Benjamin
W.
Courter

BENJAMIN WILLIAM COURTER was born in Camden NJ on June 6, 1877 to John Dodd and Laura Braker Courter. Grandfather Benjamin Braker was well-known in Camden as a newspaperman and as a Justice of the Peace. Ben Courter's early years were spent in Gloucester City NJ, where his father in 1880 was a grocer. John Dodd Courter would soon embark on a newspaper career that would last until his death in 1920. He wrote for several Philadelphia papers and last worked for the Daily Courier in Camden, and was noted as an outdoor columnist, as was his son.

After marrying Sarah "Sadie" Emily Emmerson in Camden on August 23, 1898, . Benjamin Courter followed his father into journalism. Beginning his career in 1900, he covered news for several Philadelphia newspapers before working on the old Camden Post-Telegram, which merged with the Daily Courier to become the Courier-Post in 1926. In the words of grandson "Duke" Courter, "He continued the tradition and worked as an outdoor columnist with the Courier-Post for 34 years." 

By 1920, Benjamin W. Courter had purchased a home at 203 Evergreen Avenue in Woodlynne NJ.

Ben Courter also began writing about days gone by in Camden. When veteran reporter Charles Leo "Mack" McKeone died in December of 1927, his extremely popular "The Peppery Pot by Mack" died with him. Ben Courter was tapped to fill some extremely large shoes, which he did with the "Along Memory Lane" column and other articles.

Benjamin W. Courter died in harness, seated at his desk at the Courier-Post building in Camden on November 8, 1934. He had completed another column devoted to Camden's history at home the night before, which was published on November 20.

He was survived by his wife and four children, Harold E., Marion E., Elmer R., and John D. Courter. John D. Courter and grandson Robert "Duke" Courter would also go on to long careers at the Courier-Post.

Camden Courier-Post
December 19, 1927

Charles L. McKeone
Church of the Holy Name
B.F. Schroeder
Rev. Thomas Whelan
Edward N. Teal
William J. Paul
Frank Sheridan
Stephen O'Keefe
Benjamin Zorek
Ben Courter

Cooper Street

Camden Courier-Post
Evening Courier - February 27, 1928

Camden Courier-Post
Evening Courier - April 4, 1928

"Wonder if they're going to take down the spite wall?"

I have heard this query repeated half a dozen times since announcement has been made the old "mansion" of the late Dr. A.E. Street, southeast corner of Broadway and Stevens Street, is to be demolished to make way for a 12 story office structure. This razing is to be scheduled to begin within two weeks. The "spite wall" is on the extreme eastern boundary of the property plumb up against a 3 story apartment house built by the late George Holl.

Dr. Street, who died less than a decade ago, was one of Camden's leading dentists. Son of "Father" Street, venerable superannuate of the New Jersey M.E. Conference. When the mansion was constructed, nearly two score years ago, it was indeed one of the show places along Broadway, for Dr. Street took particular pride in the architectural embellishments in the floral surroundings.

At the other end of the square, Broadway and Benson Streets, Holl had erected his home. It was and is for that matter, a two-story brick with mansard roof and setting back from Benson Street. That side yard Holl likewise embellished with flowers of the season. It was the delight of anyone with half an eye to beauty from early spring to late fall. It started with great beds of tulips. It closed with chrysanthemums with alluring blossoms throughout the summer.

Street and Holl were regarded as among Camden's most substantial citizens, one in the art of dentistry, the other as the builder of homes. They were fairly good friends until Holl built the block from Mickle Street to Stevens Street, since known under his name as the Holl Block. When Street built his then pretentious home, Charlie Curry informs me, he had an agreement with Holl that in the event of the then old circus lot being built up, it would not encroach on his view.

But when the building operation was about to begin Street saw that the dwellings and stores were going out to the usual building line. That would have cut off his view. He refused to permit that plan to go through and held Holl to his agreement, thus accounting for that block standing so far back from the curb line.

In the intervening years there was something of a truce, but warfare broke out anew when Holl in 1901 concluded to construct an apartment house just east of Street's rear boundary. Apartment houses then in Camden were something of an innovation. Street didn't like the idea and when he learned it was surely going up he took action.

He ordered the spite wall built.

There were expostulation, appeals, court action and other efforts to stay that wall, but Street, though a devout churchman and widely known for his charities, refuse to be, what he asserted, a victim of encroachment on his rights.

