FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS SHERIFF 1965-2001 DEC.7, 1941 “DAY OF INFAMY” Guess all who around on this day have recollections and memories of where you were and what you doing when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in a sneak attack. I have written about this in the past. I remember very well this beautiful Fall Day. My friend Roger David Steward had Sunday dinner at our house, we were asked by my father Sheriff Jim Sessions if we would like to go with him and others to search for an illegal Whisky Still. Of course we were delighted and joined Deputy Homer Robertson, Constable Dave Claridge, Jim Sessions and Federal Agents whose names I do not remember. We traveled in two cars to near Lake Port in the eastern part of Freestone Co. where we were stopped by the Federal Agents who had a radio in their car and advised that Japanese war planes were bombing the US Navy ships at Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands. At this time neither Roger David nor I knew where Pearl Harbor was located and little did we know we would separately travel there due to this attack. I went there while in the Navy and again in later years as a tourist and visited the Battleship Arizona Memorial Shrine. Earlier in l941 Wilbur H. Bailey who was in the Navy and serving on the Battleship California, whose father a local blacksmith had been home on leave. A handsome young man in his shining Navy whites made all the local girl’s hearts flutter. I visited with and admired him. During this attack Wilbur Bailey lost his life when the USS California one of the ships sunk. A few weeks after his death the community paid their respects at a Memorial held at the new Methodist Church in Fairfield where there standing room only. At the conclusion of the service the solemn occasion ended with a bugle playing “Taps” in the background played by local musician Clifford Fischer. Wilbur H. Bailey was honored more in later years when the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5872 formed and named after him. This VFW Post the most charitable and civic minded group known with many, many thing done for the good of the community. I think Wilbur would be proud to have it named for him. As the attack occurred on a Sunday the following day at Fairfield High School radios were brought for the students and teachers to hear President Roosevelt’s speech and Declaration of War. Mr. P.D. Browne was Superintendent, Miss May Pridgeon was Principal, Mervel Wood, Coach and Math teacher, Miss Mary Hall one of the teachers at the time. This attack changed everyone’s lives and destiny. I do not remember if we continued on the search for the whisky still. If so we did not find it. *** The Fall Foliage this year is spectacular; if you haven’t taken time to get out and enjoy it do so. The different trees, shrubs colors are really brilliant in their winter attire. *** Read in the Mexia Daily News one of the convenience stores in Wortham the victim of armed robberies twice in last few weeks. If memory serves me correctly this same store the only business armed robbery that occurred in the County during my 36 years as Sheriff. Occurred about 25 years ago and guilty subject arrested while I was with Navarro Co. Deputy Grady McCall and other deputies on a dope raid. I had never seen the man before but recognized him as our suspect from information gathered. Prosecuting Attorney Bob Gage offered him I believe 15 years in a plea bargain which he refused and tried before a Jury which found him guilty and assessed a 99 year or life sentence due to his criminal history. Subject started begging for mercy and over the years wrote me numerous times requesting help in getting the sentence reduced which I never did. Am not sure but feel like he still doing hard time. Don’t know any that refused plea bargains offered by Att. Gage and didn’t regret it. *** From the Original Sheriffs Report 1971-72 Phone call from lady that her husband been threatening her, he then took the phone and advised she been his wife for long time and been making excuses but she really going to be his wife that night if she stayed there. Divorce papers and restraining order served on him next day. Let trusty spend Mothers Day at home with family. Woman’s complaint buzzards following her around. Letter from serviceman Neal Duniven stationed over seas advising he and buddies read this in Corsicana Sun and it eases their pain for home a little. Death of McLennan Co. Sheriff Maxey along with Dallas Co. Sheriff Bill Decker and defeat of Harris Co. Sheriff Buster Kern brings an end the era of our longtime and best known Sheriffs. Drunk lady and her cat jailed. District Judge granted divorce to ol gal that needed marrying more than divorcing. Wortham Police reported theft of baby’s tombstone from grave, parents been dissenting each accusing the other. Two transit hippy’s sitting in car in residential area checked out, found to be writing love letters to new girl friend living nearby they met at café. Deputy rescued pickup and Jail Trusty that took it on drinking spree from neighboring Sheriff friend. Cant say too much as same subject slipped off from me one time and broke out of Jail on another. Big Bueford told about going to help some kids see some spooks parked car at back of cemetery and lying on hood of car until it made a funny noise with hippy walking howdy ditch seeing him got scared and ran thru barb wire fence, across railroad track and into house where man trying to get children inside. Hippy said he not going to hurt them but something after him. Had a first prisoner wrote the following poem for me: “I’ll never be free because the door has opened for everyone but me, I heard a voice call, a name ringed and suddenly my heart springed, I was so happy when I heard a clanging sound but the door had Closed again and I was left a lonely man, I’ll never be free because the door opens for everyone but me, Now don’t you see, Mr. Sessions please free me. “ And that is just what I did. Teague resident released when Jail full on promise (he didn’t keep) Seen sitting in shade airing his heels said he thinking about getting job so He could pay his fine. On way back to Jail told me he a reformed man, had stopped buying wine, not drinking it just buying it.\ *** Grandpa’s Report Phone visit with longtime friend Ed Pitman who now in a assisted living facility with medical problems Historical Comm. annual Xmas party at Moody Bradley House and served delicious meal by History Club ladies. Holiday music furnished by Earl Wiley, enjoyed and appreciated. … January Historical Comm. will be held at the Training Center with a short business meeting first and program by Mrs. Frances Collier on recent Rhine River and Russia trip.