Pierce Avenue
Pierce Avenue ran from State Street east to a dead end beyond North 35th Street in Cramer Hill, between Wayne and Harrison Avenues. It was named after President Franklin Pierce.
1500 Block of Pierce Avenue
Pierce Avenue — Occupants (1500 Block)
City directory records and newspaper clippings, 1936–1947.
1590 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1936 | William Eisenberg & Sons Inc. |
| 1947 | Advertising Printing Co. Inc. |
Wm. Eisenberg & Sons Incorporated
Camden Courier-Post —
WM. EISENBERG & SONS INCORPORATED
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
16th and Pierce Avenue
Camden — 4469
1600 Block of Pierce Avenue
Pierce Avenue — Occupants (1600 Block)
City directory records and newspaper clippings, 1929–1947.
1606 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1933 | Charles Joslin |
1626 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1929 | Thomas Cunningham |
Candy Selling Club
Camden Courier-Post —
WANTED—Boys and girls to join candy selling club, good profits paid. No money needed. Inquire 1600 Pierce Ave, Camden.
3 Youths Sentenced for Robbery of Store
Camden Courier-Post —
Pleading guilty to robbery of a chain store at twenty-seventh and Westfield Avenue, three youths were sentenced yesterday by Judge Samuel M. Shay in Criminal Court.
Anthony Scott, 17, of 326 Benson Street, was sent to Rahway Reformatory; Charles Joslin, 19, of 1606 Pierce street, was fined $100, and Dominick Croge, 18, of 2311 Carman Street, was sent to the county jail for four months.
Police said two of the youths broke into the chain store about three weeks ago and stole 50 cartons of cigarettes and other merchandise. Joslin, it was testified, did not break into the store, but had used his automobile to cart away the stolen goods, at the request of the other two youths.
1900 Block of Pierce Avenue
Pierce Avenue — Occupants (1900 Block)
City directory records, 1924–1951.
1916 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1943 | Frank Detwiler & Family |
| 1943 | Frank & Elva Detwiler |
| 1943 | Keith Detwiler |
| 1943 | Wayne Detwiler |
| 1943 | Francine Detwiler |
| 1943 | Joyce Detwiler |
| 1943 | Marilyn Detwiler |
| Donald Detwiler |
1918 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1951 | Thomas C. Blair Jr. |
1922 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| WWII | Private First Class Robert E. Coates |
Private First Class Robert E. Coates — 1922 Pierce Avenue
2100 Block of Pierce Avenue
Pierce Avenue — Occupants (2100 Block)
City directory records, 1930s–1955.
2117 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1930s–1940s | Franz Witt, Camden Scale Manufacturer |
| 1955 | Silos Incorporated |
2117 Pierce Avenue — site of Franz Witt's scale manufacturing business, as seen from North 22nd Street. Photograph taken March 2012.
2117 Pierce Avenue, as seen from North 21st Street. Photograph taken March 14, 2012.
2117 Pierce Avenue. Photographs taken March 14, 2012.
Photographs
Northeast corner of North 24th Street and Pierce Avenue — October 6, 2011.
Looking north on Pierce Avenue from North 27th Street — February 22, 2004.
2700 Block of Pierce Avenue
Pierce Avenue — Occupants (2700 Block)
City directory records and newspaper clippings, 1918–1977.
2710 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1918–1959 | Daniel G. Deacon & Family |
| 1918–1959 | Daniel G. & Georgia L. Deacon |
| 1918–1959 | Daniel J. Deacon |
| 1918–1959 | Lily Deacon |
2715 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1941 | Harry Molineaux & Family |
2719 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1950s–1977 | William H. Eckel & Family |
2730 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940–1941 | William H. Remaley & Family |
| 1940–1941 | William H. & Lydia Remaley |
| 1940–1941 | Harry Remaley |
| 1940–1941 | Chester Remaley |
| 1940–1941 | Edwin Remaley |
| 1940–1941 | Anna Remaley Molineaux |
2765 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1955 | Quality Specialty Company Inc. |
2727 Pierce Avenue. Photograph taken 2013.
Mathis Co. Veteran Wedded 50 Years
Camden Courier-Post —
There was a good reason why William H. Remaley took a day off as foreman of joiners at the Mathis Yacht Building Company, where he has worked 22 years.
