Hell's Half Acre - Fort Worth

kflach · September 29, 2009, 10:28:47 AM

I'm doing my preliminary research into my eventual persona. I know I'll be a Texan. I've read enough to know that Fort Worth's "Hell's Half Acre" was the type of area where you'd probably find a lot of "colorful" characters - the kind that might be fun to portray (for example, the famous picture of Butch Cassidy and his gang was taken while they were visiting that area).

I've come across the book "Hell's Half Acre: The Life and Legend of a Red-Light District" by Richard F. Selcer that sounds like it might be good info, but I have no idea if it's got a lot of pictures. Those would be important so I could look for appropriate dress.

Has anyone read this book? Does it have pictures that are useful for creating a persona? Are there any other books that you'd recommend if I want to look at Texas clothing in the 10 years immediately after the Civil War?

I'm looking at that period because that matches the revolver I already have (1858 Remington NMA). I can get new clothing for alot cheaper than I can buy a new revolver.

Texas Lawdog · September 29, 2009, 03:22:21 PM

In answer to your questions about Hell's Half Acre in Fort Worth. The term Hell's Half Acre refered to a lot of places back then. The one in Fort Worth was primarily in the north part of town. It was filled with Saloons, cheap hotels and bawdy houses. These places attracted gamblers, cowboys, shootists, and prostitutes. It was defenitely a tough part of town. As Fort Worth became more civilized, the folks that frequented those places were gradually pushed out. One of the last famous gunbattles occured on Feb. 8, 1887, when Luke Short, also known as the "King of Fort Worth Gamblers" shot and killed former Fort Worth Marshal, Longhair Jim Courtwright. Short was killed a few years later in a gunfight in El Paso. Hopefully this will give you some ideas on a persona.

Grogan · September 29, 2009, 05:51:22 PM

As I understand it (never been there myself), Las Vegas, NM was another "fun place" to hang out back then!

kflach · September 30, 2009, 10:09:41 AM

I've been doing some reading on the Short/Courtwright shoot-out. It's some interesting stuff. Courtwright (who started it) was apparently drunk and got his gun caught in his watch chain, giving Short time to pull his gun and shoot.

I've found pictures of both of them but they're dressed up in suits with no weapons. I saw a picture of a painting of Short, and I liked the look, but since it was a painting I don't know how accurate it is. There's also a picture out there of Short with Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday - apparently they were all good friends.

I'd like to see stuff about Ft. Worth (and that area) in the period following the Civil War - say from 1865 to 1880.

Las Vegas is still a 'fun' place to hang out!

Texas Lawdog · September 30, 2009, 03:15:46 PM

Silver City, NM. is interesting also, maybe more so than Las Vegas NM. Billy the Kid was known to frequent Silver City.

Ace Lungger · October 16, 2009, 10:32:59 AM

Kflach,
Did you google and find (There's also a picture out there of Short with Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday - apparently they were all good friends) ??
I would like to see that, but I have no clue where to look!
Any heads up will help!
Thanks
ACE

Texas Lawdog · October 16, 2009, 10:50:47 AM

Ace, Go to Yahoo and type in Luke Short. There should be a listing under Luke Short on a website named Spartacus and click on that. There should be a group picture of about 8 to 10 men seated in two rows.

Ace Lungger · October 17, 2009, 02:25:59 PM

Thanks TL,
I will go check that out! I allways like looking at the photo's of the old west and the pards that made it what is was!
Later
ACE

kflach · October 19, 2009, 09:18:11 AM

I bought the book. It doesn't have a lot of pictures at all, but it's full of quite interesting information. The author includes stories passed on from that era in the town's history, but he solidly documents a lot of information and history about the place. It's been a good (and easy) book to read so far.

Delmonico · October 19, 2009, 05:51:01 PM

I just happen to have that picture in my files:

The Famous Dodge City Peace Commission.
(Conkling Studio,Dodge City, June 1883)

Front Row: Charlie E. Bassett, Wyatt Earp, M. F. McLain, Neal Brown.
Back Row: William H. Harris, Luke Short, Bat Masterson, W. F. Petillon.

kflach · October 19, 2009, 07:04:15 PM

I've seen this picture several times but I just noticed something (I'm not a clothes guy so I usually don't notice these things)...

They look like they only button the top button on their coats. I wonder if that's for 'quick access' or if that was the norm for that time period.

River City John · October 19, 2009, 07:31:06 PM

Quote from: kflach on October 19, 2009, 07:04:15 PM
I've seen this picture several times but I just noticed something (I'm not a clothes guy so I usually don't notice these things)...

They look like they only button the top button on their coats. I wonder if that's for 'quick access' or if that was the norm for that time period.

That was the style for the period. Lots of Civil War era photos with one top button closure of the coat. See it continued into the 20th cent.