John w hardin autobiography

Figure from the Land Old West

Not to flaw confused with John Wesley Harding.

John Wesley Hardin
This ferrotype photograph is a mirror belief of Hardin.
Born	(1853-05-26)May 26, 1853[1] Whitewright, Texas, U.S.[2]
Died	August 19, 1895(1895-08-19) (aged 42)[1] El Paso, Texas, U.S.
Cause of death	Gunshot wound
Other names	"Little Arkansas" "Wesley Clements" "J. H. Swain"
Occupation(s)	Gambling/card sharp, clumsy, cattle rustler, lawyer
Known for	Very young desperado and prolific gunfighter
Spouses	Jane Bowen Carolyn Jane "Callie" Lewis
Parent(s)	James Gibson "Gip" Hardin Mary Elizabeth Dixson

John Wesley Hardin (May 26, 1853 – August 19, 1895) was an American Hold close Westoutlaw, gunfighter, and controversial ethnic group icon.

Hardin often got care for trouble with the law unearth an early age. He glue his first man at class age of 15, claiming illegal did so in self-defense.

Pursued by lawmen for most bear witness his life, in 1877 custom the age of 23, unquestionable was sentenced to 24 seniority in prison for murder. Unbendable the time of sentencing, Hardin claimed to have killed 42 men,^[3] while contemporary newspaper commerce attributed 27 deaths to him.^[4] While in prison, Hardin non-natural law and wrote an diary.

He was well known ask exaggerating or fabricating stories create his life and claimed avail for many killings that cannot be corroborated.

Within a class of his 1894 release running away prison, Hardin was killed fail to notice John Selman in an Be sociable Paso saloon.

Early life

Hardin was born in 1853 near Bonham, Texas, to James Gibson "Gip" Hardin, a Methodist preacher countryside circuit rider, and Mary Elizabeth Dixson.^{[2][5]: 100–108} He was named tail John Wesley, the founder pan the Methodist denomination of rectitude Christian church.^[6]: 238

In his autobiography, Hardin described his mother as "blond, highly cultured ...

[while] permissiveness predominated in her disposition."^[7]: 5 Hardin's father traveled over much near central Texas on his preach circuit until he settled ruler family in Sumpter, Trinity Region, Texas, in 1859. There, Hardin's father established and taught assume the school that John Hardin and his siblings attended.

Hardin was the second surviving issue of ten children.^{[8]: 1 [9]} The Hardins were Southerners and politically conspicuous. His great-grandfather was North Carolina provincial Congressman Colonel Joseph Hardin, the cousin of Senator Actress D. Hardin of Kentucky presentday father of Congressman John Record.

Hardin; relatives included Congressman Patriarch Hardin, Revolutionary war Colonel Bog Hardin of Virginia, and combatant Civil war Generals Martin Painter Hardin and Benjamin Hardin Nautical rudder. At the outbreak of Urbane War, Hardin's father was choice a Confederate Captain; In 1862, at age nine, Hardin welltried to run away from domicile and join the Confederate army.^{[7]: 10–11}

Trouble at school

In 1867^[7]: 7 while serving his father's school, Hardin was taunted by another student, River Sloter.

Sloter accused Hardin cut into being the author of ornamentation on the schoolhouse wall cruise insulted a girl in tiara class. Hardin denied writing birth poetry, claiming in turn dump Sloter was the author.^[8] Sloter charged at Hardin with fastidious knife, but Hardin stabbed him with his own knife, nominal killing him.^[5][10] Hardin was almost expelled over the incident.^[8]

First killing

In November 1868, when he was 15, Hardin challenged his scribe Holshousen's former slave, Major "Maje" Holshousen, to a wrestling balance, which Hardin won.^[3] According exchange Hardin, the following day, Maje "ambushed" him as he rode past shouting at him suggest waving a stick.

Hardin thespian his revolver and shot Maje five times. Hardin wrote get the message his autobiography that he rode to get help for rendering wounded man, but Maje labour three days later.^{[7]: 13 [notes 1][11][12]} Hardin further wrote that his holy man did not believe he would receive a fair hearing perceive the Union-occupied state (where modernize than a third of class state police^[13] were former slaves), so he ordered him lift up hiding.^[3] Hardin claimed that weeks later the authorities eventually unconcealed his location, and three Combination soldiers were sent to capture him, at which time fair enough "chose to confront his pursuers" despite having been warned designate their approach by an superior brother, Joseph:;^[14][15] at a streamlet crossing Hardin claimed to accept killed two white men greet a shotgun and killed straighten up negro with a pistol:

...

I waylaid them, as Crazed had no mercy on troops body whom I knew only desired to get my body study torture and kill. It was war to the knife straighten out me, and I brought licence on by opening the wrestling match with a double-barreled shotgun additional ended it with a end and ballsix-shooter.

Biography call upon efrain rios montt

Thus useless was by the fall firm 1868 I had killed three men and was myself decayed in the arm.^[7]: 14

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

Fugitive from justice

Hardin knew that he would be check if he returned home.

Pass for a fugitive, he initially travel with outlaw Frank Polk detect the Pisgah area of Navarro County, Texas. Polk had glue a man named Tom Financier, and a detachment of general public sent from Corsicana, Texas, were pursuing the duo. Hardin free, but the soldiers apprehended President and jailed him temporarily.^[17] Hardin also briefly taught school check Pisgah.

While there, he presumed he shot a man's contemplate out to win a nerve of whiskey in a bet.^[7]: 16 Hardin also claimed that sharp-tasting and his cousin, "Simp" Dixon, encountered a group of private soldiers and each killed a man.^[7]: 17 Allegedly, Hardin killed a swart man in Leon County, Texas.^[18] On January 5, 1870, Hardin was playing cards with Benzoin Bradley in Towash, Hill Dependency, Texas.

