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

                                       Times Change

  During my 80+ plus years IO have seen many changes and life styles, been 
many areas of the world and every State in the Nation. Still I haven’t 
experienced the changes of my mother’s life when there probably more than 
any time in history. Born near Horn Hill in western Limestone Co. in the 
Nineteenth Century and lived most of her life in Freestone Co  In her early 
years she traveled by buggy, wagon, walked or horseback. With the coming 
of the Railroad her father Dr. Claude Batchelor moved his practice to 
Yeldell, Shanks, Kirven and Teague
  Dr. Batchelor had one of the first cars in their area which she learned to 
drive at an early age. She attended several Confederate Veterans Re-Unions
at Jacks Creek which a fun filled week with her Limestone Co. Grandparents 
traveling by wagon. Spending time with Grandma Sharp she learned many 
things as helped with all including picking the geese for down for mattresses 
and pillows.
  My mother one of first to vote, learn to drive a car and had her own car all 
her life and looking for a new one at the time of her unexpected death in 
l977. Her mother died at an early age and she helped raise her four siblings 
along with five children of her own  She was always busy, said she might 
wear out but never rust out and didn’t. Involved in every civic project and 
church she always in a run. At her death a full page poem written by friend 
Jo Bosley published in the Freestone Co History described her activities-
  Starting during the buggy days she lived to fly on prop airplanes and even 
Jet Flights and traveled to many area by car. Was also very active checking 
and working cattle on her old horse Tony during the screw worm days which 
also changed. She loved and spoiled her grand children terribly. In what 
could take weeks traveling once now could be done in a few hours. In her 
childhood or mine there no computers or TV to entertain or teach, going to 
the moon just a dream. She also witnessed WWI and WWII, Korea and Viet 
Nam.
                                    ***
                           Original Sheriffs Report l969
  Sought and received permission to legally use and deputize Reserve 
Officers. This probably most progressive thing done in years. It saved the 
tax payers more taxes and provided protection until most recent
Administration virtually eliminated.
   Drunk thrown off bus in Streetman jailed after called for ambulance as 
back injured when booted off, got better overnight in our sanitarium. 
Beam of light in western skies found to be coming from Army experiment 
near El Paso. 
  Airport near Teague under construction, tried to involve County without 
success  New deputy involved in search for escaped convict asked prison 
guard whose land he was on, surprised to find it his. DPS problem with 
Harris Co. Special Deputy, reported to Sheriff Buster Kern who advised he 
just became ex deputy.
  Sometimes had problems getting drunks up stairs in old Jail, especially 
women, some times had to be grabbed by nap of the neck and seat of 
britches and thrown in. Visit from South Texas friend wanting jug of what 
Freestone Co. once famous for.
  Deputies Sue and James to Mexia honky tonking, really checking in mother 
of small child in custody suit. Subject picked up for Leon Co. riding with me 
asked if we didn’t know each other, he advised sure did he was the one who 
paid fine for hitting big fat woman in Teague few years back.
  Nip N Tuck theft of six calves raised on bottle. Sheets put on jail mattress 
to make runaway girls stay more pleasant, found in commode after left. 
Yearly dancing took care of at Wortham Homecoming. Double trouble at 
Momma Red’s, two jailed one disturbance, one for shooting at man with 14 
year old girl hit in the eye.
  Inquiry from company considering hiring man just released from pen, 
asked what I would do, advised hire him as knew how to work this in l969-
not today) Man with gallon of whisky operating portable saloon, selling it by 
the shot jailed.
One of our regular lady customers considered moving to Limestone Co. as 
Sheriff there much nicer than we. Two youths confined overnight consuming 
too much, came to town on horses, horse owner contacted advised he wanted 
the horses, we could keep the boys.
  Woman was told she going to jail advised have to wait till she changed her 
underwear due to unexpected necessity. Pleasant Hills annual Assn. meeting 
west of Simsboro, working this an experience. Car/train wreck Freestone 
with two hospitalized.
  Cattle feedlot south of Fairfield hit again, 18 hear this time it was earlier. 
When finally solved thieves carrying cattle straight to Oklahoma City sale.
Thief who took Hubert Reynolds big TV found to be a celebrity; given credit 
for stealing enough meat from Samuels Packers they went bankrupt
  Deputy and couple unwilling assistants to Donie looking for man wanted 
on Fort Worth murder and considered dangerous, been there but gone.
                              Grandpa’s Report                                 
  Lost so many friends lately, usually don’t know about until seen in 
obituaries. Hope I don’t miss too many as there a real story involved with 
each one.  Leslie Welch, Frank Murden, and McKinley (Regular)
Averhart to mention a few. 
  …
  Informative program by Aubrey Childs on his WWII Military service and 
Fairfield’s VFW involvement in civic affairs, it organization has always 
backed the Historical Commission in their endeavors.
The Teague Historical Preservation Society, is having a Steak Dinner for 
two and chance to win $5000.00 for a $100.00 ticket, the dinner will be held 
on Oct. 20th at 6:30 p.m. at the Eighth Avenue Christian Life Center in 
Teague. Tickets may be purchased from any member. Betty Alewine, Marty 
Walker, Ginny Folsom, Jo Nita Cannon and others.



























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