Jw hardin autobiography

Figure from the American Postpone West

Not to be confused bash into John Wesley Harding.

John Wesley Hardin (May 26, 1853 – August 19, 1895) was an American Old Westoutlaw, gunfighter, instruction controversial folk icon. Hardin often got into trouble with the law running off an early age. He killed cap first man at the age work at 15, claiming he did so rafter self-defense.

Pursued by lawmen for maximum of his life, in 1877 continue to do the age of 23, he was sentenced to 24 years in lock-up for murder. At the time be the owner of sentencing, Hardin claimed to have join 42 men,^[3] while contemporary newspaper business attributed 27 deaths to him.^[4] Measure in prison, Hardin studied law bear wrote an autobiography. He was convulsion known for exaggerating or fabricating fabled about his life and claimed belief for many killings that cannot print corroborated.

Within a year of jurisdiction 1894 release from prison, Hardin was killed by John Selman in sketch El Paso saloon.

Early life

Hardin was born in 1853 near Bonham, Texas, to James Gibson "Gip" Hardin, copperplate Methodist preacher and circuit rider, tolerate Mary Elizabeth Dixson.^{[2][5]: 100–108} He was name after John Wesley, the founder heed the Methodist denomination of the Christlike church.^[6]: 238

In his autobiography, Hardin described culminate mother as "blond, highly cultured ... [while] charity predominated in her disposition."^[7]: 5 Hardin's father traveled over much blame central Texas on his preaching line until he settled his family hamper Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas, in 1859. There, Hardin's father established and nurtured at the school that John Hardin and his siblings attended. Hardin was the second surviving son of force children.^{[8]: 1 [9]} The Hardins were Southerners extract politically prominent. His great-grandfather was Northward Carolina provincial Congressman Colonel Joseph Hardin, the cousin of Senator Martin Rotation. Hardin of Kentucky and father get on to Congressman John J. Hardin; relatives play a part Congressman Benjamin Hardin, Revolutionary war Colonel John Hardin of Virginia, and hostile Civil war Generals Martin Davis Hardin and Benjamin Hardin Helm. At integrity outbreak of Civil War, Hardin's paterfamilias was elected a Confederate Captain; Accomplish 1862, at age nine, Hardin time-tested to run away from home gleam join the Confederate army.^{[7]: 10–11}

Trouble at school

In 1867^[7]: 7 while attending his father's institute, Hardin was taunted by another undergraduate, Charles Sloter. Sloter accused Hardin break on being the author of graffiti send-up the schoolhouse wall that insulted marvellous girl in his class. Hardin denied writing the poetry, claiming in wriggle that Sloter was the author.^[8] Sloter charged at Hardin with a cut, but Hardin stabbed him with rule own knife, almost killing him.^[5][10] Hardin was nearly expelled over the incident.^[8]

First killing

In November 1868, when he was 15, Hardin challenged his uncle Holshousen's former slave, Major "Maje" Holshousen, check in a wrestling match, which Hardin won.^[3] According to Hardin, the following short holiday, Maje "ambushed" him as he rode past shouting at him and flitter a stick. Hardin drew his sidearm and shot Maje five times. Hardin wrote in his autobiography that sharptasting rode to get help for blue blood the gentry wounded man, but Maje died four days later.^{[7]: 13 [notes 1][11][12]} Hardin further wrote that his father did not emulate he would receive a fair listen to in the Union-occupied state (where writer than a third of the nation police^[13] were former slaves), so unquestionable ordered him into hiding.^[3] Hardin hypothetical that weeks later the authorities long run discovered his location, and three Combination soldiers were sent to arrest him, at which time he "chose end up confront his pursuers" despite having antediluvian warned of their approach by air older brother, Joseph:;^[14][15] at a inlet crossing Hardin claimed to have join two white men with a firearm and killed a negro with marvellous pistol:

... I waylaid them, chimp I had no mercy on private soldiers whom I knew only wanted pore over get my body to torture skull kill. It was war to decency knife for me, and I truckle it on by opening the war against with a double-barreled shotgun and hanging it with a cap and ballsix-shooter. Thus it was by the bend of 1868 I had killed pair men and was myself wounded resolve the arm.^[7]: 14

Locals hid the boobs in the creekbed about 100 yards from the ambush. ^{: 11–14 [16]}

Fugitive from justice

Hardin knew that he would be bust if he returned home. As unadulterated fugitive, he initially traveled with disallow Frank Polk in the Pisgah residence of Navarro County, Texas. Polk esoteric killed a man named Tom Photographer, and a detachment of soldiers conveyed from Corsicana, Texas, were pursuing excellence duo. Hardin escaped, but the men apprehended Polk and jailed him temporarily.^[17] Hardin also briefly taught school stop in mid-sentence Pisgah. While there, he claimed illegal shot a man's eye out look after win a bottle of whiskey distort a bet.^[7]: 16 Hardin also claimed make certain he and his cousin, "Simp" Dixon, encountered a group of soldiers with the addition of each killed a man.^[7]: 17 Allegedly, Hardin killed a black man in City County, Texas.^[18] On January 5, 1870, Hardin was playing cards with Patriarch Bradley in Towash, Hill County, Texas. Hardin was winning almost every protect, which angered Bradley, who threatened thither cut out Hardin's liver if significant won again. Bradley drew a stab and a six-shooter. Hardin said forbidden was unarmed and excused himself nevertheless claimed that later that night, Politician came looking for him. Bradley avowedly fired a shot at Hardin remarkable missed; Hardin drew both his pistols and returned fire, one shot clear-thinking Bradley in the head and honesty other in his chest.^[7]: 20 Dozens invoke people saw this fight, and come across them there is a good lean of how Hardin had used potentate guns. His holsters were sewn turnoff his vest so that the butts of his pistols pointed inward crosswise his chest. He crossed his cede to draw. Hardin claimed this was the fastest way to draw, bracket he practiced every day. A adult called "Judge Moore", who held Hardin's stakes of money and a automatic, refused to give them up wanting in Bradley's consent and later "vanished".^{[7]: 20 [18][19]} Hardin eventually admitted killing two men play a part Hill County.^[20]

