Map: Old Territory and Military Department of New Mexico 1859. (Image credit: Library of Congress Geography and Map Division, Washington, D.C.)
Following Billy: Then and Now.
Preface.
The enduring fascination with Henry McCarthy, also known as Henry Antrim, Kid Antrim, William H. Bonney, Billy Bonney, the Kid, or the infamous Billy the Kid, has captivated history enthusiasts for generations. His life's story remains the subject of debate, with some celebrating him as a folk hero, while others condemn him as an outlaw. Filled with dramatic events, from his role as a Regulator in the Lincoln County War to his eventual demise, his story highlights the complexity of his character. As one of the most notorious figures in the annals of American history, Billy the Kid has left an unmistakable mark on the time period known as the ‘Frontier.’
Billy's distinction from other outlaws of his time lies in his unconventional criminal career. Unlike figures like Butch Cassidy, Cole Younger, or John Wesley Hardin, involved in train heists and bank robberies, Billy the Kid carved his notoriety through a different path. What truly set him apart was his pivotal role as a Regulator in the Lincoln County War—a conflict born out of a determination to challenge the system. This system of corruption was created by a group of powerful attorneys and land speculators known as the ‘Santa Fe Ring,’ who amassed a fortune through political corruption and fraudulent land deals.
The debate over Billy's demise, whether it was Sheriff Pat Garrett's shot on July 14, 1881, in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, or a well-executed escape plan, continues. However, to date, the escape theory lacks scientific or documented evidence to support any individuals who have claimed to be William H. Bonney.
As a devoted history enthusiast, several years ago, I decided to undertake a journey tracing the footsteps of Billy the Kid through his brief criminal career. To my surprise, I discovered that many locations connected to the Kid’s story remain accessible to the public. I have always been deeply fascinated by history, driving my desire to stand in the very spaces where significant events have taken place. The journey begins in Bonita, Arizona, at the site where Billy shot and killed his first man in 1877, and concludes four years and eleven months later in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, in 1881. This journey has taken me through an incredible landscape, providing both an educational experience and enlightenment while dispelling many myths.
At the project's outset, my goal was straightforward: compiling a collection of contemporary images showcasing historical sites tied to Billy's story. However, as I delved deeper into the narrative, the concise captions for these images naturally expanded to provide a more detailed account of what happened at these historic sites. It's essential to note that this isn't an exhaustive biography of Billy the Kid. The story has far more depth, and numerous books offer a more comprehensive view. The images and captions focus on places accessible to the public, enabling them to follow the path of his life. Together, they offer context to a collection of images that might otherwise seem devoid of meaning.
The tintype, which fetched $2.3 million in 2011, was originally taken outside Beaver Smith's Saloon in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, circa 1880. In this historic photograph, Billy the Kid is captured with a Colt Single Action Army on his hip, casually leaning on a Winchester Model 1873 carbine. Despite historical misconceptions, Billy was often misperceived as left-handed due to the reversed image created by tintypes. The most noticeable clue was the Winchester 73 loading gate appearing on the wrong side of the rifle in the original image. The corrected version (seen here), now on display in the Old Lincoln County Courthouse, vividly illustrates how Billy would have appeared while posing for the image.
Unraveling McCarthy's History.
In preparation for the trip to Arizona and New Mexico, I immersed myself in the world of Billy the Kid, dedicating over six months to researching and writing this project. This deep dive into his history began in August 2023 and was fueled by a fascination with the history of the American West—a subject that has captivated my imagination since I was a child, inspiring a lifelong curiosity that now drives a quest for a deeper understanding. Throughout my research, I delved into a multitude of media references dedicated to Billy the Kid: books, webpages, tourist sites, podcasts, YouTube videos, documentaries, films, university archives, state archives, and the US Library of Congress—just to name a few. Within this expansive array of information, often clouded by myths and falsehoods, my objective was to unravel the truth.
Embarking on any form of historical research unveils the challenges of meticulously sifting through a deluge of regurgitated misinformation. For instance, a cursory Wikipedia search for Billy the Kid asserts that he is of Irish origin, born Henry McCarthy on November 23, 1859, in New York City. However, this claim lacks any recorded documentation of Henry hailing from New York; in fact, no verified archival records related to Henry exist until June 18, 1868, when his mother, Catherine McCarty, appears in a census in Anderson, Indiana. Her name appears with sons William Henry (later to become Billy the Kid) and Joseph McCarty. It was around this time that Catherine would meet William Henry Harrison Antrim, who would become a love interest. On August 10, 1870, Catherine, her two sons, and her newfound companion, Henry Antrim, made the journey from Indiana to Wichita, Kansas. In Wichita, Catherine purchased real estate in her own name and started a laundry business. Catherine McCarthy would eventually marry Henry Antrim on March 1, 1873, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
In the opening line of Sheriff Pat Garrett’s biography, 'The Authentic Life of Billy, The Kid,' first published in 1882 and co-authored by Pat Garrett and ghostwriter Marshall Ashmun 'Ash' Upson (a journalist from Las Vegas, New Mexico), the book opens with, "William H. Bonney, the hero of this history, was born in the city of New York, November 23, 1859." The reference to New York in their manuscript marks the first recorded mention of such a connection. However, despite this assertion, there is no firsthand witness testimony from individuals intimately acquainted with Henry McCarthy, confirming his origin from New York or his birth in 1859. In Paco Anaya's book 'I Buried Billy,' Paco, a close associate of Billy, states that he and Billy were born in the same year, noting Billy’s birthdate as May 1862. A more detailed exploration of this discrepancy will be addressed later in the piece.
Did Upson merely assume that Henry McCarthy was born in New York because it was a major port of entry for Irish immigrants? Furthermore, according to Upson's own writing, is it a coincidence that young Henry had the same birthday, November 23, as Upson himself? I find it unlikely that a small-time journalist residing in 1880s Las Vegas, given the primitive frontier resources available, would embark on attempting to trace a relatively unknown criminal (as Billy the Kid was in 1881) to a city of approximately 590,000 people—on the speculation of a birthplace, in an Irish port of entry—for an opening line in a book.
The undeniable reality is that this purported New York narrative was fabricated, artfully concocted by Ashmun Upson to fill in gaps in McCarthy's history. Consequently, numerous historical biographies mistakenly uphold these inaccuracies as truth. A detailed breakdown of these inconsistencies will be explored later. Recognizing that any reference material opening with the controversial claim of New York was merely regurgitating the same old nonsense, I moved on without giving it any further credence. For now, it's fair to say that Henry McCarthy's origin remains lost to history.
After extensively researching Henry's history and navigating through the challenges of misinformation, I chose to embark on this journey starting in Bonita, Arizona—a pivotal point in young Henry's life where he found himself, in the eyes of the law, labeled a criminal and wanted for murder. Some historians argue that Henry’s criminal career started in Silver City, New Mexico. On September 25, 1875, he was arrested with George Schaefer (Sombrero Jack) for their alleged involvement in the theft of a bag of clothing and two pistols from a Chinese laundry. Legend has it that Henry served as a lookout while Schaefer carried out the robbery. Arrested by Sheriff Harvey H. Whitehill, a discerning man whose own children played with the Kid, later stated he locked up the boy just to "scare him straight." Whitehill had planned on releasing Henry in a few days and offering him a home in his own household. However, believing he faced potential larceny charges, a young and frightened Henry seized the opportunity to escape. His youth afforded him unrestricted access to the communal area of the jail, granting entry to a chimney. With his wiry frame, Henry shimmied up the flue onto the jailhouse roof and successfully fled.
Records show that in April 1876, Henry McCarthy resurfaced in Camp Grant, Arizona Territory, using the alias Henry Antrim (adopting his stepfather's last name). He worked as a busboy at the Hotel de Luna just outside the post, where he crossed paths with a horse thief named John Mackie. Mackie took the young Antrim under his wing, teaching him the illicit art of making money by stealing horses. On March 25, 1877, the duo found themselves arrested for horse theft involving army horses and were confined to the jail at Camp Grant. This incident marked the beginning of Henry Antrim's reputation as an escape artist; he successfully fled by exploiting a roof ventilation space. Despite his escape, he intriguingly chose to remain in the vicinity, settling in the small outpost of Bonita, Arizona Territory, a mere 4 miles from the camp. It is in Bonita that this pictorial narrative unfolds.
"The Authentic Life of Billy, the Kid" is a book written by Pat F. Garrett, with the assistance of ghostwriter Marshall Ashmun Upson. Published in 1882, just a year after the Kid's death, the book is one of the earliest and most well-known accounts of William Bonney’s life and exploits. It provides a firsthand perspective on the events surrounding the Kid's life, including his time as a cattle rustler, his involvement in the Lincoln County War, and his interactions with other historical figures of the Old West. Despite its title, the book has been criticized for its accuracy and reliability, with some historians questioning the extent to which Garrett embellished or distorted facts to portray William Bonney in a certain light. Nonetheless, "The Authentic Life of Billy, the Kid" remains an important and influential work in the realm of Wild West literature, continuing to fascinate readers interested in the legendary figure of Billy the Kid.
This copy is on permanent display at the museum in the old Lincoln County Courthouse, located in Lincoln, New Mexico.
The Atkins Cantina (Bonita Store).
In the late 19th century, nestled just a stone's throw from Camp Grant (now Fort Grant), Arizona, the quaint town of Bonita bore witness to a pivotal chapter in the legendary life of Henry Antrim, later to become Billy the Kid. In August 1877, this peaceful town became the setting for the Kid's first fatal encounter, a tale indelibly etched into local folklore at the town's sole saloon, the Atkins Cantina, also known as Hog Ranch—a derogatory nickname given to the establishment by the army, describing its abundant and unattractive prostitutes.
After fleeing his home in Silver City, New Mexico, where he had been jailed for a laundry theft, Henry became a wandering ranch hand and sheepherder across Arizona. Upon arriving at Camp Grant, he spent approximately a year working at the Hotel de Luna, first as a busboy and later as a cook. In 1877, Henry Antrim secured a job as a teamster at Camp Grant Army Post. There, he quickly became the target of a burly civilian blacksmith named Frank 'Windy' Cahill. Known for his abrasive demeanor and notorious for relentlessly bullying and taunting Henry, Cahill may have been driven by Henry’s popularity among others in the camp. He seemed to take delight in publicly humiliating the young man.
On the evening of August 17, 1877, Henry Antrim entered the Atkins Cantina. He appeared somewhat overdressed for the location, as described by one witness, "like a country Jake, wearing store pants and shoes instead of boots." He quietly joined a poker game, attempting to blend into the crowd as an unassuming figure. However, trouble began when Francis Cahill arrived and initiated a relentless barrage of provocations aimed at young Henry from across the bar.
Tensions flared rapidly when Cahill called Henry a “pimp." To this accusation, Henry responded sharply, saying, "You son of a bitch." Cahill charged at Henry and locked his arms around him, sparking a violent struggle that spilled out of a side door of the saloon. Cahill managed to pin Henry down, sitting on his chest, and began repeatedly shouting and slapping his face. In a desperate moment, Henry freed his right hand, drew a newly acquired Colt Single Action Army from his waist belt, and fired a single shot into Cahill's stomach, mortally wounding him. After the smoke cleared, Cahill collapsed from the abdominal wound, and Henry swiftly mounted the nearest horse and rode off. It later emerged that Henry had taken a prized racehorse, Cashaw, owned by John Murphy. However, after finding another horse, Henry had the prized animal returned to its owner.
Despite enduring prior abuse and facing Cahill's initial upper hand in the fight, Cahill was unarmed. The Coroner’s Jury declared the shooting unjustifiable. Consequently, Henry Antrim was wanted for murder, with the verdict rendered in absentia and dismissing any claims of self-defense. In response, Henry fled Arizona for the New Mexico Territory.
Cahill's relentless provocations, fueled by insults, played a significant role in this tragedy. As he lay dying, he disclosed that he had called Henry a pimp, sparking the violent confrontation. Francis Cahill found his final resting place in the Bonita Cemetery, forever etching his name into Bonita's history. Henry's escape from Bonita, Arizona, marked the beginning of his transformation into the infamous William H. Bonney.
The Bonita store, converted from the Atkins Cantina in 1882, was known colloquially by the army in 1877 as the 'Hog Ranch.' In the area adjacent to the store, towards the right (midway in the distance), there is a small tree—which now marks the site where the fateful altercation between Henry Antrim and Francis Cahill spilled out of the bar and onto the street. Amidst the dust and turmoil, Henry managed to draw his .44 caliber Colt Single Action Army revolver from his waist belt, delivering a fatal shot to Cahill's stomach. The spot, now marked by a solitary tree, serves as a poignant reminder of the violence that once echoed through these historic streets.
Although listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, the Atkins Cantina, now the Bonita store, is situated on private property. Unfortunately, access to the grounds and interior is not possible as the owners of the property reside offsite.
Francis P. Cahill holds the distinction of being the first man killed by Billy the Kid. A blacksmith, bully, and blowhard, earning him the nickname 'Windy.' Born in Ireland in 1846, he met his demise on August 18, 1877, succumbing to a mortal gunshot wound to the stomach inflicted by Henry Antrim.
La Mesilla, New Mexico:
Henry Antrim fled the murder charge in Bonita, Arizona, seeking refuge in La Mesilla, New Mexico. In September 1877, just a month later, he became a member of the infamous Jesse Evans gang, notorious for cattle rustling and violence. Henry adopted the alias William Henry Bonney, or Billy Bonney—possibly using his mother’s maiden name. As the law closed in on the gang, they were compelled to relocate to Lincoln County, New Mexico, situated approximately 150 miles northeast of Mesilla.
Mesilla, New Mexico, in 2024, continues to stand as a cultural gem. At the heart of this small community lies Mesilla Plaza, dominated by the Basilica of San Albino. The site's rich history dates back to 1852 when the first church was erected; the current Basilica was constructed in 1906. Mesilla boasts a centuries-old legacy, from the thriving indigenous tribes like the Manso, Apache, and Tigua in the fertile Mesilla Valley to Spanish exploration in the late 1500s. Established in the early 1820s, Mesilla became a crucial stop on the Camino Real trade route and, following the Gadsden Purchase in 1854, became part of American territory. During the Civil War, Mesilla briefly served as the Confederate Territory of Arizona's capital. Today, Mesilla's historic district, adorned with adobe buildings, unique shops, and a vibrant cultural scene, attracts visitors keen on experiencing its harmonious blend of Mexican and American influences, preserving its rich and diverse heritage.
The Butterfield Overland Mail Company, often known as the Butterfield Overland Stage, was a prominent stagecoach and mail delivery service in the mid-19th century. Established in 1858, its main route spanned from St. Louis, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, covering approximately 2,800 miles. In Mesilla, one of the stops along the route, the Butterfield Stage arrived at the Corn Exchange Hotel, situated at the intersection of Calle de Guadalupe and Calle de Parian. Colonel Joseph Bennett operated this stagecoach stop, providing essential services such as horse feeding and shoeing, as well as offering passengers and drivers a place to rest and refresh themselves before continuing their journey.
Ristras, the iconic strings of chile peppers adorning fences, patios, and portals across New Mexico, embody the spirit of the Southwest. In the autumn months, these vibrant displays can be found at farmer's markets and roadside stands, offering a taste of local tradition to visitors and residents alike. Beyond their culinary use, ristras serve as decorative accents, believed to bestow good health and good luck upon those who display them. With their rich colors and spicy aroma, ristras add a touch of charm and authenticity to any home or landscape, celebrating the rich heritage of New Mexico's culinary and cultural traditions.
The Move to Lincoln, New Mexico.
Lawrence Murphy, an Irish Catholic from County Wexford, Ireland, arrived in the United States during his youth. Following military service and discharge in 1866, he leveraged his military connections to secure contracts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1869, he partnered with Emil Fritz to establish 'L. G. Murphy & Co.' in Lincoln, New Mexico—dealing in cattle and dry goods—later bringing James Dolan on board in 1873. Hailing from Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland, Dolan, a Union Army veteran, swiftly advanced from Murphy's clerk to business partner by 1874. Together, they wielded influence over Lincoln County's mercantile and banking scene, participating in questionable land transactions. By 1878, Lawrence Murphy and James Dolan stood as prominent figures in Lincoln County, leading the Murphy-Dolan Mercantile and Cattle Enterprise—also known as 'The House.’ Their objective was to maintain a local monopoly and exert significant political and legal influence.
Upon arriving in Lincoln, the Jesse Evans gang, now with its newest member, William Bonney, formed alliances with the Murphy-Dolan Corporation—The House. Internal disputes within the Evans gang eventually led to William's arrest in November 1877 for rustling cattle from local rancher John Tunstall. However, amidst these gang conflicts, an unexpected lifeline appeared in the form of John Tunstall—a job! Tunstall's job offer provided William with a chance for a fresh start.
John Henry Tunstall, born March 6, 1853, in the London Borough of Hackney, London, England, played a pivotal role in the history of Lincoln County. He emigrated to the United States in his early twenties, driven by a desire for opportunities on the frontier. By the late 1870s, Tunstall had set his sights on Lincoln County, where he aimed to establish himself as both a businessman and a rancher. However, his ambitious plans clashed with the prevailing power structure, which was firmly controlled by L.G. Murphy & Dolan Co.
