral Is Held For Capt. Mattison
Camden Courier-Post —
POLICEMEN HE COMMANDED perform final service for Capt. Walter S. Mattison, veteran of 33 years with Camden police department, as they act as pallbearers at his funeral today from a Cooper street funeral home. —Courier-Post Photo
Funeral services for Police Capt. Walter S. Mattison, commander of the First District, who died Tuesday of pneumonia, were held today at the Murray funeral home, 408 Cooper street. Burial was in Harleigh cemetery.
The Rev. Stacy D. Myers, pastor of Broadway Methodist Church, officiated at the funeral services, taking as the background for his sermon, “The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Speaking to the bereaved, the Rev. Mr. Myers said, “As you and I face this ordeal through which all must pass, may be too have the eternal assurance that God is our refuge and strength, holding us up and enabling us to go on in life’s adventure. The best eulogy one can receive is a word of praise from those with whom we live. Captain Mattison’s neighbors all bore witness to his friendliness and willingness at all times to do a good deed for others.”
More than 400 persons called there Thursday night, including a police detail of 100 patrolmen and detectives led by Public Safety Director Aaron; his deputy, Willard Schriver, and Police Chief Koerner.
Honor guards stationed at the bier were Detective Edward Shapiro and Patrolmen Stanley Zuchowicz and Carmin Fuscellaro Jr.
Pallbearers today were Patrolman Harry Brown, William Yeager, Charles Hance, and Sidney Doughty; Detective Earle Quinton and Sgt. Earl Wright.
Honorary pallbearers included Sgts. Charles Stone and John Trout, Patrolman Walter Zimolong, Robert Kelly, William Miller, Joseph Fearon, William McDade, Herman Keubler and Detective Edward Shapiro.
Badges Covered Black
Capt. Walter Rowand was in charge of arrangements. All officers wore black cloth shields over their badges in memoriam.
The police detail attending the viewing Thursday night formed at Roosevelt plaza and marched in double column to the funeral home. As the detail passed the coffin in single file, each officer uncovered and placed his cap over his badge.
Captain Mattison is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Leah McCracken, Fair Haven; a sister, Mrs. Leah Wheeler, Philadelphia, and two grandchildren.
Services Thursday night were conducted by lodge and fraternal groups.
Suspected Sniper Charges Frameup by ‘Real Phantom’
Camden Courier-Post —
Police Letter Written by His Enemy, Downtown Youth Insists
NEW SHOTS HIT AUTO AND FIRE ALARM BOX
Courier Reporter Locates Most Sought By Police At Jasper Street Home
Admitting that he is the man for whom Camden police searched for four days after receipt of an anonymous letter declaring him to be South Jersey’s “phantom sniper,” Eugene Marshall, 21 years old, of 404 Jasper street, today charged that he was the victim of a plot by an enemy he suspects as being the real “ghost gunner.”
Young Marshall, a former taxicab driver, was found by an Evening Courier reporter to whom he voiced his suspicions regarding the writer of the “tip-off note” now in possession of Detective Captain John Golden.
“I want to see that letter,” Marshall declared. “I understand that it’s printed, but just the same I think I’d recognize who did it. If it’s the man I think it is, I’ll tell his name and they can question him.”
Thinks Enemy Is Sniper
The letter, which Captain Golden received ten days ago, was signed “A Gunman.”
“That’s just what this fellow is,” was Marshall’s assertion. “and I think he’s the sniper and is trying to put the blame on me.”
It was after Captain Golden received the anonymous letter, purporting to be a “tip” on the identity of the sniper, that city detectives watched vainly for four days in the vicinity of Fourth and Jasper streets.
“If you want to catch him,” the letter stated, “follow this letter and see the sniper come out of a house on Jasper street at 7 o’clock Wednesday night near a saloon corner. He will have on a dark coat and light pants and is about 5 feet 11 inches tall with a cap pulled over his eyes.”
The description exactly fits Marshall.
“Sure, I’m the fellow that letter meant,” Marshall said. “But I’m no more the sniper than you are. I’m pretty sure I know who wrote the letter, though, and I think he’s the sniper. According to the paper, the letter ended up with the words ‘Till we meet again.’ Well, those are the same words this fellow used to me when I left him the last time we were together.”
Shot Hits Fire-Alarm Box
Perhaps the “sniper” or perhaps some imitator of his activities today fired a bullet or some similar missile through the glass key-window of a fire-alarm box at Kaighn avenue and Hyde Park. It was the twenty-seventh incident of the sort since Thanksgiving Day, bullets and other missiles having been flung previously through auto windshields, and windows of doors of stores and dwellings in Camden, Collingswood, Audubon, Gloucester and Delair.
Police Sergeant Walter Mattison was notified of the drilling of the fire alarm box glass at 11:30 o’clock this morning. The hole in the glass was described by police as being one which appeared to have been caused by a .22 calibre bullet. No bullet or other missile was found and no one in the neighborhood, among those questioned had heard the report of a gun.
If the “sniper” or other mischief maker fired at the box with the intention of setting off the alarm, he failed. No alarm sounded and the incident was not discovered until a patrolman passed and happened to notice that the box had been damaged.
Hits Battered Sedan
Meanwhile, the twenty-sixth shot attributed to the “phantom sniper” was added to the long list of similar incidents during the weekend. Forsaking the main thoroughfares, the mysterious marksman—if, indeed, the same person is responsible—stalked his game through side streets of South Camden, where two other silent shots were fired last week.
A battered old sedan was the twenty-sixth target of the “sniper” or snipers. A bullet-like missile, which vanished just as have most of the others, drilled a hole in a rear window of the ancient car, narrowly missing Joseph Carone, 20 years old, of 30 Morris street, Gloucester.
Carone had sold the car to Donato Aceto, 32 years old, of 681 Van Hook street, a watchman at the Reading railroad crossing at Broadway and Salem street, Gloucester. The young man was steering the old machine which was being towed by Aceto’s car. At Seventh street and Woodland avenue the mysterious missile tore through the rear window of the sedan, whistled past Carone’s head and vanished.
Too startled at first to realize what had happened. Carone waited until the two cars had crawled along for a hundred yards before he thought of the “phantom sniper.” Then, a search for the missile began but to no avail. He reported the incident to William Booth, a florist, of 692 Van Hook street, who notified police. Detective Samuel Johnson investigated and heard Carone’s story.