An illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California. Containing a history of Los Angeles County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day, Part 24

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1092

USA > California > Los Angeles County > An illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California. Containing a history of Los Angeles County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 24

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

second enlargement of the Mirror was made March 27, 1875, when it was made a twenty- column sheet 17 x 22 inches-four times its original size, " the subscription price remaining $1." On October 29, 1875, William M. Brown retired from the firm on account of ill health and died the following March. The Mirror bindery was purchased January 22, 1876, and a Potter drum cylinder press was added February 19, 1876. In Angust, 1880, Mr. S. J. Mathes came into the firmn, and the succeeding month the Mirror was again enlarged to an eight- column paper, 24 x 38 inches, and the subscrip- tion price raised to $2 per year, with Mr. Mathes as editor. Subsequently it was enlarged to a nine-column paper and two more pages added, making the Mirror by far the largest paper published up to that time in Southern Califor- nia. The fifth enlargement took place in July, 1882,-six months after the Daily Times was started, and immediately following the second enlargement of the daily-when the Mirror was made a donble sheet of eight large pages. After the Times was started, in December, 1881, the Mirror became practically the weekly edition of the former, but retaining its original name, as being the older journal. In May, 1888, its form was changed to twelve pages of six col- umns each-its present shape. The subscrip- tion price is now $1.50 a year. Unlike the Times, it is not a partisan paper, though it aims to give all the current political news. The Mirror's specialty is in the advocacy of the de- velopment and advancement of Los Angeles and Southern California, of whose interests it is an able champion, and in many thousands of whose intelligent homes it is a welcome weekly visitor.

THE LOS ANGELES TIMES.

This enterprising journal, which, in all the elements that enter into the composition of a great newspaper, ranks among the first on the Pacific Coast, was started on the 4th of Decem- ber, 1881, as a seven-column folio. The pro- jectors were Cole & Gardiner. Mr. Gardiner retired with the first issue, and Mr. Cole on

January 1, 1882. They were succeeded by the proprietors of the Weekly Mirror, Yarnell, Caystile & Mathes, who bought the Times outright and continued its publication as a Re- publican morning journal. It was a Insty journalistie child, and grew and waxed strong and vigorous from the start. It proved a phe- nomenal success in view of the disastrous fate of the number of Republican papers which had attempted but failed to " make a live of it " in Los Angeles. So cordial was the reception given and so generous and substantial the patronage accorded to the young Times, that on April 2, 1882, it was made an eight-column paper, an expansion fully justified by its business. Three months later, July 2, 1882, it was enlarged to nine columns to the page. August 1, 1882, Colonel H. G. Otis became an partner in the firm and the editor of the Daily Times and Weekly Mirror. His proprietary interest in the papers has been continued ever since that time, and with the exception of short intervals his man. agement has also been continuous. On the 22d of May, 1883, Mr. A. W. Francisco, then of Ohio, now of Los Angeles, an honored journalist of wide experience, bought Mr. Yarnell's inter- est, and the following October was made bnsi- ness manager, which position he filled with marked ability until his retirement July 31, 1884. Mr. Mathes retired at the same time to engage in other pursuits. The third enlargement took place September 28, 1884, the length of the col- unins being extended two inclies to accomino- date the press for advertising space. During the same month the publishers increased the daily telegraphie service for the paper threefold at correspondingly enlarged expense. This stroke of enterprise placed the Times far ahead of its former position as a newspaper, and was kindly appreciated by its patrons. In October follow- ing a new two-revolution single cylinder Camp- bell press was added to the plant, and the same month the Times-Mirror Company was incor- porated with a capital stock of $40,000, which was increased in 1886 to 860,000 for the pur- pose of erecting the Times building. In April,

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1886, the Times-Mirror Company was re- organized, Albert McFarland and William 1. Spalding, both practical printers, coming into the concern. The former was elected vice- president, and the latter secretary. Colonel H. G. Otis was at the same time elected president. In September, 1886, Charles F. Lummis ac- quired an interest, and in August, 1887, E. Mosher became a member of the company. In March, 1888, Colonel C. C. Allen bought Al- bert McFarland's interest, and was elected vice-president, taking Mr. McFarland's place as business manager. Mrs. Eliza A. Otis has been continuously connected with the editorial staff of the Times and Mirror since Angust, 1882, and is an owner and director in the company. IIer contributions to their columns have been regular, voluminons and notable. She is dis- tinguished for the diction, strength and versa- tility of her prose, and for the power and beauty of her verse.

