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Charles
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Charles
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CHARLES L. HUMES was born in New Jersey to Charles T. and Lydia Humes. His father, Charles T. Humes Jr. had joined the Camden police force, and by 1920 had risen to the rank of Captain. At the time of the 1920 Census the Humes family lived at 907 North 3rd Street in North Camden. Uncle George Humes lived around the corner at 908 North 2nd Street with his wife Ivy and their 10 children. It is likely that the Humes brothers could walk to each others homes by going out their back doors. While Charles L. Humes was an only child, the presence of so many cousins nearby certainly must have been influential. During the 1920s, Captain Humes worked in the Camden Police Department's traffic bureau. In the spring of 1928 he took ill. He spent a month at West Jersey Hospital, and after a two month recuperation he returned to the police force. When the census was taken in April of 1930, Lydia Humes had passed away. Charles L. Humes had married, was working as a reporter, and then lived with his in-laws at 203 Byron Street. Captain Humes, then 54, was still working as an inspector with the traffic bureau. Brother George, now the father of thirteen children, still lived at 918 North 2nd Street. By the mid-1930s Charles L. Humes was a featured reporter with the Camden Courier-Post, and had a column, as Charley Humes, covering local social and political activity called What Do YOU Think. The 1947 Camden City Directory shows that Charles L. Humes was then living at 2924 North Constitution Road in the Yorkship Square neighborhood of Camden. His wife, Nina Humes, was then the secretary to Camden's Chief of Police. In his later years his next door neighbor was Camden Police Detective William A. Deery, head of the department's identification bureau. The two became close friends. Still writing as Charley Humes, he penned the Life Hereabouts column for the Courier-Post in the late 1940s. Still writing as late as December 1949, by the end of 1950 he had passed away. Taken into perspective, Charley Humes was a member of a writing tradition at the Courier-Post of gifted columnists that ran from Ben Courter, Gordon Mackay, James M. "Jiminy" O'Neill, and Dan McConnell through Charley Humes and on to Pete Finley and today Kevin Riordan. Through the years, Camden has been a richer place for their work. |
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Camden Courier-Post - January 10, 1928 |
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CITY
LEAGUE CLUBS BEGIN SECOND HALF Second-half competition in the Reesman basketball league will begin tonight with a twin bill at Convention
Hall. Thirteenth Ward, which holds the edge in the yet unfinished first-half race, meets the formidable Camden Police quintet. Wayne and Ninth Wail meet in the other tussle. Two
new clubs have joined the league, for the second-half title hunt. Charley
Humes, manager of the Camden Community Club in the County League,
will pilot his First Ward club in the municipal loop during the final
semester while further interest is assured with the addition of the
Central Camden aggregation. These clubs are keen rivals and both boast
of strong rosters. It is understood that Humes will file the names of several players who saw service in the county circuit as members of his old First Ward outfit while others who played with that team are also listed with Central Camden. Albert ‘Reds' Malloie is boss of the Central outfit and has signed up a classy collection of cagers for this type of play. Grover "Worm" Wearshing, who led Central Camden to the Reesman baseball championship last season, and who is regarded as one of the best backfield performers in this vicinity, is one of the Malloie entrants. Sam Godfrey. A teammate with Wearshing at Temple University, Johnny Chambers, Clayton Phifer, Lucky Mezger, Johnny Morrissey, Tom Tracy, and Ross “Bunny” Blood complete the cast with Malloie. At the last meeting of the league managers it was decided to reduce the salaries of referees from $5.00 to $3.50 for each night’s work. Officials in the past have handled two games and the same stipulation is required for the lower fee in the second half or the schedule. All eight of the first half combatants are planning to strengthen their rosters far the final drive. South Camden, Haddon A.A. Radio A.A., St. Paul, Ninth Ward. Camden Police, Wayne, and Fifth Ward are the contenders. The
first contest tonight is timed to start at 8:00 |
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Camden Courier-Post - October 16, 1931 |
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What
Do YOU Think? By
CHARLEY HUMES There's many a heart throb that never gets into the papers, F'rinstance, the other night up in North Camden a family of three were enjoying the comforts of their cozy little home when- bing, and they're all in a turmoil. It was the night of the $5,000,000 rum ring story. A car bearing New Jersey tags came within the scope of the investigators and news hounds. It was registered in the name of a North Camden lass and a reporter was dispatched to her home to find what, if any, connections she had with the rum smugglers. The reporter was admitted to the girl's home by her father, his pipe and paper were beside the radio. The mother was busy about the kitchen, another daughter sitting in another room. Everything was quiet and peaceful. And then the reporter made known his errand. The eyes of the father stared ahead as the mother wiped her hands on her apron. The daughter merely gasped and said nothing. They were thunderstruck by the news, but all three immediately came to the defense of the daughter. Frantic telephone calls. Worried voices. All for what? Just because some dizzy bird in Philly was attempting to scare up a sensation. The daughter was finally located. She admitted being where reports had her but explained her reason. It was a simple one. It was true. And she dared anyone to print anything different. Plucky Girl. And then the family relaxed. They went back to their cozy habits, just a little the worse for the scare. And the reporter? Why he went in search