TX BIOS:  J. W. Hagerty
   Selected and converted.American Memory, Library of Congress.
   
   Washington, 1994.
   
   Preceding element provides place and date of transcription only.
   
   This transcription intended to be 99.95% accurate.
   
   For more information about this text and this American Memory
   collection, refer to accompanying matter.
   
   U.S. Work Projects Administration, Federal Writers' Project (Folklore
   Project, Life Histories, 1936-39); Manuscript Division, Library of
   Congress.Copyright status not determined.
   
   00011
   
   [H?] Tales - Life history [?]
   
   Gauthier, Sheldon F.
   
   Rangelore.
   
   Tarrant co., Dist., #7 [13?] Interview
   
   Page #1
   
   Fc 240 [dup]
   
   J.W. Hagerty, 60, living at 500 Wilkinson St. Fort Worth, Texas, was
   born June 10, 1878, in Dallas co., Texas, on a farm located at the
   tract of land now known ad Cedar Springs district of Dallas, Texas.
   The street now named Cedar Springs Rd. has its route pass the former
   home of Hagerty, and was a trail when he lived at the place. Many
   herds of cattle were driven over the trail during the days of
   Hagerty's youth. Those days, the territory around Dallas was an open
   range with a few farms which were scattered and fenced against cattle.
   Hagerty's father, with his family, moved to [Ranes?] co., Texas, in
   [1886?]. Ranes co., was then an open range with many ranches. The
   first wire fence was built enclosing the Harpole ranch, about the year
   1887. The fence was out and destroyed twice, before the builder was
   successful in his venture. The hagerty family moved to Fort Worth,
   Texas, about the later part of 1887. J.W. Hagerty recalls some of the
   early scenes of Fort Worth.
   
   His story of early days follows:
   
   "My place of birth was in Dallas co., on a farm and the event took
   place June 10, 1878. My father cultivated a small tract of land
   located where Cedar Springs is in the present city of Dallas. The
   street called Cedar Springs Rd., was a trail running pass our home. My
   grandfather, E. Roark, [lived?] near us on a tract of land called the
   Cole Place.
   
     NOTE: C12 - 2/11/41 - Texas
     
   "There were a [few?] cultivated fields in the vicinity, but cattle
   ranches occupied a vast majority of the territory.
   
   "Almost each day one or more herd of cattle was driven pass our home
   on the trail.' Frequently, a flock of sheep would be seen passing by.
   These herds of cattle numbered from a few 00022hundred to several
   thousand.
   
   Cattle buyers traveled through the country buying cattle, in the range
   country E. of Dallas. After they had barganed for the number desired,
   the buyers would gather the cattle as they traveled back through the
   territory. Each day, as they traveled and gathered, the herd would
   increase in numbers, until some of the herds were [exceedingly?]
   [large?], by the time the cattle were being driven pass our place.
   
   "I can remember one herd which started to pass our home [one?] morning
   while our family was eating breakfast, and cattle continued to travel
   pass the entire day. The scene is still vivid in my mind. I can see
   the cowboys with their ten-gallon hat, chaps, high-heel boots, spurs
   and bandana around their necks, riding at the side of the herd keeping
   the cattle pointed in the proper direction. There was a [cross?] trail
   a short distance W. of our home, and two cowboys were stationed there
   all day to prevent any or the cattle from trailing off over the cross
   trail.
   
   "At the time, I was 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 [gaurding?] [?] cross 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 on my
   first trip. This act of the boys gave me [intrest?] in my work and I
   assure you they never run short of drinking water. 00033"I do not know
   the distination of these herds, but I do recall hearing conversations
   relating to where some of the cattle were being driven to
   
   "During the period or the early '80s there was a general movement of
   cattle ranches to W. Texas.
   
   "After the railroads built into E. Texas, the land was gradually
   settled by people who began to farm the land. The open range
   disappeared simultaneously, with development of the farms. Therefore,
   cattlemen moved their ranches to the W. where the open range still
   existed. However, some of the cattle were being driven to the Northern
   ranges for fattening and sale in the Northern markets.
   
   "I do not know the extent sheep ranching existed in E. Texas those
   days, but judging from the frequency flocks of sheep was driven pass
   our home, there must have been a great amount of sheep raised in the
   [terriotry?] E. of Dallas.
   
   "My father moved to [Rains?] co., Texas, about 1886. [?] located on
   the edge of a prairie near the Sabine River. Those days [Rains?] co.,
   was an open and free range territory. There were a few farms which
   were located along the timber land which was located adjacent to the
   river..
   
