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

“Riding the Rails”

  During the Terrible Depression there hundreds of thousands of 
unemployed, many had no job or livelihood, most didn’t have any 
money. During the 30’s and early 40’s nearly every freight train 
moving-direction didn’t make much difference there would be young 
men- a few women- sitting in the empty cars. They were mostly white 
but not restricted to this; they were all over the cars, on top, hanging on 
the sides, some maybe on the train axles.
  They might hear of a job somewhere, maybe another state and ‘ride 
the rails’ there to find it incorrect.  Many did this just for something to 
do, told by some that experienced this they might ride to some 
destination, then turn around and ride back the same way. These were 
hard times and most had to depend on hand outs, usually by some 
softhearted farm mother or some living near the tracks. Water was also 
not available at all times and some was contaminated and many died 
away from home and their families never really knew what happened to 
them.
  Many times they were abused by the railroad and local police, many 
times they were put off in remote areas with no food or water, this a 
very hard life, Often traveling with my family in autos near railroad 
tracks there some on the freights, they waved and we waved back, I 
always felt thankful I Wasn’t forced to do that. After Pearly Harbor 
many went into the military and made excellent soldiers or such as this 
much better than “riding the rails. Also jobs became plentiful and this 
very uncommon today.

          “Teague’s Railroad Hobo Jungle”
  I visited this camp site with my Daddy while he Sheriff in the very 
early 40’s, I don’t remember the reason as there seldom any problems 
in Hobo Jungles which a temporary haven for many “riding the rails”.
  A Hobo Jungle was camping, living area, usually isolated near railroad 
tracks where they gathered at their convenience, cooked and survived 
for a while. Most or all had unwritten rules they existed by and most 
followed. I have been told the Teague Jungle one the better one’s.
  This Hobo Jungle located north of the terminals near the old slaughter 
pen’s and south of the overpass in an unused wooded area. Even lifelong 
railroad men don’t seem to know much about it today. I learned some 
from friend Billie Gaunt before his untimely death and later railroad 
friend Everett “Heavy” West. Everett came from a railroad family, his 
uncle was an electrician on the railroad, it a real treat to get to ride the 
motorcars with him doing his job. Everett visited here with his uncle 
told they’re sometimes as many as a hundred camped out in the woods 
in small groups with fires at night. As some came in on freights there 
usually some going out on others.
  Billie Gaunt told of he and other youngsters visiting here often and 
never felt in any danger. Some when they departed left their cooking 
equipment for others to use or be here when returned. These sites had 
no protection from the rain and cold and other elements but were 
usually secure for a few days rest. Some Jungles had a chief or such, 
don’t know about this one. This was bad time in our history that the 
youths of today can’t believe really happened.
  Would like more information on this.
  
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  Whisky Days
  
  Been told rural summer revivals in the churches very common, also 
told of brothers in one area in the corn whisky business, one attending 
the preaching with other coming in and telling him” Give em $10 and 
come on, the mash is ready to cook”, both departed to go take care of 
business.
  Back in l950’s when Elvis Story starting the Buffalo Sale and sold 
anything brought in an old grey haired mule brought in the ring, elderly 
gentleman in crowd stood up and said he sure hated to sell Old Nell
as hauled many loads of whisky out of woods on her back.

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         Grandpa’s Report

  Woodland Cemetery near Kirven’s Memorial Sunday June 6th. with 
business meeting starting at 10am, this followed by Memorial and music 
by the Jerry Christian family. After this a presentation on early 
Woodland citizen Gus Sessions going back to Alabama and returned his 
six orphaned nephews and niece to live with him. Descendents of those
children will participate. A picnic dinner under the pavilion will follow.
All are invited.
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