This Day…

1895-The outlaw Little Bill Raidler, killed a townsman, Joe Seaborn, during a bank robbery by the Doolin Gang in Southwest City, Missousi.  The same shot hit Joe’s brother, Oscar.

1822-William Becknell leaves from Franklin, Missouri, on what will be his second trip to Santa Fe.  This time he takes 21 men and three wagons.  The expeditions peioneers the Cimarron Cutoff, a shorter but much more hazardous route than the better-watered ‘Mountain Route’ of the Santa Fe Trail.

1881-Texas Rangers Jeff Milton, J.M. Sedberry, and L.B. Wells heard shooting in the Nip and Tuck Saloon in Colorado City, TX.  A scuffle ensued with the troublemaker, W.P. Patterson, and gunplay erupted that resulted in the untimely demise of Mr. Patterson.

1883-Marshall Henry Brown had to shoot a fractious Pawnee named Spotted Horse for causing a disturbance in Morris’ grocery store in Caldwell, Kansas Spotted Horse lived two hours after being shot four times, once in the head.

1877-Frank Freeman and Charlie Bowdre were whooping it up in Lincoln, N.M.  Freeman got himself arrested for shooting a cavalryman in the head, but he escaped custody on his way to Fort Stanton.  This colorful affray had nothing to do with the bloody Lincoln County War that erupted in 1878.

1963-Hollywood manager Dick Baxter enter show business.  He represented many famous cowboy and cowgirl actors and actresses, but no on as beloved as Dale Evans.

1748-In the Ohio territory, the agents sent out from Pennsylvania, Croghan and Weiser, win a treaty with the Ohio River Valley Indians-an important first step to establishing a free flow of trade.

1758-Cherokee Indians raid throughout the frontier of Virginia; settlers retaliate.

1879-The U.S. Geological Survey is established by an act of Congress.  Clarence King is appointed its first director.

1872-Bank Cashier R.A.C. Martin was killed by the James Gang during the robbery of a bank in Columbia, Kentucky.  The robbers made off with booty of $600.