This Day…

1753-The Governor of French Canada, Marquis Duquesne de Menneville, orders the erection of a series of forts to strengthen the French position in the Ohio territory.  Fort Preque Isle (at present-day Erie), Fort Le Bouef (by portage point on French Creek) and Fort Venango (at the confluence of French Creek and the Allegheny) are built at once.

1808-John Jacob Astor incorporates the American Fur Company: he is the only stockholder.

1894-The bitter rivalry between Bud Frazer and his former deputy, Killin’ Jim Miller, boiled over in Pecos, Texas.  Miller got off a shot that wounded a spectactor and Frazer emptied his six shooter into Killin’ Jim’s Chest and walked away from the fight, but Miller survived that shooting by wearing a heavy steel plate under his coat.  Hey, I think I saw this movie!

1882-Nate Champion and Nick Ray were murdered by a hundred or so minions of the Wyoming Stockmens Association at the Kaycee Ranch in Johnson County, Wyoming.  Ray was gunned down at daybreak outside the cabin and heroically pulled to safety by Champion.  Ray soon expired and champion was put under siege inside the cabin.  When the cabin was set afire Champion made a break for it and was shot 28 times.  He left a detailed diary of events up to the fire.

1867-General William T Sherman has devised a plan to drive all of the Plains Indians either north of the Platte or south of the Arkansas River, leaving a broad belt of territory for the transcontinental railroad and the Kansas Pacific Railroad.  General Winfield Scott Hancock leads a large cavalry and infantry force across western Kansas.  At Pawnee Fork, his troops capture and burn a Cheyenne village of 250 lodges.  The Indians, fearing another massacre like the one at Sand Creek in 1864, flee before the advancing troops.  In retaliation the Indians halt almost all travel across western Kansas.  Surveying parties for the Kansas Pacific Railroad come under attack, and progress on that line is halted for over a month.

1847-General Scott leaves Vera Cruz and is stopped at Cerro Gordo by Santa Anna’s men on 9 April.  During the battle of 17 April.  US Engineer officers Captains Robert E. Lee and George B. McClellan provide distinguished reconnaissance.  By 15 May, Scott and his victorious army within 80 miles of Mexico City.

1882-Bob Ford killed Jesse James with a gunshot to the back of the head.  Right afterwards he scampered down to the telegraph office to claim the reward offered by Governor Crittenden.

2004-My brother was taken from me.  I will do everything in my power to bring the cowards to justice.

1901-Harvey Logan constantly on the lam for his numerous misdeeds got into a heated argument with Oliver Thornton in Paint Rock, Texas.  Thornton was quickly dispatched with fatal gunshots.

1862-In Colorado Territory an encounter between Southern cavalrymen and Union forces near Denver City results in the capture of 50 Confederates.