   "The M.K. and T. railroad ran near to our home, and we could see a
   train approaching for a distance of several miles away. I was about 10
   years old at the [thime?] we lived there, and we children would watch
   the trains running across the prairie. The trains were compelled to
   stop frequently, while the crew 00044chased cattle off of the track.
   Once in a while the trains would hit an animal. When the train hit an
   animal and had to stop, 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 steer and the engine jumped 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 [?] of an engine laying on its
   side and a couple smashed wooden coaches. But, we were disappointed.
   
   "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. On their head were various kinds of head dress,
   [all?] more or less decorated with feathers, and bright colored shawls
   dropped over their shoulders. Out parents, from the time we could
   understand, had warned us about Indians. However, we had never been
   bothered by Indians, but we were taught to keep out of their way, and
   to run [for?] a hiding place in the event we saw an Indian
   approaching. Because of this teaching, when we saw the Indians
   [alighting?] from the coach, we spured our horses towards home at the
   horse's best speed.
   
   "Father did not remain in [Rains?] co., long. Becuase of our short
   stay, I do not recall the names of many of the ranches which were
   located adjacent to our home. I recall just one or two, 00055one
   especially, the Harpole ranch, because Harpole and considerable
   trouble.
   
   "The Harpole ranch was the first ranch which attempted to build a
   fence in Rains co. It was during the later part of ['86?] or the first
   part of '87. Mr Harpoles ranch was adjacent to our home and I saw the
   start of the fence building.
   
   "Mr Harpole had just about completed half of the fencing of his range
   when the trouble started. The majority of ranchmen were opposed to
   fencing the range. They argued, that to fence would destroy the cattle
   business, especially for the small rancher, and then 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 law stated clearly, that a property owner had
   the right to enclose his land with a fence. In fact, all cultivated
   lands were fenced. These cultivated tracts were small and located
   adjacent to the creeks or river bottoms, and were not interfering with
   the open range. Being that the opposers could not secure help from the
   law, they decided to use their own method to protect and maintain a
   free and open range.
   
   "The men who were opposed to the fence organized a crew of fence
   [custers?], and went 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.
   
   "Several [miles?] of fence was destroyed when morning arrived.
   00066The post and wire were rendered useless for further use.
   
   "Harpole reported the act to the sheriff was unable to apprehend the
   culprits, but the rumor was that if the men were caught it would mean
   a penitentiary sentence from them.
   
   "Harpole rebuilt the fence and fence was guarded for about two weeks.
   During this time there was no attempt made to destroy the fence.
   Therefore, Harpole let up on his vigilance, thinking that the fence
   cutters had became fearful of the consequences, of such acts of
   destroying property.
   
   "It was only a few days after Harpole had ceased to guards his fence
   till it was again destroyed.
   
   "Following the second cutting incident, the sheriff succeeded in
   securing the names of almost every person connected with the citizens
   who took part in the depredation.
   
   "The charges against the fence cutters came on for trial, and many
   conviction resulted from the trials. The convicted men appealed their
   cases to a higher court. The cases were fought in the courts for a
   long period of time, but finally several men were compelled to serve
   time in the [penitenitiary?].
   
   "After the court trials and convictions, fence cutting ceased. Then
   followed more fencing of land, and it was not long until the open
   range disappeared. The cattle indrustry of E. 00077Texas was
   transfered to other range country, principally to W. Texas.
   
   "My father moved to Fort Worth, during the later part of 1887. At this
   time Fort Worth was not a city, but instead, it was a large village.
   The principal business streets were [?], Rusk (new Commerce) and
   Houston. The major number of business places were on Main. The
   business started at Weatherford and extended S. to Fifth street on the
   extreme Southern locations of business houses. However, almost all of
   the business houses were located N. of Third Street.
   
   "At Fifth and Main Streets was located what we called the 'fackors
   block'. It was a vacant tract or land where the 'high [ditch?]'
   business, a business which flourished those days, was operated by men
   who made their living by faking the public. Almost every day one or
   more of these itinerant merchants would be at the 'faker block'
   selling his [warse?] to the gullible folks. There were sold everything
   one could imagine and a lot of stuff one would not think was the
   [market?]. Medicine that would cure any disease, remedies to grow hair
   on a slick head. Also, if one had straight hair, he could buy a
   concoction make it kinky or if one had kinky hair, concoction could be
   bought to make the hair straight.
   
   "A great amount of jewelery was sold on the 'fakers bolck',
   [including?] diamonds of several carat weight for just a few dollars.
   
