USA > California > Los Angeles County > History of Los Angeles County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 26
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The tri-weekly was enlarged December 16, 1863 Novem- ber 1, 1846, Messes. Conway and White sold the News to Messrs. A. J. King & Co., A. J. King assuming the editorial control of the paper, which was uguin changed to a semi- weekly. The sheet was enlarged daunury 5, 1866, and again January 1, 1867
January 1, 1869, the semi-weekly way discontinued, and The Los Angeles Daily News uppeured, published byy King & Offutt (A. J. King and A. N. Off'utt), R 11. Off'att business manager. The duily was enlarged in May, 1869, October 16, 1869, K. 11. Offutt sold his interest to A Waite ; style of new firm, King & White, The daily was nguin enlarged Jannary 5. 1870. Mr. King retired from the editorial chair January 1. 1870. The paper was then published by King. Waite & Co .; A. Wnito business umunger, Charles E. Benne editor. October 10. 1872, Mr. White sold his entire interest to Charles E. Bonne, who conducted the paper for a few months, when it
AMIGO DEL PUEBLO.
This paper, printed in the Spanish language, published by José E. Gonzales & Co., made its first appearance November 15, 1801 ; was a weekly paper and independent in politics. In May, 1862, it announced its suspension for wout of ndequate support.
THE LOS ANGELES CHRONI'K.
A German weekly journal, published by F. G. Walther, was first issued May 19, 1869. It coutinned until August, 1870, when it stopped publication for lack of support.
THE DAILY EVENING EXPRESS
Was started by nn association of printers April 13, 1871. Under this management the Express was Republican in polities, 11. C. Austin editor. In two years the proprietor- ship was redneed to 11. C. Austin, George A. Titlany, and
John Paynter In 1973 Mir Antin with drew, and James J Avere, the present manager, lecame whiter, assuming the pmi- tion July $ 1573 On March 15, 1575, a joint-stock company was organized and the Express purchase The paper was tlwen managel and alitel by James J Ayers and J D. Lynch
In October, 1576, Mr Lynch witleIn.w and assumed central of the Herald Siner the paper has been under Mr Ayer management it has been independent, with a Democratic har- ing in national politics The Esprew has also a weekly altin W A Spanbling is city editor
LA GRONDA.
Published weekly, was established May & 172 by Mr. Tebli & Co., size twenty by twenty-six inches. It contin- med as a weekly until February 1, 1573, when it was issued semi- weekly. March 11, 1874, the sheet was enlarged to twenty. three by thirty- four inches, and again enlarged Alay 19, 1875. June 24, 1976, La Cronica was incorporated as a stock company under the title of La Cronien Publishing l'om- peny with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars-one hun- dred shares at one hundred dollars each. The following officers were elected : A. F. Coronel, President ; Peter de Celis, Sie- retary ; P Beaudry, E. F' Teveloli. D. Garcia, and R. R. Sotelo, Trustees. It continues under this management until March 3, ISSO, when it was leased to Pastor de Celis and Ml J. Verela La Cronica is the only Spanish paper of any importance pub. lished in southern California.
THE DAILY AND WEEKLY HERALD
Was founded by C. A Stork, the first number appearing October 2, 1873. Mr Stork conducted the Herald until August, 1874, when he soll his interest ; and a stock company was organized, J. M Bassett becoming etlitor and manager. In October, 1876. J. D. Lynch retired from the Express and assimned the entire control of the Herald, and is its present editor and publisher. The Herald has always been Democratic in politics.
WEEKLY MIRROR.
The first number of the Mirror was issued February 1, 1873. by Messrs Yarnell & Caystile, who are the present editors and proprietors, From March 1, 1873, to the early part of 1875 the paper was conducted by Yarnell, Casstile & Brown. The size of the sheet was enlarged April 19, 1873, to funrteen by eighteen inches, and again Mlarch 27, 1575, to eighteen by twenty-four iuches, which is its present size. The Mirror is published for gratnitons distribution : about one thousand copies are distributed weekly.
