1922 :: Death of J.D. Hamilton

J.D. Hamilton Instantly Killed 
in Storm of Wednesday Night. 

Another Rockdale citizen meets tragic death by coming in contact with high powered electric light wire of Texas Power & Light Co. 

J.D. Hamilton, Rockdale citizen and business man and former constable of this precinct, was instantly killed about nine o'clock Wednesday night of this week when he came in contact with a fallen electric light wire on East Cameron Street near SAAP Depot. 

Mr. Hamilton had been in Cameron on the Grand Jury and has just returned home on the evening SAAP train, which was late on account of the storm. The storm had broken the high voltage electric wire immediately in front of the residence of Dr. C.E. Wisecup. This wire had fallen in such manner to catch on the paling fence, thus forming a loop across the sidewalk. Mr. Hamilton, after waiting at the depot a few minutes for the rain to abate, started walking up town. His foot caught in the fallen wire, and the full charge of 2300 volts passed through his body, killing him instantly. He fell in such manner that the wire continued in contact with his leg, and it was therefore necessary to cut off the power at the sub-station before his body could be moved. 

A Mexican named T.V. Rincon of Rosebud, was just behind Mr. Hamilton and witnessed his fall. This Mexican stated that he at first thought Mr. Hamilton had slipped and fallen and he started to take hold of him and help him up, but received such a shock he immediately realized the situation. He then gave the alarm and in a few minutes a number of citizens were at the scene, among the first to arrive being Dr. Wisecup, W.E. Gaither and Dr. Coulter. 

As soon as the body could be extricated it was removed to the Henne & Meyer Undertaking Parlors, it being impossible to reach Mr. Hamilton's home on account of high water in Ham Branch. Examination disclosed that one of the dead man's feet was completely burned off, the entire lower limb, from shoe top almost to the knee, being almost entirely consumed. 

This is the second death in Rockdale by electrocution in two weeks, and it is a singular coincidence that the other death -- that of little Velma Ashby on San Jacinto Day -- occurred in Mr. Hamilton's yard. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, Thursday, May 4, 1922

1907 :: Death of Bloxum Howard

Rockdale and Milam county mourns the loss of a popular citizen and a good officer. Mr. B. Howard died Tuesday and was buried Wednesday at 10 a.m. by the K. of P. assisted by the Woodmen and the ministers of Rockdale. Mr. Howard was very much attached to his horse, which was tied to the hearse, saddled ready as if to mount. He leaves a wife and four children. The following people went over from Cameron to attend his funeral: W.C. Ross, A.W. Taber, J.T. Kemp, Jim Pate, Sheriff and Elmer Holtzclaw, Allen Hooks and Graham Gillis. All business was suspended in Rockdale to attend the funeral. Cameron Herald, March 21, 1907 

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Rockdale, Tex., March 19. -- B. Howard, who has been constable of this precinct for about six years, died this afternoon about 5 o'clock, the immediate cause being measles. His wife was called from Austin yesterday, where she had undergone an operation. Bartlett Tribune, March 22, 1907 

1894 :: Reward for Yeabel Chrio

Sheriff’s Dept – Milam County. Cameron, Tex., April 26 – One hundred dollars reward for the arrest and detention of Yeabel Chrio, a Mexican, 25 years of age, height 5 feet 10 or 11 inches, weight 180 bounds, heavy built, very dark complexion, small mustache, had on blue pants, has with him a Colt 45 blue barrel pistol. I hold warrant for this Mexican for assault to murder Constable Busby at Rockdale on the night of the 24th of this month. Address John H. Bickett, sheriff. Galveston Daily News, Friday, April 27, 1894

1894 :: Milam County Tragedy

Rockdale, Milam Co., Tex., April 25 – Last night about 7:30 occurred one of the most brutal crimes in the annals of Milam county, the particulars of which are as follows:

Constable N. Busby of this beat left this city in the afternoon for his home in the country, about two miles north of this place. After eating supper he again started to return here and while on his way and right opposite to a place known as the old York farm, now occupied by a Mrs. Cawthorn, he arrested a Mexican and was bringing him into town.

After they had proceeded about 50 yards, Mr. Busby walking behind and leading his horse, the Mexican suddenly turned and struck at Busby with a knife, missing his throat but striking and cutting a bad wound in his jaw. The scuffle began. Mr. Busby trying to draw his pistol, which was accidentally discharged twice.

The Mexican succeeded in overpowering him and hugging him up repeatedly stabbed and cut him a number of times. Mr. Busby’s coat was cut to pieces, while he himself fared no better, having received a wound two inches long in the neck, two on the head, several on his arms, while one gash about ten inches long severed one of his ribs, cutting his left lung and causing it to protrude. Another one was about fifteen inches long, from the small of the back to the stomach, barely missing the kidney.

Busby, however, managed to throw the Mexican off and reach the residence of Mr. Cawthorn, about 50 yards distant, where medical aid was summoned. Word came to this city to that effect, when Deputy Sheriff Ed Snively, City Marshal Jim Hamilton, a posse and a news reporter mounted and were soon in hot pursuit. Up to this writing the Mexican has not been captured, though a posse is still on the trail. Constable Busby was an efficient and popular officer. His recovery is quite doubtful. [his findagrave memorial page]

Sheriff Bickett has started with bloodhounds. Galveston Daily News, Thursday, April 26, 1894

1894 :: Constable Butchered

Rockdale, Tex., Apr. 24 – Constable Busby was assaulted by a Mexican and badly cut in the left lung, kidney, neck and arms, very dangerously. A posse is in pursuit. Sheriff Bickett and bloodhounds were telegraphed for. Galveston Daily News, Wednesday, April 25, 1894