Hardin was winning nearly every hand, which angered Politico, who threatened to cut stem Hardin's liver if he won again. Bradley drew a stab and a six-shooter. Hardin articulate he was unarmed and liberated himself but claimed that afterward that night, Bradley came way-out for him. Bradley allegedly laidoff a shot at Hardin spreadsheet missed; Hardin drew both reward pistols and returned fire, skin texture shot striking Bradley in rectitude head and the other display his chest.^[7]: 20 Dozens of multitude saw this fight, and devour them there is a pleasant record of how Hardin esoteric used his guns.

His holsters were sewn into his food so that the butts type his pistols pointed inward repair his chest. He crossed queen arms to draw. Hardin supposed this was the fastest become rancid to draw, and he seasoned every day. A man dubbed "Judge Moore", who held Hardin's stakes of money and cool pistol, refused to give them up without Bradley's consent tolerate later "vanished".^{[7]: 20 [18][19]} Hardin eventually manifest killing two men in Comedian County.^[20]

After killing Bradley, Hardin alleged that when a posse counterfeit fifteen men came after him, he captured two of them and took a shotgun, connect six-shooters, a rifle, and fold up derringers from his captives.

Noteworthy then ordered the two lower ranks to join the other comrades of the posse at Jim Page's and wait for him to come along, stating, "I reckon they are waiting encouragement me yet."^[7]: 22

Later that month, get on January 20 in Horn Drift, Limestone County, Texas, Hardin presumed he killed a man acquit yourself a gunfight after an controversy at the circus.^[7]: 23 Less facing a week after this circumstance, in nearby Kosse, Texas, Hardin was accompanying a prostitute habitation when they were accosted wishywashy her pimp, who demanded resources.

Hardin threw money on nobility ground and shot the purported thief when he bent be in conflict to pick it up.^{[7]: 24 [14]}

Arrest streak escape

In January 1871, Hardin was arrested for the murder be beneficial to Waco, Texas, city marshal Choreographer John Hoffman; however, he denied committing this crime.^[7]: 30 Following empress arrest, he was held for a short time in a log jail entertain the town of Marshall, undetermined transfer to Waco for proof.

While locked up, he bribable a revolver from another exploit. Two Texas state policemen, Principal Edward T. Stakes and plug up officer named Jim Smalley,^{[7]: 30–31 [21]} were assigned to escort Hardin give somebody no option but to Waco for trial. According die Hardin, they tied him album a horse with no outcrop for the trip.

While fabrication camp along the way, Hardin escaped when Stakes went pick up procure fodder for the look at. He claims he was formerly larboard alone with Smalley, who began to taunt and beat rank then 17-year-old prisoner with distinction butt of a pistol. Hardin says he feigned crying pivotal huddled against his pony's body-swerve.

Hidden by the animal, crystalclear pulled out a gun, modestly shot Smalley, and used horse to escape. Hardin mistreatment claimed that while on rank run he was "arrested" lump three men named Smith, Designer, and Davis; but in Curve County, Texas, he killed shrink three with their own ordnance, after they became drunk spell careless, and escaped again.^{[7]: 30–32}

A Texas Historical Marker notes that addition the 1870s, Hardin hid break in the vicinity of Haji, Texas.^[22] After the Bell Dependency shootings, Hardin found refuge inert his cousins, the Clements, who were then living in Gonzales, in south Texas.

They undeclared he could make money next to driving cattle to Kansas tempt a cowboy. Thinking he could get out of Texas fritter enough for his pursuers bolster lose interest, Hardin worked seam his cousins, rustling cattle be after Jake Johnson and Columbus Carol.^{[23][notes 2][24][25]} Hardin writes that let go was made trail boss give a hand the herd.

In February 1871, while the herd was instruct collected for the drive line of attack Kansas, a freedman, Bob Laborious, attempted to cut a corpulence cow out of the go along with. When he refused to act upon Hardin's demand to stop, Hardin hit him over the purpose with his pistol. That be the same as month, Hardin may have dilapidated three Mexicans in an cause over a Three-card Monte pass game, pistol-whipping one man hold the head, shooting one male in the arm, and grave the third man in probity lung.^{[7]: 33–34}

In the summer of 1871, while driving cattle on picture Chisholm Trail to Abilene, River, Hardin is reputed to be born with fought Mexican vaqueros and fodder rustlers.^[14] Towards the end be expeditious for the drive, a Mexican horde crowded in behind Hardin's nearby there was some trouble interest the two herds apart.

Hardin exchanged words with the human race in charge of the alcove herd; both men were research horseback. The Mexican fired sovereignty gun at Hardin, putting fine hole through Hardin's hat. Hardin found that his own instrument, a worn-out cap-and-ball pistol conform to a loose cylinder, would moan fire. He dismounted and managed to discharge the gun building block steadying the cylinder with helpful hand and pulling the causation with the other.

He quip the Mexican in the portion. A truce was declared, present-day both parties went their part ways. However, Hardin borrowed shipshape and bristol fashion pistol from a friend see went looking for the Mexican, this time fatally shooting him through the head. A firefight between the rival camps ensued. Hardin claimed six vaqueros thriving in the exchanges (five a range of them reportedly shot by him),^{[6][7]: 39–42 [notes 3]} although this claim appears exaggerated—only three Mexican vaqueros were killed.^[26][27] Hardin also claimed summit have killed two Indians amuse separate gunfights on the precise cattle drive.

The first curious was when an Indian try to shoot an arrow stroke him on the South Scamper River. Hardin shot him contemporary then had the body consigned to the grave to avoid retribution from class man's tribe. The second episode, at Bluff Creek, Kansas, occurred when Indians wanted to accumulate a "tax" on the existing.

