Freestone County, Texas Reflections Freestone County Past/Present J.R. “Sonny” Sessions Jr. Rock House Every month Oral Folk History of Freestone County and other is being lost forever. Those that lived during and remember the late 19th and early 20th century are passing away and few are left. With them the humorous, daily and tragic stories are gone. There are still a few who could and would if visited and asked will gladly tell those stories and tales. I occasionally have time and pursue this but my time for such is very limited. Anyone who will give a little of their time and help preserve this important history is greatly encouraged to do so. Future generations will appreciate it more then ours. This can be done in writing, with tape recorders and/or videos. Personally regret not being more involved many years ago with some I knew but we can’t go back. The Rock House Northeast of Fairfield is the Grange Hall community. Gen. Joseph B. Johnson, a wealthy large plantation owner, built a mansion of native sandstone rocks. It is reported it took 100 artisans a year to complete with stone quarried on his land in 1860. It was the scene of many social and political gatherings. After the General’s death, the two story mansion was abandoned and torn down in 1928. Many of these large stones were used in the construction of a wall around the Fairfield School football field by W.P.A. workers during the Depression, this no longer there as removed when the new big school built on TX75. Dr. Billie and Mrs. Sneed used some of the stones in the construction of a beautiful new home (I would call it Spanish type) east of the new school where the playground is today as it has also been destroyed. Mrs. Sneed was a descendant of Gen. Johnson. They also built the Aztec Courts with this stone, one of the earliest and most ornate between Dallas and Houston. There are still standing but unused today. Also the Aztec Restaurant which also on TX 75 was built with some of the rocks is still standing but a residence today. The Aztec Restaurant one of the better eating places for travelers and locals. I remember they once had a black youth dressed in white cooking apparel outside near the highway ringing a dinner bell inviting all to stop. I suspect the large blocks of sandstone were taken and used for other purposes but those are all I am familiar with. All that left at the mansion location in my lifetime was some of the ruins and the small family cemetery nearby. The area was desecrated by treasure hunters seeking an alleged pot of gold – even in the cemetery. The hidden treasure of gold is another story in its self. A few years ago, the remains in the Johnson Cemetery were removed and reburied in the Fairfield Cemetery. This quite a show and well done by the Sons of Confederate Veterans with reenactions, marching band and proper ceremonies. Our family very involved with the Sneed Doctors. Dr. Kit Sneed, Wortham delivered me. Dr. Billy Sneed, a colorful character, our family doctor in Fairfield who did numerous repair jobs on me. Dr. Will Sneed, Corsicana also a family doctor. All were more then just doctors, but also our friends. The first known paved county roads in Freestone County were built about 80 years ago in Big Tehaucana Creek bottom east of Wortham and Caney Creek, bottom east of Kirvin. There narrow concrete strips only crossed the flood lands of the main road from Wortham to Fairfield and were only wide enough for one buddy, wagon or Model T to cross at a time. Construction was a major operation as material was hauled in by wagon and Model T’s. The roadway was built up by drivers with teams of mules pulling fresnos and slips. I was told by Rual Lopes, who worked on this as a boy, that it took most of one summer with a large number of men and work stock involved. Nearby Grindstone Creek bottom had a road built with cedar logs laid crossways for traffic. The road through Tehaucana bottom was abandoned with the completion of FR 27 in the 1940’s. Today only that portion in Caney Creek bottom remains in use on County Road # 1080. Time of year for High School Proms, in some areas stretch limousines used to carry graduates and dates in tuxedos and evening dresses and corsages out for big evening. Beth Coleman Christian told me when she graduated from Kirvin High School in 1938 there were 10 seniors, five girls and five boys. They had a Junior/Senior Prom dinner and dance on the concrete road slab in Caney Creek bottom next to where the new TXU railroad is today. They used kerosene lanterns (there was no electricity in area then) for lighting and danced to music from a wind up Victrola record player brought from her home. Food prepared at home was served and a great time was had by all. Bet it was enjoyed and appreciated more then today’s big blowouts. There was no traffic to interfere with party on the public road, there were hard depression times and few traveled at night – mostly corn whiskey haulers.