HomeMy WebLinkAboutCarotenuti - Inventory of annotated historic SLO Police Books ISan Luis Obispo Police Files
In 2008, I was invited to the Police Department to inspect some old tomes. At the
time, they were located in a metal cabinet in the Property Room. Among various
items stored in the room, I attempted to inventory the books and their contents.
Over time, I was able to continue to do so through the cooperation of then-Chief
Deborah Linden and her Administrative Assistant, Susan Olsen, in a more
convenient location.
The goal was to eventually have the various books preserved for future generations
and accessible to researchers. The last aspiration was thought to have the books
scanned and available online rather than necessitating having to handle the books.
The first step was to simply list the tomes. See Attachment I
Next, each book was listed, measured and examined as to the contents. Attachment
II.
Special interest was expressed in the oldest records of the Marshal’s office; thus,
an even more detailed inventory of the Marshal’s Book. Attachment III
Finally, some random notes were taken as to some of the books. Attachment IV
The books had moved from the police station’s Property Room into a cabinet in the
Chief’s Administration Office. With a change in personnel, all were donated to Cal
Poly’s Special Collections. There, they will find a safer location and accessibility
to interested historians. (see below)
Joseph A. Carotenuti
April 4, 2020
From Cal Poly Special Collections
student assistants are helping us transcribe the one Police ledger we have
online: https://digital.lib.calpoly.edu/rekl‐10426#page/1/mode/2up
…a finding guide to the collection, which is available at this
link: https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8cn78k2/ and I atta
ATTACHMENT I
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
POLICE BOOKS INDEX
1. MARSHAL’S ACCOUNT LEDGER: March 14, 1884 to December 3, 1911
2. REGISTER OF ARRESTS: October 1, 1886 to October 16, 1898
3. RECORDER’S LOG
A. January 24, 1895 to July 31, 1906
B. August 3, 1906 to August 30, 1911
4. JAIL REGISTER
A. November 1, 1913 to April 27, 1918 (Number 1 to Number 576)
C. May 2, 1918 to August 31, 1918
5. POLICE COURT DOCKET BOOKS
AA January 3, 1881 to June 6, 1887
A. March 4. 1915 to January 10, 1916
B. January 10, 1916 to January 24, 1917
C. January 25, 1917 to March 11, 1918
D. March 15, 1918 to June 2, 1919
E. June 2, 1919 to July 10, 1924
F. July 10, 1924 to December 16, 1926
G. December 20, 1926 to October 1, 1929
H. October 3, 1929 to December 31, 1932
I. December 31, 1932 to October 30, 1935
J. October 31, 1935 to June 25, 1937
K. June 25, 1937 to December 27, 1938
L. December 27, 1938 to June 20, 1940
M. February 3, 1941 to May 6, 1941
N. April 3, 1941 to June 23, 1941
O. June 24, 1941 to September 28, 1941
P. September 29, 1941 to May 4, 1942
Q. May 4, 1942 to March 19, 1943
R. March 22, 1943 to September 26, 1944
S. April 26, 1944/ September 27, 1944 to Nov. 13, 1945
T. November 13, 1945 to November 23, 1946
U. October 14, 1946 to January 5, 1948
V. January 5, 1948 to December 27, 1949
W. December 27, 1949 to September 4, 1951
X. September 4, 1951 to December 30, 1952
6. POLICE COURT (Civil): January 17, 1916 to January 4, 1944
7. RECORD OF FEES AND FINES
A. December 1937 to May 27, 1946
B. October 1, 1945 to March 1, 1948
8. TRAFFIC CITATIONS AND FINES: February 7, 1947 to October 1, 1949
Compiled by:
Joseph A. Carotenuti
December 17, 2010
April 30, 2012
Attachment II
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
POLICE BOOKS
1. MARSHAL’S ACCOUNT LEDGER: March 14, 1884 to December 3, 1911
pages 1-53: blank
pages 54 to 185: March 14, 1884 to December 3, 1911
pages 186 to 400: blank
11x 16 x 1½”
handwritten
2. REGISTER OF ARRESTS: October 1, 1886 to October 16, 1898
October 1, 1886 to October 16, 1898
pp. 103
10½ x 16 x 1”
handwritten
3. RECORDER’S LOG (handwritten)
A. November 15, 1935 – November 23, 1946 (case numbers: 2694‐3195)
B. January 24, 1895 to July 31, 1906: Case number 1‐1000 (May 1, 1905); Case number 1‐ 243 (July 31,
1906)
pp. 1‐718
16 x 11 x 2½”
C. August 3, 1906 to August 30, 1911: Case number 1 to 1000 (November 26, 1910); Case #1 (August 3,
1906) to #235 (August 30, 1911) (error in numbering: page 279)
pp. 1 – 400
16 x 10 x 1½”
4. JAIL REGISTER JAIL REGISTER
#1 Number 1 to Number 576: November 1, 1913 to April 27, 1918
Table of Contents: 26 pp.
