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Mechanic Street

Camden Street
Page Contents

Mechanic Street

Mechanic Street lays two blocks south of, and originally ran parallel to Kaighn Avenue from Front Street to Haddon Avenue, with a gap between 7th and 8th Streets. Mechanic Street’s geography — the streets and railroads that cross its path — dictated that there were two different sections of Mechanic Street, each with their own particular makeup and character. Mechanic Street is one of the older streets in Camden, appearing in the list of streets in the 1850 Camden City Directory.

Mechanic Street today starts at Ferry Avenue. The area west of Sixth Street had been laid out, and had many residences and a few businesses on it by the mid-1880s. The 1890–1891 Camden City Directory shows a few businesses in the 1200 block of Mechanic, between Louis Street and Haddon Avenue, but apparently all the development of Mechanic Street between the 7th and Louis Streets occurred after 1891.

This somewhat late start contributed to the way Mechanic Street turned out in the years that followed. In the area between Broadway and Front Street, with its older homes, no one ethnic group predominated. East of 8th Street was a different story.

In the years between 1890 and 1920, a wave of immigrants came to Camden to seek their fortunes in the factories and shops of Camden, to live in freedom, and to raise their children to be Americans, with rights and opportunities for advancement that never existed in the “old country.” Most numerous of the new arrivals were Italian, Polish, and Jewish immigrants, although not to be forgotten were sizable communities of Ukrainians, Croats, Armenians, Greeks, and Canadians — mostly from the province of Newfoundland, who came to work in Camden’s shipyards.

The Polish community initially seems to have settled in an area around Chestnut and Louis Streets. Once organized, the deeply religious Poles raised funds and erected their own church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, at 10th and Mechanic Streets. The church served as a magnet for the community, and Polish families flocked to the new Whitman and Liberty Park neighborhoods that sprang up early in the 20th century between 8th Street and Haddon Avenue.

Mechanic Street maintained its Polish flavor for many years, and St. Joseph Church remains the spiritual home of South Jersey’s Polish community. Changes in Camden’s ethnic makeup have changed the atmosphere along this section of Mechanic Street, although there still remain a few Polish families.

Besides St. Joseph Church, Mechanic Street is probably known for a couple of bars that are on or adjacent to it. At 1050 Mechanic a now-vacant building housed a bar for almost 50 years, last known as the Bullpen. For many years Revallo’s Cafe stood at the corner of Mechanic and Louis Streets, and 400 Mechanic housed a bar for about 80 years.

Going back to Mechanic Street west of 7th, much of it consists of vacant lots where houses once stood. The riots of 1967 and 1971 doomed many of the businesses, the aging housing stock decayed, and most of what was fell to the bulldozer. There are still homes on Mechanic west of Broadway, but little else of consequence save for a few mostly-empty industrial buildings remains.

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Foot of Mechanic Street

Foot of Mechanic Street — Occupants

City directory records and historical references.

Foot of Mechanic Street

Foot of Mechanic Street — Foot of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1933 C.B. Coles Lumber Yard (destroyed by fire July 11, 1933)
Fire at C.B. Coles Lumber Yard, Foot of Mechanic Street, July 11, 1933

C.B. Coles Lumber Yard fire at the Foot of Mechanic Street, July 11, 1933. Photo from the collection of Camden Police Detective Clifford Carr.

100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants

Residents and businesses on the 100 block of Mechanic Street.

102 Mechanic Street

102 Mechanic Street — 100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1894–1895Lawrence Botts
1894–1905Annie Botts
WWII Corporal Edward P. Carey

110 Mechanic Street

110 Mechanic Street — 100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1915Theresa Carboski

200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants

Residents and businesses on the 200 block of Mechanic Street.

201 Mechanic Street

201 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929–1931Harry Scholz — bar
1933 Irving Cartin — bar

204–212 Mechanic Street

204–212 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1938 Boudov Coal & Ice Co., Inc.

205 Mechanic Street

205 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1915Edward Chew
George Cowgill
Thomas Sullivan
Elwood Davis

208 Mechanic Street

208 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1910David Hagan
Emma Ryan

212 Mechanic Street

212 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1917P.D. Strang & Son
1917Camden City Directory
1936–1939 Boudov Coal & Ice Co., Inc.

219 Mechanic Street

219 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1863–1940sJames H. Townsend & Family (ferry captain)
1940sFrank Hughes & Family

221 Mechanic Street

221 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕ Source ↕
1900s–1920sSamuel Moore & Family
1924–1933Charles Clark
1980s–2006JYE Inc.1991 Fire Watch Magazine Advertisement

223 Mechanic Street

223 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1900s–1910sAndrew Shane & Family

225 Mechanic Street

225 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1900s–1910sJames Edwards & Family
1900s–1910sJames & Emma Edwards
1900s–1910sLotte Edwards
1900s–1910sRussell Edward
1900s–1910sLouis Edwards
1900s–1910sBessie Edwards
1932Paul Sherer

227 Mechanic Street

227 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1900s–1910sJohn Ritter & Family
1908William Marshall

229 Mechanic Street

229 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1900s–1910sGeorge Diem & Family

231 Mechanic Street

231 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1900s–1910sAugust Ceransky & Family
1910s–1920sRichard Ritter Family

235–261 Mechanic Street

235–261 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1888Razed — lot addresses reassigned

241 Mechanic Street

241 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890s–1910sSarah Dutton's Boardinghouse

247 Mechanic Street

247 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1900s–1910sGeorge Dehaven & Family
1947Zatch McGriff
1956Isadore Birch
1956 Rocco Palese
1956 Robert Burk Johnson

249 Mechanic Street

249 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1900s–1910sJacob Githens & Family

255 Mechanic Street

255 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1940–1944 David Smith Allaband & Family
1940–1944 Hazel Flanagan Allaband

265 Mechanic Street

265 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1913Jennie Wilhelm
Frank E. Connelly

267 Mechanic Street

267 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1898–1899William Grant & Family
1917Osman Harding
O. Glen Stackhouse
John Brothers
Jennie Brennan

270 Mechanic Street

270 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1891 Henry Bunting & Family

272 Mechanic Street

272 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1910Frederick Taylor & Family
1910Frederick & Rosalina Taylor
1910Mary Taylor
1910Harry Taylor
1910May Taylor
1910Marvin Taylor

275 Mechanic Street

275 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1895Robert Milne

281 Mechanic Street

281 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1919–1922Hubert F. King & Family
1919–1922Hubert & Rebecca L. King
1919–1922Mary King
1919–1922John King
1919–1922Herbert King
1919–1922Sarah King

289 Mechanic Street

289 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1930Joseph Galm & Family
1930Joseph & Julia Galm
1930James Galm
1930Joseph Galm Jr.
1930Thomas Galm
1930Edward Galm
1930Nellie Galm

291 Mechanic Street

291 Mechanic Street — 200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1930John McGuire & Family
1930John & Mary McGuire
1930Patrick McGuire

300 Block of Mechanic Street

300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants

Residents and businesses on the 300 block of Mechanic Street.

300 Mechanic Street

300 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1910s–1930sJohn Salvatore — grocery
1932John D. Cesaria

301 Mechanic Street

301 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1892–1902Thomas E. 'Tim' Clayton (saloon)
1892–1902Thomas E. & Ella Clayton
1903–1908Patrick Earley's Saloon

303 Mechanic Street

303 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
2011Commercial building (wall only remains)

304 Mechanic Street

304 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1904 Charles Ford & Effie May Wagner

308 Mechanic Street

308 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1870 Boston Corbett
1904Annie Smith
1907Dominick Priole
1910s–1930s John & Madaline Salvatore

310 Mechanic Street

310 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1907Lewis Berry & Family
1907Lewis C. & Ella J. Berry
1907Mary L. Berry
2011Vacant

312 Mechanic Street

312 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1899Walter Irvin Gilman
1938Alton I. Gilman

313 Mechanic Street

313 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1906Henry Bishop Family
—Henry & Rebeccah Bishop
—Harry Bishop
—Martha Bishop
Irvin Franklin Bishop

314 Mechanic Street

314 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
WWI Private Edward Beckley

315 Mechanic Street

315 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
2011Vacant — razed September 28, 2011
2011Vacant

316 Mechanic Street

316 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1882Michael Delaney & Family

316½ Mechanic Street

316½ Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1919–1927Elmer D. Snyder & Family
Joe Snyder

317 Mechanic Street

317 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1906–1907Mrs. Elizabeth Quinn

317 & 319 Mechanic Street

317 & 319 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1966 Destroyed by fire, February 5, 1966

318 Mechanic Street

318 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1938Mrs. Mary L. Beswick

319 Mechanic Street

319 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1927–1930 William Pernier

321 Mechanic Street

321 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1943Joseph Phillips
1956–1957Benjamin Kates & Family
1956–1957Benjamin & Myrtle Alston Kates
1956–1957Charles Kates
1956–1957George Kates
1956–1957Benjamin Kates II
1956–1957David Kates
1956–1957Robert Kates
1956–1957Myrtle Kates
1956–1957Sarah Kates
1963Joseph Butler

323 Mechanic Street

323 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1928Mrs. Helen Featherer
1941William Alston

327 Mechanic Street

327 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1927Thomas Mullen
WWII Private Francis D. Myers

331 Mechanic Street

331 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1917Elmer D. Snyder Family
1917 Joe Snyder

337 Mechanic Street

337 Mechanic Street — 300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1900s–1910sGeorge K. Hartman Family
300 block of Mechanic Street, north side 300 block of Mechanic Street, south side

300 block of Mechanic Street, north side (top) and south side (bottom).

Drink-Sellers Arraigned

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Drink-Sellers Arraigned - Philadelphia Inquirer, December 14, 1895

Efforts to Stop Violations of the Sunday Law in Camden.

The Camden police are keeping up their efforts to suppress Sunday liquor selling. The following saloon keepers appeared before Mayor Westcott, of Camden, yesterday, and pleaded not guilty: F. A. Shuster, of Front street and Kaighn avenue; Tim. Clayton, of Third and Mechanic streets; James Croker, of Fourth and Jasper streets; F. Joseph Rouk, of Eighth street and Ferry avenue; John Murschell, of Broadway and Jefferson street, and Gottlieb Jung, of Ferry avenue and Jackson street.

Warrants have also been issued for Adam T. Davis, Jr., of Second street and Kaighn avenue, and Mary [?]ang, of Fillmore and Jackson streets, on similar charges. Davis is seriously ill and was unable to be present yesterday.

Chief of Police Dodd is the complainant in all the cases. The saloon keepers will be given a hearing next Friday.

Three Men Are Jailed in Slot Machine Theft

Camden Courier-Post —

Three Men Are Jailed in Slot Machine Theft - Camden Courier-Post, February 16, 1928

Convicted of stealing a slot machine from a store conducted by Mrs. Rose DeMartin, whom they knocked down during a holdup, three men were sentenced today to terms of three months in the Camden county jail.

William Humphries, of 2252 Mickle street; Horace Haines, of 2253 Mickle street, and John Lemmons, of 2014 Cooper street, were the defendants. They were found guilty Tuesday. The crime was committed November 2 at Mrs. DeMartin’s store, Fourth and Mechanic streets. Judge Samuel M. Shay imposed the sentence.

Man Is Killed Here When Keg of Beer Explodes in Club

Camden Courier-Post —

Man Is Killed Here When Keg of Beer Explodes in Club - Camden Courier-Post, December 23, 1949 Man Is Killed Here When Keg of Beer Explodes in Club - Camden Courier-Post, December 23, 1949

Gay Holiday Party Ends in Tragedy; Bar Damaged

A Christmas party at a city Republican club ended in tragedy Thursday night when a member was injured fatally as a beer keg exploded.

John W. Kmicic, 56, of 912 North Thirty-first street, a machinist of the Pennsylvania Railroad for more than 25 years, died shortly after 1 a. m. in Cooper hospital from injuries received when the barrel exploded. Part of the interior of the first floor barroom at the Ninth Ward Republican club, 536 Broadway, was damaged.

According to Hobart Corson, chief clerk of the city fire department and president of the club, the accident occurred while more than 100 were making merry at a Christmas party on the first and second floors of the clubhouse.

Peculiar Noise

Standing beside Kmicic at the time was his son, Theodore Kmicic, of 105 Park avenue, Gloucester, and H. Allen Wolfe, acting chief of the city electrical bureau.

Wolfe said Kmicic, known by all his acquaintances as a jovial type of person, came to the end of the bar at the rear of the first floor to inspect the keg, which was making a peculiar noise.

Wolfe said Kmicic leaned over the barrel as the blast ripped the barrel open from the bottom, caused a hole to be made in the flooring and tore a piece off the end of the bar. Kmicic, Wolfe said, fell to the floor beside the keg, his face severely battered. A police ambulance removed him to the Cooper hospital, where he died two hours later.

Skull Fractured

Corson, who was on the second floor at the time of the explosion, said the party was ended immediately.

Although many were showered with beer and flying glasses, no one else was injured.

Coroner Healey was summoned and said County Physician R. Dean Cavalli would perform an autopsy on the body today. When admitted to the hospital the victim was listed as suffering a possible fracture of the skull, fractures of both arms, loss of the left eye and numerous cuts and bruises.

Kmicic lived in an apartment at the Thirty-first street address with Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wychowanec. They formerly lived at Thirteenth street and Keswick avenue in Haddon Heights.

Leaves Widow

A resident of Camden for 35 years, Kmicic was also a member of the Pennsylvania Railroad YMCA.

Also surviving are his widow, Catherine; a daughter, Mrs. Irene Curtis Gerard, New York City; a grandson; his mother, Anna, in Poland; three sisters, Mrs. Helen Polnar, Camden, and Valeria and Mary, both in Poland, and a brother, Michael, in Poland.

Requiem high Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 9 a. m. in St. Joseph’s R. C. Church, Tenth and Mechanic streets. Relatives and friends will meet at 8 a. m. in the funeral home at 1458 Mt. Ephraim avenue, where friends may call Tuesday night. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s cemetery, Chews Landing.

3 Boys Killed in Camden Fire

Camden Courier-Post —

3 Boys Killed in Camden Fire - Camden Courier-Post, February 5, 1966 3 Boys Killed in Camden Fire - Camden Courier-Post, February 5, 1966 3 Boys Killed in Camden Fire - Camden Courier-Post, February 5, 1966 3 Boys Killed in Camden Fire - Camden Courier-Post, February 5, 1966

2 Row Homes Destroyed

By EDMUND J. CHELLAND and JAY APT Courier-Post Staff

Three small boys died and four other persons were injured today as a flash fire swept two Camden row houses at 317-319 Mechanic Street.

One of the injured persons was hurt after leaping from a second floor window. Another was injured dashing through flames and smoke to safety. Two other persons escaped unharmed from the burning buildings.

Fire Marshall George Baxter and Fire Chief Edward Michelak said a kerosene space heater apparently malfunctioned and set off the blaze in the two-story frame home at 317 Mechanic Street shortly before 9 a.m.

Pronounced dead on arrival at West Jersey Hospital was Thomas Carter Ratcliffe, 9, of 317, and his nephews, Randy Smith, 1, of 319, and the latter’s brother, Robert, 2.

The baby was found dead in his crib. His brother and uncle were found dead in the uncle’s bedroom. The older Smith boy was believed to have run from his home through a second floor door to the adjacent home.

Treated at the same hospital were Mrs. Emiline Green, 66, of 321; Edwood Sharp, 39, of 317; Philip Borelli, a fireman attached to Ladder 2; and Patrolman James Snyder, 25, of 835 N. 35th Street.

Mrs. Green, a great-grandmother of the Smith brothers, was admitted for treatment of shock.

She tried to dash through a second-floor door linking her home to 319, but flames drove her back. She was led to safety by her husband, James, 60, custodian of a Glassboro dress factory.

Green also carried to safety the Ratcliffe boy’s sister, Shirley, 4, who had spent the night with them. Green and Shirley were unhurt.

Leaps 2 Floors

Sharp was admitted for treatment of a broken right ankle suffered when he leaped to the pavement from a second-floor window. He told police he was aroused by the fire, made a futile effort to rescue the Ratcliffe boy, then was forced to jump because of the intense heat and flames.

Borelli was overcome by smoke while battling the blaze. He was treated at the hospital and then returned to the scene.

Snyder was treated for an ankle injury. He and Patrolman George Pugh discovered the fire as they cruised in the neighborhood in Car No. 23.

They radioed an alarm, then tried to force their way into the house at 317 to rescue its occupants. A blast of heat and flame forced them to retreat as they opened the front door.

Firemen Find Bodies

More than 15 pieces of fire and rescue equipment responded to two alarms. They managed to keep the flames from spreading to the house at 321, although it suffered heavy smoke and water damage.

Five firemen searched the flame-and-smoke-filled buildings for the trapped boys and carried the bodies out.

The firemen were Benjamin Walter of Truck 2; William Kamman of Engine 3; William Stibi of Rescue 1; John DiMaggio, acting captain of Rescue 1 and John McGregory, a fire captain.

Three other occupants of the burned buildings were away at work at the time the fire broke out.

Coal Stove Out

Chief Michelak said they are Mrs. Emma Lou Ratcliffe, of 317, who is employed by a Swedesboro cleaning establishment; Mrs. Patricia Smith of 319, who is employed by a Pennsauken cleaning establishment, and William Roane, 25, of 319, who is employed by a Camden barrel reconditioning firm.

Mrs. Ratcliffe is the daughter of Mrs. Green. She is the mother of Shirley and Thomas Carter Ratcliffe and of Mrs. Smith. The latter is the mother of Randy and Robert Smith.

The fire chief said that Mrs. Smith told him that she had found a cellar coal stove had gone out when she awakened to go to work. He said she told him she lit the kerosene heater and left for work about 8:25 a.m.

—Courier-Post Photo by Sam Kushner

SHROUD-COVERED body of one of three boys who died in row house fire on Mechanic Street near 4th is carried out by firemen while neighbors look on from nearby porch.

—Courier-Post Photo by Sam Kushner

SMOKE SWIRLS around fireman as he leans from second-floor window of row house on Mechanic Street near 4th where three small boys perished in blaze.

—Courier-Post Photo by Sam Kushner

CAMDEN POLICE lead woman tentatively identified as grandmother of three children killed in fire from scene of tragedy on Mechanic Street.

400 Block of Mechanic Street

400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants

Residents and businesses on the 400 block of Mechanic Street.

400 Mechanic Street

400 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890Mrs. C. Rimpkill Saloon
1910s–1959 Niewinski's Cafe
1959–1971 The Hi-Lite Tavern
1971–1975Charles Lounge — John Stretch
1977Disco Lounge

406 Mechanic Street

406 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1940–1943Charles Sanders — barber shop
mid-1940sSpotless Cleaners & Dyers
1947–1950sRichard J. Chamberlin & Family
1947–1950sRichard J. & Margaret T. Chamberlin
1947–1950sRichard "Dick" Chamberlin

408 Mechanic Street

408 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1877–1883 Robert Gilmore

416 Mechanic Street

416 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1912–1913Adolph G. Hock
1913James Morgan
1957Elwood Curtis

418 Mechanic Street

418 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1914–1918 Samuel Lodge

421 Mechanic Street

421 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1959–1964William J.A. Kimber & Family

422 Mechanic Street

422 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1919–1966Jacob Sacks & Family
1919–1966Jacob & Clara Sacks
1919–1966Sylvia Sacks Rosenfield (daughter)
1919–1966Samuel Rosenfield (son-in-law)
1919–1966Joyce Rosenfield (granddaughter)

425 Mechanic Street

425 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1923–1947Julius Fox & Family — New Jersey Window Cleaning Co.
1923–1947Julius & Freda Fox
1923–1947Joseph Fox
1923–1947David Fox

429 Mechanic Street

429 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1932Charles E. Heydrick & Family
1932Charles E. & Nellie M. Heydrick

430 Mechanic Street

430 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1900s–1910s Mrs. Jennie Shields

434 Mechanic Street

434 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1918–1924 William B. McCauley & Family
1918–1924William B. & Melissa S. McCauley
1918–1924Erwin B. McCauley

436 Mechanic Street

436 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1929–1931Russell 'Buck' Sage & Family
1929–1931Russell & Ellen Waterhouse Sage
1929–1931Rose Sage
1929–1931Charles Waterhouse (father-in-law)
1929–1931Elsie Waterhouse (mother-in-law)
1929–1931Thelma Waterhouse (sister-in-law)
1929–1931Alfonso Waterhouse (brother-in-law)
1929–1931 Ralston 'Rollie' Waterhouse

439 Mechanic Street

439 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1935John B. Malnar

441 Mechanic Street

441 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1913George Bates

443 Mechanic Street

443 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1931Helen May Doerr

447 Mechanic Street

447 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1941Emily H. Godfrey & Family
1941Emily H. & Catherine Godfrey
1941Leroy Godfrey
1941Lester Godfrey
1941Scylinda Godfrey Brenzle
1941Margaret Godfrey Comly
1941Maud Godfrey Watson

448 Mechanic Street

448 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1938–1956Earl Cunningham & Family

449 Mechanic Street

449 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1910s–1940sAlexander Lewis & Family
1910s–1940sAlexander & Margaret Lewis
1910s–1940sEdith Lewis
1910s–1940sDorothy Lewis
1910s–1940sRoland Lewis
Howard A. Lewis

451 Mechanic Street

451 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1910s–1933 Earl Cunningham Sr. — policeman

452 Mechanic Street

452 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1920s–1930s Jacob and Rebecca Silver & Family
1950s Thomas A. & Mary Skymer

453 Mechanic Street

453 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1964Alfred Trusty

459 Mechanic Street

459 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
WWII Private First Class Robert M. Hendry

461 Mechanic Street

461 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1930George Clay Wade (fire fighter)
1930George C. & Adelaide Wade
1930George Wade

463 Mechanic Street

463 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1910s–1930sRichard S. Marter
1910s–1929 William R.W. Marter

465 Mechanic Street

465 Mechanic Street — 400 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1892–1934Frederick Watson & Family — policeman
William A. Butcher
1941 Charles Geitz — auxiliary fireman
439, 441, 443 and 445 Mechanic Street, June 6, 2004 440, 443 and 444 Mechanic Street, June 6, 2004

400 block of Mechanic Street — June 6, 2004.

