The report said: We, the jury, find that Billy the Kid (met) his death by a bullet which was fired from a gun in the hands of Pat F. Garrett . Garrett apparently lost the verdict by the next morning. However, there is no other evidence of this; we are relying on Anayas word alone for the entire existence of the jury and its verdict. Related story from us: One of the men who killed Bonnie & Clyde was Bonnies secret admirer. Billy lights out for old Fort Sumner on the Pecos River, some 150 miles northeast of Lincoln. While trying to verify the photo, Abrams approached Robert Stahl, a retired professor emeritus at Arizona State University who is no stranger to the history of Billy the Kid. In 1881, he was apprehended by Sheriff Pat Garrett and sentenced to death by hanging for murder. Its now summer 1881. Billy then drew fast and shot Grant in the head before making his escape. The defining issue revolves around the belief that Wallace promised this pardon in exchange for Kids knowledge in a murder case involving three men. After a week or two, he made a connection with some local cattle rustlers who made a living out of stealing cattle from a businessman named John Chisum in Lincoln County, New Mexico. In Hico Billy is everywhere, from a statue downtown, to the standee in the Chamber of Commerce, to the monumental arch over Robertss grave. WebBut he never did like to talk about it all that much. They made it safely, however, and Garrett collected the $500 state bounty on Billys head. At around the same time, Billy was hungry, so he woke up and walked towards the fresh meat that was hanging on the rafter above the porch outside of Maxwells bedroom. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Overall, there are a huge number of unanswered questions. Maybe they lacked imagination, though "Willy Wet Behind the Ears" doesn't scan particularly well. A few months later, Garrett married Apolinaria Gutierrez, his sister-in-law. Before resigning in disgrace, federal judge William Story preceded the more celebrated hanging judge Isaac Parker in Arkansas Western District. Financially, Garrett was a failure. Retreating rapidly across the room he cried: Quien es? Carl Adamson agreed to take the goats until Brazel discovered his estimate of the number of goats had been wrong and demanded the buyer take all 1,800 goats. At that moment a man sprang quickly into the door, looking back, and called twice in Spanish, Who comes there? No one replied and he came on in. Now, Billy the Kid and the Regulators were in trouble with the new sheriff that had been appointed for causing so much bloodshed and murder. "I knew the desperate character of the man," Garrett would later write in his own biography of Billy, "that he was daring and unscrupulous, and that he would sacrifice the lives of a hundred men who stood between him and liberty." But how much of the myth is actually true? One of Bonneys men was killed; Bonney and the rest of his men were captured. New Mexico governor, Bill Richardson, has mere hours left to decide whether or not to pardon Billy the Kid in the killing of a sheriff. Biggest diamond EVER sold at auction sells Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, 'Vindication': Georgia Harrison on ex Stephen Bear's sentencing, Incredible footage of Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russians in Bakhmut, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' The abandoned U.S. Army post on the Goodnight-Loving cattle trail is now the home of rancher Peter Maxwell. It struck me that it might be Petes brother-in-law, Manuel Abreu, who had seen Poe and McKinney, and wanted to know their business. In the darkness, he could not see Garrett well and repeatedly asked: Who is it? Garrett replied with two gunshots, killing Bonney. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). He continues to look into whether the Kid rightfully deserves a posthumous pardon as promised by Governor Wallace. Soon a man arose from the ground, in full view, but too far away to recognize. If not, did someone else shoot the outlaw? Billy the Kid has long been one of the many names associated with the Wild West, alongside the Bob Dalton Gang, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Cole Younger, Jesse James, and more. From his step I could perceive he was either barefooted or in his stocking-feet, and held a revolver in his right hand and a butcher knife in his left. The next scene with Jason Robards, James Coburn is sporting a nice moustache. The Kid was known to be friendly and personable and a smart dresser, often wearing a Mexican sombrero. Brazel used the land to raise goats, which was unacceptable to the Garrets. He murdered two deputies, James Bell and Bob Olinger, during the escape. All rights reserved. On July 14, 1881, Sheriff Garrett, under the cover of shadows, shot Billy the Kid dead in a residence in Fort Sumner. After the escape, Garrett set out to remove Billy from the landscape, one way or another. As they talked, Billy, said Garrett, "expressed no enmity towards me, but evinced respect and confidence in me acknowledging that I had only done my duty, without malice, and had treated him with marked leniency and kindness.". At almost precisely the same time, Garrett woke Maxwell up; his friend was understandably annoyed at being disturbed. He soon, however, hailed his friend, who was sleeping in the room, told him to get up and make some coffee, adding: Give me a butcher knife and I will go over to Petes and get some beef; Im hungry. The Mexican arose, handed him the knife, and the Kid, hatless and in his stocking-feet, started to Maxwells, which was but a few steps distant. At first, nobody knew which side they were there to take, but when they fell in with Bradys men and set the saloon on fire, Billy the Kid and just a few other Regulators were able to flee. In November 1950, Morrison filed a petition on behalf of Brushy Bill. He and Garrett went to court, and Brazel agreed to cancel his lease with Garrett providing he could sell his 1,200 goats. McCarty was just 21 when he died. Scholarly opinion is divided over whether that or William H. Bonney, Jr. (the name he used later, as in the trial), was his true name. Billy the Kid was free for just three months before his final encounter with Pat Garrett. But he came up with a plan to get himself off by providing Governor Lew Wallace with information about the murder of a prominent lawyer that hed witnessed recently. He managed to locate his stepfathers place in New Mexico, where he holed up for a few weeks. The two men were fined for disturbing the peace. Exactly what happened after that has been the subject of speculation ever since, but everyone agrees on one fact: On the night of July 14, Billy the Kid was shot to death in Maxwells home. Pat Garrett (2nd from right) with friends on the porch in Roswell, New Mexico. Billy became a fugitive. found himself on the wrong side of the law, The authenticity of the photo has since been disputed, Bass Reeves, the bullet-dodging black lone ranger. He states, Just think of all the good publicity New Mexico is receiving around the world on thisIts fun. They are personal things, and things that make complete sense for him to be upset about if his story was true.. It was the last contact he ever had with Antrim. In 2010, many petitioned the New Mexico governors office to grant Billy the pardon they say Lew Wallace had promised him 130 years before, but it never came to pass. However, he was unable to remember important events in Billys life such as the Lincoln prison escape, he didnt really look like the outlaw, he was illiterate while the Kid wasnt and finally, his birth date was recorded in his family Bible as 1879. He talked the guard into letting him out to use the outhouse and then on the way back in he slipped his chains and beat the guard to the ground. During an interview in 1983, Pat Garretts last surviving daughter, Elizabeth, claimed that her father did not kill the Kid. Garrett, a one-time friend, was the new sheriff of Lincoln County. Billy the Kid, byname of William H. Bonney, Jr., original name Henry McCarty?, (born November 23, 1859?, New York, New York, U.S.died July 14, 1881, Fort Sumner, New Mexico), American outlaw who was one of the most notorious gunfighters of the American West. About two months later with no amnesty forthcoming, Billy realized hed been had and they were going to hang him instead. They mistook OFolliard for Bonney, however,and fatally shot him. He was appointed deputy sheriff for the last two months of 1880 before taking office January 1, 1881. They saw a group of men nearby who were speaking in Spanish. It was a good racket, but he couldnt stay out of trouble long enough to enjoy it. Although the book was not successful when it was released, an originaledition became quite valuable over the years. The two would have nine children over the years. It was at the saloon that Pat Garrett met and often gambled with William Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid. The two were seen together so often they soon took on the nicknames of Big Casino and Little Casino. The Regulators were able to ambush and kill Brady, but that didnt put an end to things. Born on New York Citys East Side, Billy as a child migrated with his parents to Kansas; his father died there, and the mother and her two boys moved to Colorado, where she remarried. Set of wooden folding chairs sells for 5.3MILLION after Live like the mob! Portrait of Pat Garrett from The Story of the Outlaws. After three years on the run and several other murders, Pat Garrett finally arrested Billy in early 1881. I might not pardon him. in Spanish. With his mother gone, teenage Henry McCarty was basically on his own. As a result of one of the many ambushes that occurred, Lincoln County Sheriff William Brady and one of his deputies were found dead, having been shot by the Kid. At some point after these murders, Lew Wallace became governor of New Mexico. One of two confirmed photographs of Billy the Kid (left), playing croquet in New Mexico, 1878. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Its the last day of Richardsons term. Garrett had recently caught the Kid, who was sentenced to hanging for killing another Sheriff, but Billy managed to escape. He was 57. The first is that Garrett sat down down to speak with the homeowner when McCarty unexpectedly came in with his gun drawn, asking 'Who is it? Those who oppose the pardon argue that there is no proof that Governor Wallace ever offered one; he may have simply tricked Kid in to offering up information. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. He also wouldnt have backed into a darkened doorway where more danger possibly lurked. As he descended into criminality and fled from town to town to evade the law, he regularly changed his name, eventually becoming known as Billy the Kid. ', This undated file photo (left) is thought to be an image of famed gunslinger Billy the Kid near the age of 18. Using the name Billy Antrim and nicknamed the kid for his youth and boyish appearance, McCarty soon came to be known as Billy the Kid and found work as a cowboy and ranch hand in Arizona. Garrett was well aware that Billy was a cockeyed optimist when it came to hopes for escape. From what Ive heard, [Brushy Bill] told a pretty credible tale, says Hamilton Historical Commission Chairman Jim Eidson. On December 19, 1880, Bonney, Billy Wilson, Charlie Bowdre, Tom Pickett, and Tom OFolliard rode into Fort Sumner. *Source: Texas State Historical Association. Pat Garrett, byname of Patrick Floyd Garrett, (born June 5, 1850, Chambers County, Ala., U.S.died Feb. 29, 1908, near Las Cruces, N.M.), Western U.S. lawman The Kid's freedom was short lived however, when Garrett set down to find him on July 14, 1881. Billy the Kids life and mystique have inspired countless novels, films, and songs. Garrett and his men laid siege to the Dedrick ranch at Bosque Grande on November 30th, expecting to find Billy the Kid. The sheriff and two deputies, John Poe and Thomas McKinney, saddle up and set out in search of their quarry. History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. The Kid remained and Garrett was true to his word and arrested his former friend. One of the residents of Fort Sumner, Paco Anaya, wrote that after the shooting, Garrett handed a piece of paper to Alejandro Segura, the Justice of the Peace. He was a wanted young man. But they were only able to arrest John Webb, an accused murderer, along with horse thief George Davis. Billy the Kid was born Henry McCarty to Irish immigrants in New York City around 1859. His end wasn't particularly glamorous. The governor agreed and suggested that, for appearances sake, he should arrest Billy and lock him up in jail before taking his statement about the other murder. Billy the Kids grave is in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Some of those in favor of Kids pardon have filed a petition, including defense attorney Randi McGinn who has offered to handle the case for free. He was to outlaws what Wyatt Earp was to lawmen, an iconic figure whose legacy persists on to this day. Before he reached the bed, I whispered: Who is it, Pete? but received no reply for a moment. Garrett invited Tom Powers to go along and introduced Powers to the President as a prominent Texas cattleman; they sat for photographs with Roosevelt. Whether it was time with the infamous Regulators and his exploits during the Lincoln County War, or his dramatic escapes from custody culminating in his death at the hands of Pat Garrett in 1881, Billy the Kid is one of the most mythologized figures in American history. He tried to work straight jobs (hotel worker, ranch hand) but quickly found himself on the wrong side of the law. The disputed photo bought by Randy Guijarro, allegedly showing Billy the Kid (center). This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Billy-the-Kid-American-outlaw, American Heritage - Billy the Kid: From Outlaw to Legend, PBS - American Experience - The Life and Legend of Billy the Kid, Billy the Kid - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). But this time it was a U.S. Somewhere on his ride, he was surrounded by Apaches who took his stolen horse and left him to walk through the desert for miles back to civilization. The most comprehensive and authoritative history site on the Internet. Soon afterwards he was captured and shot by Lincoln County sheriff, Patrick Floyd Garrett in a sting operation. Little is known about Billy the Kids early days, but Billy the Kid was born Henry McCarty to Irish immigrants in New York City around 1859. Garrett attempted to turn himself in to authorities, but no charges were filed. These absences got longer and more common as McCartys mother got sick with tuberculosis and became more dependent on the men in her family to look after her. He got in trouble for petty thefts of things like food and clothing, but things got worse when stole some pistols from a Chinese laundry in 1875 and was sent to jail. When he was unable to make mortgage payments on his ranch, the county auctioned off his personal belongings, but that raised only $650. Thereafter, Garrett was a rancher near Roswell, N.M. (188296), deputy sheriff and then sheriff of Dona Ana County, N.M. (18961902), and collector of customs at El Paso, Texas (190206). Now these are strange things for someone that is a fraud to focus on. One of his first acts was to capture Billy the Kid, sending him to trial for the murder of the Lincoln sheriff and his deputy. McCarty was then brought to Las Vegas where he stood trial for Brady's murder and on April 13, was sentenced to die. Outlaws have a romantic air about them and I think the people in Hamilton County really enjoy having this as part of the history.. He never spoke. He headed west with his family as a youth and had his first brush with the law in 1875 when he was arrested for stealing clothes from a Chinese laundry in Silver City, New Mexico. At midnight, Garrett moved silently towards the Maxwell houses southeast corner, just outside Maxwells bedroom. But before Garrett could get his prisoners to jail, he had to defend them from a lynch mob that formed around the train on the route to Santa Fe. What prompted this last minute decision?