Looking back...

100 YEARS AGO...

The Reporter doubts the wisdom of the usual course pursued by towns in attempting to hide the fact of a prevailing epidemic of any kind. We honestly believe that frank publication of the exact situation is best; however, we may be wrong, and we are not criticizing our county seat in delaying publication of the fact that they have smallpox in their midst. Possibly Rockdale would have done the same thing; no matter the town involved, we believe that publicity in such cases would tend to make people more careful, observing more fully the requirements exacted.

As previously announced through these columns Mr. Kazemeier and Miss Hazel, poultry experts from the Extension Department, A&M College held a one-day poultry school in Rockdale, The Reporter could not be there by we are told it was a most instructive and interesting day.

The Reporter begs to call attention to the fact that Rockdale’s Chautauqua is scheduled to be here the first week in June. It is not too early to be making preparations for this event. A suitable lot needs to be secured. The guarantors would do well to hold a meeting and elect a manager.

FORTY YEARS AGO...

Two men were arrested in Brenham and were being held in connection with a break-in at a Rockdale residence and the theft of an auto from a nearby home.

Rockdale High School’s Big Blue Band returned from the Region VIII Concert & Sight Reading Contest, held in Temple, with yet another Sweepstakes Award, the highest honor bestowed by the University Interscholastic League upon high school bands.

The Senior Citizens Talent Show was set for May 28 in the Rockdale High School auditorium. Auditions were to be held at the Ackerman Senior Center. The show will be a competition with prizes awarded. Ron Embrey broke Rock

Ron Embrey broke Rockdale school records in his two specialties at the Region III-3A track meet in Brenham, but missed a trip to state. He finished fourth in the 800 meters and third in the 1600 meters.

TWENTY YEARS AGO...

The clock was ticking down to a crucial May 14 deadline for the Milam County Courthouse and it’s not the four-sided one in the bell tower. The restoration fund was still a little over $140,000 short of its goal with only 11 fundraising days left.

A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction to the state of Texas which halted Rockdale’s Institute for Teaching God’s Word from issuing theological degrees.

Richards Memorial Hospital’s financial situation continued to improve, thanks to a 48-cent hospital district tax rate, but a cash flow crunch this fall was predicted to be the facility’s next crisis.

James Menze and Milli Ondras won the Dewberry Jam 5K Run as the event drew 320 runners and raised $6,000 for a swimming pool at Veterans Park.

TEN YEARS AGO...

It was not shaping up to be a good budget preparation year for Rockdale ISD or Milam County. Preliminary net taxable values were certified by the Milam County Appraisal District and Chief Appraiser Pat Moraw listed substantial decreases for the school district and the county as a whole.

The largest crowds ever reported in Milam County left local merchants “rave”-ing about their economic boost as music fans swarmed into Rockdale and Apache Pass. Nocturnal’s second annual techno-music glitter and glitz drew back-to-back estimated crowds of 15,000 each night for a festival total of 30,000.

A 31-year-old Hearne man accused of firing point-blank at Milam County Chief Deputy Chris White during a 2009 encounter, was given a life sentence Wednesday by a 20th District Court Jury.