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
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.
Shot and Killed by a Burglar
New York Herald —
SHOT AND KILLED BY A BURGLAR.
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
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] CAMDEN, N. J., Dec. 4, 1893.—William G. Kairer, a well to do cake and cracker baker of Camden, N. J., was shot down and killed in his own parlor at an early hour this morning by a burglar, who stood on the pavement outside and fired through the window.
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.
Kairer’s Slayer Still at Large
Philadelphia Inquirer —
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.
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 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, 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 —
“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. E. Davies, Charles Parker, N. C. Stowell and C. T. Pierce. Delegations were present from Pottowattomie [sic] 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.
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 —
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 identity [sic] 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 [sic] 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 —
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.
Camden’s Murder Trial
Trenton Evening Times —
In the Camden County Court of Oyer and Terminer yesterday, with Judge Garrison presiding, Josiah Stevens, colored, who was indicted by the Grand Jury at the January term as an accomplice of Theodore Lambert in the killing of William Kairer, was placed on trial, Lambert having already been tried and convicted of murder in the first degree.
Theodore Lambert, who has already been convicted, testified that he and Josiah Stevens were together from Sunday, December 3d, until Monday, December 4th. He then told how he and Stevens started from the house of Lavina Moore, shortly after midnight, on December 4th, to rob a house in North Camden.
He then recited the story as told to Prosecutor Jenkins in his office after his arrest, which was to the effect that Stevens was with him at the time he entered the Kairer residence. At the conclusion of Lambert’s testimony the Court took a recess until this morning. The State will close to-day, and it is expected that the case will reach the jury to-morrow.
Bread Thief Shot
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A Policeman’s Bullet Forced a Fugitive to Surrender.
Walter Brown, a young colored man, of 247 Division street, Camden, was shot in the arm and captured early yesterday morning by Policeman Schregler, of the Camden force, who saw him stealing bread from doorsteps.
Numerous complaints of the theft of bread from grocers’ boxes in the neighborhood of West and Line streets led the officer to secrete himself in the empty house on Beckett street near Line, where Baker William G. Kairer was murdered last winter. From his hiding place he saw Brown in the act of stealing.
The colored man ran into a yard and fastened the gate. The policeman fired three shots over the fence and Brown surrendered. His wound was dressed at the Cooper Hospital and he was locked up.
He Was a Busy Burglar
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Lambert Has Prepared a List of Forty Robberies He Committed—He Talks Again to the Prosecutor.
Theodore Lambert, indicted by the Camden county grand jury for the murder of William G. Kairer, was again taken before Prosecutor Jenkins yesterday in order that Pawnbroker Silberstein and his clerk, of Philadelphia, might have a chance to indentify [sic] him.
In his confession Lambert says he pawned the watch stolen from the murdered man and received $40 for it from Silberstein. Silberstein denies loaning Lambert $40 on the timepiece. He says he only gave him $15, as the watch was only worth $32 at wholesale. Silberstein says he can prove this by his account books.
Lieutenant Smith, who recovered the watch on the morning of the murder, says he paid the pawnbroker $15 for it.
Both Silberstein and his clerk failed to positively identify Lambert as the man that pawned the watch.
The police daily recover goods stolen by Lambert in his many robberies. Two valuable clarionets stolen from the home of a man named Zimmerman, at Liberty Park, last October were recovered in a pawn shop at Tenth and South streets, Philadelphia. Lambert admitted stealing them.
A man whose house had been robbed called at the jail and described to Lambert a valuable seal ring which was among the articles stolen from him. Lambert admitted having stolen the ring and said he gave it to his mistress, Mrs. Moore. He has prepared for Prosecutor Jenkins a list of forty robberies in Camden committed by him and his pal, Josiah Stevenson.
Lambert has made application to the court to have Lawyer John Semple appointed to defend him. A formal return of the indictment against him will probably be made to the court to-morrow. He is likely to be tried at the present term of court.
