Freestone County, Texas
Reflections



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

THE MURDER OF JOHN WYNNE
   Woodland (Freestone Co.) located near Kirven with the following 
story appeared locally, in the Galveston Daily News and the Dallas Daily 
Herald that on the murder of John A.Wynne at Woodland. Wynne an old and 
respected citizen of Freestone Co. was brutally murdered at his residence in 
Woodland last night at about 7 o’clock, he and a Negro man went out to feed 
the horses. Mr., Wynne had an armful of corn and had started towards the 
stables when the man stuck him with an axe knocking him senseless. He 
then cut his head nearly off and split his skull open, he went into the house 
and struck Mrs. Cole, an old lady, who was sick in bed with the ax, breaking 
her arm. At this juncture Mrs. Wynne ran in and grabbed hold of him. He 
threw her on the floor and was attempting to murder her when her 12 year 
old son Willie who sick in an adjoining room ran in with a pistol. The man 
hearing him coming, started off, leaving the ax on a bed. 
Willie fired but missed. The cause of this crime is supposed to have been for 
getting their money. The man was caught about 10 o’clock in Tehuacana 
bottom.
  `It tells that Mrs. Wynne paid $100 (a big sum for that day) to the man in 
gold for capturing the murderer. It was reported the man once lived on this 
place and was a ex-convict.
  The Wynne son 13 year old James Marshall Wynne, two years after his 
father murdered was taken in and lived in the log cabin that now part of the 
Freestone Co. Museum with the Alford Carters. The Wynne youth lived here 
until he left to attend Granbury College. James married Elizabeth Moore 
Carter in the church at Woodland and their wedding reception held
in the G,A. Sessions home near here..

                         John Wynne Continued 
      
From The Original Sheriff Report l977
    Article and picture recently in large newspaper on Rock Island Zephyrs 
being sold and now in service in Saudi Arabia dessert. Brought memories 
and recollections on Zephyrs and Rockets that one ran thru this County at 
speeds more spectacular then than super sonic jets now. Their warning 
whistles used by many to tell time   by (many didn’t have watches then)
Remember story that elderly man questioned after first ride said it alright  
but ordered cup of coffee and to his destination before got it saucer and 
blowed. Some used to say, here it comes and there it goes ( Regret not 
taking our boys on its last trip)
    Young woman and man living together having problems, she wanted to 
get to another city, carried to highway. Indecent exposure case at 
Laundromat.
  Criminal Court of two men on Streetman Drugstore burglary before jury., 
one given 35 years, other automatic life sentence as habitual. Lady serving 
on Jury for first time brought mother in law along who had a ball as well as 
getting educated about all that goes on over here.
  Probably got man in trouble with wife after woman prisoner he been real 
interested in getting out of Jail and went by to see husband and wife didn’t 
know about.
  Wortham Historian, Uel Davis Jr. recently compiled and published a
History Book on Freestone County Post Offices.
  Bear (Ted Spurgeon) and Tate (Winfrey Tate) to Texas Dept. of 
Corrections Diagnostic Unit with man committed on burglary, brought back 
another  from the Ferguson Unit cotton patch for revocation of probation.
  San Diego, Calif. Police officer here to return man wanted there on Jewel 
Thefts. 
  Archeologist hunting Indian artifacts discovered and reported  gas pipe line 
leak.
  Horses used by Deputies to patrol fair parking areas at Co. Fair found real 
effective as none broken into and only report of tools from pickup.\
  Entertainment one night at County Fair by Jailhouse Band made up of
 deputies Slap Jack Wilson, Bob Wilson, Ronny Hunt, Constable Kirgan, 
John Whitley, Leroy Jones, Junior and Roger Solley along with man recently 
convicted and sentenced to 35 years in Pen  (his only concern if going to  be 
able to play and sing at the County Fair) Reneau played  and sung with the 
best bands in the State, prison bands that is.

                                Grandpa’s Report
  Long time friend Fast Eddie and professional trusty from Rocky Mount by 
for visit with frozen fresh peas. Told of little store in Oakwood where Jim 
and I had dinner recently being the held up in armed robbery. This the last 
store in Oakwood with concern it might close also. Eddie Jr. and I go back a 
long ways.