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

NAVARRO COUNTY SHERIFF JERRY SHELTON
FREESTONE COUNTY MURDER
  Have stories involving every Navarro Co. Sheriff I worked
with probably more involving Sheriff Shelton but one in particular. 
While eating lunch received disturbing call from friend Balk Keeton that 
while working on fence on FR 833 between US75 and Stewards Mill he 
found a mans body thrown in the ditch. Balk quite disturbed advised this the 
second body he had found during his life, the other back in the whisky days.
  The body later identified as man reported missing from Chaney borough in 
Navarro Co. The murdered victim was reported as last seen with couple of
local characters all drinking and traveling in the victim’s vehicle. Sheriff 
Shelton and his deputies assisted and very involved in search for suspects 
and vehicle. The vehicle finally located where it been sold with search 
continuing for the two suspects.  One was from Corsicana and we later 
learned capable of anything and very dangerous. The other from Richland
and along for the ride and free booze.
  Unable to locate the suspects until information received they at a small bar 
in Fort Worth. Sheriff Shelton, Deputy Grady McCall and myself made a 
fast trip to Fort Worth and the small bar. We were told there they had just 
left as been there all day drinking.
  We left the bar and started walking the street. Not far away we spotted 
them walking towards us. They looked up and saw us and immediately went 
down on the sidewalk with their hands in the air. They also wet their pants 
and  sidewalk which needing washing down as smelled like a brewery from 
all the beer they been drinking.
  Both returned to Freestone Co. Jail, one spent several years in pen,
other kept for trusty and Jail cook.
                                        ***
            From The Original Sheriffs Report l976
    Mother of youth caught stealing money from ladies purse, made him 
apologize then wanted charges dropped.
  Search for mother of man whose mother died, he left hitch hiking to 
gambling casino boats in Louisiana.
  Prisoner in old jail called to attorney walking by when the Circuit Judge
would be there.
  Waitress wearing short dress reported man pulled it up wanting to see 
more.
  Suspect in Caldonia’s burglary backed down on polygraph test, said there 
no use as show he guilty.
  Report man riding with barrel of whisky in pickup, unable to locate.
  Several calls recently on nut in the nude driving vehicle on Interstate
making obscene gestures at other travelers. On another call THP located one 
driving with nothing but shirt on, advised had disease where doctor 
prescribed no clothes carried before judge.
  Young woman released on bond back shortly as forgot her birth control 
pills.
  DWI on horse sent home.
  Man wanted seen getting on motorcycle with another, deputy dispatched 
returned with wrong one, worked out alright as wanted man came to check 
on other.
  Round the clock softball tournament Streetman.
  Large area secured when poison gas pipeline ruptured in Tehaucana Creek
Bottom/
  Prisoner held for joining County after escaped there couple times and from 
Oklahoma State pen advised when brought in it wouldn’t take long for him 
to get out, after several week stay aint gone nowhere yet.
  Elderly man in with legitimate complaint  on hay bought, said going to 
correct with his shotgun if no other way.
  Youngest son received much kidding while on recent trip to Six Flags 
when he backed out on riding parachute deal when it hung up for short time, 
smarter than thought when two local girls hung up for hour and half.
  Didn’t understand why DWI throwing such a fit until found red ants in his 
britches.
  Drunk put off bus advising he Poncho Villa.
  Man and dog jailed, complaint from Homer on having to baby sit the dog.
                                    ***
                   Grandpa’s Report
    Historical Comm. meeting with information on Community of Yeldell 
and Yeldell family presented by friend of more than 70 years Jack Yeldell. 
Jacks father died young, his mother was a Calame, the Cloman Calame’s
Sammie Jo and C.P. our neighbors in Fairfield. Jack and his sister visited
here.
  The Historical Comm. program in August will be a friend of Velma Jo
Magness who is the curator of the Fort Worth Confederate Museum. All are 
invited and encouraged to attend. Be at the Training Center Tuesday August
4th. starting at 7;30pm. 
...
  With regrets learned about friend Freddy Tucker, he and his cousin Al 
Tisdale and I passed some fun times together over the years.
...