Pp.1 –102 (each numbered page is used twice)
17 ½ x14x1”
Handwritten
#2 no numbers provided: May 2, 1918 to August 31, 1918
pp. 1 –40 Each numbered page is used twice)
pp. 41 – 101: blank
17 ½ x 14 x 1”
handwritten
POLICE COURT DOCKET BOOKS
C (on spine) January 3, 1881 to June 6, 1887
pp. 1‐52: blank
pp. 53‐480
11 x 16 x 1½” handwritten
Numbers 3 thru 14 measure 18x11x1½” and all are handwritten with some pre-printed
matter
#3: (3) Cases 765 to 2170 March 4. 1915 to January 10, 1916
Index: 26 pp.
pp. 1 – 252
#4: (4) Cases 2171 to 2660 January 10, 1916 to January 24, 1917
Index: 26 pp (mostly blank)
pp. 1 ‐ 252
#5: (5) Cases 2661 to 2458 January 25, 1917 to March 11, 1918
Index: 26 pp.
pp. 1 ‐ 250
#6: (6) Cases 2459 to 2962 March 15, 1918 to June 2, 1919
Index: 26 pp. blank
pp. 1 ‐ 252
#7: (7) Cases 2963 to 3453 June 2, 1919 to July 10, 1924
Index: 26 pp.
pp. 1 ‐ 250
#8: (8) Cases 3454 to 3936 July 10, 1924 to December 16, 1926
Index: 27 pages
pp. 1‐252
#9 (9) Cases 3936* to no numbers given December 20, 1926 to October 1, 1929
Index: 26 pp: half blank
pp. 1 ‐250
#10 (10) Cases: no numbers given October 3, 1929 to December 31, 1932
Index: 26 pp: blank
pp. 1 ‐ 250
#11 (11) Cases; (New Series) 1 to 502 December 31, 1932 to October 30, 1935
Index: 26 pp
pp: 1 ‐ 252
#12 (12) Cases 503‐1015 October 31, 1935 to June 25, 1937
Index: 26 pp
pp. 1 ‐ 252
#13 Cases 1016 to 1611 June 25, 1937 to December 27, 1938
Spine: City Court Docket Criminal
Index: 13 pages
pp. 1‐300
#14 Cases 1612 to 2213 December 27, 1938 to June 20, 1940
Index: 26 pp
pp. 1 – 300
Volumes 15 – 20 measure 10 ½ x 16 x 1½” and are handwritten on standard pre-printed
forms
#15 Cases 2864 to 2945 February 3, 1941 to February 17, 1941
no case numbers given February 17, 1941 to May 6, 1941
Index: 26 pp: blank
pp. 1 – 300
#16 no case numbers given: April 3, 1941 to June 23, 1941
Index: 26 pp: blank
pp.
