1921 :: Rockdale's New Standpipe

Thorndale Champion. -- Rockdale's new standpipe has arrived and construction work will start at once, according to The Reporter. Maybe the ladies of Rockdale will now have the water turned on at their pretty fountain on Main street. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. [49], No. 44, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 29, 1921

1925 :: Woman Burns to Death

ROCKDALE, Dec. 29. -- Tom Engram of Rockdale was called to Palestine Friday to the bedside of his mother, Mrs. J.E. Engram, who had been fatally burned. Her clothing caught fire from an overheated stove near which she was sewing. She died Saturday. Mrs. Engram was 72 years old. The Taylor Daily Press, Taylor, Texas, Tuesday, December 29, 1925 - Page 3 

1899 :: He sleeps there.

From this date, Mr. Palmer, the prescriptionist, can be found at my drug store at all hours. He sleeps there. If you have a prescription that has to be filled at a late hour, you can awake him. J.T. Woody. The Rockdale Reporter. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 06, No. 48, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 20, 1899 Page: 1 of 8

1898 :: The Small-pox

It seems Milam county has before it a continued siege with this loathsome disease. . . . One case in Rockdale will cost the business interest more than a two months rigid quarantine. Will our city fathers not stop people from going to and returning from Cameron? Rockdale Messenger. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 26, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 8, 1898 Page: 1 of 8

1923 :: Letter from First Male Child Born in Rockdale

. . . I was the first male child born in Rockdale, and in the first house, that being the 14th day of January, 1874. My father at that time had ox and mule teams doing grade work and hauling ties for the I. & G. N. railroad which was building there at that time. My father's name was George A. Brown. A family by name of Ackerman built a saw mill and also a small house, it being the first house, and where I was born. . . . Isaac Brown . . . The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. [51], No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 6, 1923 Page: 1 of 12

1912 :: New Awnings

Another string of new drop awnings is this week being placed and Regal Rockdale will thereby be made to look still more "regaler." 

Mrs. J.R. Rowland is having the carpenters adorn all her block of business houses on Main street with the new style awning. The firms affected are H.M. Campbell, Berlin & Adler, City Panitorium, and the Elite Cafe, a total frontage of more than 100 feet on Main street, with about 75 feet running west on Milam street.

New style awnings, street lights, cement sidewalks and concrete crossings are the biggest aids to town growth and development, and Rockdale is getting them all.  

The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 39, No. 38, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 28, 1912 Page: 5 of 8

1944 :: Last of Confederate Veterans in County Has 100th Birthday

Probably the oldest citizen in Milam county is Mr. William Persky, of Sharp, who on Tuesday, November 21, reached his 100th milestone.

Mr. Persky has lived in Sharp for the past twenty years and is the father of five sons and a daughter, Mrs. E.J. Rinn, with whom he makes his home.

Mr. Persky is a native of Germany but has lived in Texas since a lad of eight years, coming to America at that age with his parents and settling in Austin county. He is a Confederate Veteran, the last in Milam county. Mr. Persky followed the farming industry most of his life. For the past four years due to ill health he has not led an active life. He is the grandfather of E.H. Rinn of Rockdale. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 72, No. 43, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 23, 1944 Page: 20 of 20 

1934 :: Victim of Kidnap and Murder, Waco, Former Rockdalian

James Malcolm Stewart, 25, of Katy, Texas, was kidnapped and brutally murdered near Waco last Saturday, his body being found in his car on a country road.

Young Stewart was the only son of Dr. and Mrs. J.M. Stewart, citizens of Rockdale in the early days. His father died on September 7, as recounted in these columns at the time. Young Stewart had been identified with the motion picture industry in California, but came back to Texas on the death of his father. He had driven his mother to Waco and placed her on a bus for a trip to visit relatives at Comanche. The next seen of him he was found dead as above stated.

