FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS SHERIFF1965-2001 CARTER SESSIONS The following information was presented at the 2009 Woodland Cemetery annual Memorial by Grandson Daniel Sessions. Carter Sessions the only son o f Gus and Martha was born April 22, 1861, at the Sessions Place Woodland community. He attended Woodland Academy for Boys and Trinity University in Tehucana. He married Miss Sallie Virginia Rogers in Fairfield, January 9, 1884. She was the daughter of James Bonner Rogers (Freestone County Sheriff who was murdered in 1872), and Sallie Virginia Tatum Rogers. They moved to Mexia to educate their children and resided there until the children were grown. Then they moved back to Kirvin. Carter Sessions was a large cattle operator in Freestone County having land under lease as far as the Trinity River at one time. He imported steers from Mexico and South Texas shipped them to Fort Worth and Kansas City. He bought train loads of wild mustang ponies and his son James R Sessions, Sr. green broke them and they were sold locally. Carter was in the timber business starting a saw mill, the first business in the town that became North Zulch. Here cross ties were cut for the Trinity Brazos Railroad when the line was built from Houston to Dallas, he was also in the cotton business buying and selling cotton; he owned the cotton yard in Kirvin for a time from which locally grown cotton was shipped to cotton mills. He also owned and operated a mercantile and Farm Equipment Business in Kirvin. Carter Sessions was a financial plunger; he inherited one fortune, made two and died a pauper. His son Jim Sessions bought out the other heirs to his home so his Aunt Lula Rogers and unmarried sister Mattie would have a home. It is said when Carter’s sister Fannie Wortham came he would leave until she left because of his bad decisions. Sallie Rogers Sessions died July 13, 1932, and Carter Sessions died November 24. 1933both died at home and are buried at Woodland. *** From the Original Sheriffs Reports l976 Presented replica of moonshine still from Tennessee displayed in lobby. Looks real enough to put l/2 gal mason jar under spout. Ride back home given woman that reported for jury service and it been cancelled and not notified. Brought suit case prepared to stay. Thief with green finger stole plants from Green Scene. Divorce papers and restraining order issued for husband with wife coming in asking they not be served as he doing ok now. Our juvenile system a joke, one recently sent to detention facility for numerous burglaries let bring his motorcycle, both now long gone. Man carried to hospital after worked on with straight razor by girl friend. Recent warm rains brought out hippy looking college students seeking mind altering mush rooms growing n cow piles. Man held on armed robbery claim8ing to be retired army officer, family advised never been in service but pen 14 years for murder. Pistol used stolen from Alabama security firm. Judge Whatley and deputies out 3am on man dying at deer hunters camp in 15 degree weather Bill’s Drug Store burglary during holidays. Big Bueford had TV antenna stolen from camp house, didn’t bother our coffin though. Theft of expensive Xmas tree from gas well head. Deputy’s to Streetman to assist Constable Cherry with drunks in car. Dude with street name “Red Devil” (fits too) jailed on lawn mower theft, located in Mexia motel all decked out for night on the Beat, spent in jailhouse. Hot spiced apple cider with Henry McCormick’s on cold morning, most enjoyable. New Year (l977) started with ice and bad weather, some bridges and over passes frozen over. Swearing in for 4th term. This operation in bad need of usable vacuum cleaner, anyone having such stuck back in closet and want to donate please contact. Man committed TDC granted pardon by Gov. to attend grand mother’s funeral, deputies picked up Huntsville, took to funeral and back to TDC in aft. Two suspects run on Box by Polygraph Operator Williams, burglary suspect ran clean with charges dropped by Co. Att. Gage, other didn’t fare too well kept saying something wrong with that machine. Received teletype trying to locate man that called daughter and she forgot where he in Jail, *** Grandpa’s Report David’s back in New York City. Katy moved into apartment in Dallas to continue college and starting new job. Daniel busy with schooling at TCIC in Waco and working job at Sam’s. Jacob reports a slow year mowing yards due to weather but surviving. Anna busy with Ballet, recently attended training in Jackson Miss, Others doing their things. Kirven annual Co-Ed soft ball tournament. Lots of activities with eight teams of men and girls. I think Kirven team prevailed but left early due to prospective thunderstorm. Games referred by friend and former Reserve Deputy Harper. Kyle to A&M annual Beef Short Course in College Station, when returned advised the first thing needed to do was draw us up a plan. Grandma and Rebecca to Mexia book review and tea and didn’t even ask Jim and I to go. Kenzie and Devin to some kind of school function nearly every day, football, volleyball and band. Haven’t caught up with Sara to find what she been up too. Cooper strung out on football practice twice daily, missed one day as running fever. Kali getting ready for college in Arkansas in near future. Son Ken and Constable Lynn Clary to Kilgore College for training required. Freestone Co. Historical September meeting at Training Center with interesting and informative information presented by Esther Sims, Executive Director of the Texas Civil War Museum in Fort Worth. She explained there displays equally for the Confederacy and the Union. This was originally in the State Capital in Austin but had to move out. This probably something else we owe George W. and Gov. Perry for. Grandma to Dallas doctor one day.