Week 12: March 19 thru 25th

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Working links are Red, other references, use Navigation Panel choices.
Names in bold will be found in Players; bolded Titles in References.

3/19 of… 1836

Battle of Coleto Creek, TX. Troops under the command of Col. James Fannin surrender after a desperate battle with Mexican Cavalry.  {001}
see also:
References – Dictionary – Runaway Scrape, The
Wk. 10, 03/06/1836 – The fall of The Alamo
Wk. 13, 03/27/1836 – Goliad Massacre
Wk. 16, 04/21/1836 – Battle of San Jacinto

1839

Rachael Plummer, age 20, died in Houston, TX. Her health destroyed and her once red hair turned grey, she lived barely a year after her release from a two year captivity by the Comanche.  {001}
see:
Wk. 20, 05/20/1836 – Fort Parker Massacre
Wk. 25, 06/19/1837 – Rachael Plummer

1840

San Antonio, TX — The Council House Fight. Comanche leaders come to parley under a white flag. They return one hostage, but the young girl,  Matilda Lockhart, has been mutilated (her nose burned off). The whites then attempt to arrest and hold the Indian delegation, seeking the return of white prisoners held by Indian bands not represented at the conference. The situation deteriorates into a massacre. A dozen chiefs are killed at the council house, along with 35 warriors and several women and children — killed in the city streets and across the river. The Indians feel that a truce has been betrayed; the bad blood and killing will go on for years.   {001}

1848

Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp+5 born in Monmouth, IL. Pimp, gambler, gunfighter, lawman.  {001}

1850

Henry Wells and William Fargo*  found the American Express Company with Wells as president (1850-68), and Fargo and John Butterfield on the board. This is a consolidation of several ventures: Livingston, Fargo & Company; Wells, Butterfield & Company; and Wells & Company—A gathering of the coming giants in western transportation before the railroads.  {001}
see also:
*Wk 11, 10/18/1850 – photos
PLAYERS – Timelines Index – Timelines M – Z Index – Wells Fargo Timeline

1854

The name Republican was first applied to a burgeoning movement made up of anti-slavery former Whigs, immigrants, and abolitionists in a small schoolhouse in Ripon, Wisconsin. Anti-Nebraska gatherings were called to voice opposition to Steven Douglas’ Kansas/Nebraska Act* which wiped out the earlier Missouri Compromise of 1850.** Where the compromise assured the containment of slavery in the south and made the western territories free states (except Missouri) the new act would allow the settlers to choose their own path by a vote. Recent migrants were to be denied suffrage. Wisconsin was teeming with recent immigrants concerned for their rights. Most northern Whigs were pro-industry, pro-education, pro-modernization, and ambivalent about slavery, but when they seized on the popularity of the slavery issue they outgrew the old party, and the Republican Party was conceived.  Cartoon U.S. PD 1874 Thomas Nast, the first time for the elephant!  {003 & 001}
see:
*Wk. 22, 05/30/1854 – Kansas-Nebraska Act
**Wk. 36, 09/04/1850 – Compromise of 1850

1864

Charles M. Russell born in St. Louis, MO. Major western artist.  {001}

1875

The hanging of California badman Tiburcio Vasquez, age 39, in San Francisco, CA. Horse thief, cattle rustler, store robber and road agent. He served prison time at San Quentin and others. He always claimed that discrimination led him to his life of crime. He is revered by many in California to this day and has numerous locations named for him. A principal in the Roach-Belcher feud in Monterey County. Photo: Us PD 1870’s, unknown, Santa Cruz Public Library.  {001}
see also:
Quotes Index – Gunfighter Quotes – Tiburcio Vasquez
Quotes Index – Rules to Live By – The Last Word – Tiburcio Vasquez

1882

Tuscon, AZ Territory: The three men accused of killing Jim Leavy were represented in court by noted lawyer Tom Fitch, who had previously represented Wyatt Earp +2 during the preliminary hearing after he killed several outlaw Cowboys during his “Pestiferous Posse*” +2 vendetta. A short time afterwards, all three co-defendants escaped from the Pima County Jail but were later recaptured. John Murphy and his friend Gibson were found in Fenner, CA living under assumed names. Retried for the murder, they were found not guilty. William Moyer was discovered in Denver, CO, retried and sentenced to life in Yuma Territorial Prison (pardoned in 1888).
Murphy lived his life as a gambler in southern Arizona and is buried in Tucson. Gibson continued to work in mining and prospecting and died in Prescott, AZ  Moyer,  worked ocasionally as a hired gun. He was involved in the Johnnie Mine Fight in Nevada (1895), last seen in Alaska around the turn of the twentieth century.  {001}
see:
Wk. 10,
*03/24/1882 – Pestiferous Posse – below

