Locust Street
LOCUST STREET originally ran south from Beckett Street for one block as far south as Mechanic Street, between South 2nd Street and South 3rd Street. The street is listed in the 1867 Camden City Directory. The 600 block was known as John Street in the 1870s, and the 700 block of Locust Street was known as Oak Street until about 1883. An industrial building and parking lot built in the latter half of the 20th century shortened Locust Street, which now runs from Pine Street south to Mechanic.
For several decades there were many homes and businesses along Locust Street. However, several years after World War II the City of Camden decided that all development west of South 3rd Street would be industrial, and block by block, the homes and businesses… and in fact, entire streets… disappeared. The last standing structure on Locust Street, an abandoned home at 1128 Locust, between Chestnut and Sycamore Streets, was razed after a fire in September of 2010. Today, Locust Street is a street where literally nothing is.
Intersection of Locust Street & Beckett Street
600 Block of Locust Street — 1891
600 Block of Locust Street, 1891
600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
City directory records, 1870s–1954.
630 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923 | John Auletto |
| 1940 | Vacant |
634 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Vacant |
635 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1954 | John Tubman |
637 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Vacant |
638 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1881 | William M. Butts |
| 1940 | Vacant |
639 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1902 | Henrietta V. Bland |
| 1919–1924 | Joseph 'Polack Joe' Deven |
640 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1923 | Dr. Roscoe L. Moore |
| 1923 | Spencer C. Moore |
| 1940 | Mrs. Tullie Anderson |
| 1923 | New Jersey Spokesman |
641 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1919–1931 | Alfred E. Green & Family (Camden Fire Department) |
| 1919–1931 | Alfred E. & Ruth Green |
| 1919–1931 | Alfred E. Green Jr. |
| 1919–1931 | William Green |
| 1919–1931 | Theodore Green |
643 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1894–1895 | Barton Lane & Family |
| 1956 | Rochelle Rivera |
644 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1878 | James M. Lane & Family (Camden Fire Department) |
645 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1900–1938 | Mark Chapman & Family |
| 1900–1938 | Mark & Phyllis Chapman |
| 1900–1938 | Lena Chapman |
| 1900–1938 | Selden G. Chapman |
| 1900–1938 | Mary Chapman Wright |
| 1930 | Oliver Wright & Family |
| 1940 | Roy Green |
646 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1872–1876 | William Gleason & Family (Camden Fire Department) |
| 1872–1876 | William & Ellen Gleason |
| 1872–1876 | william j. "kid" Gleason |
| 1872–1876 | Harry Gleason |
| 1872–1876 | Isaac Gleason |
| 1872–1876 | John Gleason |
| 1872–1876 | Marion Gleason |
| 1872–1876 | Elizabeth Gleason |
| 1872–1876 | Walter Gleason |
| 1872–1876 | Samuel Gleason |
| 1872–1876 | Theodore Gleason |
647 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1872 | John Vanstavern & Family |
| 1872 | John & Ellen Vanstavern |
| 1872 | Emma Vanstavern |
| 1872 | Laura Vanstavern |
| 1912 | John T. Gordon |
648 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | William Stretch & Family |
| 1900 | Florence Ivins |
649 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1872–1873 | John W. Streeper & Family (Camden Fire Department) |
| 1880 | Barton Lane & Family |
| 1900–1924 | George V. Murry & Family (policeman, politician, crime boss) |
650 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1878 | Barton Lane & Family (Camden Fire Department) |
| 1878 | Barton & Drucilla Lane |
| 1878 | James M. Lane |
| 1878 | Ella Lane |
| 1878 | Annie Lane |
| 1878 | Hannah Lane |
| 1878 | William Lane |
| 1878 | Joseph Lane |
| 1900 | Thomas J. Cheeseman & Family |
| 1923–1940 | Elvy Williams |
651 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887 | Samuel Hudson & Family |
| 1887 | Samuel & Anna Hudson |
652 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1921 | Thomas Sparks |
653 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1872–1873 | Isaac Randolph & Family (Camden Fire Department) |
655 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1888–1892 | Barton Lane & Family |
645 Locust Street
645 Locust Street — Camden Courier-Post, February 22, 1938
643 Locust Street — Rochelle Rivera
Camden Courier-Post —
Rochelle Rivera, 643 Locust Street. Related streets: Sycamore Street, Hazelton Court, Pine Street, Cherry Street, Kaighn Avenue, Linden Street.
647 Locust Street — John T. Gordon
Camden Post-Telegram —
Falling from the roof of a boat house on Cooper river, Christopher Umberger, aged 34 years, of 256 Lawrence street, Philadelphia, sustained a fractured rib and lacerations of the scalp. He was treated at Cooper Hospital. Other cases treated at the institution since late Saturday afternoon are as follows:
John T. Gordan, aged 36 years, of 647 Locust street; contusion of foot.