of other news. * * * Some guys oughtta be shot. That's our opinion of a lowdown hoss-thlef of a man who would come out of the West with a title of Superin-general or sumpin', Investigate conditions at a South Jersey factory, lower wages so that a family could not survive off them, make working conditions in general miserable, and do all manner of things to the hired help so that the board of directors, who don't investigate methods, will heap praise upon him and then spend his nights at the best shows. Sleep In the best hotels. Eat In the best restaurants. And do as he pleases because he gets a big, juicy salary. * * * NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR ALL THIS Patrick J. Ryan, Federal man in charge of the local drys is not going to remain long .... He is an important fella in the prohibition situation and is here only to organize the local unit. So that's what's been the matter. They've been unorganized: .... When Patrick J. leaves his place will be taken by a chap named Johnson…. Who lives with his family in Delair… And if all this don't happen we'll fire one of our spies .... We have it on good authority that the iron workers' strike at the new Post Office operation will be settled in time for the men to go to work early next week .... In whose office were those slips bearing information regarding the local prohibition enforcement crew printed? ... And why didn't ALL the Beer Men get them? How Morris Green can eat when someone else is paying the bill. ... Things must be tough in Strawberry Mansion .... Eh, Morris ... The Ma and Pa of Edward V. Martino, youthful attorney, will celebrate their 26th wedding anniversary tomorrow night. Eddie and one brother survive The Fourth Annual picnic of the Kaighn Avenue Suckers' League will be held this coming Sunday at a spot near Blenheim .... Everything free But fetch along a lot of dough… You Suckers .... The "Boys" down that-a-way need new overcoats, you know .... There's an old farmhouse near Riverton where you, you and even you can lay 'em across the board .... The Gamboleers there are mostly from Philly .... We wonder if that inebriated person in that Broadway restaurant knew his gun was showing .... And that he scared Us out of one hamburger .... The nut... |
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Camden Courier-Post - October 21, 1931 |
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What
Do YOU Think? By
CHARLEY HUMES THE WAY OF ALL RACKETS Two young men were in the same company in the Army during the World War. Mustered out of service, one of the men, who was the son of a prominent broker, obtained a position for the other. The poor lad made money. He came to Camden with his roll and made his home here. He became a “nickel man" in local craps circles. Soon he was in other rackets and finally became one of the "big shots" in the beer business. He made money and lots of it. He married, built himself a fine home in the suburbs. Then came the depression in the beer market. The government knocking some of our hero's business enterprises for a loop. Frantic and in need of more cash the man turned to the races. There he lost nearly everything he had. Today he is nearly broke, most of his past prestige going with his dough. His pal, the broker's son, stuck to the straight and narrow. Today he is in the same position formerly occupied by his dad. Will he again befriend his buddy of wartime days? It's the only thing that will save the racket guy. And most everybody will know who we mean. * * * We've just been informed our choice bit about that Public Service lass has brought results. The machine is parking in a different spot now. Further down Fifth Street. But what we started out to say was that the wife of the Man in the case and the Boy Friend of the other party are getting wise. In fact one of the aforementioned is Our Informer. And If the Gal and the Man are wise they'll end the thing. Or else- My what a story that'll make! * * * NOW IT'S YOUR TURN All the boys will attend that, celebration tonight, given by Max Schmeling and Bill Morrissey, at Thompson's, in Gloucester .... Wonder who that swell looking gal is they've hired as a stenog for the mayor's relief committee this year? ... Thanks, F. J. L...... Did you know that there are eight candidates for governor at the coming election? .. Or don't you care? .... Among the many things we'd like explained is why so many people keep calling in and asking about a dance marathon in town .... When, as far as we know, there isn't. ... Or, if there is the promoters have had wonderful success in keeping the affair a secret .... That blonde is back in Old Marble row again .... There's a band of roving Gypsies camped near Bordentown .... And do they fleece the suckers at night. ... Oh, no! .... Somebody told us that .. Aside to our friends of Broadway and Federal- We wonder if the girls involved would kick if we used their names? ... What Camden policeman thought his pockets were being picked during a tour of the, state prison yesterday? ... And was his face red when he learned his brother officers were playing a joke on him .... Yep, Johnny, one of your pals framed that one .... We hear that City Detective Johnny (Bumps) Opfer has been suspended from the house committee of the First Ward Republican Club because he made some of his famous snapper soup for another Republican club in town .... Your soup’ll taste better'n ever now, Johnny .... And every club in the city will request you do them the favor of making some for their members .... And the man responsible for your discomfiture has not made any friends by his move... |
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Camden Courier-Post - October 26, 1931 |
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What
Do YOU Think? By