#17 Cases 0‐1 to 0‐437 June 24, 1941 to September 28, 1941
Index: 26 pp
pp: 1 – 300
#18 Cases 0‐438 to 0‐1033 September 29, 1941 to May 4, 1942
Index: 26 pp.
pp: 1 ‐ 300
#19 Cases 0‐1034 to 1567 May 4, 1942 to March 19, 1943
Index: 26 pp.
pp. 1 – 300
#20 Cases 1568 to 2161 March 22, 1943 to September 26, 1944
Index: 26 pp:
pp. 1‐300
#21 (1) Case 2027 April 26, 1944
Cases 2162 to 2693 September 27, 1944 to Nov. 13, 1945
Index: 26 pp
pp. 1 ‐ 500
9 x 14 ½ x 1 ½
typewritten
#21A Cases 2694 to 3195 November 13, 1945 to November 23, 1946
\ Index: 13 pp: A thru M
pp. 1 ‐502
14 x 9x1 ¾”
typewritten
#22 (3) Cases 3201 to 3700 October 14, 1946 to January 5, 1948
Index: 27 pages
pp. 1‐500
9x14x1½”
typewritten with signatures
#23 (4) Cases 3701 to 4200 January 5, 1948 to December 27, 1949
Index: 27 pages: handwritten
pp. 1‐500: typewritten 9x14x1½”
#24 (5) Cases 4201 to 4700 December 27, 1949 to September 4, 1951
Index: 27 pages: handwritten
pp. 1‐500: typewritten
9x14 x1½”
#25 Cases 4701 to 5192 September 4, 1951 to December 30, 1952
Index: 29 pp: handwritten
pp. 1 – 492
pp. 493 – 510: blank
Number in parenthesis is found on the spine
POLICE COURT (Civil): #1 to #118: January 17, 1916 to January 4, 1944
pp. 1 – 118
pp. 119 ‐ 252
18 x 11 ½ x 1 ½”
handwritten on standard forms
RECORD OF FEES AND FINES
#1 no case number December 1937 to May 27, 1946
Index: 13 pp: blank
pp. 1 –236
pp. 237 – 302 blank
10 ½ x 16 x ¾”
handwritten
#2 Case 2624 to 3734 October 1, 1945 to March 1, 1948
pp. 1‐48
pp. 49 – 152: blank
10½ x 16 x ¾”
handwritten
TRAFFIC CITATIONS AND FINES: February 7, 1947 to October 1, 1949
pp. 1‐151
12x10x ¾ ”
handwritten
Compiled by:
Joseph A. Carotenuti
2008
ATTACMENT III
City of San Luis Obispo
Police Books
#1 Marshal’s Accounts
And
Register of Arrests
BOOK SPINE: Marshal’s Accounts
City of San Luis Obispo
J. A. Goodrich, Stationer, San Luis Obispo
FRANK GRADY, MARSHAL (elected 2/13 & 2/26, 1884)
(Marshal’s Accounts stamped in purple at top of each page)
Page 54: start
1884 March 14 To Blank Licenses as per L. B. p. 792.00
(same) 19.00
25 (same) 46.00
31 (same) 7.00
Ap. 3 (same) 20.00
8 (same) 12.00
(in pencil) 896.00
Page 55
1884 Mch 20 By cash p’d Treasurer vouchers #169‐172 $660.00
31 (same) #174 142.00
Ap 10 By licenses returned and canceled 21.00
11 “ cash paid Treasurer voucher #177 41.00
May 5 (same) #182 32.00
(in pencil) 896.00
Page 56
HENRY JEWETT, MARSHAL (elected 4/14/84)
(same page set‐up: left page income; right page payments)
Total for page 56: $16,505.81 (including dog tax: $55.00)
November 6: Property Tax List for 1884‐5: $10,261.43 + 22.50 on 1/10/85
January 22: Delinquent Tax List: $1,493.88
Page 57: money to treasurer: vouchers + license blanks returned + delinquent tax list + 1199.66
carried over to next page
Page 58: Dog Tags: $30.50 as part of carry over // fees received in Recorder’s Court: $2.35 Total:
$4090.01
Dog tags app. $3 // delinquent taxes /licenses, etc >> carry over: $923.65 = taxes: 535.65; dog tax:
27.50;licenses: 360.50
Page 61: licenses cancelled by order Bd Trustees
Page 62: Assessment Roll 1885‐6: 5,970.18
Page 64: Ending balance: 1885 delinquent tax account (84‐85) 535.65; delinquent tax account (85‐86)
346.09; license acct. 475.25; Dog Tax: 27.50
1/86 includes 5% added to 346.09 (Editor: no additional penalties for previous year delinquencies)
