Category Archives: Countdown to Watts

Matt Weinstock, Oct. 18, 1960

Posted on October 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

Oct. 18, 1960: Matt Weinstock has an item on Robert Nathan’s satire “The Weans.” CONFIDENTIAL TO 'SICK INSIDE': Tell your husband you found the letter. He owes you an explanation.

Posted in Columnists, Comics, Countdown to Watts, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off

Paul Coates, Aug. 17, 1960

Posted on August 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

Aug. 17, 1960: Paul Coates writes about an economic boycott against African Americans in the South who register to vote.

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

Burned Bones Indicate Grim Fate of Missing Family

Posted on August 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

Aug. 4, 1910: The San Francisco Call. Isn’t that a great font? And two kinds of “Ms.” Aug. 4-5, 1910: The Kendall family disappears from a ranch outside Santa Rosa and investigators find grisly evidence that they were slaughtered. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts, Homicide, Religion | 2 Comments

Lynchings in Florida

Posted on August 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

Aug. 2, 1910: Alexandria (Va.) Gazette. The Times, Aug. 4, 1910. Aug. 5, 1910: Mahoning (Ohio) Dispatch. Aug. 9, 1910: Bisbee (Ariz.) Daily Review. Aug. 2-9, 1910: It’s a bit difficult to track down the original story about … Continue reading →

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Homicide | 2 Comments

The Protests

Posted on July 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by R.L. Oliver / Los Angeles Times Photographer R.L. Oliver wrote: “The Rev. Maurice A. Dawkins, minister of the People's Independent Church of Christ, started at midnight Sunday in a 24-hour vigil of prayer and fasting, advocating a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960 Democratic Convention, Countdown to Watts, JFK, Photography, Politics | Comments Off

Fight of the Century Touches Off Race Riots

Posted on July 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

July 7, 1910: Times cartoonist Edmund Waller “Ted” Gale comments on the race riots that followed Jack Johnson’s defeat of James Jeffries in the Fight of the Century. Many cities barred theaters from showing film of the fight for … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Countdown to Watts, Sports | Comments Off

Missouri Mob Lynches Two Blacks

Posted on July 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

July 4, 1910: Charleston, Mo. — "Those in the yard — the women and children — could hear the sounds of a sledge hammer as the lock was knocked off the cell door. In a few moments a shout announced … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts | 4 Comments

The Fight of the Century

Posted on July 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

July 1-5, 1910: The Times’ Harry Carr writes from Reno: "The 'battle of the century' made me think of nothing so much as the butchery of an old bull. "When, at the end of the 15th round, old … Continue reading →

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Film, Sports, Stage | Comments Off

The Times’ Court Reporter Files a Story in Dialect

Posted on June 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

June 3, 1910: The Times’ court reporter files a story in dialect about two African American women who are charged with fighting. Ouch. And police arrest newsboys shooting dice behind the offices of Los Angeles Record (1886-1931).

Posted in #courts, classical music, Countdown to Watts, LAPD, Music | 2 Comments

Matt Weinstock, April 20, 1960

Posted on April 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

Plane Bomb Jokers Persons who go airplane riding had better get used to the idea that authorities don't think wisecracks about bombs are funny. A story from Chicago a few days ago stated that nine persons have … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off

Woman Dresses as Man to See Prizefights

Posted on April 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 17, 1910: As I have said before, early 20th century Los Angeles is an acquired taste. Many people prefer the ill-defined “noir” period that is written in smoke and shadows – and just as elusive. Quite honestly, … Continue reading →

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Sports | Comments Off

Pacific Ocean Park

Posted on April 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 11, 1960: Happy Easter from Pacific Ocean Park (1958-1975). Adult admission is $10.75, USD 2009. On the jump, African Americans across the South begin an Easter week boycott of stores with segregation policies.

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off

Dog Show Stages Bloodhounds’ Chase of African American Boy

Posted on April 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

April 1, 1910: The Mississippi Valley Kennel Club dog show concludes with a demonstration of bloodhounds chasing an African American boy through the streets of St. Louis and trapping him in the coliseum. “The hounds, Fanney and Queen, are the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Countdown to Watts | 2 Comments

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 21 1960

Posted on March 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

Journalism Lesson From a Dixie Editor My mother didn’t exactly cancel her subscription to The Mirror News. What she did, she called me up — collect — from her flat in the Bronx just before Christmas last year with … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Science, Transportation | Comments Off

Ron Milner, March 19, 1980

Posted on March 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 19, 1980: Lawrence Christon reviews Ron Milner’s “Season’s Reasons,” which he calls “a state of the black union address." "Much of the play emphasizes how little American racial attitudes have improved," Christon says. Milner died in July 16, … Continue reading →

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Obituaries, Stage | Comments Off

Questions on the Future of the Presidency

Posted on March 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 18, 1960: Columnist James Reston explores President Eisenhower’s refusal to intervene in the dispute over segregated lunch counters in the South and what his philosophy signifies for the next president. Reston says, “President Eisenhower believes with great sincerity … Continue reading →

Posted in Countdown to Watts, JFK, Politics, Richard Nixon | 2 Comments

Arkansas Mob Plans Lynching at Dawn

Posted on March 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 18, 1910: The Times publishes a vivid story from Marion, Ark., about a white mob rampaging through town after two African Americans accused of staging a jailbreak allowing 12 black prisoners to escape – one of whom was … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts | Comments Off

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 17, 1960

Posted on March 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

Further Reaction to White 'Negro' A $1 bill and a $5 bill found their respective ways through the U.S. mails this week, onto my desk. Both came to me as a result of the articles I printed … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Front Pages, Homicide, Paul Coates | Comments Off

Segregated Businesses May Be Legal, Eisenhower Says

Posted on March 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 17, 1960: On the jump, more about Cheryl Crane’s transfer to El Retiro School for Girls in the San Fernando Valley … President Eisenhower says it may be legal for private businesses to bar African Americans or any … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, Comics, Countdown to Watts, Education, Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood, Homicide, Mickey Cohen, Religion | Comments Off

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 16, 1960

Posted on March 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

Story of White 'Negro' Fascinated the World If I sound like a numb, it's because I am. I devoted a pair of articles last week to John Howard Griffin, a man with an engrossing story to tell. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Front Pages, Homicide | Comments Off