Milam Co., TX - Newspapers: Rockdale Messenger 1904 ***************************************************** 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 = = = = = = = = = = [Issues for 1904 begin with the following edition] Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 19 Aug 1904 No abstracts Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 26 Aug 1904 Marriage - Rockdale - Miss Daisy Dyer of this city and W. H. Webb of Dallas were married at the home of E. E. Smith, the bride’s home, last Monday at 10:45 a.m. They will make their home in Dallas. Marriage - Lilac - Leo. Hook and Miss Lillie Dodson were married Sunday evening at the home of the bride’s parents. Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 2 Sept 1904 Sickness - Milam County - J. J. Hairston has been seriously ill with heart trouble all the week and as we go to press this morning, he is reported no better. Death - Cameron - The remains of H. V. Lowenstein of Cameron were buried in the Jewish cemetery in this city today at 10 a.m. He was well known in Rockdale, having visited here a number of times as an optician. Maj. W. M. McGregor and two brothers of the deceased accompanied the body from Cameron. [Note: This is no gravemarker for this individual in the cemetery.] Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 9 Sept 1904 Newspaper - Howard Willson, Editor - This is the 4th year The Messenger has been published under its present management. [very lengthy article] Death - Sand Grove - The 8-year old son of Dan Neal died Tuesday night with something like diphtheria. Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 16 Sept 1904 Newspaper - On account of a delayed shipment of paper, The Messenger is a day late this week. Marriage - Rockdale - Mr. & Mrs. Joe Valentine were in Calvert Wednesday to attend the marriage of Mrs. Valentine’s brother, Mr. Hardy. Birth - Tracy - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. S. A. Brinkley on Sept. 2, weight 9- pounds. Marriage - Tracy - Jep Cantrell and Miss Janie Craven were married on Wed., Aug. 31st. They will make their home in Hillsboro. [lengthy article] Death - Gay Hill - The 14-year old son of Emil Stork, of this area, died last Wednesday. Death - Kenney, Tex., Sept. 12 - While walking in his yard, Edward Daughtrey, a prominent citizen of Austin county was stricken with paralysis and soon died. He was born Oct. 20, 1825 in San Augustine county and it was thought he was the oldest living native Texan, being at the time of his death nearly 80 years old. He was married in 1857 to Miss Antoinette Dixon. They had 16 children, of which 12 are living, 8 girls and 4 boys [no names given]. Daughtrey came with his father, Bryan Daughtrey, who settled in Austin county in 1830. His father kept an inn on the road from San Felipe to Austin during the 1840s. It was here that General Sam Houston, when wounded, stopped and had his wounds dressed. Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 23 Sept 1904 Murder - “Axe Left in Skull - Falls County Farmer the Victim of an Atrocious Act - Girls Under Arrest - Two Daughters of the Dead Man Put Under Bond of $1,000 Each Previous to Preliminary Trial” - Rosebud, Sept. 19 - The most horrible murder ever known in this portion of Falls county was that of C. S. Stuart, age about 60, which happened at his home, 10-miles east of hear, while he was asleep. His head was nearly severed from his body and the axe with which the deed was done was left in the skull. The walls and doors of the room were spattered with blood. He was a widower. He and his children lived there alone. Two daughters are said to e away from home attending school. Those at home are: Willie Stuart, age 16; Valmer Stuart, age about 14; Gracie Stuart, age about 11; Collin Stuart, age about 9 - all being girls except Collin. Willie and Valmer were charged with killing their father. Examining trial will be Sept. 20th. The victim is said to have been a Confederate soldier. Death - “Caught Stealing - John Anderson Shot and Instantly Killed at a Gin” - Victoria, Sept. 17 - John Anderson, colored, was shot and killed at Tucker’s gin, at Mission Valley, in this county, by Fred Schlein and W. H. Gisler, while stealing a load of cotton from the gin. Anderson was driving away with the cotton when he was stopped by Schlein and Gisler. He made a motion as if to reach for his gun, whereupon both Schlein and Gisler emptied double-barreled shotguns on him, killing him instantly. Death - Coleman, Sept. 17 - While in town after medicine for his grandchild, J. C. Hughes was thrown from his buggy, causing concussion of the brain. Death resulted in a few minutes. The grandchild [no name given] also died. Visiting - Sand Grove - P. B. Bodiford and Bud Cave of Milano attended preaching at the Grove last Sunday. Birth - Cedar Creek - Girl born to Mrs. Asa McGregor Article - “Texans at Manassas” Death - Bonham - T. W. Morries (sp?), a noted attorney, died near here. Death - El Paso - J. F. Anderson, a switchman, was fatally crushed between cars. Death - Dallas - Louis Wood was killed by the accidental discharge of a shotgun. Death - Justin, Tex. - J. C. Leuty, cut by a barbed wire died after 10-days suffering. Death - Red River County - E. J. Garver who was accidentally shot near English, died. Death - Pottsboro - The little boy of Albert Henderson fell into a well and died from injuries. Death - Texarkana - Tom Jones, porter of an Iron Mountain train was killed by an unknown party. Death - Greenville, Sept. 17 - At Delafield, Wis., where he was sojourning for his health, Ira O. Wyse, age about 45, a prominent business man of this city, and president of the oil company of that name, died. He leaves a widow and three daughters. Death - Georgetown, Sept. 17 - Claude Sessions of Austin, colored, age 14, while snapping a supposed empty gun at his 8-year old sister, accidentally shot her and she died in a few minutes. The ball struck her in the forehead. The family was 3-miles from there picking cotton. Suicide - Galveston, Sept. 17 - Frank Maurer, a deckhand, tied a weight around his neck and jumped from the tug Charles Clarke while the vessel was out at the bar. Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 30 Sept 1904 Death - Athens, Sept. 24 - During a heavy electrical storm and rain, two children of Mat Edwards, living 17-miles north of Athens, a boy, age 6, and a girl, age 8, [no names given] were killed by lightning. The family was in the field picking cotton and the storm coming started for the house. The children were running ahead some 40-yards of the others when struck. The girl’s clothes were set on fir, but the flames were extinguished by the father on reaching her. Both children were killed instantly. Death - Temple, Sept. 28 - Jake Cravey, a messenger boy who has been a patient at the Santa Fe hospital here for the last month suffering from blood poisoning, died Tuesday. Death - Sublime, Tex. - Fritz Teichmann was cut in two by a train near Sublime. Death - Forney - George McSwain, negro, drowned in a tank near Forney. Death - Terrell - Mrs. Lizzie Beck of Timpson, Tex., died at the Terrell insane asylum. Death - McKinney - Rev. G. Laxon, an aged Methodist minister date at McKinney Death - Houston - Enid Sherman, negro, died from the effects of falling from a bridge. Birth - Dallas - Triplet Girls born to Mrs. E. M. Allcorn of Dallas Suicide - Navarro County - S. N. Gregory, a wealthy farmer, cut his throat near Rice and died. Trial - Georgetown, Sept. 28 - Alfred Taylor and James Wilson of Rice Crossing, near Taylor, were placed in the county jail charged with beating a Mexican about a week ago. The Mexican died and the charge of murder is now made against them. Death - Mt. Calm, Tex., Sept. 24 - Mrs. Reeves, living at Watt, 10-miles south of here, was killed by lightning. She and her husband were walking side-by-side when she stopped to pick-up something she had dropped. He advanced a few steps and while she was stooping, she was instantly killed and her husband was severely shocked. Death - Denison, Sept. 26 - “Aged Negress Gone - 102 Years Old and had 24 Children” - Leona Dare, age 102, died in the Blue river district of the Indian Territory. She was the mother of 24 children. Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 7 Oct 1904 Death - Athens - Lucius Jones, negro, was fatally cut in a fight at Athens. Death - Marble Falls - Don Turner was shot twice at this city and died. His slayer left. Death - McKinney - William Ross, a young man, was found dead on the family porch near McKinney. Death - Kaufman - Joe Spence, Mexican, was found in a well here with his skull crushed in. Death - Abilene - Tom Woods, a boy, was accidentally killed near here by the discharge of a six-shooter. Arrest - Cameron - Lula Williams, negress, has been jailed here charged with murdering her husband. He was brained. Death - Thorndale - Frank Laird, age about 28, of Tracy, died on Thursday of last week from black jaundice. He was only sick 4-days. He leaves a wife and three children. Death - Thorndale - Miss Bettie McCloud, age 16, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Dock McCloud, who lives on Brushy on the Turner farm, died on Thursday of last week from black jaundice. She was sick only a few days, having been taken ill on Sunday before. Death - Tracy - Frank Laird died after a brief illness at his home Sept. 22nd with black jaundice, he was buried in the Murry school house cemetery. Death - Cedar Creek - The little girl, age about 18-months, of Joe Moore was buried in Milano last Thursday. Death - Dallas - Hon. Barnett “Barney” Gibbs, formerly Lieutenant Governor of Texas and later candidate for governor on the People’s Party ticket, died hat his home in Dallas last Tuesday. Death - Dallas, Oct. 4 - In the saloon of J. E. Maxwell, near the union depot, Tuesday morning, A. Riddle, a bartender, died in the establishment. He was shot in the brain by Fred Manning, negro, with a .45 Colt revolver. Manning claims self-defense. Death - Rockdale - Dr. A. C. Sprott, an old and respected citizen of Rockdale died very suddenly at this home last Sunday, Oct. 2nd, about noon. He was discovered by his family after he died. He was buried at 10 a.m. at the old cemetery by his former comrades, the Confederate Veterans. He leaves a wife and large family. He was born in 1818 in Alabama and moved to Texas when quite young and settled at Coldspring [now San Jacinto County]. He came to Rockdale in 1876 and first engaged in the lumber business and afterward engaged in merchandising. He was a Confederate soldier during the war between the states and joined Sam Davis Camp, Confederate Veterans when it was first organized in 1890. He was a member of Co. K, 14th Texas, Randle’s