Tunstall's entrepreneurial spirit led to the formation of the Tunstall-McSween coalition, with lawyer Alexander McSween, presenting a bold challenge to the dominance of the Murphy-Dolan Corporation. Tunstall's efforts to dismantle the monopoly and promote healthy competition were central to the events that eventually ignited the Lincoln County War. With this new employment opportunity, William Bonney found himself aligned with the Tunstall-McSween coalition, placing him squarely on the opposite side of the divide from both the Jesse Evans gang, Lawrence Murphy, and James Dolan.
Lincoln, New Mexico
In 2024, Lincoln Main Street, now recognized as the Billy the Kid Trail, winds through the iconic small settlement of Lincoln, New Mexico. President Rutherford B. Hayes once bestowed upon it the title of “The Most Dangerous Street in America.” This unassuming road, permanently etched in history, adds a layer of intrigue as it carries the tales of the legendary Billy the Kid and the tumultuous events that unfolded in this picturesque town.
The Montaño Store, constructed prior to 1868, transitioned to state ownership in 1966. Originally operated as a store and boarding house, it served the community for over three decades following the Civil War under the stewardship of Jose Montaño and his wife, Josefa. Notably, the Montaños aligned themselves with the McSween faction, and during the Five Day Battle, their premises were utilized by some of those forces. Furthermore, Governor Lew Wallace found lodging here for several nights as he endeavored to arrange a clandestine meeting with Billy the Kid.
Torreón, a circular stone fortification erected by the earliest Hispanic settlers in the 1840s or 1850s, stands as a testament to the area's rich history. With a viga-constructed second floor and an open-roofed top story, this structure served as a lookout and defensive stronghold against raiding Apaches. Tradition holds that the Torreón was situated at the heart of a plaza surrounded by jacales, forming part of the settlements known as Las Placitas del Rio Bonito. In the mid-1930s, the Torreón underwent restoration by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), sponsored by the Chaves County Historical Society. Designated as state property in 1935, it is listed on the National Historic Register and the State Register of Cultural Properties, preserving its significance for future generations.
The Tunstall Store, constructed in 1878 with a portion of a building dating back to the 1850s, stands as a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of young Englishman John H. Tunstall. Expanding upon the original structure, Tunstall established a mercantile business aimed at competing with the influential L. G. Murphy Company nearby. Alongside serving as a mercantile, the building also housed a bank and law office for Tunstall's associates, John Chisum and Alexander McSween, while providing living quarters for Tunstall himself. This single-story structure, crafted from plastered adobe, features a wooden porch extending the length of its southern facade. Notable architectural elements include double-layered wooden shutters with a sheet of metal between, offering both durability and security. Originally flat-roofed, the addition of a pitched roof in 1886 by William Rosenthal & Co. added to the building's functionality and aesthetic appeal.
The Tunstall store, as it would have looked in 1878, stands as a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of its founder, John H. Tunstall. Situated in the heart of Lincoln, the store's adobe walls and wooden porch exude an air of rustic charm. Inside, shelves lined with goods cater to the needs of local ranchers, miners, and townsfolk.
Step into John Tunstall’s bedroom and sitting room, where original pieces of furniture provide a glimpse into the life of this influential figure. Displayed prominently are his trunk, transported all the way from the United Kingdom, alongside his cherished couch, brass bed frame, and petite vanity table. These meticulously preserved items offer a tangible connection to Tunstall's legacy and the bygone era of the American frontier.
The Ellis Store: Originally built prior to 1861, this historic establishment underwent expansion by Elisha Dao before being acquired by Isaac Ellis in 1877. Serving as a versatile hub, it functioned as a boarding house, store, and ranch headquarters. Notably, during the tumultuous five-day battle of Lincoln, it sheltered a faction of the Tunstall-McSween group before being vacated amidst the intervention of Sheriff George Pippin and his posse. Later, in 1905, Dr. James W. Laws transformed the property, expanding it into a sanitarium to aid tuberculosis patients. With its rich and varied history, the Ellis Store remains an enduring symbol of Lincoln's frontier heritage.
The Santa Fe Ring.
Amid the chaotic backdrop of late 1870s New Mexico, the 'Santa Fe Ring,' a powerful and controversial political network, surfaced, wielding significant political and economic sway over the region. This clandestine network of corrupt politicians, businessmen, and attorneys operated behind the scenes to manipulate the region's political, legal, and economic spheres. Led by figures like Thomas B. Catron, the Territorial Attorney General, and Stephen B. Elkins, a political representative in Washington, D.C., the Ring exploited its connections to control government appointments, land grants, and lucrative contracts. Other prominent figures associated with the ring include New Mexican Governors Samuel B. Axtell and Lewis Wallace; Chief Justices Joseph G. Palen and Henry L. Waldo; and Robert H. Longwill, probate judge of Colfax County, among others. The interconnected appointments of these key figures underscored the Ring's far-reaching influence, strategically positioning its members across local, territorial, and federal spheres of governance.
Territorial Attorney General Thomas Catron was a key figure within the organization and a close associate of Lawrence Murphy. Catron held significant sway over legal matters. Understanding the connection between the Murphy-Dolan pair and the Santa Fe Ring is crucial, as it becomes a pivotal element in comprehending the influential motive behind the killing of Billy the Kid—of which Thomas Catron played a central role in orchestrating the assassination. The duo's connections with key members of the Ring allowed them to secure favorable government contracts, land grants, and legal decisions. The collaboration between Murphy-Dolan exemplified the symbiotic relationship between business interests and political corruption. Murphy-Dolan and the Ring were intricately connected, with the former being a faction aligned with the latter, serving as its enforcement arm and participating in the economic and political activities that defined the Ring's influence in late 19th-century New Mexico.
Unveiling a Dark Legacy: A Glimpse into the notable faces of the corrupt Santa Fe Ring—15 influential figures who shaped an era through corruption and fraudulent land deals. (Image credit: The Ring [Collage] - Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.; & Public Domain - Wikimedia Commons.) Graphic created by Stephen McConnell.
The Prelude to War.
Alexander McSween married Susan Hummer on August 23, 1873, in Atchison, Kansas, settling in Eureka, Kansas. In 1875, the couple left Eureka for Silver City, New Mexico, due to a medical condition (Alexander suffered from asthma). During their journey, they stopped in Punta de Agua in Torrance County, New Mexico, where they met Miguel Otero, a U.S. Congressman, who advised them to try Lincoln. Otero provided the McSweens with a letter of introduction to the mercantile company of Lawrence Murphy and James Dolan.
On March 3, 1875, Alexander McSween and his wife Susan arrived in Lincoln, New Mexico. Guided by the letter of introduction, Alex accepted a position as a lawyer for the Murphy-Dolan Mercantile Company. He purchased a 12-room adobe home in Lincoln from Lawrence Murphy for $1.00, seemingly in exchange for legal fees. Later, after establishing a law office in his home, Alex began handling legal matters for John H. Tunstall, leading to a friendship between the two men. McSween eventually parted ways with the Murphy-Dolan faction, aligning himself with Tunstall as his lawyer. This move placed him in direct competition with the Murphy-Dolan faction.
What initially started as a dispute between two rival business factions evolved into a bloody frontier conflict that unfolded between February and July 1878 in Lincoln County, New Mexico. This notorious conflict became known as 'The Lincoln County War.' Over several years, tensions steadily mounted between James Dolan and Lawrence Murphy on one side, and John Tunstall and Alexander McSween on the other. These tensions primarily revolved around Murphy and Dolan's enduring monopoly in the dry goods and cattle trades within Lincoln County.
In an attempt by James Dolan to dismantle the Tunstall-McSween alliance and discredit Alexander McSween, Dolan accused McSween of embezzling money from a case he worked on while employed by Murphy-Dolan. The case involved a life insurance policy belonging to Murphy's old partner, Emil Fritz, who had passed away in 1874, leaving a $10,000 life insurance policy for the heirs, Charles Fritz (brother), and Emilie Fritz Scholand (sister).
Before joining Tunstall, Alex McSween went to New York to collect on the insurance, and the money was transferred to him. Upon his return to Lincoln, Alex McSween endeavored to transfer the collected insurance money to Charles Fritz. However, Dolan intervened, instructing Fritz to tell McSween to hold the money in an escrow account until the outstanding debts of Emil could be ascertained. Following Dolan's instructions, Fritz conveyed this message to McSween. Later, Dolan informed Emilie Fritz Scholand that McSween had embezzled the money, leading to Scholand signing an affidavit stating this allegation.
McSween was arrested and appeared before Judge Warren Bristol in Mesilla, New Mexico. Bristol was known to be aligned with Murphy-Dolan. During his summation, Bristol falsely claimed that McSween had mentioned during the trial that he was partners in the store with John Tunstall. Contrary to this fabrication, several witnesses present in the courtroom gallery throughout the trial stated that McSween had never said that. The truth is, McSween was merely Tunstall's lawyer. Despite this, Judge Bristol issued a writ of attachment on Tunstall and McSween's property, including Tunstall's store and several horses. This order of repossession was sent to Lincoln Sheriff William Brady.
On February 18, 1878, hostilities erupted into violence when a nineteen-man posse, led by Deputy Billy 'Buck' Morton and deputized by Lincoln County Sheriff William Brady, aligned with the Murphy-Dolan Corporation, arrived at Tunstall's Felix River ranch with a warrant issued against Tunstall's horses. As it happened, Tunstall was in the process of moving the horses to Lincoln when the posse found him. After protesting the presence of the posse on his land, he questioned the legality of the warrant—pointing out that the horses he was moving were not included within the writ of confiscation. In a heated exchange, Morton argued that Tunstall was attempting the theft of attached property, and during Tunstall’s verbal objections, he was subsequently shot and killed. This incident served as the catalyst for the Lincoln County War.
Meanwhile, Alexander McSween faced mortal danger from Lawrence Murphy, James Dolan, Sheriff William Brady, and the Ring. In response, he took his wife Susan and went into hiding, primarily in the nearby Hispanic town of San Patricio.
The Lincoln County Regulators.
Immediately after what was seen as the unjustified killing of John Tunstall, members of the Tunstall-McSween faction, along with many other local citizens, organized themselves into a vigilante group known as 'The Lincoln County Regulators'—named after the American pre-Revolutionary War freedom fighters. Their primary goal was to seek vengeance and counter what they perceived as a corrupt territorial criminal justice system controlled by allies of Murphy, Dolan, and their Santa Fe associates. The Regulators derived their legal authority from Justice of the Peace John B. ‘Squire’ Wilson, who defied the Ring by deputizing Tunstall’s foreman, Richard ‘Dick’ Brewer, as a special deputy. Wilson then issued warrants for the arrest of John Tunstall's killers: Deputies Billy 'Buck' Morton (the leader), Wallace Olinger, Sam Perry, Charley 'Dutch' Kruling, Robert Beckwith, Thomas Cochran, Ramon Montoya, Thomas Green, George Hindman, Manuel 'Indian' Segovia, Johnny Hurley, Charles Marshall, Manuel Kitt, Andrew 'Buckshot' Roberts, Dick Lloyd, Frank Baker, Jessie Evans, Panteleon Gallegos, and Tom Hill.
Billy provided Wilson with an affidavit detailing his firsthand knowledge of the events. Subsequently, he and Fred Waite were appointed as Deputy Constables under town Constable Atanacio Martinis. However, Brady, shielding those indicted under Wilson's arrest warrants, placed Bonney and Waite in jail, confiscating Billy's Winchester 73 carbine, a gift from John Tunstall. After Squire Wilson intervened, both constables were subsequently released, but Brady kept Williams Carbine, which will become relevant later in the story. Following their release, fearing further backlash from Brady if they remained in town, Bonney and Waite joined the Regulators.
The Regulators formed a united force with a singular purpose: to avenge Tunstall's murder and challenge the power held by Murphy and Dolan. They played a pivotal role in subsequent violent clashes and skirmishes, relentlessly pursuing justice for Tunstall and striving to dismantle the monopoly of the Murphy-Dolan faction. The Lincoln County War ultimately led to a series of deadly confrontations, plunging the region into lawlessness and chaos. At its core, the war represented a battle for economic and political control over Lincoln County.
Escalation of War.
On March 9, 1878, the cycle of revenge began when three Murphy-Dolan men—Billy 'Buck' Morton, Frank Baker, and William McCloskey—were murdered in the isolated Capitan foothills along Blackwater Creek, east of Lincoln. They were reportedly under arrest by Dick Brewer and several of his Regulators, including William H. Bonney.
McCloskey, who had previously been aligned with the Murphy-Dolan faction before the killing of John Tunstall and was a member of the Regulators, was friends with Morton and Baker. The Regulators claimed that Morton had murdered McCloskey and attempted to escape with Baker, leading them to kill the two prisoners. However, this explanation was met with skepticism because it seemed unlikely that Morton would kill his only friend within the group. Moreover, the fact that both Morton and Baker had eleven bullet holes in their bodies led many to believe that the Regulators had murdered them and killed McCloskey for opposing them. This action was almost certainly taken in retaliation for the death of John Tunstall.
The Ring hit back. Ring member Governor Samuel Beach Axtell, by illegal proclamation, removed Wilson's Justice of the Peace powers; to retroactively outlaw Richard Brewer's posse, thus removing any legitimacy the Regulators may have had under the legal authority of Wilson. The murder of Morton, Baker, and McCloskey ignited a tit-for-tat retaliation, sparking the Lincoln County War.
On the gloomy morning of March 9, 2024, in the area of Blackwater Creek, where, 146 years ago to the day, Billy 'Buck' Morton, Frank Baker, and William McCloskey were murdered (March 9, 1878) by the Lincoln County Regulators in revenge for the death of John Tunstall.
Killing Sheriff William Brady.
William J. Brady was born on August 16, 1829, in County Cavan, Ireland. He immigrated to the US in July 1851, enlisting in the US Army at the age of 22. He was honorably discharged at Fort Craig on March 2, 1861. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Brady reenlisted with the 2nd New Mexico Infantry Regiment, later amalgamated into the 1st Regiment New Mexico Volunteer Cavalry. Honorably discharged in October 1866 with the rank of Captain, he relocated to Lincoln, New Mexico, where he purchased a small ranch along the Rio Bonito, four miles east of Lincoln. He married María Bonifacia Chávez and went on to raise six children. In this new community, he took on various civic responsibilities, prominently serving as the sheriff of Lincoln County.
In his capacity as sheriff, Brady aligned himself with Lawrence Murphy, his friend, and former army colleague, where he was considered part of the Irish connection. Their relationship was compounded by the fact that Brady was heavily in debt to Murphy. After Tunstall’s murder, Brady became a prime target for the Lincoln County Regulators. Although he had originally deputized the men who killed Tunstall, there is no evidence that Brady was complicit in Tunstall’s murder, nor was he an active protagonist in the ongoing hostilities. Indeed, historian Robert Utley suggests that he was essentially lying low, waiting for the upcoming district court to resolve matters.
A pivotal moment in the history of the Regulators transpired with the retaliatory killing of Sheriff Brady and Deputy George Hindman in response to the murder of John Tunstall. Historians, dedicated to meticulous research, have reconstructed the sequence of events, presenting what they believe to be the most accurate portrayal of the narrative.
On the evening of March 31, 1878, just after darkness had fallen, a group of six Regulators, comprising William Bonney, Fred Waite, John Middleton, Frank McNab, Henry Brown, and Jim French, stealthily entered Lincoln, finding refuge in the Tunstall store. Later, they were joined by Robert Widenmann and Sam Corbet. Their objective was to protect Alexander McSween from impending harm.
Around 9:00 AM on April 1, Sheriff Brady left the Wortley Hotel in Lincoln after having breakfast to meet his deputies: Jacob ‘Billy’ Mathews, George Hindman, Jack Long, and George Peppin at the Murphy-Dolan store. At that time, Sheriff Brady held warrants for several Regulators, including William Bonney, for the murder of Morton, Baker, and Roberts. Additionally, he held Judge Bristol’s original writ of attachment on McSween's property. There are conflicting stories as to why Brady, Hindman, Matthews, and Long were heading down Main Street. Some historians suggest it was to serve Alexander McSwain the writ, while others suggest it was to go to the courthouse and announce that, due to the recent hostilities, scheduled court sessions would be suspended for the month of April. As they approached Tunstall's corral, a sudden barrage of gunshots erupted from behind the corral wall and gate. Sheriff Brady, who was closest to the corral, suffered three gunshot wounds to the head, back, and left side, leading to his immediate demise. George Hindman was struck by a single shot, causing him to stagger a few steps before collapsing, mortally wounded. In his final moments, he could be heard desperately pleading for a glass of water.
Recklessly, William Bonney and Jim French ran out to retrieve William’s confiscated Winchester 73 carbine from Brady’s dead body. During this impulsive attempt, both received minor graze wounds in the leg from surviving deputy Jacob Matthews. However, William successfully retrieved the Winchester, which is likely the one held in the famous tintype photograph. During the run from cover, William was recognized while retrieving the rifle and was subsequently credited with the killing of Sheriff William Brady.
The Wortley Hotel, situated across the street from the James Dolan and Lawrence Murphy Store—also known as 'The House,' later to become the Lincoln County Courthouse. It was here that Sheriff William Brady was having breakfast prior to meeting his deputies: Jacob 'Billy' Mathews, George Hindman, Jack Long, and George Peppin at the Murphy-Dolan store before heading down to the Old Courthouse to post a notice. It was shortly after breakfast at the hotel that he was ambushed and killed.
