The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 67, July 1963 - April, 1964 Page: 71
This periodical is part of the collection entitled: Southwestern Historical Quarterly and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Texas State Historical Association.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Notes and Documents
When the firing began, the men near the saloon scattered.
When it ended, there was no one on the spot except Hardin,
Taylor, Bud Dixon, Deputy Sheriff Frank Wilson, and the fatally
wounded Webb. Hardin has told that Wilson attempted to draw
his gun but he, Hardin, covered him as soon as he shot Webb,
and ordered him to throw up his hands, which Wilson did. There
is nothing to this effect in Wilson's testimony.
Pistol in hand, Hardin backed toward the saloon. Wilson tes-
tified that the gunman called to Taylor and Bud Dixon to "Fill up
[the pistols], boys, and hold the house." Another witness testified
that he shouted to them to "Shoot 'em, every damn one."
Whatever he called out, Hardin had told Taylor and Dixon to
fight rather than to submit to arrest.
Before Hardin reached the saloon he changed his mind. "I'll
give up to Wilson," he said. On seeing Sheriff Carnes, he changed
his mind again. "No, I'll give up to Carnes."
On the afternoon I went with my father to see John Carnes-
the only time I talked with him-the ex-sheriff was in bed,
propped up by pillows, having been sick for some time with an
illness from which he did not recover. His big frame was gaunt,
his usually florid face pallid, but he talked readily.
After he answered my question as to why Hardin had not been
arrested when he came to Comanche, he told me of a plan that had
been made to arrest both Hardin and Taylor. Though Carnes
made no mention of the races and I knew nothing about them at
the time, it was evident that the plan was formed the day of the
races and was to have been put into effect that night.
"The boys got to rowdyin' around so that something had to be
done," Carnes said. "We felt that if we could arrest Hardin and
Taylor we wouldn't have much trouble with the rest of the boys."
The best way to get Hardin and Taylor apart was through their
love of gambling.
The general meeting place of Comanche was in front of the
post office when the stage came in with the mail. While waiting
for the stage, certain men were to get up two games of poker.
These were to be played in saloons or gambling halls some dis-
tance apart. Hardin was to be asked to take a hand in one game,
Taylor in the other. At a given signal pistols were to be drawn on
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Matching Search Results
View one page within this issue that match your search.Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 67, July 1963 - April, 1964, periodical, 1964; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101197/m1/91/?q=%221777%22: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Texas State Historical Association.