1901 :: Death of Infant Twins

The two little twin infants of Mr. John Brown died last Monday. Death came to both the little ones in the same hour. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have the sincere sympathy of all in their double bereavement. Rockdale Messenger. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 40, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 17, 1901 Page: 1 of 12 

1898 :: The Small-pox

It seems Milam county has before it a continued siege with this loathsome disease. . . . One case in Rockdale will cost the business interest more than a two months rigid quarantine. Will our city fathers not stop people from going to and returning from Cameron? Rockdale Messenger. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 26, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 8, 1898 Page: 1 of 8

1898 :: A Very Sudden Death

Miss Katie Lockwood, age 20 years, of Harris county, who had come to Rockdale a few weeks ago to make her home with her uncle, Henry Lockwood, was taken with black jaundice Wednesday night the 25, and died Friday at 12 o'clock. Her father died on the 29th of last month. Brother Henry Lockwood has the sympathy of all the good people of Rockdale in his bereavement. Rockdale Messenger. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 26, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 3, 1898 Page: 8 of 8

1904 :: Death of Dr. Sprott

Dr. A.C. Sprott, an old and respected citizen of Rockdale, died very suddenly at his home last Sunday about noon. . . . Dr. Sprott came to Rockdale in the early days of the town's history, and had been a resident continuously ever since. The remains were buried Monday morning at 10 o'clock at the old cemetery, his former comrades, the Confederate Veterans, performing the last sad rites. . . . Dr. A.C. Sprott was born in Alabama in 1818 [sic]. He moved to Texas when quite young and settled at Cold Springs, in East Texas. He came to Rockdale in 1876, 27 years ago. . . . He was a Confederate soldier during the war between the states, and joined Sam Davis Camp, Confederate Veterans, when the camp was first organized in 1890. . . . A.C. Sprott, who was of company K, 14th Texas, Randle's brigade of Walker's division of the Confederate army, in which he volunteered in February, 1862, . . . It was on October the 2nd, at noon when the summons came to him to get ready for that great reunion beyond, . . . The Rockdale Messenger. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 37, Ed. 1 Friday, October 7, 1904 Page: 8 of 8

1899 :: Died from Burns.

The little three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Palmer, of near Rockdale, while out in the field caught fire from an old tree which was being burned, and before assistance could reach him the little fellow was most frightfully burned. Medical skill was summoned and put to work to save him but to no avail. On Sunday morning his little soul took flight from this material world and crossed the river into the mysterious land where we all hope to meet our departed loved ones. This is the second time that fire has taken loved ones from Mr. Palmer. In the summer of '88 he had the misfortune of losing his wife and two children by fire. Rockdale Messenger. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 27, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 2, 1899

1889 :: News from Rockdale

Rockdale Messenger
(Rockdale, Tex.)
Vol. 17, Ed. 1 
Thursday, June 20, 1889

Mr. Frank Mundine of Lexington was in town Monday. He informs the Messenger that he will begin the work of rebuilding his hotel here next week. . . . The Texan says: . . . Rockdale pursues the even tenor of her way; she has no boom but is steadily and surely improving. Several new stores are contemplated; the Mundine hotel will be rebuilt at once; a large cotton shed and platform will be ready for the coming crop. A large number of town lots have changed hands and a private citizen is now building one of the finest residences in the county.

1889 :: Odd Fellows Cemetery Established

Rockdale Messenger. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 17, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 20, 1889

I.O.O.F. This order is now in a most prosperous condition, and in December last there was a total membership on this continent of 555,722. There are more Odd Fellows by far than there are of any other secret fraternal organization.

The lodge in Rockdale is in a flourishing and prosperous condition; it owns its own building and in addition has lately established a cemetery, which was much needed and is a credit to the town. 

1889 :: A Mother Badly Burned.

Rockwall [sic], Tex., May 16. -- Information was received here this morning of a terrible calamity in the German settlement five miles west of town, which happened a little after dark last night. While the wife of Louis Palmer was cooking supper she dropped a lighted lamp, which broke and ignited the oil and enveloped the poor woman in flames. Mrs. Palmer ran from the kitchen through the bed room in which her two little boys aged three and four years lay asleep into the yard where her husband was, who at once set to work to extinguish the flames. In this attempt he was unsuccessful until his wife was so badly burned that she cannot recover. Suddenly looking back he saw the house was in flames and burning within it the two little boys whom it was impossible to rescue. Mr. Gustor, a neighbor who arrived on the ground too late to render much assistance found Mrs. Palmer in a terribly burned condition, and her husband's hands also badly burned in trying to save her. A remarkable instance of the fire transpired in the escape without an injury of Mrs. Palmer's infant found in the yard, but how gotten there is unknown. Drs. Wallis & Wallis, accompanied by Messrs. Breeding and H. Lockwood, visited the scene last night and rendered such aid as was possible, but the occurrence was not generally known here until the issue of a supplement to the Rockdale Messenger this morning. The Sun (Weatherford, Tex.), Vol. 7, No. 8, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 30, 1889

1899 :: Death of Tim Dunn

Tim Dunn, of Oak Hill, died at his home Monday evening at 7 o'clock and was buried at the Hat Prairie cemetery Tuesday evening. Brother D.T. Wooton called at the Messenger office Tuesday morning and kindly gave us this item.  Rockdale Messenger, May 18, 1899

1899 :: Use One-Cent Stamps

Rockdale Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 27, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 9, 1899

Some of our friends, especially among the school children, send their letters to Rockdale to be mailed, and put a two-cent stamp on them when a one-cent stamp would do as well. Remember, when you mail your letters at Rockdale a one-cent stamp is sufficient. 

