Introduction
Wright Ellis Cox was a Camden firefighter and police officer who served the city for over 40 years. Born in August 1861 in New Jersey, he joined the fire department in the mid-1880s and served as driver for former Chiefs Robert Bender and Samuel S. Elfreth. After leaving the department, he was reappointed as a fireman in March 1905. On January 1, 1908, Mayor Charles H. Ellis appointed him to the Police Department, where he served in the Third Ward. He later became stable sergeant of the mounted police at the Chestnut Street station house. When the mounted unit was disbanded, he served as a special officer at City Hall park. He died November 14, 1926, in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital and is buried in Bethel Cemetery, Pennsauken, New Jersey. His badge number was 94.
His daughter, Ida Francis Cox, married Henry Gerke. His brother, George Cox, served as a Battalion Chief in the Camden Fire Department. His father, the late George Cox, was a driver for Andrew Lyons, a marble yard proprietor.
“L” Bubble Bursts
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Prospectors of the Chestnut Street Railroad Scheme Withdrew Their Ordinance
BOW TO PUBLIC OPINION
City Councils Overrides Comptroller Huffy—Street Commissioner Mohrman Attacks the Committee
That public sentiment was opposed to an elevated railroad on Chestnut street, South Camden, was so strongly expressed at the hearing before City Council on Monday evening last that the four Philadelphia promoters of the scheme sent a communication to Council last evening withdrawing their application for a franchise. The request was granted, and that ends the matter.
Councilman Sayrs, leader of the Republican minority, was able to attend the Council meeting last evening after a prolonged illness.
City Comptroller Hufty returned to Council the bill of $156.72 for costs in certiorari proceedings in the contest over the street paving contract. He said that half of the amount should be paid by Aaron Ward & Company, the contractors, as they were co-defendants in the suit, and had paid but $24.80. Council ordered the Comptroller to approve a warrant for the full amount.
Tax Receiver Burdsall reported that since June last the tax receipts had amounted to $519,135.76, of which $47,581 was for delinquent taxes. He said there was still $83,173 of this year’s taxes unpaid.
City Comptroller Hufty sent in a communication disapproving a bill of City Clerk Kramer for $333.32 for the time he acted as city clerk, when T. P. Varney was the legal city clerk, but was kept out of office by the reformers. The bill was ordered paid by a vote of 17 to 1. Mr. Jessup voted against it.
There was a lively tilt between Street Commissioner Mohrman and Councilman Jessup when the Street Committee’s report was presented. Mr. Mohrman was granted the privilege of the floor, and severely criticised the Street Committee for holding private meetings and changing the disposal of the city garbage without consulting with him. He said the city contractor was being paid $5 a day to cart garbage outside of the city limits, and in five months this would cost $650, while the expenses of burning the garbage in the city crematory would be but $277.44. He said the crematory could be put in excellent condition for much less than $1000.
Mr. Jessup accused the Street Commissioner of neglecting to cut down the sewer, paving and grading corps when ordered to do so by the Street Committee. Mr. Mohrman hotly declared this to be false, and said that the committee made changes in the street department without consulting him.
By a vote of 10 to 8 the crematory was ordered repaired. In the meantime the garbage is to be carted out of the city by a Pensauken township farmer for $6 a week.
The Fire Commissioners reported that they had accepted the resignation of Fireman Wright Cox and had appointed Logan Bates to fill the vacancy, but had afterward reconsidered their action and laid the appointment over for two weeks.
Council adjourned until December 8 when some action regarding the new water plant may be taken.
Three Firemen Suspended
Philadelphia Inquirer —
THREE FIREMEN SUSPENDED
The Fire Commissioners of Camden City Council last night suspended Fireman Cox for one month, and Firemen Colkett and Johnson for two weeks for fighting in a saloon on Arch street last Saturday night.
Bad Feeling Causes Deadlock
Camden Daily Courier —
Too Many Candidates for Fireman Wright Cox’s Position
There will be an adjourned meeting of City Council to-night and the Fire Committee will ask to have the appointment of W. Scott Franklin confirmed, but owing to the number of applicants for the place made vacant by the resignation of Fireman Wright Cox the recommendation may be rejected.
