October 1, 1910, is a day that will live in infamy at the Los Angeles Times.
It was on this day, shortly after 1 a.m., when 20 Times' employees were killed after a time bomb constructed of 16 sticks of 80 percent dynamite connected to an alarm clock detonated in an alley (known as ``Ink Alley'') next to the Los Angeles Times building at First Street and Broadway in Los Angeles.
The bomb exploded with such violence, that many were convinced an earthquake had struck.
To many, it was known as the ``Crime of the Century.''
A night city editor, the principal telegraph operator, and many more dedicated newspaper employees fell to their death amid the destructive carnage. At the time of the explosion, there were 115 people in the building.
Additional bombs were planted in the bushes of the homes of L.A. Times executives, Gen. Harrison Gray Otis, publisher of the newspaper, and Felix J. Zeehandelaar head of a Los Angeles business organization. Both of these bombs failed to detonate.
After the rubble and the dust had cleared, it didn't take long to figure out the motive of the bombing. Otis, the publisher of the Times was a staunch anti-unionist and leader of the Merchants and Manufacturing Association, a powerful group of business owners.
After some investigation, it was determined the bombing was carried out by a Midwestern labor union in retaliation for the paper's aggressively anti-union policies and practices.
Two primary perpetrators of this cowardly act: J.B. McNamara, and J.J. McNamara (both brothers) were arrested, tried and sent to prison. They were spared the death penalty only through the skillful bargaining of their defense attorney: Clarence Darrow.
During the course of the trial, Otis tore into the unions, labeling them: "anarchic scum," "cowardly murderers," "leeches upon honest labor," and "midnight assassins."
Those who were killed on this fateful day were buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where a bronze plaque lists their names.
For those who want to learn more about this bombing, Scott Harrison of The Los Angeles Times has put together a photogallery (at the Times’ photo blog Framework) .
-Bill Lucey
October 1, 2013
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