UNT Press

Fort Worth Characters 2

— Vol. 10: of Texas Local

Published: February, 2025  Pages: 400  Features: 68 b&w illus. Notes. Bib. Index.

Fort Worth Characters 2 is a sequel to Fort Worth Characters (UNT Press, 2009) by Richard F. Selcer, the preeminent historian of Fort Worth. This book continues the theme of human-interest stories of twenty-five more characters pulled from Fort Worth history. Some, like Frank James, were already famous when they came to Fort Worth. Others, like “Stutterin’ Sam” Dowell, were “discovered” here before going on to fame and fortune on the national stage. more... about Fort Worth Characters 2

Fort Worth Stories

— Vol. 4: of Texas Local

Published: February, 2021  Pages: 320  Features: 50 b&w illus. Notes. Bib. Index.

Fort Worth Stories is a collection of thirty-two bite-sized chapters of the city’s history. Did you know that the same day Fort Worth was mourning the death of beloved African American “Gooseneck Bill” McDonald, Dallas was experiencing a series of bombings in black neighborhoods? Or that Fort Worth almost got the largest statue to Robert E. Lee ever put up anywhere, sculpted by the same massive talent that created Mount Rushmore? Or that Fort Worth was once the candy-making capital of the Southwest and gave Hershey, Pennsylvania, a good run for its money as the sweet spot of the nation? more... about Fort Worth Stories

A History of Fort Worth in Black & White 165 Years of African-American Life

Published: November, 2015  Pages: 400  Features: 35 b&w illus. Notes. Bib. Index.

A History of Fort Worth in Black & White fills a long-empty niche on the Fort Worth bookshelf: a scholarly history of the city’s black community that starts at the beginning with Ripley Arnold and the early settlers, and comes down to today with our current battles over education, housing, and representation in city affairs. The book’s sidebars on some noted and some not-so-noted African Americans make it appealing as a school text as well as a book for the general reader. more... about A History of Fort Worth in Black & White 165 Years of African-American Life

Written in Blood: The History of Fort Worth's Fallen Lawmen, Volume 2, 1910-1928

Published: October, 2011  Pages: 464  Features: 45 b&w illus. Notes. Bib. Index.

In 2010 Written in Blood: The History of Fort Worth’s Fallen Lawmen, Volume 1, told the stories of thirteen Fort Worth law officers who died in the line of duty between 1861 and 1909. Now Richard F. Selcer and Kevin S. Foster are back with Volume 2 covering another baker’s dozen line-of-duty deaths that occurred between 1910 and 1928. The stories are grouped into two sections: When Blood Ran in the Streets, 1910-1919 and Life Was Cheap, 1920-1928. Not counting the two officers who died of natural causes (meningitis and drowning), these are more tales of murder, mayhem, and dirty work from all branches of local law enforcement: police, sheriff’s deputies, constables, and special officers, just like in Volume 1. more... about Written in Blood: The History of Fort Worth's Fallen Lawmen, Volume 2, 1910-1928

Fort Worth Characters

Published: October, 2009  Pages: 288  Features: 43 b&w illus. 1 Map. Notes. Bib. Index.

Fort Worth history is far more than the handful of familiar names that every true-blue Fort Worther hears growing up: leaders such as Amon Carter, B. B. Paddock, J. Frank Norris, and William McDonald. Their names are indexed in the history books for ready reference. But the drama that is Fort Worth history contains other, less famous characters who played important roles, like Judge James Swayne, Madam Mary Porter, and Marshal Sam Farmer: well known enough in their day but since forgotten. Others, like Al Hayne, lived their lives in the shadows until one, spectacular moment of heroism. Then there are the lawmen, Jim Courtright, Jeff Daggett, and Thomas Finch. They wore badges, but did not always represent the best of law and order. These seven plus five others are gathered together between the covers of this book. Each has a story that deserves to be told. more... about Fort Worth Characters