Walter West
Walter West (Walter E. Kennedy)
WALTER WEST was born Walter E. Kennedy, to Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Kennedy on September 8, 1892.
Walter Kennedy boxed in Philadelphia under the name of Walter West for a few years in the early 1910s. He married in his early 20s, and divorced in the mid-1910s, and after a bitter custody battle was able to raise his son, Robert S. Kennedy.
Walter Kennedy served in the United States Army during World War I in the medical detachment of the 126th Infantry regiment, 32nd Infantry Division.
Walter Kennedy operated a bar under a soft drink license at 1252 Locust Street in South Camden from 1928 through 1931. By June of 1932 he was out of the bar business, and got into some trouble with the law for carrying a concealed weapon and trying to board a bus without paying. By the spring of 1942 he had obtained employment with the Water Department of the City of Camden.
Last a resident of 515 Cedar Street in North Camden, Walter E. Kennedy passed away on December 13, 1949 and was buried at Harleigh Cemetery.
Walter West Known Boxing Record
W 2 (KO 2) | Lost 0 | Draw 0
Newspaper Decisions: W 5 | Lost 3 | Draw 0
Total Bouts 10 — Known rounds boxed 48
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Venue | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1915-10-23 | Henry Hauber | L | NWS | National A.C., Philadelphia | Newspaper decision in favor of Hauber (Philadelphia Public Ledger) |
| 1913-10-02 | Roy Hurst | W | NWS | Broadway A.C., Philadelphia | Newspaper decision in favor of West (Philadelphia Inquirer) |
| 1913-06-05 | Pete Malone | W | NWS | Broadway A.C., Philadelphia | Decision in favor of West (Philadelphia Public Ledger); Philadelphia Record saw it as a draw |
| 1913-03-06 | Chick Carsey | W | NWS | Broadway A.C., Philadelphia | Newspaper decision in favor of West (Philadelphia Inquirer) |
| 1912-04-04 | Pete Malone | L | NWS | Broadway A.C., Philadelphia | Newspaper decision in favor of Pete Malone (Philadelphia Inquirer) |
| 1911-11-16 | Henry Hauber | L | NWS | Broadway A.C., Philadelphia | Newspaper decision in favor of Hauber (Philadelphia Item) |
| 1911-04-27 | Frank Still | W | TKO | Broadway A.C., Philadelphia | Result from the Philadelphia Item |
| 1911-04-20 | Ray Hamilton | W | NWS | Broadway A.C., Philadelphia | Newspaper decision in favor of West (Philadelphia Item) |
| 1911-04-06 | Jack Fritz | W | NWS | Broadway A.C., Philadelphia | Result and newspaper decision from the Philadelphia Item |
| 1911-03-30 | Joe Bonner | W | TKO | Broadway A.C., Philadelphia | Result from the Philadelphia Item |
Grandparents to Care for Child
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Grandparents to Care for Child
Vice Chancellor Backes, in Camden, yesterday gave a decree placing two-year-old Robert Kennedy in custody of his grandparents, Mr and Mrs Robert Kennedy, of 1129 South Third street. Mrs Evelyn Kennedy, the little one’s mother, has the privilege of having possession of him from Saturday noon until Monday morning of each week. Walter Kennedy, the father, had instituted habeas corpus proceedings.
Philadelphia Inquirer — October 22–23, 1915
Buck and Morgan
BUCK AND MORGAN
Tommy Buck, of this city, will meet Eddie Morgan, of England, in the final bout tomorrow night at the National A. C. The semi-windup will bring together Sam Taylor, of the U. S. S. Michigan, and Fred Jordan, of the U. S. S. Kansas. The other bouts are, Charlie Kid Thomas and Joe Welsh, Henry Hauber vs. Walter West, of Camden, N. J., and the opener will introduce Barney Hahn and Young Jack Toland.
Tonight—Tonight (fight card advertisement)
TONIGHT—TONIGHT
National A. C. Jack McGuigan, Prop. 11th & Catharine Sts.
Tommy Buck vs. Eddie Morgan FRED JORDAN vs. SAM TAYLOR JOE WELSH vs. KID THOMAS HENRY HAUBER vs. WALTER WEST YG. JACK TOLAND vs. BARNEY HAHN
BUCK AND MORGAN
Tommy Buck, of this city, will meet Eddie Morgan, of England, in the final bout tomorrow night at the National A. C. The semi-windup will bring together Sam Taylor, of the U. S. S. Michigan, and Fred Jordan, of the U. S. S. Kansas. The other bouts are, Charlie Kid Thomas and Joe Welsh, Henry Hauber vs. Walter West, of Camden, N. J., and the opener will introduce Barney Hahn and Young Jack Toland.
