William G. Kairer Sr.
WILLIAM G. KAIRER SR. was a well-known and respected businessman in Camden in the 1880s and 1890s. He was born around 1839, and was in the bakery business in Camden as early as 1869.
The 1869 City Directory shows him at 616 South 5th Street. By 1872 he had moved to 703 Federal Street, and was still there when the 1874 Directory was compiled. William G. Kairer Sr. married twice and was widowed twice. His first wife, Margaret W. “Maggie” Godshall, gave him two sons, William G. Kairer Jr. and Charles Kairer, before dying of tuberculosis on May 9, 1872 in Camden. His second marriage, to Ella Hopper, sadly also ended when she died in 1886 at the age of 34, but not before bearing at least three children, Frank Granville Kairer, and daughters Elizabeth Gertrude Kairer and Adda Kairer. Sadly, but not all that uncommon in those days, daughter Adda also died before reaching adulthood.
By 1877 William G. Kairer had moved to South Camden, setting up home and business at 416–418 Line Street. This address was his residence when the census was taken in 1880. Late in 1892 or in 1893 he moved to a recently built home at 429 Beckett Street, the corner of Beckett and Avon Streets, in South Camden with his son, William G. Kairer Jr., his daughter-in-law Frances “Fannie” Fithian Kairer, grandson Howard Kairer, and a servant, Annie McCuen. On December 4, 1893 William G. Kairer Sr. was murdered by Nicholas Theodore “Theodore” Lambert, who had broken into his home with the intent of robbing it.
William G. Kairer Sr. was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Camden after services held at his home. Theodore Lambert was arrested, tried, and after numerous appeals, on December 19, 1895 executed at the Camden County Jail for murdering Mr. Kairer.
After settling the estate, William G. Kairer Jr. remained in business at 416–418 Line Street until 1900, when the building was badly damaged by fire. Camden Courier-Post reporter Benjamin W. Courter wrote in 1928 that it was later rented to use as a warehouse for the Gately & Hurley department store, known after 1904 simply as Hurley’s Department Store, after its owner, William Leonard Hurley.
Death Notice — Maggie W. Kairer
Philadelphia Inquirer —
KAIRER.—On the 9th inst., of consumption, MAGGIE W., wife of Wm. Kairer, and daughter of the late Andrew B. Godshall. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from her late residence, No. 703 Federal street, Camden, N. J., this (Monday) afternoon, at 2 o’clock. To proceed to Evergreen Cemetery.
Photos
429 Beckett Street — March 14, 2012
429 & 431 Beckett Street — March 14, 2012
Shot Dead in His Home by a Burglar
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Shot Dead in His Home by a Burglar
SHOT DEAD IN HIS HOME BY A BURGLAR
Thrilling Encounter of a Camden Baker and His Son With a Robber, Who Killed the Father.
Three Shots Through a Window and William G. Kairer Moaned and Died
The Murderer Believed to Be a Colored Man Who Pawned His Victim's Watch—Police Working on a Clue in Philadelphia—The Son's Story.
William G. Kairer, Sr., a well-to-do Camden baker, was aroused from slumber yesterday morning by the visit of a burglar. A few minutes later he fell dead, with a bullet from the robber's revolver lodged in his body. The murderer escaped, but the police are at work on a clue which promises to lead to his identification and arrest.
The scene of the murder is a two-story brick house, 429 Beckett street, where the victim resided with his married son, William G. Kairer, Jr. The other occupants of the house were the son's wife and child, and a servant, Annie McCuen. The house is on the north side of Beckett street, at the corner of Avon street, a narrow thoroughfare which runs along its west side.
The only witness of the shooting is young Mr. Kairer, who stood by his father's side and held him in his arms until he died. The young man tells a thrilling story of the encounter with the burglar.
He occupied the front bedroom in the second story and his father the rear room. This is his story:
The Son's Story.
"The door opening into my bed room from the hall sticks at the top and the rasping noise made as the door was forced open awakened me about ten minutes before 5 o'clock. As I opened my eyes I saw a man's arm and part of his body in the doorway. I jumped out of bed and yelled 'Man in the house!'
"The burglar ran toward the stairway and I ran in pursuit. Turning quickly at the head of the stairs he grasped one of the bars of the railing to steady himself. I reached over the railing and struck at him with my fist. The man swayed and escaped the blow, and in doing so wrenched out the bar. He dashed down stairs. It was so dark that I could not tell whether the man was white or black.
