Author: James Wesley Rawles

On July 27 1897, a record-setting 14.75 inches (37.5 cm) of rainfall was gauged at Jewell, Maryland.  This was a state 24-hour record. — July 27th is the birthday of Captain Samuel Whittemore (born in 1694, died February 3, 1793). He was an English-born American farmer and soldier. He was eighty years of age when he became the oldest known colonial combatant in the American War of Independence. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 119 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course …

On July 26, 1878, Charles Boles, a California poet and American West outlaw calling himself “Black Bart” made his last clean getaway when he stole a safe box from a Wells Fargo stagecoach. The empty box was found later with a taunting poem inside. — On July 26th, 1931, a swarm of grasshoppers descended on crops throughout the American heartland, devastating millions of acres. Already in the midst of a bad drought, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota suffered tremendously. The swarms were said to be so thick that they blocked out the sun and one could shovel the grasshoppers with …

On July 25, 1850, Gold was discovered in Oregon, on the Rogue River. — On this day in 1853, Joaquin Murrieta, the famous Californian bandit known as “Robin Hood of El Dorado”, was killed by California Rangers. — And on July 25, 1797 Horatio Nelson lost more than 300 men and his right arm during the failed conquest attempt of Tenerife, Spain. — I just heard of the passing of wrestler and actor Hulk Hogan.  He was an outspoken conservative, and in his later years, an outspoken Christian. — Just one more day! In honor of the birthday week of …

On July 24, 1824, the Harrisburg Pennsylvanian newspaper published the results of first American public opinion poll, indicating a clear lead for Andrew Jackson. — Novelist Jerry Ahern passed away on this day, in 2012. His survivalist novels created an entire genre. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 119 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings …

July 23, 1764, James Otis (pictured) published The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved, in which he argued against taxation without representation. — On July 23, 1777 Polish military leader Casimir Pulaski arrived in Marblehead, Massachusetts, to volunteer in the Continental Army cavalry. — On July 23, 1944 Battle of Kursk (Koersk) ended. This was the largest tank battle in history. It was a defeat for the Nazis, with thousands of German tanks and self-propelled anti-tank guns destroyed. — In honor of the birthday week of Samuel Colt, we are running a special sale at Elk Creek Company. …

On July 22, 1916, a timebomb was exploded by radicals at a Preparedness Day parade in San Francisco, killing 10 people and injuring 40 others. — July 22, 1298: The English defeated the Scots at the Battle of Falkirk. — And on July 22, 1489, the Treaty of Frankfurt was signed between Maximilian of Austria and King Charles VIII of France. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 119 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any …