Besides Franklin, who comes from the Second ward, Councilman Roberts had a candidate from the Third ward, and Councilman Abele had one from the Ninth.
There is said to be bad feeling between Councilmen Abele and Roberts, and as neither would support the other’s candidate a deadlock resulted. As a compromise Franklin was recommended.
Changes in Fire Department
Camden Daily Post-Telegram —
Changes in Fire Department.
W. Scott Franklin, who was appointed a fireman last week assumed his duties yesterday. He succeeds Wright Cox, resigned. He is now doing duty with the East Side firemen, while Fireman Augustus Kester has been transferred from the East Side to Fire Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets. Harry Middleton, driver of No. 2 Engine Company, has tendered his resignation. Wright Cox is driving a chemical engine in the Atlantic City Fire Department.
August 3, 1902
Philadelphia Inquirer
Wright Cox, an ex-fireman, of Camden, was held in $600 bail yesterday by Justice Schmitz on the charge of assaulting Robert Colkett, a fireman under suspension, near Second and Federal streets, early yesterday morning. The fight grew out of an argument on the street on the result of the recent primary elections in the Third ward.
Former Fireman Wright Cox Writes to Be Set Right
Camden Daily Courier —
Former Fireman Wright Cox writes to be set right. It was Wright who rescued the two children at 306 Stevens street on last Saturday afternoon and had the fire under control when the firemen arrived. Credit had been given to his brother, George Cox, foreman of Hook and Ladder Truck No. 1, who resides on Stevens street above Third, but what’s the difference, Wright, isn’t the glory all in the family? Wright lives at 322 Stevens street, George at 334 and the fire was at 306. If Wright hadn’t been right on deck at the time, George would have, so more’s the power to them both. Wright was a good one when he was in the department and there is strong talk of his going back again.
March 23, 1905
Philadelphia Inquirer
The Fire Committee of Camden City Council last night accepted the resignation of Robert Colkitt, to take effect April 1. Wright Cox was appointed to fill the vacancy. Colkitt will probably be appointed a policeman.
Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association Officers
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association has elected these officers: President, Lewis Buzine; first vice president, Wright Cox; second vice president, Seth Monnell; treasurer, William Elberson; recording secretary, William Miller; financial secretary, William Rose.
Camden Increases Its Police Force
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mayor Ellis Adds Twenty-five New Officers to Growing City’s Department
Camden’s police force was increased by the appointment of twenty-five additional officers by Mayor Ellis yesterday. There were also several promotions, two new captains, two sergeants and one detective being made as follows: Captains, Edward Hyde and A. Lincoln James, advanced from sergeants; sergeants, E. B. McClong and Edward Hartman, advanced from patrolmen; detective, John Brothers, advanced from patrolman; new patrolmen. Fred Schwetzer, William Briant, Charles Hume, Charles Wilbur, Wright Cox, Walter Stanton, John Barnett, Tabor Quinn, John Gilbert, Joseph Palese, William Haines, Frederick Watson, Charles Whaland, William Kiker, James Hutt, George Krown, Ule Andrews, Daniel Stanton, Albert Archer, Harry Bakley, John Shuman, Oscar Till, Albertson Matlack, John Devlin, George Hollins, Frank Koplain, Edward King and George Beasley, substitutes.
For the past several weeks there has been much pulling and hauling of the political wires and the various ward leaders have had their own troubles in making selections. Each appointee was subjected to a regulation army examination by Dr. A. H. Lippincott before he was pronounced fit for the service. When the horses are procured, which may be by next June, six of the men will compose a mounted squad.
Paper Packing Force Gets More Recruits
Camden Post-Telegram —
Paper Packing Force Gets More Recruits
Boilermaker Crawford Smith late yesterday afternoon received a call from a belled-up namesake, Andy Smith, a leather worker, at his home, 729 Carman street, and had Policeman Ulie Andrews lock him up.
When Ulie got to the house the rum-crazed fellow had already put a brick through a front window of Crawford’s home and had one in each hand for further bombardment.
Andrews gripped with the brick heaver and soon subdued him despite his threats to do him up, too. In Police Court to-day the rough-house raiser was sentenced by Recorder Stackhouse to two months at the paper picking plant.
