We approached these houses cautiously, and when within earshot, heard the sound of voices conversing in Spanish. New Mexico Office of the State Historian. Garrett attempted to turn himself in to authorities, but no charges were filed. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Following Billy the Kids death, the media turned him into a folk hero and made Garrett out to be the bad guy. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.. Historians say that this photo shows outlaw Billy the Kid, circled second from left, and Pat Garrett, circled far right, taken in 1880. He was to outlaws what Wyatt Earp was to lawmen, an iconic figure whose legacy persists on to this day. His parents were Irish immigrants who came to America and married just after turning 20. In December 1880, he had brought in the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid on charges of murdering a former county sheriff. Brushy Bill and Billy the Kid, the whole story, thats part of who we are now, Eidson says. When Notorious Outlaw Billy the Kid Briefly Joined a U.S. Garrett was able to get inside the house on July 14 and when Billy entered, Garrett shot him dead. Garrett went on to be a rancher, customs collector, sheriff of another county, and terrible gambler. 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. 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. Originally published in the August 2006 issue of American History. He was a wanted young man. Are Double-Sided Graves the Solution to London's Burial Crisis? Perhaps he killed an innocent man as the fugitive escaped and fled to Mexico? Wikimedia CommonsPat Garrett, the man who shot Billy the Kid. After three years on the run and several other murders, Pat Garrett finally arrested Billy in early 1881. 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 Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). At the same time he served as a deputy U.S. marshal. So, the Kid escaped custody and eluded the law for the next two years. The man who had leased the ranch, Wayne Brazel, alleged that Garrett had drawn a gun on him and that the killing was self-defense. In April 1878, the Regulators ambushed Brady and four of his deputies on a main street in Lincoln. According to legend, the judge shouted at the 21-year-old Kid that he was to hang by the neck until he was dead, dead, dead! Also according to legend, Billys last words on the record were to tell the judge he could go to hell, hell, hell!. What you may not know is that the long dead Kid may be up for a pardon from current New Mexico governor Bill Richardson. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 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!' On July 12, 1898, Garrett and his men encountered Oliver M. Lee and James Gililland at Wildy Well near Orogrande, Texas. Billy then drew fast and shot Grant in the head before making his escape. Along with deputies Thomas McKinney and John Poe, Garrett reached the Fort on the night of July 14, 1881. Garrett had recently caught the Kid, who was sentenced to hanging for killing These qualities contributed to his image as both a notorious outlaw and a folk hero. McNew and Carr were the first to be arrested. 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. To Poes great surprise, he recognized in the camper an old friend and former partner, in Texas, named Jacobs. In the dark, Billy had gone to cut a slice of meat. The Kid was convicted and sentenced to hang, but the following April, he made an audacious escape from prisonand killed deputies James Bell and Bob Olinger in the process. Billy the Kids grave is in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Overall, there are a huge number of unanswered questions. He wore a broad-brimmed hat, a dark vest and pants, and was in his shirtsleeves. By 1892 Garrett and his family had relocated to Uvalde, Texas, where he befriended John Nance Garner, a future United States vice-president. We concealed ourselves quickly and listened; but the distance was too great to hear words, or even distinguish voices. Real Clear Life. Nobody is sure of the exact date he was born but it seems to have been sometime in September 1859 because theres a baptism record for him from the end of that month. As is the case with so many mythologized historical figures, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. In 1901 Garrett was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt as Collector of Customs in El Paso. He said that the Kid had certainly been about, but he did not know whether he had left or not. Maybe they lacked imagination, though "Willy Wet Behind the Ears" doesn't scan particularly well. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. See. The abandoned U.S. Army post on the Goodnight-Loving cattle trail is now the home of rancher Peter Maxwell. Brazel surrendered to Deputy Sheriff Felipe Lucero in Las Cruces, shouting, Lock me up. At around 9 pm, Garrett and his deputies rode to a peach orchard in the area to chat with Maxwell. In 1903, Garrett got into a public brawl with his employee, George Gaither. Three days later, Garrett and his men surrounded the fugitives at Stinking Springs. A judge apparently ruled against the efforts, but that hasnt stopped present Governor Richardsons interest in the case. Garrett succeeded in capturing Billy the Kid and a few other outlaws at Stinking Springs on December 23, 1880. Film Review: The Kid. I believe all communities are built on legends, and in Hamilton County Brushy Bills stories connect us to those wild days of the frontier.. In 1879 he married Juanita Gutierrez, who died in childbirth less than a year after their marriage. Portrait of American gunman Billy the Kid (18591881). Four months later, Billy the Kid escaped just after his conviction for murder. HistoryNet.com is brought to you by HistoryNet LLC, the worlds largest publisher of history magazines. Offer subject to change without notice. Maxwell lit a candle to illuminate the room and the body of Billy the Kid lay motionless, with Garretts bullet lodged in his heart. Somehow, he managed to reach a friends house, where he was allowed to rest and recover from his ordeal in the desert. Garrett would encounter him again in July 1881, apparently killing him in a nighttime shootout. 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. Garrett claims that he stayed in Maxwells house with his men for the entire night. Billy was sentenced to hang on April 13, 1881; the judge set his execution day for May 13. He added: 'People ask me all the time, what do you think its worth, what do you think its worth. Pat Garrett. For instance, Poe does not remember the significant incident at the peach orchard. Unfortunately, by the time the Kid was fifteen years old his mother had passed away from tuberculosis. The Kid was catapulted into legend due to the $500 bounty - then a staggering amount - on his head. We'll see what happens,' Abrams said. Nevertheless, it says a lot about the continued American fascination with Billy the Kid that a mere photo of him would be valued at $5 million some 135 years after his death. 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. You can read all about Billys last night from the point of view of the man who shot him. For example, a Mrs. Wood of Seven Rivers said she served the outlaw dinner three days after he was supposed to have died. Brazels trial for the murder of Garrett lasted only one day, on May 4, 1909. A photo that was bought at a flea market for $10 shows Billy the Kid standing with the lawman who would ultimately kill him, experts have concluded. Garrett and his men had received information that the outlaws were coming and set up an ambush. He was then sent back to Lincoln County, where he was scheduled to be executed on May 13. He tried to work straight jobs (hotel worker, ranch hand) but quickly found himself on the wrong side of the law. He is either a folk hero that single-handedly stood up against a corrupt government system, or he is a ruthless outlaw and cop killer that left a wake of terror in his path.. 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. When the warden came out into the street to investigate the gunshot, Billy shouted down to him: Look up, old boy, and see what you get! and then he shot him dead (apparently arousing no suspicion from any bystanders in the process). Garretts body was left on the side of the road. 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. He was buried, it is said, in Fort Sumner Cemetery, with his associates Tom OFolliard and Charlie Bowdre, and the epitaph Palsthough none of them are likely directly under the tombstone there today. From gas leaks to eels, James "Smelly" Kelly changed the history of the city's underground. Texas. This time however, he was sentenced to hang for the death of Sheriff Brady. 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. Before I made the discoveries I made in my book, I did not have an opinion on Brushy Bill, says Edwards. Mysteries and theories still surround the outlaw's death and burial in Indiana, 85 years later. In 1964 an Ohio woman took up the challenge that had led to Amelia Earharts disappearance. His age, appearance, and size won him his 'Kid' moniker. Carl Adamson took Garrett to Las Cruces, New Mexico, and was soon joined by Brazel on horseback. In 1948, a paralegal named William V. Morrison was investigating a man named Joe Hines, a survivor of the Lincoln County War, the feud that helped make Billy the Kids name. 