Introduction
Baxter Street was officially known as Newton Street as late as 1878, and locally known as “Hog Alley” as late as 1894. As part of an ordinance that took effect early in 1882, Newton Street became Baxter Street. It appears to have been named after John Baxter, who at one time had a hides and tallow business on the southwest corner of South 6th Street and Kaighn Avenue.
Baxter Street originally ran east from 1125 South 7th Street to Mount Ephraim Avenue, between Kaighn Avenue and Sycamore Street. As late as 1924 there were homes in the 700, 900, and 1000 blocks of Baxter street, however by 1947 only two homes were still standing, in the 900 block.
The 700 block of Baxter Street still exists as of 2017, as the overgrown alley running from South 7th Street to Maurice Street bordering the Harmony House Apartments. The 900 block has been completely razed and paved over. Satellite images show faint signs of the 1000 block of Baxter Street for a half-block east of South 10th Street. Baxter Street west of Mt. Ephraim Avenue toward South 10th still exists as an unnamed alley. There are no active Baxter Street addresses as of this writing.
Baxter Street was for decades notorious as a haven of illegal behavior… disorderly houses, gambling, drugs, speakeasies and the sight of more than a few shootings and stabbings. Many of these were reported without house numbers. News articles found without house numbers are included on this page by date, below.
The immediate neighborhood of South 7th and Baxter remains a “hot spot” in the 2020s…
Phil Cohen
Thursday, February 20, 2020
700 Block of Baxter Street — Occupants
Address and occupant records from city directories, 1882–1940.
700 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1948 | Frank Banks — stabbed near home |
701 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890–1891 | Samuel Walker |
| 1917–1918 | Private Noah J. Palmer |
| 1924 | Mrs. William B. Moore |
| 1940 | Albert Brown |
702 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1895 | Mary Walker |
703 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890–1891 | Mrs. Harriett Primrose — widow of William Primrose |
| 1923 | Mamie Booker |
| 1924–1940 | Joseph Silva |
704 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1882 | Charles Brown & Family — Charles & Della Brown |
705 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1896 | Alfred Robinson |
| 1900 | Disorderly house — George Horneff, policeman |
| 1924 | Benjamin Gould |
| 1940 | Mabel Gaines |
707 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887–1888 | Augustus Stokes |
| 1917–1918 | Private Charles Hersey Manders |
| 1924 | Alfred Freeman |
709 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887–1889 | Robert Harris, Walter Manning, Raymond Mills |
710 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1888–1889 | Frederick Rhones |
713 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887–1889 | Augustus Stokes, Isaac Wheeler |
717 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1921 | Rebecca Baylor |
719 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887–1891 | Isabella Freeman, Christopher Berry |
| 1924 | Emil Coston |
| 1930 | Frank M. Bank |
721 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890–1891 | Benjamin Eldridge |
| 1896 | Carrie Green |
| 1924 | Charles E. Freeman |
723 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1888–1889 | Jesse Fussell |
725 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887–1888 | Mark C. Overton — stonemason |
| 1888–1889 | William Conaway, John W. Fisher |
727 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887–1891 | Allen Campbell, Alexander Campbell |
728 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890–1891 | Mrs. Lavinia Fussell — widow of Jesse Fussell |
729 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887–1888 | David Kelley, Benjamin Miller |
| 1902 | Vacant — gambling den |
| 1924 | Harry Merrick |
| 1928 | Donald Pollard |
730 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890–1891 | Isaac S. Wheeler |
731 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887–1888 | Jacob Fisher |
| 1911 | John Gideon — stabbing victim |
| 1924 | Mrs. Jane Fisher |
737 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1904 | George Drigous & Family — George & Margaret Drigous, carpenter |
| 1910–1911 | Mrs. Carrie Jones & Family — John Gideon (son), Anna B. Gideon (daughter), Frank Jones (son), Thomas Jones (boarder) |
| 1924 | William Johnson, David Coston |
740 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887–1889 | William Saunders, Jacob Fisher, Rachel Fisher |
741 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1917 | Herbert Lamb |
| 1921 | Rosetta Blue |
| 1924 | Tabor Boston |
744 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | Charles Bird |
746 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | Hannah Fisher |
Related: Camden Man Stabbed By Gang Near Home — 700 Baxter Street, 1948.
Related: Private Noah J. Palmer — 701 Baxter Street, 1917–1918.
Related: Thinks Her Gin Was Drugged — 702 and 934 Baxter Street, 1895.
Related: Vice Squad Raids Nine Disorderly Houses — 703 Baxter Street, 1927.
Related: Row on Baxter Street — 704 Baxter Street, 1882.
Related: Policeman George Horneff Gathers Them In Gently — 705 Baxter Street, 1900.
Related: Hat Thieves Caught — 705 Baxter Street, 1896.
Related: Private Charles Hersey Manders — 707 Baxter Street, 1917–1918.
Related: Three Colored Women Are Given Two Months — 717 and 741 Baxter Street, 1921.
Related: Police Make a Raid — 721 Baxter Street, 1896.
