Freestone County, Texas
Reflections



 Freestone Past / Present
J.R. “Sonny” Sessions

Red’s Lake and Burleson Lake

    In its early days Red Lake remained a private lake operated by
 S.A. Burleson and wife Edna who lived on the lake during this time. A 
restaurant and honky tonk were built (club house). During some of this time    
beer was sold here and probably dancing allowed and probably women to 
dance with you. At this time the depression was hard on everyone especially
women in making a living. Been told if customers wanted hard liquor it was 
served from under the counter in coffee cups (probably corn whisky). 
Wilbur Martin cooked for the café and operated the gasoline powered 
electric plant used for lighting (no electricity in area then).  Wilbur Martin 
also cleaned up and closed up at night. Music for dancing would have been
from a jukebox at 5 cents a song or 6 for a quarter. At this time there a oil 
boom across the river in Anderson Co. and feel sure many from this 
frequented the business as they did the other such operations on this side of 
the river. I remember going in visiting with my Daddy as a small child. The
Burleson’s were longtime family friends.
  Later the lake and land became a share operation under the direction of the 
Board of Directors, elected by the members. Over the years Board of 
Directors meetings held with delicious bar-b-que  prepared by Wilbur 
Martin during his lifetime. After club business taken care of sometimes there 
was drinking and gambling, gambling illegal in days past but not today in 
cases like this. Been told of raids by local Constable who on the fee system
(no pay unless fines collected) who on occasions raided them, a very large 
man told he once rode his only means of transportation at the time a 
Shetland pony, unless he held them up his feet drug the ground.
  Never had a membership in this fun place but visited here often as a guest. 
In the l940’s there was a designated swimming area, which always enjoyed.
The l943 Fairfield graduating class had its only supervised function courtesy 
of Grace and Roger Steward at their camp house, As a member of the l944 
class I was allowed to attend, I also visited here often as a friend of Roger 
David Steward.
  The most activity around this area occurred in the summer of l941 as the 
war clouds gathered and the 36th. Infantry Division was mobilized and on its 
way from Brownwood to war maneuvers in Louisiana. For some reason they 
camped in wooded area for a week or ten days nearby, all kind of business 
picked up everywhere. The Fairfield Band Boosters operated a fund raising 
concession stand where I spent some time, while here got years of education 
from these soldiers here and in town. Recently reminded by friend
Edward Pittman that during this period the soldiers bought everything out in 
the stores couldn’t even buy a pencil. The 36th went on to become one of 
most decorated military units in WWII with action in North Africa, Sicily, 
Italy and Europe.
  After WWII S.A. Burleson and his son S.A. Jr. returned to the area and 
built Burleson Lake south of Red’s Lake on the same Slough. This time 
bulldozers and heavy equipment used. Lots of timber left in the lake made 
excellent fishing and duck hunting for many years. This also a share lake 
and quiet place to retire. Visited friend Henry McCormick when he lived 
here, worth the trip just to see the many birds and types at his feeders.  .     
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Whiskey Days
  Told that when the Rangers and State Militia came to Mexia on the trains 
that hoodlums, robbers, prostitutes and other law breakers rode the same 
trains out of town or one shortly after. Rangers in those days were very 
powerful, their word was virtually law and a single action 44 or 45 enforced 
it. Then they shot first and asked questions alter
  Martial Law was lifted March 1, l922 following the Grand Jury reports in 
Limestone and Freestone Co. One law enforcement officer testified and 
apologized for their actions and lack of experience in these type situations, 
He also was the person from whom the land for the Chicken Farm was 
secured. Shortly after Freestone Co. Sheriff Horace Mayo made raids on 
some stills and published a long article in the local papers in defense of his 
activities. 
  Martial Law accomplished little as the violations continued for many years.                                 

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