2 Cops Go on Trial Tuesday as Echo of Election Row
Camden Courier-Post —
(excerpt about Walter Kennedy)
Walter Kennedy, former Camden boxer who fought under the ring name of Walter West, is also scheduled to go on trial tomorrow on a charge of carrying concealed deadly weapons. Kennedy, who is a shell-shocked World War veteran and former Camden soft drink parlor proprietor, is charged with attempting to hold up a Public Service bus on State street, four months ago.
2 COPS GO ON TRIAL TUESDAY AS ECHO OF ELECTION ROW
Jersey City Democrat Charges Bakley and Truax Violated Law
2 COURTS IN SESSION
Two Camden police officers, Lieut. Ralph W. Bakley, commander of the Second District, and Patrolman Frank Truax, are scheduled to go on trial in Criminal Court tomorrow on an indictment charging them with violation of the election laws.
The charge resulted from the arrest of Joseph Tumulty, Jersey City attorney and Democratic challenger at the Camden city polls during the gubernatorial election last November. Mayor Roy R. Stewart will be summoned as a defense witness, according to the officers’ counsel Harry T. Rowland. The latter added that Major Charles V. Dickinson, deputy superintendent of police, Captain Arthur Colsey, business men, several bankers and a score of other character witnesses will be called to the stand.
Two Courts in Session
The case is one of the larger number listed for trial, pleas or sentences this week by Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin in an attempt to clear up the Criminal Court calendar to permit adjournment in July. Two criminal courts will be in session today, tomorrow and Wednesday. Judge Samuel M. Shay will preside in the first court today, and Judge George Austin H. Swackhamer will hold court on the second floor.
One of the two who will enter pleas is Mrs. Mable J. Steyer, of 4603 Conshohocken avenue, Philadelphia, who is charged with responsibility for manslaughter by automobile. She is charged with the death of William Sharkey, on Berlin-Cross Keys Horse pike last February. Six times Prosecutor Baldwin has endeavored to have her appear, and she has refused to appear. She visited in the prosecutor’s office several days ago and was turned over to the sheriff. She had previously forfeited the same amount of bail. She is charged with driving her automobile on the wrong side of the pike and crashing into the car operated by Sharkey.
Another defendant who is scheduled to appear to plead is Harry Willingmyer, charged with assault and battery.
The 11 defendants who are listed to stand trial today include Dr. Mason, of 613 Linden boulevard, Delaware township. Dr. Mason is charged with false pretense in obtaining $2,500 from Harvey L. Hartman, of 615 Rogers avenue, Merchantville. The other defendants are James Jordan, assault and battery and false pretense; James Jordan, assault and battery; Herman Romaine, Harold Nickturn, Howard C. Franklin, larceny, and four indictments against the much arrested Howard C. Franklin, who is charged with larceny when charged with false pretense.
Tomorrow, Arthur “Gyp” Del Ducca, convicted disorderly house keeper, will be sentenced by Judge Swackhamer. Del Ducca was convicted in the criminal court last Wednesday of operating a resort at 764 Fairview street. Charles Fanelli, of 319 Penn street, who was convicted of holding up John Weeks, of Eighth and Tabor road, Philadelphia, on November 13, last, and robbing him of $50, will also be sentenced on Tuesday.
Several roadhouse proprietors whose establishments were recently raided, are also scheduled to appear in court tomorrow for trial. They include Harry Fleisher, 300 Rand street; John Cernivo, of Camden; Thomas Gibbons, of Gloucester; Walt Mills, alleged proprietor of the Maze Cafe in Stratford; Edward J. Walsh, alleged proprietor of the Little Grill, in West Collingswood Heights; Owen Sweeney, alleged proprietor of the Haddon Lake, at Mt. Ephraim; William Marshall, alleged proprietor of the Royal Haven Inn, at Berlin; Conrad Bittner, 456 Broadway, Gloucester, and Harry Underwood, also of Gloucester. There are two indictments against Underwood.
Walter Kennedy, former Camden boxer who fought under the ring name of Walter West, is also scheduled to go on trial tomorrow on a charge of carrying concealed deadly weapons. Kennedy, who is a shell-shocked World War veteran and former Camden soft drink parlor proprietor, is charged with attempting to hold up a Public Service bus on State street, four months ago.
