1913 :: Edwin Leroy Antony Dies

News has been received here of the death at Dallas of E.L. Antony, a former Rockdalian. 

Judge Antony spent his young manhood here, where he subsequently married Miss Houghton. 

His parents, Dr. and Mrs. Antony, came to Texas when the Judge was a youth, and settled in Cameron and Rockdale, where the Doctor engaged in the practice of his profession. 

The son attended college, and has since won many honors. 

Last summer he returned to his old stamping grounds, Cameron, but owing to ill health, left for Dallas in the early fall to be treated by specialists. 

His mother, the last of her family, and a daughter survive him, and a cousin, Mrs. J.D. Hamilton, of this place. He was very popular here among the older inhabitants.

The State Press says of him:

Dallas, Texas, Jan. 16. -- Edwin Leroy Antony, at one time United States Congressman from the Waco-Corsicana district, died here today at the age of 61 years. . . . 

The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex ), Vol 39, No 46, Ed 1 Thursday, January 23, 1913

1934 :: Victim of Kidnap and Murder, Waco, Former Rockdalian

James Malcolm Stewart, 25, of Katy, Texas, was kidnapped and brutally murdered near Waco last Saturday, his body being found in his car on a country road.

Young Stewart was the only son of Dr. and Mrs. J.M. Stewart, citizens of Rockdale in the early days. His father died on September 7, as recounted in these columns at the time. Young Stewart had been identified with the motion picture industry in California, but came back to Texas on the death of his father. He had driven his mother to Waco and placed her on a bus for a trip to visit relatives at Comanche. The next seen of him he was found dead as above stated.

Joe Averett, 23, and Roy Curry, 26, of Hubbard, were arrested Tuesday in connection with the murder and a series of car thefts and kidnappings which followed the death of Stewart. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 62, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 22, 1934 Page: 8 of 8

1924 :: Death of Dr. H.C. Black

Monday's State papers carried the news of the death of Dr. H.C. Black, aged 69, at Waco. Decedent was once a citizen of Rockdale, but probably only a few of our older citizens will remember him as it has been about 35 years since he left here. He was found dead in his garage, having suffered a stroke of apoplexy as he was putting his car away after returning from a professional call. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. [51], No. 52, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 21, 1924

1936 :: Death of Lillie Tumey

Late News Flash. A daughter of Mrs. T.E. Riddle died in New York Wednesday, and the remains are due to arrive in Rockdale this (Thursday) afternoon. Funeral services will be held in the home of Mrs. Riddle Friday afternoon, interment following in the Riddle family burying ground. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 64, No. 2, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 20, 1936

1904 :: Death of Dr. H.V. Lowenstein

On last Wednesday night Dr. H.V. Lowenstein, one of our prominent citizens, died of consumption and was buried in the hebrew cemetery at Rockdale. The doctor has been a citizen of Cameron for several years; was married to Miss Sarah Cohen, daughter of Mr. M. Cohen, one of our merchants. He was raised and educated in St. Joe, Mo., where all of his family still live with the exception of one brother, Mr. James Lowenstein, of Fort Worth. Dr. Lowenstein was an occulist well known throughout the State and his many friends will regret to hear of his death. The Cameron Herald, September 8, 1904

1878 :: Death of John Cole

Hearne, May 30. -- The people of this city are again called upon to witness a sad accident in railroad life. The victim is a promising young man by the name of John Cole, a resident of Rockdale, Texas, and lately a brakeman on the I. and G.N. railroad. Young Cole, it seems, was attempting to board a freight train, and missing his hold was crushed beneath the wheels, severing his left arm near the shoulder and crushing his left leg below the knee. Owing to some delays that it seems could not be avoided the patient lost a good deal of blood. Drs. Morrison and Matkin, of this place, and Drs. Horton and Walker, of Rockdale, are in attendance, but up to 8 o'clock P. M. the man is too weak from loss of blood to endure the amputation of his mangled limbs, and but little hope is entertained of his recovery. Galveston Daily News, May 31, 1878

1897 :: Little Boy Accidentally Shot

Rockdale, Milam Co., Tex., March 18. -- The little son of Mr. Henry McDaniel, near Gardner, was seriously wounded in the face last Saturday night by the accidental discharge of a pistol in the hands of Mr. Wayne Holmes. Physicians were called in and dressed the wound, but did not succeed in extracting the ball. Galveston Daily News, March 19, 1897

