Historical Marker

John Wesley Hardin

Historical marker location:
274 East San Antonio Ave, El Paso, Texas
( Concordia Cemetery, Colpa exit of IH-10, bounded by Stevens, Yandell, and Crockett streets)
Marker installed: 1997

(May 26, 1853 - August 19, 1895) Born in Bonham, Texas, John Wesley Hardin was named for the founder of Methodism. "Wes" Hardin grew into a family man, cowboy, and outlaw who claimed to have killed more than 30 men. An unusual sort of gunslinger, Hardin considered himself a pillar of society who killed to save his own life. Hardin served 15 years in state prison for murder, was pardoned, then opened a law office in El Paso in May 1895. He was killed 3 months later by John Selman, an El Paso city constable. (1998).