406 Mechanic Street

Dick Chamberlain,

I lived at 406 Mechanic St. and have a picture of it when it was a dry cleaners. I remember the bar at 400 Mechanic Street being called “Mommy Scullbuster’s”. My dad took me in there to see the Joe Louis – Jersey Joe Wolcott fight on TV.

3 Freed in Holdup By Jury Held for Woodbury Court

Camden Evening Courier —

3 Freed in Holdup By Jury Held for Woodbury Court - Camden Evening Courier, December 3, 1930 3 Freed in Holdup By Jury Held for Woodbury Court - Camden Evening Courier, December 3, 1930 3 Freed in Holdup By Jury Held for Woodbury Court - Camden Evening Courier, December 3, 1930 3 Freed in Holdup By Jury Held for Woodbury Court - Camden Evening Courier, December 3, 1930 3 Freed in Holdup By Jury Held for Woodbury Court - Camden Evening Courier, December 3, 1930 3 Freed in Holdup By Jury Held for Woodbury Court - Camden Evening Courier, December 3, 1930 3 Freed in Holdup By Jury Held for Woodbury Court - Camden Evening Courier, December 3, 1930 3 Freed in Holdup By Jury Held for Woodbury Court - Camden Evening Courier, December 3, 1930 3 Freed in Holdup By Jury Held for Woodbury Court - Camden Evening Courier, December 3, 1930

Waterhouse and Pals Cleared in Robbery at Hotel Camden

Freed by Jury

Prosecutor Hits Acquittal Verdict

Lack of Separate Indictments Said to Have Led to Verdict

ROLLIE WATERHOUSE

Exonerated last night by a jury that decreed them not guilty of holding up the Hotel Camden, Rollie Waterhouse, 19-year-old “man of leisure” and his two pals face hearings at Woodbury on charges of holding up a gas station attendant.

Detainers filed at the county jail against the three suspects prevented their release after the jury, comprising eight women and four men, returned with the verdict at 8.17 p.m. after deliberating for more than four hours.

Today, Sheriff Jacob K. Tryon, of Gloucester county, dispatched County Detective W. Clayton Apgar and deputies to this city at 11:15 a.m. to take the three men to Woodbury. There they will be given a hearing before Police Recorder Edward H. Curtis on charges of holding up Thomas Riley, 57, of Ashland, attendant at the Lincoln Service Station, Paulsboro.

Riley identified Waterhouse, who resides at 422 Mechanic street, as the “gunman” of the trio of bandits who on November 20, at about 11 p.m., or about six hours before the Camden hotel holdup, entered the station and robbed him of $27.

He could not positively identify Ralph Endt, 23, of 1161 Van Hook street, and Joseph McKenna, 29, of 550 Lansdowne avenue, as the other members of the bandit trio. McKenna and Endt were co-defendants of Waterhouse in the trial which ended yesterday.

Trial Delay Seen

A long delay in the trial of the three, if they are indicted by the Gloucester County Grand Jury, appears certain, as the next regular term of criminal court does not start until next February. Special Sessions Court is held twice a month at Woodbury for juryless trials.

The “not guilty” verdict came as a distinct shock to the state, and Prosecutor Baldwin characterized it as “a most outrageous insult to the community.” He also stated that a charge of gambling will be placed against Waterhouse based on the prisoner’s own testimony in court yesterday. Waterhouse averred that the sum of $67.83 found under the seat of the taxicab in which he and his two friends were arrested after a short chase on the Camden Bridge was won at craps in a Gloucester gambling establishment.

“In my opinion, the verdict was a most outrageous insult to the community,” declared the prosecutor. “Our jury system is such that positive identifications are not relied upon. These particular men were found with the money (the sum found in the cab was only 40 cents in excess of the amount stolen from the hotel) which, it was testified, was stolen from the hotel and was found in their possession.”

“How any jury could so far disregard its oath as to acquit these offenders against the public safety is beyond my comprehension. Any such ridiculous verdict rendered against a defendant could immediately be set aside by the trial court and a new trial granted, but it is merely another one of the criminal’s privileges that once acquitted, he cannot be retired [sic].”

State to Keep Money

It was reported that because of the acquittal the state would have to return the money to Waterhouse. When asked about this the prosecutor stated:

“No money will be returned, because a specific charge of gambling will be lodged against Waterhouse, growing out of his own testimony that the money was the fruit of that gambling. Perhaps this action will not be taken until the Gloucester county authorities have had the opportunity of convicting Waterhouse on a more serious charge pending against him in that county.”

The prosecutor appeared at the courthouse more than an hour after his customary time of arrival. He could not be located at his private law office or his home. His wife stated he had left at the usual time to take his daughter to school, and that she had not heard from him.

When questioned concerning his tardiness, the prosecutor would not reveal where he had been. He admitted it was pertaining to the case of Waterhouse, Endt and McKenna, but would divulge nothing more.

The state had based its case on positive identification made of Endt by Harry Auman, the Hotel Camden night clerk. Auman could not identify McKenna or Waterhouse. The three were arrested less than an hour after the holdup with a sum of money almost identical with that stolen from the hotel.

Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point

Camden Evening Courier —

Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928 Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point - Camden Evening Courier, September 18, 1928

Seals Lips as Police Seek to Learn Identity of Assailant

EIGHT UNDER ARREST IN SUSPECT ROUNDUP

Surgeons at Hospital Find Four Jagged Bullet Holes in Body

Victim of the gang feud—he denounced on his death bed, Joseph “Mose” Flannery, 26, picturesque Eighth ward political worker, was dying today in West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.

Mortally wounded, his body riddled with bullets, Flannery was shot some time shortly before 4 a. m. today as he stood on the sidewalk outside a saloon at Front and Kaighn avenue.

Four or five men, grouped closely about the prone body of the political worker, hailed a truck which took Flannery to the hospital at 4.15.

Eight men had been arrested by police, seven charged with being a material witness, and the other being held at police headquarters “on suspicion.”

They were James L. Hawkins, 37, declared by police to be proprietor of the saloon at 101 Kaighn avenue; Walter Novak, 22, 442 Jackson street; Russell Sage, 25, of 407 Mechanic street; Joseph Novak, 34, of 508 Jackson street; Eugene Murphy, 51, of 101 Kaighn avenue; “Cuzzy” Scarduzio, 27, who gave police no home address, and Joseph Moll, 25, of 101 Kaighn avenue, all held as material witnesses; and Patrick Driscoll, 25, of 1225 South Third street, held “on suspicion.”

Cause of Shooting Unknown

Despite a far-reaching investigation, Flannery’s assailant or assailants, the details of the shooting, and its cause remained undetermined this noon. Every available county and city detective was engaged in the probe as Camden gangland’s victim hovered between life and death in the hospital.

Realizing doctors had given him but a few hours to live, Flannery continued to maintain his silence concerning how he was shot, and which he had adopted when he was carried into the hospital on a stretcher.

“My lips are sealed and if I don’t live to get the fellows who did this my gang will get them,” he told physicians when placed on the operating table at 4:30 a. m.

At 9 o’clock this morning, the doctors had given up hope for his recovery, but Flannery still was alive at 2.30 this afternoon.

South Camden virtually buzzed with rumors to the effect that Flannery’s fate was the result of a war in the bootleg ring; that it was the aftermath of a feud over slot machines; that it was a case of “women,” and that it could be linked up with the shooting in January of Joseph Cimini, by Joseph Devon, known as “Polack Joe.”

At Loss for Motive

Police were at a loss to name the motive. Acting Assistant Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, in charge of the investigation, said the probe had not reached the point where anyone person could be accused of shooting Flannery, or where the gun fire could be traced to anything but a “gang feud.”

“Mose” Flannery had been shot. He probably would die. That much was known. The rumors naturally followed for Flannery was well-known, not only in the close-mouthed circle in which he moved, but throughout the city as well.

“Mose” Flannery is one of the most picturesque figures in Camden’s political “gangland.” For several years he has been a slot machine distributor in Camden and Philadelphia.

When “Polack Joe” Devon shot and killed Joseph Cimini, Philadelphia gambler in the Sixth Ward Republican Club early in the morning of January 14, last, Flannery was arrested as a material witness. It was disclosed by police that Flannery and Cimini had gone into the club together a few minutes before Devon’s gun pumped death into Cimini’s body after the Philadelphian had quarrelled with Devon.

Flannery was considered the most important of the material witnesses connected with the Cimini murder. Sage, arrested on suspicion this morning in connection with the felling of Flannery, was another “important” witness in the Sixth Ward Club shooting affair.

James Bonner, who was mysteriously shot several months ago, was questioned today by detectives but was not held. Walter Selby, a taxicab driver, also was taken before Chief of Detectives Golden and County Detective Chief Doran, but he too was released after being closeted with the officials for more than an hour.

Sage Ordered Held

After questioning Sage, Acting Assistant Prosecutor Orlando ordered that the man be held.

In the meantime, Flannery lay on a hospital cot, propped up on his side, his pain deadened by opiates. He mumbled incoherently to members of his family grouped about him. At times he lapsed into a state of unconsciousness.

The doomed political worker early today had asked for a priest. Rev. Father John J. Henry went to the hospital. “Joe,” he said, “you’re dying. You’d better give police a statement.”

Flannery was said by doctors to have replied he would tell nothing, that if he lived, “he’d settle,” and that if he died, “my gang will take care of that.”

After a session in which more than a dozen men were questioned, Captain Golden and Detective Chief Doran shortly before noon went to the scene of the shooting. They found evidence that a scuffle in the saloon at Front and Kaighn avenue had preceded the shooting.

Tables had been overturned. Glasses had been broken. Forty cents in change was found on a table beside a picture of a small baby. There was an empty glass on one table, another glass half-filled with beer on the bar.

Bullets Meant for Novak?

It was reported that police had been informed by one of those they questioned that the bullets which ripped their way through Flannery’s body had been meant for Walter Novak who they said had been standing at “Mose’s” side at the time of the shooting. The police officials refused to confirm that rumor. Novak had told them, Capt. Golden said, he was not with Flannery at the time. Later Novak admitted to being on the corner near the saloon, police said.

Police recalled that Novak was arrested several months ago in the alleged theft of a slot machine from the store of Louis Schectman, in Broadway near Line street. Novak was apprehended after a wild chase through South Camden streets.

Schectman at first told police Novak was one of two men who entered his store, and at the point of a gun, robbed him of a nickel slot machine. Testifying in a hearing in police court several days later, Schectman said he hadn’t kept a slot machine in his store, and that two men unknown to him stole a box of cigars and escaped in an automobile.

As far as could be learned by an Evening Courier representative, the case against Novak never was settled.

The bullets were fired from a “pump” gun and were of .32 calibre. According to Detective Thomas Cheeseman, they could have been fired only from a gun of the type common to gangsters who “shoot to kill.” Cheeseman said a “pump” gun was designed to hold nine shells or “wads,” as they are commonly known. The leaden bullet is surrounded by a coating of asbestos, which breaks from the lead upon the firing of the gun and allows the lead to enter its target.

Police were following every clue which developed, no matter how scanty. Detectives combed the Front street and Kaighn avenue neighborhood, it was learned, in an effort to discover the haunts of the gang known by police to center in that part of the city.

Chief of Police Lewis W. Stehr was asked if police would act against the owners of the habitats of the “Front and Kaighn avenue” gang or if a routine investigation into the shooting of Flannery would be conducted. Chief Stehr said the usual investigation was being made and would continue.

While members of the political worker’s family talked with Flannery, and while investigation of the shooting by county detectives and police was under way, doctors said the man who lives at 346 Jackson street, couldn’t “live out the day.”

Flannery had a bullet wound two inches in diameter in his back. Another bullet had pierced his abdomen, and he had been shot in both elbows, physicians said. Doctors said the bullets were two inches long and three-quarters of an inch in diameter.

It was shortly after 4 a. m. when Charles Foulk, of 219 Point street, driver of The Courier-Post delivery truck, was hailed by a group of men standing on a corner at Front street and Kaighn avenue.

“Have you got time to take a man to the hospital?” one of the group asked Foulk, according to the story he told Captain John Golden, chief of city detectives.

Flannery was lifted into the rear of the truck, two men jumped on the running board and the run for West Jersey Hospital began.

Walter Wartman, of 315 North Second street, another Courier-Post employe, who had assisted in the delivery of Morning Posts at the Reading Ferries, was with Foulk.

Foulk said one of the men jumped from the truck when it reached Mt. Ephraim and Atlantic avenues. The other went into the hospital, whispered a few words to Flannery, and then raced out the main entrance.

Mose’s Companion Escapes

Mrs. Edward McGrath, supervisor of nurses, called Policeman Frank Malec who for several days has been guarding a man known as “Two-Gun” Kelly, and Malec gave chase to the unknown companion of Flannery. Malec saw the man disappear on Mt. Ephraim avenue, but couldn’t find him in a search of the neighborhood.

In the meantime, City Detective William Boettcher, who had been working the morning shift, had notified Assistant Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando; Lawrence T. Doran, chief of Camden county detectives; Capt. Golden, and had called City Detectives George Ward, Louis Shaw, Thomas Cheesman [sic] and Howard Pike to investigate the shooting.

Boettcher said Flannery refused to “talk.” “You are a policeman and I’m no friend of the police. I’ll never tell,” Flannery told the officer, Boettcher declared.

Later Flannery told physicians, “I have learned my lesson and hope this will be an example to other young men.”

Witness in Cimini Shooting

Flannery was held as a material witness in the fatal shooting of Joseph Cimini, 31, in the Sixth Ward Republican Club, early in the morning of January 14.—Joseph Devon, known as “Polack Joe” fired the shot that killed Cimini. Devon was arrested but the case never came to trial.

Devon now is at liberty on bail and is under indictment for manslaughter in connection with Cimini’s death. Flannery also was released under bail.

While police continued their investigation, Flannery, still determined to refuse information to detectives and doctors, was surrounded by his wife, his 4-year-old son, his mother and father, and his 19-year-old brother James. Calling “Jim” to his side, Flannery, according to physicians, said, “I want you to promise me you’ll never get mixed up in these gang wars.” “Jim” promised, Detective Boettcher said.

Novak Under Suspicion

In their search for the “mysterious” companion of Flannery on the ride to the hospital, police pointed a suspicioning finger at Walter Novak who they had held “on suspicion.”

According to information given them by Foulk, the truck driver, Flannery, during the ride from Front and Kaighn avenue to the hospital, whispered, “Where are you taking me, Walt?” He was told the hospital was the truck’s destination, Foulk told police.

Detectives said Novak might have been the “Walt” to whom Flannery spoke. Novak said he was 22, was a “salesman” and lived at 442 Jackson street.

Taken by Strategy

Scarduzio’s arrest resulted from a piece of strategy on the part of Chief of County Detectives Doran. Doran with several members of his staff and city detectives were in the bar-room of the saloon at 101 Kaighn avenue when the telephone rang before noon.

Doran picked up the receiver and the party on the other end asked if Joseph Moll, son of former Policeman Frank Moll, was there.

Figuring that the persons might be some one who could help the authorities unravel the mystery, Doran answered:

“Yes, this is Joe Moll.”

“Well, I want to see you right away,” continued the other party.

“Will you come right down to 674 Fairview street. I want to see you,” finished the unidentified speaker who then hung up.

Doran with Captain of Detectives Golden hurried down to the address given and there found Scarduzio in the home of Garfield Del Duca.

Scarduzio, it is said, was more surprised to see the authorities than they were to find him as Chief Doran had been searching for “Cuzzie” for several hours.

He said he had nothing to do with the shooting of Flannery. Limping when the detectives escorted him from the house, Scarduzio was first taken to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital to discover whether or not he was suffering from any bullet wounds in the legs.

Scarduzio Not Shot

Doctors later said Scarduzio had not been shot and the man who had been surprised at the Del Duca home was taken to police headquarters.

He “knew nothing about the shooting,” Scarduzio told Captain Golden and County Detective Chief Doran. There were stains, possibly bloodstains, on Scarduzio’s trousers, the police said. “Cuzzy,” as he is known in police circles, wore a clean white shirt, and that fact sent detectives from headquarters on another tangent in their investigation.

Scarduzio was asked where he had left a “bloody shirt” he was reported to have been wearing early today. According to police, he denied his shirt was bloody, and refused to give them any information.

City Detectives David Hunt, Samuel Johnson, and Walter Smith were dispatched on the “side” investigation.

Detective Thomas Cheesman [sic], of the city hall staff, also holds two warrants for the arrest of Scarduzio in connection with the holdup of a saloon in Gloucester several weeks ago and the theft of an automobile.

Moll was arrested while sleeping in a room over the saloon near Front and Kaighn avenue. He was arrested by Chief Doran, Captain Golden and Detective Ray Sapanore. Moll has been in police toils several times recently, the last time in connection with the mysterious shooting of Bonner near the spot where Flannery fell.

Woman Describes Auto

The movements of an automobile bearing Pennsylvania license and containing several men whom she said ran out of the saloon near Front and Kaighn avenue an hour after Flannery was shot, were described to police officials late this morning by Mrs. Mary Brown, who lives near the saloon.

She was questioned at detective headquarters after she had reported seeing the car drive onto the Spruce street pier, four men alight and board a motorboat which set off across the Delaware river in the direction of Philadelphia.

According to Mrs. Brown, the driver of the “mysterious” automobile turned the car about and raced north on Front street.

A city-wide man-hunt had been made for Joseph “Cuzzie” Scarduzio, detectives said after the “surprise arrest” on Fairview street. Police had heard rumors Scarduzio, known by them to be a “pal” of Flannery, had been standing by “Mose” when he was “given the works” by the yet unknown gunman or gunmen. They had heard, detectives announced, that Scarduzio, coatless and hatless, had been seen leaving the scene of the shooting, his clothes spattered with blood from the wounds of his friend.

Camden detectives said they doubted if Philadelphia gangsters were responsible, believing, they announced, that the shooting was local to the Camden gang center they knew existed.

City Detective Walter Smith shortly after noon brought a South Camden bartender into police headquarters for questioning.

The man said he was Frank Smith, and tended bar in a saloon in the 1800 block on Broadway, near Ferry avenue, and said he had overheard three men telephone for a taxicab to take them to Front street and Kaighn avenue. Smith placed the time after midnight, according to police, and detectives doubted if the three men were connected with the Flannery “case.” Smith was not held by police.

