El Paso in El Paso County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

John Wesley Hardin

Photographed By Richard Denney, December 26, 2007

1. John Wesley Hardin Marker

Inscription. The west's most feared gunman, killer of at least 26 men, was shot dead in the Acme Saloon on this site Aug. 19, 1895.

Hardin was shot in the back of the head by El Paso constable John Selman.

At Selman's trial witnesses testified: "If Hardin was shot in the eye it was excellent marksmanship, if he was shot in the back it was excellent Judgment."

Selman, out on bail, a few months later was killed in a gunfight.

Erected 1962 by State National Bank of El Paso, TX.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1800.

Location. 31° 45.495′ N, 106° 29.23′ W. Marker is in El Paso, Texas, in El Paso County. Marker is on East San Antonio Avenue. The marker is on the side of the building at 274 East San Antonio Ave. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 274 East San Antonio Ave, El Paso TX 79901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Elite Confectionary (within shouting distance of this marker); Singer Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of United States Courthouse (about 400 feet away); Nine of Primitive El Paso's Patriotic Heroes

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(about 500 feet away); El Paso's Chinese Community (about 500 feet away); The First Kindergarten in Texas (about 500 feet away); LULAC (about 500 feet away); The Woman's Club of El Paso (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Paso.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This is where he was captured in 1877.

Also see . . . John Wesley Hardin, Wikipedia article. “In January 1871, Hardin was arrested for the murder of Waco, Texas city marshal Laban John Hoffman, which he denied having committed. Following his arrest, he was held temporarily in a log jail in the town of Marshall, awaiting transfer to Waco for trial. While locked up, he bought a revolver from another prisoner. Two Texas State Policemen, Captain Edward T. Stakes and an officer named Jim Smalley, were assigned to escort Hardin to Waco for trial. According to Hardin, they tied him on a horse with no saddle for the trip. While making camp along the way, Hardin escaped when Stakes went to procure fodder for the horses. He claims he was left alone with Smalley, who began to taunt and beat the then-17-year-old

Site of Acme Saloon, El Paso, TX image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard Denney, December 26, 2007

2. Site of Acme Saloon, El Paso, TX

Marker is on wall, visible to left and below the "one-way" sign, lower left part of picture.

prisoner with the butt of a pistol. Hardin says he feigned crying and huddled against his pony’s flank. Hidden by the animal, he pulled out a gun, fatally shot Smalley, and used his horse to escape.” (Submitted on November 22, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)

Additional keywords. outlaws & renegades

This ferrotype photograph is a mirror image of John Wesley Hardin. image. Click for full size.

Via Wikimedia Commons

3. This ferrotype photograph is a mirror image of John Wesley Hardin.

Occupation: card sharp, school teacher, cowboy, cattle rustler, lawyer.

Concordia Cemetery, El Paso image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard Denney, December 25, 2007

4. Concordia Cemetery, El Paso

Both Hardin and Selman are buried at Concordia Cemetery. Franklin Mountains in background.

Grave of John Wesley Hardin, Concordia Cemetery, El Paso image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard Denney, December 25, 2007

5. Grave of John Wesley Hardin, Concordia Cemetery, El Paso

Grave of John Selman, Concordia Cemetery, El Paso image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard Denney, December 25, 2007

6. Grave of John Selman, Concordia Cemetery, El Paso

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 8,381 times since then and 144 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week August 17, 2014. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 3. submitted on August 16, 2014. 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 22, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.