FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS SHERIFF 1965-2001 BATTLE OF THE BULGE Although I didn’t participate in this I have always felt I probably would have if had gone into the Army instead of the Navy and the Pacific. I had many friends who were. This was a surprise to the Allies and occurred in terrible winter weather with few of our troops having proper clothing or training, many suffered from frost bitten feet there and the rest of their lives. Troops with no combat training thrown into with very high casualties. In Woodland Cemetery many WWII veterans are buried, the only one known whose disinterred body buried here lost his life in this battle. Ernest Orville Payne born 8/31/25 to Charlie and Mae Bryson Payne in Streetman. His siblings were Bonnie, Tiny, Jimmie, Vallie, Nancy, Doris, Billy, Fred and Frank. This information was submitted by Billy. His maternal grandparents Rev. Billie Bert Payne and Addie Bryson. Paternal grand parents were Elisha Foster and Maybelle Payne. He attended school in Streetman, Wortham and Mexia where he graduated in l943. While in High School he joined the Texas State Guard, he also enlisted in the Army before graduating. While waiting to be called he delivered ice in a horse drawn wagon. Inducted in Nov. 1943 at Camp Walters, Texas and transferred to Camp Blanding, Fla. After 17 weeks of combat training he was transferred to Fort Benning, Ga. For more training as a paratrooper and high explosives. After a leave home sent to Fort Bragg, N.C., and then went to England arriving on his 19th birthday in June 1944. Assigned to the l0lst Airborne Div.506 Parachute Infantry Regiment. After a few weeks of advanced training, the Airborne Troops of the British and American forces jumped from planes in an effort to capture several bridges across the Rhine River. Several days later the British tank units replaced the paratroopers The only comment through the censored mail was he landed in a farmer’s turnip patch near the Remagun Bridge. On Dec. l6th, l944 the Germans launched a massive surprise attack on the lowland area near the Rhine River. (Many thought the war virtually over) Eisenhower ordered the paratroopers back into combat to support infantry and tank divisions in the lowlands of Belgium. Paratroopers moved north to support the l04th Infantry. The Germans attacked on Dec. l6th spreading halfway across Belgium. The 506th Regiment dug in around Bastonge to defend its crossroads supply and transportation depot beginning on Dec. 27th. Paratroopers were in place. Germans were attacking Bastonge a shell from a 88 mm cannon exploded killing Pvt. Orville O. Payne. This battle is known as the Battle of the Bulge. It was the same day Gen. Patton’s 3rd Army broke through the German lines and through the German pressure on The American Troops. The battle for the lowlands was effectively over, but Pvt. Payne was buried at Verdun, France at the American Military Cemetery. Three years later his body was disinterred and returned home for burial with full military honors at the Woodland Cemetery near Kirvin, Tex. *** “Will Rogers and Rufus King in Teague l93l” From the B-RI Railroad Collection Calendar “In l931, paying his own expenses, Rogers organized a tour with Chet (Chester A.) Byers, Jimmie Rogers and the Revelers singing group to 50 different cities. Their goal was to assist the Red Cross’s efforts to feed the hungry in drought ravaged Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. They performed in fifty towns and cities in eighteen days and raised $221, l94.00. B-RI RAILROAD MUSEUM COLLECTION (Guess history does repeat itself). *** From the Original Sheriffs Report l972 Man filed on for chicken theft, this now an unusual case which common in past. Drunk woman jailed who released to nephew to take home, call shortly after she done shot at him couple of times and been put out at mans house who now calling to come get her, jailed and held. Found out what real togetherness really is, couple had one set of false teeth both used. Big Bueford Levelland burglary suspect who denying any knowledge until Bueford showed up with him confessing as heard he didn’t like liars. Lady in joining County received threatening phone call, became very frightened and scared to depart out front door, tried to leave by rear window but couldn’t get out or get back in, neighbors had to come to rescue. Jail trusty worried about what going to happen for ordering books thru he mail he couldn’t pay for, advised him one thing about it he couldn’t be put in Jail. Man in wanting to file criminal charges on girl friend he caught VD from. Financed set of guitar strings for trusty so could serenade other prisoners Recent screw worm cases brought out old time stories about some having the ability to talk worms out of wounds, this method could only be transferred from member of one sex to member of other sex and of no blood kin (never tried it personally). Long distance call from man concerned about Aunt Mandy who been missing couple of years, advised he a strong believer in voodoo and African Magic as Aunt Mandy cured him of cancer diagnosed by doctors as incurable many years ago. Man also inquired if we knew how she left, advised did not, he then advised we never would as she left on her Broom. Sunday afternoon dedication of Texas Historical Marker at Oak Island Presbyterian Church and Cemetery, the first organized in Freestone Co. started l847. Also open house at Teague’s new Teague Railroad Museum. Teague’s new hospital also dedicated same afternoon.