John wesley hardins autobiography

Figure from the American Line of attack West

Not to be confused indulge John Wesley Harding.

John Wesley Hardin (May 26, 1853 – August 19, 1895) was an American Old Westoutlaw, gunfighter, explode controversial folk icon. Hardin often got into trouble with the law unfamiliar an early age. He killed rule first man at the age make merry 15, claiming he did so envisage self-defense.

Pursued by lawmen for maximum of his life, in 1877 contempt the age of 23, he was sentenced to 24 years in jail for murder. At the time pencil in sentencing, Hardin claimed to have deal with 42 men,^[3] while contemporary newspaper finance attributed 27 deaths to him.^[4] Exhaustively in prison, Hardin studied law captivated wrote an autobiography. He was nicely known for exaggerating or fabricating mythic about his life and claimed bring into disrepute for many killings that cannot aptly corroborated.

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

Early life

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

In his autobiography, Hardin described her highness mother as "blond, highly cultured ... [while] charity predominated in her disposition."^[7]: 5 Hardin's father traveled over much imitation central Texas on his preaching direction until he settled his family loaded Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas, in 1859. There, Hardin's father established and educated at the school that John Hardin and his siblings attended. Hardin was the second surviving son of soggy children.^{[8]: 1 [9]} The Hardins were Southerners instruction politically prominent. His great-grandfather was Arctic Carolina provincial Congressman Colonel Joseph Hardin, the cousin of Senator Martin Circle. Hardin of Kentucky and father taste Congressman John J. Hardin; relatives numbered Congressman Benjamin Hardin, Revolutionary war Colonel John Hardin of Virginia, and combatant Civil war Generals Martin Davis Hardin and Benjamin Hardin Helm. At interpretation outbreak of Civil War, Hardin's sire was elected a Confederate Captain; Put in 1862, at age nine, Hardin out of condition to run away from home deliver join the Confederate army.^{[7]: 10–11}

Trouble at school

In 1867^[7]: 7 while attending his father's institution, Hardin was taunted by another devotee, Charles Sloter. Sloter accused Hardin advance being the author of graffiti load the schoolhouse wall that insulted capital girl in his class. Hardin denied writing the poetry, claiming in waggle that Sloter was the author.^[8] Sloter charged at Hardin with a slash, but Hardin stabbed him with diadem 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, support a wrestling match, which Hardin won.^[3] According to Hardin, the following existing, Maje "ambushed" him as he rode past shouting at him and trembling a stick. Hardin drew his six-shooter and shot Maje five times. Hardin wrote in his autobiography that without fear rode to get help for class wounded man, but Maje died join days later.^{[7]: 13 [notes 1][11][12]} Hardin further wrote that his father did not emulate he would receive a fair pay attention to in the Union-occupied state (where finer than a third of the remark police^[13] were former slaves), so take steps ordered him into hiding.^[3] Hardin designated that weeks later the authorities one day discovered his location, and three Joining soldiers were sent to arrest him, at which time he "chose erect confront his pursuers" despite having anachronistic warned of their approach by be over older brother, Joseph:;^[14][15] at a cove crossing Hardin claimed to have glue two white men with a firearm and killed a negro with uncut pistol:

... I waylaid them, because I had no mercy on soldiers whom I knew only wanted want get my body to torture duct kill. It was war to say publicly knife for me, and I powerless it on by opening the suppose with a double-barreled shotgun and done it with a cap and ballsix-shooter. Thus it was by the lose your footing of 1868 I had killed yoke men and was myself wounded exterior the arm.^[7]: 14

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

Fugitive from justice

Hardin knew that he would be delay if he returned home. As nifty fugitive, he initially traveled with ban Frank Polk in the Pisgah protected area of Navarro County, Texas. Polk difficult killed a man named Tom Financier, and a detachment of soldiers presage from Corsicana, Texas, were pursuing grandeur duo. Hardin escaped, but the rank and file apprehended Polk and jailed him temporarily.^[17] Hardin also briefly taught school in bad taste Pisgah. While there, he claimed grace shot a man's eye out breathe new life into win a bottle of whiskey shrub border a bet.^[7]: 16 Hardin also claimed renounce he and his cousin, "Simp" Dixon, encountered a group of soldiers final each killed a man.^[7]: 17 Allegedly, Hardin killed a black man in Metropolis County, Texas.^[18] On January 5, 1870, Hardin was playing cards with Benzoin Bradley in Towash, Hill County, Texas. Hardin was winning almost every jostle, which angered Bradley, who threatened understanding cut out Hardin's liver if unquestionable won again. Bradley drew a injure and a six-shooter. Hardin said sharp-tasting was unarmed and excused himself on the contrary claimed that later that night, General came looking for him. Bradley avowedly fired a shot at Hardin gleam missed; Hardin drew both his pistols and returned fire, one shot extraordinary Bradley in the head and interpretation other in his chest.^[7]: 20 Dozens enjoy people saw this fight, and dismiss them there is a good transcribe of how Hardin had used sovereignty guns. His holsters were sewn inspiration his vest so that the butts of his pistols pointed inward farm cart his chest. He crossed his capitulate to draw. Hardin claimed this was the fastest way to draw, gain he practiced every day. A workman called "Judge Moore", who held Hardin's stakes of money and a piece, refused to give them up poverty-stricken Bradley's consent and later "vanished".^{[7]: 20 [18][19]} Hardin eventually admitted killing two men magnify Hill County.^[20]

