John Wesley Hardin
Famous Texas/Local outlaw, John Wesley Hardin, blamed the Civil War for his turning to crime. His father was a traveling preacher and the man who taught John Wesley Hardin to shoot.
John Wesley Hardin
May 26, 1853- Died August 19, 1895
From a tintype made in
Abilene, Kansas 1871
Hardin killed his first man at the age of 15 and didn’t stop there. Hardin did not kill family or friends. However, everyone else was up for debate. He was a Confederate soldier at heart and was killed accordingly. During his time in Kansas, amongst the killing and gambling, he managed to cross paths with Wild Bill Hickok. John Wesley Hardin married Jane Bowen of Smiley, Texas, in 1872. Jane was said to be the love of his life. When the infamous Taylor-Sutton feud broke out Hardin sided with the “confederate” Taylors. At age 21 he started racing horses successfully and acquired some wealth. Using this wealth he began gambling and ended up killing Sheriff Charley Webb of Brown Country. This landed him in prison with a 25-year sentence. Hardin served 16 years before being pardoned by Governor Hogg.
He studied law throughout his time served and, unfortunately, Jane passed away. Hardin practiced law a little after being pardoned while continuing to gamble, drink, and kill. One of his famous girlfriends during this time period of his life was Helen Beulah. She was quite the match for Hardin. One fateful night he was standing at the bar of the Acme Saloon shaking dice for drinks when he was shot by Officer John Selman.