Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT 
By J. R.(Sonny) SESSIONS 

Written July 2006

RABIES 1950

Before this serious epidemic in the early l950’ the fox was a very common animal in this area. One 
of the earliest hunting sports was Fox Hunting with Hound Dogs, the race was the thing with the 
dogs baying as they went, the fox a wily animal usually escaped unhurt, this what the hunter 
wanted so he could run them again and again. It was amusing sitting around a fire on a cool 
evening with stories being told and dog owners expounding on their dogs abilities. 
 
In the early l950’s nearly all in the County became infected with rabies and died. The rabies spread 
not only thru the fox populations but it became common among the dogs, horses, cattle and wild 
life. I don’t think hogs are carriers of this, if so don’t remember any. There were a number of 
incidents around Kirven where people were attacked by rabid animals and had to have the shots, at 
this time they were very painful and I think expensive for the times. I don’t remember any infected 
fatally. 
 
Those living in the country were very careful especially at night. Shots had to be taken by those 
from working with or attacked by infected animals, these included cattle and horses. Today skunks 
are probably the worst carriers. 
 
There may have been a bounty placed on the fox, I know at one time there a bounty paid by the 
County on wolves (coyotes). There were few if any fox left after this, some of the hunter’s tried 
importing them from the Southern States with little success, over the years they have migrated 
back into the area but not to the extent as earlier. Coyotes were uncommon before this but today 
are everywhere. 
 
Jack rabbits were a common nuisance it not unusual to go out at night in my old WWII Jeep and kill 
25 or 30, some kind of disease virtually wiped them out, saw them dying by the dozens in the 
pastures. It is a rare thing today to see a jackrabbit. The coming of the fire ant and cow bird (egret) 
wiped out most frogs and lizards and any animal or bird that nested on the ground. The cowbird is 
the worst predator we have and is protected by Federal Law as an endangered species. Cottontail 
rabbits were everywhere before the fire ant and cowbird, they seem to be coming back. Some kind 
of disease went thru the quail population some years ago and they hard to find, haven’t seen or 
personally heard a Bob White whistle except a pair that showed up at Lori and James recently that 
probably pen raised as too gentle. 
 
*** 
 
June meeting of Freestone Co. Historical Comm. had former Kirven native Forrest Green now living 
Emhouse. Also former Navarro Co. State Representative presented program on his WWII 
experiences as a fighter pilot with the Flying Tigers in China against Japan. He also told of Flying the 
Hump which very dangerous between India and China. 
 
No Historical Comm. meeting held in July due to falling on July 4th. 
 
The August meeting be held at the Training Center August 1, 2006 at 7/30pm. Sara Sims will bring 
information on Story Telling, David Dill Cowboy Poet and Story Teller, along with Rick Tinner, a real 
cowboy singer. Everyone invited and encouraged to attend.