Category Archives: LAPD

Police Raid Colored Republican Club

Posted on June 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 15, 1887: Effie Smith, a prostitute on Los Angeles Street, burns to death. She took a dose of morphine and lapsed into unconsciousness after lighting a cigarette. I found this item while trying to determine the location of … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Downtown, Food and Drink, LAPD, Politics | Comments Off on Police Raid Colored Republican Club

Grand Jury Vice Probe! Gilmore Field Expanded

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Put That Pistol Down, Young Lady."   Keith's 1949 post on Gilmore Field has dropped us in the middle of an extremely complicated grand jury investigation of the Los Angeles Police Department. To summarize: Officers James Parslow, Thomas C. Lindholm … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Comics, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Sports, Stage, Suicide | 1 Comment

City May Cut Police Overtime

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 25, 1899: A City Council committee weighs the complicated issue of police salaries. Some officers complain that their duties require more than an eight-hour workday. Another issue is whether travel time to get to their beats should be included … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, LAPD | Comments Off on City May Cut Police Overtime

Nuestro Pueblo: Central Jail

Posted on June 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 23, 1939: I think this is my favorite "Nuestro Pueblo" so far. The dialogue could come right out of some 1930s movie. Interestingly enough, the text was completely rewritten for the book.

Posted in Downtown, LAPD, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo: Central Jail

Veteran Burglar Convicted Again

Posted on June 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 22, 1899: Adjusted for inflation, these suits cost $51.10-$102.20. I was curious as to what "door key nippers" might be. Evidently they were some type of lock-picking device. I found this story: Feb. 16, 1903: "Stealing was going on … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, LAPD | 1 Comment

GOP Unbeatable, Nixon Says!

Posted on June 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 20, 1959: This Isn't Any Laughing Matter, Ted." The newspapers of the 1950s are full of stories about callous police officers (usually the LAPD, sometimes Beverly Hills) handing out traffic tickets. It must have been quite a phenomenon. Richard … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Comics, Dodgers, LAPD, Politics, Sports | Comments Off on GOP Unbeatable, Nixon Says!

Drunks and Small Boys in Trouble!

Posted on June 20, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in #courts, Downtown, LAPD | Comments Off on Drunks and Small Boys in Trouble!

Officer Rescues Girl From Streetcar Tracks!

Posted on June 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Siegel the Hatter at 1st and Spring. June 20, 1889: Police Officer Church saves a life.

Posted in Downtown, LAPD, Transportation | Comments Off on Officer Rescues Girl From Streetcar Tracks!

Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, June 19, 1959

Posted on June 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File A Quiet Man Made Noisy Headlines Herbert Greenwood, the quiet man, made loud headlines yesterday. He announced his resignation from the Los Angeles Police Commission, and in the same breath, accused this city's police department and its chief, … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Columnists, LAPD, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, June 19, 1959

Body of Missing Executive Found; Nolan Ryan’s Close Call With History

Posted on June 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

  June 18, 1959, the introduction of Charlie Brown's sister Sally begins a story line  about the the births of children that quickly turns dark. June 19, 1979: In 20 years, "Peanuts" has become a sitcom, mildly amusing in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Dodgers, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Sports | 4 Comments

LAPD Detective Killed in Raid

Posted on June 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Times, June 19, 1921: Detective John Fitzgerald is shot in the stomach at 2392 W. 30th St., where police had returned for evidence after arresting six men on burglary charges. Despite his wounds (the bullet went through him and … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, LAPD | Comments Off on LAPD Detective Killed in Raid

Police Commissioner Quits in Battle With Police Chief!

Posted on June 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 18, 1959: Ethel Barrymore dies. The only African American member of the Police Commission resigns, accusing Chief William H. Parker of leading a department that "whitewashes policemen accused of brutality, and practices discrimination in arrests." Greenwood further charges that … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Countdown to Watts, LAPD, Paul Coates | 2 Comments

Governor Urged to Revive Crime Commission; A Dodger Retires

Posted on June 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Hey! Come Back Here!" County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn calls on Gov. Pat Brown to reactivate the state crime commission after reports of organized crime in California, while Mickey Cohen calls the whole matter a joke. "It's ridiculous. These false statements … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Comics, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Mickey Cohen, Sports | 2 Comments

Elderly Woman Fights Officer

Posted on June 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

  June 17, 1899: Officer Shand attempts to arrest Magdalena Schultz and after a terrible fight, subdues her with help from Deputy Johnston.

Posted in #courts, LAPD | 1 Comment

Man Tries to Kill Woman Who Rejected Him

Posted on June 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 17, 1889: Charley Harper is accused of trying to kill Mrs. Brown because she wouldn't live with him.

Posted in #courts, LAPD | Comments Off on Man Tries to Kill Woman Who Rejected Him

Crash Kills LAPD Motorcycle Officer

Posted on June 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 16, 1935: Officer A.C. "Scotty" Madon is fatally injured when he swerves his motorcycle to avoid hitting a car at 96th Street and Western Avenue. One of the hazards of research in old newspapers is that names dictated over … Continue reading →

Posted in LAPD, Transportation | Comments Off on Crash Kills LAPD Motorcycle Officer

Streetcar Kills Motorcycle Officer

Posted on June 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 16, 1920: Motorcycle Officer E. Peter Bradley is killed when he ignores crossing signals and is hit by an inbound streetcar at Ventura and Lankershim boulevards.

Posted in LAPD, San Fernando Valley, Transportation | 2 Comments

Police Kill Man Mistaken for Freeway Sniper! A Dodger Returns

Posted on June 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

"What Are We Going to Do With the Pair of You?" Bishop Timothy Manning of Fresno is coming to Los Angeles. After his death in 1989, he will be repeatedly cited in allegations that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles covered … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Freeways, Front Pages, LAPD, Religion | 1 Comment

Cop With Long Memory Recognizes Old-Time Convict

Posted on June 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 12, 1899: A police officer with a long memory recognizes a man pretending to be insane as Harry Nichols, who earned a reputation for landscaping during his prison terms at Folsom and San Quentin. He was "one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, LAPD | 1 Comment

Body Left in Room While Sister Sobers Up

Posted on June 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 11, 1889: Louis Bejas dies and his sister is so drunk they take her out in the front yard and pour buckets of water over her to sober her up.

Posted in LAPD, Obituaries | Comments Off on Body Left in Room While Sister Sobers Up