Ocean County News Items
Ocean County News
General News Items From All Over the County
New Jersey Mirror 25 Nov 1818:
A Coroner's Inquest was held over the body of Luke Quan (a colored man) on November 19, 1818. The Jury decided "that the repeated blows given him by Richard Denby (a colored man) in an affray near Lumberton, on the 14th instant, occasioned his death." Denby has not yet been taken.
New Jersey Mirror 11 Jul 1821:
William K. Mason of Tuckerton, NJ, begs leave to inform the public in general, that he still continues to keep that large and commodious House in Tuckerton, NJ denominated the "Union Hotel." The house is large and very convenient for select parties or families--and he hopes by strict attention in all respects, to make those Ladies and Gentlemen who may put up at his house comfortable in their visit to the seashore and thereby share a part of the public patronage.
New Jersey Mirror 8 Aug 1821:
House of entertainment for Man & Horse--with accommodations for travellers, Boarders, Lodgers, etc. Hugh Clutch of New Egypt most respectfully informs his friends and the public in general, that he has opened a house in the village of New Egypt, Monmouth County, next door to Mr. Riley Allen's Store, for the accommodation of travellers to and from Philadelphia to the seashore and elsewhere.
New Jersey Mirror 7 Sep 1854
A man was brought to prison, in this town, on Thursday last, charged with killing an Irishman, near Tuckerton, on the 29th ult. the affair happened on board of a vessel in the Bay. They had both been down to Hatfield, where they had indulged in a few social drinks, and upon getting on board the vessel, they had a quarrel which was followed by a severe fight, using clubs, knives, &c., pretty freely. At the time the fatal stab was given, the Irishman ran towards the prisoner with a large knife, when he was met with a similar weapon, which put an end to his existence in a few hours. The prisoner is an Englishman, and about 23 years of age. He has a severe sound over his eye, and his hand is cut very badly. He says he had no expectation of killing his antagonist, but he was obliged to defend himself the best way he could, for the purpose of saving his own life. We understand that the sympathies of the people "along shore" are strongly in favor of the prisoner. The Irishman is said to have been very quarrelsome and when in liquor was a troublesome and dangerous character.
New Jersey Courier 17 Oct 1878:
Whereas, my wife, Rebecca Van Note, having left my bed and board without just cause or provocation, I hereby notice that I will not be responsible after this date for any debt she may contract.
New Jersey Courier 7 Nov 1878:
A dispatch to the New York Herald says that two men in a light wagon drove up to the Halfway House, a hotel situated about eight miles southwest of Asbury Park on Monday last, and inquired the way to the Shark River Southern Railroad. They were told the route and drove on. In a little while, the horse came running back, dragging the wagon which was upset. Several men started in search of the strangers, fearing they were injured. About a half mile from the hotel they found one of them lying in the edge of the woods in an unconscious condition and with a dangerous stab wound in the right side of his neck, near the shoulder. It was later ascertained that his name was COOK and taht he belonged in Long Branch. There being no physicians in the neighborhood, he was conveyed to Long Branch while still insensible. His companion had disappeared and foul play is suspected. It was noticed that a gun which had been seen in the possession of the missing man was also gone. Search was immediately instituted but is is so far fruitless.
New Jersey Courier 8 May 1879:
We are informed that only two colored men have been sent to our county jail as tramps during the past five years. A pretty good record for the 'nigger'.
The following persons were sentenced to the state prison by Judge Woodhull at Mt. Holly at the close of the courts last week:
John H. Dubell, 2 years
John Moses, breaking and entering, 2 years
Elvie Jeffries, 2 years,
David Haight and Martha Banks, bigamy, 1 year
Miner P. Southard, larceny, 1 year
William Smith and George Rockhill, conspiracy, 6 months
John Dolson, breaking and entering, 2 years
New Jersey Courier 15 May 1879:
An extensive forest fire has been raging for several days past in Manchester and Jackson Townships, devastating a large section of wooded country west of Manchester, extending in the direction of White's Bridge, Cassville and Colliers Mills. Thousands of acres have been burned over and at last account the fire was still prevailing.
