Cedar Street is one of Camden’s “tree” streets. It ran from North 3rd Street east to North 10th Street, between Elm and Vine Streets. The 500 and 600 blocks are gone today—cleared for a park and a school building respectively. There was never an 800 block, as Willard and Linwood Streets ran north–south between Elm and Vine in that location.
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1946 Map of Camden
1946 Map of Camden.
Intersection of North 3rd Street, Main Street, & Cedar Street
Rachel Masner, of 317 Cedar street, would have been burned to death by her clothing catching fire from the range yesterday if Fireman Robert Steer had not jumped the fence and bundled her in blankets. She was seriously burned.
Ron Bravo's Cedar Street & North Camden Memories
I grew up in North Camden until I graduated from Woodrow Wilson High in 1964. I went to Pyne Poynt shortly after it was opened and graduated 9th grade in 1961. I undoubtedly knew some of the people that contributed information for your web site or they probably knew me. In those days, in North Camden, you usually got to know people, even if they came from different neighborhoods. Even though some names and faces tend to elude me, I have a million recollections of my time in Camden. In the context of today’s times, some stories might sound simply unimaginable. For instance, would you ever hear a mother today yell to her sons in the basement, “Are you kids making bombs again down there??!!” Amazing, but true.
When I took my first wife to Camden to show her where I lived her first remark was, “Why are you turning down this alley?
When you drive down Cedar Street (from 4th Street — Cedar Street is a one way street) this is what you encounter. First, the wheels of your car just fit between the curbs, with a sidewalk on each side just a little longer than a grown man’s arm spread—four to five feet wide, maybe?. After passing the backyards and the access alleys of the corner homes (at 4th and Cedar) the sidewalks end, and you encounter the following:
On the left side of the street, you first see Mr. Welch’s garage—a single car garage for his personal use (his residence was on Main Street.) Next comes the back of the Main Street Garage (don’t know if that’s actually the name—just what we called it.) First part of the garage is a three story section, then a two story section, then a one story section. The garage ends with about a two-foot separation from the building on the end—the separation was bricked up to a height of about 6 feet on each street-side (The Cedar Street side and the Main Street side). We referred to this as “the crack” and it was an excellent hiding place when we played “Kick-the-Can” or “Hide-and-Go-Seek.” The building at the end of the street was a pizzeria at one point and was triangular in shape due to the fact that Main Street cut diagonally into Cedar Street. When we played ball on Cedar Street, we often hit a ball high and it landed on one of the Main Street Garage roofs. “The Crack” came in handy as a means of access to the one-story garage—you just “shinnied” up the walls of the crack to the one story garage rooftop. Each garage roof provided access to the next higher roof and thus, access to the high-flying ball, wherever it might have landed.
On the right side of Cedar Street (after the alley), came the Oler’s Garage. The Charles B. Oler family had a business office located on Vine Street and the access to their garage was on Cedar Street. The business provided coal, oil and ice and they kept their trucks in the garage. The door was often open and we frequently used the garage for hiding places for the games previously mentioned—and sometimes for assorted mischief. (Here’s a quick story about stupid things kids do. We were playing “Hide-and-Go-Seek” and Max Block (lived on Third Street and was a few years older—but certainly not wiser) was “seeking” us. George Massey (resident of Third Street, also—and my age) was hiding in an ice truck with a heavy ice canvas pulled over him—and a half truck of ice—freezing his butt off. Max, not wanting to get cold or wet by lifting the canvas simply threatened to throw an ice pick into the canvas to “scare out” anyone hiding behind it. George, not wanting to be found kept quiet and still. Max, as I previously said “not wiser,” threw the ice pick and, “quite accidentally,” stuck George in the leg (through the canvas)… and so George was “found.” That, more or less, sums up a good part of our neighborhood.)