Frank Fains, aged 45 years, of 336 Chester street; puncture wound of thigh.
Paul J. Maggiencalda, aged 23 years, of 428 Stevens street; incised wound of hand.
Julia May, aged 38 years, of 623 Liberty street; splinter under nail of finger.
648 Locust Street — Florence Ivins
Philadelphia Inquirer —
648 Locust Street — 1890 William Stretch & Family; 1900 Florence Ivins.
George E. Boyer — Lizzie B. Koehler — Elizabeth Read — William Schellenger — William Swindell — Sarah Mumford — Rev. Joseph Garrison — W.A. Springer — North 5th Street — Cooper Street — Market Street — Asbury M.E. Church
649 Locust Street — George V. Murry
649 Locust Street — 1900–1924 George V. Murry & Family (policeman, politician, crime boss)
639 Locust Street — Joseph 'Polack Joe' Deven
639 Locust Street — 1919–1924 Joseph “Polack Joe” Deven
650 Locust Street — Colored Democrats of Third Organize
Camden Courier-Post —
Colored Democrats of Third Organize
The Third Ward Colored Democratic Club was organized last night at 650 Locust Street with the election of Charles Johnson as president.
Joseph Bennie, jury commissioner, was the principal speaker. Other officers elected were James Riley, vice president; Minnie Gray, chaplain; Edna Taylor, secretary; Jack Mason, recording secretary; George Bryant, treasurer, and James H. James, sergeant-at-arms.
The club will meet again tomorrow night with Charles Salvaggia, county committee-man, as speaker.
651 Locust Street — Samuel Hudson
Philadelphia Inquirer —
651 Locust Street — 1887 Samuel Hudson & Family
652 Locust Street — Thomas Sparks
Philadelphia Inquirer —
652 Locust Street — 1921 Thomas Sparks
Intersection of Locust Street & Line Street
Locust Street — Looking South from Line Street, August 5, 2006
700 Block of Locust Street — 1906
700 Block of Locust Street, 1906
701 Locust Street — Rocco Fanelle
701 Locust Street — 1917–1929 Rocco Fanelle & Family
703 Locust Street — 5 Injured in Collision
Camden Courier-Post —
5 Injured in Collision
Five persons were injured Saturday morning when a truck, and passenger automobile collided at Eighth and Van Hook Streets. The truck, containing four workmen, was overturned.
Dominic Fanelle, 20, of 703 Locust Street, driver of the truck, suffered chest and back injuries. The injured were taken to the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.
The driver of the car, Mrs. Anna K. Holt, 30, of 2898 North Congress Road, was cut and bruised. The others injured were Fioranto Costanzo, 18, of 209 Beckett Street; Felix Lee, 50, Cuthbert Road, Haddon Township, and Love Troutman, 56, of 717 South Eighth Street. All were cut and bruised.
705 Locust Street — Andrew Suriano
WWI Draft Card —
705 Locust Street — 1917 Andrew Suriano
707 Locust Street — James Dare
Philadelphia Inquirer —
707 Locust Street — 1910 James Dare
710 Locust Street — Andrew Suriano
Philadelphia Inquirer —
710 Locust Street — 1916 Andrew Suriano
714 Locust Street — Ruth Smith
Camden Courier-Post —
714 Locust Street — 1927 Ruth Smith.
Walter “Kentucky Rosebud” Edgerton — Ivins Street — Joint Alley — Baxter Street — Unity Hall — Addie Johnson — Mamie Booker — Division Street — Pine Street — South 2nd Street — Miriam Robinson — John Walker — Mary Walker — June Loftus — Ethel Davis
700 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
City directory records, 1880s–1933.
701 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1917–1929 | Rocco Fanelle & Family |
703 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1933 | Dominic Fanelle |
705 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1917 | Andrew Suriano |
707 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1910 | James Dare |
710 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1880 | Wilson Bromley |
| 1916 | Andrew Suriano |
712 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1880–1894 | William Morris |
713 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1897 | Frank Yeager & Family (bottler) |
| 1967 | Michael Iezzi |
714 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1884–1890 | William Morris |
| 1923 | Gone |
| 1927 | Ruth Smith |
716 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1883–1888 | Wilson Bromley |
Intersection of Locust Street & Pine Street
Locust Street — Looking North from Pine Street, August 5, 2006
800 Block of Locust Street — 1906 (804 to 825)
800 Block of Locust Street (804 to 825), 1906
807 Locust Street — Viola Lewis
Camden Courier-Post —
807 Locust Street — 1935 Viola Lewis.
Yeager’s Court — Cleo Draper — Hattie Green — James McTaggart — Clifford Carr — John Garrity
808 Locust Street — August Marino
Philadelphia Inquirer —
808 Locust Street — 1917 August Marino.
Fiore Troncone — John Piligno — Michael Castilanno
809 Locust Street
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Philadelphia Inquirer, January 27, 1893. Click images for full PDF.
