Category Archives: LAPD

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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Man Haunted by Jesuit Spies

Posted on September 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 29, 1909: Billie Burke in "Love Watches." Ernest Ritter's mind may be unbalanced over a sad love affair, doctors say.

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White Sox vs. Reds in World Series

Posted on September 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 28, 1919: "Buster Brown" takes a look at what causes homelessness. LAPD Sgt. Frank Harlan talks about the motorcycle unit: "The worst offenders we have to contend with are boys under 20 and new drivers. Many of the latter … Continue reading →

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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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Black Dahlia Revisited

Posted on September 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

I need to make a few points about the coverage of the Black Dahlia case before I move on. The killing and the subsequent investigation are incredibly complicated and the false claims, ridiculous "true crime" books and crackpot websites have … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD | 1 Comment

George ‘Evil Genius’ Hodel Rides Again II

Posted on September 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Most Evil,” Page 190, photos shown to support Stevel Hodel’s contention that his father was Zodiac. I turned on the computer this morning, made a pot of coffee and cracked open Steve Hodel’s “Most Evil.” And I sighed. For anyone … Continue reading →

Posted in books, LAPD | 18 Comments

Bullet Claims an Innocent Victim

Posted on September 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 22, 1919: "The Vigilantes" is playing at the Victory Theater, 838 S. Broadway. Sept. 22, 1909: Nicolas Rodriguez is killed when a bullet ricochets several times and strikes him as he rides his bicycle near 3rd Street and Traction … Continue reading →

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