The Last Three Months

The Last Three Months
By J.Young
Artwork by Gregg Burch
From the moment Billy the Kid escaped from the Lincoln county jail, he became a legend in his own time. The Kid headed west out of town that day whistling and singing with joy. Billy had just escaped death and at the same time got sweet revenge on an enemy. He rode a few miles before heading north to get on to the south side of the Capitan Mountains to reach the family home of Igninio Salazar.
During a meeting between US Deputy Marshal John Poe, a member of the Panhandle Stockman Association, and Sheriff Pat Garrett in White Oaks to discuss the rounding up of stolen cattle and horses, they were informed of Kid’s escape from jail, which resulted in the deaths of two deputies. Garrett promptly departed for Lincoln and requested that Poe remain in White Oaks to watch out for Billy, who may return to the area to seek refuge with the Dietrichs or other acquaintances. Poe, while on watch in White Oaks, disguised himself as a miner to blend in with the locals. According to reliable sources, Poe was informed that the Kid was still lingering around the Fort Sumner area in Eastern New Mexico. To confirm this information, Poe and Garrett reunited in Lincoln and sought the assistance of a Lincoln County Deputy named McKinney, who was stationed in Roswell. Together, the law enforcement officials conducted a strategic operation and patiently awaited an opportunity to apprehend the Kid.
Billy later told Paco Anaya about his dramatic exit from Lincoln and the trails he took afterwards..

“On the road I met several friends who were astonished to see me armed with a good rifle and pistol and on a good horse. I think that nobody could believe that I had a chance to escape before they could hang me, the way they had me full of chains. “I went up the mountain as far as I could on horseback and then I took the brittle off the horse and tied it to the pommel, I also took some spy glasses that were hanging from the pommel and then let the horse go. From there I went on foot. When I got to Salazar's place, all of the family and several other friends that were there were surprised to see me.” I told them that I didn't have much time to talk, and that I just wanted them to cut the rings off the irons that I still had on my legs. They brought a file and in a moment they had them off. They made me lunch and put it in a little sack and tied it to my waist and I said goodbye to them. I said to them, who knows if I’ll see you again because this time they are going to have to shoot me dead with bullets... but they won't hang me.” 
Billy the Kid
Paco Anaya

Igninio’s father had kindly provided Billy with a sorrel horse and a saddle to utilize.

"I went up over the peak of the mountain and down the west side straight to the house of very good friends of mine. Don Petronilo and family, who were working ‘the Blocks’ ranch. When I arrived they were startled to see me. But there I slept and the next day I stayed on that ranch until dark.” “That night a friend, Bob Davis came to see me and hugged me a thousand times and told me how lucky I was to get away!”
Billy the Kid
Paco Anaya

Early in the morning, Bob presented Billy with a horse and saddle. The female members of the household, meanwhile, prepared a large sack lunch for him to carry along. Billy set out on his journey, covering a distance of around 10 miles and turning eastward around the north side of the Capitans before heading toward Las Palas. He reached the residence of Don Casimiro Varela late that night. Mr. Varela kindly provided Billy with a room to spend the night and sheltered his horse in the shed. Later, Billy requested Varela to travel to Lincoln to gather information about the public’s opinions and the legal system’s stance on him. Along with this, he asked Mr. Varela to purchase two boxes of .44 shells for him. During Mr. Varela’s absence, Billy took the opportunity to rest and slept the whole day as he was tired.

“He left and I stayed in the house and slept all day because while I was in the woods the night before I didn't sleep because I was afraid that a bear or some other animal would come and find me asleep. For that reason I traveled until I got to the house.”
Billy the Kid
Paco Anaya

Upon Don Casimiro Varela’s return, he informed Billy that there had been a significant disturbance surrounding him, and Garrett was expressing discomfort as a result. Following this news, Billy was kindly accommodated by Don for a short few more days. Upon his departure, Valera’s wife thoughtfully provided Billy with a sack lunch, and he continued his journey. A few days into his travels, fearlessly, The Kid charted a course southward and made a stop at Valera Ranch, located some distance from the Varela homestead.
Billy continues his story to Anaya,

