BOOK – THE LIFE OF JOHM WESLEY HARDIN – FIRST ED. 1896 - WRAPS
Hardin, John Wesley, Illustrated by Onderdonk, R. J. The Life John Wesley Hardin, from the Original Manuscript as Written By Himself. Seguin, Texas: Smith & Moore, 1896 Original Wraps. Very Good/No Jacket. This is the first edition, second issue with the  portrait of John Wesley Hardin correcting the misidentification of the portrait on page 3 "Joe Hardin." in original stiff wrap covers measures 7 1/2 x 5 inches, 144 pages. Autobiography of one of the most famous Texas outlaws and killers. Son of a preacher-lawyer who became one of the most notorious outlaws of his day. The manuscript of Hardin's biography was found in a trunk and a lawsuit over the ownership of the trunk ensued. Hardin's son won control and the book was published in 1896. Hardin's daughters objected and the book was withdrawn from circulation a few days after publication and stored in a San Antonio, Texas warehouse. The warehouse burned and destroyed the entire edition except for 400 copies sold surreptitiously to a local bookseller. These were later sold off a few at a time. The edition has now become rare as cited in John H. Jenkins' Basic Texas Books. Illustrations throughout, back cover is an illustration entitled " The Arrest At Pensacola". Hardin was eventually arrested, went to prison, became somewhat of a model prisoner and eventually was paroled and became a lawyer. This is listed item in Basic Texas Books by John H. Jenkins item #84, listed Adams SixGuns 919, Adams 150, item 166, Agatha, page 84, Graff item 1780, Howes H-188, Rader item 1773. Considered quite scarce.
Wraps, back cover printed somewhat light , internally good, no torn pages, some age toning, top 1” edge of spine missing, bit of soiling on title page, b/r tip of front cover torn.
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