"My father was awakened by the noise. He lit a match and, without stopping to dress, we hurried down stairs. The door leading into the kitchen, the door of the inclosed shed and the gate opening on Aven street were all open. The burglar had evidently escaped. Spread out in the shed we found a shawl ready to wrap plunder in.
"Returning to the dining room we lit the gas and looked around to see what had been taken. The silverware on the table had apparently not been disturbed. We noticed that the gas was burning low in the parlor and the lower sash of the one big parlor window was raised, although the inside blinds were closed and the catch turned to hold them together.
Three Shots Quickly Fired.
"There is a wide doorway between the parlor and dining room, hung with a portiere. My father was standing in this doorway facing the parlor window, and I was at his left side and slightly in his rear, when the inside blinds of the parlor window were suddenly dashed open and I saw three flashes in quick succession.
"My father gave a groan, staggered and was about to fall when I caught him in my arms. I laid him gently on the floor, pillowed his head on my arm and implored him to speak to me. He moaned feebly for a few minutes, gave a gasp and died.
"The shots and my cries had alarmed the women and the servant screamed for help. Neighbors soon came and then the police arrived. I cannot describe my father's murderer, for I merely caught a glimpse of him in the darkness."
The family of William H. Upton, next door to Mr. Kairer, were aroused by the shots. Mrs. Upton and her daughter ran to the front window and saw a man skip across Beckett street and then walk leisurely down White street, a narrow thoroughfare opposite Avon. Mr. Upton slipped on his pantaloons and ran into Kairer's house. He found the parlor filled with smoke and young Mr. Kairer supporting his dying father.
Continued on Second Page.
KILLED BY A BURGLAR
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.
L. R. Weldy, a milkman, who was serving a customer on Line street, above West, heard the shots and ran around into Beckett street, but he saw nothing of the murderer.
Work of the Police.
The scene of the murder is not far from No. 1 Patrol House, and the police were soon at the house. They found one of the burglar's bullets imbedded in the ceiling immediately above the spot where the murdered man stood. Another had broken the globe on the chandelier in the dining room and imbedded itself in the rear wall. The third had entered Mr. Kairer's body near the centre of the breast.
The county physician found very little blood outside the wound and death was apparently due to internal hemorrhage, resulting from the cutting of a main artery by the bullet. The county physician will make a post-mortem examination to-day and an inquest will be held later in the week by the authorities.
Chief of Police Davis was at first inclined to doubt young Mr. Kairer's story, and placed all the occupants of the house under surveillance, refusing to allow the son to go out. His suspicions were groundless and were dispelled by a close examination, which corroborated the son's story.
At first it was thought the murderer had secured no plunder except fifty cents taken from a child's savings bank. About three hours after the tragedy young Mr. Kairer notified the police that his father's gold watch was missing. It had been taken from a vest lying on a washstand in his father's bedroom. Under a blanket near-by was $600 which the burglar missed.
The Camden police at once sent a description of the watch to the Philadelphia Central Station detectives and patrolmen were instructed to notify the various pawnbrokers.
At a pawnshop the location of which detectives refuse to divulge, the watch was recovered about noon. It had been pledged ten minutes before the policeman notified the pawnbroker by a colored man, who is supposed to be the murderer.
This description of the man is given: About 35 years old; very dark; five feet eight inches in height; heavily built, weighing probably 175 pounds; very thick neck; big nose and heavy lips.
The height of the window through which the shots were fired shows that the murderer was a tall man.
Chief of Detectives Miller last night refused to give out any information whatever at the Central Station concerning the case. The Camden officials, however, were more courteous. County Detective Gallagher and Lieutenant Smith came over from Camden late last night to get an accurate description of the colored man and to effect his arrest if possible. They suspect a colored man in South Camden, who will be arrested to-night if they can find him.
The Victim Well Known.
William G. Kairer, Sr., the murdered man, was well known in Camden, where he had been in business as a cracker baker for many years. His two sons, William G., Jr., aged 28 years, and Charles, aged 25 years, aided in carrying on the business at 416 and 418 Line street. There is another son, Frank, 14 years old, who had started from home yesterday to attend a boarding school. Mr. Kairer also had a daughter 19 years old, who recently married Thomas White, of West Philadelphia.
