FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS 
SHERIFF 1965-2001

TRINITY UNIVERSITY IN TEHUACANA

  There are many in our area that never visited Westminster College located 
a few miles from Mexia. Although today the early steeple has been removed 
and lying on the ground it still a magnificent structure, for many years I 
lived where it could be seen from our porch near Woodland. I recently came 
across the following information:
  “Cumberland Presbyterians opened Trinity University as a four year
Co-educational liberal arts college in 1869 only 34 years after Oberlin 
(Ohio) College admitted the first female student in America. Those 
Cumberland  ministers took a very unpopular stand here on the frontier. 
Their stand said,
females can learn math and languages as easily males, and females do not 
lower the morals of males.
  When the Presbyterians moved Trinity in 1902, they gave the their total 
Campus to the Methodists who opened that fall and continued the Trinity 
philosophy. Westminster remained a four year college until 1916. When 
enrollment plummeted due to World War 1, Westminster became the first
accredited became the first accredited junior college in Texas-only 14 years 
after the first junior college in the world opened in Joliet, Illinois . Trinity 
and Westminster were so avant-garde that Texas has yet to equal these and 
other historic miracles of vision that occurred on Tehuacana Hill.
  Westminster closed in 1972. In 1977 it sold $35,000. In the l980’s it 
became security for loans totaling over three million dollars and was 
dragged through the Savings and Loan scandals. In l990 Dr. James Parker  
who hopes to restore the stone castle-like Texas Hall—has been on the 
National  Resister of Historic Places since 1978.
  This information was taken from David McCartney’s “Miracles on 
Tehuacana Hill lectures.
  David  McCartney did a program on Tehuacana  and Westminster 
many years  at a Freestone Co. Historical meeting  held in the hone of 
Uel and Juliette Davis in Wortham. There were many new ideas that came 
from here including the first indoor women’s basketball games. Been told 
the acoustics so good in Texas Hall a PA system was not needed.
  Been told my grandfather Carted Sessions attended here little rubbed of on 
him. My sister Leah went here and did well. I have many friends who 
attended here.
***
From The Original Sheriff Report 1977
  Big Bueford assisted in locating portable building stolen while he lookin at 
em. 
  Lady living in country reported man came into yard refusing to leave even 
after she got gun, did when she popped cap, all deputy found was tracks 
where he left.
  Jail shook down after key found made from contraband.
  Clay pits north of Teague where Teague Fire Dept. Ambulance drove into 
pit and partially submerged.
   Anonymous phone call on bomb threat at Teague Schools, school 
dismissed after lunch by teachers, P.D. and deputies, nothing found.
  Approved $500,000 appearance bond on man held Anderson Co. jail on 
capital solicitation (hired killing).
 Polygraph operator J.D.  Williams ran young mother of recently abused 
child, admitted doing all herself.
  Carried Game Warden Hunt with me down on Stem to meet REA 
employees at mentally sick mans to disconnect electricity, ever time they 
went he came out with old military rifle and changed their mind. When 
subject asked where he kept the gun and the race was on for it and we 
fortunately prevailed. This subject had murdered his uncle in past.
  Grand Jury back in session with numerous bills presented by Co. Att. Gage
on numerous cases  Search warrant served earlier for records of County
 official indicted. Big City News TV down trying to make it a political
issue rather than criminal.
  Baby sister reports being shot at 3am by woman thinking her husband with 
her. Once thought she been scaled with butcher knife by another wife, she 
escaped this one when her wig came off.
  Theft county line of household furnishing, even took the well pump. 
                           Grandpa’s Report
  Hawaii the Tsunami capitol of the world one thought to be going there 
recently, didn’t, JR lucked out again.
  Kenzie and Devin over one night to play games with Grandma and I.
  Coopers team took Teague baseball tournament.
  Devin and Sara to another track meet don’t know the results.
  Kenzie to Leon school with baseball team.
  Kenzie’s team hosted Kerens and North Zulch softball teams in Wortham.