Tag Archives: FortWorth

Fort Worth Heritage

Yellowstone’s prequel “1883” brings to life American History…Fort Worth History

Billy Bob Thornton portraying Jim Longhaired Courtright in “1883”.

So much excitement in Fort Worth since the filming of Paramount’s “1883” a prequel series to “Yellowstone” the ancestors of the Duttons. If you’re like us, you are thrilled to see any snippet of Fort Worth Stockyards cross your screen. In “1883,” Billy Bob Thornton plays Marshal Jim Courtright, a very real gunman from American history…from Fort Worth history! Born Timothy Isaiah Courtwright, the Illinois native after serving in the Civil War, went on to become the marshal in Fort Worth. Know for his long locks he carried the nickname Longhaired Jim.

Luke Short (L) Old-West gunfighter, cowboy, U.S. Army scout, dispatch rider, gambler, boxing promoter, & saloon owner. Jim Courtright (R) Old-West lawman, outlaw, & gunfighter, City Marshal of Fort Worth from 1876 to 1879.

You may have heard the story of bad blood between Luke Short and Longhaired Jim that ended in a shootout. No?! Well, here goes!

The original White Elephant Saloon – The Morris & Conn Building 308-310 Main St. In downtown Fort Worth. Also pictured Jim Courtright’s Six Shooter

The two men met on the evening of Feb. 8, 1887 at about 8pm and a challenge was issued by Courtright. Luke Short was called out of the White Elephant Saloon on Fort Worth’s downtown Main Street. They stood facing each other just a few feet apart. Short assured Courtright he had no gun and moved to show him by lifting his vest. It was dark, Courtright had been drinking and he mistook it as a go for his gun. Courtright yelled, “Don’t you pull a gun on me.” Courtright went for one of his two 45’s on his hips. Courtright outdrew Short, in the process his 45’s hammer caught on his watch chain. Luke drew his pistol and got off the first shot. Short then fired four more shots and Courtright fell to the ground on his back dying in bloodshed.

Luke Short was released from prison after a short examination trial with $2,000. bond, it was a clear case of self-defense with the only witness noting Courtright pulled his trigger first. Short ended up paying for Courtright’s funeral, $20. His funeral procession was one of the largest Fort Worth had ever seen.

Jim Courtright’s Grave at Oakwood Cemetery
Luke Short’s Grave at Oakwood Cemetery

We are hoping to see “1883” at the White Elephant Saloon portray this event…we’ll see!

Fort Worth Music

Willie Nelson in Cowtown 1966

In July 8th & 9th, 1966 (55 years ago) Johnny Bush and Wade Ray backed Willie Nelson on the album Live Country Music Concert, recorded over two nights at Panther Hall, Willie’s home away from home in Fort Worth. From the night Panther Hall had opened in June 1963, the building with the futuristic, eight-sided exterior that resembled a flying saucer was the country music showcase in Fort Worth and Dallas. The dance floor was huge, the air-conditioning cold, and the surroundings nice, with long tables for seating. Waitresses dressed in Western outfits. Even though pop tops had already been developed for beer cans in 1962, the waitresses or bartenders could still open cans quicker with a can opener (popularly known as a church key) as long as the cans were opened on the bottom, which explained why beers were served upside down. Panther Hall was also Willie’s second television home. He played there so often, he was a semiregular on the Cowtown Jamboree, broadcast live from Panther Hall from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Saturday to viewers in the Fort Worth-Dallas area to hype the show later the same night. The televised portion of Jamboree was hosted at various times by popular Fort Worth disc jockeys Bill Mack, Bo Powell and Dale Wood. Willie’s relationship with Panther Hall had been cemented by Bo Powell, a disc jockey at KCUL. “I always looked on the record to see who wrote the song,” he explained. “It seems like every good song I was hearing was written by Willie Nelson.” Powell’s booming voice introduced Willie Nelson with all the flair of a wrestling announcer. The live music concert recording that followed validated Willie Nelson as a songwriter and a performer as he covered his own songs and songs of other composers.

*Except from the book Willie Nelson: An Epic Life by Joe Nick Patoski. https://www.amazon.com/Willie-Nelson-Joe-Nick-Patoski/dp/0316017795/ref=nodl_

#willienelson #pantherhall #liverecording #cowtown #jamboree #hearfortworth #discjockey #Tarrant #texas #texasmusic #fortworthhistory #dfw #July #1960s #anepiclife #patoski #fortworthyhistory

Panther Hall advertisement from July 1966.
Clean cut Willie Nelson 7/1966 at Panther Hall in midst of live recording.
A rare album capturing two nights of Willie Nelson live at Panther Hall, Fort Worth, Texas.
Songs performed for Side 1
Songs performed for Side 2
Panther Hall advertisement showing location at corner of Lancaster and Collard in Fort Worth, TX.
Panther Hall original sign rehoused at Sammie’s BBQ, Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Businesses, Stock Show and Rodeo, Street Photographers

Fort Worth Street Photographers/Nobby Harness Co.

Finding old photos taken by Fort Worth street photographers capturing everyday life experiences downtown are fascinating. A photographer would grab a candid shot of you, give you a ticket that you could later take to their shop to buy your picture. These street photos give a great glimpse of the way things were, from the way folks dressed, the family or friends they traveled with to shop, or the great storefronts of the time. However, it can leave one wondering about stores gone by that are captured in the background. We posted this shot a few years ago but it only recently did our friend Mary give us details on her memories of the Nobby Harness shop at the 300 block of Main St. and it’s worthy of a share.
“I remember Nobby Harness Company in downtown Fort Worth. I loved and rode horses in the 50s and 60s. My Papa would take me to Nobby Harness to buy a bridle or to repair a saddle. The wonderful smell of leather permeated the place. I remember an old cast iron stove for warmth in the winter. There was also a taxidermy display of a two-headed calf. Going to Nobby Harness shop is a fond memory for me.”
Wow! How well do you think a saddle shop would do downtown today? Before you answer, I happen to know Fort Worth holds the largest all-horse parade downtown yearly, going on 130 years now, as they welcome the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo to town. The streets fill with over 2,000 horses!
Hmm? I get it now! Giddy up!