Category Archives: LAPD

Woman Whistles for a Cop

Posted on November 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Nov. 10, 1909: Hope Whittaker, who works until midnight as a cashier at the Peking Cafe, carries a police whistle in case of emergencies and used it when accosted by Eric Eich. Officer Blaisdell arrested Eich after Whittaker said: … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, LAPD | Comments Off on Woman Whistles for a Cop

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

The Case of the Thankful Thief

Posted on November 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Nov. 8, 1909: The yearly season of petty crimes opens in Los Angeles, according to The Times, with a burglar who ate half a loaf of bread, some peach preserves and helped himself to $3 in a savings bank. … Continue reading →

Posted in LAPD, Robberies, Suicide | 2 Comments

Council OKs Raises for Police, Firefighters; Union Effort Collapses

Posted on November 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

Successful businessmen use the Dictaphone. Great lettering, no?   Nov. 5, 1919: The City Council gives police officers and firefighters a raise and the attempts to unionize the Police Department collapse.

Posted in City Hall, LAPD, Politics, Science | Comments Off on Council OKs Raises for Police, Firefighters; Union Effort Collapses

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 →

Posted in City Hall, LAPD, Politics | Comments Off on Police Officers May Unionize

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 →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, LAPD | Comments Off on A New Comic in The Times

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 →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, Comics, Downtown, LAPD | Comments Off on Halloween Pranks

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 →

Posted in LAPD | Comments Off on Squalid Jail Conditions Shame Los Angeles

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.

Posted in #courts, LAPD | Comments Off on Boy, 6, Gets a Toy Sword – Mayhem Ensues

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 →

Posted in Columnists, LAPD, Matt Weinstock | Comments Off on October 26, 1959: Matt Weinstock

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.

Posted in #courts, LAPD | Comments Off on Doctor Charged With Illegally Prescribing Drugs

‘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."

Posted in #courts, LAPD | Comments Off on ‘Eel Boy’ Escapes From Police

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 →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Stage | Comments Off on Labor Activists Target Main Street Theater

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 →

Posted in #courts, LAPD | Comments Off on Caught Again

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 →

Posted in Front Pages, LAPD, Politics | Comments Off on President Taft Has a Bully Time in Los Angeles

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 →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Downtown, LAPD, Politics | Comments Off on President Visits L.A.!

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. 

Posted in #courts, Fashion, LAPD, Obituaries | Comments Off on October 7, 1909: Jurors Convict Man, Take Up a Collection for Him

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 →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, LAPD, Religion | Comments Off on Police Raid Chinatown Gambling Operation