On the 22d of October, 1886, the Times donned a new dress and assumed the quarto form, six-columns to the page, the size being in- creased to 30 x 44 inches. May 28, 1887, it was made a standard seven-column quarto, 35 x 47 inches in dimensions. This was the last change in its form, and it is now metropolitan in size and style, and is published every day in the year. On the 22d of February, 1888, the enter- prising proprietors added to their plant a superb Hoc " Presto " stereotype perfecting press, on which occasion a numeronsly attended reception was given by the company. This remarkable machine prints from plates and a continnous web of paper; ents, folds, pastes and counts eight- page papers at the rate of 10,000 perfect copies an hour; four-page papers at the rate of 20,000 copies an hour, and two-page papers at the rate of 40,000 copies an hour. It prints both a six. colinn and a seven column paper, and gives either the quarter-page or half-page fold at will.

In September, 1887, the Times secured the franchise for a long period of years of the New York Associated Press and the Western As- sociated Press dispatches, which furnishes this

paper the entire daily cable and eastern tele- graphic news budget, the same that is brought to the largest Pacific Coast journals. To use its own declaration, the Times is " devoted to the interests and the development of Los An- geles and Sonthern California." And to quote its own definition of its position as an independ- ent, fearless and courageous journal, "The Times is conducted and controlled by its owners for their own and the common good. It lives by no favor or permission and has never had a dollar's subsidy from corporation, committee or candidate. It is free and independent and means to keep itself so." Distinctively and radically Republican in politics, the Times is a steady supporter of the great distin- guishing principles and policies of that party, believing profoundly in them and glorying in the party's grand achievements. To further quote from its editorial declaration of principles: " Withont cavil, without hypocrisy, without self- righteousness, the Times is the unvarying op- ponent of lawlessness, vice and immorality, and the persistent friend of good morals, social order, material progress, and everything which tends to promote that higher civilization to which the land we love and live in is happily tending."

The Times Building is a three-story and base- ment structure, thirty feet front by 102 feet deep, located on the northeast corner of First and Fort streets. It is constructed of granite, brick, wood and iron, with metal roof and cop- per-covered dome. It was built by the Times- Mirror Company in 1886 and 1887, and de- signed especially for a publishing house. The building and grounds are valned at $80,000, and the whole property at $120,000. It is a unique and substantial structure, striking in its individuality and originality, being in these characteristics a faithful reflex of the journal whose name it bears. Besides the requisite materials and equipment for issuing a great daily newspaper the Times Publishing House embraces a complete book and job printing office and bindery. The press-room contains six sınall job presses and two cylinder presses,

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all propelled by steam, and with a combined capacity of 20,200 impressions per hour. Add to these the newspaper presses and the establish- ment has a capacity of 200,000 impressions per day of eight hours. The job and book depart- ment is furnished with cutters, ruling machin- ery, etc., etc., necessary to a first-class printing and binding establishment. This department is under a separate management, but is the prop- erty of the Times- Mirror Company.

COLONEL HARRISON GRAY OTIS, the head of the Times-Mirror Company, being president and general manager, and editor of the Times, is a man fifty-two years of age. His interest in public affairs began at an early age. In 1860 he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Chicago, which nominated Abra- ham Lincoln for the Presidency. When the war broke out he joined the Union Army as a private soldier, enlisting June 27, 1861, and serving to the close of the contest, snecessively in' the Twelfth and in the Twenty-third Ohio regiments of infantry. (The latter was at one time commanded by Colonel R. B. Hayes.) Mr. Otis participated in fifteen different engage- ments; was twice wounded in battle; commanded his regiment while yet a Captain; served on courts-martial and military commissions; re- ceived seven promotions, being twice brevetted " for gallant and meritorious services during the war," and was honorably discharged from the military service Angust 1, 1865. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Loyal Legion.

