1903 :: Burial of Inez Heslep

Dallas Morning News. Rockdale, Texas, Oct. 24. -- On Wednesday of this week the little 5-year-old daughter of Mr. George Haslip, living in the north suburb of town, while playing with another child with matches, in some manner ignited her clothing and was so badly burned that she died Thursday afternoon. Her mother, in endeavoring to extinguish the flames, had her hands badly burned. Mr. Haslip is the salesman in the grocery store of S.J. Taylor, and formerly lived in Lee county. Shiner Gazette, October 28, 1903

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Little Inez Heslep, who was burned to death last week at Rockdale, was brought to Caldwell last Friday morning for interment, the funeral occurring from the residence of W.I. Heslep, at 9:30 o'clock, interment at the Masonic cemetery. Many friends tendered sympathy to the bereaved family in their sad affliction. Caldwell News-Chronicle, October 30, 1903

1921 :: Burial of Hicks Carlile

Hicks Carlile who was buried at Hamiltons Chapel Friday afternoon under auspices of the American Legion, was one of two sons of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Carlile of Rockdale, who paid the supreme sacrifice in the world war. He and his brother volunteered and were of the first to go over seas and both were killed in the same battle and almost at the same time. The remains of the other brother were not identified. A large concourse of friends of deceased and family attended the funeral services which were held on the public square around the flag pole in Rockdale. The flag hung at half mast. Cameron Herald, October 27, 1921

1939 :: Rest Rooms Locked

The Commissioners' Court has made improvements in the rest rooms in the basement of the court house. They have been freshly painted and signs have been erected calling attention of the public to the fact that a five dollar fine is assessible against anyone guilty of abusing or defacing this property. The court gives notice that there has been considerable abuse by persons writing on the walls, striking matches on the walls, together with other abuses and the rest rooms have been ordered locked at 8 p.m. Cameron Herald, October 26, 1939

1939 :: Calvin Alford, negro slave

Calvin Alford of Rockdale, one of the few remaining negro slaves, was in Cameron Monday to attend the funeral of his only sister, Lizzie Crayton. Alford is 93 years old and served in the civil war under Captain Chas. Laseuer who took a company from Milam county from the San Gabriel community to the aid of the Confederacy. Uncle Calvin as he is familiarly called by those here who have known him for many years, is not too bent for one his age but uses a cane to assist him in getting around. He has good eyesight and hears well and remembers many colorful incidents of slavery times. Cameron Herald, October 26, 1939

1880 :: Deaths in Milam County

Rockdale Messenger: There has been considerable sickness in the country lately, and we have several deaths to record: 

Mr. W.A. Radicil, an old and valuable citizen, living north of Milano, died suddenly on Saturday evening. 

Another old citizen, Mr. J.P. Archer, living about ten miles south of Rockdale, died on Tuesday. 

Mr. J.P. Daniel died at the residence of his father, Joe Daniel, near Ad Hall, on Monday morning. He was a gentleman universally liked, and a good citizen. 

Also the day before and in the same vicinity, Mr. Remus Smith, a nephew of Mr. A.S. Ruby, died of typhoid fever. 

Galveston Daily News, October 21, 1880

1921 :: Collapse of Water Works Standpipe

The Rockdale water works standpipe collapsed under pressure of a full head of water about 9:00 o'clock Tuesday night. The standpipe was 110 feet high, and consisted of 22 sections of 5 feet each. The break occurred on the 9th section, and the thirteen top sections fell with a crash that was heard all over town. 

In falling the tower pointed north and partially wrecked the W.E. Gaither warehouse, formerly occupied by the old Rockdale Commission Company. While the tower proper did not reach the warehouse the volume of water carried by the falling portion dealt the building a blow that wrecked the rear portion and scattered its contents promiscuously. Mr. Gaither's damage amounts to several hundred dollars to building and contents.


Some damage also resulted to the old City Cemetery, a number of monuments and gravestones being displaced and broken, shrubbery uprooted, etc.


In falling the connection water main was broken, thus draining the section of the standpipe left standing, and causing a shortage of water over the city which was not relieved until nearly noon next day.


The loss to the city is really not very great, as the standpipe was known to be almost worthless and its collapse was not unexpected. It was erected in 1890, and was therefore 31 years old and had served its allotted time and many years over. The city council only recently authorized the purchase of a new water tower to take its place, and Mayor Meyer has since been busy getting bids and prices on same, and was about ready to place the order when the collapse occurred. The order was placed Wednesday morning by wire.


Until the new tower can be erected the waterworks will be conducted by direct pump pressure from the plant into the mains. The nine sections of the old standpipe still standing will be kept full and ready for emergency use in case of fire.

Mayor Meyer asks The Reporter to state that no time will be lost in replacing this tower, and that under the system of direct pumping there will be an abundance of water in the mains at all times for all purposes.


The new water tower will cost $10,000, and will be paid for out of the water works plant fund accumulated from the earnings of the water works plant. This fund on October 1st contained $8,454, almost enough to pay for the new water tower.


In this connection the citizens should not confuse the water works plant fund with the water works bond fund. The bond fund is the sinking fund provided for the retirement of the water works bonds and is accumulated from the tax payments. This bond fund now consists of $654 cash in bank and the ownership of $7000 worth of other city bonds, bought as an investment for the water works sinking fund, and drawing interest therefore.


