FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS SHERIFF1965-2001 JAILHOUSE BANDS Over the years involved with several though personally cant carry a tune in a sack as the old saying goes. These groups performed at many public functions, nursing homes, fairs, rodeo’s the Coon Hunt, the Mexia State School and such. Those playing did so just for the fun of it and came from all walks of life, some pretty wild, some very conservative. There some who loved to play honky tonk music but normally couldn’t because of religious convictions or such. Some would play with the groups only in practice or where there no dancing. Some very good and some just fair. I wish I or someone had kept a record of the hundreds of times they performed. Sometimes there were more requests for them than could be met. It was fun going with them when I could. Recently came across an August 1977 Teague Chronicle with picture of the group playing at The Freestone Co Fair. It identified F.W. (Junior) Solley- Fiddle, S.W. (Slapjack) Wilson-Rhythm Guitar, Roger Solley-Lead Guitar, Leroy Jones-Bass Guitar, Billy Renau (a jail prisoner)- Lead Guitar, Bob Wilson (Deputy)-Rhythm Guitar, John Whitley (Jailer)-Piano, Ronnie Hunt (Game Warden)-Drums, Jimmy Kirgan (Constable)-Drums and listed me as Producer. Renau a very talented musician who could probably made the big time but couldn’t leave drugs alone. He and another ex con caught burglarizing Milner Drug in Streetman for drugs by Reserve Deputies Bill Grant and Rev. Dewey Morgan who knew both personally while with the Prison System in Huntsville much to their surprise. *** Mr. J.B. Scott told of black man named Timmons killing a white man with white friends dressing him as woman and carrying him out of area on a train. Years later he slipped back in, arrested, tried, convicted and served time in pen. Anyone with more information please advise. *** From the Original Sheriffs Report 1971 Memorial Day holidays topped off late afternoon by Tommy Bottoms calling from Dutch’s Stoar on County line west 84 who found the store open, money in the cash register and no one there. Several concerned hours spent trying to determine what happened as any one knowing Dutch aware this not like Dutch. Statewide alert put out for Dutch, his wife and car that missing. Relatives and friends fearing the worst gathered until in drove Dutch wanting to know what going. Seems he left in such a hurry to go to some meeting he failed to close up properly. All relived at outcome. My Leon Co. friends Herman and Willard made it back for visit and brought company, all passed out in car north of Stewards Mill told later they left job to go to Momma Reds which located just out of Oakwood. (Once gave them a job, happy until phone man in uniform seen and left without telling me goodbye). Been knowing Wortham Police Owens pretty mean but found out he some bad as over borrowing a dog trap to catch his yard dog with. Last standing landmark of Woodland Community the old Minyard Harriss horse and mule barn destroyed by fire. Interesting old building that once stabled horses and work animals of days gone by; could be seen many miles away. Couldn’t help but remember on pleasure trip up old 75 from Buffalo since I45 open to traffic. Brought to mind many experiences and happenings, some funny, some sad and foolish but all human and different. Old car stolen recently by someone we had in jail, deputy found it. Asked why he took it, said the owner wouldn’t take him home and he didn’t want to walk Out houses taken from Rocky Branch Church found decorating Wortham home coming bon fire stack. Wortham Police advised they be taken back and were. Kicked several times assisting Wortham Police with mental female. Asked her not to kick me as Bueford was the one who started it. Delivered to Rusk State Hospital where a former customer that confined there seemed to be expecting me saying they trying to kill him again. I assured him I got everything straight. When returned to office found he called while I was enroute to Rusk and Sue told him I would be right over. (Subject a master at slipping and using hospitals phone to call me). Life size replica of Appaloosa horse west of Teague worked on by vandals, Legs sawed off and fell to ground. *** Grandpa’s Report Lost another good friend and former Reserve Deputy Doyle Monks, a good man and good officer. Also the father of Teague Councilman James Monks who also a former Reserve Deputy.