1924 :: Hunters Marooned in South Texas

Dallas Morning News. Rockdale, Texas, Dec. 25. -- Marooned for five days thirty miles from the railroad on a big ranch in Zapata County, south of Aguilares, near the border, and forced to remain in camp nearly a week before they could venture out, the party of Rockdale hunters who left here some three weeks since, returned Tuesday, thereby relieving the fears of their families and friends, who had received no word from them since leaving home. They were just getting ready to break camp when the "blue norther" hit that section last week. The party consisted of Dr. E.A. Swafford, Dr. T.D. Rountree and Lon Hudson. Dallas Morning News, December 26, 1924 

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

1961 :: Death of Dr. Howe King Riddle

Coweta (AP) -- Dr. Howe King Riddle, 71, Coweta physician and former mayor, died Wednesday of a heart attack in his native Rockdale, Tex., while on a business trip. He also was a former member of Coweta's council and Board of Education. Miami Daily News-Record, Miami, Oklahoma, April 14, 1961

1909 :: Death of Dr. William A Brooks

Mortuary. Dr. William A. Brooks, aged 84 years, a retired physician, died yesterday afternoon at a local hospital after a lingering illness. He leaves two sons, John T. Brooks, traveling freight agent of the Chicago, Rock Island & pacific, Frisco lines, and James B. Brooks, assistant general freight agent of the Aransas Pass. Dr. Brooks was a member of Masons and Odd Fellows. The body was taken to Rockdale last night and the funeral will take place under the auspices of the Odd Fellows at Rockdale this afternoon. San Antonio Light and Gazette, September 19, 1909

1902 :: Death of Little Nellie Gray

Nellie Gray, the 12-year-old daughter of Dr. Gray, was fatally burned at Rogers by the explosion of a lamp. She lingered six hours. Shiner Gazette, August 27, 1902

---

 
Hosts of people in Caldwell will deeply sympathize with Dr. E.H. Gray, of Rogers, in the tragic loss by fire of his little daughter, Nellie, on Tuesday of last week. The particulars are given as follows by the Rogers News:


On Tuesday afternoon at about 8 o'clock, little Nellie Gray, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. E.H. Gray, was fatally burned by the explosion of a lamp. Nellie and her mother were preparing to go to the country to visit the family of Mr. A.W. Howard. Being through with the curling irons, Mrs. Gray attempted to blow out the light, when the lamp exploded with a loud report.


Little Nellie seeing her mother's clothing on fire, came to the rescue but, in an instant, she herself was wrapped in flames and fled from the house out through the front yard into the street. Mrs. Gray caught her daughter as she fled, and tried to extinguish the flames, but could not restrain her. 

Mr. M.P. Wynne arrived on the scene as Nellie reached the street and came to the rescue. He threw the child down and tried with all his power to save her, but to no avail, while he himself sustained severe burns on the hand and arm. 

In a few minutes the fire had consumed all but a handful of the poor child's garments and she was carried back to the house blackened and burned all over except the upper part of her face, and her feet which were protected by her shoes. 

No more horrible tragedy could be conceived of. Mrs. Gray had in the mean time suffered serious injury, but owing to her woolen clothing and the prompt assistance of Miss Nettie Ratliff, she escaped death.


Strange to say, after the terrible torture, Little Nellie seemed to lose all sense of pain and passed quietly and peacefully away at about midnight.


The funeral services conducted by Elder Lincoln were held at the Christian church on Wednesday afternoon. On Sunday -- just three days previously -- Bro. Lincoln had baptised Little Nellie on a profession of faith in Christ. Now, he comes to conduct the last sad rites over the remains of her who but a few hours before had been such a sweet little maiden, the idol of her father's and mother's heart, loved and admired by all.


Several very pathetic incidents occurred in connection with this remarkable tragic death. Just a few moments before the explosion occurred, little Nellie expressed a desire to play and sing, "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus," but her mother told her they wouldn't have time, as she thought she heard Mr. Howard's folks coming to take them to the country.


When Nellie discovered her mother on fire, she rushed to her assistance, exclaiming, "O mamma, honey, you're burning up!"