Ella Ford — Charles Wesley Law — Rebecca Price — Ella Price — William Johnson — John Foster — Edward E. Jefferis — Richard S. Ridgway — T. Casper Hart — Samuel Dodd — Dr. William H. Iszard — Locust Street — Pine Street — Cherry Street
809 Locust Street — Richard Rourke
Camden New Republic —
809 Locust Street — 1872 Richard Rourke & Family
810 Locust Street — Asbury Hammond
Camden Post-Telegram —
810 Locust Street — 1905 Asbury Hammond; 1940 Gone
811 Locust Street — George H. Johnson
Philadelphia Inquirer —
811 Locust Street — 1885 George H. Johnson.
Martin Frand — Royden Street — Edward Weston — Berkley Street — Allie Bechtel — Line Street — George H. Johnson — Herman Testmeir — Dr. Macuen — Samuel Cover — Benson Street
818 Locust Street — Fines Total $1005 in Weekend Raids
Camden Courier-Post —
Fines Total $1005 in Weekend Raids
Three Proprietors Assessed $100 Each! Two Disorderly Houses and Restaurant Hit
A weekend of raiding in which 59 men and women were arrested in two disorderly houses, and a restaurant dispensing beer enriched the coffers of the Camden city treasury yesterday by $1005.
Proprietors of the three establishments were fined $100 each by Judge Garfield Pancoast on charges of violating the city disorderly act. An inmate of one of the disorderly houses was sentenced to three months in jail, having ignored a warning to leave town.
The raid on the Blue Hour Luncheonette, 1282 Liberty Street, early Sunday in which 43 were arrested is said to have been the largest of its type in the city in more than a year.
The disorderly houses raided were located at 818 and 1219 Locust Street.
Two colored women and six white men were arrested in the first establishment and three men and five women in the second.
Pearl Williams, an inmate of the establishment at 818 Locust Street, was sentenced to three months in jail, while Mary Young, proprietress, and Leona West, proprietress of the second establishment, were each fined $100.
All of the men arrested were either fined $25 or forfeited securities of $25 each.
819 Locust Street — Etta Adams
Camden Courier-Post —
819 Locust Street — 1941 Etta Adams.
Berkley Street — Daniel Smith — William R. Harring Sr. — Engine Company 11
826 Locust Street — Caesar Campana Sr.
Camden Courier-Post —
826 Locust Street — 1950s–1966 Caesar Campana Sr. — Campana’s Bar
833 Locust Street — Elmina Manor
Philadelphia Inquirer —
833 Locust Street — 1899 Elmina Manor & Family (domestic).
Joseph Nowrey — Mabel Schooley — Arthur Stanley
842 to 854 Locust Street — 1904 Photo
842 to 854 Locust Street — 1904 Photo. 842 Locust is just to the right of the tree.
842 Locust Street — Nicholas Veratti
Philadelphia Inquirer —
842 Locust Street — 1908 Nicholas Veratti.
Ludwig Buch — Emil Engel — George Jones — Caspar Lutz — Broadway — Mickle Street — William Lickfeld — Harry Wein — Robert Snyder — James McCreary — Kaighn Avenue
844 Locust Street
Philadelphia Inquirer —
844 Locust Street — 1916 Vacant.
Mrs. Maggie Donnelly — John Painter — Edward Kline — John Brothers — James Ford — John Smith — Alonzo Fisher
847 Locust Street — Mrs. Fannie Clark
Philadelphia Inquirer —
847 Locust Street — 1904–1906 Mrs. Fannie Clark; O. Glen Stackhouse — Roy West
847 Locust Street — Mrs. Fannie Clark
Philadelphia Inquirer —
847 Locust Street — 1904–1906 Mrs. Fannie Clark. Arthur Stanley — Rita Veratti
850 Locust Street — Catherine Mooney
Philadelphia Inquirer —
850 Locust Street — 1918 Catherine Mooney.
Hezekiah Allen — South 6th Street — O. Glen Stackhouse — Charles H. Ellis
852 Locust Street — Judge Avis Issues 7 Bench Warrants
Camden Courier-Post —
Judge Avis Issues 7 Bench Warrants; Brehm Dismissed
Former Dry Agent Witness Against Freeholder Fails to Appear
12 Will Be Tried Today
Fifty-six liquor law violation cases were called in U. S. District Court here yesterday and 19 defendants paid $1265 in fines. Judge John Boyd Avis issued bench warrants for seven who failed to appear.
The case against Freeholder C. Leonard Brehm, who has a cafe at 37 Kaighn Avenue, was dismissed for lack of evidence. A prohibition agent who no longer is in the service had reported making a purchase of whiskey there last April, but he could not be found yesterday.
