Mystery in Fall from Aerial Car

By Camden NJ History
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Philadelphia Inquirer, July 7, 1907 -- Mystery in Fall from Aerial Car
Philadelphia Inquirer, July 7, 1907
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MYSTERY IN FALL FROM AERIAL CAR. Authorities of Two Counties Probing Death of Young Man Who Was Killed at Washington Park. Acting under instructions from Judge Lewis Starr, of Woodbury, and under a formal complaint of larceny, Edward Clendaniel, aged 22 years, of 2810 Emerald street, and William Harper, aged 21 years, of 3536 Lee street, Philadelphia, who were arrested in Camden, were yesterday taken to Woodbury jail to await the finding of the Camden Coroner's jury which will inquire to-morrow into the death of Harry Turner, aged 25 years, of 524 West Huntington street, Philadelphia, from injuries received by a fall from the aerial railway at Washington Park last Friday night. Coroner Fithian yesterday impanelled the jury, with Louis H. Leigh, a clerk in the office of the Receiver of Taxes, as foreman, and the jury at once viewed the body. Coroner Fithian said that Turner's skull was fractured, his right arm broken, his face badly battered and his body covered with cuts and bruises, and that the inquest was to determine whether Turner's death was accidental or violent. Acting Chief of Police Schregler, because of the contradictory stories told by Clendaniel and Harper, who admitted being with Turner at the time he was injured, decided to lock them up. Schregler put them in the same cell with Pauli Dupon, a runaway boy, and told the little fellow to keep his eyes and ears open. Several hours later, when the men were in deep slumber, Dupon told the Acting Chief that he saw one of the men hand the other a pocketbook containing money, with instructions to hide it. Schregler woke them and got the purse, which contained $25. Later Turner's father identified the body. When shown the pocketbook he said it belonged to his son. Schregler then questioned Clendaniel and Harper, and each accused the other of taking the purse from Turner. Schregler immediately notified the Gloucester county authorities at Woodbury, and Judge Starr came to Camden and had a conference with the police authorities. Should the inquest prove that Turner's death was accidental the two men will be held for larceny. Turner's gold watch and chain presented to him on his 21st birthday and worn by him when he left home, were found by Chief Allen, of the Washington Park police, at the place where Turner fell. When Coroner Fithian searched the body he found $4.80. Turner's father says he had $45 when he left home.

Authorities of Two Counties Probing Death of Young Man Who Was Killed at Washington Park

Acting under instructions from Judge Lewis Starr, of Woodbury, and under a formal complaint of larceny, Edward Clendaniel, aged 22 years, of 2810 Emerald street, and William Harper, aged 21 years, of 3536 Lee street, Philadelphia, who were arrested in Camden, were yesterday taken to Woodbury jail to await the finding of the Camden Coroner's jury which will inquire to-morrow into the death of Harry Turner, aged 25 years, of 524 West Huntington street, Philadelphia, from injuries received by a fall from the aerial railway at Washington Park last Friday night.

Coroner Fithian yesterday impanelled the jury, with Louis H. Leigh, a clerk in the office of the Receiver of Taxes, as foreman, and the jury at once viewed the body. Coroner Fithian said that Turner's skull was fractured, his right arm broken, his face badly battered and his body covered with cuts and bruises, and that the inquest was to determine whether Turner's death was accidental or violent.

Acting Chief of Police Schregler, because of the contradictory stories told by Clendaniel and Harper, who admitted being with Turner at the time he was injured, decided to lock them up. Schregler put them in the same cell with Pauli Dupon, a runaway boy, and told the little fellow to keep his eyes and ears open. Several hours later, when the men were in deep slumber, Dupon told the Acting Chief that he saw one of the men hand the other a pocketbook containing money, with instructions to hide it. Schregler woke them and got the purse, which contained $25. Later Turner's father identified the body. When shown the pocketbook he said it belonged to his son.

Schregler then questioned Clendaniel and Harper, and each accused the other of taking the purse from Turner. Schregler immediately notified the Gloucester county authorities at Woodbury, and Judge Starr came to Camden and had a conference with the police authorities.

Should the inquest prove that Turner's death was accidental the two men will be held for larceny. Turner's gold watch and chain presented to him on his 21st birthday and worn by him when he left home, were found by Chief Allen, of the Washington Park police, at the place where Turner fell. When Coroner Fithian searched the body he found $4.80. Turner's father says he had $45 when he left home.

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