October 5

1877 Nez Perce Chief Joseph and 418 survivors were captured in the Bear Paw mountains.

1879 Final day of several days of action by the 5th and 9th Cavalry at Milk River, Colorado.

1911 President William H. Taft addressed an audience at Rock Spring.

1918  The Spanish Flu Claims Its First Casper Victim and The Danger of Even Home Guard Service Is Made Plain: October 5, 1918.

As the war raged in Europe, while peace feelers started to be sent out, the Spanish Flu claimed its first victim in Casper.

And Home Guard service proved lethal for Pvt. O. B. Duncan, who fell from a train and was run over it by it. Why Pvt. Duncan was riding on the train isn't clear, but at least as late as World War Two the Home Guard did guard the rail yards for a time in Casper, so presumably something similar was occurring.

Oddly, Thermopolis was a setting for both tragedies.

1927  Mount Owen named that by the United States Geographic Board.  Attribution:  On This Day.

1942  Children at the Heat Mountain Internment Camp started school.