brigade of Walker’s division in which he volunteered in Feb. 1862 and fought battles in Mansfield, LA and Pleasant Hill and many others. [very lengthy article] Death - Mrs. Thomas Phillips died a home, 3-miles from town last Wednesday. She was buried in the Murray School House cemetery. [lengthy article] Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 14 Oct. 1904 Marriage - Gay Hill - Chas. Lehman of Thorndale and Miss Dyche of Rockdale were married on Oct. 9th at 5 p.m. at the home of Frank Dockal at Gay Hill. They will make their home in Thorndale. [very lengthy article] Death - San Antonio - Andrew Paluka, an aged man, drowned near here. Death - Bellville - Fritz Palm, a Texas pioneer was found dead in bed here. Death - El Paso - The decomposed remains of W. B. McLachen were found 8-miles from here. Arrest - San Antonio - Maximo Vera and Peter Fierro were arrested here, charged with the murder of a 1-day old child of a 15 year old girl. Deaths - Sherman, Oct. 10 - When a Missouri, Kansas & Texas freight trained pulled into Tioga late Saturday night, thee was found on a breakbeam a hip joint, part of a rib and part of the entrails of a man, together with pieces of clothing. A section crew sent out to search the track found the remainder of the body and another body near a bridge. The mangled remains have been identified as Will Beacon and John Hensen, the former residing near where they were killed. It is presumed they were struck by a train while walking on the tracks. Deaths - Houston, Oct. 10 - A fatal pistol duel took place about 4-miles south of here on Bray’s bayou. The parties were Herman Ottman and Henry Schilling. Ottman was shot 3- times and died almost instantly. Old man Schilling, father of Henry Schilling was also killed. The elder Schilling was trying to stop the fight. He son was wounded. Death - Rockdale - Rexford Wells, an aged and honored citizen of Rockdale died at his home in this city last Monday about noon after a brief illness. He was taken sick on Saturday morning and sank rapidly from the first. He was buried Thursday at 9 a.m. at the old cemetery. [very lengthy article] Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 21 Oct. 1904 Death - Victoria - Lutero Juarez fell from a tree near here, broke his back and died. Death - Yoakum - While thrashing pecans from a tree near here, Albert Crepen, a boy, fell and was killed. Death - Mineloa - A. A. Shafer was struck by a train 8-miles south of here and his head crushed. He soon expired. Trial - Beaumont - Eva Brittain was convicted of killing Minnie Smith, both negress, and was given 5-years. Announcement - Rockdale - The marriage of Miss May Perry of this city and L. B. Baker of Sillsbee, is announced for next Monday, Oct. 23rd. Trial - Houston - Maj. H. N. Swain, charged with killing C. W. Jones here last Sunday week, has been indicted for murder. Death - Leggett, Oct. 18 - J. W. Hanner, age 74, a Confederate soldier, fell dead at this home on the 3rd of this month and $200 in gold was found in a handmade belt on the body. When the inquest was held, the justice took the belt off and laid it aside in an old pasteboard box, thinking it was an electric belt. The gold was discovered by his son 10- days after the inquest. Death - Mount Pleasant, Oct. 19 - O. V. Arnold was run-over by a freight train in the cotton yards here. Both legs were cut-off and he lived only a few hours. His home was in Commerce and he was employed as a breakman on the Cotton Belt [railroad]. Death - Mount Pleasant, Oct. 18 - G. H. Allen was run-over by a wagon just east of town and killed. Death - Austin, Oct. 19 - Hon. S. R. Boyd, age 65, who represented Hill county during the last two sessions of the legislature died in this city Tuesday. He was here for treatment of heart trouble. He was an ex-Confederate soldier and leaves a widow and several children. His body was shipped to Hillsboro for burial. Death - Fort Worth, Oct. 18 - H. B. Cush, age 84, is dead. He was a son of one of the first missionaries to the Choctawa. He was a Confederate soldier and an Odd Fellow. He came here from Mississippi in 1868. Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 28 Oct. 1904 Death - Houston, Oct. 21 - A scaffold broke on the addition to the St. Joseph’s infirmary, causing two bricklayers named Lindenberg and Field to fall 30-feet. The latter was fatally injured. Death - Elgin - Walter Scott dropped dead on a street here. Death - Ennis - Lewis Blankenship was killed by a train 10-miles from here. Death - Taylor - T. B. Beavers a well known locomotive engineer died here Death - Commerce - Pete Green was killed here by Louis Bass, both negroes. Bass was arrested. Accident - Bastrop County - While hunting here, Wesley Smith was accidentally shot in the abdomen. Death - Granger - Rosa Martines, age 14, died here from eating frost bitten can and pork. Death - Navasota - Nathan Kipper was shot and killed at a negro festival 3- miles from here by another negro. Trial - Houston - William Lyles was convicted here of murder in the second degree for killing William Leben. Trial - San Antonio - Jesus Perez was convicted of criminal assault on Juana Morales and the death penalty was assessed. Trial - Corsicana - Walter H. Earle, charged with the murder of Policeman C. D. Maddox was admitted to $5,000 bail here. Death - Runge - The horse of Burg Moreisse ran under a tree