San Antonio Remembers

January 28 in San Antonio history...

2012-01-28T00:01:00.000-06:00

1993
The Light goes out. After 112 years, the San Antonio Light newspaper ceases publication.

December 12 in San Antonio history...

2011-12-12T00:00:00.001-06:00

1980
The new headquarters of San Antonio Savings is nearing completion at Loop 410 and San Pedro Avenue. It is due to open at the end of the month.

December 8 in San Antonio history...

2011-12-08T00:00:00.001-06:00

1941
Travis Cotton, 28, of 206 Weaver Street, was waiting when the recruiting office opened and is the first San Antonian to volunteer after the Pearl Harbor attack yesterday.

December 1 in San Antonio history...

2011-12-01T00:00:00.001-06:00

1884
The Light asked San Antonians to assure the city's future by purchasing beer from local breweries rather than ordering from St. Louis.

1924
Congress received a bill from President Harding for spending $12,000,000 on Ft. Sam Houston, Camp Normoyle, Kelly and Brooks Fields.

1944
Park Commissioner Henry Hein scheduled a special pick-up of waste paper and tin cans for a city-wide salvage drive.

November 30 in San Antonio history...

2011-11-30T00:00:00.001-06:00

1942
Determined to prevent a fire in San Antonio like the deadly fire that killed 477 people at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston two days earlier, Mayor C.K. Quin, Fire Commissioner P. J. Anderson and Fire Chief C. A. Hart met to discuss inspection of local night spots and the abolition of revolving doors in those establishments.
The daughter of Ft. Sam Houston commander, C. K. Nulsen, was killed in the Cocoanut Grove inferno.

November 21 in San Antonio history...

2011-11-21T00:00:00.008-06:00

1953
San Antonio police, armed with 12-gauge riot guns, launched "Operation Bird Kill" at City Hall. The hunt, which began at 2:30 a.m., was designed to drive the cowbirds away from City Hall after they had become a nuisance, both noisy and unsanitary.

1963
Scheduled dedication ceremonies for the new John F. Kennedy High School have been postponed.

1968
Big Brother and the Holding Company, featuring Janis Joplin, are scheduled to play a concert in Hemisfair Arena but the show is cancelled at the last minute.

1973
Adela Navarro of the Texas Hispanic-American History Institute urged SADA commissioners to remove the statue of Ben Milam from Milam Park and restore the name to "El Campo Santo" and said that allowing commercial activity at the park would be a "desecration" to the people buried there.

November 17 in San Antonio history...

2011-11-17T00:00:00.003-06:00

1912
Jourdanton, the wonder city, pulls off a jubilee, beginning Wednesday and ending Saturday.

1942
Excavators

November 11 in San Antonio history...

2011-11-11T00:00:00.003-06:00

1920
Reminiscing over a day that 12 years ago caused millions of heavy hearts to lift with joy, San Antonio citizens today thronged the downtown area to witness a revival of the epochal event - Armistice Day. Rodney "Gipsy" Smith, the noted English evangelist now conducting a revival in San Antonio, rode in the parade.

1930
Radio station KMAC, San Antonio's newest radio broadcasting unit with studios in the Blue Bonnet Hotel, will be formally opened tonight, with Mayor C. M. Chambers and other prominent civic and business leaders present, according to announcement by Jack Wallace, manager. The owner is W. W. McAllister, and the call letters KMAC, were suggested by Mac, short for McAllister.

1940
Maj. Gen. James G. Harboard spoke in front of the Alamo today at the conclusion of the Armistice Day parade, urging America to adopt universal military training. "The red menace threatens your country," he said, "and there are societies in the United States today, many of them that would like to see the Stars and Stripes replaced by the red flag of anarchy." Universal military service, Harboard said, would prevent the necessity of maintaining a huge standing army.

November 3 in San Antonio history...

2011-11-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

1941
The new Ford automobiles for 1942 went on display at local dealers today: the Jordan-Ivers Company, the Herpel-Gillespie Company, and George Jones, Inc. (Automobile production would cease shortly after the declaration of war on December 8, 1941 and would not resume for four years.)

November 1 in San Antonio history...

2011-11-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

1941

Parachutist George Hopkins, a native San Antonian, jumped from a plane and landed on the top of Devil's Tower National Monument in Wyoming today. However, his plan for getting down from the mountain went awry and he had to wait six days in freezing temperatures for rescuers to climb up to him with rappelling equipment.

October 31 in San Antonio history...

2011-10-31T00:00:00.001-05:00

1966
The Granada Hotel, which opened in 1927, closed at noon to be converted into a home for the elderly. Monthly rent began at $58 per month.

October 22 in San Antonio history...

2011-10-22T00:00:00.003-05:00

1975
The World Football League, including the San Antonio Wings, folds. San Antonio would not have another professional football team again until 1984 - the San Antonio Gunslingers of the USFL.

1976
The Spurs make their debut as an NBA team in Philadephia against the 76ers, appropriately. They continue their high-scoring ABA tradition, winning 121-118.

October 16 in San Antonio history...

2011-10-16T00:00:00.001-05:00

1941
Merger of Austin College at Sherman and Trinity University, located at Waxahachie, received the approval of delegates to the state-wide synod of the Presbyterian Church now meeting at the Madison Square Presbyterian Church here. Three more resolutions pertaining to the merger will be discussed Thursday, the Rev. R. E. Joiner, said.

The Right of Suffrage

2011-09-15T15:57:00.000-05:00

THE

MINORITY REPORT

IN FAVOR OF EXTENDING THE

RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE,

WITH CERTAIN LIMITATIONS,

TO ALL MEN WITHOUT DISTINCTION OF

RACE
OR COLOR

MADE IN THE

TEXAS RECONSTRUCTION
CONVENTION:

BY E. DEGENER

FEBRUARY
24, 1868

AUSTIN:

PRINTED AT THE
SOUTHERN INTELLIGENCER OFFICE

1866

MINORITY REPORT.

________

COMMITTEE ROOM, Feb. 24, 1866

Hon.
J.W. Throckmorton, President Convention, Austin:

MR.
PRESIDENT: Disagreeing with the majority of the Committee to whom the subject
of the Elective Franchise was referred, I proposed to the Committee the
following Amendment, to be inserted after the first section:

“From and
after the 4^th of July, 1866, every male citizen of the United
States, who shall have attained 21 years of age, or become a naturalized
citizen of the United States, and shall have resided in this State one year
next preceding an election, and the last six month in the district, country,
city or town in which he offers to vote, and who shall be able to read and
write the English or his native language understandingly,
shall be deemed a qualified elector.”

This being
rejected, a further amendment was offered, substituting 1876 for 1866, which
was also rejected. Then followed another
proposition, to amend the original resolution, so as to make it read, “From and
after the 4^th day of July, 1866, every male citizen of the United
States born free,” &c., which shared the same fate of the preceding
amendments; so that, not being able to agree with the majority of the
committee, I be leave to offer the following:

MINORITY REPORT

The majority
of the Committee on the Legislative Department, to which was referred that part
of the Constitution defining the qualifications of Electors, having reported in
favor of re-adopting that part of the old Constitution which deprives Africans
and their descendants of the right of suffrage, I respectfully beg leave to
present the following objections to their Report:

ALL POLITICAL POWER INHERENT
IN THE PEOPLE

The fundamental principle upon which the American system of
government was founded are,

1^st, The civil and political equality of all men.

2^d,That they are endowed with certain inalienable
rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

3d, That, to insure these rights, governments are instituted
among men.

4^th, That governments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed.

These fundamental principles of American liberty constitute the
basis of the Bills of Rights, which, under various modifications, pervade all
our constitutional charters. The
doctrine, that the foundation of all free government was the right of the people to participate in the legislative
power, and in the organization of governments, was universally accepted by the
early American statesmen; and the framers of the Federal Constitution were care
to confide all power to the people,
and to provide for the protection of the whole
people. To illustrate this, it is only
necessary to refer to the Constitution itself. In the 2d section of Article 1, the organization of the House of
Representatives is provided for, as follows:

“The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen
every second year, by the people,”
&c. And still later, when the
Constitution was amended, the rights of the people were not forgotten, but
protected by new safeguards, as may be seen by the following Articles:

“ART. 1. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom
of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a
redress of grievances.

“ART. 2. A well regulated militia being necessary to the success
of a free state,
the right of the people to keep and
bear arms shall not be infringed.

“ART. 4. The right of the people
to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not be violated.

“ART. 9. The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights
shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

“ART. 10. The powers not delegated to the

United States

by the Constitution,
nor prohibited by it, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

The founders of the Republic
of Texas, acknowledging
the right of the people to govern, declared in their Bill of Rights that “all
political power is inherent in the people, and that all free governments are
founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit.”

As the people of Texas
have declared their belief in this doctrine, and assuming that this Convention
will reaffirm it, it remains for us, in framing our organic law, to see to it
that every section shall harmonize with these great and acknowledged principles
of human liberty.

If all political power is inherent in the people of Texas by what
authority can we prohibit any portion of the people form the free exercise of
that most important of all political power, the right of suffrage, as is
proposed by the Report of the majority, which, if adopted, would forever
exclude a large portion of the people of Texas from any participation in the
affairs of the government; against which injustice I hereby solemnly protest.

NEGRO SUFFRAGE NOTHING NEW

In demanding
the right of suffrage for the colored citizens of our State, I do not ask for
the establishment of any new principle, or any untried experiment, but that we
give practical effect to our own theory of government be returning to the
usages adopted by the founders of the American Republic.

