1911 :: Judge Antony mingling with old friends

Judge E.L. Antony of Dallas was mingling with old friends here after an absence of many years. His mother is visiting the family of J.D. Hamilton awaiting the arrival of a grand daughter from Pecos Valley, when together they will go to Cameron. Judge Antony contemplates returning to Cameron, his old stamping ground. He resided there when the only mode of conveyance to district courts was by the stage route, and was among the number of Rockdalians who celebrated the first incoming of the I. & G. N. passenger to the community. Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, November 23, 1911 

1948 :: Henry Family Reunion

Rockdale Reporter, October 7, 1948 -- A family reunion of the Henry's was enjoyed by many in the home of Mrs. J.D. Hamilton Sunday. Dinner, which was furnished by all, was served buffet style.




Those attending from Rockdale were: Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Henry, Roberta and Oscar, Mrs. Will Henry, Mr. and Mrs. G.R. Henry and Weldon Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Backhaus, Ruth and Doris Ann, Mr. and Mrs. S.C. Christian, Mr. and Mrs. Vesper Christian and Donna, Mr. and Mrs. Milford Henry and Dale, Mrs. Howard Avrett and Darwin, Mr. and Mrs. Graham Kyle, Graham Jr. and Linda Sue, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Towery, Bohn, Dana and Sandra, Robert Phillips, Mrs. J.D. Hamilton and Laura.


Out of town guests were: Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Henry, Waco; Mrs. Velma Henry Smith, Waco; Mrs. Ida Halyard, Crockett; Georgia Faye Henry, Freeport; R.B. (Sonny) Rosenkrans, Freeport; Delores Sharp, Palestine; Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Reynolds, Palestine; Mrs. T.A. Newton, Palestine; Mr. and Mrs. T.A. Newton Jr. and Shirley, Palestine; Mrs. W.C. Newton and Luckey, Palestine; Mr. and Mrs Alton Peebles, Mary Jane and Martha Lou, Lexington; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Weldon Kyle, Nanette and Douglas, Houston; Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Fergeson, Houston; Delbert Kyle, Huntsville; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ceasar, Virginia Hope and Harry Douglas, Thorndale.

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

1922 :: Death of Little Velma Ashby

Rockdale Child is Victim of High Powered Electric Wire

Little Velma Ashby Meets Instant Death by Electrocution When Hand Comes in Contact with Texas Power & Light High Voltage Line. 

One of the most distressing tragedies that has ever happened in Rockdale occurred Friday, resulting in the death of little Velma Ashby, thirteen year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. Ashby, who met her untimely end by coming in contact with a high powered electric light wire. 

The child was across the street from her home in the yard of J.D. Hamilton, playing with the Hamilton children. She climbed into a chinaberry tree to gather some of the sweet-smelling blossoms. It so happened that two uninsulated wires of the Texas Power & Light Company ran through the foliage of the tree, and little Velma evidently grasped one or both of the wires, receiving the full charge of the 2,200 volts of electricity, and evidently resulting in instant death. Her body slipped and caught by the feet in a tangle of small limbs, leaving her hanging by her feet, head down, some eight or ten feet from the ground. 

The children gave the alarm and Tom Marrs, from across the alley, ran over with a ladder and assisted by his son, Wynette, and Miss Laura Hamilton, got the body down. Life was then practically extinct the child gasping once or twice after being taken down. Physicians were soon on the grounds and pronounced death due to electrocution. 