Pete Weiner, of 1520 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, was fined $25; Benjamin Plevinsky, 852 Locust Street, Camden, $50 for possession and maintaining a nuisance; John Allen, of Gibbstown, a former contractor, $50 on same charges; Benjamin Mathis, of Somers Point, fined $15 automobile forfeited.
The name of Louis Del Duca, 330 Stevens Street, Camden, was called, and no one appeared. He recently was sent to prison for five years for robbery in Salem county. The case will be held against him pending his release, it was said.
854 Locust Street
Philadelphia Inquirer —
854 Locust Street — 1910–1914 Cipriano “Mike” Moles & Family (bar). Photo from 1912.
854 Locust Street — 1915–1919 Joseph Lamaina & Family (bar).
Locust Street — George Murry — Spruce Street — Carl Green — Santo Marco — O. Glen Stackhouse. 854 Locust Street, corner of Locust and Spruce was Joseph Lamaina’s bar. Lawrence Lamaina’s bar was at 402 Pine Street.
800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
City directory records, 1870s–1941.
804 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Gone |
805 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Gone |
807 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1935 | Viola Lewis |
| 1940 | Gone |
808 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1917 | August Marino |
| 1923 | gone |
809 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1872 | Richard Rourke & Family |
| 1872 | Richard & Mary Rourke |
| 1872 | Emily Rourke |
| 1872 | Owen Rourke |
| 1872 | Joseph Rourke |
| 1872 | Mary Rourke |
| 1872 | Annie Rourke |
| 1872 | Nicholas Rourke |
| 1923 | gone |
810 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1905 | Asbury Hammond |
| 1940 | Gone |
811 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1885 | George H. Johnson |
| 1912–1913 | Walter 'Kentucky Rosebud' Edgerton & Family |
| 1912–1913 | Walter & Minnie M. Smith Edgerton |
| 1940 | Gone |
812 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Gone |
813 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Gone |
814 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Gone |
815 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Gone |
816 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890s–1920 | William Branch & Family |
| 1890s–1920 | William & Harriet Branch |
| 1890s–1920 | Leon Branch |
| 1940 | John Noel |
818 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1930 | Pearl Williams |
| 1940 | Vacant |
819 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1941 | Etta Adams |
821 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1927 | Ethel Davis |
823 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1927 | June Loftus |
826 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1918–1950s | Rodolfo DiPaolo (The A Bar) |
| 1950s–1966 | Caesar Campana Sr. (Campana's Bar) |
| 1967–1990 | Richard N. Musselman (Dick's A Bar) |
| 2003 | Gone |
831 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1900 | Joseph Palese & Family |
| 1900 | Joseph & Josepha Palese |
| 1900 | Anthony Palese |
| 1900 | Laurence Palese |
| 1900 | Mary Palese |
| 1900 | Rocco Palese |
833 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1899 | Elmina Manor & Family (domestic) |
842 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1870s–1891 | Alexander Nowrey & Family (dry goods) |
| 1870s–1891 | Alexander & Mary Nowrey |
| 1870s–1891 | George Nowrey |
| 1870s–1891 | Joseph Nowrey |
| 1904 | Langi Giamatassle (saloon) |
| 1904 | Langi Giamatassle |
| 1908 | Nicholas Veratti |
844 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1880 | William Deith |
| 1916 | Vacant |
| 1918–1930s | Leon Branch & Family (policeman) |
847 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1904–1906 | Mrs. Fannie Clark |
850 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1918 | Catherine Mooney |
| 1940 | Abe Singleton |
852 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1932 | Benjamin Plevinsky |
854 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1910–1914 | Cipriano 'Mike' Moles & Family (bar) |
| 1910–1914 | Cipriano & Ursula Moles |
| 1915–1919 | Joseph Lamaina & Family (bar) |
| 1940 | gone |
Intersection of Locust Street & Spruce Street
Southwest Corner of Locust Street & Spruce Street — 1912 Photo
900 Block of Locust Street — 1906
900 Block of Locust Street, 1906
900 Locust Street — Frank Yeager
Philadelphia Inquirer —
900 Locust Street — 1891 Frank Yeager (saloon). Jesse Pratt — Christian Eppinger
906 Locust Street — Marie Gelima
Camden Daily Courier —
906 Locust Street — 1910 Marie Gelima; Antonio DelGrande
912 Locust Street — Private Gaetano Vinciguerra
912 Locust Street — Private Gaetano Vinciguerra
920 Locust Street — Ebenezer Phipps
Philadelphia Inquirer —
920 Locust Street — 1916 Ebenezer Phipps.
Spruce Street — John Brothers — Fiore Troncone — Annibel Williams
920 Locust Street — Mrs. Rose Miller
Philadelphia Inquirer —
920 Locust Street — 1916 Mrs. Rose Miller
900 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
City directory records, 1871–1923.
