This Day…

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.

1878-McSween Regulators Frank McNab, Ab Sanders, and Frank Coe were ambushed by a Seven Rivers posse outside of Lincoln, New Mexico.  McNab was killed, Sanders was left to die, and Coe was taken into custody.

1922-The last Broadway stage appearance of the Great Lillian Russell.

1874-Jesse James married Zee Mimms and they had a passel of kids down in Tennessee.  Jesse became a devout Christian, but he was still a thief and a ruthless killer and had no intention of ever supporting his family in an honest fashion.

1915-President Wilson announced the selcetion of a route for the projected Alaska Railroad.  Government funds will pay for the railroad from Seward to Fairbanks via the Kenai Peninsula.  Construction is begun in 1915, using the well-worn equipment and rolling stock that has recently built the Panama Canal.  In the summer of 1923, President Harding will tour the completed railroad.

1856-The first bridge across the Mississippi is completed.  It extends from Davenport, Iowa to Rock Island, Illinois, and is open for railroad traffic.

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!