James Davis, aged 34 years, also had his checks cashed for the Crematory for one month. Policeman Wright Cox took him in tow last night for fighting on Federal street after he had once sent him on his way.
Another recruit for a month at the garbage factory was James Carter, a Philadelphia hobo. Yesterday morning Carter was found sleeping off a “souse” in the vestibule of Mrs. Grumby’s boarding house at 121 Market street, by a boarder who was unable to get in because of the intruder’s doubled-up form barring the way. The boarder summoned Policeman Murphy, who sent the drunken and insolent tramp to Police Headquarters.
Seven Arrested in a Free-for-All Go
Philadelphia Inquirer —
SEVEN ARRESTED IN A FREE-FOR-ALL GO
Arch street above Front was in a ferment of excitement on Saturday evening by a club-banging, fist-thumping scrap between half a dozen men and women in front of 126 Arch street, in which blood spurted from the heads and faces of two of the male brawlers.
Policeman Wright Cox and Constable Huntzinger of the Sixth ward, arrived on the scene of the scrimmage just in time to rescue the two men from being run over by a trolley car as they rolled around in a clinch on the street, the motorman stopping as the fender almost touched their bodies.
Policeman Steelman then arrested the following on charges of disorderly conduct: Maggie O’Neil, Thomas Barker, Harry Speese, Emma Speese, Rosie Minger, Emma Barker, Elsie Stevenson.
Recorder Stackhouse today at the bedlam like hearing of the accused, admonished them to have a care in the future as from what the police said the house was a nuisance and would be cleaned out if there were any further outbreaks.
Third Ward Club Holds Fine Ball
Camden Post-Telegram —
Third Ward Club Holds Fine Ball
Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Way Lead the Grand March of Republican Club
Latest Dances on Program
Despite the stormy weather Turner Hall was crowded last night, when the Third Ward Republican Club held its first annual dress ball. The affair was a complete success and the grand march was one of the prettiest ever held in the Verein auditorium.
It was after 10 o’clock when the grand march took place. It was led by Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Way. The second couple were Councilman and Mrs. A. Benjamin Sparks. Following them were Councilman and Mrs. William H. Hall and Freeholder and Mrs. John T. Rodan. The marchers formed the figure “three” and the letter “W.” The march concluded with the couples sixteen to each file.
The hall was handsomely decorated in the national and municipal colors. There were thirty-one numbers to the program. Rushton’s orchestra furnished an excellent program. Among the numbers were the fox trot, one-step, caprice, two-step, hesitation, waltz, lancers and redowa.
The grand conductor was J. Edward Way and Councilman Sparks was assistant grand conductor. The members of the various committees to whose efforts the success of the ball was due were as follows:
Floor—Wm. H. Hall, Harry Hertline, Walter J. Stanton, John T. Rodan, Jesse Hillman, Lemuel J. Toy.
Door—Jesse Smith, chairman; Robert Whitley, Morris Steelman, Wm. Elberson, Samuel S. Bacon; officers, Albert Keaser, Harry Miller, Frank Smith.
Reception—John S. Roberts, chairman; William M. Fithian, W. J. A. Stanton, Julius R. Schaaf, George Cox, Edward Delacroix, Robert J. Garrison, Horace Hewlings, Frank Knitter, Sr., George Murray, Harry Selby, Harry C. Sharp, Robert Schroeder, James Vickers, Edwin D. Steen, William Horay, Clarence H. Thorn, Joseph H. Thorn, Joseph Croasdale, Wright Cox, Frank S. Fithian, George F. Hammond, Howard T. Harris, Frank Knitter, Jr., Albert J. Meyer, Harry Stowe, William Selby, Harry Vliet, H. P. Toy; printing and press committee, Wesley J. Stanton, Jesse Hillman.
Refreshments—Walter Madden, chairman; Moore B. Garrison, C. L. Wendell, William H. Dill, Charles Errickson, George Bowman, Edwin Fields, William Hartman, Ephraim Husted, Frank S. Ireton, Thomas Madden, Harry Pearce, Charles Smith, John Reid B. Borowakey, Charles Weaver, James Monohan, C. S. Woodward, George Madura, C. Allen Lloyd, Edward Livermore, William G. Finley, Henry Gercke, Benjamin C. Horan, Augustus Jans, Clarence Madden, James J. McDermott, George Schu, John McCarry, Edward Carey, James Millman, Thomas Dickinson, M. J. Riley, James Tivers.