Joe Averett, 23, and Roy Curry, 26, of Hubbard, were arrested Tuesday in connection with the murder and a series of car thefts and kidnappings which followed the death of Stewart. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 62, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 22, 1934 Page: 8 of 8

1902 :: Revised Ordinances of the City of Rockdale

Topics include . . . placing boxes, barrels, etc., on sidewalks, and wagons, etc., on streets . . . selling corrupted or unwholesome food, etc. . . . innkeeper, physician, etc., shall report persons sick with smallpox, etc. . . . leaving and visiting infected houses . . . unlawful burial in the City Cemetery . . . hanging in effigy . . . failing to work street . . . Rockdale Reporter. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 09, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 13, 1902 Page: 7 of 8 

1936 :: Funeral is Held for Mrs. Hill

Mrs. Hill, eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Walden, one of Rockdale's oldest families, was born and reared here. She graduated with the senior class of the Rockdale public school in 1892.

On April 8, 1896, Katherine Mae Walden was married to James H. Hill. . . . Mr. Hill, who inherited the thriving pioneer bookstore and jewelry business from his father, an early settler, passed away seventeen years ago.

Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Hill continued to run the business and in later years added a cold drink and confectionery department. . . .

Mrs. Hill*, known for her upright dealings and sterling traits of character was highly esteemed in Rockdale and throughout this section of Milam County. . . .

The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 64, No. 39, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 5, 1936 Page: 1 of 20

*Mrs. Hill is the maternal grandma of Mary Sue Whipp, 3rd and final wife of L. Ron Hubbard.

1898 :: A Very Sudden Death

Miss Katie Lockwood, age 20 years, of Harris county, who had come to Rockdale a few weeks ago to make her home with her uncle, Henry Lockwood, was taken with black jaundice Wednesday night the 25, and died Friday at 12 o'clock. Her father died on the 29th of last month. Brother Henry Lockwood has the sympathy of all the good people of Rockdale in his bereavement. Rockdale Messenger. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 26, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 3, 1898 Page: 8 of 8

1916 :: Public Dinner

The ladies of the Cemetery Association will serve dinner on Gentry Bros. circus Day, Tuesday, Nov. 14, in the Simms building. A good dinner for 25c. Your patronage solicited. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 44, No. 35, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 2, 1916 Page: 8 of 8

1922 :: Death of John Ellis

Mortuary. John Ellis, one of the oldest citizens of Rockdale, died at the home of his daughter south of town Tuesday and was buried Wednesday in the new city cemetery, Rev. G.S. Tumlin, pastor of the Baptist church, officiating. Decedent was 68 years of age and came to Rockdale in the early days of the town's life. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 50, No. 36, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 2, 1922 Page: 2 of 8

1899 :: Rockdale Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy

Monday afternoon a number of ladies met at the home of Mrs. Fulton, this city, and Mrs. Emma G. Cobb, of Alvin, organized a chapter of Daughters of the Confederacy, to be known as Rockdale Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy. . . . Mrs. Cobb made the following timely remarks:

The days of the years of the sixties are numbered with the past; and where are the southern mothers? Nearly all have entered into rest. The few who remain -- grandmother's now -- with gray hairs and faltering steps, will soon join their dead in the land of peace. . . .  

 
The Rockdale Reporter. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 06, No. 41, Ed. 1 Wednesday, November 1, 1899 Page: 9 of 12 [4th column]

1930 :: Burial of Mrs. John Redding

The remains of Mrs. John (Kidd) Redding, who died one year ago in Hollywood, California, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ida Penn, were brought to Rockdale from California Wednesday afternoon on the Sunshine Special, under escort of a grand-daughter, and placed in a granite mausoleum in the Old City Cemetery. . . . Mrs. Redding resided here with her interesting family for many years. Her husband, John Redding . . . died here suddenly many years ago, so bringing the body here was only a final homecoming to the family. . . . The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 58, No. 37, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 30, 1930 Page: 4 of 8

1931 :: No. 911 is no more

Sipe Springs, Oct. 26. -- Today witnessed the discontinuance of telephone line No. 911, about the oldest line around Rockdale. It was put up about twenty-five years ago and has served us well. We are sorry it is no more. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 59, No. 37, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 29, 1931 Page: 4 of 8 

