[1/4] Billy the Kid - Anti-Hero of the Southwest - Part II

Source: Wikimedia
Authentic Pic. of Billy the Kid

Part I left off with Billy and his Regulators on the run. Their leader, Dick Brewer now dead, and the law turning totally against them.

Part II

The Lincoln County War is Over

John Copeland was appointed the new sheriff, and indictments were issued in the killing of John Tunstall as well as for the killing of Sheriff Brady, George Hindsman and Buckshot Roberts. Jesse Evans, George Davis and John Long were now wanted in the murder of John Tunstall, and James Dolan and Deputy Mattews were charged as accessories. John Middleton, Fred Waite, Henry Brown, William Bonney (aka Billy the Kid), Charlie Bowdre, Doc Scurlock, Steve Stephens, John Scroggins, and George Coe were now all wanted for the murders of Brady, Hindsman and Roberts. Alex McSween, the attorney, was exonerated of any crimes.

The Santa Fe Ring stepped in under the guise of the New Mexico Governor, Samuel Axtell. He fired the new Sheriff, John Copeland, and instead appointed George Peppin. By now Regulator support had swelled to a group of about 50 men. On July 15, 1878, the Regulators were in the town of Lincoln, with 40 or so men outside the McSween house, while Billy and the rest of the Regulators remained inside. Then Sheriff George Peppin along with John Kinney and his posse arrived in Lincoln as well. They were looking to arrest members of the Regulators, and the Regulators were looking to arrest some of them.

Source : Wikimedia
The siege on Mcsween's home was into its fourth day, with the James Dolan side losing one man.The impasse was frustrating James Dolan, so he called on the U.S. Military for help. On July 19, 1878, 35 soldiers arrived with a Howitzer and a Gatling Gun. Most of the Regulators dispersed, except for the ones holed up in McSween's Home. Frustrated with the stand-off, Sheriff Peppin set the McSween house on fire in order to flush the rest of the Regulators out. The Regulators were out of options, and it was the level headed Billy the Kid, who came up with their escape plan. He bravely chose to be one of the first ones out of the house, drawing gun fire away from the others in order for them to make their escape. Alex McSween and other Regulators died that night. The War was over but for Billy, it was just beginning.

The Truce

Most of the Regulators disbanded after the death of Alex McSween. Charles Bowdre settled down with his new wife, while other Regulators laid low averting run-ins with the law. Billy and a few other Regulators continued to cattle rustle, eventually winding up in Texas for a little while. During Billy and the Regulators absence, other outlaws came into Lincoln. These outlaws mistreated the people of Lincoln and even killed four boys just for target practice. A new governor was then elected into office, and he began putting many of these outlaws out of business. When Billy returned to Lincoln near the end of 1878, Law and Order was now the norm for the residents of Lincoln. Unfortunately, James Dolan still remained a powerful figure in Lincoln, one that Billy would not be able to avoid forever.

Source: Wikimedia
James Dolan (1870), Lincoln County Businessman
Santa Fe Ring Member
Lincoln County War Agitator
The new Governor of New Mexico, Governor Wallace, wanted an end to all the violence in Lincoln and Lincoln County, so he offered amnesty to all those involved in the commission of lesser crimes. Billy the Kid did not qualify for such amnesty. This furthered Billy's resolve to seek a peace treaty with his formidable enemies, Jesse Evans and James Dolan. Arrangements were made for them to all meet, and a peace treaty was arranged by James Dolan and Billy the Kid. Unfortunately for Billy, this new found peace treaty made them swear allegiance to each other regardless of the situation, which Dolan took advantage of almost immediately. While in the presence of Billy the Kid, Dolan and an associate approached Huston Chapman, widow Susan McSween's attorney. They threatened him, and when Dolan accidentally discharged his gun, this caused his associate, Billy Campbell to fire his gun killing Huston Chapman. Billy could do nothing, but instead was implicated in this murder. Governor Wallace put out arrest warrants for all involved, even Billy the Kid.

The Deal

Billy was running out of options. He tried to negotiate a deal with Governor Wallace. In exchange for his testimony in regards to the killing of Huston Chapman, Billy wanted his charges dropped. Billy met with the Governor in person, and explained to the Governor that he wanted to quit his life of lawlessness. Billy was willing to testify against James Dolan and his henchmen, as well as against Colonel Dudley for misconduct during the siege of McSween's home and death. Against his prior peace treaty with James Dolan, Billy was now putting himself in further danger by going against Dolan.