“I arrived around midnight and tied my horse and lay down quite a ways from where my horse was, in a little arroyo. In the morning I got up and saw my horse was gone. I went to where I had tied him and found that he had pulled the rein off of the Mesquite where I left him. I went into the cornfield and that's when I saw Maximiana come out of the house. I whistled and signaled for her to come out to where I was so I could see if there was anyone unknown around.”
Billy the Kid
Paco Anaya

Billy continued his journey southwards after spending a few days here. It is likely that he traveled slightly to the east to reach San Patricio and made a stop at John Meadows and Tom Norris’ ranch. This ranch was located to the east of the old Tunstall ranch. John Meadows vividly recalls The Kid’s surprise visit during his travels.

“Billy came to the door in the early evening and said well, I've got you, haven't I? I responded, “Yes you do, what are you going to do with us?” And he said, "I'm going to have supper with you!” “Well come in and eat, if you can stand our beans!”
John Meadows
John Meadows

After their meal, the three gentlemen stepped outside to discuss the predicament that the Kid was facing. Mr. Meadows kindly offered to assist Billy by providing him with some of his livestock to help him endure this difficult situation. However, Mr. Meadows made it clear that Billy could not stay for fear that both he and his partner would fall into trouble. As Billy prepared to depart, Mr. Meadows inquired about the matter of Pat Garrett. The Kid provided an unexpected response…

“If I was laying out there in the Arroyo and Pat rode by me and didn't see me, he would be the last man I would kill. I wouldn't hurt a hair on his head. To be sure he worked pretty rough to capture us, but he treated me good after he got me. Ever since I have had a good feeling about Pat Garrett.”
Billy the Kid
John Meadows

According to Meadows, he advised Billy to avoid Ft. Sumner and urged him to seek safety in Mexico. Regrettably, Billy declined the suggestion despite the potential danger.

“I haven't any money. What can I do if I went to Mexico or some other place with no money? I'll have to go back and get a little bit before I can leave.”
Billy the Kid
John Meadows

Meadows reminded Billy that if he does go to Sumner he would have to kill Garrett or be killed.

“Don't worry I have lots of friends there and I can stay there while enough to get enough to go to Mexico”
Billy the Kid
John Meadows

Billy headed out going East. He likely stayed with a couple more pals along the way.
After making his way to Tascosa, Texas, Billy, stopped to visit a longtime acquaintance, Doc Scurlock. Doc and his wife Antonia, left New Mexico and had relocated to Tascosa with their children, including their newborn son John Joshua Scurlock. Upon arrival, the Kid was welcomed by Doc and was offered a place to stay for an undisclosed period of time. It is worth noting that the Kid’s presence did not pose any inconvenience to Doc, who was pleased to have him over. But when Billy was thinking of going back to New Mexico, Doc tried to talk him out of it and told Billy that it would not be a good idea to go back and that he should quit the outlaw life while he was already out of the territory. But something was luring him back and Billy refused to stay. Billy told Scurlock that he had to go back to see about a girl. So without concern for his own safety, The Kid went back to New Mexico territory.
For the rest of his life John Joshua Scurlock boasted that he was held by Billy the Kid as a baby.
After leaving Texas, Billy soon showed up at the Yerby Ranch just outside Fort Sumner, possibly staying the night before moving on to the Anaya sheep camp. Billy was joined with Jesus Anaya and his son Paco, and stayed with them many nights.
Billy contributed to the camp’s operations while also sharing a bunk with Paco. An additional camp Billy frequented was Francisco “Frank” Lobato sr.’s’, where his situation left an impression on Frank’s memory…

“Billy the Kid had been staying with me for several nights, thinking my Camp was a safe place. He was with me a lot of the time, while he was on the run. Billy often rode to Fort Sumner at night but always returned to the camp before daylight.”
Frank Lobato

