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John Wesley Hardin, Gunslinger Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

low on cache: The owners of the wall must have decided to bulldoze it down. Too bad, that wall has been there since the 1800's. It is sad to loose a piece of history.

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Hidden : 7/30/2005
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

A Gunfight Between Texas Ranger Charlie Webb and John Wesley Hardin is reenacted every year in May in the streets of Comanche right in front of the rock wall where the cache is hidden. The cache is hidden within the rock wall about 4 feet off the ground. Be cautious of the wooden walk, it's quite old, possibly making it easier to approach from the back.

John Wesley Hardin was a gunslinger who was rumored to have killed more than 40 people in his lifetime. The town of Comamche TX has a festival every year in his honor (they believe he was just misunderstood. Hardin was the epitome of the western gun fighter. In terms of speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness, there was probably no one better. He led a life of hatred, murder, and constant fear of being captured. Throughout his 7 years of gun fighting, he is attributed with at least 41 killings. The first 31 killings did not concern most people because the kind of people that had been killed may have had it coming to them. That all changed when former Texas Ranger Charlie Webb was gunned down. It was a normal day in May 1874 that forever changed the life of Hardin, and everyone who knew him. On this particular day, Hardin had heard that former Texas Ranger Charlie Webb was looking for him, but Hardin thought nothing of and continued playing cards. Hardin, then 21 years old, saw Webb walking up the street. Hardin got up and walked outside, followed closely behind by 2 of his cronies. There is some speculation to what exactly Hardin did in response to Webb, but it is believed that he thought Webb would back down, which he didn't do. Hardin may not have been prepared for Webb's quickness, and when the bullets started flying, Hardin took a bullet to the side and Webb was shot in the face. if it had been one on one, Webb may have won, but that wasn't how it was, and Hardin's cronies finished off Webb. Almost immediately a lynch mob formed and Hardin was forced to flee. Comanche no longer was Hardin's safe haven. Hardin's parents, wife, brother, and cousins were taken into custody for their own protection. It didn't help. A large group of Texas Rangers broke into the jail and took Hardin's brother and cousins and hung them. Popular lore says that the nooses were not long enough and grass was found in the toes of the dead men. Within days, 8 members of Hardin's family were killed. When Hardin found out, he was enraged and vowed to kill any and every ranger that was involved. Hardin was found guilty of 2nd degree murder for the death Webb, and was sentenced to 25 years. After several prison break attempts, Hardin settled down, and became a model prisoner, even receiving his law degree. After 16 years he was paroled and set up a law business. This business floundered and soon Hardin turned to gambling. During the late evening of August 19, 1895, Hardin entered the Acme Saloon at the northwest corner of San Antonio and Mesa streets. He picked up the dice, rolled them down the bar, turned to a grocer and said, "Brown, you have four sixes to beat." At that instant, Constable John Selman stepped through the door, fired four quick shots, and Hardin was history. Eye witnesses say Hardin even drew as he fell dead to the floor.

You will be looking for a green film cannister.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gur pragre qbbejnl vf gur pbeerpg cngu.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)