This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Pleasant, Lumpkin, Redding, Douthit, Hale, Perry, Wynn, Wicks, Max, Schafer Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hkB.2ACE/5316 Message Board Post: Galveston Daily News – Sun., 15 Sept. 1878, p. 4, c. 1 & 2 Milam County - Milam County is on the dividing line between the post oak and prairie country, and is a mixture of the two, and furnishes the land with plenty of timber for firewood and other purposes. Its soil varies accordingly from the rich and famous 30-foot soil of the Brazos bottom through the gray sandy cotton lands of the post oak uplands to the blank waxy of the rich prairies. The products of the county are cotton, corn, wheat, rye, oats, barley, Hungarian grass, millet, tobacco and all kinds of vegetables. The average yield per acre of the principal crops is, of cotton from 1,000 to 1,600 pounds of seed cotton, of corn from 25 to 30 bushels, and from 15 to 20 bushels of wheat. There is water to abundance. Gause is a small town upon the railroad, in the eastern part of the county, 4½-miles west of the Brazos river, was laid off by the railroad company in March 1872. Rockdale is situated upon the railroad, in the western part of the county and 8-miles west of Milano, is much the largest and most important town in the county. Rockdale, is about 20-miles west of the Brazos river, about 16-miles south of Cameron, the county seat of Milam county, was opened for business February 1874 and now has a population of 1,500. W. A. Pleasant, Live Stock Dealer - W. A. Pleasant of Rockdale is agent for the following live stock dealers: Binsley, Wagner & Binsley, Chicago; Hunter & Evans, St. Louis; J. A. Fores, Memphis; G. W. Tankersley, Shreveport; and Aycock, Mitchell & Co., New Orleans. With such a combination it is impossible that Mr. Pleasant should not meet with success; and when we take into consideration the large amount of stock on the fertile prairies of Williamson, Milam and adjoining counties, and that Rockdale is the natural outlet, and that shipping accommodations are such as offered by the I& G.N. railroad, it is not surprising that a large business is being done by Mr. Pleasant, and that breeders seek him to transact all their business through him. Lumpkins & Redding, Harness and Saddlery - About 4-years ago, the yong gentlemen whose names head this article came to Rockdale with limited means, but an indomitable will, believing that prosperity could be attained through energy and economy. They are now conducting one of the best manufactures of saddles and harness in the state, and carry a large stock, which, by its variety and excellent quality, commands the attention of purchasers, either at wholesale or retail. In this we have at least one instance which should put to silence the oft-repeated assertion that manufactured in localities where northern manufacturers are bought into competition. We hope that Mr. Lumpkins and Mr. Redding may continue to prosper. City Drug Store - Dr. Douthit is the leading druggist of Rockdale. He enjoys the confidence of the people of the city, and conducts a large trade with the surrounding counties. His clerks are busy day and night in the prescription department. His business is constantly enlarging. His stock is complete. H. P. Hale & Co., Dry Goods and Groceries - These gentlemen [no names given] were among the first who came to Rockdale and have built up for themselves a large business and enjoy the full confidence of their patrons. The I. & G.N. railroad require this firm to prepay all freight - a petty spite of the company. The next legislature should look into and regulate railroad freight in this state and do away with all unjust discrimination. This firm can show where they have been required to pay 70-cents freight when other merchants got theirs through for 25-cents per 100-pounds. H. P. Hale & Co. are now receiving a full stock of goods for the fall trade, feeling sure of their receiving a full share of the patronage of the community. Rockdale Bank, J. S. Perry & Co., Proprietors; C. E. Wynn, Manager - This bank was established in the early days of Rockdale and has from the beginning done a good business by assisting the merchants when necessary by liberal discounts and providing them with exchange of all points south, north and east - the capital being abundant for all purposes. Attention is given to collections [faded print - unable to read] James Wicks, Wholesale Groceries and Liquors - John Wicks removed from Calvert to this place in 1874 and established his business. From that time he has not only held his own, but acquired a considerable capital and is now among the best houses in Rockdale. By close attention to business and care in his purchases, he has continued to improve his prospects and his reputation in this section of the country. Being alive to the interest of his customers, he always retains their trade and gains otherwise as the county fills up. Max’s Hotel & Restaurant - The traveling community who visit Rockdale cannot fail to recognize the above caption and acknowledge, with us, that it is the place for the weary to resort to. William Max, the host, as well and favorably known at home and abroad. The numerous commercial men who traverse the state from center to circumference regard Max as the landlord of the place, who, with the assistance of S. J. Houghton, clerk, never fails to make his guests comfortable. Tourists will make a note of this. August Schafer, Hardware & Stoves - When Rockdale was in its infancy, and before the post oaks were cut away, Mr. Schafer determined to cast his lot here, and though be 19-years of age, he established himself in the hardware and stove business, and has thus far defied all competition. His sales for the past year reached $65,000 and he is now receiving his supplies for the fall and winter trade, which, when complete, will reach $40,000. Thought young in years, Mr. Schafer has shown himself capable of managing his affairs with satisfaction to his constituents and profit to himself. Cameron is the county seat, is an old town of about 500 inhabitants, and is about 12-miles distance from Rockdale, which is its shipping point.