Freestone Past/Present
                                    J.R. “Sonny” SESSIONS 
                                    Freestone Co. Sheriff l965-2001

                                     Philip S. Price
  Some years ago Mr. Price who born near me and lived some of his youth in 
the rural community of Bethel moved back here  on family land and built a 
nice home and retired.  I never knew Mr. Price before then but knew the 
family well. He made a favorable impression at first which continued to 
grow. I visited with him a few times and regret not doing much more.
  His family realizing I feel he had promise of greater things than the little 
common school at Bethel which he attending could provide sent him to 
Woodland Public Schools near Mexia. As I remember in visiting with him 
being told that later while attending Prairie View A&M College he had the 
opportunity to meet and visit with Dr. George Washington Carver. 
Impressed with the potential of the young man Dr. Carver encouraged him to 
come to Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.
  At Tuskegee Mr. Price received his B.S. Degree in Agriculture and then his 
M.S. Degree from Cornell University in New York City and did special 
study in Education and Vocational Guidance at New York University and 
taught 22 years in the New York City Public School System. He told me 
about serving the City as its chief horticulturist and also New York State
Being responsible for the city parks and such His home was in Queens...
  Mr. Price never found to brag or be over aggressive, always spoke in a 
quiet and impressive voice. I always found him a gentleman with gentle 
ways. He visited the Streetman Senior Center often and always had helpful 
information, mostly concerning plants, their care and such. Mr. Price 
returned to our area in l994 and died in 2000 at age 85 and buried beside his 
family in Cedar Grove Cemetery near Streetman. I truly regret not spending 
more time with Mr. Price who had a very interesting life from a very humble 
start in a very rural community to one of importance in our biggest city.
                                  ***
  Recently found this Request for Medical Attention from a former Jail 
Inmate. “I request an appointment be made for me with a Psycho Doctor. I 
have the following symptoms: I’m starting to hear things other people can’t
And I think I might be God!” Or something to that affect! These symptoms 
started: As soon as Bob Gage took Office! (Gage was our prosecutor and 
one of the best, like most prisoners this one wanting mercy not justice).
                
  From the Original Sheriffs Report l971
  Spent couple of days getting educated on Waco Federal Grand Jury’s 
during the height of the civil rights era, a special prosecutor was sent from 
Washington, D.C. on this case with instructions to get an indictment by 
whatever means and did. This case involved Wortham PD Chief Owens. 
Brown Derby a nite club located on TX 14 going to Mexia either doing too 
good and competition decided to correct or some wife envious of husband 
having too big a time there as some one tried to burn it down, found early 
and put out.
  Letter from lady requesting family information as she lived here during 
childhood, said Jack Lott was Sheriff then so she been gone awhile. Out 
houses taken from Rocky Branch Church found decorating Wortham 
homecoming bon fire stack, Wortham PD said they would be taken back and 
were.
  Reserve Deputy Batts educated on some of our problems, school called 
needing something done with stray hog, as there no one else for this kind of 
job we did. 
   Kicked several times on leg assisting Wortham Police with mental female, 
told her to kick Buford, he the one that started it. Delivered to Rusk hospital 
where former resident now confined there seen and seemed to be expecting 
me and told me they trying to kill him again. Assured him this not true as 
just talked to them about and all ok, has habit of calling the office with this 
complaint but didn’t know until later he had called that day and Sue told him 
I would be right over.
  Deputy to Rusk to bring patient back for family funeral, no one else 
available to do so. Learned that man contacted last week about straightening 
 up his life had made a start as joined the church. Two runaways that family 
wouldn’t come and get turned over to Livingston probation officer to return 
there on earlier problems.    
                                        ***
                   Grandpa’s Report
  Grandson JR now officially a Senior in West Point Military Academy, 
seems like he should just be starting. Finished his junior year with 4.017 
grade average. Will be leaving for Japan and Okinawa in a week and then on 
to China for several weeks, then Washington D.C. and then home for short 
time before Fall Classes. Good show JR.