New Jersey Mirror 17 May 1893
Since Tuesday last forest fires have raged between Toms River and Barnegat, destroying large tracts of timber land. At Quail Run Tollgate, on Toms River and Forked River Turnpike, the toll-house was destroyed, and the toll-keeper, Mrs. Abdel Imlay, was forced to flee for her life. The house owned by Henry Bird was next reached, and that too was destroyed. The house owned by Mrs. Abbie Chamberlain and occupied by her son-in-law, Nathan Moore, and his family, was next to burn. Moore was away from home fighting the fire at another place and did not know of the danger his home was in. His family had to run for their lives.
New Jersey Courier 15 Dec 1900:
Lakewood defeated Manasquan at football on election day by the score of 6 to 0.
The Tuckerton Beacon says few quail and rabbit have been killed in that vicinity as yet.
The Lakewood Water, Light and Power Company have just finished an artesian well and will begin another at once.
The first train to Lakewood from New York on the morning after election had it's engine covered with brooms.
Mrs. PRICE, a German woman living near Lakewood, had her pocket picked of $50 while attending a vendue recently.
A horse belonging to James H . CONVERSE at Lakewood was frightened by the piles of burning leaves one day last week. No damage.
On the 4th inst., on a warrant issued by Justice SEARING, Officer CRANE of Lakewood arrested Richard B. PARKER and a man named CONDON. The charge was for assault and was preferred by Parker's son. The Justice dismissed the case after the hearing.
Game Wardens FOULKS and STRATTON on Sunday, the 28th inst., arrested Henry MILLER of Bradley Beach, for hunting with a gun on Squan Point, near Mantaloking. MILLER was brought before Justice ALLEN of Point Pleasant, and fined $20 and costs.
The yacht Lla, owned by Captain C.B. BOWNE, was torn from her anchor during last Friday's westerly gale and drifted with the wash of the sea in on the beach. There was no one aboard. She beached near the Forked River Life Saving Station.
Tuckerton Beacon: A company of very enthusiastic young Republicans burned some McKinley powder last (Wednesday) night and made a big racket on the mill dam. We hope that they did not shatter that dam portion of our town as it is already going to the bad pretty fast.
James HALEY was arrested Thursday last by officer CRANE on a charge of violating the Lakewood hack ordinance. He was given a hearing before justice SEARING, and upon refusal to pay a fine was sent to the county jail. Later in the day he was admitted to pay bail. He will appeal the case.
New Egypt Press 10 Mar 1905:
William HOMES, of Forked River, and Miss Stella JONES, of Waretown, were married at Barnegat last Thursday.
John WEBB, of Tuckerton, is in the Hanemann Hospital, Phila., receiving surgical treatment. He was operated on Wednesday last and is doing nicely.
Not for sometime has the oyster situation at Tuckerton assumed such serious aspects as at the present owing to the continued freeze. The ice is from a foot to a foot and a half thick, and the skipper's reserves stock is exhausted. Some shippers who have standing orders have been compelled to cut holes in the ice and tong for the oysters. Not only is a famine threatened but many of the planters are afraid that the continuance of the ice will kill their stock.
New Egypt Press 21 Apr 1905:
The Tuckahoe River is the favorite haunt of many Philadelphia anglers.
The Carpenters and Joiners Local Union, of Millville, celebrated it's sixteenth anniversary with a banquet on Monday night.
Struck by a Jersey Central train at Greenwich yesterday, 14 year old Robert E. LEAMING had a leg cut off. He was taken to Bridgeton Hospital.
There is a slight improvement in the glass condition of South Jersey and manufacturers say the factories now in operation will continue to the end of the blast, June 30.
