In the annals of the American Old West, few figures embodied the spirit of a fearless gunfighter and shrewd gambler quite like Luke Short. A man whose life was a series of narrow escapes and dramatic confrontations, Luke Short remarkably defied the violent fate that befell many of his contemporaries, ultimately living to die peacefully in his own bed. This exceptional individual’s journey from a Texas ranch hand to a legendary figure of the frontier is a testament to his lightning-fast reflexes and an unwavering resolve.
Many expected the notorious Luke Short to “die with his boots on,” given the perilous life he led. Yet, through a combination of uncanny luck and unparalleled quickness, he outmaneuvered death numerous times. When his final hour arrived in Fort Worth, Texas, he was able to await the end in his own home, surrounded by his wife and friends, a rare comfort for a man who had faced down so many dangers. His stoic demeanor, even in sickness, reflected the defiance that characterized his entire existence.
From Cowboy to “White Indian”
Luke Short was not an imposing figure physically, standing approximately five feet, six inches tall and weighing around one hundred and forty pounds. Despite his slight build, he possessed a dynamic force that would define his reputation. His early life saw him working as a cowboy on his father’s ranch in western Texas during the mid-1870s. However, a significant turn in his life occurred when he journeyed to the Red Cloud Agency in South Dakota. Here, he became known as a “white Indian”—not due to ethnicity, but because he embodied the wild, untamed spirit and resourcefulness of the frontier’s Indigenous peoples.
Without the advantages of formal schooling, Luke could barely write his name. Yet, his practical skills were formidable: he could ride a bronco with expertise, wield a lariat with precision, and shoot with both speed and accuracy. Crucially, he was utterly fearless. This blend of frontier aptitude and innate courage would prove essential in his burgeoning career.
The Controversial Whiskey Trader
Upon reaching Nebraska’s northern boundary, adjacent to the Sioux Indian Reservation, Luke Short established a “trading ranch.” His primary objective was to engage in trade with the Sioux Indians across the border in South Dakota. Displaying an early commercial acumen, Short realized the immense profit potential in trading whiskey for buffalo robes. A gallon of whiskey, costing a mere ninety cents, could fetch a buffalo robe worth ten dollars. He quickly stocked a substantial supply of “Pine Top,” the whiskey that became synonymous with his illicit trade.
Short’s business rapidly flourished, but his success soon caught the attention of the Sioux tribal chiefs. Bands of young warriors, intoxicated and unruly from “Pine Top,” frequently returned to their villages from Short’s establishment. Each drink often sparked conflict, and a significant number of drinks led to a disregard for the authority of the “Great White Father” in Washington. The chaotic state of these Indians upon returning to their camps was alarming and unsustainable.
The Indian agent responsible for this branch of the Sioux tribe swiftly communicated his concerns to Washington. He reported that a group of “cutthroat white men,” led by Luke Short, were illegally trading whiskey to the Indians, and his jurisdiction in Nebraska prevented him from stopping them. Fearing an Indian uprising, he urged immediate government intervention. Consequently, the post commander in Omaha was instructed to apprehend the purveyors of the disruptive “Pine Top.”
A company of United States cavalry was dispatched after Short. Unaware of the impending action, he was quickly apprehended while alone in his dugout, cooking dinner. Charged with unlawfully trading whiskey to the Indians, Luke remained calm. “Is that all, gentlemen?” he reportedly asked, even inviting the commanding officer to share his meal. The officer, however, declined, insisting they proceed to Sidney to catch an Overland train to Omaha. Luke stated he had nothing to take with him except what he was wearing—primarily his Colt pistols and cartridge belt, which were promptly confiscated. When asked about partners, Luke claimed to be working alone, though in reality, his partner was in Sidney acquiring provisions and more “Pine Top.”
After the cavalry destroyed all traces of whiskey at the ranch, the 75-mile journey to Sidney began. Luke was placed on a government horse, his feet secured, and forced to ride in the center of the company. Upon reaching Sidney, he was unceremoniously put aboard the Overland train for Omaha.
The Daring Escape and New Beginnings
During his brief captivity, Luke Short’s quiet and unassuming demeanor led the officer to perceive him as a harmless adventurer, not a serious criminal. This misjudgment meant Luke was not handcuffed or shackled when placed on the train to Omaha. Sidney, Nebraska, was a small town, but the sight of U.S. soldiers at the train station drew a crowd. Among them was Luke’s partner, whose surprise at seeing his associate as the center of attention can only be imagined.
Utilizing a pre-arranged code of signals, partially derived from Indian languages, Luke and his partner quickly communicated. Luke conveyed his intention to return to Sidney soon and instructed his partner to prepare for their swift departure. The charge of illegal whiskey trading seemed of little concern to him; he believed he could easily beat it. However, he worried about the possibility of an agent discovering the fate of several young men he had “planted” for attempting to steal his whiskey, a secret only his partner knew. He needed to avoid drawing attention to his unintended service of keeping the peace.