1894

Jasper Joseph Inman Kane born in San Diego, CA. Film director, editor, screenwriter, actor.  {001}

1895

William “Bill” Cruzan is convicted of grand larceny and sent to prison. A Texan, Cruzan was acknowledged as the best horse thief in the Wild Bunch.  {001}

3/20 of… 1767

Toussaint Charbonneau born in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada. A community with strong links to exploration and the fur trade. He will become the husband of famed explorer Sacajawea.  (001)
see also:
References – Dictionary – Mountain Man, Rendezvous, etc.
The Originals Index – Expeditions – The Fur Trade
The Originals Index – Trade in the Old West – Commerce in the Old West – The Fur Trade

1821

Edward Zane Carroll Judson, “Ned Buntline” born in (Harpersfield ?) Stamford, Delaware County, NY. Western writer.  {001}

1830

Born in Hamburg, NY, is Eugene Asa Carr. U.S. Army general.  {001}

1847

George W. “Hoodoo” Brown (Hyman J. Neill) born in Newton County, MO. Con man, judge.  {001}

1852

First Publication of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s, Uncle Tom’s Cabin or, Life Among the Lowly. The best-selling novel of the nineteenth century. Said to be one of the precursors to the Civil War.  Photo: U.S. PD  {001}
see also:
Wk. 11, 03/14/1794 – cotton gin

1865

Born in Paris, TX. Joe Lefors, Wyoming lawman.

1871

Curry, “Flatnose” George born Prince Edward Island, Canada. Outlaw.  {001}

1880

Tucson, AZ Terr. celebrates the arrival of the first Southern Pacific RR train.  {001}

1882

Behan deputy, stage robber and assassin Frank C. Stillwell killed by Wyatt+5 and Warren Earp+2 at the railroad station in Tucson, AZ. Shotgun, but five other shots were in Frank. More than one was likely Doc’s and maybe one from Sherman McMasters+3.  The vendetta for the killing of Morgan Earp* had begun. Photo: U.S. PD pre-1882 unknown – an alleged photo of Frank.  {001}
see:
*Wk. 11, 03/18/1882 – Morgan Earp

1903

Sherman, TX sees the passing of Olive Oatman at age 65. In 1851 her parents and four other children were killed by Indians, thought to be Western Yavapais. The attack, known as the Oatman Massacre, occurred along the Gila River, some 80 or 90 miles east of present day Yuma, AZ. Her brother Lorenzo (15) was clubbed but survived the attack, Olive (14) and sister Mary Ann (7) were taken prisoner. After several years the girls were traded to the Mohave, where they were accepted as members of the tribe and tattooed. Mary Ann died in captivity of starvation but Olive was released when she was 19. She claimed that the Indians had never abused her in any way. Pastor Royal B. Stratton wrote a book about the girls’ ordeal, titled Life Among the Indians (1857). Olive went on the lecture circuit to help promote the book and it sold 30,000 copies, a best-seller for the times. Royalties paid for Olive and brother Lorenzo’s college education at the University of the Pacific. She married cattleman John B. Fairchild in November 1865 and lived with him until his death in 1875. Illustration and Photo: U.S. PD. LH – Illustration from the Stratton book, depicting the death of Mary Ann. RH – Olive c. 1850’s.  {001}

1914

Virginia City, MT sees the passing of pioneer school teacher, seamstress and author, Sarah Belle (Raymond) Herndon at age 73. “Sallie” was a single woman of 24 when she rode her horse “Dick” alongside the wagon carrying her mother and two younger brothers, west from Missouri on the Oregon Trail. Finally, after four months on the trail, arriving in Virginia City MT in the middle of a gold rush.*
Her diary, written on the trail, is a classic, first hand look at the remarkable journey made by so many. Published as Days on the Road (1902). Photo: U.S. PD pre-1923.  {001}
see also:
Quotes Index – Commentators Quotes – Pioneers – Herndon
Wk. 22, 06/03/1850 – Oregon Trail Map
* Photo Gallery Index – Mining Photos – Gold Rushes – Montana Gold Rush

