Point Street
Phil Cohen
POINT STREET was laid out in 1804 between William Cooper's house and ferry in what is now known as North Camden and Cooper Street. It was long known as Cooper's Point Road, and the present name is a derivative of that appellation. This road followed along the river bank and furnished an outlet for the sawmills, planing mills, and shipyards in the area. At many points this road was under water during high tide. It was not developed until the river bank had been filled in or bulkheaded.
The Cooper mansion on ground bounded by State Street, Point Street, York Street, and Front Street was built in 1855 by Joseph W. Cooper.
The Kensington & New Jersey Ferry Co., Inc. operated its first boat The Shackamaxon on July 28, 1866 from the head of Point Street in Camden to Shackamaxon Street in Philadelphia. In May of 1880 this company was purchased by the Camden & Atlantic Railroad Company and boats were run from the railroad company's new slips at the foot of Wood Street. The ferryboat The Shackamaxon was subsequently taken to New York to ply between that city and Ellis Island. She was badly damaged in a storm on June 6, 1893.
During World War I, the 300 block of Point Street gave up two of its sons, as Private James Murtha was killed in action, while Private Philip C. Wendell died of pneumonia while serving at Camp Meade MD.
Point Street in modern times runs from Cooper Street to Erie, west of Front Street. It passes underneath the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which is why there are no 400 and 500 blocks. What would be the 700 block lay under the railroad tracks that formerly ran up Main Street. The 1940 Directory shows only five businesses on Point Street: Alf Goldenburg Real Estate (324), Johnny Moore's Tavern (600), Armind Damiani's Restaurant (901), Mrs. Magdaline Rittenhouse Candy Store (941), and the John H. Mathis Shipyard at the northeast corner of Point & Erie Streets.
The Mathis Shipyard and its successors were major employers in the neighborhood for many years, and Mathis-built yachts were the boats of choice for presidents and millionaires. Johnny Moore's Tavern was a fixture well into the 1970s, while the restaurant at 901 was still serving food as late as 2004. John F. Rittenhouse opened his store at 941 Point Street in the 1920s, and his widow carried the business on after his death. When she retired her son by a previous marriage, William “Woo-Woo” Rowan took over the store, which remained open into the 1970s. Woo-Woo's was a favorite haunt especially of children in the area, being the neighborhood source for candy, ice cream, and other treats.
200 Block of Point Street
200 Block of Point Street
City directory records, 1885–1924.
208 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1885–1887 | William H. Hawkins & Family |
| 1885–1887 | William & Adelaide Hawkins |
| 1885–1887 | J. Miller Hawkins |
214 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1910–1914 | Howard L. Currie (Camden Fire Department) |
226 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887–1893 | Charles Berry (Camden Fire Department) |
233 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1897–1906 | George Gladney & Family (George & Mary Gladney, David Gladney, Charles Gladney) |
| 1906– | Charles Gladney & Anna Gladney |
| 1924 | George Smith & Family (Camden Fire Department) |
| 1924 | George & Ethel Smith |
Hero Dies
Camden Courier-Post —
Retired Camden fireman who died yesterday after an illness of nearly three years.
Found Wounded on Sidewalk at Kaighn Point
Camden Evening Courier —
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.
Charles Berry’s Funeral.
Camden Daily Courier —
The funeral of Charles G. Berry, one of the bravest and most popular firemen in this city, took place at 2 o’clock this afternoon from his late residence at 226 Point street.
The firemen attended the funeral in a body, and the members of the First Ward Republican Club were represented in a large body, while Mayor Westcott, Councilman Robert Smith, George Barrett, and many other prominent men of this city viewed the body.
Rev. A. G. Lawson of the North Baptist Church preached the funeral sermon, after which the body was taken to Philadelphia where it was interred in Glenwood Cemetery. The body lay in a black cloth covered casket and was dressed in his fireman’s uniform with the cap lying on the breast.
A profusion of floral offerings lay around the coffin. Among these were a pillow with the words “Comrades of No. 4,” a fireman’s hat from No. 4 Company, cut flowers from Jesse Conley, a design of white roses from James Dunn and Joseph Love, two of his closest friends, a pillow from his family a handsome design from the Republican League and lilies from Councilman Smith.
