Camden People - Clarence Arthur

CLARENCE JAMES ARTHUR was born in Haddonfield, New Jersey on September 10, 1887. The 1913 and 1915 City Directories shows him and wife Lillian at 443 West Street. From 1916 through 1918 documents show the couple at 326 Berkley Street. The January 1920 Census shows him working as a carpenter and living at 317 Berkley Street in South Camden. His next door neighbor at 319 Berkley was Ira Hall, who was appointed to the Camden Police Department later that same year. The 1921 City Directory has Clarence Arthur and Lillian Arthur at 321 Berkley Street.

On March 25, 1922 Clarence Arthur was appointed to the Camden Police Department. By 1926 Clarence Arthur was living with his brother Herbert at 227 Washington Street. He was still living at that address in the spring of 1942.

Clarence Arthur had risen to the rank of Detective by 1927. He was involved in several highly publicized cases, including the February 5, 1934 arrests of a gang of four robbers who had committed $130,00 payroll heist in Penns Grove, and the January 1938 arrest of three serial burglars in Camden.

Clarence Arthur was still serving as a detective with the Camden Police Department when in January of 1946 he assaulted Alexander Beaton in the process of arresting him for smoking on a bus, He was convicted of atrocious assault and battery in December of 1946 and was sentenced to 12 to 18 months in prison in October of 1947. Clarence Arthur was granted paroled from prison on July 14, 1948.

Last a resident of 1471 Kenwood Avenue in Parkside, Clarence Arthur passed away on December 12 1969 and was buried at Mt, Peace Cemetery in Lawnside, New Jersey. He was survived by a son, Jack Arthur, and a daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Murray

World War I Draft Card

Philadelphia Inquirer - March 16, 1922

Edward Rapp - James H. Biddle - Charles H. Ellis - Clarence Arthur
George V. Murry - Ira Hall

Camden Courier-Post * January 14, 1928

GANGSTER SHOT
DURING MELEE
IN SIXTH WARD

Joseph Devon Held On Murder Charge After Death
Boxer’s Brother; ‘Mose’ Flannery
and 4 Others Held as Witnesses;
Was Craps Game Says County Police
HOLDUP ATTEMPTED CITY COPS DECLARE

Victim of a shot fired in a melee, the exact cause of which remain undetermined, Joseph Cimini, 31 years old, ‘was killed in the Sixth Ward Republican Club, 908 Broadway.

Cimini, declared by police to be a Philadelphia

Headquarters of the Sixth Ward Republican Club on Broadway below Spruce Street is shown in the picture. The entrance is to the left, the first floor front being occupied by a barber shop. The arrow indicates the room where the shooting occurred

gangster, was killed before the eyes of two district detectives, Clarence Arthur and Clarence Bunker, who had been summoned to the club by warning that a fight was in progress.

Joseph Devon, 28 years old, known to his associates as “Polack Joe’” and a colorful figure in

Slayer and Slain

Top: Joseph Devon - Bottom: Joseph Cimini

Third Ward politics, fired the shot that killed Cimini.

Declaring that he had fired in self-defense, after Cimini struck him with the butt of a revolver, Devon was locked up without bail on a charge of murder.

Joseph 'Mose’ Flannery, 26 years old, picturesque Eighth ward political worker, was held as a material witness. Detectives had seized Flannery who was to have precipitated the battle by brandishing a revolver just before Cimini was shot. The officers say that Flannery fled –after the shooting and was captured afterward at Broadway and Federal Street.

The name of the dead man was given as Joseph Gannon, but shortly before one o’clock this afternoon, he was identified as Joseph Cimini, 1301 Ellsworth Street, Philadelphia. The identification was made by a brother, William Cimini, a pugilist who has boxed in this city several times under the name of “Billy” Gannon.

Six Others Quizzed

Six other men who were present at the time of the shooting, or when the argument began, were questioned by city and county detectives.

They are Newton Blanchard, 30, 923 St. John Street, former Camden boxing referee and declared by some of the witnesses as the man who conducted the crap game at the club; Michael Dandrea, 26, 1067 Norris Street; Russell Sage, 26 years old, of 1102 Marion Street a taxicab driver who is said to have driven Gannon and Flannery to the club in his car; Maurice O’Brien, 27 years old, of 1429 Bradley Avenue, a former New Jersey State Trooper, Harry

Trooper, Harry Waterhouse, 28 years old, whose address was given as the same as Sage’s; and Charles “Chick” Hunt, 27 years old, of 1218 Broadway, a former Camden boxer.

Blanchard and Dandrea were released after questioning and after each had made a statement to Chief of County Detective Lawrence T. Doran. The others were held with Flannery as material witness.

Differences of opinion between county and city detectives investigating the shooting were heightened during the afternoon. The county sleuths insisted upon the theory that the shooting had resulted from a feud between Flannery and Hunt, with Cimini taking the former’s side and Devon the latter and said that the heat of the argument had possibly been heightened by disagreement over a crap came.

The city police, on the other hand, declared that the entire affair was the result of an attempt by Flannery to hold up the other men. Devon’s statement to Chief Doran made no mention of a hold-up.

Building up a case against Flannery, the officers this afternoon lodged charges of attempted hold-up, carrying concealed deadly weapons, atrocious assault and battery and assault to kill against him. The two latter charges were made as the result of identification of Flannery as a participant in two recent robbery attempts. J.E. Feinstein, café proprietor of 508 Kaighn Avenue, declared that Flannery, Cimini, and Sage were thereof four men who held him up on New Year’s Day. He defied them and they left when he said, “Go ahead and shoot,” he asserted. Flannery was also identified, according to police, as the man who had beaten and attempted to rob Henry Mehrer, an Audubon policeman, and his two companions outside the Ringside Inn, on the Black Horse Pike, a fortnight ago. Mehrer and Feinstein were taken to police headquarters by County Detective Howard Smith, who is authority for the statement that they identified Flannery.

Cimini was shot shortly after 3:00 this morning and died almost instantly. Doctors at Cooper Hospital pronounced him dead on arrival. He had been shot just above the heart by a bullet from Devon’s gun.

Events preceding the shooting remain, to some extent clouded today. Chief Doran said he learned of an enmity existing between Flannery and Hunt. Devon appeared to have attempted to quiet “Mose”, the county detectives said. Cimini struck Devon and Devon fired.

Chief John Golden of the Camden city detective bureau stated, on the other hand, that the shooting had apparently followed an attempt to hold up the other men in the room. Golden based his view on the statements of Clarence Arthur, a city sleuth. According to Arthur, when he and Bunker appeared at the door of the room, Flannery and Cimini held revolvers and the other men in the room were standing with their hands upraised.

According to the story pieced together by county detectives from the statements of witnesses, a group of men had apparently gathered at the club for a crap game. Blanchard, it was stated, acts as the “stick man,” the term used in gambling parlance to designate the man who conducts a crap game.

City and County agree that Flannery and Cimini arrived together in Sage’s taxicab. Whether there was an argument, the result of an enmity between Flannery and Hunt, or whether the attempted hold-up theory is correct, remains to be learned by additional official investigation.

Chief Doran stated the witnesses had told him that words passed between Flannery and Hunt and that the former had gone downstairs. Returning he brandished a revolver.

Two Flee Place

It was at this point that Blanchard and Dandrea left the room and fled down the stairs. On the street, they encountered Detectives Arthur and Bunker, who were patrolling Broadway in a police automobile.

