ROLSTON, James Benjamin of Salty Comm. Age 82. Died 10/28/1931 (Wed.), he had been in failing health for the past few years though not confined to his bed. Services were held at the Methodist Church at Salty. Burial in church cemetery. Revs. J.E. McGaughy and C.L. Boone and the Masonic Lodge of Thorndale officiated.

He was BORN 2/08/1849 near Lexington in Lee Co. (then Burleson Co.). He was the second son of the late M.M.C. and Sarah Rolston. The family moved when he was a small child to Palo Pinto Co. where they lived a few years before coming back and locating near Salty Comm. While on the frontier in Palo Pinto Co. he had many skirmishes with the Indians. He received much pleasure in relating these stories to his children/grandchildren.

Married Miss Elizabeth Alford on 1/19/1870. Mrs. Rolston passed on in 1883 leaving Mr. Rolston and 5 children. The children are: Mrs. Eva Clark, Thorndale; Mrs. Sallie Boyce, Portales, NM.; M.R. Rolston, Kermit; J.T. Rolston, Elida, NM; and Mrs. Belle Guthrie of Dallas. On 6/13/1889 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Smith and 4 children were born to this union, Mrs. Elizabeth Avrett of Pleasant Hill, Mrs. Florence Bownds, Houston, J.G. Rolston of Conoley and Mrs. Verlie Majors of Nile Comm. He united with the Methodist Church at Salty as a young man. He was a faithful man and loved his Lord. To him life and religion were one.

SURVIVORS: Wife, 9 children; 36 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. Host of other relatives and friends to mourn his departure.
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The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger (Rockdale, Tex.)
Vol. 59, No. 39, Ed. 1
Thursday, November 12, 1931
Page: 3 of 8

Salty, Nov. 3.--James Benjamin Rolston was born in Lee county on February 8, 1849, where he lived for a number of years. Then moved with his parents to Palo Pinto county. Here he had many contacts with the Indians. He was not in the civil war as he was too young, but fought a brave battle at home protecting the family from the Indians. He moved to Milam county with his parents when a young man. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Alford, Jan. 9, 1870, and settled on his home here where he resided until death. To this union five children were born: Mrs. Joe Clark, Thorndale; Mrs. Sallie Boyce, Portales, N. M.; Mrs. Belle Guthrie, Dallas; Nathe, Kermit, Texas; Tom, Elido, N. M. His wife dpearted this life in 1883.

He was again united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Smith June 13, 1889. To this union four children were born: Mrs. Elizabeth Averette, Pleasant Hill; Mrs. Florence Bounds, Houston; Mrs. Verlie Majors, Salty; and Guy, of Conoley. All still survive.

Mr. Ralston was converted and united with the Methodist church many years ago and lived a true Christian life. He was a kind and caring husband and father, and a true and faithful friend. He was ? in every undertaking, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. He always and a smile and a pleasant word for all. He had been in failing health for several years, but always bore his suffering with patience, never mur? and seemed to always look on the sunny side of life. He was taken seriously ill on Monday, Oct. ? and all of his children were called to his bedside. All was done that caring hands could do, but the Death Angel entered the home on Wednesday morning, Oct. 28, at 7 o'clock, and called him home where suffering comes no more. He was laid to rest in the Salty cemetery Thursday morning at 11 o'clock in the presence of a large host of sorrowing relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. E. McGaughy, Rev. C. Boone, who spoke many words of comfort to bereaved wife and children after which the members of the Masonic fraternity of which ? he was a charter member, ? a number of Masonic members from Rockdale and Cameron, carried his body to the grave and paid one last tribute of respect in carrying out the Masonic ceremonies.

He is survived by his wife, nine children, thirty-six grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren. The entire community joins in extending sympathy to the bereaved ones in their lonely hours.