The pall bearers were Chief Samuel Elfreth, of the Fire Department; Foreman Amadee Middleton, of No. 4; Engineer Frank Turner and Edward Hartman, Walter Browning, Robert Sheer, William Bogia and Charles Kay, all members of the Fire Department.
All the friends of the deceased accompanied the body to the ferry and there left the pall-bearers and family with his Philadelphia friends, who took the body to the cemetery.
Mr. Charles Berry was born in Philadelphia, in 1854. He graduated from the Friends’ Central School and attended the Chester Military Academy. When he left school he went with John Mundell, the shoe manufacturer of Philadelphia, and became foreman of Mr. Mundell’s extensive works. Ten years ago he came to Camden and was foreman of George Martin’s shoe factory, and from there he went to Deitrich’s place, on Market street, where he held a similar position, which he gave up to enter the fire department. He has been a fireman for three years, and was known as one of the bravest and best men in the department.
300 Block of Point Street
300 Block of Point Street
City directory records, 1893–1947.
314 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1915–1947 | William Finley & Family |
| 1915–1947 | William & Pauline Finley |
| 1915–1947 | Robert Finley |
318 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1936 | Albert John Waite |
320 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| WWI | Private Philip C. Wendell |
| 1928 | Hentz Family |
322 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| WWI | Private James Murtha |
331 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1896 | Lewis Ferrell |
337 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924 | Lester Anderson (Camden Fire Department) |
339 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1893 | Henry Mellon |
300 Block of Point Street.
A complication of ailments yesterday caused the death of Robert Finley, 76 years old, superintendent of the Camden police building, at the home of his son, William, 314 Point street. Prior to coming to Camden a score of years ago Finley was engaged in the retail shoe business in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Inquirer, June 11, 1922.
2 Held After Fight Near Tap Room Here
Camden Courier-Post —
Harry Crowthers, 45, of 705 Pearl street, and Albert John Waite, 29, of 318 Point street, were held by police as the result of a fist fight near Seventh and Linden streets last night.
Charges of assault and battery were lodged against Crowthers. Waite was held as a material witness.
According to Crowthers, the altercation occurred when he was about to enter the rear of a tap room at Seventh and Linden streets. He said Waite punched him in the nose, apparently for no reason, and that he retaliated.
Neighbors called police.
320 Point Street — Hentz Family
Hentz Family, 320 Point Street, February 1928.
337 Point Street
337 Point Street — Lester Anderson, Camden Fire Department, 1924.
Henry Mellon, 339 Point Street
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Henry Mellon, who was arrested on November 24, on suspicion of impersonating an officer and holding up T. C. McGregory on Newton avenue, declares that he is innocent. He claims that the suspicion is unfounded and unjust, as his description does not tally with that of the man who took McGregory's watch.
Philadelphia Inquirer, December 13, 1896.
300 Block of Point Street — September 2004
Photos Courtesy of Craig Campbell
300 Block of Point Street, September 2004. Photos courtesy of Craig Campbell.
500 Block of Point Street
The 500 block was obliterated when the Delaware River Bridge (Benjamin Franklin Bridge) was built in the 1920s.
500 Block of Point Street
Obliterated when the Delaware River Bridge was built in the 1920s.
516–520 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890s–1900s | Fay Manila Roofing Company |
| 1895 | Envelope Return Address |
| 1896 | Advertisement |
516–520 Point Street — Fay Manila Roofing Company, 1890s–1900s. Top: 1895 envelope return address. Middle: 1896 advertisement. Bottom: Invoice dated December 17, 1901.
600 Block of Point Street
600 Block of Point Street
City directory records, 1896–2006.
