FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J.R. (Sonny) SESSIONS FREESTONE COUNTY PRISON LAND When Texas bought the large tract of land in Anderson Co. they also bought a small tract (about 600 acres in Freestone Co. for the iron ore deposits to be used on roads, ect. A low water crossing was made on the Trinity River to cut the hauling distance to Coffield. Coffield was named for a generous citizen, I think from Milam Co. a strong supporter of TDC. The land in Freestone Co. had served as entrance to the River by the public since the earliest days of Freestone County. The area known as Tyus Bluff and Board Pile was in this. It also included the old Tyus Cemetery which created another problem, the public and friend Bill Tyus of Teague opposed all this being closed to the public. Dr. George Beto the TDC Director finally got approval of the Commissioners Court to fence off the road and lock the gate. It was promised that TDC would maintain the Cemetery and a key left at the She0riffs Office for any needing to get to the Cemetery. This was done as long as Dr. Beto there and his successor Jim Estelle were there. After this neglect of all agreed upon ignored, I had to contact the Wardens in later years for any action; I do not know what condition it in today. When the low water crossing washed out it lay without use for several years and became a private hunting area for TDC employees until The Texas Youth Council took it over and established a Wilderness Camp. accommodations were built; large staff employed (probably two employees for each inmate) then brought outlaws off the big city streets to this remote area. They could and often left here walking into the more populated area usually stealing a vehicle, caught and returned. I asked the kids what happened then and told they gathered around a open fire or such and talked about what they did and why. The only thing I saw accomplished here was the inmates learning how to do it better the next time. It finally called a complete failure and shut down. Unknown to me and the public the new Director of TDC a former book keeper I was told used it all for a private get away, wild parties and eventually a shooting that never reported. After this it all burned down (I didn’t do it but glad it. gone). I heard it was put up for sale but do not know its status today. Most of the escapees from units across the River crossed here and used TU Generating Plant smoke stack lights for guidance.’ There many good Directors and Wardens in the Penitentiary System over the years like Jin Estelle, Dr. Beto and especially Wayne Scott a Teague native, also the many Wardens like Brenda Pursell Chaney a Wortham school graduate. I think it should be and called Pen instead of the fancy names under used now. *** Original Sheriffs Report l969 Hippy type characters in Wortham Sunday riding motor cycles in Memorial Park, advised they down to pay homage at grave of “Blind Lemon Jefferson early Blues singer/composer. Assisted on return trip to Dallas by Constable Craig, Police Chief Owens and Deputy Gregory. Blessed motorist on 75 out of fuel with two gallons of gas. Mother had deputy bring in son to send to reform school as wouldn’t work in chicken house with her. Car stolen Aycock dealership recovered before it missed. Young mother of two jailed DWI, children started crying when Grandmother came for them, first thought because leaving mother, it because they hadn’t got to eat eggs being cooked for ;them, Minters store Teague burglarized, much of property recovered Dallas and returned to them. Game Wardens Bergstrom and Elrod in search for reported body in private lake, only limbs that seen by mixing moonshine and moonlight found... Youngest son Ken started to school, earlier had reservations on whether going or not until sat in on emotional juvenile court hearing with me, after over asked what it all about, told him because he wouldn’t go to school, he then told me he going to school. Chuck’s Western Store in Teague burglarized with large amount of property taken local sitting beside old hotel late night went over and help them load, then went to Marshall Blakeley and told him about it which didn’t make Blakeley very happy. Subject with property arrested Franklin and Houston, subject in Houston wearing stolen boots brought back bare footed Midday burglary with Reynolds new color TV console taken, later recovered in Dallas he wouldn’t leave it until someone hauled it back for him, All this a long story with lots of time spent with Dallas Deputies, one asked why we the only ones that worked on it, told him we’re all there were. Getting to spend time with Sheriff Decker worth it all as very familiar with Freestone Co. and its past, a good friend of my fathers **** Grandpa’s Report Reminded recently that the position of the Moon plays a lot in many lives, I found out even before service as Sheriff that at certain stages of the moon it affects the many with mental conditions, as Sheriff we could tell when the moon right due to these type problems which increased significantly. Many families recognized this and would report it as such. … Deeply regretted the Joe Roger Alderman’s family loss. Joe Roger served Freestone Co. well as County Judge. Our families have been friends for generations. This would be a tragedy in any family.