FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny( SESSIONS SHERIFF 1965-2001 MR. FULLER HUCKABY Recent memorial services for lifelong friend Charlotte Huckaby Hemby brought to mind days gone by and our family relationship with her family. Her grand-father Mr. Fuller Huckaby I believe one of the kindest men I have known. I never knew of his mistreating anyone in any way. Mr. Huckaby family some of the earliest Freestone Co. settlers coming here in l849 and ran cattle on the area open range. During the open range days homesteads, gardens and other areas were protected from the livestock by split rail fences. The Huckaby Ranch still exists today along with its original cattle brand HUK The old Huckaby home built by Fullers father in Fairfield built in l850 located near the entrance to Wilbur Bailey VFW Post in Fairfield until it was torn down a few years ago This a very historic structure built with lumber hauled from Livingston. Texas by oxen carts. A large Live Oak tree in the yard is said to have sprouted from the lumber hauled in and stacked In the yard. It is also believed Gen. Sam Houston spoke in the shade of this tree while visiting Fairfield and campaigning for Governor. I visited here several times and attended parties for area youths during WWII when there little recreation available. A schoolmate Maxine Claridge I think lived here. In its last few years it was unoccupied and I brought some of the grandchildren, especially Kyle and JR here with wild stories including it being haunted. Fuller Huckaby and Mrs. Huckaby whom I don’t remember lived here and on the HUK Ranch east of Fairfield. Mrs. Huckaby was a noted area school teacher. Mr. Huckaby an avid hunter all his life shot his first deer at age seven. Mr. Huckaby loved fox hounds and always had some. I attended hunter’s dinners and get togethers and some times fox races. I always enjoyed seeing and being with Mr. Huckaby and the hunters. Mr. Fuller had a dog trailer behind his vehicles he carried his dogs in and seldom went with out it. Our families had been and were close friends for generations. Some of the years my father Jim Sessions was Sheriff Mary Leona and Verna Huckaby along with Margaret Steward Richards worked in the Courthouse and had a fun relationship for years. Like so many other early Fairfield families there little known today. The old saying “Time Changes Everything” found to be true. I feel fortunate to have known Mr. Fuller Huckaby and truly called him friend. Today don’t know of many fox in area and no hunters. This once a common and very popular sport and the fox seldom killed so they could run it again. We still have my Grandfather Carter Sessions fox dog horn made from a cow horn. If you’ve never heard one used in the distance on a cold night you’ve missed a treat of the past. *** From the Original Sheriffs Report l976 Congratulations to personal friend and fellow officer DPS Major Bob Allen at Waco. Bob a local boy raised around Streetman and attended school here, don’t where they could have found a better man. Called this side of Trinity River where young woman at ladies house pleading for help. Advised man made her get in car with him in Palestine who drove this way until she had opportunity to jump from moving vehicle. Man said he taking her home with him as wife had left him with house full of kids. Luna report on DWI knocking down utility poles near here, leaving vehicle and running off into woods. Call 3am Dr. Allen Hicks had subject, caught him trying to drive off one of his vehicles. Subject released after doing 90 days jail time on DWI, Bear said he wouldn’t last two weeks before back, lasted two days. Youth out late drinking held until parents could come for. Presented antique frame and wanted poster of Bonnie and Clyde by Mayor of Point Enterprise, Joe Max Norris, greatly appreciated. Woman shot man couple times after he kept messing with her wig, ought to be reason enough. Author of historical novel “The Devil Gun” guest speaker in Fairfield that centered around guns taken in Val Verde Campaign during Civil War and one located on Courthouse Square. Have pleasant memories concerning the old cannon during my early youth as raised on the Courthouse Square while play dreaming. Wrote in paper about one deal involving young woman who asked me why It in paper, told her didn’t anybody but me and her knew who it was, she started crying saying that what hurt, she did. To dispatch office early one morning and one of Cuz’s (artificial) legs laying on table all broken up. Advised one of nuts came out and trusty’s had to roll him back to office in chair with rollers. Good thing didn’t get plumb down as been like box turtle on its back and all could do was paddle the air. (Cuz weighed over 500 pounds when he died and I was a pall bearer). Advised Dispatcher so busy one night when phone rang answered “Sheriffs Office, telephone speaking”. Historical group met with guest speaker Arthur Patrick presenting most interesting information. Pair picked up on I45 in Navarro Co, where one shooting at other with illegal sawed off shotgun and possession of property stolen in Freestone and Leon Co. daytime burglaries. Got in argument when stuck stolen car, one asked other to help push who told him “You stuck it; you stole it you get it out”. This when got gun and started shooting, Harvested pot farmers Rocky Branch area marihuana patch. Cuz reported numerous late night calls from drunk who wouldn’t identify himself but trying to get woman friend on phone. When found out who he talking too said he good buddy of mine then proceeded to give me good cussing, sounds like several of my friends. Woman’s late night call wanting to know how much a drunk fine would cost if had husband jailed, decided it not worth it. ***