The funeral was held Saturday morning at ten o'clock, being conducted by Rev. B.B. Blaylock of Temple assisted by Rev. G.S. Tumlin of this city, and the unanimous interest and sympathy of the people of Rockdale was evidenced by the large attendance and many beautiful flowers. The attendance of children was particularly notable. Velma was in the sixth grade at school and was popular with her classmates who grieved sorely at her death. Interment was at the New City Cemetery [i.e., Oaklawn], the religious services being conducted at the grave, where the consoling words of Bro. Blaylock, and the tender prayer of Bro. Tumlin brought comfort to the bruised hearts of the stricken family. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, Thursday, April 27, 1922

1915 :: Death of Margaret Antony

News of the death of Mrs. Margaret Antony, mother of Ed. L. Antony, one of the beloved pioneer citizens of Cameron reached her friends in this city Tuesday. Her death occurred in Dallas at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. Alice Antony Brown and her remains were brought to Rockdale for interment accompanied by Mrs. Brown and Miss Beryl Antony. Funeral services were arranged by her nephew James Hamilton, in whose home she loved to visit. Miss Antony was a noble Christian character and her many virtues made her beloved in every community in which she had lived. She was a native of Georgia and was of the prominent Henry family [sic, i.e., Davis family] of that State. She has many relatives and friends here who will mourn her passing. Mrs. Lula Cass and Miss Estelle Westmoreland, Mrs. Mary Arnold and Miss Bennie Arnold went to Rockdale to attend the funeral. The Cameron Herald, October 14, 1915

1901 :: Tragedy at Rockdale

Rockdale, Tex., Aug. 16. -- J.C. Watson, assistant postmaster here, was shot and killed here. The tragedy occurred in the postoffice. Watson received two wounds. The weapon used was a Colt's revolver. Lee Batte of Cameron surrendered to the officers here, had his examining trial before Justice Kennon and was admitted to bail in the sum of $5000, which was made in a few min(utes). Family trouble was the cause of the shooting. Batte and Watson were brothers-in-law. The Eagle, August 17, 1901

---

Rockdale, Tex., Aug. 15. -- J.C. Watson, assistant postmaster here, was shot and killed at 10:25 this morning. The tragedy occurred in the postoffice. Watson received two wounds. The weapon used was a 45 Colt's revolver. Lee Batte of Cameron surrendered to the officers here, had his examining trial before Justice Kennon and was admitted to bail in the sum of $5,000, which was made in a few moments. Family trouble was the cause of the shooting. Batte and Watson were brothers-in-law. . . . Cameron, Tex., Aug. 15. -- R.L. Batte was for years City Marshal of this town and now owns a large ranch in Western Texas and is a prominent citizen. Batte and Watson were connected by marriage. Dallas Morning News, August 16, 1901

---

About 10:25 a.m., Tuesday, 2-shots were heard in the direction of the post office and a few seconds later, R.L. Batte walked from the building with a smoking six-shooter in his hand and asked for an officer so as to surrender. J.C. Watson, deputy post master, the husband of Mr. Batte's sister-in-law, but the particulars have not yet been made public. Mr. Batte came in on the 9:45 S.A.&A.P. train from Cameron on business and in about 45 minutes, after his arrival, he went to the post office and called at the door and as Mr. Watson opened it, Batte opened fire without a word being spoken by either party. After firing, Batte walked out and went up to Hamilton & Raspberry's hardware store and surrendered to Mr. Hamilton. Watson's body was taken to Branch's undertaking establishment where the inquest is being held and the body will be prepared for burial. Rockdale Messenger, August 15, 1901

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 

1897 :: Stolen Horses

Sheriffs' Department. Milam County. Cameron, Tex., April 17. -- Stolen. April 15, in Rockdale, brown mare, about 9 years old, three stocking feet, 15 hands high, blotched brand on left shoulder and star in forehead. Also 4-year-old bay horse, 15 hands high, one white hind foot, branded 3C on left shoulder. Reasonable reward for return or information leading to recovery by I.H. Corbett and $25 for the arrest and conviction of the thieves will be paid by Marshall J.B. Hamilton. Address R. Todd, sheriff Milam county. Dallas Morning News, April 19, 1897

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

1899 :: News from Rockdale

Rockdale Messenger, May 4, 1899. B. Loewenstein, A. Wolf and Gus Backhaus went to Austin to attend the meeting of the grand lodge of the Sons of Hermann. . . . J.B. Hamilton, Joe Loewenstein, Jr. and C.K. Stribling left Tuesday for Paris, Texas, where they will attend the State Fireman’s convention as representatives of the Rockdale fire dept.