900 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1891 | Frank Yeager (saloon) |
902 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1899 | William T. Beckett & Family (glassblower) |
| 1899 | William T. & Mary E. Beckett |
906 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1910 | Marie Gelima |
912 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1917–1918 | Alfred Vinciguerra |
| 1917–1918 | Gaetano Vinciguerra |
915 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1871–1877 | William Deith |
| 1923 | Gone |
917 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1879 | William M. Butts |
919 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1879 | William M. Butts |
920 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1914 | Mrs. Rose Miller |
| 1916 | Ebenezer Phipps |
| 1916 | Mrs. Rose Miller |
921 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1878–1879 | William Deith |
| 1923 | Gone |
928 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1914 | Joseph Diaro |
Philadelphia Inquirer — August 14, 1899 (825 Locust Street)
Bones Found in the House in Which Mrs. Lillian Chambers Died
AUTHORITIES AROUSED
Wilkins, the Vocdoo Doctor, Under Arrest, and Investigation Being Made
CARSON’S LAST WORK
The Murdered Prosecuting Attorney Visited the House Just Before Leaving Camden
The investigation following the death of Mrs. Lillian Chambers, of 706 North Eleventh street, Philadelphia, at the house of William H. Wilkins, colored fortune teller, planet reader, voodoo doctor and astrologist, at 825 Locust street, Camden, on Friday afternoon, has revealed what may be a clue to one of the most ghastly and horrible crimes known. Hidden within a concealed fireplace in the room where the “voodoo” received his dupes was found a great boiler filled with what Coroner and police think are human bones and flesh. Beneath it were the embers of a fire, in which other bones had been placed. The stench when the fireplace when opened was overpowering.
On Friday afternoon the body of Mrs. Chambers was found in the rocking chair at Wilkins’ house. The woman had left her home in the early morning, and when her husband, Henry Chambers, returned for his dinner he found his wife missing and the house locked up. A Chinaman, who occupies the store portion of the Chambers house, gave him the key, stating that Mrs. Chambers had left early in the morning, not stating where she was going.
The Woman’s Death
Considerably worried, Chambers ate his dinner and hurried back to Baldwin’s Locomotive Works, where he is employed as a laborer. On his way, however, he was met by his sister-in-law, Annie Stewart, and Wilkins, the fortune teller. Wilkins, in great excitement, told Chambers that Mrs. Chambers had been taken ill at his house and that he must at once go back with them. Chambers and the others immediately hurried across to Camden and to the Wilkins house, on Locust street. Wilkins entered first, being closely followed by Chambers.
In the parlor of the squalid frame house in a rocking chair sat Mrs. Chambers, her arms outstretched, but perfectly motionless. Chambers rushed to her and threw his arms around her. The body fell forward.
“She’s cold. My God! they’ve killed my wife!” shrieked Chambers. He rushed into the street shouting “murder!” Policeman Harry Frisby pushed the frantic husband aside, and, laying his hand on the motionless woman’s heart, found that she was dead. He immediately placed all in the house under arrest.
Chief of Police Foster, after notifying Coroner Landes, began an investigation. Wilkins stated that he had never seen the Chambers woman until Friday, when he met her on the street sick. Taking her into the house he learned her name and address and had notified her people. This was before 12 o’clock, as Officer Frisby remembered seeing Wilkins and the Stewart woman going toward the ferry at 11.30. Coroner Landes, who arrived shortly after four o’clock in the afternoon, stated that the woman had then been dead from four to six hours. At the autopsy performed on Saturday afternoon by County Physician Jones it was found that death was due to a criminal operation.
A Ghastly Find
The house was searched from top to bottom. In the front room where the Chambers woman was found the police noticed a disagreeable odor. Apparently there was nothing to cause it, suddenly Captain Hanley and Sergeant Hyde pushed aside the stove that stood on one side of the room and exposed a fireplace, sealed with a strip of zinc. The zinc was torn aside. An odor which almost overpowered those present issued from this aperture. Within on two bars of iron was a great washboiler. In it, almost filling it to the top, was a mass of bones and flesh. Beneath it were the embers of a fire, among the ashes of which were a number of small charred bones. Coroner Landes ordered the contents of the boiler to be taken to the yard and emptied of the liquid, which was over them and which seemed to be some pickling fluid. As they were placed in another receptacle he was struck by their resemblance to human bones. He immediately ordered them taken to the Morgue. Yesterday Captain Stanley, Sergeant Hyde and the Coroner all reiterated their impression that the bones were those of human beings.
Wilkins was questioned as to their nature. He said that it was an opossum that he had been cooking. And that was all he would say. His daughter, Louisa, was then questioned. She denied all knowledge of any bones being in the house. They had never had any opossum to cook, she told Chief of Police Foster.
