Coyote Springs

During the summer of 2022, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit this site along with some former colleagues. Recently, I revisited this location which required an hour-long drive north from White Oaks down a B-level road, passing through several cattle gates and wandering cows. During our visit, we came across a partial cave that seemed suitable for shelter in case of rain.
During our search, we were unable to locate any evidence of an old west hideout. We subsequently proceeded to the site I had identified using an old map and Google Maps, which we believed to be Coyote Springs. The surrounding area appeared to display remnants of old foundations, suggesting the presence of wickiup and grass homes in the past. Notably, several pottery fragments were also discovered, likely left behind by the Mescalero Apache, who used to inhabit the region during winter months before the establishment of a nearby reservation.
According to historical records, gold was discovered in the Jicarilla Mountains only after The Apache had vacated the area. The Apache considered the gold to be sacred and labeled it as “Tears of the Sun”.
Located approximately 100 yards from this current location is a former area that housed an aged corral, as evidenced by the presence of old wooden posts, ladders, and a number of sunken horseshoes. Due to the high iron content present in the soil, utilizing metal detectors posed a minor challenge. Through our findings, spent shell casings dating back to the 19th century, specifically from a .32 caliber, were discovered, further corroborating the notion that this area was the site of The Hudgens posse out of White Oaks’ pursuit and subsequent gunshot of a horse belonging to the outlaws, dating back to at least a century ago.
During investigation, an old medicine bottle and pieces of an old stove pipe were discovered sunken into the dirt. Moving about 50 yards from this spot, we discovered a large dry river bed, and the remaining pieces of a small structure built on the side of a hill out of sticks, rocks, and wood. Remarkably, a tree had grown out of the top of its sunken roof, and a small canal was dug out, running right up to the side of its foundation. The area was shrewdly hidden and equipped with a water supply. There is some evidence to suggest that this place may have been used by The Dedricks, as well as The Kid and his crew.
In an effort to maintain the integrity of the site, we exercised great caution and chose not to dismantle the fragile structure. However, we were able to examine a selection of delicate artifacts from a sizable depression near the base of the structure. Among them, we discovered an unconventional container that may have once held coffee, an aged metal button potentially originating from a sweater or shirt, and several other miscellaneous items. Our team took great care to handle these artifacts with precision, ensuring their preservation for future study and analysis.
The site in question was documented but has yet to be rediscovered since the installation of the railroad and paved highways. Unfortunately, these modernizations have left some historic locations in a state of destitution. It is worth noting that this particular site was referenced by Pat Garrett in his book detailing the pursuit of Billy the Kid. Further research may be necessary to uncover the location and preserve this piece of history for future generations.

“On the night of the 22nd of November, 1880, an attempt was made by unknown parties to get away with some horses of J.B. Bells who lived in the southwestern portion of the town of White Oaks. On the following morning, the rumor was rife and it was reported to the officers that The Kid and the gang were in camp at Blake’s Sawmill near town. On this information, deputy sheriff William H Hudgens summoned a Posse, comprising the following citizens; Geo. Neil, John N. Hudgens, John Longworth, James Carlyle, Joseph S. Redmond, J.P. Eaker, JW Bell, and William Stone. This party lost no time in visiting the outlaws camp, but found it deserted. They, however, struck the trail and followed it in the direction of Coyote Springs, about five miles from White Oaks, the Posse met Mose Dedrick andW. J. Lamper riding in the direction of town. These men were known to be friends of The Kid and his band, and it was also known that they had left White Oaks that morning about the same time with the officers Posse. Hudgens suspected that they had been rendezvous of The Kid’s, to give information and convoy provisions. On the suspicion they were arrested. The Posse rode into the vicinity of Coyote Springs, when they were fired upon from a concealed, temporary Camp of the outlaws, and a horse ridden by John Hudgens, the property of O'Neil, was killed. The fire was quickly returned. The Kid's horse fell dead under him, and after a brief delay the outlaws fled. On reaching the camp, Hudgens found a fine saddle, said to be property of The Kid, beside the dead body of the horse. They also found an Overcoat, known to have been worn in White Oaks that morning by Mose Dedrick, and another known to have been the property of Sam Dedrick, brother to Mose. The Kid was known to be without an overcoat, and his friend Sam had doubtless supplied the “much felt want”; at all events, the coat was worn frequently in his presence thereafter by one of the captors, but Dedrick did not claim it. Besides the spoils above named, the Sheriff's posse found a considerable quantity of canned goods and Provisions together with a pair of saddle bags containing useful dry goods, all of which were known to have been purchased in White Oaks that morning".