Related: Raided a Gambling Den — 729 Baxter Street, 1902.
Related: Boy Admits He Hurled Brick in Woman’s Face — 729 Baxter Street, 1928.
Related: Negro Murdered by White Woman — 731 Baxter Street, 1911.
Related: Woman Murders With Table Fork — 737 Baxter Street, 1911.
Related: Stole to Buy Funeral Garb — 741 Baxter Street, 1917.
Related: Herbert Lamb Charged With Assault and Battery — 741 Baxter Street, 1917.
Related: Store Robber Given 10 Years in Prison — 719 Baxter Street, 1930.
Camden Man Stabbed By Gang Near Home
Camden Courier-Post —
Frank Banks, 38, of 700 Baxter street, was stabbed in the chest and arms by a gang near his home Friday night.
He was found on the sidewalk bleeding profusely and taken by police to West Jersey hospital. Police said they will question him later.
Private Noah J. Palmer
Private Noah J. Palmer, 701 Baxter Street, 1917–1918.
Thinks Her Gin Was Drugged
Camden Daily Telegram —
THINKS HER GIN WAS DRUGGED.
Serious Charges Made By Mother Against Daughter.
WARRANT ISSUED FOR HER ARREST.
An Aged Colored Woman Swears That Three Attempts Have Been Made On Her Life to Secure Insurance Money.
Aged Elizabeth Nevis, colored, has been lying at her home, No. 934 East Baxter street, in a precarious condition for several days from the effects of alleged poisoning and the mysterious disappearance of her married daughter, Mary Walker, of No. 702 Baxter street, coupled with a chain of singular circumstances, has caused suspicion to rest upon her and warrants are now out for her arrest.
Several days ago Mrs. Nevis went to the home of her daughter to assist her in making some skirts. The daughter had ten cents and asked her mother if she would have some gin. “I don’t care if I do,” was the latter’s reply, and the girl went for the coveted dram. When she returned with the drink the girl poured out a small glass full for her mother and she drank the contents. In five minutes the old lady was taken with spasms and laid unconscious for several hours. The sick woman regained enough consciousness to go out in the yard for air. “Don’t die out there, mother,” cried the girl, “come in the house and die,” were the words the girl used according to her mother’s statement to a Telegram reporter this morning.
The girl then left the house and the sick woman’s husband took her home. Dr. N. W. Coyne was called in and his diagnosis of the case was that the woman had taken an overdose of something. Mrs. Nevis’ body began to swell and the administering of emetics failed to produce vomiting.
The husband of the sick woman said his daughter went to the homes of neighbors asking for sheets with which to lay out her dead mother. He told the Telegram reporter, too, that he had positive proof that the girl went around collecting money with tears in her eyes, saying that her mother was dead.
Mrs. Nevis had her life insured in the Metropolitan Insurance Company for $230 in her daughter Mary’s favor. The girl, so says her father, called at the insurance office after her mother was taken sick to see if the policy was paid up.
Mrs. Nevis says that her daughter attempted to take her life twice before. Once, she said, her daughter was caught by a neighbor just as she was about to plunge a knife in her neck while she was sleeping, and another time she chased her with a razor.
A warrant for the girl’s arrest on suspicion of placing a drug in her mother’s gin has been sworn out before Justice Colding and she is supposed to be in Newark. At that place she was arrested a day or two ago for drunkenness, but was discharged on paying a fine.
Vice Squad Raids Nine Disorderly Houses
Camden Courier-Post —
Starting at midnight Saturday the vice squad and other police raided nine alleged colored disorderly houses in South Camden.
The biggest raid was made at the home of Walter Edgerton, colored, 1088 Ivins street. Edgerton, a former prize fighter known many years ago as the “Kentucky Rosebud,” was held in $500 bail as the proprietor of the place. Twelve men, all said to have been rolling dice, were arrested. Several of the players had scrambled for doors and windows, but nobody escaped.
Others whose places were raided and who were held in $500 bail each as principals are Ruth Smith, 714 Locust street; Unity Hall, 318 Joint alley; Addie Johnson, 213 Pine street; Mamie Booker, 703 Baxter street; Miriam Robinson, 312 Division street; John and Mary Walker, 1133 South Second street; June Loftus, 822 Locust street, and Ethel Davis, 821 Locust street. All are colored.
Row on Baxter Street
Camden Daily Courier —
ROW ON BAXTER STREET.
A Giddy Colored Woman Causes a Lively Racket.
Charles Bruce, colored, living at Coxtown, has been separated from his wife for some time. Last night he received information that she was at the house of Della Brown, who lives with her husband Charles who occupies two rooms of the house at 704 Baxter street.
According to Bruce’s story he went to the house of the Browns last night and was set on by Della and her husband and cut so badly that he has been in the Cooper Hospital ever since, with the exception of a few minutes he spent at the hearing this morning. At the hearing Bruce claimed that his cuts, of which there were many, were inflicted by Brown and his wife, mostly by Brown, who, he says, had a knife in his hand. Mrs. Brown took all of the responsibility for the affair and said she inflicted the wound with a piece of a broken stove, while defending herself from Bruce who came to the house, created a row and cut her hand with a razor. Mrs. Brown’s hand was also badly cut which she said was done by Bruce. Mrs. Brown was held in bail for court.
