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Decatur Street

South Camden neighborhood, Camden, NJ
Page Contents

Introduction

Phil Cohen

DECATUR STREET is named for American Naval hero Commodore Stephen Decatur, who played a decisive role in the War of 1812 and in America’s war with Muslim pirates operating out of Tripoli and other ports in North Africa. Decatur is also known for his quote “…our country right or wrong.”

Decatur Street runs from Mount Ephraim Avenue on a straight line roughly north-east towards Haddon Avenue, stopping before the railroad tracks that run parallel to Haddon Avenue at that point. Development began around the turn of the century, and the street was for the most part completely built up by 1950. Many of the early residents of Decatur Street were of Polish descent, and were members of St. Joseph’s Church at 10th and Mechanic Streets. Like virtually all other streets in Camden, Decatur Street was always ethnically, if not racially, mixed.

Decatur Street is for the most part residential. The South Camden Bakery was located in the 1200 block at one time, and at the intersection of Norris and Decatur at one time held a grocery, a bar, and a social club. The Victory Cafe stood at 1301 Decatur Street, the 13th Ward Democrat Club was across the street at 1302, and a grocery was located at 1299 Decatur Street. Bar owner Edward Zajac, who boxed professionally out of Camden as Eddie Chaney, lived at 1287 Decatur Street. The most notable building on Decatur Street was St. Joseph’s High School.

Shortly after World War II, St. Joseph’s High School was erected at the corner of Mount Ephraim and Decatur Street. The school was abandoned by the Diocese of Camden around 1979, and stood vacant and open to the elements, drug dealers, squatters, and other undesirables for many years before it was acquired and converted into the Dayton Manor nursing home. The presence of the empty building, combined with the flood of drugs into Camden in the mid-1980s, and other social factors combined to the overall decline of Decatur Street and the surrounding neighborhood.

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1200 Block of Decatur Street

1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants

City directory records, 1891–2015.

1207 & 1209 Decatur Street

1207 & 1209 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1911–1924 August Scholl

1215 Decatur Street

1215 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1936Mrs. Mary Lisowski
1936 Stanley Wojciechowski

1216 Decatur Street

1216 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1917Peter Kovalenter
1943Antonio Maressa & Family
1943Frank Maressa
1950P.J. Andrella
1969St. Joseph's Catholic Church
2012Gone

1218 Decatur Street

1218 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1940Antonio Maressa & Family
1940Frank Maressa
1973–1977Gary Thompson

1220 Decatur Street

1220 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1933Robert Knighton
1942–1956Vincent Pavlak & Family
1942–1956Annie Pavlak
1947–1956Catherine Pavlak
1947–1956 Nicholas Pavlak

1225 Decatur Street

1225 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1927Lottie Medel

1226 Decatur Street

1226 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1939–1952 Leon F. Puszczykowski & Family
1939–1952Minnie Puszczykowski
1939–1952 Leon C. Puszczykowski
1939–1952Elaine Puszczykowski

1255 Decatur Street

1255 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929–1933 Fred Klosterman

1259 Decatur Street

1259 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1950s Frank & Angelina DeNinno

1261 Decatur Street

1261 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1952Vincent Lamonte

1264 Decatur Street

1264 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1932Thomas Hines

1272 Decatur Street

1272 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1928Paul Starzynski

1276 Decatur Street

1276 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
2012Tower of Prayer and Deliverance, Inc.

1281 Decatur Street

1281 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
2012Destroyed by Arson Fire, March 2, 2012

1287 Decatur Street

1287 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1930s Eddie Chaney
1933James Hayes

1291 Decatur Street

1291 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1933 John Capello

1293 Decatur Street

1293 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1933 Jennie Barriger

1296 Decatur Street

1296 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1957Vincenzo Gallo & Family
1957Nicoletta Gallo
1957Dominick F. Gallo

1297 Decatur Street

1297 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1930s–1940 Herman J. Baker & Family
1930s–1940Emma Baker

1299 Decatur Street

1299 Decatur Street — 1200 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Santo Ardire
1947Grocery
2012Scheduled for Demolition

1200 Decatur Street

1200 Decatur Street — May 15, 2005 1200 Decatur Street — May 15, 2005

1200 Decatur Street — May 15, 2005

1207 & 1209 Decatur Street

1207 & 1209 Decatur Street — December 28, 2011

1207 & 1209 Decatur Street — December 28, 2011. August Scholl lived at 1207–1209 from 1911 to 1924.