with him near here and a limb struck the rider with fatal effect. Death - San Antonio, Oct. 25 - Rev. Henry L. Pinard, a Catholic priest, was found in a dying condition in a room in a cheap lodging house here on Monday. He obtained 30- grains of strychnine from a druggist saying he wanted to kill coyotes. After his death, the bottle was found containing only 7-grains. He left a note asking for certain debts owing to him be collected. His parents live in Houston. He had been subject to heart disease and was accustomed to taking strychnine for relief. Marriage - Rockdale - Mrs. A. M. Nally of Lexington came up Monday to attend the wedding of her niece, Miss May Perry. Death - Sand Grove - The infant of Mr. & Mrs. Antone Tuma died last week. Arrest - “Beaten on the Head with a Pistol” - Cameron, Oct. 20 - Yesterday afternoon, in a difficulty on the streets between Buck Robertson and Henry Dockery, Dockery was knocked down and struck on the head with a large six- shooter. One shot was fired at him, which plowed a large hold through his coat near the neck, but did not enter his body. Robertson was arrested and complaint filed against him in Justice Langford’s court charging him with assault with intent to murder, and he was placed under $500 bond and released to await the action of the grand jury. With the exception of the wound on the head made by the pistol, Dockery was not hurt. Marriage - Rockdale - Miss May Perry of this city and L. B. Baker of Silsbee were married last Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Perry. They will make their home in Silsbee. [lengthy article] Trial - Paris, Oct. 21 - Jim Wilson, charged with the murder of Walter Webb in this city on June 8, 1901, pleaded guilt to aggravated assault and was fined $100 and given 6-months in jail. Death - San Antonio, Oct. 26 - Her heart paralyzed with fear at seeing a strange man in her room at midnight with a drawn pistol, Mrs. Delores de Moran, a Mexican, died in her bed at an early hour Tuesday morning. A little child was prematurely born at the same time. H. L. Thompson of Memphis, TN, a young man who is visiting the international fair, is held charged with the woman’s murder. Death - Hallettsville, Oct. 26 - C. U. Floyd, a traveling piano tuner, was shot and killed Tuesday at noon at the Park hotel here. R. R. McDade, Jr. of Hempstead was arrested for the crime. With him at the time was his brother, John McDade also of Hempstead. Mr. McDade, Sr., is one of the commissioners for the state awarding the $50,000 reward for a boil weevil remedy. The deceased’s home is unknown. He has traveled through this section the past year pursuing his vocation. Death - Waxahachie, Oct. 25 - Rod Skinner, while out hunting on Monday with two companions, the gun that Joe Minnick, one of the party, was carrying, was accidentally discharged. The load entered young Skinner’s side, causing a wound which resulted in death at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Death - Cumby, Tex., Oct. 26 - Claude Williams, a young man, whose parents live at Mount Vernon, Tex., was thrown from a dray wagon and killed in a run-away. His neck was broken. Death - Kilgore, Oct. 24 - Adam Lockhart was found dead in a field about 4- miles from Kilgore on Sunday morning with a bullet hole in him. Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 4 Nov. 1904 Death - San Marcos - Judge L. H. Brown, a noted Texan, died here. Birthday - San Angelo - D. P. Ridgill celebrated his 100th birthday here Trial - San Antonio - Henry Burgh was acquitted of the murder of Dr. H. J. Chapman Death - Denison - Gus Howard, a pioneer of Denison and member of Perkins’ Texas Confederate brigade is dead. Death - Lockhart - A scantling fell on the head of the little girl of R. F. Page, near here, with fatal result. Death - Austin - W. Van Lear Cooper died at the Confederate Home on Oct. 29th. Death - Austin - A. H. Kerr died at the Confederate Home on Oct. 29th. Death - Plano - Major O. Sims, age 86, a veteran of the Mexican and Civil wars died here Death - Linden, Tex. - Two small children of Louis Haskins, colored, 7-miles from here burned to death during destruction of home. Marriage - Cedar Creek - J. S. Beard of here married Miss Alinc Thomas of Hix. The will live in Cameron. [lengthy article] Suicide - Greenville, Nov. 1 - John Hancock, a young farmer, shot and killed himself 5- miles west of here. Financial and family troubles alleged as the causes. Marriage - Rockdale - Ed. Hewitt, formerly of this place and now a businessman at Rosebud, and Miss Katie Hewitt of Rockdale were married at the home of Henry Helfy, a relative in Cameron. [lengthy article] Death - Houston, Nov. 1 - Two men are dead, two fatally injured and one severely hurt as the result of a dynamite explosion in the Batson oil field, east of here on Tuesday. The dead: John Brumley of McKee’s Rock, PA, head blown off and Clarence J. Hoff of Tennessee, body blown to pieces and lodged in a tree near the scene of the explosion. Fatally injured: John Rider of Pittsburg, PA, a piece of casing blown through his breast and Bert Holt, blown 30-feet and internally injured. Badly injured: The pumping foreman [no name given]. Dynamite had been placed in the Guffey company’s well to loosen the casing. Tuesday it was decided to pull it out and rest the charge. In pulling the explosive up, it collided with the casing, causing the explosion. “Brought Child’s Body” - Dallas, Nov. 2 - Rev. G. E. Walk, the new dean of St. Matthew’s Episcopal cathedral, accompanied by Mrs. Walk and their young son arrived here Tuesday from their former home, Cedar Rapids, IA. They also brought the remains of the 9-year old daughter, thrown from a horse and killed a year ago. Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 11 Nov. 1904 Death - Dallas - Henr Boll, a resident here since 1855 is dead. Death - Terrell - J. W. Todd, a Mexican veteran died here suddenly Death - Tenaha, Tex. - Charles Hicks, age 85, was killed near here by a train Death - Brenham - R. A. Halbert, a resident here since 1850 is dead. Accident - Texarkana - Ed Lassiter fell-off his horse 10-miles from here and broke his neck. Death - Lampasas - John Nesbitt was fatally injured by a train near here and soon died. Death - Decatur - Bob Newman, age 12, was run-over by a cow near here and died. Suicide - Paris - O. G. Nosker, a contracting painter suicided by taking carbolic acid. Death - Harrisburg, Tex. - Conrad Leuchmeyer drowned in Buffalo bayou 4-miles from here. Death - El Paso - J. E. Murphy of New Orleans was killed by a train near here. He was a bridge builder. Death - Nacogdoches - Felix Dodd died from knife wounds. Bob Curl was jailed. Both negroes. Trial - Sherman - Ed Smith, charged with killing another negro named George Simms, got 8-years. Death - Port Arthur - J. A. Cottrell, messman of the steamship Larimer, jumped overboard here and was drowned. Birth - Sand Grove, Nov. 1 - Boy born to Pen Dickins last week. Newspaper - Sand Grove - C. B. Bankston, editor of the Sand Grove Tattler Death - “Fatally Shot - Nine Buckshot Enter the Right Breast of Blacksmith” - Brenham, Nov. 4 - Alvin Dolleshaw, a blacksmith of Nelsonville, Austin county, was shot at close range with a load of buckshot by Charley Chignosky, in Eckert’s restaurant here Thursday afternoon. There are nine buckshots in his right breast. Chignoskey surrendered and was locked up in the county jail. Dolleshaw was a Polander and has a wife and child at Nelsonville. Chignosky said that several years ago they had a difficulty over a trivial affair and 5- years ago they met at a fest at Nelsonville and Dolleshaw shot at him 5-times, one shot hitting him in the thigh and another in the right-side. Dolleshaw said he would get him the next time they met. This was the first time he had seen Dolleshaw and he went to a hardware store and secured a shotgun and some buckshot shells and that as soon as he found him, he shot Dolleshaw. Death - “Four Cremated - Silver Queen Hotel Burns in Sour Lake Oil Field” - Houston, Nov. 9 - The Silver Queen hotel, in the Sour Lake oil field, burned early Tuesday and four people were burned to death. The dead: C. E. Lewis and Lee Hamilton, both from Spindletop and Mr. & Mrs. Jack Smith of New Hanover, Tex. Fatally injured: Jack Sullivan and Ben Tucker, both of Sour Lake. The hotel was run by Mrs. Moore and was filled with guests. The origin of the fire is unknown. Death - “Naptha Exploes - Negro Terribly and Fatally Burned, Another Seriously” - Dallas, Nov. 9 - By an explosion in the naptha room of the Trinity Oil company, Luke Warren, a negro laborer, was terribly burned about the face, arms and legs and soon died. Clifford Cannon, another negro employee, received serious burns about the shoulders and back. The supposition is one of the men struck a match. Damage to the building was nominal. Death - Kirbyville, Nov. 9 - Hiram Kelly, a farmer, was burned to death when his home was destroyed by fire. He was a widower and leaves six children, who were at a neighbor’s house spending the night because he had been to town. Announcement - Rockdale - Cards announce the approaching marriage of H. C. Meyer and Miss Ruth Gentry on the 16th at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. & Mrs. W. A. Gentry. Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 25 Nov. 1904 Death - Rockdale - Col. N. H. Tracy, one of Rockdale’s oldest and most honored citizens died at his home in the western suburbs at 9 p.m. Tuesday. He came here in the early days and has lived here ever since. He has been a prominent figure in the county for many years and occupied many positions of honor and trust. He was mayor of Rockdale 4-years ago and in 1902, he was a candidate for Congress from this district. He was buried Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at the Old City Cemetery by the Masonic fraternity. He leaves a wife and six grown children. [very lengthy article] Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 2 Dec. 1904 Marriage - Gardner - Miss Hallie Smith and James Franklin were married Sunday evening at the home of the bride’s parents. Pending Death - Gardner - Mr. Bannon, one of our oldest citizens is not expected to live. Asylum - Sand Grove - R. S. Booth returned from Austin on Saturday with his daughter, Mrs. Pearl Buffington, who has been in the asylum for some time. Death - Houston, Nov. 26 - T. D. Lee, a traveling salesman from Boston, MA, was struck by Will Williams, a fist blow, Lee’s skull was fractured and death soon ensued. The affair is said to have started from a joke. The blow was on the jaw. Death - Taylor, Nov. 26 - The 16-year old daughter of Henry Prismeyer was thrown from a buggy and kicked to death by a span of horses near Newbern. She was with a