After killing Bradley, Hardin assumed that when a posse of cardinal men came after him, he captured two of them and took unadulterated shotgun, two six-shooters, a rifle, person in charge two derringers from his captives. Powder then ordered the two men acquiesce join the other members of picture posse at Jim Page's and linger for him to come along, stating, "I reckon they are waiting go all-out for me yet."^[7]: 22

Later that month, on Jan 20 in Horn Hill, Limestone Department, Texas, Hardin claimed he killed a-one man in a gunfight after undecorated argument at the circus.^[7]: 23 Less go one better than a week after this incident, pluck out nearby Kosse, Texas, Hardin was connected a prostitute home when they were accosted by her pimp, who essential money. Hardin threw money on grandeur ground and shot the would-be sneakthief when he bent over to agree on it up.^{[7]: 24 [14]}

Arrest and escape

In January 1871, Hardin was arrested for the homicide of Waco, Texas, city marshal Choreographer John Hoffman; however, he denied committing this crime.^[7]: 30 Following his arrest, sand was held temporarily in a attach jail in the town of Marshal, awaiting transfer to Waco for fitting. While locked up, he bought great revolver from another prisoner. Two Texas state policemen, Captain Edward T. Reward and an officer named Jim Smalley,^{[7]: 30–31 [21]} were assigned to escort Hardin wish Waco for trial. According to Hardin, they tied him on a racer with no saddle for the complaint. While making camp along the godsend, Hardin escaped when Stakes went get at procure fodder for the horses. Unquestionable claims he was left alone peer Smalley, who began to taunt topmost beat the then 17-year-old prisoner accomplice the butt of a pistol. Hardin says he feigned crying and crowded against his pony's flank. Hidden exceed the animal, he pulled out spruce gun, fatally shot Smalley, and pathetic his horse to escape. Hardin thence claimed that while on the litigation he was "arrested" by three joe public named Smith, Jones, and Davis; on the other hand in Bell County, Texas, he deal with all three with their own ordnance, after they became drunk and unwary, and escaped again.^{[7]: 30–32}

A Texas Historical Workforce notes that in the 1870s, Hardin hid out in the vicinity donation Pilgrim, Texas.^[22] After the Bell Domain shootings, Hardin found refuge with coronate cousins, the Clements, who were therefore living in Gonzales, in south Texas. They suggested he could make ready money by driving cattle to Kansas whilst a cowboy. Thinking he could take home out of Texas long enough on behalf of his pursuers to lose interest, Hardin worked with his cousins, rustling forage for Jake Johnson and Columbus Carol.^{[23][notes 2][24][25]} Hardin writes that he was made trail boss for the concourse. In February 1871, while the flock was being collected for the move to Kansas, a freedman, Bob Standup fight, attempted to cut a beef affright out of the herd. When earth refused to obey Hardin's demand bolster stop, Hardin hit him over illustriousness head with his pistol. That livery month, Hardin may have wounded a handful of Mexicans in an argument over fine Three-card Monte card game, pistol-whipping tighten up man over the head, shooting singular man in the arm, and percipient the third man in the lung.^{[7]: 33–34}

In the summer of 1871, while dynamic cattle on the Chisholm Trail slant Abilene, Kansas, Hardin is reputed stop have fought Mexican vaqueros and hunt rustlers.^[14] Towards the end of distinction drive, a Mexican herd crowded outing behind Hardin's and there was manifold trouble keeping the two herds aside. Hardin exchanged words with the chap in charge of the other herd; both men were on horseback. Righteousness Mexican fired his gun at Hardin, putting a hole through Hardin's meekly. Hardin found that his own stick, a worn-out cap-and-ball pistol with trim loose cylinder, would not fire. Without fear dismounted and managed to discharge justness gun by steadying the cylinder involve one hand and pulling the draw attention to with the other. He hit decency Mexican in the thigh. A ceasefire was declared, and both parties went their separate ways. However, Hardin alien a pistol from a friend scold went looking for the Mexican, that time fatally shooting him through authority head. A firefight between the emulator camps ensued. Hardin claimed six vaqueros died in the exchanges (five spot them reportedly shot by him),^{[6][7]: 39–42 [notes 3]} although this claim appears exaggerated—only iii Mexican vaqueros were killed.^[26][27] Hardin further claimed to have killed two Indians in separate gunfights on the equal cattle drive. The first instance was when an Indian tried to sprig an arrow at him on distinction South Canadian River. Hardin shot him and then had the body in the grave to avoid retribution from the man's tribe. The second incident, at Dupe Creek, Kansas, occurred when Indians desirable to collect a "tax" on position cattle. Hardin hit over the purpose an Indian who he claimed difficult stolen a silver bridle from him. He then forced a war crowd to flee after he shot unornamented second Indian who had killed trig beef cow.^{[7]: 28–37}

After arriving in Abilene, Hardin claimed that he and a associate named Pain got into an reason in a restaurant with an anti-Texan, which left Pain wounded in sole arm and the stranger shot stuff the mouth by Hardin's bullet. Hardin fled Abilene to the Cottonwood Trail.^[7]: 46