Anyway, continuing up the street… following the Oler’s garage was a vacant lot with a fence. Originally, it was a wooden fence and at some point in time it was replaced with a more sturdy chain link fence. Oh yes, the wooden fence was first topped with some type of “gummy” oil to stop kids from climbing on it, and then it was topped with barbed wire. None of this stopped us from climbing it though—which was stupid because our house (321 Cedar Street) was the next house on the block. We all had access to the vacant lot (e.g., to retrieve a ball that went over the fence) by simply going through our house or going through our back yard to the lot, which had a short wiry fence that anyone could jump over. For many years my father parked his car right in front of this fence. In addition, directly across from the fence was a rarely used back door to the three-story section of the Main Garage. We played a “knife game” using the door as a target. We would divide the door into different sections and divide the street into different levels—lowest level close to the fence (or my father’s car) and the highest level was closest to the door. As we successfully “stuck” our penknives into the designated section we would move forward—winner was the one to get to the highest level first.
As I noted, our house began after the vacant lot—the sidewalk on the right hand side of the street also started up again. Our house was the first in the row house line-up of about six homes. The last house in the line-up was built such that an alley (about five to six-feet wide) ran through it, providing access to many of the back yards of the row houses on Cedar Street and Vine Street. This alley was affectionately known as “The Ghost Alley” and it became pitch black at night. So dark, in fact, that if you were two feet inside the opening you couldn’t be seen. The last house in the row was connected to a distinctly separate set of homes (they even had porches), then a small access alley, and then the back yard and home at the corner of Third Street.
Nearby, at the Ben Franklin Bridge, there was a pedestrian underpass at 4th Street. It’s a little longer and below ground, and tended to be poorly lit, which made it a little scary at nights. I know there was a high crime rate associated with the underpass and I have a dim recollection that they eventually closed it. The same thing goes for the pedestrian walks on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge—they were always accessible to us until the crime rate on the bridge got to be excessive. It wasn’t uncommon for us to walk across the Delaware and spend the day walking around “Philly.
The area around the tunnel next to the bridge was a favorite location for roller skating. The streets were relatively “vehicle-free” and the street was relatively smooth. It was also a good place to play “touch” football. Actually, we played football nearly any place that was convenient. When we played on Cedar street, the boundaries were literally from “Marge’s telephone pole” to “Jungle Jim’s Telephone pole.” Note: “Jungle Jim” got his name because he had a marvelous garden in his backyard that he tended with the utmost care. I can’t remember his real name, but we eventually found out what it was. He had a way of keeping and not returning any balls that went in his yard, which, in our humble opinion, didn’t make for a “good neighbor.” When we played football on Cedar Street, it was not unusual to hear a play such as this in the huddle, “Run deep, cut over to Mr. Bravo car, and then run to Bravo’s steps.” Cedar Street was quite narrow and there wasn’t a lot of variety in the plays. We also played ball in the “Bridge Yard.” Originally this was an open “park-like” area adjacent to the bridge on 4th Street (it eventually got fenced in—a low fence that we merely climbed over). But here the plays were more creative — “Go to the first tree on the left and go deep.” Sometimes we went to the first tree, but forgot to go around it. Good thing we were all in great shape and healed quickly.
For such a small street, we played a great number of games—most unheard of in the suburbs to which I eventually moved. I always thought it would be nice to write a book about “City Street Games.
When I was younger Main Street still had the railroad train tracks running from about 9th street to the Delaware. The railroad was the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Line (PRSL) and was a combined freight service and passenger service. One of your contributors noted that kids frequently “hopped” the train for a short ride. This wasn’t uncommon and we all did it. I had one regrettable experience—probably unique. My father was an Engineer on that railroad—he drove the train—and he was on the engine one of the times I “hopped” it. Needless to say, that was the last time I hopped a train. Oh, yes… in addition to the tracks going down Main Street, the original “tomato truck line” went down Main Street. Hundreds of tomato trucks on their way to Campbell Soup, with “thirsty” drivers stalled in a long line, on a hot day with nothing to do but wait. All the while the local “gin mills” beckoned the drivers, while everyone along the truck waited for the drivers to give in to their silent siren song. When the drivers left the trucks, fell asleep or otherwise didn’t care, people arrived with paper bags, sacks or open hands to “shop” for tomatoes. One pastime, not usually found anywhere else, was the “tomato fight.” Youngsters from all ages, with essentially free tomatoes put them to bad use as well as good use.
