L. Scott
Cherchesky


L. SCOTT CHERCHESKY (the "L" stood for Louis) was born overseas around 1904. He was a prominent lawyer in Camden from the 1920s until his death in the late 1940s. The 1929 Camden City Directory shows him living on Garfield Avenue in Collingswood NJ, with offices in the Wilson Building, then called the West Jersey Trust Building, at Broadway and Cooper Street.

In 1937 he sailed to Europe, returning aboard the steamship Ile de France at New York on April 21, 1937, having sailed from Southampton, England. 

The 1947 City directory shows that he was still living on Garfield Avenue Collingswood, and that his offices were still in the Wilson Building at Broadway and Cooper Streets. He passed away shortly thereafter.


Camden Courier-Post - February 22, 1928

L. Scott ChercheskySamuel M. Shay - Joseph A. Varbalow

Camden Courier-Post * June 25, 1929
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Walter S. Keown - Joseph Wallworth - Elizabeth Verga - Harry C. Sharp - William D. Sayrs
Howard B. Dyer - Laura Silberg - Lottie Stinson - Harold W. Bennett - Edward R. Diebert
Bernard Bertman - L. Scott Cherchesky - Carl Kisselman - Frank Voigt - David Baird Sr.
Francis Ford Patterson Jr. - Al Matthews - W. Penn Corson - Charles A. Wolverton
Clinton L. Bardo - Col. George L. Selby - Daniel Silbers

Camden Courier-Post * October 29, 1931

BAIRD TO ADDRESS HEBREW LEAGUE

David Baird, Jr., Republican nominee for governor, will make his final appearance in the current election campaign Monday night, in his "own home town," when he will address a monster rally at the Hebrew Republican League, at the Talmud Torah, 621 Kaighn avenue.

The Hebrew league reorganized formally at a luncheon in the Hotel Walt Whitman. Lewis Liberman, assistant city solicitor, was elected president; Sig Schoenagle, Samuel Shaner, Israel Weitzman, vice-presidents; L. Scott Cherchesky, secretary, and Samuel Label, treasurer.

Trustees of the league include Hyman Bloom, Mitchell E. Cohen, Benjamin Friedman, Jacob L. Furer, Isadore H. Hermann, Carl Kisselman, Edward Markowitz, Louis L. Markowitz, Harry Obus, Maurice L. Praissman, Samuel Richelson, Meyer L. Sakin, Julius Rosenberg, Jacob Rosenkrantz and Jack Weinberg.

In addition to former Senator Baird, speakers at the Jewish rally will include Mrs. Elizabeth C. Verga, Republican state committeewoman and vice chairman of the county committee; Congressman Charles A. Wolverton, Congressman Benjamin Golder, of Pennsylvania, and State Senator Samuel Salus, of Pennsylvania.


Camden Courier-Post * June 1, 1932

Joshua C. Haines - Isabella C. Reinert
Elizabeth C. Verga -
David Baird Jr. - Walter Keown
Frank B. Hanna - Etta C. Pfrommer - Howard B. Dyer
William D. Sayrs Jr. - Lottie B. Stinson - Anna G. Holl
Mrgaret Wermuth - Carlton M. "Cy" Harris
J.C. Remington -
Charles A. Wolverton
Carl Kisselman - Edward Deibert - L. Scott Cherchesky
William E.A. King - J. Claud Simon
T. Phillips Brown - J.H. Reiners -
Rocco Palese
Morris Praissman - George R. Pelouze
Albert S. Woodruff - Clay W. Reesman
William Wimer -
Horace G. Githens
J. Wesley Sell - A.C. Middleton


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Robert Brennan - Marie Mackintosh - William H. Heiser - Mary McCready
James Corea - Susie Marchiano - James E. Tatem - Mary A. Ivins
Martin A. McNulty - Madeline Salvatore - Howard B. Dyer - Mary S. Hartung
Edward A. Kemble - Mary D. Guthridge - Edmund A. Walsh - Mamie F. Piraine
Edward Holloway - Deborah Schuck - Henry I. Haines - Lillian M. Walker
Horace B. Beideman - Etta C. Pfrommer - Carlton M. Harris - Mary E. Hamel
Henry Knauer - Louella I. Whaland - Jesse M. Donaghy - Lottie B. Stinson


Camden Courier-Post - June 4, 1932

L. Scott ChercheskyJohn V. Wilkie - Charley Humes - Camden Dance Marathon
Francis Murtha - Stanley Sover - Adolph Powdermaker -
Camden High School

