Introduction
William E. “Billy” Morgenweck
WILLIAM E. “BILLY” MORGENWECK was born September 9, 1869 in New York State. He was, with a relation, Frank “Pop” Morgenweck, one of the organizers of the first basketball league in the United States in the 1890s, the National Basketball League. Billy Morgenweck took to the then-new game as well, as an owner and player-coach of the Camden Electrics. The Electrics, paced by star guard Charles Bossert, were one of the top teams of the early 1900s, playing at the old Sixth Regiment Armory at West and Mickle Streets. The 1902–03 Electrics won 36 times against only 9 defeats. As Camden won both halves of the season they were awarded the NBL pennant and cup without the necessity of any playoff games. He also coached Charlie Newcomb, who went on to fame as a trap shooter. The league folded during the 1903–04 season. Billy Morgenweck was subsequently sued by investors in the team, including local businessman Sig Schoenagle.
After the breakup of the NBL, Billy Morgenweck left the sport, but returned as coach of the Camden Alphas in the Eastern Basketball League in the 1910s, tying for first in the league in 1913–14 and 1914–15. By 1920 he owned a property at 17 Broadway, near Federal Street, in Camden, where he lived and operated a dry cleaning and tailor’s shop, with wife Margaret and son William P. Morgenweck. He also served on the board of directors of the American National Bank of Camden, which was located at Broadway and Liberty Street, in 1927 and 1928. Other directors then were Joseph B. Stern and D.L. Pinson.
Billy Morgenweck passed away on March 5, 1930 while fishing in Florida. Survived by his wife Margaret and son William P. Morgenweck, who owned a dyeing factory. Billy Morgenweck was buried at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden NJ.
William Morgenweck
NBL History — 1902–1903 Standings
| First Half | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | Pct. | GB | ||
| Camden Electrics | 15 | 2 | .882 | – | |
| New York Wanderers | 11 | 2 | .846 | 4 | |
| Bristol Pile Drivers (until 30 Dec 02) | 12 | 5 | .706 | 3 | |
| Philadelphia Phillies (until 21 Dec 02) | 10 | 7 | .588 | 5 | |
| Trenton Potters | 6 | 9 | .400 | 9 | |
| Conshohocken | 4 | 11 | .267 | 11 | |
| Burlington Shoe Pegs | 2 | 12 | .143 | 13 | |
| Wilmington | 2 | 14 | .125 | 13 | |
| Second Half | |||||
| W | L | Pct. | GB | ||
| Camden Electrics | 21 | 7 | .750 | – | |
| Burlington Shoe Pegs | 16 | 11 | .593 | 5 | |
| Wilmington Peaches | 14 | 2 | .538 | 7 | |
| Trenton Potters | 14 | 15 | .483 | 7 | |
| New York Wanderers | 11 | 14 | .440 | 10 | |
| Conshohocken | 4 | 21 | .160 | 17 | |
Wm. Morgenweck Is Accused of Fraud in Basketball Sale
Trenton Times —
Camden Men Want Him Restrained From Foreclosing Chattel Mortgage.
GROSS CROOKEDNESS IS ALLEGED IN CHANCERY
Charged by Complainants That Morgenweck Misrepresented Condition of Camden Basketball Association in not Disclosing Mortgage.
Proceedings have been commenced in the Court of Chancery to enjoin William E. Morgenweck of Camden from prosecuting the foreclosure of a chattel mortgage covering the property of the Camden Basketball Association. The complainants in the case are Siegmund Schoenagle, Frank E. Gardner and Adolph Schoenagle, and they charge Morgenweck with gross fraud and misrepresentation in inducing them to buy the stock of the Basketball Association without disclosing the existence of the chattel mortgage for $2,500, which he now is seeking to foreclose.
The suit is the outgrowth of the rise and fall of the popularity of the game of basketball. Morgenweck was the promoter of the game in Camden and through his instrumentality the Camden Basketball Association was organized.
CHARGES OF BILL
The bill charges that in March, 1904, when the game had ceased to be popular, Richard Miller, Harry C. Kramer and Adolph Schoenagle decided to abandon the association and form a new organization for the carrying on of bowling alleys in the old Sigl Regiment Armory, at Ninth and Mickle streets, Camden, which had formerly been used by the basketball association.
