The Wright Flyer III in flight in early October 1905 On October 5, 1905 Wilbur Wright completed a flight of nearly 25 miles in just under 40 minutes in southwestern Ohio. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
21st President of the United States Chester A. Arthur was born on October 5, 1829 in Fairfield, Vermont. “At the outbreak of the (Civil) war Governor Morgan appointed Mr. (Chester A.) Arthur engineer-in-chief, then inspector-general, and in January, 1862, quartermaster-general. No higher encomium can be passed upon him than the mention of the fact, that, although the war account of the State of New York was at least ten times larger than that of any other State, yet it was the first audited and allowed in Washington, and without the deduction of a single dollar, while the quartermasters’ accounts from other States were reduced… During his incumbency every present sent to him was immediately returned. Among others a prominent clothing-house offered him a magnificent uniform, and a printing-house proffered a costly saddle and trappings. Both gifts were indignantly rejected. When he became quartermaster he was poor. When his term expired he was poorer still. He had opportunities to make millions unquestioned. Contracts larger than the world had ever seen were at his disposal. He had to provide for the clothing, arming and transportation of hundreds of thousands of men. So jealous was he of his integrity that contracts where he could have made thousands of dollars legitimately were refused on the ground that he was a public officer and meant to be, like Caesar’s wife, above suspicion. His own words in regard to this amply illustrate his character:—”If misappropriated a cent and in walking down town saw two men talking on the corner together I would imagine that they were talking of my dishonesty, and the very thought would drive me mad.” From: Lives of James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur by Doyle & Swaney, published in 1881 https://archive.org/details/livesofjamesa00doyle/page/184/mode/1up Source says not in copyright Image: Chester A. Arthur via Library of Congress, no known restrictions
Born October 5, 1888 American actress Mary Claire Fuller starred in silent film roles over a ten year span between 1907-1917. In 1947 she was admitted to a hospital in Washington D.C. and lived there for the rest of her life (twenty-six years) until 1973. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
American physicist and engineer Robert H. Goddard was born on October 5, 1882 in Worcester, Massachusetts. In 1914, Goddard received patent #1,103,503 for “a new and useful Rocket Apparatus.” A little less than 12 years later Goddard launched the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket. Image: Goddard with a rocket in his workshop at Roswell, New Mexico in October 1935 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
After departing Springfield, Illinois in the spring of that year, a struggle among Donner Party teamsters occurred near Iron Point, Nevada when wagons became entangled on October 5, 1846. James Reed (shown left of his wife Margaret) attempted to break up the fighting but was struck in the head by John Snyder with his whip handle. Reed retaliated by stabbing and killing Snyder. Reed was banished from the group after the incident and was forced to leave his wife and children behind. He would reunite with his family in 1847. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
On October 5, 1974 Dave Kunst arrived in Waseca, Minnesota and became the first verified person to circumnavigate the world on foot. He started his journey four years earlier in 1970. Image via Shutterstock
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s which was released on October 5, 1961. The film won two Academy Awards out of five nominations. In the movie, Hepburn performed “Moon River” by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer which received the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
“After the Indians were posted in the swamp, in the position occupied by them during the battle, Tecumseh remarked to the chiefs by whom he was surrounded, “brother warriors! we are now about to enter into an engagement from which I shall never come out–my body will remain on the field of battle.” He then unbuckled his sword, and placing it in the hands of one of them, said, “when my son becomes a noted warrior, and able to wield a sword, give this to him.” He then laid aside his British military dress, and took his place in the line, clothed only in the ordinary deer-skin hunting shirt.” From: “Life of Tecumseh and of his brother the Prophet” by Benjamin Drake, published in 1852 https://archive.org/details/lifeoftecumsehof00drak/page/192/mode/1up?view=theater Image: “Battle of the Thames–death of Tecumseh” – October 5, 1813 New York Public Library Digital Collections.
Spine-Tingling History Gold Brook Covered Bridge A quaint covered bridge on a country road somewhere in New England? Yes, but there’s a reason why this Gold Brook Covered Bridge, built in 1844, located in Stowe, Vermont goes by another name “Emily’s Bridge.” As legend has it, sometime in the mid 1800s, a young woman by the name of Emily was to meet her husband-to-be at this bridge, so that they could elope. Sorrowfully, the young man never showed. Overcome with sadness, Emily took her own life and her unrequited spirit is said to appear near and inside the bridge. Image via Shutterstock
