Category Archives: Crime and Courts

Black L.A., 1947: Husband Suspected of Killing Mary Tate

Posted on February 26, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 27, 1947: Terry Tate, of 123 N. San Pedro Street, is arrested in the death of his wife, Mary, at 107 Weller Street, described by the Sentinel as a rooming house or hotel. Tate was strangled and beaten … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

In Indiana, There Is No Beer

Posted on February 26, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2007. Feb. 14-26, 1907 Los Angeles The Rev. Ervin S. Chapman, a Presbyterian minister who heads the Anti-Saloon League of California, has won a victory through an address that persuaded an Indiana judge … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Streetcars | Tagged | 1 Comment

Black L.A., 1947: Willie Earle Lynched by South Carolina Mob

Posted on February 21, 2018 by lmharnisch

Feb. 20, 1947: The lynching of Willie Earle drew nationwide attention. Here is the New Yorker’s 1947 account of the trial in which 28 men were acquitted.

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Crime and Courts | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Black L.A., 1947: ‘Milk Bottle Murder’ – Couple’s Fight Ends in Death

Posted on February 20, 2018 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 20, 1947: Lois Ellis, victim of the “Milk Bottle Murder.” The neighborhood of 1207 E. 47th St. via Google Street View. From his bed in the jail ward of county hospital, Sam Ellis told of killing his wife, … Continue reading →

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Black L.A., 1947: ‘Why Do 14-Year-Old Girls Get Drunk and Fall Into Bed With Men?’ Judge Asks

Posted on February 14, 2018 by lmharnisch

The Sentinel runs a publicity photo of Flora Washington, who released “Broken Hearted” and “If I Ever Cry, You’ll Never Know” on the United Artist label in 1946. Flora Washington sings “Broken Hearted” via Archive.org.   Feb. 13, 1947: Municipal … Continue reading →

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Black L.A. 1947: Judge Backs Racial Ban, Orders Native Americans Out of West Hollywood Home

Posted on February 13, 2018 by lmharnisch

Feb. 13, 1947: Dorothy Bradley becomes the first African American cashier hired at the Safeway grocery store in Watts. She was hired as the result of a campaign by the Watts Citizens Welfare committee protesting Safeway’s refusal to hired black … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Crime and Courts, Real Estate | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Black L.A. 1947: Black Passenger Sues Greyhound After Driver Has Her Arrested for Not Giving Up Seat

Posted on February 9, 2018 by lmharnisch

  At left, a three-unit property at 3509 5th Ave., listed for sale in 1947 at $17,500. Above, the property sold for $600,000 in 2016, according to Zillow. Feb. 6, 1947: The Sentinel reports on a lawsuit filed by Alpha … Continue reading →

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Feb. 8, 1907: Peace Returns to Buena Vista Street

Posted on February 8, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore from 2007. Feb. 8, 1907 Los Angeles About 1903, Charles E. Donnatin, former Pacific Electric Railway superintendent, apparently said something about the young woman across the street at the Stewart home, Savoy Street and Buena … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Streetcars | 1 Comment

Black L.A. 1947: Ascot Hills Rapist, Shot by Police, Faces 51 Counts

Posted on February 7, 2018 by lmharnisch

Minton R. Scott, the Ascot Hills Rapist, after being shot in the head by police. Los Angeles Times Photographic Archive. Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA Feb. 6, 1947: Minton Robert Scott is accused of being … Continue reading →

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Feb 7, 1907: Cop Killer’s Widow Arrested in Liquor Raid

Posted on February 7, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2007. Feb. 7, 1907 Los Angeles   A Child’s Testimony Charles Babbitt is sentenced to 30 days in jail on charges of domestic violence after the testimony of his 6-year-old son. “Papa hit … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Streetcars | 1 Comment

Feb. 1, 1907: A Look at Lynchings

Posted on February 1, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post I wrote in 2007. Feb. 1, 1907 Los 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 … Continue reading →

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

Jan. 31, 1947: Herald-Express Publishes Name and Address of Rape Victim

Posted on January 31, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post I wrote in 2006 for the 1947project. It is difficult to believe that there was a time when newspapers published rape victims’ names and addresses, but the Herald-Express had no misgivings about it. Aggie Underwood, … Continue reading →

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Jan. 30, 1947: Salesman on Main Street Corner Sets Off Riot

Posted on January 30, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post I wrote in 2006 for the 1947project. The rewrite desk in action: The Examiner: Free Cash, Nylons and Gum— Then They Took Him Away! Dollar bills, nylons and bubble gum pelted persons at 6th and … Continue reading →

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Jan. 29, 1947: Thief Steals Box of Rattlers From Snake Expert’s Car

Posted on January 29, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post I wrote in 2006 for the 1947project. Wanted: Thief Who Took 3 Snakes SAN GABRIEL, Jan. 28—Chief Frank L. Carpenter sent out a police broadcast tonight for capture of the boldest and most daring thief … Continue reading →

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Jan. 26, 1947: 2 Murders, 83 Assaults in Weekly Toll of Crime in L.A.

Posted on January 26, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post I wrote in 2006 for the 1947project. L.A. Crime Total 1,229 During Week In the last week 1,229 crimes were committed in Los Angeles. They were: 553 thefts 337 burglaries 83 robberies 83 assaults with … Continue reading →

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Jan. 25, 1947: Shadows in Photograph Clear Man Convicted of Molesting Girl

Posted on January 25, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post I wrote in 2006 for the 1947project. He said he didn’t do it. He said he didn’t lure the little girl into his garage on her way home from school. But he was convicted of … Continue reading →

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Jan. 23, 1947: Four Held for Trial in ‘Red Hibiscus Murder’

Posted on January 23, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post I wrote in 2006 for the 1947project. Murder Four held for Trial in ‘Hibiscus’ Slaying After a weeklong preliminary hearing, four of five youths arrested in the Lincoln Park “hibiscus” murder case were today held … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Comics, Crime and Courts, Music | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Jan. 22, 1947: Police Hunt ‘Large Nose Bandit’

Posted on January 22, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post I wrote in 2006 for the 1947project. ‘Large Nose’ Seek Bandit in $28,000 L.A. Bank Holdup “Large Nose,” a bandit who claims “heroes die young,” was sought by police today for the $28,000 robbery of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, Comics, Crime and Courts | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Jan. 21, 1947: ‘Model Prisoners’ Slip From Custody at Night to Commit Burglaries

Posted on January 21, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is a post I did in 2006 for the 1947project. Marley Griggs and his sidekick Oliver Gebhart had the perfect alibi for the burglary of a market on Western Avenue—they were already in custody 60 miles away. The … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Crime and Courts, Hollywood | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Jan. 19, 1947: Watch Out for His Left Jab!

Posted on January 19, 2018 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post I wrote in 2006 for the 1947project. Reluctant holdup victim finds left jab useful Sometimes even the boys in the legal beak-busting business don’t fare so well when they run up against the unorthodox … Continue reading →

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