Camden Courier-Post - June 4, 1932

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Benjamin Simon - Roy R. Stewart - John W. Golden - George Zeitz - William Taylor
Clifford A. Baldwin - Walter Keown - L. Scott Cherchesky - Garfield S. Pancoast
Charles Wilder - Liberty Street

Camden Courier-Post - June 2, 1933

EMPLOYEE CHARGES E. C. CADES WITH ATTEMPT TO KILL
Apartment House Owner Held Under $500 Bail on Man's Complaint
ACCUSATION IS DENIED

Edwin C. Cades, 26, one of the owners of the Cades apartment houses in North Camden, was held under $500 bail yesterday pending grand jury disposition of a charge that he assaulted an employee In an attempt to kill him.

His accuser is Walter Devlin, 54, of 111 North Third Street.

When asked why his employer would want him dead, Devlin testified In police court that he has two insurance policies, one for $3000 with double indemnity for death by accident and another for $1500. In both policies, Devlin declared, Cades is named as the beneficiary.

Cades did not testify yesterday, but entered a plea of not guilty.

Devlin was found unconscious at Nineteenth street and River road late at night on May 16. Taken to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital, he was found to have suffered a fractured skull and broken jaw. Police at first believed he was a hit-run victim but nevertheless, City Detective Edwin Mills was assigned to investigate the case.

Devlin testified yesterday that Cades invited him out for an automobile ride, alighted somewhere to look at a soft tire. Devlin asserted he found the tire to be hard and was getting back into the car when something struck him on the head. That was all he remembered, he said until he regained consciousness in the hospital.

He could not positively say that Cades was his assailant, but asserted that no other person was present.

L. Scott Cherchesky, attorney for Cades, said he had a statement obtained by Cades from Devlin in the hospital on May 17 in the· presence of Detective Mills. In the statement, Devlin purportedly asserted that Cades did not attack him and he did not know who his assailant was.

Tells of Affidavit

Cherchesky also had two affidavits from tenants in the same apartment house where Devlin resides. They are William H. Dougherty and William Widerman. Dougherty attested he saw Cades return at 8.30 p. m. with Devlin and the latter went into the house, "mumbling drunkenly." Widerman also added that at about 9:45 a. m., he saw Devlin leave the house, alone.

Devlin declared he did not remember making any statement in the hospital to Cades, but that a nurse told him "later, when I came out of my daze and the room stopped swirling", that he had made such a statement.

The accuser's complaint charges Cades with assault and battery with intent to kill by beating him over the head with a blunt instrument.

Cherchesky objected to Detective Mills testifying, demanding that Devlin go on the witness stand.

"I've been working for Cades for 13 years," testified Devlin. "On the evening of May 17 at about 7 o'clock Mr. Cades called for me to take a ride with him in his car. We rode around the city in circles and while we were passing over a rough road somewhere Cades told me he thought he had a soft tire. He got out of the car and looked at it and then told me to get out and come around and help him fix it.

"I looked at the tire, felt it and it was hard. I told Cades it was all right. As I started to get back into the car, I was struck over the head and that is all I remember until I woke up in the hospital."

Under questioning by Judge Pancoast, who held a statement given earlier to the police by Devlin, the latter said that Cades bought him a bottle of whisky on that night. He asserted it was his job to collect rents and take care of the apartments in the North Camden section and as pay he received an apartment and food gratis.

Did Not See Assailant

Devlin said he could not positively swear that it was Cades who struck him as Cades was behind him. He declared, however, that he saw no one else in the immediate vicinity and no one else was in the car.

"Why did you say in this statement which you gave to Detective Mills that you thought Cades positively struck you?" asked Judge Pancoast.

"Because there was no one else there," declared Devlin.

"Why would Cades want to strike you or kill you?"

"Because he is carrying a big insurance policy on me and has been for two years," responded Devlin. ,"One is a $3000 policy with double indemnity for accidental death, and the other is a $1500 newspaper policy.

In both of them Cades Is named beneficiary.

Planned to Retire

"The payment of the premium on the policies was to come out of the wages I was entitled to and I was to be retired in 10 years, when I was 64, and kept for the rest of my life."

"Were you ever hurt before?" Judge Pancoast asked him.

"Yes, I was struck on the head with a brick once before and I told my wife to notify my brother immediately if anything happened to me as I thought I was in danger because of these insurance" policies."

Devlin was then cross, examined by Cherchesky and admitted, that several months ago he had been beaten by a son-in-law and on another occasion was struck by a man named Conway.

