1928 :: Death of Henry Hairston

Dallas Morning News. Mr. Henry Hairston, a citizen of Milam county was killed two miles north of Chriesman at 1:00 o'clock Sunday afternoon by a southbound freight train. The engineer reported he saw him lying beside the track and blew the whistle to awaken him, and just as the engine neared him he seemed to awaken and raised his head causing it to be struck by the front of the engine, killing him instantly. His brother, County Commissioner of Rockdale, was notified of the accident and arrived here about 4 p.m. and had the body removed to Caldwell to be prepared for burial by an undertaker, before being taken to Milam county, his former home, for burial. The Caldwell News and The Burleson County Ledger, June 8, 1928 

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

1916 :: S.G. Hodge Died Suddenly

Rockdale Reporter - S.G. Hodge, prominent Rockdale business man, died suddenly at 4 p.m. Thursday at Randle Lake, ten miles north of town, where he had gone for a few hours fishing, and in the best spirits and seeming good health.

Mr. Hodge was accompanied by Dr. T.D. Rountree and Dr. R.W. Wallis. They left won about 11 a.m. in Mr. Hodge's car, and had enjoyed several hours fishing with good results, and had cooked the fish and had sat down to eat. Mr. Hodge was in the best of spirits at the time, and had assisted in the cooking of the fish. He had just taken a bite or two, when he suddenly groaned and fell over on his back. Both the doctors were right at his side, and say that his death was as near instantaneous as it could possibly be, and that he gave not the slightest sign of recognition or understanding after he was stricken. They administered powerful restoratives hypodermically and ued artificial respiration, exhausting every means at their disposal, to no affect.

The remains were brought to town and placed in the care of Undertaker E.B. Phillips. After embalment they were removed to the residence of Mrs. J.R. Rowland, where the deceased had for so many years made his home, and in which family he was a big brother and a kind father, and than whom in all this wide world there are none who will mourn his loss so deeply. Cameron Herald, March 2, 1916

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

1905 :: Killing of Will Rasbury

Taken to Rockdale. Remains of William G. Rasbury, Who Was Killed Wednesday Night, Shipped to Rockdale. Dallas, Texas. The remains of William G. Rasbury, who was killed in a saloon on Main street Wednesday night, were shipped yesterday afternoon to Rockdale, Tex., by Undertaker George W. Loudermilk. Charles Rasbury, a brother of the deceased, accompanied the body and it will be interred today. Up to a late hour yesterday afternoon no complaint had been made against Kannmacher, who is held in connection with the shooting. He is still being held and has expressed a desire for an immediate hearing. Dallas Morning News, September 8, 1905


Taylor, Tex., Sept. 8. William G. Rasbury, who was killed in Dallas Wednesday night, and Herman Kannmacher, who is charged with the crime, were both former residents of Taylor. The former moved here from Rockdale and the latter is the son of Prof. J.G. Kannmacher, a cartoonist and writer, who a few years ago edited the Taylor (German) Herald, afterward moving to Dallas. Dallas Morning News, September 9, 1905