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uthier, :214soldon F.
relore
Irrant Co ..3t
Bud Browns 77, living at 200 Emma it.,
Fort Worth, Tex., was born in Stoddard co.,
mo., in 1861. its father, E. B. Brow% came
to Fort Worth with his family in 1877, where
he entered the saloon business. Bud attended
tie first public school established in Part
Worth. HO watched the cowboy, ranehmen and buts-
falo hunters transacting business, also, enter-
tainihg t;lemselves in the various plaoes of
amuser.ent, tl-en provided in tim town, during the
early days. When he reached manhood's estate, he
entered tie saloon business. Be operated a saloon
in Colorado City when the town was solely a cawtown.
He attended the cattlemens convention held in that
toon in 1886. His story of early range life follows:
"I was b.rn in Stoddard co.,Mo. in Feb. 1861. My parents 0-_41e
14 Fort Worth, Tex. in 1877, which was about one year after the T.
ei P. railroad built into the town.
"Y hen we arrived in Fort Worth, tie town was clustered around
the courthouse square. The principal business houses were an
;eatherford St., and extended south for about a block on Main,
uston and Rusk (now Commerce) ate. The residential section ex
--”temided east and west from the business section. The business
uses were almost entirely one and two-story frame structures.
"At the time my parents arrived in the town, tiers was one
public school. It was located at Weatherford and Elm Streets. The J.
Hinter home is now located an the old site. The school building was
known as the Callaway Building. The principal was Alex Hogg. Susie
Hoffman, sister of =alter Hoffman, was the teacher, and I attend-
ed this school.
secured our supply of water from the Trinity River. The
ter was hauled to the school in barrels. During warm weather, we
pupils suffered thirst rather thandrink the putrid, water. We
Ice was a 112Arcs
vvrti41 ^^U^^, Ari+ <01mA rinerilA new hAmar
uthier, :Aieldon F
elore
ant Co.,Dist• 7
Page a
F C
ticle those days, and during the summer months the only cool
ter we could set, before wells were sunk, was from springs.
arid the vicinity of the courthouse were several wells which had
en dug bv U. :;.soldiers at the time the Fort was located here.
"Fort Worth, at the time of my school days, was surrounded
ith cowcamps. There were some farms scattered in the vicinity,
chwere fenced, but the longhorn was king. For instance, north
Fort Worth, after passing J.A.Putnamts place, which w as fenced,
t was an open range country that extended practically to Denver,
1.0
"Among the prominent cowcamps north of Fort Worth were those
Charles Goodnight, John Goodnight, Jim Reed,Bob Ellison, Dan
eggoner: E.B.Harrold, Burk Barnett and Col. jos Goodwin.
"Den 7laggoner controlled, and I guess owned, the major part
50 square miles of land in the vicinity of Decatur, Tex.
"In the territory west of town, after a few miles out, was
actically one cowcamp after another. It was the same north of
own. The men an the streets were almost eairely cowmen, dressed
their range outfits. The highpiheel boots, spurs, ten-gallon bat
lOnd a six-shooter hung at their side. In addition, there was the
ffalo hunters. The hunters brought hides into town and stacked
in where the Brown building is now located. They bought their
ibunting supplies here and departed to the West, where the slaughter
as taking place. The buffalo hunter's trade was a big factor in
iving A.J.Anderson his start in the gun store tr-ainess• His trade
om the buffalo hunters amouped to around $50,000.00 a year, during
he period buffalo bunting lasted.
uthier, Sheldon F. Page d3
elore
ant Co.,Disti,7 FEC
"Fort Worth w as suported by, the money coming in from the
ffalo hunters and the cowmen.
',UV father, after his arrival here, considered the nature of
siness to enter far a livelihood. El chose the saloon business,
cause it wE,s one of the leading lines and doing tls greatest
sincis of all other linos, during that period. He established a
loon at Third Main Jts. and named it,the wituby
"I recall t soda -water mon of those days: because so&wwater
azi drink. John De hems was the man from whom fatherbought his
.water supply. Be hems was the first soda -water manufacturer Lb
he town.
