On this day... October 7

CEBU, Philippines – In 1849, flawed genius Edgar Allan Poe died in Baltimore. A few days earlier when the city was in the throes of an election, the alcoholic writer had mysteriously disappeared. He turned up five days later, semiconscious in the gutter, and it’s believed he may have been used as a “repeater” – a multiple voter using false names to help rig the ballot and given alcohol for the help. Suffering from delirium tremens, he lived only four more days, and died screaming “Lord help my poor soul!” He was buried in the grim cemetery of Westminster Presbyterian Church, with no headstone and his grave forlornly marked “Number 80.” 26 years later he was exhumed and reburied in a magnificent monument. When his body was examined his features were still “easily discerned” and his teeth were as “perfect and white as pearl.”

In 1973, “King of the Daredevils” Evel Knievel crash-landed after jumping his motorcycle over ten cars and three trucks in Wisconsin. Though he fractured his hand and four vertebrae, 35-year-old Knievel announced to the 6,000-strong crowd, “I’m too tough to die.”

— from Today’s the Day! By Jeremy Beadle

In Christian history

In 1873, Baptist missionary Charlotte “Lottie” Moon arrived in China. Though born into wealth, Moon gave her whole life to missions and said, “If I had a thousand lives, I would give them all for the women of China.”

— from This Day in Christian History

By William D. Blake

In the Philippines

In 1846, Spanish Governor-General Narciso Claveria issued a decree against vagrants, asking provincial authorities to have idlers rounded up and, after questioning, to employ them in public works for a month and then send back to their hometowns. Claveria, who became governor-general of the Philippines on July 16, 1844 until December 26, 1849, was also known for adapting Spanish surnames among the natives. Claveria corrected the Philippine calendar, made reforms in the office of the alcalde-mayor and founded a casino, the “Sociedad de Recreo” (Recreation Association). A number of newspapers founded within his term, among them was the “La Esperanza” and “Diario de Manila.” During his term, a military library was established and, the first steam war vessels were bought from London. He earned the titles of Count of Manila, Viscount Claveria, and the Cross of San Fernando. He personally asked the King for his retirement and later returned to Spain.

— www.kahimyang.info

In Cebu

In 1942, Cebu guerillas under Major James Cushing ambushed and inflicted casualties on the Japanese in Lawa-an, Minglanilla.

— from Cebuano Studies Center, University of San Carlos