In describing the subsequent events today, Arthur declared that Blanchard had informed him that “two Philadelphia gunmen are up in the Sixth Ward Club holding up a bunch of fellows”.

The detectives did not immediately go to the club, but found Patrolman Frank Del Rossi and followed him up the stairs of the building.

“There were about fifteen men in the room,” Arthur asserted. “When we got to the door Flannery and Cimini had their guns out and apparently were about to search the others. The other men had their hands in the air.

“When they saw us Flannery and Cimini threw their guns down and the others lowered their hands. I went up to Flannery and started to frisk him. Bunker went to another man, whom I don’t know, and started to frisk him”.

It was then he said that he heard the shot. Believing that it was Bunker who was shot, he released his hold on Flannery and swung around. As he did Flannery turned and fled downstairs, Arthur declared.

Bunker said he believed that it was Arthur who had been shot and he too released his grasp on the man he had been searching. The detectives turned in time to see Cimini fall.

“I did it! I shot him!” Devon is declared to have shouted, throwing his revolver on the table.

According to the story told by witnesses to the county detectives, however, Devon had stepped up to Flannery just before the shot was fired and had said” “Mose, you can’t get away with this here.”

Flannery is said to have had a gun in his hand at the time.

As Devon spoke, the witnesses say, Cimini stepped behind him and struck him with the butt of a revolver. Just then detectives entered. Devin whirled and, drawing his gun, fired.

Cimini was placed in a police ambulance and taken to the hospital. After he had been pronounced dead his body was taken to the morgue, where it was awaiting identification today. Neatly dressed, Cimini is of Italian extraction. He has coal-black hair, brown eyes and a dark complexion. Coroner Charles T. Murray will perform a post-mortem examination, he said.

Flannery Captured

When he fled from the club, according to Arthur, Flannery jumped on a Public Service bus driven by David Smith, of 423 Haddon Avenue, which was passing at the time.

“Faster! Faster” he is declared to have urged Smith as the latter drove along Broadway in the direction of Federal Street.

At Federal Street and Broadway, Arthur and Bunker caught up to the bus and arrested Flannery as he descended from the vehicle.

“Why don’t you give me a chance to get to Philadelphia?” Arthur declares Flannery asked him. “I can get bail over there.”

Seek Written Statement

Chief Doran stated this afternoon that he was attempting to obtain a written statement from Flannery and would also seek to have Devon sign a statement regarding the shooting. During the morning, Flannery refused to talk while Devin, although admitting that he fired the shot, declared that he shot in self-defense. He made no reference to the hold-up attempt, according to the county detectives.

Cimini has a Philadelphia police record but, according to his pugilist brother, “was not bad but just wild.” He was recently arrested in Philadelphia after a fight with policemen.

“But he never held up or robbed anybody,” his brother declared this afternoon after identifying the body. “He got into a jam now and then. Yes, I know that he knew 'Mose' Flannery, but I never mixed with that crowd.”

It was reported at City Hall this afternoon that Samuel Orlando had been retained as attorney for Flannery and that Walter Keown, Camden county solicitor, would represent all the other men. The presence of Keown at detective headquarters, during which he had a conference with Captain Golden, seemed to lend credence to the latter report but neither rumor could be confirmed.

Flannery for years has figured in police cases and in political warfare in the Eighth Ward, where he was sometimes a lieutenant and sometimes an opponent of “Mikey” Brown, the Republican leader of the ward. Last March he was arrested and indicted on charges of atrocious assault and battery on is wife and her mother. At one time he was held as a suspect is a Philadelphia shooting but later was released.

The accused man, Devon, is a short, slim little man with an air of meek complaisance. He has been a taxicab driver and was last arrested on a charge of drunken driving. In May of 1926 he attempted suicide by shooting himself after he had failed to effect a reconciliation with his estranged wife. At that time, he shot himself but the bullet only grazed his chest.

Joe Devon, long a political power in the Third Ward, first flashed into citywide prominence in 1925, when he was employed by federal authorities as a deputy U.S. Marshal to guard the padlocked Poth brewery at Bulson Street, just off Broadway. At the time Devon was thus maintaining the sanctity of the Eighteenth Amendment, he was also operating a bootlegging establishment downtown and had been arrested once or twice for violating the Volstead Act.

The Courtier at that time exposed this paradoxical situation, with the result that the U.S. Marshal summarily dismissed Devon. He keenly resented the political chicanery that had been used to put Devon in office. In explaining how Devon was appointed, the Marshal said that he had been recommended by “prominent Republican leaders” in Camden, chief among whom was William D. Sayrs, no a city commissioner but then a field agent in the office of the Internal Revenue Department.

Sought City Job

Not long after Devon’s dismissal as brewery guard, Sayrs and other Republican leaders made strenuous efforts to secure a city job for him under the Non-Partisan administration. They sought to exact a promise from The Courier that this newspaper would remain silent in the event Devon was appointed to a city position. No such promise was made and Devon remained jobless, politically at least.

Then came a humorous twist to the situation. Sayrs disagreed with some of the Organization leaders and, for a time, walked his own political footpath. Some of the leaders, fearful of what Sayrs might attempt politically, killed two birds with one stone by hiring Joe Devon to shadow Sayrs and to report to them the number of times he conferred with Non-Partisans. Thus, Joe had a job and Billy was watched.

Sayrs knew he was being shadowed by his old friend, and apparently he knew who had hired Devon to do the work, but he refused to take the situation seriously and chortled, frequently, when he would see his “Shadow” trailing about town.

In the last year, however, Devon has again been the particular political protégé of Commissioner Sayrs and also has won the friendship of many other political leaders. Nevertheless, he has not been, so far as can be determined, the recipient of any particular political patronage, though his political influence in the Third and Fifth Wards is said to have expanded rapidly under the new administration.

Camden Evening Courier - January 16, 1928

MURDER MOTIVE AT G.O.P. CLUB SPLITS SLEUTHS
County Detectives Contend Philadelphia Gangster
Was Slain in Quarrel Over Woman
POLICE CLAIM HOLD-UP ATTEMPT CAUSED FIGHT
Deven Charged With Crime, Flannery and Taxi Driver Held Without Bail

With city and county authorities definitely divided on the motive and circumstance if the Sixth Ward Republican Club slaying, Joseph "Polack Joe" Deven was arraigned in Camden police court today and held without bail on a murder charge.

Through County Solicitor Walter Keown, retained as his attorney, Deven waived a police court hearing and was held to await grand jury action in the slaying of Joseph Cimini, Philadelphia gangster, at the political club early Saturday morning.

At the same time County Prosecutor Ethan P. Wescott announced his operatives had abandoned the theory Cimini was killed as the aftermath of an attempted hold-up, and were concentrating their investigation in the case on an effort to "find the woman'.

Statements of witnesses to the fatal shooting, the prosecutor added, made no mention of a hold-up, but contained the declaration that Cimini had been shot as a result of a feud with Charles "Chick" Hunt, former South Camden pugilist, concerning the affection of "Chick's girl".

Police Claim Holdup

On the other hand, Captain John Golden, chief of the city detective bureau, declared he was unable to recall any mention of a girl in the statements obtained from witnesses, and added emphatically that his department still held the shooting had followed an attempted holdup of the club by Cimini and Joseph 'Mose’ Flannery.