"I sllalmention soil* of the first men in various lines of bus-
ess in Port Worths tor instance, Dahlman operated the first meat
ceasing establishment. If my menory is correct, the plant started
s a beef packing institution, but finally changed to processing
ork exclusively. The establisbmentw as located tetweenE.Ninth
Eleventh Sts. at the edge of the sheer bluff bordering the
inity River tattoo.
"Dahlman was also one of our leading ygoods merchnnts. Another
eading merchant was B.C.Evans, whose place of business was located
t First &Ibustan Ste. His store occupied the ground floor andthe
tad Evans Hall of those days was on the second floor. The clang
loon of the town was operated by our Mayor, G.H.Day, tut the
torious place of business was the Waco Tap, a hoskrtonk operated
Pew Hell and Dutch Rose. The place was a corntiaation saloon,
arIbling house and epswaipmaar. The place occupied two stories.
he ground floorwas devoted to the bar, whishwas about 60 fast
uthier, :,,,eldon F. Page
gelore
rrant Co Dist. ft? FEC
a dance floor, and in each of the four corners of the
ound floor was some gambling game. The second floor as
vided into about 20 rooms, which were occupied by the woman
o worked in the place.
queans were employed to entertain the men. The girls
ad and drank, whichwas a part of their work. The queens
mimed a percentage of all drinks served to tbein and their
there. The girls were adept in luring ti* men into dancing and
ing drinks•The ladies would always call for the most expensive
girl's
inks, but the bartender would mix the/drinks very light so that
ay could drink and remain sober.
The Waco Tap was not the only place of its.kinde There were
he White Elephant, Occidental, First and Last Change and others,
hich fUrnished entertainment to the visitors.
"Our leading newspaper was the Fort Worth Democrat, published
Capt. B.B.Paddock. Chas. Houle published the Evening Mail. Each
tree* men were live wires. B.B.Raddockwas the most prominent
ivic leader of the town. He was constantly boosting for the town
and predicting for it agreat tutors. "The Gateway of the West" was
4is slogan. Peter aaith was Paddock's partner. Paddock created
the interest in thelvarious movements, and Smithilas the man who
allowed up in getting the citisens to put up the money to carry
be projects through to success. Smith had the ability to make the
boys shell out the °cam
uthier, Sheldon F. fte i145
elope
rrant FEC
"Our main place for public gatherings was Cold Spring, located
tie junction of Cold Spring Road and the old Birdville Road,
ut two miles northeast of the courthouse. At the spring there
s a pavilion, a saloon, a shady grove and a race track The shads
ees shaded about an acre and a half of land. The saloon was named
e,"First and AAA Cisme". It was the first chance to buy a drink
ming into town from the east, and the last clam• leaving the town
lag that way. The race track was located west of tie Trinity River
ich flowed past the spring, and occupied the land commencing at
river and extending almost to tie bluff south and west of tie
iver bottoms.
"Then Iwas about 18 years old, I went to work with my father
nding bar in his saloon, and learned the saloon business. I went
Colorado City in 1881 and tended bar for a time. Later, I se
bushed a saloon 'if qv awn.
'Colorado City was the leading cowtown of that territory at
time. It was a typical frontier cowtavo and the town's sole
port came fromoittlemen. Also, /may adds ttat thatownwas well
ported.
"The leadingranchmah of the Colorado territory, at tie time I
pernted a saloon there, were Winfield Scott, C.C.SlaughterlAndy
rchant, Clay Mann, and one or two others which have passed out
my mind at this moment.
"There was =abundance of money. It was not unusual to see
reach in his pocket and pull out a pouch oontaining several
d dollars in $20.00 gold coins.
uthier,
-elore
ant CoelDist.,7
Page nit
FEC
"Gambling wa1,1 one Jf the diversions) and all the popular
e were operated to accommodate the cowhands. To present an
ea of the extent the boys played, I stall tell about a game
ay Mann was enj2;aged in.
""BobWindera was one of the wont* dealers, and an excellent
of those days. Clay Mann came in one day and looked over the
tack of $20. gold conins staked an the table•The coins covered
space bout one foot square and were stacked about six inches high.
b was running the cards and had turned up a Jack. Clay Mann said;
''Bob, I want to bet a mule's tat& and some coin on that jack.'
tt
IAlriLht) Clap, Bob said, "lay out what it takes to talk.'