1932 :: Death of Early Day Trail Driver, Dan Cass

Dan Cass, age 85, a pioneer citizen of this county, and one of the early-day trail drivers between Texas and Kansas, died last Sunday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. S.E. Scott, in the Sipe Springs community, . . . The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 60, No. 37, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 27, 1932 Page: 1 of 6

1934 :: Theodore Crohn, Old Time Rockdalian, is Dead at Long Island

. . . Theodore Crohn is remembered by local old timers as an outstanding citizen and merchant here when Rockdale was in its infancy. He was born in Germany and located in Rockdale in the late 70's or early 80's, being the junior member of the mercantile firm of Baum & Crohn. . . . lived in Rockdale at the old Mundine Hotel, which was burned about 1888, and in which fire Crohn's younger brother, Isaac Crohn, lost his life, together with ten other persons. . . . The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 62, No. 37, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 25, 1934 Page: 5 of 10

Former Residents of Nashville

The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 52, No. 35, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 23, 1924 Page: 3 of 10

. . . the following description of the old town of Nashville [is] from a letter from Mr. Frank Brown, who lived in Nashville as a boy and who after sixty-three years of absence, retained a vivid picture of the place as it existed in its palmiest days: . . .

It is impossible after a lapse of 63 years to give the names of all the families that lived in and near Nashville. In 1836, and up to the winter of 1839 and 1840 when I left there, I knew nearly every one. The village was small, not over 15 or 20 families in town and immediate vicinity. . . . I call to mind only the following residents:

• Neill McLennan
• John McLennan and others of that name.
• Calvin Bowles
• Jacob M. Harrel
• Jasper Crouch
• ? Bell
• W.D. Thomson
• John Duff Brown
• Robert Davidson
• James Shaw
• Gid Bowen
• Jack Hopson
• Lige Bailey, with others lived just below the river.
• Capt. James Howlett (first surveyor of the County of Milam)
• Capt. Goldsby Childers
• George and Herman Chapmen

Among those at Nashville more or less, and at different times in the middle and late 30's were:

• Timas C. Thomson
• Sterling C.R. Robertson
• E.S.C. Robertson (then a youth)
• Alexander Thomson
• James G. Swisher
• O.T. Tyler 
• Laughlen McLennan
• George B. Erath
• Capt. Eastland
• Ehan Stroud Fleruy
• Captain John Bird
• James Robinett
• W.S. Wilson
• Maus Griffin
• W.B. King
• Ben Bryant
• Joseph Rowland
• ? Campbell
• R.M. Coleman
• Thos. H. Barron
• Daniel Cullins
• David Clark
• James Coryell
• Stephen Fazier
• Moses Cummins
• Frank W. Johnson
• Mrs. Matilda F. Connell [widow of John Connell; daughter of Elisha Roberts]
• James Graves
• William Moore
• Lewis Washington
• Isaac Parker, and his brothers
• Daniel Moses
• Massilon Farley
• N.C. Raymond [attorney]
• F.T. Duffau
• John Cockrell
• Henry Kattenhom
• Daniel McKay
• Gus Sullivan
• E. Lawrence Stickney
• W.H. King
• John R. Craddock
• C.M. Hubby
• John Pool
• William and Thomas Robers
• John Taylor (a lawyer)
• George Green
• Lewis Moore
• Jacob Gross
• ? Icleberger
• ? Chalmers and his son, Albert

1920 :: Death of Mrs. Julia Robinson

The body of Mrs. Julia Robinson, who passed away at a sanitarium in Taylor at 2:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon, arrived in Rockdale on the 2:46 I. & G. N. train Sunday, and was borne to the Old City Cemetery where interment was made by the side of her husband in the family plot. . . . At the time of her death she was 76 years, 11 months and 1 day old. She was a native Mississippian, and in 1864 was married to Richmond Robinson. . . . They moved to Rockdale 46 years ago and established a home, and assisted in the upbuilding of the town. . . . 