Litigation Over Kairer’s Estate
Philadelphia Inquirer —
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.
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.
Lambert at Last Pays the Penalty
Philadelphia Inquirer —
THE MURDERER OF BAKER KAIRER HANGED IN THE CAMDEN COUNTY JAIL
PROTESTED INNOCENCE TO THE END
HE SAID STEVENS FIRED THE FATAL SHOT
The Execution Devoid of Sensational Features—Lambert Walked Firmly to the Gallows—History of His Remarkable Case.
The Murderer.
Nicholas Theodore Lambert died on the gallows in the Camden county jail yesterday. He was hanged for the murder of William G. Kairer, a well-to-do cracker baker, of Camden. His death closes a case that was remarkable chiefly for the extraordinary efforts to save the condemned man from the gallows. Lambert was a bad man. From his youth up he had been a criminal. He had served time in prison for burglary and admitted while awaiting trial for murder that he had robbed a score or more of houses in and around Camden. But he denied that he had fired the shot that killed Kairer. He went to the gallows with this denial upon his lips. He claimed that Josiah Stevens, who was associated with him in the Kairer robbery, was the real murderer.
Yesterday was the fourth date that had been fixed for Lambert’s execution. Once he was reprieved by Governor Werts. Twice the United States Supreme Court interfered and postponed the hanging. The law finally claimed its victim after every ordinary and several extraordinary procedures had been resorted to to avert the death penalty.
Firm in the Face of Death.
Lambert’s death was devoid of sensation, as executions go. He walked to the scaffold without assistance. He did not flunk in the face of death. There was barely time for a whispered good-bye to the Sheriff and he was launched into eternity. He was hanged on the gallows that ended John Hill’s life about three years ago. It was erected in an unused and half-finished room on the top floor of the county jail building at the northwest corner of Broadway and Federal streets. The death chamber is directly over a part of the jail that is being fitted up for the use of female prisoners.
The scaffold stood over against a blank wall. On the other side windows let a flood of light into the bare room. Overhead were the gaunt rafters supporting the roof.
The heart-rending farewells between the condemned man and his mother and other relatives and friends had been uttered the night before. As the time drew on toward midnight the condemned seemed to realize for the first time that there was no further hope of escaping the death penalty.
“I can’t sleep,” he said to Constable Hunter, one of his death watch. “I feel oppressed, as if there was a heavy weight inside. I hope I will be able to walk to the gallows.”
At 1 o’clock Lambert sat down at a little table in his cell and for three hours he was busy with his pen writing farewell letters. There were six of these missives. The longest one was to his counsel, Lawyer John G. [sic] Semple, who had made such a gallant fight to save him. He thanked his lawyer and reiterated his assertion that he did not fire the shot that killed Kairer. One of the letters was to Mrs. Isabella Shipley, a resident of South Camden, who had displayed great interest in his case. The others were to personal friends. In all these missives Lambert gave expression to his religious faith and the belief that he had divine forgiveness of his sins.
Ready for the Rope.
About 6 o’clock the spiritual advisers of the condemned man entered his cell. They were colored ministers, Revs. W. H. Yocum, Thomas Als and H. C. Ashley. Under the soothing influence of prayer Lambert grew calmer, and when his breakfast, which consisted of half a dozen fried eggs, potatoes and coffee, was sent in from a restaurant opposite the jail, he ate heartily.
At 9 o’clock the suit of black clothing that had been ordered for his execution a year ago, was brought in and he dressed himself for the gallows. A barber had shaved him and trimmed his hair the previous night. He did not put on a collar.
The persons who were to witness the execution, in all less than forty, gathered in the sheriff’s office shortly before 10 o’clock. There was a jury of twelve appointed by the court, a similar number of special deputies, the sheriff’s regular assistants, Sheriffs Wriggins, of Salem county, and Townsend, of Burlington county, and a few newspaper men. At 10 o’clock Sheriff Barrett led the way into the jail and piloted the witnesses to the death chamber. They walked through an iron-lined passageway in the jail proper, then through a door into the corridor on the Federal street side, and up three flights of stairs to the place of execution.