Hotel Holdup Denied By 3 On Witness Stand

Camden Evening Courier —

Hotel Holdup Denied By 3 On Witness Stand - Camden Evening Courier, December 2, 1930 Hotel Holdup Denied By 3 On Witness Stand - Camden Evening Courier, December 2, 1930 Hotel Holdup Denied By 3 On Witness Stand - Camden Evening Courier, December 2, 1930 Hotel Holdup Denied By 3 On Witness Stand - Camden Evening Courier, December 2, 1930 Hotel Holdup Denied By 3 On Witness Stand - Camden Evening Courier, December 2, 1930 Hotel Holdup Denied By 3 On Witness Stand - Camden Evening Courier, December 2, 1930 Hotel Holdup Denied By 3 On Witness Stand - Camden Evening Courier, December 2, 1930 Hotel Holdup Denied By 3 On Witness Stand - Camden Evening Courier, December 2, 1930 Hotel Holdup Denied By 3 On Witness Stand - Camden Evening Courier, December 2, 1930

Alleged Bandits Tell Jury They Were Gambling at Time of Robbery

Waterhouse in Clash With State’s Attorney

Defendant Says Money Found in Taxi Had Been Won in Gloucester

Three Camden men on trial on charges of holding up the night clerk and elevator operator of the Hotel Camden November 21, and robbing them of $67.43, went on the stand in their own defense today and made a complete denial.

They are Rollie Waterhouse, 19, of 422 Mechanic street; Joseph McKenna, 29, of 550 Lansdowne avenue; and Ralph Endt, 23, of 1161 Van Hook street. Under direct examination by their counsel, Samuel P. Orlando, and in cross examination by Prosecutor Baldwin, they presented an alibi in which they said they had been gambling in Gloucester at or about the time of the holdup.

Waterhouse and the prosecutor clashed while the former took the stand as the first defense witness. It was after Waterhouse had retraced his movements of the morning of the holdup that Prosecutor Baldwin started to delve further into Waterhouse’s affairs.

Under cross examination, Waterhouse admitted that he hasn’t worked for a year. He stated he lived with a sister.

“Where do you get the money with which to gamble?” asked Baldwin.

“From my brother.”

Then, after Waterhouse averred he had left Gloucester for Camden between 5 and 5.30 a.m., “just at dawn,” Baldwin asked him if he knew that on that particular morning the sun rose at 6.51 a.m.

“I don’t know anything about the sun rising,” replied Waterhouse. “It was just beginning to become daylight.”

Then Baldwin questioned him closely about a gambling den which Waterhouse said he had visited with McKenna and Endt early that morning.

He averred he did not know the name of the proprietor nor its exact address, except that it was on Jersey avenue between Seventh and Eighth streets, Gloucester. He didn’t know the names of any of the other men there, except there was an “Ed,” “Quirt” and “John.”

“Would you be willing to point out this house to the prosecutor if he went down there with you this afternoon?” asked Orlando.

“Yes.”

Refuses to Make Complaint

“If you showed it to me, would you be willing to sign a complaint against the proprietor?” pressed Baldwin.

“No. Why should I?” asked Waterhouse.

Waterhouse, in direct examination, testified that he and his two companions had gone to the private house in Gloucester and played dice. He said he won some money, and the three walked to Broadway at about 5.30 a.m., where they got a “hop” to Camden with a motorist whom they did not know. They alighted at Broadway and Federal streets, and decided to go to a Turkish bathhouse at Twelfth and Federal streets in Philadelphia. They went to Broadway and Cooper street, where they called a cab.

In the cab, Waterhouse said, he took out his winnings and started to count them in order to split with his companions. He referred to his friends as “Mr. Endt” and “Mr. McKenna.” He had the money in his hands when the cab was stopped by bridge police. He placed it on the seat. Under cross-examination, he said he did not know how the money came to be found under the seat. He said he might have had a P.R.T. token, as he sometimes used the tokens in Philadelphia. A token was in the loot stolen from the hotel.

He then told how the night clerk could not identify him or McKenna, and hesitated before identifying Endt, finally saying to the latter that “if it wasn’t you, it was your twin brother.” When questioned how he had happened to have a paper roll of five-cent pieces, Waterhouse said some of the money he had won was paid to him in that form. His winnings, he said, comprised one-dollar bills and change, and he had counted up to $50 when the bridge cops appeared.

Waterhouse was a state’s witness at the trial of Albert Saunders, who was acquitted of the murder of Angelo Solury, U.S. sailor slain in the Little Club, a Mount Vernon street speakeasy, last June. At that time it was not the state but the defense which brought out that Waterhouse to all appearances was a “man about town,” in that he did not work for a living.

At Saunders’ trial, Saunders and two other defense witnesses flatly accused Waterhouse of the Solury murder. When the jury exonerated Waterhouse, Prosecutor Baldwin was asked if Waterhouse would be arrested. The prosecutor averred that the “case is closed.” A short time later Waterhouse was arrested in the hotel holdup and was also identified as the “gunman” in a Paulsboro gas station holdup. McKenna and Endt had also been held as material witnesses in the Solury murder, but were not called upon to testify by the state.

Defense Motions Denied

The state rested at 10.37 a.m., and then Judge Shay denied two motions by Orlando for a directed verdict of acquittal. Orlando first moved for acquittal of McKenna and Waterhouse.

Orlando held that the state had failed to identify Waterhouse and McKenna with the holdup, and that the fact they were arrested less than an hour after the holdup with Endt in a taxicab in which $67.83 was found under the seat, was purely circumstantial evidence occurring after the holdup. Defense counsel also pointed out that while Harry A. Auman, the clerk, had identified Endt as one of three bandits, he failed to identify Waterhouse and McKenna, and had even refused to sign a complaint against them in police court.

Second Motion Denied

When Judge Shay dismissed the motion on the ground that there was enough evidence to permit the case to go to the jury, Orlando then moved for a verdict of acquittal for all three defendants. He said the joint indictment against them charges “robbery by force and putting in fear,” and that the state had failed to prove the elements of robbery, that any violence was used or that Auman was put in fear.

Judge Shay denied the second motion, averring that the hotel lobby was dark, and one of the bandits placed something, a finger or a weapon, against Auman.

“If I were in his position, I would be frightened under those circumstances regardless of whether it was a gun or not, especially since it was too dark to determine this,” stated Judge Shay.

The state today moved to spike what had appeared to be the foundation of a defense alibi. Yesterday, Edward Schreyer, 124 North Tenth street, driver of the taxicab in which the three were arrested, testified that at 5.25 p.m., he had picked up three fares at the Pennsauken police station and taken them to Camden. A short time later, he picked up Waterhouse, McKenna and Endt at Broadway and Cooper street.

This was brought out under cross-examination by Orlando, and it indicated the defense might contend that the money might have been placed under the seat by the previous fares.

Three Fares Called

Today the state called the three fares, James McGinnis, 1115 Federal street; Joseph Dent, 318 Taylor avenue, and his brother, Walter Dent. They averred they had been playing cards at a friend’s house the preceding night and were speeding on Crescent boulevard when their car overturned near Central Airport. They were either at Cooper Hospital or at the Pennsauken police headquarters between 1.30 a.m. and 5.25 a.m. They said they had not been playing for money and had little cash.

Two Pennsauken policemen, Fred Weyman and James Hoff, corroborated their testimony insofar as their whereabouts at the time of the holdup. Sergeant Michael Bachmayer, of the Camden Bridge police, the last state’s witness, described how two bridge cops chased Schreyer’s cab on the bridge and overtook it to arrest the three suspects.

Suspect in Holdup Identified at Trial

Camden Evening Courier —

Suspect in Holdup Identified at Trial - Camden Evening Courier, December 1, 1930 Suspect in Holdup Identified at Trial - Camden Evening Courier, December 1, 1930 Suspect in Holdup Identified at Trial - Camden Evening Courier, December 1, 1930 Suspect in Holdup Identified at Trial - Camden Evening Courier, December 1, 1930 Suspect in Holdup Identified at Trial - Camden Evening Courier, December 1, 1930 Suspect in Holdup Identified at Trial - Camden Evening Courier, December 1, 1930

Hotel Night Clerk Not Certain of 2 Others in Robbery

Positive identification was made of one of three bandit suspects who went on trial today in Criminal Court on charges of holding up and robbing the night clerk and elevator operator of the Hotel Camden on the morning of November 21.

The defendants, all of whom deny the charges, are Rollie Waterhouse, 19, of 422 Mechanic street; Joseph McKenna, 29, of 550 Lansdowne avenue; and Ralph Endt, 23, of 1161 Van Hook street. They are named in one joint indictment charging robbery.

They were arrested less than an hour after the holdup when they were crossing the Camden Bridge in a taxicab. Under the seat was $76.83, just 40 cents more than the bandits took from Harry A. Auman, the night clerk, and Jacob Davis, the elevator operator.

Auman, the first witness called by the state today, walked over to the defense table and dramatically identified Endt as the bandit who leaped over a desk and commanded him to throw up his hands. Endt nervously rubbed his lips but stared steadily at his accuser during the brief ordeal.

But when he was asked to identify Waterhouse and McKenna as the other bandits, Auman could not do so, although he testified that a second bandit had run behind the desk and poked something against his ribs. The lobby was dark, the clerk averred, and he couldn’t distinguish the features of the other two men. He further declared that Endt had no weapon in his hands, but had sharply commanded him to open the safe.

The trial opened before Judge Samuel M. Shay shortly after 10 a. m., and a panel of 24 veniremen was summoned. The prisoners were handcuffed together when they were escorted into the court room by Constable Vernon Lyons, William Gaskill and William Sawyer. However, Prosecutor Baldwin later ordered the handcuffs removed.

When the panel was called, the prosecutor asked if any of the prospective jurors knew the defendants, and there was no response. Samuel P. Orlando, defense attorney, then asked the veniremen if they had read newspaper accounts of the holdup, if they knew the complainants or had any connection with the hotel, if they were clients of the prosecutor or his aides and if they had cases or friends who had cases in the prosecutor’s office. Again there was no response, and the selection of the jury began.

All three defendants were held as material witnesses in the murder of Angelo Solury, sailor killed in the “Little Club,” a Mt. Vernon street speakeasy, June 6. Later, Albert Saunders, who was tried for Solury’s murder, named Waterhouse as the actual slayer, as did two other defense witnesses. Saunders was acquitted. [sic] and Prosecutor Baldwin, when asked if Waterhouse would be charged with the murder, announced that the case was closed.

Waterhouse has, since his arrest in the hotel holdup, been identified as the “gunman” in the holdup of a Paulsboro gasoline filling station, which occurred about six hours before the hotel robbery.

The three were arrested, arraigned in police court and indicted on the same day of the holdup. They were to have gone on trial last Monday, but the case was postponed until today on Orlando’s request.

The jury was completed in one hour at 11.20 a. m. Eight women and four men were chosen from a total of 48 veniremen. The state used 10 of its 12 preemptory challenges, while the defense used 18 of its 20 challenges. The first juror drawn, as is customary, was named forelady.

The jury follows:

Mrs. Mary L. Klein, housewife, 127 North Thirty-second street; Mrs. Mary J. Sayre, housewife, Brooklawn; John Quirk, clerk, 859 North Thirty-second street; Cecilia Cahill, saleslady, 116 North Sussex street, Gloucester; Mrs. Minnie Hines, housewife, 2729 Lincoln avenue; Mrs. Elizabeth S. Sharp, housewife, Blackwood; Russell Kleaman, mechanic, 228 Hampshire avenue, Audubon; Mrs. Nellie Powell, housewife, 613 Market street, Gloucester; George James, retired, 428 Middlesex street, Gloucester; Mrs. Ida M. Palme, housewife, 13 West Wayne terrace, Collingswood; Mrs. Mary Cantwell, housewife, 1030 North Twenty-first street; and Thomas Haggerty, mechanic, Stratford.

Gangster Shot as Racketeers Open War Here

Camden Courier-Post —

Gangster Shot as Racketeers Open War Here - Camden Courier-Post, April 29, 1929 Gangster Shot as Racketeers Open War Here - Camden Courier-Post, April 29, 1929 Gangster Shot as Racketeers Open War Here - Camden Courier-Post, April 29, 1929

Gloucester Man Near Death After Attack at Broadway and Kaighn Avenue

FELLED NEAR QUARTERS OF CAMDEN GAMBLERS

Brother of Frank Doris Accused After Police Round Up 10 Men

In Gang Shooting

JOHN DORIS

Brother of Frank Doris, who was electrocuted for murder in connection with the Olney Bank robbery. John Doris is under arrest for shooting an alleged racketeer here yesterday.

Shooting of an alleged racketeer at Broadway and Kaighn avenue, near the threshold of one of South Jersey’s notorious reputed gambling joints, threw Camden police into renewed warfare on gangdom yesterday.

Like the shots that riddled Hughy McLoon, the dwarfed Philadelphia hunchback—shots that blew off the lid off Philadelphia vice and police corruption—those that echoed in the recognized rendezvous of Camden gangdom promised to have far-reaching effects.

The victim was Joseph Connors, 28, of 135 North Broadway, Gloucester, alleged beer racketeer. With a bullet in his lungs and another in his abdomen, he was conceded “an even chance” to live at West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital last night

John Doris, 24, brother of Frank Doris, who died in the electric chair for murder during the Olney Bank holdup is under arrest charged with the shooting.

A roundup by a special squad of detectives immediately following the shooting resulted in the arrest of 10 men, among them some well-known gangsters and racketeers. All were held in bail as material witnesses.

Those netted in the roundup and the bail demanded follow:

Russell Sage, 426 Mechanic street, several times suspected in Camden gang shootings, held without bail for trying to help Doris escape; James “Jimmie” Toland, former Philadelphia pugilist and now operator of the Nonpariel Club, $2500 bail; Joseph Simms, cook in the Nonpariel Club, $500 bail; Charles Riehm, 1051 Haddon avenue, manager of the club; William Kelly, alias Leo Morton, 425 Van Hook street, $500; Harry Selah, 1240 South Third street, a spectator who named Doris as the assailant, $500; William J. Merrick, 1128 Liberty street, $2500; Lorenzo Cole, 920 Jefferson avenue, $500; Ernest Matsius, 506 Kaighn avenue, $500; Leo McKenna, 426 Mt. Vernon street, $500.

Motive in Doubt

Motive for the shooting was so tangled in the mazes of gangland’s intrigues of love, avarice and rivalry that police confessed they were unable to fathom it. Gangland’s glib explanation was that Doris and Connors quarreled over change for a $5 bill in the Nonpariel Club, Second and Kaighn avenue several hours before the shooting.

The shooting took place in front of the American Restaurant, 506 Kaighn avenue after the two men had engaged in a bitter quarrel at a table inside. Other patrons saw both arise and punch viciously. Doris suffered severe cuts on the face in the exchange. Then the fighters walked out to the street to finish the battle.

But as Connors raised his hands, the other pulled a pistol and began firing at point-blank range. Connors screamed and ran back toward the restaurant with Doris, the pistol still in readiness, in pursuit.

Shot Shatters Pane

Three shots were fired. One crashed through a window of the United Shoe Repair Shop on the opposite side of the street at 505 Kaighn avenue.

In his haste to escape, Connors lunged through the glass panel of the restaurant door, cutting his hands and face.

The wounded man ran through the kitchen into Amber street at the rear. Doris pursued him as far as Broadway, but turned from the chase when a group of pedestrians ran toward him. Connors collapsed near the corner as he cried “Get the wagon. I’m shot.”

Sage, the suspect denied bail, tried to put the fugitive board [sic] a Philadelphia-Pitman bus, police said, but the driver refused to take him as passenger because he said he was not permitted to make stops in Gloucester, where Sage asked the driver to discharge Doris.

Meanwhile available detectives and patrolmen were hurried to the scene. When the search ended Doris had been in a cell in Camden police headquarters several hours as a “drunk.”

Picked Up as Drunk

He was “sent in” by Policeman Joseph Leonhardt after telling an incoherent story of “bumping off a guy.” Leonhardt sized him up as helplessly drunk and arrested him near the Nonpareil Club less than 30 minutes after the shooting.

It was not until later, when Doris’ friends, a woman among them, called police headquarters for news of him. All asked for him by his right name except the woman. She asked first for Doris and then for “John King.” This was the alias Doris gave when “slated.” He was questioned in his cell by Detective Sergeant Samuel Johnson, but it was not until he actually was identified as the assailant that police were certain they had the right man.

As Detectives Koerner, Cheesman, Carpani, McGrath and Troncone continued to bring suspects into headquarters for questioning, Selah, one of those arrested near the scene of the shooting, was asked as a detective pointed to Doris:

“Is that the man?”

Selah nodded.

Doris Record Bad

Doris has a criminal record that dates back to his school days. Once, Judge James E. Gorman, Philadelphia, told him he was headed for the electric chair—an end that looms as a distinct possibility. Doris also was suspected in the murder of Joseph (Mose) Flannery, in Kaighn avenue, between Front and Second streets, a few doors from the Nonpareil Club.

So far as Camden authorities were able to determine last night, Connors has no police record. He has been linked, they said, to a beer racket and is known as a frequenter of gambling joints, police said, but local records show no mark against him.

Machine Gun Holds Mystery

Two mysterious elements stand out to further baffle scrutiny of the motives behind the shooting. One is the sudden closing of two South Camden gambling joints—one in a second floor room in Broadway, below Kaighn avenue and the other at Tenth street and Kaighn avenue. These places, both operating at full blast, closed their doors on Friday without an explanation that could be reconciled with the circumstances.

The other mysterious touch to yesterday’s affair was an apparently well-authenticated report that police arrested a man in a car with a machine gun. Efforts to learn the identity of this man were fruitless.

Speculation concerning the closing of the gambling houses jumped from rumors of a war of rival gamblers, to warnings of a holdup or of a police raid. Paraphernalia was removed from both places and sentries posted to spread discreet warnings for patrons to keep away. The place at Tenth street and Kaighn avenue was closed by police three months ago. Its reopening was unexplained.

The shooting spurred police officials to what Chief Lewis Stehr declared would be a wholesale cleanup of South Camden’s hangouts, and gaming dens.

“Orders went out three months ago,” said Stehr “to clamp on the lid. We have been working hard to keep it on. This shooting may have no significance in itself, but it stresses the need to wipe out the practice of carrying weapons.”

Extra details of plain clothesmen were on duty in the Kaighn avenue district last night, Stehr announced.

Supreme Court Justice Frank T. Lloyd, Merchantville, recently appointed to serve the district including Camden, declared he intends to review the facts in yesterday’s shooting to determine if his intervention in alleged Camden racketeering is warranted.

Justice Lloyd’s charge to the April grand jury demanding a curb on the carrying of firearms and asking a campaign to curb the influx of Philadelphia criminals into South Jersey, caused widespread anticipation of a general review of vice conditions here.

Commissioner David S. Boone, director of public safety, said the police department “has its hands full” in attempting to execute orders for a cleanup he issued some months ago.

He declared he issued special orders yesterday to Chief Stehr as a result of the most recent shooting. But he declined to disclose their purport.

The shooting was subject of a lengthy conference of the county’s law-enforcement officers in the prosecutor’s office. Lawrence T. Doran, chief of county detectives and Rocco Palese, assistant prosecutor, refused to comment on the possible effect the shooting might have on demands for a review of conditions here.

Doran, who entered the investigation on orders of the prosecutor’s office, attempted unsuccessfully to induce the wounded man to name his assailant. He permitted Connors’ brother, Raymond, to see Joseph, hoping that the brother would aid him.

Instead, Raymond walked to his brother’s side and whispered:

“Don’t say a word. Keep your mouth shut.”

Doran arrested him immediately as a material witness.

Scene of Shooting That Renewed War on Gangdom

—Courier-Post Photo

This diagram shows where John Doris shot down Joseph Connors, alleged racketeer, in a mysterious feud of Camden’s underworld. Doris, gunman, gangster and racketeer, shot his foeman at point-blank range. The dotted line shows how the victim ran for his life into the American Restaurant, 506 Kaighn avenue, with the gunman in pursuit.

Camden’s First Volunteer Firemen Receive Diplomas

Camden Courier-Post —

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

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

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

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

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

500 Block of Mechanic Street

500 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants

Residents and businesses on the 500 block of Mechanic Street.

