Billy the Kid


The most famous outlaw-gunfighter of the frontier Southwest was William
Bonney, alias "Billy the Kid". Born in New York City, Billy moved West with
his family and eventually became a cowboy in Lincoln County, New Mexico
Territory, working for cattleman J. H. Tunstall. In February, 1878,
Tunstall was killed by a rival cattle outfit, and this started Lincoln
County War in which Billy played a leading role. This "war" was actually a
struggle between two rival groups of businessmen and ranchers. Murders and
depredations between the two groups culminated in a three day battle in
Lincoln, New Mexico during July of 1878. Billy was one of the group that
shot to death Sheriff Bill Brady. "The Kid" was said to have been involved
in twenty other murders in his lifetime.

Governor Lew Wallace (also author of "Ben Hur") offered a $500 reward to
anyone who would capture William Bonney, alias "The Kid", and deliver him
to any sheriff in New Mexico. In 1880, Lincoln County elected Sheriff Pat
Garrett and a posse trapped "The Kid" and four companions in a hut at
Stinking Springs. After a three day siege, the gang was captured on
December 23, 1880.

The first report of his capture was presented in the Las Vegas (New
Mexico) Daily Gazette Extra of December 27, 1880. This newspaper was one of
the most widely read in the Southwest. The Gazette, along with the Las
Vegas Daily Optic, covered the closing of "The Kid's" career more
thoroughly than any other newspaper. This was because, at the time, Las
Vegas was the marketing center for the area in which Billy operated.

Billy was convicted of murder, and was sentenced to be hanged in Lincoln.
However, on April 28, 1881, he escaped from custody, killing two guards.
The news of his escape made page one of the Gazette on Sunday, May 1, 1881.
The short article was titled "The Kid Escaped", but did not give many
details. On May 3, a page four article (page four was where the local news
was usually placed) detailed "The Kid's Escape". This account took up an
extra column and went into great detail of the escape. 

For two and a half months the Las Vegas newspaper carried reports
of Billy's supposed whereabouts. During that time he was tracked down by
Sheriff Pat Garrett, who cornered Billy only July 15, 1881 in Fort Sumner,
New Mexico. On July 18, 1881 the Las Vegas Daily Optic carried the story
headlined: "The Kid Killed". Thus ended the short life and stormy career of
William Bonney -- "Billy the Kid"