FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS ABE JONES In the area between Dew and Cross Roads (Butler as it known today) on FR 489 in the Plum Creek area there a rural community called Abe Jones. Named for a man born into slavery that accomplished much even in the bad years following the Civil War and freedom. Have heard many complimentary stories concerning this man his wife and family. In this community the last Common School District Trahan which operated into the 1970’s in a small two room schoolhouse just to maintain the County School Superintendents office and jobs. There are also 3 cemeteries nearby. I have been told of when the community was virtually an independent area because of the enterprising leadership of Abe Jones. At the December 2006 Freestone Co. Historical Comm. meeting held and hosted at the Butler “E.E. Wheat” Community Center with Abe C. Jones grandson Eddie Jones presenting the program on his grandfather and grandmother. Much of this information concerning them came from this. Bridge Builder 2006 Following the Civil War Abe Jones as a teenager lived with and worked for others to make a living. In 1888 he married Dollie Mae Conyers; to this union nine children were born. He and his wife made their home in the Plum Creek community. They purchased 106 acres of land in 1896 and shortly after 342.5 acres where they built a simple log house and three of their children were born. They next built a large wood frame unpainted house with an oversized hall through it with rooms on both sides where the other children were born. Their third home was even larger and painted brown. Here he built and operated the first of three cotton gins he owned in his lifetime, Bill Glazener told he remembered seeing them move one of the steam engines for a gin with mules coming from the Teague railroad. There was a saw mill, grist mill several syrup mills and a country store. . It has been said many a black family in the Plum Creek community may have perished without the help of Mr. Abe Jones. Together Abe and Dollie acquired 1056.5 acres of land, one city lot in Palestine and two in Teague. They were the first black family in Freestone Co. town a car, a new 1923 Model T Ford. This was an accomplishment for anyone of that era especially more so for a former slave. Not only a farmer Abe Jones was in 1920 a stock holder and vice president of the American Shoe Co. of San Antonio. They provided jobs for family members and others, maintained tenant farmers and day laborers, Dollie and the girls would cook for the family and workers. They owned cattle, hog and work horses and mules... Some share croppers lived here. Some of the grandchildren growing up here described life comparable to old type plantations. Grade school was the highest education offered locally so the girls were sent to Paul Quinn College in Waco and other colleges with some returning to teach in the two room Trahin School that was on land provided by the Jones. The boys worked on the farm and taught not to say “cant”. I didn’t know Abe or Dollie but have known and dealt with their descendents and always found them honorable and dependable. Mr. Abe and Dollie Jones most remarkable early citizens. *** From Original Sheriffs Report 1971 Destitute lady and five children left by irate husband given ride home, divorce papers and restraining order served on him later in week. Night trip to Stem with man arrested on complaint stole trunk and $180 in it out of Momma Reds, fessed up before carried to polygraph. Beaumont officer picking up car thief at County Jail questioned by prisoner why so man precautions being taken replied “The city of Beaumont is expecting you and my wife is expecting me and I don’t want to disappoint either. Assault charges filed by woman on boy friend led to his arrest and trip to Judge Bill Moore with man advising it really not worth $52.50 to hit her. Streetman man advising thought wife having mental problems my friends found out they had installed an extension phone with her overhearing him have intimate conversation with lady suspected of being more than a friend. Mediated enough to get him back in house on trial basis it happen no more, children thought a little hoodoo involved. Milner Drug in Streetman burglarized for second time in ten days and third time that month, drugs missing. Youth on deer lease shot early Sunday morning, thought to be poachers, treated and released with minor injuries. *** Grandpa’s Report Don Johnson who pastured the Wortham and Kirvin Methodist Churches last couple years going to Robinson church, enjoyed his being with us, pot luck dinner for he and Gays enjoyed by all, want to wish them the best. Tragedy for our area when local youth Jesse McCord fatally injured in vehicle accident. Learned friend and former County Commissioner Melvin Waldrip’s grandson in fatal accident on FR 489. Our prayers with both families... Freestone Co. Fair underway, parade Monday evening with our brood well represented. Kirvin Homecoming and dinner served by Sam’s, enjoyed this and the visiting, but attendance getting smaller each year.