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

MORE JOHN WYNNE MURDER

   John and Ann moved from Alabama to the Woodland area in September, 
l854. John was a member of the Cotton Gin Lodge with Cotton Gin the town 
they traded.  One family story is that John was strict and gave his son a 
specific amount of time to get to town, take care of the family business, and 
get back. There were saloons in Cotton Gin and to be sure they stayed out of 
trouble. John raised horses and farmed. Though he was over age for military
Service he served in the Confederate Army. 
  John was buried next to family in Cotton Gin Cemetery. At one time it was 
enclosed in an ornate fenced but without headstones. On a cleaning day the 
mules knocked the fence down and it was never replaced. Markers were later
installed. John was a member of Cotton Gin Lodge. After the Civil War like 
all former soldiers of the Confederacy, cotton could not be sold without first 
the Oath of Amnesty which was done. Another family incident that John 
Beall Payne shot and killed a man the family said in self defense, he fled and 
was never hears from again.
  There were stories of the man killing John Wynne being lynched.  Another 
which I believe more correct is that he escaped custody, went into Oklahoma 
captured and retuned to Freestone  Co. Fred Carter told of the Sheriff, Judge 
and other prominent men saying they, Lets be sure he don’t escape again and 
then hung him. This occurred at a location know locally as The Goose Pond.
  Other interesting stories involving Alfred Carter and his sons, Fred and Jim 
Gus and daughter Sallie with time spent with the Carters on a “Squirrel 
Hunt” many years ago.
  I learned of Ann (Payne) Diary that dealt primarily with her spiritual life, 
and few comments are made outside of hat scope. Some of those that are 
made:
 Speaks about her church’s quarterly meeting at Cotton Gin, and that her 
particular church (Methodist) practices fasting.
  Scandal of Charles Freeman who used “getting religion” as a cloak for his 
crimes-the law is after him.
  Wrote about looking out her window at the sunshine that lights the prairies 
for miles and miles.
  A dance at Woodland ( 7/4-l873.)
  Preaching at Tehuacana.
  Had to leave camp meeting. Her family as well as the preachers became ill 
and all went to her house.
  Church at Harrison’ Chapel.
  Camp meeting at Campbell’s Branch
 
           The Old Woodland
           By James Marshall Wynne-Grand son of John Wynne  
Do you remember the old Woodland
Of thirty years ago
The post-oak trees, the shimmering sand,
Where “taters used to grow,
And Bob-whites call to hiss chaste, prim, mate
When corn tassels appeared:
Whip-o-wills pliant as we came in late,
And the teams were ungeared.
 
The chirp of the birds in the briar patch
Down back of the old barn:
The wise old cow that undid the latch
And stuffed without harm.
The honk of the geese on their way south:
The whirr of the ducks o’er head:
The “simmons” just ready for your mouth;
“Possums” blackhaw-fed.

The hickory nuts; the grape-clad trees;
Nature’s riot of hues;
The water hole where we coursed the bees;
Deer tracks fresh in the dews.
The wagon’s ‘Cluck, cluck” as it came in
Loaded with cotton and corn:
The scuffle and shuffle, the great din, 
Of stock not fed since morn.
  
Do you remember the old Woodland
Of thirty years ago;
The boys and girls of that jolly band
Who tried the old folks so?
Lighthearted and gay. They went their way.
With scarce a gloomy thought,
The future they faced without dismay.
Care-free and fearing naught.

There were those hears old Bob-white’s call
And shyly found their mates,
And some who would not listen at all,
Choosing to rule their fates.
Others were scattered both far and wide;
Some left not the home tree.
Some were borne out on the tide,
Across life’s fitful sea.

And some , they say, are now grey and old,
As were those  gone before,
Soon o be gathered into the fold,
Where troubles come no more.
May we who are out of old Woodland,
When life’s short day is past,
Gather upon heaven’s golden strand,
Safe from earth’s chilling blast.

                               Grandpa’s Report
  Teague Chronicle had photo of longtime friend Jay Fain Bodine with 
new phone which allows him to read what other saying on a screen, I have 
always told him joking that he could hear what he wanted to hear.