1917 :: Death of J.E. Longmoor

Rockdale, Texas, Aug. 26. -- The funeral of J.E. Longmoor was held here Friday. Mr. Longmoor for more than a quarter of a century had been cashier of the First National Bank of Rockdale, having been elected to that position when the bank was first organized. He was also president of the Rockdale fire department continuously for about the same number of years. He was a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias order, having filled the various chairs in the grand lodge and for the last several years, had been a member of the board of trustees for the K. of P. Widows and Orphans' Home. He was at one time president of the State Bankers' Association. He is survived by his wife, four sons, all bankers or identified with banking interests and a daughter. The funeral was the largest ever seen in Rockdale and was conducted by the Knights of Pythias, the Rockdale fire department acting as an escort. Cameron Herald, August 30, 1917

1913 :: Confederate Pensions

County Judge John Watson was over from Cameron Tuesday for the purpose of fixing up the papers for a number of old Confederate soldiers who were applying for pensions under the new law. Final proofs were taken for the following:

• Isaac Long, Milano, Route 3.
• Dr. E.W. Allen, Rockdale.
• Lee Wallace, Minerva.
• N.C. Jones, Rockdale, route 2.
• Mrs. E. Denham, Rockdale, route 2.
• Mrs. Mary Joyner, Rockdale.
• Mrs. E.J. Ashby, Rockdale.
• Benj. F. Arthur, Rockdale, route 6.
• G.H. Davenport, Rockdale, route 3.

Applications and part proofs were taken also for B.V. Arnold and A.L. Pleasant.

There is a deal of seemingly unnecessary red tape to be unwound before these old heroes can avail themselves of the pittance awarded, but Judge Watson is using all due dilligence in the matter, and is entitled to the thanks of the veterans for the interest manifested. According to the red tape each of the applicants is supposed to make a trip to Cameron, taking along their proofs and witnesses, and Mr. Watson's trip over here was quite an accomodation and appreciated by all concerned.

Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, August 28, 1913

1923 :: Rockdale Tourist Park Proves Money Maker

Rockdale, Aug. 27. -- The fact that Rockdale has a tourist park has become widespread among the car tourists, and every night parties are seen with lights twinkling inside the enclosure and carrying on their cooking preparations upon the ovens, or setting up over-night house-keeping under the big pavilion. These travelers always drive into town and spend from two to ten dollars before leaving. Tourist parks are found to be paying institutions wherever established. Bryan Daily Eagle, August 27, 1923

1923 :: Diehl Blacksmith Corner

Rockdale Reporter. -- W.P. Henry has closed a deal for the purchase of the old Louis Diehl  blacksmith corner on North Main street, the consideration being $4000. Workmen yesterday began tearing down the old building, preparatory to the erection by Mr. Henry of a modern garage and drive-in filling station. The lot is 62 1-2 by 90 feet, and the new building will cover the entire lot. The filling station will occupy the corner position and will have a double drive-way and full equipment. The garage proper will be equipped to take care of any class of auto repair work, and Mr. Clint Henry will be in charge of that. It is the intention of Mr. Henry and sons to push the completion of the plant with all possible speed, and they hope to ready for business in record-breaking time. Cameron Herald, August 23, 1923

1923 :: Evangelistic Meeting

Rockdale, Texas, August 19. -- Beginning August 28, the congregation of the Church of Christ will hold a two weeks' evangelistic meeting under the Rev. Arthur Slater of Corpus Christi. The meeting will be conducted daily on the large vacant lot next to the Rockdale postoffice. Cameron Herald, August 23, 1923

1923 :: August Menn Monument Works

Rockdale, Texas, August 18. -- August Menn has leased a large lot and built a new shop and office for his monument works. This improvement and the new garage being built by W.P. Henry disposes of the last of older Rockdale, doing away with the long-standing mule barn and steer lot in the business part of town. Cameron Herald, August 23, 1923

The Rockdale Reporter, January 8, 1920

1920 :: Family Reunion

Galveston Daily News
Galveston, Texas
22 August 1920

Two Families Hold Reunion:
187 Descendants are Present.

Special to the News. Thorndale, Tex., Aug. 21.-- A most delightful occasion was the reunion of the descendants of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Jackson and Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Caffey, two of the pioneer couples of Milam County. These two families came to Texas from Alabama in 1874 and located in Bastrop County. Mr. Caffey and family moved to Milam County in 1875, and Mr. Jackson and family in 1876, and located in the community which has since been their homes. Mr. Caffey is 83 years old and Mr. Jackson 76. Their wives are sisters and are a few years their junion. Both Mr. Jackson and Mr. Caffey are confederate veterans.

There are 187 descendants of these two families. In the Jackson family there are twelve children, seventy-one grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren, and in the Caffey family there are seven children, forty-four grandchildren, and thirty-eight great-grandchildren. Four generations were in attendance at the gathering that day. About 200 relatives and friends were in attendance. A bounteaus dinner was spread.