March: ’85‐86 delinquencies reduced to $87.40
April: (same) $16.95
Page 70 (1886)
DAVID A. DUNBAR, MARSHAL (elected 4/12/86)
(no mention of dog tax until 12/1/87)
Page 73: June 21, 1886: license 35: C. H. Phillips cancelled: $1
September 1, 1886: license 132: G. I. Schwab cancelled: $15
30, 1886: license of Brewster cancelled by Police Judge: $3
Page 76: Assessment Roll 1886‐87: 7809.47
Page 82: (same) 1887‐88: 10,027.33
MADISON GRAVES, TAX COLLECTOR (elected 1888) (never used Marshal title)
Page 87: April 16, 1888: first entry on 4/17/88 (Dunbar’s last entry 4/16/88)
Page 94: 10/1/89: Tax Account: $1889.90 = 11,855.37
Page 113: 9/29/94: last entry
J. W. COOK, CITY MARSHAL (elected 1894)
Page 114: first entry: 9/29/94
10/28/95: Assessment Roll: $10,910.18
1/2/97: P. H. Dallidet: license cancelled: $15
4/23/100: last entry by Cook
W. G. JOHNSON, CITY MARSHAL, TAX and LICENSE COLLECTOR
(elected 1900)
4/19/00: first entry
Page 136: 6/30 “To City Water Works a/c Water Receipts issued to him” 747.36
(same) Collections Reported of accts. accrued prior to
June 1, 1900: 824.75
10/31/1900: Total Amount of Taxes on Assessment Roll 1900‐01, less collections by Assessor:
$20,074.78
6/20/01: “10 dog tags for males” $10
8/30/02: last entry of Monthly “List of Water Consumers delivered to him” (Marshal)
Page 154: 4/30/03: Dog Tags a/c 76 @$1 & 6 female dog tags @ $4
Page 160: 6/4 (same) 69 6
Page 164: Assessment Roll 1905-1906, less collections by City Assessor – Journal p.74;
$21,752.36
Page 179: last entry: 12/31/1910 (Arthur S. Kahl appointed 8/10/10)
MARSHAL’S BOOK of ACCOUNTS ENDS
San Luis Obispo
Marshal’s Register of Arrests
Inside front cover: John A. Dunbar, City Marshall (name crossed out and replaced by Madison Graves)
(Dunbar elected 4/12/1886; Graves in 1888)
Register of Arrests at top of left page
Town of San Luis Obispo at top of right page
Categories (across both pages): Date, Hour of Arrest, Name of Person Arrested, Name of Officer Making
the Arrest, Name of Complaining Witness, Offense Charged, Description of Property Found in His or Her
Possession
OFFICERS: Frank Grady, D. Thaylor, J. A. Dunbar
Page 1: 1886
First entry: Oct. 1 (no hour given); W. L. Huston; Dunbar; Dunbar; Drunk Disorderly; fined $5
Total arrests on page 1: 26: for assault with a deadly weapon (1); shooting in city limits (1); disturbing
the peace (2); vagrancy (4); vulgar language (1); drunk (17)
Instead of property found, etc., fine given…most often for drunkenness
Arrest samples:
12/30/86: Rosa Kearney: keeping house of ill‐fame; Annie Harlan & B. Hudelson: visiting house of ill‐
fame
1/6/87: R. Kearney: selling liquor w/o license
2/15/87: Jack Nicholson: visiting house of ill‐fame; another time: carrying concealed weapon
4/18/87: John Doe: Drunk (first use of “John Doe” for arrestee)
4/23/87: Nicholson…visiting house of ill‐fame
6/1/87: Ah Sing: keeping an opium den; Pat & Mrs. Savage: smoking opium
8/1871: Jeff Gear: 1. using language liable to create a breach of the peace; 2. carrying a concealed
weapon; 3. resisting an officer; 4. living in house of ill‐fame
9/87: James Wilson arrested three times for drunk on streets: committed for 5 days but arrests on 9/15,
9/21, 9/22
Compiled by Joseph A. Carotenuti
2010
ATTACHMENT IV
SAN LUIS OBISPO
POLICE BOOK NOTES
RECORDERS LOG (JOURNAL): J. M. Joyce, Recorder to December 19, 1896; R. A. (Rockwell Addison?)