Flannery and Hunt were both witnesses to the shooting by Deven, picturesque figure in Third Ward politics, which occurred at the Sixth Ward Club's headquarters, 908 Broadway..

After Deven had appeared in Police Court today, Flannery was arraigned as a material witness and as an accessory to the crime, with an additional charge accusing him of carrying concealed deadly weapons. Similar charges were made against Russell Sage, a taxicab driver, who arrived at the club with Flannery and Cimini early Saturday morning. These two were committed to the county jail without any bail by Judge Bernard Bertman.

Hunt, however, was released under $1,000 bail as was Martin O'Brien, 27 years old, a former New Jersey State Trooper, and Harry Waterhouse, 28 years old, 1102 Marion street.

Three Others Arrested

During the day the police continued to build up their case against Flannery by arraigning him on the charges made by Milton Feinstein and Henry Mehrer. The also arrested Joseph Genther, 29 years old, 414 Atlantic Avenue; Robert Wolfe, 21 years old, 1106 Mechanic Street, and Eli Conaghy, 27 years old, 814 South 6th Street. Wolfe, who is Flannery's brother-in-law, and Genther were held "on suspicion" of having been with "Mose" at the time the latter is declared to have attacked and attempted to rob Mehrer, an Audubon policeman, outside the Ringside Inn, on the Black Horse Pike.

Conaghy, Flannery and Sage were arraigned and held without bail on charges of threatening to kill Feinstein and of carrying concealed deadly weapons. Feinstein declares these three with Cimini, the slain man, entered his cafe on January 2 and attempted to hold him up, threatening to kill him if he refused to “come across”. When he defied them by telling them to “go ahead and shoot”, Feinstein says, they departed.

Wolfe, Genther, and Conaghy were arrested by City Detectives George Ward and Thomas Cheeseman. It was Cheeseman who lodged the formal complaint of murder against Deven.

Two Others Released

Two other men who were questioned in connection with the murder case were in court this man but neither was held. They are Newton Blanchard, 923 St. John Street, a former boxing referee and alleged “stick man” at the crap game declared to have been in progress at the club before the shooting, and Michael Dandrea, 26 years old, of 1657 Norris Street. Both men had been released after questioning on Saturday. Police say they are the men who told police that trouble was imminent at the club and that “Flannery and another fellow are trying to stick up a bunch of other fellows.”

The city police hold-up theory was further attacked today by Francis J. McCarthy, a Philadelphian, who arrived before noon at the county prosecutor’s office and said he would co-operate with the authorities. He wishes to clear the dead man, he said, of the stigma of suspicion that he was slain while engaged in an attempted robbery.

Hearing in Police Court was brief. There was no testimony and Keown merely announced Deven would waive a hearing. Appearing also as attorney for Hunt, O’Brien, and Waterhouse, he said the other three men were “present at the unfortunate shooting” and thus should be held as material witnesses. He added the prosecutor’s office had permitted the release of the three under $1,000 bail each and requested Judge Bertman follow suit. The court acceded to this request but stipulated that new bail must be provided. The three men were freed shortly afterward when the bond was furnished by James Louis, 603 Kaighn Avenue, who had provided the bail yesterday in the prosecutor’s office.

Despite the declaration by two Camden district detectives who were present at the time and who said there was no evidence that gambling was in progress at the club, county detectives disclosed today that statements of the shooting contained the assertion that the men had gathered for a crap game.

These witnesses also declared the fatal shooting resulted from an argument over a woman for whose attention Cimini and Hunt were rivals.

In circles where the leading figures in the shooting move, it was freely predicted things would be fixed up for Deven and that Flannery, political worker and supposed gangster, was to be "made the goat".

Flannery is blamed by the city police for precipitating the battle. he has also been identified, according to County Detective Howard Smith, as one of the men who beat and robbed Henry Mehrer, an Audubon policeman, outside the Ringside Inn on the Black Horse Pike a fortnight ago. In addition, he is charges with attempting to hold up Milton Feinstein, cafe proprietor, 508 Kaighn Avenue. Cimini and Sage were also identified by Feinstein, according to Detective Smith.

According to the version of Cimini's death given in statements by witnesses to county detectives, "Chick" Hunt might have been the victim of the slaying had it not been for Deven's interference.

Gamble Over Affections

Like actors in a carefully-rehearsed drama, the various witnesses to the shooting made their statements nearly twelve hours after the shooting and, both city and county detectives say they agreed in all important aspects. Prosecutor Wescott declared, however, that no mention of an attempted hold-up was made despite the fact that City Detectives Clarence Arthur and Clarence Bunker- before whose eyes Cimini was shot down- stated Flannery and Cimini were holding the other men at bay when the detectives entered the room.

Instead, the statements of the witnesses described the scene as a dramatic gamble, with death as the stake, over the affections of a woman beloved by both Cimini and Hunt. This woman, who is married and estranged from her husband, is being sought today, Prosecutor Wescott said. According to detectives, Hunt was severely beaten last Wednesday night in a downtown gambling place by members of Cimini’s gang. Cimini, known also as Joseph Gannon, was a brother of William Cimini, a pugilist known in the ring as Billy Gannon.

The stories told by the witnesses place Hunt as one of the players in the crap game which was in progress at the club on Saturday morning. Deven was at the window, looking out, according to the witnesses, when he saw a taxicab draw up in front of the building. Flannery, Cimini and Sage descended and entered the club, it was declared.

“Here comes Mose, Chick, with that guy what’s gunnin’ for you” Deven is declared to have shouted.

A dozen gamesters fled from the room. “Chick” and a few of his friends held their ground and were waiting when the trio entered. Cimini, it is stated, walked over to Hunt.

“I told you,” he said with a sneer, “to stay away from that dame. She’s my girl. You were warned and sow you gotta take your medicine..”

Hunt said nothing.

Flannery drew from his pockets two automatics and flung them on the green-topped table, the stories go.

“C’mon, Chick,” he said. Don’t be yella. He toldja about the broad and he toldja what he’d do. Take your gun and shoot it out.”

“Chick” demurred.

“I don’t want none of that stuff, Mose,” he pleaded. He eyed Cimini carefully as the latter held one hand on the butt of a pistol which protruded from his belt.

Deven Interferes

Hunt made no careless movements toward the pistols on the table. Then Deven is declared to have interfered.

“None of that stuff, Mose” he said warningly. “Who’s this guy to come here making trouble? He’s no member, is he?”

Cimini moved quickly, the witnesses say. With an upward flip of his hand he brought the barrel of the automatic sharply against Deven’s chin. The latter lurched forward snatching one of the pistol from the table.

The weapon was discharged, the bullet tearing through Cimini’s heart. He died instantly.

The next moment, Arthur and Bunker, district detectives summoned by one of the players who had fled, burst through the door and lined up the men against the wall.

A short time later police arrested Blanchard and Dandrea. Blanchard, police say, was the man who gave them warning of the impending battle. Both men were released after questioning.

Released from Lakeland

The detectives found Deven cringing with fear under the table, the weapon still in his hand. Four other pistols were picked up in different parts of the room.

Deven was identified as a lovesick husband who appeared in the prosecutor’s office several month’s ago and asked to be “put away”. His wife had left him, he said, and he was afraid he might harm someone.

He was committed to the asylum at Lakeland. When or how he was released is a mystery. Lakeland officials said they had no record of him. Deven once shot himself in a suicide attempt police say, in grief over estrangement from his wife.

