Fremont Older
Encyclopedia
Fremont Older was a newspaperman and editor in San Francisco, California
for nearly fifty years. He is best known for his campaigns against civic corruption and efforts on behalf of Tom Mooney
and Warren Billings, wrongly convicted of the Preparedness Day bombing
of 1916.
Born in a log cabin
in Wisconsin
, Older began his working life at age twelve as an apprentice printer, he claimed, after reading the story of Horace Greeley
. He worked in Virginia City
, Nevada
, on the Enterprise, then moved on to the Redwood City Journal, later writing for the Alta California
.
In 1895, Older became managing editor of the San Francisco Bulletin (later merged with the San Francisco Call in 1929), and gained notoriety when he took on the Boss Abe Ruef
machine in San Francisco, during the mayoralty of Eugene Schmitz
, which led to the corruption trials during the rebuilding of San Francisco following the 1906 Earthquake and fire.
At one point, Older was kidnapped and threatened with murder by persons unknown, but said to be working for the grafters. In his later years at the Bulletin, Older was offended by the owner's rewriting of his editorials and refusal to commit to a lifelong appointment, so after twenty-three years of service, he resigned in 1918 and went to William Randolph Hearst
's paper, the San Francisco Call
. Along with talented staff, he brought the Mooney case and numerous other stories that the Bulletin owner had refused to carry, including the Fair will case involving a state Supreme court justice and a bribe amounting to $
400,000.
Older originally believed Mooney was guilty, but changed his mind and spent twenty years working for the release of Mooney and Billings, although it was reported that he disliked Mooney, thinking him worthy of jail for real crimes, but not for the bombing at Steuart and Market for which he was jailed. For his efforts, Older was called a Communist, a Wobblie, a syndicalist and traitor, but Hearst backed him. Older died a few years before Mooney was pardoned by California Governor Culbert Olson
in 1939.
Older was also an early defender of prostitutes
, having published a story at the Bulletin in 1917 entitled "A Voice from the Underworld, by Alice Smith." The article also increased the circulation of the Bulletin.
Older was a long time friend and correspondent with Clarence Darrow
and was known as a friend to the poor. He regularly tried to reform drunkards and criminals with mixed success. After twenty years of attempting to help such persons, Older said, "I'm sorry, but I must admit that of the scores I have helped, all but one or two have failed me."
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
for nearly fifty years. He is best known for his campaigns against civic corruption and efforts on behalf of Tom Mooney
Thomas Mooney
Thomas Joseph "Tom" Mooney was an American political activist and labor leader, who was convicted with Warren K. Billings of the San Francisco Preparedness Day Bombing of 1916...
and Warren Billings, wrongly convicted of the Preparedness Day bombing
Preparedness Day bombing
The Preparedness Day Bombing was a bombing in San Francisco, California on July 22, 1916, when the city held a parade in honor of Preparedness Day, in anticipation of the United States' imminent entry into World War I. During the parade a suitcase bomb was detonated, killing ten and wounding...
of 1916.
Born in a log cabin
Log cabin
A log cabin is a house built from logs. It is a fairly simple type of log house. A distinction should be drawn between the traditional meanings of "log cabin" and "log house." Historically most "Log cabins" were a simple one- or 1½-story structures, somewhat impermanent, and less finished or less...
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, Older began his working life at age twelve as an apprentice printer, he claimed, after reading the story of Horace Greeley
Horace Greeley
Horace Greeley was an American newspaper editor, a founder of the Liberal Republican Party, a reformer, a politician, and an outspoken opponent of slavery...
. He worked in Virginia City
Virginia City
Virginia City is a city located in Storey County, Nevada.Virginia City may also refer to:* Virginia City, Montana* Virginia City, Nevada* Virginia City, Virginia* Virginia City , a 1940 film starring Errol Flynn...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, on the Enterprise, then moved on to the Redwood City Journal, later writing for the Alta California
Alta California
Alta California was a province and territory in the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later a territory and department in independent Mexico. The territory was created in 1769 out of the northern part of the former province of Las Californias, and consisted of the modern American states of California,...
.
In 1895, Older became managing editor of the San Francisco Bulletin (later merged with the San Francisco Call in 1929), and gained notoriety when he took on the Boss Abe Ruef
Abe Ruef
Abraham Rueff , known as Abe Ruef, was an American lawyer and politician...
machine in San Francisco, during the mayoralty of Eugene Schmitz
Eugene Schmitz
Eugene Edward Schmitz was an American politician and the 26th mayor of San Francisco, who became notorious for his conviction by a jury on charges of corruption.-Life and career:...
