Of course, the above is Pat Garretts account which has been disputed by many people ever since. In the dark, Billy had gone to cut a slice of meat. In the darkness, he could not see Garrett well and repeatedly asked: Who is it? Garrett replied with two gunshots, killing Bonney. Garrett settled a truce with the fugitives to retrieve his deputy, who died on the way to Las Cruces. Richardsons deputy chief of staff Eric Witt wants to clarify that they are not offering a general pardon for all of Kids crimes, but rather a pardon for the individual case of killing a sheriff. He and an accomplice named John Mackie began swiping horses from a nearby Army fort and then selling them. 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. Hes since been romanticized in print, and on stage, television, and film as an emblem of the lawless West. On November 2, 1880, Garrett turned to law enforcement. Pat Garrett was a man of the times. Who is it?' Originally published in the August 2006 issue of American History. 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. Before resigning in disgrace, federal judge William Story preceded the more celebrated hanging judge Isaac Parker in Arkansas Western District. Billy the Kid then stayed off the radar until January 1880, when he was drinking in a bar near Santa Fe. For example, Billy was extremely nave on the night in question. Billy was sentenced to hang on April 13, 1881; the judge set his execution day for May 13. Billy the Kid was a late 19th-century thief and gunfighter. Its the last day of Richardsons term. Each landowner was supported by their own gang. Billy the Kid didnt make it all the way to New Mexico. On July 12, 1898, Garrett and his men encountered Oliver M. Lee and James Gililland at Wildy Well near Orogrande, Texas. How exactly the tension mounted between Billy and Grant remains unclear (some say Billy pegged Grant for a bounty hunter come to kill him; some say Grant was a loudmouth drunk looking for a fight). Soldier in range wars, cattle rustler, horse thief, but also universally described as charming, funny, a good singer and good dancer, at least bilingual, and an avid reader. A quick online search reveals more than 50 films in which Billy the Kid is either the main character or a secondary one. Once inside, he asked Maxwell: Who are these fellows outside Pete? Maxwell said: Thats him! to Garrett, who opened fire almost as soon as Billy said: who are you? in Spanish. Whatever happened, the answer will probably remain a secret forever. He did, however, manage to escape from jail and go on the run. At some point, someone shot and killed Garrett, but exactly who did it has been a subject of debate. Are Double-Sided Graves the Solution to London's Burial Crisis? While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 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). Ethan Hawke and Dane DeHaan ride tall in Vincent DOnofrios fresh take on the saga of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. A suspicion lingered that Brazel or someone else conspired to execute Garrett, a lawman with many enemies. During an interview in 1983, Pat Garretts last surviving daughter, Elizabeth, claimed that her father did not kill the Kid. Exactly how Billy the Kid was shot to death on July 14, 1881 has been the subject of widespread speculation. 'Right now, that is not the first thing on my mind. It was at this point that many sources say the Kid began his life of crimestarting with stealing and progressing to murder. To Poes great surprise, he recognized in the camper an old friend and former partner, in Texas, named Jacobs. He hoped that Morrison could help him claim the pardon that New Mexico Governor Lew Wallace supposedly promised Billy the Kid back in 1879. I've always been somebody who's interested in history and background.'. Wikimedia CommonsThe disputed photo bought by Randy Guijarro, allegedly showing Billy the Kid (center). Billy the Kid was there when it happened and went to the courts to convince them that the sheriff and his posse had committed murder. A year after pulling the trigger, Pat Garrett wrote and published an account of what happened that night, and you can find that account here. 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. WebIn the scene where Garrett gets a hot shave, he then leaves clean shaven, as Bob Dylan follows him out. However, the Kid later escaped, shooting dead two deputies and riding out of town in Spanish. Pat Garrett was away at the time and didnt try to track the Kid until he received information that the outlaw was holed up in a ranch at Fort Sumner, some 140 miles away from Lincoln. For instance, Poe does not remember the significant incident at the peach orchard. Wikimedia CommonsA cropped version of the sole fully authenticated photo of Billy the Kid. In 1882, Garrett and his ghost writer, Marshall Upson, published The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid. Henry got the better of Cahill and shot him, inflicting a wound that would kill him the next day. Soon after, the family moved farther west where Henry McCarty started getting into trouble. Hines told him a whopper of a tale: Billy the Kid had not been killed in New Mexico but was alive and well and living in a town called Hico in Hamilton County, Texas, as one Ollie Brushy Bill Roberts. Marshal named Robert Widenmann, there as part of a federal effort to restore order, who let him out (presumably sparing him the hassle of planning his third jail escape). Billy supposedly aimed his gun at Poe while backing into the nearest door, which happened to be Maxwells bedroom. https://www.historynet.com/death-of-billy-the-kid-as-pat-garrett-tells-it/, Jerrie Mock: Record-Breaking American Female Pilot. At this point also calling himself William Bonney, he took up honest work as a cowboy for a rancher in Lincoln County named John Tunstall. The two talked of this and that. He, too, knows Fort Sumner; he had once worked for Maxwell as a ranch hand. Billy was sentenced to hang on April 13, 1881; There is no doubt there that Billy the Kid is one of their own, and theyre happy to tell the world. 