party of friends and they were en route to Thanksgiving services at the Newbern church. Death - “Sent after a Coffin - Man Got Drunk, Was Jailed and Tried to Whip Other Prisoners” - Paris, Nov. 26 - Henry Roach, a farmer living 12-miles northwest of here, died and a neighbor [no name given] came to Paris for a coffin to bury the body. Soon after reaching the city, he got drunk and was so boisterous the police put him in jail. He fought the other prisoners and whipped them to a finish before the police could remove him to a cell alone. As he had not returned with the coffin, other neighbors came to Paris to see why the man had not returned. The police learned of the man’s mission. He was sober enough by then to go home, so he was released and drove away in his wagon with the coffin. Births - Jacksonville, Nov. 26 - Pat Reed, a farmer, living near this place, is the father of three children born since Jan. 1, 1904, one on Jan. 11th and twins born on Nov. 21st. He also has eight other children and out of the eleven, ten are boys. One of the twins born on the 21st was a girl, but she lived only a short while. The boy is getting along all right. Death - San Antonio, Nov. 28 - Colonel Andrew J. Neff, age 79, father of Mayor Neff of Kansas City, MO, died here Sunday. He was a prominent Indiana Republican at one time and a colonel of a regiment during the Civil War. Kansas City has been his home the past few years. He came here for his health. Pending Death - Caldwell, Nov. 29 - J. R. Heslep, member-elect of the 29th Legislature, as a result of an operation, is at the point of death. Newspaper - The Messenger has a letter from Enoch Breeding, now of St. Louis who, for 18-years was at the helm of the “dear old Messenger.” He is doing well and enjoying life in the big city. Death - “Pathetic Death - Pike Passes Away While Family are at Galveston on Steamship” - San Antonio, Nov. 28 - On board the Leyland line steamer William Cliff in Galveston harbor is a woman and children who are in a foreign land vainly awaiting the arrival of a husband and father, who was to meet them here. He is Oliver O. Pike, and he died in the city hospital here Saturday of tuberculosis. Pike was a traveling man and came here 6- weeks ago from New York, where he had gone from Savanillia, Colombia. Arrangements had been made for his wife and children to follow. During the stop-over in New York, he contracted galloping consumption. The William Cliff called at Savanilla and took Mrs. Pike and family who arrived in Galveston on Nov. 21st. None of the family can speak English and they are reported in a sad plight, the commissioner of immigration refusing to let the land until the husband was heard from. Funeral - Galveston, Nov. 28 - By permission of the immigration authorities and through the kindness of Captain Shatlock of the steamer William Cliff, Mrs. Oliver Pike was permitted to attend the funeral of her husband at San Antonio. Death - “Slain in Store - Two Highwaymen Kill Dallas Man in Presence of His Family” - Dallas, Nov. 30 - Two highwaymen entered the store of Sol Aronoff, 236 S. Harwood St., at 9 p.m. Tuesday night and after making a small purchase, demanded Aronoff hold-up his hands, each pointing a pistol at him. “Why, you can’t shoot me,” he said, as if dazed, “I am in my own house.” The command was repeated and Aronoff being slow to comply, 3-shots were fired. According to Mrs. Aronoff, the men had backed her husband into the bedroom behind and when they fired, he fell dead on his own bed. The bullet struck just above the left nipple. Death was immediate. The wife and two children were spectators. The men, one white and the other a negro, hurriedly left. Death - El Paso, Nov. 30 - W. A. Boles, a former railway fireman, died as a result of pistol wounds received early Tuesday morning during an encounter with his wife, from whom he was separated and Jack Gibson. During the fight, Boles was shot through the head and mortally wounded. Gibson was seriously and Mrs. Boles slightly hurt. Boles had prepared a letter in which he bade farewell to the world and the assumption is he shot himself. Mrs. Boles and Gibson are charged by warrant with murder. Visiting - Rockdale - Tommy Cave of Thorndale was in town Thursday. In Memory - Milam County - N. H. Tracy, deceased - Capt. Tracy entered the Confederate army on April 3, 1861 and the first call of his country, his company being the first to go from his county, same being a part of the 14th Arkansas infantry. His first battle was at Elkhorn, after which his regiment was made a part of the East Mississippi army and was in all the hard fighting in which that army took part until the fall of Port Hudson in July 1863, when he was transferred to Arkansas, with authority to raise a company, of which he was elected Captain, and they entered Fristo’s regiment, surviving with distinction until the close of the war, when he returned home to do his part in rebuilding the wasted country. In 1868, he moved to Texas, settling in Davilla, Milam county. In 1875, he moved to Rockdale where he lived until his death on Nov. 23, 1904. by Capt. D. S. Harris, Commander and W. B. Woody, Mortuary Committee of the Camp Sam Davis Confederate Veterans Death - Denison - Walter Whitley was killed by a locomotive here. Death - Bellevue - C. A. Manning fell dead while feeding stock here. Death - Ellis county - Sam Brown was shot and killed near Red Oak Death - Cherokee county - George W. Gibson, a leading citizen of Rusk died. Trial - Dalhart - Al Lucas, charged with the murder of Lee Cannon, got 20- years. Death - Rockport - Mrs. O. R. Dunbar, an aged lady, was fatally run-over by a freight car at this city. Death - Winnsboro - W. W. Pennington was shot and killed here by John D. Stacy who has surrendered. Death - Cleburne - Frank Anderson, a car repairer had has head mashed fatally between cars here. Death - Paris - Frank McDonald, negro, died near her from injuries sustained by being thrown from a horse. Birth - Texarkana - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. R. J. Hewitt weighing 3-pounds. He was placed in an incubator for a few days. Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 9 Dec. 1904 Birth - Oak Hill - Girl born to Gus Obier, weight 6-pounds Marriage - Tracy - Charles Bartlett and Miss Mary Lindhorst were married last week at the home of the bride. Death - Tracy - Fritz Gunter, who lived near and owned the gin at Haltzclaw bridge on the Gabriel died. Notice - Milam County - Estate of Rexford Wells, deceased, appointment of W. M. Wells as Administrator. Death - “Goldstein Murdered - Terrible Wound in His Head and Pockets Turned Inside Our” - Dallas, Dec. 6 - The lifeless body of Charles Goldstein, who formerly lived in Dallas but here on a visit from Alaska was found early Tuesday morning near the Santa Fe tracks in the southern part of the city. There was a terrible wound to his head, believed to have been caused by a shotgun. His umbrella, broken in two pieces, was found a short distance and his hat lay several yards away. His pants pockets were turned inside out and a handsome diamond stud he wore was missing. Near the corpse was found $1,60 in small change. Death - Galveston, Dec. 7 - Charles E. Thompson, a dock worker on the Southern Pacific wharves, died from injuries received in the hold of a ship from a falling bale of bagging. The man’s neck was broken and he died a short while after the accident. Relatives are said to live at Brooklyn. Trial - Temple, Dec. 7 - The case of W. R. Chandler, charged with killing Telephone Manager McLaughlin, was dismissed. Deaths - “Three Cremated” - Denison, Dec. 5 - At 3 a.m. Sunday morning, the Major rooming house at 212 S. Rusk Ave. was burned down and three guests were incinerated. The dead are: Albert G. S. Harris, a wiper at the Katy [railroad] shop; John Uhnweilder, tailor of Dallas; and, F. R. Anderson, painter of Greenville. The fire was within a block of the fire station bu the flames had gained such headway before the alarm was given that the fire apparatus was of little value except in saving adjoining buildings. There were 25- rooms and all were occupied. Finding the stairway ablaze, several people jumped from windows, sustaining injuries. Death - “Was Oldest Texan” Denison, Dec. 6 - John Uhnweiler, age 103, one of the three men cremated in the burning of an apartment house here Sunday morning, is believed to have ben the oldest man in Texas. His faculties were unimpaired and he was an active member of the Dallas Tailors’ union. He was of German descent and came to this country from France. He was a soldier in the First empire under Napoleon. Newspaper - R. T. Williams, an old gentleman living on the Burleson county line but gets his mail in Rockdale visited The Messenger offices last week. He has been a continuous subscriber and reader since 1873. He began taking the paper when Maj. McGregor first started its publication in Cameron 32-years ago. He goes on our complementary list and will get the paper as long as he lives. Death - Dallas - Mrs. Meggie Smith, age 86, a long-time resident of this city is dead. Death - Hempstead - Dr. William Chilton, age 84, a prominent physician died here. Trial - El Paso - Mrs. Emma Boles, charged with murder of her husband was placed under $100 bond Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 16 Dec. 1904 “Old Fashion South Dinner” held by Rockdale Daughters of the Confederacy [lengthy article about history of Southern dining customs, food served and entertainment] Death - Honey Grove - John Reed was kicked by his horse here and died. Death - Van Alstyne - John Taylor, a wealthy citizen here is dead Death - Cleburne - Ed Hicks, negro, stabbed and shot his wife to death here Death - Hillsboro - The little son of Dr. E. L. Sessions was scalded to death here Trial - LaGrange - In the M. Charba murder case here, the defendant got 35- years Death - Live Oak - T. I. Gilmore, 25-year surveyor of this city is dead. Death - Austin - John M. Dunn, age 75, died at the Confederate Home Death - Dallas - A. S. Johnson, said to have been the first white person born in Kansas died here. Death - Paris - John Keeling, who fell from a railroad culvert at Roxton near here died. Death - Houston - Lula Harris, a little negro girl, was scalded to death near here. The child upset a kettle. Death - Mullen - Richard Williams was arrested for killing Jesse Forehand near Goldthwaite. Death - Port Arthur - In a quarrel near here, over a bottle of ketchup, between Jos. Floffenburg and Joe Conklin, the latter was killed. Marriage Licenses: W. L. Davenport to Miss Annie McLane; Lem Walden to Miss Masselline Bryant; Monroe Hargrove to Miss Nannie Arnold; L. L. Gregory to Miss Beulah Howe; Will Clark to Miss Lillie