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

Sheriff Rogers Historical Marker


  In the Fairfield Cemetery a Texas Historical Marker was erected and 
dedicated by Mr. Notley and the Freestone Co. Historical Comm.
in l968 at the gravesite of Sheriff J.B. Rogers. The marker reads”
James B. Rogers Nov. 27, 1936-April 13, 1872. Freestone County Sheriff 
1872 during lawless era.  Rogers pursued several horse thieves
alone after deputy was shot in hot pursuit: but later was shot from ambush
by 2 strangers, supposedly the vengeant thieves. Died leaving widow, 3 
children. Recorded 1967.
  This marker set close to the ground was damaged by the mowers and lay on 
the ground near by for several months. The caretaker was having a problem
getting it restored and repaired. Our son Ken (KDT Const) repaired and 
mounted it on a pipeline marker pole which raised it off the ground much 
more stable, it should last many years. 
  When the marker dedicated in 1968 our boys attended but so young
they really didn’t remember it. When ready to set it back up I thought it a 
good time to invite our sons and their families to participate and maybe learn 
some of the rest of the story of their heritage. Those attending on a beautiful 
fall morning were Grandma and I, James, Cooper, Sara, Kenzie, Devin, 
Hammond, Rachel, Nathaniel, Samuel, Jeremy, Abigail and Fred
Latham. Some not attending advised they did not know it was at the 
Fairfield Cemetery. James and Fred dug a good hole with fence post hole 
diggers, and set the pipe stand in cement.
  I then presented more information on the Rogers and our related families
that I learned or been told. One good source was a article written by Fannie 
Anderson a very close friend of Sheriff and Mrs. Rogers whose wedding 
they had served in. This article “Our Sheriff” is published in the
Freestone Co. History Volume I. Some came from early newspapers found 
by friends Davis and Mary Carter in their research for “The Story Uncle 
Minyard Told.” Some came from family members, like most I waited too 
long in becoming interested.
  Sheriff and Mrs. Sara Tatum Rogers and children came to Freestone Co.
immediately after the Civil War, am not sure when the Tatum’s came but 
probably before this due to freed slaves bearing their name. Rogers was from 
Georgia, Sara and the Tatum’s were from Alabama, I do not know where 
they married or how they met. Rogers was a Mason and Affiliated with
Fairfield Lodge in l869 and records do not show where from. Many local 
sources refer to Rogers as a Confederate Veteran but no record known, am 
sure he was a Confederate supporter as elected Sheriff twice with the local 
voters including the Freedmen’s support although they had candidates. 
Rogers was only 35 years old at the time of his death. I was told by a close 
family friend who visited the Rogers children that sometimes Mrs. Rogers 
let them play with Mr. Rogers wooden leg, I wasn’t told this till all the older 
family members dead so uncertain if it correct.
  The story of Sheriff Rogers death is as follows: 
Sheriff Rogers and John Karner, early pioneer, Indian Fighter and Veteran 
on San Jacinto had a covey of horses pastured east of Fairfield on land he 
owned. The report the horses being driven off by horse thieves received by 
Sheriff Rogers, who with friends and deputy’s gave pursuit, gunfire was 
exchanged with Hub Harrison wounded, carried to Major Blains on Avant 
Prairie where his arm amputated and the chase called off. One of the rustlers 
lost his hat a fifty dollar Mexican sombrero which the Pruitt brothers were 
known to wear and suspected of thefts.
  The next day Sheriff Rogers left alone to pursue the thieves, he was gone 
several weeks but returned with the horses and that he had located the 
rustlers camped out, with help from the local Sheriff they raided the camp 
recovering the horses and killing all the thieves except two who escaped.
  Several months later after supper one night, sitting in the lobby of the hotel 
Sheriff Rogers was told he was wanted at the Livery Stable a short distance 
away (about where Rob’s is today). Wood Noland a close friend got up and
 went with him. As they neared the stable Sheriff Rogers was shot from 
ambush, as it nearly dark Noland was able to shoot one of the men from the 
flash of his gun. The other escaped thru the back of the stable but was caught 
and left hanging from a limb east of town, man named Dove.
  Sheriff Rogers lingered for a few days before dying and being buried in the 
Fairfield Cemetery. As all his children very young my grandmother Sallie V. 
not quite six and there no free or public schools she and her sisters were sent 
to the Fairfield Women’s College by the Fairfield Masonic Lodge. There 
was no government help and few occupations available for women then, she
was an accomplished seamstress. Fortunately there was a small estate that 
F.M. Bradley helped her manage. Mrs. Sara Rogers died in l916, I was told 
by my mother that they stayed in Fairfield for the funeral with Judge A.G. 
and Mrs. Fannie Anderson who lived in the old Hill house on the north side 
of Reunion St. Mrs. Rogers was laid beside Sheriff Rogers and her brother 
Tom Tatum in the Fairfield Cemetery, the oldest daughter Lula was later 
buried beside them. Sallie is buried in Woodland beside her husband Carter 
Sessions, along with all their children, except May who is buried in Falls Co. 
Bessie and her husband John Green are buried in Fairfield, a son Abner was 
buried in Harrison Chapel with the Tatums. I  was told by older family 
blacks that when Carter was courting Sallie he drove a fancy buggy pulled 
by matching white horses, I guess that be like a fancy convertible today.
                                  ***
             Grandpa’s Report
  Teague fundraiser steak dinner and big money prize sponsored by the 
Teague Historical Society for the Teague Hotel restoration a good success,
lots of socializing. The Hotel coming along and be a fine accomplishment 
for the community and County.
  Each week receive a mail offer from some shady mineral and oil/gas thief 
for a small amount of royalty I have offer equal to much less what it 
probably worth, please if you get such with a check in it do not do anything 
but throw it away or checked out with an attorney, some must be fooled by 
this and sell their royalty and such for far less than it worth. If it worth that 
much to them you can bet it worth much more to you. 
…