Thus he awarded the contract and one brought day a force of masons started the work. It created a local sensation, but the work went on apace and eventually the was finished as was the apartment house. Thus through all these years that solid bit if brickwork has stood within a couple of feet of the west side of the apartment, giving the lower part a prison-like effect. But as time went on it was quite forgotten and those who have resided in the apartment have taken the wall philosophically.

Those who knew Dr. Street were not surprised he took such drastic action. Though he was one of the pillars of the Broadway church, in fact I recall how he started the fund to rebuild the present great edifice at Broadway and Berkley Street by a $1,000 subscription, he was peppy as they make 'em and refused to permit anyone to "walk over him". He felt perfectly justified in building that wall.

So naturally the demolition of the "mansion" brings up that query

Wonder if they're going to take down the spite wall?"

Ben Courter - Rev. Abram K. Street - Dr. Abram Emory Street - Charlie Curry
Broadway M.E. Church - Stevens Building

Camden Courier-Post
Evening Courier - April 5, 1928

Old Eighth Street swamp is dwindling.

Not much is left only a small area of Eighth Street east of the Pennsy tracks and north of Van Hook Street.

Combination of civic-realty activity spelling the doom of the morass that once extended near the present eastern boundaries of the West Jersey Hospital.

It seems odd to those familiar with the acres of swampy wilderness of yesteryear to see the labor army pushing through streets where the frog chorus once sounded its dulcet strains, where the water moccasin once slithered through tussock and reed, where vagrant bobolinks and red-winged blackies stopped for tragic rest.

 But it is a fact the cherished dream of many a South Camdenite of the long ago who hoped to see the day when the swamp would be but a memory.

 Those new streets, actually extensions of connecting links of thoroughfares already long on the city map, are expected to result in the development of that area, bring something suggestive of a new community.

 Long ago the swamp extended from the river to near Mt. Ephraim Avenue. It was called Eighth Street Swamp mainly for convenience because that street was one of the many cut off by the expanse of low ground.

 Line Ditch was the feeder. The late Aaron Ward, one of Camden’s prominent contractors years ago, told me that barges loaded with brick were at one time floated up to where the Pennsy tracks now are located.

 That stream, subject of many a malediction in later years when industrial progress had transformed into a semi-liquid abomination then was clean and clear as crystal.

 It was fed by many a spring, and when the flood tide of the Delaware came in the water spread over the country sometimes forming a lake of many acres.

 There were times when old Centerville seemed utterly isolated from Camden, when Ferry avenue, Broadway, and the railroad tracks were the only narrow causeways between the two sections.

 Back toward Mt. Ephraim Avenue, then but a yellow gravelly ribbon stretching down to Mt. Ephraim and Blackwood, were the “bluffs”, relatively high ground usually covered by small growths. These have been graded, most of the material now resting as fill along the Crescent Boulevard.

 No one man dreamed of filling in the swampy expanse. For a quarter of a century, the Board of Health discussed, re-discussed, and again discussed clearing up the morass. Abutting property owners when they could be found were cited to show cause why they didn’t fill their lowland.

 And in more than one case the Board was told to take the land and so it if the city was so anxious. Eventually they were taken at their own invitation and the city did much filling and grading and built the $80,000 sewer that rid the section of Line Ditch.

 Thus the Ditch disappeared. It was the first real step towards excavation, toward what is done today in the construction of streets, in grading to make way for homes, in creation of a community that will figuratively weld South Camden and its ancient rival Centerville, now the Eighth Ward.

Camden Courier-Post
Evening Courier - April 23, 1928

It is not so many years ago, old timers say, since Fetters School at Third and Mount Vernon Street was considered large enough to accommodate youngsters for several generations. Now a six-room annex is to be built on the north side facing Walnut Street. Back in 1905 five rooms were added in the annex on Mount Vernon Street. With the new structure the school will contain 19 rooms, which would have thought far too large for a high school in the 90s, when Camden had its first experiment in that line. That was in the old Federal Street building later occupied by the Post-Telegram

Half a Century Ago

When Fetters School was built in 1875 it was considered about the last word as far as a school structure went. It was of stone, solidly constructed and furnished with gas, running water, and everything then regarded as thoroughly modern. The largest school downtown was the old Kaighn building on Newton Avenue, until the 1870s ample for the Kaighn Point area.

