The Springdale News
March 17, 1905

Dr. William Freeling Rubottom died Sunday night at 11:15 o'clock at his home in Deaver's addition after an illness of a few weeks, death being due to paralysis with which he was stricken several years ago. Funeral services were held at the family residence Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock, conducted by Rev. J. W. Walkup, and the remains were interred in Bluff's Cemetery by the Masonic fraternity. William Freeling Rubottom was born in Daviess County, Ind. April 28, 1828. In 1847 he volunteered as a soldier in the Mexican war, serving as a private under Capt. Rusean and was in the battle of Buena Vista. After his return home he was attracted by the wonderful stories that came from California and in 1852 he went to that country. After remaining out there for several months he returned to Indiana and in 1854 again made the trip to California. During his residence there he was for 2 years employed in the exciting and hazardous occupation of pony express messenger. On Sunday, July 28, 1867 in Edgar County, IL, he was united in marriage to Rowena Eleanor Lilley and the following month they moved to Centralia, MO. They returned to Illinois in December 1867 where they continued to reside until 1870 when they moved to Collin County, Texas. They made their home in this and Taylor county until July 1898 when they came to Arkansas, locating on a farm northeast of Springdale. Over a year ago they moved to town. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rubottom, 3 sons and 3 daughters, all of whom are dead except 2 sons, Lee, the eldest, whose home is in Crawford County, this state, and Z., who resided with his parents. Dr. Rubottom was an active practicing physician until he was stricken with paralysis in 1885 and for some time afterward he was entirely helpless. He recovered sufficiently, however, to make trips in his buggy but never recovered entirely and it was this paralytic stroke which eventually caused his death. Dr. Rubottom was a student and spent much time in reading. For four years he was editor of the Messenger, a newspaper published at Buffalo Gap, Texas and was also the author of a book of verses, entitled, "When I was Living at the Grange," which were written while he was living at Buffalo Gap. At the time of his death he was arranging the Psalms in metrical form. Dr. Rubottom was a Mason and a member of the C. P. Church and while his affliction did not permit him to get out and mingle with the public he made friends of all with whom he came in contact.

Rogers Democrat
March 22, 1905

(from The Springdale News) Dr. William F. Rubottom died Sunday night at 11:15 o'clock at his home in Deaver's addition after an illness of a few weeks, death being due to paralysis with which he was sticken several years ago.