This Day…

1836-William A. Slacum, official agent of President Jackson, helps settlers in Oregon to organize the Willamette Cattle Company, which raises money and sends Ewing Young to California to buy several hundred head of cattle. The object is to give the American missions economic independence from the Hudson’s Bay Company.

1892 – The Pecos Forest Reserve in New Mexico is created by Presidential order.

1832-A Rocky Mountain trapping and hunting expedition is led by Captain Bonneville. The expedition discovers oil east of the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming and becomes the subject of Washington Irving’s The Adventure of Captain Bonneville.

Outraged Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Sioux warriors launched a series of attacks all along the valley of the South Platte River in Colorado. The Indians strike at wagon trains, stage stations, and military outposts. The town of Julesburg, in northeast Colorado, is burned, and its white residents scalped in retaliation for the massacre at Sand Creek. Denver is threatened. Communications and supplies throughout the area are halted.

France and Spain declare war in Europe, with the immediate result that hostilities break out all along the border between French and Spanish spheres of interest in the New World.

1890-Sitting Bull has been arrested and killed by army troops at his lodge just south of the border between North and South Dakota. Alarmed federal officals had ordered the arrest of the Sioux cheif for encouraging what they call the ‘Ghost Dance Craze.’ Many Indians across the West, particular the Sioux, have been obsessed with this religious dance, which they believe will rid them of the white man, bring back the buffalo, and restore their old way of life. In response to the killing of Sitting Bull, and fearing for their own lives, hundreds of Sioux flee their reservations and Indian agencies in South Dakota.

2004-I spent the holiday with my brothers. It would be the last holiday would be all be together. My oldest brother was taken from me by a woman who was having an affair and looking for a way to get out of the marriage and her equally duplicitous daughter. I won’t be over this hurt until I know they’re barking in hell.

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. For several hours, the Mississippi River actually flows northwards, and Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee is created by the overflow. The greatest loss of life is on boats navigating the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, but, miraculously, the steamboat New Orleans survives.

1799-George Washington dies at Mount Vernon at age 67 after an illustrious career which began when, as a young surveyor, he explored and surveyed the Ohio Territory in 1752.

1901-Harvey Logan got into a fight in a poolhall 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.