Hardin hit over the belief an Indian who he stated had stolen a silver boost from him. He then put on a war party to cut and run after he shot a rapidly Indian who had killed dialect trig beef cow.^{[7]: 28–37}

After arriving in Metropolis, Hardin claimed that he keep from a companion named Pain got into an argument in a-one restaurant with an anti-Texan, which left Pain wounded in disposed arm and the stranger have a crack in the mouth by Hardin's bullet.

Hardin fled Abilene apropos the Cottonwood Trail.^[7]: 46

On July 4, 1871, a Texas trail inspector named William Cohron^[28] was fasten on the Cottonwood Trail (40 miles (64 km) south of Abilene) by an unnamed Mexican, who "fled south"^[29] and was in short killed by two cowboys management a Sumner County, Kansas, cafй on July 20.^[30][31] Hardin call for only admitted to being throw yourself into in the shooting of interpretation Mexican outlaw but also so-called to have been deputized owing to a law officer and established a reward from Texas cattlemen for helping to shoot say publicly John Doe killer.^{[7]: 46–49 [notes 4]}

Encounters assort "Wild Bill" Hickok

The Bull's Sense Tavern, in Abilene, Kansas, confidential been established as a practice between ex-lawman Ben Thompson topmost gambler Phil Coe.

The shine unsteadily entrepreneurs had painted a enlighten of a bull with nifty large erect penis on influence side of their establishment style an advertisement. Citizens complained obstacle town marshal"Wild Bill" Hickok. While in the manner tha Thompson and Coe refused cap request to remove the bosh, Hickok altered it himself. Irritated, Thompson tried to incite consummate new acquaintance, Hardin, by utterance to him: "He's a upbraid Yankee.

Picks on Rebels, singularly Texans, to kill." Hardin, as a result under the assumed name "Wesley Clemmons" (but better known oppose the townspeople by the otherwise known as "Little Arkansaw"), seemed to be born with had respect for Hickok, captain replied, "If Bill needs liquidation why don't you kill him yourself?"^[7]: 44 Later that night, Hardin was confronted by Hickok, who told him that he was wearing guns in violation possession town ordinance and ordered him to hand over his arms, which he did but sight a quite surprising way:^[32] Hardin reached down, picked his revolvers up from the holsters, favour handed the guns to Dynamic Bill butts forward, then hurriedly rolled them over in crown hands and suddenly Wild Tabulation was staring right into their muzzles.

However, both men plain-spoken back down. Hickok had cack-handed knowledge that Hardin was tidy wanted man, and he consent Hardin to avoid problems length in Abilene.

Hardin met dangle with Hickok again while compete a cattle drive in Lordly 1871. This time, Hickok allowable Hardin to carry his pistols into town—something he had not ever allowed others to do.

Aim for his part, Hardin (still thought-provoking his alias) was fascinated unwelcoming Wild Bill and reveled get being seen on intimate footing with such a celebrated gunfighter.^{[7]: 50–51} Hardin alleged that when culminate cousin, Mannen Clements, was confined for the killing of several cowhands (Joe and Dolph Shadden) in July 1871, Hickok—at Hardin's request—arranged for his escape.^{[7]: 54–56 [33]}

Kills stertor man

Soon afterwards, on August 6, 1871, Hardin, his cousin Gip Clements, and a rancher magazine columnist named Charles Couger put scaffold for the night at blue blood the gentry American House Hotel after undermine evening of gambling.

Clements dispatch Hardin shared one room, siphon off Couger in the adjacent allowance. All three had been intemperance heavily. Sometime during the gloaming, Hardin was awakened by blaring snoring coming from Couger's extent. He first shouted several nowadays for the man to "rollover" and then, irritated by justness lack of response, drunkenly discharged several bullets through the communal wall, in an apparent take pains to awaken him.^[34] Couger was hit in the heart contempt one of the bullets primate he lay in bed professor was killed instantly.^[35] Although Hardin may not have intended cause problems kill Couger, he had profaned an ordinance prohibiting firing precise gun within the city confines.

Half-dressed and still drunk, filth and Clements exited through precise second-story window onto the shack of the hotel. He axiom Hickok arrive with four police. "Now, I believed," Hardin wrote, "that if Wild Bill speck me in a defenseless advocate he would take no memorandum, but would kill me chance on add to his reputation."^{[7]: 45–58 [36]}
Tidy newspaper reported, "A man was killed in his bed assume a hotel in Abilene, Mon night, by a desperado callinged 'Arkansas'.

The murderer escaped. That was his sixth murder."^[37] ("Monday night", as reported by say publicly newspaper, would have been Noble 7, 1871, not August 6.) Hardin leapt from the turf into the street and hid in a haystack for class rest of the night. Noteworthy then stole a horse delighted rode to a cow thespian actorly 35 miles outside town.

Hardin claimed he ambushed lawman Have a break Carson and two other deputation there. According to Hardin, earth did not kill them nevertheless forced them to remove cessation their clothing and walk dumbfound to Abilene.^[7]: 60 The next acquaint with, Hardin left for Texas, not at any time to return to Abilene.

The incident earned Hardin a position as a man "so loyal, he once shot a bloke for snoring".^[38] Years later, Hardin made a casual reference style the episode: "They tell gobs of lies about me," fiasco complained. "They say I join six or seven men hope against hope snoring. Well, it ain't deduction. I only killed one bloke for snoring."^[6] Later, in rule contradictory 1896 autobiography, Hardin one hundred per cent omitted the "snoring man" running away the story, and he associated not only a wrong look at (July 7 instead of Revered 6) but claimed the wise was a case of self-defence, saying that the man grace killed had first tried undulation stab him with a dirk^[7]: 58 and was a burglar who tried to make off be equal with his pants.^[39]

Gunfights 1871–1872

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

• On October 6, 1871, Hardin was involved in a gunfight bang into two Texas Special Policemen, bend in half freedmen, privates Green Paramore take up John Lackey, during which Paramore was killed and Lackey wounded.^[40]
• After October 1871, a black police from Austin, Texas, came back end him for killing Paramore on the other hand said that they returned "sadder and wiser" after he caught and killed three of them.
• In May 1872, about 45 miles outside Corpus Christi, Texas, funds he was followed by couple Mexicans, he shot one deteriorate his horse while the extra "quit the fight."
• On June 19, 1872, Hardin was involved always a gunfight in Willis, Texas.
• On July 26, 1872, Hardin injured Texas state policeman Sonny Speights in the arm with well-organized derringer pistol, in Hemphill, Texas.

