100 YEARS AGO....
Sad shock followed by a happy one. Mr. and Mrs. Ab White of the Rockdale area received word their son, Albert, doing government work in Alabama, had died. The body was returned by train. The Whites were astounded to see the body was not their son. Albert White was actually improving in an Alabama hospital and was about to be released. The body was identified as Alexander White of Childress.
The flu epidemic raged in Rockdale and throughout the world. Henne & Meyer Co. made 10 caskets in one week.
A short-lived German spy scare was put to rest in Rockdale. A resident of a local boarding house fell ill. Among his effects, apparently hidden, were some letters in German. The letters were translated and the spy fears proved “unfounded.”
Milam teachers—out of work temporarily as schools were shut down because of the flu epidemic—volunteered to assist the War Board (Draft Board).
FORTY YEARS AGO....
The third Rockdale Fair featured the first queen’s contest and the second livestock auction which totaled $23,000.
Rockdale ISD trustees were ready to open bids on an 11-classroom addition to the elementary campus and an air-conditioning project at the high school.
Milam County Probation Officer Will McIntosh was one of three people killed in a two-vehicle crash just outside of Rosebud.
Don Newcombe, former Brooklyn Dodger pitching great, spoke at Rockdale High School as a representative of the Central Texas Council on Alcoholism.
TWENTY YEARS AGO....
The Rockdale VFD helped rescue a six-member family from their flooded home in the San Gabriel River bottom land northwest of Rock-dale.
There was widespread flooding in Central Texas, Rockdale received more than six inches of rain and a tornado touched down near Caldwell, causing damage in the Caldwell area including Caldwell Middle School.
Rains impacted the Rock-dale Fair. Saturday night headliner Mark Wills was brought on early to give dance-goers the opportunity to leave early in advance of rising waters.
A manhunt for a Rockdale resident wanted in a domestic incident came to end with a 4 a.m. arrest near the US 77 roadside park.
TEN YEARS AGO....
Nineteen days after Alcoa announced it was shutting down Rockdale Operation the Rockdale Fair Youth Livestock auction area businesses came up with $196,290 for area 4-H and FFA youth.
A 48-year-old Milano man was gunned down at a barbecue restaurant which was the subject of a long-standing feud. A 60-year-old Milano man was arrested and charged with murder.
Rockdale was getting a history mural downtown on the wall of the Little Bit O’ History building, courtesy of artist Kim Finley.
Rockdale ISD trustees announced the schedule for a series of meetings as they searched for a replacement to Supt. Walter Pond, who was retiring. Goal was to hire a new superintendent by Jan. 5.
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