Roundup: December 12, 2012

Join the Westerners Los Angeles Corral for the December 2012 Roundup, Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at Almansor Court, 700 South Almansor, Alhambra, California.

Social Hour will begin at 5PM, with Dinner served at 6PM.

Our speaker will be Abe Hoffman, and his topic is entitled Actor, Outlaw, Author, Lawmen: Encounters between William S. Hart, Al Jennings, James Franklin, “Bud” Ledbetter and Bill Tilghman.

For more information:

This will be a new presentation on Western films. In 1897 William S. Hart, at that time a stage actor, was in the town of Muskogee, Indian Territory, to present a play. While riding out into the countryside he encountered Al Jennings and his gang who had recently robbed a train. Hart gave the outlaws passes to see his play, which they did, knowing that Marshal Bud Ledbetter was in the audience. Hart went on to a successful career as a film actor; Jennings was captured and went to prison. While in prison he met William Sydney Porter, serving a term for embezzlement. Freed from prison, Jennings wrote an autobiography and eventually went to Hollywood to act in movies. Tilghman and Ledbetter detested the movie Jennings had made about his life and made their own movie. Jennings went on to appear in a number of other films and eventually made Lady of the Dugout. He sent Hart a pass, repaying him for his courtesy more than twenty years earlier. The interchange between these men makes for a fascinating and little-known episode in the early history of Western films.

Dr. Abe Hoffman has given several presentations on Western films and actors. He is a long-time Los Angeles Corral member and former Sheriff (1997). Abe is an author, past Branding Iron editor and professor as well as a member of several other history organizations. In preparation for tonight’s talk, related, silent movies “Lady of the Dugout” (1918) and “Passing of the Oklahoma Outlaw” (1915) will be playing as background during the dinner hour.

Joe Cavallo, Deputy Sheriff

PHOTOS from this RoundUp can be found here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 – Rendezvous

November 2012 Roundup: Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Join the Westerners Los Angeles Corral for the November 2012 Roundup, Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at Almansor Court, 700 South Almansor, Alhambra, California.

Social Hour will begin at 5PM, with Dinner served at 6PM.

Our speaker will be Phil Brigandi, and his topic is entitled The Death Valley Chuck-Walla, Startling the Uninitiated.

For more information:

During the Death Valley mining boom in the early 20th century, stock promotion was key, as investors from the East poured their money into the ground. To attract these investors, mine promoters worked hard to build up the image of the dark and foreboding Valley of Death through newspapers and magazines. The Death Valley Chuck-Walla, published at the ill-fated copper camp of Greenwater in 1907, is one of the best examples of these lurid mining camp magazines.

Our own Los Angeles Corral Westerners member, historian, editor, author, and lecturer extraordinaire, Phil Brigandi, will trace the rise and fall of the Chuck-Walla, and share stories from Greenwater’s frantic boom. Phil began his Death Valley research in the 1980s, and became friends with the family of Chuck -Walla co-publisher C.E. Kunze. He has previously spoken on the Chuck-Walla (and Death Valley promotional newspapers in general) at the Death Valley History Conference and the Death Valley ’49ers author’s breakfast.

Phil has prepared and Westerners has published a special, limited edition, Westerners Keepsake giving a brief history of the Death Valley Chuck-Walla and a selection of some of its best articles. This rare edition booklet will only be distributed to members and guests attending this November Round-Up meeting.

Joe Cavallo, Deputy Sheriff

For HAT NIGHT 2012 photos, click here.

 

 

 

Event Schedule Updated for 2012-2013

We have updated our Event Schedule for the balance of 2012 and the beginning of 2013. Please click here to view the Event Schedule page.

New Grants Program Announced by Los Angeles Corral of Westerners

The Los Angeles Corral of Westerners, founded in 1946 as an affiliate of Westerners International, is an organization dedicated to the study, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge relating to the rich history and culture of the American West.

In the furtherance of its mission, the Los Angeles Corral will provide grants to local non-profit historical societies with similar interests and commitment. The Westerners grants are directed specifically to the advancement of knowledge and information regarding the community in which the society is located, or to an important institution or activity in that area. To be considered for a Westerners grant, an organization must be located in Los Angeles or Orange County, with annual expenditures not in excess of $50,000. In addition, the organization must be able to present a record of regular meetings, membership activities, and the presentation of programs and/or activities for the community or surrounding area in which it is located.

Click here for more information and to download the Grant Application.