Billy the Kid – The Fatal Shot in the Dark
The arid landscape of New Mexico, a land of stark beauty and unforgiving harshness, served as the backdrop for a drama that would etch itself into the annals of the Wild West. The year was 1881, and the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid was once again at large, having escaped the clutches of the law after a previous capture. Sheriff Pat Garrett, the man tasked with bringing him to justice, found himself under scrutiny for his perceived lack of urgency in the recapture effort.
Garrett, a man of quiet determination, harbored a conviction that Billy the Kid remained within the territory, likely haunting the vicinity of Fort Sumner. This belief, however, was tempered with doubt. The Kid, despite his youth, was known for his cunning and resourcefulness. It seemed improbable that a man facing the ultimate penalty, with avenues of escape readily available, would linger in such a dangerous locale. Yet, Garrett’s intuition, honed by years of law enforcement experience, suggested otherwise.
The sheriff understood the importance of appearing nonchalant. Any overt display of pursuit, he reasoned, would only serve to drive Billy the Kid further underground, making his recapture all the more difficult. Thus, he maintained a facade of indifference, spending his days on his ranch, all the while meticulously gathering intelligence and formulating a plan. He knew that success hinged on exploiting the Kid’s potential overconfidence, lulling him into a false sense of security.
Garrett’s strategy involved a network of informants and carefully cultivated relationships. One such contact was Mr. Brazel, a man who had previously assisted in the Kid’s capture and now lived in fear of the outlaw’s vengeance. In early July, Garrett received a letter from Brazel, confirming his suspicions that Billy the Kid was still in the area. While the letter lacked concrete details, it reinforced Garrett’s resolve to bring the fugitive to justice.
He arranged a clandestine meeting with Brazel, setting the stage for the night of July 13th at the mouth of Tayban Arroyo. To bolster his efforts, Garrett enlisted the aid of John W. Poe, a seasoned stock detective, and his own deputy, Thomas K. McKinney. He confided his plans to Poe, sharing the details of his correspondence and outlining the risks involved. Together, the trio embarked on a covert journey to Fort Sumner, avoiding well-traveled roads and relying on the cover of darkness.
Their arrival at Tayban Arroyo proved fruitless, as Brazel failed to appear. Undeterred, Garrett and his companions spent the night under the stars, rising early to survey the landscape from the surrounding hills. Poe, a stranger to the area, was dispatched to Fort Sumner to gather intelligence and make observations. He was also instructed to seek the counsel of M. Rudolph, a respected local figure known for his sound judgment.
Poe’s reconnaissance mission yielded little in the way of concrete information. Rudolph, while suspecting the Kid’s presence, remained skeptical, questioning the outlaw’s willingness to remain in such a perilous environment. With limited options, Garrett resolved to seek the counsel of Peter Maxwell, a prominent local rancher and a man he believed to be trustworthy.
As they approached Maxwell’s property, the lawmen encountered a campsite occupied by a man named Jacobs, an old acquaintance of Poe’s from Texas. After sharing coffee and exchanging pleasantries, Garrett, Poe, and McKinney cautiously approached a cluster of old buildings near Maxwell’s house, their senses on high alert.
The sounds of Spanish voices emanated from the buildings, prompting the lawmen to conceal themselves and listen intently. They observed a man emerge from the group, his attire consisting of a broad-brimmed hat, a dark vest, and trousers, his shins exposed. The man, who they later learned was Billy the Kid, nonchalantly walked towards Maxwell’s residence.
Unbeknownst to Garrett and his posse, Billy the Kid had been visiting friends earlier that evening. Seeking a late-night snack, he had asked his host for a butcher knife, intending to procure some beef from Maxwell’s. Thus, hatless and in his stocking feet, the Kid made his way to Maxwell’s house, unaware of the deadly encounter that awaited him.
As the Kid disappeared towards Maxwell’s house, Garrett signaled his companions, and they cautiously advanced, taking a different route to avoid detection. Reaching the porch, Garrett instructed Poe and McKinney to remain at the end, while he entered Maxwell’s room alone.
Inside, he found Maxwell in bed. After exchanging greetings, Garrett inquired about the Kid’s whereabouts. Maxwell replied that the Kid had been around but he was unsure whether he had left. In that precise moment, a figure appeared in the doorway, looking back and calling out in Spanish, "Quien es? Quien es?" ("Who’s there? Who’s there?").
The figure, bareheaded and seemingly barefoot, advanced towards Garrett, a revolver in his right hand and a butcher knife in his left. As the intruder drew closer, Garrett whispered to Maxwell, "Who is it, Pete?" Maxwell, recognizing the figure, whispered back, "That’s him!"
Simultaneously, the Kid seemed to sense the presence of a third person in the room. He quickly raised his pistol, a self-cocker, pointing it towards Garrett. In a moment of sheer terror, the Kid cried out again, "Quien es? Quien es?"
Reacting instinctively, Garrett drew his own revolver and fired twice. The first shot found its mark, striking the Kid just above the heart. The outlaw fell to the floor, never uttering another word. Maxwell, in a panic, dove over the foot of the bed, dragging the bedclothes with him.
Poe and McKinney, hearing the commotion, rushed to the door. Maxwell emerged from the room, shouting, "Don’t shoot, don’t shoot!" Garrett informed his companions that he had killed the Kid. Initially, they were skeptical, questioning whether he had shot the wrong man. Garrett, however, assured them that he was certain of his identification, stating that he knew the Kid’s voice too well to be mistaken.
Upon examining the body, the lawmen confirmed that it was indeed Billy the Kid. The bullet had pierced his heart, causing instant death. Poe and McKinney remarked that they had heard three shots fired, leading them to believe that the Kid had returned fire. However, a thorough search of the room revealed no bullet marks from the Kid’s weapon.
The Kid’s pistol, a .41 caliber self-cocker, contained five cartridges and one spent shell. While this suggested that the gun had been fired previously, it was impossible to determine whether the Kid had actually discharged it during the encounter.
Whether Billy the Kid recognized Garrett in the dimly lit room remains a mystery. If he did, it was the first time in his life that he lost his composure and failed to act decisively. The Kid knew that a meeting with Garrett meant either surrender or a fight to the death. He had previously stated that he held no personal animosity towards Garrett but that he would not hesitate to shoot on sight if confronted.
The following morning, an inquest was held to determine the cause of death. The coroner’s jury, led by Hon. M. Rudolph, concluded that William H. Bonney, alias Billy the Kid, had died from a gunshot wound inflicted by Pat F. Garrett in the discharge of his official duties as sheriff. The homicide was deemed justifiable.
On July 15, 1881, the body of Billy the Kid was laid to rest in the military cemetery at Fort Sumner. He was just 21 years, seven months, and 21 days old at the time of his death. Garrett, in his account of the events, vehemently refuted claims that the Kid’s body had been exhumed or that his remains were on display elsewhere. He insisted that the Kid’s body remained undisturbed in its grave, a testament to the enduring legend of the Wild West.
The death of Billy the Kid marked the end of an era, a turning point in the history of the New Mexico Territory. While Garrett had successfully brought the outlaw to justice, he faced criticism from those who viewed the Kid as a folk hero. Despite risking his life for his community, Garrett lost the subsequent election for sheriff of Lincoln County. His book, published in 1882, failed to achieve commercial success, overshadowed by earlier publications on the Kid’s life and exploits. Nevertheless, the story of Billy the Kid and the fatal shot in the dark continues to captivate audiences, a reminder of the lawlessness and violence that once defined the American West.