Freestone County, Texas
Reflections



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

FREESTONE CO. JAILHOUSE PETS

  During the time I lived in the Jail with my parents I only remember a small 
Bulldog given me by former Deputy Abe Chavers. I am sure the Robertson 
family had pets but don’t remember them.
  Deputy Sue Gregory had a variety of them, a spider monkey that did not 
like James Gregory who would steal eggs then get in the wiring on the 
ceiling and throw them at James. She had a pet skunk that been deodorized, 
several small dogs and other.
  The monkey I had in jail was a  large one that growing marihuana in a 
remote with couple guys, we found indoor toilet in tent they staying and 
found out this for the monkey who trained to use and wouldn’t use anything 
else even in jail which better than many prisoners. It was old and its teeth 
bad and about all it would eat was bread soaked in milk. Visiting children 
would bring it fruit. Jail trusty Sidney would tell them the monkey couldn’t 
eat it but he could and did.
  James Pursell had a small Parrot that had belonged to his mother he gave 
me we named Jailbird that enjoyed by all including prisoners as often flew 
back and visited. It would fly and get on my shoulder while I was typing or 
such and bite your ears to get your attention. Reserve Deputy James Monks
kept it for a time and gave it to somebody else, not sure where it is.
  I have never been a Cat person but we had a large Tom Cat to adopt us
and moved in. Named Jailhouse it had the run of the facility coming and 
going as it pleased. We had him for several months with no problems until a 
problem prisoner began to make complaints saying there cat hair in the food
which absolutely false but rather than chance a law suit he was given away.
  Been told story that certain West Texas Sheriff who only had one cell
released his only prisoner when a bad cold spell hit, asked why, said his Bird 
Dog had to have the warm cell. I never kept my Bird Dogs in the Jail but 
probably would have if necessary.
  Jail trusty Sidney swore he had a large red eyed rat that would come out of 
the sewer at night and visit with him which I never saw, and if he had it 
named I don’t remember.
                                 ***
  From the Original Sheriffs Report l977
  Lots of visitors while taking down the old County Jail to see the old 
gallows, children can tell their grandchildren about it. (Most of the gallows 
given the County Museum which still trying to figure out what to do with it.)
  Drugstore burglary with most recovered even l9th century womb shrinker 
medicine.
  Released pot smoking plumbers little early when completer plumbing job.
  District Judge Lawrence from Palestine over to impanel new Grand
Jury with 11 sworn in and one affirmed for Judge McCain who having jury 
trial in Leon Co. Co. Att. Gage presented 45 true bills with some 50 
witnesses on armed robbery, thefts, commercial bribery and criminal 
mischief.
  One going to pen this week started playing mentally off, doing stupid 
things, even started butting head into steel bars, after making sure had thick 
mattress in front.
  Man called 4am he learned a $300 contract put out on him, told him they 
didn’t think much of him for a murder.
  Dude jailed 6’3” tall weighing  250 lbs. that looked like a gorilla, went to 
Judge holding his mothers hand and bawled like a baby when assessed l0 
days in Jail and fine.
  President of Utility Co. visited me, Suel Hill and Teague Mayor Long
On dispatch request that refused.
  Divorce papers served on man wife said he threatened to shoot anyone who 
did, tried unsuccessfully to get our smallest officer to take the lead as should 
be ashamed to shoot him, served with no problems.
  Checked Dutch’s Stoar one night late for possible burglar when saw subject 
Sneaking around building, only thing caught was Dutch checking it too.
  Weekend busy as usual with32 booked into Jail Friday and about same 
Saturday.
  With unhappy woman moving out on man friend, said just wanted to get a 
few things when thru had even taken sheets off bed—with him still in it.
  When started taking old Jail down with prisoners requesting privilege of 
helping saying they always wanted to tear up a jailhouse.
  Took mans income tax return to separated wife who wouldn’t let him near.
   Archeologist from SMU doing research on proposed Tennessee Colony for 
Corps of Engineers site mentioned in 17th century Spanish explorers report 
of large Indian village.
 Small children at school having money taken from them by others.
  Limestone Co. Sheriff Walker over after youth being held for them on 
capital murder charge of elderly Limestone Co. storekeeper.
  Mental who set house on fire that put out by neighbors who called he gone 
after kerosene to do it again, did too before we could get there/.
  While taking old Jail down trusty reported Ronny in his wheelchair having 
to detour with ramp built and told it looked like Evil Kneevil when hit it to 
get over the ramp.
  Drunk 65 year old woman being jailed advised she needed rest room, had 
just used it so told to wait a minute, she told officer she couldn’t and didn’t 
as took care of   her business in middle of booking area.
                                  ***
              Grandpa’s Report 
  Cleaning out farm storage shed found things long forgotten including large 
toy storage box full of boy’s toys that saved over the years, made of steel 
they survived several generations of playing with them by them and others, 
mostly boys. The storage box over 50 years old succumbed to ravages of 
time and abuse built for them by their old maid aunt “Aunty” who been 
married several times but never quite grew up but a fun person for the kids. 
Salvaged a drum full of mostly Mattel toys for future generations.