Rockdale High School - Lair Yearbook (Rockdale, TX)

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three children. Dr. Brooks died many years ago in San Antonio and his body was brought here for burial by his sons, John and' James. Surveying was begun for the entrance of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad into Rockdale in the early nineties. The track was completed in 1893. and the first train was run into town, with A. J. Bashaw as first agent. L. A. Baxter is present agent. In 1926 'the S. A. 8 A. P. was con- solidated with the Southern Pacific Lines. but remains the i'Sap railroad to old patrons. Druggists of the early days were George P. Winder, C. C. Howell, Isaacs and Lockett. W. R. Kennard. Giesekea and Hodge. W. E. Douthit, Clark and Perry. H. O. QUEBE and BALDRIDGE AND PREWITT are the two splendid. modern drug stores Rockdale possesses today. The late Mrs. E. S. Loper was millinery artist for thirty-five years, selling out about twenty years ago to another pioneer artist, the present Mrs. Dora Poole. Mrs. Loper also had a dressmaking establishment and carried the famous old style magaines. Godeyls Ladyk Book and Demorestis Magazine, devoted to the Artistic, the Useful, and the Beautiful. John Scott was the veteran photographer of Rockdale. a real artist in his line. He was considered one of the best in this part of the country. He was succeeded by the McClintock Studio with Miss Lulu McClintock in charge. These two are about the only photographers Roekdale has ever claimed for any length of time. .1 2N. i' We Rockdale Main Street. July 4. 1916. Vogel was the pioneer jeweler, and H. Bland and Son owned the first Jewelry and Bookstore. These were succeeded by. James H. Hill, B L. Douthit, and B. Regenbrecht. Hughton and Robinson, A. E. Fullenwider, W. H. Richardson, H. Lock- wood. and W. Dr Bagley were the first lumbermen, and' are today succeeded by Wm. Cameron 8 Company and Turner Lumber Company. ' W. L. Lutner and Joseph Hooks were the first blacksmiths in Rockdale, and for many years ran their places in the same old stand, was finally sold to Louis Diehl, who continued at the same place until the property was finally sold to make way for the modern brick garage owned by W. P. Henry. Max Ferrari today controls the longest established confectionery business in Rockdale. It was operated for many years by his late father, E. Ferrari. Citizens must have lawyers to get out of legal entanglement, and Rockdiale has been blessed with many a i'skilled exponent of the Mosaic lawi Among the first lawyers were James Breeding, Harry Tracy. Judge Fred Hill, Major Wm. M. McGregor, Long, Guy Hinman. Ben Bonart, John Absher. Kilpat- rick and Kimbrough, A. G. Wilcox, J. S. Perry fstate senatori, Dr. A. C. Isaacs- trepresentativei, Henry Cone. E. L. Antony fcongressmani. N. H. Tracy lstate representativei, and later W. A. Morrison. Eugene Wallace. W. K. Clement, J. W. Garner, E. A. Camp, and Ed Gunn. Among the early physicians who ministered to the ailments of the people were Dr. Connoly, David W. Broadnax, P. A. Horton. T. E. Riddle. W. A. Brooks, W. R. Kennard. Milton Antony, J. E. Douthit. George Prewitt. A. C. lsaacs, E. H. Gray, R. S. Wallis, D. R. Wallis, Q C. Wallis, and A. C. Walker. who became noted surgeon of the Protestant Sanitarium of Fort Worth. These were, one by one. succeeded by l. P. Sessions. H. T. Coulter R. W. Wallis, T. S. Barkley, and lately B. E. Laurie. T. J. Avirett, Hunter Alexander, J. W. Allen. followed by G. B. Renfrow. P. E. Berndt. George B. Kincaid, and E. A. Swafford. were the popular dentists. Rockdale is justly proud of her hardware and furniture stores. The J. F. Coflield Hardware and Furniture Store occupies the same location at which the late J. F. and C. H. Cofiield had established business in the early eighties. The Henne and Meyer Company, that had been in business for the past forty years, was succeeded by E. M. Peeples and Sons in 1933. Phillips and Luckey, Undertakers, long-time associates of the Henne and Meyer Company, have recently completed a handsome funeral home, the hrst in Rockdale. They purchased and remodeled the former J. Sid Hudson home. built in 1893. on East Bell and Burleson Streets. Max and the jovial Pat Reilley were the pioneer bakers, followed by J. A. Stem, who had been in business for thirty-five years. when He was succeeded by his son, Ottot Solon Joynes, commission merchant, weighed and shipped the first bale of cotton out of Rockdale. Other buyers were B. B. Baxter. W. A. Estes. J. H. Sparkman, Leo Strelsky, Valentine and Arnold', W. T. Coffield, Bryan Heard and J. W. Perry. The Noack Abattoir, erected on the old D. H. Hunt homestead west of the city, is the only one in this