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 :: Hamilton-Henry Wedding

Bethlehem Community
To the Messenger:
December 24 [1894].


Once more I come, heralding the news from old Bethlehem. Since my departure it seems that marriage bells have been substituted for [Christ]mas bells. I have attended weddings for the past two weeks and still have several invitations left.


Last Thursday night [i.e., 20th December 1894] both young and old began to congregate at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Henry Sr., [my 2nd great-grandparents] for the purpose of witnessing the marriage ceremony between J. D. Hamilton and their daughter, Ella, conducted by Hon. W. D. Wells of Rockdale, with J. B. Henry and Miss Cornelia Bowling, Hubert Phillips and Miss Elma Rettig as attendants.

After which the entire crowd was ushered into the dining room, where they partook of a most wonderful, excellent and appetizing repast.


Well Mr. Editor, as I have an invitation to attend a wedding at Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Phillips, I will close by giving a list of presents. Enclosed please find some of the wedding cake.


The presents were as follows:

• Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Phillips, table cloth
• Miss Della Phillips, glass set
• Miss Isa Phillips, set of casters
• Mr. Hubert Phillips, syrup pitcher
• Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Rettig, cake stand
• Miss Elma Rettig, fruit dish
• Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Bowling, fruit stand
• Miss Nona Bowling, fruit dish
• Miss Cornelia Rettig, head rest
• Mrs. Lizzie Baumgartner of Iowa, photograph case
• Mrs. M. F. Antony, set goblets [i.e., Margaret Frances Antony nee Davis (1833-1912), sister of Mother of the bride]
• Messrs. Wallace Moody and Jno. Gore, pair towels and syrup pitcher
• Mrs. S. H. Sharp, dusting brush [i.e., Emma Sharp nee Henry (1872-1944), sister of the bride, & twin sister of my great-grandpa]
• Mr. J. B. Henry, set cups and saucers and spoons [i.e., Jerome Bonapart Henry (1870-1956), brother of the bride]
• Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Henry Jr., price of present [i.e., William Paschal Henry, Jr. (1868-1941), brother of the bride, & his wife, Annie Mae Henry nee Calvert (1874-1950)]
• Mr. L. O. Stewart, cake plate [i.e., Louis O. Stewart (b. June 1873), a 1st cousin of Berta Mary Sharp (1873-1955) who is the future wife of a brother of the bride, & my great-grandma]
• Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Henry Sr., plates, knives and forks, salt and pepper stand, glass set, pair linen towels, table cloth, set glasses and lamp [parents of the bride, and 2nd great-grandparents of the Keeper of this geneablog]

Sol.


Sweethearts Join Hands in 1894 Christmas Wedding . . . A copy of the above newspaper article turned up in my files -- source unknown. I assume it probably came from my 1st cousin once removed, Georgia Faye (Henry) Kaseberg (1925-2001), as she was always so good about giving me copies of whatever finds she made.

• Bride :: Ella May Hamilton nee Henry :: born 26 October 1875 in Grayson County, Texas :: died 14 December 1967 in Rockdale, Milam County, Texas :: a daughter of my 2nd great-grandparents, William Paschal Henry (1836-1912) and Josephine Wingfield Henry nee Davis (1842-1899)
• Groom :: James David Hamilton :: born 19 September 1872 in Kentucky :: died 03 May 1922 in Rockdale, Milam County, Texas after coming in contact with a high-powered electric wire following a storm :: son of Joseph David Hamilton (1832-1905) and Mary Katherine Hamilton nee Hughes (1842-1906)
  

• 1868 :: Phillip Brooks wrote Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
• Bethlehem, Texas according to TSHA
• Bethlehem Community from Rockdale Centennial: A History of Rockdale, Texas 1874-1974

1894 :: Christmas Weddings in Rockdale

The Galveston Daily News, Sunday, December 30, 1894. MARRIAGES. ROCKDALE MARRIAGES. Rockdale, Milam Co., Tex., Dec. 28. -- At the residence of Mr. W.H. Henry, two miles north of Rockdale, Mr. J.D. Hamilton and Miss Ella Henry were married on December 21 [sic].


