El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-05-10
WES HARDIN s
GAPT08 IS
NOW DEAD
Famous Texas Ranger Who
Captured the Desperate
in Florida Is No More.
HARDIN WAS LATER
KILLED IN Ell PASO

A USTIN, Tex, May lot was
"A during the 10 year period be-
= tween 1870 and 1880 that the
Texas rangers made their most not
able record in clearing the frontier
Of outlaws and Riding the state Of
many desperate men One Of the men
Who made a wide reputation for his
many daring deeds in the enforcement
of law and Ocder during those trOu-
blesome times was major John B.
Armstrong, who died a few days ago
at his 10000 acre ranch in the lower
border region of the state.
his most notable exploit was the
capture single-handed Of John Wes-
ley Hardin, a notorious Texas outlaw
VINO had murdered a number Of men
and who himself met death in FL Paso
Hardin had wounded several OF the
rangers among them Capt William
Scott Despite the fact that he was
seriously wounded, Scott brought Har-
Gin 10 Jail
Hardin was tried and got life sen
Iences out managed TO make his es-
cape. Armstrong was detailed 10
trail and find him and after several
months, located him in Florida, liv-
ing near the Everglades, expecting to
get into them when occasion arose
de did not know Armstrong, but
Armstrong knew him.
Hardin always was heavily armed
Armstrong knew that he must never
give the man any chance and yet he
determined to take his prisoner alive
he wanted also to 90 alone, for fear
that others might bungle matters. He
found, however. that il was necessary
70 have someone with him to attract
Ha4din's attention when necessary. He
found in Florida the man who knew
Hardin Enthusiastically. but whom Har-
din did not suspect. Armstrong and
MS companion came upon Hardin and
engaged the desperate in converse
Hardin was found standing by
well, and Armstrong; companion sug-
gested that Yves draw Up a bucket OF
water, as he was thirsty. Hardin set
his rifle down at tn his right, caught
the well rope in both hands and com
menced TO lower the bucket While he
was leaning over the wei, Armstrong
EOAeQ Two pistols under Hardin's
nose, as he kicked the rifle to one
side He made Hardin's acquaintance
place a pair Of handcUffs on the mans
wrist, and then marched him to the
railway depot He was determined nor
u give him chance to sue out q writ
o. habeas corpus, which he was afraid
Hardin might attempt to do if he re-
NAMED there long He read his vvrir
70 the prisoner on his way 10 the
tla1ns told him who he was. and thar
ne would brook no delay nor lose any
LlHhe IN taxing him back to Texas
Hardin was so overwhelmed that ne
dlQ not have time to make plans
- me tram came a few minutes after
marshall, the deputy sheriff and the
local police authorities were almost as
greatly surprised as Hardin. They
aid not know until they saw Armstrong
with his prisoner at the depot who
he was They offered to help him
escort Hardin to Jacksonville and ali
the way back TO Texas, but Arm
strong knew he could cope with his
captive and while he expressed
tnanktuI appreciation Of their efforts
ne brought his prisoner back without
assistance He gave Hardin from the
start 10 understand that he was to
play no tricks or make any attempt
10 escape or he would die Hardin
had often heard OF Armstrong. and
knew he had met his master He
promised his captOr to behave, pledged
MS honor not to make any attempt TO
get away, and not TO attempt to get
a writ from any court
The stop at Jacksonville was brief
me journey was unbrOken from
there to New Orleans where Arm
strong stopped over TO set some
sleep, having Hardin locked I'D in the
parish prison while the ranger took
needed rest to enable him to continue
the Journey He got his prisoner
back TO Texas, delivered him to the
jail, took receipt FOR the prisoner
rom the sheriff, and then went back
70 his station and to duty. He was
lnen made a sergeant After Hardin
nad finished serving a long term in
prison he went to Ell PasO where he
was shot and killed in a saloon row.