Main Street
Main Street is a diagonal street that runs southeast from the intersection of State Street and Point Street in North Camden. It first appears in the Camden City Directory in 1878, at that time beginning at the entrance of the Vine Street Ferry. Main Street is a very wide street, its width necessitated by the railroad tracks that ran from the waterfront, originally belonging to the Camden & Amboy Railroad. Prior to the construction of the Ben Franklin Bridge, these railroad tracks ran up Main Street, intersecting and crossing the railroad tracks that lead to the Pavonia Yard, and traveling on to the rail line to points south in New Jersey. These tracks now carry the PATCO High Speed Line.
Main Street in the 1880s ran all the way to 11th Street. From the 1920s through the 1960s Main Street reached Penn Street between 7th and 8th Streets.
After the construction of the bridge and the establishment of the Bridge Plaza, Main Street terminated in the 600 block. The rail line continued to 7th Street, where a large coal yard operated for many years by the R. McAllister Company was located. By 1952 the tracks had been covered over at 7th and Linden Street. On 7th Street between Penn and Linden stood the triangular Bridge Plaza Parking Garage, which had housed the Edstan Ford automobile dealership in the 1930s. The rear of this building faced Main Street south of Linden. Photographs indicate however, that due to railroad tracks that still existed as late as the 1950s, Main Street was closed to automobile traffic here. No buildings had addresses on Main Street east of 6th Street by 1947.
By the late 1970s the railroad tracks were long gone, as were the port facility and most of the industries in North Camden that they supported. Only a few houses, mostly in the 100 and 200 blocks remain.
Notable Main Street residents over the years included journalist Daniel P. “Dan” McConnell, and his father, also named Dan, Daniel D. McConnell, who was a noted boxer in South Jersey in the 1890s and early 1900s. The Oberman family ran a bar at 505 Main Street from the 1900s through the 1940s, a bar operated here as early as 1887 through the mid-1960s. One of the Oberman sons, Frank A. Oberman, had a long and distinguished career as a member of the Camden Fire Department, having reached the rank of Captain by the late 1940s. A hardware store operated at 132 Main Street for well over 50 years. 323 Main housed a stable as early as the 1880s, and when the automobile came to Camden, the building became a garage. For many years at 201 Vine Street, the intersection of Vine, Second and Main Streets stood Daly's Tavern, founded by John F. Daly and run by his family into the 1970s. The North Camden Theater, which is still standing, was next door at 203–205 Vine. The Mancine family ran a bar from the 1930s until it burned down in the 1970s on the southwest corner of North 3rd and Main streets. The family still has a liquor store on the same block, at north 3rd and Elm Street.
Phil Cohen
1952: Main Street and Point Street
1952 — Main Street and Point Street. The Camden Casket Company, formerly the Weidenhammer Bottling Works, is visible in the upper right corner.
100 Block of Main Street
100 Block of Main Street
City directory records, 1878–2004.
117 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1895 | Lawrence Repetto & Family |
125–127 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1901–1914 | Daniel D. McConnell & Family (Daniel D. & Teresa McConnell, Daniel P. McConnell, May McConnell, Henry F. 'Harry' McConnell, Bertha McConnell) |
| 1914 | William 'Billy' Dieffendorff (oyster restaurant) |
| 1935–1947 | Harry Wieland |
| 1950s | Joey & Lolly Knox Luncheonette |
| 1959 | Mabel Knox Toner |
| 1976–1977 | Phil Cohen |
129 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1900s | Thomas Homan |
130 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1900s–1920s | Walter Banks & Family |
| 1900s–1920s | Walter & Alice Banks |
| — | William R. Harring Sr. & Family (William R. & Ida May Banks Harring, Quentin Harring, William R. Harring Jr.) |
132 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ | Source ↕ |
|---|---|---|
| 1900–1940s | Paxson Hardware / Charles Gillingham Paxson & Family (Charles G. & Zoe L. Smythe Paxson, Ethel V. Paxson, Charles E. Paxson, Rebecca G. Paxson, Victor J. Paxson, Marguerite Paxson, Sarah E. Paxson) | |
| 1955–1956 | Crossley Hardware Company | 1955 New Jersey Bell Telephone |
| 1960s–2004 | Richards Hardware Company |
Looking Northwest on the 100 Block of Main Street, 1970. Kelly's Bar, 69 State Street, is visible at rear. Photo courtesy of Floyd Miller.
4 Bitten by Dogs, One Former Pugilist
Camden Courier-Post
Four persons, including a former Camden boxer, were among victims of dog bites recorded over the weekend.
George Delker, 54, of 29 South Forty-second Street, the former boxer, was attacked at Pennsville while romping on the beach with a pet spaniel. Delker was treated by a physician for lacerations of the left foot.
At Cooper Hospital three persons received treatment. They are Jonas Cooper, 24, of 1163 Lawrence Street, bit on left arm; Lawrence Repetto, 2, of 117 Main Street, bit on leg; and John Garrity, 17, of 205 Byron Street, bit on leg.
125–132 Main Street
125–127 Main Street, June 6, 2004.
Daniel P. “Dan” McConnell, 125 Main Street.
125 & 127 Main Street. Harry Wieland, 1935 to 1947.
Mabel Knox Toner, 125 Main Street, 1959.
Paxson Hardware, 132 Main Street, 1900s–1940s. Left to right: Victor J. & Charles G. Paxson; Charles G. Paxson, circa 1914.
132 Main Street — Crossley Hardware Company. 1955 New Jersey Bell Telephone Yellow Pages advertisement.
132 Main Street, 1959, as seen from in front of 125 Main Street. Mabel Knox Toner and Nipper are in the picture. To the left: Herman's Soda Fountain, 623 North 2nd. To the right: 128 Vine Street. 1930s–1940s: Victor J. Paxson Hardware. 1955–1956: Crossley Hardware Company. 1960s–2004: Richards Hardware Company.
1940s: Main Street at Vine and North 2nd
Looking southeast on Main Street at the intersection of Vine Street and North 2nd Street, early 1940s. Where a playground now stands at the “point” created by the intersection of Vine & Main Streets, James F. Walton traded as “Walton the Plumber” prior to his death in 1927. He was eventually succeeded by Taggart & Green, plumbers. At 208 Vine, the next building, was the Chin Bock Suey Chinese laundry. The photo dates from the early 1940s, when Taggart & Green's office served as Civil Defense station for Air Raid Wardens in the area.
Captain Dan Sells Oyster House
Camden Daily Courier —
Captain Dan McConnell, who has run an oyster house for many years at 125 Main street, has sold the good will and fixtures and some oysters to Billy Dieffendorff, a young man who is well known in the Poynts. Billy will run a first class oyster house and will cater to family trade especially. Captain Dan will go to Anglesea where he will spend his future days as a fisherman.
