Category Archives: LAPD

Matt Weinstock, Feb. 3, 1960

“Crash!” The Foundry     Almost everyone at one time or another aspires to be a writer and perhaps reshape the world with a literary effort so filled with truth and wisdom that fame and riches are inevitable.     When they … Continue reading

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February 8, 1920: Police Arrest Men in Girls’ Garb

  February 1, 1920: The purity squad raids a party at the home of former Mayor Arthur Harper.

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Matt Weinstock, Feb. 1, 1960

Different Way to Lose     Those who have learned the hard way will stipulate that race track betting is a snare and a delusion.  Today we have with us reader G.S., who has a dynamic idea to unsnare and undelude … Continue reading

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Woman Attempts Suicide Rather Than Return to Prison

  “Fire Is a Good and Blessed Thing, but if You Put Your Hand in It You’ll Get Burnt.” Feb. 1, 1920: Police respond to a call at 5032 Hollywood Blvd. and arrest Alice Lowry, a burglar who scouted apartment … Continue reading

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Chief Says He Was Misquoted on Latinos

 Two youths are questioned in the killing of honor student Leonard Moore. Former homicide Detective Aldo Corsini dies at the age of 65. He handled many gruesome ax murders and poisonings of the 1930s and early 1940s and as an … Continue reading

Posted in Homicide, LAPD, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Councilman Criticizes Chief Over Views Toward Latinos

  “Those Telegrams Were Fake.” Councilman Edward R. Roybal criticizes Police Chief William H. Parker over the alleged statement at a Jan. 26, 1960, civil rights hearing: "Some of these people [Mexican Americans] have been here since before we were … Continue reading

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Police Commission to Select New Chief

    Jan. 29, 1910: The Times reports on possible candidates to replace Police Chief Edward F. Dishman, who was removed without explanation by the Police Commission on Jan. 25, 1910. Dishman was succeeded by Police Chief Alexander Galloway. Galloway … Continue reading

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 28, 1960

Petite Con Lady Now Flipping Owl Feathers     She's 70, at least.  She likes wide-brimmed owl-feather hats, bright chiffon scarves and Oriental necklaces.     She always wears these to compliment her outlandish 1920 outfits when she goes to pull a  … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, LAPD, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

School for Shoplifters

  “When a Feller Needs a Friend,” by Clare Briggs.   Jan. 28, 1920: George Sutton is charged with teaching his wife and daughters how to shoplift. According to The Times, Sutton’s wife, Elsie, and daughters Dessie and Doretta would enter … Continue reading

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Matt Weinstock, Jan. 27, 1960

Costly Wrong Number       Mrs. Margaret Guevara, 742 W 144th St., was going about her household chores the other day when her daughter Diana, 9, called, "Mommy,  a lady on the phone wants to talk to you."     The … Continue reading

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Joseph Wambaugh on the ‘Onion Field’ [Updated]

Photograph by Don Cormier / Los Angeles Times March 11, 1963: Jimmy Lee Smith returns to the crime scene to reenact the “Onion Field” killing. From left, Sgt. Danny Galindo as Officer Karl Hettinger;  Sgt. G.H. Bates as Officer Ian … Continue reading

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 2 Comments

Nixon Leads Stevenson, Kennedy in Poll

Jan. 27, 1960: A letter by the Finch family’s maid to her mother in Sweden recounts a conversation with victim Barbara Jean Finch:  “During the night, Dr. Finch tried to kill Mrs. Finch, who now absolutely wanted to have her … Continue reading

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Matt Weinstock, Jan. 26, 1960

    Patient's Prescription       A doctor who has been overworked treating flu patients came down himself the other day with the old virus.  He was home in bed, sniffing and coughing, when a woman patient phoned through his … Continue reading

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Paul Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 25, 1960

  Earthy language from Eva Marie Saint shocks Hollywood bash! It's Yo Ho Ho for Seafarer       The current national insanity for small boats, and its consequent problems, is nothing new to me, matey.     So avast, you lubbers, … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, LAPD, Paul Coates | 2 Comments

The ‘Onion Field’ Remembered [Update]

Photograph by Don Cormier / Los Angeles Times March 11, 1963: Jimmy Lee Smith returns to the crime scene to reenact the “Onion Field” killing with Sgt. G.H. Bates, left, as Officer Ian Campbell; Sgt. Danny Galindo, center, as Officer … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, 1963, books, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Photography | 7 Comments

‘Onion Field’ Killing Revisited

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

Nuestro Pueblo

    Sept. 19, 1938: Joe Seewerker and Charles Owens visit 211 W. 2nd St., close to home! Note: The original run of Nuestro Pueblo concluded in 1939. I’m picking up entries that I missed the first time around.

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Steve Hodel to Mark Anniversary of Black Dahlia Killing

  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

Lure of the Desert Is Too Much for Prospector

“That Guiltiest Feeling,” by Clare Briggs. Jan. 10, 1920: The old prospector just wanted some money for a grubstake to go back to Mexico. "The lure of the desert proved too much for me," says James Barker, 70, a man … Continue reading

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Calvin Coolidge – Modest Candidate

  “Movie of a Man Celebrating New Year’s Eve (New Style),” by Clare Briggs. Massachusetts Gov. Calvin Coolidge enters the race for the Republican presidential nomination in a declaration that is unimaginable today: "I do not feel that any man … Continue reading

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