(Est. 5 minute read)

Welcome to The Fort Worth Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Trinity Metro's Orange Line to begin service Sept. 15

• Upcoming Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Show

• A deep-dive into the life of T. Cullen Davis

• And much more…

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Quote of the Week

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Important Updates

💼 Business

Chewy Vet Care coming to Fort Worth (link)

Trinity Metro's Orange Line to begin service Sept. 15 (link)

📜 Policy

Tarrant County commissioner to speak with Justice Department about jail issues. (link)

Tarrant Appraisal District budget passes despite protest votes from school districts (link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Activities

Fort Worth In Film

Movie of the Week: The Last Whistle (2019)

Filming Locations: Filmed at locations like Lonesome Dove Bistro, Tarrant County Courthouse, and All Saints Episcopal School​​.

In The Last Whistle (2019), Fort Worth plays a key role in setting the tone for this sports drama, with several important scenes filmed at local landmarks. The Lonesome Dove Bistro adds a sense of local culture, providing a recognizable backdrop for character interactions. The Tarrant County Courthouse features prominently, emphasizing the film’s strong ties to the city’s legal and communal heart.

Additionally, scenes at All Saints Episcopal School highlight the movie’s focus on high school football, grounding the story in the school’s authentic setting. These locations help to capture the spirit of Fort Worth, adding depth to the film’s narrative.

Famous People In Fort Worth History

T. Cullen Davis (1933–Present)

Early Life and Family Background (1933–1950)

Thomas Cullen Davis was born on September 22, 1933, in Fort Worth, Texas, into one of the wealthiest families in the state. His father, Kenneth W. Davis, was a successful oilman and the founder of the family’s oil fortune. Cullen grew up in luxury, living in the shadow of his father’s enormous business success. He attended private schools and was surrounded by the elite of Fort Worth’s social scene. Davis's upbringing in Fort Worth’s high society set the stage for a life of privilege, but it would also foreshadow one of the most infamous criminal cases in Texas history. Despite his wealth, Davis was known for being quiet and reserved, but his privileged upbringing and position in the family business created enormous pressure to live up to his father’s legacy.

Education and Early Career (1951–1967)

Cullen Davis attended Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, where he earned a degree in business. After completing his education, Davis joined his father’s oil company, Davis Industries, taking on a prominent role in the family business. The oil company was highly successful, and Davis quickly became a multimillionaire, making him one of the wealthiest men in Texas by the mid-1960s. Davis's business acumen and ability to manage his family’s oil interests cemented his reputation as a capable businessman, and he continued to expand the family's empire. In Fort Worth, the Davis family was highly influential, and Cullen’s wealth and social status made him a fixture in the city’s elite circles.

Wealth and Lavish Lifestyle (1968–1975)

By the late 1960s, T. Cullen Davis was living an extravagant lifestyle befitting his immense wealth. He built a lavish mansion in Fort Worth, which was reportedly the most expensive home in the United States at the time. The mansion, known as Stonegate Mansion, was equipped with every imaginable luxury, from gold-plated fixtures to an indoor pool. Davis’s life of opulence included multiple cars, private planes, and memberships in exclusive clubs. Despite his quiet demeanor, Davis's wealth and high-profile lifestyle made him a well-known figure in Fort Worth and throughout Texas. However, beneath the surface of his seemingly perfect life, tensions within his personal life were growing, setting the stage for the dramatic events that would later unfold.

Marriage to Priscilla Davis and Marital Tensions (1968–1975)

In 1968, Cullen Davis married Priscilla Wilborn, a beautiful and flamboyant woman who came from a more modest background. The marriage was marked by stark contrasts: Cullen was reserved, while Priscilla was outgoing and loved the spotlight. Their relationship was tumultuous, with constant rumors of infidelity, arguments, and growing tension. By the mid-1970s, the couple’s marriage had begun to deteriorate, leading to a bitter and very public divorce. The divorce proceedings were contentious, with battles over custody, finances, and property, particularly the extravagant Stonegate Mansion. The growing animosity between Cullen and Priscilla created an explosive situation that would soon lead to one of the most sensational murder cases in Texas history.