At the residence of Mr. Henry Lockwood in this city on Christmas day at 5 o'clock Mr. W.H. Knight of Cisco and Miss Matie Bagley of this city.


At the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Phillips, three miles north of Rockdale, Mr. W.N. Vesey and Miss Della Phillips, both of this county, on the night of the 25th.


Mr. A.M. Scarbrough left Sunday for Van Buren, Ark., where he was married on the 26th instant.

1931 :: Thanksgiving Reunion

In his 18th October 1931 radio address, President Herbert Hoover said that, "I appeal to the American people to make November 26 next the outstanding Thanksgiving Day in the history of the United States; that we may say on that day that America has again demonstrated her ideals; ... that upon this Thanksgiving Day we have removed the fear of the forthcoming winter from the hearts of all who are suffering and in distress -- that we are our brother's keeper." . . . Some members of my maternal grandpa's family apparently took this message to heart, for the group photo in the above collage is from a November 1931 family reunion held in Rockdale, Milam County, Texas. These family members (from left to right) are --

• Emma Sharp nee Henry (1872-1944) [widowed twin sister of Edgar Henry]
• Ella Hamilton nee Henry (1875-1967) [widowed younger sister of Edgar Henry]
• W.P. Henry, Jr. (1868-1941) [oldest brother of Edgar Henry]
• Annie Henry nee Calvert (1874-1950) [wife of W.P. Henry, Jr.]
• Jerome Bonapart Henry (1870-1956) [older brother of Edgar Henry]
• Sudie Henry nee Criswell (1881-1961) [wife of J.B. Henry]
• Edgar Henry (1872-1950)
• Berta Mary Henry nee Sharp (1873-1955)
  

The last named -- Edgar and Berta (Sharp) Henry -- are maternal great-grandparents to the Keeper of this history blog. By 1931, they had been farming in west Texas for more than a decade, so it was probably quite a big deal for them to travel back to Rockdale (their former as well as future home) during the desolate years of the depression. My connection to them is through their son, Robert E. Henry (1905-1976). In November of 1931, Robert was living in Massachusetts with his very pregnant 1st wife, Elizabeth, and their son, Robert, Jr., so they are not listed as being amongst the attendees. A little over two months later, Elizabeth would die following the birth of their daughter (my Mom).

I am extremely thankful that somebody in the family took the time to sit down and write out the details of this gathering, and to submit the article to the local paper (The Rockdale Reporter) -- and I am grateful for whoever sat down and clipped this news story from the newspaper and carefully preserved it over the years until it finally passed into the caring hands of a cousin, who shared it with me. The following transcription of the yellowed and crumbling newspaper clipping of that article was e-mailed to me in 1999 by Peggy Skeeters nee Fergeson (a 3rd cousin). The bold text is the original wording, and the remaining text is notes that I have added for the purpose of clarification, etc.

On Sunday, [sic] November 26 [sic], 1931, a happy event took place at the home of Mrs. Ella Hamilton in this city [Rockdale]. It was a get-together of the Henry family for the first time in twenty years. W. P. Henry and Mrs. Ella Hamilton being the only ones left in the old home town.

The 26th day of November in 1931 was Thanksgiving Day, and was on a Thursday. The photos from that gathering are actually dated Sunday, 22nd November 1931. Mayhaps the members of this family -- who had scattered over the years -- had an extended (and long-overdue) multi-day "reunion" at the Hamilton home that was located at 604 West Cameron in Rockdale, Milam County, Texas.

Dr. and Mrs. T. E. Riddle were guests at this occasion, they being old friends and Dr. Riddle the family physician.