1216 Decatur Street — Houses For Sale

Camden Post-Telegram —

Houses For Sale — 1216 Decatur Street, Peter Kovalenter — Camden Post-Telegram, May 26, 1917

HOUSES FOR SALE

Builder Wants to Leave City. One good dwelling with electricity and gas, parquet floor, brick, garage in yard, iron fence, modern. Cost $3,500, will sell for $3,200 to quick buyer. 1218–1226 Decatur st., 7 r’ms, porch, $2,000. 1247–1249 Chase st., 7 r’ms, porch, $1,850. 1230–1232 Chase st., 7 r’ms, porch, $2,300.

See owner at 1216 Decatur St., Peter Kovalenter, Camden, N. J.

1216 Decatur Street — Frank Maressa at Naval Training School

Camden Courier-Post —

Frank Maressa, 1216 Decatur Street — Camden Courier-Post, February 10, 1943 Frank Maressa, 1216 Decatur Street — Camden Courier-Post, February 10, 1943

Frank Maressa, 21, of 1216 Decatur street, son of Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Maressa, is at the Naval training school at Newport, R. I. A graduate of Camden High School, he formerly was employed at the New York Shipyard. A brother, Joseph, is in the Naval Reserve and is attending Temple University.

1217–1221 Decatur Street — circa 1928

1217 Decatur Street — circa 1928 1217-1219-1221 Decatur Street — circa 1928 1219 Decatur Street — circa 1928 1221 Decatur Street — circa 1928

1217, 1219, and 1221 Decatur Street — circa 1928. The photographer's label lettered on the 1217–1221 photograph reads “#7152-B.R. Camden. 1219 Decatur St.”, and the same label appears on the single photographs of 1219 and 1221.

1220 Decatur Street — Truckman Faces Quiz After Boy Is Struck

Camden Courier-Post —

Truckman Faces Quiz After Boy Is Struck — 1220 Decatur Street — Camden Courier-Post, August 8, 1933

TRUCKMAN FACES QUIZ AFTER BOY IS STRUCK

A South Camden truck owner has been ordered to appear at police headquarters to explain why a boy allegedly struck by his machine was not taken to a hospital.

The boy, Robert Knighton, 10, of 1220 Decatur street, told police he was struck by the truck near Decatur and Cope streets. He said the driver offered to take him to a hospital, but put him off the truck after he rode half a square.

John Rose, of 1312 Rose street, then picked up the boy and took him to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital, where it was said he had apparently not been injured.

Police said the youth gave them a license number which they traced to Anthony Kinzler, of 1285 Van Hook street. Kinzler, who owns a truck, will be questioned by police today.

Mother of Four Fined for Disorderly House

Camden Courier-Post —

Mother of Four Fined for Disorderly House - Camden Courier-Post, August 31, 1927

Mrs. Lottie Medel, 35 years old, 1225 Decatur street, mother of four children, was fined $100 in police court this morning when she was arraigned on a charge of maintaining a disorderly house after two 15-year-old girls had told of attending a party in her home. One of the girls was committed to the juvenile detention home for the grand jury, the other was released in her own recognizance and a young man was held in $500 bail.

The girl who was committed to the detention home is Anna Rodansky, 1309 Green street. She told her story in court this morning of having gone to Mrs. Mendel’s house to “board” after she had left her own home. Mrs. Mendel’s arrest was brought about when Anna’s mother, Mrs. Rose Rodansky, had her daughter arrested as being incorrigible.

The girl who was released as a material witness was Jennie Krauss, 15 years old, 1252 Sycamore street. She also testified that she had gone to Mrs. Mendel’s house and slept over night.

John Adwntwski, 20 years old, 1251 Whitman avenue, was held in $500 bail on statements made by the Rodansky girl.

1226 Decatur Street — Engagement Announcement

Camden Courier-Post —

Engagement Announcement — Leon C. Puszczykowski, 1226 Decatur Street — Camden Courier-Post, January 29, 1951

Mr. and Mrs. Russell Trout, of 235 Hampshire avenue, Audubon, announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Agnes Barbara Trout, to Mr. Leon Puszczykowski, son of Mrs. Leon Puszczykowski, of 1226 Decatur street.

