The State of County of El Paso Know All Men By These Presents:

WHEREAS, the last decade of the 19th Century saw El Paso and El Paso County labeled as the “Gun Fight Capital of the World.” As one of the last wide-open frontier communities, El Paso had the highest concentration of men with reputations with a gun; and,

WHEREAS, on March 30th, 1895 the most famous gunman of them all, arrived in El Paso to assist in prosecuting a case of attempted murder; and,

WHEREAS, while serving in Huntsville for the murder of Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb, Hardin read law, and upon his pardon in 1894, passed the bar exam and was admitted to practice law in the State of Texas; and,

WHEREAS, on the night of August 19th, 1895 Constable John Selman did shoot John Wesley Hardin as he played dice in the Acme Saloon on Street, the body laying on the floor as many citizens of El Paso assembled to get a glimpse of the dead ; and,

WHEREAS, John Wesley Hardin was buried at Concordia Cemetery, where his grave remains today, attracting tourists from around the world; and,

WHEREAS, because of John Wesley Hardin, El Paso formed the first local Bar Association in the State of Texas in 1897, to prevent the likes of Hardin from practicing law in the county ever again.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the El Paso County Judge and Commissioners’ Court that true recognition be given that August 19th marks the 116th anniversary of the demise of famed Gunman, turned Attorney, John Wesley Hardin in El Paso.

Signed this 15th day of August, 2011.

______Commissioner Annabell Perez, Pct. 1 Commissioner, Sergio Lewis, Pct. 2

______Commissioner Willie Gandara, Jr., Pct. 3 Commissioner Daniel R. Haggerty, Pct. 4

______Veronica Escobar County Judge