A large number of people, including friends and relatives from Milano, Rockdale, Caldwell and other points, made up the procession that following the remains to their last resting place. Many floral tributes came from friends and relatives of other towns, and the grave was literally buried in the most beautiful flowers.


No sadder event ever occurred in the history of Rogers, and a gloom has hung like a pall over our little city. The hearts of our entire people are touched with sympathy for the broken-hearted parents and relatives. We wish it were in our power to speak words that would console and comfort these stricken friends. 

But, alas! No human words can take away such depths of sorrow, and, in our sense of weakness, we would commend the bereaved to God whom they serve, and who has in all ages been the refuge and comforter of his people. Caldwell News-Chronicle, August 22, 1902

1951 :: Death of Dr. I.P. Sessions

Dr. I.P. Sessions, 83, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Tommy Beesley in Romayor early Saturday morning, July 14. Dr. Sessions had been visiting with his daughter for several days. He suffered a heart attack and died shortly afterwards. He had been in ill health for a number of years but had been making some progress in recent months.


He was a native of Navarro County, born at Rice, Texas, October 25, 1868 and was a member of a prominent Central Texas family. He had practiced medicine in Rockdale for the past sixty years and was a faithful servant to his profession. He was a graduate of Columbia University in New York and also attended college at Southwestern University at Georgetown. He practiced medicine in New York upon completion of his education and prior to his moving to Rockdale, practiced several years in Austin. For many years he was known as one of the outstanding surgeons in Central Texas and was active until recent years.


He was a great influence in the civic life of Rockdale and had an important part in the progress and history of that city. He devoted much of the time and effort to the welfare of that community.


Funeral services were held from the Chapel of the Philip & Luckey Funeral Home at 4 P.M. Sunday, July 15 with Rev. T. Miller Smith officiating. Burial was made in the Rockdale Cemetery with Philip & Luckey Funeral Home directing the arrangements.


Surviving are one son, C.B. Sessions of Rockdale, two daughters Mrs. Tommy Beesley of Romayor and Mrs. John Mohair of New York, New Jersey, one nephew, Dr. T.S. Barkley of Rockdale. Six grandchildren also survive and several nieces. Cameron Herald, July 19, 1951

1934 :: Death of Dr. Riddle

Rockdale, Tex., May 24. -- Dr. T.E. Riddle, 95, died Wednesday night. Funeral services were held Thursday. Dr. Riddle a native of Tennessee, came to Texas with his parents when 10 years old. He was a Confederate Veteran, and served in McCoy's Frontier Regiment, Company F. In January, 1868, Dr. Riddle came from Lavaca to Milam County and settled where he has since lived and died. Dr. Riddle had practiced his profession in Rockdale and community for more than 60 years. He was a familiar figure on horseback as he answered calls until the past eight years. Sept. 2, 1933, Dr. Riddle celebrated his 95 birthday with a dinner. Oct. 19, Dr. and Mrs. Riddle celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. Surviving him are his widow, and the following children: Ed and Jack Riddle of Rockdale, Dr. Howe Riddle of Coweta, Okla., Scudder Riddle and Mrs. Billy Senne of California, Mrs. Lilly Tumey of New York and Mrs. John Moses of Ralls, Tex. San Antonio Express, Friday, May 25, 1934

1881 :: Shooting of B F Ackerman

Shooting – Rockdale, Apr. 25 – B.F. Ackerman, living 10-miles north of here, while at the house of one of his tenants, was fired upon by four men armed with Winchester rifles and severely wounded in the face, breast and leg. The parties who did the shooting are known and every effort will be made to secure their arrest. Mr. Ackerman is here receiving medical attention and his wounds, though painful, are not thought to be dangerous. Galveston Daily News, April 26, 1881 

1890 :: Altercation in a Restaurant

Rockdale, Tex., March 5. -- On Saturday night a negro called Fred Taylor entered the restaurant of John C. McGuire and insisted on having a seat with the white folks. This resulted in a controversy which ended by the proprietor peppering the colored citizen with a No. 38. The ball entered the lower part of the abdomen and punctured the bladder. The next morning Dr. A.C. Walker performed a surgical operation. Dallas Morning News, March 6, 1890

