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. If they did not all make history, they certainly lived in historic times. The jury is still out on whether they shaped their times or merely reflected those times. Either way, their stories add new perspectives to the familiar Fort Worth story, revealing how the law worked in the old days and what …

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. Not counting the two officers who died of natural causes, 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. This era was, if anything, bloodier than the preceding era of the first volume. Fort Worth experienced a race riot, two lynchings, and martial law imposed by the U.S. Army while Camp Bowie was operating. Bushwhacking (such as happened to Peter Howard in 1915) and assassinations (such as happened to Jeff Couch in 1920) replaced blood feuds and old-fashioned shootouts as leading causes of death among lawmen. Violence was not confined to the streets either; a Police Commissioner was gunned down in his city hall office in 1917. Even the new category of “vehicular homicide” claimed a lawman’s life.

Interview with Chester Hudson concerning his experiences before, during, and after his employment in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Hudson worked at camps in Calico Rock, Arkansas (Company 4747); Walcott, Arkansas (Company 3799); and Ozone, Arkansas (Company 1708). Includes an appendix.

Interview with Pola Bekker, a Holocaust survivor from Warsaw. Bekker discusses her family, the Jewish District in Warsaw, life in the city before the war, antisemitism in Warsaw, the invasion of Poland and bombing of the city, fleeing to Russia, life in Orsk, moving to Voroshilovgrad, returning to Poland at the end of the war, and moving to Israel.

Interview with Tyrel James Billingsley, an Airman in the US Air Force Reserves from Dallas, Texas. Billingsley discusses his childhood and education, enlisting in the Air Force, basic training and technical school, his duties as a Aircraft Armament Systems specialist, memorable experiences, and plans for the future.

Interview with Luther G. Strange, a United States Army veteran from Arlington, Texas, regarding his experiences and memories of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor of December 7, 1941 while stationed at Hickam Field as a member of the Army Medical Corps.

Transcript of an interview with Annie Jimerson from Lufkin, Texas, concerning her experiences while employed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.

Interview with William Austin concerning his experiences before, during, and after his employment in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Austin worked at camps in Fort Worth, Texas (Company 1816) and Amarillo, Texas.

Transcript of an interview with Xergio Chacin, Director of Immigration Services for Catholic Charities of Fort Wort. Chacin discusses his work as the Director and the the services provided for the community, particularly for Dreamers, and his thoughts on immigration issues.

Interview with Garfield Thompson, a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps from Fort Worth, Texas. Thompson discusses his family background and education, the effects of the Great Depression, Republicans, the New Deal, joining the CCC and assignment to Company 812 in Cache, Oklahoma, the layout of the camp, projects worked, routine, recreation and leave, discharge, and reflections on the program.

Interview with William McShan concerning his experiences before and during his employment in Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. McShan worked at a camp in Ardmore, Oklahoma (Company 1813).

Interview with Warren Turkett, Sr. concerning his experiences before, during, and after his employment in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Turkett worked at camps in Rodman, South Carolina (Company 1417); Lancaster, South Carolina (Company 1417); and Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

Interview with Jessie Surratt about her recollections of women's lives in Texarkana, Texas during the Progressive Era. Surratt discusses the business community during her childhood, "Swampoodle" and speakeasies and prostitution, folk medicines, funeral practices, her education, her stay at Fort Worth Masonic Home, memories of her parents, church activities, her mother's membership in Maccabees, gender roles, child-rearing, and holiday customs.

Interview with Hugh Martin, a Navy veteran, concerning his experiences aboard the battleship USS California during the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Interview with Robert Fort, a Navy veteran, concerning his experiences aboard the cruiser USS Raleigh during the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Appendix includes a legal-sized photocopy of a document concerning the location and activities on the USS Raleigh on Sunday, December 7, 1941.

Interview with Eugene Brown concerning his experiences before, during, and after his employment in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Brown worked at camps in Cleburne, Texas (Company 3804) and San Antonio, Texas (Company 3822).

Interview with Odis Taylor concerning his experiences before, during, and after his employment in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Taylor worked at camps in Pierce, Idaho (Company 5702) and Emida, Idaho (Company 229).

Interview with Columbus Savage concerning his experiences while employed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Savage was assigned by the Army Reserves to work as a junior officer of the mess hall at a camp in Greer, South Carolina (Company 441).