There were plenty of open lots when the Fetters School was built. Those days Camden was something of a struggling community with districts that had not yet lost their individuality. As a pupil in the early 90s in old Fetters  I recall the section had many open spaces. Nothing remotely suggested the part-time classes was then necessary, certainly not thought of by Professor Horatio Draper, of blessed memory, who guided Camden’s educational system more than 30 years before he was displaced by the late Mayor Hatch at the close of the last century

Nothing had then been heard of a “melting pot” as applied to America and its schools. But around Kaighn Point even in the 80s there was the first evidence of a great influx of those from across the seas who were soon to follow the old families, who’s children were to enter that melting pot and become transformed into American citizens

The Melting Pot

The Fuhrmans, Auerbachs, Lichtensteins were among the first I recall. Many others followed; especially from the Russian Polish district where life was hard and oppression severe. Came the immigrant wave from South Italy whose descendants long since have taken possession of the district spreading from Third and Pine, once the stronghold of English, German, and Irish families. In a police census a quarter of a century ago it developed that the Fifth Ward could boast representatives from every nation on the face of the globe, even to a Finlander, some Turks with Japs and Chinese commonplace.

It was about the period when Miss Clara S. Burrough, long principal of the High School and now recovering from an operation in Cooper Hospital, was principal of Fetters that the big change came that the classes were composed largely of children of foreign parentage. Often they did not know a single world of English. Teachers had their problems and Miss Burrough will undoubtedly recall the great task involved in really making the “melting pot” down there in the old school at Third and Mount Vernon Street effective. But she and the valiant corps under here direction tackled it and by the time Miss Burrough was elevated to the principalship of Camden High, a very deserved promotion, by the way, the problem had been totally solved.

Hot Times in the Old Town

Incidentally Miss Burrough will likewise recall the hectic conditions in more ways than one for the period marked turmoil in the educational world hereabouts. “Old Drape” had been fired overnight by Hatch, indignation meetings were held, demands were made for his reinstatement but the Committee of Public Instruction, headed by the late C.S. Magrath, named by Hatch, naturally followed his direction. Martin Scheibner, a long, white-whiskered veteran of the Civil War, was named as Draper’s successor. But it was worse than handling a drove of wild horses. He venerable professor soon bowed out of the scene. It was not until the advent of Professor James E. Bryan that something like peace came. Bryan's firm hand plus extraordinary ability and a determination not to surrender despite scholastic bedlam finally won.

But even yet, old friends of “Drape's” who knew him in Fetters or in the makeshift “high school” have not forgotten the bitterness, have not forgiven the shabby way in which that fine Southern gentleman was treated. I recall him down at Fetters, sometimes with his setters on which he placed much store; often with a humorous story, which probably didn’t contribute to strict school, discipline but which certainly left fragrant memories of days long ago.

C.S. Magrath - Martin Scheibner - Fuhrman Family - Lichtenstein Family

Camden Courier-Post
Evening Courier - April 25, 1928

Camden Courier-Post
Evening Courier - April 28, 1928

Camden Courier-Post - July 15, 1930

Here's Camden's Finest, With Whiskers, in 1898

William A. Schregler
William "Rex" Comley
Jules Bosch
John Foster
Samuel Dodd
H. Franklin Pettit
Harry Mines
Edward Hartman
Charles Wilbur
Thomas Brothers
Ralph Bond
John Dall
George Kappell
Josiah Sage
Edward S. Hyde
William Selby
Elbridge B. McClong
Edward Powell
John SInclair
William Laird
Benjamin Middleton
Alfred L. Sayers
John Anderson
William Butts
John Painter
Frank Matlack
Thomas Hicks
Alfred Hayden
Abe Jackson
Albert Shaw
Edward Steen
Samuel Bakley
Caleb Williams
Elisha A. Gravenor
Thomas Buchanan
Samuel Cox
William Horner
Godfrey Eisenhardt
Harry Curtis
George Johnson-John Barnett
Casper Hart
Charles Fitzsimmons
A. Lincoln James
J. Oscar Weaver Sr.
Charles Ridgely
William Fish
George Cooper

