FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS
SHERIFF 1965-2001

JUDGE ALLEGRE HOUSE
  Coming to Wortham before the rail road came he opened the first drugstore 
which he ran for about 36 years. Mr. Munroe later had the drugstore for 
many years. The building is being restored to its original beauty by Wortham 
businessman Brent Jones. About l895 after marriage to Sally Caruthers of 
Tehuacana he built a home “just a stone’s throw from his drugstore on Main 
Street and the home facing the railroad on First Street. Judge Allegre was 
born l849 in Woodland, Freestone Co.; he attended school here and in St. 
Louis, Missouri and l9 years old when he moved here to Tehuacana Station 
as it called then. 
  After the Allegres deaths the house was rented by various family’s and 
badly neglected and in need of repair. Bought by Willie Mae Keeling whose 
roots ran deep locally and her husband Walter Beaver, great grandson of 
Alfonso Steele, a veteran of San Jacinto and last survivor of this battle. The 
Beavers restored the old mansion and lived here until their deaths. Willie 
Mae a lifelong collector of dolls used one of the upstairs rooms to display 
them. Walter Beaver lived some in Kirven while his father the railroad 
telegraph operator.
  In March l9970 a Texas State Historical Marker was dedicated for the 
Home. The Marker Inscription reads “Built about l895, by Warren Allegre 
who ran a drugstore nearby. Born in l849 he came to this town in l869. Here 
he gave music lessons and dispensed legal advice. Was later Justice of the 
Peace, and Mayor. This typical Victorian house has foundations and fire 
places of handmade brick. Stair rail and some woodwork are hand carved: 2 
rooms are octagonal. Present owners, Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Beaver, restored in 
l968”. Recorded Texas Historic Marker-l969”  
  Those involved in the dedication were Hugh Whitaker, Rev. Lloyd 
Sansom, Mrs. Bill Eckhard, Francis Joekel, Llewlyn Notley, Billy Beaver 
and Pam and Susan Beaver. The Walter Beavers furnished the house with 
family period furniture. The house small by today’s standards but above 
standards of that day.
  The Walter Beavers lived, entertained here and enjoyed until their deaths 
when the property bought by friends James and Nancy Pursell. The Pursell’s 
have restored the outside of the house and improved the property. The house 
stands out today and well worth a trip to see and visit the Pursell’s
  My first knowledge of this house was in the mid l940’s with my father 
Sheriff Jim Sessions who often visited Wortham on Saturday afternoons 
when the rural folks came to town. We drove by the old house and were told 
that in his youth he had borrowed money from the Allegres for his business 
ventures. Mrs. Joekel told that in his early years there no qualified lawyers 
and Judge Allegre was asked to write deeds and such which were accepted 
in all areas and brought some to display. There many stories concerning the 
house by the many who lived here over the years, one that it haunted with 
ghost or such that tried to push lady down the stairs.
                                           ***
          From Original Sheriffs Report l971
      Advised by hippy’s that toilet tissue tied all over cell block in Jail their 
Xmas decorations, told them their posteriors would be decorated if happened 
again.
  Woman by office wanting pistol back she shot another woman with, 
advised there nothing to worry about now as the man the dissention over 
passed.
  Trinity River Authority presenting program on proposed dam across River 
and big Lake that going to be biggest thing to happen to Freestone Co. since 
whisky days. (This never came to pass).
  Wholesale grocery co. truck driver fired early Wed. when found at motel 
with local girl friend while supposed to be on road, on top of that had to pay 
motel more as only one supposed to be in room.
  With Oakwood woman down into Leon Co to finish what Sheriff Wilson 
just got started, moving he belongings out of house without trouble, need a 
moving van for this kind. Woman didn’t like Leon Co. Deputy Eldridge and 
gave him cussing every time I got out of hearing.
  Youth jailed for destruction of grand fathers home when didn’t give him 
money asked for
  Heroin user jailed couple months brought back fro Ellis Unit for court, 
barely recognized as had gained weight, color back in face and mentally 
improved, admitted he felt better too.
  Leg sawed off life size Appaloosa horse statue at Schulte Ranch which fell 
to the ground.
 Several reports of hippy in middle of I45 traffic lane directing traffic, DPD 
Andrews dispatched to help him.