After the war Mr. Otis published a small weekly Republican paper at Marietta, Ohio, and at the Legislative session of 1866-'67 was ap- pointed Official Reporter of the Ohio House of Representatives. From 1867 to 1876 he re- sided in Washington City, holding successively the positions of Washington correspondent of the Ohio State Journal, foreman of the Govern- ment Printing-office, managing editor of the Grand Army Journal (a soldiers' paper), and chief of a division in the patent office, where he served five years.

Coming to California in 1876, he settled at Santa Barbara, and for four years, with short intervals of absence, he conducted the Santa Bárbara Press, the chief daily paper of that city. From 1879 to 1882 -- three years-he was in the service of the Government as special agent of the Treasury Department in charge of the fur-seal islands of Alaska, his duties requiring him, with the aid of three assistants, to enforce the terms of the Governinent's lease with the Alaska Commercial Company, involving the handling and accounting for of 100,000 fur-seal skins taken each year. Resigning in the spring of 1882 he shortly afterward removed to Los Angeles, to make this his permanent place of residence. Here, Angust 1, that year, he formed that connection with the Times which has con- tinned to the present. Under the administra- tion of President Arthur, Colonel Otis was tendered, through the late Senator, John F. Miller, the appointment of Consul at Apia, Samoa, and subsequently the appointment of Consul at Tientsin, China; but he declined both offers, preferring journalism as a pursuit.

THIE LOS ANGELES DAILY TRIBUNE.

The first number of the Los Angeles Tribune, now one of the leading newspapers of Southern California, was published on Monday, October 4, 1886, by H. T. Payne and Edward Records as publishers and proprietors. It was then & seven-column, four-page paper. With the ad- vent of the Tribune some new features were in- troduced into Los Angeles journalism, among which was the publication of a paper every day in the year, including Sundays and holidays, instead of six papers a week and the usual omission of an edition upon holidays, a custom which had previously prevailed. Able talent was employed in each department of the edi- torial work, the aim being to make a newsy paper without its becoming sensational, and to have its moral tone such as would render it a welcome accessory to the refined home. The new candidate for public favor was warmly re- ceived, and the enterprise of the publishers

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

promptly appreciated and responded to in the way of a liberal patronage. A new press was purchased to meet the needs of its rapidly in- creasing circulation, the third week after the paper was started, and to provide for the de- mands for advertising space it was enlarged to eight pages of six columns each. On Novem- ber 6, 1886, Mr. Payne purchased the interest of Mr. Records, thus becoming sole manager and proprietor. On the 7th of January, 1887, the Tribune Company was incorporated, with II. T. Payne, F. A. Eastman, II. E. Smith, J. W. Maddrill and J. M. Austinas, stockholders, and the paper again enlarged to seven columns to the page. Before the paper reached its first anniversary its press facilities were again in- creased by the purchase of a new Scott-Potter web-perfecting press, which was added to the plant October 1, 1887. Quoting from its own language in a recent editorial, the sentiments and policy of the Tribune are thus set forth: "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 hum- ble citizen. Editorially it has fairly, honestly and manfully discussed the issues of the day without fear or favor, awarding to Cæsar that which is Cæsar'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."

The Tribune force at present (July 1, 1889) is managed by the following heads of depart- ments: General H. H. Boyce, Editor-in-Chief and General Manager; T. W. Blackburn, Man- aging Editor; O. A. Stevens, City Editor; J. W. Maddrill, Telegraph and Night Editor; II. T. Payne, Business Manager; II. E. Smith, Cashier.

THE EAST SIDE CHAMPION

is a six-column weekly paper, published every

Saturday on Downey avenue, in East Los An- geles, and is devoted chiefly to the local affairs of that portion of the city. It was established by its present editor and proprietor, Edward A. Weed, in the fall of 1885, and is therefore in its fourth volume. From the tone of the copy at hand it is, as its name implies, a champion of East Side interests.

sin CALIFORNIA POST,

the only daily German newspaper published south of San Francisco in California, was estab- lished in Los Angeles as a weekly in 1874, by Conrad Jacoby, its present proprietor and ed- itor. The publishing office was first located in the old Lanfranco Building, No. 118 North Main street, for nearly ten years. When the building was torn down, to be replaced by the present fine block, some two years ago, the office of the Süd California Post was moved to its present quarters at No. 122 Commercial street. The Post is independent in politics, with Demo- cratic leanings. The weekly edition enjoyed a prosperous career, having a large circulation among the German population throughout Southern California. In 1887 the daily made its first appearance, and has been published ever since as an afternoon paper. It is a four-page sheet, 26 x 40 inches in size, and eight columns to the page. The weekly is the same size, with a supplement added. The daily has a general circulation among the nearly 1,100 German voters in Los Angeles, and its advertising columns are liberally patronized by the business men.

