John Brown, awaiting execution in Charlestown, Virginia wrote to his sisters to bid them farewell.  He said that he was waiting patiently in the belief that his death will be "an infinite gain to me and of untold benefit to the cause we love."  He was executed on December 2, 1859. (By John Osborne)

In the late morning, an estimated magnitude seven earthquake struck the town of Carson City, Nevada causing panic and damage but no fatalities.  The shocks and aftershocks were felt as far away as Sacramento, California where parts of the ceiling of the State Assembly chamber fell on members while they were attending to business.  (By John Osborne)

Mount Hood in northern Oregon entered full volcanic activity on August 15, 1859 and erupted smoke and flame for three days.  The eruption visibly altered the peak of the 11,000 foot volcano.  Mount Hood, part of the Cascade Mountains saw its last significant eruption to date in 1866.  (By John Osborne)

The almost 11,000 foot Mount Baker overlooking Puget Sound in the Cascade Mountains of Washington Territory began full volcanic activity and was termed as in full activity on November 22, 1859.  Four days later, passengers on a steamer saw vast plumes of smoke rising from the peak. Activity increased into December towards a full eruption.  (By John Osborne)