Carson’s Last Act
Strangely enough the investigation which resulted in the ghastly find was started by Assistant Prosecutor Carson before he left to take part in the reception to General Sewell. An Inquirer reporter noticing him leaving the room frequently, in which the body of Mrs. Chambers was found asked him what his reason was for so doing? He replied, “There is such a peculiar smell that I cannot stay in that room any length of time.”
“Do you think it comes from the body of Lillian Chambers?” asked the reporter. “I do not and I have given strict orders to have the house thoroughly searched by the police, and I expect they will find evidence of a murder,” was his reply. Before leaving he left his address at Belmar with Chief Foster, with instructions to notify him at once if a find was made. Chief Foster heard of Mr. Carson’s death shortly after the discovery of the remains in the washtub.
Coroner Landes when seen yesterday expressed his intention of securing the services of Dr. Deever, the celebrated anatomist of the University of Pennsylvania, to examine the bones.
“I do not wish to trust to my own impression,” he said, “and will have Dr. Deever and probably another expert examine the bones The odor from them was simply indescribable. They had probably been hidden in the fireplace for weeks.”
Both Captain Stanley and Sergeant Hyde also spoke of their impression that the bones were of human beings, but had been instructed to say nothing until after the examination.
Numbers of letters and photographs of women were found by the police. The contents of the letters they refuse to reveal until the inquest. Some of them, it was learned, however, were requests for spells to take away trouble, to bring back lovers or to put charms on others. A letter, which was found by an Inquirer reporter in the squalid parlor where the woman died, and the ghastly find was made, was from a Philadelphia woman, praying the “Dear doctor” to assist her lawyer by his charms in making her husband support her. There were others of like character. Just as soon as the bones found are in condition for examination, a rigid one will be made. It was in this same house that some time ago were found a number of baby’s bones.
When questioned Chambers denied to the police that he had ever known his wife to visit Camden, but the Stewart woman told them that Mrs. Chambers had made frequent trips across the river. The Wilkins house is closed and under the surveillance of the police.
[Illustration, captioned:] Front of Wilkins’s House
[Illustration, captioned:] William H. Wilkin
[Illustration, captioned:] Fireplace where the Bones where Found
Intersection of Locust Street & Division Street
800 Block of Locust Street — 1906 (829 to 854)
800 Block of Locust Street (829 to 854), 1906
Intersection of Locust Street & Walnut Street
Philadelphia Inquirer, August 12, 1904.
John Foster — George Daly — Edward S. Strang — Charles E. Watkin — O. Glen Stackhouse — Walnut Street — Camden Iron Works
Public Service Gas & Electric Company Gas Plant — Site of fatal explosion, March 9, 1932
900 Block of Locust Street — 1906 (Gas Works)
900 Block of Locust Street — 1906, Gas Works
1000 Block of Locust Street — 1891 (1002 to 1016)
1000 Block of Locust Street (1002 to 1016), 1891
1008 Locust Street — Anthony J. Lauria
1008 Locust Street — 1945 Anthony J. Lauria
1000 Block of Locust Street — 1891 (1027 to 1043)
1000 Block of Locust Street (1027 to 1043), 1891
1027 Locust Street — Herman Lorenzo Scott & Family
1027 Locust Street — 1940s–1960s Herman Lorenzo Scott & Family. Photo 1961–1962.
1033 Locust Street — Ladislaus Kaminski
Camden Courier-Post —
1033 Locust Street — 1941 Ladislaus Kaminski
1035 Locust Street — Edward Jubb
1035 Locust Street — 1892 Edward Jubb
1035 Locust Street
Philadelphia Inquirer —
1035 Locust Street — Philadelphia Inquirer, June 19, 1902
1000 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
City directory records, 1880–1945.
1008 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1945 | Anthony J. Lauria |
1009 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1880 | Stephen T. Taylor & Family |
| 1880 | Stephen T. & Anna J. Taylor |
| 1880 | Stephen T. Taylor Jr. |
| 1880 | Carolina Taylor |
| 1880 | Harriet Taylor |
| 1880 | Thomas Taylor |
1027 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940s–1960s | Herman Lorenzo Scott & Family |
1029 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1917–1942 | Felix 'Philip' Gentlesk & Family |
| 1917–1942 | Felix "Philip" & Mary Gentlesk |
| 1917–1942 | Charles Gentlesk |
| 1917–1942 | Annie Gentlesk |
| 1917–1942 | Nettie Gentlesk |
| 1917–1942 | Rocco Gentlesk |
| 1917–1942 | Michael Gentlesk |
| 1917–1942 | Joseph Gentlesk |
| 1917–1942 | Daniel Gentlesk |
1033 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1941 | Ladislaus Kaminski |
1035 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1892 | Edward Jubb |
Intersection of Locust Street & Mt. Vernon Street
Intersection of Locust Street & Mt. Vernon Street — Looking East from Locust Street, July 10, 2012
