This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: PatriciaATurner26 Surnames: Hardin, Hickok Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.kansas.counties.dickinson/489.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Located the following re Hardin in 1871: First time in Abilene, Kansas The Bull's Head Tavern, in Abilene, had been established by gambler, Ben Thompson, along with businessman and gambler, Phil Coe. The two entrepreneurs had painted a picture of a bull with a large erect penis on the side of their establishment as an advertisement. Citizens of the town complained to town marshal, "Wild Bill" Hickok. When Thompson and Coe refused his request to remove the bull, Hickok altered it himself. Infuriated, Thompson tried to incite his new acquaintance, Hardin, by exclaiming to him: "He's a damn Yankee. Picks on Rebels, especially Texans, to kill." Hardin, then under the assumed name, "Wesley Clemmons" (but better known to the townspeople by the alias, "Little Arkansas"), seemed to have had respect for Hickok, and replied, "If Wild Bill needs killin', why don't you kill him yourself?"[8] Later that night, Hardin was confronted by Hickok, who told him to hand over his guns, which he did. Hickok had no knowledge of Hardin being a wanted man, and he advis! ed Hardin to avoid problems while in Abilene. Second Abilene encounter with "Wild Bill" Hickok Hardin again met up with Marshal Hickok, while on a cattle drive in August 1871. This time, Hickok allowed Hardin to carry his pistols in Abilene -something he had never allowed others to do. For his part, Hardin (still using his alias), was fascinated by Wild Bill and reveled at being seen on intimate terms with such a celebrated gunfighter. Found today on http://www.ask.com/wiki/John_Wesley_Hardin#First_time_in_Abilene.2C_Kansas Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.