Source: Wikimedia
Tom O'Folliard, member of the Regulators
Good Friend to Billy
Billy the Kid and Tom O'Folliard surrendered on March 21, 1879, to the Lincoln County Sheriff Kimball. Billy remained in jail for about 3 months, keeping true to his part of the deal with Governor Wallace. He testified against Colonel Dudley and against James Dolan. Colonel Dudley was later acquitted of all charges. The prosecutor, William Rynerson, was a friend of James Dolan, no doubt through association in the Santa Fe Ring. Rynerson turned his attention to Billy the Kid instead. The idea being that if Billy was found guilty and then hung for his crimes, he would not be able to testify against James Dolan in the murder of Huston Chapman. The "kid" quickly realized that the governor was not going to intervene on his behalf or keep his half of the deal. On June 17, 1879 He and Tom O'Folliard escaped from their loosely guarded "jail," back to the only life they knew; gambling and cattle rustling.

The Legend Grows

After months on the run without getting in trouble, Billy found himself in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. He was at Hargrove's Saloon on January 10, 1880, at about the age of 19. He was with some friends when Joe Grant, a known trouble maker took an ivory-handled gun from one of the cowboys hanging out with Billy and kept it as his own. The Kid saw this, and casually went up to Joe and asked to see his fine new pistol. The Kid returned the gun back to Joe, minus one bullet without Joe noticing. As the night continued, and Joe Grant kept antagonizing the patrons of the saloon, Joe finally snapped. Joe put the ivory handled pistol up to Jim Chisum's face, threatening to "kill John Chisum." Jim must have resembled his brother, John. Billy the Kid then stood up and told Joe Grant that he was John Chisum's brother. Then Billy turned around, giving his back to Joe Grant, who then "clicked" his pistol. Billy had pulled out Joe Grant's next round, but the next one would be live. Knowing this of course, Billy quickly turned and fired 3 times, killing Joe Grant instantly.

Source
Billy's Favorite Style of Rifle
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 Rifle
Billy kept trying to negotiate a pardon and in October of 1880, he again agreed to testify in order to receive a pardon. He used an attorney to set up a meeting with an Investigator, but Billy failed to show up. This ruined his chances of any negotiation. Billy had no choice but to continue his lifestyle and more importantly, avoid the law at all cost

Friend and Foe

Billy the Kid must have still been considered a serious threat to the Santa Fe Ring and their cronies, because their pursuit of the Kid continued with the election of Pat Garrett as the new Lincoln County Sheriff. Garrett's main purpose was the immediate pursuit of the infamous Billy the Kid, aka William H Bonney, William Antrim, Henry McCarty, Henry Antrim. Garrett was elected due to his having been friends with Billy and knowing his hideouts and possible whereabouts. No doubt the likes of John Chisum and James Dolan through the Santa Fe Ring made sure that Garrett was elected.

Source: Wikimedia
Pat Garrett - New Lincoln County Sheriff
On November 2, 1880, Pat Garrett was elected Sheriff, but his commission would not officially take place until January 1, 1881. In order to begin his pursuit of Billy the Kid as soon as possible, Sheriff Kimball immediately deputized Garrett, and it is claimed that Garrett was also fraudulently deputized a U.S. Marshal.

It was around this time that Billy was in White Oaks, New Mexico. He gathered supplies there, and was heading towards Lincoln, when a local posse gave chase. Deputies Williams Hudgens and James Carlyle tracked Billy and his partners to their camp. A gun fight ensued, and Billy and his crew escaped on foot in the snow. They made it to the ranch of Jim Greathouse and spent the night in Greathouse's home. The next morning, the posse had surrounded the home. Deputy Carlyle attempted to negotiate a surrender with Billy and his crew, while Greathouse waited outside with the posse. Billy wanted to see Deputy Carlyle's arrest warrant, but Carlyle could not provide the paperwork. Billy thought this was a shake down, and would not let Deputy Carlyle leave. The posse outside believed that Carlyle was going to be harmed, threaten Jim Greathouse, and fired a round into the air. This freaked Deputy Carlyle, so he then jumped out a window, only to be shot dead. The posse claimed Billy killed the Deputy, but he was never formally charged and no investigation into the Deputy's death ever ensued. The posse immediately left Greathouse's ranch after the death of Deputy Carlyle. It is claimed that in the confusion, the posse killed Carlyle thinking it was the Kid who had jumped out the window in an escape attempt. The press, no doubt with guidance from the Santa Fe Ring would attribute this death to Billy. The Las Vegas Gazette of New Mexico further claimed that Billy was the leader of cattle rustling gang consisting of 50 or more men.

Billy responded by penning a letter to the governor stating his innocence in the death of Deputy Carlyle. He also expressed shock at being considered the leader of a gang of ruslters. Billy told the Governor in his letter that he went to White Oaks to meet with Judge Leonard in regards to his case. He then went into detail on what happened at the Greathouse Ranch, leading up to the accidental death of Deputy Carlyle. Billy was even astute enough to realize that he was a thorn in the side of the wealthy oligarchs of the area, with John Chisum being one of them. He explained to the Governor that mis-information was being told about him in order to sway public opinion against him. The Governor's response was a $500 Dollar Bounty for Billy the Kid.

