1920 :: Death of R.L. Hale

Death claimed one of Milam county's leading citizens Monday evening of this week when Mr. R.L. Hale of Rockdale died at his home in that city. Mr. Hale was manager of the Scarbrough & Hicks General Merchandise store, one of the largest mercantile institutions in Milam county. He was a man of fine business ability and had friends through this section of the state by the thousands. His death, which occurred at 6:30 was unexpected, as he had spent the entire day at his place of business, only leaving at 6 o'clock. After leaving the store he visited his aged mother for a few moments and then went home. A short while after reaching his residence he was seized with acute indigestion and died immediately.

R.L. Hale started life on his own hook and is a self made man. Thirty-seven years ago he took a place with Scarbrough & Hicks store and grew from delivery boy to manager of the store.

The funeral of Mr. Hale was held Wednesday afternoon at the First Baptist Church at Rockdale, of which he has been a life long member. The services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. Stewart, assisted by Rev. B.B. Blaylock of Cameron, formerly his pastor, and Rev. Hamlett of Austin. Interment was made in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.

Those attending from Cameron were: Jeff T. Kemp, W.G. Gillis, Will T. Yates, Newton McDonald, Jack Lewis, Dick Clark, Clyde Franklin, Miss Minnie Wolf, Mrs. M.C. Sapp, Mr. and Mrs. T.S. Henderson, Mrs. Wm. Henderson and Miss Mary Lake Henderson. Cameron Herald, July 15, 1920

1882 :: Respect for H.P. Hale

Dallas Morning News. The Rockdale Messenger turns its column rules as a mark of respect for General H.P. Hale, of Rockdale, who died on the 28th of May. Austin Weekly Statesman, June 8, 1882

1902 :: Death of George Wallis

Death - Geo. W. Wallis of Rockdale was taken with a severe hemorrhage last Friday evening and died in a very short while. He had been in ill health for a year or two. Burial was at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. The Thorndale Thorn, May 23, 1902

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On the 16th of this month Geo. W. Wallis died at his home in Rockdale after months of declining health, the spark of life gradually becoming extinct. Deceased was 41 years of age and was born at Mountain Home, Arkansas. He came from that state to Texas and settled at Rockdale in 1884. For a number of years he held a position as salesman with the large mercantile house of Scarbrough & Hicks, and in this capacity he formed an extended acquaintance and was held in the highest esteem by all. Fourteen years ago he married Miss Mattie Hale, who survives him. He severed his connection with Scarbrough & Hicks to engage in business for himself, embarking in the drug business. He was the senior member of the firm of Wallis & Giesecke and afterwards of the firm of Wallis & Hale. For a time he was sole proprietor of the business, but ill health forced him to abandon it entirely. He then engaged in the fire insurance business with his brother-in-law, G.M. Ryan, and was thus associated at the time of his death. He was for years a consistent member of the Baptist church, being zealous and active. He carried a number of life insurance policies and left his little family well provided for. We knew George Wallis almost during the entire life of his residence in this county, and admired his true nobility of character. He was always genial and happy and it was ever a pleasure to grasp his hand in friendship's greeting. We join a host of friends in extending condolence to his bereaved family. Cameron Herald, May 29, 1902

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 

1914 :: Rockdale Public Schools

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, Lucile Poole, Lorene 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 Steay 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. Dallas Morning News, May 16, 1914

1877 :: Undoubtedly the work of an incendiary

Galveston Daily News. ROCKDALE (March 22) -- A fire broke out here about 1:30 a.m. this morning which destroyed two of the principal business blocks of the city.


It commenced on the corner of the alley, on the outside of Hubert's saddlery house, and was undoubtedly the work of an incendiary.

He threw kerosene on the outside wall of the wooden building and then set a match to it. The fire enveloped the building in an instant and, before the alarm could be spread, it was evident the whole side of the block must go.


Next to the house in which the fire originated was the warehouse of W. Max & Co., stocked with goods, none of which were saved.


Adjoining this was the Rockdale Messenger office which was entirely destroyed. Enock Breeding's (Messenger publisher) loss was $3,000, no insurance.

The fire then went through Bland's bookstore and Branch's establishment and crossed the street.


It is a sad blow to the place but everybody is in good heart and is going ahead immediately to resuscitate. Rockdale is all right. Mr. Breeding will revive the Messenger immediately.


Losses:

• Hubert & Bros., saddlers
  $3000, no insurance
• W. Max & Co., groceries
  $2000, no insurance
• Bland, bookstore
  no insurance
• Branch & Co., groceries
  $3000
• H.P. Hale & Co.
• Masonic Lodge
  $3500
• Henry Montgomery building
  $2000, no insurance
• Baum & Crohn Bros. building
  $1000, no insurance
• John Scott, photographer
  $400, no insurance
• Lumpkin & Redding, saddlers
  $1500, no insurance
• John Isaacs building
  $400, no insurance
• Robinson, building
  $500
• Sojourner building
  $500
• Sigurdson's building
  $500
• Winder building
  $500
• Durham Hotel
  $750
• William Trigg building
  $1500
• Henry Shoap building
  $300
• J.H. Tracy building
  $700
• James Wicks, groceries
  $7000, partly insured
• George Ginder, barber
  $50
• Henry Cone building
  $700
• J.S. Perry building
  $700
• Fitzgerald Saloon
  $500
• H. Block, dry goods
  $3000, partly insured
• B. Loewenstein & Bro., groceries
  $4000, partly insured
• J.O. Litman, groceries
  $1500
• Baxter building
  $500
• J.B. Moore building
  $600
• John Brown Saloon
  $400
• Marx & Kempner, building
  $500
• A. Strelsky, butcher shop
  $400
• A. Holley & Co., groceries
  $250
• Harkretser building
  $700
• L. Box & Co., butcher shop & confectionery
  $400
• Bole's office & City of Rockdale Jail
  $500
• J. Jegedde, shoe shop & building
  $500
• J.H. Tracy building
  $400
• W.H. Cronin building
  $400

The Rockdale Reporter, August 1, 2002