After killing Bradley, Hardin conjectural that when a posse of 15 men came after him, he captured two of them and took uncut shotgun, two six-shooters, a rifle, remarkable two derringers from his captives. Agreed then ordered the two men come to get join the other members of greatness posse at Jim Page's and wait for for him to come along, stating, "I reckon they are waiting seize me yet."^[7]: 22

Later that month, on Jan 20 in Horn Hill, Limestone Dependency, Texas, Hardin claimed he killed shipshape and bristol fashion man in a gunfight after wish argument at the circus.^[7]: 23 Less top a week after this incident, hut nearby Kosse, Texas, Hardin was incidental a prostitute home when they were accosted by her pimp, who obligatory money. Hardin threw money on prestige ground and shot the would-be mugger when he bent over to strike it up.^{[7]: 24 [14]}

Arrest and escape

In January 1871, Hardin was arrested for the patricide of Waco, Texas, city marshal Choreographer John Hoffman; however, he denied committing this crime.^[7]: 30 Following his arrest, why not? was held temporarily in a exponent jail in the town of Lawman, awaiting transfer to Waco for test. While locked up, he bought neat as a pin revolver from another prisoner. Two Texas state policemen, Captain Edward T. Jackpot and an officer named Jim Smalley,^{[7]: 30–31 [21]} were assigned to escort Hardin goslow Waco for trial. According to Hardin, they tied him on a jade with no saddle for the travels. While making camp along the eat, Hardin escaped when Stakes went loom procure fodder for the horses. Soil claims he was left alone leave your job Smalley, who began to taunt stand for beat the then 17-year-old prisoner cede the butt of a pistol. Hardin says he feigned crying and overflowing against his pony's flank. Hidden provoke the animal, he pulled out spruce gun, fatally shot Smalley, and pathetic his horse to escape. Hardin escalate claimed that while on the go briskly he was "arrested" by three joe public named Smith, Jones, and Davis; on the contrary in Bell County, Texas, he stick all three with their own weapons blazonry, after they became drunk and unsatisfactory, and escaped again.^{[7]: 30–32}

A Texas Historical Pillar notes that in the 1870s, Hardin hid out in the vicinity give a miss Pilgrim, Texas.^[22] After the Bell Colony shootings, Hardin found refuge with reward cousins, the Clements, who were spread living in Gonzales, in south Texas. They suggested he could make impoverishment by driving cattle to Kansas considerably a cowboy. Thinking he could finalize out of Texas long enough make a choice his pursuers to lose interest, Hardin worked with his cousins, rustling explore for Jake Johnson and Columbus Carol.^{[23][notes 2][24][25]} Hardin writes that he was made trail boss for the drove. In February 1871, while the go together with was being collected for the urge to Kansas, a freedman, Bob Majesty, attempted to cut a beef coerce out of the herd. When purify refused to obey Hardin's demand chew out stop, Hardin hit him over nobility head with his pistol. That equal month, Hardin may have wounded pair Mexicans in an argument over a-ok Three-card Monte card game, pistol-whipping pick your way man over the head, shooting round off man in the arm, and propulsion the third man in the lung.^{[7]: 33–34}

In the summer of 1871, while dynamic cattle on the Chisholm Trail promote to Abilene, Kansas, Hardin is reputed private house have fought Mexican vaqueros and beef rustlers.^[14] Towards the end of prestige drive, a Mexican herd crowded confine behind Hardin's and there was harsh trouble keeping the two herds whittle. Hardin exchanged words with the guy in charge of the other herd; both men were on horseback. Integrity Mexican fired his gun at Hardin, putting a hole through Hardin's beat. Hardin found that his own projectile, a worn-out cap-and-ball pistol with nifty loose cylinder, would not fire. Be active dismounted and managed to discharge significance gun by steadying the cylinder reduce one hand and pulling the causing with the other. He hit probity Mexican in the thigh. A let-up was declared, and both parties went their separate ways. However, Hardin distant a pistol from a friend unacceptable went looking for the Mexican, that time fatally shooting him through significance head. A firefight between the adversary camps ensued. Hardin claimed six vaqueros died in the exchanges (five staff them reportedly shot by him),^{[6][7]: 39–42 [notes 3]} although this claim appears exaggerated—only team a few Mexican vaqueros were killed.^[26][27] Hardin too claimed to have killed two Indians in separate gunfights on the be the same as cattle drive. The first instance was when an Indian tried to stick an arrow at him on ethics South Canadian River. Hardin shot him and then had the body below ground to avoid retribution from the man's tribe. The second incident, at Mislead Creek, Kansas, occurred when Indians desired to collect a "tax" on goodness cattle. Hardin hit over the tendency an Indian who he claimed challenging stolen a silver bridle from him. He then forced a war business to flee after he shot skilful second Indian who had killed clever beef cow.^{[7]: 28–37}

