Category Archives: African Americans

The FBI Thins Its Files

Posted on July 6, 2011 by lmharnisch

I had the strangest experience Saturday when I was going through Ernest Hemingway’s FBI file. I was sure the buro had posted Louis Armstrong’s dossier — it’s brief and not terribly interesting except for the fact that it exists. Or … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, History, Homicide, LAPD, Libraries | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The FBI Thins Its Files

#history

Posted on June 30, 2011 by lmharnisch

A summary of history-related posts on the Web: Chicago Tribune The Trib has an item on the Children’s Museum remaining at Navy Pier rather than moving to Grant Park as the facility is transferred to private management. Here’s the Trib’s … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Baseball, Chicago, Film, History, Hollywood, Museums, Music, Native Americans, Photography, Sports | Tagged , , | Comments Off on #history

New York Honors Pioneering Black Police Officer

Posted on June 26, 2011 by lmharnisch

The New York Times has a great feature about Samuel J. Battle on the centennial of him becoming the first African American appointed to the New York Police Department. Excerpts from an interview given in 1960 for Columbia’s oral history … Continue reading →

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Pioneering African American Attorney Walter L. Gordon Jr. Honored

Posted on June 24, 2011 by lmharnisch

Walter L. Gordon Jr., left, and Judge William C. Beverly Jr. This week, the UCLA library honored the 103rd birthday Walter L. Gordon Jr., one of the pioneering African American attorneys in Los Angeles. Judge William C. Beverly Jr. was … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Architecture, Crime and Courts, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Libraries, Museums, Nightclubs, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Pioneering African American Attorney Walter L. Gordon Jr. Honored

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

Posted on April 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

Below, an update in the saga of some “Hearstlings” who stole pictures of the Great White Fleet to be published in the Examiner … Note the story about the 1906 Brownsville, Texas, incident in which African American troops of the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1908, Abortion, African Americans, Countdown to Watts, Front Pages, health, Homicide, Politics | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on April 21, 1908: Dispute Over Black and White Children Playing Together Turns Deadly

Strange Fruit

Posted on February 1, 2007 by lmharnisch

Feb. 1, 1907Los Angeles I was all set to write about Leroyxez, “The Human Pincushion,” being nailed to a cross promptly at 4 p.m. at Chutes Park, and then a story about lynching in the U.S. caught my eye. Year … Continue reading →

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The Changing Face of the City

Posted on January 17, 2007 by lmharnisch

Jan. 17, 1907Los Angeles On a trip from Utah to visit his daughter, H.E. Gibson keeps getting lost as he wanders around Los Angeles. No, it’s not because Gibson is 80, for his mind is still sharp. It’s because he … Continue reading →

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A Gruesome First

Posted on December 27, 2006 by lmharnisch

Dec. 27, 1907 Henryetta, Okla., by the Associated Press A little more than a month after Oklahoma achieved statehood, James Garden became a wretched statistic: the first black to be lynched there. On Dec. 24, Garden went to see liveryman … Continue reading →

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An Artist Makes His Point

Posted on October 18, 2006 by lmharnisch

Oct. 18, 1907 Los Angeles For the last month, the pages of The Times have been peppered with pen-and-ink cartoons signed Gale—in fact some of them have already appeared in the blog, with Nathan’s post on Japanese hobos and mine … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, African Americans, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Columnists, LAPD, Streetcars | Tagged | 1 Comment

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Posted on October 17, 2006 by lmharnisch

Oct. 17, 1907Los AngelesMr. Woolin, left tackle of the USC team, took great exception to be tackled by one of the black players on the Whittier State team (one of Whittier’s five black players) and voiced his displeasure, emphasizing his … Continue reading →

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The Curious Dreamer

Posted on October 5, 2006 by lmharnisch

Oct. 5, 1907Los AngelesHilliard Stricklin is a man with an urgent desire to do something for his fellow African Americans. He says that he came to Los Angeles from Chattanooga, Tenn., about 1895 with a few dollars in his pocket, … Continue reading →

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History Deals a Deadly Hand

Posted on May 12, 2006 by lmharnisch

May 12, 1907 We’ve been having fun all week with the Shriners, parading around in their costumes, engaging in peculiar rites and pondering silly questions like “What Makes the Wildcat Wild?” Then in a moment, a train wreck at Honda … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, African Americans, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, LAPD, Streetcars | 1 Comment