Freestone County, Texas Reflections FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J.R. (SONNY) SESSIONS History Of Cotton Gin Lodge Part II J.R. Sessions and Ray D. Hallmark Part 1 presents some of the history from its creation until Oct. l993 when a program was given on the Lodge history. No history is ever complete and this no exception. Worshipful Masters 1955-2006 1955 H.D. Wynne 1982 Sam Carter 1956 J.B. Tims 1983 O. D. Christian 1957 W.T. Moore 1984 Curtis Wortham 1958 John Nettle 1985 H. D. Sessions 1959 Earnest Pinkard 1986 B. C. Courtney 1960 W. T. Moore 1987 W.B. Keys 1961 R.B. Milligan 1988 Fred Tucker 1962 W.A. Carroll 1989 J. R. Alderman 1963 Joe Tom Tims 1990 John Journey 1964 J.R. Sessions Jr. 1991 E. M. Gray 1965 W.A. Carroll 1992 Joe D. Ahlfinger 1966 Joe Tom Tims 1993 Kenneth McAdams 1967 J.R. Sessions Jr. 1994 Ray Dean Hallmark 1968 W.A. Carroll 1995 Billy Gene Stone 1969 Richard Y. Monogan 1996 Linden N. Utsey 1970 W.I. Moore 1997 Fred L. Carter 1971 W.A. Carroll 1998 James Dennis Lane 1972 R.Y. Monogan 1999 Olen C. Clary, Jr. 1973 Henry Wynne 2000 David E. Utsey 1974 Sam Carter, Jr. 2001 Robert E. Bodiford, Jr. 1975 Sam Carter, 2002 W. S. Barron 1976 J.R. Sessions, Jr. 2003 W. L. Noland 1977 J.A. Coleman 2004 J. L Robinson, Jr. 1978 H.P. Bonner 2005 Zeno P. King 1979 W.A. Carroll 1980 Jack Alexander 1981 Jack Alexander Cotton Gin #154 District Deputy Grand Masters 1931-32 J. R. Sessions, Sr. 1963-64 Joe Tom Tims –Dual Springfield #74 1968-69 J. R. Sessions, Jr. 1983-84 E. M Gray 1990-91 B. C. Courtney 1997-98 O. D. Christian 2003-04 Ray Dean Hallmark - Dual Buffalo l995-96 John Journey – Dual Fairfield l990-91 B.C. Courtney l970-71 Jack W. Keys - Dual Springfield Endowed Members J.R. Sessions Jr. Ray Dean Hallmark Fred L. Carter B.G. Stone James M. Raymond Ken I. Sessions O.D. Christian Wade Bottoms Michael R. Bottoms Olin Clary Jr. ****** 50 Year Mason Members of Cotton Gin Lodge Over the years there have been many of these, some that I remember Are: L.C. Coleman, James A. Coleman, Tracy Moore, L.T. McKissack, Kenneth Norton, Roy Shumate, Driscoll Miller ******** This information is not presented in a chronological order as it came from many sources at many different times. In l855 when this Lodge was formed this area involved mainly in the production of cotton. One of Freestone County’s earliest communities was Cotton Gin. Name I am told came from one of the first cotton gin’s in the area located here; powered by a mule or oxen that went around and around outside, there was no suction to unload the wagons or carts, the cotton had to be carried in baskets up the stairs to the gin stands and pour it in. The town was laid off and named, there were numerous old Southern type homes in and around town, and many were still here in the l950’s, some in bad repair, all are gone today. The only business building left is the Alderman Bros. Store. A Texas Historical Marker designated Cotton Gin as a Ghost Town, when this marker was dedicated I attended for security reasons as threats been made by an irate citizen. When the railroads missed here in time the school closed, the business and people moved away. Many of the early Cotton Gin Lodge members lived in the country, some miles away and when came to lodge usually planned on spending the night before retuning home. The years following the Civil War were trying times for this area. Cotton Gin and Woodland were the only places in Freestone Co. occupied by Union Troops rather than State Police during so called Reconstruction. One incident during this time called “The Great Hideout” involved most of the prominent citizens who participated in stopping the soldiers from carrying L.R. Wortham to Austin on charges filed by a Freedman later found to be false, those involved forced to hide from the troops for a while. Another incident during this time involved a Cotton Gin member John Wynne murdered by a Freedman with an ax that also broke his wife’s arm and was killed by the victim’s son to save her. There was no running water or inside toilets until in the present Lodge building, a drink of water drawn from a public water well and carried in a metal bucket with a drinking dipper used by all was usually available. Out houses were used for rest rooms and all located outside, the one at Kirven was in the back near the Calaboose for many years. Since moved to Kirven in l916 there have been three meeting places. The first in the south end of the Woodman of the World Hall located at that time where the Kirvin VFD is today. Both met on the second floor with the WOW in the south and Cotton Gin in the north end. They used a common outside stair for many years. After the WOW closed the stairs were used until they became a hazard to the members. Having bought the entire building the stairs were moved inside until the Lodge upstairs closed and moved to the ground floor, this was used until the present Lodge was built and moved into. In the old Lodge there were a few chairs but most sat on long benches around the Lodge room. In March l986 Cotton Gin Lodge hosted “The Freestone County Law Enforcement Night” at the Teague Community Center with a fine barbeque dinner. All are law enforcement was represented and special presentations made for the dedicated service provided Freestone Co. In June l997 the 280th anniversary of Freemasonry was observed, and the new Lodge dining room was dedicated at an open meeting. Lodge held an Annual Supper for Masons wives and widows in the l950’s, which discontinued in l962. In the Fall of l960 a butane tank and heater purchased to replace the old wood heater, probably due to age of most of Brothers and health, once on cold December night very short meeting held when ran out of butane, WM Tracy Moore said needed new Secretary (which was myself) but didn’t know where he could find one. Lodge cancelled at last minute when called on attempted robbery and murder of man at Cotton Gin. Didn’t open Lodge on a cold January night in l970 when only two members showed up. Financial audit for