During our recent quest to discover information about Edwin’s involvement with the Los Angeles Breakfast Club, we came upon a story within the story. In a news article from Wednesday, March 30, 1927, Los Angeles Breakfast Club founder, Maurice DeMond, hatched up a plan to sell a more exclusive level of membership with a diamond studded gold card for $750 each. In today’s dollars, that would be around $3000. Inclusive of the price for the card comes a placard for your car which reads, “Deputy State Fire Marshall.” Some members received an actual siren used by the fire departments and a Deputy Sheriff badge. All this, to thwart driving laws and speed through “traffic” in Los Angeles in the 1920’s. Imagine using this scheme today.
Edwin’s name appears prominently in various news articles about “The Brigade.” It is also a rare notation to see his name printed with the letter J. in reference to his original birth name Jay John Fox. From one of the articles, Edwin is noted alongside Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Jack Dempsey, as members of the posse.
The Sheriff’s badge given to Edwin, was issued by Sheriff W.E. Traeger in 1927. It would appear that quite a scheme was put together by Maurice, Edwin and his pals of the time. The “Badge Brigade” attracted enough attention that California Attorney General, U.S. Webb issued an opinion about the matter and to effectively quash the entire scheme.
