`FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS SHERIFF 1965-2001 LOCAL RECREATION DURING WWII For those waiting to go into military service during the War years quite different from today. This was before television; radios were available if you had access to one. We had one at home that originally operated on batteries that were kept up with a Wind Charger on top of the house which a little windmill. Operating time was usually the news and special programs There probably more night life in Fairfield than most small towns due to US 75 with cafes and service stations that stayed open 24 hours a day. Most of the cafes had marble machines you could play if you had a nickel, if you were good you could win free games the machines tilted very easy Cold drinks were still 5 cents, a malt or milk shake would cost more, up to 20 cents. You could get an ice cream cone or candy bar for a nickel. There were juke boxes that cost a nickel for a song or six for a quarter. Hamburgers ranged from 10 cents to about a quarter. All this depended if you had a little extra change, many didn’t Day labor ran $1 up, these at least 10 hour days. During the War they promoted growing potatoes with some planted in Freestone Co. A potato buyer came and set a buying operation one summer. He hires me and several other local boys, we received 50 cents an hour ($5 a day) which many men with families would have liked to have had. We thought we would never see another broke. I remember some of us going after work to Sambo Daniels little café eating chili or hamburgers. Today they talk about nothing for kids to do, there really wasn’t much but we didn’t know any better. None of us had vehicles, some occasionally had access to the family car but most received about 2 gallons a. week rationing so you didn’t go far. Nearly weekly professional wrestlers (all riding together traveling from Houston to Dallas or such.) stopped at the cafes or service stations. At this time they traveled together but in the ring the blood would flow. Many of u went to Dallas to the old Sportatorium to see them perform. Beer was sold there and sometimes the crowds got rowdy with fights and beer bottles thrown. Between the fans and the wrestlers which sometimes better than the main events. We always hitch hiked or rode with someone we knew and usually back home in wee hours. On special occasions we would stay at one of the cheap hotels on Main St. In rooms I think costing $1.00 some slept on the floor. We got on first name basis with some of the black bellhops, if time permitted there might be a crap game. The last time I remember staying here one of our group came with a pair of (Capped) crooked dice with things going great, even winning one’s Zoot Suit before they discovered what going on, don’t remember how the others left but I went out the window onto the overhang and dropped to the sidewalk departing hastily. We weren’t bothered with any baggage as never carried any. The only thing left were the dice. I had odd jobs at times; one was for Algie Stroud at the Ford place which was mostly repair on the existing cars as most built going to the military. Here John Y. Bonner became lifelong friend and helped educate me a little. There was seldom a day a large military convoy of some kind didn’t pass thru on US84, most going east for Europe. *** From the Original Sheriffs Report l973 Teague City Marshall Blakeley and Night Watchman Hardy lucked into drugstore burglary, one jailed, other left in hail of bullets from Hardy’s pistol. Night deputy asked if alright to take Jail Trusty with him on rounds, advised it alright as long as didn’t drive. District Clerk received Writ from man convicted here of murder of Mills Co. Deputy and shooting of Sheriff in late l950’s while being transported to pen thru this County. Asked for new trial on grounds of not receiving a fair trial as tried in convicts clothes and irons. Deputies to Coffield Unit to assist n search for escaped convict. Two runaways youths from home in Victoria jailed by deputies after call from man who picked them up hitch hiking. Boys pulled hook bill knife and ice pick rubbing them together saying somebody going to buy their breakfast and had good idea who that was. Wortham drugstore burglary with much drugs and other property taken. Letter and newspaper clipping advising we didn’t get all the nuts over here As Collin Co Sheriff soliciting electric light bulbs after prisoner ate them all I experienced this also as did my father in the l940’s. Jailbirds tired of nothing to do requested paint to touch up old Jail which furnished. Advised that Bark the monkey prisoner unhappy when they didn’t bring it a paint brush. Cattle Inspector Newsom informed on having monkey incarcerated came over expecting to see anything but until went upstairs. Shouldn’t have but let him feed Barky after several pleas. Futile search made western Limestone for man who pulled shotgun on another and took his pickup. Reserve Deputy riding with pilot of plane being used became airsick loosing his cookies; way he drives didn’t think anything would bother him. *** Grandpa’ Report Regret loss of longtime friend and Streetman Fire Chief Robert Clark. We go back a long ways, will be missed. Visit with friend Pauline Keys and her pet Rooster Earl, who not too friendly as didn’t know me. Lent me article her husband Jack wrote after WWII service “Wasn’t Bad-But of Course Wasn’t Good” enjoyed as Jack a special friend. Also told Jack involved in The Battle of the Bulge. Joined Happy, Mandy downtown for (dinner to me may be lunch to you) at new restaurant in Mexia where Queen’s bar bq place was originally. Saw lots of friends, kinda like old times when this Kendrick & Horn Drug Store and parking space scarce James and Sara to Nocona for Little Dribbler Finals didn’t bring any trophies home but had great time. Cooper having good games on Wortham Varsity, hog lawed Hubbard and Coolidge twice, also Abbott but taken by Dawson and Bosqueville. Devin getting snaggled toothed, Kenzie and Devin with Wortham Band to Waco deal, Boys instructed needed to wear ties, if didn’t have one Mr. Farris did. Fred topping thistle south of house helped by 20 or more Barn Swallows that raise in our garage and think it theirs, they are messy little toots but fun to watch and keep the insects down, seldom even hear a mosquito. Joined by about l00 cow birds all after bugs stirred up by shredder Tina with Kenzie and Devin to see the King Tut exhibition, came back impressed. Proud to have news of an Otter seen in area lake. Hope there more in area, all I have ever seen were in zoos, they very playful and fun to watch. Been told in early days they common in area rivers. Phone call from friend, former and Teague business man Dick Lawrence after column on Battle of the Bulge which in the same Division with Berlin Compton but didn’t know him Also copy of letter of another member of the 86th.