territory. Among other names who helped make Rockdale of today possible are: The Ackerman Dry Goods Company, Baum and Crohn, A. Kaiser, H. Goldsticker, John G. Brown, Max Blum, Leo Strelsky, John N. and Fayette Redding, Berry Loper, E. S. Loper, Hyman Block. A. Young, Valentine and' Arnold. Solon Joynes, Coflield and Dunnington, J. S. Walden, I'saacs and Lockett. L. Box, W. A. Estes, J. M. Ousley, B. B. Baxter, J. R. Rowland, Richard Ames, John Randle, John Lyons, Woody and Berry, W. A. Gentry, L. J. Porter. Cyrus Edwards, A Wolfson, H. 8 L. Hudson, T. B. Kemp, George B. Randle, John Dunnington. W. C. Wright, Joe Hawkins, Hamblen and Porter. August Schaffer. James Wicks, Tom Hudson. J. Sid Hudson; Dan and Hyman Lasker, N. H. and Harry Tracy, Joe Sitman, James H. Hill. Standifer, Robert, Steve, and John Wilson, C. A. Duffy, Jake Pettyjohn, Fred and George Graves, Cebe Houghton, W. H. Bagley, Henry McGowan, Tap York, John York, D. C. York, J. B. Hamilton. James and W. P. Branch, Vineyard. Perry Hale, E1 Smith, J. P. Linn, T. F. and D. P. Hewitt, Abe Steinberg, C. E. Wynne. W. H. Marshall, Frank Allen. A. Wolf, J. R. Arthur. T. M. Freeman, John Freeman, Sparkman and Lee, Busby. Chas. Reed, Tom Reed, Arthur Collins, Thomas Prewitt, J. E. Longmoor, W. M. Ferguson. F. C. Kinney, B. T. Middleton, Chas, Heidenerich, W. P. Jones, Max Ross, C. K. Robinson, Theo. Schirmacher, Max Winterberg, Kincaid, Fowzer, T. H. Paul, Dave Harris and sons, Clark and Wells, C. K. and Cleve Stribling. D. W. Broadinax, J. P. Kevil, A. P. Perry, M. S. Riglander, John Fears. Moffitt and Hefley, P. Sass, Leach Grocery, A. H. Gladdish. Rasberry, Stevens, McCalla, Sprott, Wallis, Turner, Clark, Dudley, Rice. Worley, Beathea. Simms, Arnett, Armstrong, Millican, Sherar, Hillyer, Williams; Wash Wilson. Davis, Shappard, Foster, McGuyer, Rexford Wells. W. M. Wells. Hall, Baines, Douglass, Orr, Turnham, Aldridge, Tom Williams, J. C. McCawley, J. S. Bonner, Minor H. Brown, Bernard Gary, George Vandeventer, John Cole, Frank Block, Eads, Castleberry, Dan Wooten, J. J. Hairston, A. J. Bell. Kennard, Harvey, Beck, Lewis, Evans. Vogel, Henry, Lockwood, C. H. and J. F. Coffield, W. E. Copeland, J. H. Stribling, and Frank Hubert. There are about one hundred and ten businesses in Rockdale, including the ones mentioned, and in addition an ice factory. electric oil mill, several cotton gins, an up-to-date moving picture theatre, confectioneries. cafes, a bakery. modern grocery stores, and any number of small businesses, together with many modern gasoline filling stations, representing the various major oil companies. The Rockdale mines are said to be among the largest in the United States. These mines have been operated for over forty years. and many a ton of lignite has been shipped from here to all parts of the State. At one time there were five shaft mines and one strip pit. The Rockdale-Minerva oil field created a great deal of excitement in 1920. and extended operations to within sight of the city. At times excitement dies down, only to be stirred up again with the drilling of another test. A few undaunted citizens are still hopeful of an oil boom in the future, when Rock- dale will be put on the map forever. The Rockdalc Volunteer Fire Department is composed of sturdy citizens. who boast of having one of the most complete engines and fireefighting appa- ratus in the State. Recently during the disastrous Scarbrough 8 Hicks Com- pany lire, when that firm was completely destroyed. two young Rockdale men. John W. Hooper and Wilbur XVilliams. lost their lives. Their heroic deaths will be permanently commemorated by the opening of a park to be known as the Hooper-lVilliams Fireman's Memorial Park. This park will be located on two acres of ground west of the waterworks property on Highway 44. The Rockdale Fair was organized in 1908. and ran successfully for a numv ber of years. At one time it was considered the third largest fair in Texas. and was the pride of every citizen in and near Rockdale. The association was