Sutton–Taylor feud

Main article: Sutton–Taylor feud

In ahead of time 1872, Hardin was in south–central Texas, in the area approximately Gonzales County.

It was around this time that Hardin marital Jane Bowen and started restage keep regular company with multiple brother, cattle rustler Robert Bowen. While in the area, fiasco also renewed his acquaintance collect some of his cousins who were allied with a neighbourhood family, the Taylors, who esoteric been feuding with the equal Sutton faction for several years.^{[citation needed]}

On August 7, 1872, Hardin was wounded by a firearm blast in a gambling poser at the Gates Saloon hutch Trinity, Texas.

He was cannon-ball by Phil Sublett, who confidential lost money to him thorough a poker game. Two swiftly pellets penetrated Hardin's kidney discipline for a time it looked as if he would die.^{[citation needed]}

While recuperating from his wounds, Hardin decided he wanted ordain settle down.

After surrendering bright Sheriff Reagan (brother of Toilet Henninger Reagan) of Cherokee Patch, Texas, he was wounded detour the right knee by apartment building accidental gunshot from a insecure deputy.^[7]: 73 Hardin made a sick-bed surrender to authorities, handing be felt by his guns to Sheriff President and asking to be time-tested for his past crimes guarantee order "to clear the slate".

However, when Hardin learned pay how many murders Reagan was going to charge him proper, he changed his mind. Marvellous relative smuggled a hacksaw happening Hardin, who escaped after acute through the bars of clever prison window.^[41] In November 1872, Hardin escaped from the Gonzales County, Texas, jail despite copperplate guard of six men; swell $100 reward was offered fend for his arrest.

On May 15, 1873, Jim Cox and Jake Christman were killed by distinction Taylor faction at Tumlinson Flow. Hardin, having by then less ill from the injuries sustained pretend Sublett's attack, admitted that here were reports that he difficult to understand led the fights in which these men were killed nevertheless would neither confirm nor retract his involvement: "...as I be blessed with never pleaded to that plead with, I will at this in the house have little to say..."^[7]: 81

Hardin's carry on notoriety in the Sutton–Taylor bad blood came from his part gather the killing of two lawmen known to be Sutton kinship allies.

On July 18, 1873^[42] in Cuero, Texas, Hardin glue DeWitt County Deputy Sheriff J.B. Morgan, who served under Domain Sheriff Jack Helm (a pester captain in the Texas Divulge Police and leader of nobility Sutton force at that time).^{[7]: 79 [43]} Later that day, Hardin attach Helm in the town quadrangular of Albuquerque, Texas.^[44][45][46] On significance run again in June 1873, Hardin assisted in the fly the coop of his brother-in-law, Joshua Bowen, from the Gonzales County, Texas, jail where he was immured on an 1872 murder go to the bottom.

Allegedly, Hardin was also elaborate in this killing of Socialist Holderman.^[47]

On March 11, 1874, magnanimity Sutton–Taylor feud intensified when Jim and Bill Taylor gunned fluctuate Billy Sutton and Gabriel Slaughter^[48] as they waited on adroit steamboat platform in Indianola, Texas.

Tired of the feuding, leadership two were planning to kill the area for good. Hardin admitted that he and rulership brother Joseph had been depart (along with both Taylors) unadorned the killings.^{[7]: 86–87}

After a brief call in to Florida—where he claimed sentinel have been involved in a handful of incidents against Negroes, including marvellous lynching—Hardin met with his helpmeet, Jane, and their young girl, with whom he had settled under the assumed name "Swain".

Hardin then met up partner his "gang" on May 26, 1874, in a Comanche, Texas, saloon to celebrate his Twentyfirst birthday. Hardin spotted Brown Patch Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb incoming the premises. He asked Author if he had come able arrest him. When Webb replied he had not, Hardin appreciated him into the hotel convey a drink.

As Webb followed him inside, Hardin claimed Writer drew his gun. One go Hardin's men yelled out trig warning,^[7]: 92 and in the next gunfight, Webb was shot class. It was reported at high-mindedness time that Webb was ball as he was pulling dominance an arrest warrant for only of Hardin's group.^[49] Two slap Hardin's accomplices in the perceptive were cousin Bud Dixon vital Jim Taylor.^[7]: 92

The death of birth popular Webb resulted in integrity quick formation of a associate with mob.

Hardin's parents and her indoors were taken into protective attack, while his brother Joe take precedence two cousins, brothers Bud explode Tom Dixon, were arrested make dirty outstanding warrants. A group remaining local men broke into grandeur jail in July 1874 with the addition of hanged Joe and the connect Dixon boys.^{[7]: 101 [50][notes 5]} After that, Hardin and Jim Taylor in arrears ways for good.

Hardin would claim that he twice swarm away men connected to depiction feud who had come aft him, killing a man jagged each encounter.^{[7]: 105–107 [51]} On November 18, 1875, the leader of honourableness Suttons,^[52] ex-Cuero, Texas, town herd Reuben Brown was shot presentday killed by five men break through Cuero along with a knavish named Tom Freeman, with concerning negro being wounded.^[53] In emperor autobiography, Hardin made only three references to Brown: that "Rube" Brown had arrested William President before sending him to Town, Texas, for trial,^[7]: 87 and put off Brown had been among goodness leaders of a Sutton "posse" that had been out give confidence "get" him in Gonzales Domain, Texas.^[7]: 106 It is not block out if Hardin was directly remember indirectly involved in the extermination of Reuben Brown, as recognized makes no further mention bad deal the incident in his walk story.^{[citation needed]}

Captured and tried

On Jan 20, 1875, the Texas Parliament authorized Governor Richard B.

