This Day…

1934-Nebraska-The legislature adopts a unicameral nonpartisan form of government, ending 20 years of discussion, in an attempt to eliminate the delays and deadlocks of a two-house body. The new system is more economical in that fewer members are elected after redistricing, but it also does away with checks and balances, making the body more susceptible to outside influence. This experiment makes the state a focus of political scientists

1829-Thirty-one men leave the Mexican village of Abiquiu to pioneer a trade route to Southern California. They are led by Antonio Armijo, who will become the last Mexican territorial governor of New Mexico.

1916-A large group of deputized policemen carrying rifles fires on some 250 International Workers of the World supporters coming off a chartered steamboat in Everett, Washington. The Workers are protesting the treatment of their fellows who were forced to run a gauntlet as they left Everett.

Clay Allison was discussing his role in the lynching of Cruz Vega two days previously with Pancho Griego, a friend of Vega’s, at a table in Lambert’s Saloon in Cimarron, New Mexico. With his usual aplomb in such affairs Allison pulled his gun and fired three shots into Griego killing him.

1875-Clay Allison led another lynch mob in Cimarron that strung up accused murderer Cruz Vega. The mob then shot vega in the back and Allison tied the lynch rope around the saddle horn and dragged the corpse over rocks and through brush. Vega was probably innocent of the murder he was accused of. Ain’t the always the way.

1881-In the famed Gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, AZ. the Earps and Doc Holliday killed Frank and Tom McLaury and Billy Clanton. Ike Clanton and Billy Claiborne were both unarmed and wisely scampered to safety. Tom McLaury was unarmed too. But he didn’t scamper fast enough.

1842-Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones, commanding a fleet of the US Navy in the Pacific Ocean, seizes Montery, the capital of the Mexican Provice of California, when he hears that the United States and Mexico are at war. Cateby Jones had feared that the British would take advantage of the hostilities to seize California. He returns to the post the following day when he learns of his mistake. Apologies reparations are made to Mexico by President Tyler.

1867-Four boisterous cowboys in Laramie, Wyoming decided to roust some immigrants from Illinois. The immigrants were not intimated though and a fearful brawl erupted. Deputy Marchal Big Steve Long commanded a halt to the proceedings which was ignored, of course. He then pulled both 44’s and fired into the pugilists. Five of them were killed, three from Illinois and two of the cowboys.

1884-The toll bridge over the Arkansas River in Dodge City, Kansas – City Marshall Bill Tilghman emptied his revolver and started up with his Winchester in order to encourage some rowdy cowboys to return to their camp. They stood their ground and fired a few shots in return but nobody was hit. It was all in good fun.

1783-A Congressional committee issues a report on the status of the Indians, and urges a meeting between the Indians and the new government; this does not happen.