200 Block of Main Street
200 Block of Main Street
City directory records, 1884–2004.
201 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| to 1927 | James F. Walton (Walton the Plumber) |
| after 1927 | Taggart & Green (plumbers / Civil Defense station) |
208 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1959 | Mrs. Sadie Hiers |
210 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890 | Charles B. 'Barney' Harvey |
| WWII | Sergeant John J. Smith Jr. |
212 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1888 | Charles B. 'Barney' Harvey |
216½ Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1935–1937 | William H. Leash & Family (William H. & Anna Duncan Leash, Clarence Leash, William Leash, Grace Leash, Theresa Leash, Myrtle Leash White) |
224 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1884 | Charles B. 'Barney' Harvey |
| 1917 | James Murphy & Family |
| 1917 | James Murphy |
226 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1894–1914 | Charles B. 'Barney' Harvey |
| 1935–1994 | Joseph Gellura & Family |
| 1935–1994 | Joseph & Mary Gellura |
| 1935–1994 | Ralph Gellura |
228 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1914–1918 | John W. Plum |
| 1920–1950 | Raffaele Roggi & Family (Raffaele & Anna Roggi, Frank Roggi, Mary Roggi, John Roggi) |
| 1959–1970s | Frank W. Vlerebome & Family |
| 1959–1970s | Frank & Helen Vlerebome |
| 1976–1977 | Phil Cohen |
230 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890–1893 | Charles B. 'Barney' Harvey |
| 1895 | William Harry DeFord |
| 1895 | Abigail DeFord |
| 1895 | Joseph Cunningham & Family |
| 1895 | Joseph & Eleanor Cunningham |
| 1895 | Eleanor Cunnigham |
| 1949–1995 | Paul Mumman Sr. & Family |
| 1949–1995 | Paul & Helen Mumman |
| 1949–1995 | Paul Mumman Jr. |
232 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1919–1930s | Edward E. Peraria Sr. & Family |
| 1919–1930s | Edward E. & Frances Peraria |
| 1919–1930s | Edward E. Peraria Jr. |
| 1919–1930s | Frances Peraria |
234 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887 | Hugh Scroggy |
201 Main Street — James F. Walton, plumber. Camden City Directory advertisements, 1913 and 1917.
Mrs. Sadie Hiers
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. Sadie Hiers, 66, of 208 Main st., died Monday. A native of Scotland, she was a Camden resident 38 years.
Surviving are a son, Raymond, of Texas; two daughters, Mrs. Caroline Skain, of Camden, and Mrs. Vera Hentchel, of Illinois, and five grandchildren.
Services wil [sic] be held Friday at 10 a.m. in a funeral home at 532 State st., where friends may call tonight. Burial will be in Harleigh Cemetery.
Sergeant John J. Smith Jr.
Sergeant John J. Smith Jr., 210 Main Street.
Camden Man Dies After Heart Attack
Camden Courier-Post —
William H. Leash, 58, died suddenly yesterday of a heart attack at his home at 216½ Main street. He had been a resident of this city for 20 years.
Funeral services will be held from his late residence at 2 p.m. Saturday with interment at the New Camden Cemetery.
Surviving are his widow, Anna Duncan Leash; two sons, Clarence and William; two daughters, Mrs. Thomas White and Misses Grace and Theresa Leash.
MRS. ANNA LEASH, 57, DIES IN HOSPITAL
Mrs. Anna Leash, 57, of 216½ Main street, a resident of Camden for 20 years, died suddenly in Cooper Hospital yesterday. Coroner Frank J. Leonard said a blood clot in an artery leading to the heart caused death.
Mrs. Leash, her family said, yesterday was apparently in good health, and attended a motion picture show. Taken ill during the night, she was removed to the hospital. Her late husband, William H. Leash, died a year and a half ago.
Surviving are two sons, Clarence and William, and three daughters, Mrs. T. L. White, Miss Theresa Leash and Mrs. E. Beach, of New York City.
Funeral services, which are in charge of Bernard C. Schroeder, will be held at her late home at 11 a.m. Saturday. Burial will be in New Camden Cemetery.
Boy's Fall Proves Fatal
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Taken to Cooper Hospital Saturday night suffering from the advanced stages of tetanus, James Murphy, seven years old, of 224 Main street, died yesterday. About two weeks ago the little boy was reported to have had a fall from a swing in which he struck his head. The past few days he had complained of severe pains and his facial muscles were affected. When a physician was called in the boy was ordered sent to the hospital at once. An antitetanis serum was used, but the malady was too far developed.
226–234 Main Street, 2011
226 Main Street. Photograph taken November 4, 2011.
My Grandparents Raffaele & Anna Roggi purchased 228 Main Street in 1920 & lived there until my Grandmother died in 1950. The tree in the picture in front of 228 on your site was planted by my Grandfather. It’s no longer there.
They also purchased sometime in the early 30’s 228 Main Street & when my parents got married in 1935, purchased it from my Grandparents. When my Grandmother died 228 was turned over to my parents, Joseph & Mary Gellura. Our family continued to live there until my Brother Joe sold 226, 228, 232 & 234 Main Street in June 1994.
My Brother Joe also purchased in around 1980, 224, 222, 220½, 220, 218, 216 & 214 Main Street, built the garage on the grounds of 224 and 222, and made the rest a beautiful garden.
228 & 230 Main Street. Photograph taken November 4, 2011.
232 & 234 Main Street. Photograph taken November 4, 2011.
230 Main Street: DeFord and Cunningham Notices
DE FORD—On December 27, William Harry De Ford, aged 76 years. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from his late residence, 230 Main street, Camden, N. J., Sunday, December 30. Interment private. Philadelphia Inquirer, December 30, 1894.
CUNNINGHAM.—On May 21, 1895, Eleanor, only child of Joseph and Eleanor Cunningham, aged 11 months and 4 days. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Friday, 24th. at 12 o’clock, from her parents’ residence, 230 Main street, Camden, N. J. Interment private at Greenwood Cemetery, Philadelphia. Philadelphia Inquirer, May 24, 1895.
DE FORD—On June 2, 1895, Abigail, widow of the late Henry De Ford, in her 61st year. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Tuesday afternoon, at 2 o’clock, from her late residence, No. 230 Main street, Camden, N. J. Interment private. Philadelphia Inquirer, June 4, 1895.