CHARLEY HUMES IT'S ALL, OVER TOWN -About that recent meeting at Margate .... When someone became brilliant and sounded the fire siren .... And the entire town turned out to help extinguish the blaze .... But learned it was of a political nature … * * * -About those two cops who openly bet the "numbers" in a mid-city lunch car .... And also tell others what the lucky digits will be ... * * * -About that "numbers" bank which "dropped" Nine Grand last week because a certain number is said to have been fixed way down at the Race Track ... * * * -About Ellis street, in Gloucester ... Where all those cars used to park…. But haven't been doing it lately .... That is, since we learned about it ... * *- * -About the picture "Graft", at the Lyric .... Henry Beck say's if you don't like the show don't sue us .... Sue Carol. ... Great Boy, that Henry .... * * * -About all that wise money at Penn-Wisconsin football match .... And how the lads in the "know" were offering as high as 20 to 1 against the Red and Blue at game time .... Wonder who the "suckers" are now? ... * * * -About the new headquarters of the Beer Boys .... In that certain hotel where all those whoopee parties take place. * * * -About that Limb of the Law who is peddling booze in North Camden .... The lad is a friend of ours and I this may make him stop the racket. The Sap .... * * * -About that well-known attorney who parked his car near the Walt Whitman Hotel the other night. ... Meanwhile his wife reported to police it was stolen .... And the cops were about to tow the car away when the attorney appeared and wanted to know what it was all about….. And was he Burnt Up when told. * * * -About Steve Schuster's run on Saturday .... Which was reported as being anywhere from 70 to 80 yards ... When as matter of fact the kid started the brilliant dash from his own eight yard mark .... And completed 92 yards for the touchdown .... (Look, he thinks he knows sports too.) * * * -About Johnny Devlin telling that Big Politician what it was all about some several nights ago .... * * * -About Eddie Martino's "brother" .... We met "him" the other day and was properly rebuked .... When we learned the "brother" was a girl. (See, he's' wrong again) .... * * * -About that Collingswood Widow and that Court House fella .... Is that enough .... Because we know more .... |
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Camden Courier-Post - October 28, 1931 |
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What
Do YOU Think? By
CHARLEY HUMES WHETHER YOU CARE OR NOT State prison authorities will arrest an escaped convict within the week .... And we don't mean one of those four who recently gained their freedom .... This feller has been free for 16 years anti is in a prosperous business in a Southern city (when the news breaks you can say: "See, he knows everything") ... Your old friend Jiggy Black is Third Basing It for the San Juan (Porto Rico) nine .... Parker (North Grill) McGonigle and that blonde. are cracking .... And the reason is a certain North Camden brunette .... Get Ed (prosecutor's office) Newman to tell you why he was walking north on the Black Horse pike the other before dawn .... It was Charley Reed who was dancing with those girls on Broadway the other a. m .... What prominent Camden man-about-town is mad over a. certain blonde hairdresser? ... or is it a manicurist? ... What takes Shamus Maguire to Lindenwold (and in a borrowed car) every Monday night? .... We found out the answers to all those questions the management of the Lyric asked us the other day….But they're too hot to tell you here… This is the last day you can learn for yourself, too ... Larry Casey offers the following receipt: One pint of fire-water, a dash of lime, two tablespoons of powdered sugar, the white of one egg and car fare home .. , . What Fourteenth ward politician is peddling 'home brew·? ... That Fourth street hoss racin' place is open again .... What big political feller from way up state was soused at one of the County Whisper-Inns the other night? .... And what local business man was partly responsible for the chap's condition? ... And did the local get what he was after? ... What newspaper person takes a gigolo along when he goes whoopee-making? . What
former First ward political leader is now a bartender? … Two prominent
Federal Street business men are contemplating partnership in a new night
club .... They made whoopee at the West Collingswood Heights, home of
William Krause, Golden Slipper headwaiter, the other midnight, till dawn
.... It was the occasion of the first anniversary of the
"Slipper" .... They're building an addition to a well known
South Jersey drinkee parlor .... And the place is not going to have its
license renewed (think we're smart) .... What's happened to Mickey
Duffy's former Scranton pal? ... How's business in Reading, Jimmy?
.... What former hero of the prize ring was tossed out of a Broadway
restaurant the other night? ... Aside to Mae, of Blackwood: Why don’t
you ask the Sergeant, he's too big for us .... Thanks for calling, anyway
.... The story of why all those cops were mugged will break before we go
to press again .... At least we are so informed .... Wonder if that
Atlantic City man identified any of the photos? ... or maybe we're on the
wrong track entirely (there he goes apologizing again) .... A restaurant
in the First ward is making strenuous efforts to obtain a "soft
drink" license .... That Brooklawn (badger
game) fella and his squaw are back at Broadway
and Federal again .... A great comedy is enacted on the Court House
steps each day when several paid squawkers stage a prearranged argument,
much to the delight of many hundred passersby .... And they think they're
making an impression .... The Nuts .... Henry Beck says: "Though it's
October the strawberries are out in Delaware Township” .... But that's
nothing, our raspberries are always out. |
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Camden Courier-Post - October 31, 1931 |
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Collingswood
Smells Beer But Fails to See or Taste It By
CHARLES L. HUMES Staid, dry old Collingswood is shocked! 'Safact, and the reason for all the agitation is somebody unloaded two freight car loads of beer in the very heart of the town while everyone was asleep yesterday morning, That
is, nearly everyone was asleep. But William S. Esher wasn't. He lives
directly opposite the railroad siding, between Irving
and Collings avenue- that's where the beer was- and only a few hundred
feet from the police station, He
was lying in bed, awake, when he heard the strangest noises. Thump!
Thump! What was that? Esher wondered·, Thump! Thump! There it was again.