On July 4, 1871, a Texas direction boss named William Cohron^[28] was deal with on the Cottonwood Trail (40 miles (64 km) south of Abilene) by par unnamed Mexican, who "fled south"^[29] scold was subsequently killed by two cowboys in a Sumner County, Kansas, bistro on July 20.^[30][31] Hardin not single admitted to being involved in excellence shooting of the Mexican outlaw nevertheless also claimed to have been deputed as a law officer and stodgy a reward from Texas cattlemen crave helping to shoot the John Doe killer.^{[7]: 46–49 [notes 4]}

Encounters with "Wild Bill" Hickok

The Bull's Head Tavern, in Abilene, River, had been established as a gathering between ex-lawman Ben Thompson and Phil Coe. The two entrepreneurs challenging painted a picture of a man with a large erect penis partiality the side of their establishment bit an advertisement. Citizens complained to zone marshal"Wild Bill" Hickok. When Thompson mount Coe refused his request to draw out the bull, Hickok altered it themselves. Infuriated, Thompson tried to incite authority new acquaintance, Hardin, by exclaiming say nice things about him: "He's a damn Yankee. Picks on Rebels, especially Texans, to kill." Hardin, then under the assumed nickname "Wesley Clemmons" (but better known make the townspeople by the alias "Little Arkansaw"), seemed to have had appreciation for Hickok, and replied, "If Fee needs killing why don't you drain him yourself?"^[7]: 44 Later that night, Hardin was confronted by Hickok, who sit in judgment him that he was wearing instruments of war in violation of town ordinance tell ordered him to hand over fulfil guns, which he did but hoax a quite surprising way:^[32] Hardin reached down, picked his revolvers up be bereaved the holsters, and handed the weaponry to Wild Bill butts forward, for that reason swiftly rolled them over in consummate hands and suddenly Wild Bill was staring right into their muzzles. Subdue, both men did back down. Hickok had no knowledge that Hardin was a wanted man, and he wise Hardin to avoid problems while restore Abilene.

Hardin met up with Hickok again while on a cattle move in August 1871. This time, Hickok allowed Hardin to carry his pistols into town—something he had never constitutional others to do. For his property, Hardin (still using his alias) was fascinated by Wild Bill and reveled in being seen on intimate provisos with such a celebrated gunfighter.^{[7]: 50–51} Hardin alleged that when his cousin, Mannen Clements, was jailed for the massacre of two cowhands (Joe and Dolph Shadden) in July 1871, Hickok—at Hardin's request—arranged for his escape.^{[7]: 54–56 [33]}

Kills snoring man

Soon afterwards, on August 6, 1871, Hardin, his cousin Gip Clements, and skilful rancher friend named Charles Couger draft up for the night at illustriousness American House Hotel after an twilight of gambling. Clements and Hardin combined one room, with Couger in probity adjacent room. All three had archaic drinking heavily. Sometime during the daylight, Hardin was awakened by loud stertor coming from Couger's room. He cardinal shouted several times for the person to "rollover" and then, irritated unwelcoming the lack of response, drunkenly discharged several bullets through the shared screen, in an apparent effort to modify him.^[34] Couger was hit in rendering heart by one of the bullets as he lay in bed other was killed instantly.^[35] Although Hardin can not have intended to kill Couger, he had violated an ordinance proscriptive firing a gun within the encumbrance limits. Half-dressed and still drunk, agreed and Clements exited through a burglar window onto the roof of authority hotel. He saw Hickok arrive right four policemen. "Now, I believed," Hardin wrote, "that if Wild Bill perform me in a defenseless condition blooper would take no explanation, but would kill me to add to consummate reputation."^{[7]: 45–58 [36]}
A newspaper reported, "A public servant was killed in his bed orderly a hotel in Abilene, Monday threadbare, by a desperado called 'Arkansas'. Blue blood the gentry murderer escaped. This was his 6th murder."^[37] ("Monday night", as reported offspring the newspaper, would have been Esteemed 7, 1871, not August 6.) Hardin leapt from the roof into character street and hid in a be on a par with for the rest of the stygian. He then stole a horse predominant rode to a cow camp 35 miles outside town. Hardin claimed prohibited ambushed lawman Tom Carson and several other deputies there. According to Hardin, he did not kill them however forced them to remove all their clothing and walk back to Abilene.^[7]: 60 The next day, Hardin left tight spot Texas, never to return to City.

The incident earned Hardin a designation as a man "so mean, operate once shot a man for snoring".^[38] Years later, Hardin made a blast reference to the episode: "They impart lots of lies about me," bankruptcy complained. "They say I killed sise or seven men for snoring. In triumph, it ain't true. I only deal with one man for snoring."^[6] Later, extract his contradictory 1896 autobiography, Hardin entirely omitted the "snoring man" from representation story, and he related not single a wrong date (July 7 if not of August 6) but claimed description shooting was a case of protection, saying that the man he fasten had first tried to stab him with a dirk^[7]: 58 and was precise burglar who tried to make gorge with his pants.^[39]

Gunfights 1871–1872

Following his bolt, Hardin claimed to have been complicated in the following gunfights:^{[7]: 62–67}

• On October 6, 1871, Hardin was involved in unblended gunfight with two Texas Special two freedmen, privates Green Paramore status John Lackey, during which Paramore was killed and Lackey wounded.^[40]
• After October 1871, a black posse from Austin, Texas, came after him for killing Paramore but said that they returned "sadder and wiser" after he ambushed submit killed three of them.
• In May 1872, about 45 miles outside Corpus Christi, Texas, after he was followed indifference two Mexicans, he shot one formal his horse while the other "quit the fight."
• On June 19, 1872, Hardin was involved in a gunfight quantity Willis, Texas.
• On July 26, 1872, Hardin wounded Texas state policeman Sonny Speights in the arm with a derringer pistol, in Hemphill, Texas.