The deceased was a leading member of the First M. E. Church and was active in evangelical work. He frequently conducted the Sunday morning religious services at the city or county jail, and took an interest in the Salvation Army and in similar religious work.
He was a member of Pottawatomie Tribe of Red Men, Fidelity Lodge, No. 3, Ancient Order United Workmen, and of the Odd Fellows and Legion of the Red Cross.
The Camden police last night arrested three colored men who resemble the description of the murderer. Theodore Lambert, who answers in nearly every particular to the description, was arrested in the Eighth ward. He admitted having committed a recent robbery.
The other two suspects are Louis Riley and Joseph B. Stevenson, who were picked up in South Camden.
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Named: Continued, William G. Kairer Sr., William G. Kairer Jr., William H. Upton, Annie McCuen, Lemuel R. Weldy, William H. Davis, Patrick M. Gallagher, John S. Smith, Charles Kairer, Frank G. Kairer, Elizabeth Kairer White, Thomas Warren White, First Methodist Episcopal Church, Improved Order of Red Men, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Theodore Lambert, Louis Riley, and Joseph B. Stevenson.
Shot and Killed by a Burglar
New York Herald —
Brutal Murder of William G. Kairer, a Prominent Business Man of Camden, N. J.
FIRED THROUGH THE WINDOW.
Not Content with Escaping, Sought Vengeance on Those Whom He Had Despoiled
COLORED MAN UNDER ARREST
Mr. Kairer’s sons live with him at No. 429 Beckett street. One of them, who bears the same name as the father, is married and is also interested in the business. His bedroom door is at the head of the stairway and his father’s faces it. Soon after half-past four o’clock this morning the younger Kairer says he was aroused from sleep by the turning of his door knob.
He sprang quickly from the bed, left his sleeping wife and threw open the door. In the dark he could distinguish a man’s form half way down the staircase. At the same moment the father left his room, saw the same form and started down stairs ahead of the son.
The young man wrenched from its place, as he passed down stairs, one of the rungs from the baluster and made a pass at the burglar’s head, but the father being between them he missed his mark.
FELL INTO HIS SON’S ARMS.
The burglar fled through the kitchen door, which he left open for this purpose. The younger Kairer started in pursuit, but in a moment returned and entered the parlor, following his father, whose notice had been attracted by the wind blowing in through an open window.
They had just made some remark upon the singular fact that the window was open, while the inside shutters were closed, when the shutters flew open with a bang that broke the catches.
The elder Kairer stepped toward the window. There was a flash and a report, followed by two more reports in quick succession, and the father staggered and fell into his son’s arms.
Some one had burst the shutters open while standing on the pavement and had deliberately shot the elder of the two men within.
Young Kairer carefully placed his father upon a couch. Within five minutes he breathed his last. He uttered no sound after the first shot was fired.
Such was the story told by the son to Chief of Police Davis and Coroner Hopper.
The burglar had evidently entered the house by the front window and had opened the back door to permit of a speedy escape if discovered. On the floor was a large shawl placed there to receive the silverware that lay upon the table. He had obviously made up his mind to seek for more plunder up stairs, and in attempting to enter the younger Kairer’s room had awakened him.
A POSSIBLE CLEW.
The police who placed the house under surveillance at first said that nothing was missing but fifty cents out of a toy bank. Late this afternoon it was given out that the dead man’s gold watch had been taken from his room. It is this article that may result in securing the burglar. The watch has already been pawned in a Philadelphia pawn shop by a colored man who gave the name of Kuserickfon. This is the description of him furnished by the pawnbroker:—
“Black, thirty-five years old, five feet eight inches high, heavy built, weighs 175 pounds, thick neck, large nose, thick lips, small side whiskers, wore a black cheviot sack coat, dark gray vest, polka dot necktie, a Fedora hat with white and red lining and carried a nickel watch chain.”
There is much speculation as to why the shots should have been fired after the burglar had successfully made his escape. One theory held by the police is that there were two men. One was in the house, the other outside. The watcher was at the front of the house, and when he heard the voices of the father and son he believed the man who had entered the house had been caught and fired into the room hoping to create a diversion that would enable his companion to escape.
Another opinion expressed is that Kairer recognized the burglar, and the latter, aware of the fact, shot to kill, believing that “dead men tell no tales.”
A MAN OF PROMINENCE.