THE SUED CALIFORNISCHE POST Was established by Conrad Jacoby, who is the present editor
and proprietor It made its first appearance daly 25, 1871. its size being twenty four la thirty six meles It was soll enlary I to twenty sit by forty melas which is its present. size This is the only German paper published in southern t'alifornia
THE EVENING REPLIED IN
Was founded in June, 1996, 1 W W Creighton As the tave indicates, it was Repald can in politics It was printed at the Herall other nutil the latter part of December, when office was purchasedl by the Republicans, and the paper pub- lished by Allro Harry & Co, who continued for a few months, when it was conducted by the Republican Proting Company During part of the twee a weekly edition way isso. In September, ISTS, the daily was discontinued for lack of support, and in January, 1879, the weekly alo conved publication
THE: $ 1001. MASTER
Was established in 1976 It was edited by Dr W. T Lucky. who was at that time Superintendent of the cay schools. The School mader was the organ of the public schools of the county, and was a very valuable jablication for teachers and those interested in educational matters. The death of De laky cansel the paper to be discontinued after a few puldientions.
A French puldication, issued weekly, was established in Angust, 1576, by F. Tmarit It was Democratie in prditirs- elited by P. Ganre, who continnol until June, 1879 when he was succeeded by J B Pinze
1. I'nion made its last appearance in March, 1880) SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HORTICULTUREIST.
"The first number of this magazine was issued in September. 1877, at Los Angeles by the Southern C'alifornia Horticultural Society -L. Al Holt, Elitor. In the first number we find the following account of its origin
BI'SINEAS HENSION.
Immediately upon the adjournment of the society, the newly elected Board of Ihrectors net and organized by electing J. de Bath Short as President. 1 .. M. Hult. Secretary, and M. Thomas, Treasurer.
A Committee on Publications and Library was appented, consisting of L. M. Holt, T. C. severance and T. A. Garey. On motian, Mr. Phorb. l'resident of the Society, was added to the Comunittre. This Comeit- tee was instructed to proceed at once to the publication of a monthly periodical in pamphlet form of thirty two pages, In be known as the Southern California Horticulturat, which should be the organ of this Sin. ciety. The Committee decided to publish the brat number by the first of September. This number is to contain the thirty two payen of read. ing matter, che premium list of the joint Agricuhural and Horticultu- ral exhibition and a limited amount of advertising.
The Horticulturist was sut free to all members of the Society, but to others the subscription price was two dollars per
78
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY CALIFORNIA.
annum. It's columns were devoted to the internets of Harli- culture and Agriculture in southern California The Size of the magazine way six inch by nine inche Siner January 1880, the magazine has loon i und by Means Carter & Rice of los Angeles, under the nyle of
MIMI-THOUGH. CALIFORNIA AND NOT THEUN CALIFORNIA HOR- TH ILTIHIST
This magname, as now publi hed is mir mches ly twelve inches in mize, and is dovute ] to the same subjects as formerly il numbers among de contributo & wone of the best writers upan agricultural nut horticultural subjects to be final on the I'ncifir const
Was established by W 1 Gould in 1579, and the first number ised March title of that your Ir Reguldiran in politics, and devoted mainly to the development and interests of the Pacific const Mr. Could Ins estuldishe I half a dozen newspapers un the const, and may be ralled a veteran journalist The Com-
L'INIDY NOVELLE.
Wasstarted June 1, 1879, by P' Gance, former editor of L' U'ninn The size of the sheet is twenty four by thirty six inches-pub- lished weekly, and is Democratie in polities
THE DAILY AND WEEKLY JOURNAL
Wir estaldished in 1872 by J (. Littlefield and R. 11 Hewitt under the firm name of Littletied & Hewitt The tirst min- ber of the daily was issued June 23, 1879, and appeared as an evoing pajer, but Inter in the season it was changed to a morning pandication At the close of the political campaign in September of the same year. Mr Littlefield withdrew from the firm, and the Journal has siner ben conducted by R H. Hewitt ne editor and propricor The paper is Republican in polities
I'IT WEEKLY RESCUE
Is a large, eight page sheet, devoted to temperance, current literature and general news It is the official organ of the Grand Lounge of the Independent Order of Ground Templars of the State of California, and is published nudler the direction of the Executive Committee of the Grand Lodge, Independent Order of Bool Templar The Rescue is printed boy contract -las heretofore been printed in Sacramento and San Francisco November 1. 1877. Yarnell & Caystile publishers of the Mirror received the contract telu and publish it for three years.
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL
Was established in November, 1864. P. Banning proprietor. The first few nambers of the Journal were edited by Colonel
J J Warner, after which E E. Hewitt now Assistant Super- Intendent of the Sonthern Pacific Railroad acted as manager and et tor. The paper existed about two years
THE ANAHEIM WEEKLY GAZETTE
Was established by George W Barter, October 20, 1970. It was all by him to Charles A Gardner in 1571. Gardner sold it to Richard Modro, the present editor and proprietor, in
It was changed in nam by Gardner in IT to The Southern Californion, and was changed back to The doukrim Guate in 1573 I commeneed a daily issue in Angast, 1875, but this was discontinued in September, IST, from which time until September 1979, it was published as a semi-weekly Since that date it has been published as a weekly only-every Sat- urday It is non-political in bmw, and aims to be an rxche- sively local paper The Gazette olive and material were wholly destroyed by fire in January, 1875.
