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. 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). According to popular legend, Garrett and McCarty were friends before he became an outlaw, but there is no historical evidence to support the theory. In 1879 he married Juanita Gutierrez, who died in childbirth less than a year after their marriage. But this nice, steady job for Billy the Kid grew more turbulent thanks to a dispute between Tunstall and his rivals. Maybe they lacked imagination, though "Willy Wet Behind the Ears" doesn't scan particularly well. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Portrait of Pat Garrett from The Story of the Outlaws. Circa 1879-1880. Although he claimed to have killed 21 men, the actual number is likely less than 10. Garrett decided to seek out Peter Maxwell, an old friend who lived in the area, in the hope that he could receive some details about the fugitives whereabouts. He was a gambler and heavy drinker andoften deeply in debt. It was at this point that many sources say the Kid began his life of crimestarting with stealing and progressing to murder. In July 1881 he tracked down and shot the escaped murderer Billy the Kid. This is a terrible place to put a fellow in.". Once more, Sheriff Garrett was sent after the Kid. The infamous Billy the Kid was no more. When you listen to his real story, he talks about how he wasnt an outlaw, how he never robbed banks or stagecoaches, how he resented the fact that Governor Lew Wallace reneged on his promise of a pardon in 1879 and left him to die, Edwards says. However, just two days later, he escaped and his life as a fugitive began. Click here to sign a petition for the pardon of Billy the Kid, or click here to sign a petition opposed to that pardon. It is believed to benow worth millions of dollars. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. How Billy the Kid Died, as Sheriff Pat Garrett Tells It After the shooting, Garrett claimed the Kid had a .41 caliber pistol in his hand, Poe said it was a .38 caliber. Garrett was fatally shot on the road from the ranch to Las Cruces, N.M. In April 1878, the Regulators ambushed Brady and four of his deputies on a main street in Lincoln. Billy lights out for old Fort Sumner on the Pecos River, some 150 miles northeast of Lincoln. Financially, Garrett was a failure. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. To Poes great surprise, he recognized in the camper an old friend and former partner, in Texas, named Jacobs. 15 Most Famous Cowboys and Outlaws of the Wild West Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Garretts friend George Curry was now the Territorial Governor of New Mexico and promised to appoint him as superintendent of the territorial prison at Santa Fe. Billy the Kid So, the Kid escaped custody and eluded the law for the next two years. At around 9 pm, Garrett and his deputies rode to a peach orchard in the area to chat with Maxwell. I walked to the head of the bed and sat down on it, beside him, near the pillow. in Spanish. Garrett, who had been tracking the Kid for Web2013-08-26 To Hell on a Fast Horse: Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and the Epic Chase to Justice in the Old West ; 2013-08-24 To Hell on a Fast Horse: Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and the Epic Chase to Justice in the Old West ; 2013-08-17 The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid ; 2012-03-25 Michael Flynn - The January Dancer 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. And this was before McDonald's. In 1882, Garrett and his ghost writer, Marshall Upson, published The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid. Pat Garrett, the sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico Territory, had been on the trail for months.In December 1880, he had brought in the infamous outlaw Billy the The two men knew each other and had socialized with one another; it might be a stretch to call them friends. This is the real story of Billy the Kid. 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. During his downtime, he liked visiting the saloon, drinking, playing cards, and other healthy diversions for a 16-year-old boy. It is believed to be now worth millions of dollars, According to popular legend, Billy the Kid (left) and Garrett were friends before he became known an outlaw, but there is no historical evidence to support the theory. There are two theories about what happened at the house where Garrett found and killed McCarty. The Kid remained and Garrett was true to his word and arrested his former friend. Memorial marking spot where Pat Garrett was killed. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Garretts body was left on the side of the road. Related story from us: One of the men who killed Bonnie & Clyde was Bonnies secret admirer. Pat Garrett, the Its an area tailor-made for rustlers, and Billy knows it well. 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 Billy's arrest found him in Garrett's custody. 'I told him "The biggest thing you could do right now is get the picture out and let people look at it and give you feedback",' Stahl said. He added: 'People ask me all the time, what do you think its worth, what do you think its worth. Who Killed The Sheriff Who Shot Billy the Kid? These qualities contributed to his image as both a notorious outlaw and a folk hero. A stranger named Joe Grant came into the saloon and sidled up to near the spot where Billy was drinking. 