Los Angeles

County History

An Illustrated History of Southern California - The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago - 1890

BENCH AND BAR.

        The United States Laud Commission appointed by act of Congress to pass upon the validity of Spanish and Mexican land grants in California brought here some of the ablest legal talent in the United States. The fees in these cases were large, and many fortunes were founded upon these claims, as the lawyers in not a few cases bargained for half the lands contingent upon confirmation. The following were the earlier lawyers, who arrived in the order mentioned: Don Manuel C. Rojo, 1849; Russell Sackett, 1849; Lewis Granger, 1850; Benjamin Hayes, February 3, 1850; Jonathan R. Scott, March, 1850. The last four, as well as Mr. Hartman, were overland emigrants. Law books were very scarce. A brief passage in " Kent's Commentaries," that was found somewhere in town, decided an interesting case between a rich Peruvian passenger and a liberal French sea captain, some time in March, before Alcalde Stearns. The captain lost, but he comforted his attorney, Scott, with a $1,000 fee, all in $5 gold pieces, as it happened. In 1850 came also William G. Dryden and J. Lancaster Brent, the latter bringing a good library; in 1851, I. K. S. Ogier; in 1852, Myron Norton, James H. Lander, Charles E. Carr, Ezra Drown, Columbus Sims, Kimball H. Dimmick, Henry Hancock, Isaac Hartman; in 1853, Samuel R. Campbell; in 1854, Cameron E. Thom and James H. Watson (" Colonel Jack Watson "); in 1856, E. J. C. Kewen and W. W. Hamlin; in 1858, Alfred B. Chapman; in 1861, Volney E. Howard; in 1865, Andrew J. Glassell and James G. Howard, who arrived on the same steamer from San Francisco, November 27. In 1859, Myer J. Newman was admitted to the bar in September, and Andrew J. King in October. Other attorneys prior to 1860 were: Hon. S. F. Reynolds (afterward district judge of San Francisco); Joseph R. Gitchell (in April, 1858, appointed district attorney); A. Thomas and William E. Pickett. Casanueva & Jones advertised December 13, 1851, this being William Claude Jones, well known in Missouri. Scott & Hayes were partners from March, 1850, until April, 1852; then Scott & Granger; afterward Scott & Lander. Ygnacio Sepulveda was admitted to the bar September 6, 1862. Between 1852 and 1860, the land questions before the Commissioners and the United States District Court brought, almost as residents, many distinguished lawyers—H. W. Halleck, A. C. Peachy, F. Billings, C. B. Strode, William Carey Jones, P. W. Tompkins, Gregory Yale, John H. Saunders, H. P. Hepburn, and many others. Kimball H.- Dimmick had been a captain in Colonel Stevenson's regiment, and he was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1849. J. Lancaster Brent stood high as a lawyer and a statesman. He now resides in Louisiana, near New Orleans, and represented a part of that State at the late Democratic National Convention at St. Louis. Lewis C. Granger came from Ohio to Los Angeles; he was a refined, gentle, polite man, a college graduate, a fine lawyer, kind and generous. In 1857 he removed from Los Angeles to Oroville, Butte County, where he still resides, ripe in age and full of merited honors. Of the early firms of attorneys practicing before the commission, William Carey Jones, a son-in-law of Thomas H. Benton, only remained a short time, but returned to Washington; "Pat" Tompkins, of Tompkins & Strode, born of the poorest of parents in Kentucky, was self-educated, a man of eccentric character, of great ability, and a most humorous wit; he remained in California but a few years, and died many years ago; Jonathan R. Scott was a man of great physical strength, almost a giant, but greater mentally than in body; at the bar he was a tornado; he died in the '60s. Charles Edward Carr was a Louisianian, a scholarly man, good, jovial, and generous, believing strongly in the code of honor; he left Los Angeles in 1854. I. S. K. Ogier was a South Carolinian; in 1854 he was appointed Judge of the United States District Court of the Southern District of California; he died in San Bernardino County about 1864. His widow, a relative of ex-Senator Guinn, still lives in Los Angeles. Myron Norton was a New Yorker and a graduate of Harvard, who the day after his graduation joined the army and served in Scott's line in Mexico, afterward joining the Stevenson California Regiment, with which he came to California. He was chairman of the judiciary committee of the first Constitutional Convention of this State, and Judge of the Superior Court of San Francisco, and in 1855 he was judge of Los Angeles County. The same year he was the Democratic nominee for the Supreme Court Bench, but, this being the Know-Nothing "off-year," he was defeated; this ended his political career. He died in Los Angeles in 1887. General Ezra Drown came here in 1853 from Iowa, where he had been brigadier general of militia. He and his wife and children were passengers on the ill-fated steamer Independence, which was burned off the coast of Lower California in 1853, on which occasion his wife was drowned, pushed by a human brute from the support on which her husband had placed her. Drown was a scholarly, able and most eloquent advocate. He died here in the '60s.

THE LOS ANGELES BAR ASSOCIATION.

        The object of this organization, as stated in the constitution and by-laws, is as follows: " The association is established to maintain the honor and dignity of the profession of the law; to increase its usefulness in promoting the due administration of justice; to cultivate social intercourse among its members, and when deemed necessary or advisable to procure and maintain a library fir their use." Any attorney in good standing who has been admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the State of California is eligible to become a member by paying the regular admission fee of $20, and signing the constitution of the association. The officers are elected by ballot at the annual election holden on the first Tuesday in June of each year; and these are president, senior vice-president, junior vice-president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer, five trustees, and a committee on admission, to consist of seven members. The first regular meeting of the association was held on the first Tuesday in June, 1888, and the constitution provides for monthly meetings to be held on the first Tuesday of every month. The association was organized with fifty charter members, embracing the leading attorneys of Los Angeles. The first officers of the association, all of whom were re-elected in June, 1889, were as follows: President, Albert M. Stephens; Senior Vice President, John D. Bicknell; Junior Vice President, Anson Brunson; Treasurer, Robert N. Bulla; Recording Secretary, James A. Anderson, Jr.; Corresponding Secretary, C. W. Pendleton; Trustees, John H. Haynes, H. T. Lee, J. A. Anderson, John S. Chapman, Stephen M. White. Committee on admission, J. A. Graves, W. F. Fitzgerald, R. H. F Variel, H. A. Barclay, Julius Brousseau, F. H. Howard, B. W. Lee. Committee on the amendment of the law, Stephen M. White, W. P. Wade, James H. Shankland, John S. Chapman, J. M. Damron. Judiciary committee, James A. Anderson, George H. Smith, Walter Van Dyke, Anson Brunson. Committee on grievances, William F. Fitzgerald, John D. Bicknell, J. A. Graves, John Haynes, George J. Denis. Committee on legal education, Lucien Shaw, F. H. Howard, John R. Scott, Bradner W. Lee, Samuel Minor. Committee on invitation and reception, G. Wiley Wells, George S. Patton, Shirley C. Ward, J. D. Bethune, R. F. Del Valle. The Law Library of Los Angeles was established in 1836 as a private enterprise intended for the benefit of the shareholders, but open to subscriptions. The shares are $100 each and about 100 are taken by eighty members. The library contains $10,000 worth of books, including all the State Reports but four, which are to be supplied in the near future. The Library is situated in the Law Building. The monthly dues are $1 for each member, and they are enough to cover current expenses. The present officers are: James A. Anderson, F. H. Howard, Richard Dunnegan, Lucien Shaw, Albert M. Stephens, Trustees; Albert M. Stephens, President; and H. H. C. Horton, Secretary.

CRIMES.

        Los Angeles is not without a record of crimes dark and bloody. After the first spell of the gold fever from 1848 to 1850 a large number of people were drawn here by the good times. The wine, fruit and cattle of Los Angeles found a market in the mines, and money and gold-dust were plentiful. Men from every quarter of the globe, mostly unaccustomed to prosperity, and freed from the restraints of home surroundings, plunged into excesses of every kind. Gambling, drinking, fighting and other disorders ran riot, and crime flourished. This era of crime, common to all new countries, and sometimes recurring in older communities, at last ran its course.

        In 1851 there came from the north a party of thirty rough men, under the command of one Irving, ostensibly bound for Arizona. They threatened to hang two grandsons of Jose Maria Lugo, then in jail charged with a murder committed in Cajon pass, Lugo having refused their previous offer to rescue the young men for a certain sum. They were prevented from carrying out their plans by the timely arrival of a military party. About the last of May, this precious gang, then reduced to sixteen, left for Mexico, but while they were endeavoring to kidnap some of the Lugo family near San Bernardino, all but one man were slain by Indians, in a ravine west of Timoteo valley.