1255 Decatur Street

Fred Klosterman, 1255 Decatur Street

Fred Klosterman lived at 1255 Decatur Street from 1929 to 1933.

2 Youths Are Caught In Padlocked Cafe

Camden Courier-Post —

2 Youths Are Caught In Padlocked Cafe - Camden Courier-Post, June 13, 1932 2 Youths Are Caught In Padlocked Cafe - Camden Courier-Post, June 13, 1932

Two Whitman Park youths who were arrested by a special officer as they were emerging from the cellar of a padlocked saloon were held without bail Saturday to await grand jury disposal of charges of breaking and entering.

The prisoners gave their names as Thomas Hines, 21, of 1264 Decatur street, and Leon Gentek, 18, of 1219 Van Hook street. They were arrested by former Policeman Oscar Probst, now a special watchman guarding stores on Mt. Ephraim avenue.

Probst said he saw them coming from the basement of Purdy’s Cafe, southeast corner of Van Hook street and Mt. Ephraim avenue. They had forced their way in, Probst stated.

The two pleaded not guilty.

1271–1283 Decatur Street — March 15, 2012

1271 & 1273 Decatur Street — March 15, 2012 1275 & 1277 Decatur Street — March 15, 2012 1279 & 1281 Decatur Street — March 15, 2012 1283 Decatur Street — March 15, 2012

1271–1283 Decatur Street — Photographs taken March 15, 2012

Camden Drys Cut Holiday Rum Supply

Camden Courier-Post —

Camden Drys Cut Holiday Rum Supply - Camden Courier-Post, December 4, 1928

Two Held for Grand Jury After Howe Street Seizure

At least part of the holiday liquor supply has been stopped, it was revealed yesterday when Mikoloy Miskiewicz, 34, of 1141 Van Hook street, and Paul Starzynski, 1272 Decatur street, were arraigned before United States Commissioner Wynn Armstrong on charges of manufacturing liquor, possession and transportation. They pleaded not guilty and waived hearings and were held in $1000 bail for the grand jury.

The men were arrested Saturday night by Federal agents under Schuyler Adams, newly-appointed prohibition head in this section, after the agents had watched a house at 907 Howe street all day.

Towards evening an automobile drove up and two men began piling cans into the back seat. The cans, on investigation, proved to be 18 five-gallon tins filled with moonshine whisky.

In the cellar of the house the agents found a 150-gallon still in operation, two cookers, a coil and cooler, 36 50-gallon barrels of mash, 15 empty 50-gallon barrels, 25 gallons of alleged moonshine whisky and some empty cans. Miskiewicz, the agents say, is the owner and driver of the automobile, and his partner is charged with being employed as a helper.

1276 Decatur Street — Tower of Prayer and Deliverance

1276 Decatur Street — Tower of Prayer and Deliverance, Inc. — March 15, 2012 1276 Decatur Street — Tower of Prayer and Deliverance, Inc. — March 15, 2012

1276 Decatur Street — Tower of Prayer and Deliverance, Inc. — Photographs taken March 15, 2012. The banner on the building reads: “TOWER OF PRAYER AND DELIVERANCE INC. PH: 856 964 2233 FAX: 856 964 2204. SUNDAY SCHOOL 10AM, MORNING WORSHIP 11AM SUNDAY MORNING, WEEKLY PRAYER 7PM MONDAY NIGHT, DANCE REHEARSAL 7PM TUESDAY NIGHT, BIBLE STUDY 7PM WEDNESDAY NIGHT, WEEKLY FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY NIGHTS BY ANNOUNCEMENT, AFTERNOON SERVICE BY ANNOUNCEMENT. BISHOP/PASTOR ELDER SARAH W. STEVENSON, ASST. PASTOR EVANGELIST DOLORES GIBBS, CHAIRMAN/DEACONS ELDER ROOSEVELT STEVENSON.”

Marriage Licenses

Camden Courier-Post —

Marriage Licenses - Camden Courier-Post, April 2, 1952

Camden

Wilfred D. Cruthers, 21, Bedford, Pa., and Valeria Dubowski, 17, of 1220 Chestnut street.

Alphonse D’Alessandro, 34, of 139 Carson street, Philadelphia, and Rita Caruso, 26, of 404 Clinton street.

Milford E. Layser, 24, of 416 Chambers street, and Joan Wyatt, 18, of 823 State street.