William D. Brown - Charles Hose - Christopher Mines - Col. George Selby - William Anderson - David Baird Sr.
John Morrissey July 1902 - Democrat Double-cross 1911
Edward H. Shaw - Louis Shaw - Charles Lederman - Thomas Griscom - Louis E. Lee - Frank S. Albright - Jacob Fish -Thomas Stanger

Four Prominent Physicians
Reminiscences of Drs. Godfrey, Iszard, Davis and Gross, 
All Leaders of Their Profession in South Jersey

(Another in a series of articles on
Camden affairs and personalities of yesteryear)

SINCE these annals of medical men in Camden county have appeared, other residents have occasionally asserted this or that physician, their family doctor half a century ago, has been forgotten,

"What's the matter with Doc So-and-So?" they have asked, and they have usually added, "He was the best doctor in typhoid" or whatever ailment was probably cured in their own particular household. The particular physician's victory over a malady which prolonged the life of some kin has evidently been handed down through the years as such an outstanding accomplishment that if monuments were in order it is unquestioned Camden would be liberally sprinkled with them, It likewise is certain that when family physicians were more the order of the day in lieu of the present tendency to develop specialists, the medical man's clientele stuck to him through two or three generations and usually placed him on a figurative pedestal at least.

Doctor of 50 Years Ago

Fifty years ago one of the city's leading physicians was Dr. E. L. B. Godfrey, whose office then was at 621 North Second Street. He was born in Cape May, February 2, 1850. After graduating at the Hightstown Institute, he took up the study of medicine with Dr. E. L. B. Wales, at Cape May.

Later he entered Jefferson College, graduating in 1875. serving his term as intern at the Rhode Island Hospital, Providence. He reached here the next year and immediately be­came one of the most active men of his profession, being on the surgical staff when Cooper Hospital was opened in 1887. He also was lecturer on fractures at the Medico-Chi Hos­pital in Philadelphia was major and surgeon of the Sixth Regiment, National Guard served as president of both the city and county societies and contributed authoritative papers to medical journals.

One of the early county physicians of Camden was Dr. William H. Iszard, a native of Gloucester County, where he was born in 1842. In 1862 he entered the service of the government as a medical cadet, being stationed at the hospital on Broad Street, Philadelphia, entering Jefferson College the following year. He was considerably hampered through ill health, but after much interruption graduated in 1870. He first located at Elmer, but soon afterward came here and opened an office at 411 North Fourth Street, where he practiced for many years. He was active in political work, being one of the first presidents of the Camden Republican Club, which long had its headquarters on Cooper Street above Third, and where many of the national figures in the party were occasional guests. He not only was welcome to any sick room but popular about town because of his affability and general all-around good fellowship. William H. Iszard, the realty man and prominent Elk, is a surviving son. Dr. Iszard died a couple of years ago in his eighties, mourned by many an old-timer. 

Dr. H. H. Davis

Contemporary with him was Dr. Henry H. Davis, whose name is still identified with all that means health protection for Camden's school children. For a generation he was either identified with the Board of Health as its president or the schools as chief medical officer. It was he who was largely responsible for rules guarding young pupils in public schools.

Prior to his activities not much attention was paid to ailing youngsters. If they had poor eyesight they were just as liable to be seated far from the blackboard. if their record put them in that position. Not much attention was paid to the cause of their backwardness and if they couldn't see the figures the teacher placed on the board failure was laid to natural dumbness. Not much attention was paid to chronic sore throats, bad teeth or other imperfections, but when Dr. Davis was placed in full charge of the schools he changed all that and children who have passed through the classes in the past quarter of a century owe much to this veteran medical man whom fate ordained should be killed by an auto in his eightieth year. It was through his efforts clinics were established where poor eyesight might be corrected and other deficiencies looked after by the hospitals or dental men.

Dr. Davis was born at Crosswicks, August 16, 1848, and became a student of pharmacy in the office of Dr. Alexander Mecray in 1867, entering Jefferson College in the fall of that year. He graduated two years later, courses then being half of the present requirements, and began practice here. For many years he had his office at Third Street and Kaighn Avenue. Two young men whose preceptor he was, Dr. Harry Jarrett and Dr. Rowland I. Haines, afterwards ranked among Camden's leading physicians. Dr. Davis was active in the county society, was a former coroner and for many years identified with many of the city's activities.

