Category Archives: LAPD

Police Officers May Unionize

Posted on November 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Some aspects of being a parent haven’t changed!   Nov. 4, 1919: An attempt is made to organize the Los Angeles Police Department under one of the railway workers’ unions. Over the years, there were several attempts to unionize … Continue reading →

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A New Comic in The Times

Posted on November 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Beginning in October 1919, The Times added “Gasoline Alley” to its daily comics, which included “The Gumps,” “Mutt and Jeff” and “When a Feller Needs a Friend” – or whatever Clare Briggs titled his strip that day.  Nov. 3, 1919: … Continue reading →

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Halloween Pranks

Posted on October 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

 A cheese elephant from “The Terrors of the Tiny Tads” by Gustave Verbeck/Verbeek. A five-passenger Cadillac is stolen – police say it’s a prank. Oct. 31, 1909: Three motorcyclists are charged with going almost 30 mph, in violation of the … Continue reading →

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Squalid Jail Conditions Shame Los Angeles

Posted on October 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 10, 1916: The Times exposes dreadful conditions at the jail.  "Prison Pit of Poe Is Outdone in Horrors by Los Angeles City Jail"  "Under present conditions in this city it is absolutely impossible to care for prisoners in … Continue reading →

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Boy, 6, Gets a Toy Sword – Mayhem Ensues

Posted on October 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 27, 1909: Master Trimble goes hunting Indians on South Main, armed with his new sword.

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October 26, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

L.A. Justice All Steve Medved wants is to be left alone by the LAPD.  He hopes that now, after a third trial, he has it made. Medved, 38, is a big (6’2, 230), easy going fellow of Yugoslav descent.  But … Continue reading →

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Who Can Be an American Citizen?

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 21, 1909: Johanna Engleman of Santa Monica still hopes to be a juror, but no attorney wants her on a case because the decision might be reversed. After all, she may not be qualified to serve as a juror! … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, LAPD | 1 Comment

Doctor Charged With Illegally Prescribing Drugs

Posted on October 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dr. G.W. Finch is arrested on charges of illegally prescribing morphine to drug addicts.

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‘Eel Boy’ Escapes From Police

Posted on October 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 16, 1919: Don "Eel Boy" Clauser escapes again! This time he was showing Glendale officers where he had freed some horses when he made a "running high dive into the brush alongside the road."

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Labor Activists Target Main Street Theater

Posted on October 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 16, 1909: Union demonstrators target the Regal Theater, 323 S. Main St. In less than a year, labor activists will bomb the Los Angeles Times Building, killing 20 employees … And architect Cass Gilbert visits Los Angeles as a … Continue reading →

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Caught Again

Posted on October 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 13, 1909: Charles Hummer dodged the police for months after being charged with vagrancy and paying a $100 fine for stealing garden hoses from people’s lawns. He promised to leave town but didn’t. A couple of detectives recognized … Continue reading →

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President Taft Has a Bully Time in Los Angeles

Posted on October 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 12, 1909: President Taft has a bully time in Los Angeles.   Oct. 12, 1909: Fire breaks out at 143 N. Gless in “Little Russia.”  "Eighteen complaints have been filed against members of the Russian colony because of their … Continue reading →

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President Visits L.A.!

Posted on October 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Over the years, Edmund Waller “Ted” Gale drew many variations on “Miss Los Angeles” before adopting the best known version, a Latina. Above, here she is in 1909, welcoming President Taft. At right, Miss Los Angeles, Feb. 26, 1920 l … Continue reading →

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Welcome Home Champs!

Posted on October 9, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 9, 1959: Welcome Home Champs! The “Cinderella Boys” made it! Oct. 9, 1959: A bit of road rage from Frank Sinatra!

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages, LAPD, Music | 2 Comments

October 7, 1909: Jurors Convict Man, Take Up a Collection for Him

Posted on October 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

October 7, 1909: Pedro Vasquez was arrested by Detective Talamantes for stealing two pairs of trousers. After the jurors convicted Vasquez,  they took up a collection so he could buy a shirt since he didn’t have one. 

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Police Raid Chinatown Gambling Operation

Posted on October 6, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 6, 1909: Police officers cross the roofs of buildings, using a ladder to span alleys, to raid a lottery operation in Chinatown. I suspect the Sgt. Sebastian mentioned in the story is future Police Chief and Mayor Charles … Continue reading →

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Con Artists Add Movies to Their Repertoire of Tricks

Posted on October 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 4, 1909:  Con artists are switching from worthless gold mines and oil wells to motion pictures as a way to dupe victims.

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Cafe Orchestra Fiddles While Kitchen Burns

Posted on October 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 3, 1909: What the modern woman is wearing. $22.50 is $532.68 USD 2008. Here’s a bit of theater history: The Orpheum announces that it will no longer have advertising on its curtain, despite the loss in revenue of $500 … Continue reading →

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LAPD Honors Motorcycle Officers

Posted on October 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photoLos Angeles Police Department officers with Indian motorcycles, June 1917.  May 20, 1907: LAPD motorcycle officers arrest speeders. The speed limit downtown is 12 mph and 20 mph elsewhere. The speed limit at certain downtown intersections … Continue reading →

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September 30, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on September 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

September 30, 1959: “The body of a San Bernardino Freeway crash victim was hurled into a tree where it hung unnoticed for five hours today” … W.C. Fields vs. Cecil B. De Mille … and Matt Weinstock on some friendly … Continue reading →

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