517 Mechanic Street

517 Mechanic Street — 500 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
2011Abandoned building — fatal stabbing, October 11, 2011

519 Mechanic Street

519 Mechanic Street — 500 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1924 Irvin Franklin Bishop
1938Mrs. Mary Avis

521 Mechanic Street

521 Mechanic Street — 500 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1902–1938William Scott & Family
1902–1938William & Carrie Scott
1902–1938Allie William Scott
1941–1945 William B. McCauley & Family
1941–1945William B. & Melissa S. McCauley
1941–1945Erwin B. McCauley

528 Mechanic Street

528 Mechanic Street — 500 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
WWII Harry W. Gifford Sr.

531 Mechanic Street

531 Mechanic Street — 500 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
late 1880s Abraham Wessel Family
1956Frank Benedict & Family
1956Frank & Matilda Benedict

533 Mechanic Street

533 Mechanic Street — 500 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1902–1906Charles G. Burk & Family
1902–1906Charles G. & Sarah Burk
1902–1906Charles W. Burk (son)
1902–1906Sophie Dolson Burk (daughter-in-law)

534 Mechanic Street

534 Mechanic Street — 500 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1910s–1920s Irvin Franklin Bishop

535 Mechanic Street

535 Mechanic Street — 500 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1916–1963Frederick A. Heard & Family
1916–1963Frederick & Lillian Heard

539 Mechanic Street

539 Mechanic Street — 500 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1932Albert Chambers
Wilbur B. Ellis

543 Mechanic Street

543 Mechanic Street — 500 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1906Recorded in 1906 directory

545 Mechanic Street

545 Mechanic Street — 500 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1906Recorded in 1906 directory
515 and 517 Mechanic Street, August 26, 2011 521 Mechanic Street, December 2, 1938 — William Scott obituary 535 Mechanic Street — Frederick A. Heard obituary, December 19, 1949

500 block of Mechanic Street.

Grim Reaper’s Work

Camden Post-Telegram —

Grim Reaper’s Work - Camden Post-Telegram, June 25, 1902

Charles G. Burk, aged 65 years, of 533 Mechanic street. Funeral to-morrow 9.30 a. m.

Annie M. Albertson, wife of George W. Albertson, 145 Boyer’s court. Funeral to-day, 2 p. m.

Mary A. Mowery, 58 years, 360 Jefferson avenue. Funeral to-morrow, 1 p. m.

Joanna Ryan, wife of Thomas Ryan, Tenth and Cherry streets.

Ann Winters, Third and Washington streets. Funeral to-morrow, 7.30 a. m.

Insistence on Kissing Gets Man, 73, in Trouble

Camden Courier-Post —

Insistence on Kissing Gets Man, 73, in Trouble - Camden Courier-Post, February 15, 1928

Camden’s most affectionate citizen has been found. He’s 73 years old and he spent last night behind bars.

The arrest of Dominick Botleron, 533 Mechanic street, came after he had battled policemen in the operating room of Cooper Hospital at midnight when they refused to be kissed or let him kiss all the nurses and doctors in sight.

“My name’s Valentino,” shouted the man, as Patrolman Walter Patton picked him up from a gutter at Third and Becket streets and loaded him into the First district patrol.

At the hospital where surgeons attempted to sew up a gash in his head, he boasted of being the “sheik of South Camden,” and then tried to osculate everyone in the room.

He frustrated the policemen’s attempt to take him home by giving six different addresses and was finally locked in a cell. Today sentence was suspended when he was arraigned before Judge Bertman in police court on a charge of disorderly conduct.

2 Thugs Break Arm of Woman, 60, Flee With Handbag on Broadway

Camden Courier-Post —

2 Thugs Break Arm of Woman, 60, Flee With Handbag on Broadway - Camden Courier-Post, December 19, 1949

Robbed on Way to Church:

A 60-year-old South Camden woman was admitted to West Jersey hospital Sunday night after she was injured while battling two youths who stole her purse on Broadway near Liberty street.

Mrs. Lillian Heard, of 535 Mechanic street, who told police she was on her way to services at the Union Methodist Church, Fifth and Mt. Vernon streets, when attacked, suffered a broken left arm.

Two youthful suspects were chased from the scene to Second street and Kaighn avenue by passersby who rushed to aid Mrs. Heard when she screamed.

A search of the neighborhood failed to uncover any persons answering the description given by Mrs. Heard but Detective Leon Branch said the youths answered the desciption [sic] given by Mrs. Rose Garriola, of 306 Cherry street.

She told Detective Marshall Thompson two youths snatched her purse Saturday night at Spruce and Coates streets.

Mrs. Heard said she was walking on the west side of Broadway above Liberty street when the two overtook her. She said one grabbed her purse and the other held her arm.

As Mrs. Heard battled to save her purse, which she said contained only about 90 cents and some keys, she fell to the curb, pulling one of the youths to the street with her.

Lester F. Cranmer, of 2251 Gross avenue, Pennsauken, who was visiting at Broadway and Mechanic street, heard Mrs. Heard scream and went to her aid. An unidentified passerby called police.

Mrs. Garriola told police her purse contained $14 in addition to keys and cards.

Intersection of South 6th Street & Mechanic Street

At the southeast corner of South 6th & Mechanic Street stood the American Cigar Company, which burned on August 15, 1990.

At the northeast corner stood the West Jersey Orphanage and later the Y.M.C.A.

At the northwest corner was the Burk Brothers Leather Enameling Works (1906).

At the southwest corner stood an abandoned factory, formerly the site of Young & Metzner’s Bag Factory (1906).

600 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants

Residents and businesses on the 600 block of Mechanic Street.

623 Mechanic Street

623 Mechanic Street — 600 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890Recorded in 1890 directory

625 Mechanic Street

625 Mechanic Street — 600 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890Recorded in 1890 directory

627 Mechanic Street

627 Mechanic Street — 600 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890Recorded in 1890 directory

629 Mechanic Street

629 Mechanic Street — 600 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890George Burtos
Jesse Pratt

631 Mechanic Street

631 Mechanic Street — 600 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890Recorded in 1890 directory

633 Mechanic Street

633 Mechanic Street — 600 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1926Mrs. Marie Bird

635 Mechanic Street

635 Mechanic Street — 600 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1911–1914Jacob Dubin & Family
1911–1914Jacob & Lena Dubin
1911–1914Philip Dubin
1911–1914William Dubin
1911–1914Ida Dubin
1911–1914Louis Dubin
1911–1914Francis Dubin
1911–1914Anna Dubin
1911–1914Abraham Dubin
1911–1914Esther Dubin
1911–1914Nathan Dubin

637 Mechanic Street

637 Mechanic Street — 600 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890Recorded in 1890 directory

639 Mechanic Street

639 Mechanic Street — 600 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890Recorded in 1890 directory

641 Mechanic Street

641 Mechanic Street — 600 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890Recorded in 1890 directory

643 Mechanic Street

643 Mechanic Street — 600 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1906Charles Bunce

645 Mechanic Street

645 Mechanic Street — 600 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890Recorded in 1890 directory
1956Ruth Jones

647 Mechanic Street

647 Mechanic Street — 600 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890Recorded in 1890 directory

700 Block of Mechanic Street

There never was one!

800 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants

Businesses on the 800 block of Mechanic Street.

818 Mechanic Street

818 Mechanic Street — 800 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕ Source ↕
1955K & W Machine Company1955 New Jersey Bell Telephone

900 Block of Mechanic Street

900 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants

Residents and businesses on the 900 block of Mechanic Street.

913 Mechanic Street

913 Mechanic Street — 900 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1920–1940sFrank Migala & Family
1940s Joseph Migala
1955P.M. Construction Company

915 Mechanic Street

915 Mechanic Street — 900 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1938Joseph Grochowski
1966Michael Wielinski & Family
1966Michael & Cecelia Wieinski
1966Frank Wielinski
1966Dorothy Wielinski Merek

917 Mechanic Street

917 Mechanic Street — 900 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1911–1921Peter Fisher & Family
1911–1921Peter & Martha Fisher
1911–1921Helen Krowcinski

919 Mechanic Street

919 Mechanic Street — 900 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1900–1930Andrew Pierzynski

920 Mechanic Street

920 Mechanic Street — 900 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1910–1915Joseph Adam Wojtkowiak Sr. & Family

926 Mechanic Street

926 Mechanic Street — 900 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1953Mary A. Kuras

930 Mechanic Street

930 Mechanic Street — 900 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1940 Stanley A. Gasior
1966–1979Hermin S. Szatkowski & Family — Arch Cafe
1966–1979Herman S. & Mary B. Szatkowski
1966–1979Henry "Hank" Szatkowski
1966–1979Walter Szatkowski
1966–1979Mary Ann Szatkowski

931 Mechanic Street

931 Mechanic Street — 900 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
WWI Private Stanislaw Gontarski

939 Mechanic Street

939 Mechanic Street — 900 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1950–1969John Pierzynski

Cases Treated at Cooper Hospital

Camden Post-Telegram —

Cases Treated at Cooper Hospital - Camden Post-Telegram, April 1, 1913

“Joe” Stein, aged 9 years, of 724 Central avenue, went out to play with his boy friends yesterday afternoon and at one exuberant moment there was an impromptu wrestling match. “Joe” was thrown and a companion stepped on his left arm. It pained him so much that he was taken to the Cooper Hospital. There the bone was found to be broken.

Other cases treated at the hospital follow:

Thomas Berry, aged 23 years, of 227 Washington street, contusion of left little finger nail.

Frank Jones, aged 21 years, of 924 Mechanic street, laceration of scalp.

Harry Ryan, aged 26 years, of 317 North Fifth street, laceration of left side of nose.

Samuel Chester, aged 29 years, of 1154 Lawrence street, laceration of ring and little fingers of right hand.

John Donaghue, aged 13 years, of 1810 North 27th street, lacerations of index and middle fingers of left hand.

Bride-to-Be is ‘Kidnapped’ for Shower at City Hall

Camden Courier-Post —

Bride-to-Be is ‘Kidnapped’ for Shower at City Hall - Camden Courier-Post, February 18, 1928 Bride-to-Be is ‘Kidnapped’ for Shower at City Hall - Camden Courier-Post, February 18, 1928

An attractive Camden girl was “kidnaped” today, on the eve of her wedding, from her home, 1247 Atlantic avenue.

Following a city-wide search, the bride-to-be was discovered in the office of George W. Johnson, building inspector.

An investigation into the circumstances concerning the “kidnaping” was started immediately by Lewis Stehr, police inspector, to determine the parties “responsible.”

While the inquiry was under way, the bride-to-be was ushered into the city commission chamber. There she faced Jack Weinberg, of the city assessor’s staff, and a host of other city employees.

Her entrance was heralded by blasts from a trumpet.

Girls from various offices, meanwhile, scattered to various corners of the chamber, where were hidden a large number of mysterious packages. At this point there entered Joseph J. Roszkowiak, 30 years old, a city assessor’s clerk, of 910 Mechanic street. He was instructed by Weinberg to seat himself beside the bride-to-be, Miss Genevieve Chudzinski, 22 years old. 1247 Atlantic avenue. As both smiled, Weinberg called the “meeting” to order.

Roszkowiak and the girl looked on in amazement. Then the mysterious packages were taken to the commissioners’ table, before which the couple sat. The packages were opened.

There were pots and pans, clothes pins, dishes, rolling pins, rattles and dish rags. And in the midst of the packages was one from attaches of the city assessor’s office, a chest of silver. These were presented. The couple began to speak, when a shot rang out. They turned, but the city employees laughed. It was a cameraman taking a flashlight photo.

Roszkowiak and Miss Chudzinski were given the shower after the City Hall offices closed at noon. They will become bride and groom tomorrow afternoon at 4 o’clock at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Tenth and Mechanic streets.

The couple met last July 10 when the bride-to-be’s brother, Frank Chudzinski, drowned while on a picnic at Sylvan Lake, Burlington county.

Intersection of South 10th Street & Mechanic Street

At the northeast corner of Mechanic & South 10th Streets stands St. Joseph Church, the spiritual center of Camden’s Polish community, occupying 1033 to 1059 Mechanic Street.

1000 Block of Mechanic Street

1000 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants

Residents and businesses on the 1000 block of Mechanic Street.

1008 Mechanic Street

1008 Mechanic Street — 1000 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1919–1920Joseph Olesiewicz & Family
1919–1920Joseph & Helen Olesiewicz
1919–1920Zygmunt & Sophie Olesiewicz
1919–1920Zygmunt Olesiewicz & Family
Robert P. Olesiewicz

1036 Mechanic Street

1036 Mechanic Street — 1000 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1930Jesse Green & Family
1930Jesse & Emma Green
1930Hazel Green

1038 Mechanic Street

1038 Mechanic Street — 1000 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1946–1947William A. Lang — photographer
1946–1947William A. Lang

1045 Mechanic Street

1045 Mechanic Street — 1000 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1911–1927Anthony Katorofsky & Family
1911–1927Anthony & Mary Katorofsky

1048 Mechanic Street

1048 Mechanic Street — 1000 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
Fred Klosterman

1049 Mechanic Street

1049 Mechanic Street — 1000 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
late 1910s–early 1960sIgnatius Kowalczyk & Family
Late 1910s–early 1960sIgnatius & Michalena Kowalczyk
Late 1910s–early 1960sPearl Kowalczyk
Late 1910s–early 1960sFrank Kowalczyk
Late 1910s–early 1960sWalter Kowalczyk
Late 1910s–early 1960sWilliam Kowalczyk"
Late 1910s–early 1960sJoseph Kowalczyk
Late 1910s–early 1960sAnna Kowalczyk
Late 1910s–early 1960sHelen Catherine Kowalczyk
John F. 'Happy Kowal' Kowalczyk

1050 Mechanic Street

1050 Mechanic Street — 1000 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1930s–1970s The Bullpen / Chez La Joy / Club Cadix / Chaney's Bar

1057 Mechanic Street

1057 Mechanic Street — 1000 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1933Anthony Josisolski

1033–1059 Mechanic Street

1033–1059 Mechanic Street — 1000 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
St. Joseph Catholic Church
1008 to 1050 Mechanic Street, looking east from South 10th Street, February 2004 St. Joseph Church — 1033 to 1059 Mechanic Street, February 2004 1050 and 1048 Mechanic Street — The Bullpen, February 2004 1049 and 1051 Mechanic Street, March 19, 2012

1000 block of Mechanic Street. Top: looking east from South 10th Street (February 2004). Middle: St. Joseph Church, 1033–1059 Mechanic Street. Bottom: 1048–1051 Mechanic Street (March 2012).

Mt. Ephraim Avenue & Mechanic Street

Looking east on Mechanic Street from Mt. Ephraim Avenue, February 27, 2004 Looking west on Mechanic Street from Mt. Ephraim Avenue, February 27, 2004

Mechanic Street at Mt. Ephraim Avenue, February 27, 2004. The green tower visible is St. Joseph Church.

Klostermans Identified as Numbers Kings by 5 Witnesses

Camden Courier-Post —

Klostermans Identified as Numbers Kings by 5 Witnesses - Camden Courier-Post, March 20, 1935 Klostermans Identified as Numbers Kings by 5 Witnesses - Camden Courier-Post, March 20, 1935

Storekeeper Says His Place Was Used as ‘Drop’ for Gaming Slips

5 CONVICTS RECALLED FROM STATE PRISON

Five witnesses in Criminal Court yesterday placed their fingers on the Klosterman brothers, Joseph and Fred, as Camden numbers “barons,” as they went on trial on 12 counts charging them with operating a lottery.

Each of the witnesses admitted under direct examination by Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando they had been in the employ of the Klostermans at two of the three establishments they are alleged to have maintained.

John Frenia, 57, proprietor of a delicatessen store at 1413 Mt. Ephraim avenue, testified he worked for the Klostermans at the Young Republicans Seventh Ward Club, 1411 Mt. Ephraim avenue. He said the Klostermans used the club as a headquarters for their numbers bank. He further admitted his store was used as a numbers “drop” for the Klostermans and that packages of numbers were left at his store daily by “pick up” men and called for by either Fred or Joseph Klosterman. His wife, Pauline, corroborated his testimony.

Chester Topolski, 25, of 1230 Dayton street, testified he was employed as a janitor at the club and received money from the bank operators to be turned over to “pick up” to pay off winners.

Tells of Numbers Party

Another witness, Albert Magee, 45, colored, of Davistown near Westmont, told of a party which Fred Klosterman “threw for his ‘numbers’ writers at a Black Horse pike roadhouse. It was strictly a formal affair, Magee testified, and he was introduced to Fred Klosterman as “one of his numbers writers.”

John Szalanski, 30, of 1188 Chestnut street, another witness testified he was employed by the Klostermans as a “pickup” man in the number business for three years. He worked for them until a few days after they were acquitted January 17 last in Criminal Court here of 30 joint “numbers” indictments.

The court adjourned at 4.03 p. m. until 10 a. m. today after Mrs. Frenia finished her testimony.

Seated in the court room near the exit to the county jail were five numbers writers, who suddenly lost their memory at the first trial of the Klostermans in January and were resentenced to serve from two to three years in state prison. They were Crawford Smith, 53, of 702 Carman street; Thomas Kirk, of 935 Carpenter street; Walter Hart, 28, of 1245 Thurman street; Andrew Pointkowski, 1475 South Ninth street, and Arthur Woodridge, 40, of 7910 Park avenue, Pennsauken. They were returned from Trenton for the trial and probably will be called by the state this morning.

It was indicated last night by the prosecutor that these men are willing to talk.

Szalanski further testified he saw both Klosterman brothers in the Young Men’s Seventh Ward Republican Club and at a taproom called the Chez La Joy, 1050 Mechanic street. The state charges the taproom and another establishment at 1051 Mechanic street were used by the Klostermans as headquarters for their illegal “numbers” racket.

Passed Bags of Slips

Frenia asserted that both Fred and Joseph Klosterman came into his store with bags containing “numbers” slips.

“I would pass them over to Leon Dabrowski, who worked in the Republican Club or to a man called “Sparrow” or another known to me only as ‘Peaches’,” Frenia testified.

Frenia told Prosecutor Orlando under direct examination that he could look from his second floor window directly into the second floor room of the Republican Club which is spearated [sic] by a five-foot alley:

“I could see men working over adding machines computing the daily play of the ‘numbers’ game,” Frenia testified.

“One one [sic] occasion the adding machines were passed from the Republican Club across the alley into my second story room.”

The witness said he was formerly employed by the Klostermans in their saloon business.

He further declared he received “numbers” slips from the Klostermans before and after their first trial in Criminal Court which resulted in acquittal because of lack of evidence produced by the state.

Szalanski further declared that he saw both Klosterman brothers in the Young Men’s Seventh Ward Republican Club at 1411 Mt. Ephraim avenue and at a taproom called the Chez LaJoy at 1050 Mechanic street, which the state alleges were two of the three headquarters of the “numbers” bank operated by the Klostermans.

Tells of ‘Counting Room’

“I saw both Fred and Joe Klosterman at the Republican Club last Summer in rooms on the second floor in which there were five adding machines for computing the daily ‘numbers’ play,” testified Szalanski.

“On one occasion when one of the ‘numbers’ slips which I picked up, hit the daily number, Fred Klosterman paid me $500 to distribute to the writers who then gave it to the winners.”

The Klostermans, represented by Carl Kisselman, are on trial on 12 joint indictments charging the operation of a “numbers” lottery. The true bills allege the brothers “unlawfully did keep a place with the intent that persons might resort thereto for the purpose of gambling at so-called game of numbers.”

The indictments further charged the political club was used for unlawful lottery purposes between September 22, 1934, and January 31, 1935; that the taproom, Chez LaJoy and a dwelling at 1051 Mechanic street was so used between March 1, 1933, and July 31, 1934.

Szalanski, the first witness to definitely hook up the Klostermans with the “numbers” racket in Camden, said that he was employed by the brothers after a conference in a saloon at Mechanic and Liberty streets.

“I told the Klostermans I had no car and they advanced me $100 to buy an automobile,” said the witness.

When the witness said he continued to work for the Klostermans as a “pickup man” during and after the first trial, which resulted in the court directing a verdict of acquittal because of lack of evidence, Judge Neutze questioned him:

“Do you mean to say that you turned money over to the Klostermans at the Republican Club after their last trial?”

“Yes,” the witness replied.

Denies Intimidation

Szalanski admitted he was arrested two weeks ago in Philadelphia on “numbers” charges and is at liberty under bail.

Cross-examination of the witness by Kisselman failed to move Szalanski.

“Didn’t the prosecutor’s office try to intimidate you into testifying here?” asked Kisselman. “Didn’t they tell you what happened to other ‘numbers’ witnesses when the prosecutor’s office deemed their testimony was not satisfactory?”

The witness denied he had been intimidated or threatened into testifying.

“I know what is going on—I read the newspapers,” he asserted.

Szalanski corroborated statements of Topolski, as to the identity of persons seen about the club.

Szalanski was recalled to the stand when court reconvened after the noon recess. He testified he worked

Again on Trial

JOSEPH KLOSTERMAN

FRED KLOSTERMAN

Brothers, who were identified yesterday by former employes of Camden numbers operators.

as an “extra” at the Seventh Ward Republican Club for $1 a day.

