Texas Day by Day
On this day in Texas history…
Today's Entries 3 found
1. Kate Ward begins her career as first river steamer on the Colorado
June 21st, 1845
On this day in 1845, the Kate Ward, the first steamboat to operate on the Colorado River, was launched at Matagorda. She was owned by George Ward and a Mr. Robinson of Columbus, and was named for Ward's sister Kate. The vessel was a side-wheel steamer, 115 feet long and twenty-four feet wide at the beam, with two engines rated at seventy horsepower each and a draft of eighteen inches. From 1846 to 1848 she stayed above the Colorado River raft. In the summer of 1848 high water on the river cut a channel around the raft and the Kate Ward descended to Matagorda Bay. From about 1848 to 1850 she operated on the Guadalupe clearing drift and providing transportation from Victoria to the bay. In 1852, as a snag boat, she cleared twenty miles of channel upstream from the mouth. In 1853 the Kate Ward was sold to the United States government. What became of her later is unknown.
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2. Famous trial lawyer born in log cabin
June 21st, 1902
On this day in 1902, Percy Eugene Foreman, one of the most famous trial lawyers in Texas history, was born in a log cabin near Bold Springs, Texas. Foreman, who was known for his unconventional trial strategies, handled society divorces, and in sixty years of practice defended more than 1,000 accused murderers, only one of whom was executed. Among his most famous clients were James Earl Ray, whom he persuaded to plead guilty to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., in exchange for a life sentence; socialite Candace Mossler's nephew Melvin Lane Powers, acquitted of a murder charge; Alvin Lee King, who killed five people in a Baptist church and committed suicide before his trial; and Charles Harrelson, sentenced to fifteen years for a contract killing and involved in the assassination of a federal judge in San Antonio. Foreman preferred cash as payment for his services, but if a client didn't have money, he would take property instead, including jewelry, real estate, boats, automobiles, furniture, and artwork. He became a multimillionaire before his death in 1988.
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3. American Revolution reaches Texas
June 21st, 1779
On this day in 1779, Spain came to the aid of the rebelling American colonists by formally declaring war on Great Britain.The primary role played by Texas in the conflict was to supply Spanish forces mounting an assault on British territory from Louisiana. King Carlos III commissioned Bernardo de Gálvez to conduct a campaign against the British along the Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast. In order to feed his troops, Gálvez sent an emissary, Francisco García, to Texas governor Domingo Cabello y Robles requesting the delivery of Texas cattle to Spanish forces in Louisiana. Accordingly, between 1779 and 1782, 10,000 cattle were rounded up on ranches belonging to citizens and missions of Bexar and La Bahía. Rancho de la Mora was typical of these ranches, and escorts were provided from small posts like the Fuerte de Santa Cruz del Cíbolo. From Presidio La Bahía, the assembly point, Texas rancheros and their vaqueros trailed these herds to Nacogdoches, Natchitoches, and Opelousas for distribution to Gálvez's forces. Fueled in part by Texas beef, Gálvez and his men defeated the British in battles at Manchac, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Mobile, Pensacola, and New Providence in the Bahamas. He was busy preparing for a campaign against Jamaica when peace negotiations ended the war.
