Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


Freestone Past & Present
By J. R. (SONNY) SESSIONS Special to The News

YOUNG BROTHERS MASSACRE


When Missouri outlaws come up the James brothers Jesse and Frank and the Younger brothers are 
the first to come to mind, these were locals with worldwide fame in robbing from the rich and giving 
to the poor during Missouri’s terrible Reconstruction Days following the Civil War. 
 
The worst massacre of law enforcement officers in Missouri occurred January 2, l932 in the 
mountains near Springfield and Branson when the Sheriff and nine other officers attempted to 
arrest Jennings and Harry Young on the Young farm. Harry was already a fugitive wanted on 
murder. The Sheriff and five others were killed immediately in a shoot out with the pair. 
 
An article in the Streetman Centennial Book reminded me of this as had forgotten after knowing 
about it many years through local information and that given me by Missouri Sheriff John Peirpoint 
of Springfield. Sheriff Pierpoint a former United States Marshall a close friend of myself and Ranger 
Captain Clint Peeples who also served as a United States Marshall for many years. 
 
The incident became known nationally during these lawless years as the Young Brothers Massacre. 
The brothers immediately fled Missouri enroute to Houston, the main road at that 
time being US 75 through Freestone Co. where the couple wrecked out in their Ford 
Coupe ending up in a ditch near Streetman. Mr. H.D. Carroll offered help to the 
injured men, when he returned shortly with a team of mules to pull the car out 
the men were gone. Mr. Carroll pulled the vehicle, which had rifle and shotgun left in it to his farm. 
When the men did not return he called Sheriff Jim Sessions. This occurred January 3, l932. It was 
learned later the men were given rides into Fairfield and on to Houston. 
 
Mr. Carroll and Sheriff Sessions fortunate the Young’s gone as both cold-blooded 
killers. 
 
Sheriff Sessions notified Houston where the police and Texas Rangers on January 5, 
l932 killed both in a shoot out. This was in the days of the old time real 
Rangers who dispensed Justice much faster than today 
 
The Streetman history mentions a book written on this incident and its events. If any one locally 
has a copy would love to borrow and read it. Also if you interested in local history the Streetman 
Centennial Book is very informative and still available.