1885: Looking Southwest from 3rd & Vine
Looking Southwest from the corner of 3rd & Vine in the aftermath of the Cyclone of April 1912. From left: 607 and 609 North 3rd Street; 234, 232, 230, 228, 226 Main Street.
The Cyclone of 1912
Tornado damage in Camden, 1912. The term “cyclone” was commonly used to refer to tornadoes in those times. Tornadoes struck Camden in 1885 and 1912.
Stable, Corner 3rd and Main Streets, Camden, N. J.
Damaged by Wind Storm, April 2nd, 1912
1936: Looking Northeast on Main at 3rd and Cedar
May 1936 — Looking Northeast on Main Street at the intersection of North 3rd Street, Cedar Street, and Main Street.
1925: Looking Northwest on Main at 2nd and Vine
1925 — Looking Northwest on Main Street at the intersection of North 2nd Street, Vine Street, and Main.
300 Block of Main Street
300 Block of Main Street
City directory records, 1884–1960s.
301 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1930s | Samuel D. Payne (printer) |
306 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1906 | Robert J. Wythe |
323 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887–1888 | Benjamin F. Sweeten (contractor) |
| 1884–1922 | E. Roberts & Brother Livery Stable / Edward Roberts Garage (Edward Roberts & Asa L. Roberts) |
| 1884–1922 | E. Roberts & Brother Livery Stable |
| 1884–1922 | Edward Roberts Garage |
| 1923–1924 | Hoddell Garage |
| 1923–1924 | William F. Hoddell |
| 1930s–1960s | Main Garage |
Samuel D. Payne, printer, 301 Main Street, 1930s.
306 Main Street — Robert J. Wythe, 1906.
323 Main Street: Roberts Stable to Main Garage
Alice Bradel of 316 Elm Street & child, in front of 316 Elm, looking at 323 Main Street — E. Roberts & Brother Livery Stable. Late 1910s.
323 Main Street — Hoddell Garage, William F. Hoddell, 1923–1924.
323 Main Street — Main Garage, 1930s–1960s. Dave Schneider & Ted Jones, circa 1935.
1952: Main Street, Point to 5th Street
1952 — Main Street between Point Street and 5th Street. The railroad yard that serviced Main Street, and the grounds of the old Vine Street Ferry Terminal (which had stopped running in 1926), are visible. The North Camden Theater at North 2nd and Vine Streets, and Mancine’s Tavern at 3rd and Main Street, can be easily seen.
1875: 4th Street and Main Street
1875 — 520 North 4th Street, at the southeast corner of North 4th Street and Main Street. The home and business of Charles L. & Richard Reeves.
400 Block of Main Street
400 Block of Main Street
City directory records, 1884–1930.
418 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890–1891 | Carl E. Trebing Sr. |
420 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1909 | Alfred A. Holt & Family (publisher, Camden Echo) |
422 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1930 | Franklin Pierce Alloway & Family |
| 1930 | Franklin P. & Sarah L. Alloway |
| 1930 | Sarah L. Alloway |
| 1930 | Eleanor J. Alloway |
| 1930 | Florence M. Alloway |
| 1930 | Franklin C. Alloway |
| 1930 | William R. Alloway |
| 1930 | Anna L. Alloway |
| 1930 | Mary E. Alloway |
430 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1888–1895 | Carl E. Trebing Sr. & Family |
| WWI | Private George E. Trebing |
Alfred A. Holt Obituary
Philadelphia Inquirer —
From a complication of diseases, Alfred A. Holt, a publisher, died at his home, 420 Main street, yesterday. He is survived by a widow and one daughter. He was born in Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire, England. He settled in Camden and established the Echo, a semi-church weekly. Mr. Holt was for many years secretary of the Camden Baptist Association and also of the Camden County Sunday School Association.
The Franklin Pierce Alloway Family at 422 Main Street
Franklin Pierce Alloway and his wife, the former Sarah Lavinia Griffee, resided at 645 Willard Street when their first child, my mother, was born on November 24, 1919. Her name was Sarah Lavinia Alloway. They resided at 815 Market Street when their second child, Eleanor Jennie Alloway, was born on December 10, 1921. They lived at 718 Federal Street when their third child, Florence Mae, was born on February 23, 1923. They next resided at 513 South 6th Street when their fourth child, Franklin Charles “Bud” Alloway was born on November 7, 1924. They lived at 608 Carmen Street when their fifth child, William Robert Alloway, was born December 31, 1926. The family had moved to 436 Benson Street, when their sixth child, Anna Louise Alloway came on August 5, 1928. When the seventh and last child, Mary Elizabeth, was born on August 30, 1930, the family was living at 422 Main Street. The reason given for the continual moving was because of the increase in the family size requiring larger accommodations.
The bottom photo was taken in the 1930s by oldest daughter Sarah L. Alloway. Her siblings Florence, Eleanor, Franklin, William, Anna and Mary Alloway and their uncle, Milton Alloway, are pictured.
Carl E. Trebing Sr., 430 Main Street. Receipt, 1895.
1952: Main Street, 4th to 6th Street
1952 — Main Street between 4th & 6th Streets. Automobile traffic on Main Street ended in the 500 block. The railroad remained in use into the 1950s, servicing the R.M. McAllister coal yard in the 600 Block. Visible at the corner of 4th and Main is the building depicted in the 1875 photograph above.
A Night Alarm
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Disastrous Fire Spreading From a Stable In Camden.
A fire that originated in the two-story frame stable, at Sixth and Mill streets, in Camden, last night, spread to the factory of Philadelphia and Camden Soap Works, and finally to a number of dwelling houses, resulting in a loss of about $16,000.
Shortly after 11 o’clock a lady residing in the rear of the structure heard the horses making an unusual noise, and on going to the door saw flames coming from the roof. She immediately summoned help and an alarm was struck.
Before the fire department arrived on the scene willing hands secured axes and broke open the doors leading to the different stalls with the intention of liberating the horses. This was found to be difficult work, as the animals were so frightened by the flames that they reared and had become almost unmanageable. Finally, however, the halters holding the twenty two horses were cut and they were led to a place of safety.
When the firemen arrived the building was a mass of flames and their energies were directed towards saving the property in the neighborhood. Notwithstanding their efforts to prevent the spread of the flames three houses on the north side of the stable were badly scorched by the fire and damaged by water. While the conflagration was at its height several of the rafters fell in the centre of the stable and Fireman Lovatt, of the truck company, who was in charge of one of the lines of hose, was slightly injured by the timbers.
The fire at this time spread to the adjoining soap works, Nos. 511 and 513 Main street, damaging the place to the extent of $1500. After the flames had died out somewhat in the stable it was found that eight horses had been lost.
