Col. A.B. Hotchkiss and the Geary Act, 1883, 1905
Disputed Points Los Angeles Times Jul 4, 1893, p. 2 See Text
No Funds On Hand, Los Angeles Times, Sep 5, 1893, p. 4 See Text
Four in a Row Los Angeles Times, Sep. 7, 1893, p. 5, See Text
Highbinders Now Los Angeles Times, Sept. 13, 1893, p. 8. See Text
Railroads and Wharf. Santa Monica Coming to the Front in Good Style. A Most Encouraging Out look for the City by the Sea. The Terminal Company Have been Granted a Franchise. The Southern Pacific's Application Laid over for a Week to Arrange Minor Details-Miscellaneous. The Los Angeles Times, Sep. 9 1891, p. 2
Lawrence M. Kaplan Homer Lea: American Soldier of Fortune. The University Press of Kentucky: Lexington, Kentucky, 314 pp., 2010, 1912, 1905
[p. 75] The Imperial Reform Army (CIA)
The triumphs did not last long for K'ang Yu-wei and Lea. A few days later Richard Falkenberg brought on a storm of discontent and embarrassment to the reformers when he attempted to take command of all reform military training in America. Falkenberg's recent difficulties resulting from his recruiting practices had not dissuaded him from exercising his command prerogative. With reform cadet companies being successfully organized nationwide, he believed the time was ripe to assume command of Lea's CIA. He relied on the help of Dr. T'an Shu-pin and Mr. and Mrs. Albert B. Hotchkiss, Los Angeles society leaders and relatives of his wife, to help him.
[It should be noted here that Albert and Mary Hotchkiss bought and moved into what had been known as the Rose Mansion on Old Bunker Hill in 1903.]
. . .
"Falkenberg's scheme began taking shape when he arranged for Dr. T'an Shu-pin to visit Los Angeles and meet with K'ang Yu-wei, whom he had invited to be the guest of honor at a luncheon at the Hotchkiss home. Falkenberg did not plan to be present. The luncheon, given on March 22, was a ploy; Dr. T'an Shu-pin and Albert Hotchkiss, a prominent attorney with political and social connections, were to praise Falkenberg and arrange for his introduction to K'ang Yu-wei at a later gathering.
[p. 96] Meanwhile Falkenberg appeared in the San Francisco headquarters of the CIA announcing he was the Commander-in-chief of the reform army . . .
". . . On March 29, Lea and O'Banion read with disbelief a report in the Los Angeles Times that K'ang Yu-wei had apparently recognized Falkenberg as the reform army commander . . . Lea felt angry and betrayed as he read the details of a dinner given at the Hotchkiss home for K'ang Yu-wei and Falkenberg, during which K'ang Yu-wei upheld Liang Ch'i-ch'ao's commission [of Falkenberg].
[p. 97] The controversy had actually stemmed from an inaccurate paraphrase of K'ang Yu-wei's comments given by Albert Hotchkiss to the press. In reality, K'ang Yu-wei had never endorsed Falkenberg as Lea's replacement in command of the CIA . . .
Kong Cables To Find Out. "Chinese Imperial Reform Army" Too Puzzling. "Gen." Falkenberg Appoints Hotchkiss Brigadier. Ten Million Dollars for the Great Movement. The Los Angeles Times Mar. 31, 1905. p. 17
This is getting to be a dreadful affair about "Gen." Falkenberg, the commander-in-chief of the "Chinese imperial Reform Army."
It was announced yesterday that Col. A.B. Hotchkiss has been taken to his bed sick, as a result of the unkind aspersions cast upon his triumphant banquet to the rampant leader of this army.
"Gen." Falkenberg has received the onslaughts of his detractors in scornful silence, and created Hotchkiss a brigadier-general in the "reform army" just to show them.
A number of other brigadiers, colonels, majors and things to whom he has granted commissions in the Chinese reform army, became terribly alarmed yesterday at the horrible reports that their brave leader is a discredited star.
"Gen." Falkenberg received these inquiries by telephone, replied haughtily through his private secretary. He said that the reports were lies and he would yet burst forth triumphant over all his competitors.
Cables to Find Out
So agitated did the cadets of the Chinese military company become that they called in a body upon his Excellency Kong Yu Wei begging for the truth.
Mr. Kong received them graciously and talked with their leader, Capt. Chung.
He offered to send a cable to Leong Xai Chew, the Chinese reform celebrity through whom Falkenberg claims to hold the job of commander-in-chief over Lieut.-Gen. Parmentier, a Los Angeles architect and the Chinese imperial reform army.
This message was cabled, and the standing of Falkenberg depends upon the answer, which has not yet been received.
Mr. Kong expressed his polite inability to credit the idea that Falkenberg has been appointed commander-in-chief of the reform army. He stated to Capt. Chung that Leong Kai Chew told him all about the appointment of Gen. Lea, but he said nothing of Falkenberg, which, His Excellency thought was a little detail he would not have overlooked--a commander-in-chief.
He said he thought a commander-in-chief should be someone in China.
Capt. Chung begged of his Excellency a statement regarding the after dinner speech he was reported to have made at the Hotchkiss banquet, of which a report was made in writing by "Brig. -Gen." Hotchkiss of the "Chinese imperial reform army."
Staggering Offer
His Excellency told Capt. Chung that he made no references to the army the whole evening--didn't greet Falkenberg as commander-in-chief. He stated, however, that Falkenberg asked permission to lend him$10,000,000 for the use of the reform movement.
They were somewhat staggered by this offer. During the course of the evening "Gen." Falkenberg confidentially told Mr. Chan Yok Soon, the Chinese secretary of His Excellency, that he--Falkenberg--was president of the Standard Oil Company, and his dividends would come due about September. Capt. Chung says Chan Yok Soon related this in turn to him.
