Nat had done extensive research, primarily through the Huntington Library, to bring the history of Los Angeles and the surrounding area to the reader’s attention in vivid detail. The stories of Don Benito and the history of Southern California were explained in a very readable and historical perspective.
Nat then appeared virtually with the book’s cover in the background. Nat immediately told members that he was parting with further Don Benito stories and would focus on the city of Los Angeles during the Don Benito era. First, he disclosed that the ‘Wild, Wild West’ as we know it was a myth. The stories about Tombstone, AZ and the OK Corral, were not typical of the cities in the West. In fact, usually the town marshal required newcomers turn over their firearms to him until they left the area. Essentially, this was a form of gun control, thus cities were not violent. There was however, one town that was violent and had a murder rate 1000 times of that today – and that was Los Angeles!
Why was Los Angeles, a town of about 2,500 in population during the 1850’s, so dangerous? Nat gave a lengthy explanation of how the Gold Rush brought many of the dregs of our society to Northern California. Those who were lazy, violent and just wanted a quick way to get rich, came to California during those years. The ‘down and outs’ who could not make a decent living elsewhere were attracted to the gold found in the mountains of Northern California. Many of the lowlifes eventually drifted to San Francisco and began its ruin (I think their descendants are still there). However, and I quote from the book, “when the established order in San Francisco had shown little humor for their depravity, the thugs had wandered to Southern California in search of a more crime friendly environment.” Leaving SF, they ventured south, knocking off one isolated town after another, until they arrived in Los Angeles.
This invasion of offbeats from the north brought violence and murders to the streets of Los Angeles. Nat described one story after another how the ‘gang of 100’ bad guys swept the city with murder, crime and mayhem. Finally, the sheriff of L.A., appointed by Don Benito as mayor, put the city under marshal law, and enlisted General Pico to go after the gang of 100. In addition, a volunteer police force was created, and subsequently a larger force called the “Rangers” was created to respond to the pandemic of crime engulfing Los Angeles. As members of the gang were found, a non-judicial vengeance was instituted by a committee and the gang member was immediately hanged. It was deemed that no court of law was necessary.
A special story of a man named David Brown who killed his companion was brought to court by Stephen Foster, the Gil Garcetti of today, but a crooked appeals court found Brown innocent. So, Foster decided to let ‘justice run its course’, dragged Brown out of jail and hung him. How did the public react? They re-elected Foster.
(As a sidenote, from Nat’s book, from 1850 to 1870, seventy-seven people were hanged in Los Angeles, and thirty-seven were outside of the legal system.)
Another story of LA’s violence was told by Nat when in 1871two competing gangs – one White locals and one Chinese - squared off in a 7-day dispute. This occurred in what was considered the most dangerous street, just a block, in L.A. Murders, gambling, bars and prostitution reigned supreme. It was called Calle de los Negros, meaning “street of dark people.” But the dark people reference was not a to those of African descent, but the darker-skinned wealthy who lived on the street. The street was eventually called Los Angeles. Rift-Raff was commonplace in those days, and usually settled by gunfire.
Often, an official was elected or hired for dual positions. For example, Don Benito was Mayor of LA but also a member of the County Council.
Nat told the story of how a converted criminal wanted to preach the gospel in El Monte. He did however, bring a revolver with his Bible to the podium while preaching. That procedure lasted for twelve years.
All in all, Nat Read gave us entertaining stories of the wild, wild Los Angeles during the middle nineteenth century. The stories are amplified in his book, in such a way as to provide historical knowledge and interesting reading. Now you know the rest of the story….
Commentary by PP Tom Barron.
