* Material taken from Scenic Tours, Gateway to 3.3 Million Acres of Solitude (and it is by-the-way).
I'd heard this on the news when in Texas and thought "are they just nuts - pardon that young punk criminal?" Now that I'm in Silver City, New Mexico and hearing and reading more - this is a big deal to "them" and my view is now ... well, at best - clouded.
I've never really thought about Billy the Kid (William Bonney Henry McCarty and Henry Antrim) and Pat Garrett that much, outside of reading a passing historical maker and visiting Lincoln, Las Cruces ... now Silver City and points all between (it seems they were all over this part of New Mexico) ... anyway, as typical I drift -- mostly my first thoughts of Billy is the Lincoln County wars, but have discovered a bit of the history of his early life here in Silver City.
*1902 Interview with Sheriff Whitehill, he summed up his memories of Billy (then Henry McCarty): "There was one peculiar characteristic that to an experienced man-hunter would have marked him immediately as a bad man, and that was his dancing eyes. They never were at rest, but continually shifted and roved much like his rebellious nature."
As it goes Billy's mother(? - another story I won't go into here) remarried William Antrim, who reportedly was a neglectful father, being away for long periods of time in his pursuit of gold and silver. That is how "they" wound up in Silver City to begin with, within months of being married Antrim moved them lock, stock and barrel to Silver City in this quest for riches.
Billy's First Crime:* Billy's mother died on September 16, 1874 of tuberculosis (consumption) and Billy got a job waiting tables at the Star Hotel and Sheriff Whitehill* reminisced that "the boy's first offense was the theft of several pounds of butter from a ranchman ... which he disposed of to one of the local merchants."
Billy's First Arrest:* A classmate, Anthony Conner, who remembers Billy as an avid reader said: "Finally he took to reading the Police Gazzette and dime novels. On night he robbed a Chinese laundry. I think it was regarded by him as more of a prank than anything else. But Sheriff Harvey Whitehall locked him up for it ... Mr. Whitehall only wished to scare him."
Billy's First Escape from Jail:* Sheriff Whitehall's account also agrees that putting Billy in jail at age 15 - was meant only to convince the young man of the "perils of crime." One day Billy complained of the lack of exercise and was allowed to be in the jail's corridor - left alone for 30 minutes the slender Billy climbed out of the jail's chimney and escaped.
Billy's First Killing:* In Arizona he killed a blacksmith who was bullying him in a bar. The jury found the murder "unjustifiable" and Billy fled back to New Mexico - this is where he befriended Tunstall in Lincoln. I believe we are all, at least, a little familiar with this story -- if not, I suggest you Google the same.
By the age of 21, it is said Billy can be linked to the deaths of at least 12 men (even though some say 21-22) and finally on July 14, 1881, it is said the young outlaw was killed in a gun battle with Pat Garrett. Garrett's book "The Authentic Life of Bill the Kid" includes an account that Billy knifed his first man in Silver City, the folks around here say that is just a "tall tale" ... including Sheriff Whitehall. As for the death of Billy the Kid - I suggest you Google it also and read the different accounts, including one by Pat Garret himself:
Pat Garrett's Account of Billy the Kid's Shooting
Sooooooo, all that said back to Governor Richardson's reasoning behind posthumous pardoning Billy ... 130 years later: He says it is because of lingering questions as to why New Mexico Territorial Governor Lew Wallace didn't follow through on a promised pardon after Billy testified about killings that occurred during the 1878 range war.
Now I suppose that might be a valid train of thought ... but does it at this point really matter - Billy didn't leave any descendants that are "shamed" by his actions. HOWEVER, Garrett's descendants are all "up in arms" saying: such an act would represent an "inexcusable defamation" of Garrett. "If Billy the Kid was living amongst us now, would you issue a pardon for someone who made his living as a thief and, more egregiously, who killed four law enforcement officers and numerous others?" Now I suspect that's a valid train of thought too!
Then there is the whole rumor that Garrett shot the wrong person, that Billy escaped and lived to be an old man ... in Missouri, Arizona and Texas - I've even visiting the "purported" grave of Billy in East Texas!
Just foder for thought from my random brain this morning, while awaiting the awakening of my dear hubby - enjoy, think about it .. research it - draw your own conclusions -- my main question is: does it really matter now --- should we stop screwing around with history ... like removing the Civil War because it isn't politically correct any more ... among other things that get my "cockles" all bristled! :-)
Good day to ya Buddies!
