Original framed cabinet photograph circa 1890s of John Wilson Vermillion. Contemporarily IDed on the back of the image, JWV carved in the back of the frame, and documented in a letter written to his wife Nannie Fleenor Vermillion by a personal friend of the Vermillion's and a member of Vermillion's church. In the letter, she acknowledges receipt of the framed photograph, a prayer book, and a small box that had belonged to Rev. Vermillion from Nannie after Rev. Vermillion's death. . I have all three items and the letter.
Vermillion was a Confederate soldier under General Joseph Wheeler and Nathan Bedford Forrest during the Civil War. After the War, the went to Dodge City in in late 1870s where he met the Earps and Doc Holliday. He is listed as a special policeman under Virgil Earp during the Tombstone fire in 1881. After the killing of Morgan Earp in 1882, he rode with Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday during the Vendetta ride. In 1883 he was back in Dodge City, Kansas on the side of Bat Masterson during the Dodge City War. After that he became involved with the Soapy Smith gang in 1888 in Idaho. Circa 1890, He went back to Virginia and settled in the town of Big Stone Gap and worked as a Methodist preacher. He died in Virginia with his second wife Nannie Fleenor Vermillion and one son, Opie Vermillion, and a daughter Minnie Bell Vermillion, in 1911. His grave along with his wife is in Mendota Cemetery in Virginia. This photograph of "Texas Jack Vermillion" is 100% documented and authentic.
