Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


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

CORSICANA WORLD WAR II AIRFORCE TRAINING FIELD

  A few months ago a Memorial dedicated for the  US Air Force Training 
Field located near Corsicana during WWII. This field located south of town 
off US 287 after several business men got together to build the facility.
Many WW 11 pilots received their first training here. It was a common sight 
for them train over Fairfield and Freestone Co. on a normal flying day, I 
remember seeing them many times  Some times they would put on a show 
for you. Many times they would fly close to homes and such, especially 
where pretty girls lived or believed did.
  It was brought out that 8,000 cadets started their started here with about a 
third not making it.. There were 5000 cadets that came thru here. There is a 
tablet on the ones who died during their training One a Mexican cadet and 
one a Brazilian cadet.
  Sculptor Sandra Van Zandt built the Bronze Cadet Memorial  that is 
displayed at the Corsicana field. Many WWII pilots received their
training at fields such at this including President George Bush. There were 
training planes at the dedication similar to the originals    
  Following WWII Navarro Junior College used the facilities with classes  
held in the tar paper rooms, there were few improved roads then and some
lived in small apartments. In the hanger mechanic classed were trained-these 
really needed as the school buses used worn out Corsicana city buses and 
required lots of repair. The buses ran from Fairfield, Teague and Wortham
in our area and driven by students.

***
From Original Sheriff Report 1977
  On July 4th weekend, jail over flowing, had some from New Orleans with 
gal advising she a topless dancer at night spot there, also bottomless too if 
necessary. Bear advised had to drag Slap out where she giving a 
demonstration. She advised needed to get back to Thibodeaux, La. On 
swimming nude in hotel pool and biting officer that arrested her.
  Teague Police Chief Brown nearly hit by stray rifle bullet from nut 
spraying neighborhood. 
  Deputies called on dissention over cemetery lots.
  To see fortune teller about her cattle running out.
  Man held on murder charge took own life late afternoon, Inquest held by 
Judge Whatley and autopsy verified this as cause of death. These things very 
common in jails, fortunately our first.
  Family dispute, he whipped her, she armed with two knives when deputy
Arrived. Complaint from woman on son stealing battery and tires off car and 
would not bring back.
  Slap says Chief didn’t get to sleep any Friday as had too much business.

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Grandpa’s Report
  Kirvin’s Volunteer Dept. annual Chili Supper, Cake Sale will be Saturday
February 20, 2010 at their new facility in downtown Kirvin. Your attendance 
and  participation needed. Come visit and enjoy the fun.
   During my time as Sheriff enjoyed the friendship of Freestone County’s
Prosecutor Robert (Bob) Gage. We were involved in many criminal and 
other cases. Gage probably the best prosecutor in the State (much of this he 
learned from Attorney and District Judge Mac Leon Bennett of Normangee).
Over the years we had many pleasant times together.