Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


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

The Burlington-Rock Island Railroad Museum of Teague

The following from the Golden Spur Days Celebration in l993

    “The Old Trinity & Brazos Railroad Depot and office building was built in l906 & 
l907. The handsome railroad building was the finest in Texas and designed by C.H. Page, 
Jr. architect of Austin. The depot features Spanish Renaissance architecture at a cost of 
$14, 776.00 for work and materials. Teague grew from open cotton fields to over 4000 
people in 4 years. It was the terminus of three divisions of the T&B Railway, direct and 
shortest connection between Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and Galveston, Texas. Had 
machine shop, roundhouse and offices. Employed 600 men with an approximate payroll 
of $75,000 per month.
  This railroad brought the “Black Iron Horse” to Teague in l936, the states first diesel-
powered streamlined train Sam Houston Zephyr clipping off 250 miles in 250 minutes.
The museum was officially opened to the public Oct. 4, l970. Placed on the National 
Register of Historic places by the Texas Historical Comm. and the United States Dept. of 
Interior on March 21, l979.
  As of this date the only original working trustees are Dorothy McVey, Anthony Ellisor 
and Johnnie Swinburn. We have 20 trustees now that devote their time free in operating 
and preserving our history for our present and future generations.”
  Recently a large grant was received with intensive restoration done on this building. If 
you haven’t taken time to visit here since then and enjoy the fine displays please do so. 
Teague will be celebrating its centennial next year.
   When the Sam Houston Zephyr started in l936 much of this area still in a very serious 
depression and cotton was still king, many were barely able to exist much less afford 
even a $1 watch. The Zephyr was so prompt and on time that many depended on it’s 
passing thru for the time in the late morning and late afternoon. It traveled at speeds 
nearly unheard of, it was a common saying “here she comes and there she goes”. I 
remember one old timer telling me about riding it from Houston to Teague, said he 
ordered a cup of coffee and didn’t have time to saucer and blow it before got to Teague.
  Still regret not taking time and carrying our boys on one of its final runs in the mid 
l960’s.
            
Whisky Days
    In the early 30’s when the highways we know as 75 and 84 opened they were very 
narrow roads with very little shoulders and ditches as we know today. Wild automobile 
chases on these roads were common with those carrying loads of white lightning in fast 
vehicles, trying to escape capture by the authorities, usually my Daddy and or his 
deputy’s. The whisky was stacked usually in the trunks and behind the seat of the driver 
which gave some protection from the pursuing officers gunfire trying to hit a tire or 
disable the driver or vehicle. It was impossible to pass the fleeing vehicle on these narrow 
road and the chase could last several miles. When the fleeing vehicle finally had to stop 
they usually hit the ditch and fled the area on foot.
The vehicles were then pulled into the area around the old Jail, some were as full of bullet 
holes as the cars being displayed as Bonnie and Clyde’s. The whisky being transported 
was usually all spilled or busted by the gunfire, this was fairly common and the public 
enjoyed the exhibits.

=================================================================

Grandpa’s Report

  Each Fall when the Texas State Fair comes around it brings to mind my Mother telling 
about Special Excursion Trains to the Fair around the turn of the century. At this time she 
and her siblings living at Shanks where her father Dr. Claude Batchelor was practicing 
medicine. There was no station or permanent stop here so they stood by the track until the 
train came about 4am. and picked them up. When they reached Union Station in Dallas 
they then rode the streetcars to the Fair Grounds. After a day at the Fair they returned 
home that night on the train.
...  
  Often asked what the D.C.D. Highway that runs thru Stewards Mill north
that goes from Houston to Dallas means. Been told it the Dallas, Canadian and Denver. 
This early road was financed by bonds in the County’s it went thru.  
...