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

Camden’s News Budget

Philadelphia Inquirer — February 18, 1890

600 Block of Locust Street — 1891

600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants

City directory records, 1870s–1954.

630 Locust Street

630 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1923	John Auletto
1940	Vacant

634 Locust Street

634 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1940	Vacant

635 Locust Street

635 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1954	John Tubman

637 Locust Street

637 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1940	Vacant

638 Locust Street

638 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1881	William M. Butts
1940	Vacant

639 Locust Street

639 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1902	Henrietta V. Bland
1919–1924	Joseph 'Polack Joe' Deven

640 Locust Street

640 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1923	Dr. Roscoe L. Moore
1923	Spencer C. Moore
1940	Mrs. Tullie Anderson
1923	New Jersey Spokesman

641 Locust Street

641 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

643 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1894–1895	Barton Lane & Family
1956	Rochelle Rivera

644 Locust Street

644 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1878	James M. Lane & Family (Camden Fire Department)

645 Locust Street

645 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

646 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

647 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1872	John Vanstavern & Family
1872	John & Ellen Vanstavern
1872	Emma Vanstavern
1872	Laura Vanstavern
1912	John T. Gordon

648 Locust Street

648 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1890	William Stretch & Family
1900	Florence Ivins

649 Locust Street

649 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

650 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

651 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1887	Samuel Hudson & Family
1887	Samuel & Anna Hudson

652 Locust Street

652 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1921	Thomas Sparks

653 Locust Street

653 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1872–1873	Isaac Randolph & Family (Camden Fire Department)

655 Locust Street

655 Locust Street — 600 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1888–1892	Barton Lane & Family

645 Locust Street

Hospital Cases

Camden Courier-Post — May 21, 1956

Cases Treated at Cooper Hospital

Camden Post-Telegram — December 16, 1912

648 Locust Street — Florence Ivins

Philadelphia Inquirer — March 25, 1900

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

Camden

Philadelphia Inquirer — March 25, 1900

649 Locust Street — George V. Murry

Portrait of George V. Murry, 649 Locust Street — 649 Locust Street — 1900–1924 George V. Murry & Family (policeman, politician, crime boss)

639 Locust Street — Joseph 'Polack Joe' Deven

Portrait of Joseph 'Polack Joe' Deven, 639 Locust Street — 639 Locust Street — 1919–1924 Joseph “Polack Joe” Deven

George Murray Found Lifeless in Snow Drift

Camden Post-Telegram — January 30, 1922

Two Negroes Arrested for Murder in Camden

Philadelphia Inquirer — July 14, 1917

650 Locust Street — Colored Democrats of Third Organize

Camden Courier-Post — June 15, 1933

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 — July 1, 1886

Newspaper clipping about 651 Locust Street, 1886 — 651 Locust Street — 1887 Samuel Hudson & Family

The Camden Press Club yesterday permanently organized by electing Alexander Schlesinger president; Joseph M. Engard, vice president; Richard W. Kerswell, secretary; Samuel E. Hudson, treasurer.

652 Locust Street — Thomas Sparks

Philadelphia Inquirer — November 7, 1921

Newspaper clipping about 652 Locust Street, 1921 — 652 Locust Street — 1921 Thomas Sparks

With a pistol wound of the knee, Thomas Sparks, 28 years old, of 652 Locust street, Camden, was taken to Cooper Hospital at 4 o'clock yesterday morning. He said he was held up by a colored man at Second and Pine streets and robbed of $9 in money and a watch. James Wilson was arrested on suspicion and is being held for investigation.

Intersection of Locust Street & Line Street

Locust Street looking south from Line Street, August 5, 2006 — Locust Street — Looking South from Line Street, August 5, 2006

700 Block of Locust Street — 1906

701 Locust Street — Rocco Fanelle

Portrait of Rocco Fanelle, 701 Locust Street — 701 Locust Street — 1917–1929 Rocco Fanelle & Family

703 Locust Street — 5 Injured in Collision

Camden Courier-Post — June 12, 1933

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 — June 5, 1917

WWI Draft Card for Andrew Suriano of 705 Locust Street, 1917 — 705 Locust Street — 1917 Andrew Suriano. World War I draft registration card, June 5, 1917.

Front.
REGISTRATION CARD. No. 162.
1. Name in full: Andrew Suriano. Age in yrs.: 28.
2. Home address: 705 Locust, Camden, N. J.
3. Date of birth: November 18, 1889.
4. Are you (1) a natural-born citizen, (2) a naturalized citizen, (3) an alien, (4) or have you declared your intention (specify which)? Alien.
5. Where were you born? Scerni, Chieti, Italy.
6. If not a citizen, of what country are you a citizen or subject? Italy.
7. What is your present trade, occupation, or office? Brick layer.
8. By whom employed? Silvio [?]. Where employed? River Side.
9. Have you a father, mother, wife, child under 12, or a sister or brother under 12, solely dependent on you for support (specify which)? Wife and child.
10. Married or single (which)? Married. Race (specify which)? White.
11. What military service have you had? Rank: none; branch: none; years: none; Nation or State: none.
12. Do you claim exemption from draft (specify grounds)? No.
I affirm that I have verified above answers and that they are true.
Andrea Suriano (signature or mark).

Back.
REGISTRAR'S REPORT
1. Tall, medium, or short (specify which)? 5 ft 7. Slender, medium, or stout (which)? Medium.
2. Color of eyes: Brown. Color of hair: Black. Bald? No.
3. Has person lost arm, leg, hand, foot, or both eyes, or is he otherwise disabled (specify)? No.
I certify that my answers are true, that the person registered has read his own answers, that I have witnessed his signature, and that all of his answers of which I have knowledge are true, except as follows:
Wm. Brady (signature of registrar).
Precinct: 1-Sixth ward. City or County: Camden. State: N. J. 5 June (date of registration).
Camden N. J.

707 Locust Street — James Dare

Philadelphia Inquirer — March 26, 1910

Newspaper clipping about 707 Locust Street, 1910 — 707 Locust Street — 1910 James Dare

Flames caused by an overheated stove yesterday damaged the rear of the dwelling of James Dare, 707 Locust street.

710 Locust Street — Andrew Suriano

Philadelphia Inquirer — August 5, 1916

Newspaper clipping about 710 Locust Street, 1916 — 710 Locust Street — 1916 Andrew Suriano

For mixing mortar on an asphalt street, in violation of a city ordinance, Andrew Sureno, 24 years old, of 710 Locust street, was fined $25 yesterday by Recorder Stackhouse.

Vice Squad Raids Nine Disorderly Houses

Camden Courier-Post — February 7, 1927

700 Block of Locust Street — Occupants

City directory records, 1880s–1933.

