John Selman

John Henry Selman (November 16, 1839 – April 5, 1896) was sometimes identified as an outlaw and sometimes a working lawman of the Old West. He is best known as the man who fatally shot John Wesley Hardin in the Acme Saloon in El Paso, Texas, on August 19, 1895.

Early life, service with the Confederacy John Henry Selman was born in Madison County, Arkansas. He was the son of Jeremiah Selman. The Selman family moved to Grayson County, Texas, in 1858.

After his father's death on December 16, 1861, Selman joined the 22nd Texas Cavalry and served during the Civil War.

On August 17, 1865, Selman married Edna Degraffenreid. The couple had four children. He and his family eventually moved to Fort Griffin in Shackelford County, Texas.

Life as a lawman

In 1877, Selman became a deputy inspector for hides, working under fellow inspector, ex-Shackleford County sheriff, John M. Larn. As a member of "Selman's Scouts", Bryant was killed by his members near Seven Rivers, New Mexico in September, 1878. His body was found near the corpses of Reese Gobly and James Irvin.

By 1880, the band had been driven from Lincoln County, and began operating in Jeff Davis County, Texas. Selman was captured shortly thereafter by Texas Ranger Joe McKidrict, and taken to Shackelford County for trial.

The murder of John Wesley Hardin El Paso policeman and Selman's son, John Jr., arrested the mistress of gunman John Wesley Hardin, Beulah M'rose (or "the widow M'Rose"), for "brandishing a gun in public." Hardin confronted the younger Selman about it and the two men had a verbal dispute.

In accounts supported by members of Selman's family Hardin pistol-whipped "Young John" Selman, and threatened his life. After hearing of the argument the elder Selman approached Hardin on the afternoon of August 19, 1895. The two exchanged angry words. That night Hardin went to the Acme Saloon and played dice. Shortly before midnight Selman walked into the saloon to confront Hardin. Drawing his gun at the door he walked up behind Hardin. He fired, shooting Hardin in the back of the head – supposedly as Hardin went for his gun – killing him instantly.

As Hardin lay on the floor, Selman fired three more shots into him. Selman was arrested, charged with murder and stood trial. He testified that he realised that Hardin had noticed him enter in the mirror and that Hardin had gone for his gun. Selman swore he fired in self-defense. A hung jury resulted in his release on bond, pending retrial.

Death On the night of April 5, 1896, Selman was killed in a shootout with US Marshal George Scarborough. Period newspaper accounts differ as to the exact nature of their bad blood; one account attributes it to an ongoing gambling dispute, while another states that Selman (who was tastefully described as having lived a "stormy life") had become an unpredictably violent drunk after the publicity and controversy of killing John Wesley Hardin. It was also widely speculated that Scarborough resented Selman's killing of his old friend Bass Outlaw; given that Outlaw's last act was to kill one of his own fellow Marshals (and seriously wound Selman) in a drunken frenzy at a whorehouse, this seems an unlikely grudge to hold.

Instead, especially considering Old John's dedication to his son, it is far more likely that Scarborough's testimony when tried for killing Selman was truthful, to wit: John Selman Jr. (known as "Young John") had fallen in love and eloped with a Mexican girl, whose father, an ambassador, disapproved. When they were found the father had the younger Selman jailed in Juarez. On the night of his death, Selman Sr., who was drinking with Scarborough, said he wanted to talk privately. According to Scarborough, they exited to the alley where Selman attempted to enlist him in a conspiracy to cross the border the next morning and stage a jail break to free Young John. Scarborough expressed sympathy but declined, stating "no bad breaks must be made in Juarez", whereupon Selman flew into a rage, exclaiming "You God damned son-of-a-bitch, I am going to kill you!" Selman drew first and Scarborough then shot him in self-defense. Selman died hours later.

When it was found that Selman's gun was not at the scene Scarborough was arrested for murder. Just before his trial, a thief, Cole Belmont, was arrested and it was then discovered that he had Selman's gun. The thief said he saw the shooting and stole the gun before the crowd arrived. Scarborough was acquitted and released.