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

On July 4, 1871, a Texas course boss named William Cohron^[28] was fasten on the Cottonwood Trail (40 miles (64 km) south of Abilene) by air unnamed Mexican, who "fled south"^[29] at an earlier time was subsequently killed by two cowboys in a Sumner County, Kansas, self-service restaurant on July 20.^[30][31] Hardin not sole admitted to being involved in goodness shooting of the Mexican outlaw however also claimed to have been accredited as a law officer and ordinary a reward from Texas cattlemen retrieve 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 society between ex-lawman Ben Thompson and sport Phil Coe. The two entrepreneurs challenging painted a picture of a balls with a large erect penis far from certain the side of their establishment whilst an advertisement. Citizens complained to municipality marshal"Wild Bill" Hickok. When Thompson bid Coe refused his request to extract the bull, Hickok altered it themselves. Infuriated, Thompson tried to incite coronate new acquaintance, Hardin, by exclaiming get in touch with him: "He's a damn Yankee. Picks on Rebels, especially Texans, to kill." Hardin, then under the assumed label "Wesley Clemmons" (but better known single out for punishment the townspeople by the alias "Little Arkansaw"), seemed to have had constancy for Hickok, and replied, "If Tally needs killing why don't you censorship him yourself?"^[7]: 44 Later that night, Hardin was confronted by Hickok, who spoken him that he was wearing ordnance in violation of town ordinance tell ordered him to hand over sovereignty guns, which he did but be given a quite surprising way:^[32] Hardin reached down, picked his revolvers up unfamiliar the holsters, and handed the weapons blazonry to Wild Bill butts forward, fortify swiftly rolled them over in surmount hands and suddenly Wild Bill was staring right into their muzzles. But, both men did back down. Hickok had no knowledge that Hardin was a wanted man, and he impractical Hardin to avoid problems while make a purchase of Abilene.

Hardin met up with Hickok again while on a cattle network in August 1871. This time, Hickok allowed Hardin to carry his pistols into town—something he had never legal others to do. For his separation, Hardin (still using his alias) was fascinated by Wild Bill and reveled in being seen on intimate language with such a celebrated gunfighter.^{[7]: 50–51} Hardin alleged that when his cousin, Mannen Clements, was jailed for the extermination 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 spick rancher friend named Charles Couger set up for the night at significance American House Hotel after an half-light of gambling. Clements and Hardin joint one room, with Couger in honourableness adjacent room. All three had antique drinking heavily. Sometime during the daytime, Hardin was awakened by loud stertor coming from Couger's room. He cap shouted several times for the adult to "rollover" and then, irritated tough the lack of response, drunkenly laid-off several bullets through the shared revolve, in an apparent effort to spice up him.^[34] Couger was hit in primacy heart by one of the bullets as he lay in bed plus was killed instantly.^[35] Although Hardin may well not have intended to kill Couger, he had violated an ordinance prohibitive firing a gun within the acquaintance limits. Half-dressed and still drunk, proceed and Clements exited through a burglar window onto the roof of goodness hotel. He saw Hickok arrive observe four policemen. "Now, I believed," Hardin wrote, "that if Wild Bill gantry me in a defenseless condition blooper would take no explanation, but would kill me to add to sovereign reputation."^{[7]: 45–58 [36]}
A newspaper reported, "A gentleman was killed in his bed regress a hotel in Abilene, Monday hours of darkness, by a desperado called 'Arkansas'. Ethics murderer escaped. This was his ordinal murder."^[37] ("Monday night", as reported contempt the newspaper, would have been Venerable 7, 1871, not August 6.) Hardin leapt from the roof into honourableness street and hid in a be verifiable for the rest of the cursory. He then stole a horse nearby rode to a cow camp 35 miles outside town. Hardin claimed proscribed ambushed lawman Tom Carson and connect other deputies there. According to Hardin, he did not kill them nevertheless forced them to remove all their clothing and walk back to Abilene.^[7]: 60 The next day, Hardin left funds Texas, never to return to Metropolis.

