Texas :: A World in Itself

Click on the following link for access to the full text of George Sessions Perry's book, Texas, A World in Itself . . . the link will take you to the beginning of the chapter about the Cotton Folks of Rockdale . . .

Texas, A World in Itself

1894 :: Reward for Yeabel Chrio

Sheriff’s Dept – Milam County. Cameron, Tex., April 26 – One hundred dollars reward for the arrest and detention of Yeabel Chrio, a Mexican, 25 years of age, height 5 feet 10 or 11 inches, weight 180 bounds, heavy built, very dark complexion, small mustache, had on blue pants, has with him a Colt 45 blue barrel pistol. I hold warrant for this Mexican for assault to murder Constable Busby at Rockdale on the night of the 24th of this month. Address John H. Bickett, sheriff. Galveston Daily News, Friday, April 27, 1894

1930 :: Death of J.C. McCawley

Rockdale, Texas. April 24. -- J.C. McCawley, 87, retired capitalist and business man of Rockdale, died at his home Tuesday. Mr. McCawley had been a resident of Rockdale for more than fifty years. Besides his own family he had reared several orphans. Mr. McCawley is survived by one daughter, Mrs. J.M. McGranaham, and two sons, P.H. McCawley and Charlie M. McCawley, all of Rockdale. Dallas Morning News, April 25, 1930

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Rockdale, Texas. April 25. -- The last tribute to J.C. McCawley, Rockdale's oldest citizen, who died Tuesday, was paid Thursday morning when throngs of friends gathered at his home, where funeral services were held, with the Rev. Father Appel of Cameron officiating. By proclamation of Mayor E.A. Camp all business establishments were closed during the services. The Hon. W.W. Chambers of Cameron, a lifelong friend of Mr. McCawley, made a talk, eulogizing the life of this honorable and upright citizen. Mr. McCawley was a native of Ireland, but had resided in Rockdale for over fifty years. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. J.M. McGranahan; two sons, P.H. McCawley of the Citizens State Bank and Charley M. McCawley, all of Rockdale. One sister resides in Navan, County Meath, Ireland. Dallas Morning News, April 26, 1930. [his findagrave memorial page]

1894 :: Milam County Tragedy

Rockdale, Milam Co., Tex., April 25 – Last night about 7:30 occurred one of the most brutal crimes in the annals of Milam county, the particulars of which are as follows:

Constable N. Busby of this beat left this city in the afternoon for his home in the country, about two miles north of this place. After eating supper he again started to return here and while on his way and right opposite to a place known as the old York farm, now occupied by a Mrs. Cawthorn, he arrested a Mexican and was bringing him into town.

After they had proceeded about 50 yards, Mr. Busby walking behind and leading his horse, the Mexican suddenly turned and struck at Busby with a knife, missing his throat but striking and cutting a bad wound in his jaw. The scuffle began. Mr. Busby trying to draw his pistol, which was accidentally discharged twice.

The Mexican succeeded in overpowering him and hugging him up repeatedly stabbed and cut him a number of times. Mr. Busby’s coat was cut to pieces, while he himself fared no better, having received a wound two inches long in the neck, two on the head, several on his arms, while one gash about ten inches long severed one of his ribs, cutting his left lung and causing it to protrude. Another one was about fifteen inches long, from the small of the back to the stomach, barely missing the kidney.

Busby, however, managed to throw the Mexican off and reach the residence of Mr. Cawthorn, about 50 yards distant, where medical aid was summoned. Word came to this city to that effect, when Deputy Sheriff Ed Snively, City Marshal Jim Hamilton, a posse and a news reporter mounted and were soon in hot pursuit. Up to this writing the Mexican has not been captured, though a posse is still on the trail. Constable Busby was an efficient and popular officer. His recovery is quite doubtful. [his findagrave memorial page]

Sheriff Bickett has started with bloodhounds. Galveston Daily News, Thursday, April 26, 1894

1894 :: Constable Butchered

Rockdale, Tex., Apr. 24 – Constable Busby was assaulted by a Mexican and badly cut in the left lung, kidney, neck and arms, very dangerously. A posse is in pursuit. Sheriff Bickett and bloodhounds were telegraphed for. Galveston Daily News, Wednesday, April 25, 1894

1944 :: Death of Madora Oxsheer Letcher

Dallas Morning News, April 2, 1944. Mrs. M.O. Letcher Dies at Houston. Mrs. Madora Oxsheer Letcher, 86, whose father was W.W. Oxsheer, early Texas legislator, a resident of Dallas from 1889 until a few years ago, died Saturday at her home in Houston. Her husband was Dr. Joseph Stephen Letcher, who practiced in Dallas until his death a number of years ago. She was born April 4, 1857, near Cameron. She was a member of the First Baptist Church here. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. C.C. Slaughter, Dallas, and Mrs. G. Arnold Bailey, Houston; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. [her findagrave memorial page]