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. They made it safely, however, and Garrett collected the $500 state bounty on Billys head. In researching his book, Edwards analyzed photographs of Billy the Kid and Roberts, and dug into the details of Robertss account of his life and compared them with known facts about Billy the Kid. It was a good racket, but he couldnt stay out of trouble long enough to enjoy it. He escaped jail on April 28, however, killing two deputies, and remained at large until tracked down and ambushed by Garrett, who shot him dead on the evening of July 14 at the ranch home of Pete Maxwell. In November 1880, he and three of his gang were captured, and the Kid was tried and convicted for the murder of Brady. Billy then managed to cut through his leg irons and steal a horse to make his escape. By 1876 he was hunting buffalo, until a dispute with another hunter, Joe Briscoe, ended up with Garrett killing Briscoe. He raised quickly his pistol, a self-cocker, within a foot of my breast. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 25,000 articles originally published in our nine magazines. McNew and Carr were the first to be arrested. Meanwhile, Billy encountered Poe and McKinney and apparently said Quien es? which means who is it? in Spanish. The following day, the Kid was buried in the Fort Sumner cemetery. Although the book was not successful when it was released, an originaledition became quite valuable over the years. There are plenty of conspiracy theories about Garrett's assassination. ', This undated file photo (left) is thought to be an image of famed gunslinger Billy the Kid near the age of 18. Tim Sweet, owner of the Billy the Kid museum, previously said that he was 95 per cent sure that Garrett is in the photo. WebOn the night of July 14, 1881, Sheriff Pat Garrett gunned down outlaw Billy the Kid in Fort Sumner. Click here to sign a petition for the pardon of Billy the Kid, or click here to sign a petition opposed to that pardon. Lee and Gililland stayed on the run for another eight months and finally surrendered. These qualities contributed to his image as both a notorious outlaw and a folk hero. As is the case with so many mythologized historical figures, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. He moved to Texas, where Governor John Ireland appointed him to the Texas Rangers. On July 14, 1881, Sheriff Garrett, under the cover of shadows, shot Billy the Kid dead in a residence in Fort Sumner. 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? 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. But they were only able to arrest John Webb, an accused murderer, along with horse thief George Davis. 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. In the aftermath of the apparent shooting, numerous people claimed to have met the Kid. On his way to freedom, charming Billy killed two of his jailers. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 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. As one of the few Regulators whod made it out of the Battle of Lincoln, Billy the Kid Was now a prime target for local law enforcement. He Was a Fast-Rising Judge in Arkansas. While Garrett was there, he was forced to defend himself from a local bully, Mariano Leiva, by shooting him in the shoulder. Brazel surrendered to Deputy Sheriff Felipe Lucero in Las Cruces, shouting, Lock me up. The intruder came close to me, leaned both hands on the bed, his right hand almost touching my knee, and asked, in a low tone:Who are they Pete?at the same instant Maxwell whispered to me. Garrett fired twice, hitting Billy once, and killing him. Garrett and his men laid siege to the Dedrick ranch at Bosque Grande on November 30th, expecting to find Billy the Kid. In December 1880 he was captured by Garrett and stood trial for murder in Mesilla, New Mexico, in April 1881; he was found guilty and was sentenced to hang. Garrett then supposedly shot McCarty dead. 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. Garrett had recently caught the Kid, who was sentenced to hanging for killing We had ridden to within a short distance of Maxwells grounds when we found a man in camp and stopped. By 1892 Garrett and his family had relocated to Uvalde, Texas, where he befriended John Nance Garner, a future United States vice-president. There are also suggestions that Billy and Garrett were friends and planned the whole incident so the fugitive could escape. Garrett did not pursue re-election for sheriff of Lincoln County in 1882. One particular misstep in the Kids life was his affiliation with the Lincoln County War. As a child, Billy the Kid went under the name of Henry McCarty. 