The new organization retained the old name and it is charged that he induced the complainants to acquire the stock of the old concern by representing that its property was clear of incumbrance. The complainants state that they have spent about $5,000 in starting the new venture in addition to the cost of bowling alleys and in getting the equipment.
Three Firemen Met Death in Camden Blaze
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Trapped in Fire at the Old Sixth Regiment Armory They Perished in Flames
NINE OTHER PERSONS RECEIVED INJURIES
Three firemen were killed and nine persons injured at a fire last night which destroyed the old armory building at Bridge avenue, West and Mickle streets, Camden, causing a loss estimated at $50,000.
The dead firemen are:
GEORGE SHIELDS, 525 Kaighn avenue, member of the Kaighn avenue chemical company.
WILLIAM HILLMAN, 229 Beckett street, of the Kaighn avenue chemical company.
WILLIAM JOBES, 576 Line street, member of Engine Company No. 2.
The injured, all of whom will recover, are:
Josiah Sage, 917 South Eighth street, Kaighn avenue company, cut head and face; Seth Monnell, 744 Mt. Vernon street, Kaighn avenue company, scalp wounds; George Quinn, 516 Line street, Kaighn avenue company, cut face; Martin Carrigan, 516 Clinton street, Engine Company No. 1, lacerated face and hands; J. W. Simpson, 551 Cedar street, Engine Company No. 2, lacerations of scalp and face; James Elberson, 628 North Fourth street, Engine Company No. 4, contused wounds of the legs; William Elberson, 231 Taylor avenue, Engine Company No. 2, injured about the back; Charles Worthington, 1017 Penn street, Engine …
Continued on Second Page—Fourth Column
EBL History — 1913–1914 Standings
| W | L | Pct. | GB | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper Jewels | 23 | 17 | .575 | – | |
| Camden Alphas | 23 | 17 | .575 | – | |
| Trenton Potters | 23 | 17 | .575 | – | |
| Reading Bears | 22 | 18 | .550 | 1 | |
| DeNeri | 20 | 20 | .500 | 3 | |
| Greystock Greys | 9 | 31 | .225 | 14 |
1914 EBL Finals — Jasper won round robin
23 Mar 14 at Trenton 30, Camden 24
25 Mar 14 at Camden 34, Trenton 22
26 Mar 14 at Jasper 42, Camden 18
27 Mar 14 at Trenton — Jasper 24, Trenton 20
28 Mar 14 at Camden 33, Jasper 24
30 Mar 14 at Jasper 29, Trenton 20
EBL History — 1914–1915 Standings
| W | L | Pct. | GB | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camden Alphas | 25 | 15 | .625 | – | |
| Reading Bears | 25 | 15 | .625 | – | |
| Trenton Potters | 20 | 20 | .500 | -5 | |
| Greystock Greys | 18 | 22 | .450 | 7 | |
| DeNeri | 17 | 23 | .435 | 8 | |
| Jasper Jewels | 15 | 25 | .375 | 10 |
1915 EBL Finals — Reading 1, Camden 1
23 Mar 15 at Camden 45, Reading 35
24 Mar 15 at Reading 52, Camden 29
Third game not played as teams couldn’t agree on site
Court Stars of Yesteryear Plan to Turn Out for Dinner
Camden Courier-Post —
Eddie Ferat, Winnie Kinkaid, Bob Dippy and Howard Thomas, Members of Old Camden Electrics, Plan to Attend All Sports Banquet
By FITZ
On a chill March night back in 1902, a driving rain beat against the old Sixth Regiment Armory at West and Mickle streets. Inside a crowd of 1200 persons were cheering 10 husky gladiators.
It was that night that Camden won the National Basketball League championship by defeating New York, 47–34. Sports critics said the Camden team which captured that championship was one of the greatest basketball teams in the history of the game.
Four members of that team will attend the All Sports dinner which will be held at Neil Deighan’s at the Airport Circle, next Tuesday night.
The team was the Camden Electrics. It was organized by the late “Billy” Morgenweck, who also organized the first basketball league in the United States, and the Camden team ranked the best tossers of the 90’s.
