Milam Co., TX - Newspapers: Rockdale Messenger 1902 ***************************************************** 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 = = = = = = = = = = 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 = = = = = = = = = = = = 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., 2 Jan 1902 Death - Schulenburg, Dec. 30 - The 18-month son of William Cornelson of this city accidentally drank carbolic acid and died. Death - Pottsboro - William Abrams, living near here, dropped dead from heart disease Suicide - Midyett - T. C. Adams, a farmer living near here, shot himself in the head, dying instantly. Death - Bonham - J. C. Galbraigh of here was run-over and killed while switching at that place. Death - Paris, Tex. - Ike Thomas, negro, was run-over by a Santa Fe passenger train and killed near here. Suicide - Blue Ridge - J. R. Nobles of here, took an overdose of morphine and died from the effects. Trial - Houston - C. E. Steel of here has been indicted by the grand jury for the killing of Thomas Fleming. Death - Houston - G. Herbert Brown of and editor of the Houston Chronicle died in that city of pneumonia. Death - Grandview - The 5-year old son of John Sparks of here, was kicked by a horse and died soon afterwards. Birth - Hicto - Mrs. Ross of here has given birth to the third set of twins. The first two sets of twins were boys and this last set was girls. Fire & Death - Calvert, Dec. 30 - A disastrous fire started Saturday morning in the front- end of one of the two stores of Collot, Adoue & Risser, dry goods and groceries. The building and contents were destroyed. The shoe store of E. Ueitsch, the jewelry store of H. Ryman and six similar stores were also destroyed. The losses on building and stocks are estimated at $150,000 wth $75,000 insurance. Two deaths: Dr. C. C. Garrett, age 83, who was burned in one of the buildings and I. Oscar who was killed by a falling wall. Daniel Lavine and Ryman were caught when the building collapsed and were injured. Trial - Brenham, Dec. 31 - The examining trial of Perry Wright, charged with the murder of his brother, Jim Wright, on Christmas night was held by Judge Chappell. The defendant admits he "hurt his brother." The testimony of Tim Middleton, Henry Brooks, Martha Armstead and Robert Middleton were taken. Wright was remanded without bail. Marriage Licenses: G. W. Tuttle to Miss Cora A. Dodson; James Owens to Litta Brown; Silas Evans to Amelia Reed; Stephen Geiser to Mary Albrich; Brack Keeton to Jimmie Young; L. H. Rool to Mrs. F. M. Nunley; W. M. Beecher to Hattie Clark; A. G. Allen to Laura White Death - Marshall, Dec. 31 - Lige Smalley, age 53, a well known negro dwarf of this city, dropped dead in a saloon here Saturday evening. He was 48-inches tall and perfectly formed. He was known throughout Texas. Death - Terrell, Dec. 31 - W. I. Davidson, living 2-miles east of this city, died of lockjaw. Several days ago he was thrown from his buggy in a run-away and had one arm broken. The arm was reset and he had been out and about until Sunday when he was taken violently ill with severe pains in the broken arm, the muscles of which became contracted. Sunday night his jaws became locked. So severe was the pain that it is said he crushed three of his teeth by the strong contractions of his muscular powers. Death - Paris, Tex., Dec. 31 - While two boys, one age 13 and the other age 11, sons of W. T. Manley, a Delta county farmer, living west of Coper, near Yowell, were out in the field burning cornstalks, the older boy picked up a gun they had taken along with them to the field, and while playfully pointing it towards his brother, it was accidentally discharged, killing him instantly. Death - Palestine, Dec. 31 - Dick Fuller, a well known citizen was, shot and killed by some unknown assassin in ambush hear Nechesville in this county. Before retiring for bed, Fuller stepped out to the well to get a drink of water, when some one fired a load of buckshot into his body, killing him almost instantly. Suicide - Taylor, Dec. 31 - Walter Eubank, age 24, committed suicide here by shooting himself through the head. Newspaper - The Messenger has just received from the factory a Fairbanks & Morse 2«- horsepower gasoline engine to run the machinery of the printing office. There has been added about $400 worth of type and machinery to The Messenger during the past 12- months [lengthy article] Death - Emory, Dec. 31 - Charles Carter, living 4-miles northwest of this city, was shot and killed at his home about 7 p.m. last Saturday. He heard a noise in his yard and went to the outside door to investigate, when he was fired upon. He fell on the front porch and died in about 2-hours. There were 41 buckshots that penetrated his left breast just below the heart. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 16 Jan 1902 Death - Whitewright, Tex., Jan. 11 - Mrs. Howard, living near this place was perhaps fatally burned Tuesday while burning stalks in a field. Her husband was also badly burned about the hands in attempting to extinguish the flames. Drove Horse to Death - McKinney, Jan. 11 - Will Humphries plead guilty in the county court of driving a horse to death. He was find and sent to the county road crew. Hero - Sherman, Jan. 13 - J. C. Felingam, a farmer, discovered a defect in the track of the Houston & Texas Central railroad, 4-miles south of the city and flagged down the northbound express train No. 5 in time to avert an accident. Both fish plates were broken at a joint and the rails were out of line. Hanging - Waco, Jan. 11 - Anderson Norris, negro, about age 22, was hanged at 1 p.m. yesterday for the murder of Mrs. Emma French, near Corsicana in Dec. 1900. The evidence was circumstantial. Norris declared his innocence to the last. He talked to Mr. French, the husband of the murdered woman saving he did not kill Mrs. French. He weakened at the last and was so frightened he could hardly stand. Death - Abilene, Jan. 11 - There was a shooting and cutting in Jones county which left Ed Coons mortally stabbed and dying. Coons fired three shots at Jesse Jackson but inflicted no serious wounds. Death - Eagle Lake, Jan. 14 - The body of James T. Allen of Marble Falls was brought to Justice Davidson's office Saturday night from Jeter's ranch, 4-miles from here. A load of buckshot had passed through Allen's heart. Miss Mary Johnson of Austin testified at the inquest she did the shooting in self- defense. Both are strangers here and came together. The woman said she had tried to get away from the man but could not. She is now in jail at Columbus awaiting a full investigation. Death - Marshall, Jan 14 - Major James Franklin Starr died at this home in this city Sunday. Starr enlisted in Co. H, 1st Texas Mounted rifles and served throughout the Civil War. At the surrender he was the adjutant of Hardeman's Brigade, with the rank of Major. The deceased was one of the best friends the volunteer fire department of Texas ever had. Death - Cleburne, Jan. 14 - While standing near the fire at her country home near here, Mrs. Pid Hart accidentally fell in or close enough for the flames to ignite her clothing and was fatally burned. Members of the family in an adjoining room rushed to her assistance, but not in time to save her. Death - Mineola, Jan. 14 - S. Munzesheimer, who was shot Friday afternoon, died Saturday night. The examining trail of Aaron Munzesheimer, who is under arrest charged with the shooting will be held today. Death - Celeste, Tex., Jan. 14 - Henry Sinclair, a painter, was found dead on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas track 100-yards north of the depot. He has a daughter here and a son at Hillsboro. It is supposed he went to jump off the train and fell under the wheels. Death - Eagle Pass, Jan. 14 - While hunting birds, Isador Ramires, age 12, was shot accidently by Eduardo Garcia, age 12, with a target rifle. He was shot through the heart, ran about 100-yards and fell dead. Suicide - Fort Worth - Orvill D. Smith, telegraph operator, committed suicide here. Death - Whitewright - Mrs. T. L. Hansard died here of burns received last Tuesday. Death - Fort Worth - J. F. Ferguson of here was run down by a train and killed at Houston. Death - Bonham - E. E. Rogers of here was run-over and killed by a switch engine at Denison. Suicide - Luling - Clark Ethridge, a prominent citizen of here committed suicide because of failing health Accident - McGregor - The premature explosion of dynamite, which was being used for blasting has probably left Frank Garrett of here fatally injured. Deaths - Houston - John Powers and Joseph Paskey were run down by a Southern Pacific train in the yards here and both were ground to pieces. Appointment - Gov. Sayers has appointed Dr. D. F. McLendon of Smithville as state quarantine officer at Galveston to succeed Dr. J. C. Mayfield, deceased. Death - Houston - Norman Deal was struck over the head with a crowbar here by a fellow workman and died in a short while. Elliott Green was arrested. Marriage Licenses: C. F. Gallahert to Miss Gertrude Robertson; Norry Schrock to Miss Fannie Coleman; John Hooke to Miss Mary Pfonstil; Frank Smith to Miss Ida Hammond; R. L. McCown to Miss Meta Thompson; Bosco Crummil to Miss Isabel Hall; Robert Stafford Boykin to Miss Minnie Carothers Marriage - Cameron - Robert L. McCown and Miss Meta Thompson were married on Jan. 7th at 1:20 p.m. at the Presbyterian church. [lengthy article] Death - Bowie, Jan. 14 - While leaning over the railing of a balcony, coughing, W. O. Carpenter, age about 50, a railroad man, lost his balance and falling to the ground broke his neck. He had lived here only 3-months and boarded at the Denver House. He was on the balcony and complained of being ill. During a coughing fit he went to the railing and before anyone had warning toppled over. He was dead when picked up. He has a brother, L. R. Carpenter at Lampasas. Death - Eagle