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

SESSIONS IN FREESTONE COUNTY #3
This is a continuation of information presented at the 2009 Woodland 
Cemetery Memorial.    

James R Sessions, Sr. 
Jim Sessions as he was known was born in l891 east of here at the 
location where Peggy and I live today. He started to school here at 
the old Woodland College. He told of his first day walking to 
school with his lunch in a syrup bucket and eating it on the way.     
The “slate boards” used here instead of pencil and paper and his  
was saved by his Aunt Lula and given me in later years along with 
his personal shaving mug from Claude Goolsby’s Barber Shop. He 
lived and went to much of his public schooling in Mexia where his 
parents moved them. He worked for and with his father Carter 
Sessions in various things, a large sawmill, farming, and farm 
supply store, he made several trips to Kansas City with loads of 
cattle on trains.
  Jim Sessions attended Texas A&M along with Harold Nussbaum 
but never graduated here. Attended Tyler Commercial College, and 
Cotton Grading School in Dallas which used in grading cotton 
being bought.
   The following appeared in the Kirven Hustler: Last Sunday 
afternoon Mr. Jim Sessions and Miss Thelma Batchelor surprised 
their many friends by driving over to Wortham where they were 
joined together in the holy bands of matrimony. To this union were 
born five children Carolyn (Mrs. Hulen Kirgan), Leah (Mrs. James 
“Dick” Eubank, Sara (Mrs. Jim Younger), J.R. Sessions Jr. (Sonny 
married Peggy Isaacks) and Kenneth.
  These were hard times; Jim tried farming and other occupations. 
He had his first law enforcement experiences during the Mexia- 
Wortham Oil Booms. As a Freestone Co. Deputy working and 
directing the terrible traffic on the blackland gumbo roads and 
streets. There were reports of mud and ruts so deep teams of mules 
and horses bogged down and died trying to get out pulling the 
heavy loads of drilling equipment. I have been told he rode a large 
white horse and carried a double barrel sawed off shotgun along 
with a sidearm. Thelma and the children still lived in Kirven with 
him coming home at night when the weather permitted.  During 
this period Carter and Jim Sessions were involved in a shooting in 
the offices above the Wortham Bank with two Dallas oil 
speculators dead, they were tried and acquitted. As both had no 
finances for defense, attorneys they were provided by Carter’s 
brother in law John L. Wortham.
 In l930 Jim Sessions was elected Sheriff in his second attempt and 
moved to Fairfield.
These were very trying times with the depression and manufacture 
of illegal whisky.
During this time there every kind of crime known committed.  In 
the early years he had several deputies, in the end only one. He 
was ahead of the times in law enforcement and education and was 
known as a fair man. He was elected l0 consecutive times which I 
think is still the record and served l9 years. I served 36 years as 
Sheriff but elected only 9 times.
   Carter Sessions had lost all his land except their home in Kirven; 
Jim Sessions was able to acquire the Hines Place near Woodland in 
l935-36 which had also been lost. After Sally and Carters death he 
bought the home place in Kirven so his sister Mattie and Aunt Lula 
would have a home.
     In 1948 Jim Sessions went into a mental depression which has 
occurred in several members of our family. There was little or no 
help for such available and he never recovered from this illness. At 
his death in January l949 he was buried near family in Woodland 
Cemetery. A Resolution H.S.R. No. 90 was passed in his honor by 
the Texas House Of Representatives. He was highly respected in 
law enforcement and by the public.
            From the Original Sheriff’s Report1976
  Man mentally off released to family back again after seeing more 
boogers and shooting at em.
  Bueford reports lady parked car on Wortham street, left it running 
went around corner to use phone booth, car jumped into gear, 
backed around corner hitting phone booth with woman still in it.
  Ten year old youth to hospital with serious injuries when .44 
magnum fell off vehicle dash discharging.
   Off duty security guard still in uniform jailed with armed robbery 
of man sleeping in car I45.
  Attempted robbery of man of man traveling by hitch hiker picked 
up that pulled pistol with vehicle run in ditch after tussle over 
pistol which discharged injuring driver. Hitch hiker hit ground 
running never located after several hour search.
  Five turkeys on smoker for Christmas dinner stolen with man 
charged and jailed.
  Slap jailed pair after CB report on Christmas Eve DWI. Both 
drunk and packing automatic pistols.
  Wife carried to Judge on her Xmas Eve request to file assault 
charges on husband who beat her before leaving to play old Santy
Clause and not at home. Husband jailed with wife calling Judge in 
about 15 minutes wanting him let out so could come home and 
play Santa. 
  Judge Jim Orand performed marriage in Reserve Deputy Office.
   Youth held Co .Jail since May for shooting of THP Russ on I45 
entered guilty plea before Judge and given 15 year sentence in 
TDC. This one of most stupid acts ever dealt with seems to have 
been done on impulse when stopped on traffic violation as been 
watching too many TV shows and movies where it big deal to get
Involved in wild chase with police and decided he needed little 
excitement. Found out real quick it not like that with him meekly 
surrendering. Two young women brought from Waco who robbed 
elderly man waiting on bus, carried to Teague Cemetery at 
gunpoint, made him take his clothes off and left.
                            *** 
           Grandpa’s Report
  Freestone Co Historical Comm. September meeting scheduled for  
Tuesday evening  September 2, 2009 the day after  Labor Day and 
far as I know its business as usual Be at the Training Center 
starting at 7:30 pm, Wortham in charge of refreshments.
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