Note: This is an encore post from 2008.
O.J. Simpson won the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player of 1968 after a remarkable two-year USC career.
Dwight Chapin’s story in The Times portrayed the lack of suspense–even Simpson said he was “pretty confident.” Who could blame him? After all, he set NCAA records in 1968 for yards gained and carries and scored 21 touchdowns.
Looking back on any Simpson story has its weird elements. Chapin’s story recounted a friendly exchange between Simpson and LAPD Chief Tom Reddin who said at one point, “I’m so happy for you. I’m a hero worshiper and you’re the greatest.”
And there’s a quote from Simpson about his former surroundings: “I go home to my old area and some of my friends actually hide from me. I guess maybe it’s that I’m different now. They’re doing the same things I used to do but they’re still doing them. I’m not.”
Citizens can be thankful for policemen like Dalton Robert Patton, whose funeral was held yesterday.
It’s my guess that E.B. (Jet) Simrell — the 46-year-old ex-market owner who surrendered to the FBI yesterday after having threatened the lives of seven judges — figures he’s got one big card to play in his crusade against the “un-feminine, all-powerful American woman.”
No, the object at left is not a flying saucer on a stick. It is, in fact, Los Angeles’ earliest attempt at street lighting in which carbon arc lights were mounted on tall poles around the city. This one was near 7th Street and Alameda, where a 20-story wireless telegraph antenna was being built. That’s some skyhook, folks.
Above, Sam’s Lunch Room in 1938 and below, Avenue 19 via Google maps street view.
ladailymirror.com 