Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J.R. (Sonny) Sessions

Freestone County Reward Poster
  Some years ago Uel Davis Jr. saw where one was advertised for sale in El 
Paso, when he tried to purchase it he was informed it had been purchased. 
Uel contacted the purchaser who did not want to sell it but
did send him a zerox copy. Uel was kind enough to give me a copy of it as 
this the only such early days poster ever seen or known about, it reads as 
follows:
                          ___$25.00 Reward  

                       Fairfield, Texas, June 2, l911
             $25.00 Reward for GEORGE Epps
           locked in any jail and identified. Wanted for
           killing his wife on the 29th day of May, l911.
           Description: Dark ginger-cake color; about 5
            feet l0 inches high; about l60 or 165
            lbs.; compact built; round face; large eyes; 
            shows lot of white good teeth, and smiles when
            talking; is about 40 years of age; very near 
            a model man in form; has small scars on left
            temple, made by a physician.
                              W. J. LOTT
             Sheriff of Freestone County, Texas

  If memory serves me correctly he was apprehended and returned to 
Freestone Co. hopefully I will find and give The Rest of the Story someday. 
Sheriff Lott was the great-grandfather of Teague Chief of Police Joe Clark.
                          *****
  Teague has a new Miniature Golf Course where TX l79 and Business 84 
intersection. The first and only other one known in Freestone Co. was 
located at this same location nearly 60 years ago following WWII and 
operated by friend Horace Black and family.

                        *****
                        
             Grandpa’s Report
             
  Recent trip to Branson Mo. with Peggy for WWII LST crew get together, 
while traveling thru the Ozarks brought back memory of sons Hammond, 
James and Ken camping trip there with Isaacks, their grandparents and 
Aunty. This before Ken started to school, they left well equipped with new 
tent and other camping tools for week on the White River. Upon arriving it 
was found the beautiful flowing clear water too cold to swim in, it was so 
cold and clear the crawfish were transparent. It was about July 4th, and after 
setting up camp decided to shoot fireworks purchased on the way. They 
were camped under large pine or fir trees, which caught fire while shooting 
the fire works lighting up the countryside. Little Ken frightened by it all 
started crying, “I want my Daddy” and didn’t stop till they loaded up and 
headed back to Texas. This the only time the kid’s and Isaacks went 
camping together.

                           ****
                           
  Most informative and enjoyable field tour of Jim and Rebecca Bosley’s 
“Old Coyote Ranch” located at old Woodland north of Kirven. Found the 
improvements made in a few short years on this property remarkable. This 
followed with delicious barbeque lunch topped off with incredible bread 
pudding with real whipped cream served by Rebecca on well manicured 
lawn in the shade, couldn’t have asked for anything more. Thanks Jim and 
Rebecca, the Extension Service, NRCS and Soil Conservation District. Wish 
I had Grandma as well trained as Jim has Rebecca.  
  Memorial services Mexia for Margaret Vaughan mother of longtime Chief 
Jailer and friend Roy Steve Johnson.
  Streetman Vol. Fire Dept. annual barbeque dinner and cake auction, Peg, 
Devin and I joined Ken and Tina there. A big success, this group different 
from years ago when the old fire truck stored in the old City Hall building, 
usually not accessible as couldn’t keep gas in it as stolen along with any 
good batteries.