Meanwhile in Lincoln, some members of the community expressed their concern over Garrett’s lack of pursuit of The Kid. Despite this, Garrett probably adhered to a strategic plan of patiently waiting for the right moment. He was confident that if Billy had not departed the territory, he would eventually seek attention and reveal himself in due time.
In the summer of 1881, after Billy the Kid’s notorious escape, newspapers across the United States fixated on his actions, causing fear among citizens. During this time, a published article emerged, believed to have originated from Las Vegas and was widely circulated throughout the country, claiming the Kid gunned down three Chisum workers for non-payment of labor wages.
Pat finally caught a break and gained a little information after he received a letter from Mr Brazil. According to Mr. Brazil, he is fearful and has been avoiding Billy the Kid since his escape from Lincoln. It’s worth noting that Brazil had previously disclosed Kid’s location to the authorities, leading to the deaths of O’Folliard and Bowdres as well as Billy’s capture. Brazil expressed his willingness to help recapture Billy, and Pat planned to meet with him on July 13th after dark. Unfortunately, Brazil did not appear for the meeting, prompting Pat to send John W. Poe to conduct undercover reconnaissance in Sumner to gather more information on the situation. Poe remembers his arrival at Sumner fondly.

“As soon as I got into the town I noticed that I was being closely watched on every hand, and as soon as I stopped my horse at a hitching Post in front of a store with a saloon annex, a number of men gathered around me and asked where I was from and where I was going. I answered with a plausible story as I could on the spur of the moment telling them that I had been mining in White Oaks and was on my way to the Panhandle where I lived.”
John Poe
John Poe

Poe got a feeling that the men had something to hide and were waiting for at any moment something to happen. After gaining no info, Poe left for Sunnyside, a couple miles out of Sumner where Garrett asked him to interview Milnor Rudolph. Poe stated that Rudolph became agitated when asked about Billy’s whereabouts he told Poe that Billy would not be in this area with so many law men looking for him.
Poe left to meet Garrett, 4 miles north of Fort Sumner at moonrise. Poe gained no information and Garrett seemed more confident that it was safe for him to ride in and to try and talk to Pete Maxwell.
On the moonlit evening of July 14th, 1881, Billy the Kid and his acquaintance, Frank Lobato, entered Fort Sumner with the intention of finding sustenance. While in the town, Billy and his friend, Jesus Silva, tended to a horse that was previously hidden in a home once owned by Don Telesforo Jaramillo, who was related by marriage to Pete Maxwell.
Later that night rumors suggest Billy may have been meeting up with a young lady in Fort Sumner’s peach orchard. But on the contrary, witness reports suggest he was with his pals at Jesus Silva’s place when they got hungry, Billy borrowed a knife and went over to Maxwell’s for a fresh slice of beef.
Keep in mind that Celsa Gutierrez’ claimed The Kid was with her and her husband at their home. Billy had been possibly sleeping at the Gutierrez home often.
Celsa remembered that particular evening…

“Billy entered the house, and was carrying a bone. This was the hock of a leg, and when he had come in he went straight to the kitchen, and returned to the room where we were, me and Sabal, Billy said to me Celsa, I have some meat for you to make supper. I answered him, okay Billy. I went to the kitchen and found that the meat that Billy brought wasn't more than a bone. I called him from the kitchen, and I said to Billy, “Billy this meat that you brought is no more than a bone. It doesn't have any meat.”
Celsa Gutiérrez
“Give me a knife to go get some good meat, and I’ll tell Don Pedro that I took the meat so that he doesn't think that someone stole it.”
Billy the Kid
Celsa Gutiérrez
“He took the knife and went toward the house of Don Pedro Maxwell. He was without a hat or a vest. All he had was the knife and a gun."
Celsa Gutiérrez

A short while before this, Mr. Garrett and his deputies were positioned outside the town vicinity. Subsequently, they cautiously maneuvered into Sumner under the protective veil of the night sky. Sheriff Garrett recalls,

“We had ridden to within a short distance of the Maxwells grounds when we found a man camping and stopped. To Poe's great surprise he recognized the camper as an old friend and former partner in Texas named Jacobs. We unsaddled here, got some coffee, and went in on foot."
Pat Garrett
Pat Garrett

