FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J.R. “Sonny” SESSIONS
Sheriff l965-2001

More Murder of Wortham City Marshall Barfield

  Dallas Sheriffs Office Chief Baker also sent more information on the 
search for Alf Rushing including a copy of a reward poster with $1,000.00 
offered, this a princely sum in that period.
                                $1,000.00 REWARD
 For the arrest and detention of Alfred Rushing, who, on the 3rd. of
December 1877 murdered Jackson Barfield the Marshall of Wortham, Texas. 
He is 6 ft. 2 inches high. Weighs between 160 and 175 lbs.; hair, a dark sandy 
red, florid complexion, wolfish look, is bold to recklessness.
  
Freestone Co. Criminal records on this case were either stolen or lost as 
nothing in the District Clerk jacket. Rushing had and has family in this 
County. There once a community and school named Rushing west of Currie. 
Marshall Barfield reportedly buried in the Crouch Cemetery south of Big 
Tehuacana Creek at or near where the remains of Mr. & Mrs. Lindley of 
Texas War for Independence moved to the Texas State Cemetery some years 
ago. Rushing already indicted on cattle theft in Navarro Co. and on bond 
when Marshall Barfield murdered.
  The case on Rushing seems to have been active well into the 20th Century.
A list of possible witnesses in April 1878 shows, J.T. Seely, J.R. Roller, J. 
Leonard, J.J. Stubbs, J.M. Weaver, Henry Johnson, Spencer Bounds, George
Pursley, J.D. Carroll, M. Marberry, M. Pargar, R.E. French, JB. Frost,
W.M. Seely, K.K. Hackett, Laruce W. N. Bradley, J.A. Seely, T.A. Bounds, 
W.E. Manahan, P.L. Stubbs, J.M. Byers, J. Tavatmace, Doc Langumn,	
Jim Black and Esau Crouch.  Not sure all the names spelled correctly but 
they are names most in the area familiar with either in Navarro or Freestone 
Co’s.
  Have been promised more information by family descendents which will 
be published later.
                             ***
  From Original Sheriffs Report 1968
  Deputy drove ambulance to scene of wreck and brought victims to hospital 
when unable to locate another driver (there were no trained drivers or 
paramedics then, volunteers usually made the calls). Three Houston men 
killed in US 75 wreck.
  Court hearing with ex wife trying to get legal custody of man after 12 year 
separation, man now receiving good pension check, denied, man left with 
nephew who been taking care of him. M. George Fryers Xmas party. Secret 
Service assisted in locating local on leave home with history of threatening 
the President of the US. Coffield Prison escapes with another convict as 
hostage, caught and returned.
  One of first annual Sheriffs Christmas Dinners held Fairfield School 
Cafeteria with about 50 attending.  
                              ***
     Grandpa’s Report
   Daniel and group from Fairfield area competed in State Gymnastic Finals 
over weekend in Frisco north of Dallas which Grandma and I attended, 
never
been to Frisco before but always brings to mind friends Mark and Eloise 
(Harding)  Short whose youngest son and personal friend many years ago 
born on a train while traveling thru and named for the town which not more 
than a whistle stop then. Mark Short Sr. a traveling evangelistic singer came 
to Fairfield for a revival married into one of the old families and visited here 
often over the years.
  Daniel won first which I believe Sate Championship in solo act that very 
impressive. Didn’t see the big group competition where Daniel and some 31 
others from Fairfield gymnastics competed but reportedly brought home the 
honors. All held in Dr. Pepper Center where the professional hockey games 
held.
  Longtime friend and former Chief Deputy Charles Nicholson underwent 
surgery again in Tyler, had a long hard battle for several months which no 
one thought he could survive. He and Betty need your prayers and support; 
both have been very involved locally.
  Due to personal medical problems missed memorial services for friend for 
over 60 years Sylvia Childs whom very involved with at Freestone Co. 
Museum and Historical Commission, her husband Clifton Jr. and I lifelong 
friends.
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