Policeman George Horneff Gathers Them In Gently
Camden Post —
Policeman George Horneff gathered in a number of prisoners yesterday. For some time he has been watching No. 705 Baxter street, which had been reported as a disorderly house. Yesterday he noticed that the “growler” was being steadily run at the Baxter street house, and late in the afternoon he commenced his task of gathering the parties in. The first to be caught was John Helmbold, ex-fireman of No. 3 house. John had the pail in his hands when arrested, but was unable to steady himself sufficiently to reach the saloon. Julia Lamott, James Lewis and Harman Shafer next left the house, all in a state of intoxication, and the jolly officer promptly called the patrol and had them conveyed to the City Hall. Horneff then entered the house and there found Mamie Boyle, Amanda Cross and Frank DuBois. These, too, were brought to the hall. Last night Mayor Pratt gave them a hearing. Helmbold, Lewis, Shafer, DuBois and the woman Julia Lamott, were committed to the county jail under the disorderly act. Mamie Boyle and Amanda Cross, alias Mamie Meyers, were committed in default of $500 bail for keeping a disorderly house.
Hat Thieves Caught
Camden Daily Courier —
HAT THIEVES CAUGHT.
One Has Served Time at Trenton, the Other in the County Jail.
Police Officer Hyde, of the Seventh ward, last night captured Charles Monroe, 735 Liberty street, and Alfred Robinson, 705 Baxter street, the men who stole two hats from William Ross, Fourth and Kaighn avenue, on Wednesday night. They sold the hats to a second-hand dealer named Samuel Albert, 705 Kaighn avenue, and although they cost Mr. Ross $1.50 each, the dealer paid the men thirty-five cents for the two. Ross identified the goods and recognized the men as the two who were in his store. They were locked up in default of $300 bail by the Mayor for court. Monroe has served two terms in State Prison, and Robinson has been arrested and confined in the county jail several times for petty thieving.
Private Charles Hersey Manders
Private Charles Hersey Manders, 707 Baxter Street, 1917–1918.
Three Colored Women Are Given Two Months
Camden Post-Telegram —
THREE COLORED WOMEN ARE GIVEN TWO MONTHS.
Three colored women, charged with acting disorderly, were sentenced to two months each in the county jail by Acting Recorder James Smith in Police Court today.
They were Rosetta Blue, 22 years old, 741 Baxter street; Mary Gross, 21 years old, Baxter street, and Rebecca Baylor, 21 years old, 717 Baxter street. They were arrested on South Camden streets early this morning by Policemen John Hallowell, John Skolski and John Kowal.
Curlie McGee, colored, 36 years old, 817 Clare street, arrested with one of the girls, was sentenced to four months in the county jail, charged with carrying concealed deadly weapons.
Police Make a Raid
Camden Daily Telegram —
POLICE MAKE A RAID.
This Time They Broke Up an Infamous Colored Den.
The police made another raid Saturday night. This time it was on a disorderly house at No. 1065 Diamond street kept by Charles Purnell, colored. Among those captured in addition to the proprietor were Carrie Green, of No. 721 Baxter street, and James McDonald, white; Mary Todd, Charles Monroe and Alexander Coffee, colored. At the hearing this morning Purnell pleaded guilty to keeping a disorderly house and Mayor Westcott committed him in default of $500 bail. The others were sentenced to pay a fine or spend twenty days in the county jail.
Raided a Gambling Den
Camden Daily Courier —
RAIDED A GAMBLING DEN.
Police Swooped Down Upon a Baxter Street House and Caught Six Men With the Goods.
SAID TO HAVE BROKEN IN THE PLACE.
An alleged gambling den at 729 Baxter street was raided early yesterday morning by a squad of police of the Second district and a complete crap and poker paraphernalia were captured, along with six colored men.
The raid was in charge of Captain Stanley, assisted by Sergeant Nowrey and Policemen Cunningham, Donovan, Matlack and Mines. The colored men were surprised by the officers and when taken to the City Hall gave their names as William Rollins, aged thirty-two years; Ernest Baker, aged twenty-nine years; Benjamin Counsellor, aged twenty-two; Frank Smothers, aged thirty-nine; Hiawatha Monroe, aged thirty-two years.
The raid was made at 1 o’clock and Policeman Matlack was the first to reach the room on the second floor, where the men were playing. The appearance of the bluecoats put the game to a sudden stop. The “bones” were thrown in the corner and Matlack grabbed the “kitty,” which contained nine cents, and also a dime which was lying on the table. Later the “bones,” several packs of cards and a box of antiquated poker chips were found. These, along with a table about five feet long and two feet wide, were taken to the City Hall.
The men all pleaded not guilty and said the place was rented by a man named Harry Hill.