This was the route that Lambert took a few minutes later when he walked to his doom. Chairs had been placed at each landing and there was one on the scaffold, for use in case the condemned man collapsed, but they were not needed. At five minutes after 10 Sheriff Barrett started down the stairs to fetch the victim, and the audience in the death chamber talked in whispers while they waited.
Lambert was awaiting the summons. His hands were manacled behind his back, and with the ministers in front, the Sheriff at his side and Constables Hunter and Gardner, of the death watch at his back, he started on the walk to the gallows.
On the Scaffold.
It was but a step from the doorway of the execution room to the foot of the flight of steps leading to the platform of the gallows. Lambert did not halt or look up. He and the Sheriff walked with firm tread up the steps. The Sheriff had declined assistance. He was cool and knew just what to do, although it was his first execution.
Lambert took his station on the trap-doors directly under the cross-beam. His gaze was fixed on the blank wall directly in front and his back was toward the spectators. He wavered slightly as the Sheriff slipped the noose over his neck. Then, just as the black cap was drawn over his face, he whispered:
“Good-bye, Sheriff. God bless you.”
“Good-bye, Dory,” was the response, and the next instant the Sheriff took a step to one side, pulled a lever, the big trap-doors fell with a crash, and the colored murderer was dangling in midair.
The fall was about eight feet. It is not probable that Lambert’s neck was broken, but the convulsions were slight. His legs had not been pinioned, but they were not drawn up in the death agony. It was 10.13 when the drop fell. Five minutes later Under Sheriff Sell unlocked the handcuffs and the arms hung listless at the side of the dangling body. At intervals a convulsive tremor shook the body, but these soon ceased, and at 10.27¾ physicians pronounced life extinct.
Borne to the Grave.
The body was allowed to hang for ten minutes longer before it was taken down. In an adjoining room an undertaker was waiting with the casket that, like the death suit, had been ordered a year ago. On the lid was a silver plate bearing the inscription, “Nicholas T. Lambert. Died December 19, 1895. Aged 24 years, 2 months, 19 days.”
Lambert had requested that the doctors should not mutilate his body, and Sheriff Barrett saw that his wishes in that respect were carried out. In the afternoon the corpse was taken to the Johnson Colored Burying Ground, on the road to Merchantville, and interred in a grave that had been prepared for it.
The crowd of several hundred people that had gathered about the jail melted away soon after it became known that Lambert had paid the penalty of his crime. None of the relatives of the murderer or his victim were present at the execution.
LAMBERT’S CRIME
A Remarkable Fight to Stave Off the Death Penalty.
William G. Kairer was murdered about 5 o’clock on the morning of December 5, 1893, at his residence, 429 Beckett street, Camden. Previous to this there had been a score or more of burglaries in Camden and vicinity; and the police seemed unable to catch the bold burglars.
Mr. Kairer’s eldest son, William G. Kairer, who with his wife occupied the second story front room of the house, was awakened by the noise of some one trying to force open his door. The young man leaped out of bed and rushing into the entry saw and struck at a man hastening down the stairs. Then he aroused his father and they made a search of the lower part of the house.
As they stood under a gas jet in the parlor the wooden blinds of the front window were dashed open and three shots were fired. The elder Kairer was shot through the heart and fell dead in his son’s arms.
For weeks mystery shrouded the murder. In this time many suspects had been arrested by the police and all but one had been released. That one was Theodore Lambert, well known as a crook and known to be a desperate burglar.
The first evidence directly connecting him with the crime came through a confession made by Josiah Stevens. He told a Philadelphia detective that he was concerned with Lambert in the robbery, but that Lambert had the revolver and fired the fatal shot. This led Lambert to make a partial confession, in which he blamed the shooting on Stevens. He insisted up to the last that Stevens borrowed his revolver and fired the fatal shot.
