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

1958 :: Rockdale Little Theatre

Forty interested citizens met April 29, 1958 to organize the Rockdale Little Theatre. This group elected their officers for the coming year. Those elected were Sam Peebles, president; Mrs. Lyman Harris, first vice-president; Mrs. T.B. Ryan, second vice-president; Mrs. Marjorie Godeke, secretary; Mr. Bill Scurlock, treasurer. A History of Rockdale, Texas 1874-1974

1918 :: Death of Carlyle Brothers

Hicks Carlyle and James W. Carlyle lived in the Hamilton Chapel community just southeast of Rockdale. They died in action in France on Oct. 8, 1918, just 30 days before Germany's surrender ended the war. Carlyle Post first met upstairs at the Coulter building, corner of Main and Cameron. Later the post met at City Hall. In 1935, Post 358 purchased the former Wolf Hotel, one of Rockdale's most historic turn-of-the-century structures. The hotel, at the corner of Main and Milam, was renovated and served as Carlyle Post's home for more than 60 years. Carlyle Post has been through periods of inactivity but still retains some membership and has plans for a new building. The old Legion building (Wolf Hotel) has been razed. That project was completed earlier this year. The Rockdale Reporter, November 15, 2001

1913 :: Building at Rockdale

Rockdale, Tex., May 16. -- Improvements here include the new Coulter brick block of four store rooms, which is now ready for occupancy. 

The new building of the Citizens' State Bank is approaching completion. This building will have one of the handsomest fronts of any in Central Texas. 

E.A. Green is erecting a new gin to have a capacity of 100 bales per day. 

Concrete street crossings and gutters are being laid throughout the business district. More than a mile of new cement sidewalks have been laid or contracted for in the residence section of the city and many of the streets are being curbed. 

The Southwestern Telephone Company has under way improvements that will total $10,000 or $15,000, including new office equipment and the placing of cable lines in lieu of wires. The cable in the business district is being placed underground. 

The Farmers' Union Warehouse Company is having erected a new office building and store room and will engaged in the mercantile business. Dallas Morning News, May 15, 1913