Allen Gordon, 32, of 1610 Fillmore street, and Olga S. Beakley, 36, of 1615 Fillmore street.

Vincent Lamonte, 21, of 354 Division street, and Dolores T. Passeri, 20, of 1261 Decatur street.

George E. Scholtz, 20, of 60 Edgemont road, Bellmawr Park, and Dorothy V. Hambleton, 19, of 415 Chestnut street.

LePerian English, 26, of 153 North Fifty-fifth street, Philadelphia, and Dorothy L. Mason, 27, same address.

Otto Souak, 40, of 49 Woodland avenue, Clementon, and Veneria Cinelli, 29, of 344 Dudley street.

1281 Decatur Street — Arson Fire Kills Homeless Man in Camden

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Arson Fire Kills Homeless Man in Camden — 1281 Decatur Street — Philadelphia Inquirer, March 3, 2012

Arson fire kills homeless man in Camden

Authorities have identified a 65-year-old elderly squatter killed Friday morning in a Camden arson fire.

After battling a blaze that burned through a rowhouse on the 1200 block of Decatur Street, fire fighters found Paul Johnson on the second floor of the home around 4:15 a.m., police said.

An autopsy ruled the man had died from smoke inhalation, and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office ruled the death a homicide.

1287 Decatur Street — Stores, Homes Looted; Radio, Pennies Taken

Camden Courier-Post —

STORES, HOMES LOOTED; RADIO, PENNIES TAKEN

Burglars who broke into two stores and a private home Thursday night got exactly $2.50, a radio, and some cigars for their trouble.

At the store of Basile Constantine, 402 Berkley Street, cigars valued at $1.50 were stolen by the intruders, who forced a rear shutter. Michael Kelly, of 11 South Fourth Street, reported his store was broken into and $2.50 in pennies stolen. Entrance was gained through a rear window. James Hayes, of 1287 Decatur Street, told the police his radio set was stolen by the thieves after they entered his house through a rear window.

Detectives Clarence Arthur and Clifford Carr are investigating.

1290 & 1299 Decatur Street — March 15, 2012

1290 Decatur Street — March 15, 2012 1299 Decatur Street — March 15, 2012 1299 Decatur Street — March 15, 2012

1290 and 1299 Decatur Street — Photographs taken March 15, 2012. 1299 Decatur Street, a former grocery operated by Santo Ardire in 1947, was scheduled for demolition in March 2012.

1296 Decatur Street — Dominick F. Gallo

Camden Courier-Post —

Dominick F. Gallo, 1296 Decatur Street — Camden Courier-Post, December 12, 1957

DOMINICK F. GALLO

Dominick F. Gallo, 43, of 1296 Decatur st., died Tuesday in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Born in Italy and a Camden resident 34 years, he was associated in a fruit vending business, V. Gallo & Sons, with his father. He was a War II veteran.

Surviving are his stepmother, Mrs. Nicoletta Gallo, and his father, Vincenzo Gallo, with whom he lived.

Solemn requiem high Mass will be celebrated at 10 a. m. Saturday in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Relatives and friends will meet at 9 o’clock at the Joseph A. and Frank V. Falco Funeral Home, 1018 S. 4th st., where they may call Friday night.

1297 Decatur Street

Herman J. Baker, 1297 Decatur Street

Herman J. Baker and his wife Emma lived at 1297 Decatur Street in the 1930s–1940.

1300 Block of Decatur Street

1300 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants

City directory records, 1891–2015.

1301 Decatur Street

1301 Decatur Street — 1300 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1940s–2003 The Victory Cafe

1302 Decatur Street

1302 Decatur Street — 1300 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1930s13th Ward Democrat Club

1303 Decatur Street

1303 Decatur Street — 1300 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1941 Nicholas Iacovelli

1329 Decatur Street

1329 Decatur Street — 1300 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1941William J. Sbariscia

1334 Decatur Street

1334 Decatur Street — 1300 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1939Thirteenth Ward Italian-American Citizens Democratic Club

1338 Decatur Street

1338 Decatur Street — 1300 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Michael Nardelli & Family
1947Mary Nardelli

1348 Decatur Street

1348 Decatur Street — 1300 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1947Roy DeSanctis

1351 Decatur Street

1351 Decatur Street — 1300 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1940s–1947Rocco DeSanctis
1940s–1945 Romeo DeSanctis

1353 Decatur Street

1353 Decatur Street — 1300 Block of Decatur Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1930s–1940sLawrence A. Scavette & Family
1930s–1940sConcetta Scavette
1930s–1940sDaniel Scavette
1930s–1940sMildred Scavette
1930s–1940sJennie Scavette
1930s–1940sTeresa Scavette
1930s–1940sAchille Scavette
1940s Lawrence A. Scavette Jr.