"Clay reached in his shirt bosom and pulled out two soaks of
nay) which be emptied in his ten-gallon hat, so tie money could
easier reached. The hat's crown was almost fu4.1 of gold coins.
"It* time was about 1 P.M. wen Clay and Bb began to play
nte and Clay played steadilly till 22 o'clock without stopping to
t Several times he went out for sandwiches and, munched while
eying. He would occasionAlly send for a drink from the bar.
"At one time Cleiywas close to $10,000.00 winner and at another
hewas about the same amount loser. However, lei= Clay quit he
$100.(0 winner.
"Games sucha a Clay played were not unusual those days) and
sees and winnings ()Amman into the thousands.
"I prevented Clay from being killed ar killing a man, and
lzelate the incident to illustrate a frequent occurrence. Those
s shooting affrays were not an exciting event. Dxt, we prevented
s if it was not too much lam trouble,especially if a friend
uthier, Sheldon F. Page
celore
ant Co oist FEC
involved.
"A fellow named Geo•Gadden, and Clay Mann had a dispute and
re existed tad feeling between the two men. I noticed Gladden
ding behind the front door, one afternoon, seemingly intent
tching for something. I asked Gladden what he was waiting
replied "a friend of mine". I know from the tone of his voiv.) anu.
t the remark wes Barcena. I looked out of the door and saw Mg
coming. It then occurred to me that Clay was the object of
adden's watch.
"I tepped outside and told Cl4ty to come in at the back. ile
cepted my advice and came in ttrough tie back door..
,Ilhen Clay came into view at tie b ack door, he saw Gladden
Gladden saw Clay at the same moment. Each rtanzeached for their
Dick Wise, city marshal at tie time, earns in the saloon at
ame instant the menial", reaching for their guns. He stepped
uickly in front of Gladden, and with a drawn gun ordered Gladden
march ahead of him out of the saloon*
"About this time the T. P. railroad had built to and ex-
nded beyond Colorado City, and I made a trip to Fort Worth to
sit zer. f ether..
"When I reirived at home, I foundfhther so tuay he had 120 time
do much more thane*? *hello, see you later'. Fathev,and
others, were busily engaged in thwarting three U.. marshals
six rangers in their attempt to take Jim Courtright, a former
ty marshal and well known citizen, out of the State of Texas,
to the Territory of N.Mex., to be tried on a charge of :larder.
"Jim had been employed as a mine guard in the Territory, and
uthier. Sheldon F. Page A
elore
rant Co .,Dint..1 FEC
veral men had been killed during some trouble which happened
'Ulm: mine. Cburtright returned to Fort Worth after the trouble
ok place, and was in business here operating a detective agency.
',The officials from Nam. came here with a warrant and, in-
ead of requesting the local sheriff to act in conjunction with
they proceeded to handle the matter alone. I suppose, to
ve time or to avoid extradition proceedings,. The officers lured
urtricht to the Continental Hotel, under pretence of employing
At the hotel, he met two more men and the throe diearmed him
held him under arrest. Theyreused him a chants to coomunicate
th his friends. The officers intended to depart on the 6:30 P.M.
P. westbound train with their prisoner before anyone would
ow whet had happened to Courtright.
nAle emloyees of Cburtright, at his cortical became alarmed
he failed to return or sand word where to find him. Chas.
ezle, who published the Evening Mail newspaper, beard of the
ident and spread the alarm through the town, and suggested that
he citizens do something about the matter. RA said, owe can't
we foreign officers to come into Fort Worth andcarry off one
our citizens without the process of law'. Therefore, the citi-
went into action.
"When the officers, with their prisoner, arrived at the depot,
y found it crowded and surrounded with people. District Judge
d was among those present, and an application for a grit was
minted to him. lie accepted the application and issued an order
t the prisoner be delivered into the custody of the sheriff of
t co., ;ending a bearing on the merits.
uthier, Sheldon F. Page #9
elore
rrant Cos,Dist.4 FEC
'The order of Judge Heed thwarted the N.Mex. officials'
tentions, but they put up a fight for the prisoner at tie hearing
won.
"The officers notified their Territory officials of tie state
affairs. A request was made of the Governor of Texas for pro-
otion of tie three marshals while in Fort Worth. Six Texas
ere were assigned torendsr the necessary protection.
