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

JEFF DAVIS SUMMERS

  In Woodland Cemetery there are two older looking and modest grave 
markers Jeff Davis Summers 1858-1932 and his wife Florence Willard 
Summers 1862-1926.  I don’t remember them but they my mother’s 
neighbor in her early married years and managing a household. We never 
passed the cemetery markers she didn’t acknowledge how much they and 
especially Mr. Summers helped her along life’s way.
  Mr. Summers not a book educated man but very knowledgeable in country 
living, raising a family and keeping them healthy and what to do when 
illness occurred. He taught her how to grow a garden, what best, how to
use it best, about animals and such. He tutored her in the art of living safely 
and comfortably under poor conditions in any nearly any type home. I could 
go on and on about what my mother told about them. He must have 
influenced her in thrift because she a
expert in this and very conservative.
  Jeff Davis Summers born in Tennessee in l858 came to Texas in l886 with 
his stepfather. He married  Florence Willard, lived in Mexia, Lakes Chapel, 
Grange Hall and Kirven and is said to have lived  at one time in one of the 
log houses in the Freestone Co. Museum He and Florence had 11 children. 
The only one I really knew was Cole Younger Summers and his wife Estella 
West who lived near the County line going to Mexia.
  Younger Summers and Estella faithfully attended Woodland Cemetery
annual memorials and contributed to its maintenance during his lifetime. 
Younger a World War I veteran and close personal friend. Other Summers 
buried at Woodland include daughter Iola 1901-1914.
                                          ***
  Kirvin Vol. Fire Dept. Chili Supper and Open House of new impressive 
Facilities Saturday Feb. 21, 2009 5pm till. Hope to see you there.
                                        ***
From the Original Sheriffs Report 1972
  Young Kirvin wife deserted by husband with no transportation, carried to 
hospital for baby’s birth.
  While deputy’s delivering new convicts to Diagnostic witnessed scene 
where 3 men being carried to TDC from Hunt Co. shot and killed a deputy 
and wounded a DPS officer in escape attempt.  (Many escaped attempts 
occurred when Diagnostic neared.)
   Hot domino game going 2:30 am in Streetman.
  Young son James and visiting cousin William educated on fooling with 
Bumble Bee’s.
  Deputy Teddy Bear breaking out with allergies, found caused by stash of 
marihuana stored in Jail.
  Woman’s car reposed in wee hours as behind in payments, next day man 
showed up wanting to get his clothes that in the car, a coat, shirt, slacks and 
shoes, unknown what he made it home in.
  Local man who makes the most prompt child support payments every 
Monday morning, not because he scared of going to Jail but the ex-wife.
  Come out of pair of pants faster than went in em, found occupied by 
unhappy scorpion. 
  Wortham PD Big Bueford just returned from vacation in Yellow Stone, 
told about getting out of car to take picture of big bear that rose up on its 
hind legs letting out roar that put him back in car, probably thought going to 
work his territory.
  Complaint husband gone from home all weekend, deputy located and 
advised had choice, choice of jail or home, reluctantly too the latter.
  Search for missing Teague lady coming from Waco, found deceased in 
wrecked car.
  Saw something that never wanted to see again, case screw worms in
baby calf. Boys real impressed as never seen any before and never did really 
believe they created the problems they did.
  Checked out report Hippy behind every cedar bus in Grange Hall area, 
found a few camped out in woods, on their way back to Oklahoma from 
Galveston.
  Rangers Brice and Newberry delivered two prisoners for capital murder 
trial here on change of venue from Houston Co. some 200 prospective jurors
summonsed. (This a murder for hire with both found guilty by jury, tried by 
District Attorney Richard Handorf of Palestine).
                                                ***
                      Grandpa’s Report
  Kirvin Fire Dept. Chili Supper and Dedication of new facility and 
equipment this coming Saturday Feb. 21, 2009.
  February Historical Comm. meeting  with good attendance and most 
interesting program with Zeno Kings presentation on his WW II military 
experiences. Said I mistaken on his rank as was not a Colonel. all I could say 
was if he wasn’t he should have been. Great program. 
  Interesting program scheduled for March meeting with Gene Neal 
presenting information on he and his family’s involvement with Freestone 
Co. and area. This family handled more land deals than any other known.
Will be March 3, 2009 at 7pm at Training Center, all invited.
....