Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


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

Mexia Daily News - Feb 24, 2006 edition

CATTLE BRANDING


Branding with a hot iron has been and, in my opinion, still is the quickest and
best way to identify ownership of animals, cattle especially. I still brand my
cattle and over the years know it has saved me some problems. The brand I use,
the same as my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather have used in 
Freestone Co., is a running S on the left shoulder over the front leg joint. 
Some years ago contacted by a cattleman in a nearby County with the complaint 
we were using his brand that he had been using over 0 years. Advised the man 
we been using it over 100 years and it recorded in Freestone Co., never heard 
anymore from him.

Once had a tidal wave to come down Big Tehuacana Creek that washed cattle up 
and down the creek all the way to Streetman and all recovered that were 
branded. Recently while branding grandson Kyle tried his hand, hope he and or 
other grandkids continue in the cattle business.

We now brand with cattle in a working chute using a half S iron heated by 
propane. Years ago when my Daddy branded it was with a wagon iron heated on a
wood fire. Each animal was roped and thrown on the ground, this a lot prettier
brand than mine but lots harder to do, this brand larger than mine.

The following information comes from a paper my Nephew William Younger did 
while in Texas A&M. The origin of cattle predates written history, it is known
to have been used by the ancient Chinese, Egyptians and mentioned in the Old 
Testament. The Spanish brought branding to Texas, records were found going back
to the middle 1700’s. Brands were granted to Spanish subjects as a copyright.
Spanish brands are more pictographs than letters and the Texas cowboy unable to
interpret merely called them all Mexican brands or “quien sabes” meaning who 
knows.

In 1848 Texas provided for the recording of brands with the County Clerk. A 
considerable body of Texas law deals with brands and at one time the Hide and 
Cattle Inspector was an elected County official; there are many references to 
the Hide and Cattle inspectors in old Freestone Co. records. Cattle brands are
still registered with the County Clerk.

The February meeting of the Freestone Co. Historical Comm. held at the 
Fairfield Library meeting room. A timely program presented by Rev. David Davis.
Streetman Centennial Committee met with Commission with funds granted to help 
with their observance expenses.

The March meeting will also be held at the Fairfield Library with retired 
Dallas PD officer Jerry Calame giving a program on the old Dallas City Jail. I
think you will find this very interesting if never been around the old Jails. 
Meeting starts at 7 p.m. and all are invited and encouraged to attend. This 
will be Tuesday, March 7th, 2006.


GRANDPA’S REPORT

...
With regret learned of death and burial of livelong friend Doris Terry Welch 
too late to attend. Doris one of nicest people ever known who assisted 
everybody for over 40 years as County Clerk. She and Leslie were very good 
friends.