‘Freestone Past/Present
J.R. “Sonny” Sessions

Texas Prison System ‘’Ultimate Hunt”
+
  Much of my life been involved directly or indirectly with the Texas Prison System 
which operated under many titles. My first with the old pen system in the 30-40’s which 
set up to punish offenders, visited different pen farms with my father who Freestone Co. 
Sheriff. In those days they didn’t ride trailers pulled by tractors to and from the work 
fields, they trotted, usually with their “Aggies” (hoes) on their shoulders, there were no 8 
hour or less days.
Corporal punishment was used often and other prisoners helped with the security. It 
usually paid its way. Then as now most of the inmates from the city and not used to work, 
they had to pick so much cotton each day, it was a hard life and few ever wanted to come 
back, many inflicted wounds on their person to get out of work
  With Dr. Beto a believer in reform and a minister there many changes, most did not 
really work or rehabilitate. He was the man when I went in office and the State purchased 
a large track of land in Anderson and Freestone  Co’s. (I think part of the Ball estate from 
the Leonard Bros.
Warden Bounds who had Freestone Co. roots with a few State employees and many pen 
trusty’s with all kinds of skills built the Cofield Unit which became the largest in the 
system, also the least expensive to build. Other units were put in operation here, this was 
stopped I have been told by the Labor Unions from using prisoner labor
  Over the years has a good working relationship with these units which occasionally 
sponsored law enforcement dinners and get together, most had a prisoner who did this 
nearly everyday by “laying a track” for the prison dogs used in escapes and manhunts. 
The inmate would leave before the dogs were released, and the dogs would trail the 
inmate until going up a tree away from the dogs. The inmates were never injured or 
abused in this. At one of these I believe Warden “Ax Handle” Cousins put on the Board 
of Directors attended and one had T shirts made for each Director saying ‘THE 
ULTIMATE  HUNT’ Unfortunately a  news reported trying to make himself a name took 
issue with it and caused a lot of problems. The use of the dogs was nearly lost; this 
incident was no different from that done every day training the dogs. I have known 
several Dog Boys as the prisoners were called and it was a position envied by other 
prisoners. Some of the Dog Boys had been to the pen several times and liked the job. It 
would have been a tragedy if discontinued, it survived but the get togethers didn’t.
                                                     ***
                    Original Sheriffs Report l969
  Search on slick roads during heavy rain by THP and Sheriffs Office for DWI involved 
in Leon Co/ hit and run, located in Dwight Atchley’s field after running thru a fence. 
Towns with dumps wanted public to know dumping animal carcasses on or near public 
roads illegal.
  Levied on 125 acres land to satisfy judgment Casket Co. had against Dallas funeral 
home, be something to have to repossess them. Attorney requested letter recommending 
probated sentence for man charged with alcohol tax (illegal whisky). Given one to follow 
by attorney reached the conclusion the man charged should be sitting on Judge’s bench 
instead of facing it. THP Ray and Sheriff spoke at Star-Wildwood Communities 
Adult Class and Improvement Council. Great relationship with this community.
Calf stolen north of Kirvin with much personal regret, as belonged to me and the bank; 
sorry about that Mac, some thieves just aint got no respect. Sorry I missed Mr. George 
Fryers St.Patricks Day Party and Irish Tea. Northern Lights seen in the sky with lots of 
local speculation as normally not seen in our area.
  Youth declared delinquent committed to Gatesville Youth Council for not complying 
with Texas compulsory school law. Heard and appropriate definition for hippy’s on TV 
“of a man that looked like a Jill and smelled like a John.
Family of man that deceased in Rusk State Hospital notified.
  Death of Gen. Eisenhower brought to memory a personal experience with this great man 
in Japan shortly after WWII while he visiting here.
State Narcotic agents held 2 day conference at local hunting lodge, looked like we being 
invaded by underworld. Woman painfully but not critically shot
with Sat. nite special by sister in law. Ivy Stores burglarized.
   Fort Hood Demolition Squad assisted with destruction of several cases dynamite and 
munitions. Murdered one skunk late in getting home Friday night after distress call. 
Stoves stolen from rural churches Leon Co.; Sheriff Wilson assisted by Emergency Corps 
with drowning.
  Game Warden Bergstrom told of stopped by elderly lady wanting to know why she not 
catching any fish, bought fishing license and still not catching any. Wortham School 
burglarized. Man driving milk truck jailed by THP for consuming too much and wasn’t 
what he hauling
  Ranger Captain Clint Peoples by for visit, friend of many years. Car load of youngster’s 
enroute to drive-in movie out of gas, made donation Sky around Courthouse filled with 
thousands of chimney sweeps during turbulent weather.
  Report local character coon hunting climbed tree to shake coon out, man and limb fell to 
ground where dogs waiting on coon worked him over. Thought had caught country 
church thieves, older couple parking in afternoon. Man reported missing checked in after
long and probably lost weekend.
  Always been told to quit while ahead, considered this when compliments classed me 
with Bro. Ryburn and Mrs., Webb’s columns, then paid surprise visit by Frank X. Tolbert
writer for the Dallas News. Hippie couple clocked at 100 mph in small foreign car with 
no lid, advised just trying to get to Dallas before it rained on them.
  Friend and fellow Sheriff Elliott of Robertson Co. shot and killed kidnapper of THP 
officer who led on wild chase across State, distasteful but sometimes necessary.
                                               ***
             Grandpa’s Report.
     Kirvin area lost two of its oldest and respected citizens, Sara Goolsby Nettles and
Rev. O. D. Christian. Sara enjoyed being the oldest living Kirvin citizen and carrying the 
name of two of its oldest families. Both very involved in the restoration and maintenance 
of Woodland Cemetery. For many years Rev. Christian brought the message at the 
Woodland Memorial along with his family that continuing this. All greatly appreciated.
Very involved with both in many ways. …