They're Asking Dear Old Santa for a Hupmobile -- December 8, 2023

Casper Daily Tribune, 16-December-1923

A young couple asks Santa for a Hupmobile. The Hupp Motor Car Company built Hupmobiles in Detroit from 1908 to 1940. "John M Whisenhunt and Company is Casper's Hupmobile Santa Claus."

Happy Hanukkah, 5784 -- December 7, 2023

Happy Hanukkah, everyone.

Pearl Harbor Day, 2023 -- December 7, 2023

USN - Official U.S. Navy photo NH 63132 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command

82 years ago a sneak attack by forces of the Japanese Empire sank or damaged much of the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in the territory of Hawaii. The Japanese Empire came to regret doing this.

When the attack started, destroyer USS Downes (DD-375) was in drydock next to destroyer USS Cassin (DD-472). A Japanese bomb landed between the two destroyers, which started fires that eventually caused munitions to explode on both ships. The machinery and other equipment were salvaged and the Mare Island Naval Shipyard built two new ships, sharing the names and hull numbers of the Downes and the Cassin. Both new ships served in the Pacific throughout the war.

Comic Book -- A Batman and Robin Christmas Adventure -- December 6, 2023

coverbrowser.com

Christmas is coming.

Batman and Robin, who appear to have been half-way transformed into jacks-in-a-box, deliver presents to a happy family. 

Pulp -- War Stories -- December 5, 2023

coverbrowser.com

A funny-looking tank attacks German soldiers during what must be World War One.

Toonerville Trolley -- A Christmas Eve Accident -- December 4, 2023

Perth Amboy Evening News, 16-December-1923

Christmas is coming. 

I love Fontaine Fox's The Toonerville Trolley That Meets All the Trains.

Omaha Bee, 16-December-1923

 

Washington Times, 30-June-1918

Krazy Kat -- It's Against the Law to Hang Four Stockings -- December 3, 2023

Washington Times, 22-December-1923

Christmas is coming.

I love George Herriman's Krazy Kat. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Washington Times, 30-June-1918

Monroe Doctrine 200 Years -- December 2, 2023

San Francisco Call, 18-December-1895

200 years ago today, on 02-December-1823, President James Monroe stated what is now known as the Monroe Doctrine during his State of the Union address. Secretary of State John Quincy Adams wrote the Doctrine, which declared that the United States would not tolerate European interference in the Americas. That statement, by itself, was welcomed by many in Latin America. Unfortunately, the Doctrine did not state that the US would interfere all it wanted with Latin American. I won't even talk about the Roosevelt Corollary.

The US had no power to enforce the Doctrine and it was largely ignored until the 1890s, when the US became an imperialist power. 

usps.gov

usps.gov

December, 2023 Version of the Cable Car Home Page -- December 1, 2023

San Francisco Examiner, 13-July-1952

---

Subject: December, 2023 Version of the Cable Car Home Page -- December 1, 2023

Date:

I just put the December 2023 version of my Cable Car Home Page on the server:
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/

It includes some new items:

1. Picture of the Month: Santa waits on the roof of the Santa Express, which will carry him to the Emporium. Note that this item appeared in July, 1952, so it must be a photo of Santa's 1951 ride. (Source: San Francisco Examiner, 1952-07-13).
2. With Christmas coming, it's a good time to visit the late Joe Lacey's article Christmas on the Cables (23rd anniversary this year), and the Decorated Cable Cars page. Added a photo of Santa riding atop a cable car and a 1952 Emporium ad about the Santacade Christmas on the Cables.
3. Added News item about the passing of gripman and bell ringing contest champ Al Quintana and the APEC 2023 Conference in San Francisco and its effect on the cable cars.

Ten years ago this month (December, 2013):

1. Picture of the Month: Pittsburgh's Monongahela inclines.
2. On the Pennsylvania page: The Pittsburgh Inclines, Pittsburgh's still-functioning funiculars, including The Inclined Planes, an 1891 article from the Street Railway Journal
3. Thanks to Keith Anderson, on the Cable Car Lines in the UK page, new photos of the Glasgow District Subway's Scotland Street powerhouse and a new exhibit at the Glasgow Riverside Museum. Keith is writing a book and is looking for photos of stations taken before 1950. Thanks to John Dabrowski for some memories of the subway.
4. On the Who page: Added a profile from the Street Railway Journal about James W Harris, who worked for the California Street Cable Railroad for more than 60 years
5. With Christmas coming, it's a good time to visit Joe Lacey's article Christmas on the Cables, and the Decorated Cable Cars page. Thanks to Val Lupiz, we have photos of car 25 decorated for Christmas 2013.
6. Added News item about a visit by President Obama to the Chinatown Rec Center and its affect on the cable cars

Twenty years ago this month (December, 2003):

1. Picture of the Month: Christmas tree with cable cars
2. Added the December installment of Val Lupiz's quarterly column, Tales From the Grip
3. On the San Francisco page: Added photos of Christmas decorations to Joe Lacey's article Christmas on the Cables.