Intersection of Locust Street & Chestnut Street
1100 Block of Locust Street — 1891 (1106 to 1122)
1100 Block of Locust Street (1106 to 1122), 1891
1106 Locust Street — Edward Thorn & Family
1106 Locust Street — 1887–1890 Edward Thorn & Family. Left: William Thorn.
1113 Locust Street — Joseph Simons
Camden Post-Telegram —
1113 Locust Street — 1899–1905 Joseph Simons & Family.
Charles M. Baldwin — S. Lewis
1117 Locust Street — Harry Shaw
Philadelphia Inquirer —
1117 Locust Street — 1910 Harry Shaw
1117 Locust Street — John Kennedy
Philadelphia Inquirer —
1117 Locust Street — 1917 John Kennedy
1120 Locust Street — John L. Lattimore
Philadelphia Inquirer —
1120 Locust Street — 1895 John L. Lattimore.
Francisco Abbatto — Howland Croft — James Croker — Richard T. Miller — Croker’s Saloon — Charles Pedigree — John L. Semple — South 4th Street — Jasper Street — Bulson Street — Cooper Street — Camden Lodge of Elks — Cooper Hospital — D’Olier Engineering Company
1120 Locust Street — Detectives Holding 3 Burglar Suspects
Camden Courier-Post —
Detectives Holding 3 Burglar Suspects
Clothing Stolen From Store, Teacher’s Desk Looted; Bell-Ringer Arrested
1120 Locust Street — 1928 Francis Smith.
Ann Street — Atlantic Avenue — Broadway — Locust Street — Sycamore Street — Woodland Avenue — Francis Smith — Raymond Walker — James McTaggart
1121 Locust Street — Jacob Barag
Philadelphia Inquirer —
1121 Locust Street — 1922–1940 Jacob Barag & Family (grocery)
1122 Locust Street — Girl, 2, Clinches Case of Mother vs Father
Camden Courier-Post —
Girl, 2, Clinches Case of Mother vs Father
Mrs. Nettie Angelastro, of 1122 Locust Street, testified in police court yesterday that her husband, Jack, 28, beat her “four times a month.” He denied the charge.
Police Judge Mariano was in a quandary. Neither wife nor husband had corroborating testimony.
Suddenly Mrs. Angelastro’s daughter, aged 2, whom she was holding, spoke up: “Papa hit Mama,” were the only words the child uttered.
It was enough for Judge Mariano. He found Angelastro guilty, suspended a six months’ sentence and ordered him to make arrangements to provide support for his wife and child.
1128 Locust Street — September 27, 2010
1128 Locust Street — September 27, 2010. The last standing structure on Locust Street before it was razed.
1134 Locust Street — Harry Cohen
Camden Courier-Post —
1134 Locust Street — 1932 Harry Cohen. Harvey Bryan — Mt. Ephraim Avenue — Collings Avenue — Alabama Road — West Jersey Hospital
1100 Block of Locust Street — 1891 (1125 to 1141)
1100 Block of Locust Street (1125 to 1141), 1891
1125 Locust Street — Edward Thorn & Family
1125 Locust Street — 1900–1910 Edward Thorn & Family. Left: William Thorn.
1100 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
City directory records, 1869–1941.
1106 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887–1890 | Edward Thorn & Family |
| 1887–1890 | Edward & Lizzie Thorn |
| 1887–1890 | William Thorn |
| 1887–1890 | Mary Thorn |
| 1887–1890 | John Thorn |
1109 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1903 | Frances E. Kennedy |
| 1914–1915 | John T. Kennedy |
1113 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1899–1905 | Joseph Simons & Family |
| 1899–1905 | Joseph & Rosa Simons |
| 1899–1905 | Alvin Simon |
| 1899–1905 | Celia Simon |
| 1899–1905 | Hermann Simon |
| 1899–1905 | Yetta Simon |
| 1899–1905 | Harry Simon |
| 1899–1905 | Benjamin Simon |
| 1899–1905 | Nathan Simon |
| 1899–1905 | Ellis Simon |
| 1899–1905 | Nellie Simon |
| 1899–1905 | Myer Simon |
| 1927 | Solomon Bundy & Family |
1116 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1919–1920 | William Harvey & Family (policeman) |
| 1919–1920 | William & Hannah Harvey |
1117 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1910 | Harry Shaw |
| 1917 | John Kennedy |
1118 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1869 | William Deith |
1120 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1895 | John L. Lattimore |
| 1928 | Francis Smith |
1121 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1922–1940 | Jacob Barag & Family (grocery) |
1122 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1938 | Jack Angelastro & Family |
| 1938 | Jack & Nettie Angelastro |
1125 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1900–1910 | Edward Thorn & Family |
| 1900–1910 | Edward & Lizzie Thorn |
| 1900–1910 | William Thorn |
| 1900–1910 | Mary Thorn |
| 1900–1910 | John Thorn |
1134 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1932 | Harry Cohen |
Intersection of Locust Street & Sycamore Street
Intersection of Locust Street & Kaighn Avenue
Southeast Corner — 1923 Camden Bottling Company; 1923 Whistle Bottling Company
Kaighn Avenue & Locust Street — circa 1970
Photos by Bob Bartosz
Looking East on Kaighn Avenue, circa 1970
Looking South on Locust Street, circa 1970
Looking West on Kaighn Avenue, circa 1970
Looking at Northwest Corner of Locust Street & Kaighn Avenue, circa 1970
Looking North on Locust Street, circa 1970
Looking North on Locust Street, circa 1970
Intersection of Kaighn Avenue & Locust Street
Looking West on Kaighn Avenue from 273 Kaighn Avenue, April 1, 2005
251–259 Kaighn Avenue, July 1984. The water tower was still under construction.