No city bonds of any kind have been bought with the water works, plant fund, which, as above stated, is an accumulation of profits from the operation of the water plant. These profits amount of approximately $300 per month, in addition to which the town receives free water for schools, drinking fountain, street sprinkling and fire protection -- a service which formerly cost the city $100 per month. Cameron Herald, October 20, 1921

1874 :: Rockdale Postmaster

When the railroad reached Rockdale, McGregor and Muir moved their newspaper plant from Cameron to Rockdale and changed the name to the Rockdale Messenger. Muir was the first postmaster for the newly established Rockdale Post Office, beginning on October 20, 1874.

1888 :: Death of James Wicks

Rockdale, Tex., Oct. 17. -- Mr. James Wicks, formerly a merchant here, but for the past few years farming near town committed suicide this morning by stabbing himself in numerous places about the body while in a temporary state of insanity. The deceased had many friends here and elsewhere. Fort Worth Daily Gazette, October 18, 1888

1925 :: Death of Miss Lottie Banzhaf

Rockdale, Texas, Oct. 15. -- Miss Lottie Banzhaf died at the Van Ormi Sanitarium [Bexar County]. Her father is George Banzhaf, Milam County farm agent. Miss Banzhaf's body was brought to Rockdale and the funeral services were held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hood Caldwell, four miles north of Rockdale. Burial was made in the neighborhood cemetery. Miss Banzhaf has for several years been one of the Rockdale High School teachers. Dallas Morning News, October 16, 1925 

1915 :: Death of Margaret Antony

News of the death of Mrs. Margaret Antony, mother of Ed. L. Antony, one of the beloved pioneer citizens of Cameron reached her friends in this city Tuesday. Her death occurred in Dallas at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Alice Antony Brown and her remains were brought to Rockdale for interment accompanied by Mrs. Brown and Miss Beryl Antony. Funeral services were arranged by her nephew James Hamilton, in whose home she loved to visit. Miss Antony was a noble Christian character and her many virtues made her beloved in every community in which she had lived. She was a native of Georgia and was of the prominent Henry family [sic, i.e., Davis family] of that State. She has many relatives and friends here who will mourn her passing. Mrs. Lula Cass and Miss Estelle Westmoreland, Mrs. Mary Arnold and Miss Bennie Arnold went to Rockdale to attend the funeral. The Cameron Herald, October 14, 1915

1896 :: Death of Jim Trueblood

Rockdale, Tex., Oct. 10. -- While Olive and Jim Trueblood were hauling a load of cotton out of their field this morning Jim was run over by the wagon and killed. After hitching their teams to the wagon both men put their shoulders to the wheels to help the team start, expecting to mount themselves while the wagon was in motion. Oliver succeeded, but Jim, while attempting to mount, lost his footing and fell under the wheel, which passed over his breast, causing almost instant death. Both men were farmers and lived on the San Gabriel river six miles north of Rockdale. The Galveston Daily News, October 12, 1896

1897 :: A Fatal Explosion

Rockdale, Tex., Oct. 10. -- One of the seventy-five horse-power boilers of the water and electric light plant blew up last night, completely wrecking the entire plant, house and machinery. An eight-foot section of the front end of the boiler was blown three blocks away, passing over several houses, and fell on Mr. Rexford Wells' seed shute, completely demolishing it and otherwise damaging his gin house. The other portion of the boiler was blown about a block in the opposite direction, landing in Mr. Davis' cow lot. Two large pieces of timber crashed through the roof and ceiling of Mrs. Charles Brieger's house, over a block away, and completely demolished two bedsteads on which he and three other members of his family were sleeping. Fortunately none of the family were hurt. The fireman, Mr. Antone Strelsky, was killed, and M. Wooldridge and J.L. Wooldridge, father and son, injured, the young man seriously. The town is left without light or water, and it is thought it will be thirty days before either can be supplied. The situation grows more serious every hour, as the people realize they are entirely without water and the difficulty of procuring it. The loss is estimated at $8000. Dallas Morning News, October 11, 1897

1892 :: Death of Henrietta Black

Rockdale -- Miss Henrietta Black, aged 22 years, died from the effects of an overdose of chloroform. Dallas Morning News, October 11, 1892 

1918 :: Death of Carlyle Brothers

Hicks Carlyle and James W. Carlyle lived in the Hamilton Chapel community just southeast of Rockdale. They died in action in France on Oct. 8, 1918, just 30 days before Germany's surrender ended the war. Carlyle Post first met upstairs at the Coulter building, corner of Main and Cameron. Later the post met at City Hall. In 1935, Post 358 purchased the former Wolf Hotel, one of Rockdale's most historic turn-of-the-century structures. The hotel, at the corner of Main and Milam, was renovated and served as Carlyle Post's home for more than 60 years. Carlyle Post has been through periods of inactivity but still retains some membership and has plans for a new building. The old Legion building (Wolf Hotel) has been razed. That project was completed earlier this year. The Rockdale Reporter, November 15, 2001

1931 :: Death of Little Mary Ann McCarty

Little Mary Ann McCarty, born to Mr. and Mrs. Barney McCarty, Saturday morning at the home of Mrs. McCarty's mother at Rockdale, Texas, died that afternoon and was buried at sunrise Sunday morning by a group of friends. Rev. L.E. Strickland, pastor of the Rockdale Baptist Church, officiating. Friends of Mr. and Mrs. McCarty in Lockhart sympathize with them in their sad bereavement. Lockhart Post-Register, October 8, 1931

1930 :: Death of Mrs. Mary Neely Thompson

Rockdale, Texas, Oct. 3. -- Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Neely Thompson were held from the family home, the Rev. G.B. Carter, pastor of the Rockdale Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating. Burial was made in the new City Cemetery. She is survived by a son, Jess Thompson of Rockdale; a daughter, Mrs. Blanche Russell of San Antonio, and her mother, three brothers and five sisters. Dallas Morning News, October 4, 1930