A statement was made by Real Estate Agent George W. Jessup, who has charge of the property, that the property was not rented to anyone and that the men had broken into the building, or, rather, it is a shanty, before and destroyed about one-third of the weather boards. The prisoners, with the exception of Rollins, said they had been in the house, which was a so-called “club,” on previous occasions.
On the testimony of Captain Stanley, Sergeant Nowrey and the officers the six men were found guilty and fined $5 each.
Boy Admits He Hurled Brick in Woman’s Face
Camden Courier-Post —
BOY ADMITS HE HURLED BRICK IN WOMAN’S FACE.
Ten-year-old Donald Pollard, of 779 Baxter street, stood before Police Judge Bertman today and admitted hitting a 49-year-old woman in the face with a brick.
He was sentenced to five days in the Detention Home.
Mrs. Rose Fanelli, 212 Line street, testified Donald and other boys had been throwing stones against her front window. She said she rebuked them and Donald swore at her. Donald then picked up a brick and threw it at her, the stone striking her forehead, she testified.
The youthful defendant told the court he “wouldn’t have thrown the brick” if Mrs. Fannelli hadn’t “called him an ugly name.”
Negro Murdered by White Woman
Camden Post-Telegram —
NEGRO MURDERED BY WHITE WOMAN.
Elizabeth Green Plunges Knife Into John Gideon, Causing Wound Which Ended in His Death, Following Wordy Quarrel on Baxter Street in Which Slayer Says Her Victim Used Vile Terms.
Another murder was added to the criminal history of Baxter street last night, when Elizabeth Green, aged 22 years, a homeless white woman, stabbed John Gideon, colored, aged 19 years, over the heart and in the left side. He died at Cooper Hospital fifteen minutes after being rushed there in the downtown patrol wagon.
The stabbing took place at 10:30 o’clock in front of 731 Baxter street where Gideon lived with his mother. Captain Hyde was on duty at police headquarters when a telephone message was received that a man had been stabbed on Baxter street between 7th and Kaighn avenue. This was followed by the report that the man had been stabbed and was bleeding to death in that section.
Elizabeth Green did the stabbing in front of 731 Baxter street. The two had been talking and at first Green denied all knowledge of the crime, stating she had seen nothing. In the cell she said: “Captain Hyde, you know me and you know I would not use a knife. He called me names that a decent woman should not have to hear from a man.”
Green was arraigned in Police Court before Recorder Stackhouse on a charge of assault and battery against the victim before he died, but the charges were upgraded to murder after Gideon died at Cooper Hospital.
Gideon’s family lived at 737 Baxter street. Elizabeth Green was held on a charge of murder.
Woman Murders With Table Fork
Trenton True American —
Camden, New Jersey, July 19.—In a quarrel which the police declare was caused by jealousy, early this morning, Lizzie Green, 50 years old, plunged a fork into the heart of John Gains, a negro, 20 years old, killing him instantly. The quarrel occurred in the house in which they lived at 716 Baxter street, and was over a woman. The couple had often quarrelled over this woman, and the Green woman, who is white, told Gains he must stop paying attentions to the other woman.
The couple quarrelled last night, and during the night the quarrel was continued again, with the result that the white woman grabbed a fork from a table and plunged it into the heart of the young negro. The police were summoned to the house by neighbors and they placed the woman under arrest. They say she admitted killing the man and she is now held without bail on a charge of murder.
Stole to Buy Funeral Garb
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Stole to Buy Funeral Garb.
When Harry Cross, a negro, 22 years old, of 619 Sycamore street, was arraigned in Camden yesterday charged with stealing iron pipe from Charles W. Moore, he admitted his guilt and said he had been driven to that extremity because he wanted to get clothes in order that he might attend his sister’s funeral yesterday afternoon. Herbert Lamb, 20 years old, of 741 Baxter street, admitted he was with Gross to aid him. The Recorder permitted the two to go to attend the funeral on their promising to reappear this morning for a hearing.
Herbert Lamb Charged With Assault and Battery
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Charged by James Buck, of 716 Sycamore street, with assault and battery Herbert Lamb of 741 Baxter street, was held under $500 bail by Recorder Stackhouse.
900 Block of Baxter Street — Occupants
Address and occupant records from city directories, 1893–1947.
911 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | Mrs. Annie Kwartnek |
| 1940 | Octavius Bookman |
| 1947 | Mrs. Delia Lowe |
913 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924–1940 | Allen Jones Jr. |
| 1947 | Mrs. Elmira Jones |
918 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1895 | Richard White — died under mysterious circumstances |
922 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1893 | Alexander Briscoe — gambling, assault |
934 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1895 | Elizabeth Nevis — alleged poisoning |
Related: Thinks Her Gin Was Drugged — 934 Baxter Street, 1895.
Related: Investigating a Mystery — 918 Baxter Street, 1895.
Related: Slashed With a Razor — 922 Baxter Street, 1893.
Investigating a Mystery
Camden Daily Telegram —
INVESTIGATING A MYSTERY.
Richard White Dies in Baxter Street Under Suspicious Circumstances.