This Memorial marker on Lincoln Main Street, adjacent to the La Iglesia De San Juan Bautista, marks where Sheriff William J. Brady and Deputy George W. Hindman were fatally wounded. Witnesses recall Deputy Hindman's final moments, pleading for water.
La Iglesia De San Juan Bautista: Positioned on Lincoln Main Street diagonally across from the Tunstall store, this historic church bore witness to pivotal moments during the tumultuous Lincoln County War era. It remains a silent observer to the tragic ambush and fatal shootings of Sheriff William J. Brady and Deputy George W. Hindman. Their untimely deaths occurred just to the right of this image, roughly aligned with the tree coming into frame on the right.
Blazers Mill.
On April 4, 1878, just three days after the Lincoln County Regulators had gunned down Sheriff William Brady, the legendary Battle of Blazer's Mill unfolded. Blazer's Mill, a privately owned way station and gristmill within the Mescalero Indian Reservation, belonged to Dr. Joseph H. Blazer, a dentist. This epic confrontation saw lone cowboy and Civil War veteran Andrew L. Roberts, famously known as ‘Buckshot’ Roberts, facing off against a formidable force of fourteen Regulators.
Roberts had a reputation as a skilled Indian fighter and buffalo hunter. Trouble found Roberts when he agreed to join what he believed to be a legal posse on behalf of the Dolan-Murphy faction sent to serve a warrant on John Tunstall for the confiscation of horses on February 18, 1878. This operation ultimately led to the murder of Tunstall and resulted in a warrant for Roberts' arrest. In response, Roberts sold his ranch, intended to leave the area, and sought temporary residence with a friend near Blazer's Mill, anticipating the receipt of his due payment.
Unbeknownst to Roberts, Dick Brewer and the Regulators were already in the vicinity, innocently searching for Tunstall’s stolen horses, taking a break, and having a meal at the mill. This unpredicted encounter led to a tense standoff. Upon spotting the armed Regulators, Roberts declined to surrender, precipitating a dramatic shootout. In the exchange of gunfire that ensued, Roberts managed to wound several Regulators but suffered severe injuries himself. Taking refuge within the mill, he engaged in a final exchange of gunfire, ultimately killing Dick Brewer.
Demoralized, the remaining Regulators retreated, acknowledging Roberts' deadly skill. Roberts endured his injuries for 36 hours before succumbing. He and Brewer were buried side by side in Blazer Cemetery. Even William Bonny conceded that Roberts had bested their entire group. The Battle of Blazer's Mill stands as a testament to the resilience and legend of a solitary cowboy who confronted insurmountable odds.
Mescalero Apache Agency Building: Although many of the structures are gone, this building still remains. In a 1927 interview with James Evetts Haley, Frank Coe, one of the Regulators involved in the shootout, and whose cousin George lost his trigger finger in the firefight, later identified this building as the house where Andrew ‘Buckshot’ Roberts fired the shot that fatally wounded Richard ‘Dick’ Brewer.
A front view of the Apache Agency building reveals its rich history, marked by numerous renovations over the years. Rooms, doors, and windows have been adjusted, reflecting the evolving needs of its occupants. It was from the front forward room that Robert’s identified Richard Brewer's position, discerning it through the gunsmoke—a common trait with 19th-century gunpowder. According to Frank Coast's testimony, he estimated the range, and when Brewer poked his head up, he shot him through the skull, resulting in his demise.
The Main Blazer House: This barn structure now stands on the foundations of the main house, which once contained Dr. Blazer's office, living quarters, and the restaurant. It was in this building, specifically the restaurant, that the Regulators were dining when Andrew L. Roberts arrived. The initial verbal exchange took place at the right side of the barn, which, in 1878, was the porch covering the front of the house with the main door into the restaurant. As the Regulators attempted to arrest Roberts, he refused, and a gunfight broke out, prompting Roberts to retreat down to the Mescalero Apache Agency Building. This view represents what Andrew L. Roberts would have seen from the agency building looking towards the main house. Additionally, it is noted that Charlie Bowdre was shot in the belt buckle while breaking for cover running to the creek bed to the right of the house.
Forty-nine years later, Frank Coe was interviewed by J. Evetts Haley for the Panhandle Plains Historical Society at his home in San Patricio, New Mexico, on August 14, 1927. Coe recounted:
“With wounded men sprawled all around, Brewer demanded that Dr. Blazer and others bring Roberts out, but all of them declined the invitation. Brewer sprinted down to a footbridge, crossed the creek, and took a position 150 yards from the house. Peering up behind a pile of logs, Brewer fired at Roberts, but the bullet just shaved the door facing. After spotting the puff of smoke from Brewer’s gun, Roberts guessed the trajectory and waited for Brewer to take another peek. Seeing Brewer’s head poke up, Roberts let loose with the big Springfield. The arcing lead slug hit Brewer’s left eye, leaving a tiny blue mark before blowing out the back of his skull.”
With three men severely wounded and Dick Brewer now dead, the Regulators fled the battlefield, heading over the mountains for the Ruidoso Valley.
During this showdown, the Regulators present included Dick Brewer, their leader, who was fatally shot in the head; Frank MacNab; Josiah G. 'Doc' Scurlock, who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg; William H. Bonney, who endured a minor arm injury; 'Big Jim' French; Frank Coe; George Coe, who suffered a gunshot to the right hand, resulting in the loss of his trigger finger; Charlie Bowdre, who was shot in the abdomen but fortuitously saved by his belt buckle deflecting the bullet; John Middleton, who was struck in the chest; Henry Brown; Fred Waite; Jose Chavez y Chavez; 'Dirty Steve' Stephens; and John Scroggins. This significant encounter at Blazer's Mill marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Lincoln County War.
Blazer’s Cemetery: Ironically, Dr. Blazer and agency workers buried Andrew L. "Buckshot" Roberts and Richard M. Brewer in the same grave—destined to spend eternity together.
The Battle of Fritz Spring.
A number of significant events transpired in the weeks after the killings of Sheriff William Brady, Deputy George Hindman, and Andrew 'Buckshot' Roberts, all at the hands of the Regulators, who also lost Richard Brewer in the ensuing violence. Subsequently, several noteworthy developments emerged from the grand jury proceedings. Alex McSween was acquitted of any wrongdoing in the Fritz life insurance case. In contrast, James Dolan and several others are indicted for the murder of John Tunstall. Additionally, several Regulators, including William Bonney, are now facing charges for the murders of Brady, Hindman, and Roberts.
Following the demise of Richard Brewer at Blazer’s Mill, the Regulators appointed Frank McNab as their captain. MacNab's first order of business was leading the Regulators down to Seven Rivers to arrest rustlers from the 'Seven Rivers Warriors' gang and the Murphy-Dolan gunmen there. The Seven Rivers Warriors, a gang primarily consisting of small-time ranchers from the Seven Rivers area of southeastern Lincoln County, emerged in the mid-1870s. Their formation was a response to the discontent among small ranchers who felt victimized by the extensive cattle holdings of John Chisum. By 1876, they had formed an alliance with the Murphy-Dolan faction—a decision in response to the association of John Tunstall and Alexander McSween with John Chisum.
Upon learning of McNab’s intentions on April 28, the Warriors, along with seven or eight members of the Jessie Evans Gang, departed Seven Rivers and commenced riding north towards Lincoln with the aim of intercepting McNab and the Regulators. Their de-facto leader was William H. Johnson, a former deputy under Sheriff Brady. Accompanying him were thirty-five men, including former deputies George Peppin and Billy Mathews. Members of the Jessie Evans Gang present included Jack Long, Manuel 'Indian' Segovia, Dick Lloyd, and Thomas Cochrane.
The Warriors contingent comprised Marion F. Turner, Thomas B. 'Buck' Powell, Milo L. Pierce, Bob Beckwith, John Beckwith, 'Dutch Charlie' Kruling, Charles Marshall, Johnny Hurley, Wallace Olinger, 'Pecos Bob' Olinger, John Galvin, Jim Patterson, Sam Perry, Thomas Gaffney, Joe Nash, Jim Ramer, Tom Green, and Follett Christie. Additionally, around ten unknown men were part of the group. Notably, several of these men were also in the sub-posse that killed John Tunstall.
In the late afternoon of April 29, 1878, approximately eleven miles southeast of Lincoln, the Warriors and the Murphy-Dolan group halt at Fritz Creek, a watering hole on Charles Fritz's ranch. Anticipating that MacNab and the Regulators will have to pass by the Fritz ranch for water on their way to Seven Rivers, they decide to wait in ambush.
A few hours later, Frank MacNab, Frank Coe, and Ab Saunders approach the creek to water their horses. MacNab and Saunders dismount, allowing their horses to drink, while Coe stays mounted and waits. As MacNab and Saunders move to remount their horses, the Warriors open fire. MacNab takes a bullet in the side and falls to the ground, severely wounded. Saunders, struck by two bullets—one in the left hip and the other in the left ankle—also collapses. Meanwhile, Coe instinctively urges his horse forward, attempting to escape. However, a bullet hits Coe's horse in the head, instantly killing the animal and throwing Coe to the ground. Moving swiftly, Coe runs to the nearby creek, seeking cover. Simultaneously, MacNab, attempting to crawl to safety, is spotted by Manuel Segovia, who fires one fatal shot from a shotgun into his head. The gunfire ceases.
Frank MacNab was dead, Ab Saunders was lying in a semi-conscious state, and Frank Coe was pinned down in the creek. Coe realized he had no hope of escape. Wallace Olinger, who was on good terms with Coe, yelled out to him that if he were to surrender, no harm would come to him. Knowing that this was his only option, Coe reluctantly surrendered. The Warriors took Coe and the gravely wounded Saunders to the ranch house, where they informed him that MacNab was dead and they were taking him to Lincoln as their prisoner. Ab Saunders was left behind at the Fritz Ranch due to his wounds but was later taken to Fort Stanton to receive medical attention, where he remained for the next few months.
McNab perished in the gunfire, Saunders sustained severe injuries, and Frank Coe was apprehended. The subsequent day saw the deaths of seven of the Seven Rivers Warriors men: Tom Green, Charles Marshall, Jim Patterson, and John Galvin in Lincoln. Despite attributions to the Regulators, this blame was never substantiated. Frank Coe managed to escape custody sometime after his capture, purportedly with Deputy Sheriff Wallace Olinger's assistance, who provided him with a pistol.
On May 15, 1878 the Regulators tracked down and seized Manuel Segovia, for shooting Frank McNab in the head with the shotgun—while wounded. They shot him during an alleged attempt to escape. Around the time of Segovia's demise, the Regulators welcomed a new member, a young Texas cowboy named Tom O'Folliard, who swiftly became William Bonney’s closest confidant.
The Fritz Creek Ambush Position: Frank MacNab, Frank Coe, and Ab Saunders approached the creek from the right of the image, while the ambush was positioned on the high ground to the left, overlooking Fritz Creek. It was in the vicinity of this image that Frank Coe took cover within the creek until forced to surrender.
The Battle of Lincoln.
The Lincoln County War reached its climax in a five-day shootout through the streets of Lincoln, spanning from July 15 to 19, 1878. It involved a series of skirmishes, shootouts, and strategic maneuvers within the town, where various buildings served as defensive positions. The conflict was marked by intense gunfire and standoffs.
On July 14, Alexander McSween returned to his home in Lincoln for his upcoming grand jury embezzlement trial. He was determined not to be intimidated after the murder of his business partner, John Tunstall, which had compelled him to abandon his home, his livelihood, and go on the run. With his wife, Susan, her sister Elizabeth Shield, Shield’s five children, and approximately 41 collaborators, he reoccupied his house with his family and ten men, while the rest found defensive positions in various locations, including the Tunstall store (next door), the home of Juan Patron, the Montonna store, and other smaller defensive positions throughout the town. The following morning, July 15, as word spread of McSween's return, a significant force hired by the Murphy-Dolan faction, led by Sheriff George Peppin, descended upon Lincoln, surrounding the Regulators at McSween's house and other buildings around the town.
Sheriff Peppin and his men engaged in gunfire with the Regulators throughout much of the day. At least five Murphy-Dolan men were wounded in the initial exchange, while the Regulators suffered no casualties. Over the next three days, little changed, with no further casualties reported. However, by noon on July 18, many of the McSween supporters scattered around town had fled upon the arrival of the army, towing a howitzer and a Gatling gun, leaving just the main contingent at the McSween homestead heavily outnumbered.
Colonel Nathan Dudley, leading the 9th Cavalry Regiment (Buffalo Soldiers), arrived in Lincoln to quell escalating tensions that had been raging for three days. The controversy centers on whether the U.S. Army, under Dudley, impartially upheld the law or exhibited bias in the factional dispute. Historical accounts differ, with some suggesting the army was summoned by frightened residents seeking protection, while others mention a report of a wounded soldier in Lincoln prompting their arrival. Critics argue that, instead of impartial peacekeeping, the army may have taken sides, disarming scattered Regulators throughout the town and aligning with the Murphy-Dolan faction. This controversy persists as historians debate the extent of the army's influence on the 'Battle of Lincoln' and whether their involvement was necessary or exacerbated the situation.
At around 1:15 PM on the 19th, Colonel Dudley ordered the howitzer to be pointed at the high ground at the rear of the McSween home. Several Regulators had taken up positions there with rifles to protect the rear of the house, eliminating the possibility of anyone approaching from behind. This placement of the howitzer forced the Regulators to displace. With this threat now removed, at 2:00 PM, a Dolan man managed to approach the house from the rear, pour oil around the rear northwest corner, and then set it on fire. The kitchen, on the west wing corner of the home quickly became engulfed in flames. The fire slowly swept through the house, pushing the defenders into the vicinity of the east wing.
Amid numerous exchanges of gunfire as the flames spread, at roughly 5:00 PM, a brief cease-fire was secured between the trapped Regulators and Colonel Dudley (now in command) to allow Susan McSween, her sister Elizabeth, and her five children to leave due to their civilian status. Some reports suggest that Dudley was initially reluctant to allow the release due to his alignment with Murphy-Dolan, but he ultimately granted them safe passage out of the house, possibly considering the potential backlash involving the children.
The house burned slowly through the evening. As the flames spread and night fell, the situation became desperate, with the men trying to fend off Murphy-Dolan forces while simultaneously battling the fire. By 9:00 PM, the situation had become precarious, and the Regulators realized they needed to break out.
William Bonney devised a plan: utilizing the element of surprise, they would essentially break out of the back door of the east wing kitchen and head north into the brush along the Rio Bonito River, roughly 100 yards away, using the river as a covered escape path. They provided suppressing fire on the run. Jim French burst out first, followed by William Bonney, Tom O'Folliard, Harvey Morris (Alexander McSween’s law partner), José Chávez Y Chávez, Yginio Salazar, Alexander McSween, Francisco Chávez, Florencio Chávez, Vincente Romero, and Ignacio Gonzales. In a fusillade of gunfire, Harvey Morris was instantly killed, Salazar was shot in the back and shoulder—falling wounded. Alexander McSween was hit five times, falling dead in his own backyard. He was left where he fell for two days.
The only Dolan man killed during the breakout was Bob Beckwith. Reported casualty figures for the battle varied, but the Regulators lost at least five men, including McSween, while Peppin's posse suffered two dead: Bob Beckwith and Charlie Crawford.
Pursuing Billy the Kid: This mural captures the dramatic breakout from the McSween house, portraying a running gun battle leading down to the Rio Bonito River, with William Bonney prominently featured in the foreground. The figure being shot is believed to represent Yginio Salazar. This captivating mural adorns the back wall of the Lincoln Historic Site museum and visitors center.
Pursuing Billy the Kid: This ground-level view captures the terrain from the vicinity of the Rio Bonito River, looking back towards the McSween House. It offers a perspective akin to the mural above, depicting the escape route down to the Rio Bonito river.
The McSween House: The plot of land where the McSween house used to stand, with the Tunstall store in the background. The image shows the slope of the land leading to the Rio Bonito river, which runs along the line of green vegetation. The small pile of white rocks marks roughly the vicinity of where the back door of the kitchen was located, where William Bonney and the regulators made a break for the Rio Bonito. It was in the vicinity of these rocks that Alexander McSween was shot and killed.
The McSween House: The view from the back door down to the Rio Bonito. Alignment stones, roughly midway through the image, mark the end of the property line, where an Adobe wall would have been located in 1878. This is the route William Bonney and the regulators escaped from the burning building down to the Rio Bonito. It would have been a running gun battle down to the cover of the river. This image was captured from roughly where Alexander McSween was shot and killed.
Tunstall and McSween: Two wooden crosses mark the spot at the rear of the Tunstall store where John Tunstall and Alexander McSween were buried. However, in reality, although both men are buried in the grounds of the Tunstall store, their exact location is not known. This site was selected for tourist reasons.
John Henry Tunstall, born on March 6, 1853, was an English-born rancher and entrepreneur who made his mark in Lincoln County, New Mexico. His presence stirred competition with the dominant Irish Catholic merchants, law enforcement figures, and politicians who held sway over the town of Lincoln and the surrounding county. Tunstall, aligning himself with the Republican Party, harbored ambitions to overthrow the Irish establishment and establish himself as the new influential figure in the county, aiming to amass wealth in the process. Tragically, Tunstall met his fate as the first casualty of the Lincoln County War.