Both were indicted. Lambert was tried on June 1[?], 1894, and was convicted on the 13th. Sentence was deferred until after the trial of Stevens, which took place on September 26. He was acquitted.
Lawyer John L. Semple, who had been assigned by the court to defend Lambert, applied to Chancellor McGill for a writ of error. This was refused. The Governor granted a reprieve from Decembe [sic] 13 to January 3, 1895, on December 4, just one year from the date of the murder. On December 13—the day Lambert was to have been hanged—the Board of Pardons heard the case and refused to interfere.
Supreme Court Justice Garrison was asked for a writ of habeas corpus. This was peremptorily refused. Next Chief Justice Beasley was appealed to. He likewise refused. To Judge Dallas, of the United States Court, in Philadelphia, Semple now went. He referred the case to Judge Green, of the United States District Court at Trenton.
The hearing was set down for January 2, the day before Lambert was to be hanged. Lawyer Semple went to Trenton to find Judge Green, but the latter had gone away.
Lawyer Semple at once jumped a train for Washington, hunted up Justice Shiras, and induced him to issue a stay pending an appeal to his Court. Lambert’t [sic] lawyer got back to Camden in time to serve Justice Shiras’ order on the Sheriff an hour before the time fixed for the execution.
The next move in the remarkable case was the dismissal of the appeal by the United States Supreme Court. Governor Werts at once issued a second death warrant fixing the execution for June 27.
A writ of habeas corpus was refused [cut off at the crop edge]
Farewell Forever
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Murderer Lambert’s Last Meeting With His Mother.
Theodore Lambert, who is to be hanged to-morrow in Camden for the murder of Baker William G. Kairer, had a farewell visit from his mother yesterday. She spent the day with him until about 7 o’clock last evening. They both shed tears copiously as they parted forever.
Lambert’s spiritual adviser, Rev. J. H. Scott, and several evangelists prayed and sang with the doomed man last evening. Lambert was depressed in spirits after parting with his mother and did not enter into the religious services with his usual earnestness. His appetite also deserted him and he refused to eat anything yesterday.
Lawyer John L. Semple will present argument to-day before Justice Green, of the United States Circuit Court, in Trenton, on an application for a writ of habeas corpus with a stay of execution. If he is unsuccessful, Lambert will surely be hanged to-morrow.
Fire Destroys Kairer’s Bakery
Philadelphia Inquirer —
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.
Hurley Based Success in Life and in Business on Square Deal to All
Camden Courier-Post —
By BEN COURTER
Nearly two score years ago an earnest young man called together a handful of employees in a small store at Fifth and Pine streets.
“Boys, see that door?” he said to them.
“Well, if by any chance I should be called upon to resort to unscrupulous methods in the conduct of this business that door will be closed and this enterprise will end. Square dealing is to be the principle on which we will do business, square dealing to everybody.”
That young man was William Leonard Hurley, then but 27 years old and virile, visioning a great business which he purposed to develop. It was the pronouncement of what then was nothing less than an ideal, for it was in a period when there was a tendency to take advantage of the unsuspecting to sell inferior goods at exorbitant prices. Many operated under what was known in the trade as the “borax system,” which resulted in the public looking askance at installment buying for the home.
Based on that determination to cultivate public confidence in his own business, Hurley built slowly but securely, his small enterprise into “the big trustful store,” with branches in half a dozen cities.
It was a determination that made him a kindred spirit, in later years, with Theodore Roosevelt whose guest the Rough Rider was to become in the midst of a political campaign that stirred the country from coast to coast. It was the straight-forward characteristic that likewise prompted his subsequent activities in the interest of Camden, that was to be a factor in throwing off the provincial spirit and entering the civic stride so pronounced in the advent of the Camden bridge and the extension of Broadway. In both these he was a strenuous advocate of civic expansion, scientifically planned.