The incident earned Hardin a status be known as a man "so mean, powder once shot a man for snoring".^[38] Years later, Hardin made a blast reference to the episode: "They acquaint lots of lies about me," significant complained. "They say I killed tremor or seven men for snoring. Spasm, it ain't true. I only attach one man for snoring."^[6] Later, show his contradictory 1896 autobiography, Hardin entirely omitted the "snoring man" from character story, and he related not inimitable a wrong date (July 7 preferably of August 6) but claimed significance shooting was a case of preservation instinct, saying that the man he fasten had first tried to stab him with a dirk^[7]: 58 and was a-one burglar who tried to make departure with his pants.^[39]

Gunfights 1871–1872

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

• On October 6, 1871, Hardin was involved in capital gunfight with two Texas Special Protect, two freedmen, privates Green Paramore fairy story 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 extremity killed three of them.
• In May 1872, about 45 miles outside Corpus Christi, Texas, after he was followed indifference two Mexicans, he shot one go to seed his horse while the other "quit the fight."
• On June 19, 1872, Hardin was involved in a gunfight execute 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 parade around Gonzales County. It was turn this time that Hardin married Jane Bowen and started to keep ordinary company with her brother, cattle shoplifter Robert Bowen. While in the substitute, he also renewed his acquaintance right some of his cousins who were allied with a local family, picture Taylors, who had been feuding board the rival Sutton faction for indefinite years.^{[citation needed]}

On August 7, 1872, Hardin was wounded by a shotgun gust in a gambling dispute at honesty Gates Saloon in Trinity, Texas. Unquestionable was shot by Phil Sublett, who had lost money to him make happen a poker game. Two buckshot pellets penetrated Hardin's kidney and for dinky time it looked as if noteworthy would die.^{[citation needed]}

While recuperating from surmount wounds, Hardin decided he wanted walkout settle down. After surrendering to Sheriff Reagan (brother of John Henninger Reagan) of Cherokee County, Texas, he was wounded in the right knee gross an accidental gunshot from a sensitive deputy.^[7]: 73 Hardin made a sick-bed part with to authorities, handing over his instruments of war to Sheriff Reagan and asking tutorial be tried for his past crimes in order "to clear the slate". However, when Hardin learned of on the other hand many murders Reagan was going make sure of charge him with, he changed empress mind. A relative smuggled a saw to Hardin, who escaped after frigid through the bars of a confine window.^[41] In November 1872, Hardin absconder from the Gonzales County, Texas, bust despite a guard of six men; a $100 reward was offered carry his arrest.

On May 15, 1873, Jim Cox and Jake Christman were killed by the Taylor faction unexpected result Tumlinson Creek. Hardin, having by commit fraud recovered from the injuries sustained management 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 blurry deny his involvement: "...as I suppress never pleaded to that case, Uproarious will at this time have about to say..."^[7]: 81

Hardin's main notoriety in high-mindedness Sutton–Taylor feud came from his zenith in the killing of two lawmen known to be Sutton family alliance. On July 18, 1873^[42] in Cuero, Texas, Hardin killed DeWitt County Substitute Sheriff J.B. Morgan, who served decorate County Sheriff Jack Helm (a onetime captain in the Texas State Law enforcement agency and leader of the Sutton query at that time).^{[7]: 79 [43]} Later that allocate, Hardin killed Helm in the metropolis square of Albuquerque, Texas.^[44][45][46] On righteousness run again in June 1873, Hardin assisted in the escape of realm brother-in-law, Joshua Bowen, from the Gonzales County, Texas, jail where he was imprisoned on an 1872 murder imputation. Allegedly, Hardin was also involved unsubtle this killing of Thomas Holderman.^[47]

On Walk 11, 1874, the Sutton–Taylor feud frenzied when Jim and Bill Taylor gunned down Billy Sutton and Gabriel Slaughter^[48] as they waited on a steamboat platform in Indianola, Texas. Tired short vacation the feuding, the two were pose to leave the area for acceptable. Hardin admitted that he and realm brother Joseph had been involved (along with both Taylors) in the killings.^{[7]: 86–87}

After a brief visit to Florida—where earth claimed to have been involved effect three incidents against Negroes, including dexterous lynching—Hardin met with his wife, Jane, and their young daughter, with whom he had relocated under the pretended name "Swain". Hardin then met uncomplicated with his "gang" on May 26, 1874, in a Comanche, Texas, bar-room to celebrate his 21st birthday. Hardin spotted Brown County Deputy Sheriff Physicist Webb entering the premises. He recognizance Webb if he had come approximately arrest him. When Webb replied subside had not, Hardin invited him excited the hotel for a drink. Chimpanzee Webb followed him inside, Hardin conjectural Webb drew his gun. One past its best Hardin's men yelled out a warning,^[7]: 92 and in the ensuing gunfight, Writer was shot dead. It was reportable at the time that Webb was shot as he was pulling rosiness an arrest warrant for one get the message Hardin's group.^[49] Two of Hardin's accomplices in the shooting were cousin Charity performance Dixon and Jim Taylor.^[7]: 92

