1901 :: Fearful Boiler Explosion

Fearful Boiler Explosion. One Man Killed and Several Injured at Rockdale - Waterworks Entire Wrecked. Special to The News. 

Rockdale, Tex., Sept. 19. -- At 10:40 o'clock this morning one of the immense twin boilers of the Rockdale water and electric light plant exploded with a terrific crash. The concussion was so great that the jar was felt for a mile away. The entire plant is a total wreck. Nothing remains but a tangled mass of torn and twisted machinery, lumber and other building material.


There were six men in and around the building. All of them escaped with their lives except Snort Wilson, the fireman, who was in the front of the boiler, firing. He was blown across an eighty-foot street and hurled against a strong board fence with such force that a section of the fence was carried away. He was so badly scalded and bruised that he was almost unrecognizable and died in a few minutes.


R.H. Ames, superintendent and general manager; George De Board, William Jones and Charles Fithur, employes, and Will Pleasants, a bystander, were all more or less injured, as was also a child of Otto Lingert, playing in a yard near by.


Sections of the boiler and other portions of the machinery were blown into the air and landed with terrible force for 200 yards around. This explosion, coming in the midst of a long-continued drouth, makes the water problem a serious questions in this city. The water in the standpipe is shut off for fire purposes, so that the citizens are left without water.


A similar explosion occurred in the same plant on the same ground Oct. 9, 1897, in which Anton Strelsky lost his life. The loss to the company is estimated at 6,000 to $10,000. Dallas Morning News, September 20, 1901

1906 :: Death of Grandpa Hargrove

Grandpa Hargrove died suddenly at Rockdale Monday at the home of his daughter Mrs. Simms. He was 81 years old and an Alabamian. Cameron Herald, September 20, 1906

1909 :: Death of Dr. William A Brooks

Mortuary. Dr. William A. Brooks, aged 84 years, a retired physician, died yesterday afternoon at a local hospital after a lingering illness. He leaves two sons, John T. Brooks, traveling freight agent of the Chicago, Rock Island & pacific, Frisco lines, and James B. Brooks, assistant general freight agent of the Aransas Pass. Dr. Brooks was a member of Masons and Odd Fellows. The body was taken to Rockdale last night and the funeral will take place under the auspices of the Odd Fellows at Rockdale this afternoon. San Antonio Light and Gazette, September 19, 1909

1874 :: Milam County Marriage

Milam County. -- The Messenger says: . . . "Married : Mr. James Rodgers and Miss Keziah Ann Search." Galveston Daily News, September 18, 1874

1900 :: Death of A D Cooper

Death - Rosebud - Capt. A.D. Cooper, age 84, died last Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. in Rosebud at the home of his son-in-law Chas. W. Meyers. Until recently, he was a citizen of Milam county, his old home being near Minerva. Soon after the war, Capt. Cooper was elected sheriff of this county, which position he filled with much credit. He was a public spirited citizen, and a high-toned gentleman, commanding the highest esteem and respect of all who knew him. A son and three daughters survive him. His body was shipped to Minerva and buried in the family burying grand at the old homestead. Rockdale Messenger, September 13, 1900

1892 :: Electric Lights in Rockdale

Rockdale, Tex., Sept. 10. -- The streets of Rockdale will now be lighted by electricity. At the regular September monthly meeting of the city council a contract was made with the Rockdale electric light company for street lights. . . . The Rockdale Exchange, a people's party paper, edited by J.W. Wenbrener, made its first appearance to-day. The paper speaks well of Rockdale and promises to work for the good of Rockdale and surrounding country. . . . Rockdale cotton receipts average 175 bales a day. Shipper buyers are paying 6 5/8c for average receipts. Dallas Morning News, September 12, 1892

1878 :: Death of Percy Horton Wynne

Died: Wynne -- At Lampasas Springs, on Sunday, 8th Inst., Percy Horton, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Wynne, of Rockdale, Texas, aged seven months. Galveston Daily News, September 11, 1878 

 

1874 :: Vogle Family Poisoned

Rockdale, Sept. 3, 1874. A family here by the name of Vogle were all poisoned last night -- father, mother and two children. The mother died this morning from the effects. The balance of the family are getting well. Galveston Daily News, September 4, 1874

1895 :: Run over by IGN Passenger Train

Rockdale, Milam Co., Tex., Sept. 2. -- Early yesterday morning the International and Great Northern passenger train ran over a Mexican between this city and the mines. As there are two night trains it is not known which one struck him. He was found dead beside the track yesterday. Reports reached this city late last night to the effect that in a row at the mines a Mexican was killed by a negro. Particulars can not yet be verified. Justice of the Peace W.D. Wells has gone out to the mine to hold an inquest on the Mexican killed by the train and investigate the reported murder. The names of the parties implicated are not known. Galveston Daily News, September 3, 1895