Roundup: January 9, 2013

Almansor Court – 700 S. Almansor, Alhambra, CA
Social Hour: 5:00PM
Dinner: 6:00PM

Speakers: Dr. Elizabeth Pomeroy & Nick Curry

Los Angeles Westerners will have two of its own members speak in a dual presentation on the history of the city of San Marino, home of the Huntington Library. Dr. Elizabeth Pomeroy will be pursuing some theories about what makes San Marino the city that it is, tracing the arc of history starting with the land and its promises.  From the rare topography to the arrival of Henry Huntington and the aura of his estate, this small city has followed a singular path — and managed its own identity along the way.  A handful of vignettes will bring out some special characters in the story.
Nick Curry will add further anecdotes and connections, linking San Marino characters to the wider Southern California picture. Nick is a historical researcher and compiler and a long time member of Westerners.

Both Elizabeth and Nick are long time Southern California residents. Elizabeth recently published the book “San Marino, A Centennial 1913-2013” and Nick helped extensively with its research. Elizabeth additionally has published other material about the San Gabriel Valley including columns in local newspapers.

Joe Cavallo
Deputy Sheriff

November 2012 Roundup “Hat Night” Photo Gallery

The Westerners Los Angeles Corral November 2012 Roundup, held, Wednesday, November 14, 2012, included “Hat Night,” and here is a collection of images taken by Steve Crise to document the event’s attendees.

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.