100 YEARS AGO....
Thirty Rockdale women had paid their initial poll taxes and were the way to becoming qualified voters. The 1920 balloting would include the first general election in which women were eligible to vote. In Milam County, 77 women had paid their poll taxes.
Milam County’s Hispanic residents formed four Woodmen of the World Lodges with a combined membership of lover 100. The celebration was in Rockdale City Hall and drew visitors from as far away as San Antonio.
H.I. Newsome, Cameron area farmer, came to Rock-dale to buy supplies and told The Reporter the roads were so bad he had to travel on horseback to be sure of reaching his destination.
Vaudeville was coming to the Dixie Theatre. The movie house was closed so a stage and drop curtain could be constructed in preparation for the first stage show the following weekend.
FORTY YEARS AGO....
Bill Renner, Alcoa president, visited Rockdale Works, proclaiming the Rockdale facility as the company’s “biggest and best,” and adding “we’re going to keep it that way.”
A 15-year-old Rockdale High School student died accidentally when shot by his own rifle while climbing through a fence with the weapon near his home.
Even though the finishing touches had not yet been put on the new Rock-dale Knights of Columbus Hall, the new facility had already hosted several functions. See editorial this page.
Milam County commissioners approved new precinct lines for the county, for the first time splitting the cities of Rockdale and Cameron between two precinct 1 and 2 for Cameron, 3 and 4 for Rockdale.
TWENTY YEARS AGO....
A Rockdale man was arrested following a chase and charged with attempted murder. Police said the suspect used his vehicle in an attempt to run over a pursuing Rockdale policeman.
Representatives of the Texas Dept. of Transportation met with owners of five downtown businesses, the City of Rockdale and the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce to discuss a planned upgrade of US 79 through the downtown area.
Temple College opened a branch campus in Cameron in the former Alco Discount Store building, A consortium including all of Milam County’s school districts had formed to allow its students to earn joint high school and college credit for taking courses at the facility.
Rockdale’s Lady Tigers defeated Hearne 47-38 in a matchup of two teams without a district basketball loss.
TEN YEARS AGO....
It was among the most unusual calls ever for Milam law enforcement as numerous callers reported an arm sticking out from a load of crushed vehicles heading through town on US 79. It was indeed, the arm of a dummy placed there as a prank. The load was allowed to continue on its way but without the dummy.
Rockdale police made two drug busts four hours apart, arresting three people on various charges.
Over 1,000 persons from 23 states came to a rural location near Davilla for a giant auction of 119 lovingly-restored tractors.
Will McQuitter tossed in 46 points in a game against Taylor to become the Rock-dale Tigers all-time leading basketball scorer. McQuitter’s 1,526 points broke the record of Sonny Givens.
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