175 Years Ago This Month (December, 1848): Dec 05 - President James K Polk formally told the US Congress about gold in California November 1 - The Brooklyn Elevated Railway (New York, NY) began running its trains across the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan, using the New York & Brooklyn Bridge's cable line.

Coming in January, 2024: More about the the Johnstown Inclined Plane.

The Cable Car Home Page now has a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CableCarHomePage/

The Cable Car Home Page also has an Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/cable_car_guy/

Joe Thompson
The Cable Car Home Page (updated 01-December-2023)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/
San Francisco Bay Ferryboats (updated 31-January-2020)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/ferry/
Park Trains and Tourist Trains (updated 31-November-2023)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/ptrain/
The Pneumatic Rolling-Sphere Carrier Delusion (updated spasmodically)
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com
The Big V Riot Squad (updated obsessively)
http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/

COVID-19, Vaccine, Masks, Church, Baseball and School -- November 30, 2023

cdc.gov

My wife and I have finally gotten our new COVID-19 boosters and our flu shots. I should ask my doctor if we need to get the RSV shot, too.

The Giants have been quiet. 

Congress managed to hold off a government shutdown until the new year.

The war between Israel and Hamas had a cease fire based on the exchange of prisoners. 

Ukraine is making progress with its counterattack. 
 

We finished the first trimester at Good Shepherd School and my students are doing well in technology and coding. 

Accent on Beauty in '49 Nash -- November 29, 2023

Detroit Tribune, 06-November-1948

 Despite the headline and some very modern features, I think the body of the 1949 Nash was ugly. 

Howard McGhee was a pioneering bebop trumpeter who frequently played with Charlie Parker. McGhee taught many musicians. 

Jackie Robinson to Appear in Marysville on Wednesday -- November 28, 2023

Redding Record-Searchlight, 01-November-1923

Former Negro League stars Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella visited Marysville, California with a Negro National League All-Star team. They played a team put together from the Sacramento Valley League's Yuba City Bears and Marysville Giants. 

New Cat #113 -- November 27, 2023

I took the photo on 24-November-2023.

Giant of Seas Leaves New York -- November 26, 2023

Fall River Evening Herald, 30-November-1923

SS Duilio was the largest Italian ocean liner when it was built. She was laid down in 1913, but not completed until 1923. Attacked by Allied aircraft, she sank in 1944.

APEC 2023 San Francisco -- November 25, 2023

The 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum caused large areas around Moscone Center and on top of Nob Hill to be closed to traffic. The California Street cable line was temporarily replaced by buses. The inner portion of the Powell Street lines was replaced by buses from Market to Washington/Mason. Powell Street cable cars switched back at Washington/Mason.

Rosalynn Carter RIP -- November 24, 2023

listal.com

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has died. I offer my condolences to her family. Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were married for 77 years. She advised Jimmy throughout his career. They had the best post-presidency marriage of all, doing work for Habitat for Humanity, for mental health and for equal rights.

Thanksgiving 2023 -- November 23, 2023

listal.com

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I'm grateful for health and life, my family, my students and my coworkers. 

 This turkey on the cover of the November 1906 Everybody's Magazine appears to be concerned about something. 

For Thanksgiving -- Extra Mince Pies -- November 22, 2023

Hawaiian Star, 22-November-1898

Thanksgiving is coming. 

125 years ago today, on 22-November-1898 three Honolulu bakeries offered various kinds of pie, especially mince. I don't care for mince pies. I have never tried a cranberry squash pie. My mother used to make the best apple pies in recorded history. 

Note that HF Singer's mince pies are said to be "Equal to Swain's of San Francisco." 