3/21 of… 1868

The James-Younger Gang, Jesse and Frank James, Cole and Jim Younger, John Jarrette,  George and Oliver Shepherd and Jim White, robbed the Southern Bank of Kentucky in Russellvile, KY.  {001}

1880

Max Aronson, (Gilbert M. “Broncho Billy” Anderson) born in Little Rock, AK. Movie star.  {001}

1890

Major General George Crook, (Natan Lupan, Grey Fox) age 61, died in Chicago, IL. After distinguished service in the War Between the States, Crook was sent west into the campaigns against the American Indians. He became one of the best Indian fighters in the army, Commander of the Department of the Platte from 1875 to 1882, and senior officer at the Battle of Rosebud Creek.* In his later years, he was a great proponent for more reasonable and fair treatment of the Indians. TYH! Photo: U.S. PD c.1870’s, LOC, Mathew Brady & L.C. Handy.  {001}
see:
*Wk. 24, 6/17/1876 – Battle of Rosebud Creek

1893

Folsom Prison, CA. After fifteen years, Evans Gang (Chris) turncoat George Contant Sontag is pardoned by President Theodore Roosevelt. He will go straight, lecture on the evils of the outlaw life and write the book, A Pardoned Lifer (189?) which was made into the movie The Folly of a Life of Crime (1914). No copies exist. George disappears from history after 1929. Photo: U.S. PD pre-1929 Folsom Prison.  {001}
see:
The Originals Index – Outlaw Gangs Index – Evans Gang (Chris)

1973

Ken Maynard, Kenneth Olin Maynard, age 77, died in Woodland Hills, CA. Rodeo rider, performer in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, stuntman, movie star. He appeared in over 90 Western films: Sons of the Saddle (1930), The Fiddlin’ Buckaroo (1933), The Trail Drive (1933), Wild Horse Stampede (1943), Arizona Whirlwind (1944), The Marshal of Windy Hollow (1972). Horse: Tarzan. Photo: U.S. PD cropped outtake from In Old Santa Fe 1934.  {001}

2004

Deadwood begins its run on HBO TV. Business, Brothels and Bullets. A historical fiction look at one of the wildest of the frontier towns. Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant), Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), Calamity Jane (Robin Weigert), Wyatt Earp+5 , Wild Bill Hickok and other legendary figures are portrayed. Well written and played, raw and real—watch it! And don’t be buyin’ no porkchops from Mr. Wu. Photo: U.S. © DVD cover, Fair Use.  {001}

3/22 of…1811

After sailing around Cape Horn from New York, the ten cannon, 290-ton bark Tonquin +2, owned by the Pacific Fur Trading Company +2 and commanded by U.S Navy Lieutenant Jonathan Thorn +2, arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River. The intention is to trade for furs with the natives of the northern Pacific coast. However, the dangerous Columbia River Bar +2 posed a major barrier to entry into the estuary. Thorn lost five men, drowned when rough surf capsized a ship’s boat during the attempt to locate the channel. They will have to try again.  {001}

1824

Fall Creek massacre. Close by the falls on Fall Creek, in an encampment along its tributary Deer Lick Creek, seven white settlers murdered nine Indians of uncertain tribal origin—two men, three women, two boys, and two girls. As newspapers revealed the details of the massacre and the arrest and trial of the perpetrators, the incident sparked national attention. White Americans, convicted, sentenced to capital punishment, and executed for the murder of Native Americans under U.S. law! Of the seven white men involved, six were captured. The other, Thomas Harper, was never apprehended. Two testified for the prosecution and thereby the other four were charged with murder, convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. Three sentences were carried out in 1825, but John Bridge Jr., the 18 year old son (a participant) of one of the men was pardoned by Governor Ray due to his age and the potential influence of the older men. In spite of the convictions of the white perpetrators, their subsequent executions, and the national notoriety of the massacre, no lasting precedent was set for equal justice under American law.  Today’s Pendleton, in Madison County, IN.  {001}

1882

(T): “The Pestiferous Posse” kills Indian Charlie (Florentino Cruz) at Pete Spencer’s wood camp. South Pass in the Dragoon Mountains, AZ.  Wyatt Earp+5, Doc Holliday, Sherm McMasters+3, etc.   {001}

1886

Abilene, KS gets electricity but a local newspaper reporter, ” doubts the citizenry has a serious interest in using electric lights.”

