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328 “There seems to be a feud existing between the Sheriff of that county & the city marshal of Pecos City, & some cittizens [sic] which is liable to terminate in trouble at any time, in fact I don’t think it will be Settled So long as the present Sheriff holds office— if I have been correctly informed by some of the citizens.” Special Texas Ranger Baz L. Outlaw to Adj. Gen. W. H. Mabry, September 6, 1893 ow Callie Lewis and John Wesley Hardin met, were introduced, and became more than mere acquaintances is uncertain. For his first Christmas as a free man he may have been lonely, and he and his brother Jeff attended a dance in London, only a dozen or so miles from county seat Junction in Kimble County. There he met the spirited young lady named Carolyn Lewis but known as Callie by everyone. She was born in Burnet, Texas, on July 23, 1879, the daughter of Capt. Lemuel L. “Lyn” and Mary Elizabeth Boyce Lewis, known as Bettie.1 From what we know about Callie Lewis she probably introduced herself to the man old enough to be her father, certainly a social faux pas at that time. His reputation certainly attracted her as he was, after all, the celebrity of the Hill Country .2 However they first met there was a definite attraction between them. On December 30 Callie wrote to “Mr. Hardin”—not yet “Wes”—a note in which she revealed her outgoing personality, one which in the mind of Hardin gave her “spunk,” but to her parents she was “forward.” She wrote: I guess you will be a little bit surprised to receive a note from me. Either that or think me Cheeky to address you first. [B]ut Chapter 20—Troubles in Pecos 329 you told me if I wanted to see you to let you know so I will tell you I will Expect you new years [.] Come and I will be glad To see you. She signed it “Your friend.” From December 30 to New Year’s Eve was only a matter of hours. What transpired was the briefest of courtships. On January 8, 1895, W. G. Boyle,3 Clerk of the County Court of Kimble County, issued a marriage license to Mr. John Wesley Hardin and Miss Callie Lewis. On the Callie Lewis at the age of 15 years, from the original card board mounted portrait made by Iowa-born photographer William H. Curtis; studio located at 227-½ Houston Street, San Antonio. Courtesy The John Wesley Hardin Papers, the Wittliff Collections, Texas State University. 330 Chapter 20—Troubles in Pecos following day Fred Wahrmund,4 Justice of the Peace of Precinct No. 6, united the pair in holy matrimony. London may have experienced somewhat of a shock when the news was made public. The newspapers were ecstatic, noting that London was “still in the swim.” The reporter for the Kimble County Citizen continued with the great news, alerting the community that “[w]e now come to the front with one of the most romantic weddings of the season. . . .” Hardin needed no introduction to the public, but the reporter understated the obvious by saying he was “well known throughout the state.” Miss Lewis was described as “a model young lady” who would be “greatly missed in our social order as she was the life of all social gatherings.” Hardin was “a comparative stranger to us, [who] has the appearance of a nice gentleman and we bespeak for him many days of happiness and pleasure yet on earth and a home in heaven when he dies.” The Citizen reported that Hardin would leave in the morning with his “beautiful and blushing bride” for Austin. He reportedly intended to make his home there “and write his life.”5 Per the custom of the times citizens of Junction arranged for a ball to celebrate the wedding; friends and acquaintances could gather in friendship ; the elite of the county were invited of course as well as the notso -elite. The dance was to be held in the courthouse with a band that would begin the festivities with “Over the Waves” when the couple made their appearance. Who all was in attendance is unknown, but young John Spruill was. He was only seven years old in 1895, but in his later years he recalled Hardin as “a very nice guy. He laughed and had good manners , and a lot of people liked him.” He added, “Course, there...

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