Under the
Articles of Confederation, Congress acted directly upon the subject of
suffrage, in the organization of territorial governments, which were to result
in State governments. The celebrated
ordinance of 23d April, 1784, drafted by Jefferson, authorized the “Free males
of full age,” without distinction of color, to take part in forming these
governments; and the still more famous ordinance of July 13, 1787, vested the
right of suffrage in all the “free male inhabitants of full age,” who had
certain qualifications of freehold or residence.

This
ordinance was re-enacted immediately after the adoption of our present
Constitution, by the act of Congress of August 7, 1789; and in this respect was the precedent for
every subsequent territorial act passed until 1812. The several acts passed from the foundation
of the government to that date, were as follows.

Under the
Congress of the Confederation, those to which I have referred, namely, that of
April 28, 1784, “For the temporary government of territory ceded or to be ceded
by the individual States to the United States;” and that of July 13, 1787, “for
the government of the territory of the United States northwest of the river
Ohio.”

And by the
Congress of the

United
States

since the adoption of the
Constitution:

The act of August 7, 1789, already
referred to as re-enacting the ordinance of 1787;

The act of May 26, 1790, for the government of the territory of
the United States south of the river Ohio, under which the State of Tennessee
was organized;

The act of April
7, 1798, for the establishment of a government in the Mississippi territory;

The act of May
7, 1800, establishing the Indian territory;

The act of March
26, 1804, for the government of Louisiana,
which provided for a legislative council, to be appointed by the President of
the

United States

,
and not for an elective legislature as did all the rest;

The Act of June
11, 1805, for the government of Michigan territory. The Act of March 2, 1805, for the establishment of the territory of Orleans,
and the Act of February 3,
1809, for the government of Illinois
territory. In no one of these ten acts
was any restriction placed on the right of suffrage by reason of the color of
the citizen. In none of these was the
word white used to limit the right of
suffrage.[*]

It is also true, that under the Articles of Confederation, and
long subsequent to the adoption of the Federal Constitution, the free colored
man was a voted, and that the framers of the Constitution intended by the word
“people,” all classes and
complexions. In proof of this, it is
only necessary to refer to the Journals of the Convention which adopted the
Articles of Confederation, which record the fact that, when the 4^th
article was under consideration, which proposed that the “free inhabitants of
each of these States shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free
citizens in the several States,” the delegates from South Carolina moved to
insert the word white, so as to make it read “free white inhabitants,” that
only two of the eleven States represented voted to sustain the motion. South
Carolina, thus signally defeated, tried another
expedient to accomplish the same object, and again failed, thus placing upon an
imperishable record the consistency of the Convention and its determination to
make to invidious distinction between races or colors.

THE ORIGINAL STATES MADE NO DISTINCTION

It is an important historical fact, that at the time of the
adoption of the Federal Constitution, there was but one state, (South
Carolina,) whose Constitution distinguished in this
respect against the colored man.

The Constitution of Massachusetts provided that every male
person, being 21 years of age, and possessing certain property qualifications,
should have the right to vote.

The Constitution of New York gave the right of suffrage to every
male inhabitant of full age, with certain property qualifications.

In New Jersey,
the Constitution provided that all
inhabitants of the colony, who were of full age, and worth fifty pounds, were
entitled to vote.

The Constitution of Pennsylvania allowed that every freeman, of
21 years of age, who had paid taxes, should enjoy the right of an elector.[†]

In Maryland,
the right to votes was extended to all
freemen who possessed a certain amount of property.

Virginia and Delaware gave the right to all men who had a
common interest with an attachment to the community.[‡]

The Constitution of North Carolina provided that all freemen who
had paid taxes should be entitled to vote.[§]

Georgia

made electors of all citizens and inhabitants who paid taxes.

The colonial charters of Rhode Island
and Connecticut
made no distinction on account of color or race.

The Constitution of Tennessee provided that every freeman who
possessed a freehold should be entitled to vote; and for nearly forty years the
colored man of Tennessee
exercised the elective franchise.[**]

The Legislature of Colorado, at its first session in 1861, passed
a law, establishing the qualifications of voters, making no distinction of color
or race.

Thus I have presented undoubted historical evidence that the
founders of our Republic, and of the individual States composing it,
practically enforced their theory, (so eloquently expressed in the Texas
Declaration of Rights, that “all political power is inherent in the people,”)
by giving to the whole people, without distinction of color, equal political
rights and privileges.

Under these Constitutions the free colored man continued to
exercise the right of suffrage, until the slave system had acquired sufficient
power to effect by its insidious diplomacy a radical change in the organic law
of nearly every State, disenfranchising a large portion of the people, who were
thus deprived of that political power, which had been the boast of our Fathers,
and which was the chief corner stone of American liberty; but now that slavery
has been blotted out by the blood of the Nation, it is but just and reasonable
that the rights of the people should be restored to them.[††]

A REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT

The Federal
Constitution stipulates that “the United States
shall guarantee to every State in this Union,
a republican form of government.”

That it may
be clearly understood what Congress considers a republican form of government,
I respectfully beg leave to submit the following extracts from a series of
resolutions, lately presented to the Senate of the United States, by Hon. Charles
Sumner, which clearly indicates the line of our duty, and the course we must pursue in order to be admitted to
the Union.

The preamble
and resolution read as follows:

“Resolutions
declaring the duty of the United States to guarantee republican governments in
the rebel States on the basis of the Declaration of Independence, so that the
new governments shall be founded on the consent of the government and the
equality of all persons before the law.

“Resolved, That it is the duty of the United States at
the earliest practicable moment, consistent with the common defense and the
general welfare, to re-establish by act of Congress republican governments, in
those States where loyal governments have been vacated by the rebellion, and
thus to the full extent of their power fulfill the requirement of the
Constitution, that “the United States” shall guarantee to every State in this Union,
a republican form of government.

“That in
determining the extent of this duty, and in the absence of any precise
definition of the term ‘republican form of government,’ we cannot err if when
called to perform this guarantee under the Constitution, we adopt the
self-evident truths of the Declaration of Independence as an authoritative rule
and insist that in every re-established State, the consent of the governed
shall be the only just foundation of government and that all persons shall be
equal before the law.

“That
independent of the Declaration of Independence, it is plain, that any duty
imposed by the Constitution must be performed in conformity with justice and
reason, and in the light of existing facts; that therefore, in the performance,
of this guarantee, there can be no power under the Constitution to
disenfranchise loyal people, or to recognize any such disenfranchisement.

“That the

United States

,
now called at a crisis of history to perform this guarantee, will fail in duty
under the Constitution, should they allow the re-establishment of any State,
without proper safeguards for the rights of all the citizens.

“That the
path of justices is also the path of peace, and that for the sake of peace it
is better to obey the Constitution, and, in conformity with its requirements,
in the performance of the guarantee, to re-establish State governments on the
consent of the governed and the equality of all persons before the law, to the
end that the foundation thereof may be permanent, and that no loyal majorities
may be again overthrown or ruled by any oligarchical class.”

This amendment
proposed by the majority Report, tried by this test, falls fatally short of its
requirements. It not only disfranchises
nearly one-half of the loyal citizens of this State, but makes this
disfranchisement perpetual, heredity and insurmountable. It clings to each man and his posterity
forever, if there be a traceable thread of African descent. No achievements of war or peace, no
acquisition of property, no education, no mental power or culture, no merits
can overcome it.

Texas as an independent Republic and as a State of the Union has tested the value of the constitutional
provision now under consideration, and the result has been the perfect
demonstration, that the system is essentially and practically oligarchical, in
such a sense as actually and seriously to have endangered the public peace and
the success of republican institutions.

Suppose now
with the lights thus afforded us, we adopt the report of the majority and
incorporate into our Constitution a provision disfranchising a large portion of
the loyal citizens of the State, and with that instrument in our hands, ask to
be admitted into the Union, could we have a reasonable hope of success? Does any man believe that Congress would be
so unmindful of its duty and its pledges, as to admit us with a Constitution so
far behind the spirit of the age and the demands of the nation, in view of the
changed condition of affairs, besides being so unjust and so entirely anti-republican?

SOUTHERN REPRESENTATION

Another objection to the report of the majority is
based upon the fact, that if we refuse to enfranchise the freedmen, we reduce
our representation in the Congress of the

United States

and thus materially
weaken our political power.

The
Congressional joint Committee on reconstruction have agreed to the following
amendment of the Constitution of the

United States

“Article -. Representatives
and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be
included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, counting the
whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed, provided,
that whenever the elective franchise
shall be denied or abridged in any State, on account of race or color, all
persons of such race or color shall be excluded from the basis of
representation.”

This
amendment, or some Act equivalent to it, will undoubtedly pass and become a
law. As an amendment to the
Constitution, its ratification by three-fourths of all the States in the Union will be required and judging by the tone of the
Northern press and by other indications of public sentiment North and West, its
ratification will be certain.

The provision
of this amendment would apply to all States, where suffrage is based on color,
whether North or South, although practically the effect would be felt only in
the late slave States.

If the
colored men of the South are all
counted in, to measure the right of representation and are then all
disfranchised, the whites in the late slave States will be represented in
Congress by thirty-three more members
than an equal number of whites in the Northern States. This would be unjust because unequal, and
will not be permitted. On the contrary
if we enfranchise our blacks and they are then included in this basis of
representation, we shall go back into the Union
with thirteen more representatives,
than we were entitled to before the abolition of slavery.

Again, if the Southern States should follow the example which Texas
is about to present, and refuse to enfranchise the negro, and he is therefore
excluded from the basis of representation, we shall return to the Union with an
immense loss of political power in the House of Representatives, having at
least twenty members less than we were entitled to before 1861.[‡‡]

When Texas was a member of the Union, three-fifths of her slave
population were represented in Congress, and it is now for us to determine by
our own acts whether we will have our entire population included in the basis
of representation, thus increasing the political power of the State, or
diminishing it by allowing nearly one-half of our inhabitants to go
unrepresented.