l970 showed $214.15 expenses Balance of $107.93 left for year’s operations. Bro. R.Y. Monogan paid for having old Minute Books rebound and old photo’s restored. Many minutes have been lost or destroyed. New water bucket and drinking dipper purchased. New screen door installed on the front and an aluminum awning placed over the porch. IN l961 a new Hood Wink and Cable Tow purchased. Bro. Whiteside assisted in being admitted to the Masonic Home for the Aged. Many donations, and very dedicated Brothers built the new Lodge. In April l961 Bro. Jack Keys an outstanding speaker and Mason gave the welcome address at the dedication of the new building at the Annual Lodge Supper. In l962 a meeting was called on the reported misconduct of a Brother, no unlawful conditions found. In l962 the first air conditioner was installed. For many years when financially able a $5 donation was made to each, the Home and School and Home for the Aged. The new Lodge was continuing effort in completing, maintaining and furnishing for many years. A big undertaking was putting the checkered tile on the Lodge room floor at cost of $217.00. Water for the restrooms and Lodge was secured from the Baptist Church well until tied into the public water system. In l963 the old Lodge alter was donated to Mrs. B.I. Smith. Also the 4’ platform was built around the Lodge room. Several families with crippled children assisted in securing admission to the Scottish Rite Children’s Hospitals, Services here are done without costs to the patient. Suspended members petition for Re-Instatement rejected. In l983 Bro. O.D. and Francis Christian hosted a dinner at their home before Lodge meeting. Continual additions and improvements made as funds available. In l983 a fish fry was held for Installation of Officers. E.A. Degree put on for Wortham Lodge. Lodge made $50 donation to Kirvin Vol. Fire Dept. to help relocate the Kirvin Post Office. Republicans donated $50 once and $100 once for to lodge for use of dining area to hold election. Boggy Lodge member Bro. Carl Smith made an Honorary Member of Cotton Gin, this well deserved Educational Scholarships were awarded to Michael Carter, Justin Chapman and Michael Galvin. For many years Mrs. Sam (Oma Faye) Carter prepared and served a large dinner at the Lodge each Thanksgiving. Used carpet donated by the Fairfield VFW installed in the dining area. Meals were served before meetings, discontinued and brought back several times. Bro. Ken I. Sessions built new outside sidewalks around the Lodge. Fred and Sam Carter, Olin Clary, Willy Williams did extensive work on Lodge improvements and expansion along with others to many to mention. The closure of Birdston Masonic Lodge 333 in Streetman brought several members to Cotton Gin 154 that helped continue its existence as members to attend few and finances small. Bro. Homer Paul Bonner helped carry the load for several years. Bro. L.T. “Chow” McKissack became very involved, serving many years as Tiler. Bro. James A. “Kizer” Coleman who been a Mason over 50 yeas when came to Cotton Gin from Birdston, one of most knowledgeable men ever known and an asset to any Lodge of community, In my opinion he should have received his 75 year pen before his death at 96 years Cotton Gin Lodge has had its share of war veterans from the Civil War to the present. Bro. George Wyatt was a cook in the Army in WWI. Two members were at the fall of Corregidore in the Philippines when it surrendered to the Japanese Bro. Paul Ritthalter and Wade Bottoms who served many years as Tiler. In November l988 several including myself joined Bro. Bottoms and his family at impressive ceremonies at Fort Hood where L. Gen. Graves presented Bro. Bottoms his Prisoner of War Medal. Prisoners of the Japanese suffered many abuses many did not survive the Death March to Manila and slave labor that followed. Bro. Bottoms also a Golden Trowel Award recipient. Bro. Kenneth “Yout” McAdams a true character known near and far as seldom speechless (he often jokingly requested to be Chaplain and give the prayers) unknown to him I set it up for him to be called on to do this but was this time. Bro. McAdams did many things for Cotton Gin Lodge and was available when needed. Bro. Ray Dean Hallmark brought new life to the Lodge as a member and Worshipful Master, a former oil patch salesman promoter very involved. Bro. B.C. Courtney served as W.M. and Lodge Secretary for several years, in most small Lodges like Cotton Gin the Secretary really runs it and Bro. Courtney did that with gusto. He received many Masonic honors. It hard to mention Cotton Gin Lodge without mentioning Bro. R.L. Ryburn a unique member who not only brought his dog Spot to Lodge with him but an old timey Baptist Preacher, the real kind who worked all week plowing or such then conducted church services where needed on weekends. He never accepted a salary for preaching only donations. He performed more weddings than any other in area, some of these in the cotton patch or where working. He held many country revivals and always carried Juicy Fruit chewing gun for the kids (this a treat then as didn’t have everything like today) the only worldly thing he accumulated was a modest home in Kirven. The only vice known was dipping snuff, a good man and friend. The most impressive thing involved in as Mason was a Masonic Trial of Bro. Jordan who started his work in North Zulch which never completed and petitioned Cotton Gin for this. Two members of North Zulch Lodge protested this and filed Masonic charges. A trial was held in the North Zulch Lodge with the DDGM as Judge. District Judge Sam Bournais defended Bro. Jordan. A large number of local Masons familiar with the problems attended and testified. A Jury composed of North Zulch members found Bro. Jordan not guilty. Not knowing what to do then I contacted Grand Set. Harvey Byrd on how to continue and he advised he didn’t know as someone being found not guilty had never happened before. Bro. Jordan completed his work here and still a member though living in another State.