FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS SHERIFF1965-2001 LAMB CEMETERY The Woodland area northwest of Kirven for some reason blessed with more cemeteries than seem needed. There is the Webb Cemetery which had been seldom used or maintained until a few years ago when TU built a railroad. line from the Burlington line to its generating plant north of Fairfield. Construction employees that built this spur removed the underbrush from Webb, put up a new cyclone type fence and other to improve its appearance. Joining Webb there is a small family cemetery” Dunagan” enclosed within its own fence with a walk over ladder for access. A short distance from Webb-Dunagan there once a small burial ground with several granite markers for a family believed to have buried gold in or near them, all the graves dug up and the markers moved or scattered in the woods. It is hoped to recover at least the marble markers and move them to Woodland Cemetery for better protection. Over the years I have been told of this type incidents occurring in other areas. There is Sessions Cemetery located on the east side of Kirven on FR80 which is actively maintained today. About l/2 mile north of Webb-Dunagan is the old Lamb family burial ground which completely deserted today except for part of an old fence. I have been told by several at one time there numerous graves with markers and names none remain today. Guy Coleman told me he carried his daddy Mr. John Coleman here and the markers here at that time. James Gregory’s mother told me her grandfather buried here before she born and she came with her mother often as a child to clean the graves. Another family I was told buried here were the Debeerys . Sam Lamb an early area settler and many of his family known to have been buried here, some of the Lamb land situated across Big Tehuacana Creek. This nearer to Cade Cemetery located on the Freestone-Navarro Co. line which Mr. Kaiser Coleman told me started when his grandmother died and the Creek flooded where they couldn’t get to Woodland to bury her. It is unknown if the marble markers were stolen and removed, it is possible some have fallen and now covered over the years with soil and leaves. I have hoped for years some of the family or some one with information would show up and want to clean it up or such. This partially came true recently when a Lamb family descendent contacted our Historical Comm. Chairman Brad Pullin who told me she wanted help in placing a Military Marker for Sam Lamb for his service in the War with Mexico. This passed on to me and an enjoyable afternoon spent with Sam Lambs great-great grand daughter Bonnie Hawkins the daughter of J.D. and Jenibel Cashion Blankenship whom I had known in Wortham. More next week on this story, the Cemetery’s and historic Lamb family. *** From the Original Sheriffs Report l971 Two men and woman, all junkies did burglary on way back to Houston from trip to Ft. Worth doctor to get drugs, arrested by Huntsville THP addicted to drugs returned to County Jail. All main liners which shooting drugs straight into the blood veins with scars to prove it. As withdrawal began all were begging for candy and cokes for quick energy to replace loss of fat reserves due to misuse of body on drugs, take drugs now not to feel good just to keep from hurting. Two of drug users made bond, one who didn’t allowed to use phone called Secret Service making threats against the life if the President. This done trying to beat the State rap and go Federal Pen which more of a rest camp. Didn’t work, ain’t nobody getting him for a while. Five railroad grain thieves charged by railroad dicks jailed until deal worked out to pay fines as they didn’t have reservations and our accommodations full. Joined County, Fairfield, T.R.A., Wortham and Joe Kirgan (Whom haven’t had time to check Cousin Edwin for his official title) officials on trip to Lake Livingston. Joined there by former Teague boy Jake Mc Spadden now living there. Great tour and program on Trinity River master plan and the proposed Tennessee Colony Lake. Had high hopes that when I45 and Big Brown const. completed we would return to some degree of normalcy. (Although the River and Lake fell through we hadn’t seen anything yet). Two more fatalities on old 75. This road has taken its toll from the Streetman community, these fatalities much more impressive when It home folks and friends. Car load (8 to be exact) of youths actually glad to see me and be taken into custody as being held at rifle point by upset citizen for shooting from road around his house, Ranger and Coffield Warden Bounds here to try and make positive ID for family of convict drowned in Trinity River in escape attempt. Let them have the pleasure as man been in River about 30 days and there not much to identify. Firearms School during week with officers from Limestone, Leon, Navarro and Freestone. Our best shooter Captain Whitaker took sick when thought he missed target completely, not knowing blanks been slipped in his ammo. Most interesting and informative instructor Gordon Johnson found to be nephew of the Wesley Smiths. Investigated theft of gasoline water pump off water well and burglary of house by real young juveniles who carried it off on their bicycles, needed gasoline motor to put on bike and club house. Elderly Teague man had store call me to come get him, found he unhappy with nursing home and wanting to stay in the Jail, much to his displeasure carried him back to nursing home. *** Grandpa’s Report Freestone Co. Historical Comm. meeting in Nov. at Training Center Our Chairman Brad Pullin had hoped his Dad Bill Pullin would feel like giving program on Navy Submarine Service in the Pacific in WW II. Bill not able to make it so Brad gave informative and interesting program on the subject from details given by his Dad. This was our first program on submarines and greatly appreciated.