FREESTONE COUNTY PAST/PRESENT
By J.R. “Sonny” Sessions Jr.

Captain Hugh D. Whitaker - Retirement

      At one time Freestone and Navarro Counties had a future 
Governor living here.  It wasn’t a future Texas Governor, but 
Oklahoma Governor named Alfalfa Bill Murray. Alfalfa Bull 
taught school in the early days at Cade and Birdston near present 
day Streetman.  I have been told Alfalfa Bill had to make a hasty 
departure from the area in the night.
      As Oklahoma Governor Alfalfa Bill and Texas were involved 
in a border dispute over a Red River bridge. Alfalfa Bill called out 
the Oklahoma militia and stationed them on the north side of the 
bridge as if to attack Texas. The Texas Governor sent a Texas 
Ranger Tom Hickman to the south end of the bridge where they 
played stand off until the dispute was settled.
      Don’t think Alfalfa Bill bragged on his Texas past or 
Freestone County claimed him. Visited the Oklahoma Capital 
recently where the portraits of many former Governors displayed 
but unable to find one of him or any information on him. Guess 
they didn’t think much of him either.
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      Retirement Party for Sheriffs Office Captain Hugh D. 
Whitaker who spent more than 50 years in various dedicated 
service to Freestone Co. and Fairfield. Presented with numerous 
well-deserved awards and recognition with large crowd of friends 
in attendance. Law enforcement not only from Freestone Co. but 
also around the State.
      This man the most dedicated and thorough in public 
endeavors ever known. It also announced he selected as this years 
County Fair Parade Marshall. Nobody, and I mean nobody is more 
deserving. I know for nearly 40 years he has coordinated the 
parking and security for this event. Many of these years all the hot 
dirty work done by he and the Freestone Co. Sheriffs Reserve 
Deputies. I tried to discourage doing this year after year while most 
other agencies waited till the parking done to appear on the scene, 
he always persuaded me to continue, as the public needed it. 
Directing traffic out of big events the same way.
      I have had the privilege of working with this man and being 
involved socially, and I never had a truer or better friend, and feel 
honored to call him friend. The Sheriff’s Office Training Center 
renamed for him in his honor which were deserved. Our local 
VFW Post installed new flagpoles in front of the Freestone Co. 
Courthouse in his honor, Captain Whitaker a decorated WWII 
veteran.
	Memorial services for Helen Courtney who very involved in 
many civic programs including Freestone Co. Historical Comm. 
which she served as President. A fun and pleasant lady; very 
dedicated.
	...