FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS
SHERIFF 1965-2001

“OLD SARGE”
 Some 40 years ago with the coming of IGC (TXU) which was the start of 
the economic status this area enjoys today, Before this we were a poor 
depressed area with few jobs, little oil and gas activity, cotton becoming a 
thing of the past, no really improved pastures like today, it was tough living 
here and trying to raise a family. Most of our young people had to leave for a 
better life. When I ran for political office it really was not a desire but a 
necessity if I continued to live here. . Fortunately I loved the job and was 
successful. 
  With the mining of lignite in the area and this first of its kind new and 
larger equipment than known possible introduced. The first was the 
extremely large drag line used for so many years in removing the soil on top 
of the lignite. While the generating plant being built and other activity this 
thing arrived piece by piece I think from Germany
  With the drag line came a young and intelligent Texas A&M Engineer
(am doing this from memory and his name escapes me). There are many 
smart Aggies and a number who only have walking around sense. As I 
remember it took over a year just to assemble and get in operation at a 
location north of Fairfield off the Stewards Mill road. I visited here often, 
especially when out at night in this area. I always left amazed at the size and 
its work ability
  This young Aggie named the machine “Old Sarge” like the familiar Aggie 
mascot symbol. A large sign with the name on it erected and became known 
near and far as “Old Sarge” with a lot of attention. It such a large 
construction job many times running 24 hours a day I got my fox hunting 
buddy Rual Lopes a job as night watchman which lasted many months
and certainly helped him .There was a large work crew here daily and heavy 
equipment needed to move an assemble this huge machine which I think still 
in use today Our son Hammond very involved in keeping it running said you 
could see for miles when  working on the long derrick that carried the huge 
buckets.  Moving the machine slow and tedious job as took a D8 Caterpillar 
to drag the electric lines that ran it. I and others came to see it work. The 
buckets large enough for a Volks to turn around in.
  Several hundred Brown & Root construction workers moved in with the 
construction of the plant and other, they brought many problems with them 
but it went with the territory and no additional help was furnished in law 
enforcement. Myself, one field Deputy James Gregory and one office 
Deputy Sue Gregory who did what ever necessary was the Sheriff’s Office 
force then with friend Hugh Whitaker assisting at times. 
  With all its problems the big generating plant and mining operations
brought many fine people and new friends, one of these especially was Earl 
Voscamp and a flock of outstanding helpers. It was a pleasure and privilege
to have worked and been involved with them.
                                 ***
     From Original Sheriffs Report l971
    Pair tried in Bell Co. on change of venue from Dallas Co. on execution 
type murder of two Dallas and one Ellis Co Deputy’s knew well and worked 
with given death sentences. Last year youths tried in Ellis Co. murder of 
friend Travis Lockler, THP who been stationed here given 5 year sentence.
  Wortham Police called help needed getting renters out of house, said one 
bigger’n him, told him not to call me then as not coming. 
Mentally retarded youth giving family problems held during day after family 
request trying to put a little fear in him, this not too ethical but usually 
works. Fairfield service station operator advised his .38 cal. pistol left when 
some of his customers did.
  Took to ditch when met the wife on country road corner, used tractor to get 
out, rather meet freight train coming down the road.
  Theft of cast iron wash pot reported when owner missed when fixing to kill 
hogs.
  Young man with physical and mental problems given temporary lodging in 
Jail after complaints of father’s abuse.
  Emergency Corps (this later the Reserve Deputies) to Glaze Lake in Leon 
Co. on duck hunters problems. Anderson Co. man drowned, an older man 
stranded on high ground in flood waters of Trinity River, another man 
walked, waded and swam out to report. Boats sent out to return stranded 
man caught in a storm.                                                                                 
Other boats dispatched from Buffalo, Elkhart and Fairfield (Dicky Hill made 
first trip to anything like this which greatly appreciated even if didn’t have to 
use boat). Disabled boats left overnight where stranded with all seven men 
safe on shore several hours later. All of boats out but our Captains who made 
Grand Exit head first into river waters when foot slipped, owes me a new hat 
for one he knocked into drink while rescuing him. Captain nearly froze then 
with very cold Blue Norther blowing.-
  Men in stranded boats told wild tales, Really up the river with no paddle 
when Jerry Jones broke it. This lake full of dead timber which falling during 
the storm. Sore and strained hands the next day after holding to tree limbs 
during storm to keep out of river and trip to the Gulf. Drowning victims 
body later recovered by Game Warden Jack Tisdale.
    Rainy cold weather bad for some of our citizens couldn’t work and ended 
up in Jail, stood good for one Waco and one in Mexia.
  Wife reported to have whipped on husband till he had to be hospitalized, 
staying out of County as she wanted to file on him for desertion.
  Cold winter nights bringing the sleepers into Jail for lodging.
  Man out of Dallas in Teague on crutches witnesses say broke out window 
of jewelry store with crutch and helping himself to some before cycling 
around corner in thee crutches, jailed by City Marshall Blakeley who found 
him hiding in bus behind the stores.