The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-04
A BAD MAN DEAD.
An Old Timer at Southern Races Who
Once Killed FL Men in a Year.

LOUISVILLE, KY, March 23.-Jack
Hardy, the famous sporting man who
died suddenly at the New Orleans race
track Sunday, was we'll known here.
He had probably killed more men than
any other individual who ever lived il
this country, his record of thirty years
being one of constant strife and blood
shed. He spent much of his time here,
and a friend Of his related yesterday
how he killed twenty-one men in one
year.
'"Hardy sprang into prominence as
dangerous man about the beginning of
the civil war;" he said. "He attended
fair at backwoods town in Texas,
and among the features was horse
race. Hardy and his friends were inte-
rested in certain horse, and bet con-
siderable money that way. The horse
won, but there was big gang on the
other side, and they claimed a foul,
refusing to give up the money. A fight
resulted, and pistols were drawn by all.
Hardy's friends retreated, but he stood
his ground, and; taking aim with big
navy revolver, commenced firing. His
craftsmanship was so good that each
ofthe seven bullets the weapon con-
tained ended a life. Hardy was partly
protected bya post, but, in spite of
that, he was shot Eve times before the
fight ended, and for time lay at the
point of death.
"When Hardy recovered the others
of the gang swore that they would drive
him out of the State, and whenever he
met one of them fight ensued. AS
result, he killed twenty-one before the
year was over. For the last offence he
was outlawed, and a reward of $4,000
for his capture.was offered by the State.
He found refuge among the cattle
ranches, however, and when the war
began organized a body of rangers, and
with them Joined the Confederatearmy
His conduct throughout the war was
SO brave that he was granted a full
pardon by the Confederscy for all past
offences"
In 1866 Hardy became involved in
another difficulty. A Federal Officer,
who was stationed at a small post in
Texas, one day grossly insulted Hardy's
wife. She tod her husband, and putting
his pistol in his pocket he went in
search of the offender. The officer
knowing the dangerous character ofthe
man, retired to his house and locked
himself in. It was at night, but Hardy
went Immediately to the spot. Being
unable to obtain addmittance and
learning that the officer was in the
building, he set fire to the house and
stationed himself at some distance back
in the yard.
The officer endeavored to escape
through window, but, as soon as he
appeared, Hardy sent bullet through
his head, and be fell back in the room,
his body being consumed with the
building, and Hardy escaped punish
ment. He !afterward went to New Or
leans, where he killed four men.
Hardy's skill in shooting pistol was
remarkable. A few years ago he was at
the race track here one morning with
several friends, and the question of
craftsmanship arose. A small spot was
made on post about thirty.paces away,
and Hardy sent five bullets into the
same hole. He could hit silver quarter
four times out of five almost as far as he
could see it, and it is said that be never
shot at man in bis life that he did not
hit him.