He'd investigate. He did, and there, directly in front of him was six large trucks backed to two freight cars. Ten or twelve workmen were busy rolling something from the height to the truck. Other men were patrolling the neighborhood as though looking for someone. This was a mater for police. So Esher called them up. This was at 2 a. m. The call was received by Sergeant William McCullom. At 2:00 the sergeant located Patrolman William Patterson, who was assigned to the district which included the railroad Riding where the beer -beg pardon the freight were. Patterson hurried. The trucks were gone. The cars empty. Came the dawn- and explanations. Mayor Joseph H. Van Meter was told of the strange happenings. He was shocked, and admitted it. Railroad officials were notified. They began an investigation. Federal dry agents were advised. They began an investigation. Fingerprints were taken. Two railroad watchmen, on duty nearby when the freight cares were unloaded, were questioned. Yes, they saw six trucks. But what of it? They often saw trucks pass in the night. Station Agent L C. Shaw said the cars had arrived the day before from Nutley. Bills of lading said they contained "shingles" and they were consigned to the Collingswood Coal Company, a concern that has been out of existence for two years. But Shaw thought there might have been a mistake. So he held the cars on the siding, believing someone would call for them the next day. He was right. There were callers, but they arrived many hours before the station is opened. They git what they came after. But how was it known the cars contained beer? Why, Patrolman Patterson smelled it. And so did Mayor Van meter. And likewise Station Agent Shaw. |
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Camden Courier-Post - March 19, 1932 |
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What
Do YOU Think? By
CHARLEY HUMES PHILADELPHIA BOOTLEGGERS are rejoicing now that the latest attempt by politicians and police to make them pay heavy duties to conduct their business has apparently I been nipped in the bud. You might recall how the 1928 Grand Jury investigation across the bridge revealed a highly organized graft ring among police and politicians. At that time it was the reported custom for a district detective or plain clothes policeman to make the rounds of the bootleggers and cafe proprietors, collect the cut and turn same over to a superior officer for divvy among several persons. Under the plan just halted (or was it) the small ward heel was to take a leading part. Instead of a member of the police department making the collections it was planned to send the division leader, or one of his hirelings, to collect the duty. Bootleggers claim they can sell their stuff $3 to $5 a gallon cheaper if organized graft is repulsed and they don't have to make weekly payments to police. * * * Well, sir, it happened. That First Ward Politician and myself have met. And a lot of differences have been ironed out. The occasion was Johnny Daly's big blowout the other nite. And did the crowd cheer when he walked up and shook my hand. Now we're both gonna wear a white carnation at that big pig roast at the First Ward Club on March 27. * * * Have you heard about that Camden fireman who intends to get married shortly and not tell his buddies anything about it. .... when as a matter of fact they know already .... Freddy Tooley is all bronzed up now....Maybe that "red-head" has something to do with it. ... Skip Gardner is buying raw steaks now .... What Camden hairdresser and Newark attorney are planning to go around with each other steady? ... Johnny Murphy was telling me about some fellow who wanted to get his name in here but I can't seem to remember the name .... Mt. Holly had the flags out when Russell "Hop" Stoddard returned from Hopewell the other day · ... They were starting a business drive, you nut. ... Detective Benjamin Simon recently lost two gold teeth on a small bridge .... And with crime at a minimum the past week the entire detective force have been invoked in the search for them .... I wonder if Johnny Opfer is gonna make any of his famous snapper soup for the First Ward pig roast? .... There's a budding romance on the top floor of one of the city's skyscrapers (There's only three you know, so that ought to be easy) .... I've been told about a recent offer of $150 to three children of a man killed in the line of duty ... This is in full settlement for the man's death, which came by no fault of his own .... I'm wondering if the company making the offer can really afford it .... Even though it will be denied Philly is wide open .... And beer as plentiful there as in Camden ... What Philadelphia councilman staged a wide-open party at a certain Republican club Thursday night .... And transported the entire ensemble of a Philadelphia burlesk house to the place for his guests entertainment. ... See you later. |
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Camden Courier-Post - March 29, 1932 |
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What
Do YOU Think? By
CHARLEY HUMES From
a round-about source I was informed that the ransom now asked by the
kidnapers of the Lindbergh baby is $500,000 .... A cool half million
.... But I do know that the original ransom asked was $50,000 .... And
if you don't believe me ask, Postal Inspector Gardner how I found out
.... But I shouldn't take credit for that .... Because it was really
Russell "Hop" Stoddard who pulled the trick .... That boy is
getting smarter by the day .... It must be close association with Cliff
Cane .... Speaking of "Hop" reminds me of that Mt. Holly
merchant who twice left New York in such a hurry he forgot some of his
wearing apparel .... And sent a telegram
to the hotel to hold the stuff as he would be back .... Frankie Pool is
a real smart singer, if anyone should stop and ask you .... But he lost
his voice the other morning .... When he was being entertained on a
certain entertainer's front doorstep at 4 a. m .... Mike Joyce's Irish
Melodies were the main attraction at that First Ward pig roast Sunday
.... Where that First Ward Politician was master of ceremonies .... A
lot of your old friends were there. *
* * What
a show this boy Happy Rathbone is putting across for the Elks' Minstrel
Revue .... Pete McGuire and his Egyptian eel dance will be featured ....
As will Joe Hamilton, Camden's most famous minstrel man, and a host of
others .... Hattie Evans will be Mistress of Ceremonies ... And that, in
itself, is a treat. *
* * Speaking of that "open door" that was closed .... I wonder where all those persons that were falling all over Broadway Satdee nite came from .... There must have been a thousand or more stretched all along the Main Stem of the town .... And were they eggnoggy? .. And in comes another letter about those Philly Speaks .... This bird insists there's a million of them open over there .... 1 don't believe him ... ,Because I can only name 11,000 .... 'N if you don't believe me send in a self addressed (and stamped) envelope .... I've got the lists all prepared .... The dive on Sycamore street did a "Russian" business over the Easter holidays .... And was that Lansdowne avenue hostelry hot. ... With persons attending a party there who later put the "heat" on a subordinate for attending another party .... Only this chap was caught and the "Big Shots" were not!! |