        On October 26, 1854, Felipe Alvitre, a half-breed Indian, was arrested for the murder of James Ellington, at El Monte, and he was hanged January 12, 1855.

        On November 8, 1854, Mrs. Cassin, wife of a merchant, was murdered in her own door by a Mexican, who then was pursued and killed in the suburbs.

        From a pamphlet by Ben. C. Truman is taken the following account of early lawlessness at Los Angeles: "Shortly after the capture and death of Joaquin Murrietta, Luis Bulvia, one of his lieutenants, came to Los Angeles County, bringing with him a remnant of Murrietta's gang. Here they were joined by Atanacio Moreno, a bankrupt merchant, who in the reorganization of the party was elected captain, Senati being a member of the same. Society in Los Angeles was in a most disorganized condition. It had been found necessary to equip a company of rangers, who, upon occasions, took the law into their own hands, and were always ready to assist in the arrest of malefactors or put down disturbances. In 1854 a party of lewd women, who had but lately arrived from San Francisco, signalized the opening of an elegantly fitted-up bagnio by a grand ball, to which certain men were invited. While the revelry was at its height, Moreno, with his gang, numbering eighteen men, swooped down upon the scene of the festivities, surrounded the house, and demanded unconditional surrender. Certain of the party were detailed, who entered the ball-room, and relieved every man and woman of all the valuables they had about them. Leaving, they went to the house of a then resident of Los Angeles, recently deceased, and robbed it in the most thorough and systematic manner; after which they committed an outrage too horrible for recital. A perfect reign of terror existed. Citizens were under arms; the rangers were scouring the country, but outrages seemed to multiply. But a short time after the event just narrated the same band made another raid upon Los Angeles, robbed several houses, and carried off a number of Mexican girls.

        During one of their forages a deputy city marshal was assassinated by Senati. A price was set upon his head; $1,500 was offered for his delivery at the jail yard, alive or dead. The jailor was awakened one night by a demand for admission. Opening his doors, he found Moreno with an ox cart containing the dead bodies of Bulvia and Senati. Moreno claimed that he had been captured by Bulvia's gang, and that he managed at once to free himself and compass the death of the men whose bodies were in the cart. Bulvia and Senati were identified by the women who had been so cruelly outraged, as members of the party by whom the offense was committed. The reward offered for the delivery of Senati's body was paid to Moreno. For a few days he was the lion of the town, and lived royally upon his blood-money. He happened one day to step into the jewelry store of Charles Ducommun, who then did business on Commercial street below his present stand, and offered a watch for sale. Mr. Ducommun at once recognized it as the watch taken from the husband of the woman above alluded to, at the time of the assassination. Mr. Ducommun asked Moreno to wait until he stepped out for the money to complete the purchase. Instead of looking for money Mr. Ducommun made a straight track for the headquarters of the rangers, and informed Captain Hope, who was then in command, of the facts above stated. William Getman at once arrested Moreno. He was tried, convicted of robbery, and sent to the State Prison for fourteen years. It afterward transpired that he had killed Bulvia and Senati in the most treacherous manner. He and Senati were left alone in camp, all the other members of the gang having left on a scout. While Senati was cleaning his saddle, Moreno blew his brains out, supposing he could get his body into town and obtain the reward before any of their companions returned. Bulvia had not, however, gotten out of the sound of the shot which killed Senati. He returned to camp and asked the meaning of it. Moreno told him that Senati's pistol had gone off accidentally. Bulvia inquired where Senati was, and was told that he was sleeping. Distrusting Moreno, he stooped to raise Senati's blanket from his face, when Moreno completed his murderous work by plunging a sword blade through his heart! The bodies of Senati and Bulvia were buried on Mariposa Hill, where they were disinterred in 1886 when excavations were made for the present county jail. Their bones were carted to the city's dumping grounds.

        On October 13, 1854, one David Brown killed Pinckney Clifford in this city, the act causing great excitement. A public meeting on the next day was appeased only by the mayor's promise that if the law should fail, he would resign and help to punish the murderer. Brown was tried November 30. The District Court, Benjamin Hayes, Judge, sentenced him to be executed on January 12,1855. The same day had been fixed by that court for the execution of Felipe Alvitre for the murder of James Ellington at El Monte. Brown's counsel, J. R. Scott and J. A. Watson, had obtained a stay of execution from the Supreme Court. Public expectation waited for it, but a like stay did not come for the wretched, friendless Alvitre. This still more inflamed the native Californian and Mexican portion of the population. The fatal day arrived, and with it a gathering at the county jail of a great multitude of all classes. Meanwhile, the mayor had resigned. Sheriff Barton posted within the jail yard an armed guard of forty men. Alvitre was hung—the rope broke, he fell to the ground.

        "Arriba! arriba! " (Up! up!) was the cry from outside; and all was instantly adjusted and the law's sentence carried into effect. Words fail to describe the demeanor then of that mass of eager, angry men. Suspense was soon over. Persuaded by personal friends, the odds against him seeming too great, Sheriff Barton withdrew the guard. The gate was crushed with heavy timbers, blacksmiths were procured, and the iron doors were forced. Within the next hour Brown was dragged from his cell to a corral across the street, where, amidst the shouts of the people he uttered some incoherent observations, but quickly was hung from a beam of the corral gate. Another cell held a third person condemned for a later day, but him the crowd did not molest. He was finally allowed a new trial, by the Supreme Court, and at Santa Barbara he was acquitted. It was stated that a week after the lynching an order of the Supreme Court in favor of Alvitre, was received, it having been delayed by various causes.

        On May 30, 1856, Nicholas Graham was hung for the murder of Joseph Brooks in the previous January. A large crowd attended, but there was no disturbance, as he confessed from the scaffold his crime.

        In 1856 crime had increased to such a degree that a vigilance committee was organized, with Myron Norton as chairman, and H. N. Alexander, secretary. They expelled a great many people, some of whom returned later, and became very pretentious folk in Los Angeles.

        On January 22, 1857, came the band of Pancho, Daniel and Juan Flores. Through the day they plundered the stores of Miguel Krazewsky, Henry, Charles and Manuel Garcia, finishing their work by the cruel murder of the German merchant, George W. Pflugardt. Sheriff James H. Barton, on the night of the 22d, left the city with a party consisting of William H. Little, Charles K. Baker, Charles F. Daley, Alfred Hardy, and Frank Alexander.

        Within fifteen miles of San Juan on the San Joaquin Rancho, the next morning, Little and Baker advanced a few hundred yards in pursuit of a man in view on horseback. The bandits, eight in number, sallied out from behind a hillock, killed the two men, and then attacked Barton's party. After a short conflict Barton and Daley were killed, the other two escaping only through the swiftness of their horses, and bringing the news to Los Angeles, where five companies, French, German and Americans, and two of native Californians, were organized; also one at El Monte and one at San Bernardino. A company of United States infantry came from Fort Tejon; and at San Diego, under a warrant issued by the district judge, Captain H. S. Burton placed at the disposal of the sheriff thirty of his mounted artillerymen. These companies scoured the country. One body, under James Thompson, was sent toward the Tehunga, with some of the infantrymen, who were stationed near Simi pass as a lookout. Two of the soldiers, hidden behind the rocks, captured a man who had come for water, mounted on a poor horse, unarmed, and only a little dried beef tied to his saddle. He gave his name as Sanchez, said he belonged to San Fernando Mission, was out hunting horses, and would now go no farther. Taken into camp, Pancho Johnson recognized him as Juan Flores. In accordance with a vote of the mass of the people, he was executed on February 14, 1857, on the top of Fort Hill, in the presence of almost the entire population. In January, 1858, Sheriff Murphy found Pancho Daniel concealed in a haystack near San José, and he was jailed in Los Angeles. His case came before the District Court, and great delay ensued, owing chiefly to the challenging of successive venues of jurors, the case at last being transferred to Santa Barbara County. On November 30, at about 6:30 A. M., as Richard Mitchell, the jailer, was on his way to Market, he was stopped and made deliver over the keys of the jail. A piece of artillery was planted so as to bear upon the jail door, and a large number of men marched from a neighboring corral. The door was opened, and Pancho Daniel was summoned to come forth, which he did with coolness and resignation. At 7:20 he was hung in the jail-yard. The body was delivered to his wife. A coroner's jury examined a number of witnesses, and rendered a verdict that he "came to his death by being hanged by some persons to jury unknown."

