Category Archives: Suicide

Movieland Mystery Photo (Updated + + + +)

Posted on March 16, 2020 by

This week’s mystery movie was the 1934 Warner Bros. / First National picture “Gentlemen Are Born,” with Franchot Tone, Jean Muir, Margaret Lindsay, Ann Dvorak, Ross Alexander, Charles Starrett, Russell Hicks, Robert Light, Addison Richards, Henry O’Neill, Arthur Aylesworth, Marjorie … Continue reading →

Posted in 1934, Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo, San Fernando Valley, Suicide | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide — The Bronx Cocktail

Posted on December 29, 2019 by

Note: This is an encore post from 2013. Dec. 20, 1934: In case you doubted me (but you wouldn’t, would you?), here’s a recipe for the Bronx Cocktail, from the Amsterdam Evening Recorder, courtesy of FultonHistory.com. In case you plan … Continue reading →

Posted in 1934, Food and Drink, Suicide | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Black Dahlia: Did George Hodel Kill His Secretary? Another Steve Hodel Lie

Posted on March 13, 2019 by

Steve Hodel claims repeatedly in his “Black Dahlia Avenger” franchise that his father, George Hodel, killed his secretary, Ruth Spaulding. It’s even in Wikipedia.

Posted in 1945, 1947, Black Dahlia, Cold Cases, LAPD, Suicide | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Jan. 10, 1959: Nixon Was Born … in a Hospital?

Posted on January 10, 2019 by

Jan. 10, 1959: This was a fun, strange story. Art Ryon claimed that Richard Nixon’s mother said he was born in a hospital, not at home. Later this was strongly denied and Bela Kornitzer, in “The Real Nixon,”  went out … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Richard Nixon, Suicide | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Jan. 6, 1959: Matt Weinstock ‘Law Is Upheld’

Posted on January 6, 2019 by

A very upsetting ruling came down recently from Appellate Justice Paul Vallee. Shocked by the discovery that three men were held in jail for five days before being arraigned, he stated in an opinion, “It appears the police are permitted … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Crime and Courts, Matt Weinstock, Suicide | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide — The Bronx Cocktail

Posted on December 29, 2018 by

Note: This is an encore post from 2013. Dec. 20, 1934: In case you doubted me (but you wouldn’t, would you?), here’s a recipe for the Bronx Cocktail, from the Amsterdam Evening Recorder, courtesy of FultonHistory.com. In case you plan … Continue reading →

Posted in 1934, Food and Drink, Suicide | Tagged , | Leave a comment

December 1947: Son Uses Coin Telescope at Point Fermin to Spot Body of Missing Father

Posted on December 3, 2018 by

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Herbert’s mother phoned him on Monday because his father, Fritz, was missing from their home at 3703 W. Bluff Place in San Pedro. Herbert told police … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Suicide | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

November 1947: Woman Commits Suicide in Mortuary

Posted on November 28, 2018 by

OK, even for Ernie Bushmiller and “Nancy,” this Thanksgiving panel is bizarre.. Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Nothing further was written about this unfortunate woman, who killed herself the day before … Continue reading →

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Sept. 20, 1907: Suicide Note — ‘Everything Is Boiling’

Posted on September 20, 2018 by

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Sept. 20, 1907 Los Angeles For weeks, Colorado mining investor John Geisel, 57, had confided in his diary as he felt his mind and his life coming unraveled “Good God,” he wrote, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1883, 1907, 1950, Architecture, Downtown, Suicide | 2 Comments

Sept. 16, 1947: Stanley Beltz, Colorful Lockheed Test Pilot

Posted on September 16, 2018 by

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Low flying charges have been filed by the Civil Aeronautics Administration against Stanley Beltz, Lockheed test pilot, who reportedly took a four-engined Constellation down to 200 … Continue reading →

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Sept. 10, 1947: In Love but Unable to Marry First Cousin, 17, Man Shoots Himself

