Freestone Past/Present
J.R. (Sonny) Sessions

Early Transportation and Work Animals

  Most of us think of horses and mules filled this order. I have found 
historically the oxen were much more common and available. Horses to 
many were a luxury for fast transportation and such. Oxen were easy to 
raise, resistant to injuries and sickness and train. They were slow but 
dependable. Many were used locally and a few in my lifetime.
  Sometimes even with mules and tractors available they worked better, been 
told my Granddaddy Sessions had a large saw mill operation  and when it 
real wet oxen were sued to drag the logs out with oxen who more sure 
footed.
  Oxen in the early days were used to take cotton and other produce to the 
coast and return with supplies, this could take weeks. Some cotton and such 
floated down the Trinity when the water flowing. There were few roads 
bridges across the many streams.
  When the railroads came to Mexia and Oakwood in the l870’s most to 
Freestone Co. was isolated from such with miles to be traveled to use.  



The community at Woodland had a hack that came from Mexia I think twice 
a week. Most things had to be hauled in wagons or carts, Mexia was used 
more than Wortham as there no big creeks or such and about the same 
distance. Prior to the Boll Weevil Line coming thru the construction of a 
spur railroad line to Mexia was started, some of the dirt work can be found 
west of Little Tehuacana Creek. Most of my information is hearsay it was 
John L. Wortham and others as crossed Wortham land. I don’t remember 
any written of published information and don’t know why it never 
completed.
  My Daddy started to school in Woodland at the old College, he had a slate 
board and lead to write with (which I still have) on the first day his Mother 
prepared him a dinner in a syrup bucket; he stopped on the way to school 
and ate it. His family moved to Mexia for better schools for he and his 
siblings. They had several business interests in Kirven and Carter usually 
spent the week days here and weekends in Mexia until moving back.
  Ex slave families living in the Rocky Branch area told me Carter Sessions 
stopped and visited with gifts nearly every time he went that way. Carter 
Sessions owned several vehicles over the years but always had to have 
someone to drive for him.
                                         ***’
          Original Sheriffs Report 1968-69
   First big beaver dam, lake and lodge seen on County Road in eastern 
Freestone Co., a novelty at first, became a menace. New DPS Col. Speir 
reception TU Trinidad, lots of older officers and real Rangers like Lone 
Wolf there, some already knew, never saw most again.
 County’s first full time Game Warden and friend Brent Bergstrom 
and I to gathering honoring Lt. Gov. Preston Smith who later served as 
Governor. Big time wrestling with rain threatening, nearly had to jail
Captain Whitaker to keep him from canceling, went good.
  Regular jail customer in to do time brought his pillow and left so be there 
next time. Case of scotch stolen railroad car.
  In October l968 the big road I45 opened around Streetman, this been a 
terrible nightmare as town divided by old 75 and several lives lost by local 
citizens trying to cross. Seven head of cattle killed by night hunters.  
Traveling termiters jailed, took elderly lady here for $900 and Leon Co. lady 
for $330 which lots of money then. 
                              ***
                 Grandpa’s Report
     
…
  Kirvin Reunion with crowd getting smaller each year but still fun. Bro. 
J.W. Fitzgerald awarded 50 year pin at Cotton Gin Lodge.  Visit friend and 
former Chief Deputy Charles Nicholson who doing much better. Cooper, 
Kenzie, Devin and Sara to Coach Branch’s basketball camp, Kali helped put 
on.    
  Grandma and I to friends Wayne Loven and Tommie Whitaker wedding, 
wish them the very best. …