        On September 27, 1857, at the Montgomery saloon, Thomas King and Lafayette King quarreled over a game of cards, and as the other was leaving the house, Thomas King stabbed him to the heart. He was arrested, tried, convicted of willful murder, and, on February 16, 1858, hung at the same time as Leonardo Lopez, for the murder of Pflugardt.

        Late in the evening of March 30, 1857, James P. Johnson, of El Monte, entered the saloon of Henry Wagner, at Los Angeles, evidently bent on making a disturbance. He was at last persuaded to leave, but returned and shot Wagner dead. After a long and tedious trial he was convicted, and he suffered death at Los Angeles, October 3, 1857.

        About the time Sheriff Barton and party were murdered, the citizens of El Monte hanged four Mexican desperadoes, and the Angeleños went further, in hanging eleven Mexicans, for connection with criminal acts.

        On January 7, 1858, Sheriff William C. Getman was killed by a maniac, who was in turn shot by citizens.

        A noted Mexican desperado named Alvitre, was hanged by a mob at El Monte, April 28, 1861, for the murder of his wife. On October 17, of the same year, Francisco Cota was hanged by a mob for the murder of Mr. Leck that morning.

        On January 24, 1862, Ciriaco Arza was hanged for the murder of Frank Riley, an Irish peddler, the previous May.

        On November 17, 1862, John Rains, of Cucamonga was murdered near the Azusa Rancho. A Mexican named Cerradel, who had been sentenced to ten years in San Quentin, was hung by citizens on Banning's ferry-boat at Wilmington, while being taken as a prisoner to the steamer Senator.

        On November 21, 1863, "Boston" Damewood, Chase, Wood and two Mexicans, all of the criminal class, were taken from the jail and hanged by citizens on Spring street. On December 17, of that year, Charles Wilkins was hanged by the vigilance committee for the murder of John Sanford near Fort Tejon.

        In January, 1864, Edward Newman was killed near San Bernardino, and one of his supposed murderers was killed by a posse on the Santa Ana river.         Another Mexican, supposed to have shared also in the killing of Newman, was hanged in June for the murder of a fellow-countryman.

        On April 23, 1865, Robert Parker, a carpenter, was called to his door and shot down by parties then unknown. Later on a Mexican was found guilty of this, and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment. On July 5, of this year, occurred one of the most desperate and sanguinary affrays ever witnessed in Los Angeles. On the night of July 4,at a ball at the Bella Union, now the St. Charles Hotel, Under-Sheriff A. J. King had some difficulty with one Robert Carlisle, who cut him severely. About noon on the next day, as the stages were leaving for the steamers, and as the hotel and express office were both crowded with people, Frank and Houston King, brothers of the under-sheriff, entered the bar-room of the hotel, and with pistols attacked Carlisle, who defended himself in like manner. Shot succeeded shot with great rapidity, and soon Houston King fell, disabled by a ball from Carlisle's pistol. His brother continued the fight unaided. The people fled panic-stricken. A stray ball killed a stage-horse at the door. A bystander was shot down accidentally, and some eight or ten had their clothes pierced by the leaden hail. At last the combatants reached the sidewalk, where Frank King seized his antagonist and beat him over the head with the revolver till it was useless. So far, King was uninjured, but Carlisle was fairly riddled with balls. With a last effort the latter broke away, staggered into the doorway, leaned painfully against the casing, raised his pistol in both hands, and fired his last shot. Frank King fell, shot through the heart. Carlisle died three hours later. Houston King finally recovered, was tried for the murder of Carlise, and was acquitted.

        In July, 1865, George Williams and Cyrus Kimball, of San Diego, were on their way to Los Angeles with their families, and encamped for the night by the Santa Ana river. About sunrise in the morning, while the women and children were at some little distance from the camp, seven American cut-throats (the leader being Jack O'Brien), rode up and deliberately shot the two men dead. When the women came up to see what occasioned the firing, they found their husbands dead, and were ordered by the assassins, under pain of death, to hand over all the money of the party. This they did, and the scoundrels left, having secured over $3,000. They never were captured.

        In 1869, Horace Bell, formerly a ranger, was indicted for murder in the second degree for killing a Mexican. The principal witness dying before the case came to trial, a nolle prosequi was entered.

        On October 31, 1870, a quarrel between Policeman Joseph F. Dye and City Marshal Warren led to a shooting affray upon the public street between the two, in which Warren was killed and several spectators more or less wounded. Dye was tried and acquitted.

        The notorious Chinese massacre occurred on October 24, 1871. For two or three days previous, two Chinese factions had been quarreling over the possession of a woman of their race. Both sides purchased arms and ammunition and fortified themselves on either side of Negro alley, and exchanged shots. On the 23d, four of the combatants were arrested, and after a preliminary hearing, were released on bail. On the next morning the fight was renewed, and several officers and citizens interfered to preserve the peace. Officer Bilderrain and two citizens were wounded, one fatally, presumably by stray shots. The news of Robert Thompson's death spread like wild-fire, and brought together a large crowd, composed mainly of the lower class of Mexicans and the scum of the foreigners. The more they talked and drank, the more excited they became, and when an unlucky Chinaman put his head outside a shanty, he was instantly seized. The mob, now fairly thirsting for blood, dragged him to the corner of Temple and New High streets, and strung him up to a gateway. The rope broke, and the poor wretch fell to the ground, begging for mercy from his Christian persecutors, in vain. He was again strung up and his life choked out. The fury of the mob was but whetted by this taste of blood, and they returned to Chinatown for fresh victims. Torches were applied, but this with caution, from fear of a general conflagration. Then hose was laid, and efforts made to flood the Chinamen out. Excited individuals, more forward than the others, climbed upon the house­tops and shot through various openings into the rooms below. Wherever a miserable Chinese could be forced out, he was at once hurried away and hanged. Five were suspended in a row to an awning on the corner of Los Angeles and Commercial streets; and three more were hung on the gateway before-mentioned. To the crime of murder was added that of theft. The stores of Chinatown were looted. The knife, rope and pistol were in active use for more than three hours; the dead bodies of eighteen Chinese, one of them a child, were to be counted. The authorities endeavored in vain to quell the mob. Efforts were made by such citizens as R. M. Widney, H. T. Hazard, H. C. Austin, and others, and they were successful in saving several more Chinese from murder. The excitement finally wore itself out. An inquest was held, lasting several days, and a few of the mob were imprisoned in San Quentin for a short time, although the leaders escaped punishment. It is said that more than one citizen of Los Angeles who to-day make great pretentions helped that night to murder the Chinese and violate order. The United States Government paid a heavy indemnity to the Chinese empire for its slain citizens.

        In 1871, two brothers named Bilderbeck, were murdered in Tejunga canon, and David Stephenson was shot by a posse in Lower California in resisting arrest for this crime.

        In June, 1874, a Mexican named Gordo was hanged at Puente for a murderous attempt upon William Turner, a storekeeper.

        The most noted criminal associated with Los Angeles County was Tiburcio Vazques, the outlaw. This man was born in 1837 in Monterey County. He early became a highwayman, robbing stages, stealing horses, and even committing murders without number. After the awful tragedy of Tres Pinos he came to Los Angeles County. On April 16, 1874, at the head of a band of robbers, he visited the rancho of Alexander Repetto, at the Arroyo Seco, and tying Repetto to a tree compelled him, on pain of instant death, to sign a check on Temple & Workman's bank at Los Angeles for $800. A nephew of Repetto was then dispatched to Los Angeles to cash the check, being warned that at the first symptom of treachery his uncle would be killed. The boy's manner excited suspicion at the bank, and its officers detained him until he told why the money was needed so urgently. Sheriff Rowland at once organized a posse and started for the place, but the boy, by hard riding across country, reached home ahead of them, paid the ransom, and released his uncle. The robbers fled, and, when not more than 1,000 yards ahead of the officers, they robbed John Osborne and Charles Miles of Los Angeles, whom they met on the road, and then made good their escape. This was the last exploit of Vazquez, plans for whose arrest had long been quietly laid by Sheriff William R. Rowland.

