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amthier, Sheldon F.
lingelore
Tarrant Co.,Diat.#7
Pap #1
FEC
J. '4. Magertyt 60, living at 500 Wilkinson
St., Fort worth, Tex., was born June 10, 1878,,
on a farm, a tract of land now known as Cedar Spina&
district of Dallas, Dallas co.,Tax. The street now
known as Cedar Springs lewd, paases by the former
home of lbgerty. It Was a oars trail visa be lived
at the piaci*. ifinr *Ks of atlas were driven ever
the trail during this d vas of jerty'a youth. la those
days, the territory around Dallas was an °pear ange
with a few seattered tarns %tat were fenced sgattist
cattle. Engerty's father, with his tastily, movid to
Rains co#0,21,1c.-, in 1$11416 Rains mo• was tbia, an *pan
range with maxyaneIms. ?hi first -gift fame was built
enclosing the 1irpolS ranch, IWO the year 14117. The
fence was cut and destroyed tw1401 Were the builder
wits successful in his venture. The *warty f011144 sowed
to Fort Wortb4 Telco about this litter part of 21187.4,441
Hagerty recalls some of the early same* in Tort Worth.
Ris story:
"k4f place of birth was in Dallas county, on a farm, and the event
took place June 10,1878. My father cultivated a wall tract of land
located where Cedar Springs is now in the the present 014 of Mallas•
The street called Cedar Springs Road was a trail running past our home.
My grandfather, E.Roark, lived near us on a tract of land callod the
Gale Place.
"There were a few cultivated fields in the vicinity, but oattlii
ranches occupied a vast majority of the territory.
"Almost everyday one or mare bards of cattle lore driven past
*Ur home on the trail. Praqmamtly, a flock of sheep micould im seem
passing by. These herds of cattle numbered from a fog hundred to
Several thousand.
"Cattle buyers traveled through the countrx,bUying cattle in
the range country east of Dallas. After they bad bar/gained for the
Somber desired, the buyers would gather thecattlo theytraveled
back through the territory. Each deltas they traftled and gathered,
Gauthier, Sheldon F. P4E0 #2
Bangelore
Tarrant Co.,Dist.e7 FEC
the herd would increase in numbers, until some of the herds were
exceedingly large by the time the cattle were being driven peat our
house*
"I can remember one herd which started to pass our home one
morning while our familywas eating breakfast, and cattle continued
to travel past the entire day*. The scene is still vivid in my mind.
I can see the cowboys, with their ten-gallon hats, chaps, high -heel
boots, spurs, andwith bandanas around their necks, as they rode at
the side of the herd to keep the cattle pointed in the proper direction.
There was a cross trail a short distanee west of our home, and two
cowboys were stationed there all day, to prevent any of the c attle
from trailing off over the cross trail.
"By this time, Iwas able to ride a horse. The day the large
herd drifted through, I made some money* I mounted my pony and carried
drinking water to the cowboys who were guarding the *roes trail. My
mother suggested that the boys might be thirsty and that I should
carry some water to them* I did so, and each gave me a coin an my
first trip. This act of the boys gave me interest in my work, and I
assure you they never ran short of drinking water*
"I do not know the destination of these herds, but I do recall
hearing conversations relating to where some of the cattle were being
driven.
"During the period of the early 0801s there was a general
movement of cattle ranches to West Texas*
"After the railroads built into East Texas, the land was
gradually settled by people who began to farm the land* The open
range disappeared simultaneously With the development of the farms.
Gauthier, Sheldon F. Page #3
Rangelore
Tarrant Co.,Diste#7 FEC
Therefore, eattlemenmoved their ranches to the West, where the
open range still existed. Sommer, some of the cattle were being
driven to the Nortbarn, ranges for fattening and sale in the Northern
markets.
"I do not know to what extent sheep ranching existed in East
Texas those days, but, judging from the frequency that flocks of
sheep were driven past our home, there must have been a great number
of sheep raised in the territory east of Dallas.
"My father moved to Rains county, Tex. about 1884. lb located an
the edge of a prairie near the Sabine River. In those days, Rains
county was an open and free range territory. There were a few farms,
which were located along tie timber lands adjacent to the river.
"The M.K.4 T. railroad ran near our home, and we could see a
train approaching from a distance of several miles. I was about 10 years
old at the time we lived there, and we children would watch the trains
running across the prairie. The trains were compelled to stop fre-
quently, while the crew chased cattle off the track. Once in a while
the trains would hit an animal and had to stop. When this occurred,
we children would mount our horses and ride to where the train was
stopped. The engine was always an object of interest to us.
"While we were watching the train coming across the prairie one
day, it hit a steel* and the engine juiced the track and turned over.
The moment we saw what had happened, we mounted our horses and started
for the scene of the wreck, riding at a fast speed to see what had
happened. We anticipated a thrill at sight of an engine laying an its
side along with a couple of smashed wooden coaches. But we were
disappointed.