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). 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. Brushy Bill and Billy the Kid, the whole story, thats part of who we are now, Eidson says. This story originally ran in 2017; it has been updated for 2022. Although the incident happened well over a century ago, it remains an intriguing mystery. They saw a group of men nearby who were speaking in Spanish. In the darkness, he could not see Garrett well and repeatedly asked: Who is it? Garrett replied with two gunshots, killing Bonney. Billy the Kid - Crime Museum Did Billy the Kid Cheat Death and Live on as 'Brushy Bill'? 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. Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0), Carol M. Highsmith/Library of Congress/LC-DIG-highsm-29831. 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. With his mother gone, teenage Henry McCarty was basically on his own. A suspicion lingered that Brazel or someone else conspired to execute Garrett, a lawman with many enemies. Little as we then suspected it, this man was the Kid. At about age 21, Billy the Kid was gunned down by Sheriff Pat Garrett. When we reached the porch in front of the building, I left Poe and McKinney at the end of the porch, about twenty feet from the door of Petes room, and went in. A quick online search reveals more than 50 films in which Billy the Kid is either the main character or a secondary one. 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. 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 for murdering a sheriff. Billy the Kid - Photo, Movie & Pat Garrett - Biography There are also suggestions that Billy and Garrett were friends and planned the whole incident so the fugitive could escape. See. Billy the Kid convicted of murder The following day, the Kid was buried in the Fort Sumner cemetery. There were various men in the American Southwest who went by the moniker "Billy the Kid." 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? Garrett is the man who eventually killed Billy the Kid, born as Henry McCarty. 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. 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. 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. Garrett gets word that the Kid is hiding out near Maxwells place. 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. However, the Kid later escaped, shooting dead two deputies and riding out of town Garrett rode to Maxwells house late that night and hid in Maxwells kitchen. Although the book was not successful when it was released, an originaledition became quite valuable over the years. One of Bonneys men was killed; Bonney and the rest of his men were captured. Believing the photo to include Billy the Kid (which would make it just the second known photo of him), Guijarro eventually found an authentication firm that verified his claim with facial recognition analysis and valued it at $5 million. His age, appearance, and size won him his 'Kid' moniker. fourth photo of Billy the Kid is found 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. 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). The Lady Is My Wife - Trailers From Hell His end wasn't particularly glamorous. He was then sent back to Lincoln County, where he was scheduled to be executed on May 13. Each landowner was supported by their own gang. Amazon.co.uk:Customer reviews: Young Guns 2 While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 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. Garrett delivered Webb and Davis to the sheriff of San Miguel County and rode on to Puerto de Luna. But surely even the man who shot charming, murderous Billy the Kid deserved a better end than a bullet while watering the desert. On the evening of July 14, Garrett waited inside Maxwell's bedroom. In 1964 an Ohio woman took up the challenge that had led to Amelia Earharts disappearance. The official version is that Garrett was shot and killed by Wayne Brazel, a cowboy involved in a leasing dispute with Garrett. Brazel said he shot Garrett in self-defense. He was tried and acquitted in a trial in which the only other known person at the scene of the shooting did not testify and the jury returned a verdict in 15 minutes. WebPat 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 Mysteries and theories still surround the outlaw's death and burial in Indiana, 85 years later. The most comprehensive and authoritative history site on the Internet. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pat-Garrett, HistoryNet - Pat Garrett Was the Last Great Frontier Lawman, Texas State Historical Association - The Handbook of Texas Online - Biography of Pat Garrett, Robert Garrett - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). 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. The other known pictures of the outlaw were believed to have been taken in 1877, 1878 and 1879. On the evening of April 28, 1881, Billy was left under the supervision of a single guard in the jailhouse while the rest of the staff hit the saloon across the street. The months-long war came to a climax with the July 19, 1878, Battle of Lincoln, also called 'The Five-Day Battle'. 