THE CHANGE IN OUR CONDITION NOT RECOGNIZED

We are reminded by his Excellency Gov. Hamilton, in his late
message that, “by the voice of the American people, assuming the form of
constitution law, slavery has been abolished, and he suggest, that this
radicals change should be fully recognized in the amended Constitution by
providing for the new condition of the freedmen, by giving them civil and
political rights on an equality with the white population of the State, and
that the enjoyment of these privileges should not depend upon the accident of
birth or color, and that should we fail to make these political privileges
depend upon rules of universal application, we will be betrayed into the error
of legislating under the influence of ancient prejudice, and that “any system
of laws intended to deprive the colored race of the actual fruits of liberty,
will meet with resistance from the Congress of the United States.”

The report of the majority entirely ignores these words of wisdom
and of patriotism. Instead of conforming to the new condition of affairs it
presents for our acceptance a pro-slavery provision of the Constitution adopted
in 1845, and retained in the amended Constitution of 1861.

The former Constitutions of Texas were framed so as to protect
the institution of slavery, and therefore consistently deprived the colored man
of the rights pertaining to citizenship; but now that slavery is abolished, our
relations to the colored race are materially changed.

Thos who were lately slaves, having “no rights which a white man was
bound to respect,” are now freemen, entitled to all the rights and privileges
of American citizens.

Under the slave system, these people enjoyed the protection of
their masters, whose interest impelled them to surround their property by all
necessary safe-guards; but now, this protection is withdrawn, and henceforth their
grievances are to be redressed by the law, and their rights maintained by our
Courts.

Born upon the soil, and attached to it by a variety of
association and interests, they will, despite our desires or our efforts to the
contrary, remain with us. As the cloud
of ignorance and oppression by which they have so long been overshadowed, is
gradually dispelled by education and the change in public sentiment, they will
enter into all the industrial and business pursuits of our people, and thus
become a power in the State, whose presence and influence cannot be ignored.

Our own interest therefore imperatively demands, that we should
deal justly by these people – that our laws should afford them ample protection
– that we should extend to them the hand of kindness, encourage their efforts
towards elevation, and do whatever may be necessary to make them good and
useful citizens, lest they become a pest and a scourge to society.

To extend to the freedmen the right of suffrage would elevate
them in their own estimation – give them increased importance in every
community, and would extend over them a shield so broad that it would
effectually protect them against wrongs and oppressions which they would
otherwise be subjected.

The colored people of our State constitute and important part of
the body politic; as citizens they will be called upon to sustain an equal
share of the public burthens, - in
common with other members of the community, they will be taxed to support the
government, and to pay their share of the debt incurred for their emancipation;
as property holders, they will have a permanent interest in the welfare of the
State, and if ever the necessity should arise, they will be required to shed
their blood in defence of our common country. Who then will say, that they should be deprived of the rights of
citizenship?

It has been suggested, that the mass of our colored people,
because of their ignorance and want of education, are unfit to exercise the
right of suffrage.

The same objection can, with equal force, be urged against a
certain class of white men, but no one pretends in their case, that the
objection is valid; and if we would avoid class legislation, we must make the
same rule apply to both.

If this objection be good as applied to the present generation of
blacks, it can not apply to the next, or to future generations, because the
General Government through the agency of the Freedmen’s Bureau has already
amply provided for their education, and when this bureau shall have been
withdrawn our own school system will continue the work so auspicious commenced,
and as we are legislating for generations to come, this objection is without
force and unworthy of further consideration.

WHITE MEN TO CONTROL NEGRO VOTES

We are also met the objection, that if we enfranchise the negro,
white men, and especially his late master will control his vote.

With this we have nothing to do; it is our duty and our business
to give him the right of suffrage, and his
to exercise it as he pleases. White men
are usually divided into political parties and if they have the control of
colored voters, the colored vote will be divided, and if the whites vote all
together, they will be no stronger if the colored men vote with them.

On large plantations, the relation of employers and employed may occasionally
operate to give the planter some undue control over the laborers. So it was formerly but falsely said, that
wealthy capitalists, who employed a large number of workmen, held them in
political bondage, but no one ever suggested this as a reason why they should
be disfranchised; but if the late slaveholders really believe they can control
the votes of their emancipated claves, I appeal to them to sustain my views,
that they may avail themselves of this new and important element of political
power.

WAR OF RACES

It is sometimes urged with
apparent solemnity, that if the negro is enfranchised, it would result in a war
between the two races.

One of the old arguments against emancipation, was the
anticipated terrible efforts were sure to follow the sudden liberation of the
slave. The freedmen were certain to
wreak their long pent up revenge, the moment they were released from bondage. This argument was used to prevent
emancipation in the British West Indies, and Senator Davis, of Kentucky, made free use of it in the United States Senate
to intimidate Congress, when it was disposed to give liberty to the slaves of
the District of Columbia. But notwithstanding this, freedom was not
withheld in either case, and was received by the emancipated with thanksgiving
and prayer, whose hearts were filled to overflowing with joy and gratitude, and
not with revenge, so that the evil predictions were not fulfilled, no war of races ensuing.

As the year 1865 drew to a close, the whole Southern country was
terrified by an apprehended war of races to be inaugurated during the coming
holidays. Under the slave system, this
had always been a season of alarm; dreadful forebodings took possession of
almost every Southern heart; but the season usually passed of without any
slaughter, save that which took place among the pigs and poultry in the barn
yards of the neighboring planters; but this
time there would be no mistake – the negroes were free – they could go where
they pleased and do as they pleased, and the bloody horrors of St. Domingo were
certain to be re-enacted. The eventful
days approached – Federal bayonets and Confederate home-guards were ready to
repel the first attack of the black hordes who were now to begin the war of
races. The holidays come, and all was
peace and quietness over the land, while hundreds of Southern fields, for the
first time during this merry-making season, were blackened by sable laborers,
who now, having a new motive for toil, were industriously preparing the soil for
future harvests. This again were the
cowardly and unmanly fears of the late slaveholding communities dispelled, and
the war of races was still further
postponed.

It is now proposed to take one more step towards the elevation of
the colored race by giving them the right of suffrage, and again are the hands
of his late oppressors raised in holy horror at another prospect of a war of
races, which must be inevitable, if this last mad act of fanaticism is
consummated. True, previous anticipations failed, but only give the negro the
right to vote, and war, with all is bloody horrors will sweep over the sunny
South like a destroying angel, filling the land with mourning – crimsoning
every cotton field and reddening every stream, while blazing towns and cities light
up the horrid scene with terrific grandeur! False friends of the colored man, stay your hands! Let him remain
half a slave that his race may be preserved.

Reason and argument having failed, thus do the opposers of this
last crowing act of emancipation feebly attempt to defeat the ends of justice
by again seeking to operate upon the fears of the timid, by once more raising
the absurd cry of a war of races!

Unworthy of serious consideration as this objection really is,
let us briefly examine it.

All the bloody feuds between the white and black races of which
history gives any account, were the result of injustice and oppression at the
hands of the superior race.

But who is now to begin this war of races? Certainly not the white man, for he will find
it his interest to be upon the best possible terms with the newly made
voters. The leading men, and the hosts
of political aspirants in every community, will suddenly find that these people
are entitled to respectful consideration, for voters are not to be slighted,
much less treated with indignity; and for this reason, they will every where
receive that kindness and attention which their political importance demands;
and at the polls their rights will be carefully protected by their white
political friends. Is it not therefore
clear that the white man will not begin this dreadful war of races? And is it not equally certain that the black
man will not begin it?

Men are not apt to make war upon their friends or upon those who
have conferred great and lasting benefits upon them; but the history of the
human race is full of bloody illustrations to the contrary. Wrongs and injustice many be submitted to for
a time, but the hour of retribution is certain to come; therefore, if we would
live in peace and harmony with the colored race, from which we cannot be
separated, and whose destiny is so indissolubly interwoven with our own, we
much do them no wrong, practice no injustice upon them, but being the superior
race, protect them from all harm and bestow upon them every right and privilege,
which their changed condition justly demands.

These people were called upon to defend with their lives, the
integrity of the Union, and thousands of them
are still under arms ready to perish in defence of their native land and they
are now everywhere clamoring for the right of suffrage. the last battle in Virginia
had scarcely ceased, before they held conventions in Petersburg,
Richmond and Alexandria, declaring by resolutions their
desire and their right to vote. Their example
was soon followed by the colored men of Tennessee,
Mississippi, Alabama,
North and South Carolina and Louisiana, who in large conventions have
demanded the same right. Their petitions
to Congress are of daily occurrence, while at the same time they are
maintaining at the seat of government a large and talented delegation of black
men, for the purpose of urging their claims upon Congress and the
President. Since the discussion on this subject
has commenced, Congress has, by an overwhelming majority pass a law giving
unconditional suffrage to the colored people of the District of Columbia.

This has the agitation of this question been commenced and
carried forward with extraordinary vigor; those who demand this right are
counted by millions, and let no man suppose that agitation will cease, or that
its fervor or intensity will abate, until their claims are satisfied.

Let us then learn wisdom from the history of the past, and
without compulsion from any quarter, cheerfully accord to our own freedmen, rights
and privileges, long unjustly withheld, thus insuring our peace and prosperity,
and their gratitude and friendship forever more.

In consideration of the importance of this subject, and the views
hereby presented, I respectfully bed leave to offer the following resolution:

That so much of the report of the Committee, as related to the
right of suffrage, be referred to a select committee, with instructions to
report an amendment, to provide for the prospective admission of the freedmen
to the right of suffrage.