1886

The city of Seattle, WA gets electricity.  {001}

1908

Louis Dearborn L’Amour born in Jamestown ND. American western writer.  {001}

1986

“The Durango Kid”, Charles Starrett, age 82, died in Borrego Springs, CA. Film actor 1926 – 1952, he made nearly 150 movies, mostly “B” grade westerns. Horses: Raider & Bullet. Photo: U.S. PD c. 1940’s? Studio Promo, unknown.  {001}

3/23 of… 1880

An example of old time frontier justice—vigilantes string up Wm. J. Porter for killing Thomas Cannody less than an hour after the shooting! Alma, CA.  {001}

1877

John D. Lee, a prominent Mormon leader, is the only man of nine tried (twice), indicted for the Mountain Meadows Massacre.* He was executed by firing squad on the site of the massacre. The Mormon Church saw to it that the investigation went no further. Lee was the man who, on orders from his church, had established the ferry named for him, on the Colorado River in 1872. Photo: U.S. PD c. 1860’s Utah State Historical Society.  {001}
see also:
*Wk. 37, 09/11/1837 – Mountain Meadows Massacre
Quotes Index – Commentators Quotes – Lee Quote

1882

Jesse Evans (Evans Gang [LCW] leader) released from Huntsville Prison (TX) and vanishes.  In 1948 a man named Joe Hines was confirmed by a court in Texas to be Jesse Evans and allowed to inherit family property. Evans/Hines told investigator William V. Morrison that Ollie L. “Brushy Bill” Roberts was in fact Billy the Kid*. Photo: U.S. PD c. 1870, always alleged to be Evans and an unknown woman. Debated.  {001}
see:
*Wk. 52, 12/27/1950 – “Brushy Bill” Roberts

1911

The passing of Quanah Parker at age 63? Son of Comanche Chief Peta Nacona* and a white woman,  Cynthia Ann Parker (Nautdah**). He was a warrior of renown, a War Chief of the Quahadis and the one and only Principal Chief of the Comanche Tribe. A man of two worlds. An extremely intelligent and complicated man who led the culmination of of the Red River War (1872-74) for the Indians and then, when all was lost, adopted the white culture. Photo: U.S. PD, pre-1911, Quanah.  {001}
see:
Wk. 51, 12/18/1860 – Battle of Pease River
Wk. 20, 05/20/1836 – Ft Parker Massacre
Timelines Master Index – Timelines A-L – Comanche Indians Timeline
References – Books, Novels and History (non-ref) – S.C. Gwynne – “Empire of the Summer Moon”
also appears in References – The complete story of The Comanche and Quanah – Read it! – Doc

3/24 of… 1811

Jonathon Thorn +2 and the Tonquin +2 again seek the channel across the Columbia River Bar +2. This time, the wild water takes three of the five men in the small boat searching for the channel, but Thorn, then brings the ship safely into the Columbia estuary and anchors at Baker’s Bay. The party then begins the move fifteen miles up the river to the chosen site. Construction of the new trading post (present-day Astoria, OR) will begin in May. Some trade goods, provisions and other cargo are transferred upriver to the new trading post. A few small transactions with curious local Indians (Chinookan Clatsop) occur during the construction period. By June, the Pacific Fur Trading Co. has established the First American claim on the Pacific coast, Fort Astoria.  {001}
see also:
The Originals Index – Western Forts and Trading Posts
The Originals Index – Expeditions – The Fur Trade

1829

George Francis Train born in Boston, MS. Author, entrepreneur, eccentric.  {001}

1834

Born in Mt. Morris, NY is John Wesley Powell. Soldier, geologist, ethnologist, explorer, administrator, educator.  {003}

1851

Born in Rusk, TX, James Stephen Hogg. Lawyer, statesman, 20th Governor of Texas.  {001}

1876

Whiskey soaked David “Davy” Crocket opens fire on four “Buffalo Soldiers” of the U.S. 9^th Cavalry, killing three.  The local justice of the peace levied a $50 fine, court costs for going armed… And murder charges are dismissed because he was drunk.  Cimarron, NM.  {001}

