From the Annals of Reconstruction – In 1871, Governor Edmund J. Davis declared martial law in Freestone County. There had been extensive reports of coercion and fraudulent voting in Fairfield, the county seat during the election of October 3-6. Freestone County had been a hotbed of slave ownership and a strong supporter of secession having voted 585 to 3 in favor of secession at a county convention. Racial troubles continued after the war and well into the 20th Century with Klan activity and violence against Blacks. Martial law was lifted a month later, on November 10. Freestone County was one of four Texas counties in which martial law was declared during Reconstruction.