O'Doul the Umbrella Man -- November 21, 2023

Oakland Post-Enquirer, 03-November-1923

Lefty O'Doul was born in San Francisco's Butchertown. He was a left-handed pitcher. He played for the San Francisco Seals, the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. He didn't have much success in the majors, so when he developed a sore arm, he went back to the PCL and learned to play outfield. He turned out to be a powerful hitter. In 1935, his major league career was over and he managed the San Francisco Seals from 1935 to 1951. He did much to encourage baseball in Japan. The Seals toured the country in 1949.

Third COVID-19 Booster -- November 20, 2023

coverbrowser.com

I received my third Pfizer booster shot in one arm and my pflu shot in the other. The pflu side is pfine, but the Pfizer side hurts.

Blackhawk Proudly Presents S.F.'s Top Music Group -- November 20, 2023

San Francisco Examiner, 04-November-1950

Dave Brubeck, a native of the Bay Area, played San Francisco's Blackhawk nightclub in 1950. I remember seeing him and the quartet on television. They were integrated, which was remarkable, and they looked like accountants, but they made wonderful music. When I heard them on KJAZ or elsewhere, I knew there was something different about them.

Blackhawk owner Guido Caccienti famously said “I’ve worked and slaved to keep this place a sewer.” 

Coulter -- The Jabez Howes Catching Her Second Schooner off Folsom-Street Wharf -- November 19, 2023

San Francisco Call, 14-March-1895

WA Coulter did many maritime drawings for the San Francisco Call.

SHE CAUGHT ONE SCHOONER A DAY.

The Average Catch of the Ship Jabez Howes During Two Days.

COLLISIONS GROW COMMON.

Collisions between vessels are quite the thing on the bay and along the city front now, and broken spars and rails adorn a number of craft in that locality. Tuesday afternoon the schooner J. M. Colman collided with the Jabez Howes and the big ship lost her jibboom.

Yesterday morning the steamer Walla Walla, while coming into the landing at the Beale-street coal bunker, smashed into the wharf, tearing away several stringers and otherwise giving the structure a very damaged appearance.

Yesterday afternoon another schooner -- the Robert and Minnie -- tried her hand upon the already disabled Jabez Howes. The ship was lying in the stream when the schooner, which was bound to sea, sailing out on a strong ebb-tide, attempted to cross her bow. The maneuver was witnessed from the wharves and the temerity of the skipper commented on before the catastrophe occurred. The schooner fell off in her efforts, to clear the big broken bowsprit that was pushed forward in her path, but the current dragged her down and she came to a standstill, impaled upon the ship's spar, with the starboard rigging wrecked and an enormous hole in the mainsail.

The schooner hung upon the ship's chain and she was in imminent danger of capsizing, when the tug Alert came to her relief. She was finally towed from her awkward position and taken to China Basin for repairs.

The Robert and Minnie is the famous schooner that carried the arms from this port to Santa Catalina, where they were finally transferred to the steamer Itala during the Chilean revolution.
Captain Clapp of the Jabez Howes says that one schooner a day is a pretty good catch, but he is not cruising for that kind of game, and begs that the small vessels of the bay will keep away from his ship till he gets her repaired.

The Allen-Hagan Prize Fight 150 -- November 18, 2023

Wheeling Daily Register, 20-November-1873

On 18-November-1873, in Pacific City, Iowa, Heavyweight Champion of America Tom Allen defended his title against Ben Hogan. Allen got credited with the win, despite fouling Hogan in the second and the spectators rioting. It sounds as if the fix was in. Hogan's name got spelled various ways. 

OMAHA

The Allen-Hagan Prize Fight

OMAHA, November 19. -- The prize fight business is decidedly mixed this morning. Eagan remained in the county jail all night and bis friends are making every effort to get him out. Looney and the other manager want to get back to St. Louis and settle things up there. Tom Allen declares positively this morning that he will never go in the ring again. Riley was forced to say the fight was a fraud by parties on the train, but there are a good many who claim that his formal decision on the fight will be given this morning, and that he will decide in favor of Hogan, if no outside influence is brought to bear. The sporting men are getting out of town as fast as possible. Everybody is disgusted.

The fight of yesterday still continues the exciting topic in this city. The disgraceful conduct of Allen has won Hogan the sympathy of many who on general principles condemn the prize ring.