251–259 Kaighn Avenue, April 1, 2005
1200 Block of Locust Street — 1891 (1203 to 1224)
1200 Block of Locust Street (1203 to 1224), 1891
1217 Locust Street — Daniel Smith
1217 Locust Street — 1900 Daniel Smith
1219 Locust Street — Fines Total $1005 in Weekend Raids
Camden Courier-Post —
The establishment at 1219 Locust Street, raided late Sunday night by Sergeant Frank Truax and detectives is said to be the most luxurious of its kind found in this city. 1930 Leona West.
1240 Locust Street — Daniel Smith
1240 Locust Street — 1906 Daniel Smith
1241 Locust Street — Daniel Breslin
Camden Post-Telegram —
1241 Locust Street — 1899–1910 Daniel Breslin & Family (Fries-Breslin Smyrna Rug Works). Ellen Breslin married Michel Barry in 1902. The family moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in the 1910s.
1200 Block of Locust Street — 1891 (1226 to 1252)
1200 Block of Locust Street (1226 to 1252), 1891
1248 Locust Street — Frank E. Connelly
Camden Daily Courier —
1248 Locust Street — 1913 Frank E. Connelly. Jennie Wilhelm — Mechanic Street
1248 Locust Street — Charles O'Neill
Philadelphia Inquirer —
In a fall from a trolley car, Emma Steck, 19 years old, of 905 Point street, was injured about the side, arms and head yesterday and was taken to the Cooper Hospital.
Stumbling down-stairs, Ruth Collins, 39 years old, of 717 VanHook street, sustained a lacerated scalp and was cared for at the Cooper Hospital.
Sustaining a fracture of the ankle in a fall yesterday, 4-year-old Mary Carvins, of 324 Division street, was taken to the Cooper Hospital for treatment.
Struck by an automobile belonging to Henry Garrison near the home of the boy yesterday afternoon, 7-year-old Charles O’Neil, of 128 Locust street, was injured about the head and was taken to the Cooper Hospital.
1252 Locust Street — James Barry
Philadelphia Inquirer —
1252 Locust Street — 1914–1926 James Barry (saloon)
1252 Locust Street — Walter E. Kennedy
Camden Courier-Post —
1252 Locust Street — 1929–1932 Walter E. Kennedy aka Walter West
1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
City directory records, 1890s–1947.
1203 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1920 | John W. Pearson |
| 1935 | Alexander Zeitlin |
1205 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1937 | Carrie Banks |
1207 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Peter J. Henkel & Family |
| 1940 | Peter & Eleanor Henkel |
| 1940 | Eleanor Henkel |
| 1940 | Mrs. Virginia Henkel |
1210 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | Mrs. Margaret Barney |
| 1890 | Mts. Margaret Barney |
1213 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1909 | Royal S. Woomer |
1215 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1910 | Francis Pernier & Family |
| 1910 | Francis & Laura Pernier |
| 1910 | William Pernier |
1217 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1900 | Daniel Smith |
1219 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1930 | Leona West |
1231 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1918 | William E. Laird |
1234 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1927 | Mary C. Young |
1238 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1915 | Thomas Sullivan |
1240 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1906 | Daniel Smith |
1241 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1899–1910 | Daniel Breslin & Family (Fries-Breslin Smyrna Rug Works) |
| 1899–1910 | Daniel & Sarah Breslin |
| 1899–1910 | Ellen Breslin |
1248 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1913 | Frank E. Connelly |
| 1919 | Charles O'Neill |
1250 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1898–1900 | Daniel Sharp (builder) |
1252 Locust Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1894–1904 | Harry Lennox (saloon) |
| 1914–1926 | James Barry (saloon) |
| 1928 | William R. Deno |
| 1929–1932 | Walter E. Kennedy aka Walter West |
| 1947 | No Listing |
| 2003 | Gone |
Intersection of Locust Street & Mechanic Street
1923 — William J. Cooper & Company (coal yard)