        Again and again the game had escaped him, but he was to be at last successful. Early in May he learned that Vazquez was making his headquarters at the house of "Greek George," about ten miles due west of Los Angeles, toward Santa Monica, and near the Cahuenga pass. The house, built in the form of an L, of adobe, was at the foot of a mountain, the foot of the letter toward the range, and the shank extending south. Behind the house ran a comparatively disused road, leading from San Vicente through La Brea Rancho to Los Angeles. In front of the house a small bunch of willows surrounded a spring, and beyond these a vast rolling plain stretched westward and southward to the ocean. A window in the north end of the building afforded an outlook over the plain for many miles toward Los Angeles. Other windows in like manner commanded the other points of the compass. The middle section of the shank was used as a dining-room, and a small room in the southern extremity, as a kitchen. It was well known that Vazquez had in Los Angeles confederates, who kept him well informed as to all plans for his capture. Therefore the utmost secrecy was necessary. The morning of Thursday, May 15, was determined on for making the attack, and the preceding day the horses for the sheriff's party were taken, one by one, to a rendezvous. It was decided that, to disarm suspicion, Sheriff Rowland should remain in Los Angeles, and the attacking force was placed under the command of the under-sheriff, Albert Johnson. The other members were Major H. M. Mitchell (attorney at law of Los Angeles); J. S. Bryant (city constable); W. E. Rogers (of the Palace saloon); B. F. Hartley (chief of police); George A. Beers (special correspondent of the San Francisco Chronicle), and two others, all armed with shot-guns loaded with slugs, and with rifles and revolvers. At 1:30 a. m. they started, and by 4 o'clock they reached Major Mitchell's bee-ranch, not far from the house of Greek George, where Mr. Johnson left part of his companions, while with the rest he climbed the mountains to reconnoiter. At first a heavy fog obscured all objects, but as this lifted, they could discern a horse, answering in description to that usually ridden by the bandit, which was picketed near the house. Twice a man resembling Vazquez issued from the house and led this horse to the spring, then back to his picket.  Soon a second man, believed to be the bandit's lieutenant, Chavez, went in pursuit of another horse, and then Mr. Johnson prepared for action. His two companions, Mitchell and Smith, went in pursuit of the man last seen, while he returned to the bee-ranch, marshaled his forces, and prepared to attack the house. Fortunately at this moment a high box-wagon drove up the cañon from the direction of Greek George's house. In it were two natives, and into it the sheriff's party at once clambered, taking with them one of the men. They commanded the driver to turn his horses and drive back as close as possible to George's house, promising to shoot him dead at the least sign of treachery. He obeyed his instructions and soon the house was surrounded. As the party advanced upon the door leading into the dining-room it was partially opened by a woman, who, as she caught sight of them, slammed it shut, with an exclamation of affright. They burst it in just in time to see Vazquez spring from the table where he had been eating, through the narrow kitchen window, in the end of the house facing south. As he went through an officer fired on him with a Henry rifle, and as he rushed for his horse shot after shot showed him the hopelessness of escape. Throwing up his hands, he advanced toward the party and surrendered, saying in Spanish: " Boys, you have done well; I have been a damned fool, but it is all my own fault. I'm gone up."

        The man Mitchell and Smith had gone after was taken, and still another was arrested. A large number of arms was found in the house, all of the latest pattern and finest workmanship. Greek George was arrested in Los Angeles. Vazquez was conveyed to the city and placed in jail. Here he received the best of medical treatment, and, as his injuries were only flesh-wounds, he soon recovered. Much maudlin sympathy was expended on him by weak-headed women while he remained in Los Angeles jail. His last victim, Mr. Repetto, called to see him. After the usual salutation, Repetto said: " I have called, Señor, to say that so far as I am

concerned you can settle that little account with God Almighty. I have no hard feelings against you,—none whatever." Vazquez returned his thanks in the most impressive manner, and began to speak of repayment, when Repetto interrupted him, saying: " I do not expect to be repaid. I gave it to you to save further trouble; but I beg of you, if you ever resume operations, not to repeat your visit to my house." " Ah, Señor," replied Vazquez, " if I am so unfortunate as to suffer conviction, and am compelled to undergo a short term of imprisonment, I will take the earliest opportunity to reimburse you. Señor Repetto, I am a gentleman, with the heart of a gentleman," this with the most impressive gesture, and laying his hand upon his heart. He was taken to San Jose, tried for murder, found guilty, and was there hanged on March 19, 1875. Several others of the band were captured and sent to San Quentin; some were shot by officers, and the whole band was thoroughly broken up.

        On October 10, 1877, Victor Fonck was shot in the leg by C. M. Waller, keeper of the Land Company's bath-house at Santa Monica. He died two days later from the effects of the wound. At the time of the shooting, Fonck was erecting a private bath house on the beach, in defiance of warnings not to do so, and Waller claimed that, in doing the shooting, he was acting on instructions from H. Parker, agent of the land company. Waller was found guilty of involuntary homicide, and was sentenced to one year in the penitentiary. Parker, found guilty of murder in the second degree, was sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary. This had such an effect on himself and his young wife that they both died broken-hearted before the sentence could be carried into effect.

        In February of 1883, occurred a cause cèlébre in the criminal records of Los Angeles. Maggie O'Brien, a young Irish girl of Los Angeles, had aroused the jealousy of the wife of William McDowell. She had left her home, ostensibly to visit friends, and, after she had been absent some weeks, not having been seen by the parties for whose house she professed to be starting, Rose, the wife of McDowell, presented herself to the authorities with the story that her husband, having summoned Miss O'Brien to Colton, had murdered her, and had thrown the body into an arroyo. Notwithstanding the absence of motive for the crime on the part of McDowell, who was fond of Maggie, and of various circumstances tending to prove that not he, but his wife, was the guilty party, McDowell was convicted of the crime, and he was hanged at San Bernardino, March 28, 1884. In this year also occurred the murder of Henry Amadon, a locomotive engineer, by his wife and her accomplices.

MEDICAL.

        The Southern California Medical Society was organized in Los Angeles, June 8, 1888. For several years the physicians of this part of the State had felt that a district society embracing the leading medical men of the section would promote the best interests of the profession, and would in many ways benefit the community. Resolutions laid before the Los Angeles County Medical Society led to the assembling of representatives from San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern and San Luis Obispo counties. The society then organized has indicated its character and aims in the following articles of its constitution: "The objects of this society shall be the advancement of medical knowledge, the elevation of professional character, the encouragement of social intercourse and harmony among the members of the profession. * * * To entitle a person to membership he must be a graduate of a regular medical college; he must hold a registered certificate from the State Board of Medical Examiners, and be of good moral and professional reputation and be a member of the County Medical Society, in case one exists in his county." The society now numbers 112 members, and is growing rapidly. The present president is Dr. W. N. Smart, of San Diego. Regular meetings are held semi-annually, the

first Wednesday of June and December. The second meeting was held in San Bernardino; the third, in San Diego; the fourth, in Pasadena. On all these occasions, many valuable papers were presented, and instructive cases reported. The following are the sections represented by the committees at the regular meetings: Practice of Medicine; Materia Medica and Therapeutics; Obstetrics; Surgery, General and Special; Gynecology; Diseases of Mind and Nervous System; Opthalmology and Otology; Skin and Venereal Diseases.

        The Los Angeles County Medical Society was organized January 31, 1871. The original membership consisted of Doctors William F. Edgar, Russell F. Hayes, Henry S. Orme, J. P. Widney, John S. Groin, Joseph Kurtz, L. L. Dorr and H. H. Rose. At present the organization has about seventy-five members, most of whom have joined since 1884, up to which time accessions were not rapid nor numerous. The aims of the society are, in the main, similar to those of the Southern California Medical Society. Its meetings, held the first Friday of every month, have exercises in which the reading of papers and discussion by the members are leading features. Dr. J. S. Griffin was the first president.

        The Los Angeles Homoeopathic Society was organized February 6, 1885, with Dr. A. S. Shorb as the first president. This was the first physician of that school to settle and practice in Los Angeles. At the present time, there are more than thirty of this branch of medical science in active practice here, representing must of the best-known colleges. The society has regular monthly meetings, is actively engaged in its field of work, and it is a source of great benefit to its members.

        The Southern California Odontological Society was organized November 19, 1885, with Dr. J. S. Crawford, one of the prime movers in its organization, as president. No city of equal population in America contains more practitioners of a high rank in the dental profession than does Los Angeles. To maintain this high standard, and to keep in the vanguard of progress in the profession, was the end to which this society was instituted, as appears in the by-laws: "The objects of this society shall be the discovery and promulgation of scientific truth relating to dentistry and oral surgery, and the promotion of the highest excellence in the art and science connected herewith." The society numbers about twenty active members, all practitioners in good standing. The organization is harmonious, and it is doing a good work for the advancement of dental science.

