FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS SHERIFF 1965-2001 DONIE GHOST TALES This is the last of the computer ghost tales, unless someone comes up with more that’s it, I never have ever really been into ghost stories. Only time I remember such was as a youth sitting around a fire on a cold night while possum hunting, I don’t remember the stories. I don’t think I have ever heard any of these before. “Donie is just a normal place in the day, but this place has a quite good amount of spirits. Spirits are so usual in this town; many local residents don’t even lose sleep about it anymore. Folks who have never stayed for a few days in this municipality will let you know it’s untrue, but not every one of the residents of Donie are still alive. These are some of the spooky things that have happened here recently. The ghost of a guy having on a police uniform has allegedly been observed on one or two occasions trying to find a picture by Alum Branch. The ghost of an elderly gentleman with a huge gray mustache may ever now and then be perceived guzzling chlorine in Red Hollow at night. Residents here who have witnessed this ghost claim this ghost is the undead spirit of a long forgotten Donie local person. A female with a machete sticking out of her head has regularly been witnessed by Kennedy Dam before sunrise gazing at the water. A local man alleges that this is the ghost of a visitor that was murdered while traveling through Donie some time ago. No matter what folk’s state, it certainly is a creepy ghost that should be left alone. The ghost of a woman with a bag strapped around her head is often witnessed after midnight following a passing vehicle on a shady road right next door to Donie. One thing is for guaranteed; this is an antagonistic phantom that you do not want to encounter late in the night. A somewhat translucent gentleman outfitted as the captain of a fishing boat has been spotted on one or two instances on the water’s edge of Sims Lake grasping a human cranium. *** From The Original Sheriffs Report l972 Man in Jail who spent most of life in pen found to be real jailhouse lawyer, got trusty to file hand written application for examining trial. Then served myself with Writ of Mandamus whose intent was to get into lenient Federal Court for possible later reversal. One of other prisoners impressed with how smart he thought this man to be, asked if so smart why he spent more than 30 years behind bars and fixing to go back, he had to agree to that. Hitch hiker reported given ride by man who sold him the car they in for cash and then left him at local service station without both. Friday night man stopped by THP for DWI pulled pistol on em, jailed on both. Wortham Police called on theft of baby’s tombstone, Buford reported parents been dissenting, one thinks the other got it and probably did. Ex wife of man wanted called wanting to give information on his whereabouts if we guaranteed he would go to pen. Sunday school sponsored hay ride stopped after harassment by youths in pickups, one girl injured by thrown beer can when hit above the eye. Fat’s, Dan’s and Lo’s burglarized with money and cigarettes missing. Western Front to mediate in neighbors stray cattle problems. First Criminal Court held in County Court in many years. Wild reports of Sand Bass in Trinity running north to spawn, many catches and fish stories concerning Richland Creek (this before the Lake built) most found true, creek full of dead fish probably for lack of oxygen. Friend Joe Bailey Ward by for visit, been so long thought he mad with me THP jailed DWI, then had to return to Jail and rescue old guitar one of other prisoners had and just put new strings on. DWI found on top bunk serenading the other prisoners, owner said later it ain’t played the same since. Lady by wanting advise, said been married 29 years and needed to know what could be done about another woman meddling her, asked how replied by going off with her husband all the time. Receptive to divorce until told she would only get ½ the property, she thought should be all for the way he acting. Leon Co. had Lock N Dam problem fishermen got their fishing lines tangled and they got cross ways too. Paul Francis our new Adult Probation Officer for Criminal cases in District and County Court started this week. Car on new road which long haired hippy walked off and left found to have been stolen. Assisted neighborhood being disturbed by pet house cat caged to its dissatisfaction and letting everybody know it. Wife checking Jails and hospitals located missing husband located in ours, jailed DWI by THP. *** Grandpa’s Report The February speaker at the Freestone Co, Historical will be Mr. Zeno King a native of Mexia whose family owned and maintained property in Freestone north of Teague where he has lived several years after his retirement. Zeno recently celebrated his 90th birthday with a surprise birthday cake from Bro. Ray Hallmark at Cotton Gin Masonic Lodge in Kirvin. Prior to WWII he was associate director of the SMU Band in Dallas. During WWII he served as a Colonel in the US Army and saw combat in Africa and Europe while directing an elite military band that participated in the action. Zeno will gave information on his military band during the war at the Historical Commission meeting on Tuesday Feb.3rd 2009 at the Freestone Training Center between Teague and Fairfield on US 84 starting at 7pm, hope to see you there. Recently was told the following story. Years ago Donie having a problem having enough students enrolled to maintain the school. A large family living in another area with the father approached on moving to Donie and his children enrolling in the school. He was promised suitable housing there at no cost, which he did and Donie did as promised and the school saved until moved to Teague. Hugh Whitaker told about his family and Daddy along with others building the Rock Cottage still in use today. The stones and rocks were gathered locally and used. Peg and Rebecca put Jim and I out to pasture while they at Moody-Bradley House Game Day. Neither of us used to all this freedom toured thru Big Brown and area where many years ago conducted an extensive search for missing elderly lady Aunt Mandy Talton to north FR489 area and sights to Cross Roads Store for lunch, lucked into Hallmark and Sam Roach with delicious meal and visit. Then back thru Lanely to US84 thru Keechi Bottom, told Jim about all the activity on this road especially Winnie and Bob O’Hare. All are gone today that I knew until you got north of the Creek. Brought back lots of memories, some good, many sad. .… .