1851 in the American Old West
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See also: 1850 in the American Old West, other events of 1851, 1852 in the American Old West and the list of 'years in the American Old West'.
[edit] Events
- January 23 - The flip of a coin determines whether a new city in Oregon is named after Boston, Massachusetts, or Portland, Maine, with Portland winning.
- March 27 - Mariposa Battalion, led by James D. Savage are first reported non-natives to enter Yosemite Valley.
- September 17 - Treaty of Fort Laramie (1851) signed with Sioux Indians
- November 13 - The Denny Party lands at Alki Point, the first settlers of what will become Seattle, Washington.
[edit] Unknown Date
- Horace Greeley popularizes the saying "Go West, young man", though the phrase was originally written by Indiana newspaper writer John Soule in the Terre Haute Express in 1851
- Western Union founded as The New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company
[edit] Births
- April 24 - Morgan Earp, younger brother of Wyatt Earp (d. 1882)
- July 21 - Sam Bass, train and bank robber (d. 1878)
- August 10 - Mysterious Dave Mather, lawman and gunfighter
- August 14 - Doc Holliday, gambler and gunfighter (d. 1887)
- October 6 - William P. Longley, outlaw and gunfighter (d. 1878)