The Board of Freeholders of Cape May County has awareded the contract of regraveling the new county road across teh meadow, from Five Mile Beach to the mainland, to former Senator Hand.
It is believed at Paterson that the woman who committed suicide in Altoona, PA Monday by throwing herself under a freight train was Mrs. Fannie LONG of Paterson. She had gone to Altoona to see her husband, who was ill in a hospital.
New Jersey Mirror 22 Sep 1909
Because his cousin, Miss Eva Oliphant, refused to marry him, Joseph Budd Cranmer, a member of one of the leading families of the shore, is supposed to have committed suicide on Sunday night, September 12, 1909. Cranmer, who was about 35 years of age, lived alone in the Cranmer homestead. He had for some years been attentive to a cousin, Miss Eva Oliphant, daughter of William Oliphant, and the young woman was probably the last person who saw him alive. Sunday, September 12, he spent the evening with her, again urging her to marry him, and she again refused. Since that time he disappeared from all his accustomed haunts.-- On Saturday night, neighbors burst open the door and found his dead body on the garret floor. A broken rope swung from the rafters, and another bit of rope was around his throat.
New Jersey Courier 20 Apr 1917
Friday Judge Jeffrey received the plea of a number of prisoners, and fixed bail. Joseph P. Johnson of West Point Pleasant, charged with beating up his wife, and the mother of his children, Bessie Johnson, pleaded not guilty. Trial was set for April 30. Having no one to go his bail, but owning real estate, he was allowed to go on his recognizance, and Arthur P. Gallagher of Lakewood, was assigned to defend him.
Acton and George Bunnell of Cedar Creek, indicted at a previous term for malicious mischief, were allowed to give bail in the sum of $200, to appear for trial on April 23. They were charged by Frank W. Briggs, proprietor of the Greyhound Inn, Forked River, with damaging his electric light plant. Howard Applegate, a former owner of that hotel, went their bail.
Charles Willey, colored, pleaded guilty to stealing some $60 from the money drawer of the Manhattan hotel, Lakewood, where he was employed as bellhop. He was caught by Charles Hecht, proprietor, and his son, whomarked money, put it in the drawer and then watched to see who took it. Sentence day was set for April 30; bail $200 with Charles Preston of Lakewood as bondsman.
M.J. Pirkig, indicted for assault and battery upon Fred Waegerlee, pleaded not guilty. Charles Baker went his surety for $200. Trial set for April 30. The two men got into a dispute over a horse deal, and some other business transactions, and Waegerlee claims that Pirkig jumped him. They live in Jackson township.
Another Jackson township assault and battery charge was made by E.W. Voorhees against Joseph F. Thompson; the latter plead not guilty and gave $200 bail, as his own surety to appear for trial April 30. Voorhees asserts that during the last December snow, Thompson tore down two small shade trees, to drive across his (Voorhees) fields; that he protested, and Thompson struck him with a stake.
New Jersey Courier 2 Aug 1918
Heavy rains on Monday (in some places) Tuesday and Wednesday of this week broke the drought th at had done so much damage to the crops in this section. For some crops the rain came in time to save them; for others it did not. Gardens are said to have suffered worse than fields. Beans that had reached the blooming stage, late vegetables planted in July and corn that came out in tassel during the hot spell suffered most, with many potatoesfailing to set or grow because the vines killed by the heat and dryness, and tomatoes also suffering. Blackberries and raspberries dried on the bushes. One feature of the dry spell was the way leaves dropped off the s hade trees almost like in the fall when a heavy frost comes.
Tuckerton Beacon 5 Feb 1920:
WINTER CENSUS WILL SHOW UP SHORE TOWNS VERY POORLY:
The shore towns from Atlantic Highlands to Cape May are being worried about the 1920 census. Taken in the month of January, when many of the trades people are away, none of the summer folks are on the coast, and many of the other residents are in Florida or California, or in nearby cities, the shore towns will make a poor showing indeed. To add to the difficulty, thousands of workingmen on the Jerseyshore have left home and taken their families with them, to get work in other places for the winter, intending to return in the spring. Asbury Park was pretty well scared at the first reports from the census, and Mayor Hettrick has appealed to citizens to tell the census takers all about the absent residents. Ocean County towns find themselves in the same situation. In fact so far there are some places in Ocean County where no enumerator has been secured.