Gangdom’s prevailing opinion is that Flannery is “in” for it. Attempts and threats against the blond gangster’s life have furnished many lurid tales for the habitués of downtown hangouts.

Further, Flannery has made many bitter enemies through his political activities. In the last election he worked as a Democrat against “Mikey” Brown in the Eighth Ward. His overbearing tactics and bravado among the other downtown characters has increased the feeling against him, it is said.

Thus far, he has succeeded in keeping out of the toils for any length of time. His police record includes arrests for rum-sunning, carrying concealed weapons, alleged ballot frauds and attempted murder. His most recent arrest came in Philadelphia when he figured in a pistol battle in which a man was slain.

Camden
Courier-Post

January 27, 1928

Camden Evening Courier - September 19, 1928

...continued...

John Kowal - Lewis Stehr
John Skolski - John W. Golden James Hollis - Clarence Arthur
Frank Moll - Clarence Bunker Thomas Cheeseman
Sylvester McGrath
Lawrence T. Doran
Dr. David S. Rhone
William D. McDonaldson
Frank Leonard
Father McCorriston
Joseph "Mose" Flannery" Joseph Moll - James Bonner William Bonner - Rita Leslie James L. Hawkins - Hotel Royal
Walter Novak - Joseph Novak
Garfield Del Duca -
Eugene Murphy - Russell Sage
Joseph "Cuzzy" Scarduzio
Patrick Driscoll

Front Street - Kaighn Avenue - Fairview Street - South 3rd Street
Camden High School - West Jersey Hospital - Sacred Heart Church

*Camden Courier-Post June 3, 1930**

Catherine Christman - Joseph Conti - Nicholas Bartluci - John Fisher - Mary Reginelli - Marco Reginelli
	Garfield S. Pancoast - Clifford A. Baldwin William "Big Bill" Wierman - Ralph Bakley C. Leonard Brehm - Louis Schlam Clarence Bunker - Clarence Arthur Wilfred L. Dube - Andrew Zopesky

...continued...


From Left: Howard Smith - James Paradise - Theodore Guthrie - Joseph Mardino - Walter Welch Vernon Jones - Walter Smith

...continued...

...continued...
	Highland Avenue South 33rd Street North 34th Street

Camden Evening Courier - December 6, 1930





Dr. David S. Rhone - Charles V. Dickinson - Theodore Guthrie - James Paradise Clarence Bunker - Howard Smith - Clarence Arthur - Henry Lutz - Clarence Thorn John Kowal - Lewis H. Stehr

Camden Courier-Post - February 4, 1933

'NUMBERS' SUSPECT FREED IN $100 BAIL

Suspected by the police of being a "numbers' writer, Clinton Gilchrist, 25, colored, of 1153 Cooper Street, was held in $100 bail by Acting Police Judge James Smith yesterday for a further hearing next Tuesday.

Gilchrist who is charged with operating a "numbers" lottery was arrested Thursday in an automobile at Eleventh and Cooper streets by Detective Lieutenant Louis Shaw and Detective Clarence Arthur.

In Gilchrist's possession, the detectives say they found some "numbers" slips and "loose coins."

Camden Courier-Post - February 8, 1933

'Mr. X' Tries to Die

MYSTERY PRISONER TRIES TO END LIFE
'Amnesia Victim' Jailed Pending Examination by Physicians

Police still were attempting last night to identify the man picked up by police Monday night and who attempted to commit suicide on the way to the Bertillon room at police headquarters to be fingerprinted. Although he maintained he does not know his name or where he comes from, police believe him to be holding something back.

Placed In Jail

He was placed in the county jail on order of Judge Pancoast pending examination by county physicians. As he was being led into the Bertillon records room, the prisoner made a sudden dash for the window and tried to throw it open. Detectives William Boettcher, Clifford Del Rossi and Clarence Arthur dragged him away and subdued him after a violent struggle. While his incoherent responses to questions Indicated he might be a victim of amnesia, Del Rossi expressed the belief the prisoner was

"concealing something." Copies of his fingerprints will be sent to Eastern police departments In an effort to identify him.

Brother a Policeman

The man was wandering in the vicinity of Twenty-seventh and Federal streets last night. Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner questioned him but the only Information he could elicit was that the man had a brother on the New York police force. Koerner took him to Cooper Hospital and then to the city jail.

Camden Courier-Post - June 1, 1933

PAYROLL THEFT IS RE-ENACTED; TWO MEN HELD
Camden Suspects, Brought Back From Penna., Viewed by Victims
MAN ADMITS LOAN OF MACHINE TO ONE
Radio Workers Cannot Identify Them, They're Booked on Suspicion

The $11,790 payroll holdup staged last Friday at the Radio Condenser Co., Thorne and Copewood streets, was, re-enacted yesterday.

Two suspects nabbed late Monday, at Lykens in Dauphin County, Pa., played the "heavy" roles. Also in the cast were eight women and two men, employees of the firm. For an hour and 20 minutes the spectacular robbery was "rehearsed" under the direction of three Camden detectives.

When the curtain was, rung down Leroy Jenkins, 23, who police say has addresses at 1161 Mechanic Street and 1220 Princess Avenue, and Joseph Putek, 23, said to reside at 1462 Louis street, were held on suspicion. They will be questioned further today.

Has Nothing Definite

Acting Chief of Police John W. Golden admitted he "has nothing on the boys." Detectives Benjamin Simon, Clarence Arthur and Clifford Del Rossi, however, "were pressing pursuit of "hunches" and meager clues in attempts to solve the crime. There were several lines of information they obtained regarding the two suspects which will bear further study, Simon said.

Putak, who has a po1ice record although never convicted according to police, was questioned previously in connection with the Radio Condenser "job." He was released at midnight last Saturday. After that the detectives centered attention upon Jenkins. They learned Jenkins borrowed an automobile from a man who operates a garage in the 1200 block on Atlantic Avenue. The garageman was reluctant to talk but under threat of arrest as an accessory he admitted lending a car to Jenkins.

Fliers were dispatched to police throughout Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and New Jersey. The car was halted at Williamsport, Pa. and when Camden police were identified they were surprised that Putak was Jenkins' companion. This stirred detectives to renewed vigor in the probe. They learned the men were planning to visit relatives, of Jenkins in Williamsport and Pottsville. According to Simon police of both cities say Jenkins is well known to them.

While at Williamsport the three detectives learned Putak and Jenkins visited a vice den and quarreled with a woman over money. They quoted Jenkins as declaring that he "could buy and sell the joint!'

Had Little Money

Putak had but $3 when released Saturday and $11 when arrested, Simon revealed. He told the detectives he had won money in a poker game here.

The two men were returned with the detectives as far as Philadelphia but refused to cross the river. They were turned over to police there on suspicion and. brought to this city yesterday afternoon. Taken to the Radio Condenser plant they were confronted with the ten employees who were herded in a vault during the holdup last Friday.

According to Simon several of the employees felt there were certain mannerisms of the suspects which corresponded with actions of the bandits but confessed they were unable to definitely identify Putak or Jenkins as the heavily masked pair who threatened their lives with a revolver and shotgun. .

The detectives propose an inquiry to al1 banks in this area in an effort to learn whether safe deposit boxes were leased by anyone answering the description of the suspects. The money obtained in the robbery was in bills and change of small denomination, numbers of the bills were not available.

