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

DANIEL CHILDRENS HOME

  East of Fairfield on US 84, today known as Pleasant Hills Childrens 
Home originated in l947 as the Daniel Memorial Childrens Home with 
a charter granted by the State of Texas as Daniel Memorial 
Orphanage. Much of this information  came from a l966 Texas 
History Theme paper written by Mary Louise Boyt given to me by her 
teacher J.D. Whitaker.
  J.B. (Bryan) Daniel of Fairfield born l896 who became a successful 
oil man.
His wife was Louise Calame Of Wortham, married in l925 they had 
five children. Mary Nell whom I went to school with, the graduation 
banquet for the our class in l944 was in their home.
The other children were Howard Bryan (Sonny), Edward Lee, Billy 
Paul and Robert Odell
(Bobby). All but Bobby worked at the Home at some time Mr. Daniel 
was a big operator here, had some of the first Angus cattle with show 
barn at the old Lott House, a kennel Rip Rap bird dogs and trainers,  
a  cotton gin, drilling rig and equipment and land holdings. He also 
owned and built the building where Parker Motor Co. is today and 
operated a car dealership. I bought my first motor vehicle here in l948 
a used military Jeep. 
  Mary Louise Boyt tells of Mr. Daniel having a spiritual experience 
which changed his sense of values in life. Actual operation of the 
Home did not begin until l948, several months before two boys were 
taken into the private home of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel.  Three days 
before the date set for the formal opening three other children arrived 
then seven additional arrived, this the Bray family, next came the 
Boyt’s with six in the family, the opening number was twelve.
  On the 1142 acres of the home nine buildings stand. The dormitories, 
administration and kitchen came from an army camp in Tyler. The 
frame buildings were covered with rock from the nearby quarry. The 
chapel was brought from Oklahoma. Other houses and building were 
given by Mr. Daniel, there was a barn and chicken houses. A water 
tower used at the Courthouse was moved and used here. On this 
beautiful landscape of rolling hills stands Texas largest sycamore tree. 
Friend Frank Ward employed by Mr. Daniels did much of the 
construction and repair and shows his craftsmanship.
  Mary Louise tells the staff all Christians who dedicated their lives to 
help the children and teach them with emphasis placed on spiritual 
training, good moral attitudes, health habits, self disipline and interest 
in others. Work for the older children included, helping in the kitchen, 
cleaning their rooms and outside work. Fun went on with the work, 
frequent trips to the swimming hole, picnicking, baseball, ping pong 
were some. The control and support  since about l969 comes from the 
Assembly of God Church. A Re-union was held in Oct. 2006 for the 
alumni `1947-1969.
  As Sheriff dealt with this Home and saw its many good things and 
short comings but always appreciated what they trying to do.
                                               ***
                   Sheriff’s Office l965-
  New born baby boy abandonded on family’s door steps brought to 
SO, later carried to hospital. Made carnival return hard earned 
money to local suckers. Young woman fired pistol at window peeper, 
last seen picking em up and putting em down in hast retreat. Checked 
old car sitting on E *$ late night with no lites, dude sitting on hood 
playing guitar. DWI drove car into Woody’s Café front window.
  My boys and I in country late aft., call on radio had naked woman 
at little motels on S75 and no officers could be found, when arrived 
there 3 THP, 1 Game Warden, 1 Deputy and one Constable, left there 
by transit truck driver who dumb enough to leave his name and 
address, called his wife ant told her to tell him to come back and get 
her. Woman a mental carried to
To Rusk Mental Hospital, deputy called they wouldnt take her, told 
not to bring her back here. Elderly Rocky Branch woman committed 
to Rusk after released copper head snakes in her church.
                                              ***