"During the time the legal question was being decided, friends
Courtright were busy arranging for the next move.
"The Mx. authorities made arrangements to leavelwith their
risoner, on the 6130 P.M. train, and engaged supper at Merchant's
staurant, whichmas operated by Lawson and Ma:ay, to be served at
:46 P.'.
"when the officers called at therestaLurant for their meal,
hey were seated at one table, with Courtright sitting at the end
the officers and rangers sitting at the two sides of tie au
ble. Soon as tie officers arrived at the restaurant, it began
fill with people, and soonevery inch of roomwas occupied.
"The mealwas served and the men were eating when the clock
arted its strike of 6 o'clock. With tie first sound of the
oak's striking, Courtright reached under tie table and jurrped
his feet at the same instant. Mb held a 45 caliber six-shuoter
each had, and covered the officers and rangers. At tie same
stant, the officers jumped to their feet, simultaneously the
tigers and rangers had each of their arms locked behind tisir back,
two men. Cm man for each arm had taken their stand waiting for
Gauthier, Sheldon F. Page it10
Rangelore
Tarrant Co.pist.,1 FEC
"Each of he men holding the officials continued to speak
pleadingly to their captives, saying, 'don t shoot, bacause with
this c rove. present some innocent person might get shot'. During
this period Courtright walked out ttrough the teak door. In the
alley was a speed:: horse, which Courtright mounted and rode to a
friend Is house.
"The next day, Courtright was placed in a wooden tox and
shipped to Galveston hy express.
"My frAher helped A.J.Anderson place the two guns at the end
of t he table where Courtright w as seated, and helped lbesle pick
the is men who locked the officers' arrest and the other arrangements
necessary to enable Courtright to make his escape.
"Nowt let -us ret um to Colorado City, where I was in business
at that time.
"The c attiemen withranches in the Colorado City district
were beset with range trouble. There was the r ustlar trouble, as
well as the disputes over range rights and /rending of Mavericks.
.Therefore, the ranchers decided to organise and adopt ways and
means to elirdnate the troubles.
"A convention w as held in Colorado City in 1886. The meeting
vvs attended by all he leading ranchers of the district, and many
came from distant ;daces. After t!,.! cattleman began to organise,
matters of dispute began to disappear to a great extent. I attended
the meeting and listened to some of the proceedings, as a spectator,
but could not spend much time at the meeting. The town w as filled
with delegates and visitors; therefore, aw place of business re-
quired my attention.
Gauthier, Sheldon T. Page #11 ndelare
Tarrant Coo,DIst.,1 FEC
"To say that the town was busy waiting on the trade, la
stating the situation Ldldly. There existed a scramble on the
part of the visitors to get waited on. My bar was erowded from
tile hour of opening, -till we closed in the wee hours of the raorn-
i4g. Rancher after rancher would come in and call every person in
the bar up to name their pisen'. When a rancher gavi such .rder,
each bartender wouldreport to sie the total charge for thectinks he
served. I then would total the bill for the treater, who would
place the money, usually in gold coins: on the bar. The amounts
were from $6.00 to $15.00, and many times more, especially if
Chumpegne lad been served. Such treats as I have described were not
Just an occasional hap;oning, but frequent dxing the convention.
"About this time, Winfield Scott sold his cattle interest in
the Caorado City district. Scott came to Fart Worth and invested
hfe money in real estate. Chas. Makinson, Wholes one of the firm
of L.tgon Dickinson, was Winfield Scott's agent. It was not long
after Scott tean to buy Fbrt Worth real estate 'until the value of
property almost doubled.
"Anfield Scott built the Metropolitan Hotel (now. Milner). At
the time this hotel was built, its location was in the country,
comparatively speaking. Folks remarked about 'Scott building such
a magndficent hotel, away out on Minth &Min Sts.' Time proved that
Scott knew what he was doing.
Winfield Scott was not the only ummi, and rancher, who saw
the future of Fort 'Iorth, as B.B.Paddock predicted in hie newspaper.
Monuments evidencing the belief in Port Worth's rutty., stand today
in the form of many namdficent business structures Wilt V Scott'
the Waggoners and the Burnitts.