100 YEARS AGO....
Milano’s once-vaunted tomato industry had fallen on hard times. The Reporter quoted a expert that “lower prices of the product” accounted for the lack of interest by growers.
A bill before the Texas Legislature, amending the state’s controversial cattle-dipping law, was sparking interest in Milam County where there had already been trials and fines. The bill would exempt owners of “small-sized pasture” cattle from the dipping requirements.
For the second time in two weeks the Treasury Department and Texas Rangers descended on a Thorndale residence and confiscated “a lot of” illegal whiskey. The home owner was briefly arrested.
A fire in the Tanglewood community destroyed the Treadwell Mercantile Store, the Brown Warehouse and a cold drink stand. Total loss was estimated at $14,500.
FORTY YEARS AGO....
The newly-announced Texland Electric power project—an anticipated lignite-fired power plant near Rockdale, projected to hire thousands—listed a timetable that forecast coming online no later than 1986 or 1987.
Milam County authorities were searching for two men who posed as a newspaper reporter and photographer to “case” two rural homes, returning later and burglarizing them of property valued at over $12,000. The same pair were suspects in the theft of a $700 saddle at Fair Park during the Jubilee Days Rodeo.
Incumbent Precinct 1 Commissioner was returned to office, winning a Milam County Democratic Party runoff election.
A 32-year-old Taylor man was reported in stable condition in a San Antonio hospital after sustaining serious burns over 80 percent of his body in an accident at Industrial Generating Company, power supplier to Alcoa’s Rockdale Works. TWENTY YEARS AGO....
TWENTY YEARS AGO....
Milam County Commissioners, mulling creation of a groundwater conservation district, appeared to be leaning toward pairing Milam and Burleson Counties and creating a two-county district.
Rockdale City Council members approved a $234,000 bid for street restoration work that included virtually the entire Coffield Addition.
Over 300 persons attended the 66th annual Rockdale Homecoming in the KC Hall including almost 50 members of the 50-year honor class of 1950.
The annual Rockdale Roping & Cutting Club Rodeo was held mostly in the rain at the club’s Fair Park arena.
TEN YEARS AGO....
New Rockdale Mayor Dr. Larry Jones broke a tie with his first vote after being sworn in, casting the key vote in favor of Allan Miller for mayor pro term. (Rockdale mayors only vote in case of ties).
Three Cameron-area men turned themselves in to face cattle rustling charges after seven head, valued at about $3,500, were taken from a ranch between Rockdale and Cameron.
The first-ever Milam County Nature Festival was held at Ledbetter Park in Cameron, hosted by the El Camino Real Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists.
Thorndale gave up two late runs and fell 5-4 to Evadale in the first “final four” game of the Class A state baseball tourney. Over 1,300 fans attended the contest at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock.
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