100 YEARS AGO...
All financial arrangements had been made for the building in the Rockdale-Minerva oil fields of a four-inch pipeline and a 300-barrel first unit refinery.
Constituting the biggest real estate and lignite deal probably ever negotiated in Milam County, there was pending—with every prospect of it being closed this week, if not already closed at press time—the sale of the lignite properties of Dr. J.P. Sparks, know as the International Coal Co., and the properties owned by Fred H. Graves and E.A. Camp and their associates. These properties comprised more than 1,000 acres.
At a called meeting, held at the courthouse in Cameron on March 8, attended by citizens from different parts of the county in pursuance to a call by C.F. Drake of Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, a countywide rat campaign was organized as part of the statewide movement to exterminate the rat.
FORTY YEARS AGO...
A steady increase in ripoffs of residents, cars and other thefts prompted Milam County Sheriff Leroy Broadus to issue warnings to property owners to “lock up.”
Absentee voting began for area city and school board elections and would continue through March 31.
The low bid by Fifth Wall Roofing Systems in Austin was accepted by the City Council for renovation of the Aycock Center roof.
The city of Rockdale was to receive a check for $16,814.99 as its share of the one-cent sales city tax for the period ending March 6, according to Comptroller Bob Bullock.
TWENTY YEARS AGO...
There was an illegal “pyramid scheme” operating in Rockdale and two law enforcement officers estimated one million dollars had changed hands since October. The scheme involved “The Original Dinner Party Club” and a “birthday club.” The dinner club targeted women only and had a $5,000 buy-in while the birthday club targeted both men and women with a $250 buy-in.
Austin’s growth had not reached Rockdale, or most of Milam County, yet. The U.S. Census numbers said Rockdale’s population was 5,449, while the county was at 24,238.
Whether or not to rework some construction of the city’s Phase II street renovation project was the big issue at the city council meeting. Council member discussed whether they need to rework the crowns on Green, Morrison and Hunter streets.
Directors of a local Bible institute ere taking an argument with the state of Texas to federal court over its right to control religious curriculum and issue theological degrees. The institute filed a lawsuit in response to $18,000 in fines given by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The fines included $15,000 for handing out theological degrees without state approval and a $3,000 fine for using the term seminary.
TEN YEARS AGO...
Several Rockdale ISD teachers, along with Supt. Dr. Howell Wright, were among the estimated 8,000 persons who flocked to the Texas Capitol for a “Save Texas Schools” Rally on Saturday.
Many carried signs and umbrellas, a symbol of their request that the legislature use the state’s $9.4 billion “rainy day fund” to avoid making an estimated $9.3 billion in education cuts.
It wouldn’t be a criminal offense to leave your garbage cans at the curb more than 16 hours just yet. City Council members tabled a motion to do just that after the proposed ordinance drew strong criticism from council member Gerri Offield and negative comments from councilman Doug Calame and Mayor Larry Jones.
A month-long probe targeting a man investigators believed to be a drug dealer came to an end when officers stormed a San Gabriel Street residence and arrested an armed subject, a 30-year-old man. The sheriff’s department had determined the suspect was dealing marijuana from his residence and began the investigation about a month ago.
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