Dewey James for Sheriff

“Dewey James for Sheriff!” that was the campaign slogan in 1950.  No, it did not come to fruition, but Grandpa seriously considered running for Newton county sheriff that year.  After all, his background made him a likely candidate.  Dewey had worked saw mills and logging operations all over the county.  Many of the voters had previously been riders on the school bus he drove.  He had operated a road grader on about every road in the county.  Because of his jobs and his involvement with school and politics, virtually everyone in the county knew Dewey and most of them liked him.  Having lived and worked in Newton County for over twenty years, he knew the people.  He knew their character and even knew who many of the criminals were and all about their illegal activities.  That was as much a problem as it was a benefit to becoming sheriff and Grandma told him so.

You see, Grandma was not happy about Grandpa running for or becoming sheriff.  In fact, someone said she through a holy fit.  “You are too old to think about being sheriff and besides” She reminded him, “if you become sheriff, you will be duty bound to arrest your own brother-in-law( her brother)for bootlegging.”   She told him that all the pranks and shady activities by HIS friends would have to now be ruled by the laws of Newton County.  He would no longer be able to dismiss them as just thoughtless or by saying, “why they probably deserved it anyway”.  Dewey would not give up on the idea easily.  It seems that stubbornness runs in the James family.

Dewey’s next step would be to secure financing for the campaign.  So, Dewey made travel plans for east Texas, where he would talk to his sons, Fuzzy and Bruce, about donating money for the election.  Grandma Velma did not want to go.  She had plans of her own.  Some time earlier she found a beautiful couch and chair set at Biederman furniture in Springfield, MO.  Velma wanted to buy it and Dewey did not want to get it.  You may have heard that Dewey ran the James clan and he did; but, most of the time Velma told him where to run it.  In this situation, she had already ordered the maroon couch and chair. Grandma stayed home and sent Sue Nell with Dewey to Texas.  After all, she had to stay home for the furniture delivery from Biedermans on Saturday.  She said once the furniture was delivered and in the house that Dewey wouldn’t say anything.

Grandpa and Sue Nell went to Texas and the Maroon couch and chair went to the mountain.   The election plans went south when the boys sided with their Momma.  They told dad that if he wanted or needed money that they would be glad to help, but, not for a sheriff election campaign.  They too said that grandpa’s close association with some people, who could be considered on the wrong side of the law, probably wouldn’t work out.  Besides, right now almost everyone in the county likes you and as Sheriff that would surely change.

Dewey James never did run for sheriff.  I am not sure if the idea of arresting his own brother-in-law was the reason or if he just did not want to find a new source for his own personal use after he put uncle Walter in jail.

* Other Siblings have said that it was Newton County Judge that Grandpa was considering.  Either way, the boys would not give him the money, Grandma got her new furniture, Grandpa did not run, and Uncle Walter did not get arrested!

And that's the way I heard it on the mountain,
Tony Peoples