Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


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

OLD SHORT WAVE RADIOS

   The first Police Type Radios used by Sheriff Brown were purchased
by Hugh Whitaker and Mr. Ben Capps from the Athens Police Dept  This 
done when Athens purchased newer ones. I feel sure Bill May the one who
put it together and kept it running. This system was still in use when I first 
became Sheriff. There was the Dynamotor and the older type tubes type 
radios on the old channels.
  Often these channels could and would pick up any thing on these channels.
It was common to hear Mexican and South America transmissions where 
they always used undelay or such which in Spanish means hurry, they 
seemed to always be hollering. We received the radio traffic from Corsicana,
Waxahachie or any using the old 3710 frequency. We later got frequencies 
to monitor East Texas. We usually knew everything going on.
  This during some of the race riots and looting like in Los Angeles and other 
places. Was able to hear northern Police as they were outgunned and 
murdered by robbers. There were shoot outs between police and fugitives. 
We were able to hear chase from start to finish in many areas. We were able 
to keep up with man hunts and escapes from the pen.
  There was a incident where escaped man held Highway Patrol man hostage  
for several hours while driving from near Houston with his girl friend with 
many officers following behind to a home in Robertson Co. where Sheriff 
Sonny Elliott killed him.
  I wish I had a list of all these things but don’t really know to find them but 
it certainly made it more interesting than the transistor radios used later. It 
really was an interesting era of times gone by.

***

   Sorry to learn of recent death of Elmer Kelton of San Angelo who is 
considered by many as the best historical western author known. I read some 
of his books earlier such as “The Time it Never Rained” and “Slaughter “ 
which dealt with the Buffalo herd in the Texas Panhandle which the last big 
herd. He was finishing his 52 book at his death.
Raised in ranching but said his being near sighted kept him from following 
in this profession. In my opinion he was the best. 

***

From The Original Sheriffs Report l977
  Speeder stopped Ellis Co. running over 100 mph, stopped again Navarro 
Co. doing over 90 mph, slowed down to 80 in this County, told deputy he 
having chest pains, carried to hospital where given citation after refusing 
treatment.
  Citation given speeder who ran for drive at home, who under impression 
couldn’t come on private property.
  Humbled by couple young South Carolina visiting and wanted to see real 
Texas Sheriff and get autograph.
  With deputies to Fort Hood after 4 wheel drive vehicle for Emergency 
Corps, deputy advised meeting old gal tougher than any general 
encountered.
  Show at Jailhouse every afternoon with Slap and others that practicing for
coming County Fair.
  Been variety lately with two women prisoners doing strip (couldn’t call it 
tease) every time any one in cell area.
  Slap put hoo-doo woman on bus back to swamps, advised it took 30  
minutes to get all stuff packed just right, when got to bus  she wanted to 
bless him but told her noting doing.
  Report pigs on gold course putting around or whatever do out there.
  House burglary Streetman with just about everything taken including the 
refrigerator.  In past tractor and shredder stolen but did leave him pair of 
pants. 

***

Grandpa’s Report

  Freestone Co. Historical Commission monthly meeting with guest speaker 
Butler area rancher Mr. Wesley Radcliff. Mr. Radcifff presented impressive 
program for Black History month.  It would be a honor for Mr. Radcliff, and 
lovely wife and daughter to join us in the preservation of history as members 
of the commission.
  Freestone Co. Museum recently had a group down on possible “haunts” 
or ghosts in their facility, not sure how it all came out.