Category Archives: Suicide

Publicist Dies in Fall From Alexandria Hotel

Posted on December 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Somebody Is Always Taking the Joy Out of Life” by Clare Briggs. Dec. 12, 1919: Publicist Albee Smith had a big story, but nobody ever found out what it was.

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Downtown, Suicide | Comments Off on Publicist Dies in Fall From Alexandria Hotel

December 11, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on December 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Youth Bought Death for Nickel a Game     I have never met a man who dropped $4,000 pitching pennies, but I guess it’s possible.  Because last week I talked to one who estimates that he has lost, in the past … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Paul Coates, Suicide | Comments Off on December 11, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Matt Weinstock, Dec. 7, 1959

Posted on December 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

  The Rainbow's End     One by one the old landmarks are disappearing.  Last week the Rainbow, with its old-fashioned mahogany bar, folded.     The shabby Rainbow was known in bat cave circles as the saloon that cared.  Great men … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Homicide, LAPD, Matt Weinstock, Suicide | 2 Comments

Hole in Brain Doesn’t Kill

Posted on December 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

  “That Guiltiest Feeling” by Clare Briggs A man of mystery tries to kill himself … and a husband tries to divorce a wife who believes in free love.    Dec. 4, 1919: Movie star William Stowell and Dr. Joseph … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Suicide | Comments Off on Hole in Brain Doesn’t Kill

Former Nixon Aide Kills Family, Self

Posted on November 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Lifeguard Duffie Fryling pries his arm out of a shark's jaws while swimming near Paradise Cove. Fryling, who was treated for cuts on his wrist, says he eluded several other sharks in rushing to the beach. “The Lovers” is … Continue reading →

Posted in Richard Nixon, Suicide | 1 Comment

Woman Driven Mad by Divorce Attempts Suicide

Posted on November 9, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Nov. 9, 1909: Emma Rogers divorced her husband, then began having hallucinations when she failed to reconcile with him and he remarried. She tried to kill herself in a restroom at the Chamber of Commerce, but her aim was … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Suicide | 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

Landmark Nightclub Modernized

Posted on October 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Virginia Arness attempts suicide in Hawaii. The Biltmore Bowl is heavily modernized so that is virtually unrecognizable. New and Old Chinatown, divided by Broadway. "I don't belong to the tong. I am an American. I belong to the Kiwanis Club." … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, San Fernando Valley, Sports, Suicide | Comments Off on Landmark Nightclub Modernized

Jealousy Leads to Murder and Suicide

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Somebody Is Always Taking the Joy Out of Life” by Clare Briggs. Oct. 22, 1919: Mrs. Zola Schmidt was  killed as she slept … while holding a letter from another man. 916 W. 9th, the scene of the crime. “I … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Homicide, Music, Suicide | 4 Comments

Man Convicted of Shooting Wife Fights a Team of Officers

Posted on September 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 12, 1909: Winsor McCay's "Little Nemo in Slumberland." McCay's drawings are a mixed blessing. He was a wonderful artist with a fabulous imagination — and he drew this appalling character, Imp. A police automobile speeding on a call crashes … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, Comics, Homicide, LAPD, Suicide | Comments Off on Man Convicted of Shooting Wife Fights a Team of Officers

A Fallen Woman’s Death Ride

Posted on August 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 23, 1889: I always enjoy looking at old maps of Los Angeles. This one shows a proposed sewer system. Much of the lettering is upside-down, but flipping the map 180 degrees makes it  even more confusing. Many of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, health, Suicide | 1 Comment

Death of a Stagecoach Driver

Posted on August 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Aug. 4, 1889: Racked with pain from rheumatism, former stagecoach driver Sam Washburn takes an overdose of morphine.  

Posted in Suicide, Transportation | Comments Off on Death of a Stagecoach Driver

Man Addicted to Books Kills Himself

Posted on August 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Aug. 1, 1899: A man kills himself after taking elaborate precautions to prevent being identified. He writes: "I read books every day. They act on me as a narcotic. I dope myself with them. They make me forget for … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Suicide | 1 Comment

Doctor as Crazy as a March Hare

Posted on August 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

     Aug. 1, 1889: "The doctor's mania is of a rather peculiar character in that he imagines he is surrounded by beautiful women and is discovering them in all sorts of places."

Posted in #courts, Suicide | Comments Off on Doctor as Crazy as a March Hare

Jealous Neighbor Kills Woman, Attempts Suicide

Posted on July 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

    July 26, 1899: E.V. Methever, 52, a Long Beach shoemaker who was infatuated with Dorothy McKee, a neighboring shopkeeper, rammed her bicycle with his bike and shot her to death, then tried to commit suicide.

Posted in #courts, Suicide | Comments Off on Jealous Neighbor Kills Woman, Attempts Suicide

Former Principal Commits Suicide

Posted on July 13, 2009 by lmharnisch

  July 13, 1899: Former school Principal John H. Brown commits suicide, citing financial problems. He asked to be buried near his wife, who had died several years earlier. Brown left an 11-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son, and two children … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Suicide | 1 Comment

Drunk Woman Rescued From Surf

Posted on July 9, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 9, 1889: A drunk woman is rescued after she wanders into the surf at Santa Monica. She had just lost her job as a servant because she was an alcoholic.

Posted in Food and Drink, Suicide | Comments Off on Drunk Woman Rescued From Surf

Matt Weinstock, June 25, 1959

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Never Touched Me." Happy Ending Roy Huerta got up at 2 a.m. yesterday, drove to Tijuana and brought his wife Manuela and their six children back to L.A. to stay, thereby ending a frustrating, 10-year, across-the-border separation. Roy and Manuela … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Matt Weinstock, Suicide, Television | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, June 25, 1959

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept: Your Music

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

  June 25, 1973: Phil Ochs (1940 – 1976) performs at the Ash Grove, 8162 Melrose, (1958 – 1973).

Posted in broadcasting, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Stage, Suicide | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept: Your Music

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