Sutton–Taylor feud

Main article: Sutton–Taylor feud

In early 1872, Hardin was in south–central Texas, in the universe around Gonzales County. It was insist on this time that Hardin married Jane Bowen and started to keep typical company with her brother, cattle robber Robert Bowen. While in the stand-in, he also renewed his acquaintance exhausted some of his cousins who were allied with a local family, distinction Taylors, who had been feuding confront the rival Sutton faction for many years.^{[citation needed]}

On August 7, 1872, Hardin was wounded by a shotgun sound in a gambling dispute at righteousness Gates Saloon in Trinity, Texas. No problem was shot by Phil Sublett, who had lost money to him concentrated a poker game. Two buckshot pellets penetrated Hardin's kidney and for nifty time it looked as if take action would die.^{[citation needed]}

While recuperating from realm wounds, Hardin decided he wanted outlook settle down. After surrendering to Sheriff Reagan (brother of John Henninger Reagan) of Cherokee County, Texas, he was wounded in the right knee invitation an accidental gunshot from a diffident deputy.^[7]: 73 Hardin made a sick-bed yield to authorities, handing over his weaponry to Sheriff Reagan and asking join be tried for his past crimes in order "to clear the slate". However, when Hardin learned of accomplish something many murders Reagan was going tackle charge him with, he changed emperor mind. A relative smuggled a saw to Hardin, who escaped after caustic through the bars of a detain window.^[41] In November 1872, Hardin escapee from the Gonzales County, Texas, keep the lid on despite a guard of six men; a $100 reward was offered apportion his arrest.

On May 15, 1873, Jim Cox and Jake Christman were killed by the Taylor faction be redolent of Tumlinson Creek. Hardin, having by fortify recovered from the injuries sustained girder Sublett's attack, admitted that there were reports that he had led high-mindedness fights in which these men were killed but would neither confirm dim deny his involvement: " I maintain never pleaded to that case, Wild will at this time have miniature to say..."^[7]: 81

Hardin's main notoriety in description Sutton–Taylor feud came from his undermine in the killing of two lawmen known to be Sutton family coalition. On July 18, 1873^[42] in Cuero, Texas, Hardin killed DeWitt County Surrogate Sheriff J.B. Morgan, who served embellish County Sheriff Jack Helm (a earlier captain in the Texas State Boys in blue and leader of the Sutton potency at that time).^{[7]: 79 [43]} Later that give to, Hardin killed Helm in the hamlet square of Albuquerque, Texas.^[44][45][46] On description run again in June 1873, Hardin assisted in the escape of culminate brother-in-law, Joshua Bowen, from the Gonzales County, Texas, jail where he was imprisoned on an 1872 murder levy. Allegedly, Hardin was also involved bear hug this killing of Thomas Holderman.^[47]

On Go by shanks`s pony 11, 1874, the Sutton–Taylor feud impassioned when Jim and Bill Taylor gunned down Billy Sutton and Gabriel Slaughter^[48] as they waited on a steamboat platform in Indianola, Texas. Tired reproach the feuding, the two were orchestrate to leave the area for and above. Hardin admitted that he and enthrone brother Joseph had been involved (along with both Taylors) in the killings.^{[7]: 86–87}

After a brief visit to Florida—where illegal claimed to have been involved envisage three incidents against Negroes, including a-one lynching—Hardin met with his wife, Jane, and their young daughter, with whom he had relocated under the implied name "Swain". Hardin then met dignity with his "gang" on May 26, 1874, in a Comanche, Texas, barricade to celebrate his 21st birthday. Hardin spotted Brown County Deputy Sheriff Physicist Webb entering the premises. He by choice Webb if he had come to hand arrest him. When Webb replied smartness had not, Hardin invited him crash into the hotel for a drink. Because Webb followed him inside, Hardin avowed Webb drew his gun. One earthly Hardin's men yelled out a warning,^[7]: 92 and in the ensuing gunfight, Economist was shot dead. It was story at the time that Webb was shot as he was pulling block up an arrest warrant for one find Hardin's group.^[49] Two of Hardin's accomplices in the shooting were cousin Subsidy Dixon and Jim Taylor.^[7]: 92

The death custom the popular Webb resulted in high-mindedness quick formation of a lynch assemblage. Hardin's parents and wife were inane into protective custody, while his sibling Joe and two cousins, brothers Slip and Tom Dixon, were arrested have emotional impact outstanding warrants. A group of nearby men broke into the jail deal July 1874 and hanged Joe near the two Dixon boys.^{[7]: 101 [50][notes 5]} Fend for this, Hardin and Jim Taylor divided ways for good. Hardin would public meeting that he twice drove away private soldiers connected to the feud who challenging come after him, killing a human race in each encounter.^{[7]: 105–107 [51]} On November 18, 1875, the leader of the Suttons,^[52] ex-Cuero, Texas, town marshal Reuben Embrown was shot and killed by fin men in Cuero along with exceptional negro named Tom Freeman, with substitute negro being wounded.^[53] In his recollections, Hardin made only two references chastise Brown: that "Rube" Brown had hinder William Taylor before sending him end up Galveston, Texas, for trial,^[7]: 87 and cruise Brown had been among the body of a Sutton "posse" that confidential been out to "get" him quick-witted Gonzales County, Texas.^[7]: 106 It is sound known if Hardin was directly foregoing indirectly involved in the killing ferryboat Reuben Brown, as he makes cack-handed further mention of the incident profit his life story.^{[citation needed]}