Capt. Chung says Falkenberg was recently "fired" from the command of the Chinese military company of San Francisco. Chung says that one night the "general" came around to drill his men and they shut the door upon him, telling he he was a damphool, and other harsh things.
Nothing daunted by this, Falkenberg rose by his own efforts and those of "Brigadier-General" A.B. Hotchkiss of the "Imperial reform army," to the rank of full general, a rank which but two or three Americans have ever had.
No Such Army, They Insist.
The Chinese of this city are firm in the statement that there is n such thing as the "Imperial reform army" other than these cadet companies scattered through the States, of which Gen. Lea is admitted by Falkenberg to be commander.
The Secretary of Mr. Kong says the same thing.
Capt. Chung says that Falkenberg wrote down here not long ago begging to be sent money on the ground that he had been put in prison by the United States government, but got no money.
Capt. O'Banion of the local military company states that he has seen an order issued by Gen. Falkenberg, in which he incloses some sort of a coupon to all the generals, and colonels and things he has appointed, asking them to return not less than $5, and as much more as they choose to send the money to be used to buy a medal for His Excellency, Kong Yu Wei, then abroad.
However, almost all heroes have gone through vicissitudes. The day may come, almost any day, when "Gen." Falkenberg may gather the faithful army of the reform, consisting of Lieut. -Gen. Parmentier and Brig. -Gen. A.B. Hotchkiss, and be positively rude to the usurping Dowager Empress.
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Col. Hotchkiss Dead. Los Angeles Times, April 2, 1905, p.16,
Col. Hotchkiss Dead. Lawyer and Well-known Character Succumbs to Stroke of Paralysis After a Brief Illness. The Los Angeles Times, April 2, 1905, p.16.
Col. A.B. Hotchkiss, lawyer, and a well-known character in Southern California, died yesterday afternoon at his house, Grand avenue and Fourth street. He had been ailing for some time, but was not taken seriously ill until last Wednesday morning, when he suffered a stroke of paralysis. A second stroke yesterday resulted in his death. His fatal illness was quite unexpected, following closely upon a reception Tuesday evening at his home to Kang Yu Wei of the Chinese reform party.
Col. Hotchkiss was 67 years old, a native of Pennsylvania, and had lived in Southern California twenty years. He had been a resident of Colton and San Diego, and was engaged for some years as attorney for the Southern Pacific. He was married a number of years ago to Mrs. Mary Mooney, a wealthy widow, who survives him. Funeral arrangements have not been arranged, but the services probably will be held at St. Vibiana's Cathedral.
Col. Hotchkiss Died Suddenly Passed Away in Los Angeles Following Second Stroke of Paralysis The Daily Outlook. Santa Monica, Southern California, Monday, Apr 3, 1905, p. l
Col. A.B. Hotchkiss, a well known character in Southern California and a former resident of Santa Monica, died Saturday afternoon at his home, Grand avenue and Fourth street, in Los Angeles. He had been ailing for some time, but was not taken seriously ill until Wednesday morning, when he suffered a stroke of paralysis. A second stroke Saturday resulted in his death. His fatal illness was quite unexpected, following closely upon a reception Tuesday evening in honor to Kang Yu Wei of the Chinese reform party.
Col. Hotchkiss was 67 years old, a native of Pennsylvania, and had lived in Southern California for twenty years. He had been a resident of Colton and San Diego, and was engaged for some years as attorney for the Southern Pacific. He was married a number of years ago to Mrs. Mary Mooney, a wealthy widow, who survives him and still owns property in Santa Monica. Funeral arrangements have not arranged, but this service will probably be held Tuesday at St. Vibiana's Cathedral.
While residents of Santa Monica they usually made their home in the Mooney Mansion, which was destroyed by fire two years ago.
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Hot Struggle at the Beach.Proposed Bonding of Santa Monica Casus Belli. Lie Passed in a Sizzling Mass Meeting. Ocean Park Takes a Hand. Election Today. The Los Angeles Times, Aug. 16, 1904. p. A1
Railroads and Wharf. Santa Monica Coming to the Front in Good Style. The Los Angeles Times, Sep. 9 1891, p. 2
The Railroads: Items of Interest From The Steel Highways . . . The Southern Pacific Bound to Go to San Diego . . . Los Angeles Times, Mar 31, 1887, p. 8
Time Line:
1848: A.B. Hotchkiss, b. PA
1885: A.B. Hotchkiss moves to CA, residing in Colton, San Diego, Santa Monica and Los Angeles. He
1898: Married Mrs. Mary Mooney, nee Mary Green
1903: Mooney Mansion, Santa Monica, destroyed in a fire, Dec. 31, 1903.
1905: Tues. March 28, 1905: A first stroke following a reception for Kang Yu Wei, Chinese Reform Party emissary, at the Hotchkiss Los Angeles residency, Grand Ave, and Fourth Street, the former Gold Mansion.
1905: Col. A.B. Hotchkiss, d. Los Angeles, CA, Second stroke, Saturday, April 1, 1905
Mausoleum For Col. Hotchkiss July 27, 1905 LA Journal; LA Times,
To the memory of the late Col. A.B. Hotchkiss, a mausoleum, which in grandeur and magnificence, will equal, if not exceed any of the costly tributes to the dead of Southern California, is to be erected in Rosedale cemetery by the widow, Mrs. Mary A. Hotchkiss.
The sculptor's design was accepted a few weeks ago, the contract for the material has been given and work is to be begun at once. The estimated cost is $22,000.
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(See 1905)