Alexander McSween, a prominent figure during the Lincoln County War, opposed businessmen Lawrence Murphy and James Dolan alongside John Tunstall. Born on June 15, 1837, in Canada, McSween hailed from Scottish descent. While his widow claimed he once served as a Presbyterian preacher in his youth, historical records offer conflicting accounts. After attending law school briefly in St. Louis, Missouri, McSween settled in Lincoln, New Mexico, where he became embroiled in the conflict that ultimately led to his demise.
The End of the War.
This event marked the end of the Lincoln County War, resulting in the disbanding and scattering of the Regulators and the defeat of the Tunstall-McSween faction. The two sides, Susan McSween and the Lawrence Murphy-James Dolan faction, acknowledged a fragile peace agreement. Many participants on both sides faced legal consequences, but the conflict left a lasting legacy of violence and distrust in the region.
Contrary to popular belief, William Bonney was not the leader of the Regulators during the Lincoln County War. At the time of the conflict, William was believed to be around 16 years old. The leadership of the Regulators primarily fell to Richard Brewer, then Frank McNab, under the guidance of other prominent figures within the Tunstall-McSween faction, such as Alexander McSween and John Chisum. These individuals played key roles in organizing and leading the Regulators in their pursuit of justice.
William Bonney's impact on the Regulators was profound, fueled by his audacious youth and robust involvement in the violent clashes defining the conflict. This earned him a reputation that swiftly evolved into legend. Emerging from the tumultuous Lincoln County War, Bonney gained notoriety for his role in the murder of Sheriff Brady. Following this pivotal event, he became a fugitive, eluding authorities for the remainder of his life.
After maintaining a low profile for several months, William Bonney resurfaced in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, in January 1879, accompanied by several former Regulators: Dave Rudabaugh, Billy Wilson, Tom O'Folliard, and Charlie Bowdre. Initially, they aimed to seek compensation from John Chisum for their roles as Regulators in the Lincoln County War. However, when Chisum refused, the gang decided to sustain themselves through rustling Chisum's cattle.
Huston Chapman.
On October 7, 1878, three months after the conclusion of the five-day battle on the streets of Lincoln, New Mexico, President Rutherford B. Hayes issued a presidential proclamation. This proclamation placed Lincoln County in a state of rebellion, allowing the chief executive to deploy regular troops at the disposal of the governor. This strategic move effectively circumvented 'The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878,' which forbade troops from participating in civilian law enforcement except when expressly authorized by law. Governor Wallace, though regretting the necessity, accepted the recommendation of Marshal John Sherman, Jr. to employ troops in support of law enforcement.
General Edward Hatch, commander of the army in New Mexico, provided Marshal Sherman with cavalry for two months. While these troops couldn't serve as a posse, they could assist lawmen in restoring peace. Additionally, Governor Wallace issued a proclamation of amnesty to all feudists who had not been previously indicted. However, this excluded William Bonney, who, at this point, had been indicted for the murder of Sheriff William Brady.
Six months after the Battle of Lincoln, in January 1879, during the time William Bonney and his newly formed gang of cattle rustlers had resurfaced in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, Susan McSween, a fiery and anguished woman, enlisted the services of Huston Chapman, an attorney from Las Vegas, New Mexico, to recover the property of her deceased husband—and seek justice for the murder of Alexander and John Tunstall.
With the presence of the army, federally enforced peace placed Murphy and Dolan in a difficult situation. Firstly, their feud had gained recognition as far away as Washington, D.C., making Lincoln County a political focal point. Secondly, with the arrival of Huston Chapman in Lincoln, Susan McSween's legal plans to recover property lost during the conflict and to seek legal revenge for the murder of her husband were revealed, placing her lawyer, Huston Chapman, as a target for the Dolan faction—due to his perceived nuisance.
At the time McSween's legal matters were unfolding, several former regulators, having heard about the newly established peace agreement with the Murphy-Dolan faction, returned to Lincoln from Fort Sumner. This group included William Bonney, Tom O'Folliard, Charlie Bowdre, Dave Rudabaugh, and Billy Wilson. The Murphy-Dolan strategy behind the peace agreement aimed to ultimately diffuse the situation in Lincoln County and, hopefully, remove the focus on their business dealings.
Late in the evening of February 18, 1879, thirty-two-year-old Huston Chapman, recently arrived in Lincoln, was walking back to the Wortley Hotel along Lincoln’s Main Street. It was shortly after 10:00 PM when Chapman encountered James Dolan and several of his men, including William Bonney and Tom O'Folliard. The group had just finished a meeting organized by Dolan, where he outlined the terms of the truce agreement between William Bonney and the remaining Regulators and the Murphy-Dolan faction. This effort aimed to restore normalcy in the small New Mexican town and divert attention away from Lincoln County by the President of the United States.
Upon encountering Chapman in the street, James Dolan abruptly halted him and launched into an aggressive interrogation about his business. Visibly agitated by the lawyer's presence, Dolan questioned him, demanding an explanation for being in Lincoln and seeking details about the work he was doing on behalf of Susan McSween. Despite Dolan's inquiries, Chapman refused to respond. The situation escalated when Billy Campbell, at this point, drew a pistol and fired a shot directly into Chapman's chest. Reports later revealed that Campbell was so close to Chapman when he pulled the trigger that the muzzle discharge ignited Chapman’s shirt. The single gunshot in the dark went unnoticed, as gunfire had become a common practice on the streets of Lincoln. Chapman’s charred and lifeless body remained undiscovered until the following morning.
On March 13, 1879, William Bonney saw an advantage and wrote to Governor Lew Wallace for the first time, offering testimony against James Dolan and Billy Campbell in the murder of Huston Chapman in exchange for immunity for his participation in the Lincoln County War. Four days later, on March 17, just after 9:00 PM, Governor Lew Wallace held a secret meeting with William Bonney at the residence of Justice of the Peace John B. Wilson. During their discussion, it was proposed to William to surrender himself and offer testimony against James Dolan and his associates in the murder of Huston Chapman. In return, Wallace promised William a pardon for the crimes committed during the Lincoln County War. Wallace supposedly assured the Kid by stating: “You’ll be Scot-free with a pardon in your pocket for all your misdeeds.”
After taking several days to consider Wallace’s offer, on March 20, William Bonney agreed to testify against those involved in Chapman’s murder. Wallace arranged for William to surrender to Sheriff Kimbrell, where he entered into a sham imprisonment in the home of his friend, Juan Patron, to ensure his safety. On April 14, 1879, the Kid testified in court, fulfilling his part of the agreement. He risked his life to carry out his end of the deal, told the governor and the courts everything they wanted to know, and assisted Mrs. McSween by testifying against Colonel Dudley for the death of her husband.
Now, the animosity towards William had intensified, with enemies more determined than ever to see him dead. Dolan's allies, backed by the formidable Santa Fe Ring, skillfully maneuvered to prevent Dolan and Campbell from facing conviction in the murder of Huston Chapman. Both Judge Bristol and prosecutor William Rynerson were Ring members. Consequently, the defendants were acquitted. Adding to the complications, William Rynerson went back on Wallace's agreement and refused to release Bonney. This led to the Kid's daring escape from jail, making his way back to Fort Sumner.
Governor Lew Wallace faced a political conundrum over the promised pardon for William Bonney. The Santa Fe Ring, fearing what Bonney might reveal in testimony beyond the murder of Huston Chapman, harbored a hidden agenda—to ultimately hang him for Sheriff William Brady's murder, thereby severing the final link to the Lincoln County War. Granting amnesty to Bonney would have been perceived as a sign of weakness against the influential Ring, a vulnerability crucial for the Murphy-Dolan faction seeking vengeance. Under intense pressure, Wallace reluctantly abandoned the promised pardon. Simultaneously, prosecutor William Rynerson was determined to see Bonney hanged. This prompted decisive action, with Pat Garrett selected to apprehend Bonney at all costs.
Despite his significant role in exposing corruption surrounding James Dolan following the Lincoln County War, there is no marker to commemorate Huston Chapman. He was tragically shot and killed outside the Montano Store, located roughly adjacent to the tree stump on the left side of the building (seen in this image).
Billy Campbell was a hard case, often fueled by alcohol and anger. His criminal exploits spanned across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, leaving a trail of dead bodies in his wake. Despite his crimes, Campbell managed to evade punishment for many years. For the murder of Huston Chapman, Campbell was arrested and jailed, but escaped from Fort Stanton in 1880. The details surrounding his final murder are murky, but in Arizona, Campbell fatally shot another individual. Shortly thereafter, he was apprehended and incarcerated once more. However, a vengeful mob swiftly gathered and lynched him in 1881.
Power, Politics, and Betrayal: Wallace and the Santa Fe Ring.
Governor Lew Wallace is often considered a dedicated Christian; however, debates persist about the honesty attributed to him. While some perceive him as forthright, others argue that his actions, such as retracting the promised pardon for William Bonney, indicate a willingness to succumb to political pressures in order to safeguard his career. The decision-making process during the Lincoln County War and his perceived alignment with the Santa Fe Ring raises questions about his unwavering commitment to truth.
Influenced by intense political pressures exerted by the Ring, Wallace's choice not to fulfill the pardon appears strategic. The Ring, with a vested interest in the situation, especially due to potential backlash from local farmers and ranchers opposing their strict monopolies, could have jeopardized Wallace's political standing if he granted a pardon to William Bonney. This situation underscores how the intersection of politics and personal beliefs can lead to challenging decisions for individuals in positions of power. Opinions on Wallace's integrity ultimately vary depending on one's perspective and interpretation of historical events.
Lewis Wallace (1827-1905): Lewis Wallace was an American lawyer, Union general in the American Civil War, governor of the New Mexico Territory, politician, diplomat, artist, and author. Wallace is best known for his historical adventure story, ‘Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ,’ published in 1880. (Image credit: Public Domain).
Killing 'Texas' Joe Grant.
On January 10, 1880, in Fort Sumner, New Mexico Territory, William Bonney and his two rustling associates, Charlie Thomas, and Barney Mason, entered Bob Hargrove's saloon. Accompanying them were Jim Chisum, brother of John Chisum, and three cowboys.
In the saloon, a Texan named Joe Grant, known as 'Texas Red,' was already present. He was drunk and belligerent, always seeking notoriety as a tough guy. Earlier in the day, Grant had challenged William, betting him $25 that he would kill someone before he could. William dismissed the bet, which may have irritated Grant. As Grant became increasingly intoxicated in the background, William was buying drinks for Jim Chisum and his men.
At one point, Grant approached a much younger cowboy named Jack Finan, taking an ivory-handled pistol from Finan's holster and replacing it with his own. Finan, seemingly intimidated by the drunken man, made no effort to stop him. Sensing a potential for violence, William engaged with Grant, expressing admiration for his new pistol. In a casual manner, William removed the weapon from Grant's holster, without Grant noticing due to his inebriated state. William positioned the cylinder so the next hammer fall would land on an empty chamber and then returned the gun to Grant's holster.
Note: In the era of single-action handguns, it was customary to load these pistols with only five rounds. This precaution was due to the inherent unreliability of the fixed firing pin. By doing so, the fixed firing pin would be positioned over an empty chamber, serving as a safety mechanism. William’s act of rotating the empty chamber to the 11 o'clock position meant that when Grant cocked the gun, the empty chamber would rotate clockwise into the firing position. If the trigger was pulled, the hammer would drop and strike an empty chamber, causing the gun to misfire.
As Joe Grant became increasingly inebriated and confrontational, he began smashing bottles behind the bar. At a critical juncture, Grant brandished his pistol, aiming it at Jim Chisum, declaring, "I'm going to kill John Chisum!" William stepped in, correcting Grant by saying, "That's not John Chisum; you've got the wrong pig by the ear there, Joe!" Enraged, Grant accused William of lying.
William turned and walked towards the door. Just as William expected, Grant pulled his pistol and fired. Hearing the click of a hammer falling on an empty chamber, he spun around and fired three quick shots, hitting Grant with one round in the chin. Joe Grant crumpled to the ground, lifeless and oblivious to his fate. Standing over the fallen man, William remarked, "Joe, I've been there too often for you." With the incident over, the other patrons concluded their drinks. Shortly thereafter, Joe Grant was buried in the Sumner military cemetery, without any formal ceremony.
An article appeared in the Weekly New Mexican (Santa Fe), January 17, 1880: "William Bonney, more extensively known as 'The Kid,' shot and killed Joe Grant. The origin of the difficulty was not learned."
Joseph ’Texas Red’ Grant was laid to rest in the Old Fort Sumner Cemetery, Fort Sumner, De Baca County, New Mexico, ironically, just 75 yards from the man that killed him. Joe was killed on January 10, 1880.
Becoming 'Billy the Kid'.
J.H. Koogler was a notable figure in the history of late 19th-century journalism. He served as the editor and publisher of the Las Vegas Gazette, a newspaper based in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Koogler's writings played a pivotal role in shaping the public image of William H. Bonney. On December 3, 1880, his decision to use the moniker 'Billy the Kid' for the first time in his editorial work contributed to Billy the Kid's enduring reputation as a Western outlaw. Due to the initial popularity of this work, Koogler decided to continue writing articles that embellished Billy the Kid's exploits, likely aiming to attract readers and generate interest in his newspaper. This practice of sensationalizing stories to boost circulation and sales was common among newspapers of that era.
According to local Las Cruces artist Bob Devine, the mural adorning the front of the Billy the Kid gift shop has suffered damage multiple times, most recently during a film shoot. Devine was commissioned to restore the mural to its former glory. In the restoration process, he reintroduced elements that had been painted over, paying homage to the building's rich history. Once serving as the courthouse where Billy the Kid was sentenced to hang, the building later transformed into a restaurant, then a bar, and now houses the gift shop.
Fort Sumner, New Mexico.
Fort Sumner, New Mexico, boasts a rich history dating back to the 19th century. Established on October 31, 1862, the fort initially served as a military outpost with the mission of safeguarding settlers and travelers along the Pecos River during the American Civil War.
A poignant chapter in its history revolves around its association with the Bosque Redondo Indian Reservation. In 1864, the U.S. government forcibly relocated thousands of Navajo and Mescalero Apache people to this reservation, leading to the infamous 'Long Walk.' The harsh conditions resulted in immense hardships and a devastating death toll.
In 1868, the Treaty of Bosque Redondo allowed the Navajo people to return to their homeland, and Fort Sumner ceased its function as a military post. The land was purchased in 1869 by rancher and cattle baron Lucien B. Maxwell for $5,000. Already a prominent regional figure, Maxwell had amassed considerable wealth through cattle and land holdings, making him one of the Southwest's largest landowners. Maxwell's acquisition of the property left an enduring imprint on the transformation of Fort Sumner, shifting it from a military outpost to a bustling ranching hub and a close-knit community. The Maxwell family's influence, exemplified by the Maxwell House (a sprawling 20-room mansion converted from one of the former officers' quarters), once stood as a prominent local landmark.
Notably, in the late 1870s, Lucien Maxwell's son, Pedro (Pete), who had inherited the property, forged an unlikely friendship with William Bonney, now, thanks to many newspaper articles, generally referred to as 'Billy the Kid,' a regular presence in the community. Billy seemed to effortlessly blend in, thanks to his fluent Spanish and his ease in adapting to the Mexican culture. He developed numerous friendships in the area, granting him the freedom to move about as he pleased.
Fort Sumner boasted a diverse population, with a notable Native American presence, particularly from the Navajo and Mescalero Apache tribes. Mexican and Hispanic settlers also inhabited the area, alongside a contingent of white residents. In the late 1870s, Fort Sumner was characterized by a variety of buildings, many of which were constructed using adobe and wood, prevalent building materials in the region during that era.
The small community included two saloons—Old Beaver Smith's and Bob Hargrove's—a blacksmith's shop, a carpenter's workshop, and a general store. The economy of Fort Sumner was primarily based on agriculture, with ranching and farming being the mainstays. The Pecos River, which ran through the region, was vital for irrigation and sustaining the community. Fort Sumner was relatively secluded, a small community where strangers would stand out. It would have been an ideal location for Billy, Dave Rudabaugh, Billy Wilson, Tom O'Folliard, and Charlie Bowdre to hide out while living quite openly.
Fort Sumner Historic Site is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. The site offers visitors an opportunity to explore both an exhibition and a nature tour that delves into the history of the fort and, more recently, the Bosque Redondo Memorial.
Fort Sumner, New Mexico, as it would have been laid out on December 19, 1880. North is directly facing up; as for scale, the size of the Old Indian Corrals is roughly the size of a soccer pitch. The small dirt road on the map between the army barracks and Bob Hargrove’s Saloon, listed as Portales - Stinking Spring Road, is now State Road 212. Bob Hargrove’s Saloon is where William Bonney shot and killed Joe Grant. Beaver Smith’s Saloon is where the famous tintype photograph (shown below) was taken. Tom O’Folliard was shot and killed at the eastern end of the Indian hospital in the ambush of December 23, 1880, which is covered in the next segment. The Maxwell House is where William Bonney, alias Billy the Kid, was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett on July 14, 1881.
Standing in the Same Space: The site of Old Beaver Smith's Saloon in 2024. This location marks the spot where Billy the Kid posed for his iconic tintype photograph, captured by a traveling photographer in 1880. Beyond the flagpole, one can imagine the Maxwell House, a significant landmark in the town's history. Paulita Maxwell, as recounted by Walter Noble Burns during his research for "The Saga of Billy the Kid," published in 1926, reminisced about the photograph: “It was taken by a traveling photographer who came through Fort Sumner in 1880, and Billy posed for it standing in the street near Old Beaver Smith's saloon.”