Loomis, Recorder from February 2, 1897 to end of volume
#2: R. A. Loomis, Recorder
Recorder Monthly Report: example 9/1910: date (11 sessions of court), name (59 defendants incl. “Two
Japanese), offense (all drunk except 7), judgment (drunk: 5 days), paid ( fines: $1 ‐ $20):
August 20‐31, 1910: 7 sessions, 14 cases, collected $23.
Record: preprinted “The People of the State Of California plaintiff vs ______________
2/1/1910: Stamp first used: “Complaint filed _____________19____ by _____________ charging
_________with misdemeanor in being drunk in a public place. Defendant appears, testimony taken and
defendant___” (additional two stamps used): 1. “sentenced to 5 days in the City Jail’ or 2.
“fined _____dollars”
fine: $5
10/11/1910: vagrancy charge: defendant “undesirable citizen” sentenced to 30 days in jail or leave
County “within 6 hours’
another sentenced to “bread and water” suspended if leaves town
one fine $1.
BY 5/4/42: BOTH MEN AND WOMEN; ATTNYS: ONCE ONLY 1 day in jail= $2: Police Log #19; sentences
for vagrancy: “90 day suspended; $15; $15 or 71/2 days cty jail; 30 days; “leave town”; fine w/ “time
given in which to pay’
Some pay part of fine…” balance suspended”; “leave the City for 6 months”
Example: 5/10: $25 PAID OVER TEN DAYS BUT ONLY $18 SHOWN IN LOG
5/11: SENTENCE: 50 DAY: SERVES 10 EQUALTO $20 AND PAYS REMAING $80: running acct kept
in log book
Drunk: fine $15
Drunk driving: 5/4/42: usually $100 (but also $50 or $150)
Illegal cab operation: 5/6/42
Petty theft: 5/28/42: $50/90 day suspended sentence
Reckless driving: $100
Drunkenness/disturbing the peace: 120 days: suspended “stay out of SLO for 1 year”
Cruelty to animals: 30 days suspended; animal to Poundmaster
April 4, 1910: $10 for exceeding speed limit of 10 mph
Jail Summary Reports (within Jail Register 1 & 2) (SEE SLOJX City Jail Notes)
(Summary form printed by Board of Charities and Corrections)
7/1/15‐6/30/16
93 men, 21 women, no boys/girls
Salary: $300
Board: $888.80
Misc. $50.
Improvements: $2070.
7/1/18‐6/30/19
429 men
1 woman
21 boys
0 girls
salary (of jailor) $128.
Board of prisoners: $391.12
Misc. $25.
TOTAL: $544.12
(signed) W F Cook
Chief of Police City of San Luis Obispo
Docket Book C: P A Forrester: last entry: 3/4/81
M. Henderson: 3/10/81: last entry: 3/3/82
C L Woods 3/6/82
Compiled by: Joseph A. Carotenuti
2010