"First Notch" Topic

Does anyone have a positive account of John Wesley Hardin's first killing. I have heard several accounts ranging in their depiction of young Hardin. First he supposedly killed a black peacekeeper who was striking and cursing at white men from the back of his horse. Second (and most revolting) he shot a black boy out of a tree for no reason. And just now that he killed black man in self-defense after the man waylaid him and threatened to kill him. The last one sounds a little to justifiable but it could be true. Wondered what you all heard. He was such a legend it is hard to get a true account of him. Some say he killed a dozen men, some around twenty, but most agree it was forty-two! No matter what he was a hard case!

I don't really think there is reliable info on this subject.

I can tell that, according to the book, John Wesley Hardin: Texas Gunman by Lewis Nordyke, the author relates a story about how a young Wes got into a wrestling match with a former slave named Mage and, out of spite, scratched the man's face. Mage got mad and threatened to shoot Wes, so tempers were flaring all around. The next day Wes encountered him (probably by accident) and shot the Black man three times in the chest (34-37).

However, this biography is from 1957 and, although quite good and fun to read, has been questioned regarding its facts and accuracy. It's not really apologetic to Hardin's lifestyle, but it doesn't seem neutral, either.

Nevertheless, the story is repeated on Wikipedia:
link
It's in the third paragraph under "Early Life."

Yes that is where I read that account. Just read another in The Shooters which sounds like it could be the real story. apparently Hardin was just walking along and a black man came up the road. When the man refused to get off the road so Hardin could have the whole road to himself he shot the man five times. The wiki story sounds a little too justifiable to me and I definitely don't believe Hardin would run for help for the man after shooting him point-blank five times!