He was busy celebrating with his wife, Lydia, their 50th wedding anniversary at the Remaley home, 2730 Pierce avenue. Four children and their families and a host of friends helped them.
The husband is 73 and a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Remaley is 68 and was born in Ohio. They have been residents of Camden 23 years. Their children are Harry, of Blackwood; Chester, who lives at 2811 Tyler avenue; Edwin, of 1209 North Twenty-seventh street, and Mrs. Harry Molineaux, of 2715 Pierce street.
Eckel
Camden Courier-Post —
On Nov. 26, 1971, Margaret M. (nee Pepeta) wife of William H. Eckel of 2719 Pierce Ave., Camden, N.J. Age 68 years. Also survived by son William C. of Camden, 3 daughters, Arlene of Mickleton, N.J., Mrs. Margaret Lambertson and Patricia of Hawaii, 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends of the family also members of the Altar and Rosary Society are invited to attend the funeral Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. from the Edward P. Leonard Jr. Funeral Home, 35th Street and River Avenue, Camden, N.J. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, 28th Street and River Avenue, Camden at 9:30 a.m.
Interment Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call Monday evening.
2800 Block of Pierce Avenue
Pierce Avenue — Occupants (2800 Block)
City directory records and newspaper clippings, 1924–1970s.
2809 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Anna M. Rickenbach |
2818 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1957 | Orris W. Smith |
2835 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1947 | James F. Hanaghue |
2846 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1950s–1970s | William D. Ayers & Family |
2809 Pierce Avenue. Photographs taken 2011.
Orris W. Smith
Camden Courier-Post —
Orris W. Smith, 37, of 2818 Pierce ave., died Monday at Belmont Iron Works, 22nd and Washington sts., Philadelphia, where he was employed as a layout man for 17 years. A lifelong Camden resident, he was a member of Fairview Methodist Church and Mozart Lodge 121, FAM. A War II marine, he was a member of Cpl. Mathew Purnell Post 518, VFW, of which he was a past commander.
Surviving are his wife, Florence M.; a son, Edward, 18 months; a stepson, Kenneth Taylor, at home; his mother, Mrs. Catherine Smith, of Camden; a brother, Edward, of Camden; two sisters, Mrs. Ethel Thompson, of Woodlynne, and Mrs. Catherine Koch, of Camden.
Services will be held Friday at 11 a. m. in the Gustav Roedel & Son Funeral Home, 804 N. 27th st., where friends may call Thursday night with Masonic services at 8 o’clock. Burial will be in Locustwood Memorial Park.
William D. Ayers
William D. Ayers — 2846 Pierce Avenue
Quality Specialty Co Inc
New Jersey Bell Telephone Yellow Pages — 1955
QUALITY SPECIALTY CO INC
2765 Lincoln Av Cam — WOodlwn 3-8972
Fireman Injured as Plant Burns
Camden Courier-Post —
Empty Evans Building Destroyed
By ROBERT N. SANDLER Courier-Post Staff
A 36-year-old fireman, injured yesterday when the ladder from which he was battling a general-alarm fire at a vacant leather tanning plant in North Camden ripped from its base, was reported in satisfactory condition today in Cooper Hospital, Camden.
Thomas DiBiaso, of 2840 Pierce Ave., Camden, was admitted to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit with multiple cuts, a broken wrist and elbow and a possible fracture of the skull.
