John Wesly Hardin
(May 26, 1853—August 19, 1895) was an outlaw, gunfighter, and "folk hero" of the Old West. He was born in Bonham, Texas. Hardin found himself in trouble with the law at an early age, and spent the majority of his life being pursued by both local lawmen and federal troops of the reconstruction era. He often hid in his family and friends houses to hide from the law. When Hardin was finally captured and sent to prison in 1878, he claimed to have already killed 42 men, but newspapers at the time had attributed only 27 killings to him up to that point. While in prison, Hardin wrote his autobiography and studied law, to prepare to make a living as an attorney after his release. He was released in 1894. In August 1895, Hardin was shot to death by John Selman, Sr. in the Acme Saloon, in downtown El Paso, Texas. His law firm business card was recently sold on the popular television show, Pawn Stars for $350.00
Victoriano Huerta
Mexican general and political leader who, in 1913, overthrew the first government to emerge from the Mexican Revolution and became the executive of a counterrevolutionary regime. During the rule of Porfirio Díaz, Huerta's abilities brought him recognition and advancement to the rank of general. In 1901 he was in command of the military campaign which crushed the resistance of the Maya Indians. When Díaz's regime collapsed in 1911 and the aging dictator was forced into exile, Gen. Huerta commanded the escort which accompanied Díaz safely to Veracruz.
After living for a time in Forest Hills, N.Y., Huerta traveled to the southwest border to join other anti-regime plotters. Arrested for conspiracy, he died in El Paso on Jan. 13, 1916, shortly after being released for health reasons from Fort Bliss.
He was originally laid to rest in the crypt in the masonic section of Concordia Cemetery, years later his family moved his body from Concordia and across the Interstate 10 to Evergreen Cemetery.
After living for a time in Forest Hills, N.Y., Huerta traveled to the southwest border to join other anti-regime plotters. Arrested for conspiracy, he died in El Paso on Jan. 13, 1916, shortly after being released for health reasons from Fort Bliss.
He was originally laid to rest in the crypt in the masonic section of Concordia Cemetery, years later his family moved his body from Concordia and across the Interstate 10 to Evergreen Cemetery.
John Selman
(November 16, 1839-April 6, 1896) was an outlaw and sometimes lawman. He is best known as the man who shot outlaw John Wesley Hardin in the Acme Saloon in downtown El Paso on August 19, 1895. El Paso Policeman and Selman's son, John Selman, Jr. arrested the mistress of Hardin, Beluah Morose (or "the widow M'Rose"), for "brandishing a gun in public". Hardin confronted Selman Jr., and the two men had a verbal dispute. Upon being told of the argument, Selman Sr. approached Hardin on the afternoon of August 19, 1895, and the two exchanged angry words. That night, Hardin went to the Acme Saloon, where he began playing dice. Shortly before midnight, Selman Sr. walked in to the saloon to confront Hardin. Drawing his gun at the door, he fired and hit Hardin in the head, killing him instantly as he went for his gun. As Hardin lay on the floor, Selman fired three more shots into him. Selman was arrested for murder and stood trial. Selman testified that he had observed that Hardin had seen him enter in the mirror and Hardin had gone for his gun. Selman swore he fired in self defense, and a hung jury resulted in his being released on bond. On the night of April 5, 1896, Selman was killed in a shootout. The two men had been playing cards and gotten into an argument. Both men exited to the alley and "shot it out."
Selman was originally buried in a unmarked grave (now marked) in the Catholic section of Concordia Cemetery.
Selman was originally buried in a unmarked grave (now marked) in the Catholic section of Concordia Cemetery.
Jake Erlich
Erlich, who lived much of his life in El Paso , was a movie star featured in several silent films, and he also was a circus performer for several years. But Erlich was famous mainly for being taller than everyone else.
In fact, he was once named the "Tallest Man in the World," standing, by most accounts, at 8 feet, inches tall.
Jake Erlich died in 1952 at the age of 46.
Jake Erlich also was a painter and a poet. He published a book of poetry titled "The Long Shadows." Erlich is buried in the Jewish section of Concordia and according to personnel, a large spiral monument stands in his burial place and can be seen from the interstate.
In fact, he was once named the "Tallest Man in the World," standing, by most accounts, at 8 feet, inches tall.
Jake Erlich died in 1952 at the age of 46.
Jake Erlich also was a painter and a poet. He published a book of poetry titled "The Long Shadows." Erlich is buried in the Jewish section of Concordia and according to personnel, a large spiral monument stands in his burial place and can be seen from the interstate.
"Lady Flo"
Florida J. Wolfe, also known as “Lady Flo,” was one of the most remarkable and mysterious Black women to live in El Paso. Common law wife to Irish Lord Delaval James Beresford, who owned cotton plantations and cattle ranches in Canada, the southwestern United States and Mexico, Lady Flo was a proud African American woman who flaunted tradition, but in her good-hearted, generous manner earned the respect of citizens on both sides of border.
Lady Flo’s relationship with Lord Beresford made it easier for them to live in Mexico as Texas law in l893 prevented interracial marriage or living together. The couple frequently traveled between Cuidad Juarez and El Paso in a multi-person entourage. Lady Flo gave grand parties and made contributions to the El Paso Fire Department and Police Department. With Lord Beresford’s death in a train wreck in Minnesota in December l906, Lady Flo claimed his property as his common law wife. Using her knowledge of ranching and farming, she expanded the ranch's production after his death.
Florida J. Wolfe developed tuberculosis and died in May 1913.
Lady Flo’s relationship with Lord Beresford made it easier for them to live in Mexico as Texas law in l893 prevented interracial marriage or living together. The couple frequently traveled between Cuidad Juarez and El Paso in a multi-person entourage. Lady Flo gave grand parties and made contributions to the El Paso Fire Department and Police Department. With Lord Beresford’s death in a train wreck in Minnesota in December l906, Lady Flo claimed his property as his common law wife. Using her knowledge of ranching and farming, she expanded the ranch's production after his death.
Florida J. Wolfe developed tuberculosis and died in May 1913.