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

SHERIFF W. F. CONWAY

  In my 36 years as Sheriff and lifetime around law enforcement I have 
known many good ones and some bad ones. Fancy educations and such 
don’t necessarily make better or good peace officers. One of the best all 
around known was a West Texas cowboy W.F. Conway with nick name 
Hound Dog as had reputation of never getting on a trail, he never gave up.
I had several experiences with him as Montague Co. Sheriff; the one best 
remembered concerned an attempted robbery that ended in murder of the 
victim in Freestone Co. 
  When finally got information on the suspect nearly ten years after occurred 
that he from Fort Worth area. Chief Nicholson and I spent several 
unsuccessful days in the area. Suspect had a short criminal history but hadn’t 
been arrested in years Once handled by Sheriff Conway I called and asked if 
he knew where he might be, said knew him well and he somewhere around 
North Town in Fort Worth. North Town where the Cattle Exchange and 
large packing plants located but now a slum type are and very rough. Hound 
Dog had us meet him at the Tarrant Co. Sheriffs Office where he well 
known.
  Chief Nicholson and I met him and then toured North Town asking every 
prostitute, wino and street people about our suspect Mr. Brown after many 
hours and experiences we finally talked to man on street who knew him 
well, said he took his wife. We got enough information that led us to Mr. 
Brown several hours later in a local bar. We were at the Sheriffs Office 
when learned Mr. Brown had just come in. Hound Dog knew where the bar
located and I rode with him with Chief Nicholson trying to follow. We 
would have been more at home out on the range somewhere as we drove 
down one way streets the wrong way and at speeds you wouldn’t believe.
I had never seen Mr. Brown before but recognized him from a sketch the 
Rangers made, he was sitting on a bar stool with a drink and I walked up to 
him and told him “Mr. Brown you under arrest for murder” without batting 
an eye he looked at me and asked “Which One”`. We returned to Freestone 
Co. with Mr. Brown where he was tried and convicted and died while still in 
the pen I doubt he would ever have been located without Sheriff Conway. 
Brown a professional cowboy once had a Wild West show and was a friend 
of Mexia horseman Mano Miles, he got me to call and see if he would make 
his bond, Mano said they had been friends but not that good. 
  Sheriff Conway had little formal education but one of best peace officers 
ever known. He was responsible for serial killer Henry Lee Lucas arrest on 
the first case with the murder of an elderly woman in Montague Co. Henry 
Lucas had a niece that ran with him and his buddy who ended up killing her, 
later when they saw each other for the first time after Becky’s death the 
friend concerned about how Henry Lucas feel remarked he was sorry about 
Becky which Henry Lucas responded “Oh that’s alright everybody got to die 
some time”. In l983 Sheriff Conway was named Lawman of the Year by the 
Sheriffs Assn of Texas and it well deserved. I am proud to have known 
Hound Dog and called him friend.
                                      ***
         From The Original Sheriffs Report l970-71
Oakwood on woman advising she been assaulted, reached conclusion if she 
had been she needed it. Brother of man in Jail called, he misunderstood 
where he said and made trip to Littlefield. Prisoner digging hole in old Jail 
wall given chance to repent, he ain’t had nothing else to do for last week. 
  Wortham Police reported breaking the wife’s leg last week, also cited 
driver for “Fairfield Turn” on Main St., once visiting old Jail and watching 
traffic at Post Office said he would like to work traffic here just one day, 
told him that as long as he last.
  Visit from former Limestone Co. Deputy Tex King who has distinction of 
putting his own wife in Jail although lots of us would like too sometimes. 
Two 13 year old runaway Dallas girls made it to town; each stole a bicycle, 
and then broke in concessions stand a drive in movie taking gun, candy, 
cigarettes.
  Dedication of Railroad Museum in Teague with lots of participation by 
switch engines and trains during ceremonies. Large tank truck loaded with 
sulfur left on strip between old 75 and I45 construction when quit running
creating hazard. 
  Big Bueford got him 3 Dallas duded down trying to do pigeon dropping, 
others in area taken for cash earlier, jailed. Missing Minnesota truck found 
parked Dew truck stop. Youth that destroyed his grandfathers home 
committed and delivered to Rusk Mental Hospital.
                                      ***
             Grandpa’s Report
  Ranks of my fellow Sheriff friends getting thinner. Recently lost a true 
character Ochiltree County Sheriff Joe Hataway who at one time had the 
only alligator in the Panhandle which he kept in the bathtub until Yvonne 
made him get rid of it. Also learned of deaths of former Anderson Co.
Sheriff Charlie Jenkins and Llano Co. Sheriff Gail Ligon, both whom went 
in office the same time I did; also El Paso Co. Sheriff Leo Samaneigo.
  Cooper and Sara started baseball practice, James coaching Sara’s team, 
Ken going to help when he can. Kali not getting to play much at Hill 
College, problem with her arm. JR back from West Point trip to China trying 
to catch up with school work.
  Ken, Tina, Kenzie and Devin to big car races, I fed show goats for them, 
James, Cooper and Sara wetting hook at fishing pond joined by Hammond, 
Daniel, Jacob, Nathaniel, Samuel, Jeremy and Abigail, now this a real show. 
Its gotta be a fast fish to get on Jeremy’s hook, Abigail loved to reel hers in 
to see if anything on it.