Gauthier, Sheldon F. Page #4
Rengelore
Tarrant Co.,Diet.#7 FEC
"Just as we arrived at where the wreck was located, a party
of Indians came out of one of the coaches. They were dressed in their
Indian costume of the day, wearing various kinds of head dress, all
more or less decorated with feathers, and with bright colored shawls
draped over tkeir shoulders. Gxr parents, from the time we could
understand, had warned us about Indians. However, we had never been
bothered by Indians, 6ut we were taught to keep out of tbeir'vay and
to run for a hiding place in the event we saw an Indian approaching.
Due to this teaching, when we saw tbs Indians alighting from the coach
we spurred our horses towards home at their fastest speod.
"Father did not remain in Rains county long. Oeing to our short
stay, I do not recall the names of many of thillenchee whichwars located
adjacent to our home. I recall just one or two of them, and one
especially, the Mrpole ranch., because rpole had considerable trouble.
"The Narpole nuichwas the first ranch which attempted to build
a fence in Rains county. It was during the latter part of *86, or the
first part of *87. Ur. Earpoles ranch was adjacent to our home and
I saw the start of the fence building.
"Ur. Ehrpole had just about completed half of .the faucing of
his range when the trouble started. The majority of the ranchmen were
opposed to f encing theninge They argued, that to fence would destroy
4usi.
the cattle business, especially for the sriallrancher and those without
sufficient funds to buy or lease land and build a fence.
"They were unable to prevent a rancher from fencing his range by
going into court, because the 10 stated clearly that a property owner
had the right to enclose his laid wits a fence. In fact, all cultivated
lands were fenced. These cultivated tracts were smell and located
Gauthier, Sheldon F. Page #5
Bangalore
Tarrant Co.,Dist.#7 TEC
adjacent to the creeks or tiller bottoms, and were not interfering
with the open range. As the opposers could not secure help from the
tley decided to use their awn method to protect and maintain a
free and opentange.
"The men who were opposed to fencing organised a crew of fence
cutters and rent to work. These men cut each wire twice 'between each
post, and cut each post about half way of its length out of the
ground.
"Jeveral miles of fence were destroyed when morning arrived.
The posts and wire were rendered ueeless for further use.
"Harpole reported the act to the sheriff, who, began a search
for deprecators, but those involved in the depredation wars very
secretive. The sheriff was unable to apprehend the culprits, but the
rumor was that if the men were caught it would mean a penitentiary
sentence for them.
"Harpole rebuilt the fence and it was guarded for about two
weeks. During this time there was no attempt made to destroy the
fence. Therefore, &mole let up on his vigilance, thinking that the
fence cutters had become fearful of the consequences that might result
from this destruction of property.
"It was only a few days after Harpole had ceased to guard his
fence till it was again destroyed.
"Followini, the second cytting incident, the sheriff succeeded
in securing the names of almost every person connected with the
destruction of the fence. Then followed wholesale arrests of citi-
zens who took part in the deprecation.
"The charges against the fence cutters came on far trial, and
Gauthier, Sheldon F. Page We
Mangalore
Tarrant Co.,Dist.#7 FEC
many convictions resulted from the trials. The convicted men
appealed their eases to a higher court. The cases were fought in
the courts for a long period of time, but finally several men were
compelled to time in the penitentiary.
"After the court trials and convictions, fence cutting ceased.
Than followed more fencing of land, and it was not long until the
open range disappeared. The cattle industry of East Texas was trans-
ferred to other range country, principally to uest Texas.
"Daring the latter part of lad?, my father moved to Fort Worth.
At this time Fort w,orthwas not a city, but instead it was a large
village. The principal business streets were Main, Rusk (now Commerce)
and Ebuston. The major number of business places were on Mtin. The
business started at Weatherford and extended south to Fifth Street
as the extreme Soutil.rn location of business houses. Roftever, almost
all the business houses were located north of Third Street*
"At Fifth Main Ste* was located what we called the Fakers
Blocks. It was a.vacant tract of land where theshigh pitch'
business, a business which flourished those days, was operated W
men who made their living by faking the public. Almost every day one
or more of these itinerant merchants would be at the fakir block
selling his wares to the gullible folks. There was sold everything
one could imagine and a. lot of stuff one would not think was on the
market* Medicine that would cure any disease, remedies that would
grow hair on a slick head. Also, if one had straight hair, he could
tmy a concoction to maks it kinky, or if one had kinky hair, a con
coati= could be bought to make the hair straight.
Gauthier, Sheldon F.
Rangelore
Tarrant Coi,Distio7
Page #7
FEC
"A great amount of jewelry was sold on the 'fakir block',
including diamonds of several carat weight, for just a few dollars.
"There was no restrictions to the methods used,* these itinerant
merchants. The rule was that if anyone was gullible enough to expect
a bargain from these men, he should be made to pay far his experience.
In other words, the rule was, as I' heard a lawyer once explain, 'the
buyer beware'.
