Leading facts of New Mexican history, volume 2

Page 304

424 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY ber of hours those in the house had to fight both fire and bullets, but when night came they one by one made a run between volleys to the river, and thence made good their escape to the hills. ‘‘Billy the Kid’’ *? and McSwain stayed to the last, and 852 William H. Bonney — ‘‘ Billy the Kid’’ — a ing to the McSwain faction, or at least fighting pathizing with that side in the Lincoln county Garrett, sheriff of Lincoln county. The ‘‘Kid’’ nine men. At the time of the death of the when only they fighter and desperado belongand killing with those symtroubles, was killed by Pat was guilty of the murder of ‘‘Kid,’’ John W. Poe, now a resident of Roswell, New Mexico, was a deputy sheriff under Garrett. The **Kid’’ had been sought for by the officers ever since the close of the Lincoln county war. He had been arrested, but had escaped from jail, killing his jailers. Poe lived at White Oaks, where lived an old man named George Gwynne, who came to him one day with the information that the ‘‘Kid’’ was at Fort Sumner. Poe replied that there must be some mistake; but Gwynne insisted that he was right; and his evident sincerity determined Poe to make an investigation. He reported to Garrett in Lincoln, had been said by Gwynne. Garrett did not put any finally determined to go to Fort Sumner. accompanied by Deputy Sheriff McKinney, Sumner, riding all night. The next to whom he told what faith in the story but They went by and on July 12 way of Roswell, started for Fort day they lay concealed among the hills and on the morning of the 14th arrived in the vicinity of the town where the desperado was said to be in hiding. As Poe was not aequainted in Fort Sumner, it was decided that he should go into the town and reconnoiter while the others remained in the sand-hills until they could hear from him. If he could not obtain the desired information in Fort Sumner he was to ride seven miles to Sunnyside to see a man named Rudolph, carrying a note to him from Garrett. He reached Sumner about noon on the 14th of July but could hear nothing of the whereabouts of the ‘‘Kid.’’ In his interview with Rudolph the latter became excited and denied that the ‘‘Kid’’ was anywhere in the vicinity of Fort Sumner and said that he believed about it as Garrett did. Poe was convinced that he was on the right track and leaving Rudolph rode at night to the place where Garrett and McKinney were stationed — at an avenue of cottonwood trees about four miles from the fort. Garrett finally consented to go to the house of a certain woman where they believed the ‘‘Kid’’ would be found if in that neighborhood. They rode to within a quarter of a mile of the fort and secreted themselves in a peach orchard within twenty steps of the back door of the house. There they remained from nine until eleven o’clock but saw or heard nothing. Garrett proposed returning home without letting the people know that they had been in the vicinity but Poe insisted upon going to the home of Pete Maxwell and asking him if the ‘‘Kid’’ had been seen 10 the neighborhood. They went to Maxwell’s home, the sheriff proposed to go in, Saying, ‘‘I am well acquainted with Maxwell and know where his bed room is.’’ Garrett made his way toward the house while Poe and McKinney sat on the steps outside. It was a long adobe dwelling with a gallery extending from end to end and a picket fence flush with the east end of the house which was on the street. Maxwell’s room was in the east end. Garrett had been 10 side only a few minutes when Poe saw a man coming along the fence, barefooted, bare-headed, and in his shirt-sleeves. The fence concealed them and Poe supposed it was Maxwell or some of his friends. The man came within four feet before he saw them. As soon as he did so he jumped on the gallery, pulled his pistol and cried, ‘‘Quien es?’’ there is no then putting one here to hurt his head you.’’ outside, again The Poe answered, ‘‘ Kid’? asked, stepped ‘‘Quien ‘‘Don’t over es?’’ the Poe be afraid; threshold, moved to Presidents William B. Childers. FE > >. of the New o. A: Field. A. Mexico Jones. 5. James 9 oO. G. Bar Association William Fiteh A. Vincent.