Standing in the Same Space: This photograph captures the location where Bob Hargrove's Saloon once stood, situated across the old Portales - Stinking Spring Road, now State Road 212. It was here, on January 10, 1880, that William Bonney shot and killed Texas Joe Grant. The image looks southwest towards the Fort parade ground—the flagpole visible in the distance. Beyond the flagpole lies the site of Beaver Smith’s Saloon, where the famous tintype was taken.
In late 1879 or early 1880, Billy posed for a rare tintype photograph in Fort Sumner. This tintype is believed to be the sole survivor of four photos created during that session and is now considered the most recognizable photo of the American West. The single, original tintype stands as the only authenticated photo of the Kid in existence today. Descended through one family, it was sold at auction on June 25, 2011, in Denver, CO. This famous historical item, with impeccable provenance, sold for $2,300,000. (Image credit: Public Domain - Wikimedia Commons).
A life-size representation of the Billy the Kid tintype, which, in reality, is a fragile piece of thin tin, was reproduced on card, cut to the exact dimensions of the original (2 inches x 3 inches). This exercise serves to illustrate what $2.3 million looks like in the hand.
The Killing of Deputy James Carlyle.
Deputy James Carlyle hailed from Trumbull County, Ohio. While historical accounts vary on his birth year—some suggest 1861, while others propose 1854—the latter seems more plausible. Nevertheless, Carlyle embarked on his escapades at a youthful age, finding himself amidst the buffalo hunting grounds of West Texas during his teenage years. In the scorching summer of 1874, he found himself thrust into the heart of the action during the second clash at Adobe Walls. There, a courageous band of thirty individuals, including the famed lawman Bat Masterson and a lone woman, valiantly defended against an onslaught of around one thousand Comanche, Kiowa, and Cheyenne warriors, under the leadership of Chief Quanah Parker.
The subsequent course of Carlyle's life remains shrouded in mystery. Nonetheless, by November of 1880, amid the fading echoes of the Lincoln County War, Carlyle had settled in the bustling mining center of White Oaks, New Mexico, refining his craft as a blacksmith. Meanwhile, in the vicinity, William Bonney wreaked havoc, leading to the recent election of Patrick F. Garrett as sheriff of Lincoln County. Garrett ran on a platform dedicated to curbing Bonney's lawlessness.
Bonney, accompanied by Billy Wilson, Dave Rudabaugh, and possibly others, orchestrated the theft of a herd of horses, driving them into White Oaks in late November. While the intricacies of horse ownership might have been overlooked amidst the high demand for mounts, the brazen burglary of local stores could not be ignored. Deputy Will Hudgins, alongside a small posse, pursued the outlaws, leading to a fierce gunfight at Coyote Springs. During the skirmish, both Bonney and Wilson had their horses shot out from under them, forcing them to flee for their lives. Despite the setback, the outlaws daringly returned to White Oaks.
On November 27, 1880, another posse, led by local constable Pinto Tom Longworth—historian William Keleher identified Carlyle as a deputy sheriff and the posse's leader—was formed to pursue Billy and his cohorts. The pursuit unfolded in challenging conditions, with substantial snow on the ground and bitterly cold weather. Approximately 40 miles north, the chase reached its climax at the Greathouse and Kuch ranch, also known as Robber's Roost, situated on the White Oaks-Las Vegas Road near the present-day town of Corona. The outlaws held the advantage, finding refuge indoors where it was warm, while the posse braved the cold outside.
Longworth returned to White Oaks to gather reinforcements, leaving Carlyle in charge. An intermediary, Joe Steck, facilitated communication between the two factions. Eventually, an agreement was reached: "Whiskey Jim" Greathouse, known for his illicit liquor dealings with Native Americans, would join the posse as a hostage in exchange for a law representative entering the saloon to negotiate with Bonney. Carlyle agreed and swapped places with Greathouse. As the evening wore on and Carlyle failed to return, the posse grew anxious. They dispatched a message, warning that unless Carlyle was released promptly, they would shoot Greathouse. Shortly thereafter, a gunshot reverberated from outside, sparking contentious debate over the ensuing events.
One theory posits that Carlyle, upon hearing the gunshot, mistakenly believed his posse had executed Greathouse. Fearing for his life, Carlyle purportedly leaped out of a window in a bid for survival, only to meet his demise at the hands of Bonney and his gang. Bonney's own narrative aligns with this sequence of events, asserting that Carlyle fled through the window following the initial gunshot. However, Bonney contends that Carlyle, who had been indulging heavily in alcohol alongside the outlaws, was fatally shot by members of his own posse, who mistakenly perceived him as a threat during the chaos.
In another rendition of events, Carlyle was purportedly shot inside the building, then staggered outside before collapsing lifeless on the ground. Dave Rudabaugh later recounted: "We all three shot at him (Carlysle). Billy Wilson and I fired one shot apiece, and the Kid twice."
Regardless of the exact sequence of events, the posse retreated after Carlyle was shot, abandoning his body where it lay in the snow. Less than an hour later, the outlaws also made their escape from the scene. Even Kuch, Greathouse, and Steck departed. Carlyle's lifeless form lay frozen solid when Joe Steck returned at daybreak and discovered it.
The day following Carlyle's tragic demise, yet another posse from White Oaks, this time under the leadership of Will Hudgins, razed the road ranch to the ground. The identity of the individual responsible for firing the shot that ultimately led to Carlyle's death remains a mystery. Greathouse found himself apprehended in March 1881 and charged as an accessory to Carlyle's murder. However, he was released on bond a mere two days later. In December 1881, after being accused of rustling approximately 40 head of cattle from Joel Fowler of Socorro, Greathouse met his end when Fowler shot him dead in the San Mateo Mountains, situated west of Socorro.
A historical relic: a 'Territory of New Mexico' U.S. Marshals badge. The providence behind this particular badge is unknown. It is on permanent display at the museum in the old Lincoln County Courthouse, located in Lincoln, New Mexico.
Stinking Springs, New Mexico.
On Thursday, December 23, 1880, Sheriff-elect Pat Garrett guided a posse that lay in wait adjacent to the old Indian hospital on the outskirts of Fort Sumner—covering a moonlit road, with the intention of ambushing Billy the Kid and his fellow outlaws. Garrett, who had campaigned on a reformist platform in November 1880, vowed to quell the lawlessness and violence plaguing southeastern New Mexico.
Governor Lew Wallace, who had overseen the investigation into the Lincoln County War, offered a $500 reward for the apprehension of Billy the Kid, wanted for the murder of Sheriff William Brady. Garrett, who persistently pursued the Kid for almost a month, found himself continually eluded by the outlaw.
That evening, Garrett's posse heard hoofbeats and saw Billy and his gang approaching. Garrett emerged from hiding, ordering them to halt. However, some deputies began shooting, resulting in the death of Tom O’Folliard, a close friend of Billy's. Outlaw Tom Pickett was wounded and fell from his horse. The gunfire killed Dirty Dave Rudabaugh's horse, but Rudabaugh quickly mounted a horse ridden by Billy Wilson (also known as David Anderson) and escaped. Billy the Kid, Charlie Bowdre, and Pickett, who managed to scramble back onto his horse, escaped amidst the chaos.
The posse regrouped and tracked the gang to an abandoned stone building hideout near Stinking Springs, surrounding it. The following morning, Dave Bowdre ventured outside to feed his horse, tethered near the front door. The posse opened fire, killing Bowdre. Moments later, one of the gang members reached outside to grab the horse's halter rope. Garrett aimed and killed the horse, which fell, blocking the only exit. Hours later, the outlaws, realizing their lack of escape options, surrendered.
The Kid was captured and escorted to Las Vegas, New Mexico, and later transferred to Santa Fe. In the spring of 1881, he stood trial in Mesilla, in the Old Doña Ana County Courthouse for the murder of Sheriff William Brady.
An unsigned painting, attributed to an unknown artist, portrays the ambush and final capture of William Bonney. The scene captures the pivotal moment when Charlie Bowdre emerges from the stone shelter at Stinking Springs, only to be fatally shot by Pat Garrett. Today, all that remains of the stone building at Stinking Springs are its foundations, located on private property. This poignant artwork is currently on display at the Billy the Kid Museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.
The Grzelachowski General Store.
In 1880, Billy the Kid spent a significant amount of time in Puerto de Luna, approximately ten miles south of Santa Rosa, and thirty miles north of Fort Sumner, the bustling County Seat of San Miguel County, New Mexico. The area boasted numerous sheep, cattle, and horse ranches, along with gardens, apple orchards, and vineyards lining the muddy banks of the Pecos River. The central gathering place in town was Grzelachowski's General Store, owned and operated by Alexander Grzelachowski.
Grzelachowski, a tall, blue-eyed, bearded Polish immigrant, was renowned for his hospitality. Prior to settling in Puerto de Luna in 1872, he had served as a Catholic priest. Both Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid were regular visitors to the store. Constructed in the mid-1870s, the building served multiple purposes, functioning as a residence, general store, post office, and warehouse. Grzelachowski, along with his common-law wife Secundina C. de Baca and their nine children, occupied the domestic section. The expansive room at the south end housed Grzelachowski's store and the post office. Adobe rooms at the rear of the building, now demolished, are believed to have served as warehouse space for goods and possibly included a basement jail. Notably, the store gained popularity as a favored stop for both local ranchers and travelers passing through the Pecos Valley.
There are numerous tales surrounding the dynamic relationship between Billy, a frequent visitor to the store, and Alexander Grzelachowski. A. J. Padilla, also known as Adecacio Juan Padilla and married to Grzelachowski’s daughter, serves as the primary storyteller, having heard them directly from his mother-in-law. According to her, Billy was enthralled by Grzelachowski’s wisdom and narratives, often requesting him to converse in Latin, Polish, or Greek. Billy would stand at the front of the store, shooting tin cans, shifting his gun from hand to hand. Grzelachowski explicitly instructed his clerks not to engage in arguments and to fulfill any of Billy's requests. On one occasion when Grzelachowski was away, clerks witnessed Billy and his companions riding into town and promptly fled out the back door. With the store unattended, Billy and his friends took what they needed and rode off. Upon Billy's return days later, he approached Grzelachowski and inquired about any debts he may owe. Grzelachowski stated that he believed the Kid owed nothing. In another incident, a clerk accused Billy of attempting to steal ammunition from a friend, prompting Billy to return the boxes.
In December of 1880, as Billy was being transported to jail in Las Vegas by Sheriff Pat Garrett, New Mexico endured a bitterly cold winter. The posse arrived in Puerto de Luna and entered Grzelachowski’s store on Christmas Eve. There, they rested their horses overnight, warming themselves by mesquite fires and sipping whiskey. On Christmas Day, Alexander Grzelachowski served Christmas dinner, a moment that has etched his name in history. He is best remembered by historians as the Puerto de Luna merchant who served Billy the Kid his last Christmas dinner.
The Grzelachowski Store: Puerto de Luna, New Mexico Territory, circa 1879. On the left side of the image is Alexander Grzelachowski's general store. The man standing second from the right, wearing the derby hat, is believed to be Grzelachowski. (Image credit: National Register of Historic Places, and National Historic Landmarks Program Records - Record Title: New Mexico SP Grzelachowski, Alexander, House and Store National Archives Identifier: 77847312.
The Alexander Grzelachowski House and Store, now situated on private property in Puerto de Luna, New Mexico, was photographed in March 2024. Constructed in 1875, this historic building was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. Its architecture reflects the classic style of the 19th century, seamlessly blending residential and commercial elements. Over the years, the store has served as a notable landmark, attracting local ranchers and travelers exploring the scenic Pecos Valley.
The Final Letter:
Throughout March 1881, while waiting to be transported to Mesilla for trial, William wrote several letters to Governor Lew Wallace, pleading with him to uphold his end of the bargain and grant him the pardon he had promised for his testimony. Receiving no response and believing the governor was ignoring him, he threatened to reveal their correspondence, which would show the governor working with William to secure his testimony against the 'Ring.'
On March 27, 1881, William wrote his final letter to Governor Wallace. The letter simply states:
A copy of the final letter from William Bonney to Governor Lew Wallace, dated March 27, 1881, is on display at the Lincoln County Courthouse Museum in Lincoln, New Mexico. Ironically, at the time William was writing these letters to Lew Wallace, Governor Wallace was less than a four-minute walk from the jail in the governor's mansion in Santa Fe, reaping countrywide notoriety due to the publication of his biblical epic: ‘Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.’
William was referring to heading down to Mesilla for trial. All of William's correspondence to the Governor while in jail in Santa Fe was ignored. William Bonney never did disclose publicly the letters between himself and Governor Wallace. The Governor's mansion at 105 West Palace Avenue, Santa Fe, was a 4-minute walk from the jail, located on the site of what is now the Cornell Building at 208 West San Francisco Street.
The Old Doña Ana County Courthouse and Jail.
The Old Doña Ana County Courthouse and Jail, located in Mesilla, New Mexico, holds a significant place in the state's rich history. The construction of the Doña Ana Courthouse began in the 1840s, making it one of the oldest courthouses in New Mexico. It served as the central hub for judicial and governmental activities in the region until the county seat was moved to Las Cruces in 1885.
This courthouse played a vital role in history when Billy the Kid stood trial for the murder of Sheriff William Brady and his involvement in the killing of Andrew L. 'Buckshot' Roberts. Today, the Old Doña Ana County Courthouse stands as a meticulously preserved historic landmark. The building now hosts the Billy the Kid Gift Shop, providing visitors with the opportunity to connect with this captivating chapter of the American West.
Built in 1850, the adobe building originally served as the Dona Ana County Seat until 1885 when the county seat was transferred to Las Cruces. At that time, the building was sold to the town of Mesilla, becoming the courthouse and jail. Undergoing numerous renovations since 1881, the building's facade featured walls meeting at a 90° angle at the intersection of Calle De Parian and Calle De Guadalupe streets. During upgrades, an angular notch was cut out of the corner, and the entrance was relocated, resulting in a significant departure from its original appearance in 1881. Today, the Old Doña Ana County Courthouse and Jail, now housing the Billy the Kid Gift Shop, holds historical significance. In April 1881, Billy the Kid was sentenced to death by hanging after a one-day trial within these very walls for the murder of Lincoln County Sheriff William Brady. Deputies then escorted Billy on horseback from Mesilla to Lincoln County, marking a pivotal moment in the building's legacy.
What is now the Billy the Kid gift shop was once the Old Doña Ana County Courthouse and Jail in 1881, located at the intersection of Calle De Parian and Calle De Guadalupe streets in Mesilla. The image insert was captured by an unknown photographer circa 1900.
The La Posta De Mesilla (The Corn Exchange Hotel), as it stands in 2024. The small inserted image, depicts a stagecoach from the Butterfield Overland Mail Line making a stop at the Corn Exchange Hotel in the late 1800s. The original painting was created by local New Mexican artist Cliff Donaldson.
The Trial of Billy the Kid.
The Trial of Billy the Kid in Mesilla on April 9, 1881, was a significant legal proceeding marked by a series of events that led to a consequential outcome. It began on April 8, 1881, when William H. Bonney entered a plea of not guilty, setting the stage for the trial's commencement. The trial encompassed two distinct charges. Count 1 accused William of first-degree murder for the killing of 'Buckshot' Roberts at Blazer's Mill on April 4, 1878. Initially, this case was treated as a federal matter due to the location of the killing on the Mescalero Reservation, which fell under federal jurisdiction. However, the case took a significant turn when the judge ruled that the federal government lacked jurisdiction, citing Blazer's Mill as private land. Count 2 pertained to the first-degree murder of Sheriff William Brady in Lincoln on April 1, 1878, a matter within territorial jurisdiction.
The prosecution's case leaned heavily on the testimonies of four pivotal witnesses: Jacob B. Mathews, Saturnino Baca, Bonifacio Baca, and Isaac Ellis. Interestingly, William Bonney chose not to testify in his own defense. However, the four prosecution witnesses provided somewhat vague accounts of the Main Street shootout and the subsequent killing of Sheriff William Brady. Notably, none of these witnesses could definitively identify the individual responsible for Brady's fatal gunshot. The only link between William Bonney and the crime scene was the fact that William emerged from cover and rushed to the body of Brady with the intention of retrieving his Winchester 73 carbine, which Brady had confiscated from him on February 20, when William was arrested in Lincoln after being appointed town constable.
As the swift, one-day trial concluded, after an 11-minute deliberation, the jury delivered its verdict, primarily relying on weak testimony that, at best, could only place William at the scene. The jury found him guilty of first-degree murder. The trial ultimately reached its somber culmination on April 13, 1881, when William H. Bonney, alias Billy the Kid, was sentenced to hang in Lincoln County, the very location where the heinous crime had transpired. The execution was scheduled for May 13, 1881.
In a conversation with reporter J. H. Koogler of the Las Vegas Morning Gazette, Billy expressed his frustration, stating, "I think it's hard that I'm the only one to suffer the full consequence of the law." He had a valid point. From the prosecution's perspective, several men had fired at the lawmen from behind the corral wall, and it remains unknown which of them was responsible for killing Brady and Hindman.
The Trial of Billy the Kid unfolded in the Old Doña Ana County Courthouse, now repurposed as a gift shop, on April 9, 1881. Across the street, along Calle De Parian, stands the former Corn Exchange Hotel, presently known as the La Posta De Mesilla restaurant.
The Corn Exchange Hotel.
