Milam Co., TX - Newspapers: Rockdale Messenger 1899 ****************************************************** This 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 = = = = = = = = = = W. M. Ferguson, Editor & Proprietor The Messenger was established at Cameron in 1873. It moved to Rockdale in 1874. It burned in March 1877 and was re-established on May 25, 1877. Burned on April 2, 1891 and was re-established on April 2, 1891 = = = = = = = = = = Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 5 Jan 1899 Death – Savoy, Texas, Dec. 30 – Miss Florence Massangale, age 18, living 5- miles north of Salvoy was burned to death at 10:30 a.m. this morning. She was living with her sister, Mrs. Geo. Bradshaw. (lengthy article) Death – Van Alstyne, Texas - Mrs. E. Sullivan was burned to death 7-miles from Van Alstyne, Texas. Killed – Near Fort Clark while hunting, Robert Whipkey killed Max Schaber and wounded Henry Schaber. Death – Mrs. Cady, age 87, living with her son, F. M. Cady, 1-mile from Gatesville was found dead in bed. Death – John Zuhn, a German farmer, died suddenly near LaGrange while assisting a tenant move. Death – Mrs. Davis, age 76, wife of Col. Robert A. Davis, one of Ellis County’s wealthiest citizens, died at Waxahachie. Death – Col. J. W. Whaley, one of Clay County’s oldest pioneers, settling there in 1860, died near Bienvenue. Death – Uncle John McMinn, age 90, of Collin County for 50-years, died near Nevada, that county. He lived in Lamar County several years previous to moving to Collin. Killed – A. M. McDaniel of Red Water killed an eagle that measured from tip-to- tip exactly 7-feet, was 2-feet, 10-inches from beak to end of tail feathers and claw span of 8-inches. Death – Julian Flores, bitten while in camp near Cotulla by a coyote in the fact, died of Hydrophobia. Married – Malcomb Gilchrist and Miss Hattie Johnson were married on the 27th at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. & Mrs. J. H. Johnson near San Gabriel. (very lengthy article, including guests and gifts) Death – Col. W. H. Mabry, Commander of the First Texas Regiment died in Havana, Cuba. Marriage – Will P. Ferguson to Miss Maude Butler at Bells, Grayson County. Brother J. H. Hawkins and his wife are related to the couple. Mrs. Hawkins is a second cousin to the bride and R. C. West, who raised the bride, a first cousin. Miss Butler’s mother died when she was quite young and her father died some 12-years ago. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 12 Jan 1899 Death – Mrs. Mary E. Lawrence, age 65, died at her residence, 5-miles east of Rockdale on the 9th inst. At 5:00 a.m. of congestion of the lungs and was buried at the Sandy Creek cemetery at 4:00 p.m. the same day. She was a half- sister of Mrs. J. D. Shelton and Esq. J. B. Newton of Milano and sister of D. O. Newton of Bosque County. She was the mother of six children, two of whom preceded her in death. Mrs. Summers, her only daughter and Jimmie, William and Walter survive. (lengthy article) Funeral – Jefferson, Texas, Jan. 10 – Colonel Mabry’s remains will reach here tomorrow at 1:30 a.m. and will be buried at 4:00 p.m. Marriage – Miss Hattie Johnson and Malcom Gilchrist were married on Dec. 27th at 7:00 p.m. (lengthy article) Death – Mrs. Melinda Wolf, age 85, died in Cameron last Tuesday, 10th instant and was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery in Rockdale on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. She was the mother of Mrs. Dr. J. H. P. Wallis and grandmother of Dr. C. R. Wallis and D. R. Wallis of this city. Her death was the result of age; she had no fever or pains. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 19 Jan 1899 Death – Beaumont, Texas, Jan. 14 – W. H. Denny, age about 50, a Taylors bayou rice farmer, died when the Telegraph Hotel burned this morning. (lengthy article) Death – Sealy, Texas, Jan. 17 – W. J. Harman, employed by the Santa Fe as a fireman took about 30-grains of morphine Saturday about noon with suicidal intent. He died Monday at 5:45 p.m. He leaves a wife and stepson. He was buried in the Sealy cemetery. Killed – Denton, Texas, Jan. 17 – Tom Collins, age 14, was run over by a hose reel and killed. The reel weighed about 1,000-pounds. Death – Mrs. Kate Bell Stevens, wife of Capt. B. B. Stevens, post quartermaster at Fort Sam Houston died at the fort. Death – J. P. Marshall, age 68, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. M. Perry, Monday the 16th at 9:00 a.m. and was buried at the City Cemetery the next morning at 10:30 a.m. by Rev. Alfred. He was a native of Tennessee. He leaves 4 children, all grown and married, and a number of grandchildren. He had been a teacher for nearly 50-years. Death – Mr. H. Block, an old businessman of Rockdale died at Cleburne, Texas Wednesday morning and will be buried in the Jewish Cemetery in Rockdale this evening at 4:30 p.m. from the International & Great Northern Depot. Death – Mrs. Awtrey, wife of W. H. Awtrey, died at her home in the Sipe Springs neighborhood on Saturday Jan 14, and was buried in the city cemetery in Rockdale Sunday evening by Elder T. J. Rogers. She was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. I. H. Corbitt and had been married about a year. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 26 Jan 1899 Death – San Antonio, Jan. 21 – The westbound Sunset limited ran into a light engine at LaCoste siding yesterday morning, killing Engineer Nicholson of the light engine and Fireman A. M. Miller of the limited. The light engine had gone into the switch at LaCoste to await the passing of the limited. Fireman Mohavia of the light engine is sure he closed the switch but those who examined it afterwards declare that it was open and unlocked. Engineer Nicholson was badly scalded and he died a few moments after he was taken off his engine. Fireman Miller was killed outright. [lengthy article] Insane – Alpine, Jan. 20 – John M. Rooney, the ex-district and county clerk and ex-sheriff of Brewster county was adjudged insane yesterday on complaint filed by Rev. E. F. Goodson. In the trial evidence was introduced to show that at two different times in 1898, his mind was unbalanced. He is now under indictment in Bexar county for the killing of Charles Praeger at San Antonio on the night of Jan. 2. Trial – Paris, Tex., Jan 21 – Walter Kennedy was convicted in Delta county district court yesterday of second degree murder and give 5-years. Twenty years ago, his uncle, Fayette Wright, a well to do farmer, hilled his father in a quarrel over a division line. Young Kennedy, then 5-years old was present. The father with his last breath enjoined his boy to avenge his death when he grew into manhood. Kennedy lived in sight of his uncle, seeing him daily, and 15- years after his father’s death went up to his house at daylight shot him to death in his horse lot and rode away in the woods, spending the day hunting. Trial – Fort Worth, Jan 21 – Jim Garlington, one of five train robbers who was recently convicted and given a death sentence for participating in the holdup in which the fireman and engineer were both killed will again be put on trial Monday next on another of many counts pending against him. Death – Ben. S. Bryant, a 27-year resident of Dallas, died in Havana, Cuba, after a brief illness. Trial – Thomas Sterling, charged with the killing of William Garrett, Nov. 22 last at Galveston was tried in that city, adjudged guilty and give 5-years in the penitentiary. Death – J. W. Miller and wife arrived at Galveston bringing with them the corpse of the 8- year old daughter, who died before reaching the bridge. Little Nannie Belle Miller had a grain of corn lodged in her throat while at Willis. The parents intended to secure the help of a physician in Galveston, but it was too late. Newspaper – Frank Templeton of Ennis, who was visiting relatives at Waxahachie several days ago, stated that he started the first newspaper in Ennis county in the Spring of 1867 – The Waxahachie Argus. It was the official organ of 15 counties west of there. Death – W. C. Hubert, a young Englishman and his wife were traveling through Texas and they stopped in Dallas. He was taken ill and was taken to St. Paul’s sanitarium, where after a brief illness he died of grip . Marriage – Sandy Creek – Miss Hattie Releford and Ed Hearston were married on Thursday night. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 2 Feb 1899 Death – San Antonio, Jan 27 – Mrs. Melone Lesaiosaol, wife of a French farmer living near Lavernia, died yesterday from injuries received while burning prickly pear for cattle. Her dress caught fire and although she sprang into a tub of water, she sustained such severe injures that she died yesterday at noon. She was age 38 and leaves a family. Death – Manor, Tex., Jan. 28 – At an early hour yesterday morning, M. C. Abrams discovered a horse and buggy standing in the road near his residence and upon investigation found Rufus Sandberg pinioned across the front axle of the buggy. His arms and the funning gear of the vehicle were entangled in the reins in such a manner that he could not extricate himself. It seems while in this position he had been dragged some distance, his head having been badly bruised by the wheel. He was unconscious when found and only lived a few minutes thereafter. This sad death was evidently the result of a runaway. Death – S. A. Flake, a Pilot Point merchant, dropped dead in his store. Suicide – E. E. Blalock age 22, son of a farmer living near Marshall, suicided. Trial – Al Cassady, who was arrested for the killing of Lee Mansfield at Honey Grove, was allowed bond in the sum of $2,000, which has been given, and he has been released from custody. Birth – Girl to Mr. & Mrs. C. R. Padgett born Monday morning about 4 am, their first-born child. Death – M. C. (Bud) Ralston, Jr., died at his home in Nile on Monday, Jan. 30, about 10 o’clock. He leaves a wife, children, mother and father. Death – William L. Wheaton, age 27, died at his home in Rockdale Thursday, Jan. 26, at 4 pm and buried at the city cemetery. He leaves a wife and two children. Death – The little baby of Mr. & Mrs. Bud Rabon died at their home at Millerton, Friday, Jan 20 at 2:20 pm and was buried the following evening at Miller cemetery. [lengthy article] Death – J. S. Talbott, age 71, died at his home 3-miles east of Rockdale, Thursday, Jan 26 at 7:30 pm and was buried at Sandy Creek cemetery Friday evening at 4 pm. He was a native of Tennessee and had lived in Texas since 1870. He leaves a wife and five children, three married and a number of grandchildren. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 9 Feb 1899 Birth – Sand Grove - Son born to D. L. Boothe [no date give] Death – Sandy Creek - Mrs. Koke received $2,000 life insurance on her husband, as he was a member of the Knights of Honor. Accidents – Last week we gave an account of the 12-year old daughter of A. Longmire getting thrown and dragged almost to death by a horse. Four or five days later, another little girl of Mr. Longmire’s, while jumping rope at school, fell and broke her arm. Death – San Antonio, Feb. 3 – In a shooting affair in the Silver King saloon at 2:30 am yesterday morning, John W. Bennett, proprietor of the saloon and one of the proprietors of the San Antonio Brokerage Company, was killed by Bob Marx, an old Texas Ranger and proprietor of a Westside saloon. Marx had been drinking heavily all night and had been released from the city jail on bond a few hours before having been arrested for discharging a piston in his saloon. He drove to the Silver King where he abused Bennett and threatened to shoot out the lights. Eye witnesses, Arthur Ware, James Cahill and Joe Roberson, the latter the bartender in the place, stated that Marx fired the first shot and Bennett responded with 3-shots after he was on the floor mortally wounded. Marx walked a half-block and was carried to police headquarters where he died shortly after the shooting. Bennett died at the Santa Rose hospital at 8 pm last night. Marx leaves a wife and nine children and Bennett also leaves a family. Trial – In the habeas corpus hearing of Thomas Fiaherty, charged with killing Jack Conroy, defendant was discharged. Death – Henry Kramer, a Brenham ginner was run over and killed by a train at that place. It is thought he was asleep on the track. Death – Near Caldwell, Frank Cowan shot and killed his brother-in-law, Andrew Casey, with a repeating Winchester, putting 4-bullets into the deceased. Death – Son of H. C. Mills died at McGregor several days ago of cerebrospinal meningitis and shortly after the mother died of the same malady. Trial – Will Bruce, on trial at Waxahachie on the charge of killing Tom Rone, on a public road near that city, was sentenced to 2-years in the penitentiary. Death – John Estes, one of the best-known newspaper compositors in the southwest, whose home was at Texarkana, where he had wealthy relatives, died at Muscogee, I.T. Captured – Sheriff Stewart of Johnson county received a letter from an officer in Salt Lake, UT, saying he had John B. Shaw, the murdered of Tom Crain, located in that city and asking Mr. Stewart to wire him instructions. Sheriff Stewart wrote him the particulars of the capture and execution of Shaw. Death – Ed Marshall, a Texarkana young man, was taken sick and died while attending the funeral of a niece at that city. Death – A stranger [no name given] was killed 2-miles south of Eddy, Falls county, by the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad’s through freight. The man was walking on the track going south and the train coming north. It seems the man was not aware of the train coming and remained on the track until he was struck by the train. Death – Grandpa Holder, age 72, will known all over the Post Oak country, died at the home of his grandson, John Ferguson on Briar Brook, about 7-miles east of Rockdale last Tuesday and was buried at New Salem cemetery Wednesday evening. Death – Mrs. S. A. Griffin, age 60, of Black Jack schoolhouse neighborhood, in Burleson county, died on Jan. 30th and was buried in the Black Jack cemetery the next day, Jan. 31st. Death - Mrs. Hewitt was buried at the Black Jack cemetery on Jan. 31st. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 23 Feb 1899 Death – Sandy Creek - The infant child of Mr. & Mrs. Luckey of Cedar Creek was buried in the Sandy Creek cemetery last Thursday Marriage – Mrs. J. McKenzie of Galveston and her son, Donald McKenzie, were guests at the Loewenstein mansion this week. The lady was a friend of Mrs. Loewenstein’s in her girlhood days in Fayette county and attended the wedding of Mr. & Mrs. Loewenstein some 28-years ago and the families have been warm friends ever since, so she and her son came up to attend the nuptials of Robert Loewenstein and Miss Bertie Loper. Donald McKinzie acting as best man in the ceremony. Double Murder – Floresville, Tex., Feb. 18 – A horrible double murder yesterday afternoon was discovered 3-miles from Floresville. Two well known Mexicans, Frank Valdez and John Valdez, brothers, singe men, age about 30 and 50 years, tenants on the farm of L. B. Wiseman and Reagan Wiseman. The Valdez brothers were found dead in a gully b the side of the road, both shot through from the rear, one lying on the other. They were killed on Wednesday morning. Arrest – Floresville, Tex., Feb. 20 – Leafy Reynolds, the young man who arrested Saturday on suspicion of murdering the two Mexicans [Valdez Brothers] found dead near here, notified officers just before dinner he would make a statement at 2 p.m. and tell all he knew about it if he was promised he would not be hung. He was brought before the justice at that hour and signed a sworn statement to the effect that he had bought a wagon and team from them and when he went to get it they refused to give it up. He says he told them if they did not do so he would have them put in jail, when the replied if he attempted it they would kill him and at the same time one of them started at him with an ax. He then shot and killed both men. Reynolds does not appear to be over 16 or 17 years old but parties here say they know him to be more than 18. Murder – “Murder by an Unknown Tramp” – San Antonio, Feb. 20 – Yesterday, an unknown tramp murdered Catarina Ruiz, a drunken Mexican. Ruiz staggered up against the tramp as the latter came out of the rear door of a saloon with a tin can full of beer. The beer spilled and the hobo threw the can in the drunken Mexican’s face. The hobo retreated and the Mexican continued to stagger in his direction, whereupon the tramp drew a razor and with one slash cut the Mexican’s throat. Death resulted in the course of a few seconds through the severing of the jugular vein. Visit – Robert Loewenstein went to Austin last Thursday on business, returning the same day. Marriage – Robert Loewenstein and Miss Bertie Loper were married at the Methodist church on Tuesday evening the 21st inst. at 5 p.m. The couple immediately went to the I. & G. N. Depot where they left for St. Louis. [very lengthy article] Clyde Loper and wife of Victoria were present at the wedding of his sister, Miss Bertie to Mr. Loewenstein. Death – Grandma Casey, age 75, mother of John Casey, died at her son’s home in Black Jack Ridge schoolhouse neighborhood, 12-miles from Rockdale on Thursday, Feb. 16th and was buried at that cemetery on Friday, making the fifth person who was buried there in 2-weeks. Death – Mrs. Francis A. Barge, age 69, died on Jan. 30, 1899, at the home of her son, Judge W. F. Fokes of Sherwood, Texas. She was born in Georgia, March 21, 1830 and was one of a large family of children, several of whom survive her. Of these, her brother, W. L. Locklin, lives at Sherwood and three brothers, A. L. Locklin, J. Z. Locklin, and T. J. Locklin who live in Milam county as do two sisters, Mrs. Martha Guthrie and Mrs. Nannie Fulcher, while her remaining sister, Mrs. Amanda Holcomb, resides in Bell county. The family moved to Texas in 1845, settling in Milam county where the deceased lived until Jan. 1898. On Sept. 24, 1851, she married Charles Fokes, the father of W. F. Fokes and Charles N. Fokes of Sherwood. The are her only surviving children. Her husband died in 1864 in Tyler, Texas while in the Confederate service. In June 1867, she married Wm. M. Barge of Milam county and lived near by her old home on the San Gabriel river until the death of Mr. Barge in Nov. 1883. Since that time, she has made her home with her youngest son Charles. Mrs. Barge was in good health until 1891, during which year she suffered from a severe attack of la grip, from which she never entirely recovered; yet her actual decline dates from last August. At 4:30 p.m., on Jan. 30, she passed away. [very lengthy article] Birth – Bethlehem – Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. J. L. Keys last Friday morning. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 2 Mar 1899 Death – Gause – Our community was thrown into deep mourning a few days ago by the burning death of Mrs. Eugene Smith; Mr. Smith lives on the line of Milam and Burleson counties. Last Friday afternoon, she was sweeping out the house and her dress caught fire from the fireplace. She and her three little children were alone and before assistance could reach her, her clothing had burned off her. She was buried at Fraimville (?) last Sunday. Death – “Died in Jail” – Dallas, Feb. 23 – J. W. Logan of Mangum, Greer county, O.T. was found dead in the main corridor of the Dallas city prison at police headquarters yesterday morning. He was placed in prison on Feb. 19 on a charge of temporary insanity. Tuesday night he became violent and frequently threw himself against the prison walls and kept up a wild screaming for several hours until he was physically exhausted. When laid out at the morgue, his body presented a horrible sight. There were bruises and gashes from head to foot and scarcely a white spot and in places the skin had peeled off. When arrest, he gave his age as 26. [lengthy article] Death – “Strange Fatality” – Eagle Pass, Feb. 25 – On the 10th inst., Charles Carter of this county died in Eagle Pass of asthma, His brother George Carter, age 68, was prostrated by the loss of his brother and 1-week later he died. A sister, Miss Anniette Carter, overcome by grief at the loss of her two brothers, took to bed and died 4-days later. The Carters were old settlers of Maverick county. [lengthy article] Death - At Flatonia, the dress of Emma Glepence caught fire and she burned to death. Death - W. F. Jones, who lived about 10-miles from Mount Pleasant was frozen to death. Death – Tom Kline, who was injured by jumping from a runaway hack at San Angelo, died of his injuries. Death – Resolution of Regret at the death of William Cameron of Emory. Death – R. B. Winn, age 78, living 9-miles from Gilmer, one of the first settlers of Upshur county, was found dead in bed. He had been ill for a few days, but not ill enough to take to his bead. Death – Charles Upfold, who was shot at Vernon on Aug. 20, died on the 14th. The ball passed through the spinal column paralyzing him from the waist down. But Dooley is charged with the shooting. Birth – Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Wise last Saturday evening, weight 12- pounds. Death – “One Hundred and Fifteen Years Old” – W. H. Jones presented the Messenger with a tin-type picture of the historic old Madame Candelaria, who was one of the three females in the Alamo when the Texas patriots were massacred by Santa Anna’s army on March 6, 1836, she having been employed, she said by Gen. Sam Houston, to nurse Bowie, who had consumption. This old lady died last month in San Antonio. She was 115 years old last November, she having been born in Nov. 1783. In her death, we lost the last eyewitness of that bloody massacre 63-years ago. Mr. Jones talked with the old lady when in San Antonio 2-years ago and bought a photo from which he had a number of tin-types made. She had been blind several years, but when her photo was taken she had her pet dog in her lap. Death – “Died from Burns” The 3-year old son of Mr. & 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 frightfully burned. Medical skill could not save him. On Sunday morning he died. This is the second fire that has taken loved ones from Mr. Palmer. In the Summer 1888, he had the misfortune of losing his wife and two children by fire. Death – George Rettig of Bethlehem was in the Messenger office Thursday and reported having just received a telegram informing him of the sudden death of his father at his home in Fort Wayne, IN. He had a letter a few days before from his father who was very hale and hearty, stating that his mother was very low and would probably die. Mr. Rettig was expecting to hear of his mother’s death, but not his father’s. He now expects at any moment to hear of the death of his mother. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 9 Mar 1899 Marriage – Davilla – Gus Norman of Thorndale and Miss Fannie Williams of near Buckholts were married last week. Death – San Antonio, March 2 – The remains of the late Private William Warren Lee, Co. B, 4th Texas, who died on Monday afternoon of pneumonia, were shipped to his mother’s home in Riverside, Texas. Death – “Two Deaths from Meningitis” – Fort Worth, March 2 – Jerre Beall and Howell Seigler, two young men of this city died Tuesday after a brief sickness with meningitis. Together they toured Colorado last year and were very much attached to each other. They died within 4-hours of one another. Trial – “Resigned to His Fate” – Waco, March 4 – Walter Ford, age 21, the negro who was convicted of the murder of his sweetheart, Lucinda Moore (daughter of Jesse Moore) on June 25, 1898, and whose case was affirmed by the court of criminal appeals a few day ago is resigned to his fate. He states his conviction of murder in the first degree is unjust and he should have been convicted of murder in the second degree. [lengthy article] Illness – “Dying of Erysipelas” – Cleburne, March 6 – Thomas Lawrence is dying of erysipelas of the face. He established a jewelry business in Cleburne in 1873. He is a Knight Templar, Knight of Pythias and well known throughout the state. Birth – Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. H. Lockwood Tuesday night, making number three, two girls and a boy. Return to City – Robert Loewenstein and bride returned from St. Louis Wednesday morning as happy as birds these beautiful spring mornings. Robert made an extensive purchase of goods for his house, which have been coming in. Death – Capt. Buck Pippin, an ex-ranger and ex-Confederate, died at Waco. Death – Frank Wilson, whose parents are said to be wealthy residents of Coudersport, PA, died at El Paso as the result of an overdose of morphine. Death – The body of C. W. Lehman, carpenter, was found under a tree at Houston. By his side was found an empty bottle that had contained poison. Death – Judge Joseph J. Matthews, a prominent citizen of Greenville and leading attorney, died in that city of paralysis. He was a member of the 3rd Texas Cavalry during the days of 1861-1865. Death – Rufus Hardy, who was injured by the explosion of a stove at San Marcos, died from the accident. Death – A most shocking accident occurred in Junction City. Mrs. West, in pulling an old gun from under the bed accidentally discharged the weapon, the load entering the back of her little infant’s head, killing it instantly. Death – N. N. Conn, age 82, a Mexican war veteran, died at Tilden. He was a native of Missouri and came to Texas in 1836. He served under Ben McCulloch in the Mexican War. He participated in the Battle of Monterey. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 16 Mar 1899 Death – Milano - The infant of Mr. & Mrs. E. R. Jones, which was born on the 7th, died on the 12th. Death – El Paso, March 9 – As a result of a fight with six-shooters in a barroom shortly after midnight Tuesday night, Constable S. M. Karr lies dead with 2-bullet in his head. The fight was between Constable Karr and Policeman John Dennison who was severely injured. [lengthy article] Death – “Head Cut Off” – Caldwell, March 9 – On the night of March 6, on the Chew farm of T. R. Batte, in the Brazos bottom, about 25-miles from Caldwell, a difficulty arose between Charley Roundtree and his cook [female, no name given]. Zack Boteler, who was a cousin of the woman, went over to try to pacify the matter. This enraged Roundtree and he went into the back part of the house, secured an ax and cut at Boteler, who was struck on the neck with the blade of the ax and his head was nearly severed from his body. Boteler ran 7 or 8 steps, then fell and died instantly. John Henry, manager of the farm, arrested Roundtree and sent for Constable Cherry and turned him over. A preliminary trial was held Tuesday before Justice R. T. Puckett and Roundtree was committed without bail and is in the Caldwell jail. All the parties are negroes. Deaths – “Scarlet Fever Victims” – Corsicana, March 9 – The first victim to succumb to scarlet fever is the little daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Dorenfield, which occurred Tuesday night. Mr. Dorrenfield is one of the leading jewelers of the city. Trial – Dallas, March 9 – The trial of Hiram P. Erwin of Kaufman county, on the charge of murdering Major I. G. Randle in Dallas last December will commence in the Dallas criminal district court next Wednesday. [lengthy article] Death – Galveston, March 10 – Richard Koper, proprietor and editor of a German paper at LaGrange was drowned last night. Mr. Koper had been a guest of A. J. Rosenthal, chief deputy collector of customs and in company with Rosenthal was visiting the officers of the German steamship Ellen Rickmers, lying at Pier 10, last night. In descending the ladder on leaving the ship, Koper missed his footing and fell between the vessel and pier into the bay and died before assistance could reach him. He was about age 60 and a bachelor. He had no relatives in this country. Death – “Houston Boy Killed” – Wharton, March 11 – A terrible accident occurred here yesterday in which Frank Skidmore of 2015 Jefferson Ave., Houston, lost his life. As the westbound freight was within a half-a-mile of the depot young Skidmore attempted to look out from a box car, his hand slipped, he fell under the car and nine flats passed over his body, mashing to a pulp both legs and left arm. He lived only half an hour. Death – “Arrested for Infanticide” – Yorktown, March 13 – Officers arrested a negro woman named Trigg here yesterday morning on a charge of infanticide. She confessed and showed where the child was buried. The body was uncovered and found with a handkerchief tightly drawn around the neck. She was taken to the Cuero jail. Birth – Boy born to Rev. & Mrs. T. J. Alfred last Monday Death - C. A. Miller, manager of the Furlow Drug Store at Groveton, Trinity County, died suddenly. Death - Jose Marie Montes, born at San Antonio in 1820, a veteran of the Mexican and Civil Wars, died at Nacogdoches. Death - While sweeping near the fireplace the clothing of Mrs. Pearl Smith caught fire at Gause and she was roasted to death. Death - Maude Daggett of San Diego, CA died at Fort Worth of meningitis. She was the daughter of the first white child born in Fort Worth. Marriage - B. Y. Cummings & Miss Jewel Knox and C. M. Smithdeal & Miss Maizie Robinson were the principals in a double wedding at Hillsboro. Death - “Aunt Nancy” Galbraith, age 105, died in her home on Red River 12-miles north of Bonham, several days ago. She was probably the oldest person in that part of the state, as her age would indicate. Death - George W. Noel, resident of Simonds, a village near San Antonio, while riding along a road was shot in the head by a man whom he knew with a dynamite cartridge, death resulted in 2-hours. Two cartridges were fired. Joe Loewenstein, Jr., one of the most popular and worthy young men of Rockdale, left Monday for a pleasure and business trip to Houston, Galveston and New Orleans. B. Loewenstein was able to be out Monday morning after 10-days tussle with la grippe and a severe and painful boil in the wrong place. Information Wanted - Whereabouts of John K. Browning who left Gibson County, TN about 22-years ago. His sister, now of Rockdale, whose first husband’s name was Ed Maynard, but now Mrs. W. H. Arnold, will be greatly thankful for information of her brother’s whereabouts. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 28 Mar 1899 Photographer - On Feb. 12, 1874, I landed in Rockdale as a Photographer and have followed the business exclusively under the firm name of John Scott and it is the oldest business firm in the city. Fire, Murder & Suicide - Belton, Tex., March 16 - At 6 a.m. yesterday morning the large hardware store of Wilson & Austin burned. The origins was incendiary started at the north- end of the building. Just after the fire alarm was given, Ed Bean, negro, shot and killed his wife [no name given] on East St., near the public school building. He used a double- barreled shotgun. The first load broke her right arm, the next took effect in the head, tearing away nearly all of the back part of the skull and almost emptying it of the brains. He then put a pistol to his own head and sent a bill through it, killing himself instantly. The gun and pistol have been identified by Wilson & Austin as belonging to their stock and the supposition is that he broke into the store and got them with a large amount of ammunition and then fired the store as he was seen coming out of the alley from the back of the store a few minutes before the fire was discovered. He and his wife had been separated for some time. Death - Texarkana, Tex., March 17 - Yesterday morning while Mr. & Mrs. Calvin Scott, who live 3-miles northeast of town, were temporarily absent from home, their little 10- month old baby accidently fell into a 10-gallon keg of water and drowned. Death - Columbus, Tex., March 17 - Since James Coleman was indicted for the murder of Larkin Hope last summer, trouble has been apprehended between Hope’s friends and the friends of the Sheriff at the time, S. H. Reese. The expected trouble started shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday and as a result S. H. Reese is dead, shot through the neck; Charles Boeme is dead, shot accidentally through the upper portion of the body; and a son of S. H. Williams has a flesh wound through the thigh, accidental. Hanging - Milano - The rope with which the famous John B. Shaw was hung came thru Milano last week by express. It was being sent to Franklin to hand a negro. It was a hemp rope about 20-feet long with hangman’s noose attached. Some of the railroad boys cut-off small pieces of it for relics. Hanging - Franklin, Tex., March 18 - The celebrated hemp rope used in swinging Shaw at Cleburne and the negro rapist at Waxahachie into eternity arrived here yesterday morning from Sheriff Logan of Cleburne to Sheriff Townsend of this county. Its next service will be the hanging of Granville Jenkins on the 30th inst. The execution will be private. Jenkins clams to be converted and the negro preachers are constantly attending him. Death - Austin, March 20, Hon. Simpson Park Evans, member of the lower house from Grayson County, died here yesterday of the grip, from an attack of which he had been suffering since December last. The flag at the capitol was floated at half-mast out of respect. His remains were taken to the house yesterday evening, where they laid in state until 10 p.m. last night when a religious services were conducted by the chaplains of both houses after which they escorted the remains to the depot. He was a member of the Odd Fellows. The body was taken north to Taylor over the International & Great Northern and from there to Dallas over the Katy, where the Central train will be held to receive and transport it without delay to Van Alstyne, where the funeral will take place. Death - G. M. Herst, age 64, died at his home near Tanglewood on Sunday, the 19th inst. and was buried on Monday the 20th at 12 o’clock by Rockdale Lodge No. 231, I.O.O.F., of which he was a member. [lengthy article] Death - Isadore Hilton, age 5, son of Mr. & Mrs. W. F. Hilton died at their home near Salty Tuesday evening, March 21st. Birth - Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. Cleve Stribbling early Monday morning. Death - Mrs. Nancy Sandefew, a widow, was found dead in bed at Paris. Death - Mrs. Buckhalt, near Greenville, was severely burned while burning off a patch of ground and died. Death - About 5-miles from Turnersville on Coryell Mountain, Charles McCandles shot and killed A. H. Walton. Death - A. P. Taylor, formerly an Indian scot, who was with Big Foot Wallace on several occasions died at Yorktown. Death - Sink Lee, a Chinaman, was shot to death at Yoakum and his brother wounded. Another Chinaman was arrested and charged with the deed. Death - As the result of a six-shooter fight in a bar-room in El Paso, Constable Karr was killed, Alexander Cooper is seriously and Policeman Denniston badly wounded. Death - Dr. Claiborne Osborne died at his home on Wilbarge creek. He was the last surviving veteran scalped by the Indians and his life and character was of great interest to old Texans over the state. Death - Dr. T. J. Heard, a resident of Texas 60-years, 40 of them being spent at Galveston, died in that city. He was the first president of the Texas Medical Association and a prominent Royal Arch Mason. Death - Thomas Lawrence, who died at Cleburn was of a very distinguished ancestry. He was born in London 68-years ago and was a grandson and namesake of Thomas Lawrence, the distinguished painter, who was of the court of King George III. Birth - Boy born to J. B. Smith of Oak Hill neighborhood on the 15th inst. His grandpa, D. T. Wooten was proud. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 30 Mar 1899 Death - Milano - Mrs. Mattie Owens, daughter of John W. Ford, was buried here Saturday. She leaves four little children, two of whom are little twin boys, 2- months old. “Alcoholic Gas Explodes a 158-Gallon Whiskey Barrel - A Carelessly thrown Match Caused the Trouble” - Last Saturday evening a little before 5 p.m., while John DeBord was sitting on the head of a large barrel, which had contained 156- gallons of Rose Valley whiskey, E. L. Ramsey was standing, resting one are on the barrel and struck a match and lit a cigarette and threw the match over behind him on the head of the barrel, it falling into the tap hole where the faucet had been, igniting the accumulated gas caused by the barrel sitting in the hot sun all afternoon. The barrel had been placed on the edge of the sidewalk in front of the Post Office Saloon by Mr. A. Wolf and belonged to Rob E. Williams, who, sold it to Julius Ludwig. Mr. DeBord was thrown several feet in the air and fell on the plank bridge over the gutter at the edge of the sidewalk bleeding and unconscious. Mr. Ramsey was thrown 10 or 12-feet to the Old Corner Drug Store where he recovered consciousness. He was burned about the face and head and had his right arm badly brushed. Will Cook was leaning against the barrel and his face was slightly burned and beard and hair singed. [lengthy article] Two Rockdale Boys in the Fight - The 3rd. U.S. Infantry, which left New York on Feb. 3rd and arrived at Manila on March 21st, went right to the front and was in the continued fighting. Sid Allen, son of Dr. E. W. Allen and Howard Shapard, son of J. S. Shapard are members of Co. A. [lengthy article] Marriage - Sandy Creek - Miss Lizzie Parret and Joe Neswitt were married last week and are going to live on the Lawrence place. Death - Rio Grande City, Tex., March 23 - Early yesterday morning Rafael Aldrate, an old man and long residence of this place was found dead in bed, murdered. His head was crushed in with some blunt instrument. The old man lived alone and the object of the murder appears to have been robbery as all trunks, bureau drawers and everything of a like kind was disturbed. The old man lived a miser’s life and many believed he had large sums of money hidden on his premises. Death - Fort Worth, March 23 - The life of a little girl was taken last evening by her little brother in childish play. They are the children of Mr. & Mrs. W. A. Francis, 109 S. Main St. The boy, age 4, and the girl, age 3. They were playing in the yard and had some matches and in an effort to start a fire, the little girl’s dress was set on fire and she was burned to death. Murderer Hanged - Houston, March 25 - The negro, Pate Burton or Pink Hines, was dropped into eternity at 12 o’clock, 47 minutes and 6 seconds this afternoon. The last words he spoke being, “That’s a d___d lie.” and they were spoken just after the black cap was adjusted. He was standing on the trap door and said, “If any man sees me tremble, speak out.” A voice from the crowd said, “I saw it.” And promptly came the words quoted above. He never appeared for a moment to lose his nerve or to have any fear of death and insisted upon it being known by all men that he didn’t profess religion and did not want anyone to think he did. He protested his innocence even when upon the scaffold. The crime for which Burton paid the death penalty was the murder of Henry Meyers, Emelia Meyers, his wife, and their child in the cradle. This triple crime was committed at the Meyers’ home near Cypress, in this county on July 18, 1898. Mr. & Mrs. Meyers were killed by being chopped in the head with an ax as they were taking a siesta upon the front gallery of their home afer their noonday meal. Mr. Meyers will killed outright and Mrs. Meyers was left for dead, while Burton went inside the house to complete his work of butchery by tying to kill Gotlieb Meyers, about age 12. The baby, as it lay in the cradle, was struck over the head with a hatchet, dying a few days later from the effect and Burton was assaulting Gotlieb and had struck him a blow over the head with the hatchet and cut him in the hand with a knife, when the agonizing screams of Mrs. Meyers attracted the negro’s attention as he went then to silence the dying woman. Young Gotlieb jumped from a window and carried the news to the house of the nearest neighbor, Gotlieb Zorn. Hanging - Franklin, March 25 - The gallows have been completed on which Granville Jenkins, colored, is to be executed on March 30th for the murder of Pete Odom of Mumford, Texas. Jenkins was convicted at the June term of district court last year and the court of criminal appeals affirmed the verdict. Jenkins has professed religion, but spends his time drawing comic and obscene pictures purporting to represent Gov. Sayers, the jury and prosecuting attorneys. Remains to be Brought Home - El Paso, March 27 - J. C. Ross, undertaker leaves today for Chihuahua, Mexico to exhume the remains of Sam Wade, Civil Engineer, buried more than a month and bring them here for interment. During Gov. Ahumada’s recent visit to El Paso, the deceased’s relatives applied to him for permission to remove the body and he gave them an order for the removal, remitting all fees except a small export duty. Davilla - Ed Sontag’s father has received notice from Washington that the French spoliation claims have been granted in the year of 1797. Mr. Sontag’s grandfather [no name given], who was a wealthy merchant of Philadelphia had three of his ships and their cargoes confiscated by the French. The Sontag claim amounts to about $32,000. Death - Davilla - John Brown, age 14, son of Mr. & Mrs. Ben Brown, died Saturday night at 11 p.m. with meningitis. He was at school on Friday and was feeling bad but would not go home and stayed until school was out. On the way home, he had to rest several times and was unconscious when he reached there. The remains were interred in the Davilla cemetery on Sunday. Death - Mrs. A. J. Russell, age 74, dropped dead at Terrell. Death - Gonzales A. Sanchez, former Mexican Consul at Laredo, died there of heart disease. Death - Jim Johnson, a Sherman epileptic, died in that city after a series of frightful convulsions. Death - Mrs. A. R. Hunt, age 74, one of Fannin county’s oldest pioneers died at Bonham. Death - Dr. Robert Robertson, age 72, of Sylyan, Smith County, a practicing physician of that section for over 50-years died suddenly. Marriage - The first Jewish wedding solemnized at Corpus Christi for many years took place on the 14th, when J. A. Simon of Victoria and Miss Soraphine Oppenheimer were married. Death - Rev. W. J. Anderson, an aged Presbyterian minister, father of Rev. W. M. Anderson, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Dallas, died suddenly in that city. He was formerly a prominent citizen in Tennessee. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 13 April 1899 Visiting - Milano - E. P. Griscom went down to San Antonio last Monday to visit his wife, who is in the asylum there. Mr. Griscom says she is not improving as rapidly as he had hoped she would. However, he finds she has improved some. Killing - Brenham, April 7 - The jury in the case of Reinhardt Fischer, charged with killing Henry Kraemor, brought in a verdict of guilty and sentenced him to 7-years in the penitentiary. The killing with which Fischer is charged is that of Kraemor of Greenvine, this county, whose mangled body was found upon the track of the Santa Fe railroad on the morning of Feb. 2nd. Mary Eliza Hadley, colored, stated she saw the fatal blow struck. Circumstances were brought in by the state to corroborate her. [lengthy article] Terrell Insane Asylum - Dr. J. T. Wilson, superintendent says quite as many patients as we can accommodate. [lengthy article] Criminal Assault - Weimar, Tex., April 7 - Rosa Macha, age 16, a Bohemian girl was criminally assaulted yesterday evening about 6 p.m. on the railroad tracks 3-miles east of town by a young negro about age 22. Her condition is critical in the extreme as she was struck on the head with a rock. She has three wounds on her head, her skull being fractured in one place. Death - Paris, Tex., April 8 - Charles Berard was found dead in front of his hut, 5-miles from Paris, yesterday morning. He came here 7-years ago, bought a farm, built a rough slab hut and led a hermit existence. He only cultivated what land he could till himself, letting the balance grow in weeds. His hut was in the woods and nobody was allowed to enter. The hut was fastened with a steel bar and could only be opened from the outside by pulling an invisible string. He said he was a Belgian but never revealed his past to anyone. He expressed a wish that when he died, his effects be destroyed and his body burned with them. The only scratch of pen found in the hut was a postal card postmarked Springfield, MA, Sept. 2, 1890 addressed to Mrs. E. L. Humphrey, Pittsfield, MA. The postal card was written in French. Death - Dallas, April 5 - Robert Elliott, age 25, an unmarried white man, who makes his home with his mother at 103 Benson St., yesterday evening killed T. E. Lewis, an agent for a Northern crayon portrait painting concern and who lived with his family in the house next door. Elliott saw Lewis leave his home and pursued him with a shotgun and fired at him five times with buckshot. At last two shots too effect in Lewis’ head, while he was running for his life, killing him instantly. Lewis was unarmed. Elliott claims Lewis was had insulted his mother. Soon afterwards, Elliott mounted a horse and rode down into the city, surrendered to a policeman and was locked up in the county jail. Foul Play Feared - Brenham, April 8 - Ernest Wied, living a mile from Brenham, a cattle dealer, drove a bunch of cattle to Round Top on Thursday and sold for $500. He left for home Thursday night and left two boys who were working for him to follow yesterday. The boys arrived this afternoon but Mr. Wied is yet to arrive. It is feared he has been killed and robbed. Death - Encinal, Tex., April 10 - Yesterday afternoon about 3 p.m. a Mexican woman [no name given] who has been cooking for Mrs. Blasa Carr on a ranch ½- mile out, was found almost burned to death. She said that while cooking breakfast, her clothes caught fire on the floor being blown over it by a gust of wind. She was by herself and too severely injured to call for help. She is not expected to live. Death - “Negro Killed at Temple” - Temple, April 11 - Sunday night at 1:30 a.m., John Venny shot and killed a negro, Ed Ballew at the Katy depot. The negro worked at the Puckett restaurant and he and Venny had exchanged words. Venny got on a hack and went to the Katy depot and the negro followed. A few words were exchanged, Venny demanding that the negro retract which the negro refused to do and pulled his pistol. Venny drew his pistol and when the first shot of Ballew missed its mark, Venny shot the negro in the lower abdomen. Three shots were fired by each party but only the shot in the abdomen of the negro took effect. Ballew died shortly. Venny came up town and reported to the officers. He waived examination and was granted bond in the sum of $1,000, which he readily gave. Death of Hon. Evans - Sherman, Tex., April 11 - A rumor is prevalent on the streets that Hon. S. P. Evans, deceased, was murdered. The bruises on his face and contusion on the back of his head indicate foul play and it is now believed he was the victim of an assault between the capitol building at Austin and his hotel the night before his illness was announced. A quiet investigation has been in progress, but so far no incriminating evidence has been found. Death - Gainsville, Tex., April 11 - The 2-year old child of Mr. & Mrs. John Mathis and the 3-year old son of Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Davis, and a negro child [no name given] died from meningitis yesterday. Eight Years Ago - The following is a Clippings from The Messenger of May 14, 1891 - N. M. Gilchrist and Miss Lizzie Lee were married at the home of the bride’s father, J. L. Lee on the San Gabriel, Sunday morning last at 10 a.m. Marriage - Sandy Creek - Some of our folks went down to Milano last Sunday night expecting to witness the marriage of Mr. Manuel and Miss Maggie Stewart. But instead of being married in Milano, they went out to the home of Rev. Francisco, about 3-miles from town and were married there. Cemetery - The Jewish citizens of Greenville are to have a cemetery. Death - Dr. J. W. Prince, a physician, Mason and Knights of Honor of Bell county, died at Rogers. Death - Capt. Carpenter Reed, who 59-years ago built the first house in Hill county, died in that county a few days ago. Death - Charles Graham, a railroad man, was shot and killed at Del Rio. Ike Johnson, a carpenter was arrested and charged with the killing. Death - Prof. C. O. Smith, who was superintendent of the McKinney public schools, died in that city. At the time of his death, he was interested in the McKinney academy. Death - John Foggy was found dead in his bed at Georgetown by his wife when she went to call him for breakfast. He had been suffering from Bright’s Disease for a year but seemed better the last 2-months. Death - E. S. Glasscock took 2-ounces of nitric acid at Fort Worth some time ago. He was horribly burned internally and bled nearly a bucket full of blood from his body. Olive oil was given and he seemed to be doing well, but a reaction followed and he died. Marriage - Cards are out for the marriage of Prof. G. M. Ryan and Miss Nell Vallis at the Baptist church on Thursday the 20th inst. Death - Mr. & Mrs. F. Sidel lost their infant baby, 2-months old, on Tuesday morning of this week. Bro. H. Henniger came in Tuesday morning after a coffin. Death - V. B. Orr’s little boy [James Allen Orr] was kicked by a horse over the right eye last Saturday morning. He died Wednesday at 3:30. Death - Davilla - Dr. J. W. Price, age 46, died at his home at Rogers on the morning of the 3rd of meningitis. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 20 April 1899 Marriage - Gause - John Stone and Miss Livie Dean of the Cedar Creek area were married Sunday at the bride’s home. Death - Milano - After a lingering illness of several months, Mrs. A. E. Russell, wife of A. S. Russell died on the morning of the 13th at about 6 a.m. The remains were interred in the city cemetery at 6 p.m. in the evening. Jury Selection - Dallas, April 15 - Jury selection for the trial in criminal district court of Hiram P. Erwin for the killing of I. G. Randle on Dec. 19th last. Trial - Dallas, April 18 - There was an immense audience that attended the Erwin murder trial in Judge Clint’s court yesterday. It was established as a fact beyond dispute that I. G. Randle was killed by H. P. Erwin because of the latter’s failure to receive money demanded for hiving committed the crime of arson for Randle. The arson had been known for nearly 2-years and that for fully 1-year Erwin had been determined to kill Randle unless he paid the money balance he claimed. C. H. Alexander testified that Randle hired Erwin to burn the Eakins homestead in this city on which he held $15,000 insurance and that Randle had paid Erwin money for the crime and that Erwin frequently demanded more money and had often told him (Alexander) unless it was paid he would kill Randle. Hillyar Alexander, C. H. Alexander’s brother, and Thome Turney testified to many of the same facts. Defense requested a recess and it was granted. Suicide - Galveston, April 17 - A young man giving his name as John Anderson registered at Tiveli hall, a lodging house at the corner of Market and 21st St., about 3 o’clock Saturday night and was assigned a room. Yesterday morning at 8 a.m. he was found dead, an almost empty bottle of cocain being near by. Coroner Barry was notified and held an inquest over the remains after which the body was removed to the undertakers. Later in the day, the body was taken to the home of his father on Market and from there the funeral will take place. Letters found in the clothes were addressed to John Aymes and that is said to be his correct name. His father is John O. Aymes, a well known cotton broker who has lived in Galveston a number of years. “Remember San Jacinto” - 63rd Anniversary of the battle [lengthy article] Death - “Mrs. Russell Dead” - After more than 2-years debilitated condition and several month’s severe suffering, Mrs. Ann Eliza Langdon Russell, (age 69 years, 4 months and 4 days), wife of A. S. Russell of Milano died on the morning of the 13th inst. at her home of dropsy. She was born in Burkshire County, MA on Dec. 9, 1829. Descended from the illustrious Jno. Hancock family of 1776 fame. She devoted many years of her unmarried life to teaching school in Massachusetts, New York, Nevada, California, Mississippi and Texas, holding at the time of her death a large number of certificates of competency from many states. In 1869 she was married to A. S. Russell and was the mother of only one child, Langdon Hancock Russell. She was buried at the Milano cemetery. [very lengthy article] Death - San Gabriel - [This communication was crowded out of last issue - Ed.] - Mr. Dodson’s little infant died Wednesday. The remains were buried in the Locklin cemetery Thursday. Death - San Gabriel - [This communication was crowded out of last issue - Ed.] - Mrs. Malery, the lady who had the measles at Dr. Hubbard’s, died Saturday and was buried in the Locklin cemetery Sunday. Death - J. R. Gibson, a well known ranchman was found dead in bed at San Angelo Marriage - J. N. Vaughan, age 65, and Mary Jane King, age 60, were married at Waxahachie. Death - Mrs. George Boyd and her daughter, age 12, at Paris, both who were sick with meningitis, died within a short while of each other. Trial - The J. A. Bennett murder case was continued at Hillsboro. He is charged with the murder of Mrs. Jenkins near Blum in Dec. 1897/ Death - Mrs. M. J. Driggers of Briar Branch died on March 24th. She leaves a husband and six children. Death - Lee Harwell, age 56, fell dead (supposed from heart failure) last Wednesday evening about 4 o’clock, while grubbing on the farm on which he was living, on the Yega, about 5-miles south of Rockdale. The remains were interred beside his wife and children in the city cemetery Thursday evening by the ex- Confederate soldiers. He was known as one of the best and most industrious workers in Milam county and dropped dead while working in the field with a negro an. The negro man was plowing. Death - Davilla - The 2-month old child of Mr. & Mrs. Smith living on the McAninch place died last Friday. It was buried at Friendship Saturday. Death - Davilla - Wm. Evans who lived on Mr. Crunk’s farm last year, died with meningitis at his home in Stephens county recently. Marriage - Davilla - Miss Zada Bolin and Steve Stiles will be married at the Christian church next Thursday evening. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 27 April 1899 “Killing at Lexington” - William Mundine Shot and Killed by Constable Cige Heffington” - Last Saturday about 3 o’clock, at Lexington, Cige Heffington shot William Mundine, and Monday morning Mundine died from his wounds. Heffington shot at Mundine six times, hitting him twice, once in the right side near the nipple, which shot caused his death. Death - “Two Men Killed” - Corrigan, Tex., April 24 - About 13-miles northwest of this place in Trinity county, at an island post office, Trevat, L. C. Harding, a merchant got into a difficulty with James Trebatham. Edward Harding went to his brother’s assistance, shooting Trebathan. While in the scuffle Trebathan got L. C. Harding’s pistol and shot Edward Harding, killing almost instantly. He then turned and began shooting at L. C. Harding, striking him about the right temple. The ball glanced and ran around the skull. Trebatham is reported dead, he was shot a number of times in different parts of the body. The Harding family are old settlers of Polk county and lived near Moscow, in this county, and they were never known to have any trouble before. Trial - Engineer W. C. Coleman, charged with killing his fireman, H. Lagow, at Marshall has been placed under $5,000 bond. Trial - James Ballentine and George Ballentine, charged at Rockwall with killing Will Sullivan, colored, were admitted to bail at $2,500 each. Death - The body of the man found drowned at Fort Worth several days ago has been identified as that of John McGee, a painter, whose home was Carrow, IN. Marriage - R. C. Mitchell, age 72, and Miss Bessie Woodard, age 23, of Muddig, Hunt county, were married at Greenville. This is the groom’s fifth marriage. Trial - Henry Norwood and his wife, Belle Norwood, charged at Gonzales with causing the death of an orphan boy, age 11, who made his home with them were placed under $500 and $700 bond respectively, the wife being placed under the larger sum. Marriage - A. T. Stevens of Dallas and Miss N. D. Williams of Washington, DC were married at the Hotel Worth, at Fort Worth. Miss Williams is the daughter of the late Hon. Joseph L. Williams, for many terms congressman from Knoxville, TN. Death - Davilla - Little Mildred Joslin, age 2, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Will Joslin, died Tuesday evening and was buried Wednesday evening at the Laughlin cemetery. Suicide - Davilla - W. A. Stewart committed suicide in his office at the courthouse in Sonora, Texas on the 12th inst. He once lived in Cameron and leaves a wife and son. Veteran - C. W. Gilmore and little girl Patsy Avis, of Gano, were pleasant visitors on Monday morning. Gilmore is an old citizen of Milam county. He enlisted in Capt. Lasure’s Company D, 4th Texas Cavalry as a Confederate soldier in 1861. Death - Mrs. Julia Cuff, age 76, died at the home of Mrs. W. J. Wade, near Oakdale on Saturday, the 22nd inst., and was buried at Harmony cemetery on Sunday. Death - Mrs. Amanda Anderson, age 78, wife of Wm. R. Anderson, of the Kolb neighborhood, died on the 18th inst. She left an aged husband and five grown children. Death - “Captain B. I. Arnold Dead” - Sunday’s Galveston News contained an account of the death of Captain B. I. Arnold of Cameron. We have known Captain Arnold since he came to the county in 1869. He leaves a wife, whom we knew in childhood and three lovely daughters. Marriage - Professor G. M. Ryan and Miss Nell Wallis, last Thursday evening at the Baptist church. After the ceremony, the wedding party moved to the home of Mr. & Mrs. Jack Hale on College Hill where they held a grand reception. [lengthy article] Birth - Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. Otto Lingert last Thursday. Death - The 3-month child of Mr. & Mrs. Louis Diehl died Wednesday evening about 3 o’clock and will be buried in the Odd Fellows’ cemetery today. Marriage - Miss Iva Worley and Will Poole were married Saturday night, the 22nd inst. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 4 May 1899 Insane - Gause - Jessie Duke who lives with his father on Brown Bro.’s farm in the Brazos bottom is reported to have lost his mind. He will be taken to the asylum as soon as arrangements can be made. Birth - Gause - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. Horace Dean, weight 12-pounds, on Wednesday morning. Birth - Rosebud - Twins born, one boy and one girl, to Mr. & Mrs. A. M. Ocher Birth - Last Tuesday, a boy was born to Mr. & Mrs. Fred York, weight only 2¼- pounds on Friday, when 3-days old. The child is fully developed Disinterment - T. J. Sheppard of Liberty Hill and brother-in-law, R. L. Darwin of Waco, came to the city Tuesday to remove the remains of Mr. Darwin’s brother, who was interred in the I.O.O.F. cemetery 3-years ago. Murder - San Antonio, May 1 - Mrs. Helen Madarasz, a lineal descendant of Count Ujhase, governor of one of the Hungarian provinces, who committed suicide when Austria and Hungary were united and whose family was afterwards exiled and came to San Antonio, was murdered and robbed and left to burn to a crisp at 2 a.m. yesterday morning at her home near this city. She was struck in the head with a hatchet, the bedding and room were soaked with coal oil and set afire. She leaves two married sons. [very lengthy article] Birth - Davilla - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. Perry King on Monday Marriage - Davilla - Mr. Caldwell of Rogers and Miss Julia Hurt, at the home of the bride’s sister, Mrs. Joe Taylor on Tuesday morning. Death - J. B. Chattin, a stenographer, was found dead in bed at Greenville. Death - Thomas R. Taylor, a Grayson county pioneer, died suddenly at his home 5-miles east of Sherman. Death - Mrs. Rhoda Cross, age 99, the oldest resident of Erath county, died at Stephenville several days ago. Death - J. A. Arnold, who lives 3-miles west of Roanoke, who was kicked by a horse some time ago, died from his injuries. Death - The remains of ex-attorney general Carr of Colorado, who died at Mineral Wells, were taken by his daughter to Longmont, CO, their home. Death - A telegram was received at Eagle Pass from Vera Cruz, Mexico, announcing the drowning death of Fred G. Gloppentine, a former citizen of San Antonio and that place. Burial - E. T. Harding, who was shot and killed near Trevat, in Trinity county, was buried at the Harding cemetery near Moscow. L. C. Harding, a brother of the deceased, received a flesh wound in the neck. Mr. Trevathan, who did the shooting, was also killed, having been shot by E. T. Harding, the deceased. Birth - Girl born to W. S. Spinks of Bethlehem, weight 7-pounds on Sunday, the 23rd inst. B. Loewenstein, A. Wolf and Gus Backhaus went to Austin to attend the meeting of the grand lodge of the Sons of Hermann. Injury - Last Saturday morning, Mrs. J. J. Hairston and members of the family, of Sand Grove, started to town in a wagon. Mrs. Hairston’s father, Mr. Todd, was driving and they had hardly got started when the wheels of the wagon struck a stump, rock or log and threw Mrs. Hairston out, one of the wheels caught her knee, tearing or breaking the knee cap, causing a great deal of suffering. Marriage - Louis H. Porter and Miss Alice Hamblen of Salado, were married in Salado Tuesday morning and the couple arrived in the city at 4:30 p.m. the same evening. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 4 May 1899 Death - Marlin, Tex., May 6 - Hon. George W. Finger, commissioner of the general land office, died here Thursday night after an illness of a few days, having been stricken with paralysis last Tuesday. The body will be interred at Arlington in Tarrant county, the birth place of the deceased. His wife and brother were with him when he passed away. Death - Kenedy, Tex., May 8 - L. E. Englehorn, conductor of a stock train on the San Antonio & Aransas Pass, was brought here last night fatally injured, having fallen from his train between Normanna and Pettus. His skull being badly crushed. He has a wife and child in Yoakum. Death - Bertram, Tex., May 9 - Sunday at 11 o’clock, Claud Snow, age 14, son of C. Snow, was thrown under from his horse and crushed under the horse so badly that he died Sunday night at 12 o’clock. He was running his horse and collided with another horse. Answered the Last Roll Call - Heroes of 1861-1865 are fast passing away. The following distinguished Confederate veterans answered the last roll call during 1898: Jan. 8 - Ex-Governor L. S. Ross, age 60, at College Station Death - Davilla - Mrs. Eva Butterfield died at her home last Friday after a short illness. She leaves a husband and one child. Confederate Veteran - Sam L. Richards left for the great reunion of old Confederates in Charleston, SC. Richards came to Milam county in 1859 and was a member of Terry Rangers. He has sold his real estate in Milam county and after the reunion, will go to his former home in Virginia. [lengthy article] J. B. Hamilton, Joe Loewenstein, Jr. and C. K. Stribling left Tuesday for Paris, Texas, where they will attend the State Fireman’s convention as representatives of the Rockdale fire dept. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 18 May 1899 Marriage - Gause - Mr. Anderson of Ballinger, Texas and Miss Cunningham of Gause were married at Franklin, Texas. Report of the Grand Jury - April term 1899 - This grand jury find that some of the convicts have been cruelly and shamefully whopped by two of the guards to wit: Jim Mullinax and Will Young, employed on the Batte farm. This abuse was carried to an extreme such that two negro convicts were unable to work and two whites had been whipped in a like manner. We would recommend that the county commissioners appoint a person whose especial duty it shall be to visit and see that these convicts are not unduly punished or overworked. W. B. Woody, Foreman of the Grand Jury [very lengthy article] Death - Tim Dunn of Oak Hill, died at his home Monday evening at 7 p.m. and was buried at the Hat Prairie cemetery [now known as Forest Grove Cemetery] on Tuesday evening. Death - Eagle Pass, May 15 - The remains of Lawrence McKinney, age 20, who was killed in the cyclone at Hondo, Mexico were brought here yesterday and interred. He was a son of Superintendent R. M. McKinney of Hondo coal mines. There were 23 people killed in the cyclone with 68 injured, including Superintendent McKinney. All killed, with the exception of Lawrence were Mexicans or Chinamen. Hondo is about 100-miles south of here. Trial - Waco, May 16 - S. T. Dexter, charged with killing J. A. Johnson on Saturday was admitted to bail in the sum of $750. Mrs. Dexter testified that Johnson had attempted assault on her and that she had told her husband about it. The assault was attempted on Thursday, May 11th when Johnson came to Dexter’s house on Saturday she and her daughters retired to the backyard and while Johnson was in the house Dexter came and on seeing Johnson in the house shot him twice with a shotgun. John was a young man and lived about 4-miles from Dexter’s place but was formerly employed by Dexter. Death - San Antonio, May 16 - Mrs. Mathilda Tessman, age 71, died in this city yesterday from a rattlesnake bite. The reptile struck the woman in the knee while she was milking her cows Sunday evening. The poison rendered her unconscious immediately and she died early yesterday morning without recovering consciousness. Trial - El Paso, May 17 - Antonio Flores, a middle aged Mexican, charged with the murder of Ramon Vizcaya, a girl, was found guilty and sentenced to hang. Flores stabbed the young girl to death several weeks ago because she refused to marry him. Death - Mrs. Mary Ann Croft, a Canadian by birth, but a resident of Duval county for 20- years, is dead. Death - John T. Melton a farmer and stockman of Collin county died near McKinney. Death - Claudia Snow, son of C. S. Snow of the Whitehouse neighborhood was thrown from his horse and killed. Death - The 10-month old child of Axel Malberg, a prominent Swedish farmer, living a few miles out from Georgetown, reached up to a pan of water on the stove and pulled it over on itself, scalding itself, and the child died from the effects. Death - John Holt, the past 6-years a voucher and bill clerk in the division superintendent’s office of the Santa Fe, was buried at Temple, having died from typho-pneumonia. He was a native of Scotland and had no relatives in this country. Twenty Years Ago - Way back in the 1870s I lived at Davilla. Now I am visiting my step- mother for the first time since 1881. My half brother is now 21-years old. In Feb. 1883 my father died at this place, his homestead. He was age 70 and had five sons and one daughter now living. By G. W. Williams [very lengthy article] Joe Young, Ben Loewenstein and Ed Hewitt are on a fishing and hunting trip on the San Marcos river. Death - After a long and lingering affliction, Dr. Stephen Colquitt Cawthon died Monday evening at 3 p.m., at the home of his father-in-law, J. R. Rowland on Burleson St. The doctor’s oldest sister, Miss Mary had been with him for several months and his youngest sister, Miss Missouri of DeFuniak Springs, FL arrived that morning and was with her brother just 5-hours before his death. Mrs. Alice Lee of Waxahachie came in on the morning of the 16th to attend the funeral. He leaves a wife and sisters. The funeral was Tuesday evening at 4:30 p.m., after which the Woodsmen of the World took charge and interred the remains in the city cemetery. Birth - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. Clare Ramsey on Tuesday morning, the third child and first boy. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 25 May 1899 License to Marry: James Taylor and Sarah Hawkins; Primus Bradley and Susie Jones; N. T. Mattock and A. B. Evans; Otto Katz and Katie Diehl; Rafael Vasquez and Clemecia Covillo; G. W. Zedlitz and Cora Penny; Meshack Smotts and Mary Wilson; Henry Dorrah and E. J. Smith; W. R. West and Lizzie Corun. Death - A little girl of Mr. & Mrs. John Parker, living on Mrs. Pleasant’s farm near the city was drowned Monday by falling into a tank. Proceedings of Commissioners’ Court: Mrs. Floy Nunly asked the county for aid and support. Harrison Aycock be dropped from the rolls as he is over age and not liable for poll tax. Tom Morak will be granted $10 per month for his idiotic child for a period of 6- months. Death - Texarkana, Tex., May 23 - Babe Wommack, a farmer at Red Water, Texas, 10- miles west of this city, while mounting his horse yesterday, lost his footing and fell to the ground. A revolver that he had in his back pants pocket discharged, sending a ball through his body. He died instantly. Cyclone in Erath County - Fort Worth, May 23 - Some 50 people were killed Monday noon when a cyclone passed over the northwestern portion of Erath county. William Kauffman was instantly killed when lighting struck a building at Mount Pleasant, Titus county. Death - Navasota, May 23 - A negro boy named Johnnie Gothron was drowned in the Brazos river near the Allen farm on Sunday and the body has not been found. He was sitting in a small boat fishing and the boat capsized. Death - Paris, Tex., May 24 - Ollie Sims, a young woman was found dead in bed near Roxton yesterday morning. Justice Shaw held an inquest and reached the conclusion that she was frighted to death during the electrical storm. Death - Beeville, Tex., May 24 - Colonel John S. Crump, the noted pioneer, who has been confined to his bed in this city for several weeks, died yesterday at 7 o’clock. He was buried yesterday evening in the Beeville cemetery. Colonel Crump was a native of Alabama. He came to western Texas in the early 1840s. Death - Rabbi Sodousky of the San Antonio Orthodox Jewish congregation died suddenly. Death - Col. E. B. Smyth, a pioneer citizen of Mart, at one time a member of the penitentiary board under Gov. Hogg, died very suddenly at that place. Death - Dr. Douglass Harris, age 69, a pioneer citizen and physician of Hill county is dead. He was a native of Alabama and a Mason. Death - William E. Ewing, age 61, died in Texarkana. He was an old engineer having worked on the Iron Mountain railroad for a number of years. His remains were interred by the A. P. Hill Camp of United Confederate Veterans. Another Newspaper - Vol. 1, No. 2 of the People’s Searchlight, J. S. Bradley editor, O. F. Dornblaser associate editor, Cresent Printing Co. publishers, Hillsboro, Texas. Birth - Davilla - Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. Will Caskey Marriage - Zula Box of Rockdale and Miss Nona Biles of Corn Hill were married at the home of the bride’s parents on Sunday, the 21st at 10 o’clock. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 1 June 1899 Marriage - Gause - Dr. Dallas Mays and Miss Wilie Sparks were married Sunday morning a 11 o’clock Death - Mrs. John Parks and three little children visit the Messenger office last Saturday. Mrs. Parks is the mother of the little 2-year old girl who drowned in a big pond near their home on Monday evening while the family had been in the field at work. Two little girls went to the pond and the 2-year old fell in and was drowned. The other 4-year old was found ringing her hands. Her mother called to her and the little child said her sister was in the tank and could not swim. The father and mother hastened to the pond and the 2-year child was floating on the water dead. Tribute of Respect - S. C. Cawtnon, Pin Oak Camp No. 222, Woodsmen of the World. [lengthy article] Death - Sister Hairston, wife of Amos Hairston died at her home on May 25 in Sipe Springs settlement. She had not been well for some time and on Sunday morning she became speechless almost instantly and lived until Thursday evening when she died. [lengthy article and poem] Trial - Angleton, Tex., May 29 - The preliminary examination of Frank Chapman for killing Abe Harshaw was held in this city Saturday. Defendant was remanded without bail. Mr. Harshaw came to this county from Grayson county recently with his family. [lengthy article] Death - Montgomery, Tex., May 29 - M. W. McNew, manager of Downey Brothers’ tie camp at bobbin, Texas, 5-miles west of here was shot and killed by Kid West, a negro, about 8 p.m. Saturday night. McNew had an altercation with him during the evening and while he was washing his hands in the commissary, West stepped up to the door and shot him, the ball penetrating the bowels and passing through the bladder. Trial - Canton, Tex., May 30 - Dr. Henry Barnes, who killed R. M. Bridges last week and whose examining trial before County Judge John S. Spinks resulted in remand without bail. Trial - Waco, May 30 - The case of the State vs. Jim Bob Crow, charged with murder, went to trail here yesterday morning. The case was transferred from Milam county last year and was tried in the 54th district court, resulting in a hung jury. He was twice given a life sentence but his case was reversed both times. Death - Waco, May 31 - Professor R. C. Magoldi and his little son Joe Magoldi of Gatesville, Texas were drowned in the Leon river Sunday night. Their bodies were found in a drift a half-mile below the Cash crossing Monday morning. They had attempted to cross while the river was up. The horse and buggy were washed away and the horse drowned, the finding of the dead animal being the first indication of the sad fate of the father and son. Death - Col. Crump, who went from Alabama to western Texas in the 1840s died at Beeville. Trial - Joe Copoler, on trial in LaGrange charged with the murder of A. T. Record at Schulenburg in the Fall 1897 was acquitted. Death - The child of W. H. Havens, near Lamosco, Fannin county, died from a bean lodging in its throat. Trial - In the preliminary trial at Canton of Henry Barnes, charged with killing Reuben Bridges, a tenant on his farm, the accused was remanded to the grand jury. Death - Grandma Chrestman, age 91, died at the home of her son, Pone Crestman, 3- miles east of Grand Saline. She had lived continuously on the place where she died for 52 years. Trial - In the district court at LaGrange, the jury in the case against Jim Stokes, colored, who was on trial for the murder of another colored man at Flatonia last spring, brought in a verdict of guilty and gave him 25-years. Death - Charles A. Clapp, ex-assistant chief of the Dallas Fire Dept., and in recent years waterworks inspector, died at Dallas after a lingering illness. It is related of the deceased that he could tell every number and street that had water connections. Death - The 4-year old daughter of John Parker, who lives 2-miles west of Rockdale was missed from her home. Search was instituted and she was found floating on the surface of a large tank near by, dead, where she had evidently fallen in and drowned. Marriage - T. J. Newsom of McKinney and Mrs. Mary J. Fonda of Danville, IL, were married in the former city. The bride traveled from her mother’s home to meet the groom, whom she had not seen for 14-years. They were married at the Baptist parsonage. Death - Davilla - Uncle Jimmie Smith and wife attended the funeral of Mrs. Smith’s brother, Mr. Turner; who died at Rogers on Monday, and was buried at the McCane cemetery on Tuesday with Masonic honors. Death - Sandy Creek - We regret to chronicle the death of Mrs. Amos Hairston. She died last Thursday night of paralysis. On Sunday before she was struck speechless and was never able to speak again. Death - San Gabriel - H. M. Moore, age 41, died on April 20th last and was buried in the family cemetery near the San Gabriel river. He was born on Nov. 8, 1858. He leaves a wife with several small children. [lengthy article] Birth - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. C. White on Monday morning. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 8 June 1899 Death - Davilla - The 2-year old child of Mr. & Mrs. Burt, living on J. H. Sever’s place, died one day last week. Marriage - Sandy Creek - Robt. Parrett and Miss Rebecca Lee were married on Wednesday evening, May 30th at 4 p.m. at the home of the bride’s step-father, J. C. Betha. [lengthy article] Death - Sandy Creek - The little daughter, age 2-years and 9-days, of Mr. & Mrs. George Belch died Thursday morning at 9 a.m.. Suicide - Rosebud, June 3 - F. K. McDonald, a fire insurance agent of this place, committed suicide yesterday morning about 9 a.m. by blowing his brains out with a revolver. Business troubles is supposed to have been the cause. His life was insured for $3,000 in the Knights of Pythias endowment rank in favor of his wife. Murder - Mullen, Texas, June 3 - The corpse found in a tank 8-miles east of Mullen, with a bullet hole through the brain and weighed down by the use of wires and stones, first believed to be a man named Kennedy from Bosque county, has been identified as being Gip Gibson (age 50, bachelor) who lived near Indian Gap, Hamilton county, across the mountain, 14-miles east of where the body was found. He was reportedly killed by a Mr. Goodin, age 22 who worked for the deceased. [lengthy article] Shooting - El Campo, Tex., June 3 - In a shooting scrape on Friday, T. D. Fisher shot and killed Scott Porter and son and was shot in the leg himself. [lengthy article] Death - Cisco, Tex., June 5 - Saturday night about 1 o’clock, W. A. Webb, a farmer living 1-mile north of Cisco was found hanging to his wind mill near his home. He left no message of explanation. He leaves a wife and little daughter. Killing - Halletsville, June 6 - Professor Charles Ledbetter was indicted for killing Sam McMurray, a wealthy farmer near Shiner. Mrs. McMurray was also here to qualify as community administratrix and her son Charles McMurray, about grown, accompanied her. Yesterday afternoon at 4 p.m. Ledbetter was stepping off the sidewalk at Rosenberg Bros. into the street between the store and the Lavaca County National Bank, Charles McMurray, who had tied his horse and buggy in the courthouse lot, stepped out from the buggy and with a Winchester fried three shots at Ledbetter, two taking effect. Ledbetter died in his steps. His body was taken to the home of his father, Dr. A. A. Ledbetter, while Sheriff Bennett arrested McMurray and placed him in jail. Trial - Fort Worth, June 6 - Judge Harris rendered his decision in the habeas corpus case of Frank Fossett, who is being held for the murder of Doc Carver last week. Bail was granted at $6,000 which was paid and Fossett was released from custody. Death - Goldthwaite, Tex., June 6 - At the Reeves crossing one evening last week, two young men named Williams and Pace were driving across the river in a wagon, when they were washed by the swift current into deep water and young Pace drowned. The boys lived in San Saba county. Hydrophobia - Greenville, Tex., June 7 - From Quinian there comes the report of one of the saddest and most pitiful cases of physical suffering ever recorded in Hunt county. Seven years ago, W. K. Steger and Holland Pitts were bitten by a mad dog. One year after Pitts died from hydrophobia, but Stegar never at any time showed any symptoms of the dread malady. Six weeks ago he was bitten by a cat, and last Friday when he came from work he told his wife he was sick. His condition continued to grow worse until Saturday, when he lost his mind and attacked his wife. Neighbors were notified and came in and overpowered the unfortunate victim and physicians pronounced the malady hydrophobia. It requires the effort of five or six men to hold him in bed, and he is being attended by Dr. Yates of Poetry and Dr. Merchant of Quinian. When neighbors and friends come in and offer to shake hands, the sufferer has to be watched closely and held or he will bite them. The afflicted man is the son of “Squire Stegar,” a well known citizen of Quinian. Death - Gilbert Turner was killed at McGregor by the accidental discharge of a pistol. Death - L. P. S. Green, age 86, a Dallas county pioneer, died at Oak Cliff Death - Mrs. W. L. Townes, wife of County and District Clerk Towner, died at Ballinger and was buried at Runnels. Exhumation - The body of Miss Pinkie Thomas, interred at Sherman 20-years ago, was exhumed and taken to Nevada, MO and buried beside her parents. Trial - Tom Purvis on trial at Dallas charged with the murder of Ed Hunt, both colored, in that city was adjudged guilty and given 40-years in the penitentiary. Bennie Loewenstein, Jr., Ed Hewitt and Joe Young returned from their western trip last Thursday. They went as far as Mason county and visited the following counties: Williamson, Travis, Hayes, Blanco, Comal, Gillespie, Llano, Burnett and Mason. The boys say Bennie developed to be an expert rabbit chaser and could make a jack rabbit June for the first mile or so. Marriage - J. D. Sandel of Yoakum and Miss Lena Williams of this city were married at the home of R. L. Williams on Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. Mr. Sandel is a workman in the railroad machine shops at Yoakum and is a tall, handsome young man and his bride is a natural beauty. [lengthy article] Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 22 June 1899 License to Marry: G. A. Hallowell and Addie Monroe; A. W. Barnes and Mrs. Annie Riddle; J. R. Crow and Mrs. M. J. Miller; Needham Bradshaw and Almedia Fleming; G. C. Fleming and Lizzie Coley; A. E. Conn and Flora Anderson; O. K. Phillips and Bessie Simms; Antonio Ortiz and Georgia Martinez. Death - San Gabriel - Sam Dotson, age 20, who was raised in this neighborhood, died yesterday at the home of his father in Williamson county and was buried in the Locklin cemetery today. He has been in poor heal for some years. Death - San Gabriel - Mrs. Goset [Gossett], who lived south of Lanesport is dead. Marriage - San Gabriel - Andy C. Conn and Flora E. Anderson both of this neighborhood were married Sunday, June 11th by Squire Looney. Marriage - O. K. Phillips and Miss Bessie Simms were married at the Christian church last Thursday evening at 5 p.m. by Elder Clark of Waco. Mrs. Sue Murray of near Sealy, Tex. A great-aunt of the bride and little grand-daughter Miss Zollie Sterling attended the wedding. [very lengthy article, includes names of attendants, description of music and decorations] Murder Mystery - Denton, Tex., June 17 - The mystery of the murdered man [no name given] whose body was found in Milam creek Thursday remains unexplained. The crime was one of the most cold blooded ever committed in Denton county. It is now believed the man was only stunned when put into the water and weighed down with heavy rocks. Accident - Hillsboro, June 20 - Mrs. Tom Dalton was thrown from a runaway buggy yesterday and fatally injured. She struck a culvert, falling on her head. She is still unconscious. Trial - Fort Worth, June 20 - Judge Harris yesterday sentenced Jim Garlington, the convicted train robber, death with execution on July 28th. Garlington is one of the five men who held up a Santa Fe passenger train near hear July 21 last, in which Engineer Williams and Fireman Whittaker were both shot and killed in the cab and their bodies shoved off the engine. [lengthy article] Fued & Shooting - Groveton, June 21 - Sunday at the old Moore school house in this county, a general family row broke out with the Mericles on one side and the Ashworths and Keels on the other. Amos Keel was fatally shot through the bowels and his son received a severe flesh wound with a knife. It is not known who shot Amos Keel. The fight was the result of a long standing quarrel. Notary - Miss Kate Ward is the first lady to qualify as a notary public in Hunt county. Death - Nietha Baldwin, colored, was shot and killed at a festival at Camden. John Brooks was arrested and granted bail in the amount of $350. Death - W. H. Hale, age 70, farmer, was shot and killed on his farm 6-miles from Texarkana. A man was arrested at Texarkana by Deputy Sheriff Charles Gallagher and placed in jail. Death - The body of young Calvin Finley, who drowned in the Trinity river near Liberty has been recovered. Death - A young man named Poland accidentally shot himself in the side with a piston at the home of August Dewitz near Nacogdoches, from which he died in a few hours. He was visiting his sweetheart at the time and was playing with the pistol as if to shoot himself in her presence, when he let it go off. The Messenger is in receipt of Vol. 1, No. 36 of the Evening Journal of Cameron. It is neatly printed 4-pages, 5-column little daily. Visiting - Ed Loewenstein of Houston is in the city visiting his cousin Bennie Loewenstein Death - Tom Terry, for 30-years a citizen of Milam county, and for many years a deputy sheriff in Milam county, became overheated in the harvest field near Ocher, Bell county, about June 8th and died from the effects. Tom was a good hearted, jolly native Texan. Death - W. M. Beck died at this home in Alvin, Tex. On Monday, June 19th. For many years he was a resident of Rockdale. Death - James Newton Hairston, age 12, son of Mr. & Mrs. J. J. Hairston of Sand Grove died Tuesday the 20th inst. of congestion of the bowels. Send my Boy Home - My boy, James Cooper, about age 18, left his home on Sandy Creek, 8-miles north of Rockdale, Sunday, May 28th. He is a mulatto boy, slim face, front teeth turned black and one tooth on one side broken off. I hope my white or colored friends will send the boy home, if they know where he is. I will pay any one doing so. Jess Cooper (colored) Robt. Loewenstein and wife are taking a holiday at the Mineral Wells, Pal Pinto county, Texas. Visiting - L. Simenson left for his hold home in Camden, MN, last Monday. He will spend the summer there and before returning to Rockdale, will visit his birth place in Denmark. Confederate Vet - J. F. Smith, age 80, of the southeast corner of Milam county, an old Confederate veteran, in indigent circumstances, who enlisted in Co. C, 21st Cavalry Regiment was in Rockdale Wednesday. This old Confederate is seeking a pension and will have no difficulty in getting it. At least we think he should not have any. He is of the Rita Post office, Burleson county. He is looking for old comrades from Capt. Shannon’s company or Carter’s regiment. He enlisted at Spring Creek near Hempstead in the fall 1861. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 22 June 1899 Death - Buckholts - John Holub, who it will be remembered took an over dose of strichnia [(sic) strychnine] about a month ago lingered along till Monday when he died. He leaves a wife and other relatives. Death - Gause - Mrs. Watt of Dallas, her brothers Hill Horn and Will Horn left of the first train for Dallas. Mrs. Watt suffered from consumption. [lengthy article] Marriage - Gause - Dr. T. J. Denson and Miss Della Horn were married Sunday evening. Deaths - Lampass, June 24 - A most horrible accident, in which five you ladies were drowned, occurred late Thursday evening in the McCaa neighborhood, 10- miles from this place. The wife and five daughters of J. H. Loyd and daughter of Joe Childers, two of the most prosperous and highly respected citizens of this county went over to Pitt creek, a distance of 3-miles from their home to spend the day fishing. While over there four of the Misses Loyd and Miss Childers, whose ages range from 8 to 24 years of age, were drowned. Mrs. Loyd and remaining daughter are so prostrated that nothing definite can be ascertained. Marriage - Dallas, June 24 - One June 1st, W. E. Bilheimer, physical director of the Y.M.C.A. married Miss Eula Lee Maddox of Fort Worth. They spent their honeymoon in Little Rock and returned to Dallas yesterday and received many congratulations. At the businessmen’s gymnasium class yesterday afternoon, the members of the association celebrated the occasion by presenting Mr. Bilheimer with a beautiful cut glass water set. Judge Anson Rainey, president of the association made the presentation address. It so completely upset Mr. Bilheimer that he forgot to call in the association parlor for his bride as he left the building going to supper. Accident, Denison, Tex., June 24 - Frank Brown lives on the corner of Johnson St. and Tone Ave., just a block north of the point where the body of Ep Reeves was found. Thursday afternoon, while no one was at home but his wife, Nettie Brown, an old muzzle loading shotgun fell from a place where it was hanging over the south window, the charge of buckshot penetrated the baseboard of the house, through the outer boxing and six of the shots penetrated the fleshy portion of the right thigh of Nettie Brown, who was standing about 10-feet from the house on a path leading from the gate on Johnson St. to the front of the house. Insane - Tyler, June 24 - Five inmates [no names given] of the Smith county jail have been adjudged insane and applications for their admittance to the asylum have been made. There is no room in the asylums for them on account of the crowded condition of same. Sheriff Robinson has some of his deputies exercise the unfortunates by walking them in the outskirts of the town in the mornings and evenings daily. Jail - Hillsboro, June 24 - Sheriff Bell returned Thursday night from Tolosa, Kaufman county, with Sam Hall and jailed him. Hall is charged with being a party to the Humphrey’s lynching. Pope Weeks has also been arrested. Death - Corwell, Tex., June 24 - Charley Pigg, about age 22, who lived in the eastern part of this county, was cleaning ticks from cattle preparing them for inspection. He was in the pasture working alone and roped a large bull, threw him down and applied the necessary remedies, but during the process of roping the animal he was gored in the breast, the horn penetrating the lungs. He managed to get home, a distance of 1½-miles. Death followed in a few hours. Confession - Fort Worth, June 26 - A sworn statement has been made by Jim Garlington, who is under sentence of death to be executed July 27. It exposed a plot at wholesale assassination. Briefly, Garlington’s confession will show a deliberate plan entered into by the five Santa Fe train robbers to murder three or four leading citizens of this city, the object being robbery. The names of the victims are given in the statement [no names listed in the article]. Death - Orange, Tex., June 26 - Sunday afternoon at 6 p.m., James H. Van Camp, a saw filer at Miller’s mill, was out on the river in a sailboat, Tom Connolly, age 8, and his sister [no name give] were with him in the boat. When just below Miller’s mill, about 60-yards from the Louisiana shore, a puff of wind suddenly careened the boat and the Connolly boy fell into the river. Van Camp immediately plunged in after him; while he was trying to rescue the boy, the girl became so frightened as to allow the boat to drift clear out of reach and Van Camp and the boy were both drowned. The bodies have not been found. Van Camp came here from Michigan and has been employed for some time at the mill. Trial - “Humphries Case - Complete Confession Made by One of the Men” - Athens, June 27 - Preliminary examination of the 10 men charged with lynching the three Humphries [no names given] began yesterday. The men charged with murder are John Grenshaw, Arthur Grenshaw, Joe Wilkinson, Walter Wilkinson, W. B. Brooks, Sam Hall, John Gaddis, Bob Stevens, W. E. Johns and Polk Weeks. John and Arthur Greenshaw have made a complete confession. It recites that Joe Wilkinson organized the mob and was its leader; that Joe Wilkinson, a long while before the lynching had sworn out a warrant against two of the Humphries, charging them with hog stealing and had failed to make out a case. That Wilkinson had gone around among his neighbors and blackened the character of the Humphries; that when Constable Rhodes was assassinated and Patterson, the alleged slayer, was at large, Wilkinson informed his neighbors that the Humphries were harboring Patterson and were openly indorsing the killing of Rhodes; that there had been considerable illicit distilling going on in the Transedar country and Wilkinson said the Humphries had informed the revenue officers and those engaged in that business would be sent to the United State penitentiary. That Wilkinson stimulated and encouraged a feeling of hatred against the Humphries and finally called his neighbors to action. It was decided that the Humphries should die. Joe Wilkinson deiced they should be hung. Every man swore a solemn oath that the Humphries should die. The Humphries denied all of Wilkinson’s charges but Wilkinson’s influence was such that the denial was not believed. [very lengthy article] Trial - “Taking Evident - Trial of Lynchers Progressing at Athens” - Athens, June 28 - Second day of trial [very lengthy article] Death - Galveston, June 28 - Yesterday afternoon there was a street duel between two local gamblers, one is dead and the other is dying and two others are seriously if not fatally injured. About 5:30 p.m., James A. Johnson and Wm. Boyd, between whom there was a grudge of long standing, met at the corner of Tremont and Market. It is the business part of the city and hundreds of pedestrians were on the streets at the time. When the men met, they were in front of the Two Brothers saloon on the Market street side. Without a word of quarreling, both drew pistols and began firing. Each man emptied his weapon and when the duel was over, Johnson was dead. Boy was on the sidewalk with a bullet through his right arm and another through his left leg. The bone in each limb was broken. George Lovick, about age 60, was passing along the opposite side of the street at the time received a ball in the groin. It passed through the liver and came out at the small of the back. He is not expected to live. W. H. Goodman, another innocent pedestrian, was shot through the apex of the right lung. He is seriously wounded. [lengthy article] Marriage - Miles Wildridge, age 73, and Mrs. Frances Williams, age 71, were married at Crsincana (sic). Death - The remains of Sidney Paine, who drowned in the Brazos near Whitney, were interred at Waxahachie. Death - While on horseback, chasing a cow near Clarksville, a young man named Hawkins collided with a tree and died instantly. Arrest - Maggie Becknell, colored, unmarried, and her brother, Lindsay Becknell, were arrested at Clarksville on the charge of infanticide. Visiting - One of the pioneer mothers of Texas, Mrs. Amanda Williams of Kosse, is visiting her son, Dock Williams at Van Alstyne. She came to Texas in 1833, and is now living on the Limestone county farm she and her husband cleared and improved over 40-years ago. Birth - Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. C. L. Tanner, weight 10-pounds on Tuesday morning, June 27th. Death - James W. Smith of Seipe [(sic) Sipe] Springs had a stroke of apoplexy last Saturday morning about 9 or 10 o’clock and died that night at 11 p.m. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 6 July 1899 “Thirteen Drowned - Many Other Lives in Danger in the Bottoms Near Brookshire” - Flooding Conditions [no names given] License to Marry: J. J. Jones and Delora Lorance; James O. Rather and A. M. Harkleroad; W. J. Trusedell and Katie Ray; Jack Hartin and Rebecca Holliman; T. J. Denson and Della Horn; W. W. Strickland and Ida Bates; J. E. Williams and Rose Howard; D. D. Evans and Mary Orum; Charles M. McMillan and Alice Riddle. Death - Rev. George W. Scarbrough, age 68, an eminent Baptist preacher died in Cameron on Wednesday last week. Death - Mrs. Lee Longmire of the Oakdale neighborhood died Monday and she was buried at the Liberty cemetery in Burleson county on Tuesday. Marriage - Chas. M. McMillan and Miss Alice Riddle were married at the home of the bride’s parents, Dr. & Mrs. T. E. Riddle on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. [lengthy article] 4th of July - Most business houses were closed Tuesday to honor the nation’s birthday. Mr. A. Wolf and B. Loewenstein & Sons had fine, new American flags hoisted over their places of business, proving that our American citizens by adoption were more patriotic, so far at least that the born citizens. “Great Destruction - Milam County’s Loss will run up to Several Hundred Thousand Dollars” - due to rain damage [lengthy article] Notice - All people are hereby notified not to trade or traffic, sell or buy to or from my father, W. L. Ponton, as he is in a non compus mentis condition. W. S. Ponton Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 13 July 1899 Many articles on the flooding conditions throughout Milam County. Death - Milano - After a long and painful illness, Mrs. J. C. Beard died last Thursday, June 29. She was buried at Sand Point the following day. She leaves a husband and little son. Birth - Milano - Boy born to J. C. Archerback on June 25th Birth - Buckholts - Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. J. C. Sample on Tuesday night Death - Buckholts - Mrs. Boyles died at her home on Elm last week and was buried in the Elm church cemetery. Death - Buckholts - Will McGuyre met a horrible death Friday morning 1-miles west of Buckholts. He had been drinking rather freely and left the saloon at a late hour to go to the railroad camp where he had been working. About 3:45 a.m. the north bound Santa Fe local struck him, seven cars passing over his body, scattering fragments of flesh and bone for a distance of 50-yards along the track. He seemed to have been lying beside the track and the noise of the train awakened him, he rose and fell against the cars. He had $40 in his pocket. Justice Criswell held an inquest and no blame was attached to anyone. Marriage - Sandy Creek - Sam Blackburn and Miss Della Pope were married on Wednesday evening at the home of the bride’s parents. “Angleton Flood - Two or Three Feet of Water Flowing” “Columbia Under Water” “Brookshire Under Water” “Crest of Flood - Now Located in Brazoria County” Death - Lufkin, July 10 - John Willis of Clawson Mill was run over and killed by the Cotton Belt passenger train 2-miles north of here Saturday night. He was here yesterday and started home on foot and it is supposed he went to sleep on the track. His body was terribly mangled. He leaves several small children in destitute condition as his wife died a few weeks ago. He was about 45 or 50 years old. Murder in Church - Dallas, July 11 - At 9:30 p.m. last night, one of the most startling tragedies Dallas has ever known took place in the First Christian Church at Pearl and Bryan St. In the mist of a protracted service, John T. Carlisle arose from his seat at the rear of the house and walked to where Professor William Lipscomb, principal of the Central High School, the leading educational institution of the public schools of the city, was seated, on the first seat in front of the altar, and shot him without a word of warning, the weapon sued was a 38-caliber pistol. Professor Lipscomb sprang up from his seat, Grappled with his assailant and toppled over into the isle. He had swooned, however, and soon regained consciousness. The wound was mortal as the bullet entered the left-side just below the heart, passed downward through the stomach, coming out on the right-side. Carlisle was seized and taken to the county jail. He appeared drunk or could not or would not talk of the tragedy. Professor Lipscomb was laid on the altar, his head resting in his wife’s lap and his feet in a chair and died at 10:45 p.m. Death - Waco, July 11 - R. M. Conley, deputy sheriff of Bosque county was killed Sunday night on an excursion train on the Texas Central between Morgan and Walnut Springs. He was trying to arrest Ed Burrow of Hico who had drawn a pistol on a passenger and had presented his own revolver as he demanded Burrow’s surrender. Burrow grabbed the officer’s gun and being a powerful man, turned the muzzle of the weapon to Conley’s side. The pistol discharged, the ball sawing through the officer’s body. He died yesterday afternoon at his home in Iredell. Burrow was held for murder. He declares Officer Conley shot himself. Conley maintained until the last that he had not cocked his pistol but that it was fired by Burrow. The train on which the killing took place was crowded with Woodmen of the World and their friends who had attended the unveiling exercises in this city Sunday. “Dallas Tragedy - Carlisle Says He Remembers Nothing Concerning It” - Dallas, July 12 - No shooting that has taken lace since the killing of I. G. Randle in December last has created anywhere near the excitement that the shooting of Professor William Lipscomb by John T. Carlisle in the First Christian Church Sunday night. Carlisle professed total ignorance of the shooting; said he could not remember anything connected with the tragedy; and did not know why he was in jail. It was erroneously reported that Professor Lipscomb died at the church but he unexpectedly rallied at midnight and was removed to St. Paul’s sanitarium where he has since lingered between life and death. There is little hope for his recovery. Murder - Cuero, Tex., July 12 - A horrible crime was committed in the edge of Goliad county, near the DeWitt county line. A Polish girl [no name give] was topping fodder in Mr. A. Sieler’s field; a negro [no name given] was working in a different part of the field; when the noon hour came the girl failed to show up. Search was instituted and she was found with her throat cut dead and she had been ravished after death. The negro was gone and had been gone for 3 or 4 hours before the body was discovered. It is said a little boy about 3-years old was with the woman when found and he said she had a fight with a negro. The negro is described as a mulatto about age 35, with part of one ear gone and a peculiarity about his eyes. Death - The 2-year old daughter of Mrs. J. L. Adams fell into a tub of hot water near Terrell and died from the scalding. Death - George Lawrence, a young farmer living 9-miles southeast of Mount Vernon, shot himself in the stomach with a target rifle. He died instantly. Death - Col. L. W. Middlebrook, mayor of Columbus, died at that city of dropsy. He twice represented his county in the legislature, was a penitentiary inspector. Trial - the case of the State of Texas vs. Mrs. Carrie Holmes, in which Mrs. Holmes is indicted for poisoning her husband with arsenic, was transferred to Brownwood from Coleman county. Death - Davilla - Miss Lou Graham, age 19, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Frank Graham, died last Sunday with typhoid fever. She was buried at Friendship cemetery on Monday afternoon. Robert Loewenstein and wife returned from Mineral Wells on Friday, greatly improved in health. “A Shooting - On the Carter Farm - Five Shots Fired” - Last Friday morning W. H. Jones shot at Thoms. Eakes five times with a five shooter, hitting him once, making a slight wound on the left arm. Jones came to town and surrendered. The trouble was a frivolous affair about a yearling getting into Jones’ crop. Both parties live on the Witcher & Coffield farm on the San Gabriel, 6-miles from Rockdale. Death - Mrs. P. M. McNamee of 1½-miles south of town died Sunday, the 9th, about 12 o’clock and was buried at New Salem cemetery on Monday. Killed - Monday evening, while two Mexicans [no names given] were being lowered into the shaft at the Olsen mines, one of them fell out of the car and was killed by the fall. Death - J. D. Rouse, proprietor of the O.K. Meat Market, died at his father’s home in Lee county, Tuesday. He had been living in Rockdale for several months but having been sick for some time went with his family to visit his father’s family, hoping to regain health, but took worse and died. Birthday - Grandma S. A. Fanning celebrated her 79th birthday on the 12th inst. Her son, S. D. Fanning and Grand-daughter Mrs. Vanlandingham, husband and three children and Arthur McCawley of San Antonio came to celebrate the day with the dear old lady. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 21 Sept 1899 Death - Lexington, Sept. 15 - The 13-year old daught3er of Ad Kilpatrick, a farmer living 9-miles from here, yesterday attempted to start a fire with kerosene; the can exploded and set her clothing on fire, the burns proved fatal this morning. Death - Galveston, Sept. 15 - Mrs. Louis de Carlo, age 20, the wife of a motorman on the Galveston City Railroad was burned to death in her kitchen this morning. She was alone in the kitchen t the time and it is supposed she attempted to pour kerosene into the stove from a jar that it struck a live coal and an explosion followed. She ran into the bedroom and attempted to wrap a quilt around her form. Her clothing was burned off and the flesh terribly cooked. She died in a few minutes. Death - Paris, Tex., Sept. 16 - Mary Bobs, age 12, living 16-miles from here was fatally burned by the explosion of a coal oil can which she was using to kindle a fire. Birth - Milano - Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. S. H. Worbington on the 16th inst. Accident - Milano - Joe Gaston, negro, was run over and horribly mangled by a freight train on the I. & G. N. just below the depot on Tuesday evening the 19th. He had been drinking considerably and it is supposed he fell in the cattle guard and was too drunk to extricate himself. Death - Gause - Charlie Moore lost one more of his family Saturday morning as Little DeWitt Moore was called by the angels of death. DeWitt is now with his brothers Fagin Moore and Posie Moore. Marriage Licenses: A. A. Offied and Miss Shelly Wilson; D. J. Leach and Mrs. L. C. Holden; H. P. Holder and Miss Eliza Holder; Chas. Johnson and Lilly Perry; Frank Dykes and Kathrene Jackson; A. V. Hodge and Miss Mary Hollyburton; F. F. Chevis and Miss Annie Wolf; Jesus Sales and Domengo Lopez; W. W. Sykes and Miss Mattie Simmons; Henry Slater and Camella Jones; Frank Miller and Ida Robertson; J. F. Morris and Miss Dela Brewer. Death - Louis Wells, age 87, better known as Lew Wells, died at the Confederate Home at Austin, Tuesday the 11th. He was a Texas Veteran, a Mexican Veteran and a Confederate Veteran. Death - C. W. McKisseck of Oakdale died Wednesday night, the 13th inst. at 11 p.m. He leaves a wife and 2-year old boy. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 28 Sept 1899 Birth - Milano - Boy born to W. C. Hartis on the 25th Last Thursday, we received Vol. 1, No. 14 of the Evening Herald of Cameron. Demmie M. Kemp, editor and proprietor. Suicide - “Unrequited Love - Young Girl Shoots Herself Through the Heard and Dies Instantly” - Houston, Sept. 21 - Miss Olive Ricketts of League City, daughter of Lee Ricketts, shot herself with a Colt 41 double action revolved, while being driven in a carriage by J. C. Warren from the post office back to her home at 1904 Austin St., corner Calhoun. The fatal shot was fired as the carriage was being driven out Caroline St., just after it crossed Prairie Ave. while opposite Turner Hall. The driver stopped the carriage and Officer Jim Whalen was the first to reach the scene. [very lengthy article] Birth - Gause - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. High Collie on last Thursday. Marriage - Joe Pasant of San Antonio and Miss Jennie B. Harvey were married at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. & Mrs. Henry Lacy on Tuesday, Sept. 19th. Birth - Girl born to Rev. & Mrs. J. D. Shelton on Monday morning Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 5 Oct Sept 1899 Tomy Cave went to Milano Sunday. Birth - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. Hill Marshall, weight 10-pounds, on Monday Death - “Lonnie Rankin Poured Water on a Can of Carbide” - Cameron, Oct. 8 - Lonnie Rankin lost his life this evening at Little River Bridge, 2-miles east of town. He was traveling in a wagon in company with his brother, Fred Rankin, age 17, on his way to Brownwood, his home, and gave exhibitions with a magic lantern; he took a can containing carbide out of the wagon and carried it to the river, where he poured water on or in the can, causing it to explode, it knocked him 5-feet in the air and he fell in the edge of the water a corpse. Death - At Stranger, near Kasse, Tex., Wm. McKinney killed his wife, a young man named Norman and then blew out his own brains on Oct. 2nd. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 12 Oct 1899 Death - The 15-month old infant of Mr. & Mrs. Ben Hutcherson died Saturday morning and was buried in the city cemetery Sunday evening a 2:30 p.m. Death - Milano - The infant of Mr. & Mrs. Hartis died on the 4th inst. Death - Milano - Leonard Levy Jayroe, age 4, son of Mr. & Mrs. L. A. Jayroe died on the 5th inst. Death - Milano - Grandma Paster died on the 5th inst. She had been in bad health for some time but had only been confined to her bed about 2-weeks. She was near age 69. She was buried next to her husband in the city cemetery. Death - Milano - Lottie Humugger / Humbugger (sp?), age 12, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Fred Humbugger died on the night of the 6th inst. Death - Milano - John Hearn died in Palestine on the 7th inst. He was brought home and buried in the city cemetery on Sunday evening with Masonic honors. He leaves a wife and three children. Death - Milano - Little boy of Archy Graham died on the 9th inst. [Note: The child’s name was Robert Homer Graham and was buried in the Hurt-Graham Cemetery] Death - Mrs. Joe Pate of Hanover died very suddenly in the Bauknight beef market yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Pate in company with her daughter stopped in at the market and bought some meat and turned to leave when nearing the door she fainted but before falling was caught by strong arms and eased to the floor and within a minute she was dead. She suffered from consumption and perhaps heart trouble. Mr. & Mrs. Robert Loewenstein, after a 2-month stay at Eureka Springs, AR, are at home again, the former greatly improved in health. Death - The infant daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Burt and Emma Smith, died at their home last Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and was buried in at the New Salem cemetery on Sunday evening at 2 p.m. Mr. & Mrs. Smith have the sympathy of the entire neighborhood. [Note: Typed as printed in newspaper] Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 19 Oct 1899 Death - Tom Ellis, white, shot and killed Bill Davis, colored, in Cameron last Sunday evening. The negro had abused Tom Ellis, a boy about age 18, the day before and Tom and his father met Davis Sunday evening, when a difficulty occurred in which Davis was killed. Confederate Pensions - The following is a list of those who have been granted pensions in Milam County: Branchville - W. J. Arnett;Cameron - William Dodds, W. B. Yates, A. Deikel, Thos. H. Dardy, Joe Dodds, Mary E. Allen, R. H. McCown, W. S. Chandain, Joe Luce, M. Wade, C. A. Caldwell, E. G. Overton; Chrisman - Barton Baggett, Neal Baggette; Davilla - J. Shannon, John L. Huffman, T. J. Mills; Gause - J. J. George; Jones Prairie - Mrs. C. Stedham, P. S. Touchstone, Francis McLemon, H. M. Bailey; Lilac - F. H. McRee; Maysfield - Mrs. N. M. Donaldson, A. J. Sherrill, G. W. Reaves, Sr., Mary Weathers; Milano - J. T. Shepard, S. W. Faulkner, A. A. Darnell, W. M. Butler, Mrs. Mary Evans, E. J. Glenn, Mrs. S. J. Davis, Mrs. H. E. Blackman, H. P. Moore, Joe Steward; Minerva - E. H. Hammill; Rockdale - James DeBoard, Ann M. Richards, C. B. Syme, W. C. Willis, J. A. Brown, J. W. Clements, A. C. Sprott, Richard Middleton, J. A. Ashley; Salty - Z. P. Hill, W. T. Morris; San Gabriel - T. R. Moore, Mrs. C. Anderson; Thorndale - Dan Copeland, W. C. Smith, J. W. Crow; Tracy - J. L. Martin; Yarrellton - Mrs. S. J. Farmer, T. J. Adams, J. W. Smith Death - Edity May Dykes, wife of G. W. Dykes and daughter of A. S. Russell died in Coleman on Oct. 2nd. She was born May 24, 1864. Her home was Milam county. She leaves a husband and three daughters. Resolution of Respect - Sarah Plaster who died on Oct. 5th by the Milano M. E. Sabbath School Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 2 Nov 1899 Accident - Mrs. W. P. Henry who has lived on the Cameron road, 3-miles from Rockdale for over 20-years left her son’s home on the Dr. A. C. Isaacs farm, about 3-miles beyond her home, to come home and as was her habit, she pushed her buggy animal, a gray mare that she has driven for several years, into a lope. She cove over the hill at the home of George Banzhaf and turning down the hill, Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Bradly were going from Rockdale to their home beyond Minerva in a light spring wagon, seeing the vehicle coming down the hill near them, pulled their team, a pair of young mules, to one side to give the road, but before the left wheel had cleared the track to the right fore wheel of Mrs. Henry’s buggy struck the hub of the wagon wheel and smashed it. The woman had probably never seen the wagon or saw it too late to stop, and she was pitched foremost and fell with her dead between the left fore wheel of the buggy and shafts and was so held that her hair was wound around the buggy hub and spindle and she was held there until some young man, met the buggy at the gate near the old Ferguson place, more than a half-mile this side of where the accident occurred. She was dead when found as her neck was broken. She was buried at the Pleasant Grove cemetery Sunday evening. She leaves a husband and five grown children, three sons and two daughters, all married. Brother Henry does not blame the drivers of the wagon for the accident but thinks they should have ascertained the results before driving home. [very lengthy article] Released from Jail - Heck Ellis and his son Tom Ellis, who killed Will Davis at the “Sap” depot on the 15t inst. were released from jail without bail, the grand jury failing to find they had violated the law. Edgar Tucker who was arrested as an accomplice was also released. Bennie Loewenstein, Jr. was at the San Antonio fair this week. Bennie is a bright young man and bids fair to be one of Rockdale’s best business men. Marriage - C. W. McKinnon and Miss Anna L. Pleasants on Oct 25th inst. at the home of the bride’s father. Mr. McKinnon is a real estate dealer in Ennis, Ellis county and the couple left on the train Thursday for their future home. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 16 Nov 1899 Death - Byron Lee Ferguson, child of Mr. & Mrs. W. M. Ferguson died at 2 o’clock Wednesday morning, Nov. 15th, age 11-months and 15-days. He was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The mother was unable to attend because of her ill health. [Three separate articles related to the death of this child] Death - Cameron - Last Monday night, after many weeks of suffering, Braxton Robinson, an old ex-Confederate soldier and one of the oldest and best known citizens of Milam county, breathed his last. He was buried Tuesday evening at 3 o’clock with Masonic honors. Marriage - Cameron - J. E. Kritzan and Miss Milady Lesovsky were married at the Presbyterian church last Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. by Rev. C. C. Weaver. Afterwards, the bridal party went to the home of the bride’s father for refreshments and then took their departure for San Antonio to spend their honeymoon. Marriage Licenses: Walter Eldridge and Lon Jackson; Jose Machaeleb and Likor Garlic; W. O. Hill and Palatine Mosely; George Loftis and Ada Brown; J. E. Kritzan and Miladay Lesovsky; J. S. Daugherty and Katie Reader; W. A. Vaughn and Ada A. Cotton; Jim Black and Katie Pigpen; Jim Lindicum and Emma Greggs; J. A. Broadstreet and Mable Roberts; John Ferguson and Florence Griffin; Wash Durks and Louiza Smiley; Wesley Dance and Lovy Hill; L. H. Harper and Dora Moseley; Will Anderson and Dollie Bunn. Divorce - Henry Edwards vs. Amelia Edwards, granted to defendant Divorce - Dora Graham and Frank Graham, granted Divorce - Francis Allen vs. Gilbert Allen; granted Divorce - David Massey vs. Bertha Massey; granted Divorce - Mable L. Goodwin vs. B. T. Goodwin, granted Divorce - M. F. Dement vs. J. D. Dement; granted Divorce - Jerry Massengale vs. Bettie Massengale; granted Divorce - Mollie Robinson vs. Wiley Robinson; granted Divorce - Jacob Smiley vs. M. L. Smiley; granted Lee J. Rountree has taken charge of the Georgetown News and changed its name to the Georgetown Commercial. Death - Charles Watts was shot to death near Palestine. Marriage - J. W. Kirby and Miss Nettie Wetsel were married near McKinney a few afternoons ago. Elder John M. McKinney, the officiating clergyman, has rendered like services at eight marriages of brothers and sisters of the bride. Hanging - Stephenville, Tex., Nov. 11 - Tom Wright was hanged here today at 11:15 a.m. He protested, as he always has, that he killed Adams in self-defense and declared Frank Leslie, who is now under sentence of death, innocent of any complicity in the crime. About 3,000 people were in town before the execution and the gallows were arranged so he was in view of the public during the time he made his talk. The remains will be interred in Dublin tomorrow. The crime for which Wright was hung was the murder of Constable John Adams at Dublin in Jan. 1897. Bitter feeling had existed between the men. Adams walked across the street as Wright came out of a hallway and discharged both barrels of a shotgun, killing his victim. The case was tried in the district court of Erath county and he was found guilty of murder in the first degree. Trial - Denton, Tex., Nov. 15 - In Marcy 1898, George Davis was tried, convicted and sentenced to 18-years in the penitentiary for the murder of R. E. L. Samples, the murdered and decomposed body of a man identified by his clothes, having been found near the Davis home. A man has written to the Sheriff of this county that Samples was not murdered, he is alive and well, and that he wants Davis released. The murdered man, the writer of the letter claims, was a friend of Samples and he was taken out of Davis’ house by two men of the community and killed, they, Samples and his friend, having been arrested by the men without warrant or legal authority on a charge of horse theft. Samples says he is afraid to come back to Denton county for fear the men he accuses of the murder will do him as they did his friend. Trial - Dallas, Nov. 15 - Dallas county grand jury indicted J. R. Crosby and Frank Lusk for murdering James Bennett, a farmer, near Coppell, in the northern part of Dallas county on Nov. 6th. Bennett was called to the doorway of his home by two unknown men and killed without warning or provocation. Death - Davilla - Mr. & Mrs. John Server attended the funeral of Frank Laughlin at Bartlett Tuesday. Death - Davilla - The 6-month old baby of Mr. & Mrs. Johnson died Monday from diphtheria and was buried at the Davilla cemetery on Tuesday. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 23 Nov 1899 Death - Mrs. P. G. Douthit, age 87, at her residence in Belton, on Friday, Nov. 17 and was buried in the Rockdale city cemetery last Saturday evening at 4:30 p.m. For many years she lived in Rockdale but removed to Belton 6-years ago. She is the mother of Dr. J. E. Douthit, who until his death, was one of Rockdale’s most prominent citizens. [lengthy article] Death - Cameron - Little Robert Todd, age 4, son of Sheriff Todd died at the family home in Cameron on Wednesday morning of last week at 10:00 a.m. and was buried at Walker’s Creek that afternoon. He was sick but a few days with an affliction of the tonsils. His brother, age 7, is reported quire sick with the same disease. Marriage Licenses: Governor Holland and Silvia Collin; Charlie Robinson and J. E. Applin; Ed. Goodwin and Clemen Tyson; David Massey and Mattie Hardin; M. E. Allen and S. P. Chesnut; H. F. Bussa and M. E. Rutherford; E. G. W. Lawrence and Beulah Henderson; J. B. Watson and Bettie Hopkins; John Salter and Jennie Collins; John May and Nettie Tucker; J. W. Dyer and A. R. Lee; Otelia San Diago and Aprindo Guerta; S. A. Bailey and Daisy Alsup. Death - Thorndale - Your correspondent visited relates at Beaukiss on Saturday. While there, learned of the death of the infant child of Mr. & Mrs. Oliver, who had been ill all of its life. Death - El Paso, Nov. 20 - W. G. Scott, age 54, master of the Southern Pacific railway yards at this point, met instant death today by falling between two cars while a flying switch was being made. Scott was in the act of stepping from one car to another when they parted; he fell, striking his head on a switch frog and shattering the skull. Deceased’s wife and two children reside in Los Angeles, CA. He had been the yardmaster for a dozen years. Death - Kaufman, Tex., Nov. 20 - John Ried, son of A. M. Reid was bitten by a mad dog 9- months ago near Kaufman and not much attention paid to the matter, as it was not believed at that time the dog was mad. Last Tuesday, he went home from school feeling badly and developed a severe case of hydrophobia from which he died Thursday. “Rioting Negroes - Bombarded Rio Grande City, Texas” - San Antonio, Nov. 22 - The trouble which has been brewing for some time between the people of Rio Grande City and the negro cavalry troop at Fort Ringgold under Lieutenant Rubottom came to a climax last night, when the negro garrison took possession of Krag-Jorgsen riffles at the fort and opened fire on the town. About 1,500 shots were fired by the soldiers. Captain W. M. Day, commander of Fort Brown, at the mouth of the Rio Grande, is en route with 50 men of Co. L, 9th Cavalry. Major Thompson in command of Fort McIntosh, near Laredo has started to the scene with a detachment of the 9th Cavalry. Colonel Roberts, post adjutant at Fort Sam Houston, left on a special train for Laredo with a detachment of the 21st Infantry at noon today. General McKibben, department commander was in immediate telephone communication with Governor Sayers and the adjutant general of state troops has ordered every available man of the Texas Rangers force to Rio Grande City. [very lengthy article] Death - Frank Anthis of Tracy died last night Death - Mrs. F. M. George and son Farens of Belton were in Rockdale to attend the funeral of Mrs. George’s mother, Mrs. Douthit. Death - Poor Old Watch, age 22, Brother J. M. Owsley’s faithful dog, roamed off on the farm a few weeks ago and died. A few days later, Tom, age 20, old and very intelligent dog, disappeared and was also found dead. It is claimed Tom died of grief over the death of Watch. [lengthy article] Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 30 Nov 1899 Death - Jacksonville, Tex., Nov. 27 - A negro boy [no name given], age 10, who lived near Griffin, was burned to death yesterday. The negro children were playing with a kerosene lamp when it exploded, setting the boy’s clothes on fire. He was so badly burned, he died a few hours later. Death - Bonham, Tex., Nov. 29 - Judge E. D. McClellan, age 51, died at his home in this city Tuesday morning after a short illness. He has been district judge of this district since 1886, having succeeded D. H. Scott. He was born in March 1848 in this county. Accident - Beeville, Tex., Nov. 29 - Miss Jessie Caldwell and Walter T. Meadows were struck by lightning last Thursday evening and were in critical condition and that all hopes of their ultimate recovery has about been abandoned. Neither of them are able to take food into their stomachs, and both of the say they are completely burned up inside. Their suffering is most intense and they have never had a moments rest since the event except when under the influence of strong opiates. Mr. Meadows is a prosperous farmer living at Lopora, about 15- miles west of this city. Miss Caldwell is a school teacher. Lightning struck a chimney in Mr. Meadows’ home. The hair on Ms. Caldwell’s head was singed and its color completely changed. The steel stays in her corset were burst out and curled up like clock springs as were the hair pins in her hair. Her shoes were torn from her feet and her body was severely burned and marked. One of Mr. Meadows’ legs was paralyzed and terribly burned and he shoes were also torn from his feet. Both complain of intense pains in the lungs and chest. There were five persons in the house at the time, but these two were the only one to sustain injuries. A clock on the mantelpiece was riddled into a thousand pieces. [two articles in the paper] Death - Austin, Nov. 29 - Last night at midnight, a man named Gallilee of Hays county was run over and killed by an electric car at the corner of Congress & 10th St. He feel under the car, one wheel passing over his head, crushing his brains out. Trial - El Paso, Nov. 28 - Edelberto Garcia, age 18, the Mexican youth who shot and killed Edwin O’Conor of Paris, KY in this city on the night of Oct. 1st, was found guilty of murder and awarded the death penalty. The trial last 2-days and the jury was out 15-minutes. Garcia heard the verdict with coolness. He rolled a cigarette and lighted it while the clerk was reading the verdict. Trial - Cameron - Minnie White pleads guilty to manslaughter and given 2-years in the pen. Marriage Licenses: M. E. Johnson to Bainie Eidson; Lee Rucker to Mary Rawlett; Savanah Roberts to Matilda Cummings; J. W. Lincoln to Della Bounds; Aaron Loving to Mollie Thomas; Frank Frazier to Lila V. McBurnett; Cleopas Billarrael to Agustina Cardenez; Ben Gunn to Abbie Williams; Charlie Trotter to Mary Gibson; T. H. Ford to Emma Williams; Malen Wright to Tott Eliem; R. M. Martin to William Shackleford; Jas. Kenworthy to Elizabeth Doison; Will Bradford to Ellen Nettles; Ashlie Barnes to Ludie Beavers; Donasian Stewart to Filipia Reget; Frank Hart to Annie Higgins; J. L. Barmore to Edith Terry; W. O. Cochran to Eliza Washington; W. R. Harris to Gordon Hill; Pearl Cummings to Annie Baker; J. D. Griswold to May Mosley; H. E. Pye to Jennie Corothers; G. M. Smith to Janie Dickenson. Marriage - “Married on a Bridge” - J. D. Grisworld and Miss May Mosley of Minerva were married on the Holtzclaw bridge o Sunday, the 19th inst. by Elder I. H. Corbitt of Sipe Springs. Death - Ima Wallis, age 5, daughter of Dr. & Mrs. D. R. Wallis, died Monday morning at 2:30 a.m. and was buried at the Odd Fellows cemetery Monday evening at 3:00 p.m. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 7 Dec 1899 Divorce - Mitchell Edwards vs. Lucy Edwards; granted Divorce - Emma House vs. Wm. House; granted Divorce - Tom Brooks vs. Jennie Brooks; granted Divorce - Alvert Ward vs. Sallie Ward; granted Divorce - Levenie Jones vs. Ed Jones; granted Divorce - Pinkie c. March vs. W. T. March, granted Divorce - Louisa Griffin vs. Daniel Griffin; granted Divorce - John C. Hodges vs. Olive Jane Hodges, dismissed at plaintiff’s cost Marriage Licenses: Charlie Baker to Francis Williams; E. J. Lightsey to Marry J. McBee; J. M. Butler to Amy Goforth; Alph Ward to Jennie Wieseman; H. M. Witcher to Lola Bell; Norwood Johnson to Louisa Moore; John Gist to Sallie Cole; W. T. Yates to Cora Kersey; Jim King to Stella Saddler; W. G. Andrews to Teny Sanders; Leonard Cone to Jennie May Trotter; Henry Von Gonten to Anna Wilhelmine Schwartz; Winnette Duke DeGrassi to Mozella Baxter; James N. Motes to Mary Ethridge Marriage - W. G. Andrews and Miss Tenny Sanders were married at the home of Elder J. T. Rogers in this city on Wednesday the 29th. The couple were accompanied by the bride’s brother, Mr. Sanders and the groom’s sister, and another couple. Death - W. P. Anderson, age 87, of the Kolb neighborhood, died last Thursday morning. He was attended by his five children, all grown and two have families of their own. Marriage - Winnette Duke DeGrassi and Miss Moselle Baxter were married in the beautifully decorated parlor of the bride’s parents, Mr. & Mrs. B. B. Baxter on Thursday evening of last week by Rev. T. G. Alfred. A wedding feast followed in the dining hall. Mr. DeGrassi has been well known in Rockdale and at one time lived here. Miss Baxter is the second oldest daughter. [very lengthy article] Death - Paris, Tex., Dec. 6 - A horrible accident occurred near Biardstown, 10- miles south of Paris. Jim Talley, a farmer and his family were out in the field burning dead trees. One of the trees fell with a crash and struck his 2-year old child, burying it in the ground. When the child was extricated it was found it had been instantly killed and was horribly mangled. Marriage - Gause - Fred D. Fowler and Miss Cora Adams, both of Gause, went to Franklin [Robertson County] last Wednesday evening and were married. Marriage - Gause - H. C. Hatfield and Mrs. Willie Cox went to Franklin [Robertson County] last Thursday and were married. Marriage - Gause - Charlie Vaun and Miss Lizzie Harnold were married at the home of the bride’s father last Sunday morning. Death - Gause - Eddie Lewis, son of Mr. & Mrs. W. L. Lewis died of congestion of the stomach and bowels at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning. He was taken sick Friday morning at 4 a.m. He was buried at the Gause cemetery on Sunday evening at 3 p.m. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 14 Dec 1899 Birth - Thorndale - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. Gus Norman, weight 8-pounds, on Tuesday, the 21st. Death - Thorndale - The Woodmen’s camp here received $2,000 in favor of Mrs. R. F. Anthony who was named as the beneficiary of Dr. J. A. Boyd, deceased. Marriage Licenses: J. B. Allcorn to Lula Wright; W. E. Westbrook to Eliza Price; T. W. Bryan to Lula B. McDaniel; J. Jungmann to I. Fuchs; C. H. Morton to Fannie Mack; Henry Turner to Dosey Williams “Kiling at the Black Diamond Coal Mine” - Saturday night about 12 o’clock a row occurred at the Black Diamond Coal Mine, 2½-miles east of town, in which Anicleto Cruz and Andres Segabo were killed and Travonio Marino was seriously wounded and a white boy [no name given] was hit by a spent ball and scared almost to death. Henry Moore, negro, surrendered to the officers. Segabo died Monday evening. Moore, who did the shooting is in the Cameron jail. Constable Porter Stevens thinks some of the Mexicans did some shooting as one of them had a pistol with four empty chambers. When Mexicans, negroes, ignorance and whiskey get to mixing, old Satan gets in his work. Death - Mr. & Mrs. John Hearston, of Sand Grove, lost their baby on the 6th inst. Death - Mr. & Mrs. A. M. Farmer, of Sipe Springs, lost their baby boy on Tuesday, the 12th inst. It was their first child and it was only 6 or 8-months old. Houston “No-Tau-Oh” Parade and Pageant Death - McKinney, Dec. 13 - Mamie Howard, age 3, negro, was burned to death 1- miles southeast of town last night. Her clothing ignited from a fireplace while her parents were absent in a barn lot killing hogs. Death - Texarkana, Tex., Dec. 13 - William Sullivan, an employee of an ice factory in this city was found dead in his bed this morning, his skull being crushed and one of his eyes knocked out. Sullivan did all the collecting for the ice company and on yesterday he had about $50 with him that he failed to turn in on account of the office being closed for the night. He was from Mississippi and his remains were shipped there for burial. Murder - Laredo, Dec. 12 - At the Fort McIntosh post hospital yesterday lay the dead body of Jack Hardesty, age about 25, showing many ghastly wounds. He was from Louisville, KY as evidenced by a letter from his mother, Mrs. Geo. Wilson, 2442 3rd St. Investigation showed he was a railroad brakeman and arrived here from San Luis Potosi, Mexico last Saturday morning and was cared for by the railroad men in Laredo. He was last seen alive about 7 o’clock and was in the company of railroad friends who testify he was not then nor had not been drinking since his arrival here. Yesterday, O. E. Petty, the night operator at the International depot was out hunting on the government reservation in rear of the barracks and came upon the dead body. There was evidence of a struggle not far from where the corpse lay in a pool of blood. There were two stabs in the throat and his head had been crushed. [very lengthy article] Death - New Boston, Tex., Dec. 12 - John Payne, a farmer living 4-miles west of this place met with a fatal accident on Saturday night. He and a group of friends were out coon hunting and in felling a tree, Payne ran around to see the coon jump out, when the tree veered and one of the limbs struck him, fracturing his skull. He died Sunday without having regained consciousness. He left a wife and two children. Loewenstein’s Toy Store is perhaps one of the prettiest establishments of its kind ever opened in the city with a great variety of toys for the little folks and fine novelty goods for older ones, they are exceptionally well prepared to meet the demands of the holiday trade. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 21 Dec 1899 Marriage Licenses: C. W. Tyson to Daisy Shannon; Van Hyle to Levinia Jones; Tobe Killough to Bessie Lewis; Leonard Calvin to Viola Cortez; Paul J. King to Mattie P. Mitchell; J. R. Dodd to M. J. Williams; Jim Jones to Hennie P. Jones; C. W. Smith to Parola Young; Joe Bradford to Levinia Stringer; J. J. Pickett to Hettie Jones; Hasper Yoakum to Levinie C. Crow; A. A. Tucker to Lizzie Cardwell; J. R. Whitington to Alma Youngblood Marriage - Cards are out announcing the nuptials of Dr. E. S. Fergerson and Miss Ella Robinson, to take place at the home of the bride on the 21st inst. Death - Cameron Inquirer - The 10-year old daughter of John Howard burned to death last week on the J. Claxton farm on Walker’s Creek 5-miles north of Cameron. Mrs. Howard was milking and Mr. Howard was at the crib feeding his stock for the night and heard the child screaming and hastened to her relief, but arrived too late. The child died that night. It is a mystery how she caught on fire as the lamp was on the table and had not exploded. Trial - Dallas, Dec. 20 - After deliberating 24-hours, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty against John Jewell charged with murdering Mark Clary about 1-year ago. The jury decided the killing was justifiable homicide. Clary and Jewell were farmers in Mesquite and quarreled concerning the good name of a female member of one of their family. Death - Brenham, Dec. 18 - Last night while opossum hunting on Sloan creek, Charles Brewer became involved in a difficulty in which he was stabbed 6-times with a pocket knife. His wounds are fatal. Accident - Houston, Dec. 16 - Mrs. John Krupp of this city and Mrs. Duncan of Marfa were both killed instantly while the little daughter of Mrs. Duncan had a foot cut-off. The group were in a horse and buggy and were crossing the railroad track at Marfa, when they were struck by a freight train about 12:45 p.m. The remains of Mrs. Krupp will arrive here Sunday morning. Trial - Waco, Dec. 19 - Dr. S. M. Jenkins who has been on trial, charged with murder and criminal operation, was shot by Hugh Wheat, a brother of Miss Mary Wheat, the unfortunate woman in the case. Dr. Jenkins was shot in the back and is thought to be fatal. [lengthy article] Marriage - Jno. Joynes and Miss Esta Witcher were married yesterday evening at 4 p.m. at the home of the bride by Rev. W. E. Copeland. The groom is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Solon Joynes. Miss Witcher has been the post master in Rockdale for the past 3-years. They will make their home in Cameron. [lengthy article] Death - Bethlehem - The baby of Mr. & Mrs. J. Keys died, a victim of scarlet fever Birth - Bethlehem - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. J. T. Hook, last Tuesday. Birth - Bethlehem - Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. F. Schukraft last Saturday Death - Sandy Creek - Mrs. Hairston died on the 5th inst. Birth - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. Lee Clark on last Monday Marriage - J. R. Dodd, Sr. and Mrs. Mahala Williams were married on Sunday the 10th inst at 4 p.m. at the home of R. J. Sloan by Elder R. S. Boothe. Mr. Dodd has been married four times, three of his wives being dead. He is very old, having cut his third set of teeth. Mrs. Williams is a lady of about 40-years. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 28 Dec 1899 Death - Easley, a lawyer of Galveston, who shot and killed Reporter Blythe of the Galveston Tribune, in its office, during the early part of the year while Blythe was apologizing and begging for his life was set free by a Polk county jury. Death - Weatherford, Dec. 23 - Thursday at 5 p.m., the 2-year old child of J. O. Summers was standing before an open fireplace when her clothing caught fire and before assistance could arrive, she was completely enveloped in flames. She only lived a few hours. Death - Luling, Dec. 23 - When the eastbound Southern Pacific train, due here at 9:43 last Friday, the mail clerk, Tom Hathaway, failed to open his car to receive and put-off mail. The baggage man at this place, G. L. Kelman, opened the car door and entered to see what the trouble was. At the end of the car, Mr. Hathaway was found dead on some mail sacks. Near him was a 38-caliber pistols with one empty shell. The deceased was found shot directly through the heart. When, where or how he came to his death is a mystery. He received and put-off his mail at Seguin, so it was between here and that place. His body was carried to Houston where his family lives. [lengthy article] Death - El Paso, Dec. 23 - A Southern Pacific switch engine jumped the track while passing just south of the passenger depot on Friday afternoon and plunged headlong into the baggage room. One man was instantly killed and two injured. The dead man has not been identified, his head was crushed by the heavy timbers so that he could not be recognized, but he wore the clothing of a laborer. Switchman B. D. Gifford was standing on the running board and was injured. James Cooney of Marshalltown, Iowa, was caught by falling timbers and was injured. Defective flanges was the cause of the accident. The switch engine has jumped the track several times recently. Death - Denton, Dec. 27 - John Pease was fatally hurt yesterday in an attempt to ride a vicious horse for a purse, being thrown and injured internally. Pease is one of the best broncho busters in this part of the state and was the 10th man to make an unsuccessful attempt to ride the horse. Death - San Antonio, Dec. 27 - Karl Neulaier died Monday evening about 7 p.m. at 921 Dallas St. and death was caused by blood poisoning, the result of a bee sting a short while back. At the time he thought nothing of the bite, but scratched the place where he had been stung a great deal. Blood poisoning set in and after a great deal of suffering, he died. He was a saddle maker. The remains were held being the arrival of his brother from Mexico. Death - Waco, Dec. 27 - S. Wise, age 76, father of Dan Wise of the Waco Savings bank fell dead on the streets Tuesday just before noon from heart failure. He had lived at Waco for 25-years. Death - Dallas, Dec 22 - E. O. Harrell, a member of the Dallas bar, died at 418 N. Harwood St. about 11 a.m. yesterday morning from a gunshot wound received earlier in the day at 9 a.m. He was shot three times while engaged in a quarrel with another attorney, Frank M. Etheridge. The shooting took place in the rotunda of the 1st floor of the North Texas bank building at the foot of a flight of stairs which lead up to the elevator in the main building. Five shots were fired. One entered Harrell’s left-side, two lodging in the left forearm and two shattered the plaster on the wall on the west-side of the building. He was carried to the office of William Thompson and physicians were called. Later, he was moved to his home on Harwood St. He leaves a wife and two small children. After the shooting, Etheridge of the firm Harris, Etheridge & Knight, surrendered to Deputy Sheriff Sloan Lewis. They proceeded to the courtroom of Judge Skelton on W. Main St. and after a hearing, bond was fixed at $2,000. His brother, Tax Collector Etheridge of Oak Cliff arrived just after bond had been made. Etheride claimed the shooting was in self-defense. Trial - “Double Death Penalty” - Clarksville, Tex., Dec. 22 - For about the fourth time in history of the county, there will be a legal hanging. Henderson Pierson, colored, pleaded guilty to murdering his wife and mother-in-law in this county on Aug. 20, 1899. The deed was cold-blooded and premeditated. The women were on their way to the home of a sick neighbor on a quiet Sunday morning, when they were overtaken by Henderson, shotgun in had, and ordered them to go back home. They refused and he shot his mother-in-law in the head, killing her instantly and his wife turned to run, and he fired a load into her back, resulting in instant death. He was captured shortly by people of his own color, without resistance and turned over to officers and placed in jail. The jury assessed the death penalty in both cases. Death - Mose Taylor, colored, was killed at Paris recently. Marriage - Geo. W. Clement and Miss Alice Green of Cameron were married at that place yesterday. Mr. Clement is an attorney and holds the office of city attorney of Rockdale but will make his future home in Cameron. [lengthy article] Marriage Licenses: J. M. Staten to Catherine Morris; Ned Whitfield to Jane Williams; Henry McLane to Levi Chancey; Aaron Wright to Sallie Lewis; Quallie Edmonds to Kazzie Davis; Will Elam to Hattie Mathews; Sam Brown to Ida Jones; Green Alonzo to Marry Nelson; Eread Pitman to Beatric Walton; William McDaniel to Emma Moore; J. A. Jamison to Verna Pool; B. F. Gafford to Lizzie Payne; Sam Clement to Artie Norman; W. J. H. Yarbrough to Emma Lane; Wm. A. Young to Marry D. McIver; Dillard Taylor to Winnie Lewis; Case Kelley to Pearl Stringer; Paul Witchossen to Marie Tatkava; C. F. Smith to Mary Sallis; Katrine Gonzales to Eulalie Jarnez; W. C. Livingston to Belzoria Moore; Will Mitchell to Pearl Tucker; W. J. Thomas to M. L. Thompson Birth - Twins - Two boys born to Mr. & Mrs. Albert M. Barber of near Gardner on the 17th inst. [lengthy article] Death - Mrs. Emmaline Snively, age 66, wife of Capt. H. F. Snively, died at their home Friday night, the 22nd at 1 o’clock and was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery on Saturday at 4 p.m. Grip - Sharp pains in the bowels erysipelas – an acute infectious disease of the skin caused by streptococcus and is characterized by local inflammation and fever. Milam County, Texas: Gleanings from the Rockdale Messenger 1899