Richard White, a middle-aged man residing at No. 916 East Baxter street, died under supposed mysterious circumstances at his home last night and County Physician Jones will hold a post mortem examination this afternoon to determine whether or not the man died from poisoning.
White and another man had a quarrel over the latter’s intimacy with his wife. The man struck White, for which he was arrested and taken before the Grand Jury. A bill was not found against the man and he was released from custody. White died suddenly last night.
Slashed With a Razor
Camden Post —
Slashed With a Razor.
Alexander Briscoe, of Ninth and Kaighn avenue, and Charles Jordan, two dark-complexioned youths, engaged in a game of poker about ten o’clock last night.
When the game was partly through Jordan claimed Briscoe took a quarter from the pot and a row followed during which Jordan struck Briscoe upon the head with a brick. The latter resented by producing a razor and slashing Jordan across the face. Jordan was sent to the hospital for repairs, and Officers Butts and Ripley scoured the ward for the injured man’s assailant. He was located at 922 Baxter street early this morning and Officer Butts sent him to the hall.
In the Police Court this morning Briscoe was released in his own recognizance for a further hearing.
1000 Block of Baxter Street — Occupants
Address and occupant records from city directories, 1924.
1005 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | Listed in directory |
1009 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | James Gay |
1024 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | Mrs. Hattie Pollard |
1032 Baxter Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | Abraham Singleton |
Intersection of Baxter Street & Mt. Ephraim Avenue
Intersection of Baxter Street and Mt. Ephraim Avenue.
Lavinia Sought Revenge
Camden Daily Telegram —
LAVINIA SOUGHT REVENGE.
When George Deserted Her and Wedded Another Dusky Belle.
Lavinia Tunnell, a buxom colored lass, formerly shared the comforts of the same home with George Matthews, as man and wife, in a Baxter street house, but to-day they are apart.
George went and got married to another Baxter street belle and Lavinia sought revenge. In search of a soothing syrup for her sorrows Lavinia made a visit to the house of her former lover yesterday and found George and his bride gently cooing in each other’s arms.
The spark of wrath in the timid heart of Lavinia flamed as hot as Old Nick’s furnaces are said to be and she blazed away with her tongue at George. Things waxed warmer and warmer and Lavinia thought it was about time she was taking a sneak. She vamoosed in the darkness and as she did a clock and coat went with her, so George says. The latter went to the office of Recorder Braker and swore out a warrant for Lavinia. She was apprehended and taken before the Recorder on a charge of disorderly conduct and larceny of the two articles, but was dismissed.
Warrant for a Baxter Street Belle
Camden Daily Telegram —
Warrant for a Baxter Street Belle. A warrant was issued this morning by Recorder Braker for the arrest of Lulu Robinson, a Baxter street belle, charging her with assault and battery on Mary Jones.
Bad Man Derrickson
Camden Post —
BAD MAN DERRICKSON.
Arrested for Attempting to Kill Charles Burton.
“Sweeney” Derrickson was arrested last night on a charge of attempting to kill Charles Burton, colored. Burton says that Derrickson pulled out a pistol and shot at him three times without any cause whatever.
The shooting occurred on Baxter street in the colored quarter. Burton and Derrickson had been drinking beer. Burton had just returned from a corner saloon with a “growler” when Derrickson drew his gun and banged away at him three times. Burton ran and jumped over a fence, spraining his right ankle.
One of the witnesses of the shooting was Ida Parker, the colored woman who was accidentally shot in the thigh by Harry Oliver yesterday. Before the Mayor this morning Ida testified that Derrickson also pointed his pistol at her. She ran to Mrs. Griffin’s house screaming for help. Mrs. Griffin and her little boy were in the front room. Derrickson appeared at the window with the smoking pistol in his hand.
“Don’t shoot, Marwood,” exclaimed Mrs. Green; “If you do you’ll kill me and my child.”
Meanwhile Burton had limped around to the patrol house on Chestnut street and told Sergeant Harvey what had happened. Sergeant Harvey accompanied Burton back to Baxter street and arrested Derrickson. Derrickson drew a table fork on Harvey, but the latter quickly disarmed the desperate man and put handcuffs on him.
The Mayor held Derrickson in $500 bail for court.
Damsels in a Scrap
Camden Post —
Damsels in a Scrap.
Clara Green, Minnie Depew and Rachel Gibbs, colored, together with Edw. Jackson, also colored, engaged in a free fight on Baxter street last night and spent the rest of the night in the city lockup. This morning they were given a hearing by the Mayor and sentenced to ten days each.
Taylor Shot to Kill Him
Camden Daily Telegram —
TAYLOR SHOT TO KILL HIM.
Sumner Derrickson Dangerously Wounded During a Row.
THEY FOUGHT OVER A WOMAN.
The Participants All Had Their Guns and Knives Ready to Murder.
CAPTURED AFTER A HARD CHASE.
The Man Who Did the Shooting Ran from Seventh and Sycamore Streets to the Federal Street Ferry With an Excited, Yelling Mob at His Heels—A Ferryboat Held Until the Police Arrived and Took the Fleeing Man Into Custody—The Wounded Man and His Brother Known as Bad Men.