E.
DEGENER

[*] Speech of Hon. Wm. D. Kelley in House of
Representatives, June 10,
1865

[†] Hon. Wm. D. Kelley of Pennsylvania, in a speech made in the House
of Representatives, January
16, 1865, made this statement in reference to negro suffrage in his
State:

“I remember well to have seen negroes at the
polls exercising the right of suffrage in Pennsylvania, where they enjoyed it
from the foundation of the government to the year 1838, when the growing
influence of the increasing slave power of the country, deprived colored men of
this right by following the example of South Carolina and inserting the word
“white” in the Constitution of the State.

Again said Mr. Kelley: “When the
Constitution was adopted the free colored men of New Jersey and of the States
adjoining, and of all the States excepting South Carolina and probably Delaware
and Virginia, in which suffrage was regulated by statute, and not by
constitutional provision, were citizens and did vote on the question of its adoption.
I challenge the production of any legal decision or historical work to
contradict this assertion.”

[‡] The father of Democracy, the illustrious Jefferson, in a letter dated July 12, 1816 in discussing a proposed
amendment to the Constitution of Virginia, thus clearly set forth his views:

“The true foundation of republican government is the equal right of every
citizen in his person and property, and in their management. Try by this as a tally every provision of our
Constitution and see if it hangs directly on the will of the people. Let
every man who fights or pays exercise his just and equal right in their
election.” – Jefferson’s Works, vol. 7, page 11.

And again, in a letter written April 19, 1824, he said:

“However nature may, by mental or physical
disqualifications, have marked infants and the weaker sex for the
protection rather than the direction of
government, yet among men who either pay
or fight for their country, no line of right can be drawn.” – Works, vol.7, page 345.

[§] In regard to North Carolina, it may not by
inappropriate to refer to its early law and usage, as state by one of its
distinguished jurists, Judge Gaston, in an opinion pronounced in 1838, in the
case of the State vs. Manual, which may be found in 4 Devereux, and Battle’s
North Carolina Reports, page 25.

“The very Congress which framed our
Constitution (the State Constitution of 1776) was chosen by free holders. That
Constitution extended the elective franchise to every freeman who had arrived
at the age of twenty-one, and paid a public tax; and it is a matter of
universal notoriety, that under it free person without regard to color, claimed and exercised the franchise until
it was taken from free men of color, a few years since, by our amended
Constitution.”

[**] In reference to Tennessee,
it is an interesting fact that Cave Johnson, one of the distinguished men of
our country, was elected to Congress by Negro votes. On mage 1305 of the Congressional Globe for
the session of 1853-54, will be found the following statement of Hon. John
Petit, of Indiana,
made in the United States Senate, May 25, 1854, while discussing the suffrage clause of the
Kansas Nebraska bill:

“Many of the States have conferred this
right [of suffrage] upon Indiana,
and many, both North and South, have conferred it upon free Negroes without
property. Old Cave Johnson, of
Tennessee, an honored and respectable gentleman, formerly Postmaster-General,
and for a long time a member of the other House, told me with his own lips that
the first time he was elected to Congress from Tennessee (in 1828) it was by
the votes of free negroes; and he told me how. Free Negroes in Tennessee
were then allowed by the Constitution of the State to vote; and he was an iron
manufacturer, and had a large number of free Negroes as well as slaves in his
employ. I well recollect the number he
stated. One hundred and eighty-four free
negroes in his employ went to the ballot-box and elected him to Congress the
first time he was elected.”

[††] EMANCIPATION IN

RUSSIA

– When Alexander II, the
present Emperor of Russia, by a proclamation set free twenty-three millions of
serfs, he completed his work by supplementary provisions investing the freedmen
with civil and political rights, including the right to testify in Court – the
right of suffrage, and the right to hold office. This immortal proclamation, dated at St. Petersburg, 19 February 1861, was
promulgated amidst prayers and thanksgiving in all the Churches of the National
Capitol, and at once sent to every part of the Empire by the hands of generals
and staff officers of the Emperor himself.

One of these “supplementary provision,” or
laws regulating the emancipation of the serfs, secures to the freedmen complete equality in the courts with
“the right of action, whether civilly or criminally, to commence process, and
to answer personally or by attorney; to make complaint, and to defend their
rights by all the means known to the law, and
to appear as witnesses and as bail, conformably to the common law.” Other sections secure to the freedmen
equality in political rights, by providing, that, “on the organization of the
towns, they shall be entitled to take part in the meetings and elections for
the towns and to vote on town affairs, and to exercise diverse functions; “
that they shall also “take part in the assemblies for the district, and shall
vote on district affairs, and choose the chairman,” and generally enjoy all
right to choose their local officers and to be chosen in turn. – Charles Sumner’s Speech, Worcester, Mass.

[‡‡] Hon. Thad. Stevens said in a recent speech in Congress
on this subject. “If the Southern States exlude the colored population, they
will lsoe at least thirty-five
Representatives in this hall. If they adopt it, (negro suffrage) they will have
eighty-three votes. Take it away from
them and they will have only from forty-five to forty-eight votes all told in
the House of Representatives.”

September 7 in San Antonio history...

2011-09-07T00:00:00.002-05:00

1924
The new St. John's Episcopal Church at Burnet and North Hackberry streets is completed and holds opening services.

1972
The first Folklife Festival opens on the grounds of the Institute of Texan Cultures. 7,546 people attend on opening day.

September 3 in San Antonio history...

2011-09-03T00:00:00.006-05:00

1979

PM Magazine, with hosts Mario Bosquez and Peggy Kokernot, debuts on KSAT Channel 12 at 6:30 p.m.

August 29 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-29T00:00:00.001-05:00

1986
Blockbuster Video announces its first San Antonio location at 9885 IH-10 West in the Colonnade. They would acquire the Sound Warehouse and Music Plus retail chains in 1992, but declare bankruptcy on Sept. 23, 2010.

August 20 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-20T00:00:00.002-05:00

1910
The congregation of Travis Park Methodist Church will erect a 12-story office and church building to cost about $50,000. The building will be erected on the adjoining church property on Travis and Navarro.

1960
Hundreds of San Antonians searched the skies last night for more than five hours for a glimpse of a "reddish ball of fire" reported to have been seen in the northeast section of the city. Local authorities have yet to determine what caused the reddish light.

August 19 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-19T00:00:00.002-05:00

1909
A meeting of the German-American citizens is held at Beethoven Hall to organize a branch of the German-American Alliance of the United States of America.

August 16 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-16T00:00:00.001-05:00

1920
The 2nd Division recruiting station at Jefferson and Travis has been moved to the southwest corner of Cameron and W. Houston. Capt. Bernard M. Smith hopes that the new location will be more conducive to enlisting.

1960
Delinquent city tax collections for the fiscal year showe an increase of 17 percent over the previous years, said, J. Frank Norton, back tax attorney.

August 15 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

1905
An ordinance was adopted by the city council wherein the city disclaimed any right, title or interest in the Alamo property. The mayor was authorized to execute a quit claim deed to Miss Clara Driscoll.

1918
A single fingerprint is the sole evidence against a San Antonio man ordered to stand trial in district court for burglary. It will be the first case of its kind in Bexar County and the third in the state. Although other evidence is lacking, police claim the print method is infallable.

1969
Jethro Tull and Led Zeppelin play a concert at Hemisfair Arena. It is the first appearance in San Antonio for both bands. Tickets sell for $3, $4 and $5.

August 13 in San Antonio history..

2011-08-13T00:00:00.001-05:00

1922
This morning, Judge James R. Davis submitted a petition from property owners in the settlement of Viva, between San Antonio and Leon Springs on the San Antonio & Aransas Pass railroad, that the streets and alleys in the 35-year-old town be ordered closed. The commissioners' court granted the petition. Thus, the township was wiped out. There were no casualties.

1928
Before the end of the week, the city expects to own all of the land necessary for the right-of-way of the crosstown flood prevention channel. The channel will run from the back of the Public Service Co. across Commerce, Market and Dolorosa, connecting with the river again in the rear of the Plaza Hotel.

1959
Mayor Kuykendall drove off behind the wheel of a spanking new Cadillac today, the first city-owned chariot since Maury Maverick was in office. A limousine for the mayor was discontinued during World War II.

August 12 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-12T00:00:00.002-05:00

1909
San Antonio has a population of 101,994 and Bexar Country 133,188, according to the offical census report from the superintendent of public instruction.

1915
Police cars were equipped with sirens similar to those used by the fire department. They were to be used only while the cars were responding to emergency calls.

1955
The nations's first jet light aircraft landed at San Antonio. The plane was a 4-place, twin-jet Beechcraft. Its pilot, Allen Raines, called it a "sweet aircraft."

August 11 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-11T00:00:00.002-05:00

1909

A meeting of the German-American citizens will be held at Beethoven Hall Aug. 19 to organize a branch of the German-American Alliance of the United States of America.

1919
A minimum wage of $2.50 a day for laborers and $5 a day for teamsters with teams will be inaugurated by the city when the budget is adopted. This will be an increase of 50 cents for the laborers and $1 for the teamsters.

1939
Bexar County Commissioners Court in a special resolution passed this morning, censured the city of San Antonio for its "ill-advised" granting of a permit for a Communist Party meeting in the Municipal Auditorium.

1959
The city's housing and inspection department issued a permit for construction of a $1,040,000 motor hotel to be situated at Loop 13, San Pedro and Isom Road. It will be known as Ramada Inn Roadside Motel.