“Who gave you to understand that you were to take $1 from the money you received in the numbers business?” Orlando asked.

After giving several evasive answers, Szalanski finally admitted that Fred Klosterman had told him he was entitled to $1 a day for his labor.

Puts Finger on “Joe”

Magee was the third witness called at the afternoon session.

Q. What is your business? A. I am a “numbers writer.”

Q. How long were you in the business. A. Three years.

Q. What district did you cover? A. I covered Blenheim, Hilltop and surrounding territory.

Q. How much did you take in a day from your collections last year? A. Oh, about $20 a day.

Q. To whom did you turn over this money? A. I turned it over to a man named George Smith.

Q. What percentage of the proceeds were you paid? A. I got 25 percent.

Q. In December, 1934, you had some differences with the pickup man over your total sheet and a shortage? What did you do about this? A. I went to a saloon on Mt. Ephraim avenue in Camden and asked for the Klosterman brothers.

Q. Did you see either of the Klosterman brothers and if so, which one?

At this point, Prosecutor Orlando asked the witness to point to either one of the two brothers and asked them both to stand up which they did.

“That’s the one there—in the blue suit,” said the witness pointing to Joe Klosterman.

Q. Did you ever meet Fred—the man besides him—his brother? A. Yes, I met him on the Black Horse pike in the Summer of 1934.

Party for Writers

Q. What was the occasion of that meeting? A. Well, it was at Charley Lutz’s place—that’s a roadhouse.

Q. What were you doing there? A. Well, it was a party to the “numbers” writers and we were all there for a good time.

Q. Well how did you happen to meet Fred Klosterman? A. Well, somebody took me up and introduced me to him and said I was one of the boys—one of his “numbers” writers.

Q. And then what happened? A. Well, Fred shook hands with me, turned around at the bar and ordered beer for the house.

At this juncture the witness was examined by the prosecutor as to his reasons for going to the Mt. Ephraim avenue saloon and he repeated his testimony that it was because of a shortage in his “numbers” slips account.

“Joe Klosterman treated me very nice and he said he would fix the thing up for me and I wouldn’t have any more trouble with my total sheets,” Magee said.

“After I saw him I didn’t have any more trouble,” the witness added.

Through a Polish interpreter, Frenia testified under direct examination that he had worked for Fred Klosterman in the latter’s saloon on Mt. Ephraim avenue in December, 1933. He also testified that previously Joe Klosterman employed him in another saloon at Green and Mechanic streets.

“What would you do with the numbers slips when you received them in your store and from whom did you receive them?” Orlando asked.

“Sometimes I received slips from Leon Dabrowski and from Fred Klosterman and his brother Joe only once or twice.”

Orlando then directed five or six men to stand up in the courtroom. He asked Frenia to point out any of those standing among the men who delivered slips at his store. Among those identified by the witness were Walter Hart, Kirk, Piontkowski and Szalanski, who had previously testified.

Saw Counting in Club

Q. How near was the rear of your store to the Seventh Ward Republican club? A. It was only about five feet across an alley.

Q. Could you see into the club from the second floor of your store? A. Yes. I could see into the second story window of the club.

Q. Did you ever look across there, and if so, what did you see? A. I saw Leon Dabrowski, “Sparrow” and “Peaches” counting out slips on adding machines.

Q. Were those machines ever moved across to your house? A. Yes.

Q. How were they moved across this alley to you? A. They were just lifted across and I took them in with my hand. It was only about five feet distance.

Q. Had you previously discussed moving these machines with either of the Klosterman brothers? If so, what was the reason? A. Sometime in November of 1934 I talked it over with Fred Klosterman and the only thing he told me was that the machines were needed.

Q. When these men brought “numbers” slips to your store how did you receive them? A. Sometimes I received them in paper bags and sometimes I received them on paper. Fred Klosterman told me it was O.K. to turn over the slips to Leon Dabrowski. I also received slips from Fred Kolsterman [sic] and Joe Klosterman once to my place.

Q. Did you receive slips at your store before and after the last trial of the Klosterman brothers on January 17? Answer yes or no. A. Yes.

Frenia, in answer to a direct question of the prosecutor as to when was the last time he had an adding machine in his store or home, said it was three days before he was arrested on “numbers” charges.

He also testified he received $10 a week for about four months for “receiving numbers” in his delicatessen store. He said he was told by Fred Klosterman he would get that amount each week and that the money was paid to him each week by Dabrowski.

Gives Confused Testimony

The last $10 he received, Frenia testified, was paid to him in January of this year. For this money, Frenia asserted, he was to “take the slips and help around the club.”

He said that on the second floor of the Republican club, were tables and chairs and the money they brought in, but there were no adding machines there. In earlier testimony, Frenia testified he had adding machines in his home which had been passed over a second-story window from the clubhouse.

Under cross-examination by Kisselman, Frenia gave confusing and contradictory testimony as to whether or not Joe Klosterman had received or taken any of the “numbers” slips from his store. Finally, he declared Joe Klosterman did take “numbers” slips from the store on one occasion.

Frenia denied that any county detectives sought to intimidate him in telling his story as Kisselman charged, by reminding him that other witnesses who told stories not satisfactory to the prosecutor’s office, were sentenced to prison terms of two to three years.

Knew of Punishments

Frenia said he knew that phase himself as he had read it in the newspapers. Prosecutor Orlando objected to Kisselman’s questioning along these lines, asserting it was unfair to infer that “something would happen to witnesses because of anything displeasing that they may say and the prosecutor might not agree with.”

“We are not responsible,” Orlando said, “for the condition of witnesses’ minds brought about by something over which we have no control.”

Kisselman was permitted by the court to ask the question, explaining that “whatever it is Mr. Kisselman is seeking to bring out, the jury would get later.”

“Do you know why these other witnesses got 2 to 3 years?” Kisselman asked.

“Yes, I know that because it was in the paper and because they were working in the ‘numbers’ business,” said the witness. “They got more than three months because they did not tell the truth.”

Mrs. Frenia, called as a state witness, testified both Fred and Joseph Klosterman came to their store for “numbers” slips.

She testified she gave the slips to Fred Klosterman five or ten times and that she gave the slips to Joseph Klosterman about five times before Christmas, 1934.

Asked to name who brought the slips to their store, the witness said Walter Hart, Arthur Woodridge, “Sparrow” and another man whose name she did not know.

Gave Klosterman Slips

She disclosed that Dabrowski would come into the store to collect the slips. “They started to bring the slips into the store around Christmas time and they stopped in January a couple of days before my husband was arrested,” the woman testified.

The witness said the slips were sometimes in a bag and on other occasions wrapped in a rubber band. She testified to delivering some of the slips to Fred Klosterman not wrapped up in a bag.

“Between five and seven people would bring the ‘numbers’ slips to the store,” Mrs. Frenia said.

Under questioning the woman said she was in the store when the adding machines were transferred from the club next door to her house. She asserted the men who brought the machines from the club to their house were Dabrowski and “Sparrow.”

Mrs. Frenia further testified that she could see from her second floor of the house, men adding numbers on the second floor of the clubhouse next door. She also said she saw both Fred and Joseph Klosterman on the second floor of the club but did not remember whether she saw them there when they were adding numbers.

“I saw Leon Dabrowski and “Sparrow” in the clubhouse adding numbers,” she testified.

Testifies of Slips

Relating how she first came to pick up the “numbers” packages left in her store, she explained that Fred Klosterman told her that “if anyone brought a package there to take it.” That was about a month or two before Christmas, 1934, the woman declared.

Asked if she had a similar conversation with Joseph Klosterman, she said she did not.

She testified the last time Fred Klosterman was in the store to pick-up “numbers” slips was in December before Christmas. Joseph Klosterman was in the store also before Christmas which was the last time she saw him, Mrs. Frenia testified.

Under cross examination, Mrs. Frenia said she never played the “numbers” or banked or sold “numbers” slips. She testified her husband was not in the store when Joseph Klosterman came in and she knew the packages contained “numbers” slips because she saw them.

Asked how she would know they were “numbers” slips if she did not play them, the woman said “they asked for them.”

Mrs. Frenia was asked if she did not know it was against the law to take the “numbers” slips. She said “Yes, I did, but I took them because my husband worked for them at the club.”

“How often did you see what was going on in the second floor of the clubhouse from your home?”

“About twice a week—only when I looked over there.”

Exposes Brothers

Testimony of John Szalanski:

Q. Did you ever turn over numbers to Fred and Joe Klosterman at the Young Men’s Seventh Ward Republican Club? A. Yes.

Q. What were you in the business? A. I was a pickup man for about three years.

Q. When did you first start in the numbers business with Klosterman? A. I can’t tell exactly. I would say about three years ago.

The witness then identified each defendant from the witness stand.

Q. Before you started with them, with whom did you do business? A. With Griffith, of Haddon Heights or Haddonfield.

Q. Why did you go to Klosterman? A. I went with them because I made no money out of Griffith.

Q. Whom did you first see at the Klostermans? A. I saw Fred. I had no car, and they gave me $100 to get one. I talked it over with Fred. They gave me a $100 check at the saloon on Liberty street where I saw both Fred and Joe and I bought with it a Chrysler coupe.

Dealt With ‘Fred’

Q. With whom did you do your business? A. With Fred. I handed him the slips. I would turn the slips over to Fred at Mechanic and Green streets. That was before they moved to the Young Men’s Seventh Ward Republican Club.

Q. Did you turn the slips over to Fred or to Joe at the club? A. To either of them.

Q. To either or both? A. Yes. If I was late I would turn them over sometimes to Leon Dabrowski or to someone else in the office. That would be about once a month, or sometimes once or twice a week. I would turn them over at the club better than a year.

Q. Would you ever turn them over at Fred’s home? A. Yes.

Q. How long have you known Leon? A. About six years. He is supposed to be a brother-in-law of Fred.

Q. What was your daily average in the money you delivered from pickups? A. About $100 a day. I would get 5 percent. I would turn the money over to Leon, and I have turned it over to Fred already a few times at the Young Men’s Seventh Ward Republican Club.

Trial Failed to Halt Them

Q. You turned money like that right after the trial this year? Before the witness could answer, Judge Neutze interrupted to ask: “Do you mean to say that you turned money over to them right after the trial?” The witness answered, “Yes.”

Prosecutor Orlando then asked the witness whether he could identify Frenia or Mrs. Frenia. He identified both as the ones who conducted a delicatessen store next to the club. He testified that he would turn the slips in to John Frenia every day for a few months up to last Christmas.

Q. Why did you turn them in at Frenia’s place instead of at the Seventh Ward club? A. Fred or Leon told me to turn them in there instead of at the club.

Q. Where did you turn in the money? A. I turned it in to the club, upstairs on the second floor.

Asked by the prosecutor to describe the second floor, the witness said it contained rooms much like the second floor of a home, and in one of the rooms was a table at which Leon sat. There were four or five adding machines, and numbers slips in the room.

Q. Did you ever see Joe and Fred Klosterman on the second floor? A. Yes, about once a week.

Q. When do you recall seeing Joe there, in particular? A. There was once last Summer in the afternoon, between 2 and 5.

Q. Who else was there? A. There was Leon Dabrowski, Andrew Piontkowski, who were adding up slips; myself and Fred or Joe, whoever came in.

Tells of Getting Money

Q. On the hits, who would deliver the money? A. I delivered the money.

Q. From whom would you receive the money? A. Sometimes from Fred, if there was a big hit and the people won a lot of money. If it was not such a big hit, I would receive the money from Leon.

Q. Did any of the players make large hits? A. Yes. Fifty cents and a dollar. That means if they hit a dollar it would mean $500, and Freddy or Leon would give me that money.

At this point, the voice of the witness was almost inaudible, and the prosecutor requested him to speak out loudly and clearly. Orlando next asked the witness whether he had any difficulty before he quit the Klostermans. He answered that he had, because he had borrowed $50, and Fred had told him that if he made any other loans, he was to know about it. Fred also told him, he said, to be a “good boy” while he was away.

In the back room of the Chez La Joy, he said, he received the full amount of a big hit. At the time there was there with him, Fred Klosterman, Leon and a man called “Flori.”

“At this time,” the witness said, “Fred ordered Leon to give me the full amount.”

Gave Brothers Slips

Q. To whom did you give the money? A. I gave it to a fellow I knew as ‘Bill’ on the East Side.

Q. Did you give him all of the money? A. No.

Q. Did you take any of it out for yourself, for commission? A. No.

Q. How much did you give him? A. I gave him between $400 and $500. He was the writer.

Q. Did you ever deliver slips to Fred or Joe Klosterman at the Chez La Joy? A. Yes, whoever was around.

Q. When, in particular? A. Well, on one occasion last summer I handed them to Joe, and at other times, I also handed them to Fred in the summer. I would say about a half dozen times in the past year.

The witness testified he delivered slips to Leon at the Chez La Joy but that he never delivered slips to Mrs. Frenia, but he did to her husband for about two months. He said he gave the slips to Frenia in a paper bag. He also testified that he knows a man by the name of “Peaches,” and that he saw him at the Republican club, turning in numbers.

He also turned in slips to Andrew Pointkowski, he said.

Orlando Overruled

“I also saw Walter Hart turning in numbers at the club and the store, as did Tom Kirk,” the witness testified.

That ended the direct examination. On cross-examination by Kisselman, the witness said that he first told the prosecutor what he knew about a month ago.

Q. Did the prosecutor come after you? A. Yes. They called me on the phone and told me to come to the prosecutor’s office.

Q. Are you charged with anything here in connection with this case? A. No.

Q. Did they tell you there were witnesses in jail; that these other fellows were in jail? A. I knew it.

Q. Did Mr. Doran, chief of detectives, tell you that because the previous testimony of these witnesses was unsuitable, their sentences were increased? Prosecutor Orlando objected; to which Kisselman replied:

“It seems that we have a right to show intimidation.”

“I can’t see the relevancy of such testimony,” replied Orlando.

Judge Neutze allowed the question and the witness answered:

“I knew it because I read it in the newspapers.”

Asked why he appeared as a witness, whether because he was a public-spirited citizen and wanted to tell the truth, he said that was the reason. He admitted later under cross-examination, that he was arrested in Philadelphia because he was in the numbers business.

Parries Cross-Jabs

Q. You come here and profess to be a public-spirited citizen, yet you were arrested after what you told the prosecutor in connection with the case? A. Yes.

Q. When did you last see Fred in connection with the numbers business? A. On a Saturday after the trial. (The date of the trial was January 17, 1935.)

Q. Did you know that Fred was in the hospital? And did you do the numbers business with him when he was in the hospital? As a matter of fact, didn’t Fred go away the day after the trial? A. He went away on a Saturday, and I did business in the meanwhile with Leon. I would see Joe around.

Q. Did you see him every day before the trial? A. Yes, I would say about every day.

Q. Do you remember seeing him after the trial? A. I don’t remember seeing him after the trial.

Luncheon recess was declared. The court warned the jury not to discuss the case with anyone on the outside.

Tells of Transfer

Topolski, who testified he was employed as a janitor at the clubhouse by Fred Klosterman but paid by a man named Leon Dabrowski, said he often saw Dabrowski, Charlie Smith, Walter Hart, Andrew Piontkowski, Crawford Smith, “Gassy” and “Peaches” about the place.

Topolski said he also was employed as “pickup man” in the “numbers” business and that he took the slips and money to the delicatessen store of John Frenia next door to the Republican club. Dabrowski, according to the witness would then gather the slips and receive the money personally from Topolski.

Jury Quickly Chosen

It required only 45 minutes to select the jury to try the Klostermans. The state used seven challenges and the defense ten.

The courtroom which was slow to fill up at the opening of the trial, was crowded by the time the jury had been selected and the prosecutor made his opening.

Topolski, who said he was a leather worker before engaging in the “numbers” business, was the first witness called by the state.

“I was a pick-up man in the numbers game,” Topolski replied in answer to a question by Prosecutor Orlando. “I used to meet a fellow on the corner known as Charles Stewart. He gave me number slips and books which I took to the delicatessen store of John Frenia.

“Do you know Fred and Joseph Klosterman, the defendants on trial here?” the prosecutor asked.

“Yes I met them several times. I saw Fred Klosterman come into the club several times but I never saw Joe there.

The witness identified the two Klostermans seated at the defense counsel table. Questioned by Prosecutor Orlando as to whether he did any “numbers” business with either defendant, Topolski said, “I never did any business with either of them.”

“No, I Didn’t”

“Did you ever deliver any ‘numbers’ books or ‘numbers’ slips to a tap room called the Chez LaJoy at 1050 Mechanic street?” he was asked.

“No. I didn’t.”

That address as well as the Republican club are alleged by the state to have used together with a house at 1051 Mechanic street, as headquarters for the operations of the “numbers” business of the Klosterman brothers.

Names Three Men

“Did you ever deliver any “numbers” books to 1051 Mechanic street?”

“No, I did not,” answered the witness.

In connection with seeing the Klostermans, the witness said it was in the Republican Club that he met them, where both were members.

Questioned concerning his activities in the “numbers” business, Topolski said he started working as a “pickup” man sometime in June or July, 1934, and continued up to about three weeks before Christmas.

“How much business would you do?” he was asked.

“I would pick up anywhere from $40 to $50 daily. I would pick up from three different men.”

“Who were they?”

“Joe Miller, Charles Smith and John Jankowski.”

Questioned further, Topolski said he made arrangements to leave the slips at Frenia’s store for Leon Dabrowski, who he identified as “the guy who got me the job.” He testified he met Dabrowski in Chez LaJoy in June of last year.

‘Sort of Grab Bag’

“I would just hand Frenia the bag which had the slips in. I don’t think he knew what was in the bag,” Topolski testified.

“Sort of a prize bag, eh,” broke in Judge Neutze and the courtroom tittered in laughter.

Hired by Klosterman

“Who did you give the money to which you collected?” Prosecutor Orlando asked.

“To Leon Dabrowski.”

“Did you ever see Fred or Joe Klosterman at Frenia’s store?”

“No.”

The witness then said he did see them at the Republican Club where he had been engaged last July as a janitor to clean up the place.

“Fred Klosterman hired me but Leon Dabrowski paid me,” Topolski said. “The first couple of weeks I was paid $3 a week but then they raised me to $6 a week.”

Under grilling he said he did not think it was strange that Fred Klosterman gave him the job and Dabrowski paid him.

“Did you ever see any adding machines on the second floor of the club?” Prosecutor Orlando asked.

“No,” was the answer.

The witness then testified he cleaned up newspapers, slips of papers and long pieces of tape paper which were blank. He further testified he would see Dabrowski at the club in the evenings and also about when he was cleaning up.

Got 5 Percent Fee

Topolski said he was to receive 5 percent of the $40 or $50 of “numbers” playing which he collected daily. He said he deducted it from the money he turned in. Asked by Prosecutor Orlando to tell who appeared around the club when he was there, the witness said:

“Well there was “Gassy,” Charlie Smith, “Peaches,” Walter Hart, Andrew Piontkowski, Crawford Smith . . . and I also saw Fred Klosterman walk in and out but he never stayed long.”

Frenia was called to the front of the courtroom by the prosecutor and Topolski identified him as the man with whom he left the bag of “numbers” slips daily. The prosecutor then called Frenia’s wife and Topolski identified her but said he never left any “numbers” slips with her.

“Did any of the slips which you picked up ever hit?” the prosecutor asked.

“Yes, there were several hits,” said the witness. “On one hit I received $15 which I gave to the “numbers” writers to distribute to the winners. They went mostly to Charles Stewart.”

Camden Gang Fighters Are Held for Trial

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Camden Gang Fighters Are Held for Trial - Philadelphia Inquirer, August 3, 1913

Rival gangs created a stir at Lewis and Sycamore streets, Camden, early yesterday morning, resulting in several arrests. John Kowalch, aged 21 years, of 1049 Mechanic street, and Harry McCaffrey, aged 28 years, of 708 Mt. Vernon street, were held in $500 bail by Recorder Stackhouse on a charge of beating Albert Dudeck, of 1154 Mt. Vernon street. John Skulski, aged 37 years, of 818 Walnut street; Frank Kabinski, aged 37 years, of 1253 Sycamore street; William Jordan, aged 31 years, of 1117 Haddon avenue, and McCaffrey were given ten days by the Recorder for disorderly conduct.

When Policeman Cornog arrived on the scene there was a general riot, and he found himself in the midst of the fighters. In the melee he lost his badge, but he succeeded in corraling four of the belligerents, while Policeman Appley arrested Kowalch. About half a hundred engaged in the fight.

1100 Block of Mechanic Street

1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants

Residents and businesses on the 1100 block of Mechanic Street.