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Camden Courier-Post - February 6, 1933 |
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What
Do YOU Think? By
CHARLEY HUMES Stop me if you've heard about the fella who took the rap for a. liquor law violator... .Even after the scofflaw had been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury.. . .Now there is a certain attorney whose knees are quaking for fear the thing wi1l be found out. .. .which will mean disbarment... and maybe arrest * * * Now one of our better sporting men is planning a wedding. . . .At one of the larger Philadelphia hotels with more than 1000 guests invited in to the shindig the gal in the case being the former secretary of a prominent Philadelphia. jurist. * * * A local restaurant which recently passed into new hands advertised for waitresses... .and many applied.... After hours of questioning some were accepted. ... but only after measurements on their size and weight had been taken... .Were you one of the gals turned down? * * * Dave Adams writes to say that the Tell Sisters, Gladys, Jean and Catherine, are really as clever as the Boswell Sisters... .And that given time and the opportunity may surpass in brilliance the great sister team of the air. All of the Tell girls are still in theiir early teens. And they live in Hammonton which explains Dave's interest.... * * * In a virtual maze of telephone calls the other night were many requests to tell on a certain South Camden magistrate whose Gal is a blonde and lives in North Camden..... The callers all wanted it known that the magistrate thinks he is a sheik but always goes heavy on blondes... .So there it is.... * * * For four months or more the Camden County Park Board has been ordering bills paid "if, as and when" funds are available. A certain member is considering the introduction of a resolution to declare the commission a 100 percent "Micawber" body, who, if you've never read Dickens, was the gent eternally waiting for "something to turn up." * * * What Camden lawyer has the habit of picking wedlocks?... and by the bye, that Collingswood husband has his eye on him. Well, we note an operation on a boy in England to extract a raisin from his ear. . . . which gives us the idea this is the strongest kind of propaganda to teach little boys they should not bury themselves neck-deep in their pudding after that. I'll apply for a job on Mrs. Roosevelt's "Baby" magazine. If you didn't know it before you now, that Ebenezer Elmer, of Bridgeton. was South Jersey's first congressman he served in the First Congress and was a Democrat. * * * Now if your still bored go see "The Kid From Spain" and chase them blues... .Eddie Cantor's eyes look swell. ... They should playing opposite that chorus.... |
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Camden Courier-Post - February 6, 1933 |
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OKAY, ELLIS PARKER, DENY THESE! That Charley Lafferty of Atlantic City will succeed Edward L. Sturgess as Collector of Internal Revenue with offices in the local Federal Building . . . And that that'll be denied by more persons than Ellis Parker too (All right then, you pick Harry L. Maloney, I'll stick to Mrs. Lafferty's boy, Sharlie) . . . That certain investigators for the State Emergency Relief are refusing food orders to families with life insurance policies . . . The chumps making the poor folks turn in their policies for cash and live off that 'til gone . . . :May they bury all such punk investigators in Potter's Field (where they forget to put American flags on graves on Decoration Day) . . . That a Dame downtown who operates One of Those Places refused recently to testify for a lad accused of a holdup because she thought she might have to close her joint (when her testimony would have saved the kid from a long stretch in the Pen, which my friends tell me he didn't have coming) . . . That that member of a suburban school board who recently said certain school was too good for a certain section because everybody living there were swamp dwellers, is knertz . . . And that maybe he'll be singing a different chune following election, the umpchay . . . That there's hoss racin' joints open in at least two political clubs (but that's not half as what they're doing in another political club-but you'll have to go on from there cause I can't tell anymore) . . . That Bill Schultz, local copper, recently plugged a silver half dollar three shots out of three at a distance of skeen-teen feet (much to the dismay of a certain elevator operator who donated the coin) . . . That Philly Sport scribes who recently Okay'd that draw verdict between Johnny Jadick and Johnny Lucas sure had sand in their eyes because Johnny kick'd the daylights out of the reputed Junior Welter Champ (But then a Philly draw is as good as a win anyhow, especially when you're fighting Jadick up in the Cambria. . . That I might as well end this column with Ellis Parker-and tell you that he will deny he has a good clue in the Bradway Brown murder but that he really has a clue and it'll be a honey if it turns out. |
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Camden Courier-Post - February 10, 1933 |
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What
Do YOU Think? By
CHARLEY HUMES PUT
THESE TOGETHER, YOU JIG-SAWERS: That
big Roadhouse opening in Burlington County February 11... What Mt. Holly churchman bitterly opposed to Sunday movies attended a show the other Sabbath (Maybe he was investigatin', huh?)... That Honey-Hive in Philly (near Fortieth and streets), where a lotta Camden wives and ex-wives go... What Burlington County erster parlor lets its customers wash it down with beer?. . In
what Camden County road easy does the chorus wear a fig leaf? ..Who
were the three local Gals "picked up" by that New York car in
Philly night before last or the before that?. .And why the three name
three Camden newspaper people as friends? (it would have been okay if
they'd left their names, too).....The
Fairview Gal who took it on Who
is the famous politician who parades the Philly streets with his big
Jersey-licensed car until he makes a blonde or two?… In what
Pennsauken house was an important political gathering held one or five
nights ago when it was decided to ditch a prominent person running for
the |
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Camden Courier-Post - June 13, 1933 |
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What
Do YOU Think? By