701 Locust Street

701 Locust Street — 700 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1917–1929	Rocco Fanelle & Family

703 Locust Street

703 Locust Street — 700 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1933	Dominic Fanelle

705 Locust Street

705 Locust Street — 700 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1917	Andrew Suriano

707 Locust Street

707 Locust Street — 700 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1910	James Dare

710 Locust Street

710 Locust Street — 700 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1880	Wilson Bromley
1916	Andrew Suriano

712 Locust Street

712 Locust Street — 700 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1880–1894	William Morris

713 Locust Street

713 Locust Street — 700 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1897	Frank Yeager & Family (bottler)
1967	Michael Iezzi

714 Locust Street

714 Locust Street — 700 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1884–1890	William Morris
1923	Gone
1927	Ruth Smith

716 Locust Street

716 Locust Street — 700 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1883–1888	Wilson Bromley

Intersection of Locust Street & Pine Street

Locust Street looking north from Pine Street, August 5, 2006 — Locust Street — Looking North from Pine Street, August 5, 2006

800 Block of Locust Street — 1906 (804 to 825)

Sanborn map of the 800 block of Locust Street (804–825), 1906 — 800 Block of Locust Street (804 to 825), 1906

Three Women Nabbed Here on Vice Charges

Camden Courier-Post — August 31, 1935

Newspaper clipping about 807 Locust Street, 1935 — Two women were arrested as inmates of a disorderly house and a third as proprietor last night.

Viola Lewis, 45, of 807 Locust street, is the alleged proprietor. The alleged inmates are Cleo Chacker, 33, of 914 Yeager’s court, and Hattie Green, 40, of 312 Locust street. All are colored.

According to Patrolman James McTaggart, he was accosted by Hattie Green when he drove passed the Locust street address last night. Taken to police headquarters, McTaggart said, she made a statement to Sergeant John Garrity and Detective Clifford Carr which implicated the other women.

The Chacker woman was arrested at Third and Sycamore streets and the Lewis woman at her home, McTaggart said. They will receive a police court hearing today.

Yeager’s Court — Cleo Draper — Hattie Green — James McTaggart — Clifford Carr — John Garrity

808 Locust Street — August Marino

Philadelphia Inquirer — January 31, 1917

Newspaper clipping about 808 Locust Street, 1917 — 808 Locust Street — 1917 August Marino.

Alleged Blackmailer in Toils

Declared by Camden's police to have confessed to being one of the gang of "black handers" who conspired against John Piligro, mulcting him of his savings through alleged protection against threats of vengeance, August Marino, twenty-seven years old, of 808 Locust street, was arrested by Detective Troncone and held for a hearing tomorrow before the Recorder. Three other of the alleged conspirators were recently convicted and are awaiting sentence.

The police say that Marino engaged the ones already convicted, the conspiracy having its inception when Michael Castilanno told of his rage against John Piligro because the latter's revolver, accidentally discharged, had killed a young son of Castelanno's. The latter, through Marino, is alleged to have hired the three "to cut Piligro's face." They told Piligro of the plot and demanded blackmail.

Murdered and Her Body Buried

Philadelphia Inquirer — January 27, 1893

Philadelphia Inquirer article about 809 Locust Street, January 27, 1893, page 1 — A Woman's Corpse Dug Up in a Camden Cellar.

Her Murderes [sic] Escaped Across the Delaware.

The Victim's Skull Beaten in With a Hammer—A Search by Neighbors Which Led to the Discovery of the Body—Witnesses Arrested.

Ella Ford, a twenty-two-year-old colored woman, of 809 Locust street, Camden, was found murdered at 3:20 o'clock last evening. Her skull was badly fractured about two inches over the nose, and five ghastly, gaping hammer wounds were found about the head.

The supposed murderer is George Morris, a 65-year-old colored man, for whom the dead girl has kept house for three months. He has not yet been arrested.

Charles Wesley Law, of 807 Locust street; Rebecca Price, of 108 Pine street; Ella Price, a sister of Rebecca, doing housework in Philadelphia, and William Johnson are all under arrest as witnesses and possible accessories to the crime. All the prisoners are colored.

The Search for the Body.

Officer Casper Hart was notified on Cherry street at 9 o'clock by one of the Price girls, who was accompanied by several neighbors, that Ella Ford was missing. Ella Price said she had come over from Philadelphia to visit Miss Ford, and finding the house shut up, she, with others, forced the door. In the cellar-way a small hammer, shaped like a blacksmith's sledge, and the handle of a tin bucket were found, both smeared in blood.

Officer Hart at once went to the house. In the corner of the back kitchen he found some bloody skirts. Charles Law led the way down into the cellar, where there was evidence that the earth had been disturbed in one corner.

After digging with a shovel only a few inches beneath the surface the officer came upon the torn portion of a dress, and a few seconds later excavated the dead body of the missing girl.

Officials at the Scene.

Coroner Jeffries, Chief of Police Dodd, Lieutenant Foster, Assistant Prosecutor Ridgway and County Physician Iszard were soon on the scene. Their questioning led to the arrest of the witnesses. But little could be learned of the whereabouts of the murderer or of the history of his victim. The Price girls and Law seemed to know more about the crime than they cared to tell. They claimed that the house had been shut up since Wednesday, and that Morris had been seen leaving the place yesterday.

Escaped Across the River.

William Johnson, one of the witnesses under arrest at the City Hall, says he wheeled a trunk down to the Federal street ferry in a push-cart for George Morris yesterday afternoon, and Morris took it across the river. The Philadelphia authorities were notified, but only a meagre description of the murderer could be furnished.

After the body had been excavated it was carried up stairs and examined by County Physician Iszard. Death was evidently due to the hammer wounds on the head. There were no other marks of violence on the body, which was removed to the Morgue.

The theory of the police is that Morris killed the woman in a quarrel prompted, probably, by jealousy. The county detectives were hunting for him last night in this city.

Philadelphia Inquirer article about 809 Locust Street, January 27, 1893, page 2 — A Woman's Corpse Dug Up in a Camden Cellar.

Her Murderes [sic] Escaped Across the Delaware.

The Victim's Skull Beaten in With a Hammer—A Search by Neighbors Which Led to the Discovery of the Body—Witnesses Arrested.

Ella Ford, a twenty-two-year-old colored woman, of 809 Locust street, Camden, was found murdered at 3:20 o'clock last evening. Her skull was badly fractured about two inches over the nose, and five ghastly, gaping hammer wounds were found about the head.

The supposed murderer is George Morris, a 65-year-old colored man, for whom the dead girl has kept house for three months. He has not yet been arrested.

Charles Wesley Law, of 807 Locust street; Rebecca Price, of 108 Pine street; Ella Price, a sister of Rebecca, doing housework in Philadelphia, and William Johnson are all under arrest as witnesses and possible accessories to the crime. All the prisoners are colored.

The Search for the Body.

Officer Casper Hart was notified on Cherry street at 9 o'clock by one of the Price girls, who was accompanied by several neighbors, that Ella Ford was missing. Ella Price said she had come over from Philadelphia to visit Miss Ford, and finding the house shut up, she, with others, forced the door. In the cellar-way a small hammer, shaped like a blacksmith's sledge, and the handle of a tin bucket were found, both smeared in blood.

Officer Hart at once went to the house. In the corner of the back kitchen he found some bloody skirts. Charles Law led the way down into the cellar, where there was evidence that the earth had been disturbed in one corner.

After digging with a shovel only a few inches beneath the surface the officer came upon the torn portion of a dress, and a few seconds later excavated the dead body of the missing girl.

Officials at the Scene.