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!. He never spoke. Why Billy The Kid Is The Most Infamous Gunslinger Of The Wild West. However, Poe and several other people say they moved the body quickly, dressed it and prepared it for a wake. The Kid Review: Outlaw Billys Story Told From - Variety When he was a child,his father, John Lumpkin Garrett, bought a cotton plantation in Louisiana, and he grew up there with five sisters and two brothers. Does Billy the Kid Deserve the Pardon He was Promised? Garrett was able to get inside the house on July 14 and when Billy entered, Garrett shot him dead. On July 14, 1881, Sheriff Garrett, under the cover of shadows, shot Billy the Kid dead in a residence in Fort Sumner. Lee and Gililland stayed on the run for another eight months and finally surrendered. Rumor has it that the Kid has taken a shine to Maxwells sister Paulita, though its likely shes not the only local girl to have caught his eye. Whether his story actually ended in 1881, however, is another matter. For all of you Wild, Wild West aficionados out there, here is a post that is sure to be interesting! Quickly as possible I drew my revolver and fired, threw my body aside, and fired again. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts, MCCARTY, HENRY | The Handbook of Texas Online| Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), Do not sell or share my personal information. Mysteries of the Old West: Did Pat Garrett Kill Billy the Kid? Billy was sentenced to hang on April 13, 1881; the judge set his execution day for May 13. In 1878, to settle a dispute over a large debt owed by Tunstalls business partner to a rival cohort of local businessmen, Sheriff William Brady and his posse attempted to seize around $40,000 worth of Tunstalls cattle. 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. Updates? A struggle or two, a little strangling sound as he gasped for breath, and the Kid was with his many victims. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Billy the Kids grave is in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.. 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. Out on his own, McCarty slipped across the border into Arizona Territory, which technically made him a federal fugitive from justice though the federal government didnt have a huge presence in Arizona at the time and Henry was pretty much free to do as he liked. Together the couple had nine children four girls and five boys. Pat Garrett: The Truth About The Man Who Killed Billy The Kid He died by the gun of Sherriff Pat Garrett at age 21. 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. Corrections? I believe all communities are built on legends, and in Hamilton County Brushy Bills stories connect us to those wild days of the frontier.. https://www.historynet.com/death-of-billy-the-kid-as-pat-garrett-tells-it/, Jerrie Mock: Record-Breaking American Female Pilot. He was orphaned as a teen. One of Garretts deputies went to check the roof and was fatally shot. Garrett did not pursue re-election for sheriff of Lincoln County in 1882. Garrett was away from Lincoln on county business when the Kid made his escape. 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. While still young, his family relocated to New Mexico. His last days have been the central narrative of many of them, including Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, a 1973 film by director Sam Peckinpah that endures as a classic among fans of the genre. Richardson told the Associated Press on Wednesday, I dont know where Ill end up. 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. He made a deal with the governor that should he testify against persons involved in the Lincoln County War, he would receive a full pardon for involvement in Sheriff Bradys death and other misdeeds. john chisum ranch map Well, let me explain by starting with a little history lesson. He then worked in Graham County as a farmhand, teamster, and cowboy. In the midst of the act, he was shot in the back of the head. Though quick with a joke, he did not hesitate before pulling the trigger. Billy the Kid was also still stealing. After Patricks departure, his widow took the young Henry McCarty and his brother out to Indiana, where she met a man named Bill Antrim. Wikimedia CommonsThe full-length version of the sole completely authenticated photo of Billy the Kid. Garrett learned that The Kid had been in and out of Sumner, New Mexico, and was staying there with Pete Maxwell. At the same time he served as a deputy U.S. marshal. For starters, Billy the Kids name wasnt Billy and he wasnt born in the western United States. Henry got the better of Cahill and shot him, inflicting a wound that would kill him the next day. Bonney woke up and went into the kitchen, presumably to get something to eat. The Washington Post One Mans Quest to Bury the Wild West Mystery of Billy the Kids Death. Soon after, the family moved farther west where Henry McCarty started getting into trouble. He would tell people around here, You know, I have a secret and one of these days youre going to find out what it is. He didnt want to tell his story at first. The sheriff and two deputies, John Poe and Thomas McKinney, saddle up and set out in search of their quarry. 'One day it may end up at an auction house somewhere. And yet with the good cheer came a surprising ruthlessness. At some point, someone shot and killed Garrett, but exactly who did it has been a subject of debate. Wow, a new Sam Peckinpah western! On April 15th, Judge Warren Bristol sentenced Billy the Kid to hang, but he escaped before the sentence was carried out. 'Only known photograph discovered' of Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett, a one-time friend, was the new sheriff of Lincoln County.