600 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1900 | Robert McCarrell (saloon) |
| 1904 | Jacob Schweitzer (saloon) |
| 1910 | William Merkle (saloon) |
| 1936–1943 | Caesar's Grille / Caesar's Sandwich Shop (Caesar Campana Sr.) |
| 1946–1970 | Johnny Moore's (John J. Moore) |
604 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1896 | George B. Anderson Jr. |
| Late 1930s–1980s | Louis Buffetta & Family |
| Late 1930s–1980s | Louis & Faustina Buffetta |
| Late 1930s–1980s | Mary Buffetta |
| Late 1930s–1980s | Theodore Buffetta |
| Late 1930s–1980s | Enrico Buffetta |
| Late 1930s–1980s | Leonard Buffetta |
| Late 1930s–1980s | Gloria Buffetta |
| Late 1930s–1980s | Colombo Buffetta |
| Late 1930s–1980s | Anna Buffetta |
606 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1897–1900s | Samuel Peoples (Camden Fire Department) |
608 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1906–1910 | James McDade (Camden Fire Department) |
| 2006– | Alida Camacho & Family |
614 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Vito Zanonni |
615 Point Street (601–633 Point Street)
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1852–1859 | Dock, Ott & DeHaven (saw mill, planing mill & lumber yard) |
| 1859–1927 | Charles Stockham Lumber Company (Stockham & Brother until April 1882; John & Charles Stockham) |
618 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1902 | Michael J. Hallahan |
| 1900s–1920s | Charles Gladney & Family |
| 1900s–1920s | Charles & Anna Gladney |
| 1900s–1920s | Fannie Gladney |
| 1900s–1920s | David Gladney |
626 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1890s–1900s | Daniel Gravenstine & Family |
| 1890s–1900s | Daniel & Clara Gravenstine |
634 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1909 | William Pfrommer |
636 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1900 | John Henry |
600 Point Street — Johnny Moore's (John J. Moore), 1946–1970. New Jersey Bell Telephone Yellow Pages advertisements, 1955–1956.
615 Point Street (601–633 Point Street, to the foot of Vine Street) — Charles Stockham Lumber Company. 1915 Patriotic Sons of America Program advertisement.
634 Point Street — William Pfrommer, 1909. Philadelphia Inquirer, May 27, 1909.
York & Point Streets — May 2004
Intersection of Point Street & York Street, May 2004. Top: southwest corner. Middle: looking north. Bottom: looking east.
Camden Man Found Shot to Death in Bellmawr
Camden Courier-Post —
Gas Hose Leads Into His Car; Held Weapon
By J. Herbert Phillips
Leonard Buffetta, 32, of 604 Point street, a checker for a Camden supermarket, was found dead at dawn today in an isolated field near Timber creek in Bellmawr.
Police Chief James Garrity, of Bellmawr, listed the death as suicide.
According to Patrolman George Dott’s roport [sic] to Garrity, the motor of the car was still running when he found it at 6.30 a. m. The interior of the car was filled with monoxide gas, still pouring through a strip of garden hose, attached to the exhaust pipe.
Weighted Accelerator
“To make certain he’d do a good job of it,” said Garrity, “Buffetta had weighted down the foot accelerator with a lug wrench. There was still half a tank full of gasoline in the 17-gallon tank, when Dott discovered the car.”
Dott said on his rounds at 5 a. m., the car had not been in the field, some 200 yards up the narrow lane from Creek road.
Coroner Robert J. Blake, who examined the body, said he would order a post-mortem to determine whether Buffetta died from suffocation or bled to death from the self-inflicted wound.
Revolver in Hand
And in the right temple of the body, slouched on the rear seat of the auto, was a bullet from a .32 calibre revolver in the right hand of the dead man. Under his left hand was the hose.
Within half an hour, Garrity learned that Buffetta at 6.30 p. m., Friday was embroiled in an argument with Bernadette Eshelman, 17, of 181 Lawnside avenue, Collingswood.
Police reported the girl accused Buffetta of brutally beating her, before she fled from his car, abandoning her unopened pay envelope issued that afternoon from another supermarket, where she, too, is employed as a checker.
Snapshot in Purse
The girl’s name was drawn into the case when police found her handbag, containing a few dollars in cash, the unopened pay envelope, bearing the name Eshelman, and a figure indicating the envelope contained $30.80; and a snapshot of two girls, one of them, possibly Bernadette, Garrity said.
The body of Buffetta lay in the morgue of the West Jersey hospital. His bloodstained car was parked in the hospital yard, held for examination by Camden county detectives.
Garrity, after interviewing the 17-year-old Eshelman girl at her home, said she was in a highly nervous state.
“The girl told me Buffetta beat her up.” Garrity reported. “Her eye was blackened and she had other bruises.
“She told me she left Buffetta’s car in Westmont, after he had picked her up at work, and Buffetta drove on, with her handbag.
Calls Her Brother
“The girl called her home and hysterically told her brother what had happened.
“The brother drove to Westmont, put his sister in his car, and took her home.”
