Billy Wilson – Outlaw & Lawman
The annals of the American West are filled with figures who straddled the line between law and lawlessness, individuals whose lives were a tapestry woven with threads of both rebellion and responsibility. Among these complex characters is David L. Anderson, a man known to history by the alias William "Billy" Wilson, or sometimes, "Buffalo Bill." Billy Wilson‘s story is one of transformation, a journey that took him from a young man seeking fortune to an outlaw riding alongside the notorious Billy the Kid, and ultimately, to a law enforcement officer dedicated to upholding justice. His life, a microcosm of the turbulent era, offers a fascinating glimpse into the moral ambiguities and shifting identities that defined the Old West.
Born on November 23, 1860, in Trumbull County, Ohio, David Lawrence Anderson’s early life provided little indication of the path he would eventually tread. In the early 1870s, his family made the significant decision to relocate to the vast expanses of southern Texas, seeking new opportunities in the burgeoning cattle country. As he matured, Anderson embraced the cowboy lifestyle, honing his skills in horsemanship and cattle handling. This experience would prove invaluable in the years to come, though not in the way his family might have envisioned.
The lure of opportunity and the promise of quick riches drew Anderson to White Oaks, New Mexico, in 1880. He invested his savings in a livery stable, hoping to establish himself as a reputable businessman. However, his entrepreneurial dreams were quickly shattered when he was swindled in a transaction, accepting counterfeit bills as payment for his business. This betrayal marked a turning point in Anderson’s life, pushing him down a path that would forever alter his destiny.
Enraged and determined to recoup his losses, Anderson made the fateful decision to pass the counterfeit money, a desperate act that resulted in his arrest and indictment. Faced with the prospect of imprisonment, he chose to flee, abandoning his legal obligations and embarking on a life as an outlaw. This decision thrust him into the company of some of the most notorious figures of the era, including the infamous Billy the Kid.
Billy Wilson‘s association with Billy the Kid’s gang cemented his place in the history of the Wild West. He joined their ranks during a period of intense lawlessness following the tumultuous Lincoln County War. From February to May of 1880, Anderson participated in numerous acts of cattle rustling and horse theft, preying on both the Mescalero Apache reservation and the established ranchers along the Colorado River. The stolen livestock was then sold for a meager $10 a head, a testament to the harsh realities and economic desperation that fueled much of the outlaw activity of the time.
One particular incident in November 1880 highlighted the dangers and close calls that characterized Billy Wilson‘s life as an outlaw. While traveling with Billy the Kid near White Oaks, they were suddenly ambushed by an eight-man posse. In the ensuing chase, both their horses were killed, forcing them to flee on foot. Despite being outgunned and on foot, they managed to evade capture. The following day, Anderson, Billy the Kid, and Dave Rudabaugh, brazenly rode into White Oaks, attempting to engage Deputy Sheriff James Redman in a gunfight. However, their plans were thwarted when a large group of townspeople, numbering between 30 and 40, took to the streets, forcing the outlaws to retreat.
The pursuit continued, with a twelve-man posse tracking the outlaws to a ranch house approximately 40 miles away. A fierce shootout ensued, resulting in the death of Deputy Sheriff Jimmy Carlyle. Frustrated by their inability to capture the outlaws, the posse resorted to burning the hideout to the ground.
The outlaw life was a precarious existence, and Billy Wilson‘s time on the run eventually came to an end. Following the siege at Stinking Springs, near present-day Taiban, New Mexico, he surrendered to Pat Garrett, along with the rest of Billy the Kid’s gang. He was convicted in December 1880 and sentenced to prison in Santa Fe.
However, imprisonment proved to be a temporary setback for Anderson. In 1884, he managed to escape from custody, once again finding himself a fugitive from the law. This time, however, he made a conscious decision to change his path. Reverting to his birth name, David L. Anderson, he sought to leave his outlaw past behind him.
Anderson returned to Texas, settling in Sanderson, where he embraced a life of ranching, respectability and started a family. He married, and began building a new life far removed from the gunfights and cattle rustling that had defined his earlier years. This marked a significant turning point, a conscious effort to reinvent himself and forge a new identity.
In a remarkable twist of fate, Pat Garrett, the very man who had apprehended him years earlier, played a crucial role in Anderson’s rehabilitation. In 1896, Garrett used his influence to secure a presidential pardon for Anderson, effectively clearing his name and allowing him to fully reintegrate into society.
With his past officially behind him, Anderson embarked on a career in law enforcement. He initially served as a U.S. customs inspector, a position that required integrity and a commitment to upholding the law. His transformation was complete when, in 1905, he was elected as the Terrell County Sheriff. This was an extraordinary achievement for a man who had once been an outlaw on the run.
David L. Anderson, once known as Billy Wilson, served as sheriff with dedication and commitment, proving himself to be a capable and respected lawman. His past experiences, no doubt, gave him a unique understanding of the criminal mind and the challenges of maintaining law and order in a frontier environment.
Tragically, Anderson’s life of redemption was cut short in 1918, when he was killed in the line of duty. His death marked the end of a remarkable journey, a testament to the possibility of change and the complexities of human nature. From outlaw to lawman, David L. Anderson’s story is a compelling example of the blurred lines and shifting identities that characterized the American West. He lived a life that encapsulated the volatile nature of the era, transforming from a young hopeful to an outlaw and, ultimately, a respected sheriff.
The life of Billy Wilson offers a compelling narrative of transformation and redemption in the American West. His journey from outlaw to lawman underscores the complexities of morality and identity in a period of rapid change and social upheaval. His story serves as a reminder that even those who have strayed from the path of righteousness are capable of finding their way back, and that the human spirit is capable of remarkable resilience and change.