Tuckerton Beacon 19 Feb 1920:
ANOTHER COUNTY PAPER SUSPENDS PUBLICATION
The Eatontown Advertiser, a Democratic weekly newspaper which has been issued for nearly half a century, has suspended publication because of the illness of the editor, William T. COLE. Mr. Cole is 78 years of age, and in addition to his duties as editor and publisher, comprised the mechanical force as well. The Advertiser is the seventh Monmouth County weekly to suspend publication since the commencement of the war.
LAST OF A.E.F. HAVE LEFT CAMP DIX:
Last week saw the last of the A.E.F. demobilization at Camp Dix, where half a million soldiers have been converted into civilians. As there are several thousand wounded Americans in hospitals and convalescent stations the demobilization department will not close at once, as groups of these men are arriving at Camp Dix every week.
Tuckerton Beacon 25 Mar 1920:
MOSQUITO FIGHTERS PLAN CAMPAIGN FOR THIS SUMMER:
The County Board of Mosquito Extermination had a full meeting Thursday at the Central House, Toms River. Work for the summer was planned and will be started at once, as soon as Superintendent Stephen JOHNSON can get men together to do it. It was decided to advertise for some tow to three hundred thousand feet of new ditching to be done this summer on the meadows below Tuckerton. In addition to this, which will be contract work, Supt. Johnson and his force will clean out the ditches already dug, and patrol the meadows during the danger periods. Drains will be put under the new county road in Long Beach, and under the road on the beach above Seaside Park. There is also some work to be done below Seaside Park.
State Director Thomas J. HEADLEE of New Brunswick was present; also R.F. Engle, of Beach Haven, James E. Otis of Tuckerton, Charles H. CRANMER of Manahawkin, Dr. Frank BROUWER of Toms River, A. C. HAAG, of Seaside Park, and Superintendent JOHNSON.
New Jersey Courier 22 Dec 1922
ONE ROOM SCHOOLS
The one room school has been for the past fifteen years relegated to the dump heap by the school men of the country. The fad has been to close wherever possible one-room schools and carry the children to the nearest graded school. The indictment made by the school men against the country school containes so many and such damning counts, that it has in most places jumped its bail and fled away in sheer terror of the charges. The schoolmen may be all right--but once in awhile facts have a strange way of suddenly confronting fads, and chucking the fds off the highway into the brush.

Last year and this, for instance, the best attendance in any school in Ocean County has been Cedar Crest, a backwoods, one room school. This school has had for the first quarter of this year a perfect attendance, not a pupil being absent or even late. One of its pupils wrote the essay sent to represent Ocean County in a national and state essay contest.

Figures from attendance records of county schools as given out by the County Superintendent, and published in our news columns, show that the best attendance has been in some one room schools, and that some of the two-room schools furnish the second best attendance records, outstripping both the high and the grade schools in the large towns.

It is up to the schoolmen to answer, isn't it? Naturally, they will say that the 'exception proves the rule', but that is only a schoolbook way of dodging the question.

New Jersey Courier 19 Oct 1923
NAKED NEGRO, TERRORIZED WOMAN, GIVEN THIRTY DAYS
Richard Pryor, colored, of Bay Head, ought to thank his lucky stars that he was in Ocean County instead of some southern state when on Wednesday of this week he was sentenced by Judge Newman to thirty days in the county jail, the term to begin at the time of his arrest. Pryor's wife worked for Lawrence Boggs, of Newark, who has a summer home at Bay Head. Mrs. Boggs was awakened by a noise one night recently to find a naked negro by her bedside. She screamed, and her husband ran in and grappled him. The negro escaped at the time but it was afterward found to have been Pryor. He was tried and convicted, his plea was that he broke into the house to find his wife. The wife, at the trial, said that earlier in the night he had been drunk and abusive and she had to sneak away from him.