Almost coincident with her passing, the old homestead erected by the late Richmond Robinson, known of late as the Cottage Hotel, situated in the heart of the city, was sold and demolished, perhaps to make way for a more pretentious business house on the sacred site, in keeping with the modern buildings on the newest of blocks that marks the city's growth within the past quarter century. It was here they spent the greater part of their lives, surrounded by their children, . . . The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 48, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 21, 1920

1921 :: Soldier Boy's Funeral to be Held Tomorrow

The funeral of Private Hicks R. Carlile will be held tomorrow. The remains are due to arrive on the 2:40 p.m. I. & G. N. train from San Antonio. Mayor H.C. Meyer was requested by the Chamber of Commerce Tuesday night to take charge of the details of the funeral, which assures that the young hero will be shown due respect by our citizenship. The funeral will be under the auspices of the American Legion, and the body will be buried with military honors. Interment will be held at the Hamilton Chapel burying ground. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 49, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 20, 1921 Page: 1 of 8

1932 :: New Water Tower for Dr. Riddle

Jack Kyle, contractor, has found a new use for the frame bars of old Model T Ford, and has just completed the construction of a water tower that might be described as "three Fords high." . . . The tower was built for Dr. T.E. Riddle, who is this week installing a windmill, water tower, septic tank and modern bathroom equipment with hot and cold running water, in his home one mile south of town. . . . The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 60, No. 36, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 20, 1932 Page: 1 of 6

1917 :: Death of Ella Demore

  Last Sunday night at eight o'clock the sad news was spread over this community that the Death Angel had visited the bedside of Mr. and Mrs. D.A. Demore; taking away our dear beloved one, little Ella Demore, age seven years. Little Ella was taken sick about five weeks ago with whopping cough and hemorrhage of the bowels. The funeral was held in the Harmony cemetery Monday at one o'clock. We wish to extend our heart felt sympathy to the bereaved ones. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 45, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 18, 1917 Page: 7 of 8   

1916 :: Mrs. Ferguson to State Asylum

Sheriff Allen Hooks was here yesterday morning on his way to Austin with Mrs. Ferguson from the southern portion of the county. The unfortunate lady had been declared of unsound mind and Mr. Hooks was taking her to the state asylum at Austin. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 44, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 12, 1916 Page: 7 of 8 

1904 :: Death of Dr. Sprott

Dr. A.C. Sprott, an old and respected citizen of Rockdale, died very suddenly at his home last Sunday about noon. . . . Dr. Sprott came to Rockdale in the early days of the town's history, and had been a resident continuously ever since. The remains were buried Monday morning at 10 o'clock at the old cemetery, his former comrades, the Confederate Veterans, performing the last sad rites. . . . Dr. A.C. Sprott was born in Alabama in 1818 [sic]. He moved to Texas when quite young and settled at Cold Springs, in East Texas. He came to Rockdale in 1876, 27 years ago. . . . He was a Confederate soldier during the war between the states, and joined Sam Davis Camp, Confederate Veterans, when the camp was first organized in 1890. . . . A.C. Sprott, who was of company K, 14th Texas, Randle's brigade of Walker's division of the Confederate army, in which he volunteered in February, 1862, . . . It was on October the 2nd, at noon when the summons came to him to get ready for that great reunion beyond, . . . The Rockdale Messenger. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 37, Ed. 1 Friday, October 7, 1904 Page: 8 of 8

1932 :: The Passing of J.M. Luckey

With the passing of J.M. Luckey . . . another name has been added to the list of long-time residents of this section who have left the ranks for a more fulsome life and entered into "the joy of their Lord." . . . In 1871, at the age of 20 years, he came to Texas, making the trip from New Orleans to Houston by boat, and from Houston to Brenham by train, where he took passage in an ox-wagon for this section of the state. There was no Rockdale on the map or railroad then in Milam county. . . . The famous Sandow lignite property is now on his old homestead. . . . Mr. Luckey was buried in the family burial plot in Pleasant Hill cemetery, near the community where he had lived so long. . . . Here he rests in peace, after living out his life of more than four score years in helpfulness to his fellowman. . . . The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 60, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 6, 1932 Page: 2 of 4

1922 :: Old Green Residence

N.M. Bullock has bought the old Green residence from the School Board, and is this week moving it from the campus to lots on Bell street in Highland Park, where he will remodel it into a nice 5-room rent cottage. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 50, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 5, 1922 Page: 2 of 8

1913 :: Tidbits from Page Seven

Fresh lot of local-view post cards at Sherar's Cream Parlor. Mail 'em out and be a booster. 



