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

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 

1901 :: Death of B.F. Ackerman

Mr. B.F. Ackerman died suddenly Tuesday morning of heart failure, superinduced by chills. He had eaten a hearty breakfast and apparently was all right. A little later he complained of having a chill and was assisted to his room. Shortly after a friend entered his room to see how he was getting along and found him sitting in a chair dying. The friend immediately went for a physician and summoned Dr. Monroe, but Mr. Ackerman was passed all human aid when they arrived. 

The body was removed to the residence of his step-son, T.G. Sampson, from where on Wednesday morning the funeral procession formed and followed the hearse to the Goodhue Wilson grave yard, where the mortal body of Mr. Ackerman was returned to earth. "For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." 

The deceased was 72 years of age and was an old citizen of Cameron, and was at one time worth considerable money. He was liberal hearted and well liked by all his friends. 

Three children survive him, B.F. Ackerman, who is married and lives in Palestine, Will Ackerman, who lives in Cameron, and Mrs. G.B. Tracy, who lives with her husband about five miles in the country. Our sympathy goes out to all in their affliction. Cameron Herald, March 21, 1901

1874 :: Courthouse Burns

Galveston Daily News
April 14, 1874

Fire at Cameron
Public Records Destroyed

[Special to the Galveston News.]

Cameron, April 13, 1874.

Last Thursday, about 1 o’clock, this quiet little village was roused by a terrible roaring of fire and cracking of burning timbers. It was soon discovered that the courthouse was wrapped in flames. The discovery was made too late to effect any good, no fire engine being in the place. When discovered, the clerks' and sheriff’s offices were almost entirely gone.

All records, books and papers of the court, tax rolls for last year and assessment rolls for this year, were entirely destroyed. Nothing was saved except the indictments found at the January term, 1874. The deputy clerk, Mr. Homan, had carried these home with him to issue capiases at night.

The work is supposed to be the doings of some one who was indicted, and desired to destroy the papers of his case. A small jug, with a little kerosene oil in it, was found under the steps to the courthouse fence.

A negro has since been arrested on suspicion. It is supposed he was instigated to the act by some white man. The loss is inestimable. Messrs. Ackerman and Smith’s store caught fire several times, but was extinguished rapidly. No other house burned.

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