This month in Gonzales history

1826

• July 2, first settlement at what is now Kerr Creek was attacked by Indians. Settlers evacuated the area

1850 

• July 1, City Council ordained that the south one-half of Church Square (Block 32) be leased to Baptist Church for ninety-nine years if a “commodious church is erected within three years.”

1853

• July 2, large group of German immigrants passed through town. Their wagons were loaded with sheep they had brought from Germany.

1854

• July 12, City Council agreed to pay $125 or more to get public well dug in Courthouse Square (Block 25)

1863

• July 21, Sam Houston died

1883

• July 21, quote from Inquirer: “The Public Cemetery is in a very neglected, dilapidated condition. Breaks in the fence that could have been repaired at a little cost in a few moments have been widened by passage of cattle. It is a shame for citizens to neglect their dead.”

1887

• July 9, report of the acts of the Texas Legislature included an act to abolish the law which provided 1260 acres to Texas Revolution veterans.

1896

• July 9, litigation over the ownership of John Wesley Hardin’s manuscript has been settled in favor of the Hardin heirs and will be published by Smith & Moore of Seguin.

1899

• July 6, the contract for constructing the main building of the Cotton Oil and Manufacturing Company plant is let to Henry Kane for $7750. (possibly the partial remains of this building still stand at the corner of St. Louis and Water Street in 2018)
• July 13, Mr. F.B. Houston started his street sprinkler yesterday and today the stores are cooler and there is considerably less dust.

1901

• July 6, Gregorio Cortez placed in Gonzales County Jail by Sheriff F.M. Fly. Cortez had been indicted by the Grand Jury of Gonzales County for murder of Sheriff R.M. Glover on June 14, 1901. Fly successfully thwarted a lynch mob while Cortez was in the Gonzales jail.

1903

• July, Inquirer laments “the Fourth of July and no band or balloon.”
• July 9, gold and silver found on Kleine Brothers’ property nine miles north of Gonzales ; gold assays at $620 per ton.
• July, Methodists report that the two towers and the front of their building, built in 1900, will probably have to be removed and rebuilt due to poor workmanship. The walls are cracked and the gable is leaning out.

1909

• July 21, a huge celebration was held in conjunction with the laying of the cornerstone of the Confederate monument with four to five thousand people in attendance. Money was raised by the Gonzales Chapter United Daughters of the Confederacy, Number 545.

1913

• July 10, a census report shows that land in Gonzales County now averages $21.13 per acre, up $11.25 per acre in the last decade.

1914

• July 3, the work of putting in curbing and cement walks around the East Avenue State Park is progressing nicely. Included is a cement bridge over the creek. Some citizens are also contracting to have cement walks poured in front of their residences.
• July 4, Jahnke Jewelry announced that it has installed a ”Time Sounder” which will be set at the correct time every morning at eleven according to the United States Observatory at Washington. Folks may call to get the correct time.
• July 4, the park commissioners announced that the land on East Avenue between Tinsley Creek and Kerr Creek is State-owned park land and no livestock will be permitted to be on this land.

1937

• July 2, Amelia Earhart disappears over the Pacific Ocean.

1939

• July 10, more than 50,000 yards of duck fabric sold by Gonzales Cotton Mill to J.C. Penney
• July 11, summer fabric (7127 yards) made by Gonzales Cotton Mill delivered to WPA sewing rooms. The WPA provided employment for the needy, provided well-made garments to the relief effort, and provided job training for young girls.
• July 20, NYA (National Youth Administration) boys are to be employed in the repair, painting, and improvements to county schools.
• July 24, Boy Scout building construction to begin by NYA boys with Rudolph Nagel serving as contractor. Rock will be quarried nearby by the NYA boys.

1941

• July 3, Gonzales County’s 21-year-old men, 115 total, registered at Selective Service Board headquarters.

1949

• July 6, “Little Butch”, the Dailey Brothers Circus elephant, died. He was brought from India about eighteen months ago and kept in the sunroom of the Davenport home on the circus grounds. A special Indian mahout was brought to the US to care for the tiny elephant. The circus was in Victoria, British Columbia, when Little Butch died.
• July 7, Bill B. Barta of Weimar is awarded the contract for construction of Edwards High School new gymnasium/auditorium.
• July 9, DDT dusting over town to control mosquitoes, flies etc. Housewives urged to open doors and windows to get full benefit.
• July 9, the mercury hits 101 degrees to set new record. 
• July 11, Gonzales’ sixth straight day of temperatures over 100.
• July 12, Gonzales was the hottest place in the state yesterday (Monday) afternoon at 104 degrees.
• July 15, paving is being done on the 300 block of St. Michael Street and the 400 and 500 blocks of St. Vincent Street 
• July 20, bids will open July 21 for Apache Field stadium
• July 25, Lynn Smith announces plans for a “Drive-In” movie theatre. It will accommodate approximately 500 cars.
• July 25, final details concerning the construction planned at North Avenue School were being ironed out. The new 12-room classroom building will be constructed south of the existing building and close to St. Paul Street. The cafeteria will be built between the two structures.