 Luke Lamar Short (1854-1893) was the son of Josiah Washington Short and Hettie Brumley. Luke married Hattie Buck, not much else is known about her, they had no children. Luke died in in Gueda Springs, Kansas on September 8, 1893 of Bright's Disease. Luke had worked as a cowboy, buffalo hide-hunter, army dispatch rider and scout, and was one of the most respected high rolling gamblers of his time. Luke counted Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holiday as friends and they came to his defense in the Dodge City Wars. He was known for his wearing of fine clothes and his generosity. At the time of his death there were more than $150,000 in loans in his book owed him by other gamblers. He had given thousands of dollars to church groups that helped build churches, take care of orphans and other works even though he was an agnostic. Luke's relationship to the Pollock and Norton families is as follows: Luke's father, Josiah Washington Short (Wash) sister was Nancy Short. Nancy married Edward Norton. Edward and Nancy had a daughter named Martha Emily Norton, she married Isaac James Pollock. So Luke and Martha Emily were first cousins. The first reference to Luke in family correspondence is mentioned in a letter from a nephew of Wash's to one of his children. In the letter, he states that Luke had lived in Fort Worth and had killed a policeman in self-defense and that Luke's brother had "got in trouble in San Angelo." He related how Luke's father owned a farm near Whitesboro, Texas and Luke owned a ranch near Bowie, Texas.  Luke Short's Brand Registration Several books, articles, etc. have been written on Luke Short. The best one I can recommend was a book written by Luke's great-nephew, Wayne Short, entitled "Luke Short, A Biography of One of the Old West's Most Colorful Gamblers and Gunfighters." I encourage you to purchase this book for a more thorough knowledge of Luke Short: before, during, and after the Dodge City Wars. Wayne Short wrote several other books such as: "The Cheechakoes"; "This Raw Land"; and "Albie & Billy, The Skypilot". I have found these books on Amazon for purchase. The famous Bat Masterson also wrote a story about Luke Short in 1907 entitled "Luke Short - A Dandy Gunfighter". His story can be read at https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-lukeshort/ For information on this time in Luke's life, please read Bat Masterson's account as well as Wayne Short's book listed above. Luke Short & Jim Courtright The following story is an abstract from the book "Historic Oakwood Cemetery with Calvary Cemetery & Old Trinity Cemetery of Fort Worth, Texas" compiled by Helen McKelvy Markgraf & Rob Yoder, Fort Worth Genealogical Society, 1994., pgs. 590-591: Two of the most visited grave sites in Oakwood are those of Luke Short and Longhaired Jim Courtright. Over one hundred years ago, Fort Worth was a major stop on the Chisholm Trail, a cattle route from the plains of Texas to the railhead of Kansas.Lonesome cowboys facing a long, hard drive were attracted to the women, strong drink and gambling offered in Hell's Half Acre, a notorious section of town in the early days. Luke Short, known as one of the West's best gambling men, bought an interest in the White Elephant Saloon's gambling concession. He was doing a brisk business when former city marshal Jim Courtright returned to town and set up the I.I.C. Commercial Detective Agency. Some say Courtright had a profitable business offering protection to the saloons and gambling halls, a legitimate business in the Wild West. Luke Short felt he had the experience to take care of his own needs in this area and refused Courtright's services. Short was accused of cheating young trail hands and fleecing local boys and the out-of-towner who were trying their hand at the gaming tables. Other business owners felt this was affecting gambling hall business down the street in Hell's Half Acre. None of these accusations could be proven, but the large money investors knew Jim Courtright could handle the job of controlling Short's enterprise. On the evening of February 8, 1887, Courtright went to the White Elephant where an argument ensued. Short and Courtright ended up shooting it out on the sidewalk. When the smoke cleared, Courtright lay dying. Short posted a $2,000 bond, but was never brought to trial for the shooting. It could not be proven if it was murder of self defense. He sold his holdings in the saloon and moved to Kansas where he died of natural causes in 1893. His body was returned to Fort Worth and is buried a short distance from Courtright. pg. 133: Luke Lamar Short is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery, Fort Worth, Texas, Block 20, Lot 17, Space 3, Internment September 10, 1893. Remarks state that Luke was 39, male, 1854-1893; Shipped here - Killed Sheriff Jim Courtright. pg. 175: Jim Courtright's grave is in Block 27, Lot 11 1/2, Space 1, closest relative Timothy Isaiah, "Longhaired Jim" - Sheriff Shot by Luke Short. Sources: "Luke Short, A Biography of One of the Old West's Most Colorful Gamblers and Gunfighters" by Wayne Short; Tombstone, 1996 "Historic Oakwood Cemetery with Calvary Cemetery & Old Trinity Cemetery of Fort Worth, Texas" compiled by Helen McKelvy Markgraf & Rob Yoder, Fort Worth Genealogical Society, 1994., pgs. 133, 175, 590-591 Legends of America, "Luke Short - A Dandy Gunfighter" By W.R. (Bat) Masterson in 1907. His story can be read at Bat Masterson https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-lukeshort/
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