Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


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

Written May 2006

Streetman Centennial 1906-2006 
 
Streetman observed its 100th anniversary the weekend following Teague. Both started the day with 
very threatening weather but ended up fair and mild with good attendance and participation. 
 
Streetman a very prosperous cotton town or many years. much longer than most of the area. It had 
the last Cotton Gin in the area, which ginned many bales of short staple cotton that shipped to 
Japan after WWII. Years ago a group of Japanese business men in the US on business went out of 
their way to visit Streetman and the cotton gin they so involved in. 
 
As times changed so did Streetman, which had many stores at one time. Today it and Kirvin have 
much in common as no retail business downtown. During US 75’s heyday there were numerous 
service stations and cafes some that were open 24/7.1 spent time here in my youth with many 
friends, and knew most of the old families. Many descendents of early Streetman returned for the 
Centennial Celebration which very successful. Like Teague it published a very informative and well-
done book on its past. 
 
Streetman and Teague both helped financially with their shows by the Freestone Co. Historical 
Commission. Copies of the publications were also purchased for all the special interests in either 
area should purchase a book for your own use. 
 
Have a few stories concerning the area. At one time a character I knew well in later years blew into 
Streetman wearing a big white hat and pistols representing himself to be a Texas Ranger and hired 
out to the City of Streetman as night watchman and promise to stop frequent night time burglaries. 
The crimes instead of decreasing seemed to happen every night with the business men realizing it 
was the man they hired, some sat up with the intent of killing him if caught breaking in, he came to 
one door started to open it, got suspicious and left town that night. He later went to the pen for 
murder in the Mexia Oil Boom. 
 
Local Streetman character and friend Tommy J. tells about Constable Lamb who didn’t have a car 
suspecting him of bad driving came and wanted Tommy J. to take him to Fairfield so he could put 
him in Jail, Tommy J. say’s he wasn’t the one and told the Constable if he depended on him taking 
him he would never get there and drove off. 
 
Ernest and Afton Bonner for many years ran a grocery store on Main St. across the street from the 
Bank. The Bank was robbed so many times the bank door was sometimes locked if a strange or 
suspicious person or vehicle seen until identified, this saved some robberies I know of. The Bonner’s 
would call and warn if such seen. They were the parents of a true character Homer Paul Bonner, my 
first memory of him when he was about 4 or 5 years old wearing very thick glasses came up to my 
Daddy saying “Mr. Jim” do you know what a Hooten Nanny is? When told no he told him it was a 
cross between a Hoot Owl and Nanny Goat. I never forgot him. The Bonners were good friends and 
always helpful. 
 
There are many experiences and pleasant memories concerning Streetman hope to get back to 
them someday. Always found it a friendly and fun place. 
 
Visiting recently with friend and Dean of Freestone Co. Physicians. Dr. John H. Keller who reared 
down in Leon where his father once Sheriff told of Leon Co. during the Terrible Depression in 
financial problems issued a Script (a type of promissory note to be paid when the County financially 
able) Sheriff Keller a good businessman bought all this he could from other County officials. As 
times got better and the Script being paid off this is how Dr. Keller able to go to Medical School and 
become a doctor. Dr. Keller and his Chief Assistant Dr. Pat as I call her - Pat Robertson have been 
God sent for many years for many folks and wish them many more.