DR. RICHARD S. DEN,

the Nestor of the medical fraternity of Los Angeles County, was born in Garandara, County Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1821, and is the eldest surviving son of a truly noble family, whose pronounced views upon the Christian creed no member ever swerved from.

        The Dens are of Franco-Norman and Anglo-Norman descent, and arrived in Ireland in the retinue of King Henry II., A. D. 1171. Their accession to power is a matter of history, and their deeds of valor and goodness will be handed down to futurity. The impregnable religious belief of the family, their loyalty to the English crown, and their adhesion to the unfortunate King Charles I., led to the confiscation of all their estates by Cromwell, who bestowed them upon his ruthless soldiers; but, despite of this monstrous injustice, of the infamous penal laws for ages in existence, and of the galling acts of unscrupulous officials, they still held fast to their cherished principles, and by counsel, precept and example continued to do infinite good. Legends, for which the Irish people are famed, are to this day narrated at many firesides of the conscientious victories of the Dens. Although the latter branch of the family tasted of the bitter cup of adversity, they lost not one particle of their faith or honor.

        After receiving his preliminary education in Dublin, the subject of this sketch entered the City Infirmary and Leper Hospital of Waterford, at that time in charge of Drs. Mackesy and Burkitt, two eminent practitioners, remaining there for six years during the summer sessions. Dr. Mackesy, who afterward became president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, was a warm personal friend of young Den, who in after years felt a desire to return home for the purpose of seeing his mother, his sisters, and his old friend, and of presenting to the latter in person some little souvenir of the warm place in his heart that well remembered him. In December, 1839, having completed the regular courses of instruction and practice of midwifery in Dublin, R. S. Den passed his examination, and afterward received his first qualifications as obstetrician; and in April, 1840, at a public examination of the students of the first-class, held at the original School of Anatomy, Medicine and Surgery, in Dublin, the first certificate was awarded him in the three branches of his profession. Continuing to pursue his studies, and having attained his majority, he, in August, 1842, received his final qualifications. Then his friend, Sir John Pirie, Bart., Lord Mayor of London, and an eminent ship owner and ship-broker, desired to place him on one of his largest vessels going to the East Indies, which, however, would not sail for some time; but Dr. Den, desiring an immediate position, sought for and obtained the appointment as surgeon of the fine ship Glenswilly, of Glasgow, which left London dock August 29, 1842, bound for India, with special passengers for Melbourne, Australia. Some of these passengers (who were men of wealth and influence, leaving England with their families, retainers and servants for the purpose of settling down in a new country), at first sight of the young doctor before starting thought him unfit for the responsible position; but, on learning from the Lord Mayor of the high honors received by him at his examination, and of the length of time he had devoted to his studies, they raised no further objection. During the voyage they had every reason to be satisfied with his services; and when they landed, December 3, 1842, at Melbourne, where the ship remained some weeks, the passengers were all in the best of health, and they were profuse in their thanks, and did everything in their power to persuade the Doctor to remain in the antipodes; but, this not suiting his inclinations, he remained aboard the ship, at Port the harbor of Melbourne; and while there Dr. Den was informed by the authorities of the port that he was the only ship surgeon who for a long period had landed his passengers in good health and without a single death having occurred during the voyage.

        After touching at Sydney and remaining there about a month, the vessel set sail, but her course was changed from India to Valparaiso, and arrived safely there. Stopping a few weeks at Valparaiso, the vessel came on to Mazatlan, arriving there July 23, 1843; and while in that port the Doctor received news of his brother, who was living at Santa Barbara, California, and from whom he had not heard for many years. Hailing this intelligence with delight, he determined to start for his brother's home. Accordingly, resigning his position as surgeon of the Glenswilly, he took passage on the first vessel bound for California, the bark Clarita, Captain Walter commanding, and Don Eulogio de Celis (whose family still reside in Los Angeles) acting as supercargo. Arriving at San Pedro August 21, he took passage on the ship California, in command of Captain Arthur, with W. D. M. Howard as assistant supercargo, and arrived at Santa Bárbara September 1, 1843, at the age of twenty-two years.

        After paying his brother a short visit his intentions were to return home; but months passed without any vessel touching these then almost unknown shores, and the longer he remained the more he became attached to the country; so he was prevailed upon by the courteous, kind-hearted and hospitable residents to cast his lot among them, his professional services being in demand by them. During the winter of 1843–'44, while visiting Los Angeles, whither he had been called to perform some difficult operations, a petition signed by all the leading people, native and foreign, was presented to him, inviting him to remain among them and practice his profession. In reply, he stated that he had not made up his mind to stay in the country; but if he should remain he would reside at Los Angeles. He then returned to Santa Bárbara on professional business, and shortly afterward went to Monterey, the seat of government, to arrange some minor official matters. In the meantime he received several letters from his kind friends in Los Angeles reminding him of their invitation, and, concluding to accept it, he returned to Los Angeles the latter part of July, 1844, and remained until the breaking out of the gold excitement.

        From the Medical Directory of 1878, the following paragraph is taken: "It is of record that Dr. R. S. Den, in obedience to the laws of Mexico relating to foreigners, did present his diplomas as physician and surgeon to the Government of the country March 14, 1844, and that he received special license to practice from said government."

        In 1846–'47, during the Mexican war, he acted as Chief Physician and Surgeon of the Mexican forces located in Southern California. Among the American prisoners confined in Los Angeles, he treated Don Benito Wilson and party, and Thomas O. Larkin, the only American consul ever appointed in California while under Mexican or Spanish rule. Becoming surety for Larkin, he secured his removal to more healthful quarters and attended him through his illness. Governor Flores, commander-in-chief of the military forces in the Californias, despite the reports to the contrary, Dr. Den insists was very considerate and humane to the prisoners. In behalf of those who were wounded, he sent an urgent request to Captain Gillespie, in command of the American forces, for the services of a physician, and Captain Gillespie sent this request to Dr. Den, asking him to comply with it, which he did. The Doctor urged their removal to town, where they could have proper care.     Flores not only readily consented to this, but he also acted on any suggestion offered by Dr. Den that would alleviate the condition of the prisoners. It may also be mentioned in this connection that Don Luis Vignes, long since dead, who was the pioneer of the French colony of Los Angeles, and who planted the extensive "Aliso Vineyard," which also is a thing of the past, furnished comfortable quarters for Mr. Larkin, and did much for the wounded American prisoners. Don Luis had a high adobe wall around his dwelling-houses, cellars, etc. During the war the wives and children of certain residents used to seek and receive hospitable shelter within Don Luis's capacious castle.

        Throughout those stirring times Dr. Den assiduously and untiringly ministered to the wants of suffering humanity, irrespective of nationality, and he was loved and respected by all the good people. He permitted no prejudice to overcome his zeal for his chosen profession, the benefits of which, in a crisis like this, he held it was his duty to bestow on all alike. Consequently he remained neutral during this time, when a bitter feeling existed between the Americans and Californians, the latter of whom believed they were being stripped of their rights by the former.

        In 1848 Dr. Den organized, at his own expense, a prospecting party, and started north for Sullivan's Diggings, near what is now Angel's Camp, in Calaveras County. The party mined with varying success during that and the following year (1849), when the Doctor, perceiving that his professional services were needed on account of the prevalence of intermittent and malarial fevers in that district, discharged his men and entered into the practice of medicine. He did this not so much for pecuniary gain as to relieve the sufferings of his fellow-men, a man's purse forming no inducement for his services, for he treated all alike, whether they had money or not. Nevertheless, it may be recorded that in one day he was paid over $1,000 for medical attendance. At that time gold dust was the medium of exchange, being valued at the mines at $5 to $6 per ounce, but was worth in San Francisco $14, the rate at which the Doctor received it. After a few months' practice in the mines, he went to San Francisco, and while there he was one of the seven original organizers of the Society of California Pioneers. They met in 1850 at the office of William D. M. Howard (who was at one time also a resident of Los Angeles), on Montgomery street in that city. Soon afterward the Doctor returned to Los Angeles.

        In 1854 he went again to Santa Bárbara County, where he was engaged some twelve years in looking after the interests of his San Marcos rancho of eight leagues, which was stocked with cattle. About the year 1859 he made a conditional sale of this ranch and stock, intending to visit his old home and purchase a place which his ancestors had held for over 450 years before the confiscation; but the sale fell through, and later, during the great drought in California, he lost almost all his stock, over 2,000 head of horned cattle, so that he was forced to indefinitely postpone the trip.

        In January, 1866, he moved to Los Angeles, where he has ever since lived, practicing his profession.