August 10 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

1892
A sewage propostition will soon by made the city by a New York company, it is said.

1902
The San Antonio Traction Company will begin the work of laying the heavy grooved rail on Military Plaza tomorrow and until this work is completed, passengers on the I&GN cars will be transferred to this point.

1922
The San Antonio Police Association made formal request for either a $40 per month base pay hike or the establishment of a 40-hour work week.

August 9 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-09T00:00:00.003-05:00

1902
A real estate deed was filed this morning for the conveyance of the old Andrews homestead on Dallas for the Physicians and Surgeons Hospital for $11,000.

1942
The world's largest aerial navigation school will go into action at Hondo, when cadets march to their first classes in academic buildings.

1962

Southwest Research Institute received two contracts today which were among $137,638 approved by the National Institute of Health.

1969

Midnight Cowboy begins showing in San Antonio at the Broadway Theater at 4940 Broadway. It remains the only X-rated film to win the Best Picture Oscar.
(photo by Gerald Lyda)

August 8 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-08T00:00:00.002-05:00

1879
Jacques Hainline is hanged here according to law, for the murder of Peter Maddox.

1887
If that resident on San Pedro does not look out and put on more clothing when he sits on his front gallery in the evening, he will be exposed through the courts.

1922
Permission to drive through downtown streets, clad only in swimming suits, was refused a dozen belles bound for Lambert Beach and Brackenridge Park.

August 7 in San Antonio history..

2011-08-07T00:00:00.001-05:00

1873
Troops are removed from the San Antonio Army Post.

1922
Permission to drive through downtown streets clad ownly in swimming suits, was refused a dozen belles bound for Lambert Beach and Brackenridge Park.

1959
Paid parking went into operation this week at the International Airport. Prices are 10 cents for the first 30 minutes, 25 cents for three hours and up to $1 for 24 hours.

August 6 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-06T00:00:00.001-05:00

1922
James E. Ferguson, former Texas governor and now U.S. senatorial candidate, is scheduled to be a San Antonio visitor today.

1942
A petition bearing 100 signatures and demanding the sale of beer be prohibited on Sunday was presented to the City Council.

1962
The mercury passed the 100 degree mark for the 14th consecutive day, surpassing a 32-year old record.
[The streak continued until August 13, 1962 - 21 consecutive days, which is still the record as of 2011.]

August 5 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-05T00:00:00.001-05:00

1884
The San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad is first organized.

1922
San Antonio's first radio station, WJAE, begins broadcasting but lasts only a few months.

1983
Preliminary work has begun to convert the Maverick Building, formerly an office building at 606 N. Presa, into a "European-style" hotel of 92 one- and two-bedroom suites, including a penthouse suite with patios overlooking downtown, according to Max Champman, the project's architect and one of it's four owners. The Maverick Hotel is slated to open no earlier than June 1984.

August 4 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

1932
A group of 150 business men this morning went on record as favoring the Roosevelt Avenue route for the proposed Highway 66.

1942

County Commissioners Court has decided to return the 70 idle voting machines which have never been purchased, each at a savings of $1040.

1990

Eleven-year-old Heidi Seeman disappears, prompting a massive search and a city-wide outpouring of support. Her body is found on August 25. Her murder remains unsolved to this day.

August 3 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-03T00:00:00.002-05:00

1873
Georgie Drake, a beautiful song and dance girl of the variety theatres, is killed by her jealous boyfriend, John Lanham, at the Green Front Theater at the corner of Military Plaza and North Flores.

1932
San Antonio claims organization of the first group of Khaki Shirts in Texas, an outgrowth of the bonus seekers' troubles in Washington. They are seeking a permanent camp.

1962
San Antonio's Chiropractic College received an initial endowment of $238,000 toward a $1 million endowment fund from its alumni association.

August 2 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-02T00:00:00.001-05:00

1942
The huge $1,500,000 dirigible hangar at Brooks Field, one of the largest structures in the Southwest, is to be dismantled soon.

1952
An 8-year-old preacher will hold a revival in the city starting Sunday. He is probably the nation's youngest preacher.

1979
Joske's held the first day of a disco dancing contest to win an appearance in the upcoming Allan Carr film tentatively titled "Discoland." [Allan Carr was the producer of "Grease." "Discoland" would be released in 1980 as "Can't Stop the Music."]

August 1 in San Antonio history...

2011-08-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

1892
The telephone exchange switchboard was fried by the lightning last night during the storm, but was extinguished by the operators in fine style.

1922
Albert O. Van Riper, acting chief of police since shortly after the resignation of Thomas J. Martin, was confirmed by three votes in the City Council yesterday.

1962
U.S. Customs agents in San Antonio are going to make an inventory of all gold coins minted after 1933 which are contained in the rare coin collection at Witte Museum.

July 31 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-31T00:00:00.002-05:00

1903
The East End Bakery advertised in The Light that the "best bread in the city" could be purchased at its three stores at two loaves for five cents.

1908
James "Doc" Williams was hanged in the Bexar County jail this morning for the murder of Thomas J. Turner. Before the execution, Father Waring mounted the scaffold and delivered a rebuke to those who had come to see the hanging out of morbid curiosity.

1948
Contributions totaling $700 have been made for the development of a park north of Dahiel, near the old Dodd Field permanent party mess hall. The park will serve 500 miltary personnel and dependents.

July 30 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

1898
The members of the Salvation Army in this city have begun the practice of visiting saloons every evening and giving an entertainment after which a collection is invariably taken up for the success of the cause.

1918
San Antonio police today said they are alarmed by the sudden increase of juvenile delinquency in this city. Last month, 31 boys were arrested for crimes, other than misdemeanors. Police asked that a probe be conducted.

1958
County Commissioners Court changed the name of Bexar County Coliseum to Joe Freeman Coliseum. In changing the name of the building, members of the court noted that "through his untiring efforts and unslefish and liberal donations, Joe Freeman, an outstanding citizen of San Antonio and Bexar County, is responsible for a coliseum of which all Bexar County may be proud."

July 29 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

1893
Acting city engineer Pancoast reported sidewalk construction on portions of Fifth, Avenue E, Avenue C, Laredo, Acequia, and E. Commerce has been completed.

1903
J. M. Kincaid, owner of the Herald office building on Soledad, announced the structure would be completely modernized.

1953
Alamo Heights has received its fifth straigh National Traffic Safety Contest award - this time for a record of no traffic fatalities during 1952.

July 28 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-28T00:00:00.001-05:00

1893
A real estate transfer by Paul Wagner gave Lot 30 in Walter Street and a water ditch on Goliad to Ida Wagner and Charles Mueller for a consideration of $5000.

1933
Cotton on the first 550 Bexar County farms which have agreed with the federal government to reduce crops, was being plowed under. Some 9,000 of 27,000 acres in cotton will be destroyed.

1963
The legend of the famed Rose Window of San Jose Mission is one of the major themes being presented in the production of "San Jose Story" at the San Jose Outdoor Theater through August 17.

July 27 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

1893
The Marshall Street mission of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church will be abandoned after next Sunday, it was announced.

1953
Contruction of a gigantic hangar at Kelly Air Force Base, capable of housing 10 huge B-36 bombers simultaneously, will begin early in September. According to reports here it will be the largest building in the world.

1963
San Antonio has the "inside track" for the proposed $15 million Veterans Administration Hospital that will serve South Texas.

July 26 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-26T00:00:00.003-05:00

1893
Telephone station operators sponsored a "hello dance" at Riverside Park. A basket lunch was a feature of the outing.

1903
Several hundred persons attended the first annual joint picnic of the two locals of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen at San Pedro Springs Park.

1953
Eight engine test cells with 18-inch concrete walls, capable of calibrating performances of 5,000 h.p. turbo-prop aircraft power plants are under construction at Kelly AFB.

1975

The San Antonio Wings of the World Football League play their home opener at Alamo Stadium against the Charlotte Hornets in front of 12,325 fans. The Wings win, 27-10. However, the WFL folds in October.

July 25 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-25T00:00:00.001-05:00

1975
The San Antonio Wings of the World Football League play their home opener at Alamo Stadium against the Memphis Southmen. The Wings win, 7-0. However, the WFL folds in October.

July 23 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-23T00:00:00.012-05:00

1885

The first shipment of rails for the S.A. & A.P. railway arrived in San Antonio.

1972

Focus IV Computer Systems, located at 2103 Mannix, exhibited a computer system designed for small and medium sized businesses. The system consists of a "central processor computer, a video display and keyboard, a dual-disc storage system and a serial impact printer with a forms tractor." It sold for "less than $40,000," including programming.

1978

Sanitation workers in San Antonio go on strike. Tensions are inflamed when City Manager Tom Huebner states that, "Those positions are easily filled."

1985

The San Antonio Gunslingers play their final game, a home game against the Portland Breakers, ironically the same team (then called the New Orleans Breakers) that they played in their very first game on Feb. 26, 1984. They go out winners, 21-13, in front of 19,603 fans at Alamo Stadium.

Allez LeMond! - 1989

July 22 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

1923
Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Stephenson, 205 E. Mulberry, were revealsed as donors of the new $9,000 pipe organ in the Travis Park Methodist Church.

1953
The San Antonio Public Library is breaking all records in its 50th anniversary year. Books now total more than 500,000 on downtown branch shelves.

1973
Public Works Department officials are negotiating a contract for investigation of the 47-year-old Olmos Dam and hope to employ a consultant for the work within two weeks.

July 21 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

1943
Lt. Dave A. Olds, whose navigating skills led U.S. Army Bombers on a strike at the Japanese naval base at Paramushiro, is the Dave Young who broadcast Mission baseball games over KABC.

1963
"Like a quarter moon" was the way San Antonians saw the sun when it reached its fullest stage of being partially eclipsed.