The Herald says: "Boasting braggart Allen, who declared he could whip his antagonist in twenty minutes, got knocked some ten feet in the first round and then, seeing he was overmatched by the Pennsylvanian, dealt him an almost fatal foul in the second round. This is the man who calls himself the champion of the world. In the fight of yesterday this English bruiser wan probably backed by a referee who was trained to his service, who decided a foul, but refused the victory to the man who won it by all the known rules, and decides it a draw. If prize fighting must continue, we in common with others, desire to see fair play. The overwhelming sentiment is with Hogan, and nine out of ten who saw the fight believe Hogan whipped Allen. Hogan's physician says his patient is spitting blood from the blow.

Hogan's friends agree that as Allen struck foul, as is admitted by the referee, the fight belongs to Hogan and that the cutting of the ropes was not done bv Hogan nor at his suggestion, and he cannot be blamed for it. Both of the principals remain here for the present. After the fight James Eagan declared he would not deliver up Hogan's share of the money and he has been arrested and is now in jail. It is believed tnat Hojan is determined to have another match with Allen as soon as his health permits and that Dakota will be the next battle ground.

Albert Biersdadt -- Sunset in the Yosemite Valley -- November 17, 2023

hagginmuseum.org

Albert Biersdadt painted "Sunset in the Yosemite Valley" in 1868. The colors are startling, but appropriate. It is in the collection of the James Ben Ali Haggin (love his name) Museum in Stockton. The Haggin has the largest museum collection of Bierstadt paintings.

WC Handy 150 -- November 16, 2023

listal.com

WC Handy was born 150 years ago today, on 16-November-1873. He liked to call himself the "Father of the Blues." He did not invent the blues, as he claimed, but he was the first to write down and publish what had been folk music. 

Close-Ups With Your Kodak -- November 15, 2023

Photoplay, November, 1923

George Eastman's Kodak cameras allowed many people to take up photography. The Kodak Portrait Attachment must been a lens with a longer focal length, which allowed people to take closer images with their Kodaks. 

Time Magazine -- Erich Ludendorff -- November 14, 2023

Time, November 19, 1923

During World War One, General Erich Ludendorff served as Chief of Staff for Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg. In time, the two men ruled Germany in a de facto military dictatorship. After the war, Ludendorff became involed in extreme right wing, anti semitic and anti Roman Catholic politics. He was associated with the early Nazi movement. I suspect that Ludendorff was on the cover of Time Magazine because of his involvement with the 8-9-November-1923 Beer Hall Putsch. He later broke with the Nazis when he got involved with bizarre right-wing conspiracy theories.

Sarsaparilla -- November 13, 2023

Union City Nevada Silver State, 22-November-1923

The Humboldt Soda and Bottling Works offered an interesting variety of soft drinks, including sarsaparilla. I have tried it once or twice and enjoyed it. 

Coca-Cola -- Enjoy Thirst Through All Four Season -- November 12, 2023

Photoplay, November, 1923

I'm going to have a Diet Coke with dinner. 

Happy Veterans Day, 2023 -- November 11, 2023

Washington Times, 11-November-1923

Happy Veterans Day to all the veterans out there. Thank you for your service to our country.

Uncle Sam pays his respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This is the 105th anniversary of Armistice Day. All the men and women who served in World War One are gone, but we can still remember their sacrifices.

Wilmington Insurrection -- November 10, 2023

Washington Evening Star, 10-November-1898

125 years ago today, on 10-November-1898, white supremacists in Wilmington North Carolina staged a coup. They banished the mayor, the chief of police and other officials. They destroyed and burned the offices of an African-America owned newspaper. They killed or drove away a significant part of the town's African-American majority. Early reports blamed the African-Americans. 

EIGHT MEN KILLED

Serious Rioting at

Wilmington Today.

DEAD ALL COLORED MEN

Several White Citizens Were

Wounded.

CITY AUTHORITIES POWERLESS

Committee of Safety to Take

Control of City.

MILITIA CALLED OUT

Special From a Staff Correspondent.
WILMINGTON. N. C., November 10. -- Events have moved quickly in Wilmington this morning, and the white people have made good their threats to take vengeance upon the negro newspaper which published the editorial derogatory to while women. At 7:30 o'clock this morning, the negroes not having responded to the demand for the removal of the press of the Record, Col. Waddell, the chairman of ihe white committee of twenty-five, repaired to the Light Infantry armory, where he was to meet the citizens by appointment. Eight o'clock was the last hour of grace for the negroes to reply. and that hour passed without an answer being received. The citizens then waited half an hour for reinforcements.

In ihe meantime armed men had begun to gather in the wide street in front of the armory. They carried rifles and riot guns, nearly every man with a cartridge belt around his waist filled with ammunition.

