Freestone County, Texas Reflections Freestone Past/ Present J.R. “Sonny” Sessions Red’s Lake and Burleson Lake This is not a researched history of the lakes, but as related to me by various individuals and personal knowledge. Red’s Lake is located several miles east of Fairfield on US84 this small lake (by today’s standards) but largest in County when built. Known for its privacy, beauty and peacefulness not very noticeable from US 84 but more conspicuous traveling the FCR known by many as Rabbit Ridge Road where the dam is crossed. Built in the late l920’s about the same time as what is now US84 was built. Located on natural water springs and Slough some call Jolly Slough and others call Jollico Slough. Before the lake built Walter Durham’s grandfather operated a steam-powered cotton gin, the steam engine boiler remains under water in the lake. Walter Durham’s grandfather was brought to Tyler, Texas as a slave along with his mother they were separated and the boy was brought to Texas, and he never saw his mother again. Following Emancipation he became a successful landowner. The Slough was populated with alligator’ and other wildlife. Walter Durham told that as a boy living there it was often he and his brother’ s job to go with family livestock (mostly hogs) and protect them from the gators. Frank Martin tells of an incident when his father Wilbur Martin and Walter’s grandfather were trotline fishing in the Slough catching an alligator that shook the boat while they trying to shoot it and nearly caused Wilbur to be shot. There is also the story of a woman being murdered and thrown in the Slough for the alligators. Frank Martin told of the time the new highway washed out on the Slough with two Gulf Pipeline employees drowning when drove off into it, also the bridge across Keechi Hole washed out what now FR 489 with local big time gambler driving his buggy into the flood waters, survived by hanging onto a tree until help came with a boat. The area taken in by Red’s and Burleson Lake’s at one time belonged to Rubin Red, Walter Durham’s grandfather and John Miller. Rubin Red (Lyle’s grandpa) operated a commercial bus line between Waco and Palestine called the “Bee Line” which he sold and financed the lake. Actual lake was constructed by S.A. Burleson, of Wortham. Burleson was John Miller’s son in law. The Red’s were also originally from the Wortham area and related to the others Built before the days of heavy equipment in the area, large mules were used pulling fresnos and slips. I feel sure this took at least all of one summer with numerous mule teams and employees; it took at least one and sometimes two hardy men to operate a large Fresno with endless walking. Frank Martin’s father bought some of the large mules when the job completed. The earthen dam today is used as part oft the public road on the south. More Red and Burleson Lake History Next Week: *************************************** Whisky Days On Feb. 2nd. l922 Texas Governor Pat Neff declared all Freestone Co. under Martial Law, the following morning at 5am Rangers, Federal Officers and a detachment of National Guard troops proceeded to the north eastern part of Freestone Co. They first cut all telephone lines to the area as had been used in the past to warn of their coming. An airplane and WWI observation dirigible assisted in locating persons and places About 4pm that afternoon Fairfield citizens were surprised to see 48 men being marched in single file to the Courthouse Square. After a short rest they were transported to the Winter Garden which being used as headquarters. One whisky maker operating in this area happened to be out of town when the raid made, notified he left the County until it all cooled off. For several months Freestone Co. had been getting national publicity on its oil prospects and action. Now it was suffering embarrassment over the wide publicity of its Martial Law and moonshining. Raids also held in Limestone and southern Navarro Co. in Currie Oil Field. Have been told of large chains stretched between large mesquite trees and violators being hand cuffed to this until all marched under guard to Groesbeck. Although Navarro Co. not under Martial Law the Rangers powers then didn’t stop at County lines.