Here the stories of Collingswood police and Garrity differ slightly.
Patrolman Kenneth Crane, on the desk of the Collingswood police station, told the Courier-Post he had heard the girl’s “family tried to locate the man” Friday night, after they heard Berndatte’s [sic] story.
Had ‘Family Conference’
Garrity said the girl insisted today a “family conference” had decided that Buffetta would be questioned by the Eshelmans “tomorrow” . . . that is, today.
Edwin Eshelman, the father, works nights, Garrity said, and is not due home until 2 o’clock on Saturday mornings.
Bellmawr’s police chief said he would turn over further investigation of Buffetta’s background to county authorities.
Garrity, however, added that the Eshelman girl admitted she had been meeting the older man for “some time” after he finished work in Camden, and she was through for the day at the counter of the Collingswood supermarket, where she works.
First Date, Girl Says
Bernadette a few hours after police talked with her, consented to a telephone interview with the Courier-Post.
“I first met Leonard when I was a sophomore at high school in Camden, two years ago. His sister, Ann, and I were friends,” she said.
“Chief Garrity says I had been meeting this older man for a long time . . . or met him several times. I had no chance or desire to meet him. I had no romantic interest in him. I just regarded him as a friend, because he acted nice to me.
“He came around to the store where I work a lot of times but yesterday (Friday) was the first time I’d ever been out with him.
‘Going to Take Me Home’
“If this story is going to get into the papers, it should be correct. I’d never had a date with him before. I’d never been out with him alone before,” insisted the girl, who graduated from Camden Catholic High school last June.
“Where were you going last night?” Bernadette was asked. “Where was he going to take you last night?”
“He was just going to take me home,” the girl responded.
War II Veteran
According to a sister of Buffetta, Louise, 24, Leonard, who would have been 33 years old in September, was a veteran of War II, having served in the Army from 1941 to 1946.
Unmarried, Buffetta had not been known by his family to be romantically involved with anyone, his sister said.
Louise told the Courier-Post she was mystified by the police discovery of a gun in the car.
Although Leonard had been in combat areas of the Pacific theatre during War II, for more than three years, he had never owned a gun, his sister said, nor were any weapons ever kept at the Buffetta home.
Got Calls From Girl
Buffetta lived with his parents, at the Point street address, his sister, Louise and another sister, Ann, 17.
Ann, about the same age as the Eshelman girl, was a friend of the Collingswood girl, Louise declared.
Others in the Buffetta family are two married brothers, Theodore, 36, and Enrico, a year or so older than Leonard. A younger brother, Columbus, is single but lives away from home.
The married sisters of the dead man are Mary and Gloria, whose husbands’ names were not revealed by Louise.
“He was very, very happy at home,” sobbed the sister. “I can’t understand why he would do a thing like this. He had no romances . . . though he did get telephone calls now and again from a girl.”
Leonard’s father, Louis, works in an auto plant in Chester, Pa., where he learned of the tragedy and started for home. The mother, Florence, was reported near collapse.
Mrs. Edwin Eshelman, mother of the girl, told the Courier-Post her daughter was a graduate of the Camden Catholic High school.
Bernadette, her mother said, is also one of a large family; with three sisters and three brothers.
900 Block of Point Street
900 Block of Point Street
City directory records, 1870s–2006.
