Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


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

                       Freestone Co. Justice-Attorney Bowlen Bond
  
  Teague Attorney Bowlen Bond served Freestone County as County 
Attorney and Prosecutor during some to the time my Daddy was 
Sheriff. A long time friend Mr. Bond had many entertaining stories on 
Freestone Co. Justice. I wish I had recorded more of them but failed to 
do so. Mr. Bond and all involved in the following are deceased. This 
story is one of them.
  “While serving as Freestone County Attorney Mr. Bond prosecuted a 
group of Crap Shooters from the Butler area in Judge Joe Pete 
Edwards Court. Justice of the Peace Edwards was a character in his 
own right with other stories concerning him and his Court, and 
intelligent fairly well educated man from an old respected area family
who looked sometimes like an old bear as seldom shaved or dressed up.
Mr. Harold Williford a prominent Fairfield Attorney and former 
County Attorney was the defense attorney. When one of the defendants 
on the stand denied the charge and entered a not guilty plea Prosecutor 
Bond asked him what he going to tell Saint Peter if asked about this at 
the Golden Gates.
  Defense Attorney Williford strongly objected to the question on the 
grounds it immaterial to this case what he told Saint Peter. Judge 
Edwards after some thought ruled the objection sustained it immaterial 
as this defendant would probably never get near the Golden Gates or 
Saint Peter.”
  Mr. Bond also served in the Texas Legislature representing Freestone 
Co. and as local attorney in Teague many years.
                              *****
    Virtually all Freestone County rainwater drains to the east into the 
Trinity River except an area in western part of County that drains into              
 the Navasota River. Friend Jack Keys once lived west of the old Winter 
Garden with the east side of his home draining to the Trinity and the 
west side draining to the Navasota.

                              ****


                             Grandpa’s Report
  June Freestone Co. Historical Comm. meeting held Wortham with 
Model T rides available from Paul Conn in his pretty l927 Model.
Also the ornate old Allegre house of Nancy and James Pursell who have 
done much to restore, furnish and decorate was open to the public, this 
also the home of Walter and Willie Mae Beaver with a Texas Historical 
Marker dedicated here in l970. Early Wortham history displayed and 
delicious treats served after. The July meeting will be at the Training 
Center with Navarro Co. Historical Comm. Chairman Sheriff Leslie 
Cotton the speaker, please mark your calendar and join us. 


















































Teague