One of the heaviest set of gales and tornadoes of the century raged across the Ohio Valley causing massive damage and significant loss of life in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.  Damage was particularly heavy in Cincinnati and the loss of life was greatest along the river, where steamboats and other craft were destroyed in great numbers.  The total damage was immediately estimated at over a million dollars and more than 150 people lost their lives.  (By John Osborne) 

Peter Vivian Daniel, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court , died at his home in Richmond, Virginia.  A Democrat appointed by Andrew Jackson, Daniel had been for nineteen years a defender of states' rights, limited government, and slavery.  The Senate rejected James Buchanan's choice, Jeremiah Black of Pennsylvania, and   Daniel's seat was not filled until July 1862 when Abraham Lincoln nominated Samuel F. Miller of Iowa. (By John Osborne)

After days of rumors, a federal warrant was announced for the arrest of Isaac Vanderbeck Fowler, the Postmaster of New York City, on charges he had embezzled $155,554.31 in Post Office revenues.  Fowler was a well connected Democratic local political figure who President Pierce had appointed postmaster in 1853.  He fled to Mexico and Cuba and only returned to the United States after charges were allowed to expire in 1866.  He died in Chicago in 1869.  (By John Osborne)