According to Poe, Pat Garrett did not think Billy was in the area, but if he was he might be at the Maxwell home. Poe recalls them sneaking in that night…

“Garrett said if the kid was there he would likely see him enter or leave the house during the night, and proposed that we hide in a grove of trees near the house and watch. This we agreed upon and we entered a peach orchard near the house at about 9 that night. We stationed ourselves in the gloom and shadows of the trees as the moon was shining very brightly. We watched here without seeing anything until after 11 pm when Garrett said he believed we were on a cold Trail and proposed that we leave the town without letting the people know we had been there searching for the Kid. I proposed that, before leaving we go to the Maxwell home. Garrett agreed and led us from the orchard by circuitous by paths to the Maxwell House.”This is Maxwell's room on the corner, you fellas wait here while I go in and talk to him, Garrett said. Garrett then stepped on the porch and entered Maxwell's room.”
John Poe
John W. Poe

Mr. Pat Garrett entered the room with a calculated approach, aware that his forthcoming actions would require careful consideration.

"I walked to the head of the bed and sat down on it beside him, near the pillow. I asked him as to the whereabouts of the Kid. He said that the kid had certainly been about, but he did not know whether he had left or not. At that moment a man sprang quickly into the door, looking back, and called twice in Spanish, “Quien es?” “No one replied and he came on in. He was bareheaded. From his step I could perceive he was either barefooted or in his stocking feet, and held a revolver in his right hand and a butcher knife in his left. He came directly towards me. Before he reached the bed I whispered, “who is it Pete?” “But I received no reply. It struck me that it might be Pete’s brother-in-law Manuel Abreu, who had seen Poe and McKinney and wanted to know their business. The Intruder came close to me, leaned both hands on the bed, his right hand almost touching my knee, and asked, in a low tone who are they Pete?” “At the same instant Maxwell whispered to me, “That's him!” “simultaneously the Kid must have seen, or felt, the presence of a third person at the head of the bed. He raised quickly his pistol, a self Cocker, within a foot of my breast. Retreating rapidly across the room he cried, “Quien es? Quien es?”  “All this occurred in a moment. Quickly as possible, I drew my revolver and fired, threw my body aside, and fired again. The second shot was useless. The Kid fell dead. He never spoke.
Pat Garrett
Pat Garrett

Poe and McKinney were becoming apprehensive due to the sound of gunfire from inside the home.

“I heard a groan and one or two gasps from where I stood in the doorway as someone was dying in the room. An instant later Garrett came out brushing by me as he passed. He stood by me close to the wall at the side of the door and said to me, “That was the Kid that came in there and I think I have got him.” “Pat, The Kid would have not come here. You have shot the wrong man!" When I said this Garrett, he seemed for a moment to be in doubt himself as to whom he had shot but soon spoke up and said, I know his voice too well to be mistaken I am sure it was the kid. Soon after Garrett came out Pete Maxwell rushed out and ran squarely into me in a frantic effort to get out of the room and I certainly would have shot him if it weren't for Garrett striking my gun down saying, “don't shoot Maxwell!”
John Poe
John W. Poe

At Jesus Silva’s Place, located approximately one hundred feet away from the Maxwell House, Paco Anaya and various attendees witnessed distressing gunshots. Paco reflects on his memories from that traumatic evening…

“All of us, men and women that were in Don Jesus Silva's house went toward where we heard the shots. When we got about 50 feet from Don Pedro's room, we heard someone say, “Billy's been killed!” “We arrived at the southside of the room where Don Pedro slept, there was Pat Garrett and two deputies. So were Don Pedro Maxwell, Donna luz, Paulita Maxwell, Odila Maxwell, Don Pedro Abreu, Don Pablo Beaubien, and several others that came when they heard Billy had been killed. We were all outside the room where they said that Billy had gone in. No one wanted to enter until we saw Deluvina Maxwell. She came with a lighted lamp in her hand, and she said, “I'm going in!” “Deluvina went in and put the lamp on the dresser near where Billy’s head had fallen. Deluvina, Grabbed Billy’s arm and turned him over. When she saw his face she screamed.”
Paco Anaya
Paco Anaya