Smith; J. W. Johnson to Miss Maggie Blocker; R. L. Cleek to Miss Edna Coley; Willie Hester to Miss Nannie Launsford; Aaron Hines to Miss Emily Wheeler; Willie Derry to Estella Williams Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 23 Dec. 1904 Marriage Licenses: John Shipman to Miss Dillo Wheeler; S. E. Scott to Miss Ida Cass; Charlie Dockall to Miss Annie Doss; W. J. Matheson to Miss Agie Yeager; Luther Edmonds to Miss Hattie Johnson; Jake Blassengill to Miss Mittie Smiley; Allen Jones to Miss Sylvia Cofield; Oscar Buevisch to Miss Anna Nneszgen; J. W. Hill to Miss Lucile Moseley; R. F. Poe to Miss Minnie Campbell; Garfield Moore to Annie Walker; E. A. Whipple to Miss Eula Pool Marriage - San Antonio - Homer Eads, well known in Rockdale was married in San Antonio last Sunday. Birth - Rockdale - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. Preston Perry, last Tuesday, weight 10-pounds Marriage - Rockdale - Charley Dockall and Miss Annie Doss were married at the bride’s home on the Gabriel last Monday. Marriage - Rockdale - W. H. Hill of Smithville and Miss Lucille Mosely of Minerva, daughter of Ike Mosley were married Thursday. They will make their home in Smithville. Rockdale Messenger, Fri., 30 Dec. 1904 Death - “Train Tragedy - Officer Fell into Arms of Brother Sheriff, Died Instantly” - Sherman, Dec. 27 - While en route from Hugo, I.T., with two men charged with robbing the store of W. C. Jones & Co. of considerable silk, Sheriff William Russell of Hugo was shot and the two men [no names given], who were handcuffed together, escaped from the train. Exclaiming “I am killed,” the officer fell into the arms of Sheriff W. S. Russell of Grayson county and died. The tragedy occurred at the switch near Madill where the train had stopped. Sheriff W. S. Russell and W. C. Jones of Sherman were passengers on the train. Sheriff Russell lived about 20-minutes. [very lengthy article] Suicide - “Cremated Himself” - San Antonio, Dec. 28 - Suffering horrible torture, despondent, and discouraged by old age encroachment, August Voigt, a hermit, who for 12-years has lived alone at Macedonia, 18-miles west, on the Southern Pacific railway, locked, barred himself in his house, set fire to the building, either stabbed or shot himself in the breast and then laid down on his bed as the flames rose. The structure burned to the ground. Death - Texarkana, Dec. 28 - Henry Platz, a resident of this city over 26- years, took a bucket and went to a spring about 100-yards distant to get water. He was gone so long that the family became uneasy and one of the boys went to see what was the matter. He found his father standing on his head in the spring, which was about 5-foot deep, his feet along being above the surface. Help was called and the old man was pulled out but he was dead. It is supposed he laid down to take a drink of water from the spring and losing his balance, fell in. Hanging - Corpus Christi, Dec. 24 - At 2 p.m. Friday, Apolonario Hernandez was hanged. He murdered his wife, whom he shot twice. The woman lived long enough to tell her husband had done the deed. Death - Centerville, Dec. 26 - While duck hunting, George Wier of near Hardin’s Store, Leon county, was killed. He met an unknown trapper and invited him to go with him to a nearby lake. When near the lake, Wier advanced a short distance in front of the stranger, when the latter’s gun was discharged, killing Wier. The trapper claims it was an accident. Trial - Dallas, Dec. 26 - Burrel Oates, negro, on trial charged with being implicated in the murder of Sol Aronoff on Nov. 23rd was given the death penalty. Holly Vann, white, was likewise convicted a few days before for the same murder. Jim Dalton, negro, remains to be tried. Frank McCue, white, who turned state’s evidence, will be released. Marriage - Sand Grove - Miss Annie Graham, teacher here and Louis Gates of Yellow Prairie were married on Christmas day at the home of the bride’s father. [lengthy article] Marriage - Sand Grove - Jim Floyd of Yellow Prairie and Miss Mattie Daniels of this area were married on Christmas day. [lengthy article] Marriage Licenses: Joe Barfield to Mattie Walker; W. C. Miller to Miss May Williams; I. O. Looney to Miss May Steward; Gustave Krischmer to Anna Eitve; Hugh Hargrove to L. C. Allen; John Thomas to Lille Brewer; Booker Taylor to Mamie Franklin; Allen S adley to Emma Rogers; Will Evard to Annie Whitmire; Jim Willis to Elvira Speed; Frank McLerran to Mattie Price; H. J. Baskin to Miss Allie Faulkner; Jno. C. Johnson to Josie Erwin; Armin A. Doss to Miss Louisa Hirt; Dock Staton to Cherona Moore; John Wyatt to Mrs. Florence Pollard; Thos. Brown to Josephine Goodwin; Preston S. Graves to Miss Pearl Todd Marriage - Cameron - Preston S. Graves and Miss Pearl Todd were married at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. & Mrs. R. Todd, Dec. 28th at 9 a.m. [lengthy article] Death - Temple - The little son of J. A. Loyd accidently shot himself near here and died. Death - Mount Pleasant - John Ford was shot and killed near here by Wess Gingles, both negroes. Gingles was arrested. Death - Houston - William Battiste was stabbed to death here by Arthur Dustin, both negroes. Dustin was arrested. [End of issues for 1904] Scantling - a small beam or timber, especially one of small cross-section, such as a 2x4. Milam County, Texas: Gleanings from the Rockdale Messenger 1904