1929 :: Death of Steve N. Wilson

Rockdale Reporter. -- Steve N. Wilson, a resident in and near Rockdale since the late seventies died Wednesday noon at the hospital at Cameron, where he was taken following a stroke of apoplexy about ten days ago. Funeral services, in charge of the local Masonic Lodge, were held Thursday evening at 6:00 o'clock from the home of his sister-in-law, Mrs. R.S. Wilson in Rockdale, burial being made in the family burial ground at the Old City Cemetery.


At the grave the Rev. Chas. F. Smith, of the Methodist Church of Rockdale gave a scriptural reading and offered a soulful prayer. The Masons then took charge, using the impressive ritual of that order. The casket and grave were covered with beautiful floral tributes, sent by friends, relatives and fraternal organizations, which speak in language that only flowers can speak of the esteem in which deceased was held by those who knew him best.


Mr. Wilson was one of the younger representatives of pioneer families in East and Central Texas. He was born in Marshall, Texas, and was the fifth son of a family of nine children. He came to Rockdale in the late seventies, when the town was but a village, where he was actively engaged in various business enterprises, until he retired to his ranch-home south of Rockdale, where he led the life of a refined southern gentleman, keeping in touch with public policies, and sharing his comradeship and time with his son, his books, his flowers, and made frequent excursions here for visits with relatives and friends. He was a good man, devoted father and brother, a loyal friend who was ready to lend a word of cheer and helpful hand to all who passed his way.


At an early date he married Miss Bertie Boone, daughter of Major and Mrs. Hannibal Boon, of Navasota. To this union three children were born one dying in infancy. The wife died leaving the young son, Jason Boone Wilson and daughter, Nell Wilson, who were reared by their father and his devoted sister, Mrs. C.A. Duffy, who claimed them as her very own.


Mr. Wilson was a highly patriotic citizen, who in his younger days served in Company B of the Old Texas Ranger force, under the now famed Col. Baylor. He was a member in standing of the Woodmen of the World, and a long time member of the Masonic Lodge and it was his request that the Masons conduct the service at his funeral.


Surviving are his son, Jason Boone Wilson of Rockdale; a daughter, Mrs. L.H. Ham of Hope, New Mexico; a brother, John Wilson, and sister, Mrs. C.A. Duffy, of Vivian, La. He is also survived by several grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Cameron Herald (Cameron, Texas), June 20, 1929

1921 :: Damage to Old City Cemetery

The Rockdale water works standpipe collapsed under pressure of a full head of water about 9:00 o'clock Tuesday night. The standpipe was 110 feet high, and consisted of 22 sections of 5 feet each. The break occurred on the 9th section, and the thirteen top sections fell with a crash that was heard all over town. In falling the tower pointed north and partially wrecked the W.E. Gaither warehouse, formerly occupied by the old Rockdale Commission Company. . . . Some damage also resulted to the old City Cemetery, a number of monuments and gravestones being displaced and broken, shrubbery uprooted, etc. . . . Cameron Herald, October 20, 1921

1909 :: Death of David Walker Brodnax

David Walker Brodnax, an old and highly esteemed citizen of Rockdale, Tex., died there on the 11th of February, 1909, aged sixty-seven years. He was a Virginian by birth, but had lived in Texas since the fifties. He served through the entire war as a member of Company D, 15th Texas Cavalry, Green's Texas Brigade, and his loyalty to the cause for which he fought never wavered. He was interested in the Confederate Reunions, and at the time of his death was Commander of Sam Davis Camp, U. C. V., of Rockdale. Comrade Brodnax was never married, but leaves several brothers and sisters. Confederate Veteran. June 1909. Created by Margie Daniels. Published Monthly in the Interest of Confederate Veterans and Kindred Topics.

2009 :: Memories of the Old City Cemetery

There was also a trail in the Old City Cemetery used as a short cut for children attending the nearby Aycock school. They didn’t mind using it during the day but would not venture into the cemetery at night. “We see ghosts walking around the cemetery,” the children would say.


At the main entrance to the cemetery a water tower once stood. Its foundation is still there. Children were afraid to venture near this tower because they thought it was leaning and would fall on them. 

The tower was a source of water for the community. Most families had barrels and would haul their water from the tower, as water lines did not yet exist, or kept a barrel at a corner of the house to catch rain water. 

A grist mill once stood in the center of the street near the water tower. People took dried corn ears and would have the corn ground into meal for cornbread. 

