Freestone County, Texas
Reflections

                           Freestone Past/Present
                            J.R. “Sonny” Sessions

                       Confederate Hide Tannery
    

In the mid l960’s Hugh Whitaker made me aware of a Hide Tannery 
that operated during the Civil War making leather that was used to 
make shoes for the soldiers and other needs. It was located about 5 miles 
east of present day Donie on a spring branch that became known as 
Tanyard Branch near Old Zion.
  This Tannery was started shortly before the Civil War by Egbert Beall 
who came to Texas in the late l850’s. It is said the reason for Beall 
coming to Texas was his brother was killed at Goliad. For his brothers 
service in the Texas War for Independence and being killed at Goliad he 
received a league of land in Bell Co. After his marriage to a half Indian 
girl from the Keechi Reservation he traded this land for some Spanish 
horses as there no trees to build fences and such. They came to Old Zion 
near present Donie where he purchased land. 
  Beall operated a freight line from Houston and Galveston to Freestone 
Co. He built the first plank house in the area with lumber he brought in 
on this. The road trip to Houston and Galveston is reported to have 
taken about 3 months, feel sure oxen were used.
  It is believed that this was the only tanning shop in this part of Texas.  
It is reported a large working force was required as this a big operation. 
Beall served in the Confederate forces during the War with the Tannery 
operated by his wife and slaves. A son John Beall was killed while 
fighting alongside his father in the War. The cowhide tanned was mostly 
made into shoes for the Confederate soldier. 
  Hugh Whitakers grandfather Robert came back with Egbert Beall at 
the end of the War to operate the Tanyard, which closed between l865 
and l870. The vats used at the Tanyard were constructed of hewn logs, 
which were fitted together at the ends. The vats were about four feet 
above the ground. The cattle hides were soaked in the vats in water and 
oak tree bark. The oak bark acted as a tanning and preserving agent on 
the hides.
  When Hugh Whitaker and I visited the site in the l960’s little was left.
Impressions of the vats were still visible in the ground. It is reported 
there were 6 small vats 8’X 10’ and one larger 10’X 20’. Am sure 
nothing left here today as the area been mined for lignite for the utility 
plant.
  Hugh Whitaker also reported his father J.L.R. Whitaker was one of 
the last to use oxen on his farm. The steers were named Brad and Barry. 
He was also the first to have an Oliver Walking Cultivator.
  Much of this information came from Hugh Whitaker and a school 
paper done by one of his students Paul Smith in May 1965 on Texas 
History.
  Egbert Beall lived in Donie until his death in l907 and burial in the Old 
Zion Cemetery where there once was also a church and school. The 
school consolidated with the Donie School District in l927. 

                               ******
                               
                            Grandpa’s Report
  Shortly after article on Alfonso Steele published received a very nice 
note from friend Sam Houston IV, grandson of Gen. Sam Houston’s son
Temple Houston. Also an interesting booklet on the Texas War for 
Independence with information concerning Steele, all greatly 
appreciated.
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