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Ferguson & Porter, Real Estate Agents, Rockdale, Texas. . . . 

No. 4: -- A 6-room residence on Green street in Rockdale, lot 70x126 feet, with some grape vines and fruit trees. A bargain for cash, or will exchange for a small farm.

No. 5:: A 4-room house on corner of Burleson and Davilla streets, this city, lot 45x125, will sell on installments for $600, house new. Also house on adjoining lot, Burleson street, with three rooms, $400. Will sell either, or both, on installments, or trade for land.

1901 :: Loewenstein's

Loewenstein's

Rockdale, Texas

A visit to our store will convince you that your business is in good hands if you trade with us.

The Messenger, Rockdale, Texas

Thursday, October 10, 1901

Click on image to enlarge.

1901 :: Death of Dr. Ira Turner

Dr. Ira Turner died in this city last Tuesday morning, and was buried at the Odd Fellows cemetery. Dr. Turner was a young graduate in medicines though he was not a practicing physician. He was born and raised in Milam county, and was possessed of those attributes of heart and impulse which won for him many warm personal friends. During the present month he would have attained the age of 26 years. The funeral was largely attended, and the services were conducted by Rev. T.G. Alfred, of the Baptist church. Deceased leaves a father and brother and other relatives to mourn his untimely taking away. The Messenger, Rockdale, Texas, Thursday, July 4, 1901

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

1880 :: Temperance Societies and Fires

The Rockdale Messenger seems to think that temperance societies and fires do not work in concert. It relates that John Redding of that town joined the temperance society at 9 P.M., at 2 A.M. a fire broke out and John fell from grace. He again joined and on the occasion of the next fire again succumbed. A third time he buckled on the temperance armor, again a fire occurred and again John became a backslider. He was cured, he still has confidence in temperance societies, but can't be induced to join another -- he is afraid of fires. Brenham Weekly Banner, May 14, 1880

1874 :: Rockdale Postmaster

When the railroad reached Rockdale, McGregor and Muir moved their newspaper plant from Cameron to Rockdale and changed the name to the Rockdale Messenger. Muir was the first postmaster for the newly established Rockdale Post Office, beginning on October 20, 1874.

1900 :: Death of A D Cooper

Death - Rosebud - Capt. A.D. Cooper, age 84, died last Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. in Rosebud at the home of his son-in-law Chas. W. Meyers. Until recently, he was a citizen of Milam county, his old home being near Minerva. Soon after the war, Capt. Cooper was elected sheriff of this county, which position he filled with much credit. He was a public spirited citizen, and a high-toned gentleman, commanding the highest esteem and respect of all who knew him. A son and three daughters survive him. His body was shipped to Minerva and buried in the family burying grand at the old homestead. Rockdale Messenger, September 13, 1900

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

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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

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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

1874 :: News from Rockdale

Milam County. -- The Messenger says : "The claim of Jesse Stancel, as attorney in fact for Media Thompson, to the William Allen survey, upon which the greater portion of Rockdale is situated, is spurious and illegal. 

We have fully investigated the matter and find that the International Railroad Company has a perfect chain of title to the land in question, and deem it our duty to warn the public against this unjust, unwarranted and shameless resort of these unprincipled land sharks, to deprive them of their legally acquired rights and property. There is not the slightest cause for alarm, and no one, unless sadly demented, would either make or accept an offer of compromise." 

The writer is not half so emphatic about the "Jesse" as was J.B. Simpson when he wrote of him. . . . A snake, nicely coiled in one of the cases of the Messenger office, and which had been out of use for several days, was discovered by one of the compositors, who was looking for a certain style of letter. The reptile immediately died a violent death. Galveston Daily News, July 7, 1874

1898 :: Jasper N. Ferguson Enlists

Jasper N. Ferguson of the Rockdale Messenger, has enlisted in company B, 1st Texas volunteers, with Captain R.C. Roberdeu, who left Sunday night for Miami, Florida, where they will await transport to Porto Rico. Southern Mercury (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 17, No. 27, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 7, 1898

1877 :: Rockdale Items

Rockdale Items. [From our Special Reporter.] All quiet in town. Brick buildings are going up rapidly, and more are to be begun soon. :: New and commodious cattle pens have been erected by the International Railroad Company at Rockdale. :: A scaffold fell in Rockdale the other day, seriously injuring Stewart and Scarborough, who were working upon a brick building. :: Mr. Antony, the postmaster at Rockdale, is not charged with depredating upon the mails, but with detaining mail matter. The question arose between Antony and Breeding, of the Messenger, about the payment of postage. Weekly Democratic Statesman (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 39, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 5, 1877