Legendary Noise, John Wesley Hardin
So what was it about John Wesley Hardin that made him so controversial? He was a gunfighter alright. By all reports he was fast and a sure shot. He did his share of killing no doubt. How many men did he kill? It depends on who you ask. I came up with sources totaling 19, 29 and as many as 40. Pick a number. The body count is only the beginning with John Wesley.
He was born May 26, 1853 in Bonham Texas, the son of a Methodist preacher. He was named for the founder of that church. So much for what’s in a name. He grew up on the south side of the civil war and never got over it. He hated Yankees and blacks both of whom are numbered among his victims, starting at age fifteen. At eighteen he hired onto an Abilene cattle drive. By the time the herd arrived, his gun and temper had considerably reduced payroll expense in favor of his employer.
While in Abilene he hung out at Ben Thompson and Phil Coe’s Bull’s Head Saloon. Thompson considered Hardin’s gun a security asset to his establishment and plied his considerable thirst in return. Hardin became acquainted with city marshal Wild Bill Hickok. Most discount the story Hardin used the road-agent spin to throw down on Hickok. Instead the two regarded one another with a healthy respect. When Hardin’s temper inevitably led to bloodshed, he fled. I am told by his distant cousin, Donnie Adams, Hardin was fearful of facing Hickok.
Hardin returned to Texas, married and had three children. His attempt to settle down proved short lived. In 1873 he got into a dust-up over Reconstruction politics, killing a former police officer. In 1874 he the killed Brown County Sheriff and his deputy. The family fled to Florida. Texas Rangers arrested him in Pensacola.
Convicted of murder, he served a 16 year prison term. He studied law in prison and on release, was admitted to the Texas bar. We could comment here on his change of profession; but let’s not offend any of our murderer friends. In a twist of irony, Hardin was killed by a man he hired to kill another man in a dispute over a woman.
Next Week: Bat Masterson
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
He was born May 26, 1853 in Bonham Texas, the son of a Methodist preacher. He was named for the founder of that church. So much for what’s in a name. He grew up on the south side of the civil war and never got over it. He hated Yankees and blacks both of whom are numbered among his victims, starting at age fifteen. At eighteen he hired onto an Abilene cattle drive. By the time the herd arrived, his gun and temper had considerably reduced payroll expense in favor of his employer.
While in Abilene he hung out at Ben Thompson and Phil Coe’s Bull’s Head Saloon. Thompson considered Hardin’s gun a security asset to his establishment and plied his considerable thirst in return. Hardin became acquainted with city marshal Wild Bill Hickok. Most discount the story Hardin used the road-agent spin to throw down on Hickok. Instead the two regarded one another with a healthy respect. When Hardin’s temper inevitably led to bloodshed, he fled. I am told by his distant cousin, Donnie Adams, Hardin was fearful of facing Hickok.
Hardin returned to Texas, married and had three children. His attempt to settle down proved short lived. In 1873 he got into a dust-up over Reconstruction politics, killing a former police officer. In 1874 he the killed Brown County Sheriff and his deputy. The family fled to Florida. Texas Rangers arrested him in Pensacola.
Convicted of murder, he served a 16 year prison term. He studied law in prison and on release, was admitted to the Texas bar. We could comment here on his change of profession; but let’s not offend any of our murderer friends. In a twist of irony, Hardin was killed by a man he hired to kill another man in a dispute over a woman.
Next Week: Bat Masterson
Return to Facebook to comment.
Ride easy,
Paul
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