FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS

KIRVEN TRADE DAY
                      Dallas Morning News –May 16, 1913
  Great Crowd Gathers: Parade, Athletic Games, Etc. Marl Celebration of 
Event
  To the News Kirvin, Tex., and May 10-This was Kirvin’s first trade’s day. 
The crowd estimated at more than 1,500. The street parade, in which the 
Woodmen of the World participated, was fine. There were many beautiful 
decorated vehicles and comical advertisements, besides many cash prizes 
and premiums given by the business men, ball games and other sports. One 
hundred sacks of flour were thrown from a float on Main Street into large 
crowds. It was really amusing to see them scuffle for it.
  The Wortham Band furnished music for the occasion. At night local talent 
presented “The Man from Nevada”.  Quite a large crowd was present. The 
exercises took place in the large brick hall of the Woodmen of the World.
  People were here from Fairfield, Teague, Wortham, Streetman, Winkler, 
and one man from Arkansas. As those who were not here are nearly all 
subscribers to the Dallas News, we send this communication for their 
benefit. SAMPSON McCOMER
                             ***
  This information sent me by historian friend Eric Wood which greatly 
appreciated. The Dallas News came on the mail train daily for many years; 
County Clerk Henry McCormick distributed them here before moving to
Fairfield. Kirvin on the decline during my lifetime so didn’t get to see much 
that went on here. Today there not a retail business of any kind. Only the 
churches, Masonic Lodge, Fire Station, Post Office, Jim Hogan’s Hydraulic 
Repair, David Hogan’s Repair Shop, Ricks Tree Service, Ken and Tina 
Sessions Construction, Jerry Hogan and son’s building service, Roy 
Robinsons Concrete and Reba’s Hair Salon. The kids go to school in 
Wortham and consist of a large part of its population. Only one old building 
stands downtown that part of old Kirvin.
                                   ***
                 From The Original Sheriffs Report l970
    
Caravan traveling north out of Wortham late Sunday afternoon, ten 
Volkwagons loaded with celebrants from Juneteenth Comanche Crossing 
trying to make it back to Dallas but having “Bug” trouble.  Palestine bank 
robed by lone gunman. Barefooted DWI jailed.
  Writing this column a lot like Sheriffin-you catch hell if you do and catch it 
if you don’t... Large amount of cash stolen from home of elderly man not 
trusting banks and keeping it there. Man jailed for tapping girl friend, fined 
and thought it worth it.
  Trinity Valley Coon Hunt held at fair-grounds for first time, participants
from everywhere, profits from this over the years used to fund the Freestone 
Co. Emergency Corps and Reserve Deputies. This became a big thing and 
brought lots of money into Fairfield and County. For years hunters came 
with their families, wives and children enjoyed the social life and dances 
with music furnished by Jailhouse Band and others.
  Truck load of intestines from slaughter house lost load on 75 creating 
smelly situation. Many grass fires around County during current drought.
Anderson Co. Sheriff Charlie Jenkins over looking for couple locals that 
been drinking in his County and pulling sawed off rifle on boy and firing it.
  Prison Band held overnight after performance at Teague Rodeo’s Rodeos.
All day family trouble where man now bed ridden with some thinking he not 
getting proper attention, man married to wife’s mother before married to her.
   Disturbance at local service station with subjects getting pistols fired with 
only injuries to plate glass window. In another incident Marshall Blakeley 
jailed none after subject failed to out run the shot, shooter jailed for poor 
shot.
  Man plead guilty on cattle theft sentenced to 3 years in pen. Bernard 
Reeves the new law partner of Mr. Fryer appointed to defend pair on saddle 
thefts, had to withdraw when found out stolen saddles were his. Man held on 
high line wire thefts held 95 days in Jail here given probation, while in Jail 
had one visitor and two letters, wasn’t very popular.
                                         ***
                      Grandpa’s Report
  Lots of activities during Easter and Spring Break. Grandma and I took 
about 25 for pizza at Teague parlor. Youngest Abigail smart for her years 
given coins to squander in video machines, put hers in M-M machine and 
enjoyed it more. Easter services Wortham Methodist Church Thursday 
Evening and Kirven Friday, Peg had group out for coffee and cookies after.
  Grandma had all for Easter Dinner except David in Virginia and JR who 
spent Break in China with special West Point group. JR reported they 
visiting Beijing (Great Wall, Peking Duck, Olympic venues, Tiananmen 
Square) then, Xian (Terra Cotta soldiers, Wild Goose Pagoda0. Nanjing
(Nanjing Massacre Museum, University, Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum), Suzhou, 
Shanghai, then Beijing, back to Washington DC and West Point. Sounds like 
a tourist tour.