Charles “Charlie” Bowdre – Unlucky Friend To Billy the Kid
Charles "Charlie" Bowdre, a name often whispered alongside that of Billy the Kid, occupies a unique and somewhat tragic space in the annals of the American West. While not as widely celebrated or infamous as his notorious companion, Bowdre’s life offers a compelling glimpse into the turbulent times of the Lincoln County War and the shadowy world of outlaw gangs. His story is one of friendship, loyalty, and ultimately, a violent end that solidified his place as an "unlucky friend" of one of the West’s most enduring legends. This article delves into the life of Charles “Charlie” Bowdre, exploring his background, his involvement in the Lincoln County War, his association with Billy the Kid, and the circumstances surrounding his death.
Born in 1848 in Wilkes County, Georgia, Charles “Charlie” Bowdre hailed from a family of some standing. His upbringing, however, took him westward. He was raised in DeSoto County, Mississippi, before venturing further west by 1874. He found himself in the territory of New Mexico, a land brimming with opportunity and rife with conflict. He established himself as a farmer south of Lincoln, a quiet pursuit that belied the dramatic events soon to engulf him. The allure of the open range and the promise of a new life drew many to this region, but the seeds of discord were already sown, setting the stage for the Lincoln County War.
The Lincoln County War, a brutal and complex conflict, pitted rival factions against each other in a struggle for economic and political control of the region. On one side were the established merchants and cattle barons, and on the other, newer arrivals seeking to break their hold on power. When the war erupted, Charles “Charlie” Bowdre aligned himself with the McSween faction, a group that included a young, ambitious gunslinger named William H. Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid. This decision would irrevocably alter the course of Bowdre’s life.
Alongside Billy the Kid and other figures who would later form the core of his infamous gang, Bowdre participated in the violent clashes and retaliatory killings that characterized the Lincoln County War. The conflict was a chaotic mix of range feuds, political maneuvering, and personal vendettas, and it left a lasting scar on the landscape and the people of Lincoln County. While the exact nature of Bowdre’s involvement remains somewhat unclear, his association with the McSween faction and his presence during key events placed him squarely in the middle of the conflict.
The McSween faction ultimately lost the war. The aftermath saw Bowdre and Billy the Kid retreating to Fort Sumner, New Mexico, seeking refuge and a chance to regroup. Fort Sumner, a former military post, had become a haven for outlaws, cowboys, and drifters, a place where the rules of polite society held little sway. Here, Bowdre attempted to return to a more peaceful existence, working as a cowboy and trying to distance himself from the violence of the recent past. However, the allure of the outlaw life and the bonds of friendship proved too strong to resist.
Despite his attempts to remain outside the fray, Charles “Charlie” Bowdre found himself increasingly drawn back into the orbit of Billy the Kid and his growing gang. While he was not known to be deeply involved in their cattle rustling activities, he remained friends with several gang members, and this association made him a suspect in their criminal endeavors. The line between legitimate ranching and outlawry was often blurred in the Wild West, and Bowdre’s connections to the Kid’s gang cast a shadow over his reputation.
The relentless pursuit of Billy the Kid and his gang by lawmen, led by Sheriff Pat Garrett, intensified in the late 1870s and early 1880s. Garrett, a former friend of the Kid, was now determined to bring him to justice. In December 1880, Bowdre was riding into Fort Sumner with Billy and his gang when they were ambushed by Garrett and his posse. During the ensuing gunfight, gang member Tom O’Folliard was killed. The remaining outlaws managed to escape, but the encounter marked a turning point in their fortunes.
The relentless Garrett tracked the gang to an abandoned rock house near Stinking Springs, New Mexico, on December 23, 1880. Inside were Billy the Kid, Charles “Charlie” Bowdre, Dave Rudabaugh, Tom Pickett, and Billy Wilson. The posse surrounded the building, effectively trapping the outlaws inside.
Garrett called for the men to surrender, but Billy the Kid responded with gunfire, initiating a deadly siege. The posse returned fire, and in the chaos, Bowdre was struck in the chest as he passed by a window. According to legend, he cried out, "I’m killed, Billy, they killed me." The Kid, in a moment of grim pragmatism, reportedly pushed Bowdre out the door, urging him to seek revenge before he died.
However, Bowdre was too severely wounded to retaliate. He was hit several more times and succumbed to his injuries. His body lay exposed outside the farmhouse for two days as the siege continued. The remaining outlaws, trapped without food or water, finally surrendered to Garrett and his posse. The death of Charles “Charlie” Bowdre marked a significant blow to the Kid’s gang and a step closer to the eventual downfall of the notorious outlaw.
Bowdre’s body was buried next to Tom O’Folliard at Fort Sumner’s old military cemetery. Ironically, Billy the Kid himself would soon join his old friends in the same graveyard, his own life cut short by Garrett’s pursuit. The graves of these figures, symbols of a bygone era of violence and lawlessness, serve as a reminder of the harsh realities of the Old West.
Charles "Charlie" Bowdre’s life, though intertwined with the legend of Billy the Kid, deserves to be remembered in its own right. He was a man who sought opportunity in the West, became embroiled in a violent conflict, and ultimately paid the price for his friendships and allegiances. His story is a testament to the complexities of the era and the often-tenuous line between law and outlawry. Bowdre remains a figure of interest, a supporting character in one of the West’s most enduring dramas, forever linked to the legend of Billy the Kid.