Freestone Past/Present
J.R. “Sonny” SESSIONS 
Sheriff 1965-2001

                      Hackett Family Graves
  This abandoned site located north of Woodland and west of the Webb and 
Dunagan Cemeteries in woods and brush. I first visited here more than 50           
years ago. The area was not fenced and there at least three grave markers 
scattered around, all the graves had been dug up. I was told there was a story
that a pot of gold been buried and never located.  This seems to have been a 
common thing as know of several other incidents where futile searches were 
made for such.
  Recently one of the grave markers was found and brought to me I was not 
familiar with the name Hackett or the family. The grave marker read 
“Margaret wife of Kemper K. Hackett Jan. 21, 1850-March 25, 1877” It is 
possible she died in childbirth which very common.
  In the Volume I Freestone Co. History I found she was the daughter of 
Peter Leonard Stubbs and Caroline Dunagan Stubbs. I also found that Peter
L. Stubbs lived in Woodland and had a store here at one time.
  In recent years, I have been told by a neighboring friend that while visiting 
with man from nearby community he was told that this man and his father 
(both now deceased) had dug the graves up. His story was the father had a 
dream about the gold that it buried here. The father even went and consulted 
with clairvoyant (fortune teller) in Corsicana famous in our area named Annie 
Buchanan who verified this where it located. He and his father a business man 
drove to the area in the middle of the night and dug the graves up with nothing 
found.
  Anyone with more information on the Hackett family please advise.
                                         ***
      From the Original Sheriffs Report l972
    Two transit Hippy’s sitting in car in residential area checked out, found to 
be writing love letters to new girl fiend they met at café. (The Hippy
Time was sad, funny and educational).
  Man with habit of whipping on wives told by new one he might whip on 
her but when he closed his eyes that be all as this happened to last husband, 
she ain’t been whipped on either at last report.
  Man who murdered girl friend and shot brother near St. Paul, Leon Co. 
indicted, tried and sentenced to 20 years, that Leon Co. justice something 
else
  Visit with Rep. Jack Hawkins at new fertilizer plant in Wortham and much 
good bar b que done by Willie Morgan Craig.
  Old Cotton Gin home with haunted reputation visited at night by Mexia 
youths wanting to see some spooks, bet they thought they found a booger
when Joe Mac caught and held until deputy arrived, going to go myself till 
looked at fuel gauge and retreated back home.
  Dude by visiting Labor Day and seeking information on getting marriage 
license. Advised it be Tuesday he decided to find someone to marry them 
and then get license nest week.
  Deputy’s transportation in bad shape, one’s car wouldn’t start and another’s 
wouldn’t quit.
  Youth jailed by Teague City Marshall he after advised he committed recent 
store burglary, after few days in Jail decided he didn’t. Said he did it to get 
away from father who been fussing with.
  Young woman shot in leg during shoot out Butler recreational center. 
  Dispatcher Ronny Alford witnessed his first, a woman having epileptic 
seizure got busy on radio calling for help.
  Shoot out at joint recently with report they flushed like a covey of quail, 
man fleeing the scene asked if that didn’t sound like a shot who replied 
without slowing down it shore did.
 Hillsboro pastor traveling FR 27 to Fairfield answered pleas heard (after 
some consideration and possibly praying) of Dallas man tied to hickory tree 
with belts and tape who said he been robbed at gunpoint and left.