The officers of the club are are [sic] as follows: President, A. B. Sparks; vice president, Wm. M. Fithian; second vice president, Elwin D. Steen; recording secretary, W. J. A. Stanton; financial secretary, John T. Rodan; treasurer, John S. Roberts; trustees, Julius R. Schaaf, Morris Steelman, Clarence R. Thorn.
Home From the West
Camden Daily Courier —
HOME FROM THE WEST
Wright Cox, Stable Sergeant at Chestnut street station house, is home from an 1800 mile trip to Clay City Indiana. The trip westward was made overland in the big touring car of Chas. Dugan, of 507 Haddon avenue, whose guest he was at Mr. Dugan’s old home town, Clay City, Ind.
When Gleason Wore Curls
Camden Courier-Post —
When Gleason Wore Curls
Wright Cox, police stable sergeant, recollects “Kid” Gleason when he was a gentle little boy in skirts, wearing long curls, although it is a sure bet he never sang in a Sunday school class.
For a few years had hardly elapsed, when as Sergeant Cox recalls, he was the scrappiest “kid” in the Third Ward.
Cox remembers one occasion when Gleason was pitching for the Independents in the early 80’s. On the way home they stopped in a tavern kept by an Irishman at Second and Taylor avenue.
Gleason had a banana stalk in his strong right hand. There was a colored ragpicker devouring raw oysters at the free lunch bar, although the oysters weren’t free.
Creeping up behind the negro, he gave him a wallop on the neck with the banana stalk that must have made the poor “darky” actually imagine that the crack of doom had suddenly boomed.
Camden Cops Hard Hit by Illness and Mishap
Camden Daily Courier —
Joseph Shreeve, Camden policeman and son of the late Isaac Shreeve, is recovering from a severe bilious attack. He is convalescing in the police and firemen’s ward of the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital. In the same ward is Wright Cox, a special officer at the city hall, who is being treated for stomach trouble and sciatic rheumatism.
Harry Stahl, city jail turnkey, who recently broke a bone in his right wrist while wrestling with an unruly prisoner, will be able to report for duty soon. William Brower, an operator in the electrical bureau at the city hall, will also return to his post November 1. Brower was stricken with kidney trouble last spring.
Wright Cox Dies in His 66th Year
Camden Courier-Post —
Many Escapes Marked 40 Years as City Fireman and Policeman
Wright Cox, veteran fireman and policeman for over two score years, died in Homeopathic Hospital, early yesterday morning. He was in his 66th year. An invalid who heroically stuck to his post despite the protests of his superior officers, Cox was taken to the hospital from his home at 564 Mt. Vernon street, about a month ago. He was suffering from stomach trouble, aggravated by an attack of sciatic rheumatism. The end came unexpectedly early yesterday morning.
Shortly before three o’clock he called the nurse and Policeman “Joe” Keefe, convalescing in the ward, to his bedside and in a faint voice said: “Well, goodbye all, I’m going to leave you.” With those parting words he passed away.
The career of Wright Cox as a fireman and a policeman was a colorful one. He was appointed a fireman in the mid-1880’s. An expert horseman, he was for years driver for former Chiefs Robert Bender and Samuel S. Elfreth. He had many thrills as a fire fighter. At the big fire at the cork and licorice plants downtown 20 years ago, he was among the valiant firemen who were nearly blinded by the stifling fumes. He nearly forfeited his life at the Sixth Regiment Armory fire on March 16, 1906, in an heroic effort to save the three firemen who perished in that awful blaze. Baffled in his search by the blinding, strangling smoke, he and the late Ed Hartman escaped from the burning building by following a line of hose leading out into Mickle street.
On January 1st, 1908, Cox was appointed to the Police Department by Mayor Charles H. Ellis. He was assigned to duty in the Third ward, where among his important arrests were a gang of desperate yeggmen and safeblowers and a notorious gang of burglars who were terrorising Cooper street for an entire summer.
