Introduction
William Laute was born in Germany in 1871 to Gottlien Herman “Herman” Laute and his wife, the former Henriette Caroline Emilie Behrndt. His father came to America for the first time in 1878 and reunited his family in the early 1880s. By 1890 the elder Laute had moved to 741 Fairview Street in Camden with his sons Herman and William and their wives, Emma and Lillian. William Laute was working as a “driver,” his father as a teamster and his brother as a foreman.
The 1900 Census shows that William Laute, then 28, had moved to 701 Fairview Street where he had established a saloon. His wife, the former Lillian Patterson, who he had married around 1897, was 10 years his junior, had bore two children, neither of whom had survived. A daughter, Florence, who would reach majority, was born in 1901. His brother Herman moved to 800 Sylvan Street by 1903.
William Laute operated his saloon at 701 Fairview Street throughout the 1900s, during which time he had several run-ins with law enforcement which culminated in his receiving a six-month sentence in the Camden County Jail in March of 1910. After his release, he conducted a bottling business at 701 Fairview for a couple of years. In 1913 he was again arrested, for selling liquor without a license. By the end of 1913 William and Lillian Laute appear to have parted ways, their marriage ending in divorce. In September of 1914 it was alleged that William Laute was “interfering” with the daughter of Thomas O’Connell, who, with his son James, gave William Laute a going-over.
William Laute subsequently married Jane Ryrie, who had given birth to a son, Robert di Acustu, on February 9, 1914 at the age of 18. William raised this boy as his own. Two more sons would come to William and Jane before the end of the 1910s, Frederick, who died not long after his 1918 birth, and in 1919 Herman L. Laute. In June of 1919 the family was living at 800 Sylvan Street, which had been the home of his brother Herman. Herman appears to have passed in late 1918 or early 1919, possibly a victim of the flu pandemic.
The 1920 Census shows William Laute and family living in the Gloucester Heights section of Haddon Township, New Jersey. He was then working as a carpenter. He obtained an appointment as a constable in Gloucester City, New Jersey but did not keep the job as he was caught in another illegality. The 1930 Census shows that he had returned to working as a carpenter and that five more children had been born, Doris, Blanche, Emily, William Jr., and Jane.
William Laute passed away on September 14, 1949.
William Laute’s daughter Florence married James J. Schaffer, who was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in the 1920s and served until at least 1943. James and Florence’s son, James J. Schaffer Jr., graduated from Camden High School in 1951, served with the United States Army during the Korean War, then returned to New Jersey where he had a long career in law enforcement, initially as a State Trooper. He was serving as undersheriff of Salem County when he passed away in 2003.
William Laute's Saloon — 701 Fairview Street
701 Fairview Street, circa 1903
Saloonkeeper Kelly Withdrew Application
Philadelphia Inquirer —
When the Camden Excise Board met last night an attorney was present to protest in behalf of the Law and Order League against the transfer of the license of Peter J. Kelly, of Front and Vine streets, to Louis Weil, but Kelly had anticipated the protest earlier in the day and had sent a note from the county jail withdrawing his petition. Kelly is in prison for Sunday liquor selling.
The board granted transfers of liquor licenses as follows: William Rose, Lewis and Chestnut streets, wholesale, to Weitzmann and Teitleman; William T. Honey, West Jersey Hotel, to James Hendricks; Thomas Croaker, Fourth and Jasper streets, to Samuel H. Sheer; William Laute, 1101 Fairview street, to Herman Laute; Samuel P. Bakrey, 839 Market street, to Thomas Leach; estate of Mrs. Kate Beck, Second and Erie streets, to Eberhardt Ries; Fred Herold, of 1700 Federal street, to Point and Elm streets.
A wholesale license was granted to Klein Brothers, of No. 244 Mt. Vernon street.
Licenses Granted in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Camden Excise Commission yesterday granted the following retail licenses: Peter Glosser, Haddon and Atlantic avenues; John F. Wayland, 625 Ferry avenue; William Laute, 101 Fairview avenue; James Foley, 1000 Broadway; Thomas Kenny, 1011 Broadway; John Horseback, 345 Spruce street. The license of John Graef, 202 Federal street, was transferred to Ferdinand Brazell.
“I Think You Want Me”
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Declaration of Young Man to Judge Caused Him to Be Fined
At the conclusion of yesterday morning’s session of the Recorder’s Court in Camden a young man walked up to Recorder Stackhouse and said:
“I think you want me.”
“What is your name?” inquired the Recorder.
On replying it was William Laute, the Recorder said Laute was wanted for keeping a gambling device in his place of business at Seventh and Fairview streets. Laute pleaded guilty and paid a fine of $50 and costs without a murmur.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Saloonkeeper William Laute, Thomas May and Harry Parker were arrested in Camden yesterday, charged with being three of the assailants of Law and Order Agent John Dallas, who was attacked last Sunday night while he was gathering evidence against violators of the liquor law. The Recorder sentenced Laute and May to ninety days and Parker to sixty days in the county jail.