1903 :: Old Dr. Wallis is Dead

Rockdale, Tex., Jan. 9. -- Dr. R.S. Wallis, a prominent physician, is dead here. He served as a surgeon in the confederate army, and while acting as such was summoned to attend a duel in which Gen. Marmaduke, of Missouri, killed his antagonist. The Burlingame Enterprise, (Burlingame, Kansas), January 15, 1903

1896 :: Death of Dr. Letcher

Dr. Joseph Stephens Letcher, who died yesterday at his home in this city, was born in Alabama forty-six years ago, and has ended peacefully a remarkably active and useful life. He leaves a devoted wife and three interesting and promising children. As a physician he has, by unceasing labor and the best opportunities discovered by himself, arisen from obscurity to the first place in his profession, and as a Christian gentleman he was honored and beloved by a large circle of friends. His medical experience was varied, having practiced eleven years in Milam* county, Texas, six years in Lampasas and since 1889 in the city of Dallas. During this later period and prior to the appointment of Dr. C.M. Rosser to the position now held they were associated professionally together. His practice has been general, including surgery. He was surgeon for railroad companies and vice president of the Texas Railway Surgeon's association, as also of the Texas State Medical association. He was examiner for nearly all insurance companies located here, and for three of them was medical referee for Texas. Dr. Letcher was a man of great head and heart, affectionate with his friends and true to all men. He was of cheerful temperament and, being given much to the happiness of others, was universally beloved. Perhaps the most signal service attained here, and longest to be remembered, was that which attended his efforts for the establishment of the charity hospital now in course of construction. In this he was ably seconded by the local profession, but to his energy and zeal is largely due the gratitude of the people for this blessing. The funeral services will be held in the second Baptist church to-day, and the burial will follow at Oakland cemetery. . . . Dallas Morning News, December 1, 1896 [*He was enumerated in Maysfield on the 1880 census.]


 

1918 :: Death of Dr. G.W. Mullins

Dr. G.W. Mullins of Milano, died October 19th of pneumonia, following an attack of influenza, aged 53. He was born in Harris County, Ga., came to Texas at the age of 14 and was married to Miss Mary L. Shepherd of Burleson County in 1887. He graduated in Medicine from Louisville Medical College and had practiced for 22 years, 15 of which were at Milano. He was a member of his county and State medical societies for a number of years and of the W.O.W. Lodge for the past 14 years. He is survived by his wife, one daughter and two sons. [obituary from Google eBook, 1919 Texas State Journal of Medicine, Volume 14]

1926 :: Death of Dr. A.C. Walker

Death Calls Dr. Walker. Was Formerly Prominent Surgeon of Fort Worth. 

Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 13. -- Dr. A.C. Walker, 74 years old, retired surgeon, who died at 3 o'clock Wednesday morning at his home, 319 South Adams street, is to be buried in Oakwood Cemetery, following funeral services at the residence at 10 o'clock Thursday morning.


Dr. Walker was known before his retirement ten years ago as one of the foremost surgeons in North and Central Texas. He was associated at one time with Drs. E.J. Beall and W.A. Adams, themselves well-known surgeons, in conducting one of Fort Worth's first sanitariums.


Born in Nacogdoches in 1851, Dr. Walker acquired his elementary school education there and later was graduated from the University of Virginia. Prior to his twenty-first birthday, he completed the course at Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York, and his diploma was awarded as soon as he reached his majority, several months later. After returning to Nacogdoches and practicing his profession there one year, he moved to Rockdale, where he lived and practiced his profession for more than twenty-five years.


While at Rockdale Dr. Walker married Miss Gertrude Wright, in 1879, after her death, marrying her sister, Miss Lelene Wright. Mrs. Walker and six children survive him. The children are John C. Walker of Dallas, W.W. Walker of Waco, R.S. Walker of Los Angeles, Mrs. J.D. Davis, Mrs. C.W. Head and Miss Marguerite Walker, all of Fort Worth.


Dr. Walker was a member of the Rockdale Masonic Lodge.


Pallbearers are to be Ernest Douthit of Dallas and Dr. Clay Johnson, Dr. Lyle Talbot, A.S. Dingee, Frank Capps and J.N. Sparks, all of Fort Worth. Dallas Morning News, January 14, 1926. his findagrave memorial page