This Day…

1801-There is now a postal office in Natchez, Mississippi, the farthest one west to date.  There had been a post office in Memphis since 1800, but the route will not reach Detroit until 1806.

Catarino Garza, a Mexican outlaw and revolutionary, attempts to capture Fort Ringhold, in Texas; his attempt fails, but his forces continue to skirmish with US troops along the Rio Grande for several weeks, until Garza is forced by the weather to retreat south.

2013-It’s been ten years since I’ve been with my brother at Christmas.  I miss you Rick.  I’m still fighting for you.

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.