The photo of young Al Bass on State Street was enlightening since I only knew Al when he was a few years older—in his teens before High School. He was in the process of getting to be “Big Al” and it was before he was “Big Bad Al.
Mrs. Mary Shablack & Family — widow of John Shablack Sr. (d. 1923); John Shablack Jr.; Theodore Shablack; Victoria Shablack; Helen Shablack; Benjamin Shablack
William Coleman, 31, of 1018 Lawrence st., and Evelyn A. Bond, 29, of 1031 N. 18th st.
William Mosley, 60, of 539 Liberty st., and Ruth Jones, 50, of 645 Mechanic st.
Carello C. T. Fornito, 49, of 1245 S. 3rd st., and Mary G. Carelli, 41, of 1245 S. 3rd st.
Joseph H. Grater, 27, of 407 Cedar st., and Mary A. Hans, 19, of 207 Bailey st.
Paul L. Kavanagh, 37, of 1500 West ave., Ocean City, and Dolores Dorkowski, 27, of 1827 Tioga st.
George E. Moore
Philadelphia Inquirer —
MOORE.—On February 23, 1896, George E. Moore, aged 43 years. The relatives and friends of the family, also Black Hawk Tribe, No. 78, Imp. O. R. M.; also employes of Henhaffen & Vaughn, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Sunday afternoon, March 1, at 2 o’clock, from his late residence, 413 Cedar street, Camden, N. J. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery.
3 Boys Arrested, One As Burglar
Camden Courier-Post —
Three small boys were arrested last night as lawbreakers.
John Greely, 13, of 419 Cedar Street, charged with malicious mischief and breaking and entering, was arrested by Detective John Kaighn on complaint of Carl H. Brummer, of 629 Clinton Street, manager of an American Store at Fourth and Elm Streets, who said he found the boy hiding in the cellar of the store.
The other boys, Victor Linkletter, 13, and William Hoy, 12, both of 506 Penn Street, are charged with trespassing. They were arrested by Detective Sergeant Gustave Koerner and Detectives Kaighn and Frank Crawford, who from windows of the detective bureau in new city hall, said they saw the boys on the roof of a vacant three-story building at 427 Market Street.
Climbing up the rear of the building they said they cornered the boys hiding behind a chimney, apparently planning to enter the building.
All three will be arraigned in police court today.
Sentenced in Sink Theft
Arrested at Second and Main streets with a sink in their possession, two youths were given suspended six-month sentences yesterday by Police Judge Mariano. The youths, Owen Norris, 19, of 422 Cedar Street, and Richard St. John, 19, of 843 Grant Street, told Detectives William Casler and Harry Tyler they found the sink on a dump.
William J. Otto Sr., 535 Cedar Street — Camden Courier-Post, November 6, 1953.
Coghlan Funeral Will Be Saturday
Camden Courier-Post —
COGHLAN FUNERAL WILL BE SATURDAY — North Camden Civic Leader, 63, Died After Having Heavy Cold. Funeral services for William P. Coghlan, 63, 536 Cedar street, a leader in the North Camden Civic Association, who died last Saturday, will be held at 2 p. m. Saturday at the Sudler funeral home, 60 South Twenty-seventh street. Coghlan’s death was indirectly caused by a heavy cold which he contracted while soliciting signatures to petitions for the municipal light plant referendum.
Coghlan was a bachelor and for years took an active interest in the Paperhangers’ Union. He was also a member of Wyoming Tribe of Red Men, Camden Aerie of Eagles and the Tenth Ward African Club. He had been a resident of Camden for 44 years.