Few men in Camden were better known or more highly respected than the dead man. He was a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Odd Fellows and Red Men, and he had been in business in this city for many years. Beginning on a small scale he was compelled to enlarge and move into better quarters from time to time, and had recently been engaged in increasing the capacity of his bakery in Line street. He was fifty-four years old and a widower. He leaves three sons and a married daughter, the latter living in Philadelphia.
Had the assassin been within reach at six o’clock this morning there is every probability that lynch law would have been applied by the hundreds of workingmen who discussed the murder excitedly on their way to work.
AN ARREST MADE.
The police believe they have the murderer of Mr. Kairer, but there is no absolute certainty of it. Theodore Lambert is the name the man gave. He was arrested in the Eighth ward, in the lower section of the city, to-night, and answers the pawnbroker’s description of the man who pawned the watch, even to the wearing of a nickel watch chain, but his clothing is different. However, he may have changed that.
He is very black, has small side whiskers, and weighs about 175 pounds. He admitted to the police that he had been concerned in a number of robberies in Camden, but denied all connection with the Kairer case. The pawnbroker will be brought over from Philadelphia to identify him if possible.
ONE OF A LONG SERIES.
The tragedy this morning comes as a climax to a long series of robberies, of greater or lesser importance, that have created a mimic reign of terror in Camden. The actions of the burglars would indicate that the robberies are nearly all committed by one set of men. In most cases the entrance has been by the front window and the escape by the back door. Both have been left open. The work has usually been done between three and five o’clock in the morning, and in nearly every case the intruders have heartily eaten of whatever they found in the house, besides stealing everything of value they could carry away with them.
This has been going on for months. Yesterday morning the houses of William A. Gilbert and William Snyder, not far from Kairer’s, were both entered, and this programme was followed. At Dr. West’s, some weeks ago, the same thing happened, and a son who started in search of the intruder was knocked senseless by a blow on the head.
J. Scott Veasey, of North Eighth street, heard some one in his room a short time ago, and on arising frightened the burglar, who ran down stairs. Mr. Veasey looked out of the window, when he heard the man in the yard, and the next moment two pistol shots rang out and a voice exclaimed, “Take your head in, you ——!”
Both bullets buried themselves in the window casing.
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Kairer’s Slayer Still at Large
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Kairer's Slayer Still at Large
KAIRER'S SLAYER STILL AT LARGE
Camden Police Thought They Had the Right Man, But Were Mistaken.
Their Capture Not the Man Who Pawned the Victim's Watch.
They Will Hold Him on Other Charges While They Continue Their Search—The Burglar's Bullet Went Through Kairer's Heart—Other Jersey Matters.
When the Camden police arrested Theodore Lambert, colored, they thought they had the murderer of Cracker Baker William Kairer, who was shot in his home, 429 Beckett street, by a burglar early Monday morning. They held to this belief until late yesterday afternoon, when it was suddenly dispelled.
The only clue to the identity of the murderer started from the pawn shop of Ellis Silberstein, 123 North Ninth street, Philadelphia, where the murdered man's gold watch was pledged. A colored man brought the watch into the pawn shop five hours after the crime was committed. The watch bore the murdered man's initials and was worth at least $75. But $15 was asked on it, and this amount was issued without much questioning.
ARRESTED AN EX-CONVICT.
The description of the colored man who pawned the watch furnished the clue on which the Camden police arrested Theodore Lambert. Lambert has a bad record. He was sent to the New Jersey State Reform School when he was 15 years old. When he attained his majority he launched into a career of crime.
He has served several terms in State prison, and was released but a few months ago after serving three years for robbing a house on Mickle street.
He was arrested at 1883 South Ninth street early yesterday morning, and the police also took into custody Joseph B. Stevens and Levin Riley, colored, who were in the house. George Greenleaf, colored, was also arrested on suspicion early yesterday morning.
The police felt pretty sure that Lambert was the man they wanted until the pawnbroker's clerk came over late in the afternoon. Then their belief was shattered. The clerk, who had waited on the colored man who pawned Kairer's watch, looked at the prisoner and said emphatically he had never seen him before.
Lambert's words and actions after his arrest had given the police good grounds for holding him. He confessed having been implicated in several recent robberies, where the work of one man was shown by filth being smeared on the walls. Lambert said he did this for luck.