901 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1887–1919 | Tavern |
| 1924–1927 | Howard F. Harrington |
| –1987 | Brownie's Luncheonette (Delbert Brown) |
903 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| WWI | Private First Class Albert Charles Thompson |
910 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1924–1929 | Thomas J. Kelly & Family |
| 1924–1929 | Thomas J. & Emma Kelly |
| 1928 | Charles Williams |
914 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1916–1957 | Stephan Pollack & Family |
| 1916–1957 | Stephan & Eva M. Pollack |
| 1916–1957 | Joseph Pollack |
| 1916–1957 | John Pollack |
| 1916–1957 | Henry Pollack |
| 1916–1957 | Sophia Pollack |
| 1916–1957 | Helen Pollack Loges |
| 1916–1957 | Anna Pollack Kostek |
923–925 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1870s–1880s | Preston Preble Sr. & Family (Preston & Hannah Gott Preble, Albion P. Preble, William Preble) |
927 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1870s–1880s | Preston Preble Jr. & Family (Preston & Ellen Preble Jr., Charles Preble, Earnest Preble, Frank Preble, Ella Preble, Harry Preble, Edwin Preble) |
929 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1883–1884 | George B. Anderson |
933 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1910 | Edward Kohlenberg |
941 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1910 | Howard H. Pike & Family (Howard H. & Josephine Pike, Howard H. Pike Jr., Paul Pike, Harrison B. Pike, George D. Pike) |
| 1917 | Joseph Ford |
| 1920s–late 1960s | John F. Rittenhouse & Family (John F. & Madeline 'Nell' Rittenhouse; William 'Woo-Woo' Rowan) |
| 1960s | Magdalene Rittenhouse |
943 Point Street
| Year ↕ | Name ↕ |
|---|---|
| 1870s–1880s | Albert Ebener (hotel and tavern) |
| WWI | Private First Class Albert Charles Thompson |
901 Point Street, May 2004. This building was used as a tavern as early as 1887 through 1919, when Prohibition was enacted.
“901 Point was Brownie's Luncheonette, he sold it about 1987. I helped him move to Bellmawr, where he passed away shortly after that. Delbert Brown was his name.” — Floyd Miller Jr.
900 Block of Point Street, May 2004.
914 Point Street — looking west on North Street, May 2004.
Mrs. Eva M. Pollack, 88, died Tuesday in her home, 914 Point st. A native of Austria, she had lived 48 years in Camden. She was a member of the Zinava Beneficial Society and its president for 50 years until her retirement 2 years ago; a member of St. Joseph's Lodge of St. Agnes Parish, Philadelphia, and the BVM Sodality of Holy Name Church.
Surviving are three sons, Joseph, of Philadelphia; John, of Merchantville; and Henry, of Woodlynne; three daughters, Mrs. Anna Kostek, of Maple Shade; Miss Sophia Pollack, at home; and Mrs. Helen Loges of Camden; fifteen grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren.
Solemn requiem high Mass will be sung at 9 a.m. Saturday in Holy Name Church, 7th and State Sts. Relatives and friends will meet at 8 o'clock in a funeral home at 532 State st., where they may call Friday night. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Camden Courier-Post, December 12, 1957.
910 to 914 Point Street, May 2004.
Outside 919 Point Street, 1977. Photograph courtesy of Floyd L. Miller Jr.
917 to 919 Point Street, May 2004.
North Street starts at Delaware Avenue, crosses Point Street, and ends at Front Street. May 2004. Top: North & Point Streets. Bottom: looking west on North Street.
923–925 Point Street — Preston Preble Sr. (left) and Hannah Gott Preble (right), 1870s–1880s.
In the 1870’s and 1880’s, 923 and 925 Point St. were occupied by Preston Preble and his wife Hannah (Gott) Preble, and a number of their children and grandchildren. Preston and Hannah came from old Maine seafaring families. In Camden, the men got work relating to the Delaware River. One of Preston’s sons, Albion, married a local girl, Sarah (Sally) Shinn. Three bad things happened to the Prebles while they lived in Camden: Preston went blind and then drowned, son Preston Jr. died, and Sarah (Shinn) Preble left Albion. The family kind of split up after that. Some went back to Maine, some went south and west, and some stayed in the area and got into the railroad industry.
Gwen Guo, July 31, 2010.
941 Point Street — The Rittenhouse & Rowan Family
John F. Rittenhouse in his store at 941 Point Street, 1920s–late 1960s. His wife, Madeline “Nell” Rittenhouse, is at far right. Photo dates from roughly the late 1920s.
Note the “Mrs. J.F. Rittenhouse” on the canvas awning, and the Mathis Shipyard building in the background, on Erie Street.
941 Point Street — William “Woo-Woo” Rowan, 1930s. After John F. Rittenhouse passed away, his wife, Madeline “Nell” Rittenhouse, carried the business forward.
941 Point Street — William “Woo-Woo” Rowan and his wife Pauline, 1960. Photograph courtesy of Mr. & Mrs. John Myers.
941 Point Street — Carol Alberta Rowan. Carol Rowan met John Myers, from Cramer Hill, in 1959. They wed in 1971. Photograph courtesy of Mr. & Mrs. John Myers.