        Dr. Den is averse to becoming involved in any litigation except where his principles are at stake, preferring to relinquish his material interests rather than have his good name sullied by coming in contact with certain minions of the law. His faith in mankind has resulted in the loss of considerable property, brought about by fraud and false testimony, which his sense of right revolts against, as all those who have obtained wealth by such means have always been scorned by him.

        The Doctor ranks among his patients some of the leading men and women of California, both of the past and of the present, and from the period of his arrival in this country has highly distinguished himself as a physician, as a surgeon and as an obstetrician, and all who know him well speak in the highest praise of his many noble qualities. Honor, integrity and lofty-minded strength of purpose, with a scrupulous regard for the true ethics of his profession, are qualities he possesses and holds dearer than anything else upon this earth. Although in his sixty-eighth year, the highly preserved state of his health visibly indicates a long life.

        Many of the Spanish people in old times, and some even now, have such faith in Dr. Den's skid that their oft-expressed confidence in him has crystallized into this proverb; Despues de Dios, Doctor Don Ricardo (After God, Dr. Don Richard). The pleasant relations that have existed between Dr. Den and the people of the country, and the trust they have reposed in him, is fully appreciated. Indeed he cherishes with genuine pride, as he well may, the esteem and kindly regard in which he has been held by the good people of this community during the many years that he has lived in Southern California. His learning and skill, his high sense of professional honor, and his kindly nature, have combined to give him a warm place in the hearts of the old Californians. They fully believe that as a physician he has been the means of saving hundreds of lives; and only those who are familiar with the affectionate way in which the respectable Spanish people speak of " Don Ricardo," can appreciate how strong is their friendship for him.

DR. H. S. ORME,

ex-President of the State Board of Health of California, was born in Milledgeville, Georgia, March 25, 1837. He graduated as A. B. at Oglethorpe University in 1858, and attended his first course of Medical lectures at the University of Virginia. He afterward graduated as M. D. in the medical department of the University of New York, in 1861. In 1868 he came to California, arriving at Los Angeles July 4, of that year, and has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine ever since. Dr. Orme has filled many official positions in both medical and Masonic societies during his residence in Los Angeles. He has been president of the Los Angeles Medical Society, the California State Medical Society; is now a member of the American Climatological Association, Medico-Legal Society of New York, American Public Health Association, and has also been Vice-President, and is now an active member of the American Medical Association, and is a Professor of Hygiene in the University of Southern California. Of local Masonic bodies, he has been a past officer of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery, and also Grand Master of Occidental Consistory of Los Angeles A. A. Scottish Rite, Thirty-Second Degree, of the State. He is now Past Grand High Priest of the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of California; Past Grand Master of the Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters; Past Grand Commander of Grand Commandery Knights Templar, an officer of the General Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters, and of the General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons, U. S. A.

        Doctor Orme married Mary C. Van de Graaff in 1873, and has one son, Hal McAllister, burn March 4, 1879. Dr. Orme is a genial, cultured and popular gentleman, a good citizen in all relations in life, whether public or private; and he is skillful in his profession, in which he takes a genuine pride. Dr. Orme has written various valuable papers on the climate and diseases of Southern California; as also other important papers, for the State Medical Society and State Board of Health, on leprosy.

THE PRESS.

        Los Angeles County has its due share of worthy newspapers and periodicals; and, like all intelligent, enterprising communities, its highways are strewn with the graves of dead journals and the wrecked hopes and fortunes of ambitious but mistaken journalists. The following is a list of the periodicals of the county, perished and surviving, published in the county since 1850:

        The Los Angeles Star was established in 1851, its first number appearing May 17, of that year, printed in English and Spanish, appearing weekly. John A. Lewis and John McElroy were the publishers. It underwent various changes of partnership and owners up to 1864, when it was purchased by General Banning, who removed the plant to Wilmington, where it was used for the publication of the Journal. In 1868 the Star was again established at Los Angeles, published and edited by Mr. H. Hamilton. From that time it suffered many changes of editors, management, and political affiliation, and probably no other journal in the county could show on its rolls so many names which were notable in the history of the county, and not a few of them over wider territory. The Star ceased publication early in 1879.

        The Southern Californian, published weekly, was founded by C. N. Richards & Co. The first number appeared July 20, 1854, William Butts, editor. After various changes, it was finally discontinued in 1857, and the following year its plant was used to publish the Southern Vineyard.

        El Clamor Publico, a Spanish publication, was established in 1855, by Francisco P. Ramirez, making its first appearance on June 18 or 19, and continuing as a weekly until December 31, 1859, when for lack of support, it suspended. The materials of the office were transferred to the Los Angeles News.

        The Southern Vineyard was established on March 20, 1858, as a four-page weekly, 22 x 30 inches in size. It was devoted to general news, and appeared every Saturday morning. In December of this year it became a semi-weekly, 20 x 26 inches, issued Tuesday and Friday mornings. It continued under the management of its founder, Mr. J. J. Warner, until June 8, 1860, when the plant was transferred to the Los Angeles News.

        The Christian Church, a monthly paper, devoted to religious subjects, made its appearance April 10, 1859, published by William Money. It was printed in Spanish and English, at the office of El Clamor. Receiving little support, it issued but a few numbers before it was discontinued.

        The semi-weekly Southern News, independent, issued every Wednesday and Friday, was established in 1860, by C. R. Conway and Alonzo Waite. The sheet was enlarged in six months and again in thirteen months. On October 8, 1862, the paper was styled the Los Angeles Semi-Weekly News, and so continued until January 12, 1863. It was frequently enlarged and modified between this and the early part of 1873, when it finally suspended.

        The Amigo del Pueblo, printed in the Spanish language, made its appearance November 15, 1861, published by Jose E. Gonzales & Co. It was a weekly, and in politics independent. In May, 1862, it announced its suspension for want of adequate support.

        The Los Angeles Chronicle, a German weekly journal, published by F. G. Walther, was first issued May 19, 1869. It continued until August, 1870, when it stopped publication for lack of support.

        It may as well be here stated that while it appears that more newspaper ventures prove abortive than any other class of business undertakings, they are so conspicuous that they are more likely to be noted, and thus made to appear more numerous when in reality they are not.

        The Evening Republican was founded in June, 1876. by W. W. Creighton. It was continued with various modifications, until September, 1878, when the daily was discontinued for lack of support, the weekly continuing until January, 1879, when it also ceased publication.

        The School-Master was established in 1876, edited by Dr. W. T. Lucky, at that time superintendent of the city schools. It was the organ of the public schools of the county, and was a very valuable publication for those interested in educational matters. The death of Dr. Lucky caused the paper to be discontinued after a few months.

        The Southern California Horticulturist was first issued in September, 1877, by the Southern California Horticultural Society, L. M. Holt, editor. This was a monthly periodical in pamphlet form, 6 x 9 inches, devoted to the interests of horticulture and agriculture in Southern California. It was sent free to all members of the society and to others on subscription. After January, 1880, it was issued by another management, in enlarged form, as Semi-Tropic California and Southern California Horticulturist, devoted to the same interests as formerly. Its contributors numbered several able writers. It was succeeded by the Rural Californian.

        The Los Angeles Daily Commercial, established by W. H. Gould, was first issued March 6, 1879. It was Republican in politics, and it was devoted to the development and interests of the Pacific coast. D. M. Berry was its editor. Its publication was discontinued some years since.

        The Daily and Weekly Journal was started in 1879 by J. C. Littlefield, the first issue being June 23. At the close of the political campaign, in September of that season, Mr. Littlefield withdrew, and the Journal was conducted until its publication ceased, by Mr. Hewitt, as editor and proprietor. It was Republican in politics.

        The Weekly Rescue was an eight-page sheet, devoted to temperance, current literature and general news, being the official organ of the Grand Lodge of the Good Templars of the State, and published under the direction of its executive committee. It was printed at different times in Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles. While it was issued here, Messrs. Yarnell & Caystile, then publishing the Mirror, printed it by contract for three years, beginning November 1, 1877.