The front portions of the dwellings on Branch street, Nos 529, 531, 533 and 635 [sic], caught on fire and were damaged to a considerable extent. It caused great excitement in the vicinity, women and children running from the houses in their night clothes. The house No. 533, occupied by Mrs. Vaureman, was damaged to the extent of $500.
About an hour after the alarm was struck the fire was under control, and nothing was left of the stable except a mass of smouldering wood. Mr. Baird recently made several important additions to the structure, and Tuesday a ton of hay was stored away in the upper portion. The fire is supposed to have originated in the loft, and it is believed it was caused by rats and matches.
1891: 500 Block of Main Street and Birch Street
500 Block of Main Street & Birch Street, 1891. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map.
500 Block of Main Street
500 Block of Main Street
City directory records, 1878–1964.
505 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1883–1896 | Joseph Zanner (saloon) |
| 1902–1903 | John S.B. Candler (saloon) |
| 1904 | Thomas B. Sheppard (saloon) |
| 1905–1943 | William Oberman Sr. & Family (William & Tekla Obermann, William Obermann Jr., Frank A. Oberman) |
| 1947 | Main Cafe (Walter E. Gross) |
| 1956 | Main Street Cafe |
| 1957–1964 | Ann's Tavern (Frank Malek; William Micklin) |
507 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | B&H Trucking Company |
511 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1895 | Swiss Laundry's Clean Linen Laundry |
515 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1955 | Tru-Ade Bottling Company |
517 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Dominick Oleveto (garage) |
| 1947 | Pietro Appiccifuoco |
519 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1931 | Ambassador Club (Stephen Kirby; Eugene Lorenzo) |
| 1947 | No Return |
521 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1878–1881 | Theodore Drown & Family |
| 1878–1881 | Theodore & Hannah Drown |
| 1878–1881 | Wilbur A. Drown |
| 1920s | Trego & Winters Roofing |
| 1943–1947 | Mrs. Grace Beutler & Family (Elmer Beutler, George Beutler Jr., Grace Beutler, William L. Beutler, Joan Beutler) |
| 1947 | Trego Roofing; William M. Lewis Real Estate |
| 1947 | Trego Roofing |
| 1947 | William M. Lewis Real Estate |
| 1947 | Mrs. Grace Beutler |
538 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Mrs. Emma M. Crafchok |
540 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Louis Cranfrano |
542–544 Main Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1933 | D.W. Harris |
| 1947 | Camden Battery Service |
Oberman Liquor License, 505 Main Street
Philadelphia Inquirer — February 15–16, 1905
The Camden Excise Board will have a problem to solve at its meeting to-night when the liquor applications of John A. Walls and William Oberman come up for consideration. Both men have applied to sell at 505 Main street. Philadelphia Inquirer, February 15, 1905.
MORE BARS IN CAMDEN
Excise Commissioners Granted Additional Licenses
The Camden Excise Commission last night received two applications to sell liquor at 505 Main street, one from William Oberman and the other from John A. Walls. Oberman was given the license. Antonio Cealla, at 727 Kaighn avenue, and I. B. Hunsberger, Second and Steven streets, were also granted licenses. Philadelphia Inquirer, February 16, 1905.
Fourteen Caught in Saloon Round-Up
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Latest Haul Made by the Law and Order League in Camden
There was another round-up of Camden county liquor dealers yesterday. Complaints were made against fourteen persons by George B. M. Adams, an agent of the Law and Order League.
Those for whom warrants were issued are: Walter S. Hubbs and wife, charged with running a speak-easy in Pensauken township; John Keefe, of Fogarty avenue and Carman street; Thomas Farnham, Ninth and Lawrence streets; John Daly, 321 North Seventh street; William Gallagher, 106 Kaighn avenue; Charles E. Bakley, 2318 Federal street; John H. Carroll, Third and Cherry streets; John H. Jones, 517 North Front street; George W. Hoskins, 505 Main street; William Convery, Eleventh and Carpenter streets; John Opfer, Front and Pearl streets; Joan [sic] Dugan, Front and Pearl streets; Michael J. Walsh, 503 Federal street.
All entered bail before Justice Schultz for hearings to-day except Opfer, Gallagher and Walsh. The latter was locked up and the other two sent word they would appear this morning. The complaints will at once be submitted to the grand jury.
Vandals Smash Sign at N. Camden Tavern
Camden Courier-Post —
Frank J. Malek, of 6862 Browning rd., Pennsauken, reported to police Sunday that someone smashed with a brick an electric sign advertising Ann’s Tavern, 505 Main st., which he owns.
William Micklin, who lives above the tavern, told city Det. Jacob Maressa he heard the sound of breaking glass and saw a sedan pull away from the curb early in the morning.
Notice Them.
Camden Daily Telegram —
Notice Them. Lace curtains, lace bedspreads, lace pillow shams, sideboard scarfs, used in the J. R. Van Seiver & Co. opening; were laundered by the Swiss Laundry’s Clean Linen Laundry, Main office and works, 511 Main street. Branch offices, 334 Federal street and 1105 Broadway.
Trego and Winters Roofing
Camden Courier-Post —
Trego and Winters Roofing (advertisement)
TREGO and WINTERS ROOFING
521-3 Main Street, Camden Phone 1413
William L. Beutler Among War Injured
Camden Courier-Post —
Former Athletic Star and Referee Reported in Hospital
Master Sgt. William L. Beutler, 32, has been seriously injured, according to word received by his mother, Mrs. George Beutler, Sr.
Beutler is well-known throughout this section. He is a former football and basketball star and later served as an outstanding referee. He has been in the Army since Sept. 16, 1940, leaving Camden with the first contingent of the National Guard.
His wife, Mrs. Dorothy L. Beutler, is residing with her parents in Pennsylvania. She, also, was notified by the War Department of his injuries.
The War Department telegram stated that Beutler was confined to a hospital. His mother believes it to be in North Africa, as Beutler was there when relatives and friends most recently heard from him.
Beutler is the son of the late George Beutler, former Camden policeman who died in 1939. A brother, George, Jr., is serving with the Army in the Pacific. He also is a sergeant. Beutler’s mother and his 9-year-old daughter, Joan, reside at 521 Main street.
2 Held in Raid as Night Club Has Opening
Camden Courier-Post —
2 HELD IN RAID AS NIGHT CLUB HAS OPENING
Proprietors Fight Claim of Police They Operated in Violation of Law
NORTH CAMDEN PLACE HAS SHORT EXISTENCE
Case Sent to Grand Jury After Hearing in City Police Court
Although they were not included among the 500 guests invited to the “grand opening,” First district police last night visited the new Ambassador Club at 519 Main street on orders of Mayor Roy R. Stewart and arrested the two alleged proprietors and six other persons.