Pass, Jan. 14 - A sack containing almost the complete skeleton of a boy about 15-years of age was found Sunday in a gully «-mile above town by a boy while gathering wood. Physicians think the boy must have been dead over 2- years but the bones had recently been placed in the sack. There was nothing by which to identify the bones and no boy has been missing here in that time. Death - Fate, Tex. - I. W. Uncle, a merchant of here, was found dead at his store. Death - Waxahachie - H. S. Grimes, a farmer living near here died from an overdose of morphine. Arrest - Elgin - John Tomann, charged with the murder of William Toliver has been arrested here. Suicide - Brenham - Fred Finke, a farmer living near here committed suicide by hanging himself in a barn. Death - Paducah, Tex. - The 1-year old child of C. H. Tyler of here, fell into a vessel of boiling water and died from the effects. Death - Big Springs - The 3-year old daughter of James Castlow of here died from the effects of shooting fire crackers at Christmas. Death - Victoria, Jan. 6 - Mrs. A. C. McCoy, age about 30, died of fright Friday night caused by a large rock being thrown against the window of the room in which she was sitting. She was engaged in conversation with her mother and a neighbor in the room at the time the rock crashed through the window and death resulted immediately. Medical attention was secured but efforts were in vain. Her husband was not home at the time. A negro man has been arrested. Death - San Antonio, Dec. 28 - Jo Silby, a negro mail collector for the San Antonio post office was shot and killed here by E. H. Light who mistook the man for a burglar. Newspaper - The improved appearance of The Messenger this week is the clearness of print is due to the assistance of Minor H. Brown, the crushed strawberry foreman of the Taylor Texan, who came up last Saturday and regulated our press for us. [lengthy article] Marriage - Rockdale - Pete Keen and Miss Ida Alford were married on the 8th inst. at the home of J. D. Shelton Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 23 Jan 1902 Death - Brenham, Jan. 21 - Prof. W. C. Grossman and his son Willie Grossman were mashed to death at 3 p.m. Sunday while out for a stroll through the country. The Santa Fe track was selected for the route and they went north for a distance of 3-miles. Returning they covered about half the distance home and were walking across a high trestle about 100-feet long. They were caught on the trestle by the passenger train and both killed. Death - Brenham, Jan. 21 - Mrs. W. C. Grossman died Monday at Wallis while en route to Cuero to attend the funeral of her husband and son who were run-over Sunday by a Santa Fe train near this city. Mrs. Grossman has been in ill health and physicians tried to dissuade her from attending the funeral. She was immovable and started on the journey. She grew steadily worse and when the train reached Wallis her condition was such that it became necessary to move her from the train at once. She was taken to a hotel and several physicians were at her bedside but they could do nothing. Death - Austin, Jan. 21 - Thomas Hartigan, age 60, an inmate of the State Confederate home died very suddenly at that institution on Sunday. He was in the best of health when he was suddenly stricken with rheumatism of the heart and lived but a short time. He was admitted to the home 2-years ago from Waco. Death - Galveston, Jan. 21 - Leon Burger, age 18, a carpenter's apprentice fell from the roof of the new powerhouse of the street railway here and was killed. He went on the roof in the course of construction and fell through a ventilator opening to the ground, a distance of 60-feet. Trial - Palestine, Jan. 21 - In the District Court here the case of G. A. Tippen, Jr., charged with killing his father, George Tippen, here a few weeks ago was called for trial and the defendant entered a plea of guilty and the court assessed a life sentence. Death - Navasota, Jan. 21 - J. M. Barrow who was run-over by a Santa Fe train Thursday died from the injuries received. Marriage Licenses: J. A. Barker to Miss Emma Townsend; Gus Davis to Miss Josephine Handy; John Cochran to Miss Onie Cook; Hallie Hempfield to Miss Addie Lewis; Jospeh Dickens to Miss Carrie Woods; Henry Kanady to Miss Pearl Breedlove, Sam Houston to Miss Temple Hubbard; M. M. Burkeen to Miss Jane Blancett; E. D. Kelso to Miss Biddie Massengale Marriage - Gano - Miss Virginia Stiles of Conoley and John Duncan of Gano were married at the Christian church here on the evening of the 12th. [lengthy article] Marriage - Gardner - Edgar Avrett of Pleasant Hill and Miss Mattie Alford of Rockdale were married at the home of the bride on Sunday evening, the 19th inst. They will make their new home near Gardner. Trial - Paris., Tex., Jan. 21 - John Bates, charged with the murder of Joe Means, a transient cotton picker, near Pacio, Delta county, a year ago, was convicted of manslaughter at Cooper and given 