Although never convicted Jenkins has a police record. Putak has never been formally under arrest, but has been questioned by the police in connection with various cases.

Jenkins was arrested December 18, 1931, charged with larceny of gasoline, and on last July 9 was charged with several robberies.

On April 2, 1931, he was held for the grand jury, charged with manslaughter after his automobile killed Mrs. Mary Cavanaugh, 70, a cook in the service of City Solicitor E. G. C. Bleakly.

Camden Courier-Post - June 2, 1933

TWO SUSPECTS HELD IN PAYROLL HOLD-UP
South Camden Men Will Be Grilled on $11,790 Theft at Radio Condenser

Held as suspects in the $11,790 Radio Condenser Company payroll holdup of last Friday, Leroy Jenkins, 23, and Joseph Putek, 23, South Camden police characters, tomorrow will be given a police court hearing.

Police admit their evidence against the pair is "flimsy" but hope to be able to hold them in high bail pending further investigation.

Detectives Benjamin Simon, Clarence Arthur and Clifford Del Rossi, who have worked almost unceasingly to solve the crime, admitted last night they "had possibilities" for today.

They declared they have unearthed a South Camden garage man who will testify at the hearing that he rented a garage to Jenkins, in which a dark automobile, similar to the one used in the holdup, is stored at the present time.

The detectives have also found a special officer, they said, who will testify to having seen the two suspects riding in a small black car in the vicinity of the Condenser concern's plant a short time before the holdup.

The suspects' mannerisms and voices have been identified by, the ten office employees, victims of the two bandits staging the holdup. Further identification was impossible because the bandits wore hoods over their heads and down to their shoulders.

Camden Courier-Post - June 3, 1933

4 YOUTHS HELD IN HOLDUP AT RADIO PLANT
2 in Jail at Time 'in on Plot,' Cops' Say; Booked as Witnesses
PAIR CAUGHT IN PENNA. TO FACE CHARGE TODAY
Condenser Company Payroll Robbery Planned in April, Sleuths Reveal

Two Camden youths, released from Camden county jail, were held by local police yesterday on suspicion of implication in the $11,790 holdup of the Radio Condenser Company, Thorne and Copewood streets, last Friday.

They are Leon Grinkewicz, 18, of 1469 Louis Street, and Stanley Geda, 19, of 1273 Whitman Avenue.

Although both denied knowledge of the payroll holdup, detectives said they admitted having been close pals of Le Roy Jenkins, 23; of 1161 Mechanic Street, and Joseph Putek, 23, of 1462 Louis Street, who were arrested in Lykens, Pa., on Monday.

Grinkewicz and Geda are being held on suspicion but, according to Detectives Clarence Arthur; Benjamin Simon and Clifford Del Rossi, they will be charged today with being material witnesses, while Jenkins and Putek will be charged with the holdup and will be arraigned in police court.

Grinkwicz and Geda were arrested yesterday morning on their release from county jail. They had been committed May 9 by Recorder Joseph Patton, of Haddon Heights, for 30 days on charges of loitering with intent to steal. They were questioned all day by detectives.

Detectives said they learned Jenkins and Putek were with Grinkewicz and Geda in Haddon Heights "to do a job" but that the other two disappeared when Grinkeicz and Geda were arrested. Although they were in the county jail at the time, the detectives said they learned they had participated with Jenkins and Putek in planning the Radio Condenser job five weeks ago.

Camden Courier-Post - June 9, 1933

FIFTH SUSPECT HELD IN PAYROLL HOLDUP
Police Say Pool Room Owner Knew of Robbery Plot

A fifth man was arrested in the recent Radio Condenser Company $11,790 payroll holdup and held as a material witness yesterday after city detectives alleged he attempted to escape from them in his automobile. He is Nicholas Kubiak, 34, of 1301 Decatur street, owner of a pool room on the corner of Decatur and Norris streets. Arraigned, before Judge Pancoast in police court, Kubiak was committed to the county jail without bail as a witness.

City Detectives Benjamin Simon, Clifford Del Rossi and Clarence Arthur stated they went to the pool room this morning and told Kubiak he was under arrest. He accompanied them to the sidewalk and suddenly stepped into his own automobile parked at the curb. The detectives said he started the engine, whereupon the police car was driven in front of him so he couldn't move. Simon declared that he jumped on the running board of Kubiak's car and reached in to grab the ignition key. Kubiak tried to push him off the running board. Simon said, and the key was obtained only after a tussle.

Simon said he has three statements signed by persons who charged they heard Kubiak declare the holdup was planned in his poolroom and that Leroy Jenkins and Joseph Putek were the actual bandits. Jenkins and Putek are charged with the holdup and are held under $3000 bail each. The bail was fixed by Prosecutor Baldwin.

Simon stated he previously had questioned Kubiak, but could learn nothing to warrant holding the man until he received the statements late last night. Simon said if he had been able to obtain the statements prior to yesterday, he doubted that bail would have been fixed so low.

Two other youths, arrested as material witnesses in the case, were released by Prosecutor Baldwin today under $500 bail each. They are Leon Grenkwicz, 18, of 1469 Louis Street, and Stanley Geda, 19, of 1273 Whitman avenue.

Camden Courier-Post - June 14, 1933

FLORIST SHOP RAID TRAPS NUMBERS MEN
Police Believe Hunt for Racket Headquarters Ended; 4 Are Arrested

A three-month search for "number's" headquarters in Camden was believed ended today when
detectives raided a florist shop at 1409 Mt. Ephraim avenue, seized seven adding machines, thousands of dollars worth of sales slips and arrested four men.

Joseph Klosterman, 34, of 1413 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, whom the police believe operated the "bank," was included in a quartet arrested by a squad under command of Sergeant of Detectives Louis Shaw.

Responding to an anonymous tip that the numbers men were gathered in a rear room of the store, Shaw, together with Detectives Clarence Arthur, George Zeitz and John Kaighn, surrounded the place.

The others arrested in the raid gave their names as Charles Selanski, 23, of 1286 Sheridan Street; Leon Babrowski, 22, of 1209 Lansdowne Avenue, and Frank Gromacki, 27, of 1411 Mt. Ephraim Avenue. Several "pickup men," who have been arrested while carrying money and numbers slips, according to Shaw, were linked with the ring. The principals, however, had managed to escape detection.

The flower shop, Shaw said, is operated by Joseph Haleski, and was used as a "blind" for the lottery racket.

Klosterman was released last night in $1000 bail for a hearing today on a charge of operating a numbers lottery. The others were all released in $100 cash security as material witnesses..

Camden Courier-Post - June 17, 1933

STORES, HOMES LOOTED; RADIO, PENNIES TAKEN

Burglars who broke into two stores and a private home Thursday night got exactly $2.50, a radio, and some cigars for their trouble.

At the store of Basile Constantine, 402 Berkley Street, cigars valued at $1.50 were stolen by the intruders, who forced a rear shutter. Michael Kelly, of 11 South Fourth Street, reported his store was broken Into and $2.50 in pennies stolen. Entrance was gained through a rear window. James Hayes, of 1287 Decatur Street, told the police his radio set was stolen by the thieves after they entered his house through a rear window.

Detectives Clarence Arthur and Clifford Carr are investigating..