1114 Mechanic Street

1114 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1860s–1907 Jacob Rettberg — carriage & wagon builder

1115 Mechanic Street

1115 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
Lawrence 'Larry' Doran

1116 Mechanic Street

1116 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1892Thomas Knowles & Family
1892Thomas & Ann H. Knowles
1892 Henry C. Knowles
1903John Weaver
1958Cheri Herbert

1127 Mechanic Street

1127 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1931 Marguerite Lucas
1938 Marguerite Lucas

1130 Mechanic Street

1130 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1910s–1940sAlexander & Annie Connon Family
1915Robert Thirkettle & Family

1133 Mechanic Street

1133 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
late 1891–1906Harry & Wilhelmina Bicking Family

1136–1140 Mechanic Street

1136–1140 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1930s–1950sHensgen Brothers, Inc. — Contractors & Builders
Donahue & Sons — plumbers

1143 Mechanic Street

1143 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
2012Small fire in basement, June 30, 2012

1145 Mechanic Street

1145 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1932Elizabeth C. Guttkorn

1150 Mechanic Street

1150 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1957Valentine J. Filipek & Family
1957Valentine & Victoria Filipek
1957Frank Filipek
1957John Filipek
1957Robert Filipek
1957Stella Filipek
1957Lillian Filipek
1957Genevieve Filipek
1957Victoria Filipek
1957Jennie Filipek

1163 Mechanic Street

1163 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕ Source ↕
1942 Casimir Wojtkowiak
1942 Casmeir Wojtkowiak
1955Horn Fuel Company1955 New Jersey Bell Telephone

1166 Mechanic Street

1166 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
early 1920s–1947Keystone Bottling Works
late 1920s–1970sAnthony & Alexandra Dolinski Family
1920–1967 Edward A. Dolinski
1967Keystone Liquor Store

1177 Mechanic Street

1177 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1915Evelyn Watkins
early 1930s–late 1940sAdam Jusiak

1182 Mechanic Street

1182 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1943Alex Dabkowski & Family
1943Alex and Stella Dabkowsky
1943Stella Dabkowski
1943Genevieve "Jennie" Dabkowski
1953Henry Murrow

1186 Mechanic Street

1186 Mechanic Street — 1100 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1935–1942 Revallo's Cafe — John Revallo
1125 to 1135 Mechanic Street, May 7, 2004 1133 to 1137 Mechanic Street, May 7, 2004

1100 block of Mechanic Street — May 7, 2004.

1200 Block of Mechanic Street

1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants

Residents and businesses on the 1200 block of Mechanic Street.

1201 Mechanic Street / 1201 Bannard Avenue

1201 Mechanic Street / 1201 Bannard Avenue — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1900Henry Werner
1942–1974 Revallo's Cafe — John Revallo

1209 Mechanic Street

1209 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕ Source ↕
1955Henry E. Uber1955 New Jersey Bell Telephone

1216 Mechanic Street

1216 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1955Mechanic Electric Co.
Felix Stachowiak

1234 Mechanic Street

1234 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕ Source ↕
1955Joseph Sbar1955 New Jersey Bell Telephone

1238 Mechanic Street

1238 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕ Source ↕
1955Camden Wire Works1955 New Jersey Bell Telephone
WWIPrivate Benjamin J. Sandlow

1244 Mechanic Street

1244 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1914Eugene Higgins
1915Regina Penner
1923–1926David Beaumont
1927–1930sHarry Albert Haines
1940John McDonald
1943–1947John O'Donnell
1969No Listing
1980No Listing
1981–2001Nicholson Family
1981–2001Tamara Nicholson

1245 Mechanic Street

1245 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕ Source ↕
1955–1980Abel Machine Company1955 New Jersey Bell Telephone

1246 Mechanic Street

1246 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1969–1980W. Domeraski

1262 Mechanic Street

1262 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1891(occupied, 1891 directory)

1264 Mechanic Street

1264 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
Anthony Mattio

1266 Mechanic Street

1266 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1891(occupied, 1891 directory)

1268 Mechanic Street

1268 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1891(occupied, 1891 directory)

1270 Mechanic Street

1270 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1891–1900John Kleinfelder & Family
1900John & Julia Kleinfelder
1900Julia Kleinfelder
1900Helen Kleinfelder
1900 Harry Kleinfelder
1930s–1940George A.P. Wright & Family
1930s–1940Clarence E. Wright

1272 Mechanic Street

1272 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1887–1907Gustav A. Ernst & Son — guitar, zither & banjo factory
1887–1907Gustav & Emilie Ernst
1887–1907Hugo G. Ernst
1890–1907Gustav A. Ernst
1906Sanborn Map

1274 Mechanic Street

1274 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1984Blair Cherry — fatal fire, March 18, 1984
1984Blair Cherry
WWIClarence E. Wright — gassed in France, died May 12, 1938
Staff Sergeant Joseph Galiazzi

1281 Mechanic Street

1281 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1920–1922William Uber & Family — painter
1927–1928Mrs. Anna Wenghofler

1282 Mechanic Street

1282 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890Fred Schoettel

1285 Mechanic Street

1285 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1890–1924William Uber & Family (painter)
—William & Pauline Uber
—Joseph Uber
—Anna Uber
1916James Picken
1917 Smith C. Moore

1296 Mechanic Street

1296 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1911Bernard F. Moore & Family — proprietor, Camden City Hotel & Garden
1911Bernard F. & Mary Moore
WWII Radarman Second Class Michael D. Capparelli

1298 Mechanic Street

1298 Mechanic Street — 1200 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1928Wilfred Veight
1201 Mechanic Street — Formerly Revallo's Cafe, September 2003 1201 Mechanic Street — Formerly Revallo's Cafe, September 2003 1262–1272 Mechanic Street — 1906 Sanborn Map 1281 Mechanic Street, March 19, 2012

1200 block of Mechanic Street. Top: 1201 Mechanic Street, formerly Revallo’s Cafe (September 2003). Middle: 1906 Sanborn Map of 1262–1272 Mechanic Street. Bottom: 1281 Mechanic Street (March 2012).

Sheik Swindles Her, Woman Claims Here

Camden Courier-Post —

Camden Victim Says Jailed Lothario, 60, Took $4200, Vanished

“He got my money, I got the air.”

That was the grim cry of a Camden woman who accused a suitor of mulcting her of $4200.

The gay Lothario, some 60-odd years, is John H. Lesser, of 712 South 29th Street, Harrisburg PA, who today starts a three-year term in the Moyamensing Prison, Philadelphia. He is also known as Victor Reichel, Charles H. Lesser, and Alfred May.

Lesser was sentenced to three years and fined $500 and the cost of prosecution by Judge Walter Davidson, of Franklin County, who substituted in Philadelphia Quarter Sessions Court, on the charges of two Philadelphia women.

The ‘sheik’ has also been identified by Mrs. Anna Wenghofler, 48 years old of 1281 Mechanic Street, as the man who secured her savings from her on a promise of marriage, and then disappeared.

Mrs. Wengholfer, the mother of three grown children, swore out a warrant four years ago for the arrest of Lesser, or Reichel, as he was known in Camden, on a charge of larceny as bailee. He was later indicted by the Camden county grand jury, but was never found until yesterday.

Today, Camden County authorities are arranging for the extradition of Reichel to this state upon the completion of his sentence to face trial on the Camden widow’s charges.

Lesser, or Reichel, was arrested in Pittsburg when he was recognized in a hotel lobby by Mrs. Helen Meier, an actress and married daughter of Mrs. Marie Gottschild, a widow of 2320 Bouvier Street, Philadelphia. Mrs. Gottschild had previously sworn out a warrant charging Lesser with obtaining money under false pretences.

He was placed on trial yesterday before Judge Davidson on complaint of both Mrs. Gottschild and another Philadelphia woman, Mrs. Ida Hoelke, 3001 North 5th Street. Both women allege that he interested them in a restaurant business after courting them during June of 1926.

He obtained $1500 from Mrs. Gottschild and $600 from Mrs. Hoelke, it was alleged. He was found guilty and sentence was imposed.

While he was being led back to the sheriff’s cellroom, Lesser came face to face with Mrs. Wenghofler, who had been taken to Philadelphia by Camden County Detective Howard Smith.

“I know him,” grimly asserted the Camden widow. “I would know him anywhere. I recognized him in the courtroom when he was with a number of other prisoners.”

Lesser turned to a guard, and exclaimed.

Denies Knowing Her

“I don’t know this woman. I never saw her before.”

“Well, I know you,” replied Mrs. Wenghofler.

The alleged love-making swindler was then arraigned before Magistrate Pennock and held without bail for extradition to New Jersey.

Police declare that Lesser has mulcted numerous women throughout the East by promises of marriage. Another Philadelphia woman, Mrs. Anna Graffe, of Park Avenue near Master Street, claims she gave him $3,000 for their “future home.” She told police she accepted him as husband-to-be, and he afterward took her to Baltimore and showed her a house which he said he wanted to buy for them. He finally prevailed upon her to “advance” him the money for its purchase, she said.

About five years ago an advertisement appeared in local newspapers. It was worded as follows:

“Bachelor, in business; good character, considerable savings, 48, wants to marry maiden or widow fond of home, should likewise have something saved. Reply with full particulars.”

Mrs. Wenghofler told police that she replied out of curiosity, and Lesser went to her home. He represented himself to be Victor Reichel, and said he was a Philadelphia real estate broker.

He ardently wooed her, finally proposed, and she finally agreed to marry him. He then went with her to the City Hall, procured a marriage license, and they made plans for the wedding.

Finds Ideal Home

Then, according to the widow, he told her he found a house which would make an ideal home, but that he was unable finance its purchase at that moment. He finally wheedled $4,200 from her, she said. He then disappeared.

Chief of Detectives Lawrence T. Doran recognized the description of Lesser when he was captured in Pittsburgh PA, and sent Detectives Cleary and Smith to identify the man. Fingerprints were taken and found to conform with those taken from articles belonging to Reichel and held by the Camden woman.

Detectives also declare that three Baltimore women have made complaints in that city of Lesser’s activities, declaring that he swindled them on promises of marriage. The ‘sheik’ also worked in Boston MA and other cities, it is alleged.

Rough 3 A. M. Visits Land Romeos in Toils

Camden Courier-Post —

Rough 3 A. M. Visits Land Romeos in Toils - Camden Courier-Post, April 20, 1928

Youths Break Door of Home as Salve to Pride

Three young Romeos who had been “stood up” on beau night were arrested early yesterday as they made their third attempt to break into the home of one of the girls at 1541 Louis street.

The youths, all 18, are: John Walker, of 1830 Haddon avenue; Wilfred Veight, 1298 Mechanic street, and John Radonski, 1309 Green street.

Arraigned before Police Judge Bertman, the trio was confronted by Anthony Cojaro, of the Louis street house. He said the boys made three efforts to enter his home at 3 a. m. The prisoners explained a girl who lived in the house had broken an engagement with them and they sought to avenge their wounded pride.

Bertman released them when they promised to pay $5 for the broken door.

Strenuous Camden Youth Is Jailed

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Strenuous Camden Youth Is Jailed - Philadelphia Inquirer, September 17, 1903

George Willingmire, who shot into a crowd of women and children Monday and performed other stunts that aroused the southern section of Camden, was arrested at Centerton, Burlington county, yesterday by Constable Gilbert. Detective Hart and Policeman William Harvey were at once sent to bring the youth to Camden.

When he appeared before Recorder Stackhouse he faced two charges of shooting Mrs. Helene Lotowski, aged 28 years, of 1219 South Tenth street, and Mrs. Caroline Zersch, aged 38 years, of 1270 Mechanic street, two of the six persons who received the contents of Willingmire’s gun when he fired into the crowd.

Willingmire claimed he shot a dog. He was committed to the county jail in default of $1500 bail.

Camden Fire Alarms

Camden Courier-Post —

Camden Fire Alarms - Camden Courier-Post, February 15, 1956

Midnight Monday Until Midnight Tuesday

10.50 a. m., 2nd and Beckett sts., grass.

12.52 p. m., 2709 Federal st., grass.

1.40 p. m., 31st and Pleasant sts., grass.

4.35 p. m., 1245 Mechanic st., rubbish.

6.29 p. m., 322 Pine st., part of flooring and joists.

1300 Block of Mechanic Street

There is not an actual 1300 block, per se. The 1200 block had so many addresses that the last few houses were numbered in the 1300s.

1300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants

The '1300 block' was overflow from the 1200s — there was no actual 1300 block.

1306 Mechanic Street

1306 Mechanic Street — 1300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1950s–1960s Henry S. Keubler — Camden Fire Department

1324 Mechanic Street

1324 Mechanic Street — 1300 Block of Mechanic Street — Occupants
Year ↕ Name ↕
1915–1964Mechanic Hall
1915–1959 13th Ward Republican Club
1966–1971 The Lost Seagulls of Stockholm Sweden Inc.
1971–1977 Sons of Italy Grand Council of NJ
1979La Bona Casa
1980–1983 Bacchanal
1986–1987Club Elite

Camden’s Big Fire

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Camden’s Big Fire - Philadelphia Inquirer, July 30, 1890

THE DYE WORKS OF JOHN J. HAYES COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

Two Firemen’ [sic] Injured and an Engine Badly Damaged—Other News from Across the River.

A fire at Sixth and Mechanic streets, Camden, yesterday afternoon, destroyed the dye works of John J. Hayes. About 5 o’clock workmen were startled by the cry of “Fire!” from an outsider. The drying room, which was in the main building, was found to be in flames. The workmen rushed through the building to close down the windows to cut off the draught, but soon had to cease, owing to the rapid spread of the flames. The men had hardly got out before the whole building was enveloped in flames. The two adjoining buildings soon caught, and within fifteen minutes the whole establishment was on fire. The entire fire department was out, but only three engines could get into service. No. 3 engine, while attempting to round the corner at Sixth and Mechanic streets, got in a hole, was upset and so badly damaged that it was totally unfit for use. Driver Samuel Lodge leaped from his feat [sic] in time to escape being injured.

At 6 o’clock the front of the main building fell in. Foreman Mortimer Wilson, of No. 3; Hoseman William Bogia, of No. 1, and Ladderman Charles Robinson were at this point and had a close call. Foreman Wilson was badly burned about the face and hands and sustained a scalp wound. He was conveyed to the Cooper Hospital. Hoseman Bogia had his leg injured, Robinson escaped uninjured.

The buildings and stock were all destroyed. Mr. Hayes, who operates the dye works, places his loss at $15,000. He is unable to tell how much insurance he has, as all his papers and books were burned up. Daniel Scofield, the owner of the building, puts his loss at $10,000, making a total loss of $25,000.

In Cafe Holdup

Camden Courier-Post —

In Cafe Holdup - Camden Courier-Post, November 21, 1947 In Cafe Holdup - Camden Courier-Post, November 21, 1947

Police Search All Night for Thugs Who Took $1000

Camden police today arrested three men in connection with an armed holdup yesterday of a Camden saloon.

Police worked through the night on the case. They broke off the investigation for a short rest at 6 o’clock this morning, however, and were to continue it later.

The saloon, Briggs Cafe at Lansdowne avenue and Louis street, was robbed of about $1000 at 3.05 p. m. yesterday by two neatly dressed, armed bandits.

Shortly afterward the bandits took a watch, $20 in cash and the automobile of two men who pursued them.

Truck Driver Quizzed

Booked on “suspicion” at 5.30 o’clock this morning at Camden police headquarters was Angelino J. Martelli, 22, a truck driver, whose home at 1173 Lansdowne avenue, is near the Briggs Cafe. Police explained he is being held for further questioning.

At 5.45 a. m. two other men were booked as material witnesses in the case. They are Charles Beyer, 23, an electrical worker, 727 South Eighth street, and Dominic Maone, 24, a salesman, 405 South Fifth street.

Detective Capt. Koerner took charge of the investigation late yesterday, and, with Detective Sgt. Trout and Detective Cahill, [sic] Sgt. Trout and Detectives Cahill and Schultz, worked through the night.

2 Women Held at Bay

The saloon owner, Mrs. Mary Derengowski, 52, and her daughter, Mrs. Stella Briggs, 34, reported the bandits held them at bay with pistols while they rifled a cash drawer and cash register.

Mrs. Briggs was upstairs painting when the robbers entered the saloon.

Mrs. Derengowski was in a back room when she heard the door bell.

As she approached the bar to serve two men standing there, she noticed they had drawn pistols.

Warned to ‘Keep Quiet’

“Keep quiet,” one told her, “and you won’t get hurt.”

She told police, however, she screamed as one of the gunmen forced her into the back room.

Attracted by the screams, Mrs. Briggs ran downstairs and was confronted by a gunman who ordered her in the back room with her mother.

At that point, the women said, the bandit holding them at bay became nervous. He ran over to his partner in the barroom and told him to hurry and take the money.

Mrs. Derengowski slipped through a side door into Louis street and screamed for help.

Victims Chase Them

The bandits fled down Lansdowne avenue toward Rose street with the women chasing them.

Joseph J. Lesniewski, 28, of 1179 Lansdowne avenue, took up the chase and was gaining on the thugs when he noticed an automobile driven by William Szmborski, 40, of 1165 Kenwood avenue, moving in the same direction.

Lesniewski leaped on the running board, told Szmborski of the holdup and persuaded him to follow the fugitives down Rose street to a point near Mechanic street, where the car drew abreast of the bandits.

Szmborski stopped the car and Lesniewski leaped from the running board just as the bandits turned their guns upon him and ordered him back to the machine. They forced Lesniewski into the car and climbed in behind him.

The bandits forced Lesniewski to surrender $20 in cash and his wrist watch, then ordered the driver to “get going.”

Drive Off In Car

Szmborski drove to Louis street near Mt. Vernon, where the bandits ordered their pursuers from the car and drove it away.

Radio car Patrolmen James Caputi and William Prucella were notified and took up the hunt. The car was found abandoned at Second and Clinton streets.

A short time after the holdup, Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie recovered an abandoned machine which he said apparently was to be used as a “get-away” car.

The auto, a green sedan with the key in the ignition lock, was found in the 1200 block of Lansdowne avenue.

Neighbors told Wilkie they saw three men drive up in the car shortly before the hold-up. Two, who Wilkie said fitted descriptions of the robbers, left the car and walked toward the saloon. The third remained at the wheel.

Third Man Escapes

Wilkie said when the bandits fled from the bar they apparently became confused and ran west on Lansdowne avenue, instead of east toward the car. The third man abandoned the car and fled on foot.

Mrs. Derengowski told police the cash drawer contained about $1000 to cash checks.

One bandit wore a panama hat pulled low over his forehead and a black jacket. The women said the second thug had a mustache and wore an Army jacket and pants.

Navy Vet Sought

The automobile abandoned near the scene was registered in the name of Joseph A. Gimello, 20, of 325 Washington street. Wilkie declared Gimello’s parents said he had not returned home and admitted he owned the machine.

They said the youth enlisted in the navy when he was 17, served three years and was discharged recently. However, according to Wilkie, the parents stated his entire attitude had changed and they feared he was suffering from a mental condition.

An alarm has been broadcast to hold Gimello for questioning in connection with the holdup.

Building Boom in Camden

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Building Boom in Camden - Philadelphia Inquirer, June 7, 1888

The building boom has extended to Camden. A large number of houses are being removed in the neighborhood of the site for the new Kaighn’s avenue depot. Roberts & Kuhn, contractors, are tearing down twelve brick buildings at Locust and Mechanic streets, and two frame houses on Knight street, north of Kaighn’s avenue. At the northeast corner of Front and Chestnut streets they are building ten two-story brick dwellings and nine three-story on Stevens street, above Broadway. The German Catholic Church at St. John and Spruce streets is under contract. P. McDonald has the contract for the stone work. The Keystone Chemical Company are making four additions to their works on Viola street. George Hall is building two three-story houses at Nos. 501 and 503 Benson street.

James Cox has just begun six two-story brick houses on Cox street, below Second.

William Key, of Philadelphia, has commenced a brick stable two-stories in height, 18x40 feet at 509 Berkley street.

Charles Camduff will build on the Peacock estate at Berlin.

Frank Shaw will erect a hotel at Cramer’s Hill. The building will be located at the corner of Mt. Pleasant street and Cooper

City Court Scene: Judge Holds Engineer in Child Deaths

Camden Courier-Post —

City Court Scene: Judge Holds Engineer in Child Deaths - Camden Courier-Post, December 19, 1957 City Court Scene: Judge Holds Engineer in Child Deaths - Camden Courier-Post, December 19, 1957

(Reprinted From Wednesday’s Late Edition)

Municipal Judge Marino Wednesday held a PRSL engineer and a motorist for grand jury action on a manslaughter charge. Both pleaded not guilty and were released in their own recognizance.