Many early black Rockdale settlers are buried in the southern end of the cemetery. . . . by Susie Sansom-Piper in the Rockdale Reporter, February 5, 2009

1906 :: Death of Howard E. Willson

Death of Howard E. Willson. Editor of Many Years' Standing Dies at Rockdale. Special to The News. Taylor, Tex., April 19. -- Editor Howard E. Willson of the Rockdale Messenger, aged 45, a son of H.I. Willson of the Taylor Texan, died at his home in Rockdale last night of acute nasal catarrh, leaving a widow and four children, two sons and two daughters. Deceased was a vigorous writer, a Christian gentleman and was well and favorably known to the press of Texas, having edited the Taylor Texan for fourteen years prior to purchasing the Rockdale Messenger several years ago. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World and Knights of Pythias lodge of that city. The remains were buried with Pythian honors at Rockdale this afternoon at 3 o'clock. Dallas Morning News, April 20, 1906 

 

1905 :: Death of William G. Rasbury

Taken to Rockdale. Remains of William G. Rasbury, Who Was Killed Wednesday Night, Shipped to Rockdale. Dallas, Texas. The remains of William G. Rasbury, who was killed in a saloon on Main street Wednesday night, were shipped yesterday afternoon to Rockdale, Tex., by Undertaker George W. Loudermilk. Charles Rasbury, a brother of the deceased, accompanied the body and it will be interred today. Up to a late hour yesterday afternoon no complaint had been made against Kannmacher, who is held in connection with the shooting. He is still being held and has expressed a desire for an immediate hearing. Dallas Morning News, September 8, 1905

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Taylor, Tex., Sept. 8. William G. Rasbury, who was killed in Dallas Wednesday night, and Herman Kannmacher, who is charged with the crime, were both former residents of Taylor. The former moved here from Rockdale and the latter is the son of Prof. J.G. Kannmacher, a cartoonist and writer, who a few years ago edited the Taylor (German) Herald, afterward moving to Dallas. Dallas Morning News, September 9, 1905

1904 :: Death of Col. N.H. Tracy

Cameron, Tex., Nov. 23. -- News was received here last night from Rockdale of the death there at 9:30 of Col. N.H. Tracy, who has resided in that city for several years and who has been a member of the Milam County bar a long time. He was a member of the Legislature from this county and Mayor of Rockdale for some time. A number of Cameron people left this morning for Rockdale to pay their last respects to the deceased. He was also a soldier in the Confederate Army. Dallas Morning News, November 24, 1904

1900 :: Travers in the Galveston Hurricane

When Galveston is mentioned, the minds of the Review readers will instantly revert to the awful destruction brought upon our Texas coast by the great hurricane of September 8. . . . The storm was terrific here at Houston . . . The storm was much harder east and south of here, seeming to center about Galveston. It is impossible to describe the destruction brought upon that city by the wind and waves. The results of the storm are horrifying in the extreme. Nine of our people perished in Galveston. Their names are as follows: Sister H.C. Travers and little boy . . . We deeply mourn the loss of these dear sisters and these little lambs, but we hope to meet them again when the sea gives up her dead. . . . Being very anxious about our people in Galveston, I went there as soon as the strict martial law would admit me into the city. On my journey I found that the prairie for twenty miles inland was covered with all kinds of valuable property and debris, interspersed with carcasses. The human bodies along the public route had been previously buried, though there were still hundreds on the prairie. Some were picked up even a month later. . . . It is impossible to imagine the force of the waves. Think of railroads being swept from their beds, the rails being snapped and twisted as if they were cords! It would be useless for me to enter into details. . . . Felix Conway. Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Battle Creek, Mich., November 13, 1900

Note to readers . . . Sister H.C. Travers . . . aka Sheldon H. "Della" Raby . . . was the wife of Herndon C. Travers, who was postmaster in Rockdale in the 1880s . . . their Baby Boy is buried at the Old City Cemetery in Rockdale . . .

1899 :: Dedication of Cawthon Monument

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Rockdale, Texas, November 6. -- A very beautiful ceremony took place in the local cemetery Sunday afternoon, the occasion of the unveiling and dedication of a monument to the memory of Dr. S.C. Cawthon by Pin Oak camp No. 222, Woodmen of the World. A large crowd was in attendance. Houston Daily Post, Tuesday Morning, November 7, 1899

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1899 :: Death of Dr. Stephen Colquitt Cawthon

The Rockdale Messenger, Thur., May 18, 1899. 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.

Click to view CAWTHON Photo Album