Freestone Past & Present J.R “Sonny” Sessions Living in the Freestone Co. Jail 1944-1953-The Robertson’s Some time back asked Barbara, Beth and Lamar Robertson the children of Deputy Homer Robertson 1931-l949 and Sheriff l949-1953 for information. Each graciously responded, each brought back memories about the same as when we lived there before them. Many families lived here since it built about l911 and discontinued in l974. Deputy Homer Robertson a quiet, good man was responsible for the care of the Jail prisoners with Mrs. Robertson preparing the two meals, breakfast and supper they received. For financial and convenience due to the Sheriff or Deputy pay nothing to brag about they along with their children moved into the Jail. The County paid about 35 cents per day for feeding, everything was furnished by Mrs. Robertson, and it was usually oat meal for breakfast, beans and cornbread for supper, Barbara the oldest in the first grade when they moved in and 15 years old when they moved out. She reported that literally she, Beth and Lamar the youngest were raised in the middle of town, there were no secrets if one of them wet the bed the mattress was aired on the courthouse lawn; the laundry was hung back of the courthouse for all to see. The Courthouse inside and out was their playground, there little to do in down town Fairfield for recreation. They climbed the old courthouse water tower, and trees on the square, walked the ledges on the outside the courthouse between the windows and the little balconies. They learned to skate and ride bicycles, played volley ball, football, baseball, hide and seek with an audience of sorts. At this time the Val Verde Cannon was mounted in cement and great place to play. The Courthouse officials and employees had to endure their piano lessons and practice fights. They had several dog and cat pets over the years. Mr. Robertson of the old school never liked girls wearing shorts which he reluctantly gave in to wearing them at home (on the courthouse lawn) but if they went across the street it was jeans or skirts for the girls. Many times during WWII military would stop to rest and stretch out on the lawn, they gave the kids medals they had, when the War ended they stopped and celebrated with the people. Illegal moonshine whisky was still a big business in Freestone Co. which known for its white lightning bottled in canning jars all over the nation. Evidence sometimes was disposed of with whisky running down the grader ditches, with some below dipping it up. A whisky maker told Barbara her Daddy saved his life when raided his still and woke him up as it about to blow up. The most exciting event while living in the Jail was a Prisoner Cleo Merritt being carried his supper knocked Mr. Robertson in the head with a heavy drink bottle and escaped. Sheriff Robertson fortunately not seriously injured. Officers came from everywhere to help, even the tracking dogs from Huntsville. Captured, carried to another Jail, tried and sent to pen where he attempted escape again and died. Barbara told of calling for help on the phone system used then, an old wall mounted phones with crank on the side where the operator was called and made the call, she didn’t remember who the operator was but was wonderful. Beth told of living in the cramped quarters, two small bedrooms, a small kitchen and bathroom. She was concerned when her Daddy on calls especially at night. She spoke highly of Mr. Joe Wheeler who she worked for one summer, Judge Williford, Mr. McCormick, and all the ladies who worked. In the other offices. She told of her mother going to Sam Houston University working on her Teachers Degree, Rita Tisdale and sometimes Cousin Pat babysat them, Rita made wonderful lemon meringue pies. Pat’ liked going to the movie across the street, cost 14 cents until you were 12 then 35 cents, Daddy was easier to con into this than Mother. Lamar the youngest and only boy told of bringing in wood for the cook stove and jail heater. He remembered the copper pots and coils brought in from the stills and the smell he never forgot, saw man with cup dipping up something from the bar ditch, later understood it whisky being destroyed. Remembered the time a bee tree found at a still was robbed and homey brought home with combs in #3 wash tubs. He told of a prisoner trusty he became very fond of and upset when sent to the pen. Lamar fell off the old cannon breaking his arm. Lamar told of Barbara being the oldest and bossy showed them where milk came from, breaking off the top of a bitter weed in the yard and letting them taste it. Said they got even with her later. Lamar had the pleasure of getting to stay with his Dew Grandparents the Alry Whites until their death in l951 which had to be an experience. He told of playing Superman and jumping off with towels around their necks and sliding down the stairs handrails. He visited the Walls in Huntsville with his Daddy, given a tour and sat in the electric chair “Old Sparky”. His first paying job was helping the Janitor Bud Bullock sweep for a nickel. a dime if Court in session. Bud lived in the boiler room in the basement; he always had a donkey which if the weather got real bad he brought inside. In the summertime it always fun to sit and watch the chimney sweeps come out by the hundreds from the Courthouse chimneys, seemed endless. I can relate to many of the same things and like them wouldn’t take anything for the experiences as there somebody or some thing new every day. *** Grandpa’s Report Memorial services for school chum, Billy Theo Glazener who I was very involved with in early years. Burial at Cade Cemetery near Streetman. Billy a WWII and Korean War Veteran. … The Oct. meeting of the Freestone Co. Historical Comm. will be Tuesday Oct. 2nd. at the Training Center, program will be Aubrey Childs and his WWII military service, he and Marie will present information of the VFW’s big involvement in our community. All are invited.