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

MORE ON BARFIELD MURDER

   The information available indicates the search for Alf Rushing for the murder of Wortham City 
Marshall Jackson Barfield on Dec. 3rd. 1877 very active for many years warrants, indictments and 
extraditions were issued and forwarded to a number of States.
Information received and attempts to collect the rewards offered were made, none successful. 
  On Dec. 28, 1877 Freestone Co. Sheriff J,P. Robinson wrote Adjutant General William Stelle for State 
Troops to go into Navarro Co. and make the arrest.  A reply dated Dec. 31, 1877 advised no company of 
troops available as all of them being on the “extreme frontier”. He could possible send a Lt. Arrington to 
look into the matter but citizens have to furnish mounts (horses) here as would have to travel on railroad. 
. Arrington became a famous Ranger Captain and tells of his involvements in his memoirs.
  All this occurred during so called “Reconstruction” and there many mixed feelings. This occurred 
shortly after the period when John Wesley Harding lived in the area and lawlessness very common. Alf 
Rushing’s twelve year old twin sisters attended school taught by Harding when Rushing was 16, 
Rushing would have known Harding well and possibly even attended school taught by him. Rushing 
from a large family living in eastern Navarro Co. and many leading citizens seemed to have been 
sympathetic. 
  In June 1878 Texas Gov. Hubbard received a letter Rushing may have been located. A Governors 
Executive Order issued to Freestone Co. Attorney B. Gordon on June 17th and sent to the Governor of 
Arkansas for Rushing’s arrest in Boone Co. Ark. Where Rushing was reportedly using name Johnson. 
On June 11, 1880 Sheriff H.P. Daviss and Co. Attorney Gardener wrote Gov. O. M. Roberts asking the 
reward be continued and published.  
  In June 1885 Co. Attorney Gardener wrote the Dept. of State Extradition Service requesting 
indictments be sent to the Cherokee Nation of the Oklahoma Indian Nations. One of those involved here 
was the famous Indian Nations United States Marshall Sam Six-shooter.
  In August 1885 report Rushing in Wyoming Territory, Sheriff there a former Texas Sheriff Frank Kent 
who for some reason changed his name and started new life here. In July 1898 County Attorney R.M. 
Edwards and Sheriff J.H. Powell had information Rushing was in California and Gov. C.A. Culberson 
was contacted on this. There had been earlier reports he was in the Texas Panhandle around Cambridge, 
also other Texas locations including San Angelo.
  In 1875 before the murder of Marshall Barfield, Rushing was indicted on cattle theft
and released on bond in Navarro Co. Assistant Co. Attorney Rufus Hardy who later became United 
States Congressman and political power involved in this along with Navarro Co. Sheriff J.L. Walton.
  There are many unanswered questions concerning Rushing and his life that can never be answered. 
Living in Sweetwater in 1930 and undoubtedly in bad health his family brought him back to Richland in 
the summer of 1930 where he lived until his death Dec. 12, 1930 and buried in the Richland Cemetery, 
age about 74 years old. There is no known record of him (Carter or Scruggs) ever being arrested or tried 
for Marshall Barfield’s death.
  Anyone with information on Wortham City Marshall Jason Barfield, his family, or anything please 
advise. Much of this information provided by descendents of Alf Rushing and greatly appreciated.
                                  ***
              From Original Sheriffs Report 1968
  Longtime Navarro Co. Deputy “Dude” Blackmon died this week after extended illness, a true friend 
and good officer. Two Humble men flying here for deer hunt crashed on I45 construction near Dew. 
Mexia taxi driver made fruitless trip to County Jail trying to get drinking buddies out.
Woman reported husband missing last 3 months, wasn’t worried about him but needed to know how to 
plan future social life. Sheriff, Co. Attorney, Judge to Bar Q honoring new Director Pat Speir.
  Criminal cases tried in District Court, Co. Attorney Fryer assisted by Henderson Co. District Attorney, 
Mack Wallace. Met with and spoke to Teague Women’s Study Club. Have strayed mules. Sheriff, 
Deputy, attended Peace Officers meeting Waco, Jess Sweeten ex Henderson Co. put on shooting 
program
  Interstate 45 that replacing old 75 been opened around Streetman which been divided by traffic. Game 
Warden Bergstrom and Sheriff to gathering honoring Gov. Preston
Smith, at horse ranch west of Teague.  Game Warden, Constable Lee to Coffield Prison construction and 
fish fry and bar b que by Warden Bounds for law enforcement.
                           ***
               Grandpa’s Report
  ...
  Friend Charles Nicholson still in Tyler hospitals in critical condition, our prayers are with he and Betty. 
  ...
  February Historical Comm. meeting with fine program on Black History presented by Teague business 
woman Mrs. Joycie Burns. Our program for March will be WWII  Navy Corpsman veteran Julian 
Walthall who will share his experiences at Iwo Jima, everyone invited, our veterans are getting fewer 
every day.
  Kirvin Vol. Fire Dept. annual Chili Supper and Fund Raiser a big success with good crowd and 
participation. New Fire Dept. building nearing completion and in use in near future.