FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J. R. (Sonny) Sessions

TEMPLE HOUSTON COURT CASES
	Some months ago wrote about the youngest son of General Sam Houston of who 
always have always been an admirer and feel personally he was and would have been as 
famous as his father if hadn’t had an early death.
	Templeton Houston while serving as prosecuting attorney in the wild and wooly 
Texas Panhandle built quite a reputation and could handle anything that came up. He 
defended a prostitute in May 1899 in Woodward, Oklahoma with an “Eloquent Plea in 
District Court” that became quite famous and somewhere I had a copy I couldn’t find and 
mentioned such.  A short time later I received in the mail this and another case 
successfully defended by Temple Houston from his grandson Sam Houston IV.
	Too long for the column so will show part of it as reported a in a local paper. 
”Last Friday this was tried in the District Court of this place before Judge Burford, one of 
the most remarkable cases, in certain respects ever disposed of in the Territory.  Minnie 
Stacey was being prosecuted for plying her vocation and running a bawdy house.  
Something about the case aroused the indignation of Temple Houston, who instantly 
undertook her defense.  Exposure had impaired his voice, and he only addressed the 
Court and Jury in a calm and conversational tone and closed his argument in a clear low 
voice.” 
	Without notes he presented a good lesson in the social implication involved and 
the ills of mankind with numerous Biblical and religious references and how Christ dealt 
with similar situations.  Have heard it referred to as a soiled dove.  In closing he 
challenged them to do as your Master did twice under the very circumstances that 
surround you.  Tell her to go in peace.  The Jury acquitted her as soon as they could reach 
their room.
	The second case Sam Houston IV sent a copy of was one I was not familiar with 
concerning t5he acquittal of Alfred Son tried the third time for the murder of Fred 
Hoffman.  This defense a classic also delivered at El Paso, Oklahoma Territory Nov. 16th 
1897.  There is a small but good museum in Woodard, Oklahoma in the memory of 
Templeton Houston.

Sheriffs Report 1966

         Memorial services for Mexia Constable Marvin Wooten peace officer and friend; a 
small man who didn’t take any foolishness. Once had a friend hit Marvin with beer bottle 
while being placed under arrest, escaped but smart enough to never return to Mexia 
during Constable Wooten ‘s life.  Colorful character and life long friend “Red “Copeland 
appointed. Red always made life interesting.
	Unhappy wife called on husband gone after corn whisky, supposed to be crippled, 
going into house with booze when saw me threw down his crutches and ran toward 
house.  Had earlier reports of elderly man and wife in small community making the stuff, 
made deal with makers to show me how they doing it in the house and promise to make 
no more: wouldn’t prosecute agreed had small mash barrel in hidden wall and cooked off 
in old pressure cooker and small copper lined line used for coil.  
	County surveyor Douglas Fryer and assistant Callie Manning threatened by youth 
with pistol surveying from the county road, left and wouldn’t return until I would go with 
them, youngest son Ken who not is school yet and I spent part of a day with them till 
finished. Youth who made threats a few months later jailed for the murder of his uncle.
	Meeting in Kirvin with Federal representative for Kirvin Water System, never 
been any water here before except dug wells with rope and bucket.
	Peggy had major surgery for cancer, this before County had Health Insurance. 
Night trip to Standmire Lake with death message.
	Rocky Mount 5 am on mental man who will be dealt with many times and 
handled for murder.  Pete Mandeville Store in Donie burglarized.

**
	Freestone County Historical Comm. Meeting with interesting information given 
by WWII Marine Fighter Pilot Alton Frost of Wortham; known Alton since Navarro 
College days at old WWII Pilot Training Field near Corsicana in 1947.
	The June program will be presented by Mr. Robert Keathley of Corsicana who 
done extensive research on D Day in Normandy in WWII.  Meet the first Tuesday of 
each month at the Training Center, all invited as usual.
**