1888 :: Red saddle stolen

Galveston Daily News
Galveston, Texas
25 December 1888

Sheriff's Department. Milam County. Rockdale, Tex., December 21.-- Stolen at this place last night from S.E. Luckey one bay horse pony and red leather saddle; the pony is about 4 years old, branded LUK connected over the left shoulder; saddle red leather, branded J.N. Redden, maker, Rockdale. Will give a liberal reward for horse and saddle returned to J.R. Arthur, city marshal, Rockdale, Tex., or J. Lewis, sheriff, Cameron, Tex.

1906 :: Awarded $500 Damages

In the district court at Cameron this week the jury in the case of G.B. Vandeventer vs. the I. & G. N. Ry. rendered a verdict giving Mr. Vandeventer $500 damages for injuring the stallion "Col. Kahla" when he was shipped to Rockdale. Rockdale Reporter, October 25, 1906

1914 :: War Horses

G.C. Murray informs The Reporter that he is now negotiating with contractors for a commission to buy up a large number of horses for the government army horse service. He hopes to have the contract closed within the next week and be able to make cash offers for horses. Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, October 01, 1914

1923 :: Uncle Boyd Taylor

Uncle Boyd Taylor of Milano is 83 years old. He scorns the ease of modern day transportation and rides his gray charger as in the days when he followed Nathan B. Forrest, the peerless cavalry leader of the South. Uncle Boyd rode to Cameron from his home near Milano. He sets his horse as straight and graceful as in the days when he rode to the defense of Dixie. "I can ride a horse ten miles further in a day than any man in the country," said Uncle Boyd when asked if his advanced age did not interfere with his going. He came to Texas from his native state of Alabama. He was born April 6, 1840, and on last Friday was 83 years old. Cameron Herald, April 12, 1923

1907 :: Death of Bloxum Howard

Rockdale and Milam county mourns the loss of a popular citizen and a good officer. Mr. B. Howard died Tuesday and was buried Wednesday at 10 a.m. by the K. of P. assisted by the Woodmen and the ministers of Rockdale. Mr. Howard was very much attached to his horse, which was tied to the hearse, saddled ready as if to mount. He leaves a wife and four children. The following people went over from Cameron to attend his funeral: W.C. Ross, A.W. Taber, J.T. Kemp, Jim Pate, Sheriff and Elmer Holtzclaw, Allen Hooks and Graham Gillis. All business was suspended in Rockdale to attend the funeral. Cameron Herald, March 21, 1907 

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Rockdale, Tex., March 19. -- B. Howard, who has been constable of this precinct for about six years, died this afternoon about 5 o'clock, the immediate cause being measles. His wife was called from Austin yesterday, where she had undergone an operation. Bartlett Tribune, March 22, 1907 

1881 :: Messenger man loses horse

The Rockdale Messenger man has been so unfortunate as to lose his horse. It is a lucky newspaper man who is able to own a horse to lose. Brenham Weekly Banner, January 20, 1881 

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

1916 :: Death of Arthur Jenness

Rockdale, Texas, April 4. -- Arthur Jenness, a prominent farmer and former business man of this city, was instantly killed near Kolbs' gin nine miles northwest of town this afternoon by a falling tree. Mr. Jenness was supervising some road work, which included the removal of a lot of extra large pecan trees, one of which fell sooner than expected. Mr. Jenness met his death in an effort to save his saddle horse, which had strayed under the tree. His neck was broken and skull crushed. Dallas Morning News, April 5, 1916

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