1881 :: Entertainment at Mundine Hotel

Dallas Morning News. Rockdale, August 13. -- Quite an enjoyable entertainment at the Mundine Hotel last night was given by the young gentlemen. Old Bender, Johnny Austin and old Burch seem to have migrated from Rockdale. A thanksgiving proclamation will probably be issued. Your correspondent does not know whether they went to Temple, Belton, or Valley Mills, or Cisco, but our loss has probably been the gain of some one of them. Weekly Democratic Statesman, Austin, Texas, August 18, 1881

1880 :: Death of J.W. Green

Dallas Morning News. Brenham, Aug. 16. -- At 7 o'clock this morning J.M. Jackson, living seven miles below here, in Austin county, shot and killed J.W. Green of Rockdale. They were brothers-in-law. Green was a widower. His wife on her death-bed had willed their child to Mrs. Jackson, and she has had it several years. Green had been in the neighborhood of Jackson's house several days trying to get possession of his child, and is said to have threatened Jackson. At the time of the shooting Jackson discovered Green behind a stack of hay in his stable and shot him. Jackson surrendered to a constable. The Dallas Daily Herald. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 27, No. 232, Ed. 1 Tuesday, August 17, 1880 

1952 :: Operators say goodbye

Rockdale Reporter
August 14, 1952

Rockdale telephone operators are pictured (below) as they plugged in the final phone calls under the old hand crank phone system here shortly after noon, August 2. 

As the picture was made, switches were thrown at the dial building, Rockdale was transferred to the dial system, and the telephone girls had written finis to their jobs in Rockdale.

building photo in background by Neal Douglass

Seated at the switchboard reading in reverse order, right to left:

• Mrs. Jean LaRue Alford
• Mrs. Roberta Pounders
• Mrs. Ruth Wooten
• Mrs. Faye Oldham
• Miss Loretta Neeley
• Mrs. Faye Pratt
• Mrs. Ann Summers
• Mrs. R.L. Myrick.

Standing at rear, left to right:

• Miss Vera Sheppard, chief operator
• Mrs. Betty Ashabrenner
• Miss Doris Jean Parker
• Mrs. Pansy Hairston, Evening Chief
• Miss Emogene Hilliard
• Miss Shirley Curlee
• Mrs. Eva Randle
• Mrs. Josie Scott

. . . Around the year of 1914, space was needed in the [former location in the] Quebe building and the operators were pushed out of their quarters, across Cameron street to the space above the Citizens State Bank. Here the office remained until recently when it was stripped of its operating personnel. . . . 

During the span of 55 years since 1897 local operators have instigated calls to England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Hawaii and Japan. The long distance traffic averaged 400 calls per day at the close of the Rockdale office. . . . 

1967 :: Death of W H Vesey

On the 11th day of August . . . in the year 1967 . . . William Henry Vesey dies at Richards Hospital in Rockdale, Milam County, Texas . . . he is listed as being 96 years of age at the time of his death . . . his residence is listed as 821 Ackerman . . . and burial was to be on the 13th day of August at IOOF Cemetery . . . 

At the time of Mr. Vesey's death, his was listed as being self-employed in the business of "Concrete construction" . . . on the 1910 census, both he and his father (1845-1918) were listed as bricklayers . . . in 1920 he and his oldest son are enumerated as brick masons . . . in 1930 he is listed as a cement and brick contractor . . . in 1934 his name is mentioned in the following article regarding the new entrance for the New City Cemetery in Rockdale . . . aka Oaklawn or Oak Lawn Cemetery . . . 

Rockdale Reporter and Messenger

June 7, 1934

NEW ENTRANCE FOR CEMETERY 

New City Cemetery is Named Oak Lawn Cemetery; Work Started on Entrance

The ladies of the Rockdale Cemetery Association last week let a contract to W.H. Vesey for the erection of an ornamental entrance to the new city cemetery, and Mr. Vesey began work on the job Monday.

Incidentally, the Association, by resolution has given the cemetery a name, and it is hereafter to be known as Oak Lawn Cemetery. That name will appear above the ornamental gateway now being erected.

The new entrance will cost several hundred dollars and will be paid for from funds which the Association has been accumulating for the past ten years for the purpose. These funds were derived from various entertainments and donations, over a long period, and have been kept separate from maintenance funds and saved for the purpose.

The entrance will be very handsome in its construction of two colors of face brick, with concrete foundations and an ornamental iron gate set in an appropriate archway, with the name of the cemetery inscribed above. It will face west on Pear street, and the driveway will lead through the newer section of the grounds.

The ladies are deserving of congratulations and commendation for this splendid civic accomplishment.

P.S. . . . based on the similarities of the entrances to these two cemeteries, it does seem quite probable that the Veseys also did the entrance for the Odd Fellows Cemetery . . . 

Photos and collages by benotforgot.

1885 :: Death of Green Taylor

Dallas Morning News. Casualties. Drowned in Little River. [Special to The News.] Cameron, August 6. -- Green Taylor, who formerly resided in this (Milam) county, and is now a resident of Minden, was drowned, yesterday evening, in Little River, near Davilla. Mr. Taylor was in attendance upon the Probate Court of this county. Galveston Daily News, August 7, 1885 

1906 :: Rothrock Family

W.H. Rothrock and family left today for Rockdale. Mrs. Rothrock and the children will visit that place, while Mr. Rothrock goes to Colorado Springs for a rest, and recreation. Palestine Daily Herald, August 4, 1906

1914 :: Death of John Gambill

Deaths. Special to The News. Gambill -- Cameron. Milam., Tex., Aug. 3. -- John T. Gambill Sr. died at Rockdale Saturday and was buried yesterday morning. The deceased was in the Confederate army and was well-known and highly esteemed in this county. He is survived by a large family. Dallas Morning News, August 4, 1914

---

The news of the death of Mr. John Gambill was received here with deep regret. Deceased had many relatives as well as friends in this community who will miss this genial and benevolent old gentleman. Quite a number of our people attended his funeral, which occurred in Rockdale, Sunday August 2. Cameron Herald, August 6, 1914