FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS Sheriff l965-2001 MR. JOHN CARPENTER A native of Navarro Co., I think around Eureka but with family roots in Freestone Co. Mr. Carpenter at one time was President of Corsicana Gas and Electric Co after working up to this position. He moved to Dallas and became president of Texas Power and Light, also held several other big positions and one of Dallas biggest business men, especially in utilities and insurance. Carpenter responsible for Southland Center and Sheraton Dallas Tower on the Dallas Skyline. He helped form Lone Star Steel also. John Carpenter and his son Ben owned big tracts of land in north eastern Freestone Co. Ranches known as Wildcat and Amarada part of them. Much today is in, under or around Richland-Chambers Creek Lake. Walker Lake Hunting and Fishing Club a share holders club surrounded by Carpenter land which Carpenter tried unsuccessfully for years to acquire. Before FR 488 built from Fairfield to US 287 there were no improved roads to this area, only unimproved dirt roads and trails made by illegal whisky runners. The road to Woodland Cemetery was nearly impassible most of the time. During the period of Farm to Market Road construction after WII Mr. Carpenter was over much of this with the Texas Highway Comm. Carpenter and my Father Jim Sessions about he same age and involved often agreed to have a Spur built to the Cemetery this was done with the help of Commissioner Prect. #4 Zan Posey. I think while he was at it Mr. Carpenter promoted FR 488 for his ranches. Before FR 488, to get to US287 you went either by Palestine or Corsicana. If there was a wreck or criminal activity on US287 this the way you went. Mr. Carpenter did many civic things but like most big operators had a down side. I have been told by my brother in law Jim Younger he and my Father went early one Sunday morning and helped elderly black man move his little corn crop as having to move out of land Carpenter owned or claimed. Some of their ranch hands weren’t too popular as reported over bearing. I don’t think Carpenter’s have any land in the County today but the Spur to the Cemetery and FR 488 been great for all today and Mr. Carpenter’s assistance greatly appreciated. *** Original Sheriffs Report 1971 Man to office with more on his mind than visiting said if anything said about where his vehicle seen by land owner just let him know and he would quietly take care of any charges as he out with wrong woman. Girl missing more than week, mother thought she off in college, college thought she home with mother... Youth admitted to hospital with stobbing and other knife wounds, he and another youth arguing over drag race. Officers from Tallahassee, Fla. here on murder or hire case, wife wanted husband done in for $50,000 insurance. Search for boy on mini bike missing located and carried home for further instructions. DWI jailed who thought the Breathalyzer prejudiced. Questioned one of our young sons about needing a bath as outer clothes much in need of such; he quickly advised he didn’t look that way underneath. Small man reported DWI stopped, run on Breathalyzer tested nearly double drunk, man advised he had reason, his 220 pound wife after him. Annual six pack of beer delivered to long time friend Knute Kirtsinger, had him worried as usually made it earlier. Man murdered in attempted robbery at village of Cotton Gin on very cold night. (It would be several years before arrest made in Fort Worth for this). Deputy Sue Gregory arrested DWI in wheel chair, just passing thru going to visit friends. Given trip into early Freestone Co. history by Game Warden Bergstrom, visited site of Troy a town on the River and old Sandtown Cemetery markers there dated l853 and l855. *** Grandpa’s Report Pleasant phone visit with lifelong friend John Lee Bonner who lives in Dallas, he and I attended school together with good memories, wish I had written down all the historic stories his Daddy Hunter Bonner told.