The assemblage included some of the most solid citizens of the town. At 8:30 o'clock the word was given to fall in, and the men formed in line of fours. Ex-Representative Waddell and members of the committee of twenty-five headed the procession, which moved eastward on Market street in the direction of 7th and Nunn streets, where the printing shop was located. All along the line of march the procession was joined by citizens who hurried from the side streets, bringing their guns. When the negro quarter was reached, the negroes could be seen a few blocks away, running into their houses. The negro women and children watched the marchers from their porches, but few negro men were seen.

Halt at Record Office.

Arriving in front of the publishing house, which is a two-story frame building, the marchers halted and picket lines were thrown out across the street in both directions and squads of men were sent to squares in the neighborhood. Col. Waddell, as the leader in the movement, advanced to the door of the building, his rifle on his shoulder, and knocked. There was no response, and, after waiting a minute or two, the door was burst open. The citizens surged into the place and began the work of destruction. The furniture was smashed and thrown into the street, amidst the cheers of the onlookers. Both floors were gutted of movables, and then a curl of blue smoke wound its way out of the windows and floated away on the light breeze. The building had been fired.

Some of the crowd cheered and others uttered expressions of regret that fire had been used. In a few minutes the inflammable structure was in a blaze and threatening the light wooden buildings adjacent. A fire-alarm box was on the corner and someone turned in the alarm. There was a wait of several minutes, during which the fire had gained good headway, and the whole structure was a sea of red fire beneath a dense pall of black smoke.

As the fire engine dashed down 7th street, with clanging bells, the crowd discharged their weapons in the air, and a fusillade of gun and pistol shots, cheers and shouts filled the air. The little children in a new free school house on the corner, who had been frightened by the fire and the guns, added their frantlc screams of terror to the babel, while the negro women were rushing about in search of their little ones. The affair was soon over, and no one was hurt. The publishing house was destroyed, but the neighboring property was saved. The editor, Manly, his brother and their associates have fled, and could not be found by the citizens.

Sequel of Yesterday's Meeting.

Today's action was the sequel of yesterday morning's meeting at the county court house and of a meeting of the committee of twenty-five yesterday afternoon. At that meeting it was decided to send runners to bring in thirty of the most prominent negroes to receive the verdict of the citizens. About fifteen came in at 6 o'clock and Colonel Waddell presented the ultimatum.

It was that an answer shauld be given him at 7:30 this morning whether the press would be removed and publication of the paper suspended. No discussion of the situation was permitted, but the negroes were told to act promptly on the lines laid down or suffer the consequences. They departed and one of their number -- Henderson, a lawyer -- said he thought the demands would be met favorably.

Last night was an anxious one for the citizens in the residence section. About 8 o'clock a street car came into the business section and reported that negroes had fired into it and that the passengers had returned the fire. In less than three minutes another car, loaded with armed men, was speeding to the scene of the trouble, and messengers had been scattered to give the alarm. The offenders escaped, and there was no more trouble; but the entire eastern end of the town was aroused.

I went through the section and found armed men on every corner, with patrols on the dark streets, and armed guards on the street cars. The ladies and children were on the verandas, and every house was alight, while every one wanted to know if the negroes were up. I then went over into the negro district -- to the center of it.

I found a group of thirty or forty young negroes assembled, but they were not armed and not violent. Passing on to the printing house, which was destroyed today, it was found to be deserted and dark. Talking with some of the older negroes of the quarter, they told me that they did not contemplate trouble; that their women and children were taking to the woods and that they sincerely hoped for peace. All night long the whites kept guard about the business and resident sections, but no incident occurred to disturb the night.

Return to the Armory.

After destroying the printing house the marchers returned to the armory, where they had left a rapid-fire machine gun mounted in a wagon, ready to be dispatched to the scene if a battle should occur.

Upon an occasion several months ago the negroes had massed in front of this office to prevent the threatened expulsion of its editor, and it was not known today whether they would offer resistance or not; but no resistance was offered and not a negro raised his hand or voice to protest. Those in the immediate vicinity of the burning structure packed up their furniture to move out. but no one molested them.

The leaders of the expedition say that it was not intended to burn the building, as there was a negro church on one side and light frame dwellings on the other. They say the fire was the work of rash men or an accident, and was not set with the concurrence of the committee of twenty-five.