Coroner Jeffries, Chief of Police Dodd, Lieutenant Foster, Assistant Prosecutor Ridgway and County Physician Iszard were soon on the scene. Their questioning led to the arrest of the witnesses. But little could be learned of the whereabouts of the murderer or of the history of his victim. The Price girls and Law seemed to know more about the crime than they cared to tell. They claimed that the house had been shut up since Wednesday, and that Morris had been seen leaving the place yesterday.

Escaped Across the River.

William Johnson, one of the witnesses under arrest at the City Hall, says he wheeled a trunk down to the Federal street ferry in a push-cart for George Morris yesterday afternoon, and Morris took it across the river. The Philadelphia authorities were notified, but only a meagre description of the murderer could be furnished.

After the body had been excavated it was carried up stairs and examined by County Physician Iszard. Death was evidently due to the hammer wounds on the head. There were no other marks of violence on the body, which was removed to the Morgue.

The theory of the police is that Morris killed the woman in a quarrel prompted, probably, by jealousy. The county detectives were hunting for him last night in this city.

809 Locust Street — Richard Rourke

Camden New Republic — December 27, 1873

Newspaper clipping about Richard Rourke of 809 Locust Street, 1873 — Several Persons Injured.

At twenty minutes of seven o’clock Tuesday evening the large and powerful freight locomotive, No. 688, of the New York division of the Pennsylvania railroad exploded with great violence and loud noise just within the entrance of the round house at Camden, shattering a portion of the building and injuring several men. The locomotive was used in drawing the New Brunswick freight train, and was about to be moved to its proper position. Mr. William Conk, the engineer, a resident of New Brunswick; Charles Adams, fireman, a resident of Beverly, and Elias —, the fireman of engine No. 850, who were on the locomotive at the time of the explosion, escaped with slight injuries. They were removed to an adjacent house, and placed under proper attention. Richard Rourk [sic], a watchman, was standing in the round house, not far from the locomotive. He was severely injured, not only by steam, but by fragments of the building striking or falling on him. He was rescued from his perilous position as soon as possible, and conveyed to his residence, on Second, below Line street.

The report attending the explosion caused considerable excitement in the neighborhood, and many people hastened to the scene to render any necessary service.

There is a singularity about this explosion which will require careful and scientific investigation to demonstrate. The locomotive was built about four years ago at the shops of the Camden and Amboy railroad company at Bordentown. It was large and powerful and weighed between twenty-eight and thirty tons. It was thoroughly overhauled about two months ago, since which time it has been continuously employed in drawing heavy freight trains. It was provided with the government safety escape valve, and at the time of the explosion there was nothing to indicate an unusual pressure of steam. The engineer and fireman had just taken their position on the engine to move it to the freight train, when in a moment, before the throttle valve was opened, or even touched, the explosion occured [sic]. A large hole was blown in the left side of the boiler, near the top, just forward of the engineer’s station. The engine and the tank were thrown over to the right, and fell on their sides. The escape of steam was immense, the surroundings being obscured as though by a heavy fog. Added to this was the crashing of a part of the round house. The roof immediately above the locomotive was blown into fragments, and a part of the side of the building that received the full force of the concussion was splintered, some of the debris being hurled to a considerable distance. To all appearance the locomotive was in excellent order, and it is evident had not as heavy a head of steam on as is required when drawing the heavy freight trains. The occurrence is somewhat similar to the explosion of the steel locomotive which happened on American street, above Berks, several months ago. That locomotive like the one in Camden, was standing still at the time of the disaster.

Fatal Result.

On Wednesday Coroner Armstrong empannelled a jury of scientific men to inquire into the cause of the boiler explosion at the depot, in this city, on last Tuesday evening. The inquest was held on the body of Richard Rourke, who received injuries causing his death about ten o’clock on the evening of the mishap. The jury rendered a verdict that Rourke came to his death from injuries received from the explosion of the boiler of engine No. 688, and that no blame is attached to the company or its employes. Rourke, after receiving his wounds, was taken to his residence, 708 South Second street, where he died about three hours after the accident. He had taken the place of the regular watchman, who was sick. He was fifty years old and leaves a wife and seven children.

809 Locust Street — 1872 Richard Rourke & Family

810 Locust Street — Asbury Hammond

Camden Post-Telegram — April 19, 1905

Newspaper clipping about 810 Locust Street, 1905 — 810 Locust Street — 1905 Asbury Hammond; 1940 Gone

CAMDEN NEWS NOTES

Rudolph Climes, of the Seventh ward, was appointed a policeman by Mayor Ellis yesterday, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the dismissal of Lawrence Doran.

Robert Kaighn yesterday took out a permit for the erection of ten dwellings at Fourth and York streets.

Judge Joline yesterday transferred the county liquor license of Shelby Weatherby, of Waterford, to George Early.

Posts Nos. 5 and 37, G. A. R., have been invited to attend a reunion at the home of General E. Burd Grubb, at Edgewater Park, on May 3.

Many old wooden bridges that span the creeks in Camden county are to be abandoned, according to plans of the Bridge Committee of the Board of Freeholders. A meeting was held in Camden yesterday, when it was reported that most of these old structures, always an expense to the county, are seldom if ever used.

During a sham battle between rival crowds of boys yesterday, Jasbury Hammond, aged 13 years, of 810 Locust street, was struck on the head with a brick. A bad wound resulted, with a slight concussion of the brain.

Accidents of the Day

Philadelphia Inquirer — July 5, 1889

818 Locust Street — Fines Total $1005 in Weekend Raids

Camden Courier-Post — March 25, 1930

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.

2 Homes Damaged Slightly by Fires

Camden Courier-Post — January 23, 1941

Newspaper clipping about 819 Locust Street, 1941 — 2 HOMES DAMAGED SLIGHTLY BY FIRES

A fire in the basement of the home of Percy DeRoche, 2937 Berkley street, yesterday caused slight damage. It was extinguished by firemen under the direction of Capt. Daniel Smith, of Engine Co. 9, Twenty-seventh and Federal streets, and Engine Co. No. 11, Twenty-seventh street and Hayes avenue. Chief William Harring, after an inspection, said that the blaze was caused by a defective water back.

Slight damage was caused by a fire in the home of Etta Adams, 819 Locust street, where firemen said an oil stove had been placed too close to a couch and ignited it. The blaze was extinguished before firemen arrived in response to an alarm.

Berkley Street — Daniel Smith — William R. Harring Sr. — Engine Company 11

826 Locust Street — Caesar Campana Sr.

826 Locust Street — 1950s–1966 Caesar Campana Sr. — Campana’s Bar

Notice of Application

Camden Courier-Post — June 12, 1954

833 Locust Street — Elmina Manor

Philadelphia Inquirer — October 31, 1899

Newspaper clipping about 833 Locust Street, 1899 — 833 Locust Street — 1899 Elmina Manor & Family (domestic).

CLEANING OUT A COLORED DIVE

The Proprietress, a Colored Woman, Held in Heavy Bail

Eucevia Manor, a colored woman who runs a dive at Locust and Division streets, Camden, was committed in default of $1000 bail by Recorder Nowrey yesterday on a charge of harboring minors in her house for immoral purposes. The police raided her place early Sunday morning and arrested the proprietress and a white girl named Mabel Schooley, who appears to be about 12 years of age, but claims to be 16 years old.