Other defendants on tomorrow’s trial list are Louis Ward and Dean Kessler, larceny; Pasquale Massi, Jacob Melzer and Frank Atwater, attempted breaking and entering; Louis Scott, Edward Brady, Carl Pisco, Joseph Pisco, carrying concealed deadly weapons; Jim Jackson and Woodrow Stevens, breaking and entering; Frank Mucci, disorderly house; W. H. Seckel, false pretense; Davis Keese, statuatory charge, and Gustave Seletos, three indictments for false pretense.
On Wednesday ten defendants are scheduled to go on trial in the criminal courts. They are:
Roland Davis, desertion; William Bopergola, Tony Basile, Joseph Gogenti, Frank Carofolo, statuatory charges; Edward North, larceny; Joseph Carboni, larceny from person; George Huber, larceny; Roland Davis board bill; George Walters, tampering with meter.
Judge Shay will be asked tomorrow to sign court orders authorizing the prosecutor’s office to destroy all the liquors seized in the various roadhouse raids during the past year. The liquor is at present stored in the cellar of the old court house under lock and key.
2 COPS GO ON TRIAL TUESDAY AS ECHO OF ELECTION ROW
Jersey City Democrat Charges Bakley and Truax Violated Law
2 COURTS IN SESSION
Two Camden police officers, Lieut. Ralph W. Bakley, commander of the Second District, and Patrolman Frank Truax, are scheduled to go on trial in Criminal Court tomorrow on an indictment charging them with violation of the election laws.
The charge resulted from the arrest of Joseph Tumulty, Jersey City attorney and Democratic challenger at the Camden city polls during the gubernatorial election last November. Mayor Roy R. Stewart will be summoned as a defense witness, according to the officers’ counsel Harry T. Rowland. The latter added that Major Charles V. Dickinson, deputy superintendent of police, Captain Arthur Colsey, business men, several bankers and a score of other character witnesses will be called to the stand.
Several roadhouse proprietors whose establishments were recently raided, are also scheduled to appear in court tomorrow for trial. They include Harry Fleisher, 300 Rand street; John Cernivo, of Camden; Thomas Gibbons, of Gloucester; Walt Mills, alleged proprietor of the Maze Cafe in Stratford; Edward J. Walsh, alleged proprietor of the Little Grill, in West Collingswood Heights; Owen Sweeney, alleged proprietor of the Haddon Lake, at Mt. Ephraim; William Marshall, alleged proprietor of the Royal Haven Inn, at Berlin; Conrad Bittner, 456 Broadway, Gloucester, and Harry Underwood, also of Gloucester. There are two indictments against Underwood.
Walter Kennedy, former Camden boxer who fought under the ring name of Walter West, is also scheduled to go on trial tomorrow on a charge of carrying concealed deadly weapons. Kennedy, who is a shell-shocked World War veteran and former Camden soft drink parlor proprietor, is charged with attempting to hold up a Public Service bus on State street, four months ago.
Tomorrow, Arthur “Gyp” Del Ducca, convicted disorderly house keeper, will be sentenced by Judge Swackhamer. Del Ducca was convicted in the criminal court last Wednesday of operating a resort at 764 Fairview street. Charles Fanelli, of 319 Penn street, who was convicted of holding up John Weeks, of Eighth and Tabor road, Philadelphia, on November 13, last, and robbing him of $50, will also be sentenced on Tuesday.
Boxer Found Guilty of Holdup on Bus
Camden Courier-Post —
BOXER FOUND GUILTY OF HOLDUP ON BUS
Walter Kennedy, Who Fought As Walter West, Will Be Sentenced Later
Walter Kennedy, former pugilist and cafe owner, was found guilty yesterday of attempted robbery and carrying a revolver by a jury in criminal court which deliberated 15 minutes. Sentence is expected to be imposed later in the week.
Albert Bromley, a bus driver, testified the former boxer, known in the ring as Walter West, tried to hold him up at the point of a pistol February 4 as he was driving his bus on State street near Sixth street.
Bromley and Walter “Buck” Taylor, a guard in the Camden county jail, identified Kennedy at the trial. Taylor said that when Kennedy saw him on the bus, the former boxer said to him: “No matter what happens, don’t say you saw me.” Taylor said he elighted from the bus shortly thereafter.
