Category Archives: Homicide

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 →

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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.

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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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Illinois Mob Lynches Two Men

Posted on November 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Nov. 12, 1909: A mob in Cairo, Ill., goes on a murderous rampage, lynching a Will “Froggy” James, an African American, and Henry Salzner, who was white. Sheriff Frank Davis tells Illinois Gov. Charles S. Deneen: "The streets are … Continue reading →

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Beating Victim Identified

Posted on November 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

  A Senate subcommittee hears testimony about drug traffic from Mexico. Reading may become a lost art!   Nov. 11, 1959: Here’s a name that may sound familiar to people who follow the Black Dahlia case: Lillian Lenorak. You may … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Front Pages, Homicide | 1 Comment

Yet Another Killer Dad in the Black Dahlia Case

Posted on November 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

The front page of the Los Angeles Examiner, Jan.  25, 1947. The only message ever confirmed to be from the Black Dahlia’s killer. With the publication of Steve Hodel’s “Black Dahlia Avenger” and “Most Evil,” I assumed that the market … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Homicide, LAPD, Television | 1 Comment

Woman Wants to Buy Airplane

Posted on November 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Nov. 5, 1909: Mrs. H.A. Arnold wishes to buy an airplane and hopes to learn how to fly during the winter. She would become the first woman in the world to buy an airplane, The Times says … And … Continue reading →

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The ‘Unwritten Law’ on Homicide

Posted on October 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Halloween with R.F. Outcault’s Buster Brown. Oct. 26, 1919: The “unwritten law,” that a husband was justified in killing any man who romanced his wife, appears frequently in The Times and was cited as a defense for decades – often … Continue reading →

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Doctor Dumped Severed Body Into Creek, Chauffeur Says

Posted on October 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Labor activists in Indianapolis set off four precisely timed bombs targeting a contractor using non-union workers. One bomb destroyed a barn at his home, two bombs wrecked buildings under construction and the fourth damaged a building at his plant. … Continue reading →

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Jealousy Leads to Murder and Suicide

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Somebody Is Always Taking the Joy Out of Life” by Clare Briggs. Oct. 22, 1919: Mrs. Zola Schmidt was  killed as she slept … while holding a letter from another man. 916 W. 9th, the scene of the crime. “I … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Homicide, Music, Suicide | 4 Comments

Jealous Boyfriend Stabs Actress to Death

Posted on October 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 12, 1959: Chester Harvey Smith stabs LaJean Ethridge to death while on location for the filming of “The Alamo.” He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

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Dodgers, Braves Tie for Pennant

Posted on September 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Dodgers and Braves would meet in a best-of-three playoff series to determine the National League representative in the World Series. Both teams won their regular-season finales to stay tied for first. The Dodgers beat the Cubs, 7-1, and the Braves beat … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Dodgers, Film, Homicide | 1 Comment

Death in a Small Cafe

Posted on September 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 27, 1909: A tale of murder in a San Fernando Street cafe. And imagine: "A ranch on Adams Street west of the city limits."

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George ‘Evil Genius’ Hodel Rides Again III

Posted on September 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Above, Page 79, “Most Evil,” by Steve Hodel So far, the majority of votes are against dissecting the problems in “Most Evil,” which is fine with me because it would be almost as much work as debunking John Gilmore’s “Severed,” which … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Homicide, LAPD | 8 Comments

Voices — Susan Atkins, 1948 – 2009

Posted on September 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 7, 1969: Susan Atkins' father describes his troubles with his daughter before she joined the Manson family. Dec. 12, 1969: The late Dial Torgerson, one of The Times' most distinguished writers, on Susan Atkins: 

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