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B. LOWENSTEIN AND BROTHER opened their first stock of goods here December 2-1. 1873. Beginning with a few handfuls of goods. valued around two or three hundred dollars. which they brought here with an ox team before the railroad came. they increased their stock of merchandise and groceries as the trade demanded. By hard work, honest dealing. and a vision of what the future held. they continued to prosper and grow. erecting several busmess houses and residences. and became leaders in the town. Joseph moved to Houston. and the business continued under the firm name of B. Lowenstein and Sons. B. Lowenstein was a member of the hrst public school board, was instrumental in having erected the German-English Academy. was vice-presi- dent of the 01d First National Bank. which he helped to organize. and later became postmaster of Rockdale under two administrations. He was succeeded by his son. Ben. Jr.. who conducted the business left by his father. until his untimely death two years ago. Mrs. Ben Lowenstein, Jr., now heads this old- established hrm. E. M. Scarbrough. representing H. P. Hale and Company of Hearne. came from that town on horseback to Rockdale the latter part of 1873. He bought a lot on Main Street for one hundred and hfty dollars and erected a two story XVhen the new train arrived in February, 1874, H. P. Hale and Company opened for business in the town. The directors of the firm consisted of H. P. Hale with E. M. Scarbrough as silent partner, Jobe Hale, The partnership lasted wooden house. Green VJilson, and J. J. Dunnington as bookkeeper. until the death of General Hale in 1882. when his estate having been wound up. the firm of SCARBROUGH 8 HICKS COMPANY was formed. Mr. R. H Hicks. who had been with Hale and Company as bookkeeper, became partner in interest. Mr. Scarbrough remained in Rockdale until 1889, when he moved to Austin and opened a branch house in 1893. The houses at Rockdale and Austin Were two of the strongest mercantile establishments in Central Texas. and stood, each in its respective place, at the head of the business interests of those cities. They continue to hold that enviable position today. Following the death of R. H. Hicks, his son John. R. L. Hale, Sr., and Omrad Palm were active managers of the business until January 1, 1913, when John Hicks and associates acquired the Scarbrough interests and sold out their interests in Austin. Following the moving of Messrs. Hicks and Palm to El Paso and the death of R. L. Hale, Sr. in 1919, the Scarbrough 8 Hicks Company was reorganized. In January. 1927, at a meeting of stockholders and directors. Ira Perry, J. W. Scarbrough, J. 0. Newton, E. P. Henke, and J. W. Garner were named as board of directors. The entire mercantile establishment had been remodeled with an up-to-date plate glass front facing two streets sometime before 1919, and about a year ago considerable improvements were made on the interior. Then the disastrous hre in September, 1935, completely wiped Scarbrough 8 Hicks Company after the fire in 1935. out all that was once the pride and glory of the business district. does not stand still, and in January, 1936, the new business of Scarbrough E5 Hicks Company, under the ownership of J. 0. Newton and Sons, opened up for business in the J. F. Coffteld building on Cameron and Main Streets, and thus again this old firm continues to live in the hearts of the people. The ROCKDALE BANK was organized in 1874 by Isaac Jalenick, represent- ing Stowe and Wilmerding of Galveston. Streets was bought for three hundred dollars, the highest price paid for a lot A corner lot on Milam and' Main But time x in those days. A bank building. eighteen by thirty feet was erected, which was replaced a year later by a two-story stone and brick building, the building later known as the Wolf Hotel. operated by Mr. and Mrs. A. Wolf. The bank failed within a year or two and was bought by Wayland and Wheatley with C. E. Wynn as manager. Two years later these men sold to Judge J. S. Perry. Wynn was assisted by J. E. Longmoor, who had held the position of bookkeeper in the private banking house of Tracy Brothers until it went out of existence. These institutions paved the way for the organization in 1890 of the First National Bank. with a paid-in capital of $75,000. C. H. Cofheld was elected President, B. Lowenstein, Vice-President, J. E. Longmoor. Cashier, Edgar Rowlett. Assistant Cashier, with R. H. Hicks, L. Isaacs, B. B. Baxter, and H. Li VVitcher rounding out the board of directors. On January 1, 1907. the ROCKDALE STATE BANK was organized with a capital stock of $50,000, with B. Lowenstein as President, H. C. Meyer, Vice- President, W. L. Baird, Cashier, Fred H. Graves. Assistant Cashier, and S. G. Hodge. Dr. R. W. Wallis. Dr. A. C. Walker, and Harry Landa the other directors. The Citizens State Bank was organized in 1912 with a capital stock of $30,000. H. C. Meyer became President: J. S. Jacobs, Vice-President; E. A. Perry, Cashier; and E. B. Phillips, Ira Perry, G. M. Ryan directors. A few years ago the Citizens State Bank. and still later the First National Bank. were taken in by the Rockdale State Bank. and this bank is now located in the old First National building. The present oHicers are H. H. Camp. President; T. B. Ryan, Active Vice-President: John T. Hale, Cashier; Harold Luckey, Assistant Cashier; and Poitevant Franklin, Dr. T. S. Barkley, E. A. Camp. W. E. Gaither, and T. B. Ryan are directors. In the year 1873, Major W. M. McGregor and James A. Muir founded the MILAM COUNTY MESSENGER at Cameron, a weekly which soon won popular favor. When the then nameless town of Rockdale was being looked upon as a favorable place to invest, they built a home and transferred the plant and business to this place. During this time the paper was at its height, being published semi- and tri-weekly at times. Enock Breeding, together with his sister, Miss Nannie Breeding, purchased the MESSENGER about 1876, adding improved machinery; and then in March, 1877, the entire plant was destroyed by lire. However, it was re-established by May 25. 