Freestone County, Texas
Reflections



Freestone Past/Present
J.R. “Sonny” Sessions

Donie Chair Factory

  At the January meeting of the Freestone Co. Historical Comm. J.D. Hudson 
of Waco, Donie and Personville, gave interesting information on the Donie 
Chair Factory as it known locally or Donie Chair Co. its official name today. 
J.D.’s deceased wife Carolyn Ann Childs a dear childhood friend. J.D.’s 
father Jake Hudson was running the Donie Bank when it started. About l925 
a local small farmer having problems making a living with cotton brought in 
the bank a chair he had made with nothing but hand tools, a draw knife, 
brace and bit and such. The gentleman used local timber he had cured and on 
the seat used cowhide.
  Mr. Hudson having faith in the man and his workmanship agreed to finance 
him in starting business making the chairs for sale. Started in a small 
building behind the bank it soon moved to larger building east of the 
railroad. The business was very successful and at one time employed 25-30 
workers. After WWII the original owner sold it to a man named Hank 
Schulte. About l960 the factory burned under very suspicious circumstances 
and moved to Mexia by Schulte, and later moved to the Mexican Border for 
cheaper labor.                                                                                                                                                                                                          
  A few years ago a new owner showed up at the Donie Homecoming with a 
magazine and incorrect information on the history and other things 
concerning the early factory, Schulte had told him it was formed in l895 and 
other incorrect information. The new owner was quite upset about the lies 
told him.
  Following Mr. Hudson’s presentation several in attendance told about 
working here while it in Donie. Also Hank Schulte was discussed. Schulte 
lived west of Teague on US84 on what called the Horse Ranch. During the 
period the Appaloosa spotted horses were the rage, he became quite big in 
breeding them and had annual horse sales and blowouts and sold some high 
dollar horses. Among his close friends who attended was future United 
States President Ronald Reagan, also Texas Governor Preston Smith. 
Schulte moved from this area, don’t know where he is but glad it ain’t here.


Whisky Stories

  Visiting with popular citizen who very involved in whisky business back in 
good old days about subject running for sheriff at the time advised “ If he 
elected he was going back to making whisky and going to give Green 
Stamps



             Grandpa’s Report
  Received inquiry concerning an old trail that used in some Freestone Co. 
deeds and abstracts “The Comanche Trace or Comanche Trail”. Anyone 
with information please advise.
...