Conrad Jacoby was born in Prussia, Europe, in 1842; came to America and to California when twenty-two years of age; located in San Francisco and drifted into the newspaper busi- ness. Failing health indneed him to visit Southern California in 1868, when he spent some time in Los Angeles. In 1874 he settled in the city permanently and founded the Süd California Post, which he has made a gratify- ing success.

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

LA CRONICA,

a Spanish newspaper of Los Angeles, 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, a thorough bnsi- ness man, clear-headed and energetic. Mr. Ramirez was a lawyer, a well-educated gentle- man, but timid and retiring in his disposition. His personal courage was invariably surpassed by the " utterances " of his pen. In this re- spect Mr. Ramirez was of an opposite charac- ter. He retired soon after the first issne, which was dated June 2, and he was succeeded by a congenial associate, E. F. de Celis, also a native of Los Angeles, and almost fresh from Europe, where he had been educated. Against all appear. ances, the paper rose under the management of these gentlemen to be the most influential Span- ish paper in the State; but many were the dis- couragements and hard were the struggles. It is now the respected organ of the Spanish- American population where the Latin race was and is yet very numerous and important.

In 1880 Mr. Arevalo organized La Cronica Publishing Company, a joint-stock association, limited to 100 shares of $100 each, which were all taken by the most prominent Spanish-Amer- ican citizens of Los Angeles and indeed the State. Soon afterward Mr. Teodoli withdrew from the company. After a time they leased the newspaper to Pastor de Celis and Miguel J. Varela. Pastor de Celis was a brother of the original editor, who had also retired. Next, the paper passed into the hands of the Cordona Brothers; then E. F. de Celis again assumed the management; next, S. A. Carona and Tomas W. Temple; tbe latter is the sole proprietor.

L'UNION NOUVELLE

is a weekly newspaper published in the French language, and circulates largely among the old French pioneers and wealthy families of that nationality in Southern California. It was founded in 1879 at Los Angeles, is a large four- page shicet, 36 x 42 inches in size, with eight

columns to the page. It has been edited from the start by Mr. l'. Gance, its present editor and proprietor. The printing and publishing office is on Aleso street, near Los Angeles street. Southern California contains abont 3,500 French population, most of whom are patrons of the L' Union Nouvelle.

LE PROGRÈS

was established in 1883 by a corporation of the same name. The object of the publication was to have in Los Angeles a true representative of the French population in Southern California in general and of Los Angeles in particular.

The founders and stockholders of the Le Progrès are among the leading and most influ- ential citizens of our French population. The paper is 26 x 40 inches in size, and seven col- umns to the page. The first editor was Dr. Pigné du Puytren. After cditing the paper for over a year, he resigned, as he was advanced in years. He was succeeded by Georges Le Mésnager, whose business as a wine-grower compelled him to resign. Since then the paper has been in charge of the directors' committee. It is now in the hands of Felix Violé as editor and Thomas Laughlin, Jr., as manager. It is published every Saturday, is independent in politics, and enjoys a liberal advertising patron- age. The publishing office is at 231 North Los Angeles street.

THE PORCUPINE

is a weekly news and story paper, published at Los Angeles, started by Horace Bell, November 11, 1882, the publication of which he continued until September 22, 1888, when he retired from the editorship in favor of his son, C. A. Bell, its present editor and proprietor.

THE LOS ANGELES WEEKLY CACTUS.

