Freestone County, Texas Reflections Freestone Past/Present J. R. (Sonny) Sessions Tick Dipping and Tick Inspectors It is believed Christopher Columbus brought the first cattle to America on his second trip to the new world in l493. Over the next couple hundred years they spread to Mexico during the Spanish search for treasures. In l690 a herd of 200 Longhorns were driven from Mexico to a mission near the Sabine River. This hardy breed survived and multiplied. The end of the Civil War millions of wild, unclaimed cattle found mostly Longhorns found in Texas. Civil War veterans and others broke and jobless rounded up and began herding these cattle to the Northern markets in Kansas and Missouri. The American cowboy legend came from this era. Although this area mostly cotton farming many of the herds traveled west of here in the Waco area. Over the years Texas cattle developed immunity to Texas or cattle fever which infected cattle with the tick that carried the disease deadly to cattle. This caused some states to close its borders or quarantine areas Texas cattle grazed traveling to the railheads up north. To control and eliminate this dreaded disease a vigorous cattle dipping program was instituted. King Ranch manager Robert Kleberg is credited with building the first dipping vat in the state. Texas had a strong program enforced by Tick Inspectors with the authority to prosecute and arrest those who resisted or refused to dip. Like other area Freestone Co. had Tick Inspectors who appointed by the State Livestock Commission, one of these I knew personally was Howard Odom. Mr. Odom published an article in a l922 local paper encouraging cooperation. This article told that the cattle would shed off quicker and look better after the dipping, which I know to be correct as dipped many times. Around Freestone Co. I’m sure other dipping vats were built that were accessible to cattle in most areas. There still a few dipping vats or the remains of such to be found. It was a concrete pit with pens leading the cattle into the vat and a drip pen where they could stand and let excess dip drain back into the vat. These vats were charged with an arsenic dip that worked good and all in reach could use them. This also worked for lice and ear ticks that came latter with the deer restocking. In the early years it was required that all cattle be dipped at least twice and those under special quarantine had to dip every dipping day until clean. I don’t know of any serious problems in Freestone Co. although some areas resisted violently. The program over a number of years worked. The dipping vat had to be “charged” or tested each time it was used and new dip added or it could seriously damage the cattle. After cattle became used to being dipped usually all that needed to be done was control the flow and keep them from jumping on top of those in the vat. My dogs loved to help run the cattle in the vat, when it getting near the end they usually took off as knew they were next as worked on dog ticks and fleas too. Although these were located all over Freestone Co. I don’t know of any still being used today. The one’s I most familiar with were near Wortham, Woodland, Burleson, Clay Hill and Stewards Mill. ***** Grandpa’s Report Kirven Homecoming is scheduled for Saturday June 11, 2005 at the Baptist Church Fellowship Building with a catered meal at noon. All are Welcome. Plans for Kirven’s Centennial Celebration in 2006 will be discussed. After 27 years with TXU son Hammond has retired and hung out his sign as a Master Electrician. His company is named Freedom Electric and can be reached at 903 388-1588 or 254-739-3025. Being assisted by son’s Daniel and Jacob. David is home from College for summer, seeking employment to continue his education. Devin turned 9. His cousin Anna turned 11 and enjoyed annual birthday trip with Grandma shopping bash and eating anywhere she wants. Kenzie had her 10th birthday; she had a swimming party to celebrate birthday and end of school. Caney Creek Resort for friend Judy Newton’s wedding, wish she and Lee the best. JR’s Commencement Graduation Wortham, held in gym with capacity crowd. Many awards and scholarships awarded at this function. Project Graduation held after this with good reports from all.