They were arraigned side by side in the Camden police court yesterday. Captain Stanley, who conducted the raid, had a number of witnesses on hand to prove the bad reputation of the place. Among these witnesses were three colored boys and a white boy, their ages ranging from 14 to 16 years. Other witnesses testified to revelries that were participated in by white and colored persons of both sexes.

Mrs. Mary E. Beckett, who resides nearby, swore that the defendant had enticed her 16-year-old daughter to the house and kept her there for six days. When the witness went to the house to get her daughter she was refused admission.

Recorder Nowrey sentenced the Schooley girl to thirty days' imprisonment, and in the meantime efforts will be made to have her sent to the State Industrial School for Girls.

Eucevia Manor has a bad record. She has served two years in State Prison for stabbing her sister, and last April was sentenced to ninety days for disorderly conduct.

842 to 854 Locust Street — 1904 Photo

842 Locust Street — Nicholas Veratti

Philadelphia Inquirer — July 30, 1908

Newspaper clipping about 842 Locust Street, 1908 — 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 — November 24, 1916

847 Locust Street — Mrs. Fannie Clark

Philadelphia Inquirer — August 9, 1904

Newspaper clipping about 847 Locust Street, 1904 — 847 Locust Street — 1904–1906 Mrs. Fannie Clark; O. Glen Stackhouse — Roy West

CAMDEN NEWS NOTES

Roy West, a colored boy, was held in $500 bail by Recorder Stackhouse yesterday, charged with breaking into the home of Mrs. Fannie Clark, 847 Locust street.

847 Locust Street — Mrs. Fannie Clark

Philadelphia Inquirer — February 19, 1906

Newspaper clipping about 847 Locust Street, 1906 — 847 Locust Street — 1904–1906 Mrs. Fannie Clark. Arthur Stanley — Rita Veratti

Police Captain Stanley and a squad of officers early yesterday morning raided the house of Fannie Clark, colored, at 847 Locust street, on complaint of Rita Veratti. The officers expected to gather in a wagon load of prisoners, but the Clark woman was the only one they found. She was sent to the city jail.

850 Locust Street — Catherine Mooney

Philadelphia Inquirer — March 11, 1918

Newspaper clipping about 850 Locust Street, 1918 — 850 Locust Street — 1918 Catherine Mooney.

Speakeasies Raided

Following out instructions of Mayor Ellis to clean up alleged speakeasies, Camden's police early yesterday raided two places. Catherine Mooney, 22 years old, of 850 Locust street, and Hezekiah Allen, 25 years old, of 800 South Second street, were the defendants, both being held for a hearing before Recorder Stackhouse today. Sixteen men and women were corralled, along with several cases of beer, whisky and gin.

It has been reported to Mayor Ellis that a number of such places have been flourishing, especially since there have been so many sailors and soldiers around. In the past several weeks a crusade has been in force and the district is now said to be comparatively clean.

852 Locust Street — Judge Avis Issues 7 Bench Warrants

Camden Courier-Post — February 7, 1933

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 — January 26, 1915

Accused Admits Robbery

Philadelphia Inquirer — January 26, 1915

Newspaper clipping about 854 Locust Street, 1915 — Accused Admits Robbery

Accused Admits Robbery

Accused of being the burglar who broke into the place of Lawrence Lamaina, Locust and Spruce streets, Camden, three weeks ago, Carl Green, a negro, aged 23 years, of 268 Spruce street, was committed to jail without bail by Recorder Stackhouse yesterday. The man was arrested by Detectives Moffett and Murray and they found a full set of burglar's tools in his room. When searched he wore a watch that had been stolen from the home of Santo Marco three years ago. He admitted robbing the Lamaina place.

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

804 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1940	Gone

805 Locust Street

805 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1940	Gone

807 Locust Street

807 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1935	Viola Lewis
1940	Gone

808 Locust Street

808 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1917	August Marino
1923	gone

809 Locust Street

809 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

810 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1905	Asbury Hammond
1940	Gone

811 Locust Street

811 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

812 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1940	Gone

813 Locust Street

813 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1940	Gone

814 Locust Street

814 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1940	Gone

815 Locust Street

815 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1940	Gone

816 Locust Street

816 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1890s–1920	William Branch & Family
1890s–1920	William & Harriet Branch
1890s–1920	Leon Branch
1940	John Noel

818 Locust Street

818 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1930	Pearl Williams
1940	Vacant

819 Locust Street

819 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1941	Etta Adams

821 Locust Street

821 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1927	Ethel Davis

823 Locust Street

823 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1927	June Loftus

826 Locust Street

826 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

831 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

833 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1899	Elmina Manor & Family (domestic)

842 Locust Street

842 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

844 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1880	William Deith
1916	Vacant
1918–1930s	Leon Branch & Family (policeman)

847 Locust Street

847 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1904–1906	Mrs. Fannie Clark

850 Locust Street

850 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1918	Catherine Mooney
1940	Abe Singleton

852 Locust Street

852 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1932	Benjamin Plevinsky

854 Locust Street

854 Locust Street — 800 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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 and Spruce Street, 1912 — Southwest Corner of Locust Street & Spruce Street — 1912 Photo

900 Block of Locust Street — 1906

Frank Yeager Discharged

Philadelphia Inquirer — October 20, 1891

Newspaper clipping about 900 Locust Street, 1891 — * The Camden police yesterday arrested Frank Yeager on a charge of selling liquor to minors at Locust and Spruce Streets. Mayor Pratt found out that Yeager had bought the saloon from Christian Eppinger, but the license had not been transferred. He discharged Yeager.

900 Locust Street — 1891 Frank Yeager (saloon). Jesse Pratt — Christian Eppinger

906 Locust Street — Marie Gelima

Camden Daily Courier — August 22, 1910

Newspaper clipping about 906 Locust Street, 1910 — 906 Locust Street — 1910 Marie Gelima; Antonio DelGrande

ALLEGES PRISONER GOT OFF WITH $300

Both Man and Woman Are Charged With Conducting a "Speakeasy"

HAD ALSO JUMPED HIS BAIL BOND

Charged with jumping his bail and stealing $300 from Marie Gelima, of 90[?] Locust street, Antonio Dilgrande, of Locust street, is being held at the county jail. A detainer was filed against him to-day.

Both the man and woman were arrested and held under $200 bail to answer in court the charge of conducting a "speakeasy." The arrest took place about seven weeks ago, at that time Anthony Paolo went bail for both parties.

Mrs. Gelima missed the $300 shortly after Dilgrande went out on Saturday last. She at once notified Policeman Troncone; an hour later, the fugitive was picked up by a Philadelphia constable and turned over to the local police this morning. Mrs. Gelima swore out a warrant before Justice of the Peace Tatem, charging him with the larceny of [?] money.