The Cactus is an illustrated weekly paper, the only illustrated weekly in Southern Califor- nia-and was established by the present pro- prietor, editor, artist and manager, Carle Browne, of Calistoga, Napa County, California. The first number was issued on the 11th of February,

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1883, and it was a success from the start. It is a quarto in form with four columns to the page. The striking and principal feature of the Cactus is its cartoons by Carle Browne. It is admitted that the Cactus' cartoons during the political campaign of 1888 materially aided the Republican canse. It has passed through sev- eral local campaigns and has been on the win- ning side.

THE COURT JOURNAL,

a model piece of newspaper typography, is a three-column folio, published in the morning of every week-day of the year, and devoted, as its name indicates, to the recording of the daily proceedings of the courts of Los Angeles County, thus making a convenient and valuable acces- sory to the office of every member of the bar, who constitute its chief patrons. The Court Journal was first issued April 6, 1888, by Charles W. Palm and H. H. McCutchan, pass- ing six days later into control of the present owners and publishers,-Charles W. Palm & Co., M. T. Spencer being the junior partner and editor. Thongh but little over a year old the Journal's history has been a checkered one, its publication having been twice suspended. It is now being pretty generally supported by the lawyers, and is considered a permanent fixture of the city. Its subscription price is $2.50 per month delivered by carrier, and it has quite a liberal advertising patronage. The plant, in- cluding a job printing office, is situated tein- porarily at 49 New High street.

THE LOS ANGELES LIFE

is a weekly journal, published on Saturdays, and devoted to gossip, criticism, literature, music, drama, etc., and is non-political. It first appeared in Los Angeles on December 8, 1888, under the title of The Critic. J. M. Shawhan was proprietor and had, previous to its removal, conducted the paper in Pasadena, California, for about eight months. On Feb- ruary 1, 1889, Mr. Shawhan transferred the business and good will of The Critic to Gilbert

McClurg and L. Montgomery Mather, two gen- tlemen of considerable newspaper experience, who changed the title to the Los Angeles Life. Mr. McClurg subsequently retired, and Mr. Mather assumed control and became sole pro- prietor. The paper has a wide circulation among the intelligent community of Los An- geles and neighboring towns, and is a pros- perous property.

THE SOCIAL WORLD

was established by Mr. Ward in 1886. He afterward took in as a partner a Mr. Poucin. The paper was then four pages, eight columns to the page, in size, and devoted to social, dra- matic and personal matters. The paper was sold to W. A. Clinton in January, 1887, who improved it much by changing it to its present form-an eight-page five-column quarto. Under Mr. Clinton's management the World was in- corporated and continued until February, 1889, when it was sold to the present owners, one of whom, W. H. Kennedy, has the management of it. The paper is published every Saturday, and is steadily growing in public favor and in patronage.

THE COMMERCIAL BULLETIN.

The Commercial Bulletin of Southern Cal- ifornia was permanently established in January, 1887, as an advertising sheet. Its projectors were Fred. W. Bean de Zart and John G. Hun- sicker. The first few numbers bore the cogno- men The Weekly Directory, but the owners, foresecing the necessity of, and future for, a trade journal to represent the jobbing and manufact- uring interests of Southern California, changed the name to the present form. That the paper has been successful is evinced by the well filled columns and the advertisements of many of the largest wholesale, manufacturing and jobbing houses in the world. The subscription list ex . tends throughout the southern counties of Cal- ifornia, Arizona, part of New Mexico and to El Paso, Texas. It is now owned by Beau de Zart, Burt & Menzies. Fred. W. Bean de Zart, as here-

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

tofore, conducts the editorial department. The business offices are in the Panorama Building, 220 South Main street, Los Angeles.

THE EXPONENT

is published every Saturday in East Los An- geles, is a four-page seven-column paper 24 x 36 inches in size, and was established July 28, 1888. In politics it is Independent Republican, but is devoted chiefly to local and family matters. The publishing house, located at No. 9 South Hellman street, was erected by the proprietors for the purpose on a lot owned by them, and is equipped with steam presses and a neat book and job office. The proprietors, Charles A. Gardner and L. S. Akerman, are both practical newspaper men of many years' experience. Mr. Gardner was formerly the publisher and proprietor of the Rural Californian, of which he made a marked success. Mr. Ackerman was formerly connected with the Toronto (Canada) Evening Telegram, and at one time published the Pickering (Canada) News, with great success.

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Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1092

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1092