Dr. Onan B. Gross

Arch Street at one time was among Camden's leading residential thoroughfares, although in these days, with most of the old dwellings either gone or in a state of dilapidation that perhaps would be difficult to believe. Half a century ago some of the city's best known professional men resided there, among them Dr. Onan B. Gross, who had his office at 407 Arch Street. In later years he was located at Seventh and Federal Streets.

Dr. Gross was a native of Ephrata, Pa., where he was born February 19, 1851. He entered Ephrata Academy but when he was 17 he was thrown on his own resources and apprenticed as a carpenter. He served his time and worked as a journeyman, but he sought a medical career. Through hard work and rigid economy he saved enough to enter the University of Pennsylvania in 1875, graduating three years later. His ability was recognized even then for he was assistant demonstrator in anatomy in the last two years of his course, the first time such an honor had been given one not yet a graduate. In the year of his graduation he received a prize for skill in dissection work.

Dr. Gross was county physician three years, president of the county society, a surgeon at Cooper Hospital, member of the board of managers of the City Dispensary and identified with the various medical groups of the period. 

Robert A. "Bob" Turner
Mary Turner
Helen Turner Becker
Herman Becker
Fred Turner
Frank Turner

FROM AN OLD DIRECTORY 
Raid of McLaughlin’s Flats 
Descent on Hangout of Hoboes and Routing of Tattered, Cussin', Woozy Individuals Suggestive of Chasing Rats From Sewer 

(Twenty-second in a new series on Camden affairs and personalities of yesteryear as inspired by a city directory of half century ago)

"McLAUGHLIN'S FLATS? Well, it's a long time since I heard of 'the flats' and I doubt if a handful who now reside down around Third and Spruce streets recall them, at least as they used to be." 

NOTE: "McLaughlin's Flats" were at 257-259 Spruce Street - PMC

And Harry Kobus, grandson of Anthony Kobus who founded Camden's oldest shoe store back in the 50's, around Fourth and Spruce, was quite right. Harry is by no means yet in what may be called the "venerable class" and yet he has known old South Camden and that particular neighborhood even when "the flats" were blooming in all their glory. And as we talked about that notorious hangout for hoboes, tinkers, men and, women who sought surcease from vain regrets in Gambrinus' brew, which flourished in a malodorous way a quarter of a century ago, recollection was revived of one particularly sore spot when it came to the moral and temperance forces of Camden.

It likewise brought vividly to mind a visit with Captain Arthur Stanley and a squad of cops to "the flats" in an effective clean-up ordered by Mayor Ellis. It was one of those episodes suggestive of a Dickens narrative or of Burke and his Limehouse classics, one of which was done in the movies by Griffith. Originally "the flats" were conceived some 50 years ago with the idea of providing rooms or apartments for the middle class families down that way. There still resided along Pine, Spruce, Division and from Front to Broadway many of the families who had come from England, Ireland or Germany and they formed the bulwark of the old Middle ward. 

Down-and-Outers Hangout 

A Jimmie McLaughlin [266 Spruce Street in 1872- PMC], I have been told, was the builder, but his plans did not seem to go through with all the success he had anticipated, Whatever the case may have been "the flats" 40 years ago had become the rendezvous of the down and outers; There might be found David and Sarah Valliere who were known to the police as the king and queen of the hoboes, and they are recalled as frequenters of the police court when "Joe" Nowrey and Glen Stackhouse presided over that tribunal. It was difficult to discern anything even remotely suggestive of regal bearing on the part of these two I whose main object in life seemed to be to find some liquid refreshment that likely transformed the flats for the time being into something of a palace, with minions joining in the celebration until there was the usual windup by way of a free for all and battered heads. These celebrators often made "the flats" a fearful place to visit, at least on the part of those who were unaware such a place existed in the city.

Incidentally, it was just opposite the flats, at the southeast corner of Third and Spruce streets, where Spence R. Darr [William Spenser Darr- PMC], a popular colored justice of the peace, was murdered in the early 80's by a white man summoned for wife beating. The slayer blew out his own brains and thus saved the county the expense of trial. Darr was given one of the largest funerals South Camden ever witnessed with leading men, both white and colored, as honorary pallbearers. While that had nothing to do with the flats it was one of the stirring episodes of the now long ago which had bearing on the subsequent clean-up staged by Captain Stanley, a veteran of the Civil War and one of the most conscientious men who ever wore the uniform of the Camden police. 