912 Locust Street — Private Gaetano Vinciguerra

WWI service card for Gaetano Vinciguerra of 912 Locust Street — 912 Locust Street — Private Gaetano Vinciguerra

Negro Who Shot Woman Caught

Philadelphia Inquirer — August 14, 1916

Newspaper clipping about 920 Locust Street, 1916 — Arrested on a charge of firing three shots Friday night into the side of Annibel Williams, colored, 27 years old, 208 Spruce Street, Ebenezer Phipps, a negro, 33 years old, 920 Locust Street, was arrested in Camden yesterday by Detectives Brothers and Troncone. The police say they will make an example of Phipps to stop reckless use of firearms.

Spruce Street — John Brothers — Fiore Troncone — Annibel Williams

920 Locust Street — Mrs. Rose Miller

Philadelphia Inquirer — April 15, 1914

Newspaper clipping about 920 Locust Street, 1914 — 920 Locust Street — 1916 Mrs. Rose Miller

In a small fire in the rear of the home of Mrs. Rose Miller, 920 Locust street, two box alarms and a local call were sent in yesterday, with the result the street was in an uproar. Persons in the row of houses threw out their belongings and for a time the police had their hands full in caring for the hysterical women.

900 Block of Locust Street — Occupants

City directory records, 1871–1923.

900 Locust Street

900 Locust Street — 900 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1891	Frank Yeager (saloon)

902 Locust Street

902 Locust Street — 900 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1899	William T. Beckett & Family (glassblower)
1899	William T. & Mary E. Beckett

906 Locust Street

906 Locust Street — 900 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1910	Marie Gelima

912 Locust Street

912 Locust Street — 900 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1917–1918	Alfred Vinciguerra
1917–1918	Gaetano Vinciguerra

915 Locust Street

915 Locust Street — 900 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1871–1877	William Deith
1923	Gone

917 Locust Street

917 Locust Street — 900 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1879	William M. Butts

919 Locust Street

919 Locust Street — 900 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1879	William M. Butts

920 Locust Street

920 Locust Street — 900 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1914	Mrs. Rose Miller
1916	Ebenezer Phipps
1916	Mrs. Rose Miller

921 Locust Street

921 Locust Street — 900 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1878–1879	William Deith
1923	Gone

928 Locust Street

928 Locust Street — 900 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1914	Joseph Diaro

Camden Mystery More Involved

Philadelphia Inquirer — August 14, 1899 (825 Locust Street)

Philadelphia Inquirer, August 14, 1899, page 1 of 9 — 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

Philadelphia Inquirer, August 14, 1899, page 2 of 9 — 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)

Sanborn map of the 800 block of Locust Street (829–847), 1906 — 800 Block of Locust Street (829 to 854), 1906

Sanborn map of the 800 block of Locust Street (830–854), 1906 — 800 Block of Locust Street (829 to 854), 1906

Police Guard Gas Tank

Philadelphia Inquirer — August 12, 1904

900 Block of Locust Street — 1906 (Gas Works)

Sanborn map showing gas works on Locust Street, 1906 — 900 Block of Locust Street — 1906, Gas Works

1000 Block of Locust Street — 1891 (1002 to 1016)

Sanborn map of the 1000 block of Locust Street (1002–1016), 1891 — 1000 Block of Locust Street (1002 to 1016), 1891

1008 Locust Street — Anthony J. Lauria

Newspaper clipping about 1008 Locust Street, 1945 — 1008 Locust Street — 1945 Anthony J. Lauria

Anthony J. Lauria, of 1008 Locust street, has been honorably discharged from the Army after serving since his enlistment Jan. 15, 1941. He served two and a half years with the engineer corps in Iceland, then in England, Normandy, France and Germany with the signal corps. He returned to this country March 5 and received his discharge papers May 27 after amassing 105 points. He celebrated his 26th birthday the following day.

1000 Block of Locust Street — 1891 (1027 to 1043)

Sanborn map of the 1000 block of Locust Street (1027–1043), 1891 — 1000 Block of Locust Street (1027 to 1043), 1891

1027 Locust Street — Herman Lorenzo Scott & Family

Herman Lorenzo Scott family at 1027 Locust Street, 1940s–1960s — 1027 Locust Street — 1940s–1960s Herman Lorenzo Scott & Family. Photo 1961–1962.

1033 Locust Street — Ladislaus Kaminski

Camden Courier-Post — July 31, 1941

Newspaper clipping about 1033 Locust Street, 1941 — 1033 Locust Street — 1941 Ladislaus Kaminski

DRIVER IS UNINJURED WHEN CAR OVERTURNS

A Camden man escaped injury yesterday when a car he was driving on River road in Pennsauken overturned.

Ladislaus Kaminski, 21, of 1033 Locust street, told police the car skidded and overturned as he was "hurrying to work" on River road west of Cove road.

He crawled out, righted the car with the help of a group of WPA workers, and continued to his work at a slower pace, police said.

1035 Locust Street — Edward Jubb

1035 Locust Street

Philadelphia Inquirer — June 19, 1902

1000 Block of Locust Street — Occupants

City directory records, 1880–1945.

1008 Locust Street

1008 Locust Street — 1000 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1945	Anthony J. Lauria

1009 Locust Street

1009 Locust Street — 1000 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

1027 Locust Street — 1000 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1940s–1960s	Herman Lorenzo Scott & Family

1029 Locust Street

1029 Locust Street — 1000 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

1033 Locust Street — 1000 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1941	Ladislaus Kaminski

1035 Locust Street

1035 Locust Street — 1000 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1892	Edward Jubb

Intersection of Locust Street & Mt. Vernon Street

Street sign at Locust Street and Mt. Vernon Street — Intersection of Locust Street & Mt. Vernon Street — Looking East from Locust Street, July 10, 2012

Looking east from Locust Street at Mt. Vernon Street, July 10, 2012 — 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)

Sanborn map of the 1100 block of Locust Street (1106–1122), 1891 — 1100 Block of Locust Street (1106 to 1122), 1891

1106 Locust Street — Edward Thorn & Family

Portrait of William Thorn, son of Edward Thorn of 1106 Locust Street — 1106 Locust Street — 1887–1890 Edward Thorn & Family. Left: William Thorn.

1113 Locust Street — Joseph Simons

Camden Post-Telegram — June 8, 1903

Newspaper clipping about 1113 Locust Street, 1903 — 1113 Locust Street — 1899–1905 Joseph Simons & Family.

GIRL KEPT SUIT.

And Installment Dealer Had Cecelia Simons Arrested.

Cecelia Simons, aged 20 years, of 1113 Locust street, was committed to the County Jail in default of $200 bail, by Justice Baldwin, on Saturday night, on a charge of obtaining a suit of clothes under false pretences.

The complaint was made by S. Lewis, an installment dealer, of 1109-111 Broadway. At the hearing it was testified that the girl got a suit of clothes from Lewis under the plea she wanted to show them to her father before purchasing.

Lewis is acquainted with the family and let her have the suit. She did not return either goods or money and the suit was brought.

1117 Locust Street — Harry Shaw

Philadelphia Inquirer — November 23, 1910

Newspaper clipping about 1117 Locust Street, 1910 — 1117 Locust Street — 1910 Harry Shaw

Much apprehension is felt for the safety of Harry Shaw, 63 years old, of 1117 Locust street, who has been missing from home since November 12. When he left it is said that he made the threat that he would either get work or do away with himself

1117 Locust Street — John Kennedy

Philadelphia Inquirer — December 16, 1917

Newspaper clipping about 1117 Locust Street, 1917 — 1117 Locust Street — 1917 John Kennedy

John Kennedy, 16 years old, of 1117 Locust street, in a fall at the New York Shipyard yesterday suffered severe scalp lacerations and the probable fracture of both knees. He was taken to Cooper Hospital.