, which led to the corruption trials during the rebuilding of San Francisco following the 1906 Earthquake and fire.
At one point, Older was kidnapped and threatened with murder by persons unknown, but said to be working for the grafters. In his later years at the Bulletin, Older was offended by the owner's rewriting of his editorials and refusal to commit to a lifelong appointment, so after twenty-three years of service, he resigned in 1918 and went to William Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst was an American business magnate and leading newspaper publisher. Hearst entered the publishing business in 1887, after taking control of The San Francisco Examiner from his father...
's paper, the San Francisco Call
San Francisco Call
The San Francisco Call was a newspaper that served San Francisco, California. Because of a succession of mergers with other newspapers, the paper variously came to be called The San Francisco Call & Post, the San Francisco Call-Bulletin, San Francisco News-Call Bulletin, and the News-Call Bulletin...
. Along with talented staff, he brought the Mooney case and numerous other stories that the Bulletin owner had refused to carry, including the Fair will case involving a state Supreme court justice and a bribe amounting to $
Dollar
The dollar is the name of the official currency of many countries, including Australia, Belize, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States.-Etymology:...
400,000.
Older originally believed Mooney was guilty, but changed his mind and spent twenty years working for the release of Mooney and Billings, although it was reported that he disliked Mooney, thinking him worthy of jail for real crimes, but not for the bombing at Steuart and Market for which he was jailed. For his efforts, Older was called a Communist, a Wobblie, a syndicalist and traitor, but Hearst backed him. Older died a few years before Mooney was pardoned by California Governor Culbert Olson
Culbert Olson
Culbert Levy Olson was an American lawyer and politician. A Democrat, Olson was involved in Utah and California politics and was elected as the 29th Governor of California from 1939 to 1943.-Personal background:...
in 1939.
Older was also an early defender of prostitutes
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, having published a story at the Bulletin in 1917 entitled "A Voice from the Underworld, by Alice Smith." The article also increased the circulation of the Bulletin.
Older was a long time friend and correspondent with Clarence Darrow
Clarence Darrow
Clarence Seward Darrow was an American lawyer and leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union, best known for defending teenage thrill killers Leopold and Loeb in their trial for murdering 14-year-old Robert "Bobby" Franks and defending John T...
and was known as a friend to the poor. He regularly tried to reform drunkards and criminals with mixed success. After twenty years of attempting to help such persons, Older said, "I'm sorry, but I must admit that of the scores I have helped, all but one or two have failed me."
Legacy
- The World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Liberty shipLiberty shipLiberty ships were cargo ships built in the United States during World War II. Though British in conception, they were adapted by the U.S. as they were cheap and quick to build, and came to symbolize U.S. wartime industrial output. Based on vessels ordered by Britain to replace ships torpedoed by...
, the S.S. Fremont Older, was named for Older. - The Fremont Older Open Space PreserveFremont Older Open Space PreserveFremont Older Open Space Preserve is a regional park located in Santa Clara County, California and operated by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. The preserve contains 14.7 miles of hiking trails, nearly all open to equestrians and bicycles...
is also named for Older. - The Fremont Older Elementary School, Cupertino, CaliforniaCupertino, CaliforniaCupertino is an affluent suburban city in Santa Clara County, California in the U.S., directly west of San Jose on the western edge of the Santa Clara Valley with portions extending into the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The population was 58,302 at the time of the 2010 census. Forbes...
is also named for Older.
Resources
- Gaudy Century, the story of San Francisco's hundred years of robust journalism - John Bruce - Random HouseRandom HouseRandom House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
N.Y. 1948 - My Own Story - Fremont Older - MacmillanMacmillan Publishers (United States)Macmillan Publishers USA, also known as Macmillan Publishing, is a privately held American publishing company owned by the Georg von Holtzbrinck Publishing Group. It has offices in 41 countries worldwide and operates in more than 30 others....
N. Y. 1926. Focuses on the San Francisco newspaper and political scene 1895-1917, rather than on Older's biography.
External links
- Short radio episode Mercy, from My Own Story, 1919. California Legacy ProjectCalifornia Legacy ProjectThe California Legacy Project began in 2000 as a project at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA and later partnered with Heyday Books in Berkeley, CA. The project uses a research team of SCU interns to create radio scripts for the radio anthology "Your California Legacy" on KAZU 90.3 FM,...
. - Biography of Fremont Older
- Guide to the Fremont Older Papers at The Bancroft Library