Robert, alias Charles Taylor, colored, made a desperate attempt last night to murder Sumner Derrickson. Taylor is locked up at the City Hall and Derrickson is at the Cooper Hospital with a bullet wound in his abdomen. The doctors there say that Derrickson is resting easily to-day and that he is in no immediate danger of dying. Taylor claims that he shot Derrickson in self defense.
ROW OVER A WOMAN.
The shooting was the outcome of jealousy. Taylor and Charles Derrickson and the latter’s brother, Sweeney Derrickson, were gambling in a house on Baxter street, between Ann and Seventh streets. A dispute arose and Taylor says that the Derricksons, who are known as bad men, chased him from the house. Sumner Derrickson, Taylor says, had a gun, and Sweeney Derrickson had a knife. At Seventh and Sycamore streets Taylor states that he found his pursuers were pressing him too closely. He turned as he ran and drawing his pistol fired at the two men. The bullet struck Sumner Derrickson in the abdomen and he fell to the ground with a groan. Sweeney stopped to look after his wounded brother and Taylor continued his flight.
SURGEONS FOUND THE BALL.
The wounded man was taken to the Cooper Hospital where the surgeons found the bullet had taken an upward course and lodged beneath the skin in Derrickson’s chest. The ball was extracted and Derrickson was made as comfortable as possible for the night.
The news of the attempted murder spread rapidly and the police were notified at once. An alarm was sent throughout the city and every effort was exerted to capture Taylor who had fled from the scene of the shooting as fast as his legs would carry him. He ran down to Kaighn avenue with the evident intention of taking a ferryboat to Philadelphia where he lives. The crowd that followed him, however, prevented Taylor making his escape in that direction. Like a hunted animal he turned up Second street toward the northern section of the city. The crowd increased each moment and the excitement of the chase became intense.
EXCITEMENT WAS INTENSE.
Policeman Fitzsimmons joined the throng which by this time was yelling “Catch the murderer” and “Lynch him.” People who were retiring threw up their windows in alarm thinking that the police and the crowd were in pursuit of another man suspected of the double murder of Mrs. Zane and Mrs. Shaw of week ago. The chase grew hot along Second street, but Taylor proved himself fleet of foot and reached the Federal street ferry in time to catch the 10.45 p. m. boat.
POLICE CAPTURE TAYLOR.
Collector Andrew Frazee had been notified of the attempted murder and recognized Taylor as the man wanted. He instructed Gateman William Barnard to hold the boat while he sent word to the police that Taylor was at the ferry. The patrol wagon was sent there in a hurry.
In the meantime Policemen Al. Myers and George Cable had arrived and Policeman Fitzsimmons arrived a second later almost winded by his long run. Two respectable colored porters were taken into custody at first, but the policemen soon discovered their mistake and found Taylor crouched up in one corner of the boat. Policeman Fitzsimmons recognized Taylor by a scar on his neck and quickly grabbed him by the throat. The fellow made no resistance and was taken to the waiting patrol wagon by the three officers. Here he was hustled into the vehicle and sent to the City Hall. When arrested the revolver with which the shooting was done was found in Taylor’s pocket, but that individual had cutely reloaded the empty chambers as he ran so as to destroy what evidence there was against him.
Derrickson, brother of Sumner, was formerly of the firm of Reed & Derrickson who several years ago ran the notorious negro resort known as Olive Park where John Hill, a colored youth, shot Joseph Dodson, also colored. Hill afterwards was hanged for his crime and the police broke up the den where the tragedy occurred.
TAYLOR GIVEN A HEARING.
Taylor was given a hearing this morning by Mayor Westcott. The complaint was made by Lieutenant John Foster and accused Taylor of assaulting, shooting and attempting to kill Derrickson. Lawyer Jackson appeared for the defendant.
Edward Fortie, one of the men who was with Derrickson when the shooting occurred, stated that he did not see the first shot, but when the second and third shots were fired Taylor was starting down Kaighn avenue. Fortie and Jordon, with Derrickson, then started to run.
Ida Burton said she saw Taylor and Lawrence Anderson talking at Seventh and Baxter streets. Taylor went slowly toward Derrickson and suddenly pulled a revolver from his pocket and fired point blank at his victim. When questioned by the Mayor she said she saw all of the shots, but when cross-examined by Lawyer Jackson she denied having seen the firing of the first shot.
Aubrey Thompson, who was about fifteen yards distant, said he saw the first shot fired at some one setting back of the station at Seventh and Kaighn avenue. He then saw Taylor go down Kaighn avenue.
Several other witnesses were heard who said they saw the shots fired, but who were not positive as to whom they were directed at.
Policemen Al Myers and George Cable, who made the arrest, said they found the man on a Federal street ferryboat hiding behind an ash cart. Taylor said he had no revolver, but on the way to the City Hall Patrolman Golden found a 32-calibre revolver with three loaded chambers.
Mayor Westcott held Taylor to await the result of Derrickson’s injuries.