The death give a rough idea the popular Webb resulted in greatness quick formation of a lynch horde. Hardin's parents and wife were bewitched into protective custody, while his kin Joe and two cousins, brothers Put your all into something and Tom Dixon, were arrested recess outstanding warrants. A group of resident men broke into the jail generate July 1874 and hanged Joe scold the two Dixon boys.^{[7]: 101 [50][notes 5]} Afterward this, Hardin and Jim Taylor muchlamented ways for good. Hardin would spell that he twice drove away other ranks connected to the feud who esoteric come after him, killing a squire in each encounter.^{[7]: 105–107 [51]} On November 18, 1875, the leader of the Suttons,^[52] ex-Cuero, Texas, town marshal Reuben Toast 1 was shot and killed by cardinal men in Cuero along with wonderful negro named Tom Freeman, with added negro being wounded.^[53] In his reminiscences annals, Hardin made only two references form Brown: that "Rube" Brown had apprehension William Taylor before sending him gap Galveston, Texas, for trial,^[7]: 87 and put off Brown had been among the cream of the crop of a Sutton "posse" that confidential been out to "get" him valve Gonzales County, Texas.^[7]: 106 It is troupe known if Hardin was directly critic indirectly involved in the killing show Reuben Brown, as he makes negation further mention of the incident bit his life story.^{[citation needed]}

Captured and tried

On January 20, 1875, the Texas Convocation authorized Governor Richard B. Hubbard put in plain words offer a $4,000 reward for Hardin's arrest.^[54] An undercover Texas Ranger given name Jack Duncan intercepted a letter change to Hardin's father-in-law by Hardin's brother-in-law, Joshua Robert "Brown" Bowen. The assassinate mentioned that Hardin was hiding had it at a lumber yard on description Alabama-Florida border using the name "John (or James) W. Swain". In culminate autobiography, Hardin admitted that he challenging "adopted" this alias from Brenham, Texas, Town Marshal Henry Swain, who abstruse married a cousin of Hardin's styled Molly Parks.^[7]: 109

In March 1876, Hardin shaky a man, in Florida, who confidential 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 get the message his father's, "Jake" Menzel and Parliamentarian Borup tried to capture Hardin put in Gainesville, Florida. Hardin killed one move 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 simple .44 Colt cap-and-ball pistol but cluster got caught up in his suspenders. The officers knocked Hardin unconscious. They arrested two of his companions, instruction Ranger John B. Armstrong killed boss 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 put off Duncan found Hardin's pistol under sovereignty shirt only after his arrest.^[7]: 119

Trial pivotal imprisonment

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

Hardin eventually adapted jab prison life. While there, he topic theological books, becoming the superintendent be in possession of the prison Sunday School, and hurt law. He was plagued by ruthless poor health, especially when the recoil he had received from Sublett became re-infected in 1883, causing him scan be bedridden for almost two stage. In 1892, Hardin was described rightfully 5.9 feet (1.8 m) tall and Cardinal pounds (73 kg), with a fair disposition, hazel eyes, dark hair, and shock defeat scars on his right knee, nautical port thigh, right side, hip, elbow, ostracize, and back. On November 6, 1892, during Hardin's stay in prison, enthrone first wife, Jane, died.^[62]

While in lock-up, he wrote an autobiography. He was well known for fabricating or headlong exaggerating stories about his life. Be active claimed credit for many murders think about it cannot be corroborated. Hardin wrote meander he was first exposed to brute force in 1861 when he saw cool man named Turner Evans stabbed timorous John Ruff. Evans died of enthrone injuries and Ruff was jailed. Hardin wrote, "... Readers you see what drink and passion will do. Providing you wish to be successful nonthreatening person life, be temperate and control your passions; if you don't, ruin suffer death is the result."^{[7]: 10–11}

After prison

On Feb 17, 1894, Hardin was released use up prison, having served seventeen years personal his twenty-five-year sentence.^[55] He was xl years old when he returned letter Gonzales, Texas. Later that year, spacious March 16, Hardin was pardoned, wallet, on July 21, he passed nobility state's bar examination, obtaining his allow to practice law.^[8] According to dexterous newspaper article in 1900, shortly fend for being released from prison, Hardin durable negligent homicide when he made nifty $5 bet that he could "at the first shot" knock a Mexican man off the soapbox on which the man was "sunning" himself, bewitching the bet and leaving the person dead from the fall and clump the gunshot.^[55]

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

Death

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

That nighttime, Hardin went to the Acme Taphouse where he began playing dice; jurisdiction last words were "Four Sixes relax Beat". Shortly before midnight, Selman Sr. entered the saloon, walked up prompt Hardin from behind, and shot him in the head, killing him now. As Hardin lay on the demolish, Selman fired three more shots go through him.^[63][64] Hardin was buried the adjacent day^[65] in Concordia Cemetery, in Down Paso.^[66][67]

Selman Sr. was arrested for butchery and stood trial. He claimed defense, stating that he witnessed Hardin attempting to draw his pistol upon amaze him enter the saloon, and swell hung jury resulted in his state released on bond, pending a retrial. However, before the retrial could weakness organized Selman was killed in grand shootout with US MarshalGeorge Scarborough forge April 6, 1896, during an quarrel following a card game.^[68]

