Milam Co., TX - Newspapers: Rockdale Messenger 1876 **************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Lynna Kay Shuffield August 2002 USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm **************************************************** Newspapers have played an important role through the years by not only bringing us local happenings in the community but also news from across the country and around the world. Over the years many records related to our ancestors were lost or destroyed in fires, floods and other natural disasters. Newspapers contain much information that may not be found elsewhere such as births, marriages, deaths, court notices, land sales, tax notices, businesses, etc. They also hold many glimpses of information in their community news and provide us with fascinating details about the lives of our ancestors. We can all learn a great deal from reading about our past and in turn we shall have a greater understanding and appreciation for the hardships and triumphs our ancestors endured while building a new life in a new land. Many newspapers managed to survive the test of time and can now be found at most state libraries on microfilm and most are available through inter-library loan for viewing at your local library. There are well over 100 million pages of newspapers preserved on microfilm in the United States alone. This book is comprised of newspaper abstracts from the Rockdale Messenger newspaper published in Rockdale, Milam County, Texas found on microfilm Reel # 132015374, the Texas Newspaper Collection at the University of Texas-Austin, Austin, Texas. This is NOT an every name index to the newspapers. Only articles related to births, deaths, marriages, lynchings, murders, etc., for Milam County and the State of Texas are found in this newspaper abstract. The items included in the book are not verbatim recitations of the newspaper articles, they are abstracts or condensed versions. Always refer back to the original source, the actual newspaper. = = = = = = = For a copy of the actual article or newspaper referred to in this book of abstracts or to purchase a copy of the microfilm, contact: Center for American History SRH 2.101 University of Texas-Austin Austin, Texas 78712 < http://www.cah.utexas.edu/divisions/Austin/newspapers.html > Microfilm Edition of the Rockdale Messenger (originally published in Rockdale, Milam County, Texas) found at the Barker Texas History Center, the Center for American History, at the University of Texas-Austin – Reel # 132015374 = = = = = = = = = = Glossary G.A.R. = Grand Army of the Republic inst. = instant, the present month I.T. = Indian Territory ultimo = in the preceding month sic = used to indicate that text it is exactly reproduced from an original with errors W.O.W. = Woodsmen of the World = = = = = = = = Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 29 Jun 1876 “Catch the Murderer - $500 Reward” - We the undersigned will pay $500 reward for the capture and delivery to the Sheriff of Milam county of T. L. CULBRETH, the man who murdered J. T. HOUSTON in this county in July 1875. The following is a description of the murderer: T. L. Culbreth is about five feet ten inches high, weighs 160 pounds, is 20 years old, has blue eyes and auburn hair, wears a mustache, is a drinking character, passes by the name of Coleman. Additional reward of $200 offered in proclamation by the Governor of the State. By Ann I. Houston, A. S. Houston, R. J. Houston Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 29 Jun 1876 Trustee’s Sale - Whereas, on Jan. 1, 1875, M. B. Atkinson, of Milam county, and State of Texas, made, executed and delivered to J. H. Tracy & Bro., his promissory note for the sum of $150.40, with interest at the rate of 3% per month, from date, and dated Jan. 1, 1875, due 10-months after date. Whereas, the said M. B. Atkinson executed on the same day to J. J. Adams as trustee, a deed of trust to secure its payment to J. H. Tracy & Bro. Or their endorsers, the full amount of said note and interest, upon the following described property to-wit: One 20-horse stationery engine, together with a saw mill and a grist mill, and all the attachments to them belonging, situated on Sandy Creek, in Milam county, Texas, on said Atkinson’s mill place, and the said deed of trust authorizing and empowering the said J. J. Adams or J. H. Tracy & Bro. In case of the failure of the said J. J. Adams to act in the premises, to appoint an other trustee to execute said trust, and the said J. J. Adams having failed to execute the same, now, therefore, I, J. E. Longmoor, having been requested to act as trustee as aforesaid, to execute said trust, will, in accordance with the provisions of said deed of trust, on Monday, July 10, 1876, within the legal hours of sale, proceed to sell at public outcry at Hefly’s action stand, in the city of Rockdale, Milam county Texas, all of the aforesaid property, for cash, to the highest and best bidder. J. E. Longmoor, Substitute Trustee, Rockdale, June 28, 1876. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 29 Jun 1876 Citation – Summons Fannie Griffin, a minor, to appear at the District Court, to be held within and for the county of Milam, at the courthouse in Cameron, on the 8th Monday after the 1st Monday in September next, then and there to answer the petition of Susan Evans, J. O. Evans, Mary L. Washburn and J. A. Washburn, filed in said court against said Fannie Griffin and alleging in substance as follows, vis: That plaintiff reside in Milam county, Texas and the defendant resides in the territory of New Mexico. That the plaintiffs, Susan Evans and Mary L. Washburn and one George Griffin, and _____ Griffin, were the children and heirs of Mrs. Martna Griffin, deceased. That _____ Griffin departed this life on the _____ day of _____, 18_____, leaving defendant, his only child and heir. That on ____ day of ____ 18____, Martha Griffin died intestate, leaving the following property: [legal description omitted], containing 412 acres, said tracts lying in Milam and Lee counties. That there are no debts against the estate of Marth Griffin and no administration ever had on the same. That Susan Evans, Mary L. Washington and George Griffin in their own right and defendant, Fannie Griffin, through her father _____ Griffin, deceased, are each entitled to a one-fourth interest in the above described lands, as heirs of said Martha Griffin, deceased. That on the _____ day of _____ 1876, plaintiff, Susan Evans, purchased from George Griffin he entire interest in said lands and is now the owner of said interest. Premises considered, the plaintiffs pray for citation by publication for a guardian ad litem for said defendant, and that commissioners be appointed to partition and divide said lands according to quality and quantity, as follows: vis one-half to plaintiff Susan Evans, one- fourth each to plaintiffs Mary L. Washburn and defendant Fannie Griffin, and for a decree of court divesting and investing the titles to said lands in accordance with said partition. Witness, Bob Homan, Clerk of the District Clerk of Milam county and seal of said Court at office in Cameron, this May 13, 1876. [Note: This is all of the newspapers on the reel for the year 1876] Milam County, Texas: Gleanings from the Rockdale Messenger - 1876