Western Lawman and Frontier Character. He had a reputation for being fast with a gun. He was at various times a jailer, deputy sheriff, hired killer, private detective, deputy U.S. Marshal and racketeer. In 1876, he was elected the first city marshal of Fort Worth, Texas, and inherited the task of cleaning up the unruly city. It is believed that he killed at least five men during altercations and shootouts. Following three terms as city marshal, he opened a private detective agency, which he used as a part of a protection racket to extort business owners. In early 1887, a gunfighter and gambler named Luke Short drifted into town and refused to pay Courtright for "protection." On the night of February 8, 1887, during an altercation at the White Elephant Saloon, Courtright called Short out to the street. Short assured Courtright he was not attempting to pull his pistol as he opened his vest. Courtright drew his pistol, but according to witnesses, Short fired three rapid shots, the first of which tore Courtright's hammer thumb off, leaving him unable to fire his pistol. Short's second shot went through Courtright's heart, and the third struck him in the right shoulder. Courtright fell backward and died shortly thereafter.
Western Lawman and Frontier Character. He had a reputation for being fast with a gun. He was at various times a jailer, deputy sheriff, hired killer, private detective, deputy U.S. Marshal and racketeer. In 1876, he was elected the first city marshal of Fort Worth, Texas, and inherited the task of cleaning up the unruly city. It is believed that he killed at least five men during altercations and shootouts. Following three terms as city marshal, he opened a private detective agency, which he used as a part of a protection racket to extort business owners. In early 1887, a gunfighter and gambler named Luke Short drifted into town and refused to pay Courtright for "protection." On the night of February 8, 1887, during an altercation at the White Elephant Saloon, Courtright called Short out to the street. Short assured Courtright he was not attempting to pull his pistol as he opened his vest. Courtright drew his pistol, but according to witnesses, Short fired three rapid shots, the first of which tore Courtright's hammer thumb off, leaving him unable to fire his pistol. Short's second shot went through Courtright's heart, and the third struck him in the right shoulder. Courtright fell backward and died shortly thereafter.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
Jim "Longhaired" Courtright 1845-1887 U.S. Army Scout, U.S. Marshal. Frontiersman, Pioneer, Representative of a Class of Men now passing from Texas, Who, Whatever their Faults, were the Type of that Brave, Courageous Manhood which commands Respect and Admiration
Family Members
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See more Courtright memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
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