The Drifter & The Blacksmith

by J. Young
After escaping from Silver City jail through the chimney, young Billy the Kid, known then by his middle name Henry, made his way to the residence of a family friend, the Truesdells. Much obliged, Mrs. Truesdell provided a helping hand by washing and ironing Billy’s clothes, helping him get back on his feet. He then embarked on a journey westward on a freight stage, traversing a distance of about 50 miles along the Gila river, finally halting at Clifton. It was here that Billy hoped to reconnect with his widowed stepfather, William Antrim.  I would like to think that William Antrim wasn’t a complete bad guy and actually gave Billy a few things he might have needed to survive? But perhaps not, according to Sheriff Whitehill…

“His father said if that's the kind of boy you are, then get out. Now if Billy's father had taken him in then he would have been all right, but he didn't... and the boy didn't know what to do, so he went into the old man's room, stole his six shooter and some clothes and beat it.”
Harvey Whitehill
Sheriff Harvey Whitehill

Billy traveled south along the Gila to the San Simon Valley, where he worked for food and shelter along the way. Transients like Billy were able to find work quickly, finding jobs such as gathering hay and herding cattle on ranches along the Gila or doing light work on farms. He found brief employment at a dairy processing place run by Charlie Bowdre and Doc Scurlock, who had set up shop along the Gila to make cheese while supporting themselves in the mines. They hired Billy for a short time before deciding to close up shop. The three of them would eventually become good friends.
In the San Simon Valley, there were settlements belonging to the Mormon community such as Safford and Pueblo Viejo. These settlements provided various gambling opportunities for locals like the Kid who frequented the saloons and dancehalls. Furthermore, the recently abandoned military post camp Goodwin provided more opportunities for gambling. Unfortunately, on March 19th, an army soldier passing through Fort Goodwin had his mount taken from him, and it is suspected that it may have been the Kid’s first horse theft.
Billy rode north into Camp Grant, first approaching the Hotel De Luna. Approximately half a mile down the road from the hotel, he came upon Milton McDowell’s store and Francis P. “Windy” Cahill’s blacksmith shop. This crossroads led either south to Tucson or to Camp Bowie. A plethora of civilian businesses thrived on the east side of Grant Creek, including George McKittrick’s infamous “red light district” which soldiers mockingly referred to as “The Hog Ranch.” Local stonemason John Bachelder was on the scene…

“Gambling and drinking saloons and dance hall houses were numerous. A man named Lou Elliott had a dance hall, George Atkins ran another. Billy the Kid was there for a time. He was a young, light, green looking fellow. His reputation as a money and Faro dealer began in Adkins saloon, soldiers would come down from the post to visit the saloons and dance halls here. Outbreaks of violence often coincided with the arrival of the army payroll.”
John Bachelder

Billy was employed by army contractor Henry C Hooker at the Sierra Bonita ranch located at the top of Sulfur Springs Valley. He received training to become a cowboy, unfortunately, he did not meet the required standards and was subsequently dismissed by the manager, William Whelan. Whelan regarded Billy as being inexperienced and not suitable for the role.
William, upon returning to Fort Grant, found his calling in a profession that better aligned with his physical capabilities and appealed to his adventurous spirit. He began associating with a group of cattle rustlers and formed a close relationship with a former army private by the name of John Mackie (Mackay), who served as his mentor.

"This place, the McDowell's store and the vicinity was the headquarters of the gang. The kid and his Chum, Mackie would steal the saddles and saddle blankets from the horses and occasionally they would take the horses."
Miles Woods

Upon noticing the repeated theft of horses at the Hog Ranch, two officers devised a plan to deter future incidents and safeguard the patrons’ property. They secured their horses with long picket ropes and took the ends of the ropes with them inside the cantina. When Mackie showed up, he joined the conversation, which kept the officers occupied, while The Kid cut the rope and relieved them of their transportation. This observation was witnessed by Miles Woods.

“When they came out they had only a piece of rope in their hands and The Kid had gone off with their horses."
Miles Woods

On November 17th, 1st Sergeant Louis Hartman reported a missing horse, tied near Milton McDowell’s store. Suspecting theft, Major Charles Compton ordered Hartman, Private Charles Smith, who lost his mount to Billy in March, and three other privates to track the culprits. The team followed horse tracks through the Aravaipa valley and into the Pinal mountains, finally overtaking the stolen horse and forcing its rider, Billy, to walk on foot. While Mackie and The Kid had been stealing successfully, their luck ran out when their actions were discovered. Hartman and Smith, along with their team, acted in accordance with their mission and successfully recovered the stolen horse. 
In December 1876, Billy sought respite from Fort Grant and went to Globe City, which was experiencing a significant surge in development with nearly 40 buildings already established and more underway. Given the sheer number of available saloons in the area, Billy had ample options to try his hand at gambling. However, before testing his luck, Billy recognized the need to bolster his funds.
Out of the darkness of the night on February 10th 1877 Mackie and the Kid stole 3 horses belonging to the army from Cottonwood station also known as Cottonwood Springs, a watering hole on the road that connected Camp Grant to Cedar Springs and Camp Thomas. 
Several days later, officials from Camp Thomas and Camp Grant visited Miles Wood at his hotel, where he held his position as Justice of the Peace. The soldiers expressed their disappointment in his lack of action against the thefts that had occurred. Wood properly documented their complaint and issued arrest warrants for the suspected thieves, John R. Mackie and William Henry Antrim, who was also known as “The Kid”. The warrants were sent to Globe for The Kid’s arrest.
The fugitive known as The Kid was located and apprehended at McMillan’s camp, however, managed to escape. The following day, the constables were successful in recapturing the fugitive. While en route to Camp Grant, a brief stop at Cedar Springs resulted in yet another escape. Despite these attempts, it seems that the fugitive had a change of heart and attempted to resolve the matter with the army. The return of five horses belonging to the sixth cavalry and a letter to Miles Wood proved fruitful in having the charges against him dropped.
Billy and Mackie returned to Camp Grant and continued to visit the saloons, despite their prior missteps. Meanwhile, a traveling photographer named George Rothrock reported meeting The Kid then and there as he was having a friendly argument with his pal Mackie…