1877, only to burn again in April, 1891, when it was again promptly restored. For twenty-five years the people of Milam County had the benefits of a splendid newspaper, known for its strong editorials. In 1893 XV. M. Ferguson bought the MESSENGER, changing its policies which heretofore had been Democratic to that of the People's Party. In 1900 the plant was sold to Howard Wilson and restored to the Democratic fold. After Mr. Wilson's death the paper was controlled by Mrs. Wilson and her sons, who finally sold it to R. W. H. Kennon of the ROCKDALE REPORTER, and it was launched under the merger, ROCKDALE REPORTER AND MESSENGER. THE REPORTER had' been founded by J. H. G. Buck in 1893, ceased publi- cation for a while and was re-established by Homer D. Wade, then a youthful editor at Lexington. Wade sold the REPORTER to his associate, R. W. H. Kennon. Judge Kennon continued to direct the columns of the merged paper until June, 1911, when he sold out to John Esten Cooke. Mr. Cooke is known as one of the best country newspaper men in the State, and has had many honors come to his paper. He has extended the paper's circulation and each week edits a ROCKDALE REPORTER full of human, local interest and boosting Regal, Rustling Rockd'ale and Matchless Milam. In the year 1880 John Mundine of Lexington, wishing to invest his money here, erected the three-story brick structure on the corner of Main and Railroad streets, known as the MUNDINE HOTEL. In 1881 it was for- mally opened to the public under the management of Dr. and Mrs. W. A. Brooks, pioneers in the business, known and loved by all with whom they came in contact. The Mundine Hotel was destroyed by fire on June 8. 1888. and Mrs. Brooks and her four children, Willie, Brooksie, Harry, and Marion. lost their lives in the same building that had sheltered them for so many years. Only one man escaped, Mr. Oldhum of Austin, who could tell of the horror of that tragic fire. Dr. Brooks braved the flames in a vain effort to save his loved ones, but could not. Mr. D. H. Sanford was the hero of this great tragedy, grasping Dr. Brooks by sheer force, carrying him out of the building just in time to see the structure collapse. Other victims of the fire were Isaacs Crown, Pemberton Pierce, Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Brisco and their

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incorporated and owned .1 park 01 lhlrU' acres. covered by hundreds of immense oaks Large and attractive CXlelllUn bunldings, grandstands. barns. and stalls dotted the grounds in attractive arrangement. In 1911 H. C. Meyer was President. John Hicks. Yitc-Prcsidcnt: A, 11 Perry. Jri. Secretary: R. L. Hale. 'lircasurcr: with George Banzaph, 1.. lsaacs. O. K. Phillips. 3. G. Hodge, .1 F: Comeld. Jr. and XV. 15. Gaithcr .is board of directors. In later years lack of interest. financial less and hard times caused the Fair to lose out. The park is now used by the American Legion for Fourth of July celebrations and other entertainments. Home of Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Ryan. The City Hall was built in 1895 during the time that B. A. Coflield was mayor, with J. G. Brown. 0. A. Bowen, Lee Wallace, and E. L. Rasberry as councilmen. E. A. XVallace was city attorney: 1,. Isaacs, secretary-treasurer: At that time it was large enough to accommodate the crowds who assembled in the auditorium J. B. Hamilton. marshal: and J. H. Burnett, tax assessor. for social gatherings. school commencements, and political meetings; but of late years the building has lost its former splendor. and is now used only for athletic purposes and a few high school dances. These affairs will soon be held in the new auditorium being constructed on the high school campus, and The tax collector's office and the fire department are housed on the lower floor. the City Hall will have served its purpose. Ever since Rockdale has been incorporated, it has had some strong, able men as mayors. the first of these being Alfred A. Burck, who in turn was fol- lowed by Hugh