The engineer, John C. Gillon, 66, of Rhoads ave., Haddonfield, was operating a train Dec. 5 which killed John Wawrzyniak, 14, and his sister, Karen, 9, on a trestle at Mechanic and Louis sts.

The motorist, Samuel Trazzera, 39, of Mountain st., Philadelphia, was identified as the driver of a car which killed Mrs. Mary J. Grey, 76, of 842 Pearl st., Dec. 8 as she was walking at 10th and Penn sts.

Camden’s Sunday News

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Camden’s Sunday News - Philadelphia Inquirer, March 7, 1892

Cooper Hospital surgeons yesterday doctored a deep gash in the head of John Weidner, 62 years old, of 116 Mechanic street.

Mrs. Thomas S. Mason, who was shot by her husband, is pronounced out of danger by the Cooper Hospital authorities.

Edward H. B. Watts, a freight brakeman, of 134 East Huntingdon street, Philadelphia, was brought into the Cooper Hospital yesterday with his leg broken above the ankle.

Policeman William Stanton, who was arrested and severely handled by Policemen Isaac McKinley and Isaac Shreeve, while quarreling with his wife a week ago, has brought suit against his fellow-officers in the Supreme Court for damages for injuries they inflicted.

Mayor Orders Cops to Drive All Gangsters From Camden

Camden Courier-Post —

Mayor Orders Cops to Drive All Gangsters From Camden - Camden Courier-Post, August 14, 1931 Mayor Orders Cops to Drive All Gangsters From Camden - Camden Courier-Post, August 14, 1931 Mayor Orders Cops to Drive All Gangsters From Camden - Camden Courier-Post, August 14, 1931 Mayor Orders Cops to Drive All Gangsters From Camden - Camden Courier-Post, August 14, 1931

Stewart Aroused as Bullet Narrowly Misses Small Girl

TWO SHOOTINGS BRING EDICT FOR BIG ROUNDUP

Police Without Clues in Mysterious Affrays Here Yesterday

Aroused because a bullet fired in a gang shooting at Ninth and Chestnut streets yesterday almost struck an 8-year-old girl, Mayor Stewart today launched a drive to rid the city of gangsters and gunmen.

Voicing the fear that innocent bystanders may fall victim to gangdom’s guns, the mayor declared he would have all lawless characters put behind bars or driven from the city.

To effect that purpose, he issued instructions to Lieut. George Frost to order every patrolman to stop all suspicious-looking characters. If, upon questioning, those suspects cannot prove legitimate quests, they will be jailed.

Issues Statement

His statement follows:

“There was another gang shooting in the city of Camden yesterday. While no one was killed or injured, an 8-year-old girl was very nearly struck by one of the bullets.

“These gunmen have respect neither for the law nor the personal safety of the public. They fight out their private feuds on our public thoroughfares, endangering the lives of law-abiding citizens. Unless some preventative is found, there may come a time when an innocent bystander falls victim to gang bullets.

“Those lawless characters must be educated to realize that they cannot carry on their activities in Camden. They must either be put behind bars or exiled from the city.

“Therefore, to that end I have issued orders through Lieut. Frost to every policeman on the force to the effect that all suspicious characters seen in the city be stopped and questioned. If satisfactory credentials are not produced, and the suspect cannot prove that he has a legitimate right on the streets, then he will be arrested. Those orders are in effect today.”

Meanwhile, police are without a single clue to either yesterday afternoon’s affair or a shooting reported early yesterday morning. Detective Captain John Golden expressed doubt that the shooting at Ninth and Chestnut street was provoked by any gang feud. Rather he believes it was the outcome of a quarrel between two men, as the assailant fired a revolver at close range and missed. Capt. Golden declared that gangsters usually use shotguns or machine-guns. However, other police officials attributed the affray to gang warfare.

One of six bullets fired at the intended victim of yesterday’s shooting narrowly missed striking eight-year-old Regina Boskowska, of 824 Chestnut street, as she sat on a front step near the intersection.

No Clues Obtained

No clues have been obtained to the identity of the assailants in either case nor the intended victim of yesterday’s gunfire.

The would-be slayers escaped yesterday from an Oaklyn motorist and the unknown man on the spot eluded Policeman William Stevenson after a 10-minute chase.

Both cars figuring in yesterday afternoon’s shooting bore Pennsylvania licenses.

The intended victim driving east on Chestnut street, stopped his blue sedan at the intersection when the traffic light turned red.

Raymond Scherneck, of 307 Laurel avenue, Oaklyn, stopped his care [sic] behind the sedan.

“While we were waiting, I saw a gray Ford coupe with Pennsylvania tags,” stated Scherneck. “It pulled up on my left, passed me and slowed down as it drew abreast of the Pennsylvania car ahead of me. The coupe had two men in it, and the man on the right side leaned out. He was bare-headed, and as he put his hand out the window, I saw him holding a blue pistol.

“He fired six times. The fellow in the other car threw himself down toward the floor. The coupe continued to go east, passing the red light. I went after the coupe, but I lost track of it near Chestnut street and Mt. Ephraim avenue.”

Assailant Escapes

Patrolman Stevenson said he was walking on Chestnut between Eighth and Ninth street when he saw a man put his hand out the window of a coupe and start firing. The officer ran to the intersection, but both the coupe and the sedan had gone on, the sedan turning south into Ninth street. Then he ran to Eighth and Sycamore streets, where his car was parked. He drove to Ninth and Chestnut, and saw Thomas Ward, 820 Chestnut street. Ward pointed to a sedan which had stopped on Ninth street, and said it was the sedan at which the assailants had fired. As Stevenson drove toward it, the sedan started up. He pursued it on Ninth to Mechanic, through Mechanic to Haddon avenue and out Haddon avenue to Euclid, where the sedan, a faster car than Stevenson’s, pulled away and escaped.

Ward was sitting on his front steps and saw the shooting. He said the Boskowska girl was sitting on the steps next door, and that a bullet struck the steps near her. The girl, who had run home crying, told police she heard something hit the steps near her.

Two bullets entered the wall of the saloon operated by John Bretschneider, 880 Chestnut street.

A short time after the shooting police arrived in bandit chasers. Armed with revolvers and shotguns, the police scoured the neighborhood but could not find the assailants. Major Charles V. Dickinson led the investigation.

Chez La Joy

Camden Courier-Post —

Chez La Joy - Camden Courier-Post, May 1934

New All Star Floor Show Featuring ALL COLORED ENTERTAINERS Direct from New York’s Famous Night Clubs

Music, Dancing and Plenty of What it Takes

Phone Camden 6193-7498

S.W. Cor. Mt. Ephraim & Mechanic St.

Management of Fred Klost[cut off at the crop edge]

Boy, Girl Struck on Trestle

Camden Courier-Post —

Boy, Girl Struck on Trestle - Camden Courier-Post, December 5, 1957 Boy, Girl Struck on Trestle - Camden Courier-Post, December 5, 1957 Boy, Girl Struck on Trestle - Camden Courier-Post, December 5, 1957

—Courier-Post Photo by Arthur C. Jarvis

A BOY AND A GIRL died here today . . . suddenly.

Frantic parents today identified John Wawrzyniak Jr., 14, and his sister, Karen, 9, as the victims of a PRSL train at Mechanic and Louis sts.

Police said the parents were John and Florence Wawrzyniak, of 1121 Orchard st.

A boy and a girl, both unidentified, lost their lives today when they were struck by a Camden-bound Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines train at Mechanic and Louis sts.

Investigators said the boy, about 13 or 14, apparently died a hero’s death as he attempted to get the girl, possibly his sister aged 9 or 10, off the tracks of a trestle spanning the intersection.

The boy was pronounced dead on arrival at 10.10 a. m. at West Jersey Hospital. The girl died 20 minutes later in the hospital, authorities there said.

Railroad authorities placed the time of the accident at 9.40 a. m. Coroner Wooster was notified.

Witnesses said the youngsters were running in the same direction the train was heading and almost had cleared the trestle when they were struck.

Train 15 Minutes Late

A PRSL spokesman said the two-car diesel left Haddonfield at 9.31 and was due at the Broadway station at 9.42. It arrived 14 minutes late. Many of the passengers had boarded it at Hadodnfield [sic] after leaving a train from Atlantic City.

Engineer John C. Gillon, of Haddonfield, reported he saw the children on the trestle and sounded his whistle as he applied emergency brakes but was unable to stop in time. Walter D. Lamon, of Camden, was conductor.

The PRSL spokesman said the youngsters technically were “trespassing.”

Det. Sgt. Patrick Carr, who took over the investigation, said a witness, William Bukowski, 41, of 1508 Norris st., attempted to run up the ice and snow covered embankment when he saw their plight.

“I heard the whistle and saw the kids,” Carr quoted Bukowski as stating. “The girl appeared to be playing and bending over the tracks. When the boy heard the whistle, he turned and ran back and attemtped [sic] to drag her off the trestle. They were near the end of the trestle when they were struck.”

At the hospital, a marketing list and $7 was found in the boy’s pockets. It called for purchases of sauerkraut, pumpernickel bread, cracked wheat bread, cream cheese and cigarets.

Police were called to the scene by John Revallo, operator of a cafe at Louis and Mechanic sts., who relayed a report by Henry Uber, another witness.

Uber, a painting contractor with offices and shop at 1207-09 Liberty st., was clearing snow on the Mechanic st. side of his building when he heard the train whistle and looked up to see the children on the tracks. Both appeared to be running in the same direction the train was heading, he said, and were thrown part way down the embankment when struck.

Slate Hearing In Two Deaths On RR Trestle

Camden Courier-Post —

Slate Hearing In Two Deaths On RR Trestle - Camden Courier-Post, December 12, 1957 Slate Hearing In Two Deaths On RR Trestle - Camden Courier-Post, December 12, 1957

(Reprinted from Wednesday’s Late Edition)

The engineer of a PRSL train that hit and killed two children on a trestle at Louis and Mechanic sts. last Thursday was released Wednesday in his own recognizance by Municipal Judge Marino pending further hearing next Wednesday.

John C. Gillan, 66, of 241 Rhoads ave., Haddonfield, the engineer, appeared in court, but Marino announced that through a clerical error the family of the children and the Camden police accident division had not been notified of the hearing.

The children were John Wawrzyniak Jr., 14. [sic] and his sister, Karen, 9, of 1121 Orchard st.

Rites Slated Tuesday for Train Victims

Camden Courier-Post —

Rites Slated Tuesday for Train Victims - Camden Courier-Post, December 6, 1957 Rites Slated Tuesday for Train Victims - Camden Courier-Post, December 6, 1957

Solemn requiem high Mass for John Wawrzyniak Jr., 14, and his sister, Karen, 9, will be sung Tuesday at 9 a. m. in St. Joseph’s Church, 10th and Mechanic sts.

The children were killed Thursday by a Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines train on a trestle over Louis and Mechanic sts., less than four blocks from their home at 1121 Orchard st.

Preceding the Mass, friends will meet at 8.30 a. m. in the Ciechanowski Funeral Home, 1309 S. 10th st., where they may call Monday night. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chews Landing.

The boy was an honor student at Hatch Junior High School, and his sister, a fourth-grade pupil at Lincoln School.

Surviving them are their parents, John and Florence; paternal grandparents, Casimir and Stefania Wawrzyniak, of Camden, and maternal grandparents, Francis and Laura Pierzynski, of Camden.

Brief Across the River Notes

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Brief Across the River Notes - Philadelphia Inquirer, August 12, 1890

Llewellen B. Jackson, the installment man, at 94 Federal street, whose place was robbed on Saturday morning, thinks he has a clue. He says among the things stolen were two affidavits which he had secured to use in obtaining a divorce from his wife.

While unloading coal from a scow yesterday George Burton, of 629 Mechanic street, was struck by the hoisting bucket and received a compound fracture of the hip.

Minnie Aaron, of 1183 Linden street, was sent to jail by Mayor Pratt last night for a hearing to-day. “Jimmy” Bundles accused her of stealing a $20 gold piece from him.

Camden’s Scarred Patriots

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Camden’s Scarred Patriots - Philadelphia Inquirer, July 5, 1904

Fourth Marked by Absence of Serious Accidents

All Camden entered into the spirit of the Fourth of July yesterday. One noticeable feature of the day was the absence of serious accidents. Not a Fourth of July victim was treated at the Homeopathic Hospital, while at the Cooper Hospital but eight were admitted, as follows:

Albert Owens, aged 24 years, of 227 Mechanic street; powder burns of the back.

Charles Haines, aged 54 years, of 110 Birch street; burned hands.

Joseph Simons, aged 47 years, of 1113 Locust street; contusions of the eyelid.

Russell Hutchins, aged 11 years, of 557 Royden street, gunshot wound of right leg.

William Fabor, aged 14 years, of 226 Washington street; blank cartridge wound of right hand.

Florence McGann, aged 33 years, of 226 Erie street; powder burns of hands.

Samuel Ross, aged 14 years, of 5 North Third street; face burned.

Frank Kupp, aged 14 years, of 1043 Pine street; burned hands.

Yesterday afternoon flag raising and christening ceremonies were held at the new apartment house at Sixth and Mickle streets. At Pyne Point Park exercises appropriate to the day were observed. They consisted of singing, music, reading of the Declaration of Independence by F. Wayland Potter and addresses by Rev. F. A. De Maris, of the State Street M. E. Church; Mayor Joseph E. Nowrey, and ex-Assemblyman Joseph M. Engard.

Last night splendid pyrotechnical displays were given.

Lorigan & Hurley Building Permits

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Lorigan & Hurley Building Permits - Philadelphia Inquirer, May 7, 1910

Lorigan & Hurley yesterday took out a permit for the erection of a row of nine houses from 319 to 335 North Eighth street. A permit for nine dwellings on Ninth street south of Mechanic street, was also issued.

Camden County Transfers

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Camden County Transfers - Philadelphia Inquirer, February 22, 1908

Camden—S W corner Mechanic and Norris sts—G Hugo Ernst to Edward Geschke ... 2100

Camden—No 701 Cherry st—John J Burleigh to Penilla M Harrison ... 1500

Haddonfield—E side Centre st, 163 ft N Park ave—Samuel Dunbarr to Sara Le Master Stager ... 2500

Camden—Nos 327 and 329 Liberty st—William B Stephens to Ephraim B Fisher ... 2000

Pierce Finds 2 Cops Guilty On 2 Counts

Camden Courier-Post —

Pierce Finds 2 Cops Guilty On 2 Counts - Camden Courier-Post, April 8, 1967

Mayor Pierce, director of public safety, Friday found Ptl. Bernal Ford, 37, of the 2000 block Miller st., and Eugene Bagwell, 31, of the 500 block Trenton ave., guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and conduct subversive to the good order of the service.

Pierce, after a departmental hearing which began Tuesday, said he will announce disciplinary action after studying the records. Ford, who has been on the force seven years, and Bagwell, who joined the force a year ago, will remain on suspension.

Police Chief Neale suspended the men March 13, two days after they were involved in a fight in a restaurant in the 500 block of Kaighhs [sic] ave. Neale said Ford, who was in plain clothes but on duty, engaged in an argument with Bagwell, who was in uniform but not on duty, after Ford decided to arrest Miss Valencia Robinson, 20, of the 300 block Mechanic st., for loud and abusive language.

The two began fighting, Neale said, and Ford drew his gun and fired one shot into the floor to break Bagwell’s grip. The woman was later given a five-day suspended term in the county jail by Municipal Judge Sklar.

Pierce said a charge of intoxication against Bagwell was dismissed.

Camden News Notes

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Camden News Notes - Philadelphia Inquirer, September 2, 1904 Camden News Notes - Philadelphia Inquirer, September 2, 1904

Annie Smith, aged 67 years; of 308 Mechanic street, dropped dead at her home yesterday. Coroner Lippincott gave a certificate of death from heart disease.

Daniel Bromley, aged 50 years, for many years transfer mail agent at the Pennsylvania Railroad terminal, died yesterday at his home, 1500 South Tenth street.

A. G. McCausland, superintendent of the Atlantic City Railroad, has purchased the residence of the late David M. Chambers, at 521 Cooper street.

Benjamin Eppinger, aged 12 years, of 1159 Federal street, met with serious injuries yesterday by being jolted from a brewery wagon at Twelfth and Federal streets. The wheels of the wagon passed over the boy’s legs, fracturing them.

BROMLEY.—On September 1, 1904, DANIEL N BROMLEY, aged 49 years. The relatives and friends of the family and Sioux Tribe, No. 25, Imp O R M, of Camden, N J; Camden Mutual Association, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and U S R M S M B Association, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Sunday afternoon, September 4, at 2 o’clock, from the residence of his brother-in-law, Alvin Wilke, 1503 S 10th st, Camden, N J.

Remains can be viewed on Saturday evening, from 7.30 to 9.30.

Interment at Evergreen Cemetery.

23 Homeless After $300,000 Fire Destroys City Block in Camden

Camden Courier-Post —

23 Homeless After $300,000 Fire Destroys City Block in Camden - Camden Courier-Post, July 11, 1933 23 Homeless After $300,000 Fire Destroys City Block in Camden - Camden Courier-Post, July 11, 1933 23 Homeless After $300,000 Fire Destroys City Block in Camden - Camden Courier-Post, July 11, 1933 23 Homeless After $300,000 Fire Destroys City Block in Camden - Camden Courier-Post, July 11, 1933 23 Homeless After $300,000 Fire Destroys City Block in Camden - Camden Courier-Post, July 11, 1933 23 Homeless After $300,000 Fire Destroys City Block in Camden - Camden Courier-Post, July 11, 1933 23 Homeless After $300,000 Fire Destroys City Block in Camden - Camden Courier-Post, July 11, 1933 23 Homeless After $300,000 Fire Destroys City Block in Camden - Camden Courier-Post, July 11, 1933 23 Homeless After $300,000 Fire Destroys City Block in Camden - Camden Courier-Post, July 11, 1933

C. B. Coles Mill Damaged and 7 Houses Burn

Six Overcome by Smoke, Two Sisters Saved From Dwelling

ALL BEREFT OF HOMES TO BE CARED FOR BY CITY

Firemen Called at 4 A. M. as Flames Burst From Smouldering Ruins

Fire Climaxes Troubles of Kaighn Point Widow

Yesterday’s disastrous fire was the climax to a series of tragedies which have visited Mrs. Margaret Dolson, of 1226 Knight street, during the last five months. Her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Craig, 73, died about five months ago. A short time later, Mrs. Dolson’s husband, Robert, died, leaving her with three sons and a nephew. After that, a small fire broke out in her home and damaged some furniture.

Because of some difficulty with the insurance company over collecting money for damage, she allowed her fire insurance on her furniture to lapse and thus was fully unprotected when—

Yesterday the Kaighn’s Point fire razed the house, which she rented, and all of her personal effects were destroyed, leaving her with nothing. Through the kindness of friends, she and her brood have shelter and food today.

Camden’s most devastating conflagration in 18 years swept over an entire city block at Kaighn Point yesterday afternoon and left in its blackened wake damage unofficially estimated at $300,000.

Again at 4 a.m. today, fire broke out in the still smouldering ruins. A fire company from Sixth street and Kaighn avenue responded to the alarm and promptly extinguished the new blaze, leaving a guard there to immediately sound an alarm at any sign of another outbreak.

Yesterday’s hungry flames, fanned by a tricky, high wind, took the following toll:

Seven homes at Nos. 1218, 1226, 1228, 1230 and 1232 Knight street, and Nos. 1208 and 1210 South Front street.

Twenty-three persons, including eight children, eight women and seven men, were left homeless.

Six persons were overcome by smoke or injured by flying debris.

Three warehouses, an office building and a large shed owned by the C. B. Coles and Sons Lumber Company on the east side of Front street at Mechanic, were destroyed or damaged. The factory and warehouses on the west side of front street were untouched by the flames and were in operation today.

Eight automobile [sic] were completely destroyed and at least five others damaged.

A large garage housing a motorboat at 1215 Knight street, owned by George Tucker, was razed.

The stables of Charles Voll at 1216 Knight street were destroyed after 15 horses had been led to safety. Voll, a produce dealer at Second and Kaighn, also owned one of the houses destroyed and two automobile [sic] which were demolished.

