The hospital in Coleman doubled in size in 1937 through the generosity of John Phillip Morris, local cattle rancher, businessman and civic leader who donated $30,000 for the construction of the new “Morris Wing.”
Born in Texas in 1849, J. P. Morris was a pioneer of the cattle-driving era that built Coleman County.
According to a family history written by Doris Miller, his grand-daughter, and printed in Volume II of “A History of Coleman County and Its People,” J. P. Morris made the decision to buy land and cattle, and become a rancher when he was only 12 years old. By the time he was 20 that dream had become a reality as he raised cattle on properties he owned in DeWitt and Lavaca counties.
J. P. Morris made his first visits to Coleman County driving cattle through the area as a young man. He began acquiring land in Coleman County in 1884 and relocated his family to the area in 1888. Through the years, he continued to add to his real estate acquisitions in Coleman, Callahan, Taylor and Shackelford counties, and became a well-respected breeder of Hereford cattle.
Prominent in the banking industry as well, J. P. Morris served as president of First National Bank of Coleman and at the time of his death was a director of the Coleman County Bank. He remained active in business until a few months before his death in November 1937, going to his office daily.
Completed in October 1937, the Morris Wing was built in memory of Martha Pincham Morris and Betty Robbins Morris, and dedicated to the people of Coleman County. Martha, first wife of J.P. Morris, died in 1899 from a case of pneumonia attributed to working outside on the family ranch during a major cold snap. His second wife, Betty, died in 1945.
The new building was identical in size and appearance to the original 1923 structure funded by Martha Tyler Overall. However, as noted in the November 5, 1936 issue of the Coleman County Chronicle, the interior of the new addition was modeled along more modern lines that “will not resemble the 1923 building in any way.”
Dr. F.M. Burke – who became the hospital superintendent and surgeon in charge after the death of Dr. L.P. Allison in 1932 – is credited with the design of the interior, including elimination of all square corners on the second floor, and incorporation of a built-in dresser in each patient room recessed to fit an arched alcove. All rooms and offices in the new building were air-conditioned.
Also designed by Dr. Burke was a new system that used microphones and loud speakers in every hall to make communication between the central office and two hospital wings possible. Telephones were installed in each room to provide for instant communication between patients and nurses on duty.
In recognition of the generosity of the Morris Family, the hospital was renamed the Overall-Morris Memorial Hospital in February 1962.
The legacy of J. P. Morris and his wife Martha included seven children, with many descendants who continue to live and work in the Coleman area today. Along with other families who played a pivotal role in the history of Coleman County Medical Center (CCMC), the Morris family and their contributions will be featured in the new Museum Gallery that will connect the 1967 building to the new addition under construction.
A recently uncovered dedication plaque for the Morris Wing will be on display in the Museum Gallery that will connect the 1967 building to the new addition under construction. Anyone who would like to help fund the development of the Museum Gallery at CCMC should contact Sarah Beal, president of the CCMC District Foundation, at 325/998-3607, or Danyelle Hemphill, vice president of the CCMC District Foundation, 325/636-7680. All donations are tax deductible.
