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

JACK BATCHELOR, U.S.N.

  Jack Batchelor the son of Dr. Claude and Charlotte Sharp Batchelor who 
lived and practiced medicine in Yeldell, Shanks, Kirven and Teague for 
many years was my mother’s youngest brother who she helped raise along 
with her sister Mary after their mother
died at an early age. Living with his father in Teague he attended school 
here, He had a desire to serve in the Navy, too young for WWI he joined 
when old enough and served thru all of WWII. Prior to WWII he made 
seven trips around the world on battleships and cruisers, once visiting 
Turkey he brought me one of those funny looking little caps I think they 
called a Fez, he also brought other things when he returned on visits.
During the Texas Centennial he was attached to a group sent to represent the 
US Navy in Dallas for several weeks. After his marriage in California when 
they visited back here he and Clara had lots of experiences as there no major 
highways then and some of the roads unimproved.
  When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in l941 the Navy’s Pacific
Fleet was virtually destroyed. Jack stationed in San Francisco instructing in 
Gunnery Schools was immediately called back for sea service. He served on 
battleships and cruisers teaching the operation of their guns. On one ship his 
gun crews shot down 8 Jap planes in one day. He was in the Battle of the 
Coral Sea, Midway and Solomon Islands. He was brought back to the States 
and served with groups doing demonstrations and promoting War Plants and 
War Bonds. They visited many places and well received. At the War’s end 
he retired from the Navy with the rank of Chief Gunnery Warrant Officer, 
the highest position an enlisted man can receive. He and Clara bought 
property in Northern California and lived the rest of his life there. He served 
during very difficult times and served well. Was always proud to call him 
Uncle Jack. I’m sure this and having brother in law Jim Younger as an 
officer on a WWII ship and many friends serving in the Navy influenced my 
decision to serve there also.
                                 ***
          Past Original Sheriffs Report l970
  Hunting tragedy with death of child hunting with his father accidentally 
shot and killed my man hunting with them. Little boy dressed in buck skin 
told not to follow hid dad who searching for injured deer but did.
  Man on jury panel being questioned by out of County lawyer inquired if 
Lawyer Keils or Reed had ever done anything for him to which he replied 
“No but they have done a hell of a lot against me”. Used forced labor to 
steal, haul and spread enough gravel on drive into new office to keep from 
bogging up. Major improvement to old jail with new screen door at back and 
window frame upstairs put back in, also poison put out for large weird rats 
reported by prisoners coming up sewer lines
  Poles and outhouses being littered again with political posters of our 
perpetual candidate as this about 8th time to seek political offices, County 
Judge, District Clerk, Sheriff and Commissioner with most not very 
encouraging.
  Shoot out Leon Co. with two hospitalized started over interpreting the 
Bible. Couple in County building reputation as bad actors jailed on assault to 
murder charges, located in motel room with double barrel shotgun and  two 
small babies with them, spent more than hour in extreme cold talking them 
out with no on injured. (Man from California with long criminal history 
released later and put on bus back to California, made it far as Arizona 
where murdered and robbed man and spent many years in pen, when 
released returned here and tried unsuccessfully to get wife back)
  Mother in law filed on son in law for assault, said he hit her in head with 
old exhaust pipe, man advised this not correct she just hit the ground hard..
Mrs. Grace Carroll and Mrs. Sheen, school nurse most fortunate in escaping 
from vehicle knocked into water in Creek bottom on 75...
  Pistol stolen this Co. recovered Navarro C. when Baby Ruth arrested
playing detective, in past found this weapon in vehicle of man arrested, fired 
into tree until thought empty, later fooling with it outside jail found it wasn’t 
when nearly shot my foot off.
  US 287 closed after river water got out during week. Mr. Howard Watson 
brought .32 cal. Colt automatic pistol by to show, said it given to Bill Boyd 
by Gen. Eisenhower shortly after the Normandy invasion as a gift. Hope this 
will end up in Co. Museum.
  County Treasurer Pat Wood presented for payment a $1 and $2 Freestone 
Co. note issued in l862 to bear l0% interest by man from Beaumont
 which would have been bad if had to pay it.
                               ***
             Grandpa’s Report
 ...
  Final rites for friend and longtime Robertson Co. Sheriff Lee Scott Hurley, 
he and friend Sheriff Sonny Elliott both ran “Booger Co.” the old fashioned 
way. Also learned of the death of Leon Co. Deputy James “Nubbin” 
Eldridge, made lots of tracks around Oakwood with he and Sheriff Wilson.
Chief Deputy Charles Nicholson raised in Robertson Co, also good friends
With Sheriff Hurley.
  Had dinner with Cousin Forrest Green who served in China in WWII
in the Air Force Flying Tigers as a fighter pilot, JR scheduled to go to China 
in 2008 while in West Point and wanted information from Forrest. James, 
Ken, Kyle, Kim and I joined them for pleasant and informative visit.
  ...