He was shot and killed on April 25, 1895, in Ormond, Florida, while assisting Putnam County Sheriff J.W. He was known as the "brave little sheriff" and had a reputation of being "fast with his fists and his gun." He was an efficient and determined lawman. There he served as a deputy sheriff, city marshal, and then was elected sheriff of Volusia County in 1892. Florida in the period was largely a sparsely settled frontier and well-known for lawlessness. Kurtz lived in Texas in the 1880s before moving to DeLand, Florida, in 1887. Jefferson Davis Kurtz (1861-1895) of Virginia was a descendant of Johann Adam Kurtz who had served as Daniel Morgan's bodyguard during the American Revolution. William Wilbanks which provided much of the following information. The books "Indian River Country Volume 2, 1890-1892" by Jim and Bonnie Garmon and "Forgotten Heroes: Police Officers Killed in Early Florida, 1840-1925" by Dr. Co./Vigilante/1892." on the left side with black enamel fill. The antique ivory grip is inscribed with "Presented to/Jeff Kurtz/->by the<-/Southern Ex. The matching serial number, "121971," is marked on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The assembly number "756" is marked on the loading gate arm. The trigger guard is marked "45 CAL" on the left side of the bow. The frame has the three-line patent marking. The ejector has the smaller dished button. The barrel has a blade front sight and the one-line address. The revolver is finished with nickel plating and niter blue screws. Cuno Helfricht and the factory engravers of the period also used similar patterns. Nimschke style New York engraving consisting of scroll patterns with beaded backgrounds, wavy line designs and accents, "Nimschke stars," and floral/fan patterns on the recoil shield and loading gate. The remarks state that "soft" finish "indicates subject revolver was shipped without final finishing for engraving outside our factory." The revolver has classic L.D. 45 caliber with 7 1/2 inch barrels, "Soft" finish, and grips not listed. The factory letter lists this fascinating revolver as one of four guns of this type in a shipment to Hartley & Graham in New York City on April 15, 1887, in.
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