Four Camden Men Are Among Those Who Get Paroles
Camden Courier-Post —
Leslie Orr, ‘Polack Joe’ Deven, Jackie Hindle and Walter Kennedy Freed
PUBLIC NOT INFORMED
Four well-known Camden county men who had been in the state penitentiary at Trenton for at least one year are now at liberty on parole. It was revealed at Trenton yesterday that the State Board of Pardons had granted paroles last week to Leslie W. Orr, Haddonfield real estate broker; Joseph “Polack Joe” Deven, South Camden sportsman, Jackie Hindle, former Camden cop, and Walter Kennedy, formerly a boxer and cafe owner.
The pardons court followed its custom of making no public announcement of the paroles, but admitted upon questioning yesterday that the four local men had been liberated.
Orr, who resided at 112 Avondale avenue, Haddonfield, and had a real estate office in Collingswood, was sentenced May 24, 1932, to two years after he pleaded non vult to 20 allegations that he embezzled a total of $12,000. He had surrendered when a warrant was issued for him on behalf of the widowed mother of seven children. She had charged him with embezzling $1500. Sentence was imposed after Orr had made an abortive effort to make full restitution.
It was Deven’s second parole. He served two years of a five-year “stretch” for manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Joseph Cimini in the Sixth Ward Republican Club, and was paroled in 1930. Less than five months later, he and a companion drove into the yard of an alleged disorderly house at Atco as state troopers were raiding it. Deven, who was driving, attempted to drive away, but troopers stopped the machine. A .38 caliber pistol was found on Deven. He was subsequently sentenced on March 30, 1931, to two and one-half years for carrying the weapon. At that time, it was also believed he would have to serve the remaining three years of his first sentence for violating his parole.
Kennedy was sentenced June 8, 1932, to one year for attempting to rob a bus driver at Sixth and State Streets and also to six months more for carrying a gun.
Hindle and George Schaeffer were each given two and one-half years for breaking into the soft-drink establishment of William Tansky at 1903 South Sixth Street, where a wrist watch was stolen. Sentence was imposed February 2, 1932.
Ex-Fighters Are Set for Charity Show
Camden Courier-Post —
EX-FIGHTERS ARE SET FOR CHARITY SHOW
Jersey Joe Walcott and Roxie Allen in Feature at Civic Hall Tomorrow
Present and past greats of Camden boxing will do their all for charity tomorrow night, when they appear on a card sponsored by the United Democratic Clubs of Camden, at the Camden Convention Hall.
Fifteen bouts of three rounds each are scheduled to be held, and the entire proceeds will be used to provide Christmas baskets for Camden’s needy. The boxers and referees have generously donated their services free of charge, and are to be complimented for their willingness to aid a worthy cause.
All 15 bouts as are exhibition matches as the principals have been out of training for several years. However, they have done their best to get in pretty fair shape during the past two weeks and a number of interesting bouts should be presented.
Jersey Joe Walcott, still in action in the heavyweight ranks, and Roxie Allen, who 10 years ago was Camden’s leading lightweight, but who retired two years ago, are on the card. Allen and Walcott met here about two years ago and the latter knocked out Roxie in a scheduled eight-rounder.
However, Walcott held a 25-pound pull in the weights, scaling around M 165, while Frankie weighed around 160. Walcott eventually knocked out Allen, Roxie had the satisfaction of flooring Jersey Joe in the fire two and a felt hook to the jaw sending the Negro down for a count of two.
Blairs Box Each Other
Allen quit fighting about this bout, but still is in good physical shape as Frankie Blair, one of Camden’s well-known heavyweights showed three fast rounds against Walcott.
Frankie and Mickey Blair, both of South Camden, are two fighters who spent themselves in out-of-town fights, and are slated to box each other. Frankie, a welterweight, fought his greatest bouts in New York City about two years, while Mickey was one of the best featherweights in the East shortly after the World War.
George Chaney, Benny Bass, Kid Williams, Pete Herman were some of the boys Balling met in his prime. He is slated to face Lew Skymer, another Attell.
Hindle Battles Chaney
Jackie Hindle and Eddie Chaney, both local residents, are due to meet. Hindle and Chaney were among the welterweights of local weights who flourished here in 1926, ’27 and ’28. Allen, Hindle, Chaney, Shamus McGuire, Charlie Mack, White, Lew Jackson, and Johnny Attell were included among the men which made boxing a major attraction in this city during those years.
Charley Mack meets Young O’Connor, Jackson in short four-round bouts. Spearing battles Frankie Rapp, downtown southpaw who fought four of the best featherweights in the East in short time. Pee Wee Ross and Attell clashes with Billy Marino.
