1921 :: Crop Indications Good

Rockdale, Tex., March 26.-- It is believed that never before were prospects better for a huge crop of small fruits, berries, etc. in this section of Central Texas. The fields and woods and uncultivated spaces are white as snowbanks with dewberry blossoms. Other fruit trees are in full bloom. If labor is available when the ripening time comes Milam County will be able to furnish an almost unlimited quantity of dewberries to the consumer. Galveston Daily News, March 27, 1921

1896 :: Death of G.W. Heywood

Rockdale, Tex., March 20. -- G.W. Heywood died at the McGuyre hotel yesterday and was buried at the Odd Fellows cemetery this morning. During his prosperous days he paid for the plot of ground now known as the Odd Fellows cemetery and presented it to that society. He also bought and stored away a fine coffin to be buried in. This casket has patiently awaited his demise for several years. Galveston Daily News, March 22, 1896

1933 :: Death of Ester Roberts

Rockdale, Texas, Feb. 25 (AP). -- Mrs. E.T. Roberts, 53, was burned to death Tuesday when fire destroyed her home five miles south of Rockdale. Her husband had just gone to a nearby building to work when he heard the crackling of flames. He turned to see the whole house on fire and it was destroyed before he could enter it to rescue either his wife or any of their belongings. A five-gallon can which contained coal oil was found nearby. Dallas Morning News, March 1, 1933



Roberts. -- Rockdale, Texas. March 3. -- Funeral services for Mrs. E.T. Roberts, who was burned to death at her home here Tuesday, were held Thursday from the home of her brother, E.J. Flake. Surviving are her husband, a small adopted daughter and four brothers. Dallas Morning News, March 4, 1933

1892 :: Rockdale Jubilating

Rockdale, Milam County, Tex., March 2. -- Rockdale is booming anvils to-night in honor of Ellis county going for Mills. Fort Worth Daily Gazette, March 3, 1892

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

1888 :: Death of J. Kaiser

Rockdale, Tex., Feb. 6, 1888. -- A telegram from Boston, Mass., was received here yesterday stating that Mr. J. Kaiser of this place had suddenly died of heart disease in that city. Mr. Kaiser was a resident here of fourteen years' standing, had conducted a successful business which he had recently closed out with a view of moving to Boston. Fort Worth Daily Gazette, February 8, 1888

1886 :: Lynching in Rockdale

Cameron, Tex., Jan. 22. -- Mr. Sam Ford, a respectable citizen of this county, was in Rockdale Wednesday afternoon trading. Returning home late in the evening, he took in his wagon a negro man named [Sidney] Brown*. During the journey the fiend, watching his opportunity, made an attack on Ford, shooting him through the head and beating him over the head with a pistol, knocking out his eye. Believing his victim to be dead, the negro robbed him and left him. Ford was not dead but lived long enough to get home and tell his family of the attack made on him by Brown. The negro was arrested and jailed at Rockdale yesterday morning. Last night a mob of indignant citizens quietly went to the lock-up, and securing the prisoner took him to the edge of town and hung him. This act of Judge Lynch relieves the courts of the time of dealing with this inhuman being. The Standard, Clarksville, Texas, January 29, 1886

*Keven McQueen wrote that . . . The press reported that Brown was "supposed to have been implicated in the Austin murders." We will never know to what extent Brown was involved in the Servant Girl killings, if at all . . .