THE PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE
Was established by Major Stroble at Anaheim in 1871-as a weekly It lived Just a few months, and was absorbed by the fizette, which parelmed the outfit and material.
THE ANAHEIM WEEKLY REVIEW
Was started February 10, 1877. as a weekly, by Knox & Cahill. It suspended with the chose of the year
THE YOUNG CALIFORNIAN.
A juvenile paper ran from May 5, 1877, till May 26, 1879. The School-boy, another juvenile paper, had a yet shorter life. THE SANTA ANA VALLEY NEWS
Was established in 1875, by Napoleon Donovan- as a weekly. He sold out after about six months. It afterward passed through »veral bands, and is now owned by J. W Layman, who has changed its name to
THE SANTA ANA HERALD.
JJ K. Neklin is the present editor.
THE SANTA ANA WEEKLY TIMES
Was established by Frank Cobler. February 22, 1877. Is a seven column paper
THE DOWNEY CITY COURIER
Was established March 13. 1575, by A. Waite, the present elitor an I proprietor During 1576-7. it was published under the name of the Las Natur Volley Courier, but was changed back to its original name in March, 1575. It is purely local in character and is published every Saturday.
CHAPTER XXVII.
CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS. (1850-1880.)
A Strange Story-Crime in The Early Days-The Irving l'arty -Attemptal Assassination of B. Hayes Felipe Alvitre -- Murder of Mrs. C'assin-Aula- nascio Moreno-Nicholas Grohaw The Bandits of San Juan - Murder of Sheriff Barton and l'arty -Executions and Lynchings-Thomas King -James B. Johnson -Murder of Sheriff Hetman Alvitre-Cota Lache- nais-Arza- C'erradel- Lynebing of Danowoud and others- - Wilkina -. Mur. der of Newman-Horse Thieves Domingo King amul Carlisle Atfray- Murder of Williams and Kimball Dye and Warren Atfray - The Chinese Massacre-Murder of Billerbeck Brothers Turner and Cordo Affray The Bandit Vasquez The Fonck Morder Phelps Embezzlement-Sutelo Shot - Hamilton Defaleation-Counterfeiters Crime in 1880 -S. R. tloyle.
" MY friend," said a certain well-known old resident, to whom we had applied for information, "It is not so much the known history of this country that requires to be written, us the unknown, the inside history. That never has been writ- ten, and never will be; but if it was-what a rattling there would be among the dry bones"
He paced slowly up and down the floor of his office, appar- ently immersed in thought. At last, turning suddenly toward us, he said, " You have heard how David Brown was lynched by a mob in 1855 ?“
We replied that we had, and had incorporated that event as a choice tit-bit in our dish of " crimes."
" But did you ever hear the inside history of that little affair ?“ queried he.
We confessed that we had not, and then, having first locked and double-bolted the door to prevent intrusion, and having extractol from us a solemn promise of the most profound secreey (which we readily gave-pencil and note-book in ham!) he relatel to us the following strange story, which we repro- Ance (as nearly as may be) in his words :-
" David Brown was a worthless, drunken fellow about Los Angeles for some years. Naturally more weak than vicious, he was a fit tool in the hands of designing men-men with quite as little conscience as himself, aml mmuch larger intelli- gence, which made them the more dangerous to society.
John Tempb: was an old and much resperted resident of Los Angeles, and "rich as mud." I mean the man who leased the Government mint in the city of Mexico, and throughout a large portion of his life coined money in more senses than one.
I think it was in the year 1852 that certain parties in Los Angeles found out that on a set day Mr. Temple woubl leave the city by stage for San Diego, where he intemled to embark for Mexico. It was discoverel, also, that he would carry with him the snug little sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in coin. Now, even in those Hush times, a -
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DIAGRAM OF THE PROPERTY OF J. A. DE CELIS AND SONS. 60 ACRES, COR. MAIN ? WASHINGTON STS, LOS ANGELES. CAL. (FOR SALE.)
DITCH HỌ B
PUBLISHED BY THOMPSON & WIST.
