1897 :: Little Boy Accidentally Shot

Rockdale, Milam Co., Tex., March 18. -- The little son of Mr. Henry McDaniel, near Gardner, was seriously wounded in the face last Saturday night by the accidental discharge of a pistol in the hands of Mr. Wayne Holmes. Physicians were called in and dressed the wound, but did not succeed in extracting the ball. Galveston Daily News, March 19, 1897

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

1901 :: Fearful Boiler Explosion

Fearful Boiler Explosion. One Man Killed and Several Injured at Rockdale - Waterworks Entire Wrecked. Special to The News. 

Rockdale, Tex., Sept. 19. -- At 10:40 o'clock this morning one of the immense twin boilers of the Rockdale water and electric light plant exploded with a terrific crash. The concussion was so great that the jar was felt for a mile away. The entire plant is a total wreck. Nothing remains but a tangled mass of torn and twisted machinery, lumber and other building material.


There were six men in and around the building. All of them escaped with their lives except Snort Wilson, the fireman, who was in the front of the boiler, firing. He was blown across an eighty-foot street and hurled against a strong board fence with such force that a section of the fence was carried away. He was so badly scalded and bruised that he was almost unrecognizable and died in a few minutes.


R.H. Ames, superintendent and general manager; George De Board, William Jones and Charles Fithur, employes, and Will Pleasants, a bystander, were all more or less injured, as was also a child of Otto Lingert, playing in a yard near by.


Sections of the boiler and other portions of the machinery were blown into the air and landed with terrible force for 200 yards around. This explosion, coming in the midst of a long-continued drouth, makes the water problem a serious questions in this city. The water in the standpipe is shut off for fire purposes, so that the citizens are left without water.


A similar explosion occurred in the same plant on the same ground Oct. 9, 1897, in which Anton Strelsky lost his life. The loss to the company is estimated at 6,000 to $10,000. Dallas Morning News, September 20, 1901

1897 :: Death of Peter J. Moe

Rockdale, Tex., Aug. 19. -- Peter J. Moe, a Norwegian, accidentally fell from a bridge on the International and Great Northern road last night and broke his neck. He was manager of the commissary at the Olsen mines and was popular with all. He was 45 years old and leaves a wife and one child. Dallas Morning News, August 20, 1897 

1897 :: Death of Mrs. Finnie Davis

Austin, Tex., July 26. -- Mrs. Finnie Davis jumped from the south-bound International train about a mile and a half this side of Rockdale this afternoon while it was running about thirty-five miles an hour and was instantly killed. She was being conveyed from Reisel to the insane asylum in this city, and, according to the officer's statement, had been very restless all day. A gentleman had been standing in the rear door of the train and had left it open when he stepped out on the platform. Mrs. Davis, seeing it open, jerked away from her guard and bounded out through the door and off the platform. The train was stopped and went back and picked up the unfortunate woman, who was dead. Justice Johnson held an inquest here this evening. The remains were embalmed and shipped to the husband at Reisel to-night, accompanied by the guard, Mr. Lowry. Dallas Morning News, July 27, 1897

1897 :: Death of George Chambers

Rockdale, Milam Co., Tex., July 24. -- News reached here of the death of George Chambers last Wednesday. He was dragged by a mule several days ago, and death resulted. Dallas Morning News, July 25, 1897

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Died of His Injuries. Rockdale, Tex., July 24. -- (Special.) -- News reached here of the death of Geo. Chambers last Wednesday. He was dragged by a mule several days ago, and his injuries were not supposed to be serious. He was hurt internally, however, and death resulted. Austin Weekly Statesman, July 29, 1897

1897 :: Stolen Horses

Sheriffs' Department. Milam County. Cameron, Tex., April 17. -- Stolen. April 15, in Rockdale, brown mare, about 9 years old, three stocking feet, 15 hands high, blotched brand on left shoulder and star in forehead. Also 4-year-old bay horse, 15 hands high, one white hind foot, branded 3C on left shoulder. Reasonable reward for return or information leading to recovery by I.H. Corbett and $25 for the arrest and conviction of the thieves will be paid by Marshall J.B. Hamilton. Address R. Todd, sheriff Milam county. Dallas Morning News, April 19, 1897

1897 :: Death of V.B. Orr

Dallas Morning News. Veteran Crosses Over. Was Member of Jeff Davis' Regiment in the Mexican War. 

Rockdale, Tex., Nov. 28. -- Mr. V.B. Orr died at his residence in this city yesterday evening at the age of 71 years. Deceased was a veteran of both the Mexican and confederate wars, having served through the Mexican war in in Jeff Davis' Mississippi regiment and in the confederate war in Col. H.L. Muldrow's regiment in the western army. He emigrated to Texas from Tuxilo, Miss., in 1882 and settled in Rockdale, which place he made his home up to the time of his death. He leaves a large family connection and a host of friends in this county. He was an honored member of the Knights of Honor and will be buried with the ceremonies of that society.