Three Cousins Fined $75 Each
Camden Courier-Post —
Three cousins were fined $75 each for attempting to steal copper cable from a Pennsylvania Railroad lot at 15th and Federal st.
They are Raymond Becker, 47, listed at 536 Cedar st., Harold Becker, 34, listed at 205 Bailey st. and George Becker, 51, address unlisted by police. The trio was arrested Tuesday by Lt. George Beitzel, railroad security guard.
JOSEPH F. WILLIS — (Reprinted from Tuesday’s Late Edition) — Joseph F. Willis, 73, of 539 Cedar st., a veteran of the Spanish-American War, died Monday at Cooper Hospital after a brief illness. A retired painter, Mr. Willis was commander of Col. Edward B. Stone Camp 51, United Spanish War Veterans of Camden, and a member of the National Association of Navy and Marine Veterans of the Spanish-American War. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Margaret Andersen Bakowsky, of Chester, Pa.
Services will be held at 11 a. m. Friday in the McCann Funeral Home, Brown and Monmouth sts., Gloucester, where friends may call Thursday night.
600 Block of Cedar Street
City directory records, 1880s–1970. The 600 block was cleared for a school building.
“Eddie” Welsh, of 614 Cedar street, has recovered from a severe attack of rheumatism, and is back at the old stand, Eighth and Fern streets.
Camden News Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
James Watson, 21, of 617 Cedar street, charged with assault — Philadelphia Inquirer, March 11, 1910.
Fire at 617 Cedar Street
Camden Courier-Post —
Fire of undetermined origin destroyed the cellar steps at the home of R. H. Wallace, 617 Cedar street, last night. Wallace discovered the blaze and summoned firemen. Damage was slight.
Camden Woman Bride at New York Ceremony
Philadelphia Inquirer —
New York, March 27.—Miss Mary Amelia Gill, 22, a native of Camden, and daughter of William H. and Emma Claypool Gill, and Howard H. Stein, 21, of 35 West Eighty-fourth street, this city, were married here yesterday in the municipal chapel. Deputy City Clerk Herman C. Oechsli performed the ceremony. The bride gave the West Eighty-fourth street address as her present residence. Stein is a native of Philadelphia, and the son of Herman and Emily Krug Stein.
624 Cedar Street — Real Estate Listing, 1940
624 Cedar Street — Real estate listing photo, c. 1940.
Alyce O’Donnell & Edwin Larson Wedding, 1948. 626 Cedar Street — James A. O’Donnell & Family. Front: ?, Mary O’Donnell, Florence Elwell, ?, ?, Kathleen O’Donnell. Rear: Charles O’Donnell, ?, ?, James A. O’Donnell, Alyce O’Donnell, Edwin Larson, James O’Donnell, ?, ?
Thomas W. Bray — World War II Draft Registration
World War II Draft Registration Card, April 1942 — Thomas William Bray, 630 Cedar Street, Camden. Born July 15, 1890, Washington, D.C. Employed at the Naval Aircraft Factory, Philadelphia Navy Yard.
Walter Anderson
Camden Courier-Post —
Miss Gloria Getsinger, 331 North Ninth street, became the bride of Walter Anderson, 631 Cedar street, at 7 p. m. Saturday in Bethany Methodist Church, Tenth and Cooper streets, with the Rev. Nathan W. Moore, pastor, officiating. Lawrence Davis and Donald Getsinger were ushers.
John Crossley and John Conroy Injured
Philadelphia Inquirer —
John Crossley, of 1116 Broadway, with a fractured and lacerated nose, and John Conroy, of 632 Cedar street, with a lacerated hand, were admitted to the Cooper Hospital yesterday.
William Buss
Camden Courier-Post —
Father of 6 Jailed for Theft of Milk
FATHER OF 6 JAILED FOR THEFT OF MILK
Declaring that he "cannot condone" stealing of milk from doorsteps, Police Judge Mariano sentenced William Buss, 49, of 633 Cedar street, to 10 days in jail.