The next move on the board is to ask the mayor and chief of police to resign, in accordance with the suggestion of yesterday's mass meeting. This action will be taken during the day.

At 10:30 o'clock the scene of excitement shifted to another section of the city. Scarcely had the marchers disbanded at the armory before the word passed along that the negro laborers of the great cotton compress, 300 cr 400 in number, who were engaged in compressing cargoes of cotton for several foreign steamships, had knocked off work and were assembling. The armed men hurried to the river front and took positions at the head of the streets leading down to the docks. The negroes were gathered in groups of fifteen or twenty, huddled together and apparently very frightened. Their wives had run to them reporting that the whites were burning the negro quarters and shooting, and begged them to come home, so the whole force quit work. The leaders told the negroes that no harm was intended them, and advised them to return to work, but they were thoroughly frightened.

The negroes freely expressed themselves, saying that they were hard-working men and that the whites ought not to stir them up and terrorize them in that way.

Panic Among the Negroes.

Within an hour the negroes were in such a state of panic and fear that some of the more conservative citizens thought best to try to calm them. Colonel Sprunt, the owner of the cotton compress, took one of the boss laborers in his buggy and drove him around town to show him that no harm was intended to the negroes. They seemed to have the idea that the whites were burning and murdering all tnrough their quarter, and were afraid to go back to work. There was not the least move of aggression on the part of the negroes. There was no violent talk or threats in the gatherings on the river front, but, after a while, the negroes worked themselves into a state of mind where they believed they were to be sacrificed to some racial cause, and said they were ready to go if they had to.

In all this disturbance the local authorities have made no show of asserting themselves. Not a policeman is around, and the mayor and chief of police are keeping out of sight. The preservation of order is practically vested in the committee ot twenty live, and they are now trying to quiet the situation and to hold in check the reckless element among the whites, which would go to any length. The saloons are to be closed. The rapid-fire machine gun, on a wagon, drawn by two horses, and manned by a crew, armed with Winchesters, was brought down in front of the post office, but on advice of the leaders was halted there.

The Killing Begins.

Soon after 11 o'clock word was brought that reinforcements were needed at 4th and Harnett streets, in the negro section of Brooklyn. The men were sent. Twenty minutes later the news was brougnt that there had been a collision between the whites and blacks, and that two negroes had been killed, one wounded and two white men wounded. More men have gone to the scene witn the rapid-fire gun.

Three unknown negroes are lying dead in the middle of the street at 4th and Harnett. One white man, name unknown, wounded in shoulder, and another white man, William Mayo, shot in stomach, will probably die. The negroes retreated after the firing, and the whites are holding position at 4th and Harnett, while reinforcements have been sent for. Conflicting stories are told of the starting of the trouble and as to who was the aggressor. One account is that the negroes were quarreling among themselves, and the whites interfered to disperse them. Another that the negroes impeded the street car and were ordered by a policeman to disperse, and, upon refusing, were fired upon. The scene of the trouble is in the worst negro district, about a mile from the business section.

The negro dead will probably number four. The white man Mayo has died. The situation is quiet at the scene of the trouble now. The negroes have gone into their houses. Squads of men are now halting all negroes on the street and taking their pistols from them whenever found.

Trains Bringing Reinforcements.

Special trains are being run into Wilmington from other towns with reinforcements or arms. Goldsboro has started 500 men. Laurinburg has started 150 and other towns have offered help if needed. The Light Infantry, a regular state militia organization, will probably take command of the situation here and its officers direct the patrolling and guarding of the city. I understand the governor has given his sanction to this plan, and if it is carried out will be salutory.

The local detachment of United States naval reserves, in fatigue uniform and dragging their new 1-pounder rapid-fire gun, are now at the scene of the trouble, together with the Light Infantry and several hundred armed citizens. But there is nothing to shoot at, the negroes having disappeared.

The committee of twenty-five went into session about 1 o'clock to devise means of preserving order. Several propositions were put forward, but the plan which seems to meet with most favor is the appointment of a committee of safety, to consist of six or ten men, who will have supreme charge of the city, superseding the mayor and all others. These men would comprise the most conservative citizens. The realization is now dawning upon the community that the reckless white man is as much a source of danger as the negro to the peace of Wilmington, if not more so.

Efforts will be made to hold the reckless in check. The reinforcements sent from Goldsboro' have been turned back after consultation. All was quiet on the firing line at 1:30 o'clock.

Eight Negroes Killed.