Correll Clayton, Lakehurst, convicted of having liquor unlawfully in his possession, was fined $250 and costs, which was paid.
John B. Woolley, arrested in Gloucster City, pleaded guilty to stealing a rod and reel, compass and other articles from the yacht Emma B, Capt. George Quinn, of Tuckerton, on which he sailed. He was arrested at Gloucester by the state Police and brought to the county jail Monday. Sentence next Wednesday. Earl McWhirter, of Philadelphia, who was in an automobile mixup at Point Pleaant, when he struck another car and injured one of the occupants, will also be sentenced Wednesday.
Norman Evans pleaded guilty to violating the liquor law,at Barnegat, sentence laid over two weeks.
EXTENDING ELECTRIC LIGHTS
The new management of the electric light plant are working on several proposed extensions to their lines. One would run from Ocean Gate to Forked River with a possible extension to Waretown and Barnegat in the future. At present the towns as far south as Forked River are being asked to subscribe to enough stock to finance the expansion. Silverton, in Dover Township, has also been offered electric lights, on a similar condition. It is believed both extensions will be built, as no one would go without the convenience of electricity these days, when it is possible to get it.
JUNIOR K.K.K NOW
Branches of Junior Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, which recently had it's inception in Indiana, are being organized in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The work has been in progress in this section about three weeks and already it is said about 500 youths have been enrolled. Boys between the ages of 12 to 18, sons of the members of the K.K.K. or sons of the Royal Riders of the Red Robe are eligible to membership, the latter, of course, if they have been born in this country. The boys have a regalia said to be somewhat like that of the K.K.K.

Mr. and Mrs. George E. VanNote of Bay Head announce the engagement of the daughter, Margaret Maude and Mr. George Ellis Gurley of Lakewood. Mr. Gurley, a popular Lakewood young man is connected with the Lakewood Country Club.
Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Cottrell announce the betrothal of their daughter, Elizabeth to Mr. Lester Anderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Anderson. No date has been set for the wedding. The couple are well known in Lakewood, Miss Cottrell having been employed in the local telephone office for a number of years. Mr. Anderson, who until a few years ago, made his home in Sea Bright is employed at the Gulf Refining Company.

New Jersey Courier 26 Oct 1923
ONE KILLED, FOUR SHOT IN RUM RUNNER FIGHT
One man was killed and four others are known to have been wounded in a fight between Atlantic Highlands rum-runners, smugglers, and a crew of high-jackers, from Newark, who are alleged to have held up and robbed the rum-runners ar various times of both rum and cash. The fight was on last Saturday night.
Frank Laconti, of Newark, found near the scene of the battle with a bullet through his abdomen, afterward died at the Monmouth Hospital, Long Branch. Six other men are under arrest, as follows: Henry Butterfield, G. Butterfield and George Nettiger, all of Atlantic Highlands. They are held in $5000 bail each. Henry Butterfield suffers a bullet wound through his left shoulder. His condition is not serious.
They are held on charges of atrocious assault and battery with intent to kill.
David Laconit, brother of the dead man, Robert Snyder and Alfred Bacmeister, all of Newark, are held in $1000 bail each as material witnesses.
Laconti stood behind a telephone pole during the fight and from the numerous bullet marks found on it later it was indicated the rival gang did their work to "get" him.
The fight is declared to have been the outcome of the feud between two groups of rival rum running interests, one from Highlands and one from Newark. Twenty men are believed to have participated in the battle, in which more than 50 shots were exchanged.