1973
The San Antonio Police Department could begin hiring women police officers later this year if approval is given of a new agility test, now being drawn up by Police Chief Peters and City Personnel Director Clyde McCullough.

July 20 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

1913
Marijuana is grown, cured and smoked right here in San Antonio. In fact, San Antonio forms the distributing point for the southern territory, according to Prof. Harvey C. Stiles.

1943
Unless the rationing board gets a rush of applications, there will be a lot of gasless autos stranded here. At least 25,000 owners have not received their new A books.

1953
An innovation that jumped into immediate popularity with patients at Brooke Army Hospital is a sidewalk cafe at the hospital service club. Soft drinks and food are available for patients and their friends several times each week.

July 19 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

1913
Property taxpayers, by a vote of 10 to 1, endorsed the nine propositions calling for the issuance of $3,450,000 in bonds for municipal improvements and for $300,00 for additional school facilities.

1933
San Antonio and southwest Texas entered the sixth consecutive week without rain, with farmers facing heavy losses unless the drought breaks soon.

1953
Unemployment in San Antonio is taking a sharp upswing. The Texas Employment Commission reports the total number of jobless persons increased more than 3,000 during June.

July 18 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

1933
San Antonio's beer lovers will appear in 94th District COurt next week in defense of persons who have persisted in selling 3.2 percent beer in defiance of the city's proclamation.

1943
The Memphis Belle flyers will tell the inside story of their 25 bombing missions at the war bond rally to be held in their honor at Municipal Auditorium.

1963
It was reported to the City Council that the City of Leon Valley is not suitable for total annexation by San Antonio, because the city presently could not adequately service the small town with utilities.

July 17 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

1913
The tunnel through the "big hill" on the line of the Fredericksburg Railroad was completed and is 910 feet long.

1923
Tomorrow afternoon the first bale of the season will be sold at public auction in the office of the San Antonio Cotton Exchange in the basement of the City National Bank Building.

1963
Seventy-four San Antonio business firsms have pledged $2,575,500 toward a $6 million goal to stage the proposed HemisFair in 1968, announced Marshall T. Steves, chairman of the HemisFair underwriting committee.

July 16 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-16T00:00:00.001-05:00

1953
Parade fanfare and visits by Gov. Shivers and Hollywood stars will mark the world premiere of "The Man From the Alamo" at the Majestic Theater.

1963
The cumulative total of building contracts in the San Antonio metropolitan area for the first five months of 1963 totaled $41 million.

1983
Leslie Tillett was at a reception in San Antonio speaking to the "Friends of the Tillett Tapestry" about his creation, a 100 by 3 foot tapestry he created, depicting Cortes's conquest of Mexico. He was hoping to sell it for $200,000 as a "gift to the city." Ultimately, it was not purchased and went on display elsewhere.

July 15 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-15T00:00:00.002-05:00

1898
A Southern Pacific passenger train coming into this city from Houston made the last 57 miles between Luling and San Antonio at the rate of a mile a minute. One of the passengers said, "Why, I couldn't count the telegraph poles!"

1928
For 10 years there has been no regular police force in San Antonio. This came to light yesterday when it was revealed that none of the men employed in that period have been confirmed by the city commission as required by the city charter.

1949
San Antonio's Transit Service employees vote to strike.

July 14 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

1887
The group calling themselves the Young Men's Christian Association in organizing is proposing to have a gymnasium and endeavoring to raise the means to attain that end.

1917
Another great stride forward in San Antonio's importance as a military center was made today as the government took over 5,081 acres of land next to Camp Kelly.

1957
The gas war here continues as motorists enjoy filling up their automobile tanks at 20 cents a gallon.

July 13 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

1893
A chili stand has been placed in a vacant lot next to Convention Hall on North Flores Street.

1913
Work in getting the old German-English School property at South Alamo street in readiness for the fall season, when it will be used for a public school, is progressing steadily.

1923
San Antonio may have a municipal golf course of nine holes as an attraction for tourists next season if private means can be found for building one in Mahnke Park.

July 12 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-12T00:00:00.002-05:00

1913
A Pentecostal baptizing will take place tomorrow afternoon at the Josephine Street bridge.

1923
An epidemic of whooping cough, measles and chicken pox has been prevalent at the Protestant Orphans Home for two months and two deaths have occurred.

1963
San Antonio banks let it be known Thursday they are willing to lend $4.5 million, the sum required to launch the HemisFair project.

July 11 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

1913
Representatives of San Antonio grocers expressed approval of a Sunday closing resolution offered at a meeting of the Retail Merchants Association.

1923
Raggedy Ann, the burro mascot of Battery F, 12th Field Artillery, was buried to the slow strains of "The Old Gray Mare."

2002
Costco opens their second San Antonio location at 1201 N. Loop 1604 near 281.

July 10 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-10T00:00:00.001-05:00

1943

The Allied invasion and capture of 100 miles of beachheads along the coast of Sicily was the "talk of the town" in San Antonio.

1977

Two security guards prevented a man from jumping to his death from the Tower of the Americas. The elevator operator notified the guards because the man "acted suspiciously."

2010

The Hays Street Bridge reopens to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

July 9 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-09T00:00:00.001-05:00

1893
George H. Walker arrived in San Antonio from New York to take over as manager of the Grand Opera House.

1943
A new employee at the San Antonio National Bank, 213 W. Commerce, stepped on the burglar alarm button, causing 10 police cars to dash to the bank.

1953

July 8 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-08T00:00:00.003-05:00

1893
San Antonio tailors will make the new uniforms for the San Antonio baseball club. They will be gray wool with black trimmings.

1902
The Congregation of Temple Beth-El is issued a permit to erect a synagogue on Travis St. to cost $35,000.

1903
The San Antonio Typographical Union filed a petition with the city clerk for permission to hang a banner across the top of the Commerce Street bridge, announcing the July 19 picnic.

July 7 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

1943
Dr. W.A. King, city health officer, reported a new record in births during the three-day holiday weekend. A total of 101 was reported.

1953
Theft of 85 pounds of Polish sausage from a truck in the 2700 block of South Presa was reported today by Broadway Sausage Company, 1205 Broadway.

1997
The 210 area code changes to include only San Antonio and Bexar County. Area codes 830 and 956 are added for areas north and south of San Antonio.

July 6 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-06T00:00:00.001-05:00

1861
The Texas order of the Sons of Hermann is founded in San Antonio.

1923
A ban was placed on huge advertising banners stretched across downtown streets, following a conference between Commissioner Wright, Fire Chief Sarran and Building Inspector Niggli.

1943
Police Chief Aubrey Hopkins announced the addition of four detectives to the juvenile delinquency staff in an efford to cut down crime along the river.

July 5 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-05T00:00:00.001-05:00

1923
Mayor John W. Tobin returned to the San Antonio Amusement Co. several passes saying he did not believe any public official or city employee was entitled to free admittance to theaters.

1933
Housewives were the winners in a San Antonio milk price war. Prices dropped to 3 cents a pint and 5 cents a quart at stores, and 4 cents a pint and 6 cents a quart delivered.

1943
Only one serious injury was reported as San Antonio observed one of its quietest Fourth of July celebrations in many years.

July 4 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

1893
Members of the Alamo Wheelmen captured first honors in established a record in the five-mile event at the state bicycle races at Waco.

1933
Bruno Busch, a farmer on Palo Alto Road, killed a seven-foot alligator, thus clearing the mystery of the disappearance of young pigs from his farm.

1963
The City Planning Commission detailed plans for a traffic loop encircling the central business district of San Antonio and an outer loop encircling the county.

July 3 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

1923
The $1 million Woodman Memorial Hospital, situated north of San Antonio, has been dedicated.

1933
About 250 persons attended a closed state convention of the Texas Knights of the Ku Klux Klan at Pecan Grove, off the South Loop.

1963
Formal announcement of a 130-acre downtown site for the proposed HemisFair was made by James M. Gaines, chairman of the site selection committee.

July 2 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-02T00:00:00.001-05:00

1903
W. R. Crothers and Co. agents were advertising the Oldsmobile as "the rig that runs." The price for the 1903 model was $650.

1963
A total of 61 percent of all business establishments signed pledges that they would voluntarily desegregate, according to a report of the City Council's committee on desegregation.

1971
The Aztec Theater promised "a new concept in entertainment" with the transformation into a multiplex, called the Aztec-3.

July 1 in San Antonio history...

2011-07-01T00:00:00.004-05:00

1893
The inaugural races of the San Antonio Jockey Club will take place at the fairgrounds July 3 and 4, according to J. R. Hooper, secretary of the club.

1923
Fire Chief J. G. Sarran warned that sparklers are dangerous when used by children and asked San Antonians to join a campaign for a "safe and sane" July 4.

1971
San Antonio begins serving liquor by the drink. The first five restaurants in San Antonio to receive a mixed beverage license were John Charles Restaurant, The Landing, Big John's Steaks and Oyster Bar, La Fonda on Broadway and La Fonda in Oak Hills. The Tower of the Americas was the sixth, but they decided to wait until July 2 to begin serving drinks.

1973
Santikos announces the expansion of the Century South theatre to six screens, plus the purchase of three local drive-ins: the Mission Twin, Lackland and Varsity drive-ins from Gulf States Theaters of New Orleans.

June 30 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

1893
A state-wide search was on for four companions of a would-be train robber who shot and killed an Aransas Pass railroad fireman near Brackenridge.

1912
Hugo & Schmeltzer's at 613-615 Commerce Street closes.

1998
The Austin Highway Flea Market closes.

June 29 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-29T00:00:00.004-05:00

1844
City Council proposes to erect a building to be used as a courthouse and public school building. The sum of $80 was appropriated for the purpose of putting the building then occupied in order to serve said purposes.

