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Vol 8, No 198

July 17, 1821

Tuesday Evening

Spain Cedes Florida to the US

Obituaries
RT Williams (The Grey Ghost) dies in Austin
AUSTIN    (1996)     Central Texas Blues legend, Roosevelt T Williams, better known as the "Grey Ghost" died on this date in 1996.
   Williams played in central Texas for two generations. A recording of his "Hitler Blues" in 1940 was broadcast nationwide. His music was "rediscovered" in 1965 by music historian Terry Owens, and by 1985, he became a regular at Antone's in Austin. December 7, 1987 was declared Grey Ghost Day in Austin as he was voted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame.
  Roosevelt T Owens, the Grey Ghost, passed away in Austin, on this date in 1996. He was 91.

US Gives up Texas Claim
WASHINGTON DC (1821)  On this date in 1821, Spain ceded Florida to the United States. In exchange, the United States dropped all claims to the areas now located in Texas. When the United States purchesed Louisiana from France, the western boundary of French territory was uncertain, extending perhaps as far as the Rio Grande River. It was the French Explorer LaSalle that explored the Mississippi River and much of Texas.
   Just days later, Spanish rule in Texas ended as Mexico secured its independence (July 21, 1821).

Aviation Desk
Douglas Corrigan Flies Plane from New York to ??
NEW YORK  (1938)   On this date in 1938, Galveston born Douglas Corrigan lifted his plane off from an airport in New York, bound for California according to the flight plan he filed. Instead, he landed the next day in Ireland, giving him the title "Wrongway Corrigan".