7
79
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
cool quarter of a million was not to be found growing upon every bush, uml a couple of prominent citizens (who shall be nameless) put up a job to relieve the obl gentleman of this inpriimant to benmotion, and hinderaner to salvation. But it was necessary to have a third party to a ist in the enter. prise, and David Brown was settled upon as a fit and tinsty person. He was illy approached upon the subject, and bring willing to turn an honest pruny in such good company, ron- senteil.
The plan agreed upon was this: The frio 'all well masked and otherwise disguised) were to hide together in the will mustard at a point which the stage would probably reach about dusk in the evening - not far from where the town of Compton now is. A halt having been commanded, the two gentlemen were to cover the stage with shot guns, aml intimi- date the passengers, while David Brown went through their pockets and removed their portables, paying special attention tu ald Mr. Temple, and above all things making sure of his valise. This done, the stage was to be sent on its way, the "swag" was to le buried in the dry river bed near by, until such time as all excitement ludl blown over, when it was to he unearthed aml divided. The parties would return to town ley n circuitous route, mil the established respectability of the two would shield them from all suspicion, while their influence would protret Brown from any shadow of connection with the nflair, so all would be safe.
But alas!
" The best lald schemeso' mice and men gang oft a.gley; And lenve us nonght but grief and pain for promised joy."
Upon the night preceding that upon which the schonwe was to be put in excention, the two citizens aforesaid had prepared their masks -cut after the latest and most approved pattern, a la Claude Duval, etc., and had loaded their shot guns with a choice assortment of pellets, to act as an emetic in case Mr. Temple should prove refractory and refuse to throw up his hands, All was in readiness on their part, when news arrived that that awkward bungler, David Brown, while loading his revolver, had accidentally shot himself through the foot, and was quite incapacitated from attending to business in consequence. It was now too late to procure another man, besides the danger uf exposure through multiplication of confederates was great, so, after talking it all over, the scheme was reluctantly nhan- doned, and John Terapke Esq., carried his quarter million safely to Mexico, little suspecting how nearly he had lost it; and pos- silly his life into the bargain.
But from this time out, David Brown had two powerful enemies, The best and most forgiving of us could hardly look with complacency upon the man who had lost us a fortune by
his cardenes in loading a pistol A de to the Ar kit too much! Pope ways-
" A little learning is a danger ons thing."
A good deal is perhaps even more dangerous especially if it converts those who have the power to harm ns and sa Mr Brown found it All might have been will, however, kad he mit, in an unguarded moment same time aforward while drunk, inserted a knife lotween the major and miner rile of experienced sone thing of the ghoulish glee which Job in-t have anticipated when he sighed -
"(1, that mine adversary has written a book !"
At this time there was stapping in Los Angeles a young fellow of som bisnre, and withal of a rather inquiring turn of mind. Brown had been trial, and lay in jail under sentence of death. The evening before the day fixed for his execution, this young man stridled down town, and being acquainted with the jailer, was admitted to we Brown. I'mknown to wither, the execution had been postponed, and his visitor per- snadled the prisoner that as this was his last night on earth, he might as well make a clean breast regarding the past. Brown consented, and dictated a confession which the other wrote down wherein was detailed the plot against John Temple which I have narrated, the reason why it miscarried, and the names of his accomplices.
It was, in fact, his last night on earth, for at the moment his trembling hand signed the parchment unknown to than which would surely at some time consign their names to infamy, those twocitizens all unknown to him were harangu- ing crowds upon the streets, and inciting the people to attack the jail and lynch the prisoner. Within twenty-four hours their words luwe fruit. Brown was dragged from his cell and strangled hy an infuriated moh, led by the mayor of the town in person, and then these two must respectable citizens breathed more freely. Brown was dead, and his story died with him. " Houd men tell no tules!"
" But the mnmuseript ?"
" Ah, they did not know of that, and do not yet, for that matter. Yet it is still in existence, and bears njwon its yellow page the traced stain of two names-then prominent in the county, still prominent in the State."
" Whose are they !"
Quien Nithe !
We report this interview not so much on account of its historical bwaring upon any particular case, as to illustrate how utterly lawless there early times were. It is ever thus in new countries, and pardon the triteness, the men who wear the best broadeloth, are not always the best men.