EX-FIGHTERS ARE SET FOR CHARITY SHOW
Jersey Joe Walcott and Roxie Allen in Feature at Civic Hall Tomorrow
Present and past greats of Camden boxing will do their all for charity tomorrow night, when they appear on a card sponsored by the United Democratic Clubs of Camden, at the Camden Convention Hall.
Fifteen bouts of three rounds each are scheduled to be held, and the entire proceeds will be used to provide Christmas baskets for Camden’s needy. The boxers and referees have generously donated their services free of charge, and are to be complimented for their willingness to aid a worthy cause.
All 15 bouts are exhibition matches as the principals have been out of training for several years. However, they have done their best to get in pretty fair shape during the past two weeks and a number of interesting bouts should be presented.
Jersey Joe Walcott, still in action in the heavyweight ranks, and Roxie Allen, who 10 years ago was Camden’s leading lightweight, but who retired two years ago, are on the card. Allen and Walcott met here about two years ago and the latter knocked out Roxie in a scheduled eight-rounder.
However, Walcott held a 25-pound pull in the weights, scaling around 165, while Frankie weighed around 160. Walcott eventually knocked out Allen, Roxie had the satisfaction of flooring Jersey Joe in the first two and a felt hook to the jaw sending the Negro down for a count of two.
Blairs Box Each Other
Allen quit fighting about this bout, but still is in good physical shape as Frankie Blair, one of Camden’s well-known heavyweights showed three fast rounds against Walcott.
Frankie and Mickey Blair, both of South Camden, are two fighters who spent themselves in out-of-town fights, and are slated to box each other. Frankie, a welterweight, fought his greatest bouts in New York City about two years, while Mickey was one of the best featherweights in the East shortly after the World War.
George Chaney, Benny Bass, Kid Williams, Pete Herman were some of the boys Balling met in his prime. He is slated to face Lew Skymer, another Attell.
Hindle Battles Chaney
Jackie Hindle and Eddie Chaney, both local residents, are due to meet. Hindle and Chaney were among the welterweights of local weights who flourished here in 1926, ’27 and ’28. Allen, Hindle, Chaney, Shamus McGuire, Charlie Mack, White, Lew Jackson, and Johnny Attell were included among the men which made boxing a major attraction in this city during those years.
Charley Mack meets Young O’Connor, Jackson in short four-round bouts. Spearing battles Frankie Rapp, downtown southpaw who fought four of the best featherweights in the East in short time. Pee Wee Ross and Attell clashes with Billy Marino.
…(continued from page ten)…
is dotted with knockouts. He will take on Joey Allen, South Camden featherweight who never fought a slow bout and who never side-stepped a match.
Pee Wee Ross undoubtedly was the best bantamweight ever developed in this city. Ross fought ’em all 10 years ago and finished with a great record. He meets Bobby Zimmerman, another local product who also was a pleasing performer and who was known as the “buzz saw” because of his rapid-fire punching.
Nick Nichols, one of the hardest-hitting welterweights ever to hold forth here, takes on Tommy McCann, East Camdenite who had one of the best left hands in the city.
Lucas Vs. Straiges
Johnny Lucas, South Camden welterweight who still could go to the wars, faces Joey Straiges, also of South Camden, who also could compete in featherweight ranks if it were necessary for him to continue boxing. In the other bout on the card, Young Palmer and Tommy Dundee, former featherweights, clash.
Jim Braddock, former world heavyweight champion, is expected to be on hand to referee at least one bout. Others invited to referee are: Sgt. Ray Smith, Harry Shaw, Tom Walters, Al Ettore, Joey O’Donnell, Mike DeLeece, Young Lawrence, Charley Harris, Bill McFarlane and Walter “West” Kennedy.
The committee in charge of the boxing arrangements consists of Caesar Campana, chairman, Dominic Lombardo, Daniel Gallasso, James McSparrin and Paul Daly.
World War II Draft Registration Card
WWII Draft Registration Card — Walter Edward Kennedy, 616 State Street, Camden; employer City of Camden Water Dept; born September 8, 1891
Application for Headstone or Marker
Application for Headstone or Marker — Walter Edward Kennedy, died December 13, 1949; Harleigh Cemetery; 515 Cedar Street, Camden; enlistment May 29, 1917; discharge Feb 10, 1919; PFC, Medical Detachment, 126th Infantry, 32nd Division