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Colton, J. H.[1] "Hardy"[2]

American mapmaker. (July 5, 1800 – July 29, 1893)[1]

Born Joseph Hutchins Colton, he and his sons published reliable railroad and immigrant maps of the United States and other countries between 1830 and 1890.[1]

The Mavericks often carried Colton maps with them in their travels and considered them among the most reliable charts of the ever-changing landscape of the American West. Hence, they bestowed the nickname "Hardy" to the maps, as well as to their publisher.[2]

In April of 1879,[2] to gain the confidence of Jody Collins and his men in New Orleans, Bart Maverick embellished Brother Bret's ruse of their kidnapping plan of Lucky Blaire's son the year before by suggesting they might instead follow the "Hardy Colton method" in exacting a ransom from Henri Devereaux for his daughter Yvette's safe return.[3]

See: Hostage