John Selman

John Selman (November 16,1839-April 6, 1896) was an outlaw and sometimes lawman of the Old West. He is best known as the man who murdered outlaw John Wesley Hardin.

Early life, service with the Confederacy

Selman was born in Madison County, Arkansas to an English father and an American mother. The 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 in the Civil War. He deserted in April of 1863.

Life as a lawman

On August 17,1865, Selman married Edna Degrafenreid, and the couple eventually had four children. He and his family moved to Fort Griffin, and in 1877 he became a deputy Inspector for hides working under fellow Inspector Shackelford County ex-Sheriff John M. Larn. During this time he crossed paths with several notable Old West personalities, such as Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and Dave Rudabaugh. Selman and Larn fought against rustlers and vigilante justice in the then very wild area of northwest Texas. The two were involved in several shootouts with bandits and outlaws during the period that followed, until one day when Selman was out of town, vigilantes shot Larn to death in a Albany Texas cell June 24, 1878-Larn had been arrested after six hides not belonging to him had been found behind his house.

Life as an outlaw

With vigilantes now hunting Selman, due to vengeance for several of their comrades he had either arrested or killed, he became less prominent and more elusive. His wife died in 1879, and he moved with his children to Lincoln County, New Mexico. There, he entered into life as an outlaw, organizing and leading a band of desperados called Selman's Scouts, which was also known as 'The Rustlers' which was later accused of numerous acts of rape and murder in that area. 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 Rangers, and taken to Shackelford County for trial.

Escape, return to law enforcement, later life

Selman escaped, and fled to Chihuahua, where he hid out until around 1888, when all charges against him were dropped. He then moved to El Paso, Texas, and on August 23, 1893, he married Romula Granadine. He began working as a Constable, and also spent time gambling. On April 5,1894, Selman killed a former Texas Ranger named Bass Outlaw during a drunken brawl in a brothel called "Tillie Howards"'. He was not arrested for the shooting, which was ruled justified.

In that shooting, Outlaw had already previously been ordered by Selman to return home to sleep off his intoxication, as Outlaw had verbally stated he intended to kill a local judge whom he felt had wronged him. Outlaw, however, entered the brothel, and shortly thereafter he became disruptive, discharging his pistol. Texas Ranger [http://www.odmp.org/officer/16764-private-joseph-w.-(joe)-mckidrict Joe McKidrict] , who knew Outlaw, attempted to calm him. Outlaw responded by shooting and killing Ranger McKidrict. Selman then confronted Outlaw, and a gunfight erupted. Selman was wounded twice in the thigh, and Outlaw was killed.

On August 19, 1895, El Paso lawman and Selmans son, John Selman jr arrested the gunman John Wesley Hardins mistress, the widow Monrose for "brandishing a gun in public". Hardin confronted Selman jr, and the two men had a verbal dispute. On being told of the argument Selman senior, approached Hardin and exchanged angry words. Hardin then went to the Acme Saloon, where he began playing dice. Shortly before midnight Selman senior walked in and saw Hardin with his back to him. Drawing his gun he put it to the back of Hardins head and pulled the trigger killing him instantly. As Hardins body lay on the floor Selman fired three more shots into him. Selman was arrested for the murder and stood trial where he claimed Hardin had seen him enter in the mirror and he had fired in self defense, a hung jury resulted in his being released on bond.

On the night of April 5,1896, Selman was killed in a shootout by US Marshal George Scarborough. Selman and Scarborough had been playing cards and got in an argument. Both exited to the alley and shot it out, after which Scarborough returned alone. Scarborough was arrested for murder as Selman had no gun however, just before his trial a thief was arrested and it was discovered he had Selman's gun. He stated he had seen the shooting and stolen the gun before the crowd arrived. Scarborough was then acquitted on murder charges and released. It has always been alleged that the argument that night was due to Scarborough having been good friends with Bass Outlaw, killed on that same date two years earlier by Selman.

On April 5, 1900, exactly four years after he shot John Selman, Scarborough was mortally wounded in a gunfight with two robbers. Selman was buried in an unmarked grave in the Catholic section of El Paso's Concordia Cemetery. To date, his exact grave location in the cemetery is not known.

Further reading

*http://www.frontiertimes.com/outlaws/selman.html
*http://www.selmanguestranch.com/family.htm
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7998036 Find A Grave]
*http://www.amazon.com/John-Selman-Gunfighter-Leon-Claire/dp/0806124199 John Selman, Gunfighter. By Leon Claire Metz