1301 & 1303 Decatur Street

1301 & 1303 Decatur Street — October 5, 2003

1301 & 1303 Decatur Street — October 5, 2003. The Victory Cafe stood at 1301 Decatur Street.

1303 Decatur Street — Auxiliary Firemen

Camden Courier-Post —

Auxiliary Firemen — 1303 Decatur Street — Camden Courier-Post, July 1, 1941

Left: Charles Geitz. Right: Nicholas Iacovelli, auxiliary fireman, 1303 Decatur Street — Camden Courier-Post, July 1, 1941.

1307 & 1309 Decatur Street — February 22, 2004

1307 & 1309 Decatur Street — February 22, 2004 Decatur Street — February 22, 2004 Decatur Street — February 22, 2004 Decatur Street — February 22, 2004 Decatur Street — February 22, 2004 Decatur Street — February 22, 2004 Decatur Street — February 22, 2004 Decatur Street — February 22, 2004

1307 & 1309 Decatur Street — Photographs taken February 22, 2004

Camden’s First Volunteer Firemen Receive Diplomas

Camden Courier-Post —

Camden’s First Volunteer Firemen Receive Diplomas - Camden Courier-Post, July 1, 1941

Members of Camden city’s first volunteer firemen to be graduated from the Camden Fire School, Ninth street and Morgan boulevard, are shown above going through demonstrations of their teaching during the last seven weeks.

Edward Friant, of 124 North Thirtieth Street, descending from a tall building on a rope by using a life belt.

Charles Geitz, of 465 Mechanic Street, left, and Nicholas Iacovelli, of 1303 Decatur Street, using asbestos suits in the middle of roaring flames. The suits, according to Fire Captain Ray Smith, instructor at the school, are able to withstand 1,750 degrees of heat.

Ernest Wilkinson, of 1304 Park Boulevard, is the man behind the mask on the right shown emerging from a building filled with formaldehyde gas.

Board No. 11 Calls 7 Men for Draft

Camden Courier-Post —

Board No. 11 Calls 7 Men for Draft - Camden Courier-Post, July 24, 1941

Local Board No. 11, Wildwood and Princess avenues, announced it has ordered seven youths to appear for induction into the Army July 30. They are:

Paul Lightman, 24, of 1176 Haddon avenue; Joseph B. Kujawa, 26, of 1202 Everett street; Alfred Zanwood, 23, of 1195 Thurman street; John E. Wiley, 27, of 1061 Diamond street; Cecil W. Davis, 21, of 1213 Langham avenue; William J. Sbariscia, 23, of 1329 Decatur street, and Leonard Auslander, 22, of 1237 Magnolia avenue.

GUILTY PLEAS MADE BY 2 CLUBS HERE IN SUNDAY RUM CASES

Camden Courier-Post —

GUILTY PLEAS MADE BY 2 CLUBS HERE IN SUNDAY RUM CASES - Camden Courier-Post, January 24, 1939

Officers of Six Other Organizations Deny Charges; Decisions Reserved

Officers of two clubs pleaded guilty last night to charges of selling liquor on Sunday and six others entered not guilty pleas to similar and other charges before Camden Excise Board.

Complaints were made by agents of the state commissioner of alcoholic control. They testified they visited most of the clubs on July 10 last and made purchases. Decision was reserved in each case.

The Fourth Ward Italian Republican Club, 464 Royden street, was cited for Sunday sales on August 14. Norman Myers and J. Lloyd Wright, state agents, testified they were recognized when they entered the premises but saw 10 men drinking at a bar.

It was testified during the preliminary hearing that the club rented its club house to the Societa Operia Di Muta Assisstenza Cittadina Di Camden, of 410 Line street, on that date.

John L. Morrissey, chairman of the board, pointed out the society should have obtained a special permit to sell beer but the organization could not obtain such a permit for Sunday sales, which are prohibited under the Camden ordinances. He said the club violated the law by renting the club house for sales of liquor without a special permit. The agents said Bector Corsello, 620 West street, was tending bar at the time of their visit and David Angelo claimed to be chairman of the house committee.