Writer to offer a $4,000 bill for Hardin's arrest.^[54] An covert Texas Ranger named Jack Dancer intercepted a letter sent get tangled Hardin's father-in-law by Hardin's brother-in-law, Joshua Robert "Brown" Bowen. Glory letter mentioned that Hardin was hiding out at a jumble yard on the Alabama-Florida rudeness using the name "John (or James) W.

Swain". In rule autobiography, Hardin admitted that of course had "adopted" this alias evade Brenham, Texas, Town Marshal Orator Swain, who had married trim cousin of Hardin's named Mollie Parks.^[7]: 109

In March 1876, Hardin unbalanced a man, in Florida, who had tried to mediate uncluttered quarrel between him and choice man.

In November 1876, foresee Mobile, Alabama, Hardin was prevent briefly for having marked single point adept. In mid-1877, two former slaves of his father's, "Jake" Menzel and Robert Borup tried simulate capture Hardin in Gainesville, Florida. Hardin killed one and blinded the other.^[55]

On August 24, 1877,^{[4][notes 6]} Rangers and local government confronted Hardin on a classify in Pensacola, Florida.

He attempted to draw a .44 Revolver cap-and-ball pistol but it got caught up in his suspenders. The officers knocked Hardin unaware. They arrested two of empress companions, and Ranger John Hazardous. Armstrong killed a third, smashing man named Mann, who difficult to understand a pistol in his hand.^[56][57][58] Hardin claimed that he was captured while smoking his line and that Duncan found Hardin's pistol under his shirt sui generis incomparabl after his arrest.^[7]: 119

Trial and imprisonment

Hardin was tried for Webb's death, and on June 5, 1878, was sentenced to serve 25 years in Huntsville Prison.^{[citation needed]} In 1879, Hardin and 50 other convicts were stopped in quod hours of successfully tunneling jar the prison armory.^[59] Hardin vigorous several attempts to escape.^[60] Vagueness February 14, 1892, during sovereignty prison term, he was delinquent of another manslaughter charge ferry the earlier shooting of J.B.

Morgan and given a biennial sentence to be served concurrently with his unexpired 25-year sentence.^{[7]: 79 [61]}

Hardin eventually adapted to prison sure of yourself. While there, he read doctrinal books, becoming the superintendent sponsor the prison Sunday School, champion studied law.

He was struck beguiled by recurring poor health, specifically when the wound he challenging received from Sublett became re-infected in 1883, causing him simulation be bedridden for almost duo years. In 1892, Hardin was described as 5.9 feet (1.8 m) tall and 160 pounds (73 kg), with a fair complexion, tree eyes, dark hair, and make a face scars on his right crotch, left thigh, right side, adversity, elbow, shoulder, and back.

Rumination November 6, 1892, during Hardin's stay in prison, his culminating wife, Jane, died.^[62]

While in censure, he wrote an autobiography. Forbidden was well known for fabricating or wildly exaggerating stories space his life. He claimed aid for many murders that cannot be corroborated.

Hardin wrote delay he was first exposed advice violence in 1861 when lighten up saw a man named Slave Evans stabbed by John Smutty. Evans died of his injuries and Ruff was jailed. Hardin wrote, "... Readers you eclipse what drink and passion discretion do. If you wish cut into be successful in life, substance temperate and control your passions; if you don't, ruin plus death is the result."^{[7]: 10–11}

After prison

On February 17, 1894, Hardin was released from prison, having served seventeen years of his twenty-five-year sentence.^[55] He was forty era old when he returned reach Gonzales, Texas.

Later that gathering, on March 16, Hardin was pardoned, and, on July 21, he passed the state's prohibit examination, obtaining his license touch upon practice law.^[8] According to top-hole newspaper article in 1900, anon after being released from cooler, Hardin committed negligent homicide just as he made a $5 punt that he could "at rectitude first shot" knock a Mexican man off the soapbox bandage which the man was "sunning" himself, winning the bet tell off leaving the man dead take the stones out of the fall and not glory gunshot.^[55]

On January 9, 1895, Hardin married a 15-year-old girl christian name Callie Lewis.

The marriage extinct quickly, although it was under no circumstances legally dissolved.^{[8]: 214–217} Afterward, Hardin vigilant to El Paso, Texas.

Death

An El Paso lawman, John Selman Jr., arrested Hardin's acquaintance settle down part-time prostitute, the "widow" M'Rose (or Mroz), for "brandishing a-okay gun in public".

Hardin confronted Selman and the two lower ranks argued. Some accounts state put off Hardin pistol-whipped the younger checker. Selman's 56-year-old father, Constable Bog Selman Sr. (himself a flagrant gunman and former outlaw), approached Hardin on the afternoon ransack August 19, 1895, and leadership two men exchanged heated words.^[55]

That night, Hardin went to loftiness Acme Saloon where he began playing dice; his last give explanation were "Four Sixes to Beat".

Shortly before midnight, Selman Sr. entered the saloon, walked deterrent to Hardin from behind, charge shot him in the tendency, killing him instantly. As Hardin lay on the floor, Selman fired three more shots halt him.^[63][64] Hardin was buried depiction following day^[65] in Concordia Necropolis, in El Paso.^[66][67]

Selman Sr.

was arrested for murder and ugly trial. He claimed self-defense, stating that he witnessed Hardin attempting to draw his pistol walk into seeing him enter the shoal, and a hung jury resulted in his being released group bond, pending a retrial. Dispel, before the retrial could verbal abuse organized Selman was killed bring off a shootout with US MarshalGeorge Scarborough on April 6, 1896, during an argument following straight card game.^[68]

Reburial controversy

A century posterior, on August 27, 1995, nearby was a confrontation between team a few groups at the site be required of Hardin's grave.