1882

Prussian physician Robert Koch announces the discovery of the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis (consumption) but it’s far too late for Doc Holliday+2. Photo: U.S. PD c.1900 unknown.  {001}
see:
The Originals Index – Resources & Hazards – Disease – Tuberculosis

1882

T: Wyatt Earp‘s +2 “Pestiferous Posse” +2 kills Curly Bill Brocius and Johnny Barnes near Iron Springs, AZ.  Pony Dehil, Billy Grounds+2, Zwing Hunt+2, Pete Spencer and perhaps others, escape. Wyatt+5 is angry with his posse because he thinks they left him alone out front when the shooting started. Doc Holliday+2 rescues Sherman McMasters+3 when his horse is shot out from under him. Most important, Curly Bill is dead (apparently the body went missing?) and the leadership of the Cowboys will pass to Johnny Ringo, the last man who can hold the gang together. Wyatt’s eight man Federal posse consisted of: his brother, Warren Earp+2, John “Doc” Holliday, “Turkey Creek Jack” Johnson, Sherman McMasters, O.C. “Charlie” Smith, Dan Tipton and John “Texas Jack” Vermillion. Sheriff Johnny Behan‘s County posse was said to have been some twenty-five men including such cowboy luminaries as: Ike and Phinn Clanton, Pete Spencer and Johnny Ringo. Photo: U.S. PD pre-1882 unknown, said to be Curly Bill [Birdcage Theater, Tombstone].  {001}

03/25… 1882

M. Robert Peel, son of Judge B.L. Peel is murdered in the offices of the Tombstone Mining and Milling Co. by Billy Grounds+2 and Zwing Hunt+2. Likely a contract killing, for reasons debated by Cochise County historians.  Was it over pressure on the outlaws, buried treasure, or an adulterous love with rancher Jack Chandler’s wife?  Probably some of each. Charleston, AZ.  {001}

1892

Andy “California” Clyde born in Blairgowrie, Scotland. Showman, movie actor, sidekick.  {001}

1903

William N. Byers died in Denver, CO, age 72. Founder and editor of The Rocky Mountain News.  The well respected “Rocky” was one of the fearless early papers in the west*. Byers’ knowledge of the mountains combined with his outdoor skills led artist Albert Bierstadt** to request his service as a guide on his 1863 expedition to the Colorado Territory. A well rounded old timer.  TYH! Photo: U.S. PD c. 1890’s unknown.  {001}
see also:
*Wk. 30, 07/25/ 1860 – Rocky Mountain News
*Wk 31, 07/31/1860 – Criterion rowdies!
**Wk.7, 02/18/1902 – Albert Bierstadt

1916

University of California at Berkley. The passing of Ishi (born 1860-62?) the “Last Wild Indian” in America*. Long thought to be the last living member of his tribe, the Yahi, the last surviving group of the Yana people in California. He became a national celebrity and was hired by the university as a “research assistant”, lived in his own apartment on campus and was studied by anthropologists the rest of his life. Thru its many twists and turns, Ishi’s story is far too big for The Reader. Several good books are listed in the References.* Photo: Ishi in 1914, U.S. Pd, photographer unknown, via Wikipedia.  {001}
see:
*Wk. 35, 08/25/1911 – Ishi
The Pretenders Index – TV Shows – Ishi, Last of His Tribe
*References – Books – Novels and History (non-ref) – Ishi

1925

The Unintah and Ouray Reservation (Fort Duchesne, UT) saw the passing (1924) of Ute leader and activist Chipeta “White Singing Bird” (born a Kiowa Apache, 1843-44), an adopted Tabeguache Ute and widow of Ute Chief Ouray. She was re-intered on this date near her home in Montrose Colorado. Almost always at her husband’s side in tribal council or meetings with various government officials, she was ever the voice for peace. She was part of the Uncompaghre Ute delegation to Washington, D.C. in 1880 and testified before a congressional committee. Photo: U.S. PD 1880, seated from left to right: Chief Ignacio of the Southern Utes, Carl Shurz, Secretary of the Interior, Chief Ouray and his wife, Chipeta. Standing are Woretsiz and General Charles Adams. TYH! {001}

End: Week 12, March 19th thru 25th.
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{001} C 02/20; E 08/18; F 06/11; P 03/18