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

ANNIE BUCHANNAN
                                         Fortune Teller-Spiritualist
  Most of my life have been told of the predictions and fortune telling feats 
of this lady. I don’t think I ever met or had any business with though my 
mother had stories concerning her and her picture sure looks familiar. The 
stories of all varied and usually positive. Recently her name came up in 
stories I involved in at the time.
  My interest increased with a Black History Story in the Navarro County 
Times by Stephen R. Farris which only increased it. His information told she 
was born near Mexia in l892, the attending doctor from Groesbeck deemed 
her a "clairvoyant” as she was born with a full set of teeth. It is told at age
 5, she accurately predicted an ice storm that hit in September l900.  She was 
kicked out of school by reading the palm of another student at age 8 and 
never went back.
  In the l920’s her fortune telling business was booming. For $2 she would 
read anyone’s fortune but there one rule she enforced, if you were a female 
you never wore pants to see her. During the Mexia oil boom her reputation 
grew. Mexia oil magnate Colonel Humphries’s first well drilled on property 
Miss Anne told him about with many more after that. Oil barons would knock on 
her door for consultation. Col. Humphries built Miss Annie a home on South Hill 
for her help. It was rumored that Howard Hughes Sr. who active in the Mexia and 
Wortham fields consulted Miss Annie before wells drilled for oil. Many 
Wildcatters wouldn’t drill before counseling first.
  Annie Buchanan known for her sharing the wealth, paying off the mortgage 
on a school. She funded and established at least seven different churches 
including Smith Chapel in Wortham. Miss Annie belonged to various organizations, 
one the Magnolia Chapter #42 O.E.S. [Order of Eastern Star] in Corsicana which 
her mother also belonged. I was pleased to learn she was neighbor and friends to 
my longtime friends Aaron (Little Butch who was Annie’s step grandson as Anne 
once married to Rev. Richard Butcher his father) and Cathelyn Butcher.
  Cathelyn Butcher gave me information concerning Annie Buchanan and a 
copy of information on Annie written by Patricia A. Barton “Remembering 
Mama Annie “which told of living near Annie and their experiences. She 
told of Annie’s day starting with prayer, sometimes this could be heard 
several blocks away Although Annie could not read or write she could earn 
and count her money.
  There so many stories I could go on and on as she a remarkable person. Her 
praying, shouting, predictions all well known. Married eight times and at her 
death she was buried in Grove Island [African Methodist Episcopal] Cemetery 
(located on FR 1365 west of Teague) next to her favorite husband Clark West. 
Visiting with Kenneth Busby who told me he at the church service at Smith Chapel 
Primitive Baptist Church when Annie fell over dead after finishing a prayer. He 
told of being just a youngster and how much it frightened him.
  Annie Buchanan West was only 70 years old at her death in l962
but left quite a legacy. The only other fortune tellers personally involved 
with was Big Rose Walker in Kirvin and Andra Cyrus at Beulah. Rose was 
more commercial and Andra just trying to feed a large family.  
                                            ***

             From the original Sheriffs Report l972
   Reserve Deputies received delivery of new Patrol Car which will be
fully equipped and used with one already owned for police work in City
of Fairfield. These vehicles are bought and operated with no cost to the 
County.
  Deputy Teddy Bear completed Police Academy in Waco with flying colors. 
Had to make him go every day as thought he couldn’t do it. Messed up his 
taxi business as been back three nights and no calls.
  Woman driving 95 mph in heavy fog stopped by THP Asked why going so 
fast advised it hard to see and she hurrying to get out of it.
  Outbreak of screw worms put everybody in cattle business back to work, 
old ponies being used more too.
  DWI jailed had Bible on seat and bottle of booze under seat.
  Witnessed tragedy on 75 with 12 year old boy fatally injured when rode 
bike into path of oncoming car.
  Called to Streetman by woman who jumped in car when arrived, loaded up 
some of her stuff and carried to brother in Winkler area, call from him next 
day to come get and take somewhere else.
  Pickup stolen Nor Gas found Hillsboro where traded for another stolen. 
Subject picked up by Dallas PD found to be same man we sent top pen in 
l969. Discharged after 34 months, next day broke in business here and stole 
PU and safe from building which located in remote area of Trinity River 
bottom .land (sent to pen again and when released did same thing here 
again).
  One kept in Jail for Wortham Police after whipping on wife and Bueford 
couldn’t keep as hadn’t had time to repair holes made in his coop when 
friends broke one out last week.
  Prisoner in custody of three deputies nearly got away who too busy 
watching cutie in teeny weenie bikini
  Two young local girls reported as runaways wearing bathing suits only, just 
traveling light.
  Prisoner’s girl friend by Jail for visit wanted to take him home with her for 
two or three days.
  Still have some chicken thieves, two crates stolen off loaded truck parked 
at unauthorized house while on way to market.
  Family desertion complaint on man advised he working nights got mad and 
left after asked wife to put kids outside to play and she refused.
                                              ***
  March Historical meeting had change of programs Gene Neal scheduled 
but postponed due to conflict and will be rescheduled later. Longtime friend 
Jackie French and Ned Burns presented information on the Veterans 
Remembrance Park in Teague which if you haven’t seen it lately very 
impressive. This in memory of all Veterans, recent and past and is not 
restricted to just Freestone Co. Veterans. There are ways veterans can be 
honored with inscribed bricks or even granite benches. I encourage any with 
family veterans or friends to participate. For more information the Veterans 
Remembrance Park, mailing address is Rt.1, Box 51, Teague 75860 (or 
website –www.vrpt net).  Located on west side of Teague Hospital on US 
84.
  The April meeting will be Tuesday April 7, 2009 at 7:30 pm (due to time 
change) at the Training Center on US 84. Frances Collier will present 
program on travel to Europe & Russia. All are invited and encouraged to 
attend.
***

Grandpa’s Report                                                  

  Grandson Kyle and his uncle Denny gone into the bucking bull business 
told me they training it with a “dummy” told him that fine as long as he 
wasn’t the dummy.
  Found out the computer and internet not infallible, Grandma uses to send  
 to send to local papers with Teague advising they not getting couple weeks, 
hopefully corrected.
  Like to go to Wal-Mart, not to shop as seldom can find what looking for 
but seeing and visiting friends seldom seen, recently saw Barry Moore who a 
Reserve Deputy years ago.
  Sara, Devin and Kenzie participated in Track Meet in Rice. Sara and 
Kenzie said they did good. Devin said they didn’t, as took best runners and 
put in older group. Cooper playing school baseball. Kali playing soft ball 
with Hill College team.
  Ham’s bunch been sick so stayed away till better. Hammond and Jacob 
recently participated with Civil War Reenactment group