The 19th Century Government Was SLOW too!

[Fredda Davis Jones]

JOHN WESLEY HARDIN

The following was printed in Comanche, Texas in the Comanche Chief on May 22, 1879, and it is especially interesting to me since I have spent years researching John Wesley Hardin as well as Comanche County.

Now, there are several reasons why I find this article very interesting.

First of all, let’s get our dates ironed out in our minds. It was in 1874 right here in Comanche, Texas that John Wesley Hardin supposedly killed Charlie Webb.

I say supposedly only because I found an old newspaper article where the judge in the case later claimed that Hardin was given a second degree sentence because there was some speculation that it might have actually been Hardin cousin Bud Dixson who killed Webb.

(Yes, I realize that that’s a “whole nuther” story in itself, but we are going to ignore it for now.)

The second date that we need to put on the timeline is 1877 because that is the year when Hardin was captured and brought back to Comanche for trial.

(There are some rather humorous accounts between 1874 and 1877 of rumors, etc. that kept many of the Comanche County men living in fear of Hardin’s return for revenge!)

Our third date on the timeline is 1879, the year of this particular notice in the Chief, and two years after John Wesley Hardin was tried and sent to prison. Does it seem a little strange to you that the government is finally asking for the guns it loaned Comanche men for protection from Hardin?

Or…do you suppose that the more things change, the more they stay the same? …Fredda Davis Jones

Timely Notice

“All parties having guns in their possessions that were issued to the Comanche Guards during the Hardin troubles are requested to bring them in and deposit them with Wm. Carroll or the state authorities will take steps to punish all who refuse to deliver up the guns.”–J.A. Wright, J.D. Stephens

[Ron "Six Gun Preacher"]

I was watching a show the other day that was talking about Mr. Harden and how he became an attorney while in jail! They said he was shot in the back when he said he was going to shoot a local constable for trying to jail his girlfriend! Is any of this true?

[Fredda Davis Jones]

Yes, JWH served 15 years of a 25 year sentence, and then was pardoned. While in prison he had become an attorney. He was killed in El Paso in 1895 by John Selman, who ironically enough had once been in jail here in Comanche as well.

You are correct about him being shot in the back. He was playing cards and supposedly said something to the effect of "4 sixes to beat," showed his cards, and looked up into the mirror in time to see himself shot in the back.

 

Of course, the story is much, much more involved and it was actually Selman's son who got into some type of wrangle with the woman. Supposedly dad killed JWH to keep him from killing his son; however, Selman senior wasn't much more than an outlaw himself so I don't know.

[Ron "Six Gun Preacher"]

Thank you mam! I just love history when told by someone who really knows what they are talking about! If you ever come accross any of JWH business cards they are worth alot if they are real!

[Fredda Davis Jones]

Had no idea that he ever had any!

Because the event which landed JWH in prison happened here where I live, I've spent years on the research just because it interested me. Of course, the murders of so many of his family by a local mob also gripped my sympathy.

The man came from doctors, lawyers, merchants, and chiefs. There were judges and counties named after them, and then in one generation in the middle of war and reconstruction, everything went south for the entire family.

[Ron "Six Gun Preacher"]

I was watching the History Channel and a man had one and a so called expert said it was real and they gave the owner $350 for it! Said he baught it at a yard sale!

[Fredda Davis Jones]

Hmmmm....I wish I had some of them! Also, I forgot to tell you that I thought it funny (actually, not funny at all) that I found a 1874 Comanche Chief (newspaper) where the prosecutor was asked why JWH only got a 2nd degree murder conviction for a 1st degree murder.

The prosecutor's answer was that they weren't sure that it was actually JWH's bullet that killed Charlie Webb!

[Ron "Six Gun Preacher"]

I am shure even back then a prosecutor could have been bribed??Have you written a book on JWH?

 

[Fredda Davis Jones]

No, I haven't. I written lots on him but not a book. The only book I have out at the moment covers 10 years on the Texas Frontier from 1854-1963. I may make a brief reference to him, but he's not old enough in that decade for much discussion.

[Ron "Six Gun Preacher"]

If you write one please let me know!  What is the title of your other book?

[Fredda Davis Jones]

http://www.betterworldbooks.com/the-view-from-the-old-oak-tree-id-1... The View From The Old Oak Tree. Thanks!