For Sale. Good second hand windmill in fine shape. A bargain. E.M. Arledge.


Lilac. Sept. 29. -- We are sorry to state that the death angel visited the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stevens last Saturday morning and carried away their baby. The remains were laid to rest in the Lilac cemetery Sunday morning at 10 o'clock. Services were held by Brother G.W. Whatley. We extend sympathy to the bereaved parents. Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, October 2, 1913

1927 :: Death of Mrs. U.P. Melton

The body of Mrs. U.P. Melton, who died Sunday in Del Rio, was brought to Rockdale Monday afternoon on the Sunshine Special under escort of her husband and his friend, Mr. York, and tenderly conveyed to the home of old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Isaacs. . . . interment was made in the Old City Cemetery. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Melton lived in Rockdale twenty-odd years ago, when Mr. Melton was with the old firm of Isaacs & Lockett. . . . It was while here that they lost their only child, a bright nineteen months old baby boy. The mother was laid to rest beside him . . . The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 55, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 29, 1927

1916 :: Mr. Kennerly in the News

. . . Mr. Kennerly is almost 80 years of age, yet despite that he is still suffering from a bullet wound received in the Civil War, he is quite active. Just 52 years ago this month he was shot through and through, at Morgan's Ferry, Louisiana. The bullet struck him squarely in the center of the breast and passed entirely thru his body. He lay on the battlefield from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. without attention, and has never recovered fully from the wound . . . The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 44, No. 30, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 28, 1916 Page: 1 of 10 

1906 :: Automobile for Rockdale

Mr. P.H. Perry has ordered an automobile, which is expected to arrive in a short while. This will be the first "devil wagon" for Rockdale, and when it arrives the trouble will begin. We hope he won't bring it out for the first trip on Saturday when the streets are crowded. Rockdale Reporter. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 29, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 27, 1906

1929 :: No Cows Allowed in Cemetery

Notice. No cows are to be tied in driveway leading to cemetery, or in the cemetery. Ladies of the I.O.O.F. Cemetery Association. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 57, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 26, 1929

1903 :: Free Parking!

Rockdale Reporter. (Rockdale, Tex.), 

Vol. 10, No. 34, Ed. 1 

Thursday, September 24, 1903

---

Free wagon yard just back of our store.

ISAACS & LOCKETT

Page: 4 of 10

---

Mistrots' Free Wagon yard

  Page: 5 of 10

1938 :: Lock o' Hair

Probably the most prized possession of Mrs. J.C. Thomasson, of Milano, is a gold, glass covered locket pin containing a lock of hair from the head of Jefferson Davis, one-time president of the Confederacy.

Mrs. Thomasson's grandfather, Mel Elson, left her the locket. Elson was Aide de Campe to Jeff Davis during the war, and the two were in an enemy prison together. (continued) . . . The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 66, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 22, 1938 Page: 1 of 10

1938 Balhorn Buys Concession

E.H. Balhorn, of the Elite Cafe and Ice Cream Store, purchased the concession of the sale of cold drinks, candies, etc., at the Rockdale high school home football games for the season 1938, it was announced Tuesday morning by the concessions committee of the Athletic Council. . . . The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 66, No. 31, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 8, 1938 Page: 1 of 8

1917 :: Death of Whistling Booker

Alfred Booker, (colored) known as "Whistling Booker," died Monday night at the home of a sister, Ellen Woods, as a result of a stroke of paralysis he received when at work in a cotton field adjacent to Rockdale. . . . according to his own statement, was born near Greenboro, Alabama . . . He was born Sept. 1, 1829 [sic], and came across country with his owners, Gray Booker, the Barkers and others who made Texas history. . . . He was never known to miss a barbecue or Confederate reunion, feeling as he did, that he was the living historian of both white and black, and was part and parcel of the place. . . . His was a life well spent. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 45, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 12, 1917

