Category Archives: books

‘Onion Field’ Killing Revisited

Posted on January 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 13, 1963, Jimmy Lee Smith reenacts the killing of Officer Ian Campbell. March 12, 1963: "Ex-convict Jimmy Lee Smith stood in a Kern County onion field Monday and acted out his version of how an unarmed policeman was slain … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Homicide, LAPD | 2 Comments

Huntington and Folger Compete for Rare Books

Posted on January 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

Jan. 19, 1920: “When it was announced that Mr. Christie Miller had consigned a portion of his collection of early English literature to Sotheby's in London for sale at public vendue, the whole book-collecting fraternity pricked up its ears, … Continue reading →

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South Pasadena Author Dies

Posted on January 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

Jan. 18, 1910: The Times publishes an obituary on author Margaret Collier Graham of South Pasadena. Editions of her books may be found at bookfinder.com. Scans of her books are also available at archive.org.

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Eisenhower Demurs on Endorsing Nixon

Posted on January 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

On the frontiers of medicine … Above, a news analysis of President Eisenhower’s refusal to make a formal endorsement of Vice President Richard Nixon in the presidential race. Below, Eisenhower’s comments from the Jan. 14, 1960, Times. The Times announces … Continue reading →

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Library May Remove Books on Making Liquor

Posted on January 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

William C. De Mille’s “The Tree of Knowledge” and Fatty Arbuckle’s “The Garage” are at the Million Dollar Theatre. Jan. 16, 1920: With the advent of Prohibition, the library board of directors will discuss removing all books that … Continue reading →

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Steve Hodel to Mark Anniversary of Black Dahlia Killing

Posted on January 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

Steve Hodel, whose father, Dr. George Hodel, has been turned into a serial killer franchise, will be appearing at the Los Angeles Police Historical Society Museum on Jan. 15, the 63rd anniversary of the killing of Elizabeth Short, nicknamed … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Homicide, LAPD | 3 Comments

Suspect Held in Girl’s Abduction, Killing

Posted on January 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

Art Buchwald talks to Gregory Corso on the rise of the Beats. "This is going to be a great age," Corso says. "I can feel it. If we can only get some beatniks in the armies of the world we … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Columnists, Homicide, JFK, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off

Teachings of Mazdaznan Cult Exposed

Posted on January 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

“When a Feller Needs a Friend,” by Clare Briggs. Jan. 5, 1920: The Times quotes the writings of Otoman Zar-Adusht Hanish: "To raise one's vibration and interest it is well to speak sentences on one breath, such as inhaling through … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, books, Comics, Religion | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 2, 1960

Posted on January 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

Mash Notes and Comments "Dec. 22, 1959 "to Paul Coats, "Paul I am enclosing a sixty dollar money order I wrote out to myself which I want you to hold for me. My old girl friend of … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Paul Coates, Politics | 1 Comment

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 22, 1959

Posted on December 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

World Refugee Year As she sorted out her memories on her return from a pleasure trip around the world many months ago, actress Marsha Hunt found herself deeply troubled by recollection of endless hordes of refugees in Hong … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Columnists, Comics, Dodgers, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off

Christmas 1608

Posted on December 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

"The General Historie of Virginia, New England and the Summer Islands," on display at the Huntington Library. "Sleeping in his boat, accidentallie one fired his powder bag, which tore the flesh from his body and thighes, nine or ten … Continue reading →

Posted in books, broadcasting, Television | 1 Comment

Book Store Owners Arrested for Selling Radical Literature

Posted on December 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Oh, Man!” by Clare Briggs. Unfortunately, Google maps street view is a little broken at the moment. The area of the Red International Book Shop, 508 S. Maple, is here. Dec. 13, 1919: The Times publishes three stories about … Continue reading →

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Dime Novels Blamed in Death of Teenager

Posted on December 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 5, 1909: Claude Williams, 16, of Cannelton, Ind., kills 13-year-old James Hall and escapes to Kentucky. Williams is a reader of dime novels.

Posted in books, Homicide | 1 Comment

Found on EBay – Duesenberg

Posted on December 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

What is described as an original manual for a Duesenberg Model J has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $1,200. A little pricier than the set of eight pistons, with bidding that started at $100. Then again, a lot … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Dec. 3, 1959

Posted on December 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Book Banning In 1946 two Los Angeles booksellers were arrested for selling copies of Edmund Wilson's "Memoirs of Hecate County," which had been banned. The book was ruled obscene and they were convicted. Now, 13 years later, … Continue reading →

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Singer Pleads Not Guilty to Soliciting

Posted on December 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Akron has remote-control dachshunds — “a zany plaything.” Johnnie Ray says he just invited a friendly undercover officer up to his room for a nightcap. Nothing indecent about that. Mr. Flynn, would you like gold plating on that nude statue … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #gays and lesbians, books, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports, Transportation | 1 Comment

Nuestro Pueblo

Posted on December 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 31, 1938: Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens visit the Southwest Museum. Although I’ve been to the museum many times, I always drive to the top, so I’ve never noticed this tunnel. Next time I’m there, I’ll look … Continue reading →

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November 30, 1959: Paul Coates – Confidential File

Posted on November 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nothing, but Nothing Is Sacred Any More It’s every reporter’s dream to lay aside his battered old felt hat, shred his press card into confetti, turn his World War II surplus trench coat over to the Salvation Army, take his … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Animals, books, Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off

The Plot to Kidnap Roosevelt

Posted on November 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 29, 1959: Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. writes in “Man of the World” about a purported plot by wealthy industrialists to kidnap President Franklin Delano Roosevelt at the time he was reelected to a third term. Here's a perfect … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Politics | 2 Comments

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on November 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 24, 1961: “After the picture, we stepped into Jackie Gleason's Rolls-Royce, which he'd loaned us for the occasion, and drove to El Morocco for a bite to eat. There Hollywood producer Cubby Broccoli told me he will start … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Columnists, Film, Hollywood | 1 Comment