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

COUNTY CLERK, HENRY Mc CORMICK


  Henry was known as “Gowdy” in Kirven where he born in l912. 
One of several children of
a prominent family, his grandfather was a skilled craftsman to the 
Woodland area in l887 and moved into Kirven when the railroad 
came.
  Henry was stricken with infantile paralysis (polio) at age of 12, 
severely crippled learned to get around on two sticks, one in each 
hand. I never heard him complain about the hand he was dealt in life. 
As he got older he delivered and peddled the Dallas Morning News in 
the area. I am told he pulled a little red wagon to carry the papers, 
which he received on the Mail Train each day.
  He was first elected County Treasurer, then County Clerk serving 
Freestone County for 
33 years before retiring. He was very involved in the Kirven and 
Fairfield Methodist Churches and local civic projects.
  Although unable to play basketball he had a great love for the sport, 
he strongly supported the Kirven teams which were known locally as 
good. Have had players for other teams that should have been 
superior they hated to play Kirven as always had good teams. They 
were also ashamed to have a small youth with a clubfoot named Dub 
Marberry run the ball around them without mercy.
  For many years Henry spent his vacations in Austin at the State 
Basketball playoffs. 
Henry became a celebrity and was given special recognition and a 
reserved place on the podium. I always admired his spirit and 
determination, have seen him struggle getting up the
Courthouse stairs (this before the elevator) in every kind of weather. 
After retirement he and wife Ruby lived for a while on Burleson Lake 
and had the best assortment of wild birds feeding outside his window.  
At his death he was buried alongside his family members in 
Woodland Cemetery.
                                        ****
                    Freestone Co. Sheriffs Office l965
  I was sworn in as Sheriff twice, the first on New Years Eve by 
District Judge R. W. Williford after the office vacated that day and 
the keys to the County Jail delivered by Deputy Odell Ray a longtime 
fiend who I drove home after. I was sworn in again New Years Day 
with other officials. At that time the Sheriffs Office was located in the 
basement of the Courthouse where the Highway Patrol office is today.  
It was furnished with an older desk; I think a table and a few chairs. 
The second hand police radio system was also here (it had been 
bought from the City of Athens when they discarded it by Mr. Ben 
Capps and Hugh Whitaker). We were furnished two older model well 
used patrol cars with radios. 
  There were two prisoners lodged in the County Jail at that time, 
Teague man and woman charged with theft of grain from the 
railroad. There were no Jailers then, prisoners were fed breakfast and 
supper, as no one living in the Jail at this time the meals were picked 
up at Mrs. Opal Loper’s Café across the street. A few days before 
taking office two local men broke out and escaped, one charged with 
the armed robbery of the crap game at the Teague Lake, the other a 
habitual burglar. More next week.
                         ****
          The Freestone Co. Historical Comm. will meet Tuesday 
March 6, 2007 at 7pm at the Freestone Co. Training Center our 
new Chairman Brad Pullin and new Sect. 
Diane Pullin will give a presentation on their family roots in 
Freestone Co. and such
                         ***
                Grandpa’s Report
  ...
  At recent Kirvin Vol. Fire Dept. chili supper Medical Helicopter 
made visit and a free ride auctioned off for Fire Dept. Greatly 
appreciated.
  ...