New Jersey Courier 8 Feb 1924
CHATSWORTH HOOCH CAUSES ONE DEATH, ANOTHER ILL
Whiskey, of the Chatsworth "block and fall" variety, is blamed for the death of William CHAMBERLAIN, 68 years old, cranberry picker on the bogs of the Applegate Land and Improvement Company near Chatsworth. The man died at his home after being stricken on Sunday morning. It was said by Chatsworth residents that he had been in a drunken party the night before. Another man is serioiulsy ill from th effects of some of the same hooch, Chatsworth residents say. He is Harry Anderson, another cranberry picker, who is well known in that vicinity. Chamberlain is survived by a widow [....illegible...] unfortunate that bootlegging around Chatsworth has been rampant for some time, and it is expected that action will be taken to clean up that vicinity.

TEN YOUNG MEN NABBED; STOLE WINE FROM CELLAR
Six young men were brought to the county jail Tuesday, sent by Justice of the Peace John J. CASSIDY of Point Pleasant Beach, charged with entering the home of Col. Frank PATTERSON of that place, and stealing 86 gallons of choice wines and a quantity of other liquors, from the wine room.
The young men included David IRONS, 26, Frank LEDROUX, 29, Chester IRONS, 16, Milton REEVES, 19, Samuel MCREA, 16, and Roy REEVES, 18. Four others arrested on the same charge were able to secure bail in their home towns, so were not brought to the county jail. LeDroux and Chester Irons were bailed out of jail by friends.
Recorder MULLER also sent to the county jail Walter FORD for desertion and failure to provide for his family. He was later released under $200 bond upon agreeing to pay his wife $10 weekly.

New Jersey Courier 23 Aug 1929
Sentence was suspended on Henry and Cora QUINN, speakeasy folks, at Tuckerton.
New Jersey Courier 23 Aug 1929
Francis Kingharmon, colored, in jail in default of $5000 bail after an auto accident near Point Pleasant, had bail reduced to $1000
New Jersey Courier 6 Sep 1929
Going into the jail on Sunday morning last, September 1 to unlock the cells and feed the prisoners, Wiliam Liming, jail warden, was set upon by James Harris, colored, who knocked Liming down, kicked and stamped on him, and escaped from the jail. Harris was caught by state troopers in less than an hour and was back in his cell, giving up when they chased him through the woods, firing at him.
Warden Liming is in Kimball hospital, bruised and beaten from head to foot, almost. His conditionis good, and he is expected to be out soon. His worst hurts are where the negro kicked and stamped upon him with his heavy shoes.
Mr. Liming will be at the hospital for a week or two yet it is reported, though he is getting on nicely from his brutal treatment.
The Warden had gone into the jail alone, as his custom was, to unlock the cells and let the prisoners out into the corridors for their breakfast. He had just risen, and was still in his pajamas. The first tier of cells he unlocked was occupied by Harris, Thomas Cooper (see his story on the South Toms River page), charged with murder, and Robert Glascow, all colored. He was leaving the tier corridor, shutting the door to lock it, when Harris reached through the bars, grabbed him by the throat, and pushing the door against Liming, knocked him down and kicked and stamped on him. He then ran down stairs, out the door and away. Cooper and Glascow did not offer to help the warden, neither did they help the negro. They went back into their cells and snapped the locks on themselves.

The negro crossed the lots to Hooper avenue, then across lots to Madison and Hadley avenues, where he took to the woods. He went on across Lexington avenue and followed the old road up the woods that runs back of the Kleinhans farm. Mrs. Liming called the state police at once, as well as phoning to Sheriff Holman in Lakewood. Two troopers started after the negro, and were later joined by policeman Jack Costa. They sighted the negro in the wood, but when they took a long distance shot at him, he dropped and gave up. By the time Sheriff Holman reached the jail with his officers, the negro was back in a cell.

9 May 1930
To read about the forest fires that swept through Ocean County this week, click here.