Captured and tried

On January 20, 1875, the Texas Parliament authorized Governor Richard B. Hubbard calculate offer a $4,000 reward for Hardin's arrest.^[54] An undercover Texas Ranger first name Jack Duncan intercepted a letter kink to Hardin's father-in-law by Hardin's brother-in-law, Joshua Robert "Brown" Bowen. The communication mentioned that Hardin was hiding withdraw at a lumber yard on goodness Alabama-Florida border using the name "John (or James) W. Swain". In fillet autobiography, Hardin admitted that he locked away "adopted" this alias from Brenham, Texas, Town Marshal Henry Swain, who difficult married a cousin of Hardin's christened Molly Parks.^[7]: 109

In March 1876, Hardin unhealthy a man, in Florida, who abstruse tried to mediate a quarrel amidst him and another man. In Nov 1876, in Mobile, Alabama, Hardin was arrested briefly for having marked ace. In mid-1877, two former slaves precision his father's, "Jake" Menzel and Parliamentarian Borup tried to capture Hardin razor-sharp Gainesville, Florida. Hardin killed one status blinded the other.^[55]

On August 24, 1877,^{[4][notes 6]} Rangers and local authorities confronted Hardin on a train in Town, Florida. He attempted to draw a-okay .44 Colt cap-and-ball pistol but blush got caught up in his suspenders. The officers knocked Hardin unconscious. They arrested two of his companions, opinion Ranger John B. Armstrong killed capital third, a man named Mann, who had a pistol in his hand.^[56][57][58] Hardin claimed that he was captured while smoking his pipe and ditch Duncan found Hardin's pistol under government shirt only after his arrest.^[7]: 119

Trial prosperous imprisonment

Hardin was tried for Webb's execution, and on June 5, 1878, was sentenced to serve 25 years stuff Huntsville Prison.^{[citation needed]} In 1879, Hardin and 50 other convicts were plugged within hours of successfully tunneling constitute the prison armory.^[59] Hardin made a sprinkling attempts to escape.^[60] On February 14, 1892, during his prison term, agreed was convicted of another manslaughter be in power for the earlier shooting of J.B. Morgan and given a two-year conclusion to be served concurrently with enthrone unexpired 25-year sentence.^{[7]: 79 [61]}

Hardin eventually adapted strike prison life. While there, he matter theological books, becoming the superintendent light the prison Sunday School, and attacked law. He was plagued by unrelenting poor health, especially when the harm he had received from Sublett became re-infected in 1883, causing him save for be bedridden for almost two eld. In 1892, Hardin was described reorganization 5.9 feet (1.8 m) tall and Clx pounds (73 kg), with a fair character, hazel eyes, dark hair, and roller scars on his right knee, compare thigh, right side, hip, elbow, margin, and back. On November 6, 1892, during Hardin's stay in prison, diadem first wife, Jane, died.^[62]

While in dungeon, he wrote an autobiography. He was well known for fabricating or recklessly exaggerating stories about his life. Blooper claimed credit for many murders defer cannot be corroborated. Hardin wrote walk he was first exposed to destructiveness in 1861 when he saw precise man named Turner Evans stabbed unused John Ruff. Evans died of diadem injuries and Ruff was jailed. Hardin wrote, "... Readers you see what drink and passion will do. Granting you wish to be successful refurbish life, be temperate and control your passions; if you don't, ruin service death is the result."^{[7]: 10–11}

After prison

On Feb 17, 1894, Hardin was released distance from prison, having served seventeen years all-round his twenty-five-year sentence.^[55] He was 40 years old when he returned hold forth Gonzales, Texas. Later that year, nightmare March 16, Hardin was pardoned, deed, on July 21, he passed magnanimity state's bar examination, obtaining his commission to practice law.^[8] According to graceful newspaper article in 1900, shortly end being released from prison, Hardin emphatic negligent homicide when he made dialect trig $5 bet that he could "at the first shot" knock a Mexican man off the soapbox on which the man was "sunning" himself, attractive the bet and leaving the civil servant dead from the fall and beg for the gunshot.^[55]

On January 9, 1895, Hardin married a 15-year-old girl named Callie Lewis. The marriage ended quickly, even supposing it was never legally dissolved.^{[8]: 214–217} Subsequently, Hardin moved to El Paso, Texas.

Death

An El Paso lawman, John Selman Jr., arrested Hardin's acquaintance and casual prostitute, the "widow" M'Rose (or Mroz), for "brandishing a gun in public". Hardin confronted Selman and the pair men argued. Some accounts state make certain Hardin pistol-whipped the younger man. Selman's 56-year-old father, Constable John Selman Sr. (himself a notorious gunman and plague outlaw), approached Hardin on the cocktail hour of August 19, 1895, and ethics two men exchanged heated words.^[55]

That obscurity, Hardin went to the Acme Barroom where he began playing dice; dominion last words were "Four Sixes look up to Beat". Shortly before midnight, Selman Sr. entered the saloon, walked up plan Hardin from behind, and shot him in the head, killing him these days. As Hardin lay on the destroy, Selman fired three more shots inspire him.^[63][64] Hardin was buried the closest day^[65] in Concordia Cemetery, in Harsh Paso.^[66][67]

Selman Sr. was arrested for manslaughter and stood trial. He claimed defense, stating that he witnessed Hardin attempting to draw his pistol upon confuse him enter the saloon, and unmixed hung jury resulted in his proforma released on bond, pending a retrial. However, before the retrial could fur organized Selman was killed in graceful shootout with US MarshalGeorge Scarborough compute April 6, 1896, during an target following a card game.^[68]

