The Westerners Brand Book #23 (2019)
Life, Leisure and Entertainment in the Old West
Joseph Cavallo, Editor
Synopsis
Los Angeles Corral Brand Book 23, Life, Leisure, and Entertainment in the Old West was the first Los Angeles Corral Brand Book to appear after a very long, 15-year, hiatus. It re-established the Los Angeles Corral as a literary leader amongst Westerners International organizations around the world. Its ten chapters are on topics as diverse as Wild West shows, Hollywood’s take on the “old west,” a multicultural review of western music spanning four centuries, prostitution in far-western timberlands, even motorcycle racing more than a century ago.
Contributors include Carla Laureen Bollinger, Joseph Cavallo, Paul F. Clark, Brian Dervin Dillon, Mark Hall-Patton, Abraham Hoffman, Deke Keasbey, Gary Turner and Tami Turner-Revel, and Kiara M. Vigil. Joseph Cavallo, editor; hardbound, illustrated, 309 pages, 2019.
Contents
- Preface — Joseph Cavallo
- Life & Leisure in Early Los Angeles 1860-1910 — Deke Keasbey
- California Musical Traditions 1542-1923 — Brian Dervin Dillon
- The Wild West Got Wilder When The Circus, Wild West Shows, Rodeos, and Vaudeville Came to Town — Carla Laureen Bollinger
- William S. Hart Actor and Author — Abraham Hoffman
- Medicine Men and Snake Oil Salesmen who Entertained and Cure-Alls that did Not Cure — Gary Turner and Tami Turner-Revel
- Early Museums in the West — Mark Hall-Patton
- Roaring into the 20th Century, Early Outdoor Motorcycle Recreation in California — Paul F. Clark
- Hollywood’s Indian: A Cultural History of Native American Actors — Kiara M. Vigil
- The Iverson Movie Ranch: An Historic Hollywood Studio Zone Location — Carla Laureen Bollinger
- Red Cloud, California: All The Best Bad Things Obtainable — Brian Dervin Dillon
- Biographical Sketches — The Contributors
350 copies were printed.
Roundup: March 11 2020
Roundup-Draft-2-March-2020-Bruce-Merritt
Roundup Synopsis
Given that we are all members (or fellows) of a historical society, interest was high in March when Bruce Merritt came to the Corral to explain the founding of another society, albeit one with a bit of a different bent than our own. The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of California was founded in Los Angeles in November of 1895 by Col. Holdridge Ozro Collins and U.S. Attorney George Jules Denis. The Society of Colonial Wars already existed in New York at the time of the founding of the California chapter, when a few enthusiastic newcomers sought to bring what was quickly becoming a national tradition out West to legitimize themselves and their city as truly American. Though the current state of the Society of Colonial Wars bears little resemblance to its configuration at founding, we Westerners were treated to a bit of the colorful history of its early members, and a glimpse into the motivations behind its origins. The Society of Colonial Wars in California sprang up in Los Angeles during what Mr. Merritt termed “the Golden Age of lineage societies.” This “Golden Age” came about in the latter half of the nineteenth century as three forces that had been growing within America converged to spur a flurry of society foundings. Patriotism was growing as Civil War wounds healed, anti-immigration sentiments prevailed as more now came from China and Eastern Europe, and Anglophilia was in vogue amongst the upper crust due to the glamour of some very high-profile marriages between American elites and British nobles. Societies spread like wildfire as people sought to not only rub elbows with the elites, but to preserve an American culture which they felt was being threatened. The group which responded to these forces in Los Angeles—Colonel Collins and associates—were about as diverse in background as a bunch of wealthy, middle-aged white men could be in 1895. There were former Confederates alongside Unionists, a Republican U.S. Attorney and one from the Democrats, as well as judges, politicians, speculators, and even a reverend for good measure. Among the men who came together to found the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of California, you’ll find names like Otis, Huntington, and Rindge. Less remembered are the likes of Motley Flint, who was shot dead in court for his involvement in a ponzi scheme, or Reverend Alexander Merwin, who built schools and churches for the Latino communities of Southern California. This early society was chock-full of characters. Today, the society bears little resemblance to its early form. It has become more focused on historical preservation, while dropping the anti-immigration and elitist attitudes which colored its early days. Though still male-only, the society now has several, lecture-focused, co-ed, public events each year. Mr. Merritt indicated that there is talk amongst the Society of Colonial Wars about incorporating more Spanish colonial history into their future efforts. If not, we Westerners will be there to pick up the slack! — Alan Griffin
Photos from the Roundup
Roundup: March 11, 2020
Almansor Court – 700 S. Almansor, Alhambra, CA.