Hurley Not Born With a ‘Silver Spoon’
When Hurley was born in Chester county, Pa., 65 years ago, it was not with a “silver spoon in his mouth.” His father, William Hurley, was a railroad man, an honest, hard-working father, who, in times which were hard enough for the bread-winner, struggled to keep his family in the necessities of life.
The son, William, obtained the rudiments of education under great difficulties, for schools were scarce and far between in the sparse settlement where his boyhood was spent. It was a school of hard knocks, an environment that evidenced the difficult problem the poorer class had in obtaining the bare necessities of life. It was the experience of those early years that William L. Hurley never forgot, for afterward, when success had come, he never was deaf to an appeal from those “pulling hard against the stream.”
At the age of 12 he obtained his first job on a farm in his native Chester county. Farming in those days was hard, strenuous work, seemingly never ending labor to the boy, even then strong and possessing much of the splendid physique of later years.
“I worked from four in the morning until after dark,” Hurley once said, in a reminiscent way. “The farmer usually woke me in the morning by pounding his cane on the floor.
“My duties? Well, they included milking ten cows, feeding chickens and pigs, cleaning the horses, husking corn and doing odd chores. The farmer paid me $4 a month and board.
“In those days boys worked just as hard as grown folks. It was no cinch and when darkness came I couldn’t run fast enough to the farmhouse and to bed. I was dead tired and the bed brought supreme happiness to me. Sleeping was about the only fun I had.”
So the years went on with the hard work on the farm. The future held no great promise. The railroad was more alluring. Since his father was a railroader, young Hurley decided to try that field.
Railroading in 80’s No ‘Automatic’ Job
Back in the 80’s railroading was a far different proposition than it is now. There was none of the automatic brakes and couplings and numberless other inventions that have made it comparatively a safe job today. The old-fashioned coupling pin, for instance, was the abomination of the brakeman. What it did to Hurley he carried to his dying day in the loss of the end of one of his middle fingers.
Not only did he act as brakeman but also as fireman. As he stoked the pulsing engine he dreamed of the day when he might take the throttle. It seemed a wonderful career then, but fate had other things in store for him. He sensed it when he concluded to better his wage of $1.[?]0 a day and get “something on the side.” That was by selling sewing machines at night, often after he had worked hard on drilling freights or stoking the engine through the day.
But this selling of sewing machines impressed young Hurley that perhaps after all there was something else in life other than guiding a great locomotive over the rails. At any rate he concluded to try it out and this in 1888, the year of the “great Blizzard” in this section, he obtained a job with Edward Gately & Co. in Philadelphia as canvasser. It was not long before he had two assistants who acted as collectors, one of whom, Harry F. Jones, was to become his partner in the Atlantic City store many years later.
Gately was a wealthy man who had made his money mostly in the installment business, one who ever had an eye open for the promising young men in his organization. It was his custom to give them a chance and take them into partnership, opening stores in various cities. Young Hurley was one of these promising young men. In 1890 the business of Gately & Hurley was started. To be exact it was on February 1 of that year that a small store was opened, the corner store under old Wildey Hall at Fifth and Pine streets. It was there that he was inspired to tell his then small force of his square dealing policy.
Worked Long Hours to Make Store Success
Young Hurley worked like a Trojan. None in the ranks put in longer hours than he, sometimes 18 or 20 before he was willing to call it a day.
Not only did he direct his force in garnering business, but he went out on the street, often with rugs across his shoulders, to obtain patronage. Many recall the stalwart, earnest young man and his breezy manner which seldom failed to bring result.
Nor was Hurley, in the flush of subsequent success, averse to recalling those strenuous days, usually with a chuckle and remembrance of old timers who had stood staunch and strong with his organization through the intervening years.
Four years later the business had grown to such proportions that he concluded another location was needed. That was after all the stores under Wildey Hall had been occupied. In 1894 the Gately & Hurley store was opened at Broadway and Pine streets. It was then 33 by 90 feet.
