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

1923 :: Ladies of the Cemetery Association

The Reporter is again asked by the ladies of the Cemetery Association to state that donations of old cast iron pipe are solicited for the purposes of marking old unknown graves in the local cemeteries. The ladies propose to take this old pipe, paint it white, cut it into suitable lengths and mark all graves that are not otherwise marked. Anyone having any quantity of old waterpipe on hand who will contribute it to this cause will confer a favor by telephoning Mrs. C.M. Sessions. Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, April 5, 1923

1923 :: Death of John Scott, Photographer

News was received in Rockdale yesterday of the death of John Scott in Fort Worth, and his daughter, Mrs. A.V. Lewis, of the Harmony community, left at once for that city to attend the funeral.

Decedent will be remembered by all old-time Rockdale citizens. He was a citizen here for many years, conducting a photograph studio in the rooms now used as Woodmen Hall. He closed his studio about twelve years ago and left Rockdale, since which time most of his friends had lost sight of him.

Mr. Scott was a man of rugged, honest and sincere character. He served at one time as one of the Rockdale aldermen, and is said to have made a splendid officer in that capacity. The news of his death will be received by his friends with universal regret. Rockdale Reporter, Thursday, December 6, 1923

1923 :: KKK in Rockdale

ROCKDALE, Texas, Sept. 3. -- There were 167 masked men in the Ku Klux Klan held here Saturday. The parade drew a large crowd and traffic officers were necessary to keep the parade line open. The best of order prevailed. There was a barbecue at Tourist Park. . . . A speaker from Austin who did not unmask addressed the crowd at the city fountain. The 167 marching klansmen were reported as being from Taylor, Bartlett, Cameron, Granger, Gause, Hearne, Thorndale, Austin, and towns between here and Austin. The Eagle, September 3, 1923

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

1923 :: Death of B. Loewenstein

Rockdale, Texas. May 11. -- B. Loewenstein Sr., 78 years old, died Friday morning in the Cameron Hospital after nearly three months' illness. Mr. Loewenstein was a native of Germany, coming to America as a lad, and was a pioneer citizen of Rockdale. He was in business here for about fifty years. Funeral services and burial will be held Sunday. Dallas Morning News, May 12, 1923 

1923 :: Uncle Boyd Taylor

Uncle Boyd Taylor of Milano is 83 years old. He scorns the ease of modern day transportation and rides his gray charger as in the days when he followed Nathan B. Forrest, the peerless cavalry leader of the South. Uncle Boyd rode to Cameron from his home near Milano. He sets his horse as straight and graceful as in the days when he rode to the defense of Dixie. "I can ride a horse ten miles further in a day than any man in the country," said Uncle Boyd when asked if his advanced age did not interfere with his going. He came to Texas from his native state of Alabama. He was born April 6, 1840, and on last Friday was 83 years old. Cameron Herald, April 12, 1923

1895 :: New City Hall

Twenty-Eight Years Ago [in 1895] . . . We visited Rockdale last week and noticed many improvements being made. The city hall is nearing completion. Judge Perry, C.H. Coffield and others are putting up handsome residences. The Cameron Herald, October 25, 1923

1923 :: Death of William A. Pultz

Dallas Morning News. Rockdale, Texas, March 29. -- William A. Pultz, 65 years old, died at his home in Waco Tuesday and the body was brought to Rockdale Wednesday for burial in the old City Cemetery. Mr. Pultz had been in the employ of the S.A.&A.P. Railroad for twenty-seven years. He was a native of Cairo, Ill., born in 1859. He had been twice married and is survived by a son, Mike Pultz of New York City, and five daughters, Mrs. Minnie Hamil of Waco, Mrs. Daisy Robbins of Flatonia, Mrs. Demar Demish of Yoakum, Mrs. Hattie Johnston of Houston and Mrs. Jessie Simmons of Rogers. Dallas Morning News. March 30, 1923.