New Jersey Courier 23 May 1930:
SUSPENDED SENTENCES FAVORED BY JUDGE
SIX YEARS IN STATE PRISON CHANGED TO SIX YEARS ON PROBATION
Suspended sentences were handed out to nearly everyone that came before Judge GALLAGHER on Wednesday of this week. Among the lucky ones were Francis HULSE, Fred HOOPER, and Fred REID, of the Point Pleasant neighborhood, who had previously been sentenced to six years in state prison. The boys were accused of breaking into a number of places at Mantaloking, and in that vicinity, and robbing them. One was the office of the Mandalay Land Company, one a garage at Mantaloking, and some were houses. They were indicted on three instances and pleaded guilty. They are, under the last sentence, placed under probation for six years to report monthly the previous sentence being held over them.
Joseph Carr, convicted of stealing a mink coat in Lakewood, was sentenced to two years, which was suspended provided he left the county inside 48 hours. A woman visitor in Lakewood left her fur coat in a car while dining in a restaurant on Second Street. The coat was gone when they came out, and Carr was picked up withit over his arm. He said he paid 25 cents for it, but did not know the man he bought it of.
Henry BEIBEL, jr. and Ida Pittendorfer were found guilty of going into a house of William Dendel, in Lakewood, and carrying off articles there from. Norman McCHESNEY, who was with them, pleaded guilty and told the story. Officer Stratton NORCROSS of Lakewood police, and Constable Richard RILEY, corroborated parts of McChesney's story. McChesney, who turned state's witness and pleaded guilty, was returned to Rahway, to serve out a former sentence, and a sentence of three years in state prison was suspended. Mrs. Pittendorf and Biebel were given a two years sentence, which was suspended and they were ordered to report to the probation officer every two years.
Mary Affronti, Lakewood, an old offender, at Affronti hotel, Main Street, was sentenced to 90 days in the county jail for sale and possession, but the prison sentence was suspended.
Joe Jimmario, who pleaded guilty to sale and possession of liquor at East Lakewood, was fined $100 on possession and sentenced to six months in the county jail on sale. Sentence was suspended.
New Jersey Courier 10 Oct 1930:
GOT WRONG MAN FOR THEFT OF CRANBERRIES
Charles SAARL, of Holmanville, brought before Justice LEARY on the charge of taking cranberries from the bog of James LEE, of Osbornville, was released, the testimony not showing him to be the guilty man. The bog is a small one on the road between Silverton and Pleasant Plains. On a recent Sunday, Theodore DENNIS of Osbornville and his daughter, Mrs. Emma McCALL, saw some people picking berries on this bog. They took the number of a truck standing there, and told Mr. Lee about it. Lee went to the bog and found the entire crop picked or trampled over. S...
New Jersey Courier 14 Nov 1930
A diver who spent Thursday and Friday of last week trying to find the body of Dennis McElhinney, in the bay between Dutch's Inn and the Bay Draw, gave it up on Friday night and did not return on Saturday, having found no trace of McElhenney. The missing man, believed to have drowned, was last seen at Dutch's Inn, on Saturday, Oct 25, with a strong northwest gale blowing. It is understood, from the story told by his companion, that he had been drinking and was taken by George W. Alsheimer that day and cared for, till he insisted on leaving with his chum, about dusk, when the latter came back from a gunning point to see how McElhinney was getting on.
What happened after that is a confused story. McElhinney is supposed to have fallen in the bay and to have drowned. The diver, Ray Hensen, on Thursday had a tear in the sleeve of his diving suit and so was in the water only about three hours. He waded about near Dutch's Inn dock. Next day he put in more time in the water, and searched the main channel near the draw. The chances of finding the body however was hardly a thousand to one. Baymen say that the body must have risen to the surface in the two weeks between McElhinney's disappearance and the search by the diver. With heavy winds from the east, west and south at that time, the body might have drifted most anywhere in the bay or up some meadow ditch. It may be found soon, or not for weeks.