Paulita Maxwell offers a solemn reflection on the tragic night when Billy was killed. She shares her thoughts and emotions surrounding the incident in a professional manner, while paying tribute to the memory of the deceased. Through her words, she conveys a profound sense of sadness and loss, acknowledging the impact that Billy’s passing has had on her and those around her. As a responsible and respectful individual, Paulita approaches this sensitive topic with empathy and tact, recognizing the gravity of the situation. Her reflections emphasize the need for understanding and compassion, exhibiting a level of compassion that is thoughtful and reflective.

“They carried the body into a deserted storeroom, full of dust and cobwebs, and laid it on an old workbench. The Entire town was aroused by now, and Mexican men and women crowded in. When they saw the Kid lying dead and the moon shining on his face through a window, the women broke into frenzied tears, filling the place with their shrieks. Celsa Gutterrez screamed as one demented, and pounded at Garrett's chest. Nasaria Yerby was wild with grief. Abrana Garcia, shaking her clenched fists aloft, called down curses on Pat Garrett’s head and threatened to kill him. Deluvina Maxwell, to whom the Kid always had been a hero, burst into hysterical lamentations. She threw her arms about the Kid and covered his face with her tears. ‘Mi muchacho, mi muchacho,’ she wailed."
Paulita Maxwell Jaramillo
Paulita Maxwell

That night, the people who loved Billy demonstrated an incredible act of love and respect by staying up all night with his corpse. They honored his memory by lighting candles around his body, creating a beautiful ambiance that reflected their love. Although sadness filled their hearts, they also found strength in each other, recognizing the power of their love and the importance of coming together in difficult times. They knew that before them was a new beginning, a chance to celebrate the life of their dear Billy and cherish the memories they shared together. This moment was a reminder of the power of love, and how it brings people together even in the saddest of times. 
With the constant whispering and uncomfortable silences, Garrett and his deputies decided to barricade themselves inside the Maxwell home for their own safety.

“Billy was very popular at Fort Sumner, he had many friends, all of who were indignant towards Pat Garrett. If a leader had been present, Garrett and his two officers would have received the same fate they dealt Billy.”
Frank Lobato

Over the course of the evening, while Garrett and his deputies were in their residence, Paulita recollected additional details from the event.

“Garrett asked my brother Pete why the Kid was in Fort Sumner, he shook his head and said he did not know., but he merely wanted to save Garrett the embarrassment. He knew., and I knew. I was standing beside his chair at the time and would have answered Garrett's question if Pete, with a look, had not warned me to keep my mouth shut."
Paulita Maxwell Jaramillo
Paulita Maxwell
“We spent the remainder of the night on the Maxwell premises, keeping constantly on our guard, as we expected attack by the friends of the dead man. Nothing of the kind occurred, however. The next morning we sent for the justice of the peace, who held an inquest over the body, the verdict of the jury being such as to justify the killing.
John Poe
John W. Poe

Don Alejandro Segura, the justice of the peace at Fort Sumner, made a list of the witnesses that saw the corpse. A verdict was concluded that William H. Bonney came to his death from a gunshot wound, from the weapon in the hands of Pat F. Garrett that the fatal wound was inflicted in the discharge of his official duties as sheriff and that the homicide was justifiable.
That morning, July 15th Jesus Silva, Paco Anaya, Vincent Otero and private George Miller dug a grave for Billy in the old military Post Cemetery. Otero then measured Billy’s body and made a rough box which they used as a coffin.
Pete Maxwell took $25 from Pat Garrett and went to the store and bought Billy a beige suit, a shirt, undershirt and shorts and a pair of stockings. Paco Anaya and several others helped dress Billy.
Mourners gathered and prayers were said for Billy as his body was lowered into the ground. A popular prayer may have been recited in spanish…