Stephen Kirby, 33, of 552 Bailey street, former boxer and city fireman, and Eugene Lorenzo, 33, who gave the club as his address, were held by Judge Garfield Pancoast, in $500 bail each for the grand jury as proprietors after they pleaded not guilty in police court this morning to charges of operating a disorderly house. The other six, including two women, were released in their own recognizance as material witnesses.
Police charged that the establishment had no soft drink license and that two half-barrels of high-powered beer were found on the premises. Kirby held that the place was privileged to operate as it had been incorporated by the state as a club and that he had a half-barrel of near beer.
The raid on the alleged whoopee house follows the raid made Monday night on a Chinese gambling establishment at 507 North Fifth street, one block distant. Both raids are part of Mayor Stewart’s announced program to “clean gangsters and their lairs from Camden.”
Police said that Kirby appeared at police headquarters last Monday night and offered bail for the 57 Chinese prisoners but that the bail was taken from another bondsman.
Although the establishment advertised in invitations a “grand opening” for last night, it had been in operation for some days past, said Lieut. George Ward, commander of the district who led the raid. He was accompanied by Detectives Alfred Shire and Walter Smith.
Incorporation Claimed
Kirby told police the club was incorporated by himself and six men, and that it had been closed on Monday night following a visit there by Lieut. Ward, Shire and Smith. This visit followed the complaint of Eli Carson, of 5101 Chester avenue, Philadelphia, that he had been robbed there of a watch, Kirby said. This was verified by police.
“We held a meeting yesterday,” Kirby maintained, “and decided that as a club, incorporated by the state, we had the right to open irrespective of police orders. We had even an official reopening and it was known as ’grand reopening.’”
Two barrels of alleged high-powered beer were found in the club, and bottles, believed by police to have contained whisky.
Lieutenant Ward ordered all the prisoners to be held as “principals” until identity of the proprietor could be established. On his order Sergt. Gus Koerner refused to accept a $1000 surety bond proffered for release of the seven other prisoners last night.
On Sunday night Detective Edwin Mills went to the club and received the watch Carson contended was stolen from him. Kirby declared that the watch was accepted as security for a $7 loan by Lorenzo and denied an allegation of Carson that women frequented the upper floors of the club.
Following the closing of the place Kirby said that an invitation was “sent out to 500 members for the official reopening.”
Kirby declared last night that the raid was unjust.
“I am an American citizen and ex-service man, as are three others arrested with me,” Kirby said. “We are incorporated as a club and make no disturbance, but we’re raided. I can’t understand that, in view of the fact that that Chinese place raided the other night still shows lights at 2 and 3 o’clock in the morning.
“I was released pending a hearing when I posted $100 cash, but the police would not accept a bond of $1000 for the other seven. They wanted cash, but finally the others were released in $500 bail each for a hearing this morning. And yet those Chinese arrested were released in $10 security.”
600 Block of Main Street
1952 — 600 Block of Main Street. R.M. McAllister Coal Yard. By 1947 there was no motor vehicle traffic on this stretch of Main Street, and no addresses.
700 Block of Main Street
1952 — 700 Block of Main Street. Bridge Plaza Parking Garage. By 1947 there was no motor vehicle traffic on this stretch of Main Street, and no addresses. The railroad tracks had been covered over on Linden and Penn Streets, but still were in place, unused, along Main Street.
The Vine Street Ferry Terminal
Operated for many years by the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Cooper’s Point, or Vine Street Ferry operated between Camden and Philadelphia. The Ferry was able to remain profitable even with competition from three other ferries in Camden, but the opening of the Delaware River Bridge brought a quick end to the service. The last run of the ferry was made on October 31, 1926, only a few months after the opening of the then new bridge.
Charles S. Wolverton was the superintendent of the ferry for many years, retiring when it closed. His son, Charles A. Wolverton, represented Camden in the United States House of Representatives for 32 years.
Murderer’s Wife Supplied Revolver, Smuggling It In Covered by Fruit
Camden Post-Telegram —
Confessing Supplying Pistol, in Spite of Husband’s Denial That She Was Guiltless, Mrs. Ashbridge Is Held Without Bail on Charge of Conspiracy in Aiding and Abetting Escape From Jail
With Wilson T. Ashbridge under guard in a cell in what was formerly known as Murderer’s Row, the police and county detectives today redoubled their energies towards the capture of George E. Thompson, the forger who escaped with Ashbridge from the County Jail on Monday night after murdering one keeper and wounding another. Stirring the police of all cities in the East to renewed activity, another circular was sent out today by the authorities giving notice of the reward of $500 offered for Thompson’s capture. Attention was strongly directed in the circular due to the fact that one of the fingers of Thompson’s left hand is missing.
The gun with which Ashbridge murdered jailor Isaac Hibbs and wounded Jailor Ellis was smuggled into the jail by Mrs. Ashbridge on Saturday morning. With it went a box of cartridges. The weapon and bullets were passed to Ashbridge in a basket of fruit, being at the bottom of the basket. The jailors were busy at the time she called and as she frequently had brought her husband fruit they did not take precaution to search the basket. Mrs. Ashbridge bought the gun and cartridges on the written request of her husband.
Her confession as to the very grave part she played in the escape and murder was made to the Prosecutor late yesterday afternoon after she had first insisted she had no knowledge of how the gun got into the jail and after her husband had repeatedly declared that the revolver was supplied by Thompson. The revolver, fully loaded, was still carried by Ashbridge when he was captured in the Keystone Hotel…
… by Recorder Stackhouse without bail for conspiracy in aiding and abetting the escape of her husband and George E. Thompson from the County Jail on Monday night.
The court room was packed to suffocation by a morbidly curious crowd, composed primarily of women. A strange silence spread through the court room when the little woman was led into the court room by Captain Schregler. The regular formality of placing prisoners in the dock was dispensed with the woman’s case.
Prosecutor De Unger pointed to the high witness chair and Mrs. Ashbridge sat in it. She evaded the gaze of the crowd, looking intently at the floor and through a window on the Washington Street side. She wore a blue skirt and a white waist. She was without her hat. Her hair was carefully arranged and she wore nose glasses.
Resting her chin on her right hand her arm and hand were seen to tremble slightly. So quiet was the room that a pin dropping could have been heard.
“Mrs. Marian Ashbridge,” called the Recorder.
“Yes, Sir” was the faint reply of the woman, who did not even look up at the call of her name.
“This complaint charges you with delivering to Wilson Ashbridge and George E. Thompson a pistol and aiding and abetting them in escaping from the County Jail, where they had been lawfully committed. Do you plead guilty or not guilty,” said the Recorder as he read the complaint.
