Freestone Past/Present J.R. “Sonny” SESSIONS Sheriff l965-2001 ‘Sidney” Dealt with same subjects many times over the years. Every area has subjects that can’t seem to make it except in some kind of detention. Recent Original Sheriffs Report brought to mind one especially dealt with many times whom we will call Sidney, not his real name. He and his family involved with mine for several generations, his father well known during the time my father was Freestone Co. Sheriff. When I went in office Sidney a juvenile involved with other local youngsters in thefts burglaries and such. His mother really a good person but widow with a flock of children which she trying to support and raise. Mr. JB Scott with his well trained German shepherd dogs caught the gang in Peyton’s. Most sent to the Juvenile Reformatory in Gatesville where Sidney went several times until old enough to go to the pen. When sent to the pen he was a hard working prisoner and always made “State Approved Trusty” and got good time usually driving a tractor. K-Way a local lumber yard burglarized and money taken from the safe. Suspected Sidney but couldn’t locate him for several days until he returned in a nice car, I put him in Jail, he asked me if I thought he dumb enough to steal the money and come back in a fancy car , I told him he was the only one I knew who would do such. A poly-graph test showed knowledge, he still would not admit it, and in the past when confronted he usually admitted quickly if involved. After a good stay in the old Jail he fessed up, asked why he took so long he said he broke into K-Way to steal a saw to use to build his momma a chicken coop, found the safe open and scared I would think him a safe cracker. During his stays in Jail he told of large red eyed rats coming out of the commode at night, he also thought the Jail haunted and once found an old horseshoe he put above the door of his cell and fell onto the deputy’s head while shutting the cell door. He enjoyed telling me he was an Indian, a Blackfoot. He was about 6’3 tall and fair basketball player, his ambition here was to beat our son James who much shorter then. Plagued with store burglaries that committed during the day on Sundays after Mr. Scott completed his nights. Several arrested inside Peyton’s including Sidney. This entire group sent to Youth Reform Schools in Gatesville at one time or another. Always felt sorry for Sidney and tried to help him. As he legally became an adult he was a nearly permanent fixture at the Jail. I even moved him to the country staying in a old house and old pickup to drive on the ranch, he did fine until rained out one day and decided to go to Mexia, after a few beers he started stacking the furniture saying I sent him, fortunately a mutual friend came by, loaded him up and drove him back, this ended his stay with me. When we had a large well mannered monkey in Jail with other pot growers school children would come to see it bringing bananas, apples and such which the monkey couldn’t eat Sidney would tell them the monkey couldn’t eat it but he could and usually ended up with it. Sidney and the monkey had a personality conflict and would fuss at each other for hours thru the bars separating them. There should be somewhere to put people like him, he absolutely could not make it on his own in the free world and has spent most of his life incarcerated. There are many like him in circulation. He will probably spend the rest of his life locked up, where ever it its, I hope he gets to watch Gun Smoke on TV which he loved. *** From The Original Sheriffs Report l970 Complaint from lady living near western County line she being molested and attacked by her friends dog when she walked to the Brown Derby to get a beer. Referred this case to Mexia Constable Copeland, he handles the lady and dog complaints. Longtime friend and police man Raymond Davis by for visit, remarked he had been in the business 32 years. Oakwood public road fenced off by lady with complaint there too much traffic late at night and too many beer cans thrown in her yard. Treated prisoners to ‘jail burgers” for breakfast while Gregory’s gone. Freestone Co. Fair started Thursday with parade with Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes, Congressman Olin Teague and State Rep. Jack Hawkins among dignitaries present. Prison Band held thru weekend to perform at Fair, Reserve Deputies given real workout. Runaway girl picked up Love Field sentenced to Brownwood by District Judge who asked girl if there any way he could change her way of thinking, she replied “No Judge and I don’t think there any way I could change yours”. Report elderly lady “Aunt Mandy Talton” missing eastern part of County, this search went on for several years until bones found and identified as hers indicating she became lost and died naturally. Learned youth that came with I45 construction enforcing the law as an International Policeman, located and arrested with Badge from mail order firm. Always regretted stopping him as doing good job. *** Grandpa’s Report Grandma and I joined family at Texas Sports Banquet where many recognized and awarded for gymnastic and cheerleading, Grandson Daniel a senior received several awards including a very nice scholarship, good work Daniel. Katy spent Spring Break in with David in Virginia. Kenzie and Devin to Kirvin Church “Camp” over weekend. Wortham Junior High School Open House for Cooper, Kenzie, Devin and Sara’s classes. Cooper recently celebrated his 14th birthday. E Mail from JR who back from his first trip to China, didn’t have time to give much information due to school work but did say the Great China Wall as awesome as it looks, Recently when took group to Teague for pizza carried some by Railroad Museum and walked around as it closed, then all walk thru the old Saloon and Hotel that being restored by Teague Historical Group, all looks great.