Died On This Date

May 5
Bonaparte, Napoleon
b. August 15, 1769 d. May 5, 1821
Despite an indifferent career at military school, created an enormous Empire for France stretching from Spain to Russia: crowned as Napoleon I in 1804. His monument is of porphyry from Finland: inside it the body of the Emperor is contained in a series of six coffins of tin, mahogany, lead (2), ebony, and a last one of oak. He is buried in uniform with his hat across his legs.

Tishomingo, Chief
b. 1734 d. May 5, 1838
Chickasaw War Chief. Probably born in what is now Lee County, Mississippi. As a young man he served with General Anthony Wayne against the Shawnee in the Old Northwest and received a silver medallion from President Washington for his service. During the War of 1812, he served under Andrew Jackson. It is known that he received two tracts of land under the Pontotoc Treaty of 1832. After his service, he took several trips to Philadelphia and Washington DC before retiring to raise livestock.

Chapman, Alford B.
b. August 1, 1835 d. May 5, 1864
Civil War Union Army Officer. He served during the Civil War as Colonel and commander of the 57th New York Volunteer Infantry, which he led at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was killed in action in the May 1864 Battle of the Wilderness.

Blaik, Earl 'Red'
b. February 15, 1897 d. May 5, 1989
College Football Coach. He graduated from the United States Militiary Academy in 1920, but left the Army two years later. He worked as an assistant football coach for the University of Wisconsin and for the USMA before becoming head coach of Dartmouth's football team in 1934. In seven seasons there he led Dartmouth to a 45-15-4 record, and an undefeated 1937 season. He took over the USMA football team in 1941, and led it until 1958, compiling a stellar record in the process.

Karger, Maxwell
b. 1879 d. May 5, 1922
Motion Picture producer/director of the 1910s and 20s. Personal manager to Rudolph Valentino.

Kicking Bird (Black Eagle)
b. 1835 d. May 5, 1875
Indian warrior. Failed peace maker. His name was Tene-angop'te which means "The Kicking Bird". He was, also, known as Watohkonk - "Black Eagle". His grandfather was a Crow captive who had been incorporated in the Kiowa tribe. Kicking Bird's avocation was peace with the Whites since he saw the hopelessness warfare would bring. Kicking Bird signed the Treaty of Medicine Lodge in 1867. His friendly ways, however, did bring about much hope: the government did not keep a promise to free Kiowa chief.

Sidney, George
b. October 4, 1916 d. May 5, 2002
Motion Picture Director. He was born in a show business family; his father was a Broadway producer and his mother an actress on stage. He was a child actor in vaudeville and started his film career in MGM in early 1930's as apprentice in several jobs. He made his debut in "Free and Easy" and became the musical's director. He was president of Directors Guild of America. He founded and financed Hanna-Barbera productions in 1944. Among his films are "Bathing Beauty" (1944), "Anchors Aweigh" (1945).

Hutchinson, Tom
b. June 15, 1941 d. May 5, 2007
Professional Football Player. He was a wide receiver for four seasons (1963 to 1966) in the National Football League, with the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons. He was a member of the 1964 NFL Champion Browns team. His best year was in 1963 when he had 9 receptions for 244 yards. During his college years, Hutchinson was a standout player for the University of Kentucky and was inducted into their Athletics Hall of Hame in 2005.

Robbins, Irv (Irvine)
b. December 6, 1917 d. May 5, 2008
Entrepreneur. With Burt Baskin he co-founded the Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain in 1945. Famed for its "31 flavors" concept, Baskin-Robbins now has over 5500 outlets around the world.

Marsh, Oliver
b. January 30, 1893 d. May 5, 1941
Hollywood cinematographer of many films, both in the silent and sound eras. Brother of actresses Mae, Margeurite, and Mildred Marsh.

Harte, Francis Bret
b. August 25, 1837 d. May 5, 1902
Author. He is best remembered for his accounts of pioneering life in California. Born in Albany, New York, he moved to California at the age of 18. After many different jobs, he started writing poeetry and prose. Eventually he became editor of The Overland Monthly,a new literary magazine, in which he finally struck lucky with His story, "The Luck of Roaring Camp," making him famous nationwide. For a year, Harte served as professor at the University of California.

Adams, Louisa Catherine
b. February 12, 1775 d. May 5, 1852
Presidential First Lady. The wife of 6th United States President John Quincy Adams, she was born in London, England to an American father. She was education in a French convent school, met John Quincy Adams while he was a diplomat serving in England and were married three years later at a ceremony in London.