Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


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

Bo Diddley
  During the terrible depression of the late l920’s and 30’s life quite different 
from the many pleasures of today, a trip anywhere for many was a real treat 
even if just to the nearby towns. Am relating a story first told me by Kenneth 
(Yout) McAdams but verified by others who participated, even June Gehrels 
Daniels admits going along. This story would not have been unusual during 
the times it occurred but many today cannot relate to such. Never personally 
made such a trip but familiar with them.
  In the early l930’s they’re not much in the line of recreation except visiting 
kinfolks and friends. Several families of kin decided to visit family in the 
Trinity River bottoms of Polk Co. Mr. Monroe Gehrels who lived in the 
Dew area south of Burleson Hill had an old Model A Ford and homemade 
four wheel cotton trailer built on the frame of an old car used to haul cotton 
to the gin behind the Model A.
  The Polk Co. kin were unusually poor even for these times so all he 
families gathered an abundance of home canned foods and fresh foods 
loaded in wash tubs for them to eat on the way and while at the kin folks. On 
the way down stops were made beside the road to fix meals and rest. Quilts 
and such were also carried for sleeping.  About 20 kin from different 
family’s left early one morning for Polk Co., even Grandma went riding in 
the trailer as most did, a few got to ride in the car.
There were young and old even small babies who made the trip that took all 
of one day which all enjoyed.   They arrived at their destination in late 
afternoon, which in very remote part of the Trinity River bottom down thru 
the forests. The family never had much company or visiting probably 
surprised when they showed up. An older son called Bo Diddley by family 
saw them coming and not used to such ran out and skinned up a tall pine 
tree. Bo Diddley refused to come down even with Grandma pleading for him 
to come see her (whom he probably never seen before). Bo finally came 
down sometime after dark.
  A pleasant visit was had by all before returning home in he Model A and 
cotton trailer. The trip was made without a mishap, even a flat tire which 
unusual back then. They learned later Bo Diddley moved to town and 
became a successful businessman.
  Monroe Gehrels family was German and he never spoke English until 
started to school, he always spoke with a German accent and lived to be over 
l00 years old. Always found him a true friend. 
  Most traveling today, especially the youngsters would need electric 
computer games and TV in vehicle with stops for refreshments.

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Whisky Days
  Prohibition went into effect January 1920; this made the demand in the 
cities lucrative for Freestone Co. with its poorer farming soil and living 
conditions in especially the eastern part of the County. Its abundant whisky 
making water and wooded areas helped make it a big opportunity for many.
Also about this time the Mexia and related oil fields came along making the 
local demand bigger.
  What started as an opportunity to better themselves as a locally owned and
Operated business soon attracted the vicious, professio9nal outlaws. Locals 
considered a threat might get their fences cut, barns burned and children 
threatened, Officers of the law not trained or equipped to handle such were 
intimidated, shot, protection was bought for shipping liquor out of state, 
shipments of other gangs were hijacked and robbed.
  In l921 in Freestone Co. there were 13 murders, most were whiskey related
with some executions here on victims brought from the cities. Been told 
some were executed with machine guns like used in large eastern cities.

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