FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS SHERIFF 1965-2001 YELDELL-ROCKY BRANCH ` Many today are not familiar with these locations in western Freestone Co. both east of Big Tehuacana Creek recently asked where Yeldell located I advised about a half mile south of Rocky Branch, and then I was asked where that was. At one time Yeldell had a Post Office, a cotton gin, school, a general store and blacksmith and numerous share crop and farmer families living in the general area. My Mother’s father Dr. Claude Batchelor had his first medical practice in Freestone Co. here about 1899-1900 when the railroad came thru he moved his family to Shanks. Yeldell is located on FCR971 think part on of the old Ross family plantation which Yeldell married into. A descendant Jack Yeldell says he has some of the papers on the post office closing and moved to Wortham in l906 including the stamps used to cancel letters mailed. All that remain today is part of an old house on the plantation and all the land turned into pasture. There are many stories regarding Yeldell and the Yeldell family. Rocky Branch located a short distance north of Yeldell at the intersection of FCR 971 and FCR 973. At one time there a one way bridge across Big Tehuacana going to Wortham that washed out a few years ago and too expensive to replace. Many black families located here after the Civil War, many were land owners and their descendents continued to live here. The Banks family involved with mine go back to slavery. My family was called when they needed help including me, for several years I moved the furniture and even the milk cow of a sister involved in a bad marriage who promised each time not to go back but did several times. I was told by these descendents of their walk from Alabama to Texas where springs ran with molasses and biscuits grew on trees. Near here is a large well kept black cemetery and active church, both used by family descendents as most moved to the cities. There was another small church that finally down to one member who practiced with copper head snakes and others quit. During the 50’s and early 60’s the elderly blacks were terrorized by the murder and robbery of several around the County by a black couple who were later sent to the pen. One of the first victims a black gentleman named Carter from Rocky Branch. I think there a school and store at one time. One outstanding family the Alexander’s consisted of three brothers and a son. One of the brothers did the farming, one did the housework and one did the cooking. The house and all well kept. The son didn’t look to smart but a good car driver who drove them where they needed to go but only one of the brothers had a driver’s license. There is a story that Highway Patrolman not knowing them stopped them and asked the so Lemon for his license, the brother with the license jumped out explaining he had the license but it much safer for all if Lemon drove, he agreed and let them go. All these families are deceased or moved. Today there only one house where the early descendents live that moved back from the city. During a siege of rural store burglary’s, Kirven, Cotton Gin, Mexia and area culprit found to be one of the family descendents with long criminal history which unknown to the family, every time he visited he would commit a burglary on his way back to Dallas. Caught after a armed burglary in Kirven, the weapon a .12 ga. shotgun in the collection stored at the Sheriffs Office. Limestone Co. Sheriff Spivey knew him well as had escaped once and found after a diligent search hiding in a vacant burial coffin in Groesbeck. All this in another day and time. *** From the Original Sheriff’s Report l976 Units rushed to relief of THP David Russ after radioed he been shot. Suspect seen by deputies leaving vehicle on I45. Intensive search lasting 6 hours by State, County and City Officers numbering between 100 to 200 until suspect gave up and walked into roadblock manned by THP Larry McCeig and brought to Freestone Co. Jail. Officer Russ hospitalized in critical condition. “Russ recovered and continued with DPS, the prompt medical attention given by local ambulances and Dr’s. Keller and Crossno very important.” Hippy’s looking for hallucinogenic mushrooms in pastures checked, said they looking for snakes, told em only had rattlesnakes and copperhead here. Assisted Jail Trusty’s in fixing some of fences cut by TDC Dog Sgt’s. during search. Found out over years everybody wanted to call TDC Dogs out But few wanted to fix fences after. Had prisoner order stuff to repair false teeth with from drug store, said he broke em on Aunty’s bread. Deputies Cox and Johnson on family dispute when man brought another woman home and wife wanting out. Graduation during week of oldest son from High School and second oldest from Junior High. Dispatcher Cuz had call from Dallas man saying he had killed his two small children in Fairfield and going to kill himself, unable to locate. One truck driver fatally burned in two truck collision US75 & US84. Wortham Police Bueford Owens back on job. As Judge Jones said don’t know what to do with him when got him or what to do without him when haven’t. Went for swim in stock tank with our boys one afternoon when they came from hay field. Much to their enjoyment large crawdad got in swim trunks with me and they really not big enough for both of us. *** Grandpa’s Report ... Fireplace mantle that over 150 years old (had in my possession over 70 years) that came out of ancestral Bradley home of Bill and Brad Pullin located at the Bradley Home in Stewards Mill which my father owned in the mid l930’s. Presented to Brad and Diane for future use.