From the Hostetter’s Illustrated United States Almanac of 1892; the sixth month:
June 1, 1866.
The Fenian’s enter Canada.
The Fenian’s were a secret revolutionary society of Irishmen and women organized in 1858 with the goal of forcing the British out of Ireland. Also known as the Fenian Brotherhood, the group fled first to France, and then many to the United States, lead by John O’Mahony.
They were dispersed during the American Civil War-with Irish Americans fighting on both sides.
Regrouped In 1866, the Fenian’s launched an unsuccessful invasion of Canada. They also outfitted Erin’s Hope, a ship intended to set sail toward Ireland. They were captured. The Fenian’s continued to raise money for the Irish Republican cause. Their funding for research extended to John Holland, the inventor of the modern submarine. The Fenian Ram was developed for the purpose of attacking British ships from beneath the water.
June 9, 1867.
Livingstone Expedition.
Livingstone was Scottish born and from a humble and decent family. He worked very hard to become a doctor, but his chief achievements were that of Christian missionary and explorer. His discoveries about the African continent were truly valuable. He was the first explorer to correctly map out many areas of Africa accurately. In addition to exploration, his efforts extended to working to abolish the slave trade out of Africa.
History records that Dr. David Livingstone had been in Africa on his third expedition sponsored by England in 1866. He was presumed lost and attempted rescue efforts were made in 1867. At the time of the would-be liberation, Livingstone was short on supplies and very ill. The doctor declined rescue. Livingstone was found dead from dysentery in 1872.
His faithful African friends carried his body and affects for over 1,000 miles through hostile territory to the British Consul. Livingstone was shortly thereafter hailed a national hero.
June 16, 1806.
The Great Eclipse.
The interesting story about this total eclipse is the old Indian Legend behind it. At that time in the United States, a great westward expansion was underway. Ohio has just become a state and growth was extending westward and following the course of the Ohio River basin.
The Shawnee Indians and others of the region had been forming more of an organized defense to the U.S. push. A leader rose from among them, Tecumseh. He proclaimed himself a prophet after a life changing vision he had after which he stopped drinking and encouraged others to do the same, among other things.
William Henry Harrison, would-be President, worried over the new alliances being formed. He sent a letter to Tecumseh, basically asking him to prove he was a prophet by making some major geographical event- (act of God) -occur.
In beautiful prophetic language Tecumseh then predicted the solar eclipse, which did indeed follow exactly at the time and place he had said. It was speculated that the help of an almanac was used, or information from someone who had an almanac. In any event, the challenge backfired, and proved to be politically damaging to Harrison.
June 30, 1861.
Lola Montez dies, age 43.
Lola was born in Ireland in 1821 as Eliza Gilbert. Many stories abound about this woman, who was known briefly as Countess of Lansfeld, Bavaria. It is said that her rule was tyrannical. The revolt of 1848 cost her that title. She fled, and the King abdicated his throne as well.
She had styled herself as a Spanish dancer, when in reality she was Irish. Her dancing by all accounts was poor, but her voluptuous figure and wild antics made up for any lack of talent. Stories say she had a horrible temper and used a whip on those of her many lovers who displeased her.
She moved to the United States and performed her “Spider Dance” in her saloon in California during the gold rush. Later Lola toured Australia, and then settled in the Eastern United States. She died in New York, some reports say from stroke, others from pneumonia at the age of 43.
Published in U S Legacies Magazine June 2004
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