The La Posta Restaurant (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) is one of the older structures in Mesilla. Originally constructed in the 1840s as a combination of several structures, the building served various purposes, including a freight station, general store, and post office. The building is a complex example of the Territorial Style, constructed of stuccoed adobe. From 1863 to 1874, Colonel Joseph Francis Bennett ran a stage stop for the Butterfield overland mail line from the building. After leaving the army, Bennett engaged in mining and merchandising at La Mesilla and became the owner and manager of the stop that connected Santa Fe to Mesilla, El Paso, Silver City, Tucson, and Yuma—before continuing west to San Francisco, California. In 1865, the building became the Corn Exchange Hotel, which was, for decades, one of the finest lodges in the southwest. It wasn't until 1939 that La Posta de Mesilla Restaurant began operating in the northwest corner of the building.
As legend has it, it was here in the bar of the Corn Exchange Hotel, while playing poker, that Henry Antrim met Jesse Evans under his new alias William H Bonney. The connection between William Bonney and La Posta de Mesilla is largely based on local legend and folklore rather than concrete historical evidence. While there are no definitive records or documents that explicitly prove Billy Bonney's frequenting of La Posta, the restaurant proudly embraces the association and has incorporated it into its identity. The lore surrounding William Bonney often involves him being a regular visitor during the time that he and Jesse Evans's gang operated their cattle rustling operation out of Mesilla.
Historical records from the 19th century can be sparse, at best, especially regarding the day-to-day activities of little-known figures like William Bonney (as he was at the time). The lack of concrete evidence doesn't necessarily discredit the association, as it's not uncommon for legendary figures to have connections to specific places that become woven into local history and culture. In addition to meeting Jesse Evans in the bar of the Corn Exchange Hotel, it is also said that Bonney ate his meals here while on trial in the courthouse next door for the murder of Sheriff William Brady. That would seem logical to me—why take him any further from the courthouse and jail if not necessary. The Corn Exchange Hotel was literally across the street
The La Posta Restaurant, formerly the Corn Exchange Hotel in 1880, is steeped in local lore. Legend has it that a young Henry Antrim, fleeing from Bonita, Arizona, encountered Jesse Evans and his gang in the hotel bar at the beginning of his cattle rustling career. It was here that the young Antrim first introduced himself as William H. Bonney. Ironically, local legend also suggests that this is where William Bonney, also known as Billy the Kid, dined while he was incarcerated, awaiting trial for murder in the courthouse across the street.
Billy the Kid's Last Bid for Freedom.
On Thursday, April 28, 1881, Sheriff Garrett was in White Oaks collecting taxes. Garrett had assigned Deputy U.S. Marshal Bob 'Pecos' Olinger and Deputy Sheriff James Wallace Bell to guard Billy. Ironically, Billy was kept in a large, formidable building, once Lawrence Murphy's headquarters and store, known as 'The House.' The building served as a focal point in controlling the Lincoln County War. The Kid’s room was on the second story, across the hall, separated from a room where Garrett held five other less important prisoners. The room where Billy the Kid awaited his execution day had once been the bedroom of his old enemy, Lawrence Murphy. The building was now under the control of the county and used as the Lincoln County Courthouse and jail.
Left under the guard of deputies Olinger and Bell, Billy faced a tense situation. Olinger and the Kid had supported opposing factions during the Lincoln County War, and Olinger had killed Billy’s friend John Jones in August 1879. Olinger continually harassed Billy, even going so far as to draw a chalk line across the middle of the room. If Billy crossed it, Olinger threatened to shoot him with his shotgun. In contrast, the other guard, Bell, seemed to treat Billy well; Sheriff Garrett noted that the Kid “appeared to have taken a liking” to Bell.
At some point between 5:00 and 6:00 PM on the 28th, Olinger took five prisoners across the street to Sam Wortley’s hotel for dinner. Meanwhile, Billy remained in his room with Bell keeping watch. It's important to note that there were no witnesses in the building; in fact, the only two men who knew exactly what happened are both dead. From the primitive evidence gathering at the time, the circumstances that led to the murder of James Bell are pure speculation. There are various theories regarding what transpired in a room without witnesses: one suggests a hidden firearm in the outhouse, proposing that Godfrey Gauss, a friend of Billy’s, might have concealed a firearm in the outhouse, enabling him to retrieve it strategically to overpower or threaten Bell during his escort. Another theory involves an ambush on the stairs leading up to the jail. In this scenario, it is speculated that Billy took advantage of a vulnerable moment during the ascent to overpower or subdue Bell. Some theories propose that Billy used his shackles as an improvised weapon, striking Bell across the head to gain the upper hand. The fact that no one was there adds to the mystery.
It is widely accepted that Billy asked Bell to escort him to the outhouse behind the courthouse. Bell agreed, and Billy, still in his leg irons, chains, and handcuffs, accompanied him. Once they returned to the building, Billy seized the opportunity to make a move.
Godfrey Gauss, who had previously cooked for Tunstall and was residing in a house behind the courthouse with Sam Wortley, happened to be outside at that moment. He heard a gunshot, and as he looked up, he witnessed Bell bursting out of the courthouse's rear door. Gauss later recalled, "He ran right into my arms, expired at the same moment, and I laid him down dead." Bell had been shot through the body.
While Olinger was still dining at the hotel, he heard the gunshot and immediately rushed outside. Witnessing the chaos, Gauss urgently called out to him, asking him to hurry. As Olinger entered the courthouse yard on the east side of the building, he suddenly heard his name being called from above. When Olinger looked up, he saw his own Whitney double-barrel shotgun pointing down at him from an upstairs window. Billy had retrieved the shotgun from Bell’s lifeless body. “I stuck the gun through the window and said, ‘Look up, old boy, and see what you get,’” Billy later recounted. “Bob looked up, and I let him have both barrels right in the face and breast.” Olinger died instantly.
Billy spotted Gauss in the courtyard and requested that he toss up a pickaxe, to which Gauss promptly obliged. With the pickaxe in hand, the Kid then asked for a saddled horse while he worked on the chain connecting his shackles. Gauss quickly fetched the horse.
By this point, the Kid had gathered quite an audience—many of Lincoln’s citizens, including the five prisoners, had gathered to witness the extraordinary events unfolding before them. Surprisingly, no one attempted to interfere with Billy; it seemed that many held no grudge against him. According to some accounts, the Kid even shook hands with several people before riding out.
In any case, Billy saw no reason to rush; one witness noted that by the time Billy finally rode off, Bell and Olinger had been dead for more than an hour.
Scene of The Escape: This photo, taken circa 1887, is the earliest known image of the Lincoln County Courthouse. The nearest upstairs window (behind the men) is the window from which Billy shot and killed Deputy U.S. Marshal Bob Olinger on April 28, 1881. (Image credit: Public Domain).
Lincoln County Courthouse, in 2014: This historic two-story stuccoed adobe structure was built in 1873 – 1874 by L. G. Murphy & Company. Known as the “Big House/Store” for 6 years, it was destined to become the center of both political and business affairs in Lincoln County. Over its long history, it has contained a general store, Masonic meeting room, bar, billiard room, sheriff’s office, jail, living quarters, courthouse, city and county offices, school, and was the scene of Billy the Kid’s daring escape when deputies Olinger and Bell died at his hands. “The House of Murphy” went bankrupt and the county bought the building in 1880. In 1881, the building became the Lincoln County Courthouse and served as such until 1913 when the new courthouse at Carrizozo was completed. The old courthouse was then used as a school for a number of years. In 1938, the State purchased the abandoned structure and began extensive restoration. The Courthouse began its new life as a museum in July of 1939.
The Wortley Hotel, located across the street from the Lincoln County Courthouse—where William Bonney awaited his fate for the death of Sheriff William Brady. It was here that Deputy U.S. Marshal Bob Olinger heard the shots that killed Deputy James W. Bell, and then went running to his death at the hands of William Bonney. Deputy Marshal Olinger has the distinction of being the last man killed by Bonney, alias “Billy the Kid."
The Staircase Struggle: There were no witnesses to the events that unfolded on this staircase—everything remains pure speculation. However, the presence of blood splatters strongly indicates that Deputy Bell was overpowered at the top of the stairs. It is presumed that after Bell was struck by the shackles and his gun was taken, he attempted to flee by running down the stairs towards the back door, only to be shot at the bottom. The bullet hole in the wall at the base of the stairs remains a subject of debate even to this day. While many historians argue that it was added for dramatic effect after the events, there are others who support the theory that this was indeed the shot fired by William Bonney at Deputy Bell, which passed through his heart during the struggle on the stairs. The oldest known mention of the bullet hole appears in the pages of Walter Burns's novel ‘The Saga of Billy the Kid,’ copyrighted in 1925 and released in 1926. In chapter 2 of his book, Burns describes the state of the town of Lincoln, presumably in the 1920s. In his depiction of the Courthouse, Burns states: “At the foot of the stairway, inside the dingy old building, you will find a hole in the wall made by Billy the Kid’s bullet after it had passed through Deputy Bell’s heart.”
In April 1881, there was no boardwalk at the back of the courthouse, nor were there any railings at the back door. Bell, having been shot, burst from the back door (seen in the image), staggered diagonally across the image, and died in the arms of Godfrey Gauss, as indicated by the white memorial plaque.
Memorial plaque marking the spot where Deputy James W. Bell fell into the arms of Godfrey Gauss and expired.
Frontier peace officer J.W. Bell served as a Deputy Sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico, under Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1881. Tragically, he lost his life in the line of duty when he was killed by William Bonney while awaiting hanging for the murder of Sheriff William Brady. Deputy Bell is memorialized on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., at Panel 13, W3. His final resting place is at Cedarvale Cemetery in White Oaks, Lincoln County, New Mexico.
The upstairs window of the Lincoln County Courthouse served as the location where William Bonney was incarcerated, chained to the floor, before he overpowered Deputy James W Bell, resulting in Bell's death. Subsequently, Bonney retrieved a handgun and shotgun before shooting Deputy U.S. Marshal Bob Olinger from the window.
The view William Bonney had looking down on Bob Olinger: "Look up, old boy, and see what you get." This was the perspective from the upstairs window, overlooking the entrance where Deputy U.S. Marshal Bob Olinger entered the courthouse grounds. William Bonney fired both barrels of Olinger's own Whitney double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun, loaded with 00-buckshot, striking Olinger in the face and chest, killing him instantly.
Memorial plaque marking the spot where Deputy U.S. Marshal Bob Olinger met his tragic end, gunned down by his own shotgun.
According to local Lincoln historians at the Lincoln welcome center, the mystery surrounding the location of Robert 'Pecos Bob' Olinger's grave has never truly been solved. He is not interred in any of the five cemeteries in Lincoln. It is believed that he was buried in the old soldiers' cemetery at Fort Stanton, yet there is no remaining headstone; it had been removed. This is one of the many graves at the old soldiers' cemetery at Fort Stanton where the headstone has been removed. Could it be Bob Olinger—there is a slim possibility—but not likely, as nobody knows for certain. Another account suggests his family retrieved the body, but local historians maintain the belief that he rests at the fort. Robert Olinger is remembered as the last victim of Billy the Kid. Deputy Olinger is honored at Panel 13, W-3 of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The Kid's Escape: The Las Vegas Gazette - May 10, 1881.
"As time passes and further facts concerning the 'Kids' escape, comes in, the more wonderful and daring it appears. The hand-cuffs had been taken from his left hand, to allow him to eat supper. Watching an opportunity he dealt J. W. Bell a blow with the irons on his right hand. This broke his skull and as he fell the 'Kid' grabbed his pistol and finished the work. Billy then obtained a double-barreled shot-gun and took & position at an open window. He saw Olinger coming across the street and laconically remarked, 'hello Bob' and fired both barrels, the contents taking effect in the head and neck of the victim. He then ordered a man to bring him a good horse. While the horse was forthcoming, a file was obtained and the shackles were removed from his feet. Someone started to tell the man not to get the horse, but Bonney told him to go back; that he did not want to kill him. Says he: 'I am fighting for my life and must be obeyed.' He then mounted his horse and started off. He soon returned and said he had forgotten his blankets, which were soon obtained, and the daring highwayman departed from Lincoln forever."
~ J.H. Koogler, Las Vegas Gazette, May 10, 1881.
The Kid's Escape: A romanticized, fictitious account of the Kid's breakout from the Lincoln County Courthouse, as penned and published by J.H. Koogler in the Las Vegas Gazette on May 10, 1881. It appeared at the bottom of page one. (Image credit: University of New Mexico UNM Digital Repository).
After the Lincoln escape, embellishments swiftly appeared in J.H. Koogler’s column for the Las Vegas Gazette dated May 10, 1881. This piece seemingly offers a 'first-hand' account of the clash between William Bonney and Deputy James Bell. I would like to preface these observations by noting that only two individuals were present in the Lincoln County Courthouse during the encounter between J. W. Bell and William Bonney—those being Bell and Bonney—and there are no eyewitness testimonies to rely upon. Therefore, Koogler’s reporting is grounded solely in speculation. Based on Koogler’s account, the following conclusions can be drawn: Billy had his left hand unshackled to eat supper; while dining, Billy overpowered Bell by striking him with the irons, seized Bell’s gun, and shot him on the floor, resulting in his death in the room where Billy had been eating. Subsequently, after acquiring the shotgun, he initiated the killing of Bob Olinger with the statement: “Hello Bob.”
In the aftermath of the escape, and according to Pat Garrett's own testimony, his orders were that Billy was never to be unshackled. He was to eat restrained. Additionally, Billy couldn't have been eating supper at the time of the escape, as Deputy Olinger and five prisoners were across the road in Sam Wortley’s hotel for dinner. According to testimony, which has been verified by others working in the courthouse during the time Billy was jailed, Billy was never allowed to leave the courthouse. Deputy Olinger was to bring Billy's food back on his return with the prisoners from the Wortley hotel.
Even with the primitive investigative procedures available at the time, it was determined that the encounter happened at the top of the stairs—due to the discovery of blood. Deputy Bell received a wound on his forehead that matched being struck by handcuffs. Additionally, Bell was shot on the stairs, and he managed to run out of the back door of the courthouse into the arms of Godfrey Gauss, where he expired.
Three conflicting stories emerge about what was said before Billy shot Deputy Bob Olinger from the upstairs window. Koogler suggests that William Bonney shouted down “Hello Bob” before firing both barrels into Olinger’s head, face, and breast, killing him instantly. Another account is attributed to William Bonney himself, where he is reported as saying, “I stuck the gun through the window and said, ‘Look up, old boy, and see what you get.’” However, the question arises—where and with whom did he share this account? After his escape from Lincoln on April 28, he was on the run, initially heading for the Mexican border. However, he changed his mind and returned to Fort Sumner, where he was shot and killed 77 days after the escape, on July 14, 1881.
Subsequent to the initial exaggeration in the Gazette by Koogler, where he states the kid supposedly shouted down “Hello Bob,” which I believe, over the years, has embellished into this full one-way conversation supposedly by Billy's own account. I find the most likely and more accurate account to be that given by Godfrey Gauss in his testimony to Pat Garrett and thereafter to the Grand Jury after the shooting of Bell and Olinger. He stated, “The kid said nothing. He pointed a shotgun out of the window and shot Deputy Olinger with both barrels."
Romantic Implications.
The question often arises: why did Billy the Kid choose to stay in New Mexico after his daring escape from the Lincoln County courthouse on April 28, 1881? Speculation that has circulated over the years suggests a romantic involvement between Billy and Paulita Maxwell, the sister of Pete Maxwell. However, it's crucial to note that the existence of such a romance is a subject of historical debate. No definitive records or concrete evidence, aside from one letter exchanged between two deputies, exists to confirm the reality of this romantic involvement, leaving room for multiple interpretations.
Charles Angelo Siringo was an American lawman, Pinkerton detective, bounty hunter, and author active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born in Matagorda County, Texas, in 1855. By 1919, Siringo had authored several books. In 1920, he published the "History of Billy the Kid". In that manuscript, Siringo details a story given to him by Deputy Jim East, a member of Pat Garrett’s posse, in a letter dated May 1, 1920.
After Billy was captured at Stinking Springs, he was brought back to Fort Sumner and detained at the Maxwell house, where he was shackled to fellow gang member Dave Rudabaugh. A member of the household requested for Billy's chains to be removed so he and Paulita could have a private farewell, but the request was denied. It was evident that Garrett’s concern was that Billy might attempt to escape by any means possible. In response to the refusal, Paulita boldly approached Billy and kissed him passionately. Deputy Jim East recounted in his letter to Siringo: “The lovers embraced, and she gave Billy one of those soul kisses the novelists tell us about. It being time to hit the road for Vegas, we had to pull them apart, much against our wishes, for you know, all the world loves a lover.”
In her later years, Paulita faced numerous interviews regarding her alleged ties with Billy. Despite her consistent efforts to refute any romantic involvement with the notorious outlaw, the topic persisted due to some witnesses adamantly asserting their belief in their relationship. However, Paulita did not shy away from discussing Billy in some interviews, reminiscing about the vibrant social scene in Fort Sumner. She described how Billy stood out at the weekly dances, despite not being conventionally handsome. With his boyish good looks, infectious smile, and remarkable dancing skills, Billy charmed the local beauties, who vied for his attention with coy glances and flirtatious gestures.