Cades in a statement he requested the Courier-Post to publish after his arraignment in police court, emphatically denied the 'charges made by Devlin.

"I took Walter Devlin out in my automobile, as had been my custom, at 7 o'clock and took him home at 8 o'clock on the night of May 16. William H. Dougherty, who lives in the first-floor apartment at 111 North Third Street, saw Devlin get out of the car and walk up to his apartment, and has signed an affidavit to that effect, which I have.

"William Widerman, who also lives at the same address, saw Devlin in his apartment that same evening, and also saw him leave the apartment about 10 o'clock that night, and has given me a signed affidavit to that effect.

"I did not see Devlin until the next morning' when I was called to the hospital by detectives. I cannot account for Devlin's whereabouts after I left him at the apartment house at 8 o'clock.

"I voted at 8:30 at the polling place at Cooper School, and after that spent the evening with my family. This case appears to me as one of extortion by either Walter Devlin or some other interested party.

"Devlin has been working for me for the past 13 years, and our relations have been extremely friendly. I am at loss, therefore, to account for this action."  


Camden Courier-Post - June 2, 1933

Delaware ‘Bay Booze’ Running Hinted in Partner’s Suit on Boat Repairs
CHARGES HE SPENT $6563 TO CONDITION 55 FOOT LAUNCH
'Dapper Don' Collins' Liquor
Skipper Testifies in Camden Case
JUDGE ORDERS BRIEFS

Inklings of Delaware Bay rum-running crept into an admiralty suit yesterday in U. S. District Court when Reynold O. Gilkes sued to recover $6563 he alleges he spent on conditioning a 55-foot gasoline launch.

The suit was directed against John Henderson, formerly of Bivalve, now of 5110 Market street, Philadelphia. Henderson denied the boat, now known as the "Kashagwigamog,” was ever used in rum-running. He admitted it formerly was known as the “Helen Elizabeth."

The boat was captured by coast guards in February, 1931, and Henderson" and two companies were arrested as rum-runners. He is alleged to have "jumped" bail and was tined $500 in Cape May' County along with his skipper mentioned as Allen.

Harry Henderson, a brother of John, who admitted on the stand that he was convicted of a liquor law violations, was one of the prin­cipal witnesses. He formerly was skipper of "Dapper Don" Collins' famous rum boat "Nomad." Collins is an International confidence man.

Harry testified that his brother was arrested in 1931 by coast guards for" a liquor violation and fined $500 in Cape May County. He said the skipper of the "Helen Elizabeth," named Allen, was fined.

He said his brother owned one­third interest in the "Helen Elizabeth," Gilkes one-third and Charles Spinnelli, Camden, the other. He testified that he met "Babe" Sugarman in Spinnelli's "office" at Thirty­eighth and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia, to arrange a loan of $1000 to pay the fines. He said his brother agreed to sign over his share of the partnership in the boat as collateral for the loan.

Both brothers admitted Sugarman never was repaid and he seized the boat and sold it. After passing through three other owners, it is now back in the possession of John Henderson, he admitted.

Harry Henderson was acquitted of a charge of arson in Cumberland County on May 23, 1932, in connection with the burning of a shucking house of the Planters' Oyster Company at Port Norris.

Gilkes said he spent $6563 on repairs and reconditioning the boat. He denied it was ever used as a rum­runner and that he lost his share in it when Sugarman sold it, Gilkes produced a number of bills which he said he had paid for repairs. He admitted he was treasurer for the three owners. Henderson declared there was no agreement between the partners as to repairs.

"Judge John Boyd Avis instructed the attorneys, L. Scott Cherchesky representing Gilkes, and Willard M. Harris for Henderson, to file briefs.


Camden Courier-Post * June 26, 1933

U. S COURT AWAITS WALLACE AFFIDAVIT
Counsel at Tax Trial States 'Blondy' Is Ill- O'Donnell Pleads Guilty

When counsel for Charles Edgar "Blondy" Wallace failed in U.S. district court here yesterday to produce an affidavit to the effect that Wallace was in a hospital and unable to respond to the charge of evading income tax payments, the government made protest.

Carl Kisselman, attorney for the one-time University of Pennsylvania football player and coach, declared earlier in the day that Wallace was in a Connecticut hospital undergoing treatment for diabetes. Kisselman was told to produce an affidavit to that effect for the afternoon session of court.

