Luella got into some trouble with an ex-con who she was employed with.
Inmate #54080 San Quentin prison
Rec: 26 Apr 1933
Crime: Kidnapping For Purposes of Extortion
Term: 10-Life
She lied about her age several times and where she was born.
Here are some newspaper articles describing the kidnapping of a wife of the Dean to University of Southern California where Luella went from 1927-1929 and got her B.S. in Music.
Here's a few links for more reading:
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29770253/luella_pearl_hammer/
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29770192/luella_pearl_hammer/
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29769923/luella_pearl_hammer
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29770715/parolees_sarah_northcott_chicken_murder/
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29770750/luella_pearl_hammer/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29770821/luella_pearl_hammer/
She came up for parole in 1936
Then again in 1937, it never tells you when she was released. She was in the Mendocino State Hospital for most of the time she was incarcerated. I couldn't get those records online Ancestry only has then from 1856-1923.
Here is her colorful partner in crime:
His Alias was W. P. Howard and Frank Howard
AKA: Earl Howard Van Dorn Born 1891 in Missouri or Kansas as he too stated different places. He also lied about his middle name.
Real Name: Earl Hardy Van Dorn born 8 Nov 1890 in White Cloud, KS No idea who his parent were but I found his U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 and it stated he was in Folsom Prison, that's how I found his real name and birth information.
Inmate #18451 Folsom Prison
Rec: 19 Apr 1933
Crime: Kidnapping for Purposes of Extortion
Term: 10-Life
Age: 42
He had a previous conviction in 1931 so i looked that up.
Inmate #48152 San Quentin Prison
Rec: 22 Feb 1931
Crime: forgery
Term: 1-14
Paroled: 19 May 1931
Discharged from Parole: 22 June 1932
He was still in folsom on the 1940 census but was out by 1946 living in Stockton, CA. He died 8 May 1973 in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Luella died 14 May 1990 in Ukiah, Ca I believe she may have died in the State Hospital that's where it's located.
I did find a page from the Pasadena High School Yearbook for 1922, showing a photo of Luella.
I also found a photo of Luella's mother that BJ Voght originally shared on Ancestry.
 |
| Emma K Kiesling Luella had the following siblings Frances Hammer 1880-1924 Hilda Hammer 1882-1977 Willie Henry Hammer 1890-1890 Esther May Hammer 1901-1988 I hope she had some joy in her life and her families support and love. This is a sad story. |
Hello! Thanks for this. One note: the Mendocino State Hospital Closed in 1972, so she would not have died there. She must have stayed in Ukiah nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, I appreciate your information, and reading my blog. Thank you so very much.
ReplyDelete