The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-09
TANNING A TERROR.


GALVESTON, Tex September 27.-The rep
resentatve OF the Republic az this point hay
ing occasion to visit the state penitentiary at
Huntsville q day or 30 since, there saw the
notorious John Wesley Hardin, in former
years tho terror of western Texas, and whose
hands are said to have been imbued in tho
blood of at least dozen men, although he was
convicted of but ono murder, that of deputy
sheriff in Brown county, and for which he ID
serving out sentence OF twenty-five years.
Hardin was born in Fannin county, in this
state, and Is now 80 years of age. He lived for
many years in Trinity county, being raised
near tho town of Sumter. His father, j. G..
Hardin, was an exemplary man, and young
Hardin was raised under strict discipline unfit
II or 10 years OF age, when he embarked upon
the career which finally landed him within
tho walls of the ponitentiary.
THE DE WITT COUNTY FEuDs.
in 1BG9-10 Harden turned up in Dewitt
county in western Texas, which was then
stirred from center to circumference by a blood
feud existing between what was known as the
Taylor and Sutton factions, and which was
carried on very much as the present Hatfield
McCoy vendetta on the borders of West Nir-
ginia and Kentucky. Affairs became SO bad
and murders so numerous that Governor
Davis dispatched forco of state police to the
scene under command Of Jack Helm, who
hold o commission rs captain. The result was
the murder of Helm as no WAS getting his
morse SnGa At n CROSSROADS DlaCkSIulthB g.. and
tho killing Of several of his men at different
times. Harden declined to say anything about
The killing of Holm, but stated that "the
yankees and state police" had gotten after
him without legal authority, and that he had
always avoided conflict, when possible, with
legally constituted officers Warrants, how
ever, were issued for him, but he managed to
elude arrest.
NUMBERING A DEPUTY.
On the Goth of june, 1874, Harden, James,
TAylnr nd a N n int . a
town OF Comanche with herd of cattle which
they stated they intended driving across the
plains. and congregatod in front of a saloon on
the only street in the place at the time. In a
few moments Charles Webb, deputy sheriff,
came down the street, and passing the party
started TO enter the saloon. Hardin called
him back and asking him II he was tho sheriff
Of Brown county, inquired II he had
warrant of arrest for him (Hardin). Webb
replied that ho was only q deputy sheriff,
and had no copies for Hardin, and
again started to so 70 friend who had called,
Charlie, come here" to which Hardin re-
piled: "Neyer mind We will attend TO Char
lie" Some other words passed, when Webb
exclaimed: Il am not afraid of you," and
made motion as II 10 draw his revolver
whom the Hardin party fired on him, and he
fell, discharging ono shot as his body touched
the ground. Hardin then deliberately walked
up 10 tho PROSTATE and dying man and fired
another shot into his body, killing him in
stanty The murderers then mounted their
horses and deliberately rode away
HUNTED DOWN.
a large reward was offered for the apprehen-
sion OF Hardin, and he fled from the state, GO
ing 90 Florida, whore he assumed the name of
Walker. being at jacksonville, Pensacola and
other parts In fancied security for several years
In 1870 Detective Jack Duncan, OF Dallas. as
cortaincd Hardin's whereabouts, and, taking a
posse, arrested him at q little station on the
railroad between Pensacola and Mo-
bile, securing him before he had an
opportunity TO use his gun" which was his
hnseparable companion. Hardin was brourbt
hack to Texas and placed ON trial for murder
at tho October term (lSlI) Of the district court
at Comanche. He was guarded 10y twenty
rangers and maintained an appearance Of in
difference while the testimony was being
the verdict assessing his punishment at twen-
ty-hye years in the penitentiary had ben rem
derod, he broke down and wept bitterly.
MS PRISON LIFR
In response 20 an inquiry made of Major
Thomas j. Goree, superintendent Of peniten-
tiaries, he said: Hardin was received here in
October 1878. and has been in tho prison
almost ten years. Soon after coming hero he
was put 10 work in the shoe-shop, running a
sewing machine and doing stitching ON Hne
boots, shoes, etc. This work becoming In
furious 10 his health, he was changed 70 the
taior-shop, where he Is now employed In max
ing quilts, etc, for prison use. Since the
latter part of 1885, or for three years past,
the prison records show no charge Of miscon-
duct against him. His conduct since that
time has been, and continues 10 be. as good as
could be desired. The records shows two
serious charges OF misconduct, one in Janu-
airy, 1879, and In January. 1880 both for con-
spiracy 90 escape No effort was made. but
the plots were discovered in time, and the
evidence showed him TO have been one of the
principal conspimtors. During his ten years
service the records show eleven charges Of
misconduct, but only two OF q serious nature
on which he loses about two and one-half
months communication OF time for good conduct
out OF say two years and three months full
time 60 which he would have been entitled II
no charges Of misconduct had been made
There will be no further trouble with him."
From this u viii appear that the Texas terror
has been eilectually tanned, the "dsciplining"
60 which he was subjected after tho discovery
Of his conspiraeies having thoroughly subdned
him. He has still nearly thirteen years 10
serve