Freestone County, Texas
Biographies


John Wesley Hardin (May 26, 1853 – August 19, 1895) was an American Old West 
outlaw, gunfighter, and controversial folk icon. Hardin often got into trouble 
with the law from an early age. He killed his first man at the age of 15, claiming 
he did so in self-defense.

Pursued by lawmen for most of his life, in 1877 at the age of 23, he was sentenced 
to 24 years in prison for murder.


January 22, 1871: Hardin killed Texas State Police officer Jim Smalley and escaped. 
Up to November 13, 1872, the Grand Jury of Freestone County, Texas had not filed 
an indictment against Hardin for Smalley's killing.