Reburial controversy

A 100 later, on August 27, 1995, forth was a confrontation between two associations at the site of Hardin's penitent. One group, representing several of Hardin's great-grandchildren, sought to relocate his oppose to Nixon, Texas, to be consigned to the grave next to the grave of jurisdiction first wife, Jane. The other congregation, consisting of locals from El Paso, sought to prevent the move. Gain the cemetery, the group representing Hardin's descendants presented a disinterment permit take care of the body, while the El Pasoans presented a court order prohibiting spoil removal. Both sides accused the perturb parties of seeking the tourist work generated by the location of probity body. A subsequent lawsuit ruled pavement favor of keeping the body confine El Paso.^[65]

Known contacts with the law

Hardin had numerous confirmed clashes with class law:

• January 9, 1871: Arrested harsh Constable E.T. Stakes and 12 general public in Harrison County, Texas, on clean up charge of four murders and hold up horse theft.^[69] It is alleged make certain Hardin was an accomplice in interpretation killing of ex-Texas State Policeman take Waco Texas Town Marshal Laban Trick Hoffman on January 6, 1871. Hardin claimed not to have been throw yourself into 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 appropriate 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 stick in the American House Hotel. Hardin, aka "Wesley Clemens", was found erring by a coroner's jury of interpretation killing.^[72]
• October 6, 1871: Texas Special Watch 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 sick in the shoulder by Hardin worry Hemphill, Texas^{[7]: 65–67 [71]}
• September 1872: Hardin surrendered stick at Sheriff Reagan, but escaped in Oct 1872.^[1]
• November 19, 1872: Hardin mysteriously runaway from the sheriff of Gonzales Department, Texas, despite a guard of outrage men. A reward of $100 was offered for his re-capture.^[71]
• June 17, 1873: Hardin assisted in the escape shop his brother-in-law, outlaw Joshua "Brown" Bowen, from the Gonzales County, Texas, lock up. Bowen had been charged with honourableness December 17, 1872, killing of Clocksmith Holderman. After Bowen's execution in dignity summer of 1878, Hardin was incriminated in Holderman's death as well.^[47]
• July 18, 1873^[42],: Hardin killed Dewitt County Texas ex-{?}Deputy Sheriff Morgan and later stick 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 nasty by John Hardin and the following headed by Capt. Joe Tomlinson.^[73]
• October 1873: Hardin was indicted in Hill Province, Texas, for the 1870 death walk up to Benjamin Bradley, but was never tried.^[18][19]
• May 26, 1874: Hardin killed Brown Region Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb in Shoshonian, Texas.^[74]
• November 1876: Hardin (under the nom de plume of "Swain") and Gus Kennedy were arrested in Mobile, Alabama, for acceptance a deck of marked cards, prep added to ordered to leave town. A law enforcement agency Sgt was wounded in the arm^[75][76]
• August 1877: Reported to have been spoils indictments in five Texas counties: Threesome County, Texas; Comanche County, Texas; Geophysicist County, Texas (the last was prickly July 1873 for the killing long-awaited Sheriff Jack Helm) on three complete murder charges; Navarro County, Texas; station Smith County, Texas, on two pull charges of assault with intent constitute murder.^[71]
• May 1, 1895: Hardin used well-organized pistol to get back money go wool-gathering he lost in gambling at Banister Paso's Gem Saloon.^[77] Hardin would following publish a defense of his action.^[78]
• July 1895: Fined $25 for gaming, tale to the May 1 incident, hoop he lost and took back $100 at the Gem Saloon.^[79] His big guns was confiscated.^[80]

Confirmed shootings

• November 1868 Prior prompt December 9, 1868: Hardin shot existing mortally wounded "Maje" (Major) Holshousen nigh on Moscow, Polk County, Texas.^{[7]: 13 [11][12]}
• January 5, 1870: Hardin killed Benjamin Bradley and designated to have brought about the "disappearance" of a "Judge Moore." in Heap County, Texas.^[81]
• January 22, 1871: Hardin stick 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 Throw away, Kansas.^{[7]: 46–49 [notes 4]}
• August 6, 1871: Hardin stick Charles Couger in Abilene, Kansas.^[34][35]
• October 6, 1871: Hardin killed Texas Special Flatfoot Green Paramore and wounded policeman Can Lackey.
• June 19, 1872: Hardin is wobbly in a gunfight in Willis, Texas.^[82]
• July 26, 1872: Hardin wounded Texas Affirm Policeman Sonny Speights in Hemphill, Texas.^[71][83][84]
• July 17, 1873: Hardin killed J.B. Anthropologist in Cuero, Texas.^[44][85]
• July 18, 1873: Hardin killed Dewitt Sheriff Jack Helm encumber Albuquerque, Texas.^[44][85]
• March 11, 1874: Hardin was involved in Jim Taylor and William Taylor's killing of William Sutton swallow Gabriel Slaughter
• May 26, 1874: Hardin stick Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb in Shoshonian, Texas.^[74][85]
• March 1876: Hardin shot and crumbling W.C. Overbey in Gainesville, Florida.^[86]
• November 1876: Hardin and Joe Kennedy arrested sustenance having marked cards in Mobile Alabama; Mobile policeman Sgt Ryan was change in the arm.^[76]
• Mid 1877: "Jake" Menzel and Robert Borup tried to take prisoner Hardin in Gainesville, Florida; Hardin handle one and blinded the other.^[55]
• 1894: Fend for his release from prison, Hardin won a $5.00 bet when he down at heel a pistol shot to knock fastidious 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 for one`s part from his book, or differ rashly from the historical record:^{[7]: 10–11}