Taylor hails from Washington, D. C., and it was stated on good authority that he is wanted in Philadelphia and his native city for misdemeanors.
The Love Affairs of the Official Shiner
Camden Daily Courier —
THE LOVE AFFAIRS OF THE OFFICIAL SHINER.
Ernest Waples Gets One Year and His Troubles Get an Airing.
Ernest Waples was the centre of a comedy in the Criminal Court late yesterday afternoon, which suddenly turned to a tragedy for him. Ernest bore the rather dubious title of “Official bootblack to the City Hall.” He came to Camden ten years ago, a “kid” in short pants and chocolate hued face. Rather an “innocent kid” was he, but the allurements of crap and Baxter street sassiety led him from the strict and narrow path. He had been driving for a doctor but that must have made him sick for he threw up the reins and became a bootblack. Humble as the occupation was, honors fell on him thick and fast. It was not long before he was known as the “official bootblack.” The police also knew Ernest as a boy who hung around ex-Chief Dodd’s office listening for tips relative to raids on policy and crap shooters. Forthwith he was banished and his descent to degradation was rapid. He became a frequenter of Baxter street dives and a character known to the police. Time and again he was arrested for scrapping and stealing. The last time previous to yesterday Judge Armstrong warned him that if he came before him again he would surely go to State prison. Yesterday the dark form of Ernest loomed up again in the dock, this time charged with three assaults on divers persons. The divers persons were Mary Douglass, a reluctant “cullud leddy,” whose head Waples split open at a sociable gathering on Baxter street, Policeman Donovan, a colored cop with an Irish name, whom Ernest found no easy mark, and John Mason, a black beauty, whose face bore the dent of a brick fired by the self-same tough young gent in the dock.
Waples was in love with Julia. He denied being married to her but admitted he paid her board. Or rather she paid his. Shortly after his arrest Julia herself was jugged and the two used to send each other dime novels. In the novels they also used to send each other the most tender love messages which the jailers capped and which Assistant Prosecutor Archer produced in court yesterday, while Julia glared and Ernest snickered.
“Who gave you that mark?” asked Mr. Archer.
“Which one?” asked Julia, “dis or dat or dem dere?”
She evidently had them all labeled.
“I mean the one on your face,” said Mr. Archer.
“Oh, I got dat drinking beer.”
“What! do you bleed every time you drink beer?”
“Not ‘less some one bangs me.”
Judge Armstrong acquitted Waples of the assaults on Mary Douglass and Policeman Donovan, but convicted him on the assault on Julia Mason.
“You’re a tough, bad man, your actions and appearance denote that,” Judge Armstrong.
“Nothin’ bad ’bout me,” protested Waples.
“Silence!” roared a constable with a cavernous voice.
Judge Armstrong then sentenced Waples to one year in the State prison.
“When I get out I’ll do you up,” he said to Turnkey Entriken who had testified against him as he was taken back to jail. He got off lucky. Spectators expected to see him get five years.
Samuel Dodd and F. Morse Archer appeared in connection with the case.
One Year for Waples
Camden Post-Telegram —
ONE YEAR FOR WAPLES.
The Bean of Baxter Street Banished from His Old Haunts.
Ernest Waples, the pride of Baxter street, will be missing from his usual haunts on that thoroughfare for at least one year, which was so decreed by Judge Armstrong, yesterday afternoon, when he adjudged him guilty of a charge of assault and battery on his inamorata, Julia Mason. Ernest fully expected more than he got from the Court, as he told Constable Voigt, when he was removed to the County Jail, that he expected to get two years. There were three charges against him for assault and battery, but he was found guilty on one only. The first complaint tried was the one made against him by Mary Douglass. When Mary went on the stand she said she did not want anything done to him but after threatening to put her in jail, she reluctantly answered the questions. She admitted that she and Ernest had an argument and that he struck her, but said he did not hurt her.
Ernest, in his own defense, denied striking her and said he only placed his hand on her. Two other Baxter street belles took the stand and their evidence showed they had a warm spot for Ernest and did not want him to be banished from their sight.
The next charge which he confronted was that of assault and battery on Policeman Donovan. Officer Donovan was not positive as to who did injure him and there was not much in this case. Waples was then charged with throwing bricks and glassware at Julia Mason, one of which struck Julia, causing her to have a hemorrhage of the head. Julia said she did not think Ernest hit her and could not tell who did strike her.
At this point Assistant Prosecutor Archer flashed up a number of letters from Waples to Julia, which had been intercepted. The contents of the letters showed that Ernest had struck Julia and he was posting her as to how to testify and save him from doing time at Trenton.
Just before Julia left the stand Judge Armstrong succeeded in getting her to admit that Ernest had struck her in the head with a tumbler. The Court then told Waples that he was a bad man in the community, and adjudged him not guilty of the charges made against him by Mary Douglass and Policeman Donovan, but found him guilty of assault and battery on Julia and sentenced him to one year in the State Prison.
Robbers in Skirts
Camden Post-Telegram —
ROBBERS IN SKIRTS.
Baxter Street Thieves Adopt Feminine Attire.
