AN OUTLAW’S OUTLAW

(A STORY of the OLD WEST)    Luke L. Short  Born  January 22, 1854 Died September 8, 1893 was the real deal Old West gunslinger, cowboy, U.S. Army scout, dispatch rider, gambler, boxing promoter and saloon owner. He survived so many gunfights not all of them even recorded. His most famous of all his slick quick gun work, was against  Charlie Storms  in good old  Tombstone   in at that time the  Arizona Territory.  Another gunfight against  Jim Courtright  in  Fort Worth, Texas  was just like something out of Hollywood. Short was involved in 3 Old West business : the  Oriental  in  Tombstone , the  Long Branch Saloon  in  Dodge City,  the White Elephant  in  Fort Worth.  He was busy to say the least. If not counting his money, he was cleaning his gun. There is so much on this dude I was blown away by the lore he had. We will go more into this guy’s life on an up coming show. But for now lets take a peek into some of his history I think everyone will enjoy this story. Buckle up people.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 (YOUNG AND DANGEROUS)                                                                      Tombstone  1881, It plays a major role in  Short’s  life. Here he will stamp his spot in the history of the Old West as one it’s most deadliest with a 6 shooter. Who was this man? Where did he come from? How did it all end? Well lets find out. Short was born in  Polk County, Arkansas  in January 1854. He was the 5th kid of  Josiah Washington Short  Born February 2, 1812 Died February 8, 1890 his wife  Hetty Brumley  Born February 2, 1826 Died November 30, 1908.  Short  had 9 siblings. Seems like  Josiah  was busy as well. The family soon moved to  Montague County, Texas.   In 1862,  Luke Short  witnessed 1st hand his father being ambushed and attacked by  Comanches  on his families land. His dad was surrounded by the  Comanches,  who had landed a few arrows and lances. Inside the house,  Luke,  just a little kid at that time, helped his dad by dragging a large rifle to his brother, who then ran and handed it to his father. That’s so bad ass, you can almost see this going down. At the age of 13 he was already not taking any shit.  Luke  started the 1st  Anti-Bully  movement when he carved the face of a bully when he was still at school, and that’s why he and his father had to move onto  Forth Worth, Texas.  As you can see early on this guy is not your  Hollywood  western star, no this dude is a cut above the rest.  Short  had been in over 30 battles with Indians while working for the government. His 1st Indian fight was in 1869.  Short  was reported by  Bat Masterson     to have killed six drunken  Sioux  Indian s at various times. According to his nephew  Wayne Short, Luke  was arrested by the  U.S. Calvary.  They put him on a train for  Omaha, Luke  staying a bad ass managed to escape the U.S. Calvary  escort and went to the half ass mining and cowtown of  Denver, Colorado,  where he gambled as a profession. He killed 2 men on separate occasions due to disagreements shall we say during their card games. That’s just the tip of the old iceberg now lets get crazy.                                                                                                                                   (NOT SHORT ON the DRAW)                                                                                                                                                         Short  1st met  Wyatt Earp, William H. Harris  and  Bat Masterson  in  Tombstone.  The story goes like this on that fateful day for  Mr. Storm.  As a treat going down the research rabbit-hole we are going to let  Bat Masterson  himself tell you what happen as he seen it happen enjoy. Storms did not know Short and, like the bad man in Leadville, had sized him up as an insignificant-looking fellow, whom he could slap in the face without expecting a return. Both were about to pull their pistols when I jumped between them and grabbed Storms, at the same time requesting Luke not to shoot, a request I knew he would respect if it was possible without endangering his own life too much. I had no trouble in getting Storms out of the house, as he knew me to be his friend … I was just explaining to Luke that Storms was a very decent sort of man when, lo and behold! There he stood before us, without saying a word, he took hold of Luke’s arm and pulled him off the sidewalk, where he had been standing, at the same time pulling his pistol, a Colt’s cut-off, 45 calibre, single action; but like the Leadvillian, he was too slow, although he succeeded in getting his pistol out. Luke stuck the muzzle of his pistol against Storm’s heart and pulled the trigger. The bullet tore the heart asunder and, as he was falling, Luke shot him again. Storms was dead when he hit the ground. There is no freaking way I could have told it better. The jury reached a verdict that  Storms  died from 3 pistol wounds by  Short,  and that  Short’s  actions were justifiable.  Short  was free and that was that, nice. Now I will do my best with this next story. Good ole  Jim Courtright     Born unknown month or day which was not out of the norm for the time, but the year was 1848. In  Sangamon County, Illinois.  Died Feb  8 1887 aged 39 years, kind-a easy to record the day you die. Must be the bullet holes and laying on  Main Street  that helps. what the hell happen here, well it’s a classic for sure. What another treat well folks in his own words on what happen that fateful night, here is  Luke Short  to tell you his tale enjoy.  Early in the evening … I was at the bar with a couple of friends when some one called me. I went out into the vestibule and saw Jim Courtright and Jake Johnson … I walked out with them upon the sidewalk, and we had some quiet talk on private affairs. I reminded him of some past transactions, not in an abusive or reproachful manner, to which he assented, but not in a very cordial way. I was standing with my thumbs in the armholes of vest and had dropped them in front of me to adjust my clothing, when he remarked ‘Well, you needn’t reach for your gun,’ and immediately put his hand in his hip-pocket and pulled his. When I saw him do that, I pulled my pistol and began shooting, for I knew that his action meant death. He must have misconstrued my intention in dropping my hands before me. I was merely adjusting my clothing, and never carry a pistol in that part of my dress.  You got to admit this is pretty kool, maybe this is why we play  Cowboys  and  Indians  as kids, we all want to be  Jesse James,  or  Billy the Kid
Short died at the Gilbert House in Geuda Springs on September 8, 1893. The local paper reported that: “Luke Short died at the Gilbert this morning of dropsy. What is that, it’s gross. Edema, also known as fluid retention or swelling, is the buildup of fluid in the body’s tissue. Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected. Symptoms may include skin which feels tight, the area may feel heavy, and affected joints may be hard to move. Other symptoms depend on the underlying cause.   Hollywood  gives us  John Wayne,  Clint Eastwood,  Gene Autry,  Gabby Hayes, Randolph Scott,  Harry Carey Sr.  Lash LaRue  some of these names you know some you don’t, but I’m sure after reading this you will remember the name of  Luke Short.  Keep coming back for more stories like this, The 3RD Floor Podcast available everywhere, check the hard to see hard to find SITE PAGES top right hand corner in red,, iTunes  please leave a 5 Star review and a comment please thank you everyone else remember well be up here on the 3rd Floor: “JUST HANGIN OUT IN TIME AND SPACE”      EVEN I’M IMPRESSED!