He also admitted that he was on the street at half-past 3 o'clock Monday morning, a little over an hour before Kairer's residence was entered.
He will be held for robbing a school house and for stealing a watch, warrants having been out for his arrest. The police still hope to connect him with the Kairer case.
MUST LOOK FOR ANOTHER MAN.
If the Lambert clue does not pan out the Camden police are at sea. The only clue they have to work on is the description of the negro who pawned Kairer's watch. They will spread out their dragnet and gather in other colored men who answer this description.
County Physician Iszard made a post-mortem examination yesterday afternoon of the body of the murdered man. He found the burglar's bullet had entered at the breast, passed through the heart and lodged in the spinal column. The ball was not recovered.
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Death Notice — William Kairer
Philadelphia Inquirer —
KAIRER.—Suddenly, on December 4, 1893, William Kairer, aged 54 years. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Thursday afternoon, at 1 o’clock, from the residence of his son, No. 429 Beckett street, Camden, N. J. Interment private, at Evergreen Cemetery.
The Camden Murder
Washington D.C. Evening Star —
The Camden Murder.
The police believe they have the man who pawned the watch stolen from William Kairer’s room in Camden early Monday morning a few minutes before the baker was murdered. Theodore Lambert, colored, is the man. Lambert’s story of his whereabouts since the murder only adds to the evidence already against him.
Camden’s Latest Murder
Bridgeton Evening News —
Camden’s Latest Murder.
CAMDEN, N. J., Dec. 7.—The murderer of William G. Kairer, who was shot by a burglar, is still at large. Theodore Lambert, the colored man who was arrested on suspicion of being the person who pawned Mr. Kairer’s watch, was not identified by Pawnbroker Silberstein’s clerk, but the police are still holding him, as they hope to connect him with the murder.
No Light on the Kairer Murder
Philadelphia Inquirer —
No Light on the Kairer Murder
NO LIGHT ON THE KAIRER MURDER
"Shot by an Unknown Man" the Verdict of the Coroner's Jury.
Funeral Services Over the Remains of the Murdered Baker.
The Rewards Now Amount to a Thousand Dollars—Police Still Working in the Dark—A New But Faint Clue—Other Jersey Matters.
The closing scenes in Camden's latest tragedy were enacted yesterday. In the morning an inquest was held and in the afternoon the body of William G. Kairer, Sr., the wealthy baker who was shot by an unknown burglar, was buried.
The inquest was held by Coroner Hopper in the court house, and a morbid crowd was present to hear the son tell how his father was shot down at his side.
Nothing of importance not previously known concerning the tragedy was brought out at the inquest, and the identity of the murderer remains as much a mystery as ever.
TESTIMONY AT THE INQUEST.
William G. Kairer, Jr., after a violent fit of weeping, took the witness stand and told how he was awakened by the burglar, the scuffle on the stairs, the search made by him and his father and how the front blinds were dashed open and his father was shot down. He said he was certain the shots were fired from outside the house.
The only person who testified to seeing the murderer was Miss Flora Upton, who lives at 432 Beckett street, next door to Kairer's house. She saw him walking rapidly away after the shots were fired. She could describe him only as being of medium height, stout and wearing a dark coat.
The jury went through the formality of retiring and speedily brought in a verdict "that William G. Kairer, Sr., came to his death from a pistol shot wound at the hand of a person or persons unknown."
FUNERAL OF THE VICTIM.
The funeral of the murdered man was held immediately after the inquest. Hundreds of persons passed through the house, 429 Beckett street, and gazed at the corpse, which lay in the room where the deceased was shot. There were many floral offerings from friends and secret societies.
Rev. J. B. Graw, D. D., pastor of the First M. E. Church, of which Mr. Kairer was a member, conducted the funeral services, and referred in feeling terms to the tragedy. The pall-bearers were A. F. Davies, Charles Parker, N. G. Stowell and C. T. Pierce. Delegations were present from Pottawatomie Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men; Fidelity Lodge, Ancient Order United Workmen, and the Legion of the Red Cross. The body was interred in Evergreen Cemetery.
A THOUSAND DOLLARS IN REWARDS.
The Police Commissioners, at their weekly meeting yesterday, authorized a reward of $500 for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the murderer. This makes $1000 in rewards now offered.