Thomas E. Riddle came to Texas from Tennessee as a young man and was engaged in farming and ranching while studying medicine. It was by long hard work that he prepared to take and successfully passed the medical examinations. Thus he proudly "hung out his shingle" and framed his certificate for his office. He was one of those rare individuals whose treatment included medicinal aids and prayer. Many of his medicines he prepared from plants, herbs and roots. These he carried with him in his saddle bag as he became a familiar figure moving mile after mile among the early day residents. Many long vigils were kept by this good man as he faithfully fulfilled the Hippocratic oath he had taken years before. Dr. Riddle served in the Confederate Army with McCord's Texas Cavalry, Company F, was a lifelong member of the Baptist Church, and was a Mason. It is probable that Dr. Riddle served Rockdale and its surrounding territory longer than any other doctor in the history of the town. His death occurred in 1934 and he is buried among many lifelong friends of yesteryears in the family cemetery. . . . from A History of Rockdale, Texas 1874-1974 edited by Mrs. Ida Jo Marshall (1903-1982).

Everyone came early, talked and enjoyed themselves. The dining room was decorated with lovely ferns and chrysanthemums. The table spread in picnic style, then came the time to eat, and everyone seemed ready. Dr. Riddle returned thanks. In the afternoon some pictures were taken. Then came the parting time but all declared that they had enjoyed themselves. All the relatives were present except nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. 

See separate list > HERE < of all those not listed as attendees within this article. If the previous statement is correct, then there were quite a few at the reunion who didn't get listed in the 1931 newspaper article.

Grandpa Henry was born in Kentucky, came from there to Sherman in Grayson county. There he was married to Josephine Davis, she being a relative of Jefferson Davis. Grandmother was born in Georgia. Eight children were born to this union, three dying when infants. 

According to an entry in Josephine's family Bible, "Josephine W. Davis married to Wm. P. Henry at the residence of Mr. James W. Lance March 1st 1864." We now know that marriage took place in Brazoria County, Texas, in which county Josephine was enumerated on the 1860 census. :: As of this date, I have still not found any connection to Jefferson Davis. :: Regarding the children born to this couple, according to entries in the family Bible --

• Born in Brazoria County Texas October 20th 1865 Margaret Ann Henry
• Margaret Ann Henry died April 19th 1868
• Wm. P. Henry, Jr. born October 3rd 1868
• Jerome Bonepart Henry born April 18th 1870
• Emma & Edgar Henry born January 31st 1872
• Harry Henry born July 31st 1874
• Harry Henry died in Sherman January 10th 1875
• Ella May and Jesse Eugene Henry were born in Grayson County Texas October 26 A.D. 1875
• Jesse Eugene Henry died September 1876

On Oct. 3, 1876, the Henrys arrived in Rockdale to visit a sister and family of the Mrs. Henry's, it being Dr. and Mrs. M. F. Anthony, who at that time had the post office and drug store combined on the corner where the Wolf Hotel now stands. 

This would be Margaret, Josephine's only sister. Margaret's husband (and also their 1st cousin once removed) was Dr. Milton Antony, Jr. He was a Confederate Surgeon in Brazoria County during the war between the states, and was the third Postmaster in Rockdale, serving 06th June 1876 to 26th April 1877 (which was one month after the entire wooden portion of Rockdale burned). He was a practicing physician in both Cameron and Rockdale. Margaret and Milton are buried in the Old City Cemetery in Rockdale.


The Wolf sat on the northeast corner of the intersection of Main and Milam. According to a history of Rockdale published in 1936, a two-story stone and brick bank building was erected in 1875, which later became the Wolf Hotel, and then, c. 1935, the American Legion Hall. An 1885 map of Rockdale does show a bank at that location, and on the corner across the street is a post office in the Mundine House (now McVoy's).


A year before Josephine went to Rockdale to visit her sister, Margaret, the following item appeared in the 12th November 1875 issue of the Galveston Weekly News: "There are street fights occurring (in Rockdale) almost every day and the officers of the law seem to enjoy it, taking their fines, never giving offenders the least word of warning or lecture. Nothing better could be expected when they license women of ill fame for ten dollars a month and receive half of the fines and their compensation. The most disgusting of it is, when they choose, these officers step beyond their authority and utterly disregard the law at pleasure. Every day or two some very interesting scenes occur in the pettifoggeries of Rockdale."