1913
Rainfall in San Antonio total .94 inch, with other South Texas cities reporting .5 to 1.6 inches at Corpus Christi.

1973
Tom Nissalke, former coach of the ABA Dallas Chapparals and the NBA Seattle Supersonics, is named the first head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.

1979
Dr. Ronald K. Calgaard is installed as the 16th president of Trinity University. Dr. Calgaard previously served as the vice-chancellor of academic affairs at the University of Kansas.

June 28 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-28T00:00:00.001-05:00

1946
The Trail Drive-in theater at Military and Roosevelt opens.

1953
Jubilant officals announted the United Cerebral Palsy telethon had raised $15,582 to date. The present total is almost $60,000 more than was raised in the first telethon.

1963
Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez today delivered a reply to San Antonio critics of the VA hospital plan saying there is a definite need for the $15 million complex slated to be built here.

June 27 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-27T00:00:00.006-05:00

1963
San Antonio moved again toward complete desegregation today after 173 restaurants, 23 motels and 9 hotels quietly opened their doors to Negroes.

1967
Oak Farms Dairy introduces plastic milk jugs to replace the previous quart glass bottles. They were given the rather unfortunate name "Jug-A-Moo."

1988
Lightning strikes steeple of Hot Wells bathhouse causing extensive fire damage for the fourth time.

June 26 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-26T00:00:00.001-05:00

1933
The 1,500 city employees who have been living on credit or savings for a month because of an empty city treasury, were told about $90,000 would distributed by July 1.

1963
Postmaster Dan Quill said the "master" number of the new ZIP code designations for San Antonio is 782.

1991
Southwestern Bell officials announced that South Texas would soon have two area codes. San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley would remain 512 and Austin, Corpus Christi and Kingsville would receive a new but as yet undetermined designation. The change is slated to take place in late 1992 or early 1993.
[Despite what the article stated, San Antonio's area code changed to 210 on Nov. 1, 1992]

June 25 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-25T00:00:00.002-05:00

1893
An Alamo line street car collided with a train at the Aransas Pass crossing near Riverside Park. The car was wrecked and one man was reported seriously injured.

1953
The annual ordinance granting the Fiesta San Antonio Association the use of city streets and plaza during Fiesta Week was passed by the City Council.

1991
After spending $3.1 million to buy the Vista Verde office building, Bexar Commissioners voted Monday to spend almost $4 million to refurbish the structure to meet the county's needs. Commissioners also approved $9.96 million for the development of a forensic science center to replace the current medical examiner's office.

June 24 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

1895
St. Louis College graduates its first class - a graduating class of two.

1939
Mayor Maverick today has obtained from Aubrey Williams, NYA director, a commitment for $100,00 of NYA funds for restoration of the Villita Street Spanish Village.

1949
Trinity Baptist Church is founded.

June 23 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-23T00:00:00.004-05:00

1909
While tearing down an old soft rock structure on South Alamo between Garden and South streets, laborers unearthed a pile of coins which evidently had been placed in the wall more than a half century ago.

1919
The city will offer a supply of free wood to the needy. Mountainous heaps of broken wood blocks, reclaimed from torn up pavement, have been assembled at the city material yards.

1979
Forty cars of an empty 86-car gravel train derailed on the Southern Pacific tracks near the 100 block of Probandt Street, blocking traffic on Probandt and Flores streets. No one was injured and none of the cars overturned in the mishap.

June 22 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-22T00:00:00.005-05:00

1949
Although it has been opened several weeks, the interregional highway from Cincinnati to Culebra Road is not being used much. A check revealed an average of one car per five minutes travels the route.

1959
The contract for construction of North Star Mall was awarded yesterday to Dan J. Rheiner Construction Co.

1979

The Solo Serve Company, founded as "The Clerkless Store" in 1919, is sold by the Brenner family to the Solo Serve Corporation, a subsidiary of the General Atlantic Group headed by R.J. Grimm, who had been vice-president of the Solo Serve Company. The term "clerkless" meant that customers could roam a store and pick out their own items -- instead of having a clerk be in charge of getting each item for a customer. As is the case in today's grocery stores, customers in the clerkless store would pay for their items once they were ready to leave. The concept cut down on labor costs, thus allowing stores to sell products at lower prices.

1987
The Spurs use their No. 1 draft pick to select Naval Academy Midshipman David Robinson.

June 21 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-21T00:00:00.013-05:00

1919

San Antonio is being considered as a station on route of proposed airline passenger travel between the Atlantic and the Pacific. Inquiries have been made regarding a suitable landing field near the city.

1979

The clutch on "Big Daddy" Don Garlitts' dragster explodes during a run at Alamo Dragway, injuring several spectators with shrapnel.

2006

The Police Department replaces their traditional royal and French blue uniforms (above) with dark navy blue (below).

(Photo courtesy of Imagebank)

June 20 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-20T00:00:00.004-05:00

1909
While in the act of giving a lady his seat on the Hot Wells street car last night, C.B. Christians fell from the car and suffered severe bruises. He was trolley riding with his wife when the accident occurred.

1930
Randolph Field is dedicated.

1939
Ray Ashworth, 35, Evanston, IL., one of the nation's outstanding safety experts, today was named chief of the San Antonio Police Department. He succeeds W.A. Harvey, an acting chief since June 1.

1975
The headline of the San Antonio Express newspaper read "60 cent gas looms in San Antonio."
($0.60 in 1975 works out to $2.40 per gallon today after inflation. It would still be a bargain.)

June 19 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-19T00:00:00.002-05:00

1899
City Attorney Paschal recommends the closing of the old Madre ditch through the city. At present it only accommodates the streetcar power house as a disposal of its waste water.

1949
Abandonment of their bid for the Arsenal property was scheduled by the board of trustees of San Antonio Junior College in their meeting this afternoon.

1954
The San Antonio City Council votes to ban people of color from city swimming pools, making law of a de facto segregation that had existed for 90-plus years. To add insult to such a despicable action, the law takes effect on "Juneteenth," the 89th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Texas. The law would be repealed two years later, on March 16, 1956.

June 18 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-18T00:00:00.002-05:00

1909
At a meeting of the county commissioners, a petition asking that the named of the Hoefling, Jones-Maltsberger, Coker-Maltsberger and Lockhill-Selma roads be changed to that of Sommers Road was granted.

1939
On the anniversary of his famed flight to Ireland, Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan took as his bride yesterday afternoon, his childhood sweetheart, Miss Elizabeth Marvin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Marvin, 507 Terrell Rd. The wedding was in the chapel of the First Baptist Church.

1971

Southwest Airlines begins air service to San Antonio, Dallas and Houston with six roundtrips DAL-SAT and 12 roundtrips DAL-IAH with $20 one-way fares.

June 17 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-17T00:00:00.004-05:00

1919

The Victory Arch, erected on Alamo Plaza as a part of the welcoming home of San Antonio soldiers and under which two parades of overseas men have marched, has been taken down. No more large units of men are slated to arrive.

1929

Fire and Police Commissioner Phil Wright warned motorist the new state highway speed limit of 45 mph does not apply inside the city limits. The city speed limit, as before, will be 20 mph.

1976

The San Antonio Spurs become members of the National Basketball Association.

June 16 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

1899
John Keiser, who is engaged in classifying probate papers in the county clerk's office, came to a package yesterday containing the papers of Davy Crockett. First papers were filed July 12, 1837 and the estate was closed in 1857.

1919
The city creed, written by L. N. Lyon, 717 E. Euclid, was selected by a committee of three judges to win the $50 prize offered by the San Antonio Light for the best expression of faith in San Antonio written in 100 words.

1949
A "cooling off" period of two weeks began today in the labor dispute between officials of the San Antonio Transit Company and the bus drivers union. Both sides accepted a two-week extension of the old contract.

June 15 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

1928
Plunging into space simultaneously from different planes, seven Brooks Field soldiers today floated gracefully to the ground in one of the most unusual parachute demonstrations ever attempted at a government field.

1948
Drastic water rationing, including the closing of two post pools was ordered today at Fort Sam Houston. The order also saw new deep well pumps must be installed because a lowered water level.

1958
Like a hot potato, the controversial fluoridation issue has been tossed into the city's lap again. It has been eight years since a local group failed in its attempt to add fluoride to the water. Jim Pearce, chairman of the Jaycee Public Health and Education Committee, said surveys show cavities in children are reduced by 65 percent in areas which use the fluoridated water.

June 14 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-14T00:00:00.001-05:00

1908
About 25 autos left San Antonio at 9:30 a.m. yesterday for New Braunfels, returning in the evening. Main purpose of the trip was to gain the friendship of farmers on the route and help remove their prejudice against autos.

1968
The Teen Canteen opens at Bitters Road opposite Northeast Stadium featuring Lord August [Meyers] & the Visions of Lite and Incandescent Shadows.

2007
The Spurs win their fourth championship in nine years by sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers.

June 13 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

1928
In no uncertain terms, Mayor C.W. Chambers today demanded the Order of the Alamo must either stage its 1929 coronation in Municipal Auditorium or San Antonio's streets will be barred to Fiesta de San Jacinto parades.

1938
Col. W.B. Tuttle Today said he is impatiently awaiting the start of a survey by Army engineers to determine the practicality of a river canal from San Antonio to the Gulf of Mexico. The 140-mile proposed canal would follow the San Antonio River to the Guadalupe and continue alone that river to the gulf.

1948
San Antonio city officials today belatedly discovered they faced a deficit of $200,000 for municipal operations during the fiscal year which ended May 31. Officials said 80 percent tax collections are needed to balance the budget.

