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

PROHIBITION RALLY

I spend much of my time looking for something in my collection of 
junk, seldom find it usually 
do find something I’ve forgotten. Hugh Reed Jr. gave these articles to 
me years ago; they came out of his mother’s old papers. This had to 
have occurred in 1930 or 31 when prohibition was in the process of 
being repealed.
“Drama Presented At The First Methodist Church”
A large audience was present at the First Methodist Church Sunday 
afternoon for the presentation of the drama, “Who Killed Earl 
Wright”, given under the auspices of the Anti-Saloon League of 
Texas, and was directed by Attieu Webb, superintendent of the Anti 
Saloon League. P. D. Browne played the part of the judge; H. L. 
Williford was prosecuting attorney, and Mr. Webb was defense 
attorney. Ernest Steward was coroner, Roger Steward was Frank 
Lloyd, the defendant; had Homer Robertson sheriff, while Garfield 
Shanks served as deputy sheriff.  Dick Keaton played the part of the 
bootlegger. Mrs. Norris was the mother of the defendant. Mrs. Huron 
Looney was the widow of Earl Wright, Hugh Reed Jr., and Jim 
Sessions, Jr. were the children, Miss Sadie Kirgan played the part of 
Mrs. R.L. French, witness for the state.  The jury consisted of W. A. 
Parker, Clyde Dodd, Sidney McIlveen, Clifton Childs, Joe Brown, 
Wesley Jones, J. R. Cain, J.L. Norris, J.O. Swinburne, Frank Peyton, 
Walter Freeman and W. L. Glazener.”
 Sorry it doesn’t tell how it came out as Hugh or I neither remember 
anything about it.
Saloons didn’t return with the repeal of probation but snuck in the 
back door years later by our Legislature.
  The following also came from Mrs. Reeds papers, I found this 
especially interesting due to the reference to “Master Harold Day”, 
many years ago when I received mail from family it always addressed 
“Master Jim Sessions”, I have not heard of this in many years.
     “Honored With Party On Fifth Birthday”
  A very enjoyable party was given for Master Harold Day on his fifth 
birthday by his mother Annie Day, at the home of his grand parents 
Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Hall. All the little folks played games until 
refreshments were announced. After refreshment of hot chocolate and 
birthday cake were served with each child given little Easter favors.
  Those who attended the party were Felix Keys, Duane Coppedge, 
LaClaire Williamson, Nathaniel Cannon, Albert J. and Wayne 
Newman, Edwin Lloyd Glazener, Roger David Steward, Harry 
Manahan, Billy Bush Watson, Clifton Childs Jr., Gloria Faye Tate,
Helen Ann and Dimples Watson, Hugh Reed Jr. Otis Brown Utley, 
Tom Wooldridge,
Fern and Jennie Bell Richardson, Annie Fay McIlveen, Eleanor and 
Herbert Parker, Billie Theo Glazener, Carl Ed Williford, Mary Nell 
Waller, Marjorie Tate, Pansy Orand, Jim Sessions Jr. and Doris 
Childs.
  Other guest were Mesdames Roger Steward, Worth Steward, Clifton 
Childs, J.F. Day, W.F. Tate, Keys, Watt Parker, Noah Weaver, 
Robert Childs, Everett Newman, Eddie Orand, Clyde Glazener and 
Misses Alice Bradley, Mary Tillie Kirgan, Modena Vincent.”
  This occurred during another time; those attending were from 90 
plus to 3 or 4 year olds and many of the Fairfield families. There some 
I don’t remember. Harold Day was one of the nicest guys known, he 
was raised by his mother and old maid Aunt and married Aunt who 
lived next door, all across the street from the school. The Tobe 
Huckaby family lived with them if you remember them
                                Sheriffs Office 1965
  Fairfield and Freestone Co. still basically a rural County where 
Cotton Still King to many.
Teague a little city within itself even then. Wortham has been on the 
decline since the oil boom days. For several years law enforcement 
meetings in Waco, the Brazos 
Valley Peace Officers Assn. made many law enforcement friends at 
these meetings with interesting programs.
  Drugs not the problem as in later years but drug stores burglarized 
many times. Leon Co. had transit man left for dead west of Oakwood, 
man jailed who released from pen that day indicted, tried and 
sentenced again the next day, I made trip with Leon Co. Sheriff 
Buddy Bell to deliver Huntsville. Teague youth who perpetual 
problem broke friend out of Teague lock up. Federal Tax men in with 
local on whisky, tried and fined.
  Took alcoholic friend to Rusk for drying out, saw him later and he 
asked who took him, when told him me he advised he wasn’t going to 
forget it, told him that what I wanted. Man practicing fast draw shot 
self in leg. Church Bell stolen from Plum Creek Church.