1881 :: Prison Escape

Dallas Morning News. Rockdale, September 20. -- Six prisoners escaped from the Cameron jail last Saturday night. One was captured; the remainder are still at large. Robert J. Boykin, jr., who killed Wm. Brodnax, is among the number. Weekly Democratic Statesman, Austin, Texas, September 22, 1881

1881 :: New School House

Dallas Morning News. The Hebrews of Rockdale are going to build a $1500 school house. Weekly Democratic Statesman, Austin, Texas, September 1, 1881

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

1881 :: Shooting of B F Ackerman

Shooting – Rockdale, Apr. 25 – B.F. Ackerman, living 10-miles north of here, while at the house of one of his tenants, was fired upon by four men armed with Winchester rifles and severely wounded in the face, breast and leg. The parties who did the shooting are known and every effort will be made to secure their arrest. Mr. Ackerman is here receiving medical attention and his wounds, though painful, are not thought to be dangerous. Galveston Daily News, April 26, 1881 

1881 :: Shipment of Texas Horns

A man at Rockdale has shipped a barrel of horns to Clarksville, Tennessee. Hands working in the tobacco patches in that neighborhood will be called to dinner by the blowing of a Texas horn. Brenham Weekly Banner, February 10, 1881

1881 :: Messenger man loses horse

The Rockdale Messenger man has been so unfortunate as to lose his horse. It is a lucky newspaper man who is able to own a horse to lose. Brenham Weekly Banner, January 20, 1881 

1881 :: News from Rockdale

Weekly Democratic Statesman
Austin, Texas
November 3, 1881

Rockdale, October 31. -- We were all summoned to pay three dollars, a few days ago, in lieu of manual labor on the streets. This highly delightful privilege is afforded us quite frequently, but the only effort toward cleaning the streets which has come under the observation of your correspondent, has been made by poor old Bender, whose only compensation is generally a few drinks.


A very large number of ladies and gentleman assembled at the Mundine House on Thursday evening of last week, the occasion being a reception party to Mr. H.A. Gladdish and bride [i.e., Annie Joynes]. All present seemed to enjoy themselves highly.


Mr. George B. Randle is putting up a hall in the second story of the brick building on the corner of Commerce and Burleson streets. This will supply a long felt want in Rockdale, and Mr. Randle merits the grateful esteem of the community for his public spirit. 

1881 :: Death of the President

Yesterday at 4 o'clock p.m. all business houses in this place [Rockdale] were closed in respect to the death of the president. Memorial services were held at the Methodist church, which were attended by nearly the entire population of the town. An address, reviewing the life and character of the deceased president, was delivered by Rev. W.E. Copeland, of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Several beautiful selections, well suited for the occasion, were sung by Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Jones, Mrs. W.R. Kennard and Mrs. L.H. Porter. The occasion was one of imposing solemnity, and one which will never be forgotten by those present. Weekly Democratic Statesman, Austin, Texas, September 29, 1881

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Dallas Morning News. Rockdale, Texas, September 23. -- Robt. J. Boykin, Jr., who escaped from the Cameron jail on Saturday night last, was captured on Wednesday, within half a mile from Cameron, where he had been quietly hiding. Something like three hundred men were in pursuit of the escaped prisoners. When discovered, Boykin drew a revolver, and asked, "Is this a mob?" On being informed that it was not, he quietly surrendered, and was conducted back to jail. The remaining four who escaped are still at large. Weekly Democratic Statesman, Austin, Texas, September 29, 1881

1881 :: Price of Ice Up in Rockdale

Rockdale, August 3. -- Mr. Goldsticker, the ice cream man of Rockdale, has raised the price of ice, but the thermometer has failed to lower correspondingly. Weekly Democratic Statesman, Austin, Texas, August 11, 1881

1881 :: Trial of James H. Holtzclaw

Rockdale, June 22. -- Mr. James H. Holtzclaw leaves here this week for Madisonville to stand trial for the killing of Musgrove, the particulars of which were published. He will be accompanied by many of the prominent citizens of the county, including Wyatt Lipscomb, sheriff; J.B. Wolf, collector; W.D. Paden, county clerk; J.C. Oxenford, district clerk; Enoch Breeding, proprietor of the Rockdale Messenger; W. Code, Professor Milton Ragsdale and about twenty others from different portions of the county. 

Indeed the sympathy is so great among the people here, who are acquainted with him and the circumstances of the affair that, were conveyances at hand, there is hardly a man in Milam county but would leave his business and his plow to go and say a word in his behalf. The people of this county to a man feel under deep and lasting obligations to the people of Madison, who so nobly stood by Jim Holtzclaw, when he was a stranger in a strange land. Mr. Holtzclaw is one of our oldest and most highly respected citizens, and the people of Madison will always be held in the kindest remembrance here. Weekly Democratic Statesman, Austin, Texas, June 30, 1881

1881 :: Rockdale & Milano

Tuesday last, a reporter of the Statesman took a little trip up the International as far as Milano Junction. His first stopping place was Rockdale, which has improved some in the last few months. Besides the erection of an elegant three-story brick hotel, many new stores and swelling houses have been built, the streets and sidewalks put in good condition, and had the citizens succeeded in getting the G.C.&S.F.R.R. to pass through the place, Rockdale would have had at no distant day a population of double what she can now hope for. The merchants say, however, that their trade last fall was better than for several years. After spending part of a day here, and securing a large number of subscribers to the Daily Statesman, the reporter boarded a freight for Milano, "the future great."

This new town is about nine miles from Rockdale, at the junction of the International and Santa Fe, and is the creation of these two roads. A large two-story hotel is being erected for the accommodation of the public, and will be in full blast in about three weeks. Mr. H. Goldsticker, one of the leading business men of Rockdale, owns a large ice house at the junction, and is the wholesale agent for Lemps' beer. He cools the heated inhabitants in the different towns up and down the two roads, and furnishes the thirsty with ice cold beer, and to do this it requires two cars of ice and one of beer per week.

The Santa Fe company owns about 200 acres and have laid off a large number of lots which can be bought for from ten to twenty dollars each. The round-houses of the International at Rockdale have been torn down and will be erected at this point. Mr. E.E. Lang, late of Austin, is in charge of the International freight and passenger business at Milano, and is the right man in the right place. The reporter did not learn whether Milano will be a candidate for the state university or not. Weekly Democratic Statesman, Austin, Texas, June 23, 1881