On this date in 1982, Fayette County Sheriff T.J. "Jim" Flournoy died at the age of 80. Big Jim, as he was known, was the longest-serving sheriff in Fayette County history, had a two-year run as a Texas Ranger during World War II and several stints as a deputy in various jurisdictions. He shot to fame, of course, by defending the Chicken Ranch brothel when KTRK-TV newsman Marvin Zindler campaigned to shut it down. Zindler returned to La Grange on December 30, 1974 to do a follow-up story, and that's where he encountered Sheriff Flournoy. The altercation ended with the Sheriff stomping on Zindler's toupée in the middle of the street, and Zindler heading back to Houston with several cracked ribs. Lawsuits flew back and forth for years, before the two eventually settled out of court.
In other news, I'll be participating in the
La Grange Art Stroll 5-8 p.m. p.m. on November 9. If you're in the La Grange area, ground zero for the Chicken Ranch affair, you can find me signing copies of
Inside the Texas Chicken Ranch: The Definitive Account of the Best Little Whorehouse at the historic Casino building in town. Drop by and say hello!
Now Playing: Gene Rains Far Away Lands
Chicken Ranch Central
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