Category Archives: 1908

September 10, 1907: Horoscope — ‘A Very Uncertain Day’

Posted on September 10, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 10, 1907: Horoscope: A very uncertain day. No evil omens glare anywhere but in all aspects there lies a heavy veil, defying those who would peer into this day. Beware, therefore, of all and any unconsidered act. Continue reading →

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September 9, 1907: Taft Leads Bryan in Presidential Poll

Posted on September 9, 2026 by lmharnisch

September 9, 1907: More than a year before the 1908 presidential election, Republican William Howard Taft is far and away the favorite over Democrat William Jennings Bryan in a straw poll reported by The Times. Continue reading →

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August 30, 1907: Rabbi Leads Campaign to Open Hebrew University in L.A.

Posted on August 30, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 30, 1907: Rabbi Alfred Arndt of Congregation Beth Israel leads an effort to open what The Times describes as “the only Hebrew university within the entire United States.” Continue reading →

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August 12-13, 1907: Bucket of Blood Is a Den of Drunken Debauchery

Posted on August 12, 2026 by lmharnisch

August 12, 1907: The L.A. Times describes the Bismark Cafe, known to police as the Bucket of Blood, as “drunken debauchery among girls of tender ages, painted women and men.” It is an “immoral pesthole” where “young girls are enticed nightly do drink and listen to a band concert.” Continue reading →

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July 19, 1908: Perkins Estate Overlooks Los Robles Canyon

Posted on July 19, 2026 by lmharnisch

July 19, 1908: The Los Angeles Times real estate section features the new Perkins estate on Hillcrest overlooking Los Robles Canyon. Continue reading →

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July 13, 1908: Attempt to Smuggle Chinese Into U.S. Ends in Gunfight

Posted on July 13, 2026 by lmharnisch

July 13, 1908: Four Chinese men dressed as Mexicans try to cross the bridge over an irrigation canal marking the border, guided by at least one smuggler. Immigration agents and the smuggler exchange shots before the smuggler jumps into water and escapes. The four Chinese are jailed in Los Angeles. Continue reading →

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July 8, 1908: Woman’s Body Rescued From USC Dissection Lab

Posted on July 8, 2026 by lmharnisch

July 8, 1908: Marion Jones died owing $29.45 in doctor bills (more than $1,000 in 2026 dollars), so her body was sent to the USC dissection lab. Continue reading →

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July 2, 1908: Life ‘A Living Hell,’ Wife Flees Husband

Posted on July 2, 2026 by lmharnisch

July 2, 1908: Walter F.W. Stock says his wife, Fannie, was lured away from home during a motoring trip with “a prepossessing young Mexican in his employ. The next day, however, Fannie says her life is a living hell: Married at 16, giving birth to seven children in seven years. Continue reading →

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May 30, 1908: Snake Stops Traffic

Posted on May 30, 2026 by lmharnisch

May 30, 1908: A large gopher snake causes a disturbance in downtown Los Angeles. Continue reading →

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May 29, 1908: Concert Pianist Put on Chain Gang in Crackdown on Gays

Posted on May 29, 2026 by lmharnisch

May 28, 1908: Concert pianist Peje Storck is put on chain gang after being arrested in a room full of men, pleading guilty to a reduced charge of “vagrancy.” Continue reading →

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May 16, 1908: Wanted — Home for 1,000 Ostriches!

Posted on May 16, 2026 by lmharnisch

May 16, 1908: The Cawston Ostrich Farm of South Pasadena is seeking 250-500 acres, suitable for planting alfalfa, within 100 miles of Los Angeles to be a home for 1,000 ostriches. Continue reading →

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May 13, 1908: Work to Begin on Streetcar Tunnel to Ease Traffic

Posted on May 13, 2026 by lmharnisch

May 13, 1908: Work will begin on a Hill Street tunnel for streetcars in an attempt to ease traffic congestion, showing that traffic problems in Los Angeles are more than a century old. Continue reading →

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May 12, 1908: Stanford Officials Open Unmarked Graves

Posted on May 12, 2026 by lmharnisch

May 12: 1908: “The Christ Kid” gets his nickname from posing as a preacher to the homeless whenever police are looking for him. Continue reading →

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May 6, 1908: Shocked Judge Grants Divorce; Bodies Found at Indiana Murder Farm

Posted on May 6, 2026 by lmharnisch

May 6, 1908: A judge in Connecticut grants a divorce to Henry Lord with details so shocking that the judge stays the proceedings. And crowds visit the Indiana murder farm. Continue reading →

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April 23, 1908: Whiskey Is a Health Tonic

Posted on April 23, 2026 by lmharnisch

April 23, 1908: Whiskey is a health tonic! Continue reading →

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April 22, 1908: Beer Is a Health Drink

Posted on April 22, 2026 by lmharnisch

April 22, 1908: Beer is a health drink, especially good for “the weak and the convalescent.” “When beer is pure, there is nothing more healthful.” Continue reading →

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April 21, 1908: Dispute Over Black and White Children Playing Together Turns Deadly

Posted on April 21, 2026 by lmharnisch

April 21, 1908: In Memphis, a quarrel between women over Black and white children playing together leads to a fight and then a shooting. And a crackdown on sending birth control information through the mail. Continue reading →

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April 20, 1908: Great White Fleet Draws Huge Crowds, Overwhelming Capacity

Posted on April 20, 2026 by lmharnisch

April 20, 1908: The Great White Fleet draws huge crowds, overwhelming rail service to Long Beach, San Pedro, Redondo Beach and Venice. If there were a Militant Angeleno in 1908, he would have been there! Continue reading →

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April 15, 1908: Accused Wife Killer Says ‘Everything Went Black’

Posted on April 15, 2026 by lmharnisch

April 15,1908: Quong Wai, who is fighting a deportation order, says he is an American born in San Francisco. He says immigration officers arrested him at a streetcar station without reason. Continue reading →

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April 13, 1908: Dr. Hoffman’s Nerve Syrup Cures ‘Fits’

Posted on April 13, 2026 by lmharnisch

April 13, 1908: Dr. Hoffman’s “Nerve Syrup” has a pleasant taste and cures epilepsy, St. Vitus Dance and nervous trouble. What exactly is in it? The ad isn’t saying. Continue reading →

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