Witnesses said DiBiaso, a three-year veteran of the fire department, fell about 30 feet and landed on the roof of one plant building when the ladder separated from its base. A second fireman, David Sanders, 38, of 2943 Berkeley St., Camden, who was just starting up the ladder at the time, suffered only minor injuries.
the aid of eight engines and four ladders, including one ladder truck from Westmont Fire Company No.1, fought the blaze in near-freezing temperatures for three and a half hours before it was declared under control at 6:55 p.m. by Fire Chief Frank Deal.
According to Camden County Fire Coordinator Jack Plaskett, men and equipment from Audubon, Brooklawn, Gloucester City, Haddon Heights, Oaklyn, Pennsauken and Woodlynne were stationed in Camden city firehouses. Volunteers of America Firemen’s Canteen was also at the scene.
Cause Probed
Fire officials said the cause of the fire was under investigation.
Camden Mayor Joseph M. Nardi Jr. was among the dozens of residents who watched as the fire spread quickly through the 113-year-old brick and frame buildings. A two-story brick wall of one building collapsed.
He called the fire “tragic.” The Camden mayor said he had hoped the former leather plant would be used for a commercial warehouse. He added that a private corporation had considered construction of modular-type homes on the vacant waterfront lots adjacent to the leather plant.
The five-building complex was sold to a New York firm in September, reportedly for use as a warehouse.
One of Largest
Before John R. Evans Co. went out of business last Feb. 26, it was one of the largest leather tanning companies in the area.
Founded in 1858, Evans Leathers imported kidskins and other leathers from India, Africa, South America and other parts of the world.
The plant, which at its peak in 1960 employed about 700 office, production and maintenance workers, processed $12 million worth of leathers for manufacture of shoes and handbags.
According to James Bienkowski, who said he formerly worked for Evans Leathers, the buildingswere [sic] completely empty since last Friday, when he and others workers [sic] removed the last of the equipment for Johnson Machinery of Newark.
DENSE smoke billows from former John R. Evans Company leather tanning plant in North Camden.
Courier-Post Photo by Robert L. Cave
Police, Fire Tests Take Heavy Toll
Camden Courier-Post —
Courier-Post Bureau
TRENTON — The high rate of failures on police and fire examinations was repeated yesterday in the Civil Service Department’s announcement of the results of tests for fire captain and patrolman in Camden City.
In the captain’s test, 23 passed, 64 failed and two did not show up for the test. In the test for patrolman, 10 passed, 32 failed and 14 failed to show. In the non-residents’ test for Camden patrolman, six passed, eight failed and five did not appear.
In the fire captain’s test, Kenneth M. Clark of 111 North 26th St., Camden, a veteran, qualified with a score of 92.6, highest for the seven veterans who qualified. Joseph R. Gfrorer of 3040 N. Constitution Road, Camden, was highest of applicants with a score of 96.5.
In the residents’ patrolman test, Robert D. Craig of 817 Vine Street was high with 78. In the non resident’s test, Edwin B. Hoffman of 514 Walnut Street, Audubon, a veteran qualified with 72.2 and Flem J. Hopkins Jr. of 113 Estates Ave., Pine Hill, was high with 78.
Others who passed the fire captain’s test were:
George D. Getty of 1111 N. 34 St., 95.4; John DiMaggio of 319 Beckett St., 94; Joseph J. Anderson of 2406 Denfield St., 92.96; Phillip A. Maycott of 2836 Lincoln Ave., 90.5; James McMaster of 402 N. 37th St., 90.2; William D. Hillman of 3071 Constitution Rd., 89.4; Joseph Arensberg of 1041 N. 32nd St., 88.3; Robert E. Briggs of 2861 Congress Road, veteran, 86.3; John S. Brzozowski of 371 N. 34th St., 86.2; Edmund F. Gorczynski of 272 N. 33rd St., veteran, 85.4; Anthony F. Orme of 3317 River Ave., veteran, 82.4; William B. Young of 1126 N. 33rd St., 80.5; William D. Ayers of 2846 Pierce Ave., veteran, 79.1; Joseph Dowhy Sr., of 866 Beideman Ave., veteran, 78.9; James O. Jones of 3214 Mitchell St., 78.3; Joseph Chelhowski of 1324 Sheridan St., veteran, 75.8; James T. Robinson of 504 Trenton Ave., 75.5; Anthony D. Moffa of 23 Leonard Ave., 73.3; Robert E. Davenport of 1026 Reeves Ave., 73; John F. Gaffney Jr., of 78 S. Dudley St., 72.8, and Albert E. Collum Jr., of 2409 Howell St., 72.6.