941 Point Street — William “Woo-Woo” Rowan, May 1961. “Meet Woo-Woo. This is how most people saw him as they entered the store.” — John Myers.
Photographs courtesy of Mr. & Mrs. John Myers.
939 to 941 Point Street, 1978. “…before I lived in that house it was Woo-Woo’s Candy Store. It was a front for the gambling room in the back room.” — Floyd Miller Jr.
Photograph courtesy of Floyd L. Miller Jr.
939 Point Street — Magdalene Rittenhouse, 1960s. 933 to 941 Point Street, May 2004.
943 Point Street — Private First Class Albert Charles Thompson
Private First Class Albert Charles Thompson, 943 Point Street. World War I.
941 Point Street — The Floyd Miller Family, 1978
941 Point Street — The Floyd Miller Family, 1978. Photographs courtesy of Floyd L. Miller Jr.
Point Street Girls — 2005
Frances Rittenhouse, Carol Rowan Myers, and Gertrude Rittenhouse — Point Street, October 2005.
Point Street & Erie Street
Northeast corner of Point & Erie Streets — 1872, John R. Haslett. 1872 Camden City Directory.
Northeast corner of Point & Erie Streets — Benjamin Cooper House, 1734–2012. Photograph from 1936. Severely damaged by fire November 22, 2012.
Northeast corner of Point & Erie Streets — John H. Mathis Shipyard, 1906–1960s.
Northeast corner of Point & Erie Streets — Camden Ship Repair, 1960s–1970s.
Brass Stolen From Armour Boat
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Charged with purloining valuable brass fittings from the palatial houseboat Chieftain, launched Monday at the Mathis shipyard for Mr. Armour, of Chicago, Joseph Ford, 31 years old, of 941 Point street, and Nicholas Parson, 49 years old, of 511 North Second street, were committed to jail by Recorder Stackhouse in Camden yesterday in default of bail. Alexander Read, 39 years old, of 92 Erie street, similarly accused, was unable to be arraigned because of illness. The men are said to have been employed in the yard and the material was taken while the $85,000 craft was being constructed.
Here and There in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
In a fall from a trolley car, Emma Steck, 19 years old, of 905 Point street, was injured about the side, arms and head yesterday and was taken to the Cooper Hospital.
Stumbling down-stairs, Ruth Collins, 39 years old, of 717 VanHook street, sustained a lacerated scalp and was cared for at the Cooper Hospital.
Sustaining a fracture of the ankle in a fall yesterday, 4-year-old Mary Carvins, of 324 Division street, was taken to the Cooper Hospital for treatment.
Struck by an automobile belonging to Henry Garrison near the home of the boy yesterday afternoon, 7-year-old Charles O’Neil, of 1248 Locust street, was injured about the head and was taken to the Cooper Hospital.
Boy Sees Accident, Asks Traffic Light
Camden Courier-Post —
by Wilbur Morse Jr.
Petitions for highway safety measures or improvements usually come from adult individuals or organizations.
But there is an 11-year-old North Camden boy whose horror at seeing a car drag a 4-year-old neighbor 40 feet near an unlighted intersection, today spurred a one-man safety campaign that carried a bigger wallop than the table thumping of many of his elders.
Into the Courier-Post editorial rooms came William McQuade, 11, of 47 York Street; his dark brow furrowed with a serious frown.
“I want to see the editor of the Mail Bag,” said William with the assurance that a sincere crusade brings.
When queried as to the aim of his visit, William pulled out of the pocket of his denim trousers a wrinkled and many times folded piece of ruled paper.
In pencil he had written:
“The tragic scene I saw July 6 makes me believe that some traffic improvements should be made on Front and State Street and Front and York Street, so that many people or kids will not be in danger from cars.”
“At 4:00 PM when work is out, cars speed up to Front and State Street. I personally think that some zones and traffic lights should be put up there on State and York Street. Would you find room for this letter, please?”
William McQuade wasn't speaking just for himself, he explained, after an editor had read his letter and praised his purposefulness.
“There are a lot of us kids who are in danger from the cars that speed along Front street, as work lets out at the two shipyards and the leather plant in the neighborhood.”
“They all seem to be trying to get home first.”
“I'll never forget the sight of that accident Thursday when the cars were streaming from the yards.”