Camden Courier-Post - June 21, 1933

Mysterious Piece of Paper' Enlivens Numbers Trial Here
Judge Shay Enjoys Verbal Tilt Between Gotshalk and Walter Keown,
But It Fails to Enter Into Evidence

A mysterious piece of paper yesterday precipitated a verbal battle between Assistant Prosecutor William C. Gotshalk and Defense Attorney Walter S. Keown upon opening of the trial of Joseph and Fred Klosterman on charges of number writing. They were placed on trial before Judge Samuel M. Shay and a crlminal court jury.

Acting Lieutenant Louis Shaw, of the city detective bureau, testified of a raid on the Klosterman saloon at Mechanic and Green streets and an adjacent house at 1312 Green street. The witness identified a brief-case containing numbers slips and also a postal card addressed to "F. Klosterman."

When Shaw was turned over to Keown for cross-examination, the defense counsel reached into the case, pulled out a piece of paper and asked how it had gotten into the bar. When Shaw said he had put it there, Keown declared:

"Well, put it into your pocket. It has nothing to do with this case."

Shaw refused, whereupon Keown rolled it up into a ball and put it in his own pocket. At this, Gotshalk angrily demanded to see the paper, but Keown declared that "you can't see this until after the jury has gone out." When Gotshalk insisted, Keown said he would give it to Judge Shay. He threw it on the judge's desk, but Judge Shay, who was smiling broadly, made no move to take it. Gotshalk then reached out to get the paper, but Keown was quicker retrieving it and placing it in his pocket again.

"What right have you to take a state exhibit and place it in your pocket?" Gotshalk queried heatedly. "I want that paper."

"I'll show it to Judge Shay," parried Keown.

"I don't want to see it," laughed Judge Shay, as Keown paced around the courtroom, followed by Gotshalk.

"It has nothing to do with this case," repeated Keown.

And there the matter stood.

Shaw testified that he, Detective Clarence Arthur and Patrolman John Kaighn entered the saloon December 10, and went out the back door. They followed a path to the Green street house, broke down the door and found Henry Pogrozewski, 17, and his mother burning numbers slips in a stove. Shaw said he recovered a half basket of slips.

Shaw and Arthur also declared that they found a bell in the house and that it was connected to a push button in the saloon, allegedly for an alarm.

Mary King, deputy city clerk, testified that at the time of the raid the license for the saloon was in Joseph Klosterman's name.

Shaw's testimony was corroborated by Arthur and Kaighn. Shaw was then recalled to the stand and related that as the three detectives went from the saloon to the other house, the Klosterman brothers followed them and demanded to know "why the dicks are always picking on us."

The case will be resumed this morning. .

Camden Courier-Post - June 22, 1933

KLOSTERMAN BOYS FOUND GUILTY IN NUMBERS CASE
Camden Brothers Released in Bail Awaiting Sentence
'THEY ARE BIG SHOTS,' PROSECUTOR DECLARES
Both Defendants Deny Connection With Raided Saloon

Joseph and Fred Klosterman were convicted in Camden Criminal Court yesterday of operating a numbers racket.

A jury returned a guilty verdict against the two South Camden sportsmen-brothers at 6:25 p. m., after deliberating only a short while.

Both were in the courtroom when the verdict was announced, but were allowed to depart under bail pending sentence later by Judge Samuel M. Shay.

Judge Shay delivered his charge to the jury after denying motions by Walter S. Keown, defense counsel, first to quash the indictment on grounds that
its language was faulty, and second, to direct a verdict of not guilty for lack of evidence.

Called 'Big Shots'

The two brothers were character ized as "big shot numbers barons" by Assistant Prosecutor William C. Gotshalk in his closing argument to the jury.

Referring to a woman and her son, who were burning numbers slips when raiders entered the establishment, Gotshalk said: .

"They might ask us why we don't have that woman and her 17-yearold son on trial here. When the police make an arrest the public wants to know why we don't get the big shots. Well, here they are," pointing at the Klostermans. "Here are the big shots,"

The Klosterman saloon, Mechanic and Green Streets, was raided December 10 by city detectives who testified Tuesday they followed a footpath to an adjacent house at 1312 Green Street. They broke down the door and found a woman and her son burning numbers slips. Acting Lieutenant Louis Shaw, of the city detective bureau, testified he recovered some of the slips and also found a brief case containing numbers slips and a post card addressed to "F. Klosterman." Detective Clarence Arthur and Patrolman John Kaighn corroborated Shaw's testimony.

Says He Was Visitor

The defense opened with Joseph Klosterman on the stand. He testified he had nothing to do with the saloon when it was raided, but merely happened to be in there for a drink when the raiders entered. He said he had owned the saloon for three and a half years but sold it last July for $100. He never had any connection with the Green Street house, he declared. He is now a plumber, Klosterman averred.

When Assistant Prosecutor Gotshalk asked him if he had ever been convicted of crime, Keown asked that the jury be withdrawn as he wanted to make another motion. Court then recessed.

When court resumed Mrs. Anna Pogroszewski, of the Green street address, took the stand. She testified the Klostermans were not connected with her home in any manner. She testified she had rented a room to a man named "Tommy" and all the numbers apparatus was his. When he moved out, he left the slips and adding machines there, she said, and she had cleaned out his room and was burning the papers when the raiders arrived.

Fred Klosterman, who resides at 1255 Decatur Street, denied he was a "numbers baron" and said he merely "happened" to be there on the day of the raid. Under cross-examination he admitted having pleaded guilty to slot machine charges in June of last year.

Camden Courier-Post - June 22, 1933

Cash Stolen from Under Rug; Boarder Gets Jail Sentence

"Keeping your money under the rug is just about as safe as putting the key to your front door under the mat. It's the first place thieves look."

That was what police Judge Pancoast told Forma Senchuk, of 1900 Fillmore Street, who appeared against Anthony Stricko, 48, of the same address, and accused him of stealing $160 which he had hidden under the carpet.

Senchuk testified that he placed the money under the carpet several weeks ago. It was in $20 bills, he said, and he thought nothing of it until Stricko, a
boarder in his home, started exhibiting bills of similar denomination. When he looked for his money it was gone.

Detective Clarence Arthur testified that four $20 bills were found in Stricko's trunk and that he arrested Stricko on complaint of Senchuk on charges of stealing the money.

Stricko denied stealing the money and said the bills which Arthur found were given him by a woman who had been keeping $200 for him. He said he drew the money out of the postal savings fund two years ago and gave it to the woman.

Judge Pancoast found Stricko guilty of the theft and sentenced him to three months in the county jail. He instructed Senchuk to refrain from putting his
money under the carpet and suggested he place it in bank in the future.

Camden Courier-Post - June 28, 1933

TAXI DRIVER HELD UP BY PASSENGER BUT HE FAILS TO GET MONEY

A taxicab passenger last night held up Alfred K. Shawcross, the driver, of 820 North Seventh Street, at Front and Federal streets, but obtained no money because Shawcross had none.

Shawcross told Detective Clarence Arthur the bandit, about five feet seven inches tall, weighing 145 pounds, wearing a brown suit and no hat, approached him at Sixth and Market streets and asked to be driven to Front and Federal streets.

When the passenger alighted he pressed a pistol against Shawcross and demanded his money. Shawcross told him he was making his first trip of the night and had nothing. The bandit ran east on Third Street and disappeared.

