Two Things You Don’t Know About Wade of Roe v. Wade

I bet you don’t remember these things about Henry Wade, Dallas County, D.A.

Texas heroes and villains

Texas is known for its larger-than-life heroes and villains — Davy Crocket, Sam Houston, Bonnie and Clyde, and Tom Landry. But how often have you heard the name of Henry Wade? Not often, I bet.

Henry Wade — made for Texas tall tales.

If Hollywood wished, they could have made a number one hit crime show featuring a stereotypical Texas prosecutor. One whose nickname was “The Chief.” He was a big man given to stalking Dallas courthouses chomping on a cigar, and spitting in old west spittoons.

Throughout his 36-year reign, 1950–1986, as Dallas County prosecutor, he not only built a reputation as a force to be reckoned with, he never lost a case he personally tried. He was used to winning and getting what he wanted in the county.

Of course, his most famous case had to be Roe v. Wade. Wade is Henry Wade. He lost that case, but he was not the attorney of record arguing before the Supreme Court.

His name is also attached to another well-known case of the early 1960s. He was the prosecutor in the case of the Jack Ruby murder trial. Jack Ruby was convicted of murdering Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. (WashingtonPost.com)

My favorite story about Henry Wade

My favorite story about Henry Wade occurred in the early 1970s and had to do with the DFW International Airport.

Before 1973, Dallas and its neighbor, Fort Worth, 32 miles away, had different airports. Air travel to both cities grew, and both municipal airports were landlocked. The two municipalities decided to build a joint airport between them. The rivalry between the cities meant that one airport entrance had to be in Dallas County and the other had to be in Tarrant County.

Due to the massive size of DFW airport, 27 square miles, cars would be charged by the amount of time they spent on the campus. A driver would receive a time-stamped ticket upon entry and pay when exiting the facility.

One day Henry Wade went to the DFW airport. He refused to pay the car fee upon leaving, noting he had come on official Dallas County business. He went on through the ticket plaza. The plaza attendant dutifully notified a nearby sheriff’s deputy, who soon caught up and pulled Henry Wade over.

Mr. Wade was angry, red in the face, and shouted at the deputy. “Don’t you know I am? I’m Henry Wade, District Attorney of Dallas County. I’ll have your job!” This statement was no idle threat. Mr. Wade had the political clout to make and break careers in Dallas County. The sheriff’s deputy calmly replied, “Yes, sir. I know who you are. But, sir, you are in Tarrant County. You need to turn your car around and go back to pay the toll. Cuz if you don’t, I’ll introduce you to the Tarrant County District Attorney.”

This account makes a good story. I’m not sure it is true, but it’s accurate enough to describe an under-recognized local legend. After all, Texas is known worldwide for its tall tales.

Disclosure: Grammarly.com edited this story.

Copyright 2022 Harold Zeitung All Rights Reserved

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