Between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock there were several skirmishes. The total casualties at 2 o'clock were: Eight negroes killed, two wounded. Three white men wounded -- Mayo, Chadwick and Piner. Mayo not dead, but shot through the lungs. About 1:30 o'clock p.m. two white men passing a house were fired upon. A detachment immediately surrounded the house and took away five negroes. It was at first proposed to kill them on the spot, but finally decided to put them in jail. Another negro in the house broke and ran, but after proceeding half a square was shot dead. The negro who shot Mayo was recognized, it was claimed, and a detachment found him at his house. He was riddled and left dead.

Letter Came Too Late.

Colonel Waddell, chairman of the committee of twenty-five, received at noon today the following letter:
"We, the colored citizens to whom was referred the matter of the expulsion from this community of the person and press of A. L. Manly, beg most respectfully to say that we are in no wise responsible for, nor in any manner condone the obnoxious article that called forth your actions. Neither are we authorized to act for him in this matter; but in the interest of peace we will most willingly use our influence to have your wishes carried out.
"Very respectfully,
"THE COMMITTEE OF COLORED CITIZENS."

This letter, instead of being delivered in person to Col. Waddell at 7:30 this morning as required, was placed in the mail, and did not reach him until after the printing office had been destroyed. The negro to whom it was intrusted for delivery put it in the post office and wrote on the envelope "Please deliver at residence," but he did not get it in time. N. O. M.

Sousa and His Band -- November 9, 2023

Indianapolis Journal, 10-November-1922

John Philip Sousa, the March King, spent years touring the world with his band. 

Sousa's Band, conducted by John Philip Sousa - The Dauntless Batallion (Sousa) (1923)

Santa Claus is Coming -- November 8,. 2023

Memphis Commercial-Appeal, 21-November-1923

Santa Claus sent a radio message saying that he was heading for Memphis. "It could not be determined whether he was coming by reindeer, airplane or balloon, but it is to be expected that he will take the most modern method of travel."

Klux Frightens Blacks -- November 7, 2023

Memphis Commercial-Appeal, 21-November-1923

The KKK terrorized people in many different ways. I like how the title says "Klux."

Jazz Funeral -- November 6, 2023

 

Washington Times, 19-November-1923

A barber in the Friuli region of Italy wanted to have a jazz funeral. The cops intervened. 

Jazz Funeral

ROME. —The amazing sight of couples fox trotting to the accompaniment of a jazz band round the bier of a funeral cortege caused the intervention of the police at Udine, in northern Italy.

It was explained to the police that the funeral was that of a prominent barber, who in his will had requested that his body should be accompanied to the graveside by a jazz band playing the liveliest music obtainable. The funeral procession, it appeared, had started out decorously enough, but the dance music at last proved irresistible to the younger couples, with the above result.

The police thereupon took upon themselves the management of the rest of the ceremony.

Comic Book -- Walt Disney's Comics and Stories -- November 5, 2023

Thanksgiving is coming.

Donald Duck appears to be having trouble carving the turkey. 

Pulp -- Famous Fantastic Mysteries -- November 4, 2023

listal.com

Famous Fantastic Mysteries (great title) was a pulp published by the Munsey Company. It reprinted science fiction and fantasy stories that had first been printed in other Munsey magazines. Stories in the February, 1950 issue included "Morning Star" by H Rider Haggard, which had originally been printed in 1910. I have a couple of Haggard's novels. They are very entertaining and very racist.

Toonerville Trolley -- Kicking Power -- November 3, 2023

Perth Amboy Evening News, 13-November-1923

I love Fontaine Fox's The Toonerville Trolley That Meets All the Trains.

Brownsville Herald, 13-November-1923

Several electric Railway operations claimed to be the inspiration of the Toonerville Trolley. I doubt that the five-mile-long Bryan and College Interurban Railway was the real inspiration. 

‘TOONERVILLE TROLLEY'

NOW OUT OF EXISTENCE

-- What was called the original 'Toonerville Trolley,' an interurban line between Bryan, Texas, and College Station, is no more. It has been forced to suspend operations as a result of a motor bus transportation system established by four athletes of A. & M. College, here and the owner, Fred W. Adams, is now engaged in operating a chicken ranch.

