Category Archives: Books and Authors

No Corduroys for the Frosh!

Posted on September 16, 2006 by lmharnisch

Sept. 16, 1907Los AngelesOccidental’s fall semester has gotten underway with a boisterous gathering in the Hall of Letters. The first order of business was to punish underclassmen who dared to wear corduroy trousers, a right restricted to the upper classes. … Continue reading →

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Brian De Palma’s ‘The Black Dahlia’

Posted on September 14, 2006 by lmharnisch

“The Black Dahlia,” directed by Brian De Palma, screenplay by Josh Friedman based on the novel by James Ellroy. Starring Josh Hartnett (Dwight “Bucky” Bleichert), Aaron Eckhart (Leeland “Lee” Blanchard), Scarlett Johansson (Kay Lake), Hillary Swank (Madeleine Linscott) and Mia … Continue reading →

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Her Last Walk

Posted on September 13, 2006 by lmharnisch

Sept. 13, 1907Los AngelesThe family was too poor to take a streetcar, so Concepcion Parra, 60, and her sister Mrs. J.L. Ghiotto began walking the 12 miles to El Monte with Parra’s 5-year-old granddaughter, Delphina Verde, to see the girl’s … Continue reading →

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The Fall Collection

Posted on September 11, 2006 by lmharnisch

Sept. 11, 1907Direct Wire From New York Wow! Now this is the kind of quote one simply doesn’t see every day, at least in the 21st century. The Victorians certainly had a different attitude toward women’s physiques: “The woman who … Continue reading →

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EBay Avenger

Posted on September 10, 2006 by lmharnisch

OK, I’ve had my fun with Ellroy’s copies of the “Avenger” books. The hardback stands at $38 and the paperback at $29. Despite my minimum bids, there is always the risk that I might end up with these turkeys! Good … Continue reading →

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Horoscope for the Day

Posted on September 10, 2006 by lmharnisch

Sept. 10, 1907Los Angeles 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. Promise nothing … Continue reading →

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The Infancy of Polling

Posted on September 9, 2006 by lmharnisch

Sept. 9, 1907Los AngelesMore 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.Taft has strong support across the … Continue reading →

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A Flirtation Goes Awry

Posted on September 8, 2006 by lmharnisch

Sept. 8, 1907Los Angeles Jack Foster, a handsome, blond actor who is the toast of the vaudeville circuit, noticed a young lady standing at 3rd Street and Main after a show. Seeing that she was alone, Foster said: “Rather late … Continue reading →

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September 7, 1907: Aren’t We Healthy?

Posted on September 7, 2006 by lmharnisch

September 7, 1907 Los Angeles Henry Sief of the health office has released the latest figures on infectious diseases in Los Angeles and the news is wonderful. There were only 20 cases of diphtheria in August, a 31% decrease from … Continue reading →

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Interring the Short-Handled Log Implement

Posted on September 7, 2006 by lmharnisch

An incredibly curious thing happened yesterday. I’ve been taping segments for an “America’s Most Wanted” episode on the Black Dahlia and the producer called to see if they could get some shots of me in the Biltmore bar talking to … Continue reading →

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Outbid!

Posted on September 6, 2006 by lmharnisch

Gosh, I upped my bid on James Ellroy’s copies of “Black Dahlia Avenger” (the hardback and paperback) but was outbid. Darn. I’m going to do my best to get them over $25, though. Don’t you think primo Dahlia material is … Continue reading →

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The Little Devil

Posted on September 5, 2006 by lmharnisch

Sept. 5, 1907Los AngelesPoor old Mrs. Moore was ill, so instead of paying the grocer his monthly bill, she put a $10 gold piece in an envelope and told her 9-year-old son, Cecil, to take it to him. But Cecil, … Continue reading →

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Nooooo!!!

Posted on September 5, 2006 by lmharnisch

I couldn’t stand the thought of James Ellroy’s copies of “Black Dahlia Avenger” going for so little on EBay. After all, don’t people know the book has been optioned by New Line Cinema? Surely books that are inscribed to the … Continue reading →

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So Rude!

Posted on September 4, 2006 by lmharnisch

My goodness, one never knows what will turn up on Ebay. This morning I found a copy of “Black Dahlia Avenger” inscribed by Steve Hodel to James Ellroy, who wrote the introduction to the paperback, praising Hodel’s work and endorsing … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Homicide, LAPD, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A Labor Day Oration

Posted on September 3, 2006 by lmharnisch

Sept. 3, 1907Editorial, Los Angeles Times“I have no patience with the prejudices which exist between alleged classes when the classes themselves do not exist. There is no reason for hostility between employer and employee, between capitalist and wage earner. A … Continue reading →

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A Nation of Vice

Posted on August 31, 2006 by lmharnisch

Aug. 31, 1907Los AngelesThe ugly statistics should dishearten even the most ardent temperance worker. According to federal tax data for the last fiscal year, distillers produced 20 gallons of beer and 1.4 gallons of whiskey for every man, woman and … Continue reading →

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Dreams of Higher Learning

Posted on August 30, 2006 by lmharnisch

Aug. 30, 1907Los Angeles Led by Rabbi Alfred Arndt of Congregation Beth Israel, the local Jewish community hopes to open what The Times describes as “the only Hebrew university within the entire United States.” Noting the increased immigration to Southern … Continue reading →

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Firefighters’ Pranks

Posted on August 29, 2006 by lmharnisch

Aug. 29, 1907Los Angeles Around Engine Co. 20 at Sunset Boulevard and Mohawk Street, Lt. Samuel Dodd is something of a practical joker, so when he left on his honeymoon with his bride, Juanita, his fellow firefighters decided to get … Continue reading →

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He Lives

Posted on August 27, 2006 by lmharnisch

Manhattan BeachAug. 27, 2006Retired Episcopal minister the Rev. John Jewett, 83, wanted to die, so while staying with his son-in-law, J.D. Porter, he slit his throat with a razor.The undertaker was called, but when he arrived with his hearse, Jewett … Continue reading →

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Save Those Redwoods

Posted on August 26, 2006 by lmharnisch

Aug. 27, 1907Santa Rosa, Calif.Elected officials addressed a large rally devoted to saving the 800-acre Armstrong Grove, named after lumber baron J.B. Armstrong, who decided to save the stand of soaring redwoods rather than clearing it.“Armstrong Grove contains the finest … Continue reading →

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