At the end of the day, an impromptu game of cards or a roll of dice held many men’s attention.
A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY
By Joan Frances | Photos from Fort Bend County Texas: A Pictorial History.
The fruition of Fort Bend County, while obviously very productive, was a long and difficult period in history. Settlers encountered many variables, including hot, dry summers paired with severe storms and floods that were unpredictable and intense. Farmers worked long hours to harvest cotton, corn and grain that yielded little return. Trips to town were usually miles away and took all day. Residents looked for ways to escape the monotony by indulging in different forms of entertainment. Horse racing, cock fights and gambling were a few vices people engaged in.
In 1837, Richmond was home to one of the first horse racing tracks located across from the Fort Bend Country Club on FM 762. John Morton, the first sheriff of Fort Bend County, entered four of his finest horses to run on the first Monday in December. There was a $500 “play or pay” entrance fee, and the race was conducted in accordance to the New Orleans horse races. This was the start of many more races with a winning potential of thousands of dollars.
The Dixie Saloon in Needville was one of the gathering places men frequented.
Churchill Fulshear, Jr. owned and operated Churchill Downs Horse Racing on the family plantation in Fulshear. He inherited land from his father and purchased several acres from his siblings to construct a three-story house and a large facility with stalls to breed and race horses from 1850 to 1870. Patrons would come from all over the area to bring horses for competition and to gamble on the winners. Fulshear, Jr. was nationally recognized for breeding some of the finest racing stock.
Another recreational activity was cock fighting. Since most farmers raised roosters, it was easy and economical. Two male roosters were placed together, and a fight ensued. The triumphant rooster would make money for the owner. Local cock fights were held all over the county as crowds of people came to witness a vicious match. Much later, cock fights were deemed cruel and unusual punishment for the animals and are now illegal.
Men watching a cock fight. Photograph courtesy of the George Ranch Historical Park Museum Collection
As cities grew, the post office and mercantile opened for business, and the progression of other merchants emerged, such as banks, barber shops, doctor offices and saloons. When a family traveled to the city, the wife went to the mercantile, and the husband went to the bar. Cowboys and buffalo hunters were frequent patrons of the local “watering trough” where they indulged in drinking whiskey and gambling. Card games such as faro, poker, brag, three-card monte and dice games were played. Public drunkenness became a serious issue, which led to fights and murders. By 1920, most legal saloons in the state had been shut down, and alcohol prohibition dominated Texas politics.
Even in the most difficult times, people took an occasion to pause, relax and enjoy the moment. Residents would travel by foot, wagon and horseback to gather in the square of their small towns to share food and drink, hear music and dance. Religion helped influence church activities for social events, such as picnics and concerts. In 1888, recreation included sports such as professional baseball by the Texas League, and in 1894 the first football game in the state was played between the University of Texas and Texas A&M University.
In 1886, the Texas Music Teachers Association was founded with artists and writers contributing to the advancement of the arts. These victories continued to set the foundation of Fort Bend to grow into a cultural and artistically diversified county. Today, Fort Bend is a mecca of talent and entertainment with a prolific history residents can be proud of.