Freestone Past/Present J.R. “Sonny” SESSIONS More Texas Prison Tracking Dogs In earlier years the Tracking Dogs kept in Huntsville and brought when needed, sometimes they were flown to the scenes. They were flown here after the murder of Constable Bragg and when the young woman murdered at Shanks. The only time I remember them coming was when the Buffalo Bank was robbed in about 1946-47 and the subject walked to Teague and caught a freight train. The first time I called them was when a Dallas man reported being kidnapped and burned with cigarettes and left in the Trinity River bottom off US 287, the dogs unable to find any trail except the so called victims, all turned out to be false as trying to get sympathy from estranged wife, told wild story about subjects saying they enroute to Alabama to kill Gov. Wallace. Henderson and Navarro Co. deputy’s in hot pursuit of burglars, wrecked out I45 and FR 833 and hit Caney Creek bottom woods running, Dogs called in ran both up tree after chewing on them some, they glad to get out of this. Man wanted on Mexia murder seen in area, located in FR 27 highway culvert, known personally said coming to me to give up. Most of Coffield escapees ran this way using lights on smoke stacks at TU plant for guide. Also a low water crossing built to haul iron ore gravel for Coffield roads probably helped. When young Mexia policeman shot by burglars in flight they wrecked out just north of Wortham and went in different directions, one seen in Coolidge area where the Dog Sgt. Known asked me to lead them to an area no one been in, I led them west of Coolidge where the dogs put out and suspect arrested about 100 yards away hiding in Johnson Grass. DPS in pursuit of fleeing subject west of Teague on US 84 nearly ended in tragedy with suspect pulling into homes driveway and thought gone into house, in all the confusion a shot was fired and the officers fixing to shoot into house, I personally knew the family and called them on phone learning there no one there but the family, suspect left going west, the dogs were able to trail a couple of miles then loosing. The chase finally called off and all left scene but myself and new Coffield Warden, I had parked in the highway ditch that slick and asked Warden to help me get out, he drove of after telling me he didn’t pull anybody in a State vehicle. Rev. Dewey Morgan heard about this and the Warden removed. There many other times the dogs used as some escapees made it into Fairfield, one walking north found a late model pickup left in a pasture by Deputy James Gregory and seen driving it to Dallas. Dallas Sheriffs Office contacted and located it abounded before it stripped. The longest went of for several days due to well made plans of escapee, TDC policy was to stay where last known until confirmed they no longer there, subject hiding near the TU plant finally made mistake of using phone left active in abandoned church Some years ago a pair of escaping convicts crossed the River, stole a large construction co. truck at the TU plant, two people were seen in the truck which later abandoned. Some months later THP Jim Kellum fishing on the River found remains identified as one of the escapees. It was speculated he was trying to return to the prison and drowned. The other was later arrested out of state and killed in an airplane returning him, we never knew exactly what happened to man in the river. . *** Original Sheriffs Report 1969 Man with drinking and mental problems whom I got tired of hauling to Rusk, took under my wing and carried him home with me about l8 months ago moved out rather than comply with restrictions necessary to keep straight. (I tried numerous times to help many like him with very little success). Radio alert put out by Corsicana PD about man traveling south on I45 shooting at cars. Eight year old son James Carter with me and nowhere to leave, at US 75 and 833 the shooter arrived with THP Parrish following, I fell in behind them, a few miles ahead a road block been set up stopping all, the man loaded his gun again and stepped out pointing at us. THP Parish and I returned his fire ending the conflict. (I would not do this again with James or any child with me). Assault to murder filed after stobbing at Momma’ Reds joint. Week long watch at gas distillate well paid off late Sunday night, large amounts of fuel been taken lately, hard sitting in dark in remote area and watch thefts till ready to arrest. Man jailed late night after requesting before got into more trouble. Woman requested written permission for friend man to visit once in a while, granted orally. Little dog beside road jailed till happy owner located... Man jailed who walked into City Marshall Blakeley’s office pulling new pistol saying he going to give him some of it, pistol discharged while being taken away from man *** Grandpa’s Report Joined Grandma taking Happy Savage to Fairfield History Club 2nd Monday monthly luncheon. If haven’t attended this affair you are missing a treat, don’t know anywhere else you can be served a gourmet dinner by local ladies at the historic Moody-Bradley House for $10 any profit is used in restoring the house. Call 903 389-7008 and make your reservations. Tony Millers Cross Country racing near Wortham a big success, not familiar with all that goes on, but it was big, big by our standards. Will be coming back for next several years. Located just across big creek from our property, at night looked like big city there, Jan Harrison of Mexia and Waco presented program to Freestone Co. Historical Comm. on early gambling cheating ways. If haven’t seen this and ever have the opportunity I think any age would profit by it, not only entertaining and educational but enjoyable with Jan especially. Thanks again Jan for this and past programs. Jan well versed in the Old West and at one time had large museum of such. ...