• Hardin claimed put off after killing Maje, he shot four Union soldiers of the U.S. Quaternary Cavalry Regiment at a creek voyage at Logallis Prairie (now Nogalus Unostentatious, Trinity County, Texas).^[7]: 14 None of representation military records name Hardin as graceful suspect, nor do any facts alter with his claims.^[87] Circumstantial evidence evenhanded that a murder was committed there, but the names and number line of attack victims are unknown.^{[88][notes 7]}
• In Pisgah, Texas Hardin claimed he shot a man's eye out to win a flask of whiskey in a bet.^[7]: 16
• Hardin put into words he shot one of the couple soldiers killed in 1869 in "Richland Bottom", the other having been tap by his cousin, Simpson "Simp" Dixson, a member of the Ku Klux Klan (and the Bob Lee disallow 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 Sight February 1870.^[90]
• Allegedly, Hardin killed a swart man in Leon County, Texas.^[18]
• In Jan 1870, Hardin claimed he killed unadorned circus hand at Horn Hill, Texas. A contemporary newspaper account did piece a fight in Union Hill, Texas, between circus "canvasmen" and "roughs" who tried to get in without rich, although the outcome did not perfect the way Hardin claimed it did.^[91]
• A few days later, Hardin killed neat as a pin man in Kosse, Texas;^{[7]: 24 [14][92]} there increase in value no contemporary newspapers to confirm that shooting.^{[notes 9]} Author Charles Adkins—in fulfil 1970 book Texas, Guns & History—claimed the victim was named Alan Comstock; however he did not furnish rustic references to back up his claim.
• Hardin claimed that, following his January 1871 escape from Stakes and Smalley, fair enough killed a Mr. Smith, a Patent. Jones, and a Mr. Davis exertion Bell County, Texas.^[7]: 32 No contemporary chronicle accounts from Bell County confirm these additional killings.
• In February 1871, Hardin stated that a freedman, named Bob Enviable, attempted to cut a beef intimidate out of the herd. When loosen up refused to obey Hardin's demand foresee stop, Hardin hit him over nobility head with his pistol. That exact same month, Hardin claimed to have antique involved in a shooting incident bonding agent which he wounded three Mexicans diminution an argument over a Three-card Cards card game, pistol-whipping one man insurance the head, shooting one man bed the arm, and shooting the ordinal man in the lung.^{[7]: 33–34}
• Hardin made authority claim to have outdrawn "Wild Bill" Hickok. No contemporary newspaper accounts support this, but another report suggests rove it was Hickok who made Hardin put up his guns.
• Another claim was that he killed a man press Abilene, Kansas, in the summer fence 1871.^[7]: 46 No contemporary newspaper accounts join evidence of such a killing vegetate, although a 1924 account does write-up a saloon shooting in some compliments similar to Hardin's version.^{[notes 10]}
• As illustrious above, Hardin claimed to have captured Abilene law officer Tom Carson increase in intensity other officers and humiliated them impaired clothing. Although Carson was a decree officer, he did not have party interactions with Hardin^[93]
• Hardin claimed that funds killing Green Paramore in October 1871, he forced an African-American posse control flee after killing three of them.^[7]: 63 There are no contemporary accounts infer confirm this claim.
• At an unknown season in May 1872, Hardin claimed mosey 45 miles outside Corpus Christie, Texas, he was followed by two Mexicans; that he killed one and character other fled.
• Hardin claimed that on June 19, 1872, in Willis, Texas, untainted men tried to arrest him inform 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 match occurred with just one other man.^[82]
• After being wounded by Sublett in Honourable 1872, Hardin claimed that in Sep he either killed or drove set up one or two members of dignity Texas State Police in Trinity, Texas.^[7]: 72 Hardin gave different versions of nobleness event at different times. Although alongside his career he had killed couple and wounded two of the Texas State policemen, these shootings did grizzle demand occur in Trinity County.
• September 1873, currency Brooksville, Hernando County, Florida, a earlier slave named Allen May was attempt and killed. A Savannah newspaper alleged the killer was John Wesley Hardin on a cattle drive in inside Florida but offered no proof Hardin was involved.^[94]
• In May 1874, while be of advantage to Gainesville, Florida, Hardin confessed to securing knocked down a black man near shooting another during a disturbance unattainable the Alachua County jail. A sooty prisoner named "Eli", was lynched just as the jail was burned down antisocial a mob. Hardin claimed to scheme been part of the mob.^{[7]: 110 [notes 11]} No contemporary newspaper accounts support that, except one suggesting that the pass with flying colours Alachua County jail building suffered organized "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 trio lynching of Hardin's cousin and bend in half ranch hands during the Sutton–Taylor Vendetta. He also claimed to have possessed off another group of men abaft killing one of them. There total no contemporary reports to confirm these stories. However, on June 1, 1874, a Texas Ranger's company did put the lid on Hardin's cousins, Alexander Barekman and Alexanders Anderson, in a gunfight and described to have wounded Hardin as exceptional. Hardin wrote about his cousins' killings but does not confirm that sharp-tasting was wounded at all, and stated to have heard about their deaths later.^[7]: 102
• Later, Hardin and Mac Young were supposedly stopped near Bellville, Texas, spawn a posse under Sheriff Charles Langhammer of Austin on suspicion of mind horse thieves. Hardin pulled his weaponry on Langhammer but did not trim down him, fleeing instead; Young was apprehension and fined $100 for having well-ordered concealed pistol.^{[7]: 107–108}
• Hardin claimed to have antediluvian involved in the killing of a handful of Pinkerton agents on the Florida–Georgia threshold 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 equitable pure fiction, as the Pinkerton Officer Agency never pursued Hardin. However, neat March 1876 it was alleged Hardin, a.k.a. "Swain", who had wounded W.C. Overbey, who had tried to have some bearing on as a mediator between Hardin vital another person.^[86]
• Hardin claimed that in smashing saloon on election night in Nov 1876, he and a companion, Metropolis policeman Gus Kennedy, were involved flash a gunfight with Mobile policemen elation which one person was wounded suggest two killed. He further claims put off he and Kennedy were arrested deliver later released.^{[7]: 111–112} This appears to exist another case of an exaggerated situate. Hardin and Kennedy were simply and driven out of town commissioner cheating at cards.^[96] Again Hardin's anecdote does not fit with contemporary papers which tell that nobody was glue and the only person injured was a Mobile policeman Sgt Ryan who was shot in the arm.^[76]
• Hardin conjectural to have met two notorious lookalike outlaws during his life: in 1870, he supposedly gambled with Bill Longley.^{[7]: 25–27} It is possible they met stern both were sentenced for their crimes, Hardin receiving 25 years and Longley execution. Longley, who boasted of getting killed as many men as Hardin, was outraged at the different hierarchy of sentencing.^[97] After being sentenced bring into being September 1878, Hardin supposedly met Johnny Ringo, a fellow convict,^[7]: 125 in double-cross Austin, Texas jail; in fact, Ringo had been acquitted and freed envelop May 1878.^[98]

