Tag Archives: 1908

April 29, 1908

Posted on April 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, make a fortune selling the works of Paul Laurence Dunbar! Below, The Times’ editorial on the poet’s death, published Feb. 11, 1906. Email me

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Found on EBay

Posted on April 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

Here’s another souvenir postcard from the Great White Fleet’s visit to Los Angeles in 1908, for sale on EBay. It was mailed April 20, 1908, in Los Angeles.

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April 28, 1908

Posted on April 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, recall the assassination last month of Durham Stevens, American adviser to the Japanese government, by a Korean youth … Below, a crazy cross-section of stories from early 20th century Los Angeles, difficult to read but worth the challenge: A … Continue reading →

Posted in @news, Front Pages, Religion | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

April 27, 1908

Posted on April 27, 2008 by lmharnisch

A dispatch from the Washington Post on Haitian leader Pierre Nord Alexis. Yes, this is how foreign figures were covered 100 years ago. No matter how much time I spend with the old newspapers, they still surprise me. Email me

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Great White Fleet

Posted on April 26, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, a souvenir of the Great White Fleet’s visit to Los Angeles, obtained from that wonderful repository of historic goodies: EBay. And here’s the 100-year-old message, written from Fullerton:     The Kansas (BB-21) was broken up for scrap in … Continue reading →

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April 26, 1908

Posted on April 26, 2008 by lmharnisch

Meet an earnest young scientist named Fred Horowitz, who received a wireless message sent from across the city, a newsworthy achievement in 1908. The other young Edison is Mars Baumgardt, whom you may recall from a previous post on the … Continue reading →

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Home of the week

Posted on April 26, 2008 by lmharnisch

Miracle of miracles, this house at 1233 S. Bonnie Brae is still standing. View Larger Map Here’s an image from Google’s street view. Someone in the last century has tinkered with the porch and we have a non-period satellite dish, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , | 2 Comments

April 25, 1908

Posted on April 25, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, no, I can’t find any follow-up stories and it would be interesting to know what happened. Below, Los Angeles says goodbye to the Great White Fleet. Many people spend the night on the beach so they can see the … Continue reading →

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April 24, 1908

Posted on April 24, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, a story that reminds me of old Master Chief Petty Officer Oneyear of the Belleau Wood LHA-3, who had fouled anchors inlaid in silver in his front teeth. Note that less than 1 percent of the sailors’ tattoos were … Continue reading →

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April 23, 1908: Whiskey Is a Health Tonic

Posted on April 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

You may remember yesterday that Schlitz declared beer a health drink. And I’ve noted elsewhere that brewers marketed beer as “liquid bread” (a mere 3 1/2 percent alcohol). But calling whiskey a health tonic is new to me. Do you … Continue reading →

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April 22, 1908: Beer Is a Health Drink

Posted on April 22, 2008 by lmharnisch

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April 21, 1908: Dispute Over Black and White Children Playing Together Turns Deadly

Posted on April 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

Below, an update in the saga of some “Hearstlings” who stole pictures of the Great White Fleet to be published in the Examiner … Note the story about the 1906 Brownsville, Texas, incident in which African American troops of the … Continue reading →

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Home of the week

Posted on April 19, 2008 by lmharnisch

April 19, 1908 Above, new apartments on Olympic near Albany within walking distance of the "business district." Surprisingly enough, this building is still standing. The structure lost the details of its roof line, presumably in one of the earthquakes over … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

April 17, 1908

Posted on April 17, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, spiritual advancement- – or the lack of it — becomes grounds for a divorce. Below, "Elephants Stampede" is a two-word headline that says: "Read me." The noise of fire engines rushing to a spectacular 5,000-gallon gasoline blaze in Riverside … Continue reading →

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April 15, 1908: Accused Wife Killer Says ‘Everything Went Black’

Posted on April 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

Below, an old-fashioned lunatic–really crazy–is on trial in the killing of his ex-wife, who used to sleep with a knife under her pillow. He uses the “everything went black” defense … The Police Board appoints a committee to study scam … Continue reading →

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April 14, 1908

Posted on April 14, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, stock up at Jevne’s. Below, Alexander Parquett, a plasterer from Maine, wasn’t expected to live after he fractured his skull in a two-story fall at the Masonic Temple under construction at Figueroa and Pico. But he pulled through, at … Continue reading →

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April 13, 1908: Dr. Hoffman’s Nerve Syrup Cures ‘Fits’

Posted on April 13, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, wouldn’t it be fun to know what exactly is in Dr. Hoffman’s Nerve Syrup? Below, the sad tale of a woman believed to be Mrs. W.I. Roberts, who died after collapsing in line at the Pacific Electric Depot, 6th … Continue reading →

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April 12, 1908

Posted on April 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

Who do you suppose is lounging in this hammock? Certainly not the poor lady doing the housework, below. This article isn't terribly legible, but the housekeeping tips are worth the eyestrain. I'm not sure I'll be hanging my Kasmhiri Kashans … Continue reading →

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Body found

Posted on April 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

April 8, 1908 Santa Monica Wouldn’t Sherlock Holmes have fun with this case? I can even imagine him complaining about how anyone could get the name "John Maloney" when the victim’s address book indicates the man’s first name began with … Continue reading →

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April 7-8, 1908

Posted on April 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, David Belasco’s play, which closed on Broadway in 1906 after 224 performances, is staged in Los Angeles. Sadly, leading lady Alice Treat Hunt will die of pneumonia June 8, 1908, in her apartment on 9th Street near Figueroa. Below, … Continue reading →

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