About seven years ago Cox was appointed sergeant of the Police Department, with headquarters at the Second District station house, Chestnut street near 6th. Last spring the mounted police unit was disbanded, and the horses sold at auction. His position as stable sergeant being thus ended he was appointed a special officer at City Hall park. He was filling that assignment when taken ill about a month ago.
A short time before he was stricken last month, the veteran of over 40 years’ service as fireman and policeman made application for retirement on pension, and favorable action was about to be taken on it when death intervened.
Cox is survived by a daughter and a brother, George Cox, pensioned Battalion Chief of the Fire Department, now of Wildwood. He was a son of the late George Cox, who for years was a driver for Andrew Lyons, marble yard proprietor.
Funeral arrangements are being arranged by the brother and daughter of the deceased. The flags at the police station houses where Cox served as an officer will droop at half mast for 30 days in honor of the dead patrolman, and an escort of policemen and firemen will attend the funeral.
The funeral of Policeman Cox will be held in the Schroeder Funeral Chapel at 538 Broadway, on Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock. Following services interment will be made in Bethel cemetery.
Veteran Camden Cop Dies After Long Illness
Camden Courier-Post —
VETERAN CAMDEN COP DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS
Wright E. Cox, 564 Mount Vernon street, veteran Camden policeman, died yesterday in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital after a lengthy illness.
Cox was a member of the police force for 18 years. His beat at one time included the so-called “tenderloin” district. He was attached to headquarters for many years. He was a brother of former Battalion Fire Chief George Cox.
For the past few months Cox has been relieved of duty. He is survived by a daughter. Funeral arrangements have not been completed yet.
Death Notice
Camden Daily Courier —
COX — On Nov. 14, 1926, Wright Ellis Cox, aged 64 years. The relatives and friends of the family and members of the Camden police and fire departments are respectfully invited to attend the funeral services on Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock from the Schroeder Chapel, 538 Broadway, Camden. Interment at Bethel Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday evening after 7 o’clock.
Police and Firemen Pay Tribute to Wright Cox
Camden Daily Courier —
POLICE AND FIREMEN PAY TRIBUTE TO WRIGHT COX
Officials of the Department of Public Safety, policemen and firemen, and many old friends in the Third and Sixth wards, mourned at the services held this afternoon in the Schroeder Funeral Chapel, Broadway and Royden street, for Wright Ellis Cox, officer at City Hall park previous to his passing. The beautifully impressive funeral ritual of the Episcopalian liturgy was recited by Rev. Camille Estornelle, rector of St. John’s church.
The Police Beneficial Association and the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association’s floral design was a policeman’s shield seven feet high and five in readth, with the number of the veteran bluecoat “94” emblazing its surface. That of the F. M. B. A., was a Maltese cross. The three pallbearers representing the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association of which Cox as a former member of the fire department was a member were Deputy Chief William W. Patterson, Joseph Johnson of Engine Company No. 7, and Steward Bakley, of Headquarters Hook and Ladder Truck.
Two o’clock this afternoon the policemen on off-shifts of the three districts, led by their captains, assembled at Broadway and Clinton street and marched to the funeral chapel, where the bluecoats passed around the casket. Borne from the chapel by three firemen and three policemen pallbearers, the casket passed between lines of bluecoats in final salute. A patrol wagon draped in mouring and laden with the flowers followed the funeral cortege to Bethel cemetery.
Police-Firemen Widows Receive City Pensions
Camden Daily Courier —
POLICE-FIREMEN WIDOWS RECEIVE CITY PENSIONS
Pensions were granted today to the widows of a policeman and fireman by the Police and Firemen’s Beneficial Association.
Mrs. Martha C. Cox, 64 years old, 207 North Fourth street, was granted a pension of $77.50 a month. She is the widow of Wright Cox, who died on November 14. He served 19 years on the police force and 17 years in the fire department.
A pension of $87.50 a month was granted to Mrs. Anna Gick, whose husband Captain Robert Gick, dropped dead in an East Camden firehouse on November 31. She lives at 928 North Twenty-sixth street. The pension is half of the monthly salary that Captain Gick received. He was 68 years old when he died.
Grave
Grave of Wright Ellis Cox, Bethel Cemetery, Pennsauken, New Jersey