100 YEARS AGO… The Sparks Coal Company, Dr. J.P. Sparks, manager, placed on display last week in one of the Coffield Hardware Company’s show windows a lump of lignite from their new mine south of Rockdale, on the Lowe Bros. farm hear Hicks. As an advertising feature a plan was evolved with a ton of lignite as a gift to the one coming nearest the exact weight of the lump. Percy Diehl, who had charge of the guessing, which costs nothing and was free to everybody, stated that over 350 people thought they knew the exact weight. Louie Palmer of the Bushdale community received the ton of lignite.
One of the most charming hospitalities of the summer was the beautiful “Forty- two’ party given Tuesday morning by Mrs. Henry Clay Vance, honoring her new sister, Mrs. Hubert Coffield, a lovely bridge of the month. Baskets, jardiniers and vases held lovely ferns, roses and goldenrod throughout the entire house. Chicken salad, chipped potatoes, fruit salad, sandwiches, pickles and iced tea were served.
For several hours last week the Coffield Hardware Company has on exhibition in a show window one of the largest rattle snakes seen in Rockdale since prohibition went into effect. The snake had twelve rattles and a button, and according to tradition, was 12 years of age. It was killed by Tex Slater in the Yegua bottoms, his little dog having treed it in a hollow log.
40 YEARS AGO… Local competition for the Cub Scout Physical Fitness Championship was held on Saturday and despite the 100-degree heat 14 scouts participated in varying age levels nine-, 10- and 11-yearold.
Fire gutted a house on Sixth Street owned by Clara Locklin and rented by Dorothy Mitchell at 1 p.m. last Wednesday, and members of the Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department fought the blaze for about 45 minutes before bringing it under control. Four firemen were overcome by heat and smoke and were treated at the scene by Rockdale EMS personnel.
20 YEARS AGO… The skyrocketing cost of Scott & White professional ambulance service in Rockdale and Cameron has led County Judge Frank Summers to call for a countywide Emergency Services District (ESD) with taxing authority.
A long-awaited U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement—1.5 inches thick and weighing almost five pounds—on Alcoa’s proposed 3 Oaks Mine has been published. “it basically says that mining does disturb things but that the projected impact of3 Oaks Mine on the environment will be minimal,” Jim Hodson, Alcoa spokesman, said.
10 YEARS AGO… Milam County has recorded a case of the sometimes deadly West Nile Virus, the first confirmed case in the county since 2007. Michelle Ferguson, Public Health Preparedness Coordinator for the Milam County Health Department, said positive cases are reported automatically to the department by healthcare providers.
Rising Star Baptist Church will dedicate its new sanctuary, north end of Texas Street, with services Sept 15 and 16. Saturday, Sept. 15, will begin with a 4 p.m. ribbon cutting, followed by church tours from 5 to 5:45 and a musical at 6.
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