Newspaper Front Page Stories – 1937

A selection of news stories from a particular day in 1937 provides a slice of life of the Crescenta Valley in the past.

“Local man narrowly escapes death when attacked by dog.” James Barber, the proprietor of a laundry on Foothill Boulevard in La Cañada (across from today’s Memorial Park) was attacked by a neighbor’s St. Bernard. The dog was tied with a leash in the backyard of the house behind the laundry. It broke its lease and charged Barber. The massive dog sprang at Barber’s face but he blocked the bite with his arm, which fortunately was clad in a leather jacket. The dog lunged twice more but Barber was able to protect his face. The fourth lunge knocked Barber down, landing him on his back. His head hit the ground hard.

Barber was now on the ground stunned and the dog circled for another attack. At this point a neighbor ran between the two and swung a shovel at the dog. The dog retreated back to his yard where the owner corralled him.

Barber was able to drive himself home, but he fainted when he got there. He was transported to the hospital where he was treated for head injuries and bruises.

“Warn against quarantine violation – Valley dog owners face court unless rule obeyed.” More dog problems as the Valley was undergoing a rabies epidemic. However, several residents were uncooperative and their dogs, which were declared under quarantine for rabies, were allowed out.

“Save a life, gain a pet is Hoffman plea.” John Hoffman, the local Humane Society officer, was experiencing an overload of stray dogs at his privately owned kennel. He was trying to avoid euthanizing the animals and he put out a plea to those needing a pet or watchdog.

“Zip! Local lad almost severs nasal organ.” According to this article two boys were playing with a knife and one of them received a deep cut on his nose. The article didn’t record if it was an accident or an attack. The newspaper really made light of this one and had a great deal of fun mocking the seriousness of the accident.

“To hold parents for damage done to fire equipment.” This article stressed that sheriffs were on the lookout for young kids who used firearms to vandalize items in the local hills. Fire equipment, water tanks, phone wire insulators and phone call boxes had been the targets. The article further went on to say as most offenders were underage, their parents would be held responsible.

“Four young people recovering from auto crash hurts.” Young drivers in 1937 drove too fast on Angeles Crest Highway then – just as they do now. This carload missed a corner and flew off the edge, and went 400 feet down. Amazingly no one died, just received broken bones. This was before helicopters and the formation of the Montrose Search and Rescue team, so sheriffs enlisted help from young men from a nearby Civilian Conservation Corps camp to bring up the victims up.

“Local woman is hurt when hit by passing car.” Mrs. Brown was walking at night across the intersection of Ocean View and Verdugo. Her leg was broken when she was struck by a car. Brown was wearing a dark suit and there was no streetlight. The driver simply couldn’t see her until it was too late.

“Rubbish dumper must face court on law violation.” The dumping of trash on vacant lots had become a problem in 1937 – so much so that sheriff deputies set an overnight watch on a vacant lot at Montrose and Lauderdale. For the second time, they caught someone dumping a load of trash and issued a violation.

And last but certainly not least: “Disappearance of flagpole is probe subject.” Someone stole a flagpole from the front yard of Mr. Schmidt’s house on Foothill. The pole, which disappeared at night, was 30 feet high and painted white. Mr. Schmidt claimed the wooden pole cost $12 and he feared that it was now firewood.

All the local news from a particular day in 1937; some quaint, some laughable, and some similar to today’s news.