1916 :: Just following the flag

"Just following the flag," was suggested at the sight of one 87-year-old ex-slave, Alfred Booker, who in hickory shirt and overalls voluntarilly brought up the rear carrying an American flag. He sawed the postoak block that supported the first raw-hide house in Rockdale, and drilled by hand out of Granite Mountain the 24-foot columns that support the state capitol. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 44, No. 18, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 6, 1916 

1918 :: Living in Gaither cottage

R.L. Scarbrough has sold his mercantile business at Hicks to J.S. Armstrong, late of Chilton, and has moved back to Rockdale and is living in the Gaither cottage just east of Mineral Park. Lee says he is going to have such a big crop this year he wont have time to sell goods. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. [46], No. 5, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 4, 1918

1936 :: Pounder Twins

DRS. SESSIONS & BARKLEY RECEIVE TWIN HONORS

Announcement is made of the birth of twin boys to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Pounder, of the Tanglewood community, on March 16. These boys have been christened Clyde Sessions and Claude Barkley. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 64, No. 6, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 19, 1936

1899 :: Death of Old Uncle Bob Ferguson

Old Uncle Bob Ferguson died on Wednesday last. He was an honorable old negro, well liked by all who knew him. The Rockdale Reporter. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 06, No. 08, Ed. 1 Tuesday, March 14, 1899

1915 :: Burial at Hat Prairie

Hat Prairie. Feb. 22 -- Wednesday, Feb. 17 [sic], the infant of Mr. and Mrs. Obier was buried at Forest Grove. Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, March 04, 1915

1899 :: Died from Burns.

The little three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Palmer, of near Rockdale, while out in the field caught fire from an old tree which was being burned, and before assistance could reach him the little fellow was most frightfully burned. Medical skill was summoned and put to work to save him but to no avail. On Sunday morning his little soul took flight from this material world and crossed the river into the mysterious land where we all hope to meet our departed loved ones. This is the second time that fire has taken loved ones from Mr. Palmer. In the summer of '88 he had the misfortune of losing his wife and two children by fire. Rockdale Messenger. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 27, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 2, 1899

1924 :: Death of A. Wolf

Mortuary. A. Wolf. 

Rockdale lost another of her oldest citizens this week when A. Wolf, at the age of 77 years, succumbed to an illness of several weeks superinduced by old age. He died at his home Tuesday evening at 5:30 o'clock. The funeral will be conducted Friday at 4:00 p.m., Rev. Simon Spinneweber of the Catholic church officiating. Interment will be in the Old City Cemetery. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 51, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 28, 1924

1924 :: Death of Dr. H.C. Black

Monday's State papers carried the news of the death of Dr. H.C. Black, aged 69, at Waco. Decedent was once a citizen of Rockdale, but probably only a few of our older citizens will remember him as it has been about 35 years since he left here. He was found dead in his garage, having suffered a stroke of apoplexy as he was putting his car away after returning from a professional call. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. [51], No. 52, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 21, 1924

1924 :: Death of Miss Joe Walker

Miss Joe Walker, aged 73, died at the home of H.C. Newsome in this city Monday. The funeral was conducted Tuesday at the Salty cemetery, Rev. Jesse Garrett of the First Baptist church officiating. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. [51], No. 52, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 21, 1924

1936 :: Death of Lillie Tumey

Late News Flash. A daughter of Mrs. T.E. Riddle died in New York Wednesday, and the remains are due to arrive in Rockdale this (Thursday) afternoon. Funeral services will be held in the home of Mrs. Riddle Friday afternoon, interment following in the Riddle family burying ground. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 64, No. 2, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 20, 1936

1910 :: Cleveland Stribling Dead.

Houston Post Special.

ROCKDALE, Texas, January 18. -- Information reached here yesterday of the death at Roswell, New Mexico, of Cleveland Stribling, who formerly lived here. His brother, C.K. Stribling, hearing of his serious illness, left for Roswell Saturday night. Deceased left Rockdale for Roswell about four years ago with his family. The Houston Post, January 20, 1910