Despite maintaining a friendly relationship with Billy, Pete Maxwell was reportedly displeased with his younger sister's association with a wanted man. This rumor fueled speculation that Pete assisted Pat Garrett in locating and eliminating Billy. Following Billy's death, Paulita, then still a young teenager, was promptly married off to a man named Jose Jaramillo. Together, they had three children: Telesfor, Adelina, and Luz. However, her marriage proved to be turbulent, marked by her husband's alcohol abuse. After enduring many years of hardship, Jose eventually left her for a younger woman.
Speculation persists that Paulita may have carried Billy's child at the time of his demise, prompting a hasty marriage to conceal any potential scandal. This theory would certainly answer the question as to why Billy didn't run for the Mexican border after his escape from the Lincoln County Courthouse. As a result, Telesfor, the son of Paulita, remained veiled from public scrutiny, with little information available about his life. Despite discrepancies in the reported presence of Billy, conception and birth dates, the unreliable nature of census records from the era leaves ample room for interpretation. A single photograph of Telesfor has prompted speculation among some who advocate the romance theory, suggesting it bears a striking resemblance to the iconic image of Billy the Kid. However, upon close examination, I find myself unable to perceive such a resemblance. In fact, any likeness observed could be equally attributed to Tom O’Folliard.
The debate surrounding the resemblances between Telesfor Jaramillo and William H. Bonney could equally be argued when comparing Telesfor to Tom O’Folliard, who is entirely unrelated to the romantic theory between William and Paulita. This raises questions about the objectivity of certain historians who formulate theories based solely on their interpretations, potentially presenting a specific narrative as factual to the public. (Image credit: Public Domain - Wikimedia Commons.) Graphic created by Stephen McConnell.
Could there have been a romantic relationship between William Bonney and Paulita Maxwell—it’s possible; but it’s also possible that it could have been a passionate kiss between friends saying goodbye for the last time. If William and Paulita had been lovers, then the question arises: As they were leaving the Maxwell house supposedly for the last time, why did William give the only known photograph of himself (the infamous tintype) to Deluvina Maxwell? Other than East’s letter to Siringo, describing the departure from Fort Sumner to Vegas, the rest is just hearsay, rumor, and gossip.
Paulita passed away at the age of 65 in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, succumbing to nephritis, an inflammation of the kidneys. Her final resting place was found in Fort Sumner's military cemetery, not far from Billy's burial site. Following her passing, her son Telesfor married a woman named Reina Romero. Together, they had one son, Luciano Jaramillo. Luciano led a solitary life, never marrying nor having children, until his passing in 2004. While the notion of a romantic connection between Billy the Kid and Paulita Maxwell adds intrigue to the story, it remains a subject of historical conjecture rather than established fact.
The End of the Trail.
Pat Garrett achieved legendary status in the Old West for killing Billy the Kid. However, over the years, rumors circulated, suggesting that the Sheriff may have either shot the wrong man or played a role in faking the outlaw's death. In the late 1940s, an elderly Texan named William Henry Roberts, alias 'Brushy Bill Roberts,' claimed to be the real Billy the Kid. His story lost credibility when family records revealed his birthdate as 1879. Subsequently, other investigators proposed the theory that the Kid lived to old age under the alias 'John Miller.' In 2005, they exhumed Miller's alleged remains, although plans to compare his DNA to Billy the Kid's never materialized.
And so, the question remains: Was Billy the Kid shot by Pat Garrett at Fort Sumner on July 14, 1881, or was this a carefully orchestrated plan, possibly with Garrett’s assistance, to help the Kid escape justice and live out his life under an alias? I embarked on this project with the intention of remaining impartial in the debate, finding the story intriguing from both perspectives. However, after several months of extensive research in preparation for this journey, the deeper I delved into the narrative, the more challenging it became not to form an opinion. I am firmly convinced that Pat Garrett shot and killed William Bonney in the early morning hours of July 14, 1881, at Fort Sumner. Virtually all credible evidence points in this direction.
First, it is essential to debunk two widely believed myths concerning Billy the Kid's demise, as they have no basis in truth. One prevalent myth is that nobody, except for Pat Garrett and his deputies, saw the Kid's body, and they hastily buried him to keep the true identity of the deceased hidden. This is entirely false. Here's what we know:
Sheriff Pat Garrett arrived at Pete Maxwell's ranch near midnight on July 14, 1881, accompanied by deputies John W. Poe and Thomas ‘Kit’ McKinney to question Maxwell about the whereabouts of Billy the Kid. Near midnight, the men entered the gate of the Maxwell house and stood on the porch. Garrett entered Pete Maxwell's room, sitting near the head of the bed. The Kid, upon spotting the deputies on the porch, pulled his gun from his waistband and whispered, "Quien es?" [Who is it?] as he backed towards Maxwell's open door. The Kid turned and entered the room, and Maxwell whispered to Garrett, "El es" [It's him]. Garrett then pulled out his revolver and fired twice, hitting the Kid in the chest and killing him.
The following day, a Coroner's jury appointed by Justice of the Peace Alejandro Salguero conducted an investigation, and Fort Sumner residents took care of Billy's body, cleaning and dressing him before placing him in a coffin. Later that day, they buried Billy. Historians have identified 48 witnesses who positively identified Billy the Kid's body. Although I can't cover all of them due to space constraints, I will mention some of the most significant witnesses.
The second myth suggests that Pat Garrett's deputy, John W. Poe, claimed that Pat had killed the wrong man. This notion often stems from a specific quote attributed to Poe: “He stood by me close to the wall at the side of the door and said to me, ‘that was the kid that came in there onto me, and I think I've got him.’ I said, 'Pat, the kid would not have come to this place; you shot the wrong man.'” However, this quote is taken out of context. These are Poe's own words from his book, The Death of Billy the Kid, published in 1933. Poe goes on to explain, “The darkness was such that we were unable to see what the conditions were on the inside or what the result of the shooting had been. After some rather forceful persuasion, indeed, we induced Maxwell to secure a light. He finally brought an old-fashioned tallow candle from his mother's room, at the far end of the building. He placed the candle on the window from the outside, allowing us to see the inside. There, we found a man lying dead in the middle of the room, with a six-shooter on his right and a butcher knife on his left. Upon examining the body, we found it to be that of Billy, the Kid."
Clearly, Poe's initial utterance, "you killed the wrong man," stemmed from a momentary disorientation in the midst of a high-stress scenario, the disorienting sound of a gunshot in the dark, at close physical proximity, and heightened adrenaline. What Poe meant to convey was his stunned disbelief, swiftly replaced by a stark realization. It seems highly improbable that anyone, upon reviewing the complete quote, could misconstrue it as a form of confession, particularly when considering that Poe's entire book revolves around the subject of their involvement in the death of Billy the Kid.
On July 14, 1881, this single-story Adobe building housed a ground floor, with the upper floor added in subsequent years following William Bonney's death. Positioned near the front corner of the building, to the left of the man and the horse, were deputy Poe and McKinney, standing adjacent to the door of Pete Maxwell's bedroom. William Bonney approached them along the porch, heading from left to right. Upon noticing two unfamiliar men standing at the picket fence, he turned left into Pete Maxwell's bedroom to investigate. It was in this room that he encountered Pat Garrett.
The area within the Fort Sumner historical site, once occupied by the Maxwell house, now sees reconstruction efforts underway to reproduce the foundations of the room where William Bonney was shot. Amidst the scene, a marker on the left (in the middle distance) designates the spot where William fell. Another marker on the right denotes the position where Pat Garrett was seated on the edge of Pete Maxwell's bed.
Audio tour marker 23 highlights the gray memorial slab encircled by tile, marking the spot where William Bonney fell. At audio tour marker 24, the position where Pat Garrett sat is roughly indicated by the rightmost corner of the tile. Ongoing work aims to expand the floor tiling to encompass the complete foundations of the room, providing a clearer understanding of Garrett's positioning relative to William Bonney at the time of the shooting. Additionally, the door into Pete Maxwell's bedroom would have been in the area of marker 23. Pete Maxwell's bed would have been positioned to the right of the image, approximately where the tile finishes in the image.
This memorial marker signifies the exact position where William H. Bonney fell dead on July 14, 1881, at the hand of Sheriff Pat Garrett.
The Witnesses.
Pete Maxwell, who was present in the bedroom where the shooting took place, had his statement taken by the coroner's jury the following day. Pete did not live alone; his mother, Donna Luz, was allegedly one of the first on the scene after Garrett fired that fatal shot. Then there was Paulita Maxwell, Pete's sister, and allegedly Billy's girlfriend, along with her little sister, Odelia Maxwell; they saw Billy's lifeless body just minutes after the shooting. Deluvina Maxwell, who had a crush on Billy, was twenty-two at the time of his death. She identified the Kid's body on the night he was killed. In a 1927 interview with J. Evetts Haley, Maxwell states: “He (Garrett) was afraid to go back to the room to make sure of whom he had shot! I went in and was the first to discover that they had killed my little boy. I hated those men and am glad that I have lived long enough to see them all dead and buried.”
Jesus Silva, friend and pallbearer to Billy. In an interview with Jack Hull in 1937 Silva stated: "It was the night of July 14, 1881. The Kid had just ridden to town. He was hot and tired and we drank beer together. He told me he was going to the home of Don Pedro Maxwell for a cut of fresh beef for his supper. In a few minutes there were shots. I ran over to Maxwell's home and the Kid was dead on the floor, face down. We moved the body to the old carpenters shop. We laid the body on the carpenter's bench and placed candles around the corpse. He was buried in the old graveyard the next day.”
The following year (1938) in an interview with Miguel Otero Jr., author of The Real Billy the Kid, Silva recounted: “There on the floor, we (Silva and Deluvina Maxwell) saw Billy stretched out, face down. We turned him over, and when Deluvina realized fully it was the Kid, she began to cry bitterly, interspersing with her tears the vilest curses she could bestow on the head of Pat Garrett." (Garrett, who may have walked in at the sound of Deluvina Maxwell crying, noticed the Kid was now lying on his back, which may explain his version of how the Kid's body was positioned). "We asked permission to remove the body, with Pete Maxwell suggesting relocation to the old carpenter’s shop. We laid the body on the carpenter’s bench and placed candles around the corpse.”
Vicente Otero, Fort Sumner resident, who helped dig the Kid’s grave: “I was at Fort Sumner the night Billy the Kid was killed. I went to the carpenter’s shop and stood at the wake all that night. Jesus Silva made a wooden box, which served as the coffin for the Kid. The next day Silva and I dug the Kid’s grave and buried the body in the old graveyard. I know the exact spot of Billy’s burial thought I have not been to the graveyard for many years.”
The following morning, Minor Rudulph and his son, Charles, arrived from nearby Sunnyside. Rudulph was a successful businessman, former legislator, Sunnyside postmaster, and a sympathizer for the Santa Fe Ring. Not only did Rudulph know the Kid well, but he also headed the Coroner's jury appointed by Justice of the Peace Alejandro Salguero, which examined the body and interviewed Pete Maxwell. Charles Rudulph was also well-acquainted with Billy, as he had been a member of the posse that helped arrest him at Stinking Springs.
It's important to recognize that many of the witnesses hailed from outlying farms and ranches. While some were friends of Billy, others had a contentious relationship with the Kid. Several of them were influential ranchers, aligned with the Santa Fe Ring and the Murphy-Dolan faction. Given the composition of witnesses, it would have been implausible to orchestrate an escape story. Those with sympathies toward Murphy-Dolan and the political and financial powers in Santa Fe strongly desired the Kid’s demise. There would have been absolutely no gain in participating in such a scheme.
Yginio Salazar, a member of the Lincoln County Regulators and a friend of Billy, stated: “I lived in Fort Sumner for a while and know many people there who saw Billy’s body after Pat Garrett killed him.”
The Coroner’s report (in Spanish) was authored by Alejandro Segura, the Justice of the Peace in Fort Sumner. It was sent to William Breeden, who served as the District Attorney of the First Judicial District and was a known member of the 'Ring.' Breeden was a close friend of Thomas Benton Catron, also a prominent Ring member who held the position of Territorial Attorney General. The jury endorsed the conclusion, stating: “Our verdict is that the deed of said Garrett was justifiable homicide, and we are unanimous in the opinion that the gratitude of all the community is due to the said Garrett for his deed, and he is worthy of being rewarded.”
Despite their avowed antipathy for Garrett, none of Billy's friends who were in Sumner that night and were interviewed later in life, such as Jesus Silva, Vicente Otero, Deluvina Maxwell, and Paco Anaya, were ever documented as saying that Garrett killed the wrong man.
The Outlaw.
The fugitive life of Henry McCarthy began with the death of Francis Cahill in Bonita, Arizona, on August 17, 1877. It came to an abrupt end four years and eleven months later in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, when Pat Garrett shot and killed him on July 14, 1881. Billy's short and daring life has always captivated storytellers, authors, filmmakers, and creators of popular culture, who have romanticized and embellished his adventures and personality to the point of elevating him into a household name.
Contrary to popular folklore, which often depicts a young Billy the Kid as having supposedly killed 21 men before turning 21, it is crucial to clarify the facts. Historical evidence does not support this claim, nor does it support the age of 21 at the time of his death. This estimation lacks conclusive proof, leaving the identities of these alleged victims and the unclear circumstances surrounding their deaths shrouded in uncertainty.
Following Billy's death, Pat Garrett was accused of killing him in cold blood. In an effort to redeem himself and promote his side of the story, Garrett wrote a biography entitled The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid, published in 1882. To underscore a pivotal aspect previously discussed at the beginning of this piece: the majority of Garrett's biography was penned by Ashmun 'Ash' Upson, a newspaper journalist instrumental in shaping the myth of Billy the Kid. Upson asserts in the book that the Kid hailed from New York, born on November 23, 1859, yet the exact details of his birth remain elusive. Despite exhaustive searches, no census reports, birth records, church records, parental marriage records, or land and property records link him to New York. Notably, there are no known testimonies from those who knew Billy disclosing his place of origin, a deliberate measure in maintaining inconspicuous aliases. This enigma continues to baffle historians and biographers.
It's essential to ponder, given the limited resources in the early 1800s, how did a small-town New Mexican journalist unearth such information? Notably, Upson's familiarity with Irish neighborhoods in New York stems from his background—he hailed from New Haven, Connecticut, and worked as a reporter for the New York Tribune. Adding intrigue, Upson's birthdate aligns with November 23—coincidence or a subtle connection? As the legend of Billy the Kid gained momentum, Garrett's book became a primary source for authentic details. Remarkably, for over a century, only a handful of researchers questioned the fantastical tales within the book. Presently, some experts still cite this material as factual when recounting or quoting versions of Billy's life.
Regarding how old the Kid was at the time of his demise, testimonies of childhood friends and acquaintances from Silver City suggest that he was about 12 years old in 1873. A Lincoln resident, Lily Casey, said the Kid was barely 16 when he was jailed in Lincoln in November of 1877, and the Coe cousins would go on to say that the Kid was about 17 years old during the Lincoln County War in early 1878. These varying accounts highlight the challenges in determining the Kid's exact age and add complexity to his historical narrative.
However, a more definitive source for the Kid’s age is Paco Anaya, a close friend of Billy’s and a member of the coroner's jury, as well as one of his pallbearers. In his book, I Buried Billy, Anaya recounts: “Billy and I talked a lot because we were the same age; he was born in May, and I was born in January of the same year.” Paco Anaya was born in 1862.
Paco dictated his story of Billy the Kid in Spanish to his son, Louis Anaya, in 1931, when he was 69 years old—more than 50 years after the death of Billy. The book based on his account was eventually published in January 1991. Paco Anaya's statement, which appears to provide first-hand knowledge, suggests that the Kid was born in May of 1862, making him 19 at the time of death. This extensive time gap between the events and the recollection highlights the challenge of preserving historical accuracy. In addition, this insight raises the possibility that Garrett may have intentionally inflated the Kid’s age to 21 in his book, possibly to present him as an adult man when he shot him, rather than acknowledging the harsh reality of gunning down a young man possibly still in his teens. Furthermore, the statement in Garrett's biography, “He killed 21 men by the age of 21,” appears to be a catchy slogan intended to boost book sales, rather than a strict representation of historical accuracy.
So, how many men did Billy the Kid kill? Conservative estimates range from eight to nine. However, the Kid was solely responsible for the deaths of four men, confirmed through witness testimonies and documented affidavits: Frank Cahill, Joe Grant, James W. Bell, and Bob Olinger. It's important to note that I dismiss the men whom Billy was accused of killing without evidence!
These are: Billy ‘Buck’ Morton, Frank Baker, and William McCloskey. The Kid was one of many Regulators present at Blackwater Creek when these killings took place. However, no evidence specifies who committed the murders.
Sheriff William Brady and Deputy George Hindman were cut down in a hail of gunfire on Main Street, Lincoln. It could have been a bullet from any one of the eight Regulators involved in the ambush.
The Kid was blamed for killing Andrew L. 'Buckshot' Roberts, who faced off against fourteen regulators in a mass shootout at Blazer’s Mill. However, it was Charlie Bowdre who gave the feisty gunman his fatal wound.
Then there was the controversial killing of Deputy James Carlyle, another incident involving multiple weapons and crossfire. Carlyle jumped through a window at White Oaks and was mistakenly shot and killed by his own posse, who thought he was Billy the Kid. This unfortunate incident caused the posse to blame the Kid, leading to the loss of what little favor he had with the public and dashing any hopes of receiving a pardon from the governor.