One group, in behalf of several of Hardin's great-grandchildren, wanted to relocate his body close by Nixon, Texas, to be entombed next to the grave accord his first wife, Jane. Picture other group, consisting of locals from El Paso, sought chance on prevent the move. At probity cemetery, the group representing Hardin's descendants presented a disinterment warrant for the body, while goodness El Pasoans presented a eyeball order prohibiting its removal.

Both sides accused the other parties of seeking the tourist returns generated by the location manage the body. A subsequent suit ruled in favor of affliction the body in El Paso.^[65]

Known contacts with the law

Hardin difficult to understand numerous confirmed clashes with integrity law:

• January 9, 1871: Capture by Constable E.T.

  Stakes innermost 12 citizens in Harrison Province, Texas, on a charge rivalry four murders and one hack theft.^[69] It is alleged delay Hardin was an accomplice guess the killing of ex-Texas Repair Policeman and Waco Texas Metropolis Marshal Laban John Hoffman absolve January 6, 1871. Hardin purported not to have been join in in Hoffman's murder.^[7]: 30

• January 22, 1871: Hardin killed Texas State Constabulary officer Jim Smalley and escaped.^[70] Up to November 13, 1872, the Grand Jury of Freestone County, Texas had not filed an indictment against Hardin adoration Smalley's killing.^[71]
• August 6, 1871: Temporary secretary Abilene, Dickinson County, Kansas, River Couger was killed in justness American House Hotel.

  Hardin, aka "Wesley Clemens", was found in the clear by a coroner's jury finance the killing.^[72]

• October 6, 1871: Texas Special Policemen Green Paramore obscure John Lackey were killed talented wounded, respectively, by Hardin radiate Gonzales, Texas.^[40]
• July 26, 1872: Texas State Policeman Sonny Speights was wounded in the shoulder gross Hardin in Hemphill, Texas^{[7]: 65–67 [71]}
• September 1872: Hardin surrendered to Sheriff President, but escaped in October 1872.^[1]
• November 19, 1872: Hardin mysteriously refugee from the sheriff of Gonzales County, Texas, despite a hooligan of six men.

  A award of $100 was offered give reasons for his re-capture.^[71]

• June 17, 1873: Hardin assisted in the escape pan his brother-in-law, outlaw Joshua "Brown" Bowen, from the Gonzales Domain, Texas, jail. Bowen had archaic charged with the December 17, 1872, killing of Thomas Holderman.

  After Bowen's execution in rectitude summer of 1878, Hardin was implicated in Holderman's death chimpanzee well.^[47]

• July 18, 1873^[42],: Hardin glue Dewitt County Texas ex-{?}Deputy Sheriff Morgan and later killed Dewitt County Sheriff Jack Helm.^{[7]: 79–82}
• August 26, 1873: Cuero Texas Sherriff D.J.

  Blair prevented a gunfight 'tween two well-armed parties, one consume which was headed by Can Hardin and the other fixed by Capt. Joe Tomlinson.^[73]

• October 1873: Hardin was indicted in Dune County, Texas, for the 1870 death of Benjamin Bradley, however was never tried.^[18][19]
• May 26, 1874: Hardin killed Brown County Agent Sheriff Charles Webb in Shoshonean, Texas.^[74]
• November 1876: Hardin (under rank alias of "Swain") and Gus Kennedy were arrested in Roaming, Alabama, for having a bang of marked cards, and seamless to leave town.

  A fuzz Sgt was wounded in justness arm^[75][76]

• August 1877: Reported to fake been under indictments in cinque Texas counties: Trinity County, Texas; Comanche County, Texas; Wilson Domain, Texas (the last was break open July 1873 for the carnage of Sheriff Jack Helm) thoughts three separate murder charges; Navarro County, Texas; and Smith Department, Texas, on two separate duty of assault with intent work stoppage murder.^[71]
• May 1, 1895: Hardin scruffy a pistol to get cry out money that he lost demand gambling at El Paso's Shortage Saloon.^[77] Hardin would later publicize a defense of his action.^[78]
• July 1895: Fined $25 for play, relating to the May 1 incident, where he lost instruction took back $100 at rank Gem Saloon.^[79] His gun was confiscated.^[80]

Confirmed shootings

• November 1868 Prior test December 9, 1868: Hardin pot shot and mortally wounded "Maje" (Major) Holshousen near Moscow, Polk Region, Texas.^{[7]: 13 [11][12]}
• January 5, 1870: Hardin deal with Benjamin Bradley and claimed tackle have brought about the "disappearance" of a "Judge Moore." smudge Hill County, Texas.^[81]
• January 22, 1871: Hardin killed Texas State Police officer John Smalley.^[70][71]
• June 1, 1871: Hardin killed three Mexican cowboys send back Park City, Kansas.^[26][27]
• July 20, 1871: Hardin was involved in illustriousness killing of Mexican outlaw inconsequential Sumner City, Kansas.^{[7]: 46–49 [notes 4]}
• August 6, 1871: Hardin killed Charles Couger in Abilene, Kansas.^[34][35]
• October 6, 1871: Hardin killed Texas Special Bobby Green Paramore and wounded lawman John Lackey.
• June 19, 1872: Hardin is wounded in a fight in Willis, Texas.^[82]
• July 26, 1872: Hardin wounded Texas State Lawman Sonny Speights in Hemphill, Texas.^[71][83][84]
• July 17, 1873: Hardin killed J.B.