Social Hour: 5:00 PM
Dinner: 6:00 PM
A .pdf of the Roundup Announcement can be downloaded here.
Our Speaker: Bruce Merritt
His Subject: The Founding of the Society of Colonial Wars in Los Angeles in 1895
The Founders of the Society of Colonial Wars in Los Angeles were a group of notable individuals in early Los Angeles. Most were prominent individuals. These included two Mayors, a US Senator, a major banker and more!
According to his site, Bruce Gordon Merritt is a retired trial lawyer with a passion for history. Born in Iowa City, Iowa, he grew up in Southern California and attended Occidental College, where he majored in history. Intent on a career as a historian, he was admitted to a doctoral program in American History at Harvard. His studies, however, were interrupted by the draft and by the time he returned to civilian life, he had decided upon a career in the law. He attended Harvard Law School, graduating magna cum laude in 1972. Following a clerkship with a law firm in London, he began that practice of law in Los Angeles. In the 1980s he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and handled several high profile criminal cases, including the successful prosecution of the president and general counsel of CalAm Corporation, once the nation’s largest tax shelter promoter, and the case of Nikolai and Svetlana Ogorodnikov, who were convicted of recruiting FBI agent Richard Miller for Soviet intelligence. Following his time as a federal prosecutor, he joined the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton as a litigation partner, first in Los Angeles and later in New York. In 1992, he was elected a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Since his retirement from the law, Bruce has pursued his passion for historical research. He has published articles in both the Journal of American History, and the Southern California Quarterly. Bruce has also authored a book, St. Mark’s Journey, on the history of a pioneer church in Glendale, CA.
Attend this Roundup to learn about several prominent and colorful citizens who were founding members of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of California!
Register for the March Roundup before the Thursday deadline to reserve your place at this historic event! The deadline to register is March 5th, for our March 11th Roundup!
Final Dues Reminder
This is a final reminder to our members to renew their 2020 Corral dues. As per our Range Rules, we will begin to send out late notices for dues after February 15th with an added late charge of $10 for dues received after March 1st.
Future Los Angeles Corral Events
April 8, 2020
Mike Post
The Chimineas Ranch of the Carrizo Plain National Monument
May 13, 2020
Steve Baker
Notable Women of Monrovia and their Enduring Impact on Society
June 20, 2020
Fandango!
Preparations are underway for a memorable event!
Dinner Fees, Reservation Deadline & Meal Choices
Please make your reservations by Thursday, March 5th, so that we can include your meal preference when placing the food order for our event. This month, your entrée selection is beef, fish and vegetarian. The beef selection is bacon wrapped USDA prime Top Sirloin grilled & wrapped in thick applewood bacon. The fish option is Baked Atlantic Salmon seasoned & topped with a whole grain mustard sauce & toasted lemon wedge. This month, the vegetarian option is Pasta Primavera with tomato basil sauce with a medley of carrots, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms & green beans. Our dessert will be Panna Cotta!
Please observe the registration deadline and place your order no later than Thursday, February 6th
The Roundup Dinner Fee is $40 for those who register before the deadline. Those who register late or walk-in will be charged $45, and may be limited to their choice of meal. If registering online at www.lawesterners.org, the Roundup Store can be reached through the Members Only tab. Be sure to select your meal option, then pay using a PayPal account or by credit card.
New Mailing Address for Roundup Reservations & Dues
Our Registrar of Marks and Brands position is currently vacant. Until this position is filled, the Trail Bosses kindly request that all Roundup reservations and membership dues be sent to our Keeper of the Chips, Mr. John Shea, at 13613 Barlin Avenue, Downey, CA 90242-5107. Questions or late reservations? Please direct all reservation or membership dues questions to John Shea by phone at (562) 408-6959.
Los Angeles Corral Ongoing Book Auction
Did you know that donated books are available for purchase throughout the year? Books can be purchased outside the Fandango and Rendezvous by contacting Past Sheriff Brian Dervin Dillon directly. After payment is received, books can be picked up at one of our Roundups, or other arrangements can be made. Request a copy of the new, 2020 book list with an Email to: briandervindillon@gmail.com. If you place your order via Email, books can be delivered to you at the monthly Roundups!
You can find the updated list of auction items here.
Registrar of Marks and Brands
If you read this notice in its entirety, you may be an excellent candidate for our open Registrar position. Contact a Trail Boss for more information!
Los Angeles Corral of Westerners
Welcome to the online home of the Los Angeles Corral of Westerners. We invite you to browse our site, learn more about our organization, and even consider joining us.