The woman said nothing. Detective Schregler was then called as the complainant. He told of the confession made by the woman and produced the revolver which the woman purchased and which Ashbridge used in his daring escape. The gun, Captain Schregler said, was purchased in a pawnshop at Eleventh and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, on Friday of last week and was delivered to Ashbridge on Saturday morning along with a box of cartridges. “Marian, I will hold you without bail,” said the Recorder.
As the woman was being led from the court room by Captain Schregler and Sergeant Reed the crowd made a rush for the door leading from the court room, whereupon orders were given by the police to the crowd and many were prevented from rushing out. Everybody seemed anxious to secure a closer look at the unfortunate woman.
Visitors were denied Mrs. Ashbridge. Not even her children were permitted to be brought before her, although the broken-hearted mother asked for them.
“Oh, God, I don’t know why I did this; why I left the little ones to go with Wilson,” tearfully expostulated Mrs. Ashbridge to the kind-hearted matron, who spent the best part of last night with the distraught woman.
“If I could only see little Marian,” sobbed the woman in the arms of Mrs. Kirkpatrick, who informed her that perhaps she could see them today.
Last evening the only support Mrs. Ashbridge had was a cup of tea. The morning she sipped a portion of a cup of coffee. She told Matron Kirkpatrick that she was not hungry.
“Everybody hounded me, I had no friends, and that’s why I went with my husband, because he was the only friend I had left,” said Mrs. Ashbridge. “He was a good boy, but was easily led.” The wife said even before her marriage that Ashbridge would run around with other girls, but he always returned to her and she forgave him. She said he seemed to have a spell over her and she couldn’t leave him.
“I love my husband, still and will stand by him to the end,” sobbed the little woman to Mrs. Kirkpatrick. She told how her relatives disowned her and how after her father’s death she went to live with strangers. When her husband fostered the plan to escape she willingly consented to aid him. She drew $100 out of the bank and purchased clothes and the gun and bullets. She never faltered in her plan.
“My heart aches for that woman,” said Matron Kirkpatrick this morning to a Post-Telegram reporter. “She’s a good girl, but was easily led into her present predicament. It only goes to show what a woman will do for the man she loves, no matter how base a wretch he may be. Mrs. Ashbridge is more to be pitied than scorned.
Recorder Stackhouse this morning produced a copy of the marriage of the couple, performed by him on July 28, 1914. The marriage was performed at the instance of Assistant Prosecutor Butler after Ashbridge wronged the girl. Constable William E. Headley and William C. Ashbridge, the latter father of the murderer, were witnesses.
As told in yesterday’s Post-Telegram, Ashbridge and his wife and their captors arrived at the City Hall from Chester shortly after 2:00 o’clock. After a brief stay they were taken to the Court House and turned over to Prosecutor Kraft, Ashbridge being taken into the Prosecutor’s private office and Mrs. Ashbridge being placed under guard in the ante room.
Taking full blame for the murder of Hibbs and the wounding of Ellis, Ashbridge declared that none of the shots were fired by Thompson.
“I shot both men,” he declared, “but Thompson gave me the gun. He had it since Saturday.” He repeated this assertion several times in the course of his examination, adding each time that his wife had no part in supplying the firearm. His voluntary insistence in…
… exercise corridor of their cells in response to his request that he wanted to show him a note that had been left for him, he asked the aged keeper to step inside the corridor. Evidently suspecting something was wrong Hibbs refused to enter the corridor. When Ashbridge repeated his request that Hibbs step inside, Thompson, who was immediately behind Ashbridge, said something to the murderer. Ashbridge could not exactly recall what the expression was. At any rate it was then that he fired and Hibbs fell to the floor with his death wound. To take Hibbs’ keys and open the door leading from the exercise room to the corridor was the work of but an instant. It was then that Ellis confronted Ashbridge at the other end of the corridor. He refused to throw up his hands when the murderer so ordered. Instead, the plucky jailor grappled with the slayer, who again brought the gun into play, twice wounding the remaining jailor.
Ashbridge did not say why he wanted Hibbs to step inside the corridor. One surmise is that the pair had planned to get the old man into the corridor, overpower him, take his keys and after gagging him place him in a cell, depending on the gun to awe any prisoners who might make an outcry. But whatever their plan was in this respect it miscarried. Hibbs would not enter the corridor and was shot down where he stood.
Thompson carried both his own and Ashbridge’s coats when they fled. As Ashbridge had decided to do the talking with Hibbs when the jailor came to lock them in their cells it was agreed that it would not be wise for the murderer to be wearing a coat. This might look suspicious to Hibbs and in all likelihood he would refuse to open the door. Hence it was decided that Thompson should take both coats. He also carried Ashbridge’s cap and his own Panama.
The coats and hats were adjusted as they ran down the spiral stairway leading to the street. They walked slowly into Sixth Street; increasing their pace up Sixth Street after crossing Market and after turning into Cooper walked very rapidly. They turned north on Third Street to Main and thence to the Vine Street ferry, where they caught the boat leaving at 7:15 for Philadelphia. Landing on the other side the fugitives exchanged hats. They walked rapidly to Broad Street Station, where Mrs. Ashbridge was in waiting, this arrangement having been made when she smuggled the gun in to her husband on Saturday morning.
Accompanied by Thompson the Ashbridges walked out Market Street to Thirty-second Street. Here Thompson left them and after walking the street for a brief while longer the slayer and his wife boarded a trolley car for Chester, where a few hours later the murderer’s short-lived liberty was so dramatically terminated.
Although jailor Ellis still insists that three shots were fired before he was attacked and in spite of the positive declaration of Alfred Williams, the trusty, that three shots were fired at Hibbs, Ashbridge claims that Hibbs was shot only once and that two bullets were used on Ellis. He said that the three empty shells which the detectives found in his pocket contained the only bullets fired in the jail. The post mortem examination made yesterday by County Physician Stem bears out his contention as to the number of shots fired. Only one bullet was found and that had penetrated the jailor’s heart.
“That’s the truth about the shooting,” declared Ashbridge. “I fired the shots— three of them in all— and the gun was given me by Thompson. My wife had nothing to do with it. Don’t blame her.”
Enroute back to the prison from which he had made his tragic getaway on Monday night, Ashbridge passed through the ante room where his wife was under guard. He stopped, kissed her, gently caressed her cheek, told her not to worry and passed on to the jail, from whence his next exit will be to the electric chair.