Patrolman (residents) who passed:
Joseph A. Fox of 2117 Mount Ephraim Ave., 77.1; Charles W. Cahilly 2d of 2015 Westminster Ave., 75.; Edward B. Bush of 3210 Mitchell St., 78.9; John F. Oppmann of 550 N. 30th St., 77.7; Gary E. Miller of 486-A Rand St., 77.4; Donald J. Tymusczuk of 2737 Concord Ave., 75.1; Joseph A. Broccoli of 1467 Pershing St., 74.2; Richard W. Merta of 1641 Pulaski St., 72.9, and Robert G. Gibson of 572 Clinton St., 72.6.
Patrolman (nonresidents) who passed:
Flem J. Hopkins Jr., 78; Elwood L. Ridge, 75.4; Joseph E. Benton, 74.7; David Vautier Jr., 74.1, and Frank R. Pedano, 73.8.
3100 Block of Pierce Avenue
3175 Pierce Avenue — November 23, 2010.
Intersection of North 32nd Street and Pierce Avenue
Northwest corner — 1100–1102 North 32nd Street — November 23, 2010.
Southwest corner — 1101–1103 North 32nd Street — November 23, 2010.
Southeast corner — 1059 & 1061 North 32nd Street — November 23, 2010.
Northeast corner — 1060 North 32nd Street — November 23, 2010.
3200 Block of Pierce Avenue
Pierce Avenue — Occupants (3200 Block)
City directory records, 1936.
3219 Pierce Avenue
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1936 | George W. Rush & Family |
| Helen M. Rush |
3300 Block of Pierce Avenue
3319 Pierce Avenue — Sanborn Maps indicate a building was here at one time after 1906. There are no listings at this address in city directories from 1924 through 1947, and the building was gone by 1962. This may have been temporary housing built after World War II for returning veterans.
3321 Pierce Avenue — Sanborn Maps indicate a building was here at one time after 1906. There are no listings at this address in city directories from 1924 through 1947, and the building was gone by 1962. This may have been temporary housing built after World War II for returning veterans.
Camden Burglar Slain; Cop Wounded in Gun Duel
Camden Courier-Post —
TWO SUSPECTS HELD IN FATAL FIGHT AT STORE
Detective Robert Ashenfelter in Serious Condition at Hospital
NO WARNING IS GIVEN AS SLEUTH IS FELLED
‘Tip’ on Robbery at Thirty-Second and Pierce Given By Telephone
Wounded Sleuth and Companion
—Courier-Post Photo
City Detective Robert Ashenfelter, wounded three times in a gun battle with a burglar suspect early this morning, is shown in his bed at the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital, talking to Detective Benjamin Simon. The latter, who was two feet behind Ashenfelter when the latter was hit, is shown telling the wounded man that the burglar, Charles Rettberg, 21, was killed in the volley of machine gun and revolver shots. The shooting occurred at the rear of a chain store at Thirty-second street and Pierce avenue.
CHARLES RETTBERG
Twenty-one-year-old East Camden burglar who was shot to death during a gun duel with police early this morning. Trapped in a chain grocery store at Thirty-second street and Pierce avenue, Rettberg seriously wounded Detective Robert Ashenfelter. The latter emptied his pistol at Rettberg, while Policeman Frank Evans opened fire with a machine gun.
A burglar was shot and killed by policemen armed with a machine gun after he critically wounded a city detective during a gun duel in the rear of an East Camden store early this morning. The slain man was Charles Rettberg, 21, 1189 North Thirty-sixth street.