California has attained an unenviable notoriety throughout
the al le civil I world for extent and frequency of crime. Probably Do Serte in the Lion Texas not excepted, has so many acts of an unlawful nature to answer for, and nearly all the enmittel within thirty your It has become so well a running after a m lands else that interest in the murder dies away almost as quickly as the sound of the shut, and from the infrequency and maleparts of punishment we are forced to the opinion that paldies sympathy is generally with the mnrdenr rather than with the murderel The English "Trial by Latthe' Las leen leurshed from eur statute looks, yet langers in our hearts In the settlement of all disputes, the knife and pasted are still ingertant fiets, and must not be morlowkel The man who says is fortunate; the slam unfortunate, hat in the wrong, der he land not dead
What then, is the remuly' Only a condition of rampant outlawry can ever warrant the action of vigilance committees, and then, the safe earl of the rope, were the truth known, is very often the most guilty en1
If the several country of the State were classe by their criminal record, Los Angeles county would not stail at the fost of the list In our former chapters we have already war- rated some of the earlier crimes, and we will conehandle theso general remarks ly a reference to Kos dames Wod's "Cali- fornia Recollections," wherein he avere, and the statement is verified by others, that during 1844 ' the average of violent deaths in los Angeles City alone was not less than one a day." And yet, so few cases were ever brought to trial, and so fow of the guilty partis over punished, that at best we can only narrate some of the more startling crimes, which have occurred in the county, and leave the rest to the imagination of our realors.
The following account of a " much vexed" affair was related to the writer by Hon Stephen (. Foster :-
THE IRVING PARTY.
Early in 1851 a party of L'tes, from Salt Lake, came down as far as San José and stole a large number of horses, includ- ing onre hundre l and thirty head belonging to Lago, one of the owners of the San Bernardino Ranch. The Indians were armed with rifles. They were por mal by a party of some twenty ('aliforniaus, who on the Mojave toet an Irishman all a Cheroke in a wayon coming toward Los Angeles. The trail of the stock was fresh. They asked these men to describe the Indians who were with the horses, and how they were armed. They said they were Prates, and had only hows and arrows. The Californians hurried on to overtake thera, but quickly received a volley of rifl: balls from an arbuscade, which killed one of their number; the rest lled. Coming back, they passed the men with the wagon, encamped on the far side
HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
of the Cajon l'a s. The Californians came through the p und cuempod at its month, on the las Angeon sale The next morning all but four went on bonne to the ranch of San Bernardino, but the four including two wane Lago who had lost the work romainal behind. The next for a pas ing through the Cajun Pan found the two men murderel. the wagon and tram were left untouched Suspicions foll on the fotr t'orliforniaus who rommined beloml ; they were arrested and one of the murder onfew that they had returned and murdered the man to avenge the death of their 'e ancak. caused by the false information goen them The one who confered was slutten as States evidence and the other deres were committed to jail under a charge of murder
In the month of April following this occurrence a man name ] Irving emor to los Angeles from the northern part of the State. bringing with him a parts of some thirty men armed with rifles and revolvera He and his party pofo ed to be on their way to the country now called Arianos, on a propreting tour They were mostly young men, und among them were & uuml. her from Anstra'm. evidently of the convirt das know as "Spolary ducks." They remained in los Angeles until the latter part of May, conducting themselves in the most out ragende nonner After the lages were arrested, Irving pro- que to Don Antonio Maria Lago, the grand-father of the young men then in prison, that lee woubl break open the jail, libeinte his grand sons, and take them safely tu Mexico, for the sunt of five thousand dollars Lago replied that he lind retained af 1. Brent Esp (who was a prominent member of the los Angeles Bur from 1851 to 1861 , to defend his grand- Nous, mud he would be guided by his advice. Upon being con- salted, Brent, of course, refused to have anything to do with any such enterprise
Before the day of the trial arrived the witness for the people were sent to Sonora, where they remainal, beyond the jurisdiction of the Court, and their affidavits being there taken, they were found to swear to facts establishing an alibi on the part of the accused. On these attilavits application was made to the District Judge, Hon U. S. Witherby, tn wohinit the prisoners to bail. Irving boasted that he would not permit the Judge to admit the Lages to Fail, and that if he dil so, he (Irving would take them from the Court House and hung them.
"The evening before the day tixel for hearing the case. a com- pany of I'nited States dragoons encamped on the east bank of the los Angeles river The Sheriff. G. F Borrell, applied to the commanding other, requesting his assistance to protect the Court, und the utheer consented. The next day when the Court opened, the prisoners were present with their bond-men, and the Irving party ranged themselves along one side of the tom, all armed with revolvers. At this moment the dragoon-
le up liem untel and fried on the apprite side of the "' nt rom fa my the Irving party, with their carbine ready tallfracion Tla fonds wer signed and approved, and an order mal by the Judge that the prisoners be released on Fail The dragon courted them to the east bank of the
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