100 YEARS AGO....
Mrs. Roy Long threw a party for 30 of her friends at the Dixie Theater. The ladies watched the movie “Revelation,” featuring superstar Alla Nazimova, then adjourned to the theater alcove where an orchestra, rented for the occasion, “provided music and merry making.”
Rev. W. A. Copeland, citing failing health and an inability to fulfill his pastoral duties, resigned his pastorate at Rockdale’s Presbyterian Church. A native of Scotland, Rev. Copeland was a member of Hood’s Brigade in the Civil War and lost a leg in the Battle of Gaines Mills (Virginia).
Berry grower Walter Farmer said a late freeze and frost had not hurt his blackberries and dewberries as much as first feared. He had originally estimated as much as 85 percent of his crop was lost.
Sandy Creek School closed for the term with a picnic, following which its two teachers—Miss Fitzgerald and Miss Gandy—returned to their homes.
FORTY YEARS AGO....
Milam County voters were headed to the poll in presidential year party primaries, made more difficult in 1980 by new redistricting lines.
Investigators said they believed a North Carolina man, found dead in the trunk of his car the previous week near Alcoa Lake, committed suicide.
The Rockdale High School Big Blue Band won its fourth consecutive Sweepstakes Award, highest bestowed by then UIL. Director was Don Thoede, assisted by Jim Perry.
A 62-year-old Minerva man was electrocuted in the 100 block of North Main when he cut into a live wire with a pair of pliers.
TWENTY YEARS AGO....
The Dewberry Jam Run/ Walk, a brand new event sponsored by Alpha Tau Delta sorority to raise funds for city park improvements, netted $8,500.
Rockdale had gone 16 days without any recorded precipitation. Then 4.32 inches fell in less than two days as a storm brought street flooding and high winds to the area.
Milam County residents had turned in 55 percent of 2000 Census form, still far short of a 74-percent goal.
Rockdale sophomore Crystal Anderson (long jump) and Milano senior Eric Strelsky (3,200 meters) were headed to the state track meet in Austin after top-two finishes in regional competition.
TEN YEARS AGO....
Members of the 1976 Rockdale High School state football champions held a reunion at a barbecue fundraiser for Garry White, who was battling cancer.
City of Rockdale voters were to choose a new mayor and east ward city council member and decide a contested west ward race as they headed to the polls in the annual city election.
The Milam County Sheriff’s Department, investigating a rural burglary gang, put out “bait” in the form of trailers and ATV’s and ended with the arrest of two men and a warrant for another.
Hurdler Daniel Brooks and discus-thrower Le Raven Clark were headed to the state track meet in Austin with top two finishes in regional competition.
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