Haggard and very weak Mrs. Ashbridge was at once taken before the Prosecutor. With due regard for her condition Mrs. Ashbridge was handled very gently. At first she insisted that she had no part in getting the gun, but under skillful handling she finally broke down and confessed that she had supplied the revolver.
She stated that on Friday night she received a letter from her husband telling her that he planned to escape from the jail on Monday night and that he needed a revolver to make certain that his scheme would not fail. He requested that she procure the pistol and cartridges and personally deliver them on Saturday. Being anxious to aid her husband in every way possible she readily decided to do as he requested.
Accordingly she purchased the needed articles in a Philadelphia pawnshop on Friday afternoon, paying $3.00 for the pistol and 67 cents for the cartridges. She kept them over night and on Saturday safely delivered the weapon and bullets to her husband in the bottom of a basket of fruit. At the same time Ashbridge asked her to go with him and when she agreed to share his fate he told her to meet him in Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, shortly after seven o’clock on Monday night. He further told her that he had carefully studied the situation and did not see how it was possible for his plan to miscarry. On Monday morning she sent her children to the home of Mrs. Anna Dick and later in the day sent the letter to Mrs. Dick telling of her “rash deed” and enclosing $10 for the children.
As Mrs. Ashbridge told her story she spoke in a very low tone. Most of the time her eyes were cast down and as she concluded her brief narrative she sobbed convulsively and was in a state of utter collapse. Reviving somewhat when given cold water Mrs. Ashbridge was turned over to the police and taken back to City Hall to await her hearing this morning.
The prison key stolen by Ashbridge from Hibbs’ murdered body was recovered this morning by Detective Doran in the yard of Dr. Frank, 2025 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. The recovery of the key was due to information given by Ashbridge, after he had been locked up in jail yesterday afternoon. Ashbridge, when questioned as to the whereabouts of the key, said that Thompson had it and that he had seen him toss it over a wall of a residence near Twenty-third and Chestnut Streets on Monday night while he and his wife and Thompson were walking to Thirty-second Street.
Detective Doran and Constable Voight went to Philadelphia late yesterday afternoon and searched in vain for the key in the vicinity of Twenty-third and Chestnut Streets until darkness came on. Detective Doran renewed the search early this morning. There is a high wall fronting the yard at the home of Dr. Frank, and a search of the grounds resulted in the finding of the key, which was returned to Sheriff Haines.
Ashbridge is confined in a large cell in what is known as Section E. As cellmates he has two persons who are being held as witnesses to the crime. Sheriff Haines has assigned three constables, Gardner, Ford, and Addison. They will work on eight-hour shifts and will see that Ashbridge does not attempt any further escape or try to end his life.
Sergeant Detective Kane of the Chicago Police Department today took to Chicago Alfred Williams, who was an eyewitness to the murder of Hibbs. Williams, an Italian, served six months here on a charge of false pretence in obtaining money from a number of Italian grocers under the pretence that he represented the Roma Grocery Company. After his arrest and sentence here the police of Chicago lodged a detainer against Williams who is wanted in the West for a like crime.
The body of Jailor Hibbs will be exposed to view tonight at his home, 913 South 8th Street. Services will be conducted by Reverend Harry Bradway, pastor of Eighth Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Members of the Seventh Ward Republican Club, Mutual Aid and the Liberty Beneficial Society will attend in a body.
Tomorrow morning the body will be taken to Langhorne, where services will be held in the Friends Meeting House, after which interment will be made in the burial ground by the Schroeder-Kephart Company. Friends may call this evening to pay their respects.
Ashbridge will not be tried until December. On the day he was listed for trial of murdering Mrs. Dunbar his lawyer, Assemblyman Wolverton, was ill. In the interim the entire panel of jurors for the April term of court was discharged following a case of alleged tampering. This makes it necessary that he be held until September for trial unless the Court should otherwise decree, which is hardly likely.
Ashbridge is 22 years old and not 27, as previously stated. His real age was disclosed by the certificate of his marriage. He was 20 when he wedded two years ago.
The Howard Marshall who mailed a letter to a woman in Baltimore is not Freeholder Howard Marshall of the Eighth Ward, as was reported to the Prosecutor yesterday. Mr. Kraft’s investigation disclosed that Freeholder Marshall does not know either Ashbridge or Thompson and that as a matter of fact the Marshall in question is an East Sider and no relative to the freeholder, who was naturally much upset at being mistakenly dragged into the case.
E.S. Fry, proprietor of the Keystone Hotel, Chester, where the couple were caught, told the story of the capture both to the city police and Prosecutor Kraft.
“Late on Monday night I received a call from another hotel, requesting that I take care of a man and his wife for the evening,” said Mr. Fry. “I waited until a little before midnight when the couple arrived. He seemed nervous and registered in a shaky hand, and I was suspicious that there was something wrong.”
“I did not pay much attention to the way he registered until the next morning when I examined the register and saw that he had neglected to register his wife. He signed ‘Mr. Smythe, Washington, D.C.’ I communicated my suspicions to my wife and told her to go observe the couple, too. Then I went out on the porch and picked up a morning newspaper. On the front page were the pictures of the two men who escaped.”
“I instantly recognized Ashbridge, but was not just sure of my identity of the man, so I decided to get a better look at him. At the breakfast table I observed him more closely and feeling sure of my ground I called Captain Schregler, afterward securing the service of two negro policemen, whom I placed on guard outside the hotel, giving them orders not to allow the couple to leave. The officers, William Padgett and William Robinson, took their positions outside the hotel, ready for the signal to enter when I gave it.”
“Ashbridge arose.”
“What’s the matter,” he exclaimed. “You know what’s the matter,” replied Mr. Fry, who brought in Captain Schregler and Detective Hunt. Schregler and Hunt instantly recognized the fugitive.
Before Ashbridge had a chance to move his arms were pinioned by his sides and Policeman Hunt had extracted the murder gun from his right hip pocket. It was fully loaded. In the same pocket were seventeen additional cartridges and in a suitcase in his room, Number 9, was a fresh box of cartridges.
“The little wife was crying bitterly,” said Mr. Fry. “She leaned her head upon his shoulder and the husband tried to console her.”
Captain Schregler sent a telegram to Chiefs Gravenor and Hyde with the startling news that Ashbridge had been caught.
On the way back to Camden Mrs. Ashbridge began to cry. She was sitting beside Captain Schregler, and he tried to console her. Her sobs increased, and Ashbridge called to her to “take it easy.”
This seemed to quiet her a bit, and Schregler spoke to her kindly, saying that she would not be blamed very much for her part in the escape. “That’s not worrying me” she answered. “I am worried about ‘Wil’.”
