Cemetery Tales: Strange, Noyer buried a century ago

October 15, 2024

In October 1924, two men were buried in the cemeteries at San Quentin and Folsom.

In our third installment of this year’s Cemetery Tales, we take a closer look at two men who died a century ago in October 1924 at Folsom and San Quentin.

James Strange spent much of life in prison

In October 1924, James Strange passed away in the Folsom State Prison hospital. A career criminal, he spent most of his life incarcerated in jails and state prisons. When he passed away, he was buried in the prison cemetery.

His first brush with a state prison was the result of a fight over a woman.

“As the result of a dispute last night over the charms of Fannie Brenum, James Helm, a cook, lies in the hospital, his face and chest a mass of cuts,” reported the Oakland Enquirer, Feb. 12, 1913. “Meanwhile, James Strange, Cleff Jacobs, Ethel Lee, Herbert Lee and Brenum are all locked up in the city (jail) pending further investigation by police.”

Strange photos from 1913-1921

In 1913, James Strange, 26457 — Strange in 1913, 26457

James Strange in 1913 — Strange in 1913, 26457

According to officers, Strange attacked Helm with a knife, inflicting five-inch cuts on his face and left side of his chest, in addition to numerous smaller cuts. Strange and Helm were employed as Pullman car porters.

Convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, Strange was sentenced to 18 months at San Quentin.

He was received April 16, 1913, and given the number 26457. Strange was released from prison July 16, 1914.

Former porter pilfers lights from railcars

As electricity was starting to become more mainstream, the now-free Strange saw an entrepreneurial opportunity.

Recruiting a partner, Strange got into the lightbulb business. Unfortunately, those bulbs came from his former employer: the railroad.

“For several months, the Southern Pacific company has been losing electric light bulbs from the (railroad) cars,” according to the Oakland Enquirer, Nov. 10, 1916. “Police arrested James Powers and James Strange (caught in the act in Alameda). Strange confessed they had been enjoying a profitable business removing the company’s bulbs and selling them.”

Once again, Strange made the trip to San Quentin, this time to serve a three-year sentence. His new number was 30165, given to him Dec. 21, 1916. After serving his time, he was discharged April 21, 1919.

He served 90 days in the Alameda County Jail as well, according to prison records.

Jewelry store hold-up

A few years later, Strange and two other men held up a jewelry store in Oakland in August 1921. Investigators tracked down Strange and his accomplices, arresting them the following month.

Strange ended up back in prison on a burglary charge. He was received at San Quentin Dec. 7, 1921, and transferred to Folsom Prison Dec. 13, 1921, given the number 11986. Strange remained at Folsom Prison, eventually passing away in the prison hospital in October 1924.

Noyer: Chico burglar was man of many names

When a man was caught after burglarizing a home in Chico, authorities weren’t quite sure who they had in their custody. He went by many names as indicated in newspaper accounts and prison records. He’s listed as Albert or Alfred Noyer as well as Oliver Noyes. The 40-year-old burglar also went by Walter Wade and Walter Williams, among other aliases.

San Quentin Cemetery Tales with mugshot of A. Noyer, 38493. — A. Noyer, 38493

“A man giving the name of Oliver Noyer is lodged in the city jail on a charge of robbery following his arrest early this afternoon by (new) Police Chief Charles Tovee and a traffic officer. Noyer has confessed to robbing the home (and taking) $66.60 from a bureau drawer,” according to the Chico Enterprise, Oct. 6, 1923. “Noyer entered the home by the rear door while (the homeowner) was talking to the gardener in the front yard.”

The homeowner spotted Noyer when she went into the backyard.

“Noyer (was) coming down the steps (and) to allay suspicion, he asked for food. As soon as she went into the house, she discovered her loss and telephoned police headquarters. (Police) apprehended Noyer within two blocks.”

He was questioned, arrested and confessed to swiping the money.

“Noyer was relieved of the stolen money found on his person,” according to the newspaper.

“Investigators (found) he had been (previously) sentenced twice on similar charges,” reported the Chico Enterprise, Oct. 18, 1923.

His previous convictions and prison terms were in Washington state.

Noyer was received at San Quentin Oct. 20, 1923, from Butte County and given the number 38493. Sentenced to serve up to five years, he only lasted a year. Noyer passed away Oct. 11, 1924, and was then buried in the San Quentin Cemetery.