Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


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

       John Wesley Hardin and Wortham’s “High Noon” and “Duel in the Sun”

  It is told that Wes Hardin said he never killed a man that didn’t need killing, guess this 
included the man he reportedly shot for snoring too loud,
Hardin was murdered in El Paso while playing poker, Buried in the Concordia Cemetery 
which today is located next to IH 10. His grave usually has flowers and has had since his 
death over l00 years ago by unknown admirers,  also a deck of poker playing cards and  
the poker hand he had when killed is displayed and known as the “Dead Mans Hand. 
Concordia Cemetery is divided into three different parts, The Masonic, The Chinese and 
the usual. I visited here a few years ago while in El Paso for the Sheriffs Conference,. 
The following is taken from the book “The Life of John Wesley Hardin as Written by 
Himself”. “While living near Pisgah in Navarro Co., I had made the acquaintance of 
nearly everybody there at that time. I knew the notorious desperado Frank Polk who was 
finally killed at Wortham in Limestone Co. while resisting arrest after having killed the 
mayor of that town.”  This shootout is probably closer to what shown in movies than 
most that occurred in the old West. Hardin a little confused as Wortham in Freestone Co. 
and Polk killed Constable Jack Powell. The shootout occurred Sept. 23, l878 on Main 
Street which at that time ran north and south with the railroad. The following account was 
given  Wortham historian Uel Davis Jr. by Mr. John Scott, now deceased, a former 
Freestone   Co. Deputy Sheriff, I had the privilege of knowing Mr. Scott and visiting with 
him on occasions. 
  “Frank Polk lived in the Pisgah Ridge Community in Navarro Co.. He had been in 
trouble with the law on several occasions. On this occasion he was in 
Wortham trouble developed between he and Jack Powell who was the Precinct 
Constable. In the course of events, Frank Polk shot and killed Jack
Powell on what is now Main St.. Word was sent to Marcus Seely who was a Deputy 
Sheriff under Sheriff Henry Powell at his home. He immediately came to town and Frank 
Polk mounted his horse and rode east on Main St. then turned north on 1st Street, Mr. 
Seely was chasing him and when he arrived at the corner of Main St. and 1st. Street, he 
shot at Frank Polk with his Winchester. This shot hit Frank Polk’s horse and it fell, Frank 
Polk used the horse as a barrier and fired at Mr. Seely with his Winchester. In the 
exchange of shots, one of Mr. Seely’s shots hit Frank Polk’s gun and it wouldn’t fire. 
Frank Polk got up to run and Mr. Seely shot him. After he fell, Mr. Seely went up to him 
and shot him again to make sure that he was dead. Mr. Seely said that he knew if he 
survived, he and his family would always be in danger.
  Freestone Co. criminal records show Deputy Seely was charged with man slaughter and 
it the custom then to try such cases so they could never be brought up again. The Grand 
Jury indictment says in part that a certain repeating rifle shooting six or more times, then 
and there charged with gun powder and leaden bullets did discharge and shoot off, to 
against and upon the said Frank Polk, wound him upon his breast two mortal wounds. It 
also said that it occurred under the immediate passion arising from an adequate cause but 
neither justified or excused by the law. Found not guilty continued in law enforcement 
and lived his life in Freestone Co. as a respected and successful businessman.    

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Whisky Days

    During WWII sugar and chops hard to come by, one inventive moon shiner unable to 
get chops used vetch seed the government would give you to plant cover crops, sugar was 
rationed and sweeteners like corn syrup available were substituted. Some merchants were 
investigated and charged with violations on selling unlawful sugar.

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The September meeting of the Freestone Co. Historical Comm. held at the Training 
Center with most interesting presentation on early Teague and Marty Walker’s 
search for first name of the old Hotel located by the Teague Railroad Museum. It 
was found that it wasn’t first a Hotel but a Bar and built by a branch of 
Budweiser, Teague wet at the time went dry shortly after, several operated it as 
a Hotel, a murder was found to have been committed here when a bar over the 
killing of a dog.
  The October meeting of the Historical Comm. to be held at the Teague Railroad 
Museum Oct. 5, 2004 starting at 7pm, everyone is invited and
encouraged to join us and tour this fine museum.

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