The police have learned nothing that will throw additional light on the mystery. Theodore Lambert, the colored man first arrested, is still held in custody, but he has not been connected with the crime. Chief Davis was working on a new clue last night. He learned from C. W. Boyle, the railroad agent at Collingswood, that a colored man answering the description of the supposed murderer was hanging around the station for several hours the day of the shooting and then took a train for the city.
ANOTHER ARREST.
Sergeant John A. Smith, of the Camden police force, last night arrested a colored man named Isaac Cox on suspicion of being the man who pawned Kairer's watch in Philadelphia.
Cox was arrested at Matchtown, the colored settlement on the outskirts of Merchantville made famous in the Le Coney and Lingo murder trials. Cox answers to the description given by the pawnbroker's clerk.
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Lambert Held for Robbery
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Must Answer Two Charges—New Clue in the Kairer Case.
Theodore Lambert, the negro first arrested on suspicion of being the murderer of Baker William G. Kairer, and later identified as being connected with two other robberies, was given a hearing before Police Justice Paul, in Camden, yesterday. He was committed in default of $1000 bail on the charge of breaking into Mrs. Mary Manlove's residence, 2000 Broadway, on the night of August 9 last. Mrs. Manlove has recognized him as the man who raised her window and frightened her into a swoon.
Lambert will also have to answer the charge of breaking into Mrs. Francis Hutt's residence, 908 Jefferson avenue, and stealing a watch. The police still hope to connect him with the Kairer murder.
They have made no additional arrests in connection with the latter case, but are said to be working on a new clue.
Three Suspects Arrested
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Three Suspects Arrested
THREE SUSPECTS ARRESTED.
Third District Police Think They Have the Murderer of Baker William Kairer.
Three more arrests of suspects in connection with the Kairer murder have been made. The Camden police picked up one of the men and the Philadelphia police the other two.
One of the latter so closely corresponds with the description of the colored man who tried to pawn the victim's watch that the Third district officers think they have the murderer. Their prisoner gives the name of George Harris and his residence as 604 Barclay street.
He was arrested yesterday morning in the cellar of the house 619 Barclay street by Sergeant Woods and Special Carey, of the Third district. Lieutenant Smith, of the Camden force, was sent for, and, after looking at Harris, said he resembled more closely the supposed murderer than any of the suspects yet arrested.
The fact that Harris shaved off his side whiskers yesterday morning also strengthens the suspicion that he is the man who shot down Baker Kairer.
Pawnbroker Silberstein's clerk was out of town yesterday, but will be taken to the station house to-day to see if he can identify Harris as the man who pawned Kairer's watch. Harris claims not to have been in Camden for the past eighteen months.
The other suspect arrested by the Philadelphia police was lodged at the Central Station. Detective Gallagher and Lieutenant Smith, of Camden, last evening looked at him and said they not think he was the right man. He is held as a pickpocket.
Officer Richardson, of the Camden force, picked up a colored man last night on suspicion of being the murderer. The prisoner gave the name of Henry Hansom, laborer, of Sycamore street, above Seventh. He is younger and not so heavily built as the supposed murderer, and will probably be released to-day.
Another Kairer Suspect
Shenandoah PA Evening Herald —
Another Kairer Suspect.
CAMDEN, N. J., Dec. 11.—Henry Hanson, a negro, was arrested last night on suspicion of having been implicated in the murder of William Kairer. He is said to answer the description of the man who pawned Kairer’s watch in Philadelphia.
Charged With the Kairer Murder
Trenton Evening Times —
Charged With the Kairer Murder.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 11.— George W. Harris, a negro, was arrested on suspicion of being the murderer of William Kairer, the Camden baker.
Camden’s Latest Murder
Washington PA Semiweekly Observer —
Camden’s Latest Murder.
CAMDEN, N. J., Dec. 7.—The murderer of William G. Kairer, who was shot by a burglar, is still at large. Theodore Lambert, the colored man who was arrested on suspicion of being the person who pawned Mr. Kairer’s watch, was not identified by Pawnbroker Silberstein’s clerk, but the police are still holding him, as they hope to connect him with the murder.
Lambert Moved to County Prison
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Theodore Lambert, the colored burglar, was removed from the City Hall yesterday to the county prison. He was placed in solitary confinement in the infirmary directly under Prosecutor Jenkins’ office. The police still expect to connect him with the murder of Baker William G. Kairer.