Young McQuade, a seventh grader at the Cooper school was referring to the misfortune that befell his neighbor, Dennis Taggart, 4, of 935 Point Street, who was struck by a car while playing near the Intersection of Front and State.
“If there had been a light to slow the cars down at that corner, that accident never would have happened,” William insisted.
Dennis, his skull fractured, is still in a critical condition at Cooper Hospital.
With his nephew Marvin McQuade, 8, of 707 North Sixth Street, son of his older half-brother, William brought his plea for safety measures to the Courier, because, he said: “Your paper always is trying to help people.”
William, Marvin and another playmate, pretty, blonde Catherine Wilczynski, 10, of 929 Point Street, who also had seen Dennis injured, later stood at the corner of Front and State and pointed to the corners where they believed stop signs or traffic lights should be erected.
“It wouldn't cost much to put up a light here, where it's so badly needed,” urged William.
“Why, I bet it wouldn't cost as much as the hospital bills and doctor bills for Dennis Taggart. And he's just one boy who's been hurt. There have been others.”
“We kids rate a break.”
Four Firemen Suffer Hurts In Collision
Camden Courier-Post —
Four Camden firemen were among persons injured over the weekend in motor vehicle accidents on South Jersey roads.
The firemen were injured when their engine collided with a tractor-trailer at 2nd and Market sts. Saturday about 4.30 p. m. while they were on their way to answer an alarm which was false.
Admitted to Cooper Hospital with arm, hip and knee injuries was Orville Goldsboro, 33, of 1730 S. 9th st.
Released after treatment were August Johnson, 39, of 916½ Chestnut st., who suffered multiple bruises; Reginald Laws, 36, of 1453 Bradley ave., chest and back injuries, and Capt. Raymond Amos, 52, of 825 Washington st., leg injuries.
Intersection Crash
According to police, the fire apparatus, operated by James Clinton, was traveling north on 2nd st. and collided at the intersection with the tractor-trailer, driven by James E. Tarburton Jr., 32, of St. John’s dr., Wilmington, Dela. The impact of the crash tossed the firemen off the rear step of the fire truck, which was forced over a curb and along a sidewalk for about 35 feet. The vehicle sideswiped two parked cars and knocked down a parking meter.
Tarburton was charged with failure to yield the right of way to a fire apparatus. The false alarm was turned in from a box at Poynt [sic] and Erie sts.
Supposed to be Logue’s Assailant
Camden Daily Courier —
Policemen Peters and Anderson yesterday arrested John Stratton, living in Ross’ Court, and Henry Mellon, of Point street above Cooper, on suspicion of being the two men who murderously assaulted Joseph Logue, near the city hall, Sunday night. The men were seen in the vicinity of the place where the assault occurred. Logue, who is still at the hospital, partially identified Stratton as the man who robbed him, but could not positively recognize Mellon as his other assailant. The men were committed for a hearing to-night. Logue is improving.
First Ward Republicans
Camden Post —
Election of Officers, Ball, and New Year’s Presentation.
The First Ward Republican Club elected the following officers last night: President, Harry T. Walker; vice presidents, John H. Tway, James Elbertson, Wm. C. Ford, J. W. Kinsey, John Leeds; treasurer, Albert E. Keyser; recording secretary, D. P. Williams; assistant sec., J. J. Lindrod; corresponding secretary, H. H. Bissby; Financial Secretary, Wm. Hand; Assistant, John Tway; Board of Trustees, Jacob Gnang, Charles Tway, David Simpson, George Tash, Wm. Mattix, J. Lindroy, Jacob Leon, John Offer, Robert Brice.
The club will hold their regular meeting of next week on Thursday evening instead of Monday (New Year’s Eve), on which their first annual masquerade ball takes place. On New Year’s Day the club will present to the best dressed New Year’s club passing their club rooms, Keyser’s Hall, Point and Yerk [sic] streets, a handsome silver pitcher, which is now on exhibition in the window of Roberts’ hat store, at Third and Federal streets. The contest will take place from 10 a. m. until 5 p. m.
200 at Party Honor Air War Hero Kelly
Camden Courier-Post —
Brunner and Rhone Join in Tribute; Park May Bear His Name
Air war hero Staff Sgt. William “Bill” Kelly was honored last night by more than 200 friends and neighbors of the First ward and numerous city officials.
