The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 67, July 1963 - April, 1964 Page: 67
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Notes and Documents
used the autobiography as the main source for material, is that
of the saloon when Hardin was brought back to Comanche for
trial. There is a photograph to show that the saloon was on the
northwest corner in 188o, and an advertisement to show that it
was there in 1879. But when Webb was killed the saloon was on
the northeast corner of the square. The information given by
ex-Sheriff Games, Jim Nabers, and other pioneer citizens is sub-
stantiated by a letter written in 1897 by G. A. Beeman, the first
publisher of the Comanche Chief, and reprinted in the Golden
Anniversary Edition, published on June 6, 1924-
To pinpoint the location of the saloon, these men have either
written or said, "It was just where the First National Bank [which
used to be on the northeast corner of the square] is now."
The saloon faced south. There was a door in front, one in the
rear, and one that opened on a vacant lot between the saloon
and the side street to the east.
When Deputy Sheriff Wilson, a son-in-law of Jack Wright,
went to the saloon, Hardin had just invited the crowd to the
bar for another drink. Wilson told Hardin he wanted to speak
with him. They went outside. After they had walked about ten
steps Hardin stopped, saying they had gone far enough.
"You and the boys had better go home. These are the sheriff's
orders," Wilson said. "You are drinking and we don't want any-
thing started that might turn into a fight. We don't want any
trouble."
Hardin argued that nothing was going to happen.
"It's a violation of the law to carry a pistol," he was re-
minded.
"Oh, I'm not carrying a pistol," Hardin lied. "See?" He threw
open his coat. "My pistol is in the saloon, behind the bar."
Not having X-ray eyes, Wilson could not see the six-shooter hid-
den under the gunman's vest, nor the Smith and Wessons picked
up by Jack Wright and Joel Nabers where the desperado mounted
the horse on which he made his escape after he killed Webb. Not
knowing how skillful Hardin was at concealing weapons on his
body, the deputy sheriff did not search him, which probably was
lucky for Wilson if he put the proper value on his life. Hardin
promised to go home as soon as Jeff, his younger brother, brought
Joe's buggy to him.
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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/m1/87/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.