'I don't travel with it.'. The Kid remained and Garrett was true to his word and arrested his former friend. In 1879 he married and settled in Lincoln County, N.M., where he became first deputy sheriff and then sheriff. He was high-spirited and, as his notoriety grew, so did his cockiness. But That Was Just the Beginning. Omissions? Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. McCartys family life was total chaos from the start. WebPat Garrett was elected Sheriff of Lincoln County in 1880 on a reform ticket with the expectation that he would reinstate justice in the area. Outlaws have a romantic air about them and I think the people in Hamilton County really enjoy having this as part of the history.. They mistook OFolliard for Bonney, however,and fatally shot him. Pat Garrett, the man who shot Billy the Kid. Who Killed The Sheriff Who Shot Billy the Kid? During the Kids time as an outlaw, Pat Garrett was elected Sheriff and sent after him. During this fight, the Army was forced to intervene and the Regulators lost many of their men. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Well, let me explain by starting with a little history lesson. New Lincoln County Sheriff Pat Garrett and his posse captured Billy the Kid at a place called Stinking Springs on December 23, 1880. The man, local blacksmith Frank Cahill, called Billy a pimp. before being shot dead. It is only the fourth known photograph of Billy the Kid and is thought to be a trophy shot taken by Garrett and his posse after they arrested him. He died by the gun of Sherriff Pat Garrett at age 21. I walked to the head of the bed and sat down on it, beside him, near the pillow. On the night ofJuly 14, 1881, Sheriff Pat Garrett gunned down outlaw Billy the Kid in Fort Sumner. Even by frontier standards, he was young. In July, Garrett rode to Fort Sumner and learned the Kid was staying with the same Pedro Maxwell who had employed Garrett when he first arrived in New Mexico. Does Billy the Kid Deserve the Pardon He was Promised? 'One day it may end up at an auction house somewhere. Free shipping for many products! When he was unable to make mortgage payments on his ranch, the county auctioned off his personal belongings, but that raised only $650. Richardson is a known Billy the Kid aficionado, and is considering the pardon because of an alleged promise by Governor Lew Wallace. Billy the Kid was born Henry McCarty to Irish immigrants in New York City around 1859. But it wasnt to be. The photo of the Kid discovered in 2015 has since been estimated to be worth $5 million. William Wallace agrees, also citing that McGinn has, meager qualifications. But when he unwisely returned to the area a few days later, he was locked up in the stockade pending the arrival of law enforcement. It was taken at the ranch of John Tunstall, an Englishman rancher who organized the gang to protect his properties against rivals, The photo, zoomed in to see Billy the Kid more closely, wasdiscovered in 2015 and has since been estimated to be worth $5 million. Some argue his book about Billy Bonney is the only reason why The Kid is remembered today. Billy the Kidborn William Henry McCarty, but also known as William H. Bonneyoriginally came from New York. Eidsons official position on the story echoes that of the rest of the Historical Commissionwe keep an open mind. Director Sam Peckinpah Writer Garrett had hoped to apprehend the men while they were asleep, but Lee and Gililland set themselves up as lookouts on the roof of the bunkhouse. Richardson told the Associated Press on Wednesday, I dont know where Ill end up. Billy's arrest found him in Garrett's custody. History tells us that the outlaw known as Billy the Kid (aka Henry McCarty, aka William Bonney) was gunned downat the ripe old age of 21by Sheriff Pat He continues to look into whether the Kid rightfully deserves a posthumous pardon as promised by Governor Wallace. Mysteries of the Old West: Did Pat Garrett Kill Billy the Kid? American mafia founder Albert Anastasia's What a sparkler! While we await the rumored Blu-ray of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid to surface (or was Alex Cox misinformed? The family moved to New Mexico, and, in his early teens, Billy fell into a career of thievery and lawlessness, wandering throughout the Southwest and northern Mexico, often with gangs. I now believe without a doubt that Billy the Kid was not killed by Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner. He never spoke. But while under guard by two sheriff's deputies at a home, McCarty killed both men and then fled out of town on horseback. 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Though some say hed previously killed several members of the Apache tribe, the first kill (out of 20 or more total) widely attributed to Billy the Kid came in 1876. The months-long war came to a climax with the July 19, 1878, Battle of Lincoln, also called 'The Five-Day Battle'. His age, appearance, and size won him his 'Kid' moniker. After his release, Billy the Kid joined up with a posse called the Lincoln County Regulators in order to avenge Tunstalls death. He realized that the law had made its way to Fort Sumner, so he fled towards Maxwells compound.
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