FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS SHERIFF 1965-2001 GALVESTON ISLAND Recent destruction of Galveston Island by Hurricane “Ike” brought to mind many things on this place and its history. In the l900 storm which is still the largest natural disaster in our country’s history in loss of lives. My deceased friend Jack Alexander and Teague native had old newspaper articles concerning this as his father who working for the railroad was appointed the terrible task of what to do with the victims body’s because of the health and other factors. The bodies had been carried out to sea but brought back in by the tides. Burial space was limited but this mostly used with mass graves. Galveston returned with the sea wall built and for many years very prosperous with families like the Moody’s (his wife a Fairfield Bradley) who very big in cotton shipping and insurance, friend Sheriff Joe Max Taylor retired from this as very involved. Galveston an early shipping point, I have been told this where my great -great grandmother Sessions, her son G.A. Sessions and a half brother first came to Texas from Alabama in the mid l840’s. They went from here to Polk Co. (now San Jacinto) where the mother and one son died with G.A. Sessions coming to Freestone in l848. I made several trips to Galveston with my father Sheriff Jim Sessions before WWII to get prisoners and such. A few weeks before Pearl Harbor I went with him, we spent much of the day with longtime Galveston Co. Sheriff Frank Biaggne the first President of the National Sheriff’s Assn. who gave us a tour of the Island and pointed out freighters in Galveston Bay loaded with scrap iron being transported to Japan and told us they be shooting it back at us which true (this my first knowledge of the coming war). Sheriff Biaggne also took us to Ringling Bros/ Barnum and Bailey Circus which in town to see the famous Gorilla “Gargantua”. Later when Sen. Kefauver came to town with his criminal investigative committee he asked the Sheriff why the Balinese Room noted for its open gambling was not shut down the Sheriff replied it was a private club and he was not a member. There were several illegal gambling casinos operated by the Maceo family the Balinese Room and Turf Club. The Balinese Room extended out into the Gulf of Mexico from the seawall, well guarded and if the place raided the band would start playing the Eye’s of Texas immediately as a warning. After Will Wilson elected Attorney General and thinking of higher office the heat was on DPS to close them down. Ranger Captain Clint Peoples headed this up and told me about he and his wife Donna’s experiences and activities. Not much of a gambler personally visited the Balinese Ballroom but not the gaming part. Did visit the Turf Club and gamble a little but never really felt safe there. Mary Grace Lott Dent told of favors the Maceo family did for she and her husband who pastored large church here many years. The Balinese and other businesses on the seawall having survived storms in the past didn’t make it thru this one, The Balinese Room sported the biggest names in show business at the time including Gene Autry, Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Duke Ellington, Phil Harris, Guy Lombardo, Groucho Marx, Mel Torme, Bob Hope and Chairman of the Board Frank Sinatra. In later years Galveston worked to become a place for families, we came here with our children then grandchildren. I hope it can return to this as had many interesting things to do. The free ferry ride to Bolivar, Moody Gardens, War Planes Museum, the WWII submarine. This where Kyle and JR received some of their worldly education, bungee dropping from tall tower, swimming and sports in salt water, catching crabs without getting bitten and much more. They also shopped at very large surplus store for used military clothing and gear. I am told all this is gone today. *** From Original Sheriffs Report l970 Dallas PS Captain Will Fritz who headed up Kennedy assignation investigation retiring. Call from him few years back regarding search for murder weapon used in Dallas bank robbery, branch off County road off US75 search made and located under several inches of silt. Anderson Co. THP Dean Eckhart formerly from Wortham in with DWI, also suspended drivers license. Deputy King narrowly missed when locking down Jail one night by horse shoe that put up to keep spooks away. Deputy took couple trusties home with him for Christmas supper. Teddy Bear reported seeing Santa Clause going thru, also found fully decorated Xmas tree in Middle old 75 but no presents. Letter from serviceman stationed over seas saying he and buddies enjoyed this article. Death of McLennan Co. Sheriff Maxey other recent one’s Sheriff Decker of Dallas Co. and Sheriff Kern of Harris Co. brought end to era of our older longtime Sheriffs. Fats, Lo’s and Dan’s joints all burglarized during week. Creeks and other streams full of sand bass from Lake Livingston dying due to loss of oxygen. DWI jailed by THP took guitar away from other prisoner and on top of bunk serenading others. Woman who been married 29 years to man in with complaint another woman meddling her by going off with husband all the time.. Leon Co. Sheriff Wilson to Lock and Dam on fishermen with lines tangled and them too. Youth hitch hiking thru area bought and paid cash for car from subjects who picked him up, lost all when put out of car.. Mental tore up Jail, turned water on which flooded down stairs knocked out glass windows.