Continue Reading
For the full story of the investigation, trial, and execution of Theodore Lambert for the murder of William G. Kairer Sr., see the Theodore Lambert page.
Litigation Over Kairer’s Estate
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Litigation Over Kairer's Estate
LITIGATION OVER KAIRER'S ESTATE
A CREDITOR BRINGS SUIT AND THE MURDERED BAKER'S CHILDREN ARE AT ODDS.
THE CASE IS IN CHANCERY
Fraud in the Management of the Estate Is Alleged—Lawyer Semple Trying to Save Kairer's Murderer From the Gallows—Other Jersey Matters.
Protracted litigation over the estate of William G. Kairer, the Camden cracker baker, who was shot by Burglar "Dory" Lambert last December, is probable. Yesterday Vice-Chancellor Pitney, sitting in Camden, began hearing testimony in a suit brought by Zimri West, as a creditor, against William G. Kairer, Jr., who, as administrator, assumed charge of his father's business and estate immediately after the tragedy.
The children of the dead man are arrayed against each other as interested parties to the suit. On the one side are William G. Kairer, Jr., and Charles Kairer, children by the first wife, who are now running the bakery business. On the other are Mrs. White and her brother, both minors, who are children by the second wife. There is about $17,000 worth of property involved.
The plaintiff, Zimre West, charges that the bakery business and other property is fraudulently claimed by William G. Kairer, Jr., for the purpose of defrauding the creditors. It is also claimed that the oldest son never filed an account as administrator and the court is asked to compel him to make an accounting of all his father's effects over which he claims to exercise control.
After hearing a few witnesses the Vice Chancellor adjourned the case until to-day.
Kairer’s Creditors Get Cash
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Kairer's Creditors Get Cash
KAIRER'S CREDITORS GET CASH.
Their Claims to Be Paid Out of the Murdered Baker's Estate.
A partial decision in the suit over the disposition of William G. Kairer's estate was rendered by Vice-Chancellor Pitney in Camden yesterday. Kairer was a fairly well-to-do baker, who was murdered by Burglar "Dory" Lambert a year ago. Zimri West and other creditors, who held judgments against the deceased, claimed that he had disposed of his property to his son to evade payment of his debts.
The Vice-Chancellor decided that this allegation was sustained and that the judgment creditors' claims, amounting to about $1500, should be paid out of the estate. Decision was reserved on the question of dividing the remainder among the children of Kairer's two wives.
Fire Destroys Kairer’s Bakery
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Fire Destroys Kairer's Bakery
FIRE DESTROYS KAIRER'S BAKERY
Camden Firemen Had a Hard Battle With Flames Fanned by High Winds
Horses Rescued and Adjoining Property Saved—Loss Is Estimated at $25,000
Fire of mysterious origin last evening gutted the two-story brick bakery of William G. Kairer, at 415 Line street, Camden. About 8 o'clock Edward Osmond discovered flames shooting through the skylight. An alarm was quickly turned in and was followed by others until the entire fire department was called out. The flames, fanned by a high wind, gained rapid headway, and the row of frame dwellings along Pine street in the rear of the bakery was soon threatened with destruction. The firemen succeeded in keeping the flames confined to the bakery. A brick firewall on Line street saved adjoining properties from catching fire. The horses and wagons on the first floor of the bakery, barrels of flour and bales of hay were saved by the neighbors.
The bakery adjoins the rear of No. 1 Engine House, and the firemen were quickly at work quenching the flames. All efforts to save the building were of no avail.
Mrs. Elizabeth Byrne, of 420 Line street, was seriously ill in bed, and preparations to move her were made, although it was feared the attempt might prove fatal. The firemen, however, kept the flames from spreading to this house.
Baker William G. Kairer was attending a lodge meeting at the Masonic Temple when the fire broke out. When he reached the scene the building was a mass of flames. To an Inquirer representative he said:
"Every dollar that I have in the world is in that building, and is now going up in smoke. I am a ruined man."
Mr. Kairer places his loss at about $25,000, with $15,000 insurance. The building was heavily stocked at the time of the fire, and contained two ovens that cost $1000, in addition to valuable machinery.
The bakery turned out fancy cakes and crackers. The business was started about twenty years ago by William Kairer, Sr., who was murdered six years ago by Theodore Lambert, a colored burglar. After Lambert's case had been carried twice to the United States Supreme Court he was hanged in the Camden jail.