L. Witcher, W. E. Copeland, E. M. Scarbrough, Dr. W. R. Kennard, J. 8. Perry. B. A. Coflield, J. E. Longmoor, H. F. Snively, C. H. Coffield, H. C. Meyer. W. E. Gaither. and E. A. Camp, the present, very efficient head of the town. Mr. H. C. Meyer. now with the State Board of Control, heads the list with more years of service, having served faithfully and well for over twenty years. Mr. Meyer was justly called the father of good roads in this section of the country. and had much to do with improvement of high- ways and byways in this trade territory. Leonard Isaacs was city secretary for thirty years, and was succeeded by J. Frank McCalla, who served next in length of time as city tax collector and treasurer. E. T. Kemp. city secretary and treasurer, was succeeded by J. Branch Lewis, the present incumbent. Judge Fred Hill served as first justice of the peace, and was followed by W. D. Wells, R. W. H. Kennon, Ed Gunn, Roy Hillyer, and the present incumbent, Leo Harris. Ofiicers of the law included .1. E. Holtzclaw, C. C. Bethea, John R, Arthur. Howard, Eb Aldridge, N. J. Alford, and John H. Bonds, who held that place for many years. At present W. C. Colvin and Night Watchman C. H. Landis look after the welfare and safety of the town. Uncle Sam has appointed some valuable men to look after the postal depart- ment in Rockdale, one of the earliest postmasters being Donneke; then came H C. Travers. hV, B. XVoody, Hugh L. bVitcher. E. J. M. Hopkins. B. 1:0wen- stein. Sr.. J. A. Shappard', H. P. Talley, E. l'. Wade. and the present incum- bent. H. H. Turner. In the early days of Rockdale private cisterns or tank cisterns furnished water for the town, and there were a few wells for home use. but these were mostly spoiled on account of minerals. Lamps were the order of the day. Mr. R. H. Ames owned the nrst electric light plant and later sold to Lenard Isaacs. who owned the light and water works for a number of years. The city later purchased the water works and improved it until today Rockdale has two of the deepest, finest wells with underground and tower reservoirs of 110.000 gallons capacity. The Texas Power and Light Company furnishes power and electric light from three high voltage lines, which insures uninter- rupted service to its customers. The Southwestern Bell Telephone system dots the land, and the Western Union Telegraph Company maintains an uptown office besides tower service. The latest convenience that was acquired in the town was natural gas, piped in by the Community Gas Company of Dallas. Construction began May 1, 1928. and the piping of the city being completed, gas was pumped into the mains on September 5, 1928. The paving program was completed in September, 1929, and Rockdale now has more than six miles of concrete paved streets with uniform curbs to match, covering the entire business district and a major portion of the residential districts. The Rockdale of today presents a beautiful picture with streets lined with magnificent trees, lovely and substantial homes with green lawns and well-kept shrubs and flowers greet the eyes on every side. In the last few years a number of fine brick homes have been constructed. Home of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Noack. Churches have not been mentioned so far, but Rockdale has some lovely church edifices, of which the citizens are justly proud. After the people became permanently settled in homes and businesses and felt established, they then turned to the building of comfortable homes of worship, but the work in each field preceded the building. All evangelical denominations were represented in the early days of Rockdale, and the first church service was held over W. P. Branch's dry goods store. It was a bare room, the rafters covered with dust and spiderwebs. Boards across empty beer kegs served as seats; singing was led by Mr. Jack Stewart, with his tuning fork and choir of singing school pupils. Mr. Vandivere, a Baptist preacher, conducted services. Most of the services were conducted in the old Presbyterian. church, known as the Union Church Building. Rev. W. E. Copeland, living in Washington County at that time, made monthly trips to Rockdale to minister to his little flock. Rev. Copeland was born in Scotland, came to Texas in 1858, and as early as 1874 came to Rockdale. In 1880 he moved with his family here and supplied the pulpit from year to year until his resignation a few years before his death. He lived to become pastor of the handsome new building that stands on the grounds of the First Union Church, which was erected under his guidance and dedicated with elaborate ceremonies on April 19, 1914, with the united clergy and throngs of people assembled to witness the dedication.