And a just a year before that 1875 report, the same paper, in the 09th November 1874 issue, described the brand new city of Rockdale as being "delightfully located in a thriving section of the county. . . . there are two or three banks, fifty or sixty merchants, and plenty of saloons, and has generally all the appearances of a railroad town. . . . While all it new and in some degree crude, there are some fine stone and brick buildings. . . . Where a population of eighteen hundred now thrive, was ten months ago the home of the deer, and the pleasure ground of the black bear."

Grandpa liked the country so he moved to a place just across the road from Dr. Riddle, just south of town, and stayed there awhile. He then bought 100 acres of land three miles north of town, moved there, and raised his family, . . .

Milam County Record, Volume 54 Page 526-529 . . . Know all men by these presents that I, Mary Estes of the State and County aforesaid in consideration of the payment of a promissory note . . . for three hundred ($300) Dollars given by W. P. Henry, have granted, bargained sold and released and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and release unto the said W. P. Henry all that tract or parcel of land known as a part of a two league survey . . . containing an area of one hundred acres of land. . . . Witness my hand this the 14 day of December 1878.

. . . lived there until his death, Feb. 10, 1911.

According to William Paschal Henry's printed obituary (actually a photocopy of an undated newspaper clipping), as well as his tombstone, he died in 1912, not 1911.

Grandmother was killed Oct. 28, 1899.

According to her tombstone, Josephine Wingfield Henry nee Davis died the 28th January 1899. Family lore said that she was drug to death by the hair of her head when it became entangled in the wheels of her buggy, but we were never able to find a newspaper account of her death in the existing newspapers for that time period. After receiving this conflicting information regarding Josephine's date of death, my Mom went to the Rockdale Public Library to once again peruse the microfilm copies of the 1899 Rockdale Reporter, and sure enough -- in the 01st November 1899 issue, she found write-ups supporting the family lore.

Three of the children left here at different times. W. P. Henry and Mrs. Ella Hamilton are the only ones left in the old home . . . (crumbled edge, but I would guess the word missing is town) Those present on this occasion . . . (part of the word "occasion" is crumbled away) . . .

• W. P. Henry (Jr. 1868-1941),
• Miss Grace Henry (1908-1996) . . . (Henry is frayed & the first part of someone's name is crumbled away; the next line begins with) . . .
• (Er) nest Henry ("Buck," 1911-1995),
• Mr. and Mrs. (Birdie Henry 1894-1943)
• Jack (Kyle) . . . (crumbled) . . . and
• Lucille,
• Graham (1917-1984),
• We(l) to (n) . . . (crumbled) . . . Delbert Kyle,
• Mr. and Mrs. (William Clinton 1896-1969) . . . (frayed) . . . Henry and
• Nathlee Henry,
• Mr. and Mrs. Will (Pearl Henry 1899-1981) Vogel,
• Mr. and Mrs. Eddie (Bessie Henry 1901-1964) Backhaus and
• Ruth Backhaus,
• Mr. and Mrs. Joe Henry (1903-1955) and
• Wesley Bert Henry.
• Mr. and Mrs. Jerome (1870-1956) Henry and granddaughter,
• Gloria Sue, of San Antonio;
• Mrs. Emma (nee Henry 1872-1944) Sharp, Crockett;
• Mr. and Mrs. Edgar (1872-1950) Henry, Norton;
• Mr. and Mrs. Sylas (Ruby Henry 1895-1978) Christian, Rockdale;
• Frank (1899-1952) and
• Nellie (1912-1996) Henry, Norton;
• Mrs. Ella (nee Henry 1875-1967) Hamilton,
• Misses Laura (1898-1987) and
• Ruth (1909-1998) and
• Harry (1913-1983) Hamilton, Rockdale.
  