Before every game and between halves Morgenweck would give his team members a pep talk and they would receive electric shocks from a battery machine Morgenweck had in the dressing room. The machine accompanied the team on its playing trips. That was how the team got the name of the Camden Electrics.
Four Still Living
The team members who brought that championship to Camden included, “Snake’s Deal, Eddie Ferat, forwards; Bill Keenan, center; Charlie Bossert and “Winnie” Kinkaid, guards; and Howard Thomas, all-around substitute. Keenan and Bossert have passed on but the other four will mingle with about 400 other athletes who will also attend the event.
Morgenweck managed other great Camden teams in the 1900’s and some of his stars included Robert “Bob” Dippy, A. L. “Budge” Middleton and Howard Thomas. Morgenweck also loved to enthuse over the doings of Randolph Cramer, Ray Wynne, Tommy Peterson, Leon Goff, Al Gettie, George Tyler, who were among the “boys” who played for him in the old Camden YMCA when the playing floor was lined off and the forwards did all the scoring.
The late Dr. Bossert, who for many years was beach surgeon at Atlantic City, was one of the first men in basketball to develop the “scoring guard” idea under the tutelage of Morgenweck. In those days, the guards devoted all their time to covering the forwards, but (Continued on Page Twenty-six)
Ex-Court Stars Plan to Attend Banquet
(Continued from Page Twenty-five) when Morgenweck developed the “guards up” play, the idea revolutionized the game. Bossert was a wonder in going up the floor and scoring on center plays.
New York Also Had Stars
The old aggregation played in the Sixth Regiment Armory which figured in a tragic fire some years ago. Such popular figures as “Al” Wendelken and Bob Abadie played with the brilliant New York aggregation while “Sandy” Shields, “Reddy” Barber and John Penino were other stars in the circuit.
With the development of basketball in the New England states and in the old Central League in western Pennsylvania, Morgenweck retired from the basketball picture about 1904, but got back into harness again as coach of the Camden Alpha team in the Eastern League. Ormond “Army” Fitzgerald, Walter McCallion, Charles “Jesse” James, Frank Eames, Howard Thomas, Howard “Kidder” Bourquin and Howard “Bud” Henry were among the players on the team at that time. He gave up the game after several strenuous seasons and was succeeded by the late Ward Snyder, who was responsible for the introduction of Jackie Adams, Jimmy Brown and Eddie Dolin to Camden fans in Alpha uniforms.
1895–96 Camden Electrics. Front: B. Bates, Jim the Mascot, H. Reiners. Middle: H. Gifford, Ray Wynn, Albert Austermuhl, H. Blankorn, Charlie Newcomb, Leon Goff, George Tyler. Rear: C.F. Ware, H. D’Emo, L. Oliphant, H. Nixon, E. Garrigues, Randolph Cramer, William Morgenweck.
1898–1899 Camden Electrics. Front: C. Weaver, J. Zimmerman, Randolph Cramer, Eddie Ferat, W.A. Stewart. Rear: William Morgenweck, A.P. Cartwright, R.J. Kelly, Charlie Newcomb, A. Middleton, Albert Austermuhl.
1901–02 Camden Electrics. Front: Eddie Ferat. Sitting: Bob Dippy, Winnie Kinkaid, John “Snake” Deal, Billy Keenan, Howard Forest. Standing: William Morganweck, Charles Bossert, Howard Middleton, Charles Stevenson.
Shown above are members and officials of the Camden Electrics, 1901–02 champions of the National Basketball League, several of whom will attend the All Sports dinner to be held next Tuesday night, at Neil Deighan’s Inn. Those in the photo are: Lying down, Eddie Ferat; sitting, left to right, Bob Dippy, Winnie Kinkaid, John “Snake” Deal, Billy Keenan and Howard Thomas; standing, left to right, Billy Morgenweck, manager; Dr. Charles Bossert, Howard “Budge” Middleton and Charles Stevenson, president. Stevenson, Morgenweck, Keenan and Bossert are dead. The others are expected to be on hand for the dinner.
