FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) Sessions HONEST JOE ANDERSON Guess every area has a “true character”. We’ve had several in our area including “Honest Joe” Anderson and his father Dick Anderson lived on family land in the Winkler area on a large acreage that inherited. Joe a practicing attorney with offices in Corsicana, for a long time the old Navarro Hotel, later near the Courthouse. He practiced not only in Navarro Co. but Freestone and others and usually represented a different clientele, the less prosperous and underdog type. Having known Joe and his dad Dick I always tried to attend the show when he came to Freestone Co. Joe who would take a drink with you nearly anytime and some times came to Court slightly under its influence but never to the extent he couldn’t represent you well, he was well known by most Judges. I think the most amusing criminal hearing I witnessed in 36 years as Sheriff was tried on a Saturday morning in Judge Haynie Ezell’s Court on the shooting of a man’s dog and held in his old store on US75. Mr. George Fryer who in his 90’s then was the prosecutor and Honest Joe the defense attorney, the chief witness for the defense a subject known for his windy tales we knew as Mr. Rabbit. A shame video camera didn’t record this, as was a classic. In earlier times Joe had a traveling Wild West Show and still wore his hair like Buffalo Bill along with cowboy boots hat and western attire. He and Dick ran a cattle operation also. His father Dick a widower in later years pretty sporty with the girls often wore a flower in his coat lapel. Once attended a bar b que at Joe and Dicks place, after a few drinks the conversation came up about the bad depression years. Mr. Dick said things got so hard at one time it looked like he or Joe one going to have to quit drinking, this really got Joe’s attention who replied “ Damn poppa I didn’t know they were that bad.” Joe once kept a parrot named George in his law office and a sign reading, “All I’ve got to sell is my time. Sometimes it’s not worth a damn, but it’s still my time”. Joe had several ex wives, I knew some, A worker during the 2000 census year went to Joe to finish the paper work asked the birth dates of each ex to which Joe replied “Hell I can hardly remember their names and I sure cant remember their birthdays.” Joe and I had a special friend Jean Watkins Whistler whom I went to Navarro College with and ran a scrap metal business in Corsicana whom he joined often for a toddy before going home. Years ago I referred Dallas News columnist Frank X. Tolbert to interview Joe which he did. Joe got lots of publicity from this and Tolbert won numerous awards with a photo taken of Joe in front of his old office. Joe had a cousin Snooks who of questionable character, have been told his ancestry at one time owned some of the land Joe had, Snooks drew up a deed reserving some of the mineral rights and recorded it creating lots of problems for Joe to get straight later. All are deceased now. Always enjoyed visiting Honest Joe and his friendship. *** Freestone Co. Historical Comm. monthly meeting at Training Center with new Chairman Bradley Pullin and Secretary Diane Pullin. Interesting and informative presentation on Antiock Cemetery at Luna by Modine Knight Thornton a native of this area. Modine has worked hard on this for many years and even published a very impressive book on the Cemetery and those buried there. Modine very involved with the Freestone Co. Genealogical Society and other cemeteries, all greatly appreciated. *** Lost several friends recently, some not known about until seen in the local obituaries. One was Bill Glazener whom known and involved with about 60 years who will be missed not only personally but by the community where he lived. Edna Minchew Smith whom known and been involved with many years along with her large family. Though not a big professional sports fan did watch the Super Bowl and supported the Bears because it had a Manning from Corsicana playing for it and the Coach Lovie Smith from Big Sandy helped lay Wortham in the shade back when our boys played for Wortham. Coaches for both teams were above average in their appearance and behavior. James let Sara’s pet rabbit “Peter” out while cleaning his cage, then had trouble catching him. He would run around and was getting under their miniature horse that trying to paw it, came and borrowed a fishing net and caught it. Once had a Toy Doberman given me by Zora Burleson of Streetman and this only way could catch it.