“Muero pero mi alma no muere los amaré y los bendeciré en el cielo como lo hice en la tierra” Agradece Padre e hijos”

Now that you have read the traditional story, from different testimonies, buckle up, time for a ride down conspiracy lane…If you’re not into bumpy rides, you may want to get out here! This trail is full of potholes!
Garrett in his own words, makes no sense.
I think that Billy was respected enough by the Maxwell family to stay inside the house. Especially if Paulita was pregnant with Billy’s child, as some rumors suggest. Perhaps The Kid came to Pete’s room that night from the interior of the house, barefoot, no hat, shirt or gun, because he was at home, relaxed. |
Or would Billy really be walking barefoot outside while it’s dark in NM??
How about the fact that he was said to have had a knife in one hand, a gun in the other, walking barefoot and trying to fasten his trousers…all at the same time! 
After he was killed by Garrett, The Maxwells perhaps pleaded with Garrett to give the official report as that Billy was NOT already in the house, in order to keep their name respectable and without any type of retaliation. So Poe, Garrett and Celsa Gutierrez made up the story that Billy had a gun and came from the exterior.
Billy’s pals said he was with them minutes before the killing. So who is lying here? Also the floor plan of the old US Army officers quarters that was then after the Maxwell house, shows no exterior door to Pete’s room. There is the chance that they could have added a door to the room after purchasing the buildings from the army, but I don’t believe renovations were started until 1886,  the year The Maxwells sold the remaining buildings. 

