The Los Angeles Express was a newspaper published in Los Angeles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in 1871, the newspaper was acquired by William Randolph Hearst in 1931. It merged with the Los Angeles Herald and became an evening newspaper known as the Los Angeles Herald-Express. A 1962 combination with Hearst's morning Los Angeles Examiner resulted in its final incarnation as the evening Los Angeles Herald-Examiner.
History The Los Angeles Express was Los Angeles's oldest newspaper published under its original name until it combined with the Los Angeles Herald. It was established on March 27, 1871,"Los Angeles Express in New Ownership," The Oregon Daily Journal, June 9, 1922, page 10 by five printers, Jesse Yarnell, George Yarnell, George A. Tiffany, J.W. Payton, and Miguel Veredo."Another Newspaper Change," Los Angeles Times, March 16, 1897, page 6
A stock company was organized in March 1875, with James J. Ayers and Joseph Lynch as directors and proprietors.
In 1876 William Halley was the publisher."Press Convention," The Weekly Argus, Petaluma, California, February 18, 1876, page 2 In 1873 the editor was James J. Ayers, who resigned in October to run for Los Angeles justice of the peace, stating that it would be incompatible to do both jobs at the same time.Thomas R. Jones, in the Grizzly Bear, quoted in "California, In October, Fifty Years Ago," Santa Cruz News, October 12, 1923, page 3 In 1879 Ayers was owner and editor."The Workingmen's Nomination," Daily Examiner, San Francisco, June 6, 1879, page 2 In 1882, Ayers severed his connection with the newspaper and was appointed state printer."Political Items," The Daily Examiner, San Francisco, November 22, 1882, page 2"Sacramento: The Flurry Preceding the Change of Administration," The Daily Examiner, San Francisco, January 7, 1883, page 8 He was back as "proprietor" again until February 1896 or shortly before.San Francisco Chronicle, quoted in "Reading by James J. Ayers," Los Angeles Herald, February 21, 1896, page 3
The "name, goodwill and business" of the Los Angeles Evening Express was sold in 1884 by Ayers and Lynch to H.Z. Osborne and E.R. Cleveland, owners of the evening Republican. "The consideration is understood to be $7,500.""Pacific Coast," Sacramento Daily Record-Union, August 18, 1884, page 4 The resulting newspaper was the Evening Express and Republican, published daily except Sunday, with the subscription rate of 15 cents a week.Classified advertisement, Los Angeles Herald, August 24, 1884, page 5
H.Z. Osborne came to Los Angeles from Bodie, Mono County, in May 1884 and bought the Republican, an evening newspaper that had been started by the Herald. In August he bought the Express and combined the two into one paper, running it along with E.R. Cleveland.
In 1886 a stock company was formed, led by Osborne, as editor, Cleveland and John M. Davies. Later, C.C. Allen purchased an interest.
In 1889, Osborne was identified as "chief owner" of the Express."Electric Sparks," Garnett Weekly Journal, Anderson County, Kansas, January 11, 1889, page 1
A company headed by C.D. Willard, secretary of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, took over the ownership in March 1897, and Willard became editor."A Newspaper Change," Sacramento Daily Record-Union, March 16, 1897, page 8 Fred L. Alles was named business manager.
Notable employees
Robert W. Kenny, later state attorney general Dave Stannard, Los Angeles City Council member, 1942–43 John Kenneth Turner, publisher, journalist, and author
References