A party was held for “Bill” in the newly established headquarters of the First Ward Republican Club, 47 York street. Joseph Campbell, club president, was chairman of arrangements.
During the ceremonies the club went on record urging the city to purchase an unimproved area bounded by Main, York, Point and Front streets for the establishment of a soldiers’ memorial park to be known as Kelly Park.
The club pledged funds for the erection of a permanent soldiers’ honor roll and memorial would be raised by political clubs, both Democrat and Republican, of the ward. It was stated a petition urging the purchase of the ground by the city is now being circulated in the ward.
Among those who honored Kelly, holder of the Air Medal and Purple Heart, were Mayor Brunner, Commissioner Rhone, Freeholders Schneider and Quinlan, former City Prosecutor William Cahill and Charles Humes. A former city policeman, Kelly was a gunner on a Flying Fotress [sic] and participated in numerous bombing missions over Europe before being sent home after receiving his second wound.
A war bond was presented to Kelly, and his wife, Mary Theresa Kelly, received an ornamental pin. Freeholders Schneider and Quinlan presented the club with an American Flag.
Camden Is Warned Against Fireworks
Camden Daily Courier —
Mayor Van Hart Issues a Proclamation for Safe and Sane Fourth of July
Ferryboat Millville Put Into Service; Masons Conduct the Funeral of Weiser
In a proclamation issued yesterday Mayor Van Hart called on the people of Camden to strictly observe the fireworks regulations designed to give Camden a safe and sane Fourth of July. The Mayor declares that the regulations will be strictly enforced.
The city ordinance bars the use or sale of sparklers, rockets, squibs, dynamite crackers or powder crackers over two inches in length. Roman candles and blank cartridges are also barred. The use of small powder crackers, pinwheels, red lights and paper caps are permitted.
“Observance of these regulations means a celebration along peaceful and safe lines without loss of life or the incurring of injury such as have prompted the wisdom of Council to enact the ordinance,” the Mayor said. “I therefore call upon the people of Camden to strictly obey the regulations herein outlined that we may have a fitting celebration without the distress and sorrow which previously marked the day through the use of high and dangerous explosives.”
With Pilot Charles Lock at the wheel and Engineer Harry Lyons handling the machinery the new ferryboat Millville was put into service yesterday morning. Superintendent Greer and A. G. Mitchell, former head of the Atlantic division of the P. R. R., took the initial trip and expressed delight with the workings of the vessel, which stuck on the ways on her first launching attempt.
Taken to Cooper Hospital supposedly suffering from heat exhaustion, Charles Zeppo, 42 years old, of 251 Spruce street, was declared by doctors to be suffering from too much liquor. When revived Zeppo said he was treated to home-brew while buying junk.
A complication of ailments yesterday caused the death of Robert Finley, 76 years old, superintendent of the Camden police building, at the home of his son, William, 314 Point street. Prior to coming to Camden a score of years ago Finley was engaged in the retail shoe business in Philadelphia.
Forced to vacate its pound at Magnolia because of an edict of the Council of that place, the Camden County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will start work tomorrow on a new dog refuge at City Line and White Horse pike on ground owned by the city. It will be constructed of concrete with garage, kennels and a special chamber wherein unclaimed dogs will be humanely killed.
A divorce decree has been recommended for George Smith, a Pennsylvania Railroad engineer, living at Glassboro, from his wife, Mrs. Mary Smith, on the ground that she was indiscreet with Charles McLaughlin. A decree has also been advised for Mrs. Margaret Jenkins, of 1418 Louis street, from her husband, John Jenkins, on the grounds of abuse.
The Grand Lodge of Masons conducted funeral services yesterday afternoon for William P. Weiser, who was the only active thirty-third degree Mason in Camden. Services were held at his late home, 224 North Seventh street, and were in charge of Grand Master Arthur Potterton and his staff. Religious services were conducted by Rev. George H. Hemingway, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Interment was made at Harleigh Cemetery.
In the presence of a host of friends, Miss Elizabeth Haines, daughter of Dr. R. I. Haines, yesterday became the bride of Frank J. Hineline, Jr., at St. John’s P. E. Church. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. H. Townsend, an uncle of the bride, assisted by Rev. Charles R. Du Bell. Miss Mary Haines, sister of the bride, was maid of honor and James Krips, of Collingswood, was best man.