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Sundance Square in Fort Worth in Tarrant County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
 

Gamblers & Gunfights

 
 
Gamblers & Gunfights Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Denise Boose, May 20, 2010
1. Gamblers & Gunfights Marker
Inscription. In the 1880s, Fort Worth, “the queen city of the prairies,” was home to good hotels, restaurants, theaters, banks, 60 saloons and 9 churches. Patrons dined at the elegant White Elephant Saloon with its 40-foot mahogany bar and climbed the broad carpeted stairs for a game of keno at Luke Short’s casino. Famous men of the West, including Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, “Doc” Holliday and “Longhair Jim” Courtright often frequented the casino.

On the evening of February 8, 1887, Courtright, unsteadied by alcohol, was feuding with Short over protection money. A sharpshooter and former law man, Courtright challenged Short to a gunfight. But his legendary draw failed him, and Courtright was buried with a procession of carriages 6 blocks long. A few years later, the mild-mannered 39 year-old Short was shot. He was buried near Courtright at Oakwood Cemetery on the city’s north side.
 
Erected 2006 by Heritage Trails and The Sid W. Richardson Foundation. (Marker Number 5.)
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is February 8, 1908.
 
Location. 32° 45.316′ N, 97° 19.907′ W. Marker is in Fort Worth, Texas, in Tarrant County. It is in Sundance Square. Marker
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is on Main Street south of West 2nd Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Worth TX 76102, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Western Union Building (a few steps from this marker); Morris and Conn Buildings (a few steps from this marker); Plaza Hotel Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Hotels (within shouting distance of this marker); Opera Houses & Theaters (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Worth's First Telephone Exchange (about 300 feet away); "The Stage Leaves From Here" (about 300 feet away); Land Title Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Worth.
 
Also see . . .
1. Fort Worth Heritage Trails. (Submitted on February 7, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. Wikipedia Entry for Jim Courtright. Bat Masterson wrote “No time was wasted in the exchange of words once the men faced each other. Both drew their pistols at the same time, but, as usual, Shorts spoke first and a bullet from a Colt's 45-calibre pistol went crashing through Courtright’s body.” (Submitted on February 4, 2018.) 
 
Gamblers & Gunfights Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Denise Boose, May 20, 2010
2. Gamblers & Gunfights Marker
Ft. Worth Sheriff Jim Courtright image. Click for full size.
via Wikimedia Commons, photographer unknown
3. Ft. Worth Sheriff Jim Courtright
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 1,223 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on February 5, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California.   3. submitted on February 4, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 28, 2024