1917 :: Death of Whistling Booker

Alfred Booker, (colored) known as "Whistling Booker," died Monday night at the home of a sister, Ellen Woods, as a result of a stroke of paralysis he received when at work in a cotton field adjacent to Rockdale. . . . according to his own statement, was born near Greenboro, Alabama . . . He was born Sept. 1, 1829 [sic], and came across country with his owners, Gray Booker, the Barkers and others who made Texas history. . . . He was never known to miss a barbecue or Confederate reunion, feeling as he did, that he was the living historian of both white and black, and was part and parcel of the place. . . . His was a life well spent. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 45, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 12, 1917

1916 :: Just following the flag

"Just following the flag," was suggested at the sight of one 87-year-old ex-slave, Alfred Booker, who in hickory shirt and overalls voluntarilly brought up the rear carrying an American flag. He sawed the postoak block that supported the first raw-hide house in Rockdale, and drilled by hand out of Granite Mountain the 24-foot columns that support the state capitol. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 44, No. 18, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 6, 1916 

1918 :: Living in Gaither cottage

R.L. Scarbrough has sold his mercantile business at Hicks to J.S. Armstrong, late of Chilton, and has moved back to Rockdale and is living in the Gaither cottage just east of Mineral Park. Lee says he is going to have such a big crop this year he wont have time to sell goods. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. [46], No. 5, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 4, 1918

1936 :: Pounder Twins

DRS. SESSIONS & BARKLEY RECEIVE TWIN HONORS

Announcement is made of the birth of twin boys to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Pounder, of the Tanglewood community, on March 16. These boys have been christened Clyde Sessions and Claude Barkley. The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 64, No. 6, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 19, 1936

1899 :: Death of Old Uncle Bob Ferguson

Old Uncle Bob Ferguson died on Wednesday last. He was an honorable old negro, well liked by all who knew him. The Rockdale Reporter. (Rockdale, Tex.), Vol. 06, No. 08, Ed. 1 Tuesday, March 14, 1899

1915 :: Burial at Hat Prairie

Hat Prairie. Feb. 22 -- Wednesday, Feb. 17 [sic], the infant of Mr. and Mrs. Obier was buried at Forest Grove. Rockdale Reporter and Messenger, March 04, 1915

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