Over In Camden

Philadelphia Inquirer — March 19, 1895

1120 Locust Street — Detectives Holding 3 Burglar Suspects

Camden Courier-Post — February 17, 1928

Detectives Holding 3 Burglar Suspects

Clothing Stolen From Store, Teacher’s Desk Looted; Bell-Ringer Arrested

Newspaper clipping about 1120 Locust Street, 1928 — 1120 Locust Street — 1928 Francis Smith.

City detectives today were questioning three youths arrested in different sections of Camden, who are believed to be responsible for a series of robberies.

At the same time police were investigating the theft of clothing from a store at Ann and Sycamore streets, and the pilfering of $1.50 from the desk of a teacher of the Broadway school.

Francis Smith, 19 years old, of 1120 Locust street, and Raymond Walker, 19 years old, of 747 Woodland avenue, were arrested by Policeman James McTaggart, in the rear of a house at Broadway and Atlantic avenue.

The boys said they were "waiting for somebody." McTaggart took them to police headquarters at 1.50 o'clock this morning. There, screw drivers were found when their clothing was searched.

Suit Over Fallen Boiler

Philadelphia Inquirer — April 30, 1922

1122 Locust Street — Girl, 2, Clinches Case of Mother vs Father

Camden Courier-Post — February 26, 1938

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, the last standing structure, 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 — June 13, 1932

Newspaper clipping about 1134 Locust Street, 1932, part 1 — 1134 Locust Street — 1932 Harry Cohen. Harvey Bryan — Mt. Ephraim Avenue — Collings Avenue — Alabama Road — West Jersey Hospital

TRUCK INJURES CAMDEN MAN

Harvey Bryan, 28, of 3049 Mt. Ephraim avenue, received contusions of the right arm and leg Saturday night when struck by an automobile at Collings avenue and Alabama

road. Harry Cohen, 19, of 1134 Locust street, driver of the car, took Bryan to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.

Newspaper clipping about 1134 Locust Street, 1932, part 2 — 1134 Locust Street — 1932 Harry Cohen. Harvey Bryan — Mt. Ephraim Avenue — Collings Avenue — Alabama Road — West Jersey Hospital

TRUCK INJURES CAMDEN MAN

Harvey Bryan, 28, of 3049 Mt. Ephraim avenue, received contusions of the right arm and leg Saturday night when struck by an automobile at Collings avenue and Alabama

road. Harry Cohen, 19, of 1134 Locust street, driver of the car, took Bryan to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.

1100 Block of Locust Street — 1891 (1125 to 1141)

Sanborn map of the 1100 block of Locust Street (1125–1141), 1891 — 1100 Block of Locust Street (1125 to 1141), 1891

1125 Locust Street — Edward Thorn & Family

Portrait of William Thorn, son of Edward Thorn of 1125 Locust Street — 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

1106 Locust Street — 1100 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

1109 Locust Street — 1100 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1903	Frances E. Kennedy
1914–1915	John T. Kennedy

1113 Locust Street

1113 Locust Street — 1100 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

1116 Locust Street — 1100 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1919–1920	William Harvey & Family (policeman)
1919–1920	William & Hannah Harvey

1117 Locust Street

1117 Locust Street — 1100 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1910	Harry Shaw
1917	John Kennedy

1118 Locust Street

1118 Locust Street — 1100 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1869	William Deith

1120 Locust Street

1120 Locust Street — 1100 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1895	John L. Lattimore
1928	Francis Smith

1121 Locust Street

1121 Locust Street — 1100 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1922–1940	Jacob Barag & Family (grocery)

1122 Locust Street

1122 Locust Street — 1100 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1938	Jack Angelastro & Family
1938	Jack & Nettie Angelastro

1125 Locust Street

1125 Locust Street — 1100 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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

1134 Locust Street — 1100 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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 at Locust Street, circa 1970 — Looking East on Kaighn Avenue, circa 1970

Looking south on Locust Street at Kaighn Avenue, circa 1970 — Looking South on Locust Street, circa 1970

Looking west on Kaighn Avenue at Locust Street, circa 1970 — Looking West on Kaighn Avenue, circa 1970

Looking at northwest corner of Locust Street and Kaighn Avenue, circa 1970 — Looking at Northwest Corner of Locust Street & Kaighn Avenue, circa 1970

Looking north on Locust Street from Kaighn Avenue, 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 — Looking West on Kaighn Avenue from 273 Kaighn Avenue, April 1, 2005

251–259 Kaighn Avenue with water tower under construction, July 1984 — 251–259 Kaighn Avenue, July 1984. The water tower was still under construction.

1200 Block of Locust Street — 1891 (1203 to 1224)

Sanborn map of the 1200 block of Locust Street (1203–1224), 1891 — 1200 Block of Locust Street (1203 to 1224), 1891

1217 Locust Street — Daniel Smith

Portrait of Daniel Smith, 1217 Locust Street — 1217 Locust Street — 1900 Daniel Smith

1219 Locust Street — Fines Total $1005 in Weekend Raids

Camden Courier-Post — March 25, 1930

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

Portrait of Daniel Smith, 1240 Locust Street — 1240 Locust Street — 1906 Daniel Smith

1241 Locust Street — Daniel Breslin

Camden Post-Telegram — March 24, 1900

Newspaper clipping about 1241 Locust Street, 1900 — 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.

FATALLY CRUSHED BY AN ELEVATOR

Sixteen-Year-Old Lad Killed in a Camden Rug Factory

While running a freight elevator at the Fries-Breslin Smyrna Rug Works, in South Camden, yesterday afternoon Daniel Breslin, 16 years old, a nephew of a member of the firm, was crushed to death. His head was caught between the floor of the elevator and the landing of the third floor. Before fellow-workmen, who heard his agonizing cry for help, could aid him, his neck was broken. He was dead when taken from the elevator.

Coroner Bushey will investigate the accident. The lad's body was taken to his parents' residence, at 1241 Locust street.

The accident caused so much excitement among the 400 employes that the plant was closed down for the day. Young Breslin's father and two of his sisters work in the factory. One of the young women fainted three times after learning of her brother's death. The top of young Breslin's head fell in the weaving room, where 200 girls were at work.

1200 Block of Locust Street — 1891 (1226 to 1252)

Sanborn map of the 1200 block of Locust Street (1226–1252), 1891 — 1200 Block of Locust Street (1226 to 1252), 1891

Marriage Licenses

Camden Daily Courier — April 25, 1913

Here and There in Camden

Philadelphia Inquirer — January 20, 1919

1252 Locust Street — James Barry

Philadelphia Inquirer — August 5, 1914

Newspaper clipping about 1252 Locust Street, 1914 — 1252 Locust Street — 1914–1926 James Barry (saloon)

SECOND ATTEMPT TO END HIS LIFE FAILS

Disappointed Husband Tries to Choke Himself With Handkerchief After Being Placed in Cell

Committed to jail by Recorder Stackhouse for trying to end his life on Sunday last by shooting himself in the head, Louis Asseline, a jockey, aged 22 years, of 364 West Thirty-sixth street, New York, tied a handkerchief about his neck with the intention of choking himself to death shortly after being placed in a cell yesterday. His act was witnessed by Policeman Kates, who summoned Sergeant Reed and the desperate young man was relieved of his improvised garrote.

