1881 :: Trial of James H. Holtzclaw

Rockdale, June 22. -- Mr. James H. Holtzclaw leaves here this week for Madisonville to stand trial for the killing of Musgrove, the particulars of which were published. He will be accompanied by many of the prominent citizens of the county, including Wyatt Lipscomb, sheriff; J.B. Wolf, collector; W.D. Paden, county clerk; J.C. Oxenford, district clerk; Enoch Breeding, proprietor of the Rockdale Messenger; W. Code, Professor Milton Ragsdale and about twenty others from different portions of the county. 

Indeed the sympathy is so great among the people here, who are acquainted with him and the circumstances of the affair that, were conveyances at hand, there is hardly a man in Milam county but would leave his business and his plow to go and say a word in his behalf. The people of this county to a man feel under deep and lasting obligations to the people of Madison, who so nobly stood by Jim Holtzclaw, when he was a stranger in a strange land. Mr. Holtzclaw is one of our oldest and most highly respected citizens, and the people of Madison will always be held in the kindest remembrance here. Weekly Democratic Statesman, Austin, Texas, June 30, 1881

1881 :: Rockdale & Milano

Tuesday last, a reporter of the Statesman took a little trip up the International as far as Milano Junction. His first stopping place was Rockdale, which has improved some in the last few months. Besides the erection of an elegant three-story brick hotel, many new stores and swelling houses have been built, the streets and sidewalks put in good condition, and had the citizens succeeded in getting the G.C.&S.F.R.R. to pass through the place, Rockdale would have had at no distant day a population of double what she can now hope for. The merchants say, however, that their trade last fall was better than for several years. After spending part of a day here, and securing a large number of subscribers to the Daily Statesman, the reporter boarded a freight for Milano, "the future great."

This new town is about nine miles from Rockdale, at the junction of the International and Santa Fe, and is the creation of these two roads. A large two-story hotel is being erected for the accommodation of the public, and will be in full blast in about three weeks. Mr. H. Goldsticker, one of the leading business men of Rockdale, owns a large ice house at the junction, and is the wholesale agent for Lemps' beer. He cools the heated inhabitants in the different towns up and down the two roads, and furnishes the thirsty with ice cold beer, and to do this it requires two cars of ice and one of beer per week.

The Santa Fe company owns about 200 acres and have laid off a large number of lots which can be bought for from ten to twenty dollars each. The round-houses of the International at Rockdale have been torn down and will be erected at this point. Mr. E.E. Lang, late of Austin, is in charge of the International freight and passenger business at Milano, and is the right man in the right place. The reporter did not learn whether Milano will be a candidate for the state university or not. Weekly Democratic Statesman, Austin, Texas, June 23, 1881

1913 :: New Postmaster Takes Charge at Rockdale

Rockdale, Tex., June 19. -- John A. Shapard received his commission as postmaster here Tuesday and is now in charge. Mr. Shapard has been a citizen of this town for thirty years and for the greater part of that time he has occupied positions with the local newspapers. He is a lifelong Democrat. T.D. Wootton is the new assistant postmaster, while Herman Talley and Miss Esther Stevens retain their clerkships. Dallas Morning News, June 20, 1913

1932 :: Death of Mrs. Benjamin Loewenstein

Mrs. Benjamin Loewenstein passed away June 8. Funeral services were held from the home. The services were conducted by Dr. Wolfe Macht, who used the impressive ritual of the Hebrew faith. He delivered a beautiful eulogy, comparing the sadness occasioned by her passing to the legend of a buried city, which after the clouds and darkness and despair had rolled away, the spires of the great church could be seen from the waters and the ringing of bells heard. So too, with the passing of time, the mist and sorrow would roll away, and the memory of her life would rise and be an inspiring beacon to the dear ones left behind ... The Rockdale Reporter, June 16, 1932 ...

1930 :: J.J. Hairston Dies

Rockdale, Texas, June 11. -- J.J. Hairston, 82, died at his home in this city Monday. Mr. Hairston was a pioneer citizen of Milam County and Rockdale. He was engaged in the cattle business for many years but retired several years ago on account of declining health. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. J.J. Hairston, and the following children: Commissioner R.A. Hairston of this precinct, Miss Martha Hairston, Mrs. R.L. Orr of Rockdale, Mrs. George A. Marsch and Miss Alma Hairston of Shreveport, La. A granddaughter, Mrs. James Lanning of Rockdale and a grandson, Kenton K. Hairston of Denver, Colo., who were reared by the grandparents, and Postmaster H.H. Turner and other grandchildren of Rockdale and over the State survive him also. Funeral services were held Tuesday. Dallas Morning News, June 12, 1930