Cameron, Tex., Jan. 22. -- Mr. Sam Ford, a respectable citizen of this county, was in Rockdale Wednesday afternoon trading. Returning home late in the evening, he took in his wagon a negro man named [Sidney] Brown*. During the journey the fiend, watching his opportunity, made an attack on Ford, shooting him through the head and beating him over the head with a pistol, knocking out his eye. Believing his victim to be dead, the negro robbed him and left him. Ford was not dead but lived long enough to get home and tell his family of the attack made on him by Brown. The negro was arrested and jailed at Rockdale yesterday morning. Last night a mob of indignant citizens quietly went to the lock-up, and securing the prisoner took him to the edge of town and hung him. This act of Judge Lynch relieves the courts of the time of dealing with this inhuman being. The Standard, Clarksville, Texas, January 29, 1886
*Keven McQueen wrote that . . . The press reported that Brown was "supposed to have been implicated in the Austin murders." We will never know to what extent Brown was involved in the Servant Girl killings, if at all . . .
Rockdale, Tex., Jan. 26. -- Colonel F.A. Hill, born in North Carolina, and for forty years a prominent practicing lawyer in Texas, eighteen years of which he lived* in Rockdale, died here Sunday afternoon of la grippe in the 70th year of his age, surrounded by a large circle of relatives and friends. The Galveston Daily News, January 27, 1892
*Mayor Rockdale in 1877
O.A. Bowen who was formerly in the grocery business at Rockdale died at his home in Hamlin, Jones County, last Sunday, January 20th. Mr. Bowen was 62 years of age and was a highly respected citizen. He is survived by his wife and two children. The funeral was held at Hamlin on Monday of this week. Mr. Bowen was a brother-in-law to Joe Westmoreland of this city. Cameron Herald, January 24, 1918
Rockdale, Texas, January 20. -- Captain H.F. Snively, an old and highly esteemed citizen and at present mayor of this city, suffered a slight stroke of paralysis last night, which deprived him of the power of speech. Otherwise his physical condition seems to be good, and his friends, which means everybody in Rockdale, feel hopeful that he may fully recover in a short time. His energy and personal appearance do not indicate his age, which is 74, and but for that fact no serious apprehension would be felt. Houston Post, January 21, 1906
Died at his home in Burlington early Monday morning, Capt. R.F. Murf. He was an ex-Confederate soldier and a member of Camp Ben McCullough. He commanded a company during the war in the 20th Mississippi regiment. He was a consistent member of the Baptist church and beloved by all who knew him. His remains were brought to Rockdale and laid beside those of this children in the Odd Fellows cemetery on last Tuesday morning. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. T.G. Alfred. Cameron Herald, January 17, 1901
Rockdale, Tex., Jan. 10. -- T.J. Caldwell, president of the Milam County Farmers Alliance, died yesterday evening at his home. The deceased was highly respected by all who knew him. He was quite active in the Farmers' Alliance movement, but was no agitator of sectional feeling. Fort Worth Daily Gazette, January 12, 1888
C.W. Matson, 88, of Rockdale died Thursday in a Rockdale hospital after a long illness. Funeral was at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Murray Street Church of Christ with Minister George Hall and Minister Milton Pogue officiating. Burial was in Laurelland Cemetery in Dallas. Mr. Matson had lived in Rockdale since 1921 and was owner of the Matson Theaters in Rockdale and other Central Texas cities until his retirement several years ago. Surviving are a granddaughter, Dorothy Ann Wallis of Rockdale; his sister-in-law, Miss Lilly Hardeson of Rockdale; two brothers-in-law, Joe Hardeson of San Francisco, Calif. and W.F. Hardeson of Dallas. Cameron Herald, January 6, 1975