As the train departed Sidney, Luke Short wasted no time. That very night, he made his escape from the soldiers, finding his way back to Sidney. Before the next morning, he and his partner were well on their way to Colorado, driving a substantial team of mules hitched to a canvas-covered wagon. This occurred in the fall of 1878, a period when Leadville, Colorado, was experiencing a massive mining boom. Luke set his sights on Denver and then Leadville, moving through unpopulated territories where white faces were a rarity.
Leadville: A Gambler’s Awakening
Upon reaching Denver, Luke Short and his partner sold their outfit before his partner returned to his affluent family in Austin, Texas. Luke, however, headed straight for Leadville, a town pulsating with the energy of the mining boom. Here, he entered a world vastly different from his cowboy and frontier trading days. He found himself amidst wealthy mine buyers, promoters, gamblers, and the proprietors of the notorious “honkatonks.” This new, vibrant life instantly captivated him.
It was in Leadville that Luke first encountered the game of faro, a game that deeply fascinated him. His presence in the camp quickly became noteworthy. One day, in a prominent gambling house, he clashed with a notorious “bad man” who had a history of violence. The man attempted to tamper with one of Luke’s bets. When Luke politely but firmly requested the man to remove his hands, the “bad man” erupted in a furious tirade, making rude remarks. The dealer, terrified, fully expected Luke to be shot, unaware of Luke’s true character and quickness, which he had demonstrated in Nebraska.
“Gentlemen,” the dealer interjected smoothly, “I will cover the bet rather than have a quarrel.”
“You will make nothing good for me,” Luke retorted, his voice calm but firm. “That is my bet, and no one will take it.”
“You insignificant little shrimp,” the “bad man” growled, reaching for his pistol. “I will shoot your hand off if you dare to put it on that bet.”
But the threat was empty. Before the “bad man” could even draw his weapon, Luke Short, with a lightning-fast draw, had his own pistol jammed into the man’s face and pulled the trigger. The bullet struck the “bad man” through the cheek, luckily not proving fatal, and he crumpled to the floor. In Leadville, such incidents were common, and no arrest or trial ensued. This event, however, significantly elevated Luke’s standing. He became a sought-after presence, with gambling house owners eager for him to be around during busy hours to deter other “bad men” from disrupting their business. He cultivated friendships, particularly within the more refined circles of the sporting fraternity, learned to play cards, and soon became a faro dealer himself. His transformation was remarkable; dressed in tailor-made suits and a derby hat, he was unrecognizable from the rugged frontiersman who had escaped from the Overland train near Sidney just years prior.
Tombstone: A Duel Averted and a Legacy Cemented
By the spring of 1881, Luke Short had made his way to Tombstone, Arizona, a town infamous for its rough-and-tumble nature. He found employment dealing faro in the Oriental gambling house, an establishment famously managed by none other than Wyatt Earp. It was during this period that a potentially deadly confrontation unfolded, underscoring Luke Short’s continued reputation as a formidable gunfighter.
One fateful morning, Bat Masterson, the acclaimed lawman and friend, walked into the Oriental just in time to prevent Luke from engaging in a fatal shootout with a well-known gambler named Charlie Storms. The situation eerily mirrored the incident in Leadville. Charlie Storms was a prominent figure in Western gambling circles, known for successfully defending himself in multiple pistol duels against other “gunfighters.” The tension was palpable, and another violent death seemed imminent.
However, thanks to Masterson’s timely intervention, this particular confrontation did not escalate to bloodshed. This averted duel, though less dramatic in its immediate outcome, further cemented Luke Short’s reputation as a man who commanded respect and could hold his own against the most dangerous characters of the Old West. He was not just a survivor; he was a force to be reckoned with, a fact acknowledged by both friends and foes.
While the incident with Charlie Storms in Tombstone highlighted Luke Short’s continued prowess and dangerous reputation, it was a moment of prevented bloodshed that further solidified his standing among the Old West’s elite. Unlike many of his gunfighting peers, whose lives ended violently in dusty streets or saloons, Luke Short’s story took an unexpected turn towards a more peaceful conclusion. He eventually settled down, retiring from the constant threat of the frontier’s gambling halls and shootouts. In Fort Worth, Texas, surrounded by his loved ones, Luke Short succumbed to natural causes, far from the bullet-riddled demise often anticipated for a man of his profession. His life, marked by daring escapes, sharp wit, and a quick trigger finger, cemented his legacy as one of the most intriguing and resilient characters of the American Wild West, a true legend who lived by his own rules and, against all odds, died on his own terms.