CHARLEY HUMES HOME, SWEET HOME! (And a trlllion scallions to the mugs who said it wouldn't come back) A two weeks' vacation sure piles up the stuff .... Now who'd have thought that North Camden apartment house owner who won't allow children would give the O.K. for dogs in his dingy apartments .... A bucket of heat to the chump .... Then there is that house on Cooper street which harbors a mother who recently made a personal appearance at several roadhouses while her children were left to roam the streets. There's been a holdup at a certain place recently ... And one of the victims was a cop ... He had his gun taken away from him. (And failed to report the theft or banditry because the crooks returned the shooter following the affair and the proprietor won't tell because he hasn't his license yet) ... It's all around town about that red-headed woman downtown (Yea, you're right, it's a frame house) .... Those two ladies from the East Side who took over a certain politician (knowing he couldn't squawk) are all worried because the lad's influence at headquarters is beginning to tell .... They tell me there is a dining car owner who totes a girl all the way from Collingswood to a Burlington county watering place for fun (and to get away from the missus).... The same bird recently paid off employees via the small-cost courts ... What North Camden girl wears flamingo red (and black) pajamas .... Wonder what that gal from Twentyeighth and Stevens streets is doing lately since that noospaper fella doesn't come around any more (Maybe she gets solace out of that big white pooch, huh?) .... There's a justice of the peace in Audubon who holds "regular" court, sometimes with a jury and everything .... Camden attorneys recently argued their small-cause cases there.... Even Prosecutor Baldwin has spent some of his eloquence before the "squire" .... Among the "commuters" every Wednesday and Saturday are "Bo" Lynch, Bill Clisham, who admits he's hanging on the ropes already, and Leon Mickleman. Also comes the tale of that certain gentleman who doesn't like beer and won't drink over half of a glass (except that time a few weeks ago when he attended an affair and the beer was free- he drank 30 glasses and still maintains he doesn't like it) .... down in West Collingswood they are calling Ike Hart the "Commodore of Newton Creek" ... Maybe it's because of that canoe he paddles about in .... Showing the same grit and determination that carried him through battle-scarred France and then on to heavyweight heights, Sergeant Ray Smith attended the Battle of the Maxies in New York last Thursday .... . And with a broken back .... The Sergeant had to bribe an attendant in a New York hospital to get his clothes for him so that he could get to the affair ... And was there, gritting his teeth to hold back the pain, cheering his old friend Jack Dempsey's initial go as a big-time promoter... Now that certain amusements are about ready to fly their kite that certain politician (?) in Pennsauken is about ready to bust right open if he doesn't collect on their successors. Get Joe Feinstein, to explain "if and reverse" bet .... And then try and borrow three bucks from him .... Bobby Brest says he will demand a handicap from "District Attorney" Rocco Palese next time they play golf... Rocco winning five out of the last six games but Jack McCarroll says he can take them both if he had two broken arms .... So What Do You Think? |
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Camden Courier-Post - June 26, 1933 |
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What
Do YOU Think? By
CHARLEY HUMES HOME, SWEET HOME! (And a trlllion scallions to the mugs who said it wouldn't come back) A two weeks' vacation sure piles up the stuff .... Now who'd have thought that North Camden apartment house owner who won't allow children would give the O.K. for dogs in his dingy apartments .... A bucket of heat to the chump .... Then there is that house on Cooper street which harbors a mother who recently made a personal appearance at several roadhouses while her children were left to roam the streets. There's been a holdup at a certain place recently ... And one of the victims was a cop ... He had his gun taken away from him. (And failed to report the theft or banditry because the crooks returned the shooter following the affair and the proprietor won't tell because he hasn't his license yet) ... It's all around town about that red-headed woman downtown (Yea, you're right, it's a frame house) .... Those two ladies from the East Side who took over a certain politician (knowing he couldn't squawk) are all worried because the lad's influence at headquarters is beginning to tell .... They tell me there is a dining car owner who totes a girl all the way from Collingswood to a Burlington county watering place for fun (and to get away from the missus).... The same bird recently paid off employees via the small-cost courts ... What North Camden girl wears flamingo red (and black) pajamas .... Wonder what that gal from Twentyeighth and Stevens streets is doing lately since that noospaper fella doesn't come around any more (Maybe she gets solace out of that big white pooch, huh?) .... There's a justice of the peace in Audubon who holds "regular" court, sometimes with a jury and everything .... Camden attorneys recently argued their small-cause cases there.... Even Prosecutor Baldwin has spent some of his eloquence before the "squire" .... Among the "commuters" every Wednesday and Saturday are "Bo" Lynch, Bill Clisham, who admits he's hanging on the ropes already, and Leon Mickleman. Also comes the tale of that certain gentleman who doesn't like beer and won't drink over half of a glass (except that time a few weeks ago when he attended an affair and the beer was free- he drank 30 glasses and still maintains he doesn't like it) .... down in West Collingswood they are calling Ike Hart the "Commodore of Newton Creek" ... Maybe it's because of that canoe he paddles about in .... Showing the same grit and determination that carried him through battle-scarred France and then on to heavyweight heights, Sergeant Ray Smith attended the Battle of the Maxies in New York last Thursday .... . And with a broken back .... The Sergeant had to bribe an attendant in a New York hospital to get his clothes for him so that he could get to the affair ... And was there, gritting his teeth to hold back the pain, cheering his old friend Jack Dempsey's initial go as a big-time promoter... Now that certain amusements are about ready to fly their kite that certain politician (?) in Pennsauken is about ready to bust right open if he doesn't collect on their successors. Get Joe Feinstein, to explain "if and reverse" bet .... And then try and borrow three bucks from him .... Bobby Brest says he will demand a handicap from "District Attorney" Rocco Palese next time they play golf... Rocco winning five out of the last six games but Jack McCarroll says he can take them both if he had two broken arms .... So What Do You Think? |
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Camden Courier-Post - August 16, 1933 |
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What
Do YOU Think? By