“Well, you women beat me” was Schregler’s comment. “What did you want to help him escape for, anyhow? He had beaten you, deserted you for another woman and when she turned him down, he killed her. Yet you make up with him, leave your kids and risk everything to help him escape. Seems to me the worse men treat you women, the more you will do for them.”
“Lots of truth in what you say,” remarked Mrs. Ashbridge, with a sigh.
Mr. Fry was the center of attention. Everybody seemed anxious to hear his story.
“I’m not going back until I collect that $500 either,” he was heard to say. The capturer was formerly coroner of Delaware County.
Scenes of excitement were prevalent when the automobile of Chief Gravenor with Detective-chauffer David Hunt at the wheel, Captain Schregler and the prisoners in the rear and Chief Dodd, of the Pennsylvania Railroad police force in the front seat came from the Federal Street Ferry. E.S. Fry, the hotel proprietor who caught the Ashbridges, was also in the car.
Ashbridge and his wife were instantly recognized. The news spread like wildfire and was passed along the route of the machine to police headquarters.
Thinking that the prisoners would be brought to the Prosecutors office, a battery of newspapermen and photographers were camped on the Court House plaza. When someone cried in bellowed tones “There they go,” the scribes and photographers started in hot pursuit behind the automobile.
The officers upon reaching the City Hall had to fight their way through the dense crowd which had gathered outside Police Headquarters. Many stood tiptoed to get a good glance at the prisoners who were abashed at their predicament.
Pulling her black straw hat over her face, Mrs. Ashbridge leaned on her husband’s arm. To hide his face the murderer pulled the Panama hat, which he had secured from Thompson, over his countenance.
Preliminary questioning was done by Captain A.L. James, after which the officers and prisoners were escorted upstairs to the office of Chief Gravenor.
Still clenching the stump of a cheap cigarette in the corner of his mouth, Ashbridge had a pitiful look on his face. He was much thinner than he was when he was arrested for the murder of the Dunbar girl. On his upper lip was a small mustache, which he raised during the last week.
His beautiful and baby-like eyes still retained their piercing stare. The murderer looked wild-eyed at persons in the room. He seemed to take delight in singling out persons in the room and “staring them out.” None seemed courageous enough to return Ashbridge’s strange stare. He looked distressed but the only betraying sign of nervousness was his incessant twitching of his fingers. Seated on the couch in the chief’s room, Ashbridge talked freely.
His wife dried away the tears as they trickled down her reddened face but after regaining her composure she seemed quite calm. She intently watched Captain Schregler and Detective Hunt as they searched through her husband’s clothes.
When the trip for the Court House was being arranged the two prisoners, still handcuffed together, walked in the outer room of the chief’s office. It was then that the wife broke down slightly. She choked back a sob and leaned her head on her husband’s shoulder. Ashbridge did likewise and patted her on the back, at the same time, saying something in a suppressed tone of voice. The only persons in the room at the time were Assistant Chief Hyde and a Post-Telegram reporter. Neither was able to catch the words uttered. Captain Schregler, Chief Gravenor, and Detective Hunt later entered the room and the start for the Court House was made.
The crowd below which was camped about the entrance to the building awaited with patient expectancy, when the news was spread that the prisoners were leaving the building.
Camera men took their positions, ready to snap the couple, but the Ashbridges fooled them. Before the door leading to the street was opened Ashbridge drew his wife to him and with their free hands pulled their hats over their faces, thus eluding the photographers, who resorted to every means to secure a photograph.
Once inside the automobile the prisoners seemed content until the Court House was reached when another large crowd was on hand to greet them. Both repeated the trick of hiding their faces.
After Ashbridge was taken to his cell his wife was ordered taken to the detention department in the City Hall. Captain Schregler and Detective Hunt half-carrying the sobbing and broken-hearted woman, who has aroused some sympathy for her courageousness in taking such a desperate chance for the man she loved, the father of her children and a cruel murderer.
“What other woman would do as much as she has for her husband,” was the query advanced by one of the spectators in the Court House corridor as Mrs. Ashbridge passed through on her way to the waiting automobile.
3 Businesses, Homes Looted On Weekend
Camden Courier-Post —
Burlars [sic] broke into three Camden business establishments and three Pennsauken homes over the weekend and netted nearly $600 in loot, police said.
Liquor valued at $120 by Richard D. Grayson, 603 Chestnut st., was taken early Sunday from his 705 Bar, 705 Chestnut st., Ptl. Peter N. Paul and Edward Troutman said. An undetermined amount of money was taken from a juke box which was broken open. Police said entry was gained through a rear window.
An estimated $103 was taken from candy, cigaret, pinball and soda pop machines broken open at Paramount Billiards, 16 S. Broadway, according to Ptl. Nathan Kline. George Watson, 410 Carteret st., who opened the billiard parlor Sunday morning, called police.
Two Men Held
Two men are being held on charges of breaking and entering Martini’s Service Station, 4th and Main sts., Saturday night. Ptl. William Haines said 14 cents was missing.
Joseph Knox, 26, of the 1800 block Mulford st., and John Kenney, 24, of the 600 block N. 4th st., were arrested at 5th and Main sts. after a passerby told police she recognized them as the men she saw running from the service station.
Hugo J. Martini, owner of the service station, said the place was looted and 80 pennies taken. Sixty-six of the pennies were found on the floor and pavement.
200 at Party Honor Air War Hero Kelly
Camden Courier-Post —
Brunner and Rhone Join in Tribute; Park May Bear His Name
Air war hero Staff Sgt. William “Bill” Kelly was honored last night by more than 200 friends and neighbors of the First ward and numerous city officials.
A party was held for “Bill” in the newly established headquarters of the First Ward Republican Club, 47 York street. Joseph Campbell, club president, was chairman of arrangements.
During the ceremonies the club went on record urging the city to purchase an unimproved area bounded by Main, York, Point and Front streets for the establishment of a soldiers’ memorial park to be known as Kelly Park.
The club pledged funds for the erection of a permanent soldiers’ honor roll and memorial would be raised by political clubs, both Democrat and Republican, of the ward. It was stated a petition urging the purchase of the ground by the city is now being circulated in the ward.
Among those who honored Kelly, holder of the Air Medal and Purple Heart, were Mayor Brunner, Commissioner Rhone, Freeholders Schneider and Quinlan, former City Prosecutor William Cahill and Charles Humes. A former city policeman, Kelly was a gunner on a Flying Fotress [sic] and participated in numerous bombing missions over Europe before being sent home after receiving his second wound.
A war bond was presented to Kelly, and his wife, Mary Theresa Kelly, received an ornamental pin. Freeholders Schneider and Quinlan presented the club with an American Flag.