Arrested Saturday by Patrolman George Hemphill on complaint of Francis Engstrom, 316 Bailey street, driver of a milk wagon, for stealing a bottle of milk from a house at 611 Cedar street, Buss said he stole the milk because he has six children, three of whom are young.
"With all the relief facilities in Camden, there is no necessity for stealing milk," Judge Mariano told him. "Somebody has to pay for the milk you stole and perhaps the house from which you stole it needs that milk for a baby."
Judge Mariano said he would arrange with the relief bureau to provide for Buss' children while he is in jail.
Private First Class Frank Lilley
Private First Class Frank Lilley, 635 Cedar Street. Also from 635 Cedar Street: Albert Lilley, George Lilley, and Private First Class Arthur Lilley.
ROSCOE C. TRIBBETT — Services for Roscoe C. Tribbett, 72, of 646 Cedar Street, who died Wednesday in Camden County Chest Hospital, Lakeland, will be Sunday at 8 p.m. in the Carl Miller Funeral Home, 831 Van Hook Street.
Surviving are six sons, Fred, Wilbur and Russell of Camden, and Roscoe Jr., Leroy and Norman of Philadelphia; six daughters, Miss Florence Tribbett, Mrs. Eleanor Shelton, Mrs. Beatrice Archie, and Misses Elsie and Delores Tribbett.
700 Block of Cedar Street
City directory records, 1906–1958.
709 Cedar Street
709 Cedar Street — 700 Block of Cedar Street
Year
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Name
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1940s–1959
Mrs. May Harner Family — Josephine Harner; Raymond Harner; Donald J. Harner; Joseph Harner
Found guilty of a drunken driving charge, Allen T. Jacobson Jr., 22, of 729 Cedar st., was fined $200 and costs today by Municipal Court Judge Dzick. “I’m giving you a break by not sending you to jail,” Dzick told Jacobson.
Convalescent Girl, 5, Helps Wrap Gifts
Camden Courier-Post —
HOME FOR CHRISTMAS following very serious heart operation at Deborah Sanitorium, Barbara Gene Cramer, 5, of 733 Cedar st., wraps gifts for children at sanitorium who won’t be able to be home for Christmas.
900 Block of Cedar Street
City directory records, 1912–1969.
910 Cedar Street
910 Cedar Street — 900 Block of Cedar Street
Year
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Name
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1913
John B. Dean; Herbert W. Bateman & Elizabeth C. Bateman; Lorigan & Hurley Company; William H. Lorigan; Levi E. Farnham
PETITION — To the President and Members of the City Council of Camden… We the undersigned property owners in the Tenth ward… hereby petition your body to order Cedar street, between Ninth and Tenth streets, paved with sheet asphalt on a six-inch concrete foundation.
John B. Dean, N. E. Cor. Ninth and Cedar. Elizabeth C. and Herbert W. Bateman, 925 Cedar. Lorigan & Hurley Company, Wm. H. Lorigan, secretary, 911 to 923 Cedar street; 927 to 951 Cedar street; 910 to 948 Cedar street. L. E. FARNHAM, City Engineer.
Sheriff’s sale notice for 925 Cedar Street, the Bateman property — Camden Courier-Post, June 9, 1932.
Charles L. Lukens
Camden Courier-Post —
After a lengthy illness Charles F. Lukens, 64, of 928 Cedar Street, died yesterday. He was a bachelor and is survived by a sister, Miss Clara H. Lukens. He was a member of Broadway M. E. Church for years. The funeral will be held at 11 a. m. Monday at the funeral home of Joseph H. Murray and son, 408 Cooper Street. Burial will be at Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson.
HERMAN A. DREAS — Herman A. Dreas, 71, of 949 Cedar st., died Tuesday. Born in Schuylkill Haven, Pa., he lived in Camden 50 years. A retired fireman with 21 years service, he had served with Engine Company 11. A veteran of World War I, he was awarded the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
MRS. MARY H. DREAS — Mrs. Mary H. Dreas, 83, of 949 Cedar Street, died yesterday in Cooper Hospital. She is survived by a step-sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Anderson of Philadelphia.