Report of Condition of the American National Bank of Camden
Camden Courier-Post —
REPORT OF CONDITION OF THE American National Bank of Camden AT CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY In the State of New Jersey, at the Close of Business on December 31, 1927
RESOURCES
Loans and discounts, including rediscounts, acceptances of other banks and foreign bills of exchange or drafts sold with indorsement of this bank (except those shown in Item 1-b) $245,158.23
Total loans $245,158.23
All other United States Government securities (including premiums, if any) $10,000.00
Total $10,000.00
Other bonds, stocks, securities, etc., owned $276,031.70. Banking House $141,954.94; Furniture and fixtures $12,485.82 154,440.76. Lawful reserve with Federal Reserve Bank 22,517.45. Cash in vault and amount due from national banks 53,828.02. Amount due from State banks, bankers, and trust companies in the United States (other than included in Items 8, 9 and 10) 6,449.15. Exchanges for clearing house 3,340.43. Total of Items 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 $63,617.60. Other assets, if any 13,274.14.
Total $785,039.88
LIABILITIES
Capital stock paid in $300,000.00. Surplus fund 167,665.02. Certified checks outstanding 30.00. Cashier’s checks outstanding 2.24. Totals of Items 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 $32.24. Individual deposits subject to check 238,756.47. Reserve, Items 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 $238,756.17. Savings deposits (including time certificates of deposit other than for money borrowed) 70,186.15. Other time deposits 8,400.00. Total of time deposits subject to Reserve, Items 35, 36, 37 and 38 $78,586.15.
Total $785,039.88
State of New Jersey, County of Camden, ss: I, J. Oscar Hunt, cashier of the above-named bank, do solemnly swear that the above statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
J. OSCAR HUNT, Cashier.
Correct—Attest: WM. E. MORGENWECK, JOSEPH B. STERN, D. L. PINSON, Directors.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 6th day of January, 1928. GOLDIE SACKS, Notary Public of New Jersey.
Morgenweck Cleaners Dyers
Camden Courier-Post —
Her Friends Said “Don’t Touch It”—
Somebody splashed ice cream on a chair…a young lady wearing a lovely tan georgette dress sat on the chair.
“Never mind,” said the young lady cheerfully, “I’ll take it out with gasoline when I get home.”
“Don’t touch it,” her friends advised.
But she did. Result: she almost took the color out of a broad patch of her dress.
The dress came to our plant, and knowing the cause of the stain and what she used to remove it, we were able to restore the dress.
It’s always wise to phone Camden 3800 or drop a postal.
We Call and Deliver Daily — Morgenweck Cleaners · Dyers — 17 Broadway, Camden
'Al' Geddes Injured, Trolley Hits Auto
Camden Courier-Post —
Former Camden Electric Court Star Dying, Three Companions Killed
Alfred (“Al”) Geddes, once a well-known member of “Billy” Morgenweck’s old Camden Electrics basketball team, is at the point of death in a Philadelphia hospital today and the bodies of three other men, one of them a member of the coast guard from Toms River, are in morgues as a result of a collision late yesterday between a one-man trolley and an automobile.
The accident occurred in front of the Cedarbrook Country Club, on Limekiln pike, Cheltenham township, where the trolley line crosses from one side of the pike to the other.
The dead as [sic] Lewis Schwartz, 28 years old, of Toms River, Michael Gallagher, 52 years old, 5110 Lena street, Germantown, and Charles J. Watson, 50 years old, 24 East Collom street, Germantown.
Schwartz was driving a sedan in which the other three were passengers. The trolley, bound for Willow Grove, crashed into the automobile, which was traveling in the opposite direction. The men were taken unconscious from beneath the wreckage of their car. The three died in Jewish Hospital, where Geddes was also taken.
Schwartz, who was stationed at the Seaside Coast Guard base, is survived by a wife, also of Toms River, and five brothers.
Geddes, who is 52 years old, lived at 4928 Germantown avenue, Philadelphia. Morgenweck, informed of the accident, told of his association with the former basketball player.
“He lived in Camden years ago,” he said, “and joined the Electrics when we left the Camden Y. M. C. A. and went to the Sixth Regiment Armory, West and Mickie streets. In my opinion he was physically the best pivot man who ever stepped on a basketball floor. After he left Camden he joined the Germantown Police force. Several years ago he resigned, and I had not heard of him since then until today.”