Original 4 pg. Letter From The Kid to Gov. Wallace
signed, William Bonney
Source: Indiana Historical Society

The Dream -- Old Mexico

There was no hope left for Billy in New Mexico. His resolve was to escape into Mexico, and never look back. With Garrett in constant pursuit though, it was difficult for Billy and his gang to gather up supplies to make the trek south.
Then, On December 19, 1881, Garrett arrived in Fort Sumner, having heard that Billy was in the area. Garrett and his posse lay in hiding, waiting for the Kid and his crew. As the Kid and his crew approached the old military hospital in Fort Sumner, Garrett and his men lay in wait. Tom O'Folliard was the lead rider of Billy's crew, who was confused by Garrett's men for Billy, so they opened fire, mortally wounding O'Folliard. The kid and the rest of his crew escaped.

Garrett was relentless in his pursuit. On the morning of December 23, 1880 Garrett had surrounded a cabin in Stinking Spring, NM. When Charles Bowdre stepped out of the cabin first thing in the morning, Garrett and his men opened fire, killing Bowdre. The Kid and his crew were surrounded with no way out. They surrendered to Garrett, who delivered them to the Santa Fe authorities.

The Kid wrote fruitless letters to the Governor, attempting to secure a pardon as had been agreed upon prior, but the Governor never acknowledged him. On March 28, 1881, Billy was transferred to the Mesilla New Mexico Jail where he was quickly tried. His attorney was able to have Billy acquitted of the Buckshot Roberts killing. The Judge, fearing another acquittal for Billy, dismissed the Kid's attorney, and assigned another pair of defense attorney who were both ill prepared and not partial to their client. The trial lasted one day, and of course Billy was found guilty of murder and sentenced to hang. On April 13, 1881, the Judge gave the Kid his date to hang as May 13, 1881. Despite all the killings and crimes committed during the Lincoln County War by many, only Billy the Kid was tried, convicted and sentenced to death.

One Last Escape

Billy was then transported to the Lincoln Jail. All his guards were men that hated the young outlaw. John Kinney, Bob Olinger and Bill Mattews, to name a few of the Kid's sworn enemies, were also his transport guards. Olinger was said to have teased the Kid, prodding him to escape so that Olinger could then shoot the Kid. Although there was a crowd feigning lynch mob no rescue attempt for Billy ever materialised.

Garrett assigned Bob Olinger and James Bell to watch the Kid 24 hrs. a day in his Lincoln Jail cell. On April 28, 1881 Olinger took other prisoners to eat their dinner across the street at the Whortley Hotel. Billy was not allowed to leave his cell, except to use the outhouse (restroom). This was his opportunity. He had James Bell take him to the outhouse while Bob Olinger was across the street with the other prisoners. On the way back to his cell, near the top of the stairs, Billy made his move. It is speculated that someone might have planted a gun for Billy in the out-house, or that he was able to unfree himself from his shackles, which he was known to do. He struggled with Deputy James Bell, but was able to get the jump on him. The deputy fled, and Billy shot him in the back. The Kid then quickly went to where Bob Olinger kept his shotgun. The same shotgun that Olinger would incessantly tease the Kid would be used in killing the kid should he try anything. Now it was in Billy the Kid's hands. As Olinger approached the jail, the Kid fired both barrels of the double barreled shotgun, killing Olinger instantly.

Source: Wikimedia
Lincoln County Courthouse and Jail
Site of Billy's Last Escape
Instead of high tailing to Mexico, or heading for a different state, the Kid returned to Fort Sumner. Many warned the Kid that there were many looking for him, especially Pat Garrett. Billy brushed it off, making light of the situation, as it seems he had most of his young life. Despite the Kid's attempt at hiding from Garrett, on July 14 1881, Garrett arrived at Fort Sumner with a good idea as to where he would find the Kid. The Kid was known to frequent the house of Pete Maxwell. Sometime in the wee hours of July 15, 1881, Pat Garrett ended the living legend of William "Billy the Kid" Antrim McCarty inside the house of Pete Maxwell. The only person capable of standing up to the cartel known as the Santa Fe Ring was now out of the way.

Billy the Kid - 9/17/1859? - 7/15/1881
TO BE CONT....

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sources:
Encyclopedia of Frontier Biography pg. 112 - Thrapp
http://www.aboutbillythekid.com/
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-otherslist.html
Billy the Kid: A Short and Violent Life - Utley
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/12/billy-the-kids-real-name-was-not-william-h-bonney/
http://www.heraldbulletin.com/archives/in-history-was-billy-the-kid-from-anderson/article_b6579798-ac8e-553b-a204-37a35ba9fe80.html
http://elpasotimes.typepad.com/morgue/2010/06/1987-billy-the-kid-made-1st-escape-from-silver-city-jail.html
https://www.geni.com/people/William-Henry-Bonney/6000000010894444446
Ancestry.com
http://www.billythekidoutlawgang.com/
indianahistory.org
http://newmexicohistory.org/