Billy the Kid

A few dusty miles outside Fort Sumner, the grave of Billy the Kid lies imprisoned behind iron bars. Although situated on a lonely plain, the grave attracts a steady stream of sightseers who are drawn by one of the West's most compelling sagas. According to the story, the outlaw gunned down 27 men before being killed himself at the age of 21 by Sheriff Pat Garrett.

A native of New York's Lower East Side, the young man known as William Bonney drifted West seeking his fortune, as many had done before. He worked for a time as a cowboy in Arizona where his reputation as a gunfighter began to spread. Pursued for several robberies and killings,

Billy escaped to Lincoln County, New Mexico around 1876. At that time, Lincoln County covered a huge area of New Mexico grassland and was eagerly sought by ranchers. Following the removal of hostile Indian populations by the U.S. Army, Lincoln County became embroiled in savage range wars between rival merchants for control of the region. The

Lincoln County War began with cattle rustling and climaxed in 1878 with a five-day gun battle at the Lincoln County courthouse. By most accounts, Billy figured prominently in the carnage, ambushing and killing a sheriff and deputy while managing to evade capture for a time.

Eventually, he was caught, tried, convicted, and sentenced to hang. His execution set for Lincoln County, Billy was jailed in the courthouse along with several other outlaws. He saw a chance to escape one day while he was left alone with only one guard, whom he tricked and overpowered. Again he managed to escape, killing deputies Jim Bell and Bob Ollinger in the process.

For several months the Kid hid, making his way back toward Fort Sumner, finding refuge in the now abandoned fort. It was here that Sheriff Pat Garrett found Billy on the night of July 14, 1881 and shot him through the heart.

Even the legend of Billy the Kid inspires lawlessness: his tombstone has been stolen several times. Not only is it now behind bars, it has been chained to the spot.

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