Raid by Stanley 

It was a typically gray day in November, it is recalled, when Captain Stanley announced he was going to clean up the notorious flats and with the youthful enthusiasm of a young reporter I went along to see the fun. It seemed fun then, but in the mellowing years it reveals itself altogether tragic rather than humorous. 

When the Captain and his squad arrived they found the two-story rambling structure fully occupied, mostly by the characters well known to the police as regulars. Never quite completed and innocent of any paint the boards were broken or rotted, many of the windows broken but in the small darkened rooms were the usually besotted individuals who seemed to regard it as home. When they found the cops were there to turn them out there was a temporary inclination to revolt with much muttering and much cussing, but they were yanked out bodily and as a rule their meager belongings were thrown after them as they wandered about in the stableyard below. There were some unfortunate children along with the horde, but Captain Stanley had been told to clean up "the flats' and he did it as might be expected of an old Civil War vet bent on obeying orders. It was much like a sewer being emptied of its rodent population, a smelly, disagreeable business but quite effective. 

It was there that not only the Vallieres, but likewise Ellen Develin and her own Bill Dade had their hangout, the "boiled shirt" hero who was reputed to have been once wealthy, but who had fail en on evil fortune. 

He always managed to have a white shirt and was something of a retainer of the Vallieres and shined especially one winter night at the city hall when he led a revolt against cleaning the snow from the sidewalks at the order of Superintendent James Brown, long since retired and now apparently chipper as ever in his 80's down there in the Sixth ward. It was the man with the boiled shirt who led the hoboes out into the storm rather than work at the brooms and shovels to gain a night's lodging in the fearsome tramp cellar at the city jail. And if anyone desired to see the dregs of humanity it was in that cellar where fights were frequent, sometimes knifings, the yells and curses taking Bill Schregler or Eddie Hyde or whoever might be on duty down into the shambles suggestive of a den or beasts rather than humans. And most of them were habitues of "the flats.” 

After the raid, McLaughlin's flats were relatively clean of their hobo tenants, at least for a time. Some disappeared from the picture entirely, others continued their periodic appearance in police court but with the coming of the war the Down-and- Out Club, as the newspapermen of the period dubbed it, evidently went the way of all flesh. So they and "the flats" have been forgotten. 

When G.O.P. Battled G.O.P.
Typical Convention Rumpus Stirred 'Regular' and 'True' Republicans as Gibbs and Morgan Were Nominated for Sheriff in '81

(Another in a series of articles on
Camden affairs and personalities of yesteryear)

Rival factions in the political conventions of long ago were more bitter toward one another than toward the common foe. So-called "rump" conventions were by no means exceptions. By "rump" was meant mereIy those who refused to play with the regulars and who set up the nominations, as did the Bull Moose on the national scale in the historic scrap of 1912 which resulted in the three-cornered battle of Wilson, Roosevelt and Taft, giving the Princeton professor the start that was to make him a world figure. Factions we still have, of course, and it is quite proper, since too much regularity often breeds party decay. But present-day political methods are certainly lacking in the spectacular rumpuses that stirred the rank and file in the period when delegates met and made their nominations.

In a recent article allusion was made to the Democratic convention of September 20, 1878, when Nathan T. Stratton, of Millville, was nominated for Congress by the Democrats in the midst of downright fisticuffs, when "liar" and "hypocrite" and worse was hurled about the hall.

Lest it may be assumed the party of Jefferson and Jackson only was given to such methods, it is fitting to give a picture on the other side of the political house. Dr. William H. Iszard's inexhaustible scrap book, loaned me by his son, former Assemblyman Iszard comes across with a copy of a tabloid political sheet, "The True Republican," which gives a recital of a battle royal in the G.O.P. ranks which will be of interest to some old-timers I know are still about.

Rival Conventions

That was the convention to nominate a sheriff called at Gloucester City Hall on Saturday, October 8, 1881, where we find the redoubtable Colonel James Matlack Scovel once more a moving factor, but this time in the ranks of the "regular Republicans" or at least so they called themselves as opposed to the "rump" set up by a rival group. Christopher J. Mines, long Fifth ward leader and later sheriff, apparently had been selected as temporary chairman with William A. Husted, who died last year well in his 70's, as secretary. But when that part of the delegation marched up to city hall, like the famed king's horses- they marched down again.