In grave condition at the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital is City Detective Robert Ashenfelter, 39, of 119 Manheim avenue, Oaklyn. Ashenfelter, who is married, was shot three times, one bullet lodging over his heart, another in his right shoulder and another went through the right hand.
Two men are under arrest on suspicion of being Rettberg’s accomplices in the fatal attempt to rob the American Store on the southeast corner of Thirty-second street and Pierce avenue. They are Theodore Rettberg, 24, brother of the dead man, and a man who gave his name as Melvin James, 38, of Pottstown, Pa.
Theodore Rettberg was arrested at his home after the shooting when detectives found his clothing soaked by rain. James, who is believed to be a Camden man despite the address he gave, was found lying on the front step of the store prior to the shooting, ostensibly intoxicated. He was armed.
Police believe that James was feigning intoxication and actually was the lookout. Clothing worn by a third man seen running across a vacant lot immediately after the shooting tallied with that found in Theodore Rettberg’s room, according to the police.
A truck said by the police to be owned by Theodore Rettberg was found parked within half a block from the store.
Both James and Theodore Rettberg denied any implication in the attempted robbery, although they were subjected to questioning for several hours by Captain John Golden, of the city detectives, and Chief Lawrence T. Doran, of the county detectives.
Police was unable to determine how many times Charles Rettberg had been shot, or who had killed him. Detective Ashenfelter emptied his revolver at the trapped men, while Policeman Frank Evans manned the machine gun.
The fatality occurred at about 3.15 a. m. Desk Sergeant Gus Koerner received an anonymous telephone call at police headquarters shortly after 3 a. m. The caller declared that burglars were breaking into the American Store at “Thirty-second Bergen avenue.”
“You meaned Thirty-second and Pierce?” quizzed Koerner.
The caller mumbled something and hung up without giving his name. His mistake in the address — Thirty-second street and Bergen avenue run parallel to each other—led police to believe the caller was a stranger in that section of the city, if not in the city itself.
Koerner dispatched Policemen Evans and Charles Wainwright to the scene in a bandit chaser, which is equipped with a portable machine gun. Koerner also notified the detective bureau, and Ashenfelter and Benjamin Simon started out in another car. A third call was made to the Third district police station by Koerner, and the patrol crew, Joseph Shreeves and Elwood Humphreys, hastened to the store.
Evans and Wainwright arrived first, parking their car when they saw James sprawled on the front step. They questioned him, but he talked incoherently. Ashenfelter and Simon arrived in their car. Believing James was a lookout and that the burglar or burglars might still be in the place, the two detectives ran toward the rear to cut off escape from that exit.
Ashenfelter was about two feet ahead of Simon. With his gun in hand, Ashenfelter reached the rear of the building and started to turn the corner.
Burglar Opens Fire
Without warning a shot rang out from the interior of the shed at the rear. The bullet struck Ashenfelter in the right hand, tearing the butt off his revolver and then entering his chest. The revolver dropped from his hand.
Ashenfelter sank to his knees, crying, “They got me!” Nevertheless, he grasped his revolver in his uninjured left hand and emptied it into the shed, as four more bullets ripped through the door from the inside at the already wounded detective. One bullet struck Ashenfelter in the right shoulder, but the other three missed him.
Unable to reload, Ashenfelter drew himself to his feet and staggered out of line of fire. He fell into the arms of Simon, who pulled him out of danger.
Meanwhile Evans, hearing the shots, left Wainwright in front of the building with their prisoners, James. Seizing the machine gun, Evan’s [sic] ran to the rear. He pointed it at the door and shouted.
“Come out or I’ll shoot.”
There was no answer. Evans waited a moment, again shouted his warning, and then fired a burst from the machine gun. Seven bullets crashed through the door and wall of the shed.
The Third district patrol arrived and Ashenfelter was placed in it. He had attempted to rise three times, but on each occasion he slumped to the ground.
