An old cowboy camp?

[thrillathahunt]

Hello all,

It's been a while since I have posted in Today's Finds, but I have been doing a bit of research about a man named John Wesley Hardin. This late 19th centuryTexas outlaw once rode as a cowboy up the Chisholm Trail driving cattle through central Texas on up to Abilene, Kansas.

Through my research, I think I have located an old camp once used by him and/or other cowboys of the period (1868-1888). After a couple of recon trips I secured permission from the land owner and located an old camp site near a creek. These relics were scattered about around a 20 yard radius.

Could these actually be relics of one of John Wesley Hardin's camps? I will never know for sure, but it's great to let the imagination wander, and who knows, they just could be.

 

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[Burdie]

I would say you hit it on the nail. Congrats.

 

[truckinbutch]

Had to have been a rush With a start like that I hope you get to go back .

 

[oldcoon]

I don't know about John Wesley Hardin but you sure found the makings of some old camp. If possible I'd go back and work that site some more. Good luck and happy hunting.

 

[allen]

that $20 gold piece is still waiting on you !!

 

[Metal Magnet]

neat finds and great research...it pays off.

 

[littlebill31]

Cool stuff!!!!
John Wesley Hardin was a crazy dude. One of the first "Public Enemy No. 1". He was actually a lawyer too. Some of his autographed business cards, "John Wesley Hardin Esq." go for serious money. Great finds!!

Oh, I think on "American Pickers", or one of those shows, they talked to a man who has one of his pistols. His personal items are very, very sought after. BIG bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously. If you can collect a bunch more info and verify the area, finds, ect. you may have a really interesting, documented collection there.

 

[worldtalker]

Looks as ifin somebody stayed a spell!Who knows what you stumbled on,Looks Good to me!!!!

 

[steelheadwill]

JW Hardin...
So Mean He once shot a man for snoring (so I heard)
Looks like you got a site, looking forward to seeing more from you! HH

 

[aquachigger]

Neat story and cool relics. Thanks for sharing...

 

[High Plains Digger]

You probably have a drive camp, and that is cool research to find that. JWH? Well,.....................maybe or maybe not. I suspect the area would have been camped in a dozen times every year, and for the 10 or 15 years or so before the RR came into Texas. Other than if the grass has all been eaten off, there would have been no reason that the next guy or a guy a month later wouldn't have liked the same place--big shady tree, grass, water, and some defenseability.

There was a program a while back about the guys that figured out where the camps of Santa Anna were when he was on his way to the Alamo.

One of your bullets, at least, appears to be a 20th century bullet, by definition with the reeding. Or so I have been told. I suppose antelope or deer hunters would have enjoyed a camp there, also.