As a matter of fact, not much marching was done in the hall- for it was asserted by the "true Republicans" that when they essayed to enter the portals they found Colonel Scovel and Henry M. Jewett, father of Harry Jewett, a Camden newspaperman of the long ago and for years later Jersey editor of the Inquirer, in command. More, it was charged "people representing the worst elements of society" were on guard and presented a phalanx which even the huskies of the opposing force could not break. Mines was strong-armed by the minions of Scovel and Jewett and there was so much hooting and yelling and cussin' that the "true" part of the outfit walked out, all 29 of them, over to Moss' hall where they proceeded to carryon their convention to their own taste.

And all 29 of these valiant Republicans voted for Eli B. Morgan as their candidate for sheriff. You old timers will be interested in recalling these delegates who refused to kowtow to 'Colonel Jim.' In the Third ward there was James M. Lane, Charles S. Cotting and George Martin, in the Fourth, Husted, the Sixth, C. C. Smith, Thad Varney, Charles A. Sawyer: in the Seventh, Stephen Walters, Charles Lederman, William Simpson; in Gloucester, John W. Wright, David Anderson, Frank Mills, Robert Lafferty, Richard Allen, Jesse Daisey, Samuel Wood; in Haddon, Charles M. Macready, Elwood J. Haines: in Delaware, William Brick, William Graff, Isaac Coles; in Merchantville, Matthias Homer, William Naylor, and in Center, James Davis, Garrett Patton and Gilbert Shaw.

Hot Statement

These "true Republicans" in a statement to the party rank and file, under the Algeresque title of "Now or Never," scathingly said: "It becomes the duty of every Republican voter of Camden county, who has the future interest of the party at heart, to administer a severe and lasting rebuke to all candidates who employ the element and encourage the means that were used in controlling the Sheriff's convention at City Hall, Gloucester City. It discounted anything within the memory of the oldest Democrat inhabitant. What with Col. Joseph Nichols urging the crowd to go elsewhere and nominate Gibbs, and the immaculate Billy Warner of the Fifth ward ordering them to burst the door in, coupled with the commanding voice of that great patriot and life-long Republican, James M. Scovel, alias Mountain Partridge, together with the curses and threats from John Furey, Jack Quigley, Pud Young, Bill Derr, "Tar Heel" Jim Hayes, the able city solicitor, and a gang of Philadelphia roughs, a beautiful spectacle was presented."

The "Gibbs" mentioned was Theodore B. Gibbs who long lived in the white mansion on the banks of Clementon lake and whose ancient grist mills ground the grain for farmers from miles around. None in the county was held in higher esteem and in later years most of the valiant 29 were among his closest friends, unnecessary proof the political animosities are, as a rule, not very enduring. Gibbs was nominated by the "regular" Convention which ousted the 29 and a mighty hot shrievalty campaign ended on November 10 with his ejection, in spite of the "now or never" demand of his opponents headed by Eli Morgan.

The latter was a real estate man, son of Randall Morgan, elected sheriff by a whisker over "Ham" Bitten in 1869, and brother of J. Willard Morgan, long a Republican chieftain. It was the elder Morgan who defeated Bitten, a rough and ready character nominated as a joke, by a narrow squeak.

In the shrievalty scrap of 1881. Gibbs received 5381 and Morgan, 1189. Angus Camerson, the Democratic candidate was given 4450 votes. Nor did the "true" nominees for coroner fare any better. Sam Bennett, William Thompson and Alexander Powell being defeated by 'Doc' John D. Leckner, Jacob Justice and William Duble.

But the "true" Republicans licked their wounds and most of them were ready to "yen their heads off" when Colonel Scovel in later campaigns made the welkin ring with his call from the rostrum to wallop the enemy. If you now come across any of the few actors of that period still in the flesh an allusion to that "spectacle" of half century ago will sure bring one big chuckle with the declaration "them was the days."

Centreville's Schools
Early Problem Was Getting the Youngsters In The Classrooms; Reminiscences of Professor C. K. Middleton

(Another in a series of articles on
Camden affairs and personalities of yesteryear)

WHEN Centreville became a part of Camden in 1871, the progressive men of the city were struggling with the public school problem. It is now mainly one of finance, because of the so-called readjustment period which has hit civic and private activities. Then it was a ques­tion of “getting organized." The city's population was around 21,000, its children of school age being more, than one-third. But that didn't mean all were attending school.

