oUR aRKLAHOMA gERITAGE:
Few figures with ties to Arkansas who impacted the American Wild West stand out as vividly as Luke Lamar Short.
Born on January 22, 1854, in Polk County Short's life was a whirlwind of adventure, danger, and intrigue. From his early days in Arkansas to his legendary status as a gunfighter, gambler, and saloon owner,
Luke Short was born to Josiah Washington Short and Hetty Brumley, two Tennesee=bprn pioneers who played a crucial role in shaping his character. According to land and census records the Short Family lived in the Fulton Township just outside present-day Baord Camp.
Josiah served as a postmaster in Polk County before becoming a farmer in Texas after moving his family there in 1860. Hetty, a woman of remarkable strength and resourcefulness, was a devoted mother who bore ten total children in a marriage that lasted from 1846 until Josiah's death in 1890.
All but three of the Short children were born in the state of Arkansas before the family migrated to Texas.
Although the Short family moved to Montague County, Texas, shortly after Luke's birth, the values and lessons imparted by his parents stayed with him throughout his life.
Short's journey into the annals of Wild West history began at a young age. By the time he was 15, he had already started working as a cowboy, making several trips to the Kansas railheads. His reputation as a fearless and skilled gunfighter grew, with tales of his exploits spreading far and wide.
One of the most famous incidents in Short's life was his gunfight with Charlie Storms in Tombstone, Arizona, in 1881.
The confrontation began as a heated argument between the two gamblers outside the Oriental Saloon. As tensions escalated, both men drew their guns. Short, known for his quick draw and accuracy, fired first, killing Storms instantly.
This incident cemented Short's reputation as a formidable gunfighter and added to the mystique surrounding his name.
Short's adventures didn't end in Tombstone. He soon found himself in Dodge City, Kansas, where he became embroiled in the infamous Dodge City War.
This conflict arose from a dispute between Short and the local authorities, who attempted to close his saloon, the Long Branch.
With the support of his friends, including fellow gunfighters Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp, Short successfully resisted the efforts to oust him. The Dodge City War solidified Short's status as a major player in the Wild West and demonstrated his ability to navigate the treacherous waters of frontier politics.
Throughout his life, Short's primary occupations were gambling and saloon-keeping. He traveled extensively, frequenting gambling establishments in cities like Fort Worth, Denver, and Leadville.
His skill at poker and other card games made him a sought-after player, and his reputation as a gunfighter ensured that few dared to cheat him. Short was involved in several other gunfights, including a notorious shootout in Fort Worth, Texas, where he killed Jim Courtright, a former city marshal turned racketeer.
In addition to his exploits as a gambler and gunfighter, Luke Short also had a brief stint in law enforcement. He served as a deputy sheriff in Leadville, Colorado, where his reputation as a tough and fearless individual made him a valuable asset. His time in law enforcement was marked by his ability to maintain order in a town known for its lawlessness and rowdy behavior/\.
Luke Short's life came to an end on September 8, 1893, in Geuda Springs, Kansas, where he succumbed to Bright's Disease. He was body was returned to Texas and buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth, but his legacy lives on as one of the Wild West's most iconic figures.
