John Wesley Hardin Shooting - Video

In 1895 the sheriff of El Paso tried to make the town a bit less deadly by outlawing the carrying of guns within city limits. In August of that year, Hardin's girlfriend was caught with a gun in the city and arrested by El Paso office, John Selman. Hardin, who had never completely learned to control his vicious temper, became angry. Bystanders overhead him threaten Selman for bothering his girl. Not long after, on this day in 1895, Selman went looking for Hardin. He found the famous gunman throwing dice at the bar of the Acme Saloon. Without a word, Selman walked up behind Hardin and killed him with a shot to the head.

Area: Central / Downtown

Source: Capstone Productions Inc.

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History