R. Beers Loos

Who was R. Beers Loos?

Richard Beers Loos, was an American journalist and newspaper publisher. Loos was the father of Anita Loos, a famous American playwright and author who wrote, among other titles, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Loos most often used the shortened form of his name for official work: R. Beers Loos. Anita Loos was born to Richard Beers Loos and Minnie Ellen Smith while the family lived near Sisson, California. At that time, Loos owned a local newspaper called the Sisson Mascot.

Most accounts indicate that Loos moved from Sisson to San Francisco in 1892. Loos whereabouts on December 5 that year are exactly known, witnessed by primary sources. On that date, Loos penned a letter in response to then Governor of California, H. H. Markham, to present facts and opinion regarding a local murder case. Markham had evidently solicited information from Loos after receiving letters both in favor of and against the pardon of the inmate charged with the crime, Frank Cochran, who was being held at San Quentin prison. The date line of the letter reads "Sisson" and end of the letter reads "Sisson Mascot," seemingly indicating he still had an interest in the Northern California newspaper as of late 1892.