When Hurley impressed Gately with the necessity for expanding and having a real store he prepared plans for a four-story structure. Camden then was filled with the “can’t be dones.” Toone & Hollinshed at Broadway and Kaighn avenue was the biggest place on that thoroughfare. Mrs. Varney’s place was on Kaighn avenue, the store of E. V. Story at Sycamore street, Hughes Brothers at Walnut street, Fuhrman Brothers at Chestnut and a few notion places here and there. But the Hurley enterprise seemed so outlandish that one day as George Leathwhite, then Camden’s leading plumber, was looking over the building operation a prominent business man of the period asked.
“Who is the damn fool building this place?”
Nor was he mollified in the least when informed it was “Bill” Hurley. It was regarded altogether a foolhardy undertaking, one that would spell certain disaster. It was pointed out there was nothing just like it on Broadway and that there was nothing to warrant such an outlay.
As a matter of fact that pessimistic note eventually reached Gately. He had some misgivings and Hurley’s four-story building was kept down to three. Just two months after the store had been finished it was necessary to find warehousing room by renting the old bakery of William Kairer at Line and West street. Incidentally, it may be of interest to recall it was Kairer the baker, who had been shot and killed by a burglar in 1893. Theodore Lambert was hanged in the old county jail for that murder.
In 1900 Hurley bought the Gately interests, giving him exclusive ownership, and the business continued to grow making more additions necessary. The old Field properties, two and a half story bricks, were bought, torn down and the store extended.
In 1903 a store was established at Wilkes-Barre with Daniel Loughran as Hurley’s partner. Three years later Henry J. Tobin was made his partner in another store at Trenton. Then in 1912 John J. Powell was commissioned to open the Hurley-Powell store at Wilmington. Harry F. Jones, Hurley’s collector in the very early days opened the Hurley-Jones store at Atlantic City in 1915. Five years later another Hurley store started business at Bridgeton. And in 1923 the home store was remodeled and in the meantime, old Turner Hall, where many a gay night was had by the old timers in masked balls and other festivities, was converted into a warehouse with other structures doing like service. Hurley has long since been recognized as one of South Jersey’s merchant princes.
Roosevelt Given Support in Bull Moose Campaign
Although he never consented to leave the helm of his great business enterprises, save later in life when he spent part of the winters at Hilton Head or occasionally went abroad, Mr. Hurley found time to take an active interest in the affairs of Camden. He did not seek political preferment but for more than 30 years he sought the best that might come with [blacked out]n progressive government. He ever desired to see Camden forge ahead in business in a civic way. Frequently he chafed over a tendency on the part of the political powers to let things drift along. He had no particular objection to the Republican organization as it was constituted under the late Senator David Baird, but he did believe with all possible sincerity that if the progressive spirit could be injected into it much would be accomplished, things that were left to very, very slow evolution.
It was therefore quite in keeping with that tendency that he aligned himself with the late Cooper B. Hatch in the late 90’s when the Committee of 100 was born with the Courier then under S. Conrad Ott as city editor being a potent factor in the victory. It was then that Hurley gave financial and moral aid to the movement with Hatch as the leader and with Lewis H. Moorman, [blacked out], C. Kramer and others many of whom have long since gone fostering the cause. [blacked out] its purpose perhaps although within a few years it had passed with the usual disintegration of independent movements.
When Colonel Roosevelt formed the Bull Moose party and became the Presidential candidate in 1912 with William H. Taft and Woodrow Wilson in the field, Mr. Hurley was an earnest active advocate of the Rough Rider. In fact he was one of the delegates to the Bull Moose convention that nominated Roosevelt.
In the midst of that truly hectic campaign when Wilson, Taft and Roosevelt visited Camden, Wilson’s meeting was enthusiastic enough to please any Democrat. Taft’s was a frost and hardly more than a fringe, mostly office holders greeted him, but Roosevelt’s was what the Colonel himself called a “rip snorter.”
