This Day…

1901 – In Utah, Joseph Fielding Smith is elected president of the Mormons.  The Wyoming state legislature passes an anti-gambling law that will become effective in 1902.

1850-The Illinois Central Railroad is chartered with a grant of 2.7 million acres of land from Cairo to Galena, by Governor August C. French.

1845-The House passes a bill to establish a government for Oregon with a northern border of 54 degrees 40′.  The Senate refuses to consider the bill because it would prohibit slavery.

Thousands of Oklahomans illegally occupy sections of the so-called Cherokee Strip, land set aside for Indians, after a rumor circulates that the area is open for settlement.

1890-Heck Thomas tried to arrest Jim July, a robber and bail skipper.  July resisted arrest and was killed in the ensuing gunplay.

1903 – Democrat and Silverite John Sparks become governor.  Sparks will be involved in the Goldfield, Nevada, mining strike in 1907-08.

1893-The Outlaw Bitter Creek George Newcomb, and two others were jumped by a posse near Bartlesville, OK. one of the outlaws was wounded and captured but Bitter Creek and Henry Starr both got away.

1847 – Confusion over orders leads to a conflict about setting up the civil government of California: both Stockton and Kearny think they should be responsible.  Fremont is appointed governor by Stockton, who relieves Kearny of all command except for his own dragoons.  Kearny warns Fremont that he is guilty of disobedience to a superior officer.

1844 – Babbitt’s Best Soap, the first soap powder, becomes nationally known.  It’s inventor, appropriately, is Benjamin T. Babbitt.

1856 – The Western Union Telegraph Company is formed to take advantage of the increasing system of telegraph wires across the country.