Area Affected

The area affected by the fire was bounded by Kaighn avenue, Front, Second and Mechanic streets. However, the fire wreaked the worst damage on Front and Knights [sic] streets. Knight is a small street running south from Kaighn to Mechanic, parallel to Front and Second streets.

Not since the fire which destroyed the same lumber yard and the old Kaighn’s Point ferry on Jan. 3, 1915, has the city experienced such a destructive fire. Scarcely had smoke been sighted an an [sic] alarm sounded, then the flames were racing through the lumber yard. A shifting wind sent the fire scurrying in several directions so quickly that tenants of the houses which caught fire had very little opportunity to save any of their household effects.

A general alarm was sounded for the first time in years, bringing to the scene every available piece of fire apparatus, while Philadelphia fire boats stood by to render aid should the flames spread to the new $3,000,000 Reading Terminal less than a half block away.

Today, firemen were endeavoring to determine the origin of the fire, but the care of the homeless was the city’s major problem.

Those left without homes and even a change of clothing were sheltered by neighbors or relatives last night, but Dr. A. L. Stone, city relief administrator, was planning to give aid to them today.

One of the homeless women, Mrs. Marion Richards, of 1218 Knight street, went to Dr. Stone for aid at 10 a. m. today. As she was walking through the first floor at City Hall, she collapsed. Nurses from Dr. Stone’s offices revived her.

Ruins Searched by Homeless

Several of those whose homes were razed were searching in the ruins today for some of their valuables. They and firemen were the only ones permitted in the stricken area, which police had roped off. Additional patrolmen were on duty to prevent scavengers from robbing the debris of any valuables that may have been buried there.

Henry C. Coles, president of the lumber company, stated that his firm’s property was damaged to the extent of about $200,000. The entire lumber company property on the east side of Front street was either destroyed or made untenable by fire and water. However, he said the factory was in operation today, and as no trucks were damaged, the firm was conducting its usual business.

A horse known throughout the neighborhood as “Old Bob,” was burned to death in the lumber yard.

Of the houses burned, Voll owned the 1218 Knight street property; the Reading Railroad owned the house at 1226 Knight street, while the others were owned by John Bircher, of Bellmawr.

In addition to the places actually damaged, many other properties were in danger from ever-shifting winds and virtual clouds of sparks. Windows on other properties cracked from the heat, and streams of water were played on properties across the street from the burning area.

40 Lines of Hose

Chief John H. Lennox called every fire company and every fireman on duty. Every available policeman was called to handle the thousands of spectators.

Civilians aided the firemen. Employes of the lumber plant manned hose and the company’s turbines churned tons of water into the blaze. At one time the fire companies were pouring water from 40 lines of hose.

Water Chief James H. Long and his assistant, Harry Hertline, responded to the fire alarms and found plenty of water. The companies were pumping from 20-inch high pressure mains, with auxiliary wells on Ferry avenue and on Kaighn avenue.

Intense heat kept firemen a half a square from the blaze at times. They slowly struggled through blinding and suffocating smoke and when the blaze was under control two hours after it was discovered the firemen had managed to confine it to a city block.

Woman Discovers It

The first alarm was at 3 p. m., shortly after Mrs. Joseph Novack, whose husband is the proprietor of a cafe at 1208 South Front street, ran into the street, screaming “Fire!”

E. H. Stewart, general secretary of the Atlantic City Railroad Y. M. C. A., across the street at Front and Atlantic avenue, sent in the first alarm and later rescued two women.

Stewart said the wind was blowing from the east at the time and the Y. M. C. A., the planing mills of the Coles Company and the Camden Terminal Storage Company’s seven-story warehouse, at Front and Mechanic streets, were in danger.

But the wind suddenly shifted from east to west and a light breeze from the river carried the flames toward a row of five frame houses on Knight street, between Front and Second.

These two-story houses were enveloped in flames in a few minutes. So fast did the fire travel that little was saved. One family was absent, but the four others fled for their lives.

Clowns Save Cripple

Several members of the Camden Clown Club, a veteran New Year shooters’ organization, ran to the home of James Shay, 1228 Knight street, and one of them, Albert George, carried Shay’s invalid stepdaughter, Alice Williams, 25, from the blazing house. The girl, an infantile paralysis victim, was sitting helpless in a wheel chair when the flames ignited the home.

With her mother, Mrs. Alice Shay, and stepbrother, William Shay, 14, she watched the flames crumble the home in which they had lived 20 years.

Other members of the clown club—Stanley Berthelot, Henry Small and James Rice—carried brand new furniture of William Haines, 1232 Knight street, to safety.

Stewart carried two aged sisters, Mrs. Anna Parker and Mrs. Mary Numbers, from their blazing home at 1210 South Front street, next to the Novack cafe.

Twelve automobiles on a parking lot of Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Numbers on the south side of their home were either destroyed or damaged. Civilians were able to get six of them to safety after they had been partially damaged. The others were buried as walls collapsed.

Crumbling walls endangered 30 firemen on Front street at 5 p. m. About that time a ladder against a Coles garage slipped and Fireman William Hopkins, 39, of 730 Cedar street, attached to Engine Company No. 2, was thrown to the sidewalk. He suffered sprained ankles and was removed to Cooper Hospital.

Felix Benzyn, 33, of 926 Howe street, attached to Company No. 7, suffered burns of the face and hands and was taken to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital.

First Aid Crews Sent

Dennis Block, 3, of 1123 South Second street, suffered burns of the right arm and left leg when he wandered too near the flames. He was taken to the West Jersey Hospital for treatment.

Cooper and West Jersey Hospitals sent ambulances with doctors and nurses who treated several firemen for cuts, burns and minor injuries. All of the city ambulances were on duty.

Camden and Philadelphia Second Alarmers served cool drinks to the firemen and police.

Several charitable organizations, including Wiley Mission, offered to house those left without homes.

Trainman Faints in Fright

Fully 20 trainmen were asleep on the second floor of the Y. M. C. A. Building when the fire broke out. Stewart awakened them. C. E. Wells, one of the trainmen, collapsed when he was suddenly awakened to see the conflagration so near. He was revived by doctors from West Jersey Hospital ambulance.

Firemen were hampered by the explosion of gasoline tanks of automobiles trapped in the parking yard of Mrs. Parker and her sister.

A horse in the lumber company’s stable just north of the Novack place perished.

The fire was at the main entrance of the $3,000,000 Reading terminal, which for a while was in danger. It was impossible to get vehicles into the ferry house. All cars coming from Philadelphia were forced to park at the entrance until the flames were under control.

The railroad kept several locomotives standing by at the terminal to remove coaches if necessary. The company lost several hundred coaches in the 1915 fire.

‘Bus Bandits’ Found Guilty; Face 15 Years

Camden Courier-Post —

‘Bus Bandits’ Found Guilty; Face 15 Years - Camden Courier-Post, October 23, 1931 ‘Bus Bandits’ Found Guilty; Face 15 Years - Camden Courier-Post, October 23, 1931

Thompson and Mallet Convicted of Robbing Drivers in Short Time

‘CONFESSION’ FORCED, DEFENDANT DECLARES

Juror Slugged, Case Goes on With Eleven in the Box

Found Guilty

REINO A. THOMPSON

805 Linden street, who with Henry N. Mallet, of 119 North Ninth street, co-defendant, was found guilty of highway robbery by a jury in Criminal Court yesterday. The jury consisted of 11 persons. One was released after he informed the court he was “put on the spot.”

Reino A. Thompson, 19, of 805 Linden street, and Henry N. Mallet, 21, of 119 North Ninth street, were both found guilty of highway robbery by a jury in Criminal Court yesterday after one hour and 20 minutes’ deliberation.

The maximum penalty for this crime is 15 years in state prison. Judge Samuel M. Shay will sentence the pair next week.

At the opening of the case yesterday, it was revealed that one of the jurors had his head bandaged. An inquiry from the court brought out the fact that the juror had received two alleged beatings and was “put on the spot.”

Judge Shay allowed the man to leave the jury box and proceeded with 11 persons, an unprecedented situation in the history of the county court.

Mallett Scores Police

Thompson in his testimony exonerated Mallet of the crime and told the jurors he did the robbery. Mallet, who had made a signed confession, which was introduced into court, testified he was given rough tactics by the police and compelled to sign the statement.

Mallet said that at the time of the robbery he was eating in a Camden restaurant. Later he met Thompson and they went for a ride through Merchantville. When several policemen approached, Thompson wrecked the car in attempting to escape and Mallet suffered a severe cut over his right eye.

When taken to the station house, Mallet testified, Bangs struck him repeatedly on his injured eye “until I would have confessed anything and signed without knowing what I was doing.”

Thompson, who admitted his part in the holdup, corroborated Mallet’s testimony.

Charles B. Kay, 53, of 435 Liberty street, was the juror who said he had been attacked by thugs. He declared he suffered four broken ribs and cuts and bruises. His head was swathed in gauze when he appeared in the courtroom.

In further explanation, Kay said he was put “on the spot.” He volunteered no further explanation than that, but asked to be excused, as he had to report back to the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital today for treatment.

Excused From Duty

He was excused by the court after Assistant Prosecutor Rocco Palese and Frank M. Lario, attorney for the defendants, agreed to continue with eleven jurors.

Kay walked into the hospital at 4 a. m. and asked for treatment. He said that a man offered to give him a lift in an automobile while he was standing at Third and Mechanic streets. A woman was with the “good samaritan,” according to Kay, who averred that instead of going to the Market street ferries the man drove the car out Mt. Ephraim avenue.

Kay asserted that when he protested the man struck him and threw him out of the machine. No attempt was made to rob him. Police investigating the attack stated that Kay had been drinking and told varying stories, first saying he knew the couple and later denying he knew who they were.

Reino, who was exonerated of killing his father last April, and Mallett are said to have confessed to 13 robberies, but they were placed on trial on charges of holding up Leon Garringer, 4725 Poplar avenue, Pennsauken, and Fred Crowder, 6308 Shelbourne street, Philadelphia, on Aug. 5. Garringer and Crowder are bus drivers and were on the witness stand today.

Garringer said he stopped his Public Service bus at Park avenue and Haddonfield road, Pennsauken township, at 11 p. m. that night. Later, Crowder parked his bus and came into Garringer’s bus. Garringer was reading a paper and Crowder was counting his receipts when a coupe containing two men pulled up beside the buses.

One of the coupe’s occupants entered the bus, levelled a revolver at the two drivers and yelled, “Stick ‘em up!” He stole $19 from Crowder and then ran back to the coupe, where his companion had been waiting at the driver’s wheel.

Caught After Chase

Crowder corroborated Garringer’s testimony, and Chief of Police William H. Linderman was called by the state. Chief Linderman said his men captured Thompson Aug. 9 after a long chase and later arrested Mallett. The following day, Thompson sent for him, saying he wanted “to come clean.” Thompson confessed to the bus holdup, Chief Linderman said, and implicated Mallett. Palese succeeded in having the confession accepted in evidence and it was read to the jury.

Policemen Edward J. Hare and Herbert A. Davidson, Jr., of Merchantville, stopped an automobile at Maple and Westminster avenues. They were suspicious of the registration, and bade the driver, who was Mallett, to follow them to the police station. Thompson was in the car. Instead of stopping at the station, the driver turned into Park avenue, where a pistol was thrown out of the automobile. The police gave chase. Near Maple Shade, the car went into a ditch and overturned. Thompson was caught but Mallet escaped. He was later arrested in Camden when his mother allegedly revealed his hiding place to police.

Thompson was arrested when his father died last April of injuries to his head suffered when he fell after being struck by Reino. The youth said he struck in self-defense. Also his mother pleaded his cause. Young Thompson promised to “lead a good life” and help support his mother and her family. He was then released by the grand jury.

Fireman Caught When Wall Falls, Saved

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Fireman Caught When Wall Falls, Saved - Philadelphia Inquirer, October 24, 1920

His Chief Has Narrow Escape at Blaze Destroying Camden Plant

One fireman was hurt, and Chief Peter B. Carter and several other members of the Camden department narrowly escaped injury by the collapse of a portion of the building while fighting flames which destroyed the old Murphy oilcloth plant at Ferry avenue and Mechanic street, yesterday afternoon. Warned by the cries of onlookers when the roof started to tumble outward the firemen fled. All got safely away with the exception of George Hollins, of No. 1 Truck Company. He was caught under a section of the roof and smoldering timbers. Fellow-firemen quickly extricated him and sent him to the Homeopathic Hospital, where he was treated for shock and lacerations of the scalp. A piece of burning plank struck Chief Carter’s helmet, but he escaped injury.

The Murphy building was burned to the ground with a loss of $10,000. It was a two-story frame structure, 75 by 22 feet. It had not been used for the making of oilcloth for several years, and did not contain any machinery. A fertilizer concern last used the building, which had been vacant for several months. The structure was owned by the Peter J. Murphy estate. Chief Carter suspects that the fire was started by boys or vagrants.

A Philadelphia fireboat went over to the Camden side to help if its services were needed, as for a time it was feared that the flames might spread to Danehower’s grocery warehouse and the Waterall paint plant. However, the flames were confined to the Murphy plant, which is a smouldering mass of ruins.

Hollins, the injured fireman, was hurt in a like manner three years ago, his right arm being badly torn. During the influenza epidemic, in the fall of 1918, his daughter died from the malady.

Ex-Camden Man Gets 5-7 Years in Slaying

Camden Courier-Post —

Ex-Camden Man Gets 5-7 Years in Slaying - Camden Courier-Post, February 2, 1956

Isadore Birch, 29, of New York City, was sentenced today by County Judge Palese to a term of five to seven years in State Prison on a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of a South Camden man during an argument on Aug. 14, 1947.

Birch, who formerly lived on Kaighns ave., near 2nd st., was charged with the death of Zatch McGriff, 28, of 247 Mechanic st. McGriff died in West Jersey Hospital several hours after he had been admitted with slash wounds inflicted, police said, by a soda bottle.

The fight took place at 233 Kaighns ave. Birch was apprehended by FBI agents last Sept. 1 in New York City. Assistant Prosecutor Robert B. Johnson said that a detainer against Birch has been lodged by Florida officials. Johnson said Birch is accused of escaping from a chain gang after serving six months of a two to three year sentence on the charge of breaking and entering.

Marriage Licenses

Camden Courier-Post —

Marriage Licenses - Camden Courier-Post, August 14, 1956

Camden

William Coleman, 31, of 1018 Lawrence st., and Evelyn A. Bond, 29, of 1031 N. 18th st.

William Mosley, 60, of 539 Liberty st., and Ruth Jones, 50, of 645 Mechanic st.

Carello C. T. Fornito, 49, of 1245 S. 3rd st., and Mary G. Carelli, 41, of 1245 S. 3rd st.

Joseph H. Grater, 27, of 407 Cedar st., and Mary A. Hans, 19, of 207 Bailey st.

Paul L. Kavanagh, 37, of 1500 West ave., Ocean City, and Dolores Dorkowski, 27, of 1827 Tioga st.

Fresh Genuine Penna. Anthracite Coal

Camden Courier-Post —

Fresh Genuine Penna. Anthracite Coal - Camden Courier-Post, October 5, 1936

Fresh Genuine Penna. Anthracite

COAL

HAULERS INVITED

2000 lbs. guaranteed weight by State Weighers Nos. 3371, 3571, 4360

Let us take your fuel worries off your shoulders by ordering at once at these

NEW LOW PRICES

EGG TON $10.00
STOVE TON 10.00
NUT TON 10.00
PEA TON 8.25
BUCK TON 7.25

Ask for Special 5-Ton Lot Prices

BOUDOV

COAL and ICE CO. Inc.

212 MECHANIC STREET

Brennan Woman Jailed

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Brennan Woman Jailed - Philadelphia Inquirer, July 27, 1917

Refusing to say anything about the case, Jennie Brennan, 25 years old, of 325 Mickle street, who stabbed Osman Harding, 24 years old, of 267 Mechanic street, was yesterday committed to jail without bail by Recorder Stackhouse. The young woman’s face brightened when Detective Brothers reported that the man whom she had stabbed because of his alleged attack on her, was in an improved condition at Cooper Hospital and will very likely recover [cut off at the crop edge]

Missing Buttons Aid in Trapping Robber

Philadelphia Inquirer —

Missing Buttons Aid in Trapping Robber - Philadelphia Inquirer, September 13, 1914 Missing Buttons Aid in Trapping Robber - Philadelphia Inquirer, September 13, 1914

Prisoner Admits Stealing From Store in Camden When Mute Evidence Is Presented

A blue shirt from which two buttons were missing was a link in a chain of evidence which forced William Weaver, aged 28 years, of 213 Chestnut street, Camden, to admit to Detective Brothers that he robbed the store of Sidney Cohen, Tenth and Mechanic streets, and later knocked Mrs. Cohen down. Weaver was given four months in jail.

When Mrs. Cohen ran after the man following his bold robbery in broad daylight, she struggled with him and although knocked to the ground succeeded in ripping off two buttons. After Weaver had been arrested Mrs. Cohen identified him and said when she was attacked he wore a blue shirt. He had a white one on when apprehended. Detective Brothers found a laundry slip on Weaver and on redeeming the articles the blue shirt was found. The laundryman said Weaver had left it with the order to sew on the two buttons. When confronted with that fact Weaver confessed to being the robber

Rodriguez Cut While at Work On ‘Clean-Up’

Camden Courier-Post —

Rodriguez Cut While at Work On ‘Clean-Up’ - Camden Courier-Post, May 1965

Camden’s two-week clean-up campaign has meant a real “shot in the arm” for Councilman Mario Rodriguez (at left in photo).

In fact, it’s meant three of them—a sensitivity shot and two tetanus shots.

The injections were administered by Dr. Charles R. Bender of 2707 Federal st., yesterday after Rodriguez cut his right ring finger while helping to clean up a vacant lot at 227 Mechanic st.

Rodriguez said the cuts came from a sedan seat he and Councilman Andrew Corea lifted into a truck as they worked with other council members on the beautification project.

Public Safety Director Keith Kauffman, right, applied an adhesive bandage, and Rodriguez went to the physician for treatment.

Councilmen Set Example

Camden Courier-Post —

Councilmen Set Example - Camden Courier-Post, May 17, 1965

2-Week Clean-Up Fix-Up Plan in Camden Begins

CITY COUNCIL members set the example today for a concentrated two-week campaign to clean-up Camden.

They donned white coveralls early today for their assignment—to beautify a vacant lot at 277 Mechanic st.

Plans for the two-week campaign have been mapped by the city’s health officer, Raphael Meadow and Fire Chief George Baxter, head of the city’s fire marshals.

TOMORROW, Baxter said, district fire companies will begin door-to-door inspections of homes for potential fire hazards. However, he emphasized that the inspections must be voluntary. “We only will go into homes if we are invited,” he said. Firemen also will have literature to give to residents they visit.

School children are being given accident home inspection blanks to take home to their parents, according to Meadow.

Special trash pick-ups also will begin tomorrow in North Camden. Meadow said as many special pick-ups as possible will be scheduled during the two-week period. He said those areas not included will have special pick-up days after the formal campaign ends.

ON WEDNESDAY, emphasis will be placed on beautifying the South Camden area, from Mickle st. to Kaighns ave. and from 2nd st. to the Cooper River. Meadow said extra crews will be available in the area.

On Thursday, clean-up crews will be working from Mickle st. as far north as possible, according to Meadow.

Fire engines and wagons will be in South Camden on Friday, Baxter said. A “hosing-down” of South Camden streets is planned for Saturday.

BURNING-OFF vacant lots will begin next Monday, according to Baxter. He said firemen will begin with an area behind Westfield Acres on Pleasant ave. Meadow said as many mosquito breeding areas will be burned-off as possible.

Next Tuesday has been designated as paint-up day, and the activities are being coordinated with local neighborhood councils. Local businessmen also are cooperating by staging special sales on paint.

Cramer Hill residents will have a special trash pick-up day next Wednesday. On Thursday, trash trucks will be in East Camden, from the Cooper River to 28th st.

BAXTER SAID THE “house of hazards,” will be set up in the lobby of City Hall on Friday.

The chief fire marshal emphasized that residents can eliminate fire hazards during their own spring cleaning this year. He suggested that newspapers, magazines, discarded clothing, old furniture and materials be thrown out of attics and closets.

Baxter also emphasized that safety precautions must be used in the annual paint-up, fix-up campaign. If flammable paint removers are used, the fire marshal said they should be worked with out-of-doors. If they are used indoors, Baxter said windows must be open, stoves turned off and there should not be any smoking.

Paint materials should be stored away from furnaces, exits and stairways, and only in capped metal containers.

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