Non-Member Charge Made

Officers of the Thirteenth Ward Italian-American Citizens Democratic Club, 1334 Decatur street, declared they did not know whether the law had been violated at the club as they were absent when Agents Bayard M. Sullivan and Roscoe Lockwood visited the club on July 10. Morrissey notified them to bring those in charge at that time before the board at the next meeting. They also are charged with sales to non-members.

Russian Workers Mutual Aid Society of America, 612 Ferry avenue, and the Camden County Polish-American Republican Club, 1101 Van Hook street, entered pleas of guilty through officers. Sullivan and Lockwood testified they visited those clubs on July 10.

Brunner Club Denies Guilt

Officers of the George E. Brunner Third Ward Democratic Club, 438 South Third street, pleaded not guilty to selling to non-members on July 30. Two agents said they joined the Relief Truckers Association of Camden County to obtain entrance to the club. They testified you had to join the relief association to get into the bar room on the second floor. William Brooks, Norman Myers and Lockwood testified they obtained drinks in the club house.

The Woodrow Wilson Democratic Club, 1181 Liberty street, pleaded not guilty to Sunday sales on July 10. Brooks testified he played a five-cent slot machine in the place. Albert Riggins and Thomas Barrett declared they gave some beer away but did not sell any. They said they were cleaning up the place when the agents entered.

The board voted a transfer to the Stag Cafe, 318 Market street, to be removed to 320 Market street. The board also granted a transfer of a retail license from Joseph S. Tirpe to Helen Levy at 2512 Federal street. Joseph Fimiani, northwest corner of Third and Washington streets, was granted a permit to install a service bar on the second floor of his place.

1334 Decatur Street — Guilty Pleas Made by 2 Clubs Here in Sunday Rum Cases — Camden Courier-Post, January 24, 1939

1351 Decatur Street — Romeo DeSanctis

Romeo DeSanctis, 1351 Decatur Street

Romeo DeSanctis lived at 1351 Decatur Street in the 1940s.

Board No. 11 Calls 7 Men for Draft

Camden Courier-Post —

Board No. 11 Calls 7 Men for Draft - Camden Courier-Post, July 24, 1941

Local Board No. 11, Wildwood and Princess avenues, announced it has ordered seven youths to appear for induction into the Army July 30. They are:

Paul Lightman, 24, of 1176 Haddon avenue; Joseph B. Kujawa, 26, of 1202 Everett street; Alfred Zanwood, 23, of 1195 Thurman street; John E. Wiley, 27, of 1061 Diamond street; Cecil W. Davis, 21, of 1213 Langham avenue; William J. Sbariscia, 23, of 1329 Decatur street, and Leonard Auslander, 22, of 1237 Magnolia avenue.

Engagement Announcement — Scavetti/Nardelli

Camden Courier-Post —

Engagement Announcement — Theresa Scavetti and Anthony Nardelli — Camden Courier-Post, July 23, 1947

Mrs. Concetta Scavetti, of 1353 Decatur street, has announced the engagement of her daughter, Miss Theresa Scavetti, to Mr. Anthony Nardelli, son of Mrs. Louise Nardelli, of 1214 Kaighn avenue. The wedding will take place Saturday, Sept. 20.

Sgt. Lawrence A. Scavett Jr., 1353 Decatur Street

Sergeant Lawrence A. Scavett Jr. (last name was shortened to Scavett at enlistment) of 1353 Decatur Street.

City Policeman Drowns in Lake at Blackwood

Camden Courier-Post —

City Policeman Drowns in Lake at Blackwood - Camden Courier-Post, May 5, 1930 City Policeman Drowns in Lake at Blackwood - Camden Courier-Post, May 5, 1930 City Policeman Drowns in Lake at Blackwood - Camden Courier-Post, May 5, 1930 City Policeman Drowns in Lake at Blackwood - Camden Courier-Post, May 5, 1930 City Policeman Drowns in Lake at Blackwood - Camden Courier-Post, May 5, 1930

Body of Joseph S. [sic] Ward Found Near Upset Canoe

OFFICIALS START PROBE IN DEATH MYSTERY

Tragedy Comes as Climax to Outing by Social Club

JOSEPH G. WARD

An intensive investigation into the mysterious drowning of Joseph G. Ward, a Camden motorcycle policeman, was opened today by Police Chief William Ritter, of Gloucester township, following the recovery of Ward’s body in Blackwood lake.