Asseline told the Recorder at the hearing that he was despondent because his wife refused to return home with him. He had visited her at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Barry, Locust and Mechanic streets. The formal charge of attempted suicide was made by Police Captain James on information received.

1252 Locust Street — Walter E. Kennedy

Camden Courier-Post — June 6, 1932

Newspaper clipping about Walter E. Kennedy of 1252 Locust Street, 1932 — (excerpt about Walter Kennedy)

Walter Kennedy, former Camden boxer who fought under the ring name of Walter West, is also scheduled to go on trial tomorrow on a charge of carrying concealed deadly weapons. Kennedy, who is a shell-shocked World War veteran and former Camden soft drink parlor proprietor, is charged with attempting to hold up a Public Service bus on State street, four months ago.

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

1203 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1920	John W. Pearson
1935	Alexander Zeitlin

1205 Locust Street

1205 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1937	Carrie Banks

1207 Locust Street

1207 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1940	Peter J. Henkel & Family
1940	Peter & Eleanor Henkel
1940	Eleanor Henkel
1940	Mrs. Virginia Henkel

1210 Locust Street

1210 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1890	Mrs. Margaret Barney
1890	Mts. Margaret Barney

1213 Locust Street

1213 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1909	Royal S. Woomer

1215 Locust Street

1215 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1910	Francis Pernier & Family
1910	Francis & Laura Pernier
1910	William Pernier

1217 Locust Street

1217 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1900	Daniel Smith

1219 Locust Street

1219 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1930	Leona West

1231 Locust Street

1231 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1918	William E. Laird

1234 Locust Street

1234 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1927	Mary C. Young

1238 Locust Street

1238 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1915	Thomas Sullivan

1240 Locust Street

1240 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1906	Daniel Smith

1241 Locust Street

1241 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1899–1910	Daniel Breslin & Family (Fries-Breslin Smyrna Rug Works)
1899–1910	Daniel & Sarah Breslin
1899–1910	Ellen Breslin

1248 Locust Street

1248 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1913	Frank E. Connelly
1919	Charles O'Neill

1250 Locust Street

1250 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
Year ↕	Name ↕
1898–1900	Daniel Sharp (builder)

1252 Locust Street

1252 Locust Street — 1200 Block of Locust Street — Occupants
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)

Intersection of Locust Street & Atlantic Avenue

Intersection of Locust Street & Liberty Street

12 Questioned, 2 Men Held in Murder Probe

Camden Evening Courier — September 3, 1934

Camden News Notes

Philadelphia Inquirer — February 19, 1906

Alleged Policy People Arrested

Philadelphia Inquirer — June 16, 1901

Court Dismisses Gambling Charge

Camden Post-Telegram — April 9, 1912

Auto Fire Engine Skids Into Window

Philadelphia Inquirer — November 13, 1915

Purifying Box at Locust and Cherry Streets

Camden Courier-Post — March 9, 1932

P.S. Purifier Detonates in South Camden

Camden Courier-Post — March 9, 1932

Explosion at Locust and Cherry Traps Workers in Structure; Victims Mostly Temporary Employees Cleaning Metal Tank

Four Others Injured, One May Die; Poisonous Fumes Hamper Rescue

A terrific explosion in the purifying plant of the Public Service Gas and Electric Company at the Southeast corner of Locust and Cherry Streets killed 14 men today and injured four others, one of whom may die.

All the dead were trapped in a huge box-like tank about 25 feet square. Most of them were neighborhood unemployed who had been given a day’s work scraping off a caked substance which forms during the process purifying illuminating gas.

Poisonous sulfur fumes hampered firemen in the effort to extinguish a blaze which followed the explosion. Two hours were required before the first body could be removed.

The explosion occurred at 7:15 AM. By 11:00 AM two charred and horribly mangled bodies had been taken out by use of a block and tackle. Firemen were digging out the third body buried under smoldering debris.

Six of the known dead were regularly employed by Public Service. They were:

John Albert, of 275 Walnut Street

Domonick Pizzutello, of 1005 South 4th Street

Pasquale Curiale, of 338 Walnut Street

Frank Deluggi, of 324 South 4th Street

Nicholas Tulini, of 208 Benson Street

Nunzio Farrao, of 1131 South 4th Street

The other known dead, who were employed only temporarily were: E. Anderson, colored; George Williams, colored; Tony Bilank, F. Kralich, T. Watson, colored; J. Pollard, colored; T. Coleman, colored, and L. Carcione.

The police and officials of the company were unable to determine the cause of the tragedy but one of the workmen who escaped said that he saw a “little fire” burning in one corner of the tank minutes before the explosion.

One of the Injured May Die

The injured, all of who were taken to Cooper Hospital were:

Spiro Cecich, 37, of 1815 Salem Street, burned over his entire body. Condition so critical he may die.

Hillman Bryant, 29, colored, of 109 Chestnut Street, burned over face, head, eyes.

Harry Read, 27, of 111 Chestnut Street, burned on head and face.

Harry Hall, 37, colored of 718 South 2nd Street, burned on head and face.

Read and Hall were permitted to return to their homes after being treated.

While racing to the hospital with the injured, the patrol car of the Second District collided with a truck at Broadway and Pine and was delayed several minutes. The truck driver, Meyer R. [?], 25 of 1732 South 7th Street, was injured slightly and also treated at the hospital.

Worker Tells of Blast

Rudolph Walker, 40, colored, of 1060 South Front Street, was the only worker to escape unhurt.

“We went in the tank about 7:00 o’clock,” he said. “About 15 minute later I noticed a little fire burning in one corner. I said ‘Come on fellows, let’s get out of here.’ I climbed out and just as I reached the ground I heard an awful explosion.

“I looked up and flames were shooting way up into the air. I didn’t know what to do, so I [?] and notified some other [?]. There were 15 or more other men in the tank with me”

Chemicals Cake On Tank

Workmen who described the purifying box said that a substance consisting of sawdust, sulfur, and noxious chemicals was used to clean gas which was pumped into the tank from storage tanks across the street.

This substance caked upon the sides and girders about halfway down the box, they said, and had to be scraped off with pitchforks about every three or four weeks.

There are, they declared, two tanks in the box, each about 15 feet wide and 20 feet deep. The blast was in the west tank.

According to officials, the tanks are used in a process that has been in operation for only two years.

Access is gained through removal of a large hatch-like lid at top of the box. There is no other entrance or exit.

Walker and the four injured were working on top of the girders. The others were trapped at the bottom without a chance to escape. They probably died instantly.

The entire neighborhood was aroused and more than 1,000 persons gathered around the plant. The police roped off Locust Street between Cherry and Walnut. No windows were broken or other damage caused to private property in the vicinity.

