Moments in Texas History ~ 6/22/2011

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Medical center for veterans opens in Kerrville

June 22, 1921

On this day in 1921, the first patients were admitted to the American Legion Memorial Sanatorium, now known as the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, at Kerrville. The hospital was established in 1919 as a result of efforts by the Benevolent War Risk Society of Texas to raise money by popular subscription to build a hospital for the treatment of World War I veterans. The Schreiner family of Kerrville deeded property fronting the Guadalupe River to the society in April 1920, and construction began later that year.

When building was halted due to lack of funds in January 1921, however, the Department of Texas of the American Legion purchased the project for one dollar and undertook fund-raising. In April 1921 the American Legion donated the unfinished buildings and 748 acres of land to the state of Texas, which subsequently opened the facility. Today the hospital continues to provide health care to over 18,000 United States armed service veterans in its primary service area covering fourteen Texas counties.
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Austin Colony settlers clash with Karankawas

June 22, 1824

On this day in 1824, the battle of Jones Creek was fought between colonists of the lower Brazos River and Karankawa Indians. After several Indian raids in which some immigrants were killed, Stephen F. Austin commissioned Randal Jones and a company of twenty-three other settlers to retaliate. According to Jones, the problem began at a store belonging to James (Brit) Bailey, when braves demanded to purchase ammunition. Fighting broke out, and the Indians fled to their encampment with Jones and the settlers in pursuit. The next morning the settlers attacked thirty Indians camped on the bank of what later became Jones Creek in southern Brazoria County. Both sides had many casualties; the settlers returned home, and the Indians retreated across the San Bernard River but continued to trouble the settlers. The creek has since then borne Jones's name.
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Mexican general investigates Texans' restiveness

June 22, 1832

On this day in 1832, Mexican general José Antonio Mexía sailed from Tampico with 300 troops to suppress an apparent rebellion. The first of the Anahuac Disturbances, a rebellious incident, had brought suspicion on the Anglo colonists. Mexía anchored at Matamoros on June 26 and proceeded to Texas with Stephen F. Austin. At the mouth of the Brazos, now with 400 troops, he found the Texans eager to interpret their recent actions as an assertion of federalism, as opposed to centralism, rather than as a rebellion against Mexican rule. Mexía was well received at Brazoria and learned from the citizens the reasons for the Anahuac Disturbances and the battle of Velasco. The colonists' Turtle Bayou Resolutions reassured him that they were loyal supporters of the Federalist party, and he returned to Tampico on July 28.
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posted by Jeff ~ 6.22.2011  The Texas State Historical Association