FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J.R. “Sonny” Sessions

            Tom Chandler, Japanese Prisoner of War
  Tom a native of the Streetman area whom I did not know until after the 
war and he returned and married Sara Sims. The Sims a special family to me 
as a close friend to her brother J.S whom fatally injured in a vehicle roll over 
while we attending Navarro College in its early years
  Tom joined the Army Air Force, reported for duty in the Philippines shortly 
before Pearl Harbor. On Dec. 8th the Japanese virtually wiped out the US Air 
Forces. Chandler ended up in the Infantry fighting to hold Bataan where he 
was wounded and captured and wounded again as a POW when American 
planes bombed the Japanese.
  Much of this came from an article in the Dallas News in 1991 by Jim 
Wright who received his information from Tom’s sister Mary Mc Cann. 
Tom had secretly kept a homemade diary during some of his time as a 
prisoner. Although he suffered from malaria and inhumane treatment he 
managed to record much of it written on the margins and back of a letter 
from his mother written in June 1943.
  When the POW camp in Japan was liberated an LST carried him and other 
survivors out to a hospital ship. Tom suddenly decided to toss the homemade 
diary into the sea but the wind caught carried it back into the LST alongside. 
Found by a young sailor from Illinois, Leslie Millard. Seaman Millard 
picked it up, did not recognize any of the names on it, or who had written it 
but tucked it away to read later. “Later” turned out to be 45 years later when 
Millard going thru old snapshots and memories stuff from his sailor days 
found the tattered, dog eared –diary of some unknown young POW survivor 
from Streetman, Texas. He told his son, Alan “I’m going to try and find this 
family.” With the help of Jimmie Jenkins the postmistress in Streetman and 
Tom’s sister Mary he did. The family had moved to Dallas after the war and 
returned after four decades to Streetman. Angus Kent McGilvary of 
Streetman remembered he was Mary McCann’s brother and put former 
Seaman Millard in touch with the family.
  Jim Wright wrote that reading Mrs. Chandler’s brief letter, written in June 
1943, you understand how Tom survived the horrors of Bataan, the death 
march and all that followed.
  Tom returned to Texas, went back to school, got his degree at Baylor and 
worked 28 years for the Republic National Bank in Dallas, retiring as vice 
president in 1980. He and Sara bought land north of Wortham before his 
death. Sara still own this property. Tom’s sister Mary     
McCann told Jim Wright he was just a kid during his terrible times, Jim 
wrote “yep that’s the sort of folks who fought our wars then. And also now 
which too true. I am proud to have known Tom Chandler.
***
Past Original Sheriffs Report 1970
   Man at truck stop jailed, on hood of truckers Mack trying to pull the 
“Bulldog “ off, seeing boogers he knocked out jail windows, destroyed 
mattress, bunks and plumbing. Wortham police so busy taking care of other 
folks business he neglecting his’n, someone stole one of his dogs which 
probably more dangerous than taking his calves.
  More than 125 attended annual Sheriffs and Emergency Corps dinner. 
Officers from Anderson, Navarro, Leon and Limestone Counties in 
attendance.
Recognition given officers, also Condia Robertson, Lyle Red and Constable 
Kirgan for the Trinity River Expedition, while searching for missing woman 
“Aunt Mandy” and causing the Emergency Corps to search for the 
Emergency Corps. Coffield Prison, Dog Sgt. Ballard present and bringing 
greetings from his Dog Boy King who invited but unable to attend due to  
big tall fence and guards.
  Long time friend and peace officer Dave Claridge over from Mexia PD for 
the dinner asked if I remembered this day Dec. 7th back in 1941 when the 
news told of Japan bombing Pearl Harbor. Surprised him when I did as we 
were involved in a moon shine whisky still deal in eastern part of the County 
with my father, Federal Agent Watson, Deputies Homer Robertson and Dick 
Keaton along with school chum Roger David Steward and Constable 
Claridge.
  Notice from Board of Pardons and Paroles that man in pen last 32 years on 
armed robbery in this County up for parole. Jury summonsed for duty 
showed up to find it postponed, found this jury business the most abused 
privilege lawyers have (and still is). Lunch at Sam’s for President of 
Industrial Corp. 
                                       ***
                      Grandpa’s Report
  … 
  Grand Opening of the Barbara and Neil Bass Wing at the Freestone Co. 
Historical Museum last Saturday with lots of activities. I didn’t get to tour 
this fine new facility but intend to return soon. This a very gracious thing
done by the Bass family as both have deep Freestone Co. roots.