Camden Courier-Post - June 29, 1933

Bandits Trapped in Boulevard Garage Ram Through Auto Doors and Flee
MAN SHOT BY COP RUNS FROM BUILDING 43 MINUTES LATER
Thieves Steal Machine for Getaway; Abandon Own Loaded With Tools
ONE SUSPECT ARRESTED

Shortly after burglars rammed a stolen car through the locked doors of a Collingswood garage early yesterday and fled before shots from police revolvers, one suspect was arrested in Camden and the discovery made that one of the burglars was wounded.

The burglars, either two or three, were surprised shortly before 3:30 a. m. by Sergeant William Ruth and Patrolman Earl Wilson at the Airport Garage, Crescent Boulevard near Haddon Avenue. Three-quarters of an hour after police left the darkened garage, a woman declared she saw a man run from it, his right arm bound in a handkerchief.

The suspect, said to have a police record and now awaiting questioning at Collingswood police headquarters, is Stanley S. Geda, 19, of 1273 Whitman Avenue.

Geda is also suspected by Collingswood police of implication in the theft of three new automobiles last Tuesday from the show rooms of the Community Motors at 622 Haddon Avenue.

Recorder Herbert R. Schooley committed him without bail last night for a further hearing today so that police would have time in which to check Geda's fingerprints against specimens taken from the three recovered automobiles.

Ruth and Wilson were touring Collings wood in a police car when they found a parked car in the rear of the garage on City Line avenue.

Wilson went to the front of the garage, gun drawn, and called to Patrolman Samuel Bell, who was stationed on the Crescent BoulevardHaddon Avenue corner. When he returned to the garage, Ruth was entering through a window. Wilson went to another window, in time to see a man inside walking toward Ruth.

When the man refused, to halt, Ruth fired and the intruder fell, presumably wounded. Just what happened after that is uncertain because the garage was dark, and many cars were parked inside at all angles. At the sound, of a shot another man, ran downstairs and a large sedan, parked facing the locked front doors, was started. Before Ruth or Wilson could interfere, the machine rammed its way through the doors and to the boulevard, nearly hitting Bell.

As the car sped away, it was fired on by the three policemen.

Three-quarters of an hour later Mrs. Charles Pinto, of Crescent Boulevard and Haddon Avenue, saw a man run from the garage, his right arm bound in a handkerchief. Mrs. Pinto called to policemen but the wounded man escaped.

Police had thought he was one of two men who escaped in the car. The bandits' original car was abandoned where it was parked.

Tools, including an electric drill, were found on the floor near the doorway, apparently ready for loading into a machine. The tools included cutters, a hack saw and other equipment. An attempt was being made, it was said, to steal a new car and one of the burglars was attempting to exchange a new battery for the get-away when the police appeared:

Geda was arrested when a car said to have been in his possession and owned by the Watson Shallcross Company was found parked near his home without tags. The arrest was made by Robert Ashenfelter and Clarence Arthur, city detectives.

Geda was arrested as a material witness in the Radio Condenser Company holdup a few weeks ago and is still under bail..

Camden Courier-Post - August 11, 1933

51 Arrested in Horse Race 'Bookie' Raid
Elaborate Equipment Found in Market Street 'Store'
NAME WENZELL AS PROPRIETOR
$700 Cash Filed as Bond for Hearing Today

Joseph "Joe" Wenzell's horse race bookmaking establishment at 219 Market street was raided yesterday by police.

Fifty-one men, including Wenzell, were arrested as the raiders seized form-sheets, telephones, adding-machines and an elaborate loudspeaking system. used to announce "the winners" from a rear office.

About $50 in cash was picked up by police as they guarded all doors and windows to prevent a rush for the exits.

Wenzell, 50, gave his address as that of the raided place. He was released after the raid in $200 security, charged with operating a gambling establishment, for a police court hearing today.

Wenzell filed the bail, then peeled $500 from a large roll to place as bail for the others arrested, all held as material witnesses. They were freed at the rate of $10 each, also to appear today.

Detectives Clarence Arthur and

continued on page 26

Camden Courier-Post - August 15, 1933

TWO MEN NABBED AS NUMBERS AIDES

Nicholas Scarduzio, 32, of 427 Emerald Street, and Joseph Tavolieri, 33, of 421 Emerald Street, were arrested yesterday afternoon by Detectives Clarence Arthur, Clifford Del Rossi and Benjamin Simon on charges of collecting numbers slips.

Slips totaling $25 were found in Scarduzio's possession. Tavolieri had only a few. The arrests were made near Fourth Street and Ferry Avenues. They will be arraigned in police court today before Judge Garfield Pancoast.

Camden Courier-Post - August 16, 1933

FORMER COP IS FINED AS NUMBERS COLLECTOR

Nicholas Scarduzio, 32, of 427 Emerald Street, a former policeman, and Joseph Trevolini, 31, of 421 Emerald Street, were fined $25 each by Police Judge Garfield Pancoast yesterday on charges of collecting numbers slips.

They were arrested Monday afternoon near Fourth street and Ferry Avenue by Detectives Clarence Arthur, Clifford Del Rossi and Benjamin Simon. Numbers slips were found on both.

GETTYSBURG TIMES - FEBRUARY 5, 1934
Gettysburg PA

Camden Courier-Post - May 12, 1934
BANDITS BEAT AND BIND AGED MAN, GET $150

*Camden Courier-Post October 12, 1934**


...continued...
	Left: Thomas Cheeseman Right: Vernon Jones
...continued...

...continued...

...continued...

...continued...
Frank T. Lloyd - William T. Feitz Emma Heisler - Roy R. Stewart Glenn Brown - Michael Tocco Thomas Cheeseman - Vernon Jones George Weber - Frank Wilmot Howard Fisher - Joseph Leonhardt Frank F. Neutze - Arthur Colsey Lawrence T. Doran - Samuel P. Orlando Rand Street - Baring Street Division Street - South 6th Street Kaighn Avenue - Princess Avenue Sycamore Street

George Weber - Frank Wilmot - Howard Fisher - Joseph Leonhardt

...continued...

...continued...

...continued...

Frank Martz - Erie Street - Albert Young - North 2nd Street - Andrew Pointkowski - South 9th Street Crawford Smith - Carman Street - Charles Simonin - Fairview Street - John Studinger - Federal Street Samuel Ford - John Geronio - Cooper Street - James Davis - Mt. Vernon Street - Oscar Conway Mitchell Street - Mary Angelo - Pine Street - Thomas Kirk - Carpenter Street - Samuel Karon Mt. Ephraim Avenue - Walter Hart - Thurman Street - Frank Kulczynski - Orchard Street Clarence Arthur - Clifford Del Rossi - Benjamin Simon - Leon Branch - Walter Smith - Howard M. Smith Michael Tenerelli aka Mickey Blair - Anna Smallwood - Fred Klosterman - Joseph Klosterman Lillian Vincent - Frank Tyson - Edmund Powell - William Kinsler - John Feitz - Walter Taylor - Joseph Rea Harry Smith - John Lockwood - Edward Troutman - Thomas Moreland

Camden Courier-Post - August 05, 1936

Camden Courier-Post - August 07, 1936

Camden
Courier-Post

August 10, 1936

Camden
Courier-Post

August 11, 1936

	Camden Courier-Post - August 17, 1936

Camden
Courier-Post

August 18, 1936

Camden Courier-Post - August 31, 1936

Camden
Courier-Post

January 24, 1938

Detectives
Clifford Carr
&
Clarence Arthur

examining recovered guns and valuables

Camden Courier-Post - January 24, 1938

Carman Street

Camden Courier-Post - February 10, 1938

5 YOUTHS ARRESTED AS HOLDUP SUSPECTS
Police Believe Bandit Gang Plans of Group Halted by Roundup

Police believed they had frustrated the formation of hoodlum bandit mob yesterday with the arrest of five South Camden youths after a holdup of a grocery store at Tenth Street and Ferry Avenue.