Hearing no sound from inside, police tore the door off its remaining hinge. They found Rettberg lying on the floor in a line with the door. He was dead. In his right hand was a 25-calibre pistol. All its cartridges had been discharged. Near his body also were a brace, bit and jimmy.
Policeman Wainwright then saw a man running east across the vacant lots in the rear of the store. Humphreys shouted to him to stop but when his command was not heeded, fired a shot at the fleeing figure. The fugitive disappeared on Bergen avenue, but not before Humphreys ascertained that he wore a yellow shirt.
Gun Found on Suspect
James was searched, and a .38-calibre revolver was found in his possession. He denied knowledge of the attempted robbery, and was taken to police headquarters.
A short time later, District Detectives Louis Schlam and Richard Donnelly, and Policemen Charles Johnson and Lewis Smith, all of the Third District, went to Rettberg’s home. There they found Theodore Rettberg clad only in underwear. He denied he had been at the store or with his brother, but the officers declared they found a bright yellow shirt and a pair of duck trousers in his room. The two articles of clothing were wet. As it had been raining at the time of the robbery, Theodore Rettberg was arrested on suspicion.
The manager of the store, Charles Schultz, 1618 Pierce avenue, stated it was the second time burglars had visited the establishment. About a month ago robbers stole $100 worth of goods, entering the place by forcing the shed door and then drilling a number of holes around the lock of the inner rear door.
This leads police to believe that Rettberg was implicated in the first robbery, as the same method of entrance was tried this morning. The thieves took off one hinge of the rear shed door and in that manner, opened that door this morning. Then the thieves attacked the door leading from the shed to the rear room of the store. A number of holes had been drilled around the bolt and a hole large enough to admit a man’s hand had been punched through the door.
However, Schultz had barricaded the inside door to prevent a second burglary. He had braced a heavy timber against the door, nailing the other end to the floor.
Hospital physicians at first feared that Ashenfelter had no chance for recovery. This forenoon, they said his condition had become fair, although it was too serious to permit them to remove the bullets.
The wounded detective was conscious this afternoon, and when Simon visited him, asked,
“Did they get him?”
“Yes, he’s dead,” Simon informed him.
“That makes me feel better,” sighed Ashenfelter. “That does me more good than medicine, and now I’ll get better quick. I’m glad they got him, for he tried to kill me and almost did.”
Where Burglar Was Killed and Cop Wounded
Here is the scene of this morning’s gun battle between a burglar suspect and police, as reconstructed by photographer and artist. The photo shows the rear of the American Store at Thirty-second street and Pierce avenue, in which Charles Rettberg was shot to death as he opened fire on police who trapped him. Rettberg is pictured lying in the shed, a small revolver, discharged, grasped in his hand. Outside the shed is the figure of City Detective Robert Ashenfelter, wounded three times. Detective Benjamin Simon is shown pulling Ashenfelter out of the line of fire, not knowing whether the trapped man was dead or alive.
“Bob” Ashenfelter, Shot in Duel With Burglars, Asks Pension
Camden Courier-Post —
John Sheeran Claims Disability
Gladney and Roy Smith Ask to Leave Fire Service
Applications of four policemen and two veteran firemen for pensions will be considered today at a special meeting of the Police and Firemen’s Pension Commission in the offices of Mayor Roy R. Stewart.
Included in the list are Detective Robert Ashenfelter and Accident Investigator John Sheeran, both seeking retirement because of disability suffered while members of the department.
Others whose pension request will receive consideration at today’s session include Patrolmen Robert Ward and Jesse Smith and Charles M. Gladney and Roy M. Smith, members of the fire department.
Ashenfelter, who is 40, and lives at 352 Berwood street, was one of the first members of the police force to receive the Gold Star when that award for bravery was established by Mayor Stewart in 1931. He was appointed to the force by Mayor Victor King on July 1, 1926, and served as a motorcycle policeman until April 17, 1929, when he was appointed acting detective.