Many Illegally Jailed
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Lawyer Raised Point on Which Court Agreed
Judge Joline in Camden yesterday declared that scores of persons committed to the county jail under the disorderly act have been incarcerated illegally. He said the printed blanks do not state the specific act which constituted the crime. This was developed by Lawyer John Semple when he applied to Judge Joline for the release on habeas corpus proceedings of William Laute, Thomas May and Harry Parker, committed to the county jail as disorderly persons. They were accused of attacking John Dallas and S. D. Biddle, Law and Order agents.
Judge Joline released the men, and then, sitting as a committing magistrate, held them in $300 bail each for their appearance before the grand jury for the latter to investigate whether they were guilty or not of a criminal act.
Many Warrants Out for Saloonkeepers
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Accused of Selling More Liquor in Camden Than is Warranted Under Retail License
Recorder Stackhouse yesterday issued warrants for the arrest of the following saloonkeepers charged with selling more than half a pint of whisky without having wholesale licenses: James Muller, Locust and Mechanic streets; Patrick Earley, Third and Mechanic streets; Samuel T. Wimley, Mt. Ephraim and Atlantic avenues; John F. Whalen, 625 Ferry avenue; F. J. Rauh, 751 Ferry avenue; Barney Moore, 123 to 129 Kaighn avenue; J. H. McFarland, 1025 Market street.
Warrants were also issued for the arrest of the following on two charges, one including the above and the other accusing the defendants of selling more than a quart of beer: S. Burzinski, 942 Kaighn avenue; Charles Grossman, Twelfth and Federal streets; John Hughes, Eighth and Kaighn avenue; George L. Dilmore, Fourth and Kaighn avenue; William Laute, 701 Fairview street; John Boullion, 1939 Filmore street; Patrick Carr, Seventh and Kaighn avenue. They will be given hearings to-morrow morning.
This is the newest move of the Law and Order League which is attempting to break up the practice of “rushing the growler” in Camden.
Recorder Stackhouse yesterday convicted three saloonkeepers who were charged by S. T. Biddle, a Law and Order agent, with selling more than a quart of liquor to one person at a time. These included Jacob Schweitzer, Point and Elm streets; Jeremiah Sullivan, 40 Haddon avenue; and Thomas Kenny, 514 North Front street. John Flood, Spruce and Newton avenue; John Cronin, Sixth and Spruce streets, and Antonio Mecca, 16 Market street. H. R. Halsey, of Sixth and Kaighn avenue, pleaded guilty.
Camden Woman Dropped Dead
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mrs. Emily Laute, 54 years old, of 741 Fairview street, Camden, dropped dead at her home yesterday. Coroner Kirk found death was due to heart disease.
Thieves Raid Saloon
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Had Their Own Way While the Proprietor Slept
Burglars had a good time at the expense of William Laute, a saloonkeeper, at Seventh and Fairview streets, Camden, early yesterday morning. After breaking into his place the intruders proceeded to regale themselves with Laute’s choicest liquors. After drinking the best of wines and smoking fragrant cigars, the robbers decamped.
On descending to his bar room Laute found over $100 worth of liquors, cigars and wines had disappeared. Empty bottles and cigar stumps were found about the room.
Saloonkeeper Heavily Fined
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Judge Joline in Camden yesterday fined William Laute, a liquor dealer, $100 and costs on a charge of selling on Sunday.
Excise Commission Hears Remonstrants
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Thirty-nine Considered by Camden Board, But No License Applications Were Thrown Out
Not in a single instance did Camden’s Excise Commission yesterday uphold the contentions of remonstrants who appeared against a number of applicants for liquor licenses. It was a continuation of the hearing from Friday night, and altogether 39 remonstrances were considered, they being signed by Charles E. Lane and Charles Read, identified with the Law and Order League. Incidentally Rev. Samuel H. Hann, secretary of the league, left the meeting in apparent chagrin over the manner in which the contentions of the remonstrants were overruled.
Representing the remonstrants Lawyer Samuel Roberts endeavored to have a number of applications thrown out on the ground that there was not in evidence the required number of freehold signers. When the board, on motion of Lawyer Harry C. Kramer, for the saloonkeepers, ruled that it was up to Lawyer Roberts to prove his assertion, however, he was not prepared to proceed and his contention bore no fruit. He also fought a number of applications, claiming that they had not been filed within the past ten days and, in consequence, could not be considered. The best that came from this was the laying over of all such applications until January 15, which will give the applicants sufficient time.
Objection was raised to the application of Robert N. Snyder, Fourth and Kaighn avenue, it being contended that he is not a resident of Camden, whereupon Exciseman William B. Stephens averred that Snyder lives with him at 337 Kaighn avenue, and that he keeps “one of the nicest places in town.”