Times were not so good and two years later was to come the now much-discussed “panic of 1873." So, while there were approximately 8,000 children of school age, the board of education census shows there were 3,819 who were in the schools with 74 teachers to give them the rudiments of education.

It was likewise shown in a survey that the balance of the boys and girls were working in mills and factories, then a family economic necessity since the heads of families received very little for their work and every penny counted.

The child labor law was a long way off. Children in their early teens usually worked 10 hours a day and six days' a week for the munificent sum of $2. Some apprentices didn't get a cent, some as high as $1.50 a week and they thought they were fortunate in learning to be a ma­chinist; a carpenter, a shoemaker or what not. Boys came home mighty weary, but with the energy of youth they refused to let that interfere with play at nights, in winter sledding and skating to get up 5 or 6 0'clock the next morning all set for another grind. The "good old days" weren't so wonderful after all.

Early Schools Built

Centreville's colored population was larger than the white. So a a school for the youth of that race was provided on Ferry Avenue. The board of education, with David Rittenhouse president, and William Figner secretary, sought to look after the needs of the children and in 1875, by passage of a special act of the legislature, Camden was given authority to borrow $30,000 to build three schools. One of these was the John W. Mickle School, on Fillmore street, the other two being the Isaac Mulford and Richard Fetters Schools, named after men prominent in Camden's affairs for many years and factors in developing the public schooI system. The brown stone buildings were built by Mayberry E. Harden, one of the city's leading contractors of the time, and a former member of the school board. The Mickle School in particular was a boon to Centreville.

The late Charles K. Middleton was one of the first principals. He is recalled in much later years as one of the "profs" of the first manual training and high school, when it was launched in 1891 at 125 Federal Street. Students called him "fossils" because he had a penchant for talking about the early periods of the earth's history. Many of these same students long afterward realized what a fine teacher Middleton really was, what a thirst he developed in a relatively few thoughtful youths for things worthwhile. One may visualize him now, with what the present generation would call a "soup strainer" mustache, sitting on the edge of the desk and seemingly forgetful of his surround­ings as he told of great monsters that once roamed the Jersey flats, of the glacial period and a lot of what seemed mighty dry material to a bunch of anxious kids ready get out and romp.

When the Centennial year rolled around an impetus was given public education. Camden did its part by way of an exhibition that won prizes as well as much praise. James M. Cassady, then the board's president, was active in many civic matters and one who wielded the best possible influence in 'getting under way' what had been called the new era.

C. K. Evered School

By 1877, when James R. Carson became president, Centreville had grown so that it was decided to build another school for the white children.

The C. K. Evered School was built on Ferry Avenue at Seventh. It was named after the son of Joseph G. Evered and brother of Carl Evered, now a widely-known realty man. Charles was ill but had taken a great interest in school affairs of Centreville. So they named the school for him and it became a memorial, since he died soon afterward. The elder Evered came here from Chicago, shortly after the great fire, was an expert jeweler and resided at 1711 Broadway.

At Ninth Street, the Charles Sumner School was built for colored children, providing much better accommodation than the little makeshift place that was torn down two years ago to make way for the recreation house and park which had been left uncompleted because of the lack of funds. A new Sumner School was reared north of Van Hook Street. It is one of the city's most modern places of public instruction.

Annexes also were built at the Mickle school while for those in the extreme southern section, the "hill" district, there is the Henry B. Wilson School. That was named for the former postmaster, a Republican leader and a leading business man of Camden. He was father of Admiral Henry B. Wilson and Philip S. Wilson, banker.

So Centreville, as the Eighth Ward has gone along with the rest of the city in looking after children's education, topped off with courses, at the high school, a luxury their fathers and grandfathers never dreamed about. There are probably as many children in that district now as there were in the entire city of Camden when Centreville was annexed to the larger community 62 years ago.

Dr. William H. Pratt, son of Jesse Pratt, mayor from 1886 to 1892, was one of the boys in the early school days of Centreville. In addition to giving some sidelights on that period he says Merritt Beckett, appointed by his father, and not William Butts, was the first colored policeman on the Camden force. He was a tall, thin cop, a familiar figure in the late 90's in that district.