Young actress Ada Williams Ince, 21, divorces her husband of 5 years, William "W.T." Ince, on claims of abuse due to her husband's violent temper. Williams was granted the divorce in Superior Judge Edmond's court, and attributed it to the date of Friday the 13th, her "lucky number", contrary to popular convention.
An unknown man applying false eyelashes to Elsie the Borden Cow, the unofficial mascott for Borden dairy products. After appearing at the New York World's Fair, Elsie was chosen by R.K.O. producer Gene Towne to star in the 1940 film "Little Men," based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott. Elsie arrived in Los Angeles on July 12, 1940
Unidentified man in court for the murder trial of crossing guard Albert Dyer. Dyer had lured three Inglewood girls into the hills, where he strangled them with rope and his hands. He was eventually found guilty and executed.
A $50,000 Derby day at the Santa Anita racetrack on February 22, 1937. The crowd in attendance was estimated at 45,000 spectators. Twenty-three horses raced that day, beating out the Kentucky Derby's record of twenty-two starting horses at that time. The $50,000 purse was won by the horse Fairy Hill.
Soldiers in old military uniforms stand next to others wearing the new "streamlined" style during a military show for National Defense Week. The show was held at the Los Angeles Airport and more than 60 officers and men participated.
Laundry hanging in a slum. Part of the housing study carried out by the State Emergency Relief Administration. County officials were asked to make a study of housing conditions in their city.
Admiral William F. Halsey ended his 45-year naval career aboard the U.S.S. South Dakota in the Los Angeles Harbor. He commanded the Third Fleet during the Pacific War against Japan. The ceremony consisted of the changing of his four-starred flag to the two-starred flag of his successor, Rear-Admiral Howard F. Kingman. The ship's entire company was present during the brief ceremony. After the ceremony, Halsey left the battleship on a crash boat and the U.S.S. South Dakota fired a 17-gun salute.
A man surveys the newspapers available for reading at an open-air public library in Pershing Square, downtown Los Angeles. The Pershing Square outdoor library was opened in December of 1936, and was staffed by W.P.A. workers. Visitors to the library could choose to borrow a book by simply leaving their name. The library was quite popular, circulating 24,000 books in its first six months of operation, and spawning other outdoor libraries in Los Angeles.
An unidentified lawyer approaching Robert S. James as he sits in the witness stand. A map of his home is visible behind him. He was most likely testifying in his own defense for the murder trial of his wife Mary Emma James. He purportedly had an affair with his niece, which spurred him to tie down his wife and have a rattlesnake bite her, and then later drown her in their fish pond. He was supposedly helped by his friend, ex-sailor Charles H. Hope, who was also charged with murder.
The mural, funded by the WPA (Works Project Administration), was controversial especially because of the depictions of nudity and references to war in the central panel. The central panel was removed from the Frank Wiggins Trade School lobby (now LA Trade Tech) and returned to the Public Works Administration in 1935 and the other two panels were returned in 1939.
Most likely related to the yearly mud battle between first and second year students and the first time female students took part. Students unknown. LAJC is now known as Los Angeles City College located near Vermont and Santa Monica Blvd.
Men work on completing an automobile at the Los Angeles Studebaker assembly plant in Vernon, CA. The plant opened in December of 1935, and the first completed automobile rolled off the line on January 2, 1936. The plant operated until June 8, 1954.
New York mayor Fiorello La Guardia presides over the Pacific coast regional meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors. Boston Mayor Frederick Mansfield served as Mr. La Guardia's secretary. Approximately 60 Pacific coast mayors attended the conference. Unemployment relief was a focal topic at the conference, which was held at Los Angeles' City Council chamber. May 15, 1937.
Maritime workers gathered around a posted Western Union telegram, probably announcing the end of the 98-day coast maritime strike which included longshoremen, cooks and stewards, firemen and sailors
Man at work on an automobile at the Los Angeles Studebaker assembly plant in Vernon, CA. The plant opened in December of 1935, and the first completed automobile rolled off the line on January 2, 1936. The plant operated until June 8, 1954.
Los Angeles District Attorney Buron Fitts, second from right, sits with his defense lawyer Jerry Geisler, second from left, along with his chief deputy Robert P. Stewart, far left, and deputy District Attorney, William Simpson.
A line of radiator grilles, affixed with Studebaker's distinctive "lark in circle" hood ornament, at Studebaker's Los Angeles assembly plant in Vernon, Ca. Studebaker's Los Angeles plant was established in December of 1935, and its first completed car rolled off the assembly line on January 2, 1936. The plant closed on June 8, 1956.
The children of William F. Gettle, millionaire and kidnapping victim, posing on tricycles for a photograph after their father's safe return. Circa May 15, 1934.William F. Gettle, Beverly Hills millionaire, was kidnapped from the grounds of his Arcadia ranch home during a housewarming party on the eve of May 9th. The kidnapping attracted a great deal of attention in the community, with Mrs. Gettle even addressing the kidnappers through the pages of the Los Angeles Times. The kidnappers demanded a $60,000 ransom for the return of Gettle, which Mrs. Gettle agreed to pay. However, before the ransom was paid, two detectives of the LAPD, Chester Burris and H.P. Gearhardt, broke the case after installing a dictaphone in the home of a bank robbery suspect. Information from the dictaphone led them to a La Crescenta home where Gettle was held. He was returned, unharmed, to his family on the eve of May 14th.
Judge Benjamin J. Scheinman marries Bobby Burns Berman and Betty Jane Hardesty. Berman operated a night club and Hardesty was a Washington D.C. socialite.
John D. Kennedy, 62, appears with Municipal Judge George S. Richardson in relation to charges he attacked Arthur C. Burch. Burch was tried twice and acquitted for the shooting death of John D. Kennedy's son.
Homes and palm trees underwater in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles. After heavy rains lasting more than 36 hours, between 1200 and 1800 homes in the Venice area were underwater on January 1, 1934.
Hal Takaoka testifying on the witness stand about the murder of his sister, dancer Midi Takaoka. Judge Irvin Taplin was presiding. The dancer's throat was cut by her jilted lover, waiter Raymond Johnson. Johnson later was sentenced to life in prison.
LA Daily News city editor Charles Judson participates in a series demonstrating "right" and "wrong" golf swings with local pro golfer and golf instructor Fay Coleman. Judson represents the "wrong" form for each swing.
District Attorney Buron Fitts and his sister Mrs. Berthal Gregory appear in a crowded courtroom with Mrs. Marion Fitts and their attorneys Joseph Scott and Jerry Giesler. Seated left to right is Buron Fitts, Mrs. Marion Fitts, and Berthal Gregory. Standing in the back, left to right, is Joseph Scott and Jerry Giesler.
This photograph appears with the article, "Cathedral of St. Sophia to Open Doors Sept. 28, New Church, Erected at Cost of $2,000,000, Will Be Center ofGreek Orthodoxy in U.S." Los Angeles Times, 15 Sept. 1952: A1.
California state assemblymen Jack B. Tenney of San Diego, right, and Fred Muldoon of Ventura, left, participate in an interim committee on labor and capital. The interim committee was formed in order to assess the C.I.O./United Mine, Mill, and Smelters Union strike at the San Jacinto tunnel of the Colorado River aqueduct project. The committee met first on October 27, 1937 at the California state building in Sacramento.
George W. McDill, member of the 1935 Los Angeles Board of Education, sits looking solemn. McDill was a part of the law and rules committee of the Board.