Story by Robert Stahl.
“I tire of reading that from day one there was considerable doubt as to whether the man Lincoln County Sheriff Patrick F. Garrett killed in Peter Maxwell’s bedroom just before 12:30 a.m. on Friday July 15, 1881 was actually William H. ‘Billy the Kid’ Bonney.
The reasons given by these doubters range from Garrett’s purportedly not allowing anyone to see the body, to his shooting the dead man in the face so no one would recognize that it was not Bonney but another man, to his threatening everyone in Fort Sumner with some sort of dastardly fate if they ever said he didn’t kill the real Billy the Kid. These and more absurd reasons continue to be used by supporters of the various Billy–the–Kid–shooter–imposters, such as Jim Miller and Brushy Bill Roberts, to justify that their man was the actual Billy the Kid.
Billy ‘the Kid’ Bonney
From minutes after the Kid fell to the time they closed the coffin in Beaver Smith’s saloon, where Billy’s remains had been on display for several hours, there were dozens who saw the authentic Kid dead. No effort was made to hide the remains from public view. In fact, the opposite was true. Garrett, his deputies, John W. Poe and ‘Kip’ McKinney, and the Maxwells were in agreement that the more who saw Billy the better. They had varying personal reasons to make sure this happened, one of which was to allow his friends to mourn their loss and celebrate their times with him. Garrett wanted no one to question that he had killed Bonney. To collect the $500 reward, he needed as many credible eyewitnesses as was possible.
There was no itinerant photographer available to take photos, no physician to declare him dead and no funeral home to embalm the body and prepare the remains for burial. The nearest location of any of these was 125 miles away. All that was necessary was done on the spot by volunteers who knew how to prepare the body for burial in the traditional Mexican and Roman Catholic way. This was a community affair engaged in by people who, for one reason or another, liked the good side of the Kid and that he accepted and so successfully blended in with them and their Hispanic culture. Billy had respected them. It was their time to show their respect for him.
Those Who Saw the Billy the Kid Bonney in Death
To counter the view that few people saw his remains, these folks are known to have seen Billy the Kid Bonney in death.
Milnor Rudulph, 54 years old of Sunnyside, rancher and merchant and former member of the Territory of New Mexico legislature. He served as President of the coroner’s jury that investigated Billy’s death. The Kid was known to have visited Rudulph’s store on several occasions, so Rudulph knew the Kid. Within a week, his published letter to the editor of the Las Vegas [New Mexico] Daily Optic stated in no uncertain terms that he saw the Kid dead.
Charles Frederick Rudulph, 20, of Sunnyside, worked on his father’s ranch and at the family store. Charles was a member of the December 1880 posse that arrested Billy and his ‘pals’ Dave Rudabaugh, Billy Wilson, and Tom Pickett at Stinking Springs.
Alejandro Segura, 31–year–old rancher–farmer of Cabra Arenoso outside Fort Sumner, who as the nearest Justice of the Peace appointed the coroner’s jury that investigated Billy’s death, oversaw their activities including inspecting the Kid’s body, and completed the final Spanish–language original of the jury’s verdict.
Paco Anaya, 21, of Fort Sumner, knew Billy from about the time of his first appearance in there in August 1878. Along with Jesus Silva, Vincente Otero, and George Miller, Paco helped dig the grave and bury the Kid.
Jesus Silva (the younger,) about 36 years old of Fort Sumner, also knew Billy from about the time he arrived there. Silva played a major role in moving Billy from the floor in Peter Maxwell’s bedroom to a bench in the nearby carpenter shed and in building the coffin. Along with Anaya, Vincente Otero and George Miller, Jesus helped dig the grave and bury the Kid.
Jose Silva (the older,) 59, Antonio Savedra, Lorenzo Jaramillo, 37 and Pedro Antonio Lucero, all of Fort Sumner, knew Billy from about the time of his first appearance in Fort Sumner. They each served on the coroner’s jury and signed the jury’s official report.
Saval [also Sabal]Gutierrez], 31, of Fort Sumner, also knew Billy, served on the coroner’s jury and signed the jury’s official report. Billy with pistol and butcher knife in hand had left Sabol’s house minutes before the shooting on his way to the Maxwell house to get a slice of beef for his dinner that night. (1) According to Jesus Silva, Saval was also a pallbearer at Billy’s burial.
Celsa Gutierrez, 25, of Fort Sumner, wife of Saval Gutierrez, a well–liked citizen of the community and sister–in–law of Garrett, knew Billy from shortly after his arrival in Fort Sumner. The couple quickly became good friends of the Kid. She was at the Maxwell’s home shortly after Garrett’s first shot, as Billy had just moments before borrowed Celsa’s butcher knife to cut his slice of beef from a roast hanging on the Maxwell’s porch. Deputy Poe later said that he personally gave the knife back to Celsa.
Marie Lobato, of Fort Sumner. Her eyewitness account as retold by her son, Frank Lobato, to reporter/Editor Jack Hull in an early 1930s interview, was later published in the Clovis [New Mexico] News Journal, 1937.
Iginio Garcia, 26–year–old farm laborer of nearby Cedar Springs, was, according to Jesus Silva, among those who dressed Billy’s remains and helped carry the remains to Beaver Smith’s saloon.
Mike Cosgrove, 50, was Superintendent of the U.S. Mail contract for Las Vegas, New Mexico, and related mail routes. He was in Fort Sumner on business the morning Billy was killed. Interviewed by Las Vegas newspaper reporters on Monday, July 18th, he confirmed that Billy was dead and was buried in Fort Sumner the previous Friday.
Ursula Pacheco Y. Baca, 9–year–old daughter of Juan Pacheco of Fort Sumner, knew Billy. As an adult she signed an affidavit stating that she saw Billy’s body and attended the funeral.
Vincente Otero, 36, knew Billy from about the time he came to Fort Sumner. Otero was originally a resident of Fort Sumner but had moved to Valencia, New Mexico, to work as a sheep herder. But he was back in Fort Sumner the day Billy was killed. Along with Jesus Silva, Paco Anaya, and George Miller, Otero helped dig the grave and bury the Kid. According to Silva, Otero was a pallbearer at Billy’s burial, and as such, he was among the last to see Billy’s remains when the coffin was closed.
Don Peter Maxwell, 33, of Fort Sumner, knew Billy from about the time of his first appearance there. Peter testified to the coroner’s jury that Billy was shot dead in his bedroom by Garrett.
Dona Luz B. Maxwell, 49, of Fort Sumner and widow of Lucien B. Maxwell of land–grant fame, also knew Billy. It was in her house—her