As a result of the meeting the remonstrances against Snyder, along with those opposing Mrs. Annie Cannon, 1700 Federal street; Daniel J. Woods, West and Clinton streets; James L. Firth, Broadway and Chelton avenue; John Heeley, Fourth and Market streets, were dismissed. The cases of William Laute, 701 Fairview street; Leaming Hastings, Twenty-seventh and River road; Albert Kayser, 45 York street, and Thomas Winkworth, while those of Louis Ederle, Beach and Erie streets; Charles Hartmyer, 112 Market street, and John Scannell, Third and Market streets, were withdrawn.
The board announced that the annual granting of licenses will take place on Wednesday night.
Camillus Appley
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Held for court yesterday on a charge of assault and battery on William Laute, a saloonkeeper at Seventh and Fairview streets, Policeman Camillus Appley, of the Seventh ward, was later in the day suspended by acting Chief James, pending inquiry by the Police Committee of City Council.
Camden Hotelkeeper Sentenced
Philadelphia Inquirer —
For years a hotelkeeper at 701 Fairview street, Camden, William Laute was yesterday sentenced by Judge Joline to six months in the county jail and ordered to pay a fine of $50, after pleading guilty to a charge of keeping a disorderly house. Laute failed to take out a license this year and when the police descended on his place several Sundays ago they found men in the bar room and confiscated a lot of liquor.
Quietly Securing Liquor Law Violation Evidence
Philadelphia Inquirer —
That Camden’s police are quietly getting evidence against violators of the liquor laws was shown yesterday in connection with the case of William Laute, a bottler, of 701 Fairview street, who was accused of selling liquor illegally. The complaint was made by Wiliam B. Cook, before Recorder Stackhouse.
In answer to questions by J. H. Sweitzer, counsel for Laute, Cook said he represented the New Jersey Secret Service and on being asked by whom he was employed was reluctant to reply. Sweitzer insisted and the Recorder asked for this information. Cook then stated he was employed by the police. Laute was held in $500 bail for court. His offense consisted of selling half a pint of whisky and a few bottles of beer.
Camden at a Glance
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Playground Commission is planning to give its corps of teachers expert instruction in sand modeling for the ultimate benefit of the Camden youngsters.
Work is being completed on two 12-inch test wells at the Morris Station pumping plant that experts believe will show the city’s water supply can be greatly increased.
In a fall downstairs at his home yesterday, William Laute, aged 40 years, of 70 Fairview street, fractured three ribs. He was taken to Cooper Hospital.
Failing to respond to calls from her family, Mrs. Elizabeth Knox, aged 63 years, of 1163 West High street, Haddon Heights, was found dead in bed yesterday. Coroner Schroeder said death was due to heart disease.
Allege Father and Son Whipped Laute
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Accused of being the assailants of William Laute, aged 37 years, of 741 Fairview street, who was unable to appear against them, Thomas O’Connell and his son, James, of 2309 South Seventh street, were yesterday held by Recorder Stackhouse in Camden pending a further hearing. It is alleged Laute has several broken ribs, a cut head and other injuries administered by father and son because Laute is alleged to have been too familiar with O’Connell’s daughter.
The evidence given the police was to the effect that while one of the O’Connells held a revolver at Laute’s head the other gave the thrashing. That it was to the queen’s taste was indicated by the fact that the victim was taken to Cooper Hospital.
3 Injured, 3 Stunned in Auto Collision
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Spectator Witnessing Midnight Accident in Gloucester Faint
Special to The Inquirer.
GLOUCESTER, N. J., June 14.—Three persons were injured, three women fainted, three men were badly stunned when two automobiles collided last night at Broadway and Hudson streets.
Frank Hart, of 1832 Filimore street, who was operating one of the autos, was the most seriously injured. He was taken home after having his injuries, which were internal, treated by Dr. George Adams, at the City Hall. Ellsworth Petitt, of 979 Florence street, Camden; Joseph Downer, of 2266 South Seventh street, Camden, and William Laute, of 800 Sylvan street, Camden, who were in the machine with Hart were stunned, while two girls, who were also in the car and who reside in Gloucester, fainted.
In the other automobile were George Schaub, of Ellisburg, who was driving, and Herbert Collins, of Haddonfield. They were hurled through the windshield and were cut and bruised. Miss Alice Smith, who was passing along the street at the time with her sister, Mrs. C. C. Eppelman, fainted when she saw the autos collide and required the attention of Dr. J. A. Beck.
Officers Held for Attempted Extortion
The Evening News (Harrisburg, PA) —
The Evening News (Harrisburg, PA), May 14, 1925
CAMDEN, N. J., May 4.—Police Recorder T. Marsden Smith and Constable William Laute, of Gloucester Heights, near here, were held today for the grand jury on charges of attempted extortion. They were arrested yesterday following complaint of Mark Zerone, who said he was stopped on a road near Haddon Field by Smith and Laute for reckless driving. The recorder announced he would hold curbstone court on the spot and demanded $25 from him, Zerone charged. State Police say previous complaints of the two men have been made by motorists.