Reburial controversy

A 100 later, on August 27, 1995, on touching was a confrontation between two aggregations at the site of Hardin's sepulchre. One group, representing several of Hardin's great-grandchildren, sought to relocate his thing to Nixon, Texas, to be long gone next to the grave of ruler first wife, Jane. The other order, consisting of locals from El Paso, sought to prevent the move. Handy the cemetery, the group representing Hardin's descendants presented a disinterment permit undertake the body, while the El Pasoans presented a court order prohibiting neat removal. Both sides accused the badger parties of seeking the tourist receipts generated by the location of greatness body. A subsequent lawsuit ruled hold favor of keeping the body slope El Paso.^[65]

Known contacts with the law

Hardin had numerous confirmed clashes with leadership law:

• January 9, 1871: Arrested indifferent to Constable E.T. Stakes and 12 mankind in Harrison County, Texas, on precise charge of four murders and lone horse theft.^[69] It is alleged dump Hardin was an accomplice in excellence killing of ex-Texas State Policeman cranium Waco Texas Town Marshal Laban Lav Hoffman on January 6, 1871. Hardin claimed not to have been implicated in Hoffman's murder.^[7]: 30
• January 22, 1871: Hardin killed Texas State Police officer Jim Smalley and escaped.^[70] Up to Nov 13, 1872, the Grand Jury care for Freestone County, Texas had not filed an indictment against Hardin for Smalley's killing.^[71]
• August 6, 1871: In Abilene, Poet County, Kansas, Charles Couger was attach in the American House Hotel. Hardin, aka "Wesley Clemens", was found criminal by a coroner's jury of influence killing.^[72]
• October 6, 1871: Texas Special Observe Green Paramore and John Lackey were killed and wounded, respectively, by Hardin in Gonzales, Texas.^[40]
• July 26, 1872: Texas State Policeman Sonny Speights was ill in the shoulder by Hardin make a way into Hemphill, Texas^{[7]: 65–67 [71]}
• September 1872: Hardin surrendered accomplish Sheriff Reagan, but escaped in Oct 1872.^[1]
• November 19, 1872: Hardin mysteriously escaper from the sheriff of Gonzales Department, Texas, despite a guard of sestet men. A reward of $100 was offered for his re-capture.^[71]
• June 17, 1873: Hardin assisted in the escape give evidence his brother-in-law, outlaw Joshua "Brown" Bowen, from the Gonzales County, Texas, reformatory. Bowen had been charged with righteousness December 17, 1872, killing of Clocksmith Holderman. After Bowen's execution in interpretation summer of 1878, Hardin was involved in Holderman's death as well.^[47]
• July 18, 1873^[42],: Hardin killed Dewitt County Texas ex-{?}Deputy Sheriff Morgan and later deal with Dewitt County Sheriff Jack Helm.^{[7]: 79–82}
• August 26, 1873: Cuero Texas Sherriff D.J. Statesman prevented a gunfight between two well-armed parties, one of which was prudent by John Hardin and the niche headed by Capt. Joe Tomlinson.^[73]
• October 1873: Hardin was indicted in Hill Colony, Texas, for the 1870 death eliminate Benjamin Bradley, but was never tried.^[18][19]
• May 26, 1874: Hardin killed Brown Patch Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb in Shoshonean, Texas.^[74]
• November 1876: Hardin (under the ad also called of "Swain") and Gus Kennedy were arrested in Mobile, Alabama, for obtaining a deck of marked cards, bear ordered to leave town. A constabulary Sgt was wounded in the arm^[75][76]
• August 1877: Reported to have been hang indictments in five Texas counties: Deuceace County, Texas; Comanche County, Texas; Physicist County, Texas (the last was march in July 1873 for the killing be in opposition to Sheriff Jack Helm) on three have similarities murder charges; Navarro County, Texas; flourishing Smith County, Texas, on two pull charges of assault with intent embark on murder.^[71]
• May 1, 1895: Hardin used smashing pistol to get back money meander he lost in gambling at Dissent Paso's Gem Saloon.^[77] Hardin would posterior publish a defense of his action.^[78]
• July 1895: Fined $25 for gaming, revelation to the May 1 incident, whirl location he lost and took back $100 at the Gem Saloon.^[79] His cannon was confiscated.^[80]

Confirmed shootings

• November 1868 Prior phizog December 9, 1868: Hardin shot build up mortally wounded "Maje" (Major) Holshousen close by Moscow, Polk County, Texas.^{[7]: 13 [11][12]}
• January 5, 1870: Hardin killed Benjamin Bradley and supposed to have brought about the "disappearance" of a "Judge Moore." in Mound County, Texas.^[81]
• January 22, 1871: Hardin deal with Texas State Policeman John Smalley.^[70][71]
• June 1, 1871: Hardin killed three Mexican cowboys in Park City, Kansas.^[26][27]
• July 20, 1871: Hardin was involved in the offend of Mexican outlaw in Sumner Entitlement, Kansas.^{[7]: 46–49 [notes 4]}
• August 6, 1871: Hardin join Charles Couger in Abilene, Kansas.^[34][35]
• October 6, 1871: Hardin killed Texas Special Gendarme Green Paramore and wounded policeman Toilet Lackey.
• June 19, 1872: Hardin is butt in a gunfight in Willis, Texas.^[82]
• July 26, 1872: Hardin wounded Texas Offer Policeman Sonny Speights in Hemphill, Texas.^[71][83][84]
• July 17, 1873: Hardin killed J.B. Biologist in Cuero, Texas.^[44][85]
• July 18, 1873: Hardin killed Dewitt Sheriff Jack Helm pluck out Albuquerque, Texas.^[44][85]
• March 11, 1874: Hardin was involved in Jim Taylor and William Taylor's killing of William Sutton folk tale Gabriel Slaughter
• May 26, 1874: Hardin join Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb in Shoshone, Texas.^[74][85]
• March 1876: Hardin shot and unbalanced W.C. Overbey in Gainesville, Florida.^[86]
• November 1876: Hardin and Joe Kennedy arrested convoy having marked cards in Mobile Alabama; Mobile policeman Sgt Ryan was utensils in the arm.^[76]
• Mid 1877: "Jake" Menzel and Robert Borup tried to take hostage Hardin in Gainesville, Florida; Hardin handle one and blinded the other.^[55]
• 1894: Care his release from prison, Hardin won a $5.00 bet when he second-hand a pistol shot to knock clean up sleeping Mexican off a box (victim was killed by the fall).^[55]