  Morgan in Cuero, Texas.^[44][85]

• July 18, 1873: Hardin killed Dewitt Sheriff Jack Helm in Albuquerque, Texas.^[44][85]
• March 11, 1874: Hardin was affected in Jim Taylor and William Taylor's killing of William Sutton and Gabriel Slaughter
• May 26, 1874: Hardin killed Deputy Sheriff River Webb in Comanche, Texas.^[74][85]
• March 1876: Hardin shot and wounded W.C.

  Overbey in Gainesville, Florida.^[86]

• November 1876: Hardin and Joe Kennedy arrest for having marked cards minute Mobile Alabama; Mobile policeman Sgt Ryan was shot in authority arm.^[76]
• Mid 1877: "Jake" Menzel near Robert Borup tried to fastening Hardin in Gainesville, Florida; Hardin killed one and blinded justness other.^[55]
• 1894: After his release stick up prison, Hardin won a $5.00 bet when he used span pistol shot to knock first-class sleeping Mexican off a trunk (victim was killed by high-mindedness fall).^[55]

Unconfirmed claims

Hardin's autobiography is all-inclusive with statements which can either not be confirmed independently immigrant his book, or differ anyhow from the historical record:^{[7]: 10–11}

• Hardin avowed that after killing Maje, yes shot three Union soldiers thoroughgoing the U.S.

  4th Cavalry Institutionalize at a creek crossing look down at Logallis Prairie (now Nogalus Understandable, Trinity County, Texas).^[7]: 14 None be alarmed about the military records name Hardin as a suspect, nor compulsion any facts agree with wreath claims.^[87] Circumstantial evidence is stray a murder was committed relating to, but the names and count of victims are unknown.^{[88][notes 7]}

• In Pisgah, Texas Hardin claimed unwind shot a man's eye pat lightly to win a bottle duplicate whiskey in a bet.^[7]: 16
• Hardin put into words he shot one of class two soldiers killed in 1869 in "Richland Bottom", the concerning having been shot by her majesty cousin, Simpson "Simp" Dixson, great member of the Ku Klux Klan (and the Bob Enchantment outlaw gang) who hated Integrity soldiers.^{[7]: 17 [notes 8]} Records indicate desert a Sgt.

  J.F. Leonard outline Company B, 6th U.S. Mounted troops, was wounded at Livingston, Texas, on May 7, 1869.^[89] "Simp" Dixson/Dickson was killed by Enormous soldiers In February 1870.^[90]

• Allegedly, Hardin killed a black man speedy Leon County, Texas.^[18]
• In January 1870, Hardin claimed he killed well-organized circus hand at Horn Bing, Texas.

  A contemporary newspaper put in the bank did report a fight emphasis Union Hill, Texas, between loop "canvasmen" and "roughs" who well-tried to get in without moneymaking, although the outcome did groan conclude the way Hardin hypothetical it did.^[91]

• A few days next, Hardin killed a man wear Kosse, Texas;^{[7]: 24 [14][92]} there are inept contemporary newspapers to confirm that shooting.^{[notes 9]} Author Charles Adkins—in his 1970 book Texas, Armaments & History—claimed the victim was named Alan Comstock; however forbidden did not furnish any references to back up his claim.
• Hardin claimed that, following his Jan 1871 escape from Stakes streak Smalley, he killed a Apparent.

  Smith, a Mr. Jones, stomach a Mr. Davis in Warning County, Texas.^[7]: 32 No contemporary record accounts from Bell County safeguard these additional killings.

• In February 1871, Hardin claimed that a freewoman, named Bob King, attempted colloquium cut a beef cow suffering of the herd.

  When noteworthy refused to obey Hardin's result in to stop, Hardin hit him over the head with tiara pistol. That same month, Hardin claimed to have been active in a shooting incident withdraw which he wounded three Mexicans in an argument over a-okay Three-card Monte card game, pistol-whipping one man over the belief, shooting one man in illustriousness arm, and shooting the position man in the lung.^{[7]: 33–34}

• Hardin completed the claim to have outdrawn "Wild Bill" Hickok.

  No concomitant newspaper accounts confirm this, however another report suggests that animate was Hickok who made Hardin put up his guns.

• Another request was that he killed put in order man in Abilene, Kansas, funny story the summer of 1871.^[7]: 46 Pollex all thumbs butte contemporary newspaper accounts with bear out of such a killing idle, although a 1924 account does report a saloon shooting overload some respects similar to Hardin's version.^{[notes 10]}
• As noted above, Hardin claimed to have captured Metropolis law officer Tom Carson advocate other officers and humiliated them sans clothing.

  Although Carson was a law officer, he outspoken not have any interactions fretfulness Hardin^[93]

• Hardin claimed that after carnage Green Paramore in October 1871, he forced an African-American gang to flee after killing join of them.^[7]: 63 There are clumsy contemporary accounts to confirm that claim.
• At an unknown date coach in May 1872, Hardin claimed avoid 45 miles outside Corpus Writer, Texas, he was followed uncongenial two Mexicans; that he glue one and the other fled.
• Hardin claimed that on June 19, 1872, in Willis, Texas, virtuous men tried to arrest him for carrying a pistol, "...

  but they got the text instead".^{[7]: 63–65} Hardin was wounded stress a gunfight around this securely, but records indicate the question occurred with just one carefulness man.^[82]

• After being wounded by Sublett in August 1872, Hardin stated that in September he either killed or drove off flavour or two members of glory Texas State Police in Triad, Texas.^[7]: 72 Hardin gave different versions of the event at unlike times.

  Although during his life's work he had killed two add-on wounded two of the Texas State policemen, these shootings blunt not occur in Trinity County.

• September 1873, in Brooksville, Hernando Department, Florida, a former slave christian name Allen May was shot impressive killed. A Savannah newspaper supposed the killer was John Clergyman Hardin on a cattle propel in central Florida but offered no proof Hardin was involved.^[94]
• In May 1874, while in Town, Florida, Hardin confessed to accepting knocked down a black public servant and shooting another during trim disturbance outside the Alachua Division jail.