His physician stated that Ashenfelter was suffering from an infected right lung as a result of wounds he received in a sensational pistol battle with a burglar whom he killed in the robbery of the American Store, Thirty-second street and Pierce avenue, on August 24, 1931.
Receiving the report of the robbery, Ashenfelter went to the store with Detective Benjamin Simon. Ashenfelter walked to the rear of the store. As he reaced [sic] the door of a shed in the rear, he met a volley of seven shots fired from inside. One bullet knocked the gun from his right hand, another pierced his arm and a third entered his chest over his heart.
Despite his wounds, Ashenfelter was able to pick up his pistol with his uninjured hand. He emptied it through the door.
A moment later other officers arrived. When they opened the door they found Charles Rettberg, 21, of 1189 North Thirty-sixth street, lying dead on the floor.
Arrested on the scene were the dead man’s brother, Theodore, who later was acquitted, and Melbourne James and Gordon McCrea, who were sentenced to five years each in prison.
Ashenfelter was in the hospital for several weeks after the shooting.
During the World War he served as a lieutenant in the ordnance department attached to the 118th Field Artillery.
“Johnny” Sheeran, 57, was appointed to the police department July 15, 1913. He still lacks several months of the required years service but is seeking the pension on the disability clause because of a wound received several years ago.
Sheeran, attached to the Second Police District at the time, was helping to move some large steel cases in the old city hall when one of them fell on his left hand. Physicians at Cooper Hospital managed to patch the hand up, but Sheeran has never had the use of it since that time.
Lately he has been working in the Accident Bureau. He lives at 777 Wright avenue.
Seven Violate Trucker Rule On Boulevard
Camden Courier-Post —
City Court Scene:
Four truck drivers paid fines of $25 and $5 costs in Camden Municipal Court today on charges of failing to keep to the right on Admiral Wilson blvd.
Three out-of-state truckers failed to appear for hearings before Judge Dzick and forfeited their $25 security. Warrants were issued for two New Jersey drivers who did not appear.
Paying the $25 fines and $5 costs were Bernard F. Beri, 28, Jessup rd., Thorofare; Hanlon Harris Sr., 20, Union Mill rd., Kresson; Harold T. Howard Jr., 34, Rt. 130, Burlington, and Joseph A. Salla, 28, of Springfield, Pa.
Forfeiting $25 by failure to appear were Socrates R. Dixon, 30, Pottsville, Pa.; Elijah Wright, 20, of 1212 N. 15th st., Philadelphia, and James M. Owens, 32, Seminola, Fla.
Warrants for failure to appear were issued for Harry Grebowich, 27, of 517 N. 3rd st., Camden, and Felix, [sic] Trapani, 34, of 147 Griffith st., Salem.
All were arrested by Motorcycle Patrolmen Charles Voll and William Miller.
* * *
Two Camden men were fined $200 and their licenses revoked for two years after being found guilty of drunken driving charges.
Walter Zienynski, 40, of 20th st. near Pierce ave., pleaded not guilty to the tipsy driving charge. He was arrested last Friday by Patrolmen John Moffa and William Haines. It was testified he was examined by Dr. Lee J. Hammett and pronounced unfit to drive.
Stanley Kiersznieswski, 49, of Jackson st. near 12th, pleaded guilty to the charge. He was arrested Friday by Patrolmen David Hainsworth and John Opfer.
11th Ward G.O.P. Club to Discuss Boulevard
Camden Courier-Post —
A meeting of the Eleventh Ward Republican Club has been called for tonight to discuss the city’s plans for the northeast boulevard to connect with the proposed Linden street bridge over Cooper river. Edward Peard, president of the club, will preside.
Freeholder Howard Firth and Horace Beideman, named by the club to consult with city officials on a plan for the extension of the boulevard to Pierce avenue, will speak. The boulevard is to extend from Eleventh and Linden streets to River avenue and East State street.