Ward drowned when a canoe he occupied overturned. He was 34, attached to the Second Police District, and lived at 1572 Louis street. The body was found by searchers led by Chief Ritter and Lieutenant Ralph Bakley, of the Camden police, after an all-night search.

Ward’s father, Joseph Ward, Sr., who has been seriously ill, collapsed when informed of his son’s death. He operates a cafe on Mt. Ephraim avenue near Decatur street. The drowning victim’s mother also is reported to be ill. The tragedy has aggravated her condition.

The drowning is a tragic aftermath of an outing yesterday of the Moonlight Social Club, which rented a clubhouse at Blackwood two months ago. With Ward on the outing were Clifford Del Rossi, a driver of the Second District police patrol; Theodore “Dorie” Guthrie, Second District detective, and other members of the Camden police department whose names have not been learned.

Chief Ritter reported today having only meager clues as to the circumstances of the drowning. Ward is believed to have been in the canoe alone. Coroner Melvin Cain is expected to conduct an autopsy today or tomorrow.

Chief Ritter said there is no suspicion of foul play, as Ward’s body was unmarked. It was recovered at [?]:30 a. m. by William [sic] McGrath, a city detective, who had been diving for it with George Hess, near the clubhouse of the Moonlight Social Club.

The overturned canoe was found last night in the lake by girls who also have a clubhouse at Blackwood. Police Chief Ritter, with Peter English and Walter Wilkie, all of Blackwood, began grappling immediately for the body.

Ward is believed by Chief Ritter to have drowned when the canoe upset. Whether he had a companion or companions in the boat is not known, but Ritter reported today that he found four hats in the rear of Ward’s automobile parked near the lake.

Auto Window Broken

In addition to finding the four hats, Ritter also discovered that the left rear window had been broken. How the glass was smashed, Ritter would not venture to say, pending completion of his investigation.

The upset canoe was found opposite the summer home of Sheriff E. Frank Pine which borders the lake on the Camden county side. North of Pine’s place is the social club’s headquarters. The girls’ club is on the Gloucester county side.

Ward was a brother of Urquhart Ward, superintendent of Camden sewage disposal plants and Thirteenth Ward Republican county committeeman, and Robert Ward, a Third District detective. He was appointed to the force in 1925. He was married but had been separated from his wife.

Ward, it was learned today, left Camden yesterday at 4:30 p. m. with Del Rossi and Guthrie. They were expected back at midnight.

Ward had stopped for Del Rossi at the latter’s home, 417 Winslow street, and the two then went to Guthrie’s home on Ferry avenue near Eighth street.

Reaching Blackwood, Ward parked his car near the lake and after exchanging greetings with members of the social club, informed Del Rossi that he was going out into the lake in a canoe.

Del Rossi said today that he did not go into the canoe with Ward, having informed him that he wanted to get some sleep. Del Rossi said he waited a half hour for Ward to return from canoeing, but Ward failed to appear and Del Rossi reported for work at midnight, when he learned his companion on the trip was missing.

Exonerated In Scandal

The drowning victim was one of the central figures in a police scandal in 1927. Suspended from the force February 23 of that year on charges of extortion, he was exonerated by the State Civil Service Commission after a hearing and returned to duty in the Second District the following July 2.

Ward had been accused with Policeman John Smith and a pensioned former officer, Maurice Mensch, of an attempt to “shake down” Michael Matthews, a storekeeper, 60, of 801 Florence street. He denied the charges against him, including an accusation that he had spoken disrespectfully about the then Mayor King with a remark that “King is no good.”

Matthews had told former Police Chief James E. Tatem that Ward and Smith had entered the store and introduced Mensch as “the biggest prohibition guy in the country and a great friend of President Coolidge.” They had agreed to “forget” charges of violating the dry law, which otherwise would be made, if Matthews would pass them $100, the storekeeper had charged.

Several witnesses for Ward attacked the story related by Matthews, and Ward himself insisted at the hearings that he had not said anything to Matthews about raid or money. His testimony was corroborated by Smith and others.

Since his reinstatement after being cleared of the charges, Ward proved to be a very efficient officer, according to Captain Arthur Colsey, stationed at headquarters. Other police officials also spoke well of the policeman.

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