Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


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

General History

  
  In the early war years of WWII a scrap metal drive was promoted locally 
and.  probably nationally. The public and local officials responded well and 
rail cars and trucks  departed loaded with local and other historical objects 
were  freely. Sad to learn later it probably disposed of at a great profit by 
greedy business people.
  Most of our old farming equipment and other historic objects were hauled 
off and the profits went into the pockets of others A display of WWI 
weapons displayed for many years on the front lawn of the Teague High 
School were donated. At least one of the old iron bridges across Big 
Tehaucana Creek was donated by the Commissioners Court, this the one 
between Woodland and Snalum Most of these things can never be replaced.
  Recent article in local paper by Ed  Pittman brought to mind the early barn 
storming airplanes and flying machines that I  remember coming to Fairfield 
and the open area round the Confederate Re-union Grounds used for a
    landing field. Most of the machines were of poor construction and held 
together with baling wire or such. The pilots would take you for a ride for
for 50 cents or a dollar, never got to take one as didn’t have the funds. There 
were not only airplanes but a machine that probably later became the 
helicopter of today, I think it was called a Gyroscope.
  Been told the following story and believe it true. In the early 1920’s a 
young barnstormer became disabled in Groesbeck, Unable to make the 
necessary repairs which not very much as the young pilot had no money. 
After a few days a local hardware merchant feeling sorry for him and 
expecting to never be paid let him have what he needed. The young pilot 
promised to pay the bill as soon as he could. A short time later the merchant 
received a check for the amount in the mail from  the young pilot signed 
Charles Lindberg. 
  As a small child living with my parents in Kirven about l930 I have been 
told my appendix ruptured with the closest thing called a hospital  in . 
Teague. Dr. Davidson had a private hospital and Dr. Davidson a noted
Physician and Surgeon. This before the days of penicillin and antibiotics, a 
bad infection such as this was usually fatal and the only reason I survived 
was it occurred during a terrible winter storm that helped with the infection.
I was carried to Teague on the daily Red Head train as it the only thing 
moving in the weather. 
  The surgery was performed by Dr. Davidson and my Grandfather Dr. 
Claude Batchelor, as they put me under with chloroform or ether I reportedly 
was begging Dr. Batchelor not to let them do it. After the surgery and I came 
too I reportedly smelling the bad odor from the ruptured appendix said “ I 
smell chicken mess” With the medicines we have today this would not have 
been a big deal, back then it was. I carry a very large scar from the operation 
that drew lost of comments in the service and other, this due to my young 
age when performed.

                  Whisky Days
   Been told that during the first 3 years my Daddy was Freestone Co. 
Sheriff, l931, l932 and l933he and Deputy Homer Robertson and other 
deputy’s raided 508 illegal moon shine stills. While we lived in the old Jail 
there were sometimes so many stacked behind it in the parking area there not 
room for vehicles. On several occasions there so much whisky confiscated it 
was poured into the grader ditches that surrounded the Courthouse Square. 
While it was being poured out in one area there would be citizens with 
dippers, buckets and jars scooping it up down the bar ditch. Some probably 
resold but most for home consumption and medicinal  use. Some consumed 
it on the spot. It was not unusual for citizens in need of such or thinking they 
did coming and asking for it and it usually granted.

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