Plaza Festival Celebrates Columbus Day

What the stalwart young lad is wearing.

Oct. 22, 1909: Columbus Day is celebrated at the Plaza with a surprising array of ethnic groups. I’ve seen postcards of the Indian Village at Eastlake Park, but have never found out too much about it. I’d be interested to know which band of Apaches was in Los Angeles. Notice that in addition to Spanish dances, the youngsters did Dutch and Greek dances. And somehow, in celebrating Columbus Day, people found a way to reconnect with “the early times and romance of California.” Father John Caballeria says: "We should all encourage this glorious spirit of the past and the old mission days of Southern California should never be forgotten. The Indians and the dances all show what great work has been accomplished in the past and just as great a work will be done in the future. This old mission is the mother of the churches in Los Angeles, as all of the churches in the city started from her. The old mission is getting old, very old, and for this reason we want to preserve its walls. The old mission needs lots of help."

President Asks Court to Halt Steel Strike

Oct. 20, 1959: No clemency for Caryl Chessman, governor says ... Calling it a sad day for America, President Eisenhower tells the Justice Department to seek a federal injunction to halt a strike by the United Steelworkers of America.

“Created 2-Headed Dog” is perhaps the best kicker I have ever seen. Security at Errol Flynn's funeral is so tight that film comedian Jack Oakie is barred.  Flynn was buried next to a statue of a woman titled "Flowers of Remembrance." One mourner says "Errol would have liked having a beautiful woman watch over him night and day. Hollywood is “a little too rough,” so Beverly Aadland, Errol Flynn’s girlfriend, is staying with attorney Melvin Belli in San Francisco ...

Jack Smith on men's fashions.

The Dodgers won yet another legal round in their fight to build a new ballpark in Chavez Ravine as the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed three appeals on the legality of deeding the area to the ballclub. But don't think the fighting was over. John Holland, a City Councilman who had long opposed the Dodgers moving to Chavez Ravine, said the council "must respect this contract but in areas where we are allowed to use our own judgment, I may still register my opposition to these plans." In other words, stay tuned. The Times' Jeane Hoffman said construction crews hoped to finish leveling the dirt for the ballpark by January. The paper's coverage included a vision of what Dodger Stadium was expected to look like once completed and a photo of earth movers and bulldozers working in Chavez Ravine. One house can still be seen. --Keith Thursby

Found on EBay – Dyas-Cline

Gunsmith W.H. Billy Wilshire dies, Oct. 11, 1935.

This shoulder holster from Dyas-Cline Co. sporting goods in Los Angeles has been listed on EBay.  Dyas- Cline became Cline-Cline about 1913, which would make this holster older than I suspected. Bidding starts at $6.50.

Jurors Convict Man, Take Up a Collection for Him

Oct. 7, 1909: What the very well-dressed woman is wearing.

Pedro Vasquez was arrested by Detective Talamantes for stealing two pairs of trousers. After the jurors convicted Vasquez,  they took up a collection so he could buy a shirt since he didn’t have one.  Actress Nellie V. Montgomery wins a divorce from chauffeur C. Percival King …  A dispute between a woman and her uncle over some lace handkerchiefs ends in a brawl at his tailor shop … Charles F. Hockett enlisted in the Navy and when he was recently on leave in Los Angeles, told his wife he wasn’t coming back to her. Readers of the 1947project will recall that on Aug. 23, 1907, Detective Felipe Talamantes helped arrest Ricardo Flores Magon, Librado Rivera, Antonio Villareal and L. Gutierrez De Lara on charges of trying to overthrow the Mexican government.

Found on EBay – Bullock’s Wilshire

This Irene Lentz dress from Bullock’s Wilshire has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $9.99.

Found on EBay – J.W. Robinson’s

This remarkable hat from J.W. Robinson’s, one of the upscale clothing stores in early Los Angeles, has been listed on EBay. The vendor says it’s in the original box. Bidding starts at $250.

Cafe Orchestra Fiddles While Kitchen Burns

Oct. 3, 1909: What the modern woman is wearing. $22.50 is $532.68 USD 2008.

Here’s a bit of theater history: The Orpheum announces that it will no longer have advertising on its curtain, despite the loss in revenue of $500 ( $11,837.43) a month … And the desk sergeant reviews a nightly parade of drunks.

Found on EBay -- Bullock's Wilshire

This very bright sweater from Bullock's Wilshire has been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at 50 cents.

Found on EBay -- Bullock's Wilshire

This 1946 toy catalogue from Bullock's Wilshire has been listed on EBay. Of all the Bullock's items that have turned up on EBay since I have been posting about them, this is one of the more interesting. It's a time capsule of postwar toys for people who had money. Bidding starts at $5.

Naked Men Found in Women's Spa

Sept. 23, 1919: "Movie of a Man Holding the Wire," by Clare Briggs. How to get rid of that summer tan.

There's a small problem with Kate Carpenter's bath and massage emporium for women: Authorities keep finding naked men there. Alvin C. Hammer pleads guilty to drunk driving. This story implies that before July 1919, drunk driving was legal. I'll have to look into that.