1902 :: Death of George Wallis

Death - Geo. W. Wallis of Rockdale was taken with a severe hemorrhage last Friday evening and died in a very short while. He had been in ill health for a year or two. Burial was at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. The Thorndale Thorn, May 23, 1902

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On the 16th of this month Geo. W. Wallis died at his home in Rockdale after months of declining health, the spark of life gradually becoming extinct. Deceased was 41 years of age and was born at Mountain Home, Arkansas. He came from that state to Texas and settled at Rockdale in 1884. For a number of years he held a position as salesman with the large mercantile house of Scarbrough & Hicks, and in this capacity he formed an extended acquaintance and was held in the highest esteem by all. Fourteen years ago he married Miss Mattie Hale, who survives him. He severed his connection with Scarbrough & Hicks to engage in business for himself, embarking in the drug business. He was the senior member of the firm of Wallis & Giesecke and afterwards of the firm of Wallis & Hale. For a time he was sole proprietor of the business, but ill health forced him to abandon it entirely. He then engaged in the fire insurance business with his brother-in-law, G.M. Ryan, and was thus associated at the time of his death. He was for years a consistent member of the Baptist church, being zealous and active. He carried a number of life insurance policies and left his little family well provided for. We knew George Wallis almost during the entire life of his residence in this county, and admired his true nobility of character. He was always genial and happy and it was ever a pleasure to grasp his hand in friendship's greeting. We join a host of friends in extending condolence to his bereaved family. Cameron Herald, May 29, 1902

1880 :: Public School Building

An enthusiastic meeting of substantial citizens was held here this evening, having for its objects the erection of a public school building and the furtherance of the educational interests of the city. The meeting was conducted by men who do not confine themselves to idle talk, but execute any enterprise undertaken. The result will be that Rockdale will ere long boast of a public school which will do credit to any city. The matter was placed in the hands of the following committee: -- Judge J.S. Perry, Thos. F. Hudson, B. Loewenstein, G.W. Baines, Jr. Galveston Daily News, May 25, 1880

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

1888 :: Rockdale Reporter vs Rockdale Messenger

The Rockdale Reporter complains that The Galveston News clips from the Rockdale Reporter and credits to the Rockdale Messenger. Don't mind it. Probably the Messenger is mad also. Galveston Daily News, May 21, 1888

1914 :: Graduation at the Opera House

Rockdale, Tex., May 15. -- The Rockdale public schools will close May 29, the graduating exercises being held on that night at the opera house. There are fourteen graduates, as follows: Misses Catherine Sanford, Ester Jenness, Florence Dunnington, Louise Brodnax, Lucille Poole, Lorena Harris, Minnie Hamilton, Mollie Stein, Pearl Woody and Olive Branch; Messrs. Jamie Wallis, Will Norris Hale, Homer Turner and Edgar Lingert. The annual class address will be delivered on that occasion by Dr. Frank Seay of Southwestern University. The baccalaureate sermon will be preached at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday, May 24, at 11 a.m. by Rev. E.G. Cook. . . .

The Rockdale School Board has selected seven members of the next year's faculty of the Rockdale public schools, as follows: C.G. Green, superintendent; R.L. Grogan, principal; Miss Lena Rogan, High School history; Miss Florence Hubert, primary; Miss Helen Kone, second grade; Miss Irma Porter, third grade; Miss Minnie Foster, intermediate, arithmetic. All are re-elected, having served one or more years each. Five other teachers are yet to be elected. Dallas Morning News, May 16, 1914 

1901 :: Death of Pat Sudbury

Death - Sandy Creek - Mr. Pat Sudbury was killed at the Olsen mines on Thursday evening at 5:45 p.m. by falling into the shaft. He was pushing a car up the slope to the shaft to put it on the cage and send it to the top. When he got to the shaft, thinking the cage was in position for him to load his coal, he pushed it on into the open shaft and this jerked him over the car and he fell to the bottom, a distance of 58-feet. His neck and jaw were broken, besides being bruised otherwise. He leaves a wife and four small children. Rockdale Messenger, May 16, 1901

1923 :: Death of B. Loewenstein

Rockdale, Texas. May 11. -- B. Loewenstein Sr., 78 years old, died Friday morning in the Cameron Hospital after nearly three months' illness. Mr. Loewenstein was a native of Germany, coming to America as a lad, and was a pioneer citizen of Rockdale. He was in business here for about fifty years. Funeral services and burial will be held Sunday. Dallas Morning News, May 12, 1923