FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS

ALDERMAN’S OF COTTON GIN

  Fund raising “42”tournament for Jay Alderman Scholarship in Teague a 
big success and well done.* Grandma and Wanda the (Kirven 
Queens) took the day, Mary Alice and I about in middle.
 Put on by Jay’s Teague High School Classmates in his honor, this certainly 
a big credit to Jay and his family. Jay the victim of tragic accident in Alaska 
where he employed is the son of former Freestone Co. Judge Joe Roger 
Alderman and Margie...
  The Alderman family one of most respected in Freestone Co. having been 
some of the early settlers in the western part of the County. James W. 
Alderman came here after service in the Confederate Army in the Civil War
and a Yankee prisoner of war. Coming to Texas via Galveston from Thomas 
Co. Georgia to manage the Carter Kirven plantation.  His brother a hero of 
the Civil War had come here first to manage this same plantation (this some 
of the land I own today) but died in l877 after a horse accident and burial in 
nearby Woodland Cemetery. 
Settling in the Cotton Gin area, James W. farmed and involved also raising 
fine mules and horses and marrying Ella Jordan in l883 whose family came 
to Texas in l849 and among the first settlers in the County. Six children were 
born in this union, Annie, David, Roger Q., Eula, and James W. (Jim).
  Jim Alderman a veteran of WWI served in France in the 36th Division 
participating in the Meuse-Argonne offensive in l916. After the War he and 
his brothers Dave and Roger bought the Simms Store in Cotton Gin which 
they operated as long as they lived. It was a big business especially with a 
good cotton crop. They operated a cotton gin, bought and sold cotton 
through the store. The Store carried all the necessities of life then, all 
farming equipment and even caskets for burial. The Store had the only 
elevator in the County which in use today in Teague. The Alderman brothers 
were also successful farmers and cattlemen.
  On more than one occasion my Daddy Jim Sessions told me the Alderman 
brothers were the best friends he had. I don’t remember much about Dave 
but knew Roger and Jim well and always pleased to call them friend also. I 
enjoyed visiting with them in the Store, especially around the old wood 
heater in cold weather. They told many stories of days gone by about the 
people and area. Three were still some of the old Cotton Gin homesteads 
during my lifetime. The Sims house behind the store was a mansion, built by 
a former slave it burned several years ago. 
  Jim and Margaret’s children Andrea and Joe Day Whitaker and Joe Roger 
and Margie always been special friends Joe Roger served as Freestone Co
Judge while I was Sheriff. He was a good Judge and served Freestone Co. 
well during a time the County suffering financially, not like today where so 
much  available and wasted
                                           ***
                 From Original Sheriff’s Report l970
    Wortham Police and Sheriff assisted family having problems settling 
estate between deceased woman’s heirs and common law husband, all 
worked out. Corsicana for talk with ex boy friend of girl being disturbed
by beer cans thrown against her house late at nite.
  Assisted in finding out circumstances of man dying in another county;
he and father of the deceased been doing little bootlegging and someone 
been stealing it so poisoned some to find out who, others reported sick. 
Suspect denying any knowledge.
 Reward of $1,000 offered for information on who took 7  branded heifers 
from a pasture to a pasture in Freestone Co. where they found, when owner 
came to me with information who he thought guilty I told him they would 
not be found on him and weren’t but on his neighbor.
  Police instructor’s school held in Fairfield, officers from Leon, Navarro, 
Limestone, McLennan in attendance. Wortham Police lost his cool when he 
checked his lockup and found magazine sales people he put there night 
before gone and his locks broken, only description he could give was girl 
had on skirt no longer than his nose.
  Always heard about drunk Indians, had one, we wrestled, pow wowed, and 
even had a foot race from jail door to US 84 with him on the loosing end, 
first aid administered to his knowledge bump. Report from woman that 
strange main her house and wouldn’t let her in, really a misunderstanding
as Minnie Mae just drunk again and at house not hers.
  Interesting program presented to local Rotary by Bill Bradley with I.G.C.
that this area on the sea coast many millions of years ago. As the sea receded 
southward the heavy vegetation was covered by mire forming the lignite 
used today to fuel the electric generating plant (This probably not exactly 
like he said it.)
                                      ***
               Grandpa’s Report
  Recent death of longtime friend and former Freestone County Agent John 
Pritchard whom known, I thought well more than 50 years. Didn’t know or 
even suspect John was a Naval Officer on LST in the Pacific, I knew John a 
Texas A&M graduate and never known one before to become a Navy 
Officer.  I served on several LST’s and wish I had known this. All A&M 
people I knew served in the Army or such. Told there more Army Officers 
from A&M than  any other training facility in WWII.
   Grandma hosted recent Texas LST Assn. get together in Corsicana, I think 
enjoyed by all. Even had couple of old shipmates come and be with us, one 
couple from Washington State and another from South Carolina. Took in old 
Pioneer Village, some did Guardian Glass factory other local points of 
interest.
  Kenzie and Sara’s baseball season started, Kenzie out with knee injury, in 
first game Sara volunteered to play with opposing team who did not have 
enough players, Sara always a good sport. Cooper and Devin just getting 
started. Kali restricted due to arm injury on Hill College baseball team.
  Grandma to Rotary Club Talent Show, I was hoe sick with allergies.
Anna won first place and best of show with her ballet, Daniel and Jacob
participated with gymnastic group.
  With Grandma and Pursell’s to stage show at old Palace Theatre Corsicana, 
Kenzie to show night before said it good but too long which found right.
Wortham High School Project Graduation program at VFW Saturday night, 
glad to report John Lansford who been strong supporter the big money 
winner.
  Hammond, Pursell and I to Alvin Green memorial services Coolidge, Alvin 
a longtime friend and will be missed. Always known to be a real gentleman.