   "There was no restrictions to the methods used by these 00088itinerant
   merchants. The rule was that if any was gullible enough to expect a
   bargan from those men, he should be made to pay for his experience. In
   other words the rule was [as?] I head a lawyer once explain, 'the
   buyer beware.'
   
   "The day a fellow set up his stand at the 'faker block' and offered
   for sale a concoction that would make curly hair straight. 'Yes, sir,
   boys,' he said,' when this salve is applied to curly hair the kinks
   leave so if by magic. I shall be here for at least two weeks
   advertising and appointing agents. In the event anyone is dissatisfied
   with this wonderful salve, return the box to so you will recive the
   dollar you have paid and $1. for [your?] trouble.'
   
   "The colored boys, in large numbers, bought [?] stuff as though they
   were getting a $5. gold coin to their $1., after the wizard had
   demonstrated his concotion on a negro's head. The faker did a
   tremendous business for three or four days, and disappeared and could
   not be found at his usual place of business, but soon, many colored
   men and women did call to see him. All these colored folks had a
   complaint and desired a refund 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 the hair from the users head. A bald headed
   negro is an unsual sight, but Fort Worth had a great number for a time
   after the salve salesman 00099advertised his concoction. Until their
   hair grew out, one could tell the [suckers?] as the passed by.
   
   "Everything went those days. It was just a matter of a fellow being
   able to put his deal through.
   
   "The cattlemen's convention days, the lid was taken completly off, and
   the term was infact 'hot'. Of course, there were some citizens who
   yelled long and loud about the town being turned over to the
   [Santanic?] Majesty. Those people would call at the District
   Attorney's office, but is [?] that this offical would become ill each
   time the convention date arrived. It was necessary for the attorney to
   take a trip to some health resort, starting a few days before the
   convention [commenced?].
   
   "Geo Holland's Theater was one of the principal show places, it was
   located at 12th and Jones streets. The place occupied an entire block
   and provided entertainment ranging from a wild animal zoo, to a girl
   show, and some of the grils were not any too tame. There were
   [Vaudeville?] act which sizzled and the [?] drew the crowd.
   
   "Holland's Theater was the center of what we called the 'Hell's Half
   Acre,' and it was an appropriate name. If there was anything every
   invented by men to attract the [base?] instinct of the human which was
   not put on at Holland's, it was an [oversight?] on the part of the
   management.
   
   "Ranchmen and cowboys visited the town in crowds ever day 001010While
   sidewalks were [for?] and scattered, but when a crowd of cowboys were
   approaching one could hear them a block away, because of the jinggling
   spurs. The sound of the spurs could be hear the entire day, especially
   in the main part of the town. One could always see a number of mounted
   cowboys riding through the streets.
   
   "The streets those days were no better that a trail through the open
   country, and I presume rougher, because of the excessive use. Mud
   holes and ruts were the conspecious part of the streets. I have seen
   many teams bogged down in the vicinity of Fifth and main streets.
   Front street at the time was low and when the weather was wet, it was
   a mess. There was a stairway running from the street up to the high
   ground where the depot was located. The depot was then [?]. of Main
   street.
   
   "The leading hotel of those days was the Merchants Hotel. It was
   operated by Lauerio Gonocio. It was to this hotel that Jim Courtright
   was lured by a U.S. Marshal, 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.S. Marshal was from the Territroy of New Mex., and had a
   warrant for Courtright's arrest on a murder charge.
   
   Courtright was held a prisoner at the hotel, and prevented from
   sending word to his friends about his [plight?]. His 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 001111when
   the officers arrived at the depot with their prisoner to take the T.
   and P. train [W?]. Judge [Reed?], then District Judge, was at the
   depot and issued a writ, ordering Courtright be turned over to the
   Tarrant co., sheriff, until the legal custody of the prisoner could be
   decided. Courtright was finally turned back to the New Mex., officals
   and the affair ended by him escaping from the officers, which was made
   possible by Fort Worth citizens.
   
   "The citizens ganged the officals, and their prisoner, while they were
   eating a meal at a restaurant, before leaving on the train. By some
   mysterious [means?], two guns were found by Courtright under the table
   where he sat. Suddenly, he pulled the guns on the officers and walked
   out of the restaurant, while men held the arms of the officers.
   
   "Our leading citizens of the town was involved in making the
   arrangements for Courtright's escape, and the publisher of the Evening
   Mail newspaper took the lead.
   
   "I often think of Captain B.B. Paddock, who published a [peper?]
   called the Democrat. He devoted a large part of his time to [bosting?]
   the town. Paddock predicted a future for Fort Worth with a possible
   25,000 population. While thinking of those days, I wonder what Paddock
   would think while seeing Fort Worth of today.

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