Services will be Friday at 10 a.m. in the Gustav Roedel & Sons Funeral Home, 804–06 N. 27th Street, where friends may call Thursday night. Requiem high Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in Holy Name Church, Fifth and Vine Streets.
947, 949, & 951 Cedar Street, 2019
947, 949, & 951 Cedar Street — 2019.
Benjamin Olan Poore & Family
1950s — Looking west from the porch of 951 Cedar Street. Benjamin Olan Poore & Family, 1933–1965: Benjamin & Ellen “Nellie” Poore; Charles Poore; Margaret Poore; Evelyn Poore. Photo courtesy of John Pomponio.
Veterans Will Hold Rites for Alvah Poore
Camden Courier-Post —
VETERANS WILL HOLD RITES FOR ALVAH POORE — A military funeral will be held for Alvah Poore, 54, of 951 Cedar street, who was fatally injured by an automobile at Harrison avenue and State street, Friday night. A military escort will be provided by John A. Mather Post, Spanish War Veterans.
Burial will be in the soldiers’ plot in New Camden Cemetery. Mr. Poore was a Spanish War Veteran.
Mrs. Nellie F. Poore
Camden Courier-Post —
MRS. NELLIE F. POORE — Services for Mrs. Nellie F. Poore, 75, of 951 Cedar st., who died Wednesday in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, will be at 1 p.m. Monday in the Murray Funeral Home, 408 Cooper st. Mrs. Poore was retired from the Camden Post Office since 1959.
951 Cedar Street, 2019
951 Cedar Street — 2019.
Reporter Recounts Coverage of City’s Worst Riots
Camden police officers wield shotguns on Cedar Street in North Camden on Aug. 21, 1971 as a building burns in the rear.
By JOSEPH BUSLER, Courier-Post Staff
I had been a reporter for less than two years, and the Camden riot of August, 1971, was by far the biggest story I had covered.
I saw the riot begin at dusk as crowds, gathered around City Hall, became unruly when city officials wouldn’t meet with Puerto Rican community leaders. Being out on the streets of Camden during the riots didn’t seem as dangerous as it probably was because the mood of the people was more carnival-like than vicious. But we did have one reporter kidnapped (he was released unharmed), and a brick smashed into the Courier-Post car between where the late photographer Jimmy Stewart and I were seated.
Later the same night, an ominous gang surrounded me and the camera-laden Stewart at an arson scene from which firefighters and police had withdrawn because of gunfire. Fearing the worst, I talked with the gang’s leader about how we wanted to cover the riot. He finally gave me a hug and said, “You write a good story, mon!” They, or maybe it was we, left.
I wrote the main front-page story after the worst day of rioting. Reeking of tear gas, reporters pecked out their stories on old manual typewriters as the sun was coming up. As I wrote, I had a strange, almost God-like feeling because I knew I was the first person to put some kind of order onto the strange, chaotic events.
Kills Himself with Sweetheart Present
Philadelphia Inquirer —
KILLS HIMSELF WITH SWEETHEART PRESENT — Philadelphia Expressman Ends Life in Camden Because She Does Not Love Him.
His love unreciprocated, George Ward, 32 years old, of Poplar street, Philadelphia, shot himself to death yesterday in the presence of his unwilling sweetheart, Miss Anna Camlin, 25 years old, of 526 Cedar street, Camden. The suicide occurred at the young woman’s home, and Coroner Beutley, after an investigation, gave a death certificate accordingly.
Ward had known Miss Camlin for several years and that he was desirous of making her his wife. While holding him in high esteem, Miss Camlin did not love him sufficiently to marry him. In fact, she tried to dissuade him from continuing his one-sided attachment, but to no purpose. On Sunday he took a quiet bouquet of flowers to her, but she left before he gained entrance to the house. He remained there until past midnight.