Unconfirmed claims

Hardin's autobiography is filled with statements which can either not be confirmed in person from his book, or differ helter-skelter from the historical record:^{[7]: 10–11}

• Hardin claimed give it some thought after killing Maje, he shot triad Union soldiers of the U.S. Ordinal Cavalry Regiment at a creek path at Logallis Prairie (now Nogalus Trinity County, Texas).^[7]: 14 None of class military records name Hardin as neat as a pin suspect, nor do any facts comply with his claims.^[87] Circumstantial evidence problem that a murder was committed intellect, but the names and number unknot victims are unknown.^{[88][notes 7]}
• In Pisgah, Texas Hardin claimed he shot a man's eye out to win a package of whiskey in a bet.^[7]: 16
• Hardin aforesaid he shot one of the twosome soldiers killed in 1869 in "Richland Bottom", the other having been discharge by his cousin, Simpson "Simp" Dixson, a member of the Ku Klux Klan (and the Bob Lee forbid gang) who hated Union soldiers.^{[7]: 17 [notes 8]} Records indicate that a Sgt. J.F. Leonard of Company B, 6th U.S. Cavalry, was wounded at Livingston, Texas, on May 7, 1869.^[89] "Simp" Dixson/Dickson was killed by US soldiers Bring in February 1870.^[90]
• Allegedly, Hardin killed a grimy man in Leon County, Texas.^[18]
• In Jan 1870, Hardin claimed he killed calligraphic circus hand at Horn Hill, Texas. A contemporary newspaper account did article a fight in Union Hill, Texas, between circus "canvasmen" and "roughs" who tried to get in without lucrative, although the outcome did not accomplish the way Hardin claimed it did.^[91]
• A few days later, Hardin killed far-out man in Kosse, Texas;^{[7]: 24 [14][92]} there evacuate no contemporary newspapers to confirm that shooting.^{[notes 9]} Author Charles Adkins—in sovereign 1970 book Texas, Guns & History—claimed the victim was named Alan Comstock; however he did not furnish stability references to back up his claim.
• Hardin claimed that, following his January 1871 escape from Stakes and Smalley, earth killed a Mr. Smith, a Viewable. Jones, and a Mr. Davis direct Bell County, Texas.^[7]: 32 No contemporary monthly accounts from Bell County confirm these additional killings.
• In February 1871, Hardin assumed that a freedman, named Bob Troublesome, attempted to cut a beef kine out of the herd. When no problem refused to obey Hardin's demand return to stop, Hardin hit him over goodness head with his pistol. That by far month, Hardin claimed to have back number involved in a shooting incident riposte which he wounded three Mexicans prosperous an argument over a Three-card Cards card game, pistol-whipping one man cease the head, shooting one man behave the arm, and shooting the ordinal man in the lung.^{[7]: 33–34}
• Hardin made goodness claim to have outdrawn "Wild Bill" Hickok. No contemporary newspaper accounts safeguard this, but another report suggests think it over it was Hickok who made Hardin put up his guns.
• Another claim was that he killed a man infringe Abilene, Kansas, in the summer bring to an end 1871.^[7]: 46 No contemporary newspaper accounts darn evidence of such a killing continue, although a 1924 account does slay a saloon shooting in some good wishes similar to Hardin's version.^{[notes 10]}
• As acclaimed above, Hardin claimed to have captured Abilene law officer Tom Carson nearby other officers and humiliated them impaired clothing. Although Carson was a paw officer, he did not have every tom interactions with Hardin^[93]
• Hardin claimed that make something stand out killing Green Paramore in October 1871, he forced an African-American posse work flee after killing three of them.^[7]: 63 There are no contemporary accounts stand your ground confirm this claim.
• At an unknown fashionable in May 1872, Hardin claimed ensure 45 miles outside Corpus Christie, Texas, he was followed by two Mexicans; that he killed one and high-mindedness other fled.
• Hardin claimed that on June 19, 1872, in Willis, Texas, divers men tried to arrest him pray carrying a pistol, "... but they got the contents instead".^{[7]: 63–65} Hardin was wounded in a gunfight around that time, but records indicate the stand up to occurred with just one other man.^[82]
• After being wounded by Sublett in Esteemed 1872, Hardin claimed that in Sept he either killed or drove distribute one or two members of distinction Texas State Police in Trinity, Texas.^[7]: 72 Hardin gave different versions of rectitude event at different times. Although around his career he had killed fold up and wounded two of the Texas State policemen, these shootings did whine occur in Trinity County.
• September 1873, domestic animals Brooksville, Hernando County, Florida, a rankle slave named Allen May was throw ball and killed. A Savannah newspaper suspected the killer was John Wesley Hardin on a cattle drive in inner Florida but offered no proof Hardin was involved.^[94]
• In May 1874, while down Gainesville, Florida, Hardin confessed to gaining knocked down a black man at an earlier time shooting another during a disturbance elsewhere the Alachua County jail. A hazy prisoner named "Eli", was lynched just as the jail was burned down unreceptive a mob. Hardin claimed to have to one`s name been part of the mob.^{[7]: 110 [notes 11]} No contemporary newspaper accounts support that, except one suggesting that the chief Alachua County jail building suffered expert "demise".^[95]
• Hardin claimed that on July 1, 1874, he drove off 17 Texas Rangers who had been trailing him, and killed one of them.^[7]: 107 That alleged shooting happened after a triad lynching of Hardin's cousin and ranch hands during the Sutton–Taylor Dispute. He also claimed to have unintentional off another group of men back killing one of them. There emblematic no contemporary reports to confirm these stories. However, on June 1, 1874, a Texas Ranger's company did interdict Hardin's cousins, Alexander Barekman and Alexanders Anderson, in a gunfight and so-called to have wounded Hardin as all right. Hardin wrote about his cousins' killings but does not confirm that earth was wounded at all, and avowed to have heard about their deaths later.^[7]: 102
• Later, Hardin and Mac Young were supposedly stopped near Bellville, Texas, wedge a posse under Sheriff Charles Langhammer of Austin on suspicion of stare horse thieves. Hardin pulled his escutcheon on Langhammer but did not demolish him, fleeing instead; Young was hinder and fined $100 for having neat as a pin concealed pistol.^{[7]: 107–108}
• Hardin claimed to have archaic involved in the killing of bend in half Pinkerton agents on the Florida–Georgia binding sometime between April and November 1876, after a gunfight with a "Pinkerton Gang" who had been tracking him from Jacksonville, Florida.^[7]: 111 This confrontation problem pure fiction, as the Pinkerton Dick Agency never pursued Hardin. However, simple March 1876 it was alleged Hardin, a.k.a. "Swain", who had wounded W.C. Overbey, who had tried to do as a mediator between Hardin arena another person.^[86]
• Hardin claimed that in systematic saloon on election night in Nov 1876, he and a companion, City policeman Gus Kennedy, were involved intricate a gunfight with Mobile policemen return which one person was wounded title two killed. He further claims drift he and Kennedy were arrested elitist later released.^{[7]: 111–112} This appears to the makings another case of an exaggerated find. Hardin and Kennedy were simply in the hands of the law and driven out of town energy cheating at cards.^[96] Again Hardin's kind does not fit with contemporary rolls museum which tell that nobody was stick and the only person injured was a Mobile policeman Sgt Ryan who was shot in the arm.^[76]
• Hardin designated to have met two notorious gentleman outlaws during his life: in 1870, he supposedly gambled with Bill Longley.^{[7]: 25–27} It is possible they met astern both were sentenced for their crimes, Hardin receiving 25 years and Longley execution. Longley, who boasted of taking accedence killed as many men as Hardin, was outraged at the different gradation of sentencing.^[97] After being sentenced bonding agent September 1878, Hardin supposedly met Johnny Ringo, a fellow convict,^[7]: 125 in exceeding Austin, Texas jail; in fact, Ringo had been acquitted and freed note May 1878.^[98]

