Search America's historic newspaper pages from 1756-1963 or use the U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present. Chronicling America is sponsored jointly by the National Endowment for the Humanities external link and the Library of Congress. Learn more
Image provided by: Rutgers University Libraries
Newspaper Page Text
First Police Chief Is Dead Ben Comley, Civil War Veteran, Was “The Police Department” During First Year of City’s History By Carl M. Voelker Ben Comley is dead. Pioneer Ventnor residents will immediately recognize in the an nouncement the closing of a chapter in the history of the Vent nor City Police Department. For the edification of those who have become residents here during the past fifteen years I will ex plain that Benjamin Franklin Comley was the city’s first chief of police, having been named as * such by the then chief executive, \ Mayor A. C. McClellan in May, 1903, shortly after the municipal charter had been granted by the State Legislature. ' But Ben Comley was more than that. He'served with distinction as a member of the New Jersey Volunteers during the Civil War, and after resuming civil citizen ship he became actively identified with the Grand Army of the Re public. He had attained the age of 79 years and had retained virtually all of his faculties until the end. Only his eyesight had failed the stalwart defender of the Union. When taps was sounded over his grave at Pleasantville Ceme , tery on last Wednesday barely a firing squad of the “Old Guard” paid the final tribute to their de parted comrade, for Ben had lived to be one of the ten surviving members of Joe Hooker Post, G. A. R. Ben Comley had a unique career. Possessed of a pleasing personality, but endowed with Spartan courage, he proved an i =======—.. . . i able guardian of the peace. Hav ing served &s a police officer in Camden and Atlantic City, he as sumed the duties of the embryo city of Ventnor equipped with ample knowledge and ability to properly safeguard the lives and property entrusted to his keeping. He also served in the capacity of county constable for a number of years. For over a year Ben was chief and he was at the same time the entire police department, a rather unique distinction in itself. It was. not until July of 1904 that Harry H. Frings, now chief of police, was appointed as a patrol man and assigned to night duty. The two-man department pre vailed until March 15, 1907, when Comley resigned. Mayor Rich ards named Frings as acting chief on March 19, and immediately thereafter William Kuhl, Jr., Ben jamin Riley and Absalom Conover were named as patrolmen. Ben Comley was a well-known figure and popular in the-circle in which he moved. He resided until 1918 at 12 North Dudley Avenue, his wife having died a few years before. He was an ardent fisher man ar.d took an active interest in yachting. Loyal to the com radeship of the Grand Army he served Joe Hooker Post as com mander and for many years faith fully observed the proprieties of Memorial Day in seeing that the graves of departed comrades were properly decorated as a tribute to their memory. Unless some other member of Joe Hooker Post should be summoned to the Great Army by the last roll call, Corn ley’s grave will be the scene of the annual exercises of the Post on May 30. In view of the fact that Ventnor City is now one of the wealthiest communities in South Jersey it might be interesting to state that there was a time in the city’s his tory, of course way back in its early days, when the municipal treasury was bare, making it necessary for all city employees to be temporarily discharged. Ben Comley, then chief of police, was the only employee retained and for several months his name was the only one appearing on the city pay roll. After disposing of his property here Comley removed to North field, where he spent his declining years, residing there until his death. Ben Comley was one of Vent nor’s pioneers and like the figure in history of whom is recorded the sacrifices and hardships inci dent to the blazing of the trail, so he, with others still living in our midst, aided largely in the laying of the figurative foundation stones on which has been reared this wonderful little home city by the sea. With his passing Harry H. Frings becomes the longest-serv ing member of the police depart ment. A little bit of department history might not be amiss. Frings having been named in 5.907 to succeed Comley he served as acting chief until April 25, 1917, when William W. Sjprague was appointed chief by Theodore W. Schimpf, then mayor. Sprague served until June 17, 1920, at which time Frings was named as chief of the department. Sprague was removed after a hearing, but the case was taken into the courts and Sprague was returned to duty on March 9, of this year. Frings again became a patrolman. Five days later, however, he was again formally appointed chief of police by Mayor Brehman, Sprague having resigned after receiving a check for back pay due during the time his case was pending in the courts. Louis Rauch, who served nine years in the department, with five other patrolmen, namely, Horton Spurrier, Joseph Gilmore, James J. Keating, Lloyd E. Hopkins and Leonard Sachsenmaier, resigned in a body on March 9, 1922, when Chief