        The following are the periodicals published in this county in the year of 1889:

        The Los Angeles Evening Express enjoys the distinction of seniority, and it is, with one exception, the oldest daily newspaper published in Southern California. It was founded and first published by an association of practical printers comprising Jesse Yarnell, George Yarnell, George A. Tiffany, J. W. Painter and Miguel Verelo. The first number appeared March 27, 1871, and consisted of four pages, six columns to the page. In March, 1875, it was purchased by James J. Ayers and Joseph D. Lynch, who enlarged and otherwise improved it. The following year Mr. Lynch retired from the Express, and Mr. Ayers continued in editorial charge and practical management of the paper until his appointment as State Printer by Governor Stoneman in 1882, when he removed to Sacramento. Mr. Lynch now resumed responsible charge of the Express, which he published in connection with the Herald, in the same building and on the same press, but with a separate editorial and local staff. In 1884 this journal was sold to H. Z. Osborne and E. R. Cleveland, with whom, as editor and manager and city editor, respectively, it was first printed on August 18 of that year, and under whose administration it has ever since continued. In August, 1886, these gentlemen organized the Evening Express Company as a corporate body, to facilitate business, and transferred the newspaper property to that company. The paper has for some time enjoyed a steadily increasing prosperity, well known throughout Southern California, and it is one of the most influential of the State. It has a splendid plant of modern presses and material, and a book and job printing establishment equal to any in the State outside of San Francisco. The company has also acquired in perpetuity the exclusive franchise of the Associated Press, the greatest newsgathering association of the world, for all its despatches. The paper is now a handsome eight-page issue, with three daily editions.

        The Los Angeles Herald, the oldest morning daily in Southern California, was founded by C. A. Storke, its first appearance being October 3, 1873. Some two years later it was sold to J. M. Bassett, and shortly afterward to Joseph D. Lynch, formerly editor of the San Diego World, who had been in the newspaper business from boyhood, and who had been attached to the staff of various leading eastern papers. He alone edited and owned the Herald until the fall of 1886, when he sold a half interest to Colonel James J. Ayers, who since the days of '49 " had been engaged in newspaper work in this State, having been connected with several notable journalistic enterprises, and who was the founder of the Call in San Francisco. Thus this journal has proceeded with perhaps fewer changes than any other in Southern California. At all times it has been a clean, conservative newspaper, Democratic in the true Jeffersonian and Jacksonian sense. As a conservative advocate, the managers take great pride in building up what is good in the community, and in consistently extending the fame of the merits of the section. The Herald is now an eight-page journal, containing all the important news, given in prompt and readable style.

        On February 1, 1873, appeared the first number of the Weekly Mirror, a diminutive sheet of three columns to the page, 10 x 13 inches. It was published and distributed free every Saturday, by Yarnell & Caystyle, who embarked in journalism with $500 worth of second-hand job printing material, which they had purchased on credit, their primary purpose being to do job printing. The little paper flourished far more than other such enterprises of ambitious beginning. On March 1, 1873, the proprietors, having taken a new partner, announced in a double-leaded editorial that, having abandoned the idea of publishing the smallest paper in California, they would set no bounds to the Mirror's growth. During the year that followed, it underwent repeated enlargements and changes of personnel, some of the original founders always continuing in the firm, however, and by 1882 it was the largest paper published up to that time in Southern California. Its fifth enlargement took place in July, 1882,— six months after the Daily Times was started,—when the Mirror was made a double sheet of eight large pages. After the Times was started in 1881, the Mirror became practically the weekly edition of that paper, but retaining its original name, as being the older journal. In May, 1888, it was changed to its present shape, —twelve pages of six columns each. Unlike the Times, it is not a partisan paper, although it aims to give all the current political news. The Mirror's specialty is the development and advancement of Los Angeles and Southern California.

        On December 4, 1881, was started the Los Angeles Times, as a seven-column folio. The projectors were Cole & Gardiner. With the first issue retired Mr. Gardiner, and on January 1, 1882, Mr. Cole also, leaving the Times in the hands of the proprietors of the Mirror, Yarnell, Caystile & Mathes, who continued this publication they had bought, as a Republican morning journal. It grew and waxed strong from the outset, as no other Republican paper had been able to do in Los Angeles. After several enlargements, a share in the paper was bought by Colonel H. G. Otis, who became the editor of the Times and the Mirror. Various changes successively ensued, in the makeup of the paper and in its administration, until, in October, 1884, the Times-Mirror Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $40,000, which was increased to $60,000, two years later, for the purpose of erecting the Times building. In April, 1886, the Times-Mirror Company was reorganized, Albert McFarland and William A. Spalding, both practical printers, coming into the concern, the former becoming vice-president, and the latter secretary of the company. Mr. McFarland has since been succeeded by another partner, but the other members still continue the administration. The Times is a standard seven-column quarto, 35 x 47 inches.

        The first number of the Los Angeles Daily Tribune was published on Monday, October 4, 1886, by H. T. Payne and Edward Records as publishers and proprietors. It was then a seven-column, four-page paper. With the advent of the Tribune were introduced some features new to Los Angeles journalism, as the publication of a paper every day in the year, including Sundays and holidays. The new venture was well received, and enlargements and further improvements speedily followed. Able talent was employed in each department of the paper, the aim being to make it a newsy sheet without its becoming sensational. The policy of the Tribune is thus set forth in its own language:

        "Politically it is stalwartly Republican, and labors for the interests and principles of that party, irrespective of the feelings of any one man or set of men. Locally it has given a faithful and pure reflection of the news of the day, without any sensational attempt to ridicule or blacken the character of even the most humble citizen. Editorially it has fairly, honestly and manfully discussed the issues of the day without fear or favor, awarding to Caesar that which is Csar's, * * * honestly laboring for the honest rights of the people, and the best interests of the city and the whole of Southern California. Its course has been honorable, open, and upright." General H. H. Boyce is at present editor-in-chief and general manager of the Tribune, and Ed. Gill managing editor.

        The Süd California Post, the only daily German newspaper published in California south of San Francisco, was established as a weekly in 1874, by Conrad Jacoby, its present editor and proprietor. The weekly enjoys a prosperous career, having a large circulation among the German population in Southern California. In 1887 the daily made its appearance, and has been published ever since, as an afternoon paper. It is a four-page, eight-column sheet, 26 x 40 inches. Its weekly edition is the same size, with a supplement added. The daily has a general circulation among the Germans, nearly 1,100, in Los Angeles, and its advertising columns are liberally patronized by the business men.

        La Cronica, a Spanish newspaper, was founded in 1872, by M. S. Arevalo, a native of Mexico: B. F. Teodoli, a native of Rome, Italy, and B. F. Ramirez, a native of Los Angeles. Mr. Teodoli was a practical printer and a thorough business man, clear-headed and energetic. Mr. Arevalo was a musician, and of the artistic temperament. Mr. Ramirez was a lawyer, and a gentleman of fine education, but timid and retiring in character, so much so that his personal courage was not equal to the vigor of his writings, a circumstance which shortly led to his retiring from the paper, when he was succeeded by a congenial associate, Eulogio F. de Celis, a native of Los Angeles, with a European education. Combating with difficulties apparently insuperable, this paper has come to be the most influential paper printed in Spanish in California. It is the respected organ of the Hispano-American population where that race is still numerous and important. In 1880, Mr. Arevalo organized the La Cronica Publishing Company, a joint-stock association, limited to 100 shares of $100 each, which were all taken by the most influential citizens of Los Angeles and the State. Soon afterward, Mr. Teodoli withdrew from the company, which, after a time, leased the newspaper to Miguel J. Varela and Pastor de Celis, a brother of the original editor, who had also retired. Next, the Cronica passed into the hands of the Cardona Brothers; then E. F. de Celis again assumed the management, with S. A. Cardona and Thomas W. Temple, the latter of whom is now sole proprietor.

        L' Union Nouvelle was founded in 1879; it has been edited from the start by Mr. P. Geneé, the present editor and proprietor. It is a large four-page, eight-column sheet, 36 x 42 inches; it is taken by most of the 3,500 population of Los Angeles.

        Le Progrés was established in 1883 by a corporation of the same name, whose object was to have in Los Angeles a true representative of the French population. Its founders and stockholders are among the leading and most influential members of the French element in Los Angeles. The first editor was Dr. Pigné du Puytren, who resigned the position in something over a year, when Georges Le Mesnager succeeded to it, and he in turn resigned, to attend to private interests. Since then, the paper has been in charge of the directors' committee. Felix Violé is now editor, and Thomas Laughlin, Jr., is manager. Le Progrés is issued every Saturday. It is independent in politics; and it enjoys a liberal advertising patronage.

        The Porcupine is a weekly news and story paper, which was started by Major Horace Bell, November 11, 1882, heading the sheet with the motto:

"For the cause that needs assistance, For the wrongs that lack resistance, And the good that I can do. "

        On September, 22, 1888, Major Bell retired from the editorship in favor of his son, Charles A. Bell, the present editor and proprietor of the Porcupine.

