Bakersfield's Curfew Bell, 1891-1988 - Gilbertgia.com

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East of Bakersfield at Kern City unsupervised juveniles were also problems. 3 The Daily Californian wrote in 1892, “Our little sister talks incorporation and means it, but it is well to note that the tendency of Kern city [sic] toward incorporation has been brought about by the efforts of aggressive and enterprising businessman: men of affairs who look forward to a still more successful future. We are not too old to learn from our neighbor, nor should be be so foolishly proud as not to follow her example. ... The evil that flaunts by day in certain quarters, for the good name and fair fame of this town, to say nothing of the unspoken demands of pure womanhood, should be made to duck its head and keep quiet. If a curfew bell could be rung, after which boys verging toward manhood would be compelled to be and stay at home, not only the better for them and the hearts of their mothers, but far safer for some other’s daughters.” 4 Neither Bakersfield nor Kern City established a curfew bell. A few months later the Californian wrote, “Visalia now rings a curfew bell at 9 o’clock each evening at which four boys under 18 years of age are supposed to retire to their homes. Such an ordinance might be adopted in other towns with good results.” 5 Most local newspapers supported moral reform, and those policies were perpetuated when they were sold. The case of Mr. Alfred Harrell is an example. In 1884 he was at Poso where he was the teacher at Shamrock School. When the school was about to close for summer, A.C. Maude, publisher and proprietor of the Kern County Californian, reported, “Mr. Harrell will leave this week for Tombstone, 3 Kern City is now East Bakersfield 4 Daily Californian, Nov 18, 1892. “The evil that flaunts by day” was the Tenderloin district. Kern City incorporated Dec 12, 1893, but Bakersfield did not until 1898. 5 The Californian, May 20, 1893 Bakersfield’s Curfew Bell, www.gilbertgia.com 2
Arizona, where he has a sister living. He will probably return in May. Although a young man, we believe Kern county [sic] can boast of no better teacher. He sets for his school the example of good morals and industry, and we predict for him success wherever he may go.” 6 Young, energetic Alfred Harrell also served on the Kern County Board of Education. In 1886 the Democratic Party formally nominated him to the board of Kern County Superintendent of Schools, to which he was elected. 7 In 1889 Harrell got his first taste of the newspaper business when he was stand-in editor of the Kern County Gazette. In the late 1890s when Kern County High School principal E.F. Goodyear abruptly resigned to return to the classroom, the Board appointed its secretary, Alfred Harrell, as temporary high school principal. 8 In 1897, 34 year-old Harrell bought the Daily Californian, and although he was no longer in the field of education, his support for it continued for the rest of his life. 9 Shortly after buying the newspaper he reprinted the following letter, which he lifted from from the Morning Echo. “Notise” “With the kind permishun of the Californian, I wish to call the attenshun of everybody to a grate injustus that is to be did to the boys of Bakersfield. It is a tereany to be known as the kerfew bel. When this bel wrings at 8 oclock every boy and girl 6 Kern County Californian, Apr 4, 1885 7 The Californian, Mar 5, 1895. Kern County Californian, Jun 13, 1885. Kern County Californian, Aug 28, 1886, “Bakersfield, Cal., Aug 22, 1886. One of the most interesting and enthusiastic Democratic County Conventions held in the found for many years was the order of the day yesterday. ... Alfred Harrell was the choice for School Superintendent.” Harrell served as County Superintendent of school and Secretary of the High School Board of Trustees from 1893 to 1899. 8 One of Those Exceptions (Bakersfield Echo), Daily Californian, Oct 19, 1898. After Harrell became interim principal, Goodyear resigned from the district. In the adjacent column, D.W. Nelson refuted the Echo’s accusation that Harrell precipitated Goodyear’s resignation. 9 Pioneer Journalist, Students’ Friend Dies, Bakersfield Californian, Dec 12, 1946 Bakersfield’s Curfew Bell, www.gilbertgia.com 3
Page 1: Historic Bakersfield & Kern County,
Page 5 and 6: Background to the letter: In 1897 D
Page 7 and 8: Although a curfew had been proposed
Page 9 and 10: youthful ‘rounders’ will have t
Page 11 and 12: The DA’s storming might have been
Page 13: 1918 approved of the chief’s curf

Bakersfield's Curfew Bell, 1891-1988 - Gilbertgia.com

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