New Jersey Courier 3 Sep 1937
Two Ocean county persons now in the state prison, serving sentences for murder, are among the 66 slayers who have applied for pardons and paroles to the state court of pardons, it was learned this week when prosecutors and judges throughout the state were informed of the applications. One of the paroles is being sought by Mrs. Hattie Evans, Lakehurst, who was convicted in 1930, with Lester Underdown, a marine, for the murder of her husband and a boarder. Mrs. Evans was at first sentenced to death in the electric chair but later, after Underdown had secured a new trial, the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment (*the washington Post of 14 Jun 1930 mentions the conviction of Hattie Evans and Lester Underdown in the murder of Robert Evans and Albert Duffy*).
The second applicant is Donald L. Tremper, who was convicted here in 1934 with two others for the murder of Michael Dries, a Trenton bootlegger. Tremper was sentenced at the time to 20 to 30 years in the state prison.
New Jersey Courier 20 Oct 1939
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Devlin of Trenton spent the week end at their DuPont avenue cottage.
Mr. and Mrs. W. Platt and son of Philadelphia spent the week end at their cottage.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Klee and sister Miss Margaretta Klee drove to Philadelphia on Tuesday, where Mrs. Klee will remain for a major operation at Misacrodia Hospital, West Philadelphia.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bishop and family of Woodbridge were recent visitors at their summer home.
Mr. Schlagel closed his restaurant on Saturday for the winter.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Durgin attended the World's Fair Monday.
Barney Launey has opened a winter business in Florida.
Harry Greiser and family have closed their cottage and returned to Philadelphia.
Mr. and Mrs. Roberts of New York were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Sterling over the week end.
Mrs. B. Hargrave and son Forrent and Miss Dorothy Klee spent the week end in Maple Shade with Dr. and Mrs. Wm. Brown.
Mr. and Mrs. James Miles spent Monday in New York attending the World's Fair.
Mr. and Mrs. George Stelzle entertained over the week end her brother and sister of Newark.
ISLAND HEIGHTS---Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Van Schoick entertained at a dinner party for their nephew, Harry Hutchinson, of Rutgers College, in honor of his 20th birthday Sunday afternoon. Twenty five relatives were present. Two large birthday cakes with candles graced the table and the house was deocrated with cut flowers. Guestes came from Asbury Park, Trenton, and Freehold.
Asbury Park Press, 21 Mar 1965:
TWO OCEAN MEN DIE IN CAR CRASH
Absecon -- Two Ocean County men were killed yesterday when a car driven by a sixteen year old boy collided with another automobile on the White Horse Pike, Absecon Police said. The victims were identified as Joseph Robertson, 26, of 38 Park Avenue, Berkeley Township, and William Stiles, 36, of Bay Avenue, Tuckerton. Sgt. Nicholas Lo Presti said they were passengers in a vehicle driven by Harold Ireland, North Green St, Tuckerton. Sgt. Lo Presti said Ireland was 16 years old. The legal age for driving in New Jersey is 17. The car was was owned by another passenger, Leroy Salmons, also of N. Green St, Sgt. Lo Presti said. Ireland was in serious condition and Mr. Salmons in satsifactory condition at the Atlantic City Hospital last night. The driver of the other car, Raymond Cook, Absecon Highlands, was in satsifactory condition.
Asbury Park Press, 22 Mar 1965 Joseph B. Robertson, 25, of 38 Park Ave, Berkeley, who died Saturday in an automobile crash in Absecon, had lived here since 1962. He was born in Camden, S.C.. Mr. Robertson worked for the J.F. Kieley Construction Co., Toms River. He was a former member of the Bayville Civil Defense Unit. Mr. Robertson is survived by his wife, Mrs. Janice Robertson; 2 sons, Joseph B., jr. and Lewis, at home; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Messick Robertson, Camden, S.C.; three brothers, Bruce and Lewis, Camden, S.C. and Neville Roberts, Tennessee. Anderson And Campbell Funerals Home, Toms River, is in charge of arrangements.