Posted on September 10, 2018 by

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. There are some obstacles that even love cannot overcome, or so David Everett has discovered. The 30-year-old mechanic is in critical condition at Torrance General Hospital … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Art & Artists, Comics, Suicide | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Aug. 27, 1907: Undertaker Sent Home as Minister Survives Suicide Attempt

Posted on August 27, 2018 by

Note: This is an encore post from 2006. Manhattan Beach Aug. 27, 1907 Retired Episcopal minister the Rev. John Jewett, 83, wanted to die, so while staying with his son-in-law, J.D. Porter, he slit his throat with a razor. The … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907, 1911, Black Dahlia, Suicide | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Aug. 12, 1947: Distinguished UCLA English Instructor Dies in Plunge from S.F. Building; ‘He Was Not Married’

Posted on August 12, 2018 by

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 and originally appeared on the 1947project. Dr. Stanley Dean Johnson sounds like quite a fellow. He’s a specialist in the works of John Donne, having received his bachelor’s and master’s from the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Books and Authors, Suicide | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

May 10, 1943: Heartbreaking Story of ‘Punky,’ 14, Who Succeeded in Killing Herself on 7th Try

Posted on May 31, 2018 by

Note: This is an encore post from 2005 that originally appeared on the 1947project. You can’t help but notice in going through old newspapers that suicides and divorces (especially in the days before no-fault divorces) were treated as daily “brites,” … Continue reading →

Posted in 1943, Obituaries, Suicide | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Black L.A. 1947: World War II Veteran Kills Wife, Commits Suicide

Posted on May 15, 2018 by

May 15, 1947: Robert B. Hudson, 30, was “ambitious, quiet and conservative in his activities,” the Sentinel said. He was discharged from the service with the rank of staff sergeant after 27 months in the South Pacific. He and his … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Crime and Courts, Homicide, LAPD, Suicide | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jan. 28, 1947: Man Leaps From Top of Empire State Building, Lands on Iowa Woman

Posted on January 28, 2018 by

Note: This is a post I wrote in 2006 for the 1947project. Yet another of the kind of story that would never see Page 1 of The Times, but was featured on the front of the Examiner, with a picture … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Comics, Suicide | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide — The Bronx Cocktail

Posted on December 29, 2017 by

Note: This is an encore post from 2013. Dec. 20, 1934: In case you doubted me (but you wouldn’t, would you?), here’s a recipe for the Bronx Cocktail, from the Amsterdam Evening Recorder, courtesy of FultonHistory.com. In case you plan … Continue reading →

Posted in 1934, Food and Drink, Suicide | Tagged , | 2 Comments

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide — The Bronx Cocktail

Posted on December 30, 2015 by

Note: This is a repost from 2013. Dec. 20, 1934: In case you doubted me (but you wouldn’t, would you?), here’s a recipe for the Bronx Cocktail, from the Amsterdam Evening Recorder, courtesy of FultonHistory.com. In case you plan to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1934, Food and Drink, Suicide | Tagged , | 1 Comment

L.A. Daily Mirror Retro Drinking Guide — The Bronx Cocktail

Posted on December 30, 2014 by

Note: This is a repost from 2013. Dec. 20, 1934: In case you doubted me (but you wouldn’t, would you?), here’s a recipe for the Bronx Cocktail, from the Amsterdam Evening Recorder, courtesy of FultonHistory.com. In case you plan to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1934, Food and Drink, Suicide | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Wealthy Carmel Woman, 37, Accused in Love Slaying of Ranch Hand, 19

Posted on October 3, 2014 by

Oct. 3, 1944 The sensational trial of Frances Andrews, 37, in the shooting death of Jay Lovett, 19, prompts a crackpot confession letter (a popular pastime in the 1940s, as found in the Black Dahlia case).  This one included receipts … Continue reading →

Posted in 1944, Crime and Courts, Homicide, Suicide | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments