Category Archives: Homicide

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 5, 1959

Posted on December 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

Mash Notes and Comment       "Mr. Coates:     "In your column of last Wednesday, you delved into the timely issue of 'Is TV on the Up-and-Up?'     "You suggested, rather broadly, that maybe it isn't.     "You cited Desi … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Mickey Cohen, San Fernando Valley | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 5, 1959

Cohen Freed in Slaying

Posted on December 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

Akron has Terri Lee dolls!  Dec. 5, 1959: And on the third day, The Times puts the Jack Whalen killing inside. Those $15 ties from Oviatt's would cost $109.61 in 2008 dollars. There really was a pink submarine like the … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Homicide, Mickey Cohen, Sports | 1 Comment

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

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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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 3, 1959

Posted on December 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

  The Mirror brings out an extra on killing of Jack “the Enforcer” Whalen.   Google maps’ street view of 13359 Ventura Blvd., site of Rondelli's restaurant. On the Togetherness of Police, Pawnshops     Today's lesson is how to have … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Food and Drink, Front Pages, Homicide, Mickey Cohen, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 3, 1959

Jack ‘the Enforcer’ Whalen Killed

Posted on December 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

  The Times brings out an extra on Whalen’s death. Photograph by the Los Angeles Times The body of Jack “the Enforcer” Whalen lies on the floor on Rondelli’s restaurant.   TALES FROM THE GANGSTER SQUAD Death of 'the Enforcer' … Continue reading →

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Body Found in Well

Posted on December 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Officers try to retrieve a body from an abandoned well at Coyote Pass. As nearly as I can determine from the clips, this is the general area of Coyote Pass. Times stories say Garvey Avenue went through the pass, now … Continue reading →

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November 27, 1964: Secretary Found Stabbed to Death in the ‘Thanksgiving’ Murder

Posted on November 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

November 27, 1964: The death of Joyce Gayle Walker is one of the more haunting killings of the 1960s. I’m not sure it was ever solved. I can’t find any follow-up stories on it.

Posted in 1964, Front Pages, Homicide, Jack Smith | 1 Comment

November 26, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on November 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nothing So Dread as He With Fanatic Eye It’s my guess that E.B. (Jet) Simrell — the 46-year-old ex-market owner who surrendered to the FBI yesterday after having threatened the lives of seven judges — figures he’s got one big … Continue reading →

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Nov. 22, 1963

Posted on November 22, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in Front Pages, Homicide, Politics | 2 Comments

Found on EBay – Ann Toth Letters

Posted on November 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

  A lot of letters written to Ann Toth, who was the roommate of Elizabeth Short – the Black Dahlia, were listed on EBay. The vendor carefully noted that the letters were from the 1950s to the 1970s, rather than … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, LAPD | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Ann Toth Letters

November 18, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on November 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

As Senators Write to Indignant Taxpayers While we’re all gathered here together, in this smoke-filled room, I’d like to say a few words in behalf of politicians. They are our friends.  Behind that stodgy facade that they put up, they’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Parks and Recreation, Paul Coates | Comments Off on November 18, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Three Sought in Robbery, Killing

Posted on November 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dance tonight at the Roma, 616 S. Hill St.      Nov. 18, 1919: The housekeeper of a downtown rooming house is sought in the robbery and murder of the proprietor, W. Frank Sheets, and police are also looking … Continue reading →

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November 16, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on November 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Conditioned Reflexes After a business failure several years ago a young man decided to pursue the career he’d always wanted — teaching.  He was aware that it meant a drastic change and involved great sacrifice but he and his wife … Continue reading →

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Family Killed in Kansas Farm Town

Posted on November 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

  "The village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call 'out there.' Some seventy miles east of the Colorado border, the countryside, with its hard blue skies and desert-clear … Continue reading →

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Servicemen Wreck L.A. Union Hall Over Armistice Day Shootings

Posted on November 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 15, 1919:  In response to the Centralia, Wash., shootings, “Twenty-five silent, stalwart men in full uniform of the United States Army and Navy raided the headquarters of the local I.W.W. in the Germain Building while a ‘defense’ meeting of … Continue reading →

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November 15, 1909: Finds ‘Husband’ Is Woman

Posted on November 15, 2009 by lmharnisch

November 15, 1909: Dr. Alice Bush of Oakland sues for divorce, charging that her husband, R.K. Morgan, failed to disclose something rather important. The lynchings in Cairo, Ill., are endorsed from the pulpit and in the press.  Saying that lawlessness … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #gays and lesbians, Homicide | Comments Off on November 15, 1909: Finds ‘Husband’ Is Woman

Few Killers Are Executed, Reports Show

Posted on November 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

    Nov. 13, 1909: More than 100 murders were committed in the 30 years since the capital punishment law was passed, but only five killers from Los Angeles County have been executed, The Times says. A convicted killer has … Continue reading →

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November 12, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on November 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Mirror follows the Lillian Lenorak story. Below, Paul Weeks profiles suspect Tord Ove Zeppen-Field.

Posted in Columnists, Homicide, Paul Coates, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on November 12, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

IWW Official Lynched After Shots Are Fired at Armistice Day Parade

Posted on November 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

    Nov. 12, 1919: An AP dispatch says a mob in Centralia, Wash., hanged an IWW official –originally believed to be Britt Smith and later identified as Wesley Everest – for allegedly being one of the union members who … Continue reading →

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