The Infamous Murder Case (1976)

On August 2, 1976, the Davis family's conflicts escalated into violence at the Stonegate Mansion. Priscilla Davis, along with several others, was attacked by a masked gunman inside the mansion. The gunman killed Priscilla’s 12-year-old daughter, Andrea Wilborn, and family friend Stan Farr. Priscilla herself was shot but managed to survive the attack. Suspicion quickly fell on Cullen Davis, who was accused of orchestrating the killings due to his acrimonious relationship with Priscilla and their ongoing divorce. The case, which became known as the “T. Cullen Davis murder trial,” captured national headlines and became one of the most famous criminal cases in Texas history. Despite overwhelming suspicion, the trial would take dramatic twists and turns.

Trial and Acquittal (1977–1979)

Cullen Davis was arrested and charged with capital murder, but his wealth allowed him to hire a team of high-powered attorneys, including famed lawyer Richard “Racehorse” Haynes. The trial, which took place in 1977, became a media circus, with reporters from across the country covering the proceedings. Davis maintained his innocence throughout, and the defense argued that there was insufficient evidence to convict him. The case hinged on Priscilla’s testimony, as she had identified Cullen as the gunman, but the defense successfully cast doubt on her credibility. In the end, the jury acquitted Cullen Davis of all charges, despite the widespread belief that he was guilty. The verdict shocked the public and cemented Davis’s place in legal history as the first person acquitted of murder after being accused of killing a child.

Second Trial and Legal Battles (1978–1985)

After his acquittal in the murder case, Cullen Davis faced a second trial in 1978, this time for allegedly hiring a hitman to kill Priscilla Davis and the judge presiding over their divorce case. Once again, the trial attracted significant media attention, and Davis’s legal team argued that the charges were based on fabricated evidence. In another dramatic twist, Davis was acquitted of the charges in 1979. His legal troubles, however, were far from over. Over the next several years, Davis was embroiled in a series of civil lawsuits related to the murder case, with Priscilla suing him for wrongful death. Despite these ongoing legal battles, Davis managed to avoid further criminal convictions, though his reputation was forever tarnished.

Financial Decline and Personal Life (1986–1999)

In the years following his acquittals, Cullen Davis faced significant financial difficulties. The oil industry, which had made him one of the wealthiest men in Texas, experienced a downturn, and Davis’s personal fortune began to dwindle. Davis Industries eventually went bankrupt, and Cullen was forced to sell off many of his assets, including the opulent Stonegate Mansion. His lavish lifestyle came to an end, and he lived a more reclusive life in the years that followed. Despite the decline in his fortune, Davis remained a controversial figure in Fort Worth, with many people continuing to believe that he had evaded justice. His public image was shaped by both his wealth and the notorious trials that had dominated the headlines.

Later Years and Legacy (2000–Present)

In his later years, T. Cullen Davis has largely stayed out of the public eye, living quietly in Fort Worth. His legacy, however, remains defined by the infamous murder case that captivated the nation in the 1970s. The case has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and even a television miniseries. Despite his acquittal, public opinion remains divided on Davis’s guilt or innocence, and the case continues to be a source of fascination for true crime enthusiasts. In Fort Worth, Davis’s name is still synonymous with the wealth, intrigue, and drama of Texas high society, and the trials that marked his life are remembered as one of the most sensational legal battles in the state’s history.

Legacy and Cultural Impact on Fort Worth (2000–Present)

Cullen Davis’s connection to Fort Worth remains significant. As one of the wealthiest men in Texas during his prime, he played a key role in the city’s business and social circles. His fall from grace, however, became a defining moment in Fort Worth’s history. The trial, with its sensational details of wealth, power, and murder, put Fort Worth in the national spotlight and remains one of the most talked-about events in the city’s legal history. While Davis has lived quietly in his later years, the impact of the case is still felt in Fort Worth’s cultural memory, with his name forever associated with one of the most notorious criminal cases in Texas.

Key Achievements:

• Built an enormous personal fortune as the heir to Davis Industries, one of the largest oil companies in Texas.

• Central figure in one of the most infamous murder trials in Texas history, leading to multiple legal battles and widespread media attention.

• His trials and acquittals remain a landmark in legal history, sparking national debates about wealth, justice, and privilege.

T. Cullen Davis’s journey from oil heir to the center of one of America’s most famous murder cases reflects both the privilege of immense wealth and the dramatic downfall that can accompany public scandal. His deep connection to Fort Worth shaped his life, and his trials brought the city national attention. Although his later years have been quieter, Davis’s legacy remains one of intrigue and controversy, ensuring his place as one of the most talked-about figures in Texas legal history.

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-Yannick Lyons

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