June 12 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-12T00:00:00.003-05:00

1898
The fire department boys have received their new summer straw hats, all of the Alpine shape, in brown straw.

1938
After a decade of construction, the Sunken Garden Theater, one of San Antonio's beauty spots, today stood completed. The project was started in 1928 with erection of a 30x40 foot stage.

1948
San Antonio spigots are going to drip instead of gush if water users don't practice conservation, city engineers predicated today. There's little chance summer rains will eliminate the drought, they say, and the postwar demands on a pre-war water system drain the supply.

June 11 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-11T00:00:00.001-05:00

1918
The City Council is considering purchase of several lots for the creation of Romana Plaza at the junction of Soledad, Romana, Camden, Main and San Pedro. The triangular plaza would also include property of the Main Avenue fire station.

1928
Endorsement of Father's Day and an appeal for its proper observance was contained in a proclaimation issued today by Mayor C.M. Chambers. The day will be celebrated extensively in San Antonio. There will be many parties.

1958
Five San Antonio taxicab companies were operating Wednesday with a 10 cent increate in minimum fares. The minimum fares went from 35 cents to 45 cents at midnight Monday.

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2011-06-10T09:08:00.000-05:00

This blog has been incorporated into a blog page for the San Antonio Public Library. It will now be located at: http://mysapl.wordpress.com/.

This location will not be updated regularly, although new blog posts will appear for the next couple of months. Please change your bookmarks and RSS feeds to the new web address.

Thanks!

June 10 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-10T00:00:00.003-05:00

1948
The nickel pass of the bus rider was eliminated today by a 4-to-1 votes of the City Council. Passes will be eliminated July 4, increasing fare for twice-daily riders in the first zone by 15 cents and 25 cents in the second zone.

1955
Television station KCOR Channel 41 (now KWEX) takes to the airwaves as the country's first Spanish language TV station.

1958
A 69-year-old woman in an apparent daze stepped into the downtown San Antonio River Tuesday and missed drowning by moments. She was discovered floating face down on the river surface by three men. She is believed to have fallen to the sidewalk while walking along the river, and upon arising, mis-stepped into the river.

1977
The Spurs select 7-0 center Jeff Wilkins of Illinois State as their first pick in the NBA draft. They also draft Dan Henderson of Arkansas State.

June 9 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-09T00:00:00.003-05:00

1898
The county commissioners this morning examined the work on the new cells in the city jail recently removed from the basement of the courthouse and decided to accept them.

1908
Alderman Dietzmann today said he favors a law requiring that each balloonist pay a license of $27 per year for the privilege of navigating the San Antonio atmosphere. He said there is no telling when one is apt to fall on us.

1918
In broad daylight under the eyes of detectives and scores of patrolmen, a daring San Antonio thief stole a policeman's horse, tied directly in front of police headquarters. A general pursuit failed to catch him.

June 8 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-08T00:00:00.002-05:00

1905
The school census is completed; it shows 12,201 pupils of scholastic age.

1929
Construction of the Sunken Garden Theater is begun.
(right)

1933
The Reptile Garden opens at the Witte Museum. (It would close in 1975.)

June 7 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-07T00:00:00.005-05:00

1927

A steam shovel is used for the first time in San Antonio in construction of Commercial National Bank.

1932
Gonzales Road is re-named Nixon Road

2008
Jorrie's (later Lack's) Furniture Building is razed (right).

June 6 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-06T00:00:00.002-05:00

1943
Police Chief Aubrey Hopkins announced the addition of four detectives to the juvenile delinquency staff in an effort to cut down crime along the river.

1963
The San Antonio Motion Picture Advisory and Reviewing Board held its annual installation luncheon and for the benefit of several guests, reaffirmed it is not a film censoring society.

1997
Macy's holds its grand opening in the former Marshall Field's location in North Star Mall.

June 5 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-05T00:00:00.002-05:00

1858
A.A. Lockwood, President of the San Antonio Fire Company receives a new fire engine.

1942
Joske's installs the first escalators in San Antonio and begins their "Joske Days" sale two days late in order to showcase them.

1973
The University of Texas Graduate School opens at 4203 Woodcock in the Koger Executive Center. Dr. Kenneth Ashmore, executive vice president of UTSA, said, "We're approaching the first major objective of the institution and that is to open here. The second objective is to open the main campus in September 1975."

June 4 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-04T00:00:00.010-05:00

1926

The Aztec Theatre opened promising "a totally new form of entertainment."

1931

The swimming champion of the world, Johnny Weismuller, 27, is in San Antonio. Four swimming exhibitions will be given here.

1971
Regents of the University of Texas system approved preliminary plans for six new buildings on the UTSA campus, costing $33,522,000. The structures are a library, a humanities building, a science-education building, an art building, a physical education building and a service building.

June 3 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-03T00:00:00.008-05:00

1965
San Antonian Ed White becomes the
first astronaut to "walk" in space when he opens the hatch of his Gemini 4 capsule and floats outside.
(Photo courtesy of NASA.)

1973
Bexar County voters voted nearly 2-to-1 for the first countywide road bonds. Fewer than 4 percent of the county's registered voters turned out.

1979
The Ixtoc I oil platform in the Bay of Campeche, 600 miles south of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico, blows out, catches fire and collapes. The well, 164 feet below the surface, spilled 10,000 to 30,000 barrels of oil per day into the gulf until it was finally capped on March 23, 1980.

June 2 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-02T00:00:00.004-05:00

1918
The Sunset Pictures Corp. moving picture company recently organized here with capital of $50,000, has leased the Harlandale Hotel and bathhouse property and early next week will start erection of a $2,000 outdoor studio.

1948
The Fiesta San Jacinto Association today issued a financial statement showing that it spent $29,314 on the fifty-third Fiesta. The association income totaled $30,557. Principal revenue was 691 pledges from merchants and professional men.

1971
J.B. Smith and Beverly Bush enjoyed the first two mixed drinks legally served in the Tower of the Americas.

June 1 in San Antonio history...

2011-06-01T00:00:00.003-05:00

1860
Robert E. Lee is counted in the 1860 Federal census, living at Ladreska Phillips's boarding house here.

1897
The deeds conveying the 283-acre Brackenridge homestead north of San Antonio to the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word were delivered to the sisters by Col. Brackenridge yesterday for $100,000.

1929

Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Express-News

The Smith-Young Tower [now Tower Life Building] is completed. (photo right)

1958
Northeast High School is officially renamed Douglas MacArthur High School

May 31 in San Antonio history...

2011-05-31T00:00:00.001-05:00

1890
Construction is begun on the Southwest Texas Lunatic Asylum (now San Antonio State Hospital), about five miles south of the city, on land donated for that purpose by the city.

1908
The second annual auto ride given for orphans this afternoon is one of the most blessed charities in San Antonio. It gives the little unfortunates one day of unalloyed joy and they remember it all the rest of the year.

1928
Joe Bradley, San Antonio student, was taking a long rest today after walking and running 160 miles from Corpus Christi to this city in 33 hours and 23 minutes. He made but three brief stops along the way. When he arrived here he appeared to be on the verge of collapse.

May 30 in San Antonio history...

2011-05-30T00:00:00.002-05:00

1901
A numbers of employees of the San Antonio Traction Company, with their lady friends, enjoyed a ride over the company's lines in a nicely decorated and illuminated car, winding up at San Pedro Springs for refreshments.

1921
The officers of the Air Intermediate depot and Brooks Field will meet in a baseball game at Kelly No. 1. Old-time customs will be revived. Among them will be a keg of beer at third base, although the contents will be merely "near." There will be band music.

1931
The Second Church of Christ, Scientist, erected at Magnolia and Belknap five years ago at a cost of $100,000, is to be dedicated at services Sunday afternoon. A Christian Scientist church cannot be dedicated until it is free of debt.

May 29 in San Antonio history...

2011-05-29T00:00:00.001-05:00

1898
The Rough Riders are going. The entire regiment is expected to be out of camp and on the way to Cuba before nightfall. They will leave even though they have not received all their equipment.

1919
The Texas Pioneers are organized.

1948
Robert B. Green Hospital will open a 17-bed pediatric ward without additional personnel June 1, it was released today. Officials said no new doctors or nurses would be hired to staff the ward, which will be opened to care for infant diarrhea victims.

May 28 in San Antonio history...

2011-05-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

1898
Some people feel that the Bexar County property owners and the City of San Antonio should contribute according to their means and sink artesian wells without calling on the funds of the city for this purpose. The river is rapidly dying.

1918
Improvements are being made at the bathing beach in Brackenridge Park. Rock walls have been built to line the banks and a flagstone bottom is being laid in the pool. A new artesian well will supply fresh water.

1938
Widely hearalded several years ago as a "law with teeth in it," the Texas driver's license law is apparently in need of dental work. Threat of suspending licenses has failed to keep motorists from errant driving.

May 27 in San Antonio history...

2011-05-27T00:00:00.001-05:00

1918
An attempt wil be made at Kelly Field during Decoration Day proceedings to catch a baseball thrown from an airplane and thus set a height record for catching dropped balls. The record is now 555 feet.

1948
One of the nation's best customers for air-conditioning equipment, San Antonio is continuing to install cooling devices at a rate that has shifted electric power peak loads from winter to midsummer.

1958
Frank Penicka was driving his car more comfortably today, after a Ft. Hood demolition team removed a 75-mm high explosive shell head from his car. He spotted the bright object along the road, put it in his car trunk and drove to the Courthouse where the deputies identified it as a live shell.

1977
Smokey and the Bandit premiered in San Antonio at the North Star and South Park Mall theaters.