The police having succeeded in jailing many of the notorious colored females of the Seventh Ward, who managed to make a good thing by robbing unsuspecting citizens who wander through the tenderloin while suffering from too much bug juice, the lovers of the women who shared their ill-gotten gains have, if the story of George Brown, of Magnolia, is true, resorted to the same means, and in order to make their schemes work have donned feminine attire.
Brown, who is a man of sixty years, was arrested late on Saturday night by Officer Donovan, who was attracted to Baxter street by cries of “help!” He found Brown in a maudlin condition.
This morning, when arraigned, Brown said he was passing through Baxter street, when approached by two “ladies.” He engaged in a conversation about the weather, when suddenly one of the “ladies” grabbed him by the arms, while the other rifled his pockets of three ten dollar “Williams.” The “ladies” then ran toward Lilly Row, and in their flight lifted their skirts showing men’s trousers. At this juncture, Donovan appeared and sent Brown out. The Recorder administered a severe reprimand to Brown and then suspended sentence. The police are looking for his “lady” friends.
Round-Up by Police Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Round-Up by Police Over in Camden.
Vigorous Crusade Against Vice in a Down-Town District.
Several Persons Were Captured in Raids and Held on Policy and Disorderly Charges.
Police Captain Stanley, of Camden, began a crusade yesterday against alleged policy-writers and speak-easies in this district. With a squad of officers and fortified with warrants, sworn out by Charles W. Noyes, an agent of the Law and Order League, Captain Stanley raided the houses of Pearl Welcome, colored, at 914 South Third street, and Lizzie Purnell, colored, at Second and Division streets. The alleged proprietresses and several other persons were arrested and a quantity of policy paraphernalia was seized.
Charles Green, white, was arrested at Eighth street and Kaighn avenue, on a charge of being a “writer.”
Lizzie Purnell was committed to the county jail in default of $500 bail, on the policy charge, and $1000 bail on charges of maintaining a disorderly house and selling liquor without a license. Pearl Welcome was committed in default of $500 bail, and Green was held for a hearing to-day. All the warrants were issued by Justice Stackhouse.
Last evening Captain Stanley made another series of raids on warrants sworn out by Noyes before Stackhouse. The following were captured and committed to the county jail on the charges named: Maud Moore, alias Givens, 721 Baxter, selling without license; Jennie Wilson, alias Rose Mitchell, 721 Baxter, Sunday selling and selling without license; Mary Susan Jones, 703 Baxter, selling without license; William Lockman, 275 Spruce street, selling without license; John and Kate Eckert, 738 and 739 Sycamore street, disorderly house, Sunday selling and selling without license; Robert Mathews, 700 Sycamore street, Sunday selling and selling without license; Norman Simmons, 701 Baxter street, selling without license and Sunday selling; and Maggie Dilks, 703 Baxter street, selling without license. The prisoners were committed in default of $500 bail on each charge.
Policemen Took Hand in the Games
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Policemen Took Hand in the Games.
Police Captain Stanley and a squad of officers early yesterday morning made a raid on a house at Baxter and Sycamore streets, Camden. It is said card and crap games were in full blast. The police arrested William Rollins, Ernest Baker, Benjamin Counsellor, Walter Chambers, Frank Smother and Hiawathia Moore. The house is vacant. The owners had appealed to the police that it had been taken possession of by a number of colored men. The raid resulted. Cards, poker chips, a dice table and other paraphernalia were taken.
Raid on a Baxter Street House
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Raid on a Baxter Street House.
Police Captain Stanley and a squad of officers early yesterday morning raided a house on Baxter street, Camden, alleged to be kept by Edward Jackson and Mame Douglas, both colored. Besides the alleged proprietors the police arrested Louis Smith, Benjamin Jenkins, Mary Burk and Ida Phillips, also colored. The warrant was issued by Recorder Stackhouse on complaint of Police Sergeant Hyde.
Store Robber Given 10 Years in Prison
Camden Morning Post —
STORE ROBBER GIVEN 10 YEARS IN PRISON.
Case of Companion Will Be Put Before Grand Jury This Week.
Floyd Alter Bell, 36, alias “Twenty,” of 1719 Van Buren street, Philadelphia, was sentenced to 10 years in state’s prison yesterday by Judge Shay in Criminal Court on charges of robbery and carrying a gun.
Bell pleaded guilty to robbing the Star Beef Company, Sixth street and Kaighn avenue, on September 12, the charge on which he was sentenced to seven years. According to Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin, Bell and Frank M. Bank, 19, of 717 Baxter street, Camden, robbed the store of sausages, ham and other food stuffs, loaded them on a truck and escaped.
Both were arrested December 1 by Policemen Rheim and Feitz after the car they are alleged to have stolen from Railroad avenue and Van Hook street struck a pole at Sixth street and Kaighn avenue.
The case of Bank will be presented to the grand jury this week, Baldwin said. Bell, according to the prosecutor, confessed to committing several holdups in Camden and vicinity since July 1. Hams stolen from the beef concern were sold at $1 each in the Eighth Ward, $23 being collected.