6-years in the penitentiary. Death - Marlin, Jan 18 - John Jones, age 22, died here from the effects of injuries received at the Marlin oil mill. While oiling the rollers, his right arm became fastened in the cots and was mashed from his body. Death - Sulphur Springs, Jan. 20 - Nathan Connally who was burned while celebrating with fireworks on Christmas night died Sunday. Death - Milam County - Oscar W. Waldrop, age 40, died on Thursday, Jan. 16th of pneumonia after suffering for 9-days. He was buried in the Lebanon cemetery. He was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He leaves a wife and three daughters. He was a charter member of the Tracy Camp, W.O.W. and every member of the group attended the funeral as his was the first death of the Camp. [lengthy article] Marriage - Buckholts - Ned Johnson arrived home last Thursday night from North Carolina with his bride [no name given], to whom he married during Christmas. Death - Buckholts - Mrs. J. D. Daniel's mother [no name given], near Eddy. Death - Davilla - Oscar Waldrup died yesterday at Tracy with pneumonia. He leaves a wife and five children. He was buried by the W.O.W. Death - Davilla - Miss Lou Walker, familiarly known as Aunt Lou, died Jan. 11th at the home of her sister-in-law, Mrs. Walker. He was born near Huntsville, AL on June 6, 1824. She was buried in the Friendship cemetery. [lengthy article] Marriage - Rockdale - Edgar Everett of Pleasant Hill to Miss Mattie Alfrod of this city were married last Sunday afternoon at the home of the bride's parents. Birth - Rockdale - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. D. H. Sanford born last night. Rockdale Messenger, Thur., 30 Jan 1902 Deaths - "Tragedy at Beeville" - Bellville, Jan. 24 - Three men dead, one fatally shot and three slightly wounded is the result of a battle that occurred at the Santa Fe depot here Wednesday at 6 p.m. The dead are: Raymond G. White, Moilam Odom of Wallis, Henry Dittert of San Felipe, and Walter Pennington of Wallis is shot through the bowels and will die. His father, Elihu Pennington is slightly wounded about the head. Antone Dittart, a liveryman of Bellville has a flesh wound through his thigh. John Hackbarth, merchant of Sealy had the instep of his foot crushed by a shot. It was a battle with six-shooters between Elihu Pennington and his son, Walter Pennington, on one-side and Odom and his half- brother Raymond Withe on the other. A large crowd was at the depot awaiting the arrival of the southbound passenger train. The fight began in the midst of them without warning and before the people could escape to places of safety, one of their number was shot dead in his tracks and two others wounded by stray bullets. The tragedy is the outgrowth of a killing which occurred at Wallis 2- years ago, when Walter Pennington killed James C. Odom. Walter Pennington was to have been tried for the killing but his case was continued. A large crowd of citizens from Wallis and vicinity were here to attend the trial and the parties to the feud were brought together at the depot while waiting for the train. Death - Thorndale - Oscar Waldrop, age about 35, died at his home near San Andrew's crossing on the Gabriel, last Friday morning of pneumonia. He leaves a wife and three children. [lengthy article] Death - Buckholts - Mrs. Fikes, wife of John Fikes, living on Elm, died last Saturday morning after a long lingering illness. She leaves a husband and children. Marriage - Gause - Chas. Gallaher of Itaska, Tex., and Miss Gertrude Robertson of near Milano were married on the 15th inst. at the home of C. L. Rankin by Rev. J. D. Rankin, who is the grandfather of the bride. The bride's aunt, Mrs. A. Fleming of Austin and Mrs. J. F. Rumple and son Willie were present. They will make their home in Itaska. Birth - Rockdale - Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. Marion Arendall on the 21st inst. Marriage - New Salem - C. D. Foster and Miss Kate Curlee were married last Sunday at Tanglewood. [lengthy article] Death - Wylie, Tex., Jan. 28 - John Hutchins, a farmer, age about 25, was found dead about 11 a.m. Sunday, «-mile east of this place, by the side of the Cotton Belt railroad track. Marks on his body show it is likely he was struck by a passing train sometime Saturday night. He came to this place from Tennessee several years ago with his brother [no name given], who has been a teacher in the public schools here. Death - Big Sandy, Jan. 28 - Will Caffery, age 45, was killed Saturday on his farm, a few miles north of this place. While working in new ground, a burning tree fell on him, killing him almost instantly. Marriage - Rockdale - J. P. Fields (sp?), a former resident of Rockdale, was in the city the latter part of last week. He was on his return to his home in Rosebud with his bride, having been married to Miss Kate Field in Burnet on Monday, Jan. 20th. [End of issues for 1902] Milam County, Texas: Gleanings from the Rockdale Messenger 1902