Two of the five suspects were identified by the grocer, John Jacobs, as the bandits who entered his store at 960 Ferry Avenue, held him up at gun point and escaped with $23.95. , Jacobs told Detectives Heber McCord and Clarence Arthur that he recognized one of the bandits as Anthony Mona, 19, of 947 South Third Street, a former boxer, whom he saw fighting in the ring, McCord said.

A radio call was sent to all cars to pick up Mona. A short time later, District Detectives Leon Branch and John Houston arrested Mona as he was eating in a restaurant near Broadway and Kaighn Avenue.

After questioning by McCord and Arthur, Mona implicated the others. They are Dominick Spinagotti, 17, of 251 Mt. Vernon street; Vito Brandimorto, 20, of 245 Chestnut Street; Salvatore Martorano, 21, of 344 Cherry Street, and Victor Labato, 19, of 274 Mt. Vernon street.

Mona was searched in the detective bureau. Police found $6.65 in change in his pockets. The others were rounded up at their homes by Detective Sergeant Benjamin Simon and Detectives Joseph Mardino and Robert Ashenfelder.

According to Simon the youths were "just beginning to embark on a career of crime."

When the others were brought to the detective bureau for questioning, all but $2 of the loot was recovered, Detective McCord said.

McCord said the youths signed statements saying Mona and Labato entered the store while the others waited in Mona's car outside the store, all fleeing together after the holdup.

WOMAN SHOT 10 TIMES
BY NO. CAMDEN SUITOR
SPURNED FOR 3 YEARS

VICTIM IS NEAR DEATH; ADMIRER GIVES UP SELF

Emil Mascher, 46, Empties Gun 3 Times at Florence Gottwald, 26

ANGERED OVER RETURN OF XMAS CANDY GIFT

WPA Worker Opens Fire as RCA Employee Returns Home in Auto

Shot 10 times last night by a suitor she had spurned for months, Florence Gottwald, 26, of 1036 Segal Street, lay near death in Cooper Hospital today while her assailant, Emil Mascher, 46, awaited a police court hearing in a city jail cell.

Mascher, with a reputation of being a quiet, unassuming man in his neighborhood, emptied a revolver at Miss Gottwald in front of her home. Ignoring her screams for mercy as she lay on the sidewalk, he twice reloaded his weapon and emptied it at her.

Then he calmly walked to the corner of Front and Erie streets

and waited until police arrived and arrested him.

Gift of Candy Returned

Police said Mascher brooded over the fact that Miss Gottwald refused his advances of friendship. The accused man said he tried to get her to marry him for three years. Yesterday she returned, unopened, his Christmas gift of a five-pound box of candy

The shooting occurred as Miss Gottwald was alighting from the automobile of a friend who had brought her home. As she stepped to the sidewalk, Mascher walked from the shadows and without warning opened fire.

"Don't, please don't," the girl screamed as she fell to the street.

Ignoring her plea, Mascher recharged his revolver, emptied it again at her. Again he refilled the chamber. There was no plea for mercy as he emptied it the third time. She lay on the walk unconscious.

Little Chance to Live

Rushed to Cooper Hospital in a police patrol, it was found 10 bullets struck the girl. Attendants said there was "one chance in a thousand" she would survive.

Her condition became critical at 1:30 a.m., and she was placed in an oxygen tent.

One bullet pierced her body, entering the right breast. Another struck her in the abdomen. Three lodged in her left wrist, one in her left palm. Two bullets entered the right forearm, another the right shoulder.

As he emptied the revolver the last time, Mascher, a WPA worker living at 1004 Segal Street tossed the gun aside and walked to Front and Erie streets, where police found him.

"I loved her," Mascher told them. "I loved her madly but she never paid any attention to me. For three years I tried to get her to marry me, but she wouldn't have anything to do with me. I don't know why I did this."

After questioning Mascher at headquarters, detectives took him to the hospital and into the operating room where surgeons prepared for an operation in an attempt to save Miss Gottwald's life.

"That's the man," the girl said.

"Let me kiss her, please," Mascher begged Detectives Clarence Arthur, James McLaughlin, and Leon Feltz.

"Take him away," the girl begged in a voice barely audible.

Mascher, who has lived alone since the death of his mother three weeks ago, told detectives he brooded "all day" over Miss Gottwald's rejection of his attentions. The return of his Christmas present, a five-pound box of candy, he said, was the "final blow."

He said he visited relatives in Philadelphia and returned home. He learned Miss Gottwald was away from home for the evening. He said he sat in a room from which he could observe her return.

He saw her step from the car of Donald Osmund, 23, of 2904 Carman Street, whose wife, Gertrude, and Miss Gottwald are intimate friends. She had spent the evening with them. With them was Osmund's seven-year-old nephew, Vincent Macrina, of 542 North 7th Street.

"I don't know what happened then," Mascher told detectives.

Fired Without Warning

Osmund, however said he saw Mascher come from the shadow of the Gottwald home and with no warning began firing at the girl.

Mascher was 20 feet or less away when he fired the first shots, Osmund said, and kept walking toward Miss Gottwald as he fired.

When the girl fell to the ground, Osmund said, Mascher reloaded the revolver and walked a few feet closer to her. The last shots were fired, Osmund said, as she lay unconscious.

Osmund said the first shots "paralyzed" him and he was fearful Mascher would fire at him and his nephew. He said he "finally managed" to get his car started, drove a few blocks and called police.

Neighbors Call Police

Neighbors had summoned police. Feltz and McLaughlin were first to arrive in a police car. About the same time as the patrol wagon of the First District arrived. The crew placed the girl, whose clothing was saturated with blood, in the patrol wagon and proceeded to the hospital.

Staff physicians ordered an operation as a last resort to save her life.

Miss Gottwald, an attractive brunette, is employed as a radio tester by the RCA Manufacturing Co., Inc. She lives with her mother, Mrs. Catherine Gottwald.

Though she heard the shooting, the mother did not know her daughter was the victim until notified by police.

She collapsed but was revived and insisted on being taken to the hospital. She was allowed to see her daughter for a moment and then was led to a seat outside the operating room.

After taking Mascher to the hospital, detectives returned him to police headquarters for further questioning in which County Detective Chief Lawrence T. Doran took part.

According to Doran, there were three other witnesses of the shooting. They are Wilson Peiffer, 32, of 1040 Segal Street, and two small girls, Grace Kelly, 10, of 1016 Segal Street and Alberta Bosco, 13, of 1014 Segal Street.

Peiffer told detectives he was asleep when aroused by a shot. He said he ran to the window of his bedroom and saw Mascher firing at Miss Gottwald.

The girls said they, too, were aroused from sleep and from their bedroom windows saw the shooting.

Miss Gottwald was employed at the RCA plant for nine years and is widely known as an amateur impersonator. She appeared in that role a number of times with the Holy Name Minstrels and won several prizes in contests for amateurs, several of them at Convention Hall.