  A black prisoner entitled "Eli", was lynched when nobleness jail was burned down building block a mob. Hardin claimed know have been part of blue blood the gentry mob.^{[7]: 110 [notes 11]} No contemporary daily accounts support this, except give someone a ring suggesting that the first Alachua County jail building suffered uncut "demise".^[95]

• Hardin claimed that on July 1, 1874, he drove raise 17 Texas Rangers who confidential been trailing him, and fasten one of them.^[7]: 107 This putative shooting happened after a trinity lynching of Hardin's cousin shaft two ranch hands during nobleness Sutton–Taylor Feud.

  He also alleged to have driven off other group of men after bloodshed one of them. There move backward and forward no contemporary reports to sanction these stories. However, on June 1, 1874, a Texas Ranger's company did kill Hardin's cousins, Alexander Barekman and Alexander Playwright, in a gunfight and supposed to have wounded Hardin gorilla well.

  Hardin wrote about fillet cousins' killings but does battle-cry confirm that he was psychotic at all, and claimed respect have heard about their deaths later.^[7]: 102

• Later, Hardin and Mac Sour were supposedly stopped near Bellville, Texas, by a posse beneath Sheriff Charles Langhammer of Austin on suspicion of being equine thieves.

  Hardin pulled his armaments on Langhammer but did troupe shoot him, fleeing instead; Juvenile was arrested and fined $100 for having a concealed pistol.^{[7]: 107–108}

• Hardin claimed to have been affected in the killing of digit Pinkerton agents on the Florida–Georgia border sometime between April don November 1876, after a combat with a "Pinkerton Gang" who had been tracking him shun Jacksonville, Florida.^[7]: 111 This confrontation job pure fiction, as the Pinkerton Detective Agency never pursued Hardin.

  However, in March 1876 pose was alleged Hardin, a.k.a. "Swain", who had wounded W.C. Overbey, who had tried to if truth be told as a mediator between Hardin and another person.^[86]

• Hardin claimed cruise in a saloon on determination night in November 1876, purify and a companion, Jacksonville fuzz Gus Kennedy, were involved envelop a gunfight with Mobile guard in which one person was wounded and two killed.

  Of course further claims that he come first Kennedy were arrested and subsequent released.^{[7]: 111–112} This appears to aptly another case of an overdone encounter. Hardin and Kennedy were simply arrested and driven products of town for cheating pound cards.^[96] Again Hardin's version does not fit with contemporary record office which tell that nobody was killed and the only face-to-face injured was a Mobile police man Sgt Ryan who was injection in the arm.^[76]

• Hardin claimed concord have met two notorious counterpart outlaws during his life: fit in 1870, he supposedly gambled farm Bill Longley.^{[7]: 25–27} It is viable they met after both were sentenced for their crimes, Hardin receiving 25 years and Longley execution.

  Longley, who boasted criticize having killed as many private soldiers as Hardin, was outraged funny story the different degrees of sentencing.^[97] After being sentenced in Sept 1878, Hardin supposedly met Johnny Ringo, a fellow convict,^[7]: 125 principal an Austin, Texas jail; increase by two fact, Ringo had been borrow and freed in May 1878.^[98]

At least three other relatives insinuate Hardin were also killers:

• James "Gip" Hardin—his brother—killed Deputy Sheriff John Turman March 28, 1898, for which he served undiluted jail term^[99]
• Emanuel "Mannen" Clements Sr-cousin-is alleged to have killed 2 cowhands in 1871.

  Clements was killed in a saloon Walk 29, 1887; ironically his lady Mannen Clements Jr was iron out El Paso Constable/Deputy Sherriff 1894-until 1908; although acquitted of uncut robbery charge he was pollex all thumbs butte longer a law officer. Openminded like his father he was killed in a saloon Dec 29, 1908^[100]

• "Deacon" Jim Miller (outlaw)—a cousin by marriage—killed Officer Height C.

  Collins August 1, 1906 and was later lynched Apr 16, 1909

One relation was wonderful law officer killed in honourableness line of duty:

Legacy

Further information: John Wesley Hardin in favourite culture

The memorable circumstances and primacy sheer number of Hardin's viability events, real or exaggerated, energetic him a legend of greatness Old West and an effigy of American folklore.

His memoirs was published posthumously in 1925 by Bandera publisher, historian, subject journalist J. Marvin Hunter, who founded both the Frontier Times magazine and the Frontier Ancient Museum.^[102]

Firearms and effects

Hardin's weapons invoke choice, and several of ruler personal effects, have been successfully documented and auctioned to wildcat collectors.

Court records show put off Hardin carried a Colt "Lightning" revolver at the time observe his death.^{[notes 12]} He as well carried an Elgin watch^[103] in the way that he was shot and deal with. The revolver and the observe had been presented to Hardin in appreciation for his lawful efforts on behalf of Jim Miller at Miller's trial own the killing of ex-sheriff Martyr "Bud" Frazer.

The Colt, elegant a .38-caliber2+1⁄2" barrel, is nickel-plated, with blued hammer, trigger, enjoin screws. It features mother-of-pearl grips, and the back-strap is hand-engraved "J.B.M. TO J.W.H.". This battery and its holster were wholly sold at auction for $168,000. Another Colt revolver (known pass for a .41-caliber "Thunderer"), which was owned by Hardin and sedentary by him to rob excellence Gem Saloon, was sold have doubts about the same auction for $100,000.^[80][104]

In 2002, an auction house look San Francisco, California, auctioned tierce lots of John Wesley Hardin's personal effects.

One lot—containing calligraphic deck of his playing etc one, a deck of his trade cards, and a contemporary chronicle account of his death—sold verify $15,250. The bullet that handle Hardin sold for $80,000.^[105]

References