"(he day a fellow set up his stand at the 'fakir block' and offered
for sale a concoction that would"Make ouril hair straight.'Yea, sir,
boys', he a aid, 'when this salve is applied to cur4 hair the kinks
leave as if by magic. I shall be here for at least two weeks advertising
and appointing agents. ix the event anyone is dissatisfied with this
woliderfulsalvelreturn the box to me. You will receive the dollar you
have paid and a dollar for your trouble'.
"The colored boys, in large numbers, bought the s tuff as though
they -were getting a 45.00 gold coin for their dollar, a fter the 'wizard'
had demonstrated his concoction on a negro 's head. The fakir did a
tremendous business for three or four days, than disappeared and could
not be found a t his usual place of business. But soon, many colored
men and women did call to see hint. All these colored folks lad a com-
plaint and desired arefuni of their money and some additional coin.
"There was no complaint about the concoction not taking out the
kinks, but it did more than the purchasers expected of it. It not only
took out the kinks, but removed tie hair from the user's head. A bald
headed negro is an unusual sight, but Fort Worth had a great number
for a time after the salve salesman advertised his concoction. Until
their hair grew out, one could tell the suckers as they passed by.
Gauthier, Sheldon F.
Rancelore
Tarrant Col.,Dist.#7
Page i18
FEC
"Everything w ant those days. It was just a matter of a fallow
being a ble to put his deal through*
"The Cattlemen's Convention was held in fbrt Worth yearly those
days. During the convention d aye, the lid was taken completely off
and the town was, in f act, 'hot' Of course there were so kaa citizens
who yelled long and loud about the town being tirned over to the
Satanic Majesty. These people would call at the District Attorney's
office, but it seemed that this official would become ill each time
the coxrtention d ate arrived. It was necessary for 'Ole a ttorney to
take a trip to some health resort, starting a few days before the
convention commenced.
"Geo. lkilland's Theatre was one of the principal show places• It
was located at 12th and Jones Ste. The place occupied an entire block
and provided entertainment ranging from a wild animal zoo, to a girl
show, and some of the girls were not any too tame. There were vaude-
ville a cts which sizzled and the theatre drew the crowd.
"Holland's Theatre was the center of what we called 'Hellos Belt
Amyl and it was an appropriate name. IC there was anything ester
invented tv man to attract t he base instinct of the human which w as
not put on a t Holland's, it was an oversight on the part of the
management.
"Ranchmen and cowboys visited the town in crowds every day. While
sidewalks were few and scattered, bat vcritn a crowd of cowboys were
approaching one could hear t hem a block away, because of the jingling
spurs. The sound of t he spurs could be beard the entire day, espec-
ially in the main part of the town. One could always see a number
of mounted cowboys riding through the streets.
Gauthier, Sheldon F. Page #9
Rangelore
Tarrant Co.,Dist. #7 FEC
"The streetz those days were nobetter than a trail through the
open country, and I presume rougher *cause of the excessive use.
Mad holes and ruts were the conspicuous part of the streets. I have
seen many imams bogged down in t he vicinity of Fifth and Main Streets.
front Street at the time w as low, and when the weather was wet it was
a as. There was a stairway running from the a treat up to the high
ground where the depot was located The depot was then east of Main
Areet.
"The leading hotel of those daya was the Merchants Hotel. It was
operated by Lauerio Genocio. It was to this hotel that Jim Courtright
was lured by a U.:3. M arshal, and which started the. Courtright episode.
The marshal pretended that he desired to engage Courtright to do some
investigating. At the time, Courtright was operating a detective
agency*
"The U...i.Marshal was from the Territory of x., and had a warrant
for Courtright's arrest on a murder charge.
"Courtright was held a prisoner at tfle hotel, and prevented from
sending word to his friends about his plight. Is predicament was
discovered and his friends became busy in his behalf. Word about
Courtright was spread and half of the town was at the depot when the
officers arrived there with their prisoner to take the T. P. train
West. Judge Wad, then District Judge, was at the depot and issued a
writ, ordering Courtright be turned over to the Tarrant county
sheriff, until the legal custody of the prisoner could be decided.
Courtright as finally turned back to the New Mexico officials and the
affair ended by hia escaping from the officers, which as made
possible by Fort Worth citizens.
Gauthier, Sheldon P. Page #10
Range lore
Tarrant C').,Jist.,/-7 FEC
"The citizens ganged the officials, and their prisoner, while
t-agyoere eating a meal at a reutaurant, before leaving on the train.
Iv some ziksterious means, two guns were found by Courtright under the
table where be sat. Suddenly, he pulled the 'gins on the officers and
walked out of the reatauraut, while men held the arms of the officers.
"Car leading citizens of the townwere involved in making the
arrangements for Courtrightla escape, and the publisher of the Evening
NLil newspaper took the lead.
"I often thial, of Capt. B.B6Paddock, who published a paper called
the 1)emocrat. he devoted a large part of his tin* to boosting the
town. Paddock predicted a future for Fort Worth with a possible
2C,000 population. while thinkiog of those days, I wonder what Paddock
would think while seeing the Fort worth of today.