The line, which is said to have inspired a now famous cartoon, operated two cars and for a number of years was managed with some measure of success. Students at the local college are not allowed to keep automobiles and the trolley was their only means of transportation to Bryan. The jitney bus, at one time seemed on the point of causing serious difficulties to the line, but the college authorities promulgated a rule against jitneys stopping on the campus, and the trolley continued to operate at a profit.

But it was sever months later that four A. & M. College athletes decided to go into the transportation business on a large scale. They rented four motor busses and announced they would start a bus line between Bryan and College Station. The day came when they did start operation and from then on the business of the interurban line dwindled until Mr. Adams finally decided to abandon the system.

Washington Times, 30-June-1918

Krazy Kat -- I Wish Them Hills Would Commence -- November 2, 2023

Washington Times, 01-November-1923

I love George Herriman's Krazy Kat. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Washington Times, 30-June-1918

November, 2023 Version of the Cable Car Home Page -- November 1, 2023

Los Angeles Herald, 10-September-1891

I just put the November 2023 version of my Cable Car Home Page on the server:

http://www.cable-car-guy.com/

It includes some new items:

1. Picture of the Month: A contemporary newspaper article about the last run of the original Clay Street Hill Railroad.
2. On the Clay Street Hill Railroad page: On the Clay Street Hill Railroad page: More about the end of the original Clay Street Hill Railroad
3. Added News items about a cable car/auto collision and an earthquake

Ten years ago this month (November, 2013):

1. Picture of the Month: Two cars of Pittsburgh's Central Traction Company ran into a political parade. (Source: "Marching Men Cut to Pieces by Cable Cars," The Pittsburg Dispatch, 16-October-1892.)
2. On the Pennsylvania page: The Central Traction Company, Pittsburgh's third Hallidie-type cable car line, including newspaper articles about a terrible accident in 1892
3. On the Who page: Added a profile from the Street Railway Journal about cable traction pioneer Andrew S Hallidie.
4. Also on the Who page: Added a photo of a marker on the Ferry building to the article on Howard C Holmes.
5. On the More California Street Pictures page: Several photos I took in May and June, 2007
6. Added News items about the Cable Car Chorus and a mysterious package in Union Square that caused a Powell Street cable car shutdown

Twenty years ago this month (November, 2003):

1. Picture of the Month: Paris cable tram
2. On the Other Cities page: Paris - Tramway Funiculaire de Belleville", the only Hallidie-type cable line in France
3. "Le Tramway Funiculaire De Belleville", my attempt at translating an 1890 magazine article about the line
4. Added photos to my article about the 40th Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest
5. Added banner and News item about raffle to support Cable Car Division Senior Luncheon

125 Years Ago This Month (November, 1898): 

November 1 - The Metropolitan Street Railway (Kansas City, MO) closed its 5th Street-Wyandotte line November 1 - The Brooklyn Elevated Railway (New York, NY) began running its trains across the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan, using the New York & Brooklyn Bridge's cable line.

Coming in December, 2023: Cable cars of Christmas past.

The Cable Car Home Page now has a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CableCarHomePage/

The Cable Car Home Page also has an Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/cable_car_guy/

Joe Thompson
The Cable Car Home Page (updated 01-November-2023)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/
San Francisco Bay Ferryboats (updated 31-January-2020)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/ferry/
Park Trains and Tourist Trains (updated 30-October-2023)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/ptrain/
The Pneumatic Rolling-Sphere Carrier Delusion (updated spasmodically)
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com
The Big V Riot Squad (updated obsessively)
http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/

Halloween 2023 -- October 31, 2023

coverbrowser.com

Happy Halloween, everyone. The 30-October-1954 cover of The New Yorker features a painting, clearly inspired by "Cinderella," by Charles Addams.

COVID-19, Vaccine, Masks, Church, Baseball and School -- October 30, 2023

cdc.gov

My wife and I have been beset by bad coughs, so we have not yet gotten our new COVID-19 boosters. We hope to get our flu shots at the same time.

The Giants signed Bob Melvin as their new manager. I remember when he played for the Giants. He was very good when he managed the Athletics. Working for a team that pays people in money rather than hot dogs should be even better. 

Bruce Bochy's Texas Rangers beat Dusty Baker's Houston Astros in the ALCS. Dusty Baker announced his retirement. Texas and Arizona played in the World Series. 

We went without a Speaker of the House for most of the month. The guy they chose voted against certifying the election and is a Trump cultist. 

We have been able to use the computer lab at Good Shepherd and it is working well. 

There are reports that Russian troops in Ukraine are performing acts of insubordination..