Sentiment Ruled in Rejecting Bid, Pastor Declares
Camden Courier-Post —
Appeals on Assessments in Broadway Extension Open in Court Here
LEVIES CALLED UNFAIR
An offer of $5,300,000 for purchase of the Church of the Immaculate Conception property, bounded by Market, Broadway, Federal and Seventh streets, was disclosed yesterday in Circuit Court here.
It was rejected for “sentimental reasons,” according to Rt. Rev. Monsignor W. J. FitzGerald, pastor of the church, who testified before Judge Henry H. Eldredge, at the first day session of hearings on appeals from property assessments.
The appeals of a number of property owners are from assessments levied to pay for extending Broadway, which previously ended at Market street, to its present terminus at the bridge plaza. Appellants contend the assessments have not been “just and fair.”
Monsignor FitzGerald testified the church and its property had not benefited by the improvement. Increased traffic, he said, resulted in a greater hazard to children who attend Camden Catholic High and St. Mary’s parochial schools, which are units of the church property. The assessment against the church is $8,640.50 for the improvement. The church is exempt from general taxation.
Mitten Made Offer, Report
Rejection of the offer to purchase the church property was disclosed by Monsignor FitzGerald during cross-examination by Lewis Liberman, assistant city solicitor. Source of the offer was not brought out. It was reported several years ago that Mitten Management, of Philadelphia, made such an offer with a view to erecting a bus terminal on the site.
Edward J. Borden, former president of the Camden County Real Estate Board, also testified the Broadway extension did not increase value of the church property. Asked by Liberman whether he was thus speaking as a real estate expert or a churchman, Borden replied “fifty-fifty.”
Those appealing assessments hold their properties received no particular benefit from the improvement and charge that property abutting the extended street was not assessed sufficiently. They also say holdings beyond the area received benefits and should be assessed accordingly.
Assessments Fair, City Holds
The argument of the city is that the assessments were just and fair and that these particular properties did receive benefits and considerable increase in value by reason of the improvement and that, therefore, they should be called upon to pay the assessment.
In the Summer of 1925, Broadway was cut through from Market street to the Bridge plaza at Penn street in connection with the opening of the Delaware River bridge.
On December 2, 1925, Milliard Davis, Joseph A. Connor, Jr., and Charles Wescott, commissioners of assessment, made their report, which was approved by the city commissioners on December 29, 1925.
A large number of appeals were taken by the owners of the assessed lands to the Circuit Court and hearings held in June, 1926, before then Circuit Court Judge Ralph W. E. Donges, now a Supreme Court justice. The proceedings were taken under Article 20 of the Home Rule Act.
Project Cost $409,201
The total cost of the improvement was $409,201.24. Of this cost, the city paid 40 percent, or $173,698.54, which was raised by general taxation. Of that balance, the sum of $160,255.80 was assessed as benefits against the properties abutting on the new street; the sum of $75,276.90 was assessed against properties on both sides of Broadway from Market street to Mickle street and properties to the east and west of the new Broadway between Sixth and Seventh streets, on the south side of Penn street, on both sides of Cooper street and on both sides of Market street.
The attorneys arrayed against Liberman and their clients are as follows: Former Judge Lewis Starr, representing Harry N. Schierer, 646 Penn street; Patrick H. Harding, representing Robert J. Kearns, 110 Broadway; Alfred W. Walton, 105 Broadway; John Miller, 107 Broadway; William E. Morgenweck Estate, 17 Broadway; H. Schoemer and Julius Burman, 21 Broadway, and Isaac Van Sciver, 106 Broadway.
Louis B. LeDuc and Herbert J. Koehler, representing Solis D. Cohen, for the old Elks’ property at Broadway and Federal streets; former Judge William T. Boyle, representing the Church of the Immaculate Conception; Francis D. Weaver, representing the Kresge Realty Company, 23–29 Broadway; Walter R. Carroll, representing the Jersey Mortgage Investment Company, and Joseph H. Carr, representing the Camden Lodge of Elks, Broadway Merchants Trust Company, Estate of E. E. Read, Jr., covering property at Broadway and Cooper streets.
The Morgenweck Family Plot at Harleigh Cemetery, Camden NJ
The Morgenweck Family Plot at Harleigh Cemetery, Camden NJ