Freestone County, Texas Reflections FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J. R. (Sonny) SESSIONS SHERIFF 1965-2001 BOB WRIGHT Like most others “in not seeing the Forest for the Trees” regarding friend Bob Wright, Known Bob for 50 years or more, along with his wife Peggy who roots go back to Kirven area. Peggy a grand daughter of the Sam Baker family and whose mother raised here in the Burleson community along with other family before marrying and moving to Wortham and Mexia. Her family well represented in the Woodland Cemetery. I also knew Bob’s father who ran a salvage store in Mexia where I traded often. Been involved with Bob and Peggy over the years, and with the Mexia Daily News and its employees. Mr. Blake Smith who headed the paper for many years whom I considered more than just a friend and always very supportive. Bob was Editor for many years until the paper became owned by a large corporation. Bob is now Editor Emeritus and still very involved in its operation. One in past and a close friend of Bob Wright I called him “Bob Wrong” jokingly, a local friend told me quickly even with his few mistakes he would be sorely missed. I know this to be true, he covered most events in Limestone and many in Freestone. Doing all this and many at night didn’t leave much time for himself or Peggy. Bob reported on many activities we would never have known about. Was amused in case where man with big operation in high prices hunting dogs , living well in Freestone he often referred to a being from Mexia. Later when this man convicted and sent to pen from Freestone Co. Bob moved him back to Freestone Co. Bob was asked recently to do short program for The Historical Comm. on some of his experiences which he flatly refused saying he could not speak to group as had problems with this. I could easily relate to this as never comfortable with such myself. I remember many things we involved especially the murder of in Cotton in l969 and the many things looked at. Always proud to call you friends. *** From Original Sheriffs Report l977 Skeletal remains of man found in home where been deceased several months. Unreliable trials and tribulations with open jailers slot, first one seriously Injured in auto accident day before going on payroll, next several applicants started running backwards like craw dads, when found what it paid. One serious applicant took easy way and took off with another woman. Really pulled a boo-boo and hired one that should have been on other side of bars and dismissed for bad checks. Youth causing problems at home in for a chat. Man held on Jewelry Store robbery entered guilty plea and assessed 7 years in pen. Call on “possum” falling thru ceiling Butane storage tank belong to deceased man whose body found on Friday missing on Monday and reported stolen. County Court trial before jury on nut defending himself on minor traffic violation, fount guilty. New dispatcher advised had learned Sheriffs Office does everything from Goodwill to Red Cross and then some. (It my opinion this the way it should be.) One of our regulars out poppin his lips at all nite café sent home by Slap. Woman with domestic and other problems sleeping in front of jail for protection. Temporarily rid of weirdo prisoner shipped to TDC that having problems with in Jail, able to pick Jail locks, recovered key he made. Complaint subject went in women’s cell area and attempted rape while other women prisoners showering. Later advised by juvenile prisoner he attempted to set fire with can of lighter fluid when thought he snitched on him. Sported Bear on his first trip on jet plane trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado with Bob Wilson to return prisoner wanted here. *** Grandpa’s Report Freestone Co. Historical Comm. monthly meeting and program with Nancy Pickett Rulla and George Powell with the Freestone Co. Genealogical Society interesting program. Nancy Rulla who very involved in many programs asked when she had time to sleep as so busy. Program appreciated, have known George Powel for many years and pleased he the first man to head the society. The starting time for all future Historical Comm. meetings will be 7pm, instead of changing when the time changes.