This Day…

1811-The largest earthquake in American history occurs, with its center at New Madrid, Missouri.  Tremors are felt over 300,000 square miles.  The ground sinks or rises by as much as 5-25 feet within a 30,000-square-mile area.

1901-Harvey Logan got into a fight in a pool hall in Knoxville, TN.  He pistol whipped his opponent and shot three policemen and was wounded himself before leaving town.  He got thirty miles before being captured by more cops and some hounds.

1869-The legislature of the Territory of Wyoming grants the right to vote and hold office to women over 21 years of age, the first state or territory in the nation to do so.

1906-Abraham Ruef, a lawyer who has effectively dominated the city of San Francisco through Mayor Eugene Schmitz since 1901, is arraigned with Schmitz on extortion charges.  Schmitz and Ruef will be found guilty.  Neither man will be required to serve his full sentence.

1843 – Representatives of the British and French Government sign a joint declaration in London recognizing the independence of Hawaii and agreeing never to try to take possession of the islands.  Although the United States did not go beyond Secretary of State Webster’s letter of December 1842, this serves as official recognition: the first commissioner representing the U.S. Government will soon arrive in Hawaii.

1821 – William Becknell and his trading group arrive at Santa Fe, where they do a brisk trade with the Mexicans.  By mapping their route, they define what will be the Santa Fe Trail.  When they return to Franklin, Missouri, with their new-found riches, the trail will become well traveled.

1832 – The first Asiatic cholera epidemic occurs in the United States.  It appears in New Orleans, where 6,000 people perish in this two-week period.

1805-Alexander Baranof, the governor of Russian Alaska, sends the ship Juno to set up a post at the mouth of the Columbia River.  The attempt is frustrated by storms, and the ship take refuge in San Francisco Bay, thereby missing a possible encounter with the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

1889-Daily railroad service to the Pacific Coast is inaugurated by the Union Pacific railroad between Chicago and Portland, Oregon, and between Chicago and San Francisco.  The Far West is increasingly accessible.

Nine days away from the launch of the new website!