Grocer Saw Man On Fire

Benjamin Plevinsky, a grocer at Locust and Spruce Street, said that he was opening his store when he heard the detonation.

“I looked up and saw a man running down a stairway leading to the top of the tank,” he said. “He was on fire from his feet to his head and looked like a human torch.

“I called the fire department and told them what happened. They asked me if I was sure there was a fire. I told them I was looking right at it. I don’t know whether they thought I was crazy or what, but I certainly think that was a peculiar thing to ask when you’re sending in an alarm.

The crowd which gathered was thrown into intense excitement, when Frank Pizzitilla, Walnut Street near Third, was taken to the top of the tank by firemen; looked in and fainted.

He recovered consciousness while being carried down the stairway, firemen said, and murmured, “My God, my father and father-in-law are in there.”

When the hundreds of persons saw Pizzitilla they believed he was one of the dead and began shouting. One man was seized with a fit and was carried away by firemen.

Rescuers Driven Back

When firemen first arrived they attempted to get into the tank but were driven back by sulfur fumes. They put on gas masks but the poisonous gases penetrated even these and they were unable to reach the bodies.

James Bevan, foreman at the plant, said that 13 of the men were temporarily employed and the others were regularly employed. In all, he said, there were 19 workers in the tank when the blast occurred.

Before the bodies were removed firemen said they counted 12 floating in the water pumped into the tank to extinguish the blaze. Two others were believed hidden by debris.

Coroner Benjamin Denny, Prosecutor Clifford A. Baldwin, Director of Public Safety Charles V. Dickinson and Fire Chief Thomas Nicholas arrived at the scene before the bodies were taken out. They described the sight as “ghastly.”

Coroner Denny announced that he will open an investigation after today in which he will summon officials of the Public Service Company, firemen, workers, and other witnesses. County Prosecutor Edward B. Rodgers also will attend he said.

Denny said that because many of the workers were day laborers, families probably would not know of their deaths until they failed to return home at the end of the working day.

Relatives’ Cries Nearly Start Panic

Camden Courier-Post — March 9, 1932

Crowds Mill About Scene of Explosion Where Workers Died

“They are in there—dead.”

That shrill scream from the chilled lips of a relative of two men trapped in the steel tomb of the purifying box at the Public Service gas plant at Locust and Cherry Streets today almost started a panic among 1,000 persons, gathered at the scene a few minutes after a mysterious explosion snuffed out the lives of more than a dozen men.

The cry of horror and grief was taken up by others as they pressed against the woven wire fence about the company’s property. Panic was averted by the policemen and firemen who had reached the scene a few minutes after the blast.

The excitement started when Frank Pizzatilla, of Walnut Street near Third, climbed up the narrow steel stairway that led to the top of the purifying box and looked upon a scene of horror within the square steel tomb.

Pizzatilla, who had rushed to the plant with several hundred others when word of the tragedy spread, said he recognized the seared bodies of his father and father-in-law in the seething mass below.

He started to walk down the narrow, steel stairway that formed the only means of reaching the lone entrance to the purifying box. Below the hundreds of relatives and friends of the doomed men watched him with anxiety.

“In There Dead”

“They are in there—dead,” he screamed.

He fell in a faint and but for a fireman, Pizzatilla would have toppled to the ground, fully 20 feet below. Other firemen and policemen rushed up the narrow stairway and carried Pizzatilla down.

As his inert body was being carried toward an ambulance, cries of bitter hatred were heard. They came from a relative of another victim. He shouted vile curses upon the officials of the company, upon the firemen and upon the policemen. He called them murderers. He yelled for a revolver, shouting that he would avenge the death of the trapped men.

About him gathered a number of persons, most of them of foreign extraction, or colored, for the majority of the victims were colored. The situation became tense.

Every policeman and fireman who could be spared from the gruesome work of trying to reach the entombed bodies rushed the crowd. Lieutenant George Ward and several policemen grabbed a heavy, long rope from one of the nearby fire wagons.

Quickly the rope was stretched across Locust Street at the intersection and a tug of war started, with the crowd surging against the rope and policemen and firemen pulling at both ends, sweeping them backward into Locust Street.

With the crowd under control, the police began to search for the man, whose cries for revenge had started the hundreds milling around in groups, but he had disappeared in the crowd.

Then Locust Street below Cherry was roped off with little difficulty and a line of policemen took their positions across Cherry Street between the two gas tanks that stand on the northeast and southeast corners. People who attempted to reach the plant were turned back.

“No use going any farther,” the policemen would tell each person who tried to get up closer. “All the men in the tank are dead and there is nothing anyone can do except remove the bodies when the tank is cooled down.”

These words seemed to have a quieting effect upon the hundreds that had tried to rush the police lines. Gradually the people left for their homes. An hour after the blast there was less than 100 spectators at the scene.

Bodies Identified

So badly were the bodies burned that identification was extremely difficult. It was early evening before identification was complete. The dead are:

John Albert, 55, of 275 Walnut Street, father of eight children.

Dominick Puzzitiella, 53, of 1005 South 4th Street, father of four sons.

Pasquale Curiale, 48, of 338 Walnut Street, father of eight children.

Frank DeLarge, 51, of 324 South 5th Street, father of three children.

Nicholas Tulini, 58, of 208 Benson Street, father of 10 children.

Nunzio Ferraro, 51, of 1131 South 4th Street, single.

Edward Anderson, 30, colored, northeast corner Second and Pine Streets, no children.

George Williams, 33, colored, of 277 Sycamore Street, father of three children.

John Pollard, 32, colored, of 1065 Ivins Street, no children.

Thomas Watson, 65, colored, of 123 Chestnut Street, single.

Louis Carcione, southwest corner of Third and Spruce Street.

Antonio Bilanko, 43, who lived in a club room at Locust Street and Kaighn Avenue and boarded at the home of Pedro Blair, 1225 Hyde Park.

F. Kralich, northeast corner of Second Street and Kaighn Avenue.

Farrell Coleman, 44, colored, northeast corner of Second and Pine Streets, single.

The first six were employed regularly by the company. The others were unemployed in the neighborhood, hired especially to clean out the purifier yesterday.

List of Injured

The other injured, all of whom were taken to Cooper Hospital are:

Hillman Bryant, 30, colored, 109 Chestnut Street, burns on face, head and hands.

Harry Read, colored, of 111 Chestnut Street, burns on the head and face.

Harry Hall, 27, colored, of 718 South Second Street, burns on the head and face.

Read and Hall were taken to their homes after receiving hospital treatment.

Patrolman Walter Patton of the First District suffered a cut on his left arm while digging in the debris for bodies. He was treated at the hospital and returned to the station house.

After working with the police and firemen for several hours, James Bevan, 1447 Kaighn Avenue, foreman at the plant, collapsed just as the last body was removed. Physicians treated him for exhaustion and shock and he was taken to his home.

Another workman, Peter Alemi, 35, of 1010 South 4th Street, a volunteer who helped firemen in removing the last body, was overcome by fumes in the tank and was treated at the hospital.

Red Cross aid to the stricken families of the victims was offered by William T. Read, chairman of the Camden County chapter. Public Service officials were informed that the national Red Cross headquarters had listed this tragedy as a “disaster” for which relief was available.