Teddy Was Guest at Home of Hurley During Visit Here
Hurley was his host on that occasion, a hot summer night, itself suggestive of the extremely hot campaign. These meetings were held at the Third Regiment armory, no other building then being available. One may yet recall very vividly the entrance of the Colonel, Mr. Hurley and the Camden Bull Moose leaders. The great drill hall was literally jammed, with yelling enthusiasts even hanging from the top girders. Just as he arrived a terrific thunder storm broke loose, the reverberation, the vivid flashes lost in the roar of the crowd.
“Where’s your hat, Teddy?” someone yelled.
And the Colonel tossed his old black slouch hat in the ring while Hurley led the cheer that followed, a cheer that seemingly tested the strength of the expansive roof. Roosevelt had been a guest at the Hurley home at West Collingswood where the leaders, the rank and file of the Bull Moosers met him. It was one gala night and Mr. Hurley was in the zenith of his glory.
None was more disappointed when Colonel Roosevelt failed at the November election, for Mr. Hurley felt that the country needed the hero of San Juan Hill particularly at that time. He sincerely mourned the Colonel’s passing, but to the very last cherished his memory, regarding him as the Great American.
Backed Non-Partisan Move, Aided Opening of Broadway
As has been indicated, Mr. Hurley had no particular feeling against the Republican organization, but he was certain that Camden was on the threshold of big things and that there should be an awakening. There appeared to be no intention of getting out of the rut so far as the political powers were concerned and with the assurance of the bridge he regarded it necessary to be alive to the opportunities certain to come. There had been talk of certain outlets from the bridge which did not meet the situation in his judgment. For one thing, he was impressed with the extension of Broadway.
For more years than one might recall, Broadway had been Camden’s principal street. Many regarded it as the city’s most important business thoroughfare. Mr. Hurley early realized that to extend it to where the bridge plaza would eventually be located was a real civic essential, but the city administration did not consider the financial outlay that would be involved justified in the extension.
That was one of the factors that resulted in the Non-Partisan movement of 1922, of Mr. Hurley’s advocacy of its cause, of his financial and moral support. He was one of the leaders in the civic revolution that first brought the victory for commission form of government and later that ushered the Non-Partisan candidates into office.
It was the realization of a cherished dream when the new administration bought property that assured Broadway’s extension to the bridge plaza. It justified his prediction that it would be like giving a new blood stream to the city, for the Walt Whitman Hotel, the Wilson Building and others rapidly rising about Broadway and Cooper streets prove it beyond all doubt.
Camden Bridge Proposition Given Approval by Hurley
Mr. Hurley not only gave his every influence toward the Camden bridge proposition in the days when it was regarded more or less a joke, but he worked assiduously to crystalize [sic] sentiment so that the century-old dream would be a dream no longer. New Jersey did its part when Walter Edge was governor, but there was plenty of backing and filling on the part of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. There were many discouraging epochs, even after a joint commission had been created, but Mr. Hurley was among those who refused to give up hope. What was subsequently accomplished was due mainly to men of his faith, of his courage, of his energy.
After its completion the necessity for a second span was impressed upon him. Shortly after the Camden bridge was opened to the public he advocated another from Market street, Gloucester to Pattison avenue, Philadelphia. Since other sites have been suggested. A joint commission has been named to make preliminary surveys but has been at loggerheads over a proposal to build a span from Red Bank to League Island. Mr. Hurley regarded his suggestion as far more feasible and he supported it by arguments that were hard to answer.
Throughout his career Mr. Hurley had been an earnest advocate of co-operation among business interests of the city. For many years there was the Board of Trade rather an innocuous organization, usually attended by half a dozen men and voiceless so far as influence went. He concluded a rejuvenation was necessary, consented to act as president and speeded it up with the late Louis T. Derousse as secretary. Later Charles M. Curry held that position and until the present Chamber of Commerce was formed under a campaign directed by the American City Bureau. Mr. Hurley or his subordinates had given it every possible aid to make it a factor in the community.