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Recent & Upcoming Anniversaries
The following entries have anniversaries that occurred this month or will occur in the next 2 month(s):
305th Anniversary
- Spaniards found East Texas mission 2 weeks from now
295th Anniversary
- Famous Texas missionary dies in Mexico City 1 month 2 weeks from now
290th Anniversary
- First election in Texas 1 month 1 week from now
235th Anniversary
- Provincias Internas divided into three sectors 2 months 5 days from now
- Davy Crockett born 1 month 3 weeks from now
200th Anniversary
- Moses Austin dies 1 week ago
- Treaty grants Mexican independence 2 months 3 days from now
- Spanish flag lowered for last time at San Antonio 1 month 23 hours from now
185th Anniversary
- Philip Sublett nominates Sam Houston for president of the Republic of Texas 1 month 3 weeks from now
- Horse Marines splash into action 2 weeks ago
- Texas rancher and traildriver born in Mississippi 2 weeks ago
- Texas Revolution participant marries future memoirist 1 month 1 week from now
- U.S. agent advises against recognition of Texas independence 1 month 3 weeks from now
170th Anniversary
- New fort anchors Texas line of frontier defense 3 days from now
- Notorious Texas outlaw born and dies 1 month 23 hours from now
165th Anniversary
- Memucan Hunt, Texas diplomat and politician, dies 2 weeks ago
- Houston Academy chartered 2 months 1 week from now
160th Anniversary
- Confederacy grows as Baylor defeats Federal troops in Arizona Territory and declares himself governor 1 month 3 days from now
- Order of the Sons of Hermann founded 2 weeks from now
- Baylor declares himself governor of Confederate Territory of Arizona 1 month 1 week from now
- Confederate general dies after famous last words 1 month 1 day from now
155th Anniversary
- Peace--finally!--between the U.S. and Texas 1 month 4 weeks from now
- Redeemed captive begins trip home 2 months 6 days from now
150th Anniversary
- "Gentleman Jim" Ferguson, future Texas governor, born in Salado 2 months 1 week from now
145th Anniversary
- General Custer, once stationed in Texas, meets his Waterloo in Montana 4 days from now
- T&P finally reaches Fort Worth, touching off celebration 4 weeks from now
- Historic ranch formed by partnership of legendary pioneers 3 days ago
- Construction begins on future Fort Sam Houston 2 weeks ago
135th Anniversary
- Black medical organization founded 2 months 4 days from now
- Repeat hurricane dooms Indianola 1 month 4 weeks from now
- "Texas bird lady" hatched in Corsicana 1 week ago
130th Anniversary
- New port of Velasco officially opens 2 weeks from now
120th Anniversary
- H&TC absorbs four other rail lines 2 months 1 day from now
- Roberts family sells Nacogdoches landmark 6 days ago
- Killing of sheriff precipitates ballad tradition 1 week ago
- El Paso Electric forerunner takes over as supplier for the Southwest 2 months 1 week from now
115th Anniversary
- Black infantrymen allegedly attack Brownsville citizens 1 month 3 weeks from now
110th Anniversary
- Alfonso Steele, one of the last remaining San Jacinto veterans, dies 2 weeks from now
- Axe-wielding prohibitionist dies 2 weeks ago
- "Bet-a-Million" Gates dies 1 month 2 weeks from now
100th Anniversary
- Medical center for veterans opens in Kerrville 1 day from now
- Texas woman becomes the first black licensed pilot 6 days ago
95th Anniversary
- Fire-breathing preacher indicted for murder 1 month 1 week from now
- Luling philanthropist celebrates oil deal with huge barbecue 1 week ago
90th Anniversary
- Pilot Wiley Post circles the earth to make aviation history 2 days from now
- Texas, Oklahoma battle over bridge across the Red River 3 weeks from now
85th Anniversary
- Fantasy author commits suicide 1 week ago
- Texas Centennial Exposition opens 2 weeks ago
80th Anniversary
- Stevenson becomes governor of Texas as O'Daniel departs for U.S. Senate 1 month 1 week from now
75th Anniversary
- Military hero begins long Congressional career 2 months 3 days from now
- Last reunion at Camp Ben McCulloch 1 month 2 weeks from now
- Camp Bowie closed 2 months 1 week from now
65th Anniversary
- Crusading "padrecito" dies 3 weeks from now
- Texas's first licensed pilot dies 2 weeks from now
- Mob masses at Mansfield 2 months 1 week from now
60th Anniversary
- Ma Ferguson dies 4 days from now
55th Anniversary
- Oilman gives Paisano Ranch to UT 1 month 2 weeks from now
- First woman game warden in Texas dies 1 month 2 days from now
- Gunman opens fire on students at UT 1 month 1 week from now
50th Anniversary
- Racially integrated art exhibition opens in Texas 2 months 1 day from now
- Southwest Airlines takes to the air 3 days ago
40th Anniversary
- Pioneer Big Bend photographer dies 3 days from now
30th Anniversary
- Pioneer public-health doctor dies 1 week ago
