FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS
SHERIFF 1965-2001

BOYD LODGE II
UNCLE ROE ADAMS

  During it’s hey days at the Boyd Lodge Bill and Gertye had many various 
types of entertainment. One used often was an elderly black man born into 
slavery who seemingly could spin tales comparable to Uncle Remus and the 
Briar patch. Bill Boyd loved to entertain high ranking guests from the North 
with Uncle Roe who professed to be 113 years old at his death came to 
Texas as a slave with the Adams family before the War for Southern 
Independence. In later years he claimed to have been General Sam 
Houston’s body servant if true could have only been when Houston here in 
Governor’s race. During the Texas Centennial Celebration in Dallas he was
promoted as the oldest lining black in the State.
  Uncle Roe is said to like his drinks and really spin wild tales of early Texas
for the listeners. He often dressed in formal dress-tails and top hat and 
consumed sometimes a gallon of white lightning. Once Mr. Boyd reportedly 
flew him to New York with him while he was drunk. Roger Steward told of 
taking him to big functions in the Baker and Adolphus Hotels in top hat and 
tails where he told tales and entertained the big shots. He also involved in 
corn whisky operations mostly as a lookout and would shoot his gun in the 
air if the law seen. One friend said he told him he helped bury one of the Val 
Verde cannons in the cellar of the old Peck house and it very hard digging.
  Very active until his death and burial in Jerusalem Cemetery with blacks 
and whites in attendance including a Time magazine correspondent. ‘He sho 
could do the shuffle good “ said one of his longtime friends, turning a 
brown, tear  stained cheek away from the grave, but Adams wont be doing 
the shuffle no more. Some described him as one of a kind. 
                               ***
    From Original Sheriffs Report 1971
   Called to restaurant on fight, found to be more mouthing than fighting. All 
left happy.
  Judge Young death inquest on Mexican national in country illegally, buried 
in local cemetery when family unable to return body to Mexico for burial.
  Local police character shot again this week in same town for third time in 
year; believe I would seek new pastures.
 Most excitement in Streetman in some time with Milner Drug burglarized 
and then foot race around town with Ernest Bonner in pursuit with coke 
bottle of dude he caught in his cash register, pursued man began shucking 
the stolen money hoping this stop the chase but only speeded Ernest up, 
subjects got away in car but arrested on I45 construction where they 
employed.
  Ivy Feed Store burglarized while closed during noon hour, arrested short 
time later in pool hall, shoes held as evidence as left some beautiful tracks.
  County patrol car laid down with me after 109,000 troublesome miles; used 
my personal pickup until got new one and equipment installed.
  Delivered two way radio donated by Mr. B.G. Capps to Walker Funeral 
Home for their ambulance for emergency use.
  Search at night for missing wife by desperate husband left with 5 little 
one’s at home, located and all well shortly.
  Man set for trial on Friday before Judge Bennett came in on Thursday so 
wouldn’t be late.
  Checked new grave report behind old house, found to be work of energetic 
fisherman digging worms.
  Deputy called to scene where mother of four small children dead in bed 
from beating by irate live in husband, charged with murder later received 
one year suspended sentence. (This was done by a County Attorney before 
Gage and without my knowledge at the time or the victims family, the 
husband was never seen again in this area). 
                                                ***
                    Grandpa’s Report
   Pursell’s back in Wortham after extended Colorado visit with son James 
and family.
  Historical Comm. meeting with lifelong railroad man Bobby Fulcher 
speaker on railroad life, enjoyable and greatly appreciated. Bobby and
 Bonnie now living the rural life at Shanks sometimes called Nip N Tuck
as my mother and her parents did over 100 years ago.