Assessment Commissioner Was Only Political Post
Aside from his principal business, Mr. Hurley was associated for many years with the late William J. Lorigan in building homes. Their first extensive operation was the construction of two rows of dwellings in Princeton avenue. Others were constructed in various parts of Camden and the development of the district about Twenty-seventh and Federal streets was largely due to the firm. After the elder Lorigan’s death he was succeeded by his son, William H. Lorigan, who has been associated with Mr. Hurley.
While he sought no political honors, Mr. Hurley did once accept for a few years a position. It was during the Committee of 100 regime when he became a commissioner of assessment. He [?] served for many years as a delegate to the Atlantic Deeper Waterways Convention. He took a keen interest in that organization and in the work of actually having an inland waterway along the eastern seaboard. It is slowly developing with the possibility of becoming an actuality a few years hence, mainly through the effort of men of Mr. Hurley’s caliber.
When he came to Camden Mr. Hurley first resided on Stevens street, then at [?] Pine and from 1894 to 19[?]9 at 7[?]8 Broadway. In the latter year he bought the estate on White Horse pike at West Collingswood that had been used as a sanitarium. The building was virtually reconstructed, the grounds were laid out in beautiful shrubbery and there were already fine nut trees which made it a show place. He called it Dungarvan, after the county in Ireland where his father was born.
It was there at his palatial home, with the beautiful surroundings that Mr. Hurley delighted in acting the role of host, of gathering about him old friends and harking back to the times that were.
Unspoiled Good Will Befriended All in Need
Old friends cherish the memory of one outstanding characteristic of “Bill” Hurley. Increasing fortune never “spoiled” him. He remained democratic until the end, and those who had known him through the years called him “Bill” just as they had done in the days when he was forging ahead in spite of the “can’t-be-dones.”
Nor did he ever forget an old customer. It might be an old, old woman upon whom fortune had consistently refused to shine but who made her little purchases at his store. None was too lowly for him to give his personal attention under such circumstances. There was ever a real grip of the hand that spoke sincerity.
It was quite natural that he enjoyed hunting and fishing. For many years his summer home was at Sea Isle City, where his family went through the vacation period each year. There he never failed to go out to sea or to try his luck off the pier, usually with an old friend. Catching the piscatorial beauties, particularly a channel bass or a drum, was regarded with almost the same satisfaction as putting over a big business deal.
Over a dozen years ago he bought the island at Hilton Head, off the coast of South Carolina and 30 miles from Savannah. While he enjoyed all the comforts of civilization, the surroundings were kept in their primitive simplicity. Nothing delighted him more than taking an old friend along to the island estate and showing the guest the time of his life.
Men like Hurley do much that is unheralded to alleviate the suffering of the world. Creed or color meant nothing to him if aid were needed. What he gave in that respect no one knows. Those long associated with him declare it was sufficient to make happy a small army in adversity.
Aided Worthy Causes Regardless of Creeds
Charitable organizations, religious or otherwise, enjoyed his bounty. No one was aware of such aid unless it happened to be in a “campaign” to raise a specified sum. It was Hurley very often who started things going by way of a liberal contribution. It mattered not whether the cause was for Protestant, Catholic or Jew—just so it was worth while. When the vicious pogroms were sweeping Russia he was one of the most generous contributors to the Camden funds for the sufferers. In the flu epidemic of 1918 he was among the leaders who aided the stricken, who gave many a family a lift over rough places.
During the war he was active in every Liberty Loan drive, in every movement that aided ultimate victory. He was chairman of the Knights of Columbus drive, he was a potent factor in the United War Workers’ campaign, in the Red Cross and kindred movements. He took great interest in the boys who “went over there” for his own son, Jerome, was in the service.
Surely in glancing over Camden’s history in the past two-score years not an instance conducive to the city’s development may be cited without finding William L. Hurley’s name connected with it some way, some how. He was so much a part of its warp and woof that the civic fabric bears indelibly the impress of his personality.