The Kid was also credited for killing Charlie Crawford, another Murphy-Dolan man, during the significant battle at McSween's house. The true gunman, however, was Fernando Herrera (Doc Scurlock's father-in-law), who shot Crawford as he rode towards town to join Sheriff Peppin's posse during the siege at McSween's house.
Lastly, he was blamed for killing a Mescalero agency clerk, Morris Bernstein. While the Kid and his cohorts were watering their horses at a nearby spring several yards away, a gunfight broke out between Bernstein and Atanacio Martinez (who was riding with the Kid), resulting in Martinez shooting and killing the clerk.
So in actuality, the Kid single handedly killed four men and participated in five shootings.
Pals.
On July 14, 1881, 19-year-old William H. Bonney, commonly known as Billy the Kid, met his end when he was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The following day, he was laid to rest, with a simple wooden board marking his grave.
By 1904, this marker had been destroyed, likely due to the harsh summer heat and the constant flooding from the nearby Pecos River. For nearly three decades, Billy's grave remained unattended until 1932 when the Fort Sumner Chamber of Commerce is believed to have replaced it. This move may have been aimed at attracting tourists, especially following the success of the 1930 movie ‘Billy the Kid.'
The decision to replace the gravestone extended to honoring two other members of Billy's gang who met their end at the hands of Pat Garrett and his posse: Charlie Bowdre and Tom O’Folliard. These men had served as members of the Regulators during the Lincoln County War. After the war ended, they, along with Billy the Kid, became cattle rustlers, forming the Bonney gang with fellow outlaws Dave Rudabaugh, Tom Pickett, and Billy Wilson.
To explain the joint commemoration, the word 'Pals' was engraved on the new memorial. However, for those seeking historical accuracy, it's worth noting that none of the three men likely rest beneath this tombstone. O'Folliard and Bowdre are buried in separate, unmarked graves nearby. Due to the long absence of markings on Billy's grave, his exact burial spot has been lost to history.
On July 14, 1881, Billy the Kid found his final resting place in the old military cemetery at Fort Sumner. However, the exact location of his burial remains uncertain, as the wooden tombstones were washed away by the great Pecos River flood of 1904. The current grave site is merely an estimate. Due to vandalism and the fact that his tombstone has been stolen twice, the entire grave site has been secured with an iron cage. The tombstone was first stolen in 1951, sparking a 26-year mystery until Joe Bowlin found it in Granbury, Texas, in 1976. However, the tombstone faced another theft on February 8, 1981, but was recovered four days later in Huntington Beach, California. Governor Bruce King took action, sending DeBaca County Sheriff, ‘Big Jim’ McBride, to retrieve the marker from Los Angeles. Chamber officials, with Jarvis P. Garrett, reset the tombstone, securing it with iron shackles, on May 30, 1981.
Caged in History: Jailed for Eternity. The Tombstone of Billy the Kid - Stolen, Found, and Returned Multiple Times. This protective cage shields the final resting place of the legendary outlaw, preserving a piece of the Wild West against the curious hands of time and the relentless quest for a notorious piece of history.
In 1932, Billy's gravestone was finally replaced, with varying accounts of its funding. One version suggests Billy's pallbearers pooled money for the memorial; another claims actor Johnny Mack Brown contributed after portraying Billy in a 1930 film, and a third asserts the Fort Sumner Chamber of Commerce erected the stone, possibly capitalizing on tourist interest following a recent movie release. The stone also commemorated two other members of Billy's gang, Charlie Bowdre and Tom O’Folliard, with the word "Pals."
Orphaned at a young age, Tom O'Folliard joined the Regulators during the Lincoln County War and befriended William Bonney (Billy the Kid), who taught him marksmanship. After the war, he joined the Bonney gang for cattle rustling alongside outlaws Charlie Bowdre and Dave Rudabaugh. O'Folliard, Billy the Kid's best friend and second in command, was fatally shot in the chest by Sheriff Pat Garrett on the road to Fort Sumner. He shares a burial plot with Billy the Kid and Charlie Bowdre.
Charlie Bowdre, whose birthplace remains uncertain, likely in Wilkes County, Georgia, spent his youth on a farm with details of his early life shrouded in mystery. He journeyed west in 1874, meeting Doc Scurlock in Arizona before settling in New Mexico. Hired by John Tunstall, Bowdre joined William Bonney in the Lincoln County Regulators during the Lincoln County Range War. After their faction's defeat, he moved to Fort Sumner, worked as a ranch hand, and married Scurlock's sister-in-law. Wanted for the murder of Buckshot Roberts, negotiations with Sheriff Pat Garrett failed, leading to continued association with Bonney. Fleeing from Garrett's posse, Bowdre was shot and killed at Stinking Springs while tending stock. His remains were returned to Fort Sumner for burial.
A full-size reconstruction of the Billy the Kid gravesite and tombstone, including Tom O’Folliard and Charlie Bowdre, along with the 'Pals' memorial stone, portrays what the gravesite would look like without the iron cage security measures. The Kid’s tombstone bears 21 notches, representing the men he purportedly killed, and lists a birth year of 1860, suggesting he would have been 21 years old at the time of his death. Regrettably, much of the information regarding Billy the Kid in the vicinity of Fort Sumner has been inaccurately influenced by the embellishments found in Pat Garrett's book.
Fake Wanted Posters.
During my research for this project, I came across an article by John Boessenecker, an American lawyer, historian, and author well-known for his contributions as a historical commentator on networks such as PBS, The History Channel, and A&E. Boessenecker asserts that, in response to the issue of fake posters, "If there's a genuine Billy the Kid wanted poster out there, nobody has yet seen it, but there are tons of fakes circulating." Collectors recall an incident from several years ago at a New Mexico show when an individual with an old printing press produced novelty wanted posters for $50. Originally created for amusement, these posters are now being misrepresented as authentic, with one even fetching $11,000 in a sale a few years ago.
The Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang, founded in 1987 with the mission of preserving, protecting, and promoting the true history of Billy the Kid in New Mexico, offers an 8.5-by-11-inch wanted poster that faithfully replicates the wording of a 'wanted' newspaper ad placed by New Mexico Territorial Governor Lew Wallace. This poster is available for $5, and for orders of 10 or more, the price drops to $2.50 each. It's worth noting that this modified newspaper ad, occasionally marketed as a 'wanted poster,' includes two dingbats on either side of the '$500 Reward,' not present in the original 1880 newspaper ad. These dingbats aid in identifying the numerous counterfeit novelty posters in circulation.
I thoroughly examined the original newspaper article published in the Las Vegas Morning Gazette on December 16, 1880 (a PDF version is available through the University of New Mexico UNM Digital Repository). The articles from 1880 consistently feature the correct spelling of 'Bonney.' The misspelled version shown in the illustration below is indeed a result of the inadequate spelling abilities of those involved in creating these novelty posters.
A novelty wanted poster produced by ‘The Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang,’ founded in 1987, serves as a fictitious representation and was sold for $5.00.
A framed wanted poster on display at the Billy the Kid Museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, is clearly among the counterfeit wanted posters highlighted by John Boessenecker. The presence of dingbats next to the reward, the misspelling of "Bonny," and the use of contemporary wording all indicate its lack of authenticity. The accompanying caption reads: “1 of 27 original wanted posters for Billy the Kid, noticed they misspelled Bonny. This poster was found with the original press that made the poster. Notice pictures on the right."
To reiterate the point made by John Boessenecker, there was never an official wanted poster issued for Billy the Kid. On December 13, 1880, Governor Lew Wallace authorized a $500 reward, announced in the Las Vegas Gazette. The first published column, entitled 'The Kid’s Price,' appeared halfway down page two on Wednesday, December 15, 1880. This short piece, roughly 150 words long, marked the official notice. Surprisingly, only nine lines of this article were dedicated to the Kid and the $500 reward, while the rest of the column proposed a civil collection of a $5000 purse to be paid to the men engaged in driving these desperadoes from their borders.
Las Vegas Morning Gazette, December 15, 1880, Page 2. (Image credit: University of New Mexico UNM Digital Repository).
“Gov. Wallace has at last offered a reward for the capture of the notorious Billy 'the Kid.' This executive act is as good as far as it goes, but the amount offered, $500, is too small. But perhaps he has done all that the law permits. In that case, his judgment is good in setting the price on 'the Kid's' head at the highest sum allowed. Surely some recompense should be made to the brave fellows who take their lives in their hands to hunt down the outlaws. It is no jackrabbit hunt that Garrett and his band, Frank Stewart and his Panhandle-boys, and the White Oaks rangers are engaged in, but a determined campaign against lawless fellows who have nothing to fear, as the remainder of their lives will be spent behind bars to pay the penalty of their crimes if they are ever caught. What should be done by the people of this and neighboring counties is to raise a purse of $5,000 to be paid to the men engaged in this campaign, provided they drive the desperados from our borders.”
~ J.H. Koogler, Las Vegas Morning Gazette, December 15, 1880.
Following the December 15 publication, a brief seven-line notice appeared daily in the Gazette until Pat Garrett captured Billy on December 23 at Stinking Springs. An interesting aspect of the Kid’s wanted notice lies in its size and brevity—measuring just 3×1 inches, with only seven lines, including the governor's name, title, and date. Notably, this wanted notice initially appeared at the bottom of page one in small print. Subsequent editions saw its placement shift to page two and then to page three. Even after Billy's audacious escape from the Lincoln County Jail on April 28, 1881, where he killed deputies James Bell and Bob Olinger, resulting in two additional deaths, the reward reappeared and remained fixed at $500, underscoring the historical fact that Billy the Kid wasn't the deadliest gunslinger Koogler had penned him to be.
Las Vegas Morning Gazette, December 16, 1880. Page one. (Image credit: University of New Mexico UNM Digital Repository).
Conclusion.
When I decided to undertake this trip, my understanding of Billy the Kid was as limited as that of most people. My knowledge was confined to the standard narrative—an outlaw, gunslinger, 21 years old, and allegedly responsible for the demise of 21 men. Like many, I had watched Emilio Estevez’s personable characterization in the 1988 movie 'Young Guns,’ directed by Christopher Cain. Guided by that representation, I wanted to believe the ‘Brushy Bill’ narrative, where a carefully orchestrated plan allowed Billy to escape justice and live a peaceful existence. However, having completed this journey, I am now firmly convinced that Pat Garrett shot and killed Henry McCarthy, alias ‘Billy the Kid,’ in Pete Maxwell’s bedroom on July 14, 1881.
Examining the facts of Billy's life reveals a stark reality: at its core, he was nothing more than a charismatic cattle thief. The pivotal moment that sealed his fate was the killing of Sheriff Brady. This act denied him a pardon for his involvement in the Lincoln County War, ultimately forcing him to go on the run. However, it wasn't until decades after his demise that Billy gained notoriety. This fame stemmed from the writings of J.H. Koogler for the Las Vegas Gazette. Koogler played a pivotal role in shaping Billy's public image by coining the catchy headline ‘Billy the Kid,’ lending an air of grandiosity to Billy's personality. As a result, these embellished newspaper columns soon evolved into dime novels, capturing the creativity of Hollywood and ultimately giving birth to a Western legend.
The nickname ‘Billy the Kid’ made its debut on the silver screen in the 1911 silent film of the same name, directed by Laurence Trimble and starring Tefft Johnson. However, it's worth noting that, aside from sharing the name, the film had no connection to the historical figure Billy the Kid. The film's nationwide popularity surged, largely influenced by the contemporary fascination with moving pictures.
The story remained dormant until 1915 when Walter Burns, a 49-year-old crime reporter from Chicago, ventured into the Coney Island Saloon, an El Paso beer joint, to quench his thirst. This relatively unknown columnist was covering Pancho Villa's exploits and happened to notice an old revolver hanging behind the bar. Driven by curiosity, he inquired about its providence, leading the bartender to disclose that it was the pistol used to kill 'Billy the Kid.'
"Billy the who?" questioned Burns, his face blank.
"The Kid," replied the bartender, "he used to be a notorious desperado around here."
After finishing his beer, Burns departed to work on his Pancho Villa story, stashing the name Billy the Kid in the recesses of his mind. Several years later, back in the Southwest visiting family, Burns hadn't forgotten the name. He decided to make inquiries, conducting interviews with individuals who knew the Kid, including Billy's old friend Paulita Maxwell.
In 1926, Walter Noble Burns penned a best-seller titled The Saga of Billy the Kid. While not the most historically accurate work, it proved to be a resounding success, earning a coveted spot in the Book of the Month Club. The narrative painted Billy as a sentimental hero, gallantly fighting for justice, thus significantly boosting his popularity.
In 1930, Hollywood brought 'Billy the Kid' to the silver screen, a film directed by King Vidor and featuring Johnny Mac Brown as the Kid, inspired by Burns's best-seller. Almost magically, the young bandit from New Mexico transformed into a household name. Were it not for these imaginative elements, Henry McCarthy would likely have faded into obscurity—a nameless, small-time cattle rustler caught up in a range war, responsible for the deaths of four men—and all because one man happened to step into the Coney Island Saloon for a cold beer. However, the stark reality is that, in his lifetime, the Kid just wasn't that important.
On December 28, 1880: J. H. Koogler, published the following description after a jailhouse interview with the Kid while he was awaiting transportation to Mesilla for trial. In the interview the Kid was quoted as saying: "What's the use of looking on the gloomy side of everything? The laugh's on me this time." (Image credit: Public Domain - Wikimedia Commons).
The life of Billy the Kid was a tragedy from two perspectives. Initially, he became entangled in a political range war, manipulated by the avarice of powerful men. Later, even in death, his story was exploited by lesser men for the sole purpose of financial gain. It's intriguing how historical figures like James Copeland, Jim Reed, John Sontag, and Will and Bob Christian—lesser-known outlaws who, in their time, rivaled, if not surpassed, Billy's exploits in killing—lacked the fame attributed to the Kid due to the influence of a catchy name and dime novelists who shaped public opinion.
Our modern perception of this young man's life is clouded by speculation, exaggeration, and hearsay. Many long for a more intricate narrative, yearning for figures like 'Brushy Bill Roberts' to be the Kid—having escaped the 'Ring' of corruption and ultimately finding peace. To reiterate a point made earlier: 'In his lifetime, the Kid just wasn't that important.' The truth is, it's the tale of a teenager fatally shot on a dark night amidst a conflict fueled by revenge; a part of a feud far beyond his control. It was editorial writer and editor J.H. Koogler, authors Pat Garrett and Marshall Ashmun 'Ash' Upson, and Walter Noble Burns—all of whom contributed to the creation of the myth of Billy the Kid. Ultimately, it remains a captivating narrative if one can appreciate it for what it truly is—a story!
References Materials:
Garrett, F. (1994). The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid. The Noted Desperado. New York, NY: Indian Head Books.
BELL, B. (1996). Illustrated life and Times of Billy the Kid (2nd ed.) [Paperback Print]. TRI Star-Boze Publications, Incorporated.
Brothers. (2016). About Billy the Kid. Retrieved September 1, 2023, from https://www.billythekidoutlawgang.com/blank
Anderson. (1995, May 1). McCarty, Henry (1859–1881). Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved September 2, 2023, from https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/mccarty-henry
Billy the Kid. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved September 3, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_the_Kid
Lincoln County War. (2015, April 3). Wikipedia. Retrieved September 5, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County_War
John Tunstall. (2023, August 4). Wikipedia. Retrieved September 8, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Tunstall
Gunfight at Blazer’s Mill. (2022, October 20). Wikipedia . Retrieved September 25, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunfight_at_Blazer%27s_Mill
Las Vegas morning gazette: The Kid’s Price. (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1881, December 15, 1880, Page 2. (1880, December 15). https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn93061631/1880-12-15/ed-1/seq-2/
Las Vegas morning gazette: $500 Reward. (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1881, December 16, 1880, Page 1. (1880, December 16). https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn93061631/1880-12-16/ed-1/seq-1/
The Wild West Extravaganza (2023, August 23). Was Billy the Kid’s Death a Hoax? The Truth Revealed! YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUZ-Rc9Pt3I
Rasch, J. (2021). The People of the Territory of New Mexico VS. The Santa Fe Ring. New Mexico Historical Review 47, 2, (2021). Retrieved February 6, 2024, from https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/nmhr/vol47/iss2/6
Image Sorces:
Old Territory and Military Department of New Mexico 1859. Published: (1967). Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Washington, D.C. https://www.loc.gov/item/99446140/
The Ring [Collage] - Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.; Public Domain. Graphic created by Stephen McConnell.
Unknown. (1885) Governor Lew Wallace. Public Domain.
Billy the Kid tintype, Fort Sumner, 1879-1880. (1880). Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Billy_the_Kid_tintype,_Fort_Sumner,_1879-80.png
Marlan, W. (1993, May 27). Grzelachowski, Alexander, House and Store. In National Register of Historic Places (No. 77847312). United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved January 15, 2024, from https://catalog.archives.gov/id/77847312
Unknown. (1887) The Lincoln County Courthouse. Public Domain.
The Kids Escape. (1881, May). University of New Mexico UNM Digital Repository. Retrieved February 10, 2024, from https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2552&context=lv_gazette_news
Koogler, J. H. (1880, December 15). The Kid’s Price. The University of New Mexico Digital Repository. Retrieved September 24, 2023, from https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/lv_gazette_news/1454/
Koogler, J. H. (1880, December 16). Billy the Kid - $500 Reward. The University of New Mexico Digital Repository. Retrieved September 24, 2023, from https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/lv_gazette_news/1455/