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 known as the man who killed Billy the Kid (q.v.). The black and white image, taken in August 1880, shows the notorious outlaw with a gang of men, one of whom is Sheriff Pat Garrett,Billy the Kid's former friend and the man who gunned him down. The sheriff and two deputies, John Poe and Thomas McKinney, saddle up and set out in search of their quarry. Each landowner was supported by their own gang. 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. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group, Private jet passenger is KILLED during severe turbulence over New England before Bombardier is forced to land in Connecticut, Shelter in place order issued as ANOTHER Norfolk Southern trail derails with 'hazmat crew on scene' of pileup inSpringfield, Ohio, This is the dating mistake you need to quit right now, writes JANA HOCKING, who says she thought everyone was aware of the 'shocking' rule by now: 'It's not cheating, get with the times', America's best city for singles - with the most unattached women per capita and 55.4% of residents unmarried: 'You don't have to put in much effort', Revealed: The winners and losers in the great Royal property merry-go-round - as it emerges Prince Andrew could pocket 1.5m windfall if he quits the Royal Lodge this year, United Arab Emirates now has the most powerful passport in the world after jumping 32 spots under new visa-free travel privileges - as the UK ranks 30th, Australia 39th and the US 43rd, 'I am your retribution': Trump blasts 'China-loving' Mitch McConnell, Republican 'freaks' and 'neocons' in wild CPAC speech as he declares he'll prevent World War III, 'I don't consider myself a celebrity': Trump sidesteps Mike Pompeo after former secretary of state warned CPAC audience not to follow 'celebrity leaders' with 'fragile egos', Trump again wins CPAC Straw Poll - getting 62 percent to DeSantis' 20 with election denier Kari Lake voted attendees favorite VP pick, 'He looked guilty to me': Donald Trump hedges on whether Alex Murdaugh should have faced the death penalty for killing his wife and son but says 'it looked bad', Trump embraces early voting and says Republicans 'will become masters at ballot harvesting' as he urges conservatives to beat Democrats at their own game, Kellyanne Conway's soon-to-be ex-husband George looks despondent without his wedding ring after couple announced they are divorcing, Married father-of-two hedge fund manager sues NYC therapist-turned-lover for allegedly 'seducing' him into office romps and convincing him he was 'trapped' in his marriage - while charging $250K in 'mistress money', Personal trainer, 22, describes what working in the fitness industry is like when you're curvy - and why everyone has their place at the gym, Five unexpected signs in your 20s and 30s you're at risk of developing heart disease later in life, Regular exercise improves memory in old age even if taken up in 50s and 60s, research shows - as trials into whether keeping fit can delay dementia, Buster Murdaugh breaks cover to walk his dogs with girlfriend Brooklyn just one day after his father was given a life sentence for brutally executing his wife Maggie and youngest son Paul, 'A strong black woman runs this b***h now': Staten Island superintendent claims text messages appearing to show her vowing to sack white principals amid push to hire more BIPOC staff are fake, 'You'll be missed forever': Elizabeth Hurley and son Damian share heartfelt tribute to her late ex Shane Warne - as they mark first anniversary of his death, Charles 'will NEVER build real relationship with Archie and Lili unless Harry and Meghan get new royal home': Sussexes 'to get Andrew's Buckingham Palace apartment' after Frogmore eviction made it 'incredibly complicated for family to visit Britain again', 'Hallucinogens have helped me to clean the windscreen of my troubled mind': Prince Harry extols the use of Class A drug in cosy online chat with 'toxic trauma therapist' Gabor Mat, 'Once you sign up, you do what you're told': Duke of Sussex tells trauma expert Gabor Mat 'a lot of us' in the Army 'didn't necessarily agree or disagree' with the West's invasion of Afghanistan but did 'what you're trained to do', 'Cautious' Duke 'was careful not to attack members of the Royal family' says Royal watcher amid fears he could be left out of King's crowning in May - as he FAILS to mention his brother, Kate or Camilla at all in 90-minute chat about toxic childhood trauma, Prince Harry interview RECAP: Duke of Sussex fans say his Q&A with Gabor Mate 'should have been longer' after he discussed grief, healing and his Royal upbringing with trauma expert.