Sprague was reinstated. Next in point of service to Chief Frings is Patrolman George Rusk, who recently joined the ranks of the benedicts. Other members of the force today include Alexander Cullen, Andrew Magee, Joseph L. Naylor, Jr., Thomas J. Donahue, Walter J. Riley, James E. Mc Anney, James G. Cremens and Wharton Sharpe. The latter served for many years as a paid fireman, while Riley had served | several years as a patrolman in i the early days. Charles E. Reppetto, mayor’s clerk, is an ex-officio member of I £he police department, acting also ; m the capacity of desk clerk. Any historical reference to the police department would not be complete without making mention j of the incumbency as a patrol | man of James J. Megendy, who 1 was one of Ventnor’s “finest” for a number of years prior to the World War. “Jim,” as he was popularly known, served during the time and Ben and Walt Riley were guardians of the peace. He never missed an opportunity to assert his authority and while at times he was the subject of criti cism, and often ridiculed, in the main he proved an efficient officer. Ben Riley is now engaged in the real estate business, still making his home here, as does Absalom Conover, one of the pioneer corps, who is following his trade of carpenter. Young Bill Kuhl did not cherish the job very long and he too is now engaged in the con tracting business in North Jersey. With many important captures credited to the department, the record of losses by theft in the city since its incorporation reflects great credit upon the men who have from time to time served the city. The city has been exception ally fortunate in its freedom from crime, due largely to the efficient patroling of the city, despite^the limited number of men available for duty. VENTNOR DELICATESSEN HENRY BETCHEN, Prop. The Bright Spot of Ventnor 5203 Ventnor Avenue Phone 7690-W Free Deliverj Ventnor Tailoring Co. Cleaning;, Pressing, Repairing and Dyeing 26 S. Little Rock Ave. Bell Phone 7224-W PHONE 579 NOW FOR GOOD COAL (Well Screened) ' The Coal Strike Has Not Stopped Our Service Best Quality Full Weight Delivered Promptly LEVIN COAL CO. Maryland and Mediterranean Aves. Agents for Otto Coke Speedometer and Battery Repair Station WILLIAM MALONEY 29 S. FLORIDA AVENUE Phone 1275-J Walter T. Margerum Plumbing and Heating Jobbing a Specialty 17 S. VICTORIA AVE. Phone 7076-J Fire Place and Kindling WOOD FOR SALE If You Are Looking for Good, Seasoned, Fire Place Wood and Prompt Deliv ery—Call SMITH & APPEL PHONE 42-W Office and Yard: « R. 229 N. Connecticut Ave MRS. ELLA FEISTE 20 Years Experience in Europe SWEDISH SCALP SPECIALIST 3213 Atlantic Avenue Phone 827-W John G. Gibson Plumbing and Heating Complete Satisfaction "TSaaranteed Rapid and Prompt Repair Work ,12 N. Sacramento Avenue - Phone 7145-W ARE YOU SICK? WILFRED MARSDEN Palmer Graduate WILL HELP YOU PHONE 1317 107 South Virginia Arena. TITMAN’S SELL IT CHEAPER CUT PRICE DRUGS 2800 Atlantic Avenue 110 Atlantic Avenue 2340—PHONES—4788 ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY 2117-W—PHONES—6902 _DOUBLE CHECK PRESCRIPTION SERVICE (COLLEGE GRADUAT ES ONLY). NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE PATENT MEDICINES $1.10 Tanlac ..$ .89 1.25 Pinkham’s Comp.98 Wampole’s Cod Liver Oil .79 1.10 Ovoferrin .,.„.89 1.10 Vinol . .79 1.50 Fellows’ Hypophos *.. 1.30 1.25 Earl’s Hypo Cod . 1.10 1.00 Borden’s Malt. Milk ..89 1.00 Horlick Malt. Milk. .89 Dioxygen _ 22c 45c 89c Glycothymoline 22c 45c 89c Listerine 22c 42c 89c Lysol 22c 45c 89c Creolin 22c 45c 89c Lavoris 22c 45c 89c $1.00 Squibbs Mineral Oil .79 1.10 Nujol . 89 .40 Laxol .30 .40 Castoria. 30 .60 Syrup of Figs .45 .85 Mellins Food . 70 1.25 Peptogenic Milk Powd. 1.10 .30 Phil. Milk Magnesia .22 .50 Phil. Milk Magnesia .40 .75 Dextri Maltrose . 69 .75 Merck’s Sugar Milk.59 , .75 Robinson’s Barley.65 SPECIAL THIS WEEK ONLY! Regular 60c Writing Paper, 33c We would pay more than this ordinarily, ourselves, but we bought a real bargain and we are giving you the benefit. At this price you should buy a dozen boxes. PILLS $ .75 Alophen .$. 65 .50 Lapactic .40 .40 Phenolax.25 .30 Beecham’s .22 .65 Doan Kidney .. , .55 .60 DeWitt’s.48 .25 Carter’s .20 .35 Olive Tabs .25 .35 Lax. Brom. Quinine .25 .25 Bayer’s Aspirin ..20 DENTAL PASTES $ .25 White’s .$ .22 .30 Kal-Pheno .22 .30 Kolynos . 22 .30 Lyon’s .23 , .60 Pepsodent . .40 .60 Pebeco . 42 .60 Carbolic.. .60 Listerine ..43 .60 Forhan’s .. 1.00 Pyrorrohcide .. BALL OR FLAKE CAMPHOR 15c lb.—4 lbs. 49c A Real Saving! One of our new customers remarked the other day that the reason she had not dealt here before, was that she did not believe first-class merchandise could be bought at such low prices. Frankly, we couldn’t do it if your order was the only one we received. But, we get your order, Mrs. Jones’ order, Mrs. Brown s order and a lot of others for the same item,and this enables us to buy in laTge quantities, stand ard merchandise that are best sellers. Then again, we do a cash business. This enables us to pay for our goods at better prices and larger discounts. Help us to keep up the VOLUME, which means lower prices to you. Phone your wants, if you cannot come. Watch Our Weekly Cut Rate Specials on This Page SB PHONE YOUR WANTS FREE DELIVERY ANYWHERE