21 killed in blast at Times building
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Oct. 1, 1910: A terrible explosion ripped apart the Los Angeles Times building at 1st Street and Broadway early in the morning, when about 100 people were at work. The blast and the blaze it started killed 21.
In a special edition put out that morning, The Times blamed labor unions for the bombing, saying: “Many lives were jeopardized and half a million dollars’ worth of property was sacrificed on the altar of hatred of the labor unions.”
Managing Editor Harry E. Andrews said in a statement: “They can kill our men and can wreck our buildings, but by the God above they cannot kill The Times.”
Two trade unionist brothers, James and John McNamara, were arrested. Clarence Darrow defended them. They pleaded guilty: John was given 15 years in prison and James was given a life term.
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