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

1916 :: Death of Mrs. M.J. Orr

Mrs. M.J. Orr died at the residence of her son-in-law, H.D. Brodnax, on Brushy Creek, last Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock, after an illness of several weeks. Decedent was eighty years old, and was one of the pioneers of this section, and a much-loved Mother-in-Israel who passing will be sincerely mourned by a wide circle of true friends. The funeral was held at the Odd Fellows cemetery in Rockdale at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Rev. H.B. Smith, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating. The Reporter joins in expressions of sympathy to those bereaved. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, Thursday, May 18, 1916

1913 :: Stolen Cotton Planter

The party who deliberately drove up to my place, loaded a cotton planter on his wagon and drove off with it last Thursday, April 27, will do well to return same at once. I know who the party is, and unless planter is returned immediately will take steps for prosecution. H.D. Brodnax. Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, May 01, 1913

1914 :: Graduation at the Opera House

Rockdale, Tex., May 15. -- The Rockdale public schools will close May 29, the graduating exercises being held on that night at the opera house. There are fourteen graduates, as follows: Misses Catherine Sanford, Ester Jenness, Florence Dunnington, Louise Brodnax, Lucille Poole, Lorena Harris, Minnie Hamilton, Mollie Stein, Pearl Woody and Olive Branch; Messrs. Jamie Wallis, Will Norris Hale, Homer Turner and Edgar Lingert. The annual class address will be delivered on that occasion by Dr. Frank Seay of Southwestern University. The baccalaureate sermon will be preached at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday, May 24, at 11 a.m. by Rev. E.G. Cook. . . .

The Rockdale School Board has selected seven members of the next year's faculty of the Rockdale public schools, as follows: C.G. Green, superintendent; R.L. Grogan, principal; Miss Lena Rogan, High School history; Miss Florence Hubert, primary; Miss Helen Kone, second grade; Miss Irma Porter, third grade; Miss Minnie Foster, intermediate, arithmetic. All are re-elected, having served one or more years each. Five other teachers are yet to be elected. Dallas Morning News, May 16, 1914 

1909 :: Death of David Brodnax

David Walker Brodnax, an old and highly esteemed citizen of Rockdale, Tex., died there on the 11th of February, 1909, aged sixty-seven years. He was a Virginian by birth, but had lived in Texas since the fifties. He served through the entire war as a member of Company D, 15th Texas Cavalry, Green's Texas Brigade, and his loyalty to the cause for which he fought never wavered. He was interested in the Confederate Reunions, and at the time of his death was Commander of Sam Davis Camp, U.C.V., of Rockdale. Comrade Brodnax was never married, but leaves several brothers and sisters. Confederate Veteran. June 1909. Created by Margie Daniels. Published Monthly in the Interest of Confederate Veterans and Kindred Topics.

1880 :: Death of William Broadnax

At Cameron on Wednesday night, a dispute arose in a barroom between Robert Boykin, jr., a boy of 19 and William Broadnax, an inoffensive gentleman. Boykin called him a liar and other offensive epithets, Broadnax threw a tumbler at him, when he drew his revolver and shot Broadnax, killing him instantly. The boy made his escape. . . . Boykin, the boy who murdered W.H. Broadnax at Cameron, on the 24th inst. has been arrested and is now in jail at Cameron. A reward of $500 offered by private citizens secured Boykin's arrest. Brenham Weekly Banner, December 2, 1880