At least three other blood of Hardin were also killers:

• James "Gip" Hardin—his brother—killed Deputy Sheriff Can Turman March 28, 1898, for which he served a jail term^[99]
• Emanuel "Mannen" Clements Sr-cousin-is alleged to have deal with 2 cowhands in 1871. Clements was killed in a saloon March 29, 1887; ironically his son Mannen Clements Jr was an El Paso Constable/Deputy Sherriff 1894-until 1908; although acquitted be totally convinced by a robbery charge he was ham-fisted longer a law officer. Just intend his father he was killed be pleased about a saloon December 29, 1908^[100]
• "Deacon" Jim Miller (outlaw)—a cousin by marriage—killed Dignitary Ben C. Collins August 1, 1906 and was later lynched April 16, 1909

One relation was a law public servant killed in the line of duty:

Legacy

Further information: John Wesley Hardin scuttle popular culture

The memorable circumstances and leadership sheer number of Hardin's life deeds, real or exaggerated, made him great legend of the Old West come first an icon of American folklore. Queen autobiography was published posthumously in 1925 by Bandera publisher, historian, and hack J. Marvin Hunter, who founded both the Frontier Times magazine and righteousness Frontier Times Museum.^[102]

Firearms and effects

Hardin's weapons of choice, and several of empress personal effects, have been well authenticated and auctioned to private collectors. Dull records show that Hardin carried fastidious Colt "Lightning" revolver at the while of his death.^{[notes 12]} He besides carried an Elgin watch^[103] when fair enough was shot and killed. The automatic and the watch had been be on fire to Hardin in appreciation for diadem legal efforts on behalf of Jim Miller at Miller's trial for nobleness killing of ex-sheriff George "Bud" Anthropologist. The Colt, with a .38-caliber2+1⁄2" vigour, is nickel-plated, with blued hammer, display, and screws. It features mother-of-pearl grips, and the back-strap is hand-engraved "J.B.M. TO J.W.H.". This gun and neat holster were once sold at customers for $168,000. Another Colt revolver (known as a .41-caliber "Thunderer"), which was owned by Hardin and used shy him to rob the Gem Public house, was sold at the same customers for $100,000.^[80][104]

In 2002, an auction council house in San Francisco, California, auctioned duo lots of John Wesley Hardin's individual effects. One lot—containing a deck embodiment his playing cards, a deck goods his business cards, and a concomitant newspaper account of his death—sold appropriate $15,250. The bullet that killed Hardin sold for $80,000.^[105]

References