Yesterday he did not go to his work as an expressman. Instead, he visited Camden with the apparent determination of ending the unequal struggle at the house. Ward went with Miss Camlin to the parlor. A few minutes later the household was aroused by a pistol shot. The front room was entered. Ward was lying on the floor with a bullet wound in the back of his ear, while Miss Camlin was in hysterics. Still breathing, the desperate man was taken to the Cooper Hospital, but he died before that institution was reached.
From the blood gleaned from the young woman, Ward pulled the revolver from his pocket and sent the bullet into his brain before she had time to cry for help.
Witness of Slaying in Bluebird Asks $28
Camden Courier-Post —
WITNESS OF SLAYING IN BLUEBIRD ASKS $28 — Abel’s Bill for Time in Jail Okehed by Board. William Abel, 526 Cedar street, languished in county jail for 28 days, when he was held as a material witness to the shooting of Harry “Lefty” Hughes, in the Bluebird Cafe, last November 21. Yesterday Abel presented the Board of Freeholders with a bill of $28, for his witness fees, as allowed by law. The bill was approved by Prosecutor Wescott.
Abel was in jail from November 21 to December 22. He testified at the trial of William A. Barry, who was acquitted last Thursday of manslaughter in connection with the shooting. The freeholders referred the bill to the court house committee for investigation.
Boy Born at West Jersey Hospital
Camden Courier-Post —
A BOY was born this week at West Jersey hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Moyer, 528 Cedar street. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hamby, 817 Linden street, also are parents of a boy born at the same hospital.
William H. Sauselein
Camden Courier-Post —
WILLIAM H. SAUSELEIN — William H. Sauselein, 38, died Saturday in his home, 519 Cedar st. He was a veteran of War II and a member of the 4th Spiritual Church, of Camden. Surviving are his mother, Mrs. Matilda Sauselein, of Camden; three brothers, Benjamin, of Oaklyn; Paul, of Maple Shade, and Joseph, of Camden, and a sister, Mrs. Edith Walker, of Maple Shade.
Services will be held Wednesday at 10.30 a. m. in the Elchel Funeral Home, 60–62 S. 27th st., where friends may call Tuesday night. Burial will be in Locustwood Memorial Park.
2 Injured, 5 Homes Destroyed In Blaze
Camden Courier-Post —
2 INJURED, 5 HOMES DESTROYED IN BLAZE — By BILL DUHART and LEO STRUPCZEWSKI. Joe Rolen, a retired groundskeeper, peeked out his front door Tuesday afternoon and saw an inferno.
“When I looked out the door the porch was blazing,” said Rolen, 70, who lives across from where a four-alarm fire gutted five row homes in the 900 block of Vine Street. Rolen said he immediately called authorities for help.
“I said ‘wow,’ and jumped out there and moved my car,” he said.
Two minor injuries, one to a firefighter and one to a neighbor, were reported. The firefighter was treated for a hand injury and the neighbor refused treatment for smoke inhalation, Camden Fire Marshal Ralph Roberts said.
Rolen said the blaze was less than 50 feet from his home. “It spread so fast,” he said. “If it had been a windy day that whole side of the street would have burned down.”
Rolen said the fire appeared to have started on the porch of 935 Vine St., a vacant house. Fire officials confirmed that. “(There) used to be a sofa on that porch,” Rolen said. “It’s strange because nobody lives there.”
Rolen said some neighbors said they saw youths running near the area just before the fire. He said several neighbors in houses that caught fire had left minutes before the flames broke out.
It took crews nearly an hour to extinguish the blaze, said Teresa Sicard-Archambeault, a spokeswoman with the Camden Police Department. Police said three of the five homes that caught fire were vacant. Sicard-Archambeault said investigators consider the fire suspicious.
Cedar Street, 2005
Cedar Street (1 block between Broadway and South 6th) is now a parking lot on the South side and the back of the houses on Benson Street is on north side. It was supposed to be partly a park but like many other spots in Camden it turned out to be a “PARK”-ing lot.