        The Cactus, the only weekly illustrated paper in Los Angeles, was established by Carl Browne, its first number appearing February 11, 1883. It is a quarto, four-column sheet, whose principal feature is its cartoons. It has passed through several local campaigns.

        The Court Journal is a three-column folio, published on the morning of every weekday in the year, and devoted to recording the daily proceedings of the courts of Los Angeles County, thus making a convenient and valuable accessory to the office of every member of the bar, who are its chief patrons. It was first issued April 6, 1888, and its brief existence has been a varied one, as it has several times changed hands, and twice suspended publication. It is now considered a permanent fixture of the city, being pretty generally supported by the lawyers.

        Los Angeles Life is a weekly journal, published on Saturdays, and devoted to gossip, criticism, literature, music, the drama, etc., and it is non-political. It first appeared in Los Angeles on December 8, 1888, under the title of the Critic. J. M. Shawhan was the proprietor, and he had, previous to its removal, conducted the paper in Pasadena for about eight months. On February 1, 1889, Mr. Shawhan transferred the business and good will of the Critic to Gilbert McClurg and L. Montgomery Mather, who changed the name to the Los Angeles Life. Mr. Mather afterward became sole proprietor. The paper has a good circulation, and is in a prosperous condition.

        The Social World was established by Mr. Ward in 1886. It was then an eight-column, four-page paper, devoted to social, dramatic and personal matters. Under another management in 1887 it was made an eight-page, five column quarto, and much improved. In February, 1889, it was sold to the present owners, one of whom, W. H. Kennedy, has the management. The paper is published every Saturday. It is steadily growing in public favor and patronage.

        The Commercial Bulletin was permanently established in January, 1887, as an advertising sheet. Its projectors were Fred W. Beau de Zart and John G. Hunsicker. The first few numbers bore the name The Weekly Directory, but the owners saw the necessity in future for a trade journal to represent the jobbing and manufacturing interests of Southern California, and so changed the name to the present form. That the paper has been successful is evinced by its well-filled columns and the advertisements of many of the largest wholesale, manufacturing and jobbing houses in the world. The subscription list extends through the southern counties of California, Arizona, part of New Mexico, and to El Paso, Texas. Fred W. Beau de Zart still conducts the editorial department.

        The Exponent, published every Saturday in East Los Angeles, is a four-page, seven-column paper, 24 x 36 inches. It was established July 28, 1888. In politics it is Independent Republican, but it is devoted chiefly to local and family matters. The proprietors have erected a publishing house, equipped with steam presses and a neat book and job office. These gentlemen, Charles A. Gardner and L. S. Akerman, are both practical newspaper men of many years' experience.

        In September, 1877, the Rural Californian, then called the Southern California Horticulturist, was established in Los Angeles. Two years later, George E. Rice, the present editor, bought and consolidated this and several other publications more or less devoted to agriculture, naming the new paper the Rural Californian. There was an interregnum of his work from 1886 to 1889, when Mr. Rice resumed the editorial chair. The Rural is a neatly printed illustrated monthly journal of forty-eight broad double-column pages, bound in an illuminated cover. It is devoted to the discussion of topics relating to the farm, the orchard, and the home. It has a large list of readers, not only in Southern California, but throughout the State, and also in the East.

        The Pacific Coast Poultry Journal, C. O. Cummings, editor, was first issued in May, 1889. It started out as an illustrated monthly journal, in magazine form, with imperial quarto page of three columns.

        The Southern California Christian Advocate was founded by its present editor and publisher, Rev. P. H. Bodkin. It began issue March 1, 1886, having superseded a district quarterly issued by Rev. R. W. C. Farnsworth, A. M., of the Los Angeles District Methodist Episcopal Church. For nine mouths it was issued as a medium four-page monthly, under the supervision of the Los Angeles Preachers' Meeting. In November, 1886, its field was enlarged, its name changed to its present title, and it was made a sixteen-page semi-monthly, with a local advisory committee, which raised a subsidy of $500 to aid the editor and publisher in the work. Since then the paper has been again enlarged, and additional subsidies provided. At the session of Conference held in Pasadena, September 13, 1888, the Advocate was made the Conference organ, thus raising it from the character of a local concern to that of an official paper. The present editor was unanimously elected by the Conference, and, as is usual, he was appointed to the work by the Bishop. The publication committee was enlarged to embrace representative men of the entire Conference, and another subsidy raised. The subscription list has grown with reasonable rapidity, and numbers 1,500 or 1,600. The paper bids fair to be self-supporting in another year. It is entirely managed by the editor, who has frequently issued large editions of ten or twelve pages.

        The Los Angeles Churchman, first issued in January, 1888, by Rev. Thomas W. Haskins, its present editor and proprietor, is a monthly magazine of some twenty pages of three columns each. It is devoted to " the interests of the church in Los Angeles and Southern California." It embraces articles on various religious and Sunday-school topics. Its circulation is about 500 copies.

        The Southern California Baptist was first issued February, 1887, with Rev. W. B. Wright as editor. It started as a weekly of sixteen pages of four columns each. After the first three numbers were issued, Rev. G S. Bailey, D. D., assumed the editorship, which he retained until June 15, 1889. The paper has received a liberal support and has prospered from the beginning, its influence extending beyond the limits of the section. In February, 1889, its name was changed to the California Baptist.

        The Pentecost was first issued in 1885 as a quarterly publication. The following year it was changed to a monthly, and since the middle of 1887 it has been issued semi-monthly. No advertisements are inserted in this paper, which is a four-page sheet of four columns to the page. The paper and plant, including a job printing office, is the property of the "Holiness Band" societies of Southern California and Arizona; its editing and publishing is done by L. A. Clark and W. C. Brand.

        The Southern California Practitioner, a monthly medical journal, was established in January, 1886, its editors and founders being J. P. Widney, A. M., M. D., Dean of the College of Medicine of the University of Southern California; Joseph Kurtz, M. D., Professor of Clinical Surgery; and Walter Lindley, Professor of Obstetrics in the same college. These gentlemen have remained in charge of the journal, having associated with them Frank L. Haynes, M. D., Professor of Gynecology in the college. The Practitioner, while treating of all matters pertaining to the science of medicine and surgery, has mapped out for itself as a specialty one particular field, viz.: the careful investigation of the climatic peculiarities and climatic laws of Southern California, and of that great inland plateau which embraces Arizona, New Mexico, and the elevated portion of the interior of Mexico; the effect which these climatic peculiarities may have upon race types, race development, and race diseases; the local changes which through human agency—such as irrigation, drainage, cultivation, planting or clearing of timber—may be produced in climate; the question of race habits, of food, drink and manner of life; the physiological and pathological effects of the crossing of bloods; and all of these questions as affecting the Anglo-Teuton in taking up his abode in this, to him, new climate. This is a new, a broad, and a hitherto unworked field; and the Practitioner hopes to add somewhat to the stock of human knowledge in this direction, and to help toward the solution of these problems. It will also endeavor to present the salient features of various sections of this now widely-known climatic belt, so that physicians in the Eastern States and abroad, who may be recommending a change of climate to invalids or persons of delicate constitutions, may have accurate information upon which to base a selection. In carrying out the plan of work thus outlined, the Practitioner, which is the pioneer in the field, has hardly issued a number without some valuable climatic article; and it has become standard authority throughout the continent in this new line of climatic and disease study.

        The Pomona Times was established in 1882 by Messrs. Short & Morton. In December, 1883, the first number of the Pomona Weekly Courier was issued, with John H. Lee as editor and publisher. On April 1, 1884, the two papers were consolidated, under the name of the Times-Courier, with J. H. Lee and W. D. Morton as editors. In April, 1886, Lee & Sumner began the publication of the Daily Times, the first daily issued in Pomona, and the only one to the present writing. The Times-Courier is continued as the weekly edition. Both papers are independent in politics, but strong in support of all industries and interests that tend to develop the resources of Los Angeles County, and especially the beautiful San José valley and the city of Pomona. The Pomona Progress was established in January, 1885, the first issue appearing on the 31st of that month. It was then owned and managed by E. E. Stowell. Pomona was then a hamlet of about 1,500 people, and the Progress, with its superiority of material and style, was an innovation on the rural journalism that the town had had hitherto, and it soon made for itself a prominent place in the eastern part of the county. In January, 1886, the plant and business of the Pomona Telegram was added to that of the Progress, which continued, through various managements, to be a handsome and successful paper.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.