CHARLEY HUMES THINGS I'D LIKE TO WRITE ABOUT. (If only I were a columnist). About Eddie Lobley and his new job as a school marm (or should I say professor) ... which he worked so hard to obtain ... If I were a kid again I'd feel proud to study under that guy ... And if they have any athletics down at Fetters .. you can bet your spare dimes those kids will know what it's all about ... About that North Camden blonde ... the one who goes into that Broadway shop and slips the manager there some do-re-me .. which he uses to pay his board … And the Gal parades Broadway... near the store ... to keep an eye on her gigolo .... About that Cooper street house ... 'neath the shadows of a great industrial plant ... which is running wild ... and harbors, among others, that mother of those tiny youngsters ... And like Eva Tanguay ... She doesn't care ... Ketch on, sister ... About my friend Harris ... up at the Garden State I've watched hundreds hungry and broke ... and heard their praises after they met up with Harris ... About Fitz and that joke he told on Ralph Bull and me ... In which I'm 300 years late (I'm putting the joke here to make it public) in getting the story of the beheading of Mary, Queen of Scots ... Well, Fitz oughtta know ... That was the first infliction of the death penalty he ever watched .... ' About a Third Ward gangster ... who poses as a politician ... and parks his car in spots where he knows it'll draw an argument ... just to show his authority … the unkpay ... About the internal scrap in a certain Pennsauken political organization ... in which a good fellow was ousted with a bad one (merely my opinion) ... And about certain chaps in the, enemy camp who are, chuckling now (but won't when their own gimme goof starts showing his true colors) ... About a Delaware, township political feller ... who intercedes every time one of his friends gets pinched for drunkee ... And the reason is because the political feller sells them the stuff ... ketch on ... oh, yes, I could print names…. About two Chester boys making book in Deepwater ... much to the dismay (and disgust) of some of the local gamboleers ... About a downtown plug-ugly who represents a Philly underworld dive ... and parks nightly ... where he can watch the girl he believes will be his next victim ... And this to remind him ... that the girl's brother is that blonde-headed fella parked several seats away ... which oughtta make things interesting ... Because the brother knows ... and is merely awaiting a legitimate excuse to tear the sheik apart and find out what makes him go ... ' About a big shot city hall employee ... who has a good-looking car ... and a good-looking girl to put in it ... but who takes the back roads of Burlington county, when the not' so-good looking girls are his playmates .... About those North Camden swim min' holes ... where buck bathing has been a rite for more years than I can tell …' where my friends and fathers of my friends have cavorted ... away from prying eyes ... And now, they're gonna start raidin' the places ... And most of, those kids not able to afford a bathing suit, either. |
| CAMDEN COURIER-POST - AUGUST 31, 1935 |
| JOHNSON
GETS WARD'S JOB AS KOBUS ORDERS COP SHAKEUP SHAW MADE ASSISTANT IN PLACE OF KOERNER In
a shakeup of Camden police officials yesterday afternoon Lieutenant Samuel
E. Johnson was named acting chief of detectives by Commissioner Mary W. Kobus,
director of public safety. Lieutenant
George
A. Ward, who has been in charge
of the detective bureau for a year, was transferred to take Johnson's
place in charge of headquarters. Detective Louis Shaw was made assistant to Johnson, replacing Detective Sergeant Gus Koerner. Koerner was transferred to the Second District, for radio car and street duty. The new order became effective at 4:00 PM yesterday Police
Chief Arthur
Colsey
announced the changes in the bureau
after a two-hour conference with Commissioner Kobus
yesterday afternoon. Maurice
Di Nicuolo, who has been an acting detective, was transferred to the First
Police District, with former Acting Detective Clifford
Del Rossi returning to his old post in the detective bureau. In
the only other transfer announced, Sergeant Harry
Newton was switched from the First Police District to the Third, with
Sergeant Edward Carroll going
from the Third to the First. Although
no other changes were made public, it is believed yesterday’s are a
forerunner of numerous shifts to be made today or early next week.’ “These changes are being made for the good of the service,” Commissioner Kobus declared. “There will be other transfers of officers and men so that all the police may familiarize themselves with all the branches of the department.” Lieutenant Johnson was a appointed a policeman on January 1, 1910. After 10 years as a patrolman, he was promoted to a detective, where he made a splendid record. On November 28, 1928 he was made a sergeant, and again promoted on April 8, 1930, when he became a lieutenant. Ward was appointed a policeman on August 2, 1917, promoted to detective January 1, 1927, sergeant November 14, 1928 and lieutenant on January 24, 1930. Johnson was a detective sergeant when former Police Chief John W. Golden was head of that bureau, but later was transferred to police headquarters. Ward has been in and out of the detective bureau several times. He served for a time as the commander of the First District and later was ion charge of the police headquarters on the 12:00 midnight to 8:00 AM shift. He was a political lieutenant of former Public Safety Director David S. Rhone. |
| Camden Courier-Post - August 31, 1936 | |
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| DIAMOND ....his eyes started watering and thereby hangs a tale - not his, however.... |
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| S.
Raymond Dobbs - E.G.C.
Bleakly - Dr. David Helm - Frank
J. Hartmann Jr. Frederick von Nieda - Charles L. Humes |
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| Camden Courier-Post - October 31, 1936 | ||
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Camden Courier-Post - February 3, 1938 |
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What
Do YOU Think? By
CHARLEY HUMES Assemblyman Millard E. Allen has been reading a book, I betcha. And in the book, the big, dastardly villain, his legs shackled in irons that clanked as he walked, is being led to the slaughter. And right then, Mister Assemblyman Allen gets an idea. At least he is of the opinion that it is an idea, but I don't go for it very much. As I go about my daily chores, I see a lot of things I would much rather do than be guillotined; despite Mister Assemblyman Allen and his idea. Even Mister O’Neill wouldn't wish that I be guillotined. He might want that I be shellacked, slugged, kicked, pushed around or even chastised, but not guillotined. "If I had my way," sez Mister Assemblyman Allen, "everybody on the paper would be led to the guillotine." "And if I had my way, I sez to myself as I read about it, "Mister Assemblyman Allen would get a couple of Mickeys in his tea." Personally, being led to the guillotine would be very distasteful to me. I doubt very much if I would get over it. There are several forms of chastisement I. think I would like a lot more. I am not a broker, even though I am broke most of the time, but even with my limited capacity for solving life, I could do a lot better with an idea than Mister Assemblyman Allen, F'rinstance, there is a guy I don't think is any rosebud what works with me, but never did I think of the guillotine for him. Once I thought I might influence Mister O'Neill into sending the fellow up to listen to Mister Assemblyman Allen stun the legislators at Trenton with his silence, but then I figured that would be a little tough on the guy. The more I think of Mister