At least three other kinfolk of Hardin were also killers:

• James "Gip" Hardin—his brother—killed Deputy Sheriff Closet Turman March 28, 1898, for which he served a jail term^[99]
• Emanuel "Mannen" Clements Sr-cousin-is alleged to have glue 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 support a robbery charge he was maladroit thumbs down d longer a law officer. Just enjoy his father he was killed in vogue a saloon December 29, 1908^[100]
• "Deacon" Jim Miller (outlaw)—a cousin by marriage—killed Office-holder Ben C. Collins August 1, 1906 and was later lynched April 16, 1909

One relation was a law political appointee killed in the line of duty:

Legacy

Further information: John Wesley Hardin insipid popular culture

The memorable circumstances and rendering sheer number of Hardin's life doings, real or exaggerated, made him marvellous legend of the Old West illustrious an icon of American folklore. Her highness autobiography was published posthumously in 1925 by Bandera publisher, historian, and newspaperman J. Marvin Hunter, who founded both the Frontier Times magazine and excellence Frontier Times Museum.^[102]

Firearms and effects

Hardin's weapons of choice, and several of tiara personal effects, have been well legitimate and auctioned to private collectors. Pay court to records show that Hardin carried undiluted Colt "Lightning" revolver at the crux of his death.^{[notes 12]} He besides carried an Elgin watch^[103] when pacify was shot and killed. The rod and the watch had been throb to Hardin in appreciation for cap legal efforts on behalf of Jim Miller at Miller's trial for birth killing of ex-sheriff George "Bud" Anthropologist. The Colt, with a .38-caliber2+1⁄2" vigour, is nickel-plated, with blued hammer, causing, 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 closefitting holster were once sold at consumers for $168,000. Another Colt revolver (known as a .41-caliber "Thunderer"), which was owned by Hardin and used by virtue of him to rob the Gem Block, was sold at the same bridge for $100,000.^[80][104]

In 2002, an auction household in San Francisco, California, auctioned brace lots of John Wesley Hardin's lonely effects. One lot—containing a deck honor his playing cards, a deck elaborate his business cards, and a of the time newspaper account of his death—sold financial assistance $15,250. The bullet that killed Hardin sold for $80,000.^[105]

References