When the affidavit failed to arrive Judge John Boyd Avis postponed the case indefinitely over the protest of Assistant U. S. District Attorney Isadore S. Worth, who said the government had gone to considerable expense to have 50 witnesses ready to testify, asked that the action be continued through the day, pending some word from hospital authorities.

Wallace was one of four men whose cases were before the court yesterday on the same charge, income tax dodging, as a result of seizure of books and effects of the Egg Harbor Brewery and revelations made through the records, according to government investigators. The alleged evasions were In 1929 and 1930.

Worth contended that Wallace already had been given many "breaks" and that action must be had forth with Kisselman admitted that he had no authority to enter a guilty plea for his client, but said that was admittedly what the plea would be.

The others whose names were called to enter pleas to indictment were Edwin N. O'Donnell, 50, president of the Egg Harbor Beverage Company, operators of the now closed Egg. Harbor Brewery ; James J. Curran, 45, of 436 Liverpool Avenue, Egg Harbor City, and William C. Muller, 49, also of Egg Harbor.

All four were indicted following seizure of the books and records of the Egg Harbor Brewery which disclosed, according to the government, income tax evasions in 1929 and 1930.

O'Donnell, son of former Postmaster James O'Donnell, of Hammonton, was accused of evading payment of $11,258.86 in 1929 and $24, 474.66 in 1930.

Represented by former Judge William A, Carr, or Philadelphia, and Charles H. McCarthy, Washington, D. C., attorney, O'Donnell retracted a plea of not guilty to one of guilty.

The change came following a conference between Carr, McCarthy and Worth, who asked that an indictment of perjury be nolle prossed. Bail was continued at $5000 while, at the request of counsel sentence was deferred to a date to be fixed by Worth.

Wallace is accused of evading payment to the government of $4196.72 in 1929 and $1953.52 in 1930.

Curran, indicted with the others, was represented in court by L. Scott Cherchesky. In the morning he entered a plea of not guilty and action was held up pending the arrival of a copy of the indictment from Trenton. Curran is accused of evading payment of $195.63 in 1929 and $785.24 in 1930. Cherchesky entered a guilty plea for his client in the afternoon and sentence was continued pending application to the government for a compromise payment. Curran's bail was continued at $3000.

Muller's action, through his attorney, Mark F. Casselman, was similar. He entered a not guilty plea in the morning, pending arrival of a copy of the indictment. Muller was accused of evading payments of $1204.04 in 1929 and $135.89 in 1930, as allegedly revealed in the brewery records. Muller entered a guilty plea in the afternoon, and his bail, $2000, was continued with sentence pending settlement.


Camden Courier-Post - June 10, 1938 - Gordon Mackay' Column
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Camden Courier-Post * February 12, 1938

COURT FREES CHERCHESKY IN RULING AGAINST WIRE TAPPING
Interstate Telephone Calls Forbidden
as Evidence in Rum Ring Case
U. S. ATTORNEY MOVES TO QUASH INDICTMENT

L. Scott Cherchesky, Camden lawyer, described by Federal agents as the "brains" of a $20,000,000 illegal rum ring, was discharged in U. S. District Court yesterday because evidence against him was obtained by interstate wiretapping.

Quashing of the indictment was asked by the Government itself, and followed filing of a motion by Benjamin M. Colder, former congressman and counsel for Cherchesky, for dismissal on grounds that telephone calls noted as evidence against the Camden lawyer were not his calls but calls made to clients at 

his office, and of which Cherchesky had no direct knowledge.

Cherechesky was one of 97 men and women indicted last August as principals in an illicit liquor ring, and charged with conspiracy to swindle the Government out of $20,500,000 in liquor taxes since 1934. Agents estimated the alleged ring supplied 5,000,000 gallons of illegally distilled liquor to markets in Camden, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and other large Eastern cities.

The United States Supreme Court has decided evidence obtained by intercepting conversations between persons in different states cannot be used in federal prosecutions.

Most of the evidence against the alleged ring is said to have been obtained by tapping of wires to Cherchesky's office in Camden. Quashing of the charges against Cherchesky was moved by United States Attorney J. Cullen Ganey, with assent of Federal Judge George A. Welsh.

Charges against Cherchesky and others were made by Federal alcohol tax agents under Edward C. Dougherty, district supervisor for Pennsylvania. He charged members of the ring conspired with Cherchesky in the lawyer's office.

With filing of the dismissal motion for the Camden lawyer, trial of all others indicted was held up pending decision by the Circuit Court on whether "intrastate" as well as "interstate" wire tapping is forbidden.


Camden Courier-Post
July 26, 1941

Cooper Hospital


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