Assemblyman Allen's idea, the more I sez to myself who is' this guy. Maybe it is better that he is only an Assemblyman and not a Mussolini. So I decide I will find out all about Mister Assemblyman Allen and I ankle over to the Courthouse and I ask Mister Assemblyman Rocco Palese, who I bumps into. "Oh," Rocco sez in his best legislative manner, "He is an allright fellow. He just has an idea." Which makes me a little hurt that I voted for Mister Assemblyman Palese, 'cause anybody what thinks anybody else who wants me to be guillotined is an all right fellow is not all right himself, as much as I like Mister Assemblyman Palese... With a pained expression,. I decide I will hunt further for information concerning Mister Assemblyman Allen. It seems funny to me that I never hears of this fellow before last Fall, me being one of them fellows what gets about a bit, too. As I am making a bee-line for Tom Kenney's, where I figure I will see a great many politicians so that I might make proper queries concerning Mister Assemblyman Allen, I bumps into Mayor George Brunner, leader of all us Democrats in Camden county. "Your honor," I sez in my very best I-want-something-manner, "who is this Mister, Assemblyman Allen?" "Why, sez 'hizzoner, I couldn't just properly say. I believe he is one of them Republicans what got washed into office on the shirt-tails of Mister Clee after your piper had got everybody so riled up around here against Mister Moore that they went ahead and voted for Mister Clee and then forgot to get back, into the Democratic column again until they had passed the Assembly candidates. " With that I leaves the mayor, feeling much better now that I have an idea myself as to who Mister Assemblyman Allen really is. As I am pushing in one of those swinging doors at Tommy's place, the Mayor hollers: "They's no use of you bothering to find out about Mister Assemblyman Allen anymore, 'cause us Democrats will take care of him next Fall.''' * * * I am inclined to lean towards Mister Brunner's idea, but I am not yet completely satisfied, so I continue my probe, But I am disappointed in Tommy's because all the guys what would know Mister Assemblyman Allen had taken a powder and disappeared before my arrival. So I ambles down Broadway and I was somewhat surprised to see a Republican county committee member coming out of Broadway and Stevens. But I recover quickly and I sez here is my man. I bet he knows this Mister Assemblyman Allen. And he did. He told me that Mister Assemblyman Allen was some sort of a compromise candidate the Republicans decided to run in order to get out of endorsing somebody else favorable to Mister David Baird. The C. C. also sez that Mister Baird had recommended Evans, Scovel and Reiners for the Assembly posts, but that the committee decides Mister Baird’s recommendations are perfectly terrible and so they go right ahead and endorse Palese and Ellis, who are the Choices of the late Committee of 21, and that they then vote on Evans, Reiners and Mister Assemblyman Allen, the latter getting into the picture when a chap named Marshall, who I don't know either, insisted that Mister Assemblyman Allen be voted upon. * * * All of which reminds me of the time they run Man O' War up North one time and all the other horses in the race drop out but a nag named Upset, because they are all afraid of Man O' War. Well it finally ends up by Upset beating Man O' War. Now I don't say that all the other candidates dropped out of that fight because they were afraid of anybody else, but like Upset, Mister Assemblyman Allen won out and he won out because a lot of folks who were allowed to cast a ballot thought he was not a Baird man. But like the betters what laid It on the line for Man O' War, they was fooled too, and Mister Assemblyman Allen turns out to be a Baird man also. And like Upset, Mister Assemblyman Allen will probably never win another race because you can't fool a few guys around this town twice in a row. So that's what I found out about Mister Assemblyman Allen.. |
| Camden
Courier-Post - February 5, 1938 CHECKED AND DOUBLE CHECKED by JIMINY |
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The way some of the members of the Camden County Republican Committee are behaving these days, the Democrats can stay home on their own meeting nights .... The Republicans are doing their work for them .... Now some 70 of the Republican committeemen have signed a petition to give Baird a job that won't pay him anything.... It's about time they're giving him something .... They took the U. S. Senatorship away from him .... Moore took the governorship away from him .... Woodruff took the state committeeship away from him .... The New Deal took the city commission away from him .... The New Deal took the freeholders away from him:.:. Somebody always is taking something away from Baird .... It isn't a question of Baird's ability to fill the bridge job .... The only one to even mention that as an issue was Fred von Nieda .... He's a city commissioner, you know .... It's a matter of principle .... At least, that is what Florence Baker, state committeewoman, says .... Mrs. Baker is telling Senator, Clee and others at Trenton that they owe it to Baird to support him for the job because he has always helped Clee ...Let's, in all fairness to Baird, look at the record .... In the primary, during an address at the First Ward Republican Club, Dave Baird stated he was for Cliff Powell against Clee .... Mrs. Baker did not come out against Clee .... She didn't come out against Powell. Instead, she said she was neutral. In the general election, Mrs. Baker said she was for Clee. Baird never said he was for Clee. (If he had, Clee's majority of 35,000 would have gone to Moore) .... So we don't think that Mrs. Baker is very convincing when she tells Clee that Baird helped Clee .... She said that the Camden county legislative delegation helped Clee's program against Hoffman. Was Baird a Democrat last year? Sheehan, Roye and Lodge were .... Burling was a Republican, and helped Clee, but he is not for Baird. Perhaps it was because Baird "helped" Clee's program against Hoffman opposition, that Hoffman slipped in Baird's appointment without the knowledge of Burling or the state or county committee members .... Mrs. Baker stated at a banquet that she has copies of the Courier-Post in 1931 in which Baird was praised for his bridge work .... If anyone cares to look at our files, we will show what Mrs. Baker said about Baird in the neighborhood of 1931. ... Or what we said about Baird at other times .... Also what Mr. van Nieda and Frank Travaline said. But enough ado about nothing .... All we've done is talked about Baird when it had been our plan instead to talk about politics. * * * The political ax is hanging over the head of a Mt. Ephraim official on the charge he is assuming too much authority ..... The political ax hanging over the heads of the Delaware township cops is about to be enmeshed in litigation .... One of the policeman is a member of the P.B.A. which will carry his fight into court in a case that will be a precedent for the other township cops, too .... Herb Taylor will be county engineer if it goes to a Republican .... It may be a Democrat h |
