Freestone County, Texas Reflections JUDGE WARREN ALLEGRE-LAW EAST OF TEHUACANA By J.R. (Sonny) Sessions Sheriff, 1965-2001 - Warren Allegre born 1849 in Woodland. Came to what is now Wortham at age 19. Known then as Tehuacana Station, formerly Longbotham, it was still a cactus- cotton-cattle village. This before the railroad came thru in 1876. Named Wortham for Col. L. R. Wortham from Woodland who had a business here and instrumental in the railroad putting a stop here and town designated. I wonder if Warren Allegre came from Woodland here with or because of Col. Wortham. Allegre enlisted in the Confederate Army at age 14 and was sent to Columbus, Texas where he contacted typhoid fever with the war ending during his convalescence. He attended school in Woodland (probably the College for Boys) and St. Louis, Missouri. He was self taught with the violin, coronet, law, and pharmacy. After teaching school a few years he opened the first drug store in Wortham, selling art goods and helping doctors with prescriptions (this store later run by Mr. Munroe). He retired after about 36 years in the store, also Justice of the Peace and later Mayor until his death in 1925. His niece Mrs. Francis Joekel told of experiences with Mr. & Mrs. Allegre as a child, their library which well stocked with a set of the first editions of Encyclopedia Britannica, Law, Medical Books and Music Books as well as the Classics. Tom Chatham wrote in the 1969 Mexia Daily News Allegre came to Wortham before the railroad built during hated Yankee Gov. Edmund Davis rein during so called Reconstruction and his hated State Police stationed in Springfield. Chatham wrote this the bloodiest untold history this area ever produced and referred to it as the "hey day of the gunman". During this period "Dixie" as he called terrorized the freed blacks until killed by troops. John Wesley Hardin taught school near here at age 18 and had killed more men then Billy the Kid during his life. Deputy Sheriff Marcus Seely killed outlaw Pisgah Ridge friend of Hardin's in a shoot out on Main St. after the murder of a local Constable. The Wortham City Marshall was shot in the back and killed on Main Street by Alf Rushin and Pisgah friends. Pisgah Ridge noted for its outlaws and the five caves used for illegal activities, one named The Belle Starr Cave. This area and Wortham probably the nearest thing to what many thought as the Old West. If not familiar with "The Ridge" you need to drive west of Wortham on Fm Rd 27 to Fm Rd 1394 drive north towards Richland on this natural limestone formation, from certain points you can see west across the valleys for many miles, especially pretty in Bluebonnet season. Judge Allegre was a quiet man and noted for his legal skills became known as "The Law East of the Tehuacana". He liked to play his violin and coronet or read a good book of which he had many. It is told that a prominent ranchers son owed a bill at the drug store, the young man had a reputation as a fast draw with a gun came storming into the store and declared "If I had gun I'd kill you", Judge Allegre continued writing in his books with his right hand while quietly securing two pistols with his left telling the young man to take his pick, the young man fled and the bill was paid in short order. Next week the Historic Allegre House in Wortham. *** From the Original Sheriff's Report 1971 Complaint on man digging another's sweet potatoes and to make matters worse selling them. With man to see the wife as he scared to go by himself. Attempted bank robbery Riesel with one killed and another shot by bank official, escape car spotted by DPS helicopter, all arrested with no money to show for their trouble. If Wortham bank ever robbed this what Tom Jr. says he's going to do. Man arrested and jailed after indecent exposure report and giving money to 12 year old girls. Forced by the wife to go out, so took in Christmas Dance at Country Club, most enjoyable without ear drum bursting youth music. Found it hard to relax at first and then enjoyed it. Officers from Navarro, Leon, Limestone, Anderson and Freestone dinner at night in Fairfield School Cafeteria. Lunch at newly open Kitch's Dairy Mart FR 27 & I45, never thought many years ago of this while walking thru this area to favorite swimming hole. Holidays spoilt for pair of hippies in route to Dallas with sacks of pot by THP Ray and Kellum.