“I met the noted Billy the Kid and witnessed his having trouble with a friend, mounting his horse, a racehorse that belonged to him and the friend, and riding off shooting his pistol at said friend, with a friend firing his Winchester back at him.”
Billy the Kid
George Rothrock

Upon receiving the alert, Miles Wood promptly issued warrants to his constable to arrest Mackie and The Kid. However his constable was not the bravest man and somewhat seemingly was afraid to make the arrests.

"Twice he went down there to arrest them and twice he returned and said he cannot find them. I knew he did not want to find them."
Miles Woods

On March 25th, Miles Wood noticed Billy and Mackie approaching the Hotel de Luna from his window. Mr. Wood promptly served them breakfast…

“I shoved the platter down on the table in front of them and pulled out a six gun from under it. I told them hands up! And drove them before me to the guard house about two and a half miles down the road.”
Miles Woods

Upon their arrival at the guard house, Wood presented a formal request for their confinement until a judicial inquiry could be conducted. Even though Mackie was concerned, the level-headed Kid asked the guard if he could use the privy. When they arrived at the back of the building, The Kid quickly gathered some salt and threw it into the guard’s eyes, taking advantage of the ensuing chaos by bolting towards a nearby creek. The guard called for assistance, attracting several others who swiftly caught the Kid and brought him back to the guard house for detention.
Upon learning of the incident, Mr. Woods promptly took Billy to the blacksmith workshop, where Windy Cahill fastened shackles onto his ankles and returned him to confinement. The Kid’s cell was constructed with overlapping boards standing upright on a foundation of stone and mud. It featured a dirt floor and a roof constructed from wood shingles. The building had an open ridge for ventilation running along its top, and was just big enough for the slight-framed Billy to squeeze through.
On the night of a well-attended social function at Major Compton’s home, Miles Wood and the major were informed by a soldier that the Kid had escaped, shackles and all. Subsequently, the Kid sought refuge in Aravaipa Canyon after being assisted by his friend, Tom “Dobie” Varley, who was tending bar at a local saloon.
The kid showed up at a hay camp belonging to army contractor H.F. “Sorghum” Smith near camp Thomas looking for work.

“He said he was 17 though he didn't look to be 14. I gave him a job helping around camp. He hadn't worked very long until he wanted his money. I asked him if he was going to quit. He said, no I want to buy some things. I asked him how much he wanted and tried to get him to take $10 for I thought that was enough for him to spend, but he hesitated and asked for $40. I gave it to him. He went down to the post trader and bought himself a whole outfit, a six shooter, belt, scabbard and cartridges.”
H.F. Smith

During his free time, Billy would often visit Camp Grant. As recounted by Gus Gildea, The Kid made appearances at the camp.

“Billy was often bullied by Windy. So-called this because he was always blowing about one thing or another. When the kid came into camp Grant, Windy would abuse him. He would throw Billy on to the floor and ruffle his hair, slap his face and humiliate him before the other men in the saloon. Yes, the Kid was rather slender... and the blacksmith was a very large man.”
Gus Gildea

“On the evening of August 17th, 1877, Gildea witnessed the arrival of The Kid into town.

"The Kid came in dressed like a country Jake with store pants on and shoes instead of boots. He wore a six gun stuffed in his trousers. While he was in the saloon he got into an argument with Windy Cahill. But during this argument Cahill called Billy a pimp and threw him down three times. Enraged, Billy called the blacksmith a son of a bitch and reached for his new six-gun.”
Gus Gildea

After the confrontation followed by physical struggle, The Kid forced the .45 pistol into Cahill’s belly and pulled the trigger. Billy got up, ran outside and mounted John Murphy’s racehorse and fled the scene.
The following day August 18th 1877 Cahill wrote a statement

“I Frank Cahill, being convinced I am about to die, make the following my final statement. My name is Frank P. Cahill I was born in the county and town of Galway Ireland; yesterday August 17th 1877, I had some trouble with Henry Antrim otherwise known as kid, during which he shot me. I called him a pimp and he called me a son of a bitch. We took hold of each other, I did not hit him, I think I saw him go for his pistol, and tried to get a hold of it, but could not and he shot me in the belly. I have a sister named Kate Conden living in San Francisco.”
Francis "Windy" Cahill

Soon after his statement Cahill died and Miles Wood convened an end quest at the Hotel de Luna. Gus Gildea and other witnesses said the Kid had no choice; he had to use his equalizer but the jury decided that his method of self-defense was criminal and unjustifiable and Henry Antrim alias Kid is guilty thereof.
A few days later a friend of John Murphy’s rode into town on Murphy’s horse. He explained that The Kid asked him to return it.

"The Kid skipped out to New Mexico, for several months he participated as a fighter in the Lincoln county war. Four years later he fell under the guns of sheriff Pat Garrett. The boy grew quickly into Billy the Kid, a giant in folklore, and of the American southwest."
Miles Woods

Gallery

During my tenure as President of Billy The Kid’s Historical Coalition, one of our esteemed board members, Jerry, generously paid for a new headstone for the late Windy Cahill’s grave. The act of kindness was carried out by the talented Michael Anthony Giudicissi who impeccably set the stone as shown in the video below…

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