Those who were visitors:

• Dr. (1838-1934) and Mrs. T. E. Riddle and
• Miss Docle Williams, Rockdale;
• Cleve Calvert, and
• Miss Margaret Calvert, Houston;
• Milton Phillips, Norton;
• Mrs. Ida Halyard (1871-1964), Crockett. [sister of Berta Mary]

Every Family Has One :: My Hometown

My Hometown . . . when I return . . .
the main street still is filled with pleasant faces and glad hellos
with an atmosphere of calm . . . with time for neighborly concern
with joy in sharing another's fortune
or heartfelt words to one who mourns.
Hometown is more than just a town
it is a way of life, a place of peace and quiet
and when I return it is as if I have never been gone
and in my heart I have not.
by
Craig E. Sathoff

Old Rockdale postcard . . .
Main St. north from I & G. N. Depot, Rockdale, Texas

The postcard has been reproduced in multiple Rockdale publications . . .
location / ownership / existence of original unknown . . .
According to a newspaper clipping from the files of my cousin, Peggy (Ferguson) Skeeters, a Henry family reunion was held at the old Hamilton homeplace in Rockdale, Milam County, Texas sometime in 1931. That yellowed and crumbling piece of paper recorded the following about the arrival of my 2nd great-grandpa, William Paschal Henry (1836-1912), and his family in the brand-new town of Rockdale, Milam County, Texas . . .

On Oct. 3, 1876, the Henrys arrived in Rockdale to visit a sister and family of Mrs. Henry's, it being Dr. and Mrs. M. F. Anthony, who at that time had the post office and drug store combined on the corner where the Wolf Hotel now stands.

That is the Hotel Wolf in the lower right corner of the above collage, with an arrow pointing to the same building on the old Rockdale postcard. The Hotel had gone out of business before 1935 when Rockdale's American Legion post purchased the building.

During World War II the building's second story was lopped off and its Main Street front was shortened and remodeled. A stage was added and the hall became the place to be for dances and music for almost 20 years. Rockdale Reporter, 06 Aug 1998

When I was in high school (the 60's), we frequently spent a portion of our weekend hours attending teen dances -- with real live bands! -- in the un-airconditioned bottom-half of this building. My parents were regular fixtures as chaperones at these events.


Directly across the street was McVoy's Grocery Store where my parents shopped weekly. Every Friday, my widowed Grandma, who never learned to drive, had her grocery list ready for Mom or Dad to take with them to McVoy's. There was a large wooden magazine rack near the front door where I would sit and read comic books while Mom checked out. Mr. Galbreath kept the produce stocked and freshly washed, and would give us pieces of fresh sugar cane to chew on. The meat market at McVoy's was where Mom bought steak cutlets for making her infamous chicken-fried steak with cream gravy which NONE of us have ever been able to replicate.


I was back on Main Street in June of 2009 while in Rockdale for the 75th Annual Rockdale Homecoming as well as my Mom's 60th RHS Class Reunion, where I was flattered to be told by numerous people (who had known Mom since the 40s) that, "You look just like your Mom!"


At the Homecoming gathering, one lady said to me, "Aren't you the one who found the snake in the bedroom when you were babysitting Delaine?" That was also during high school in the 60s! I was babysitting for the local pharmacist in his home. The baby and I were sitting in the rocker / recliner in her nursery when I saw a snake come crawling in the room! I got out of the room with Delaine and shut the door (which wasn't much of a barrier since it had such a gap at the bottom) and called my trusty Dad at our home (no cell phones in those days). Dad was there immediately, but it took him a while to find and kill the poisonous copperhead -- it had crawled up into the coils under the rocker / recliner!


Before I left town, we (me & Mom & my sister) visited the Dan Kubiak exhibit at the I&GN Depot, and I also took a few photos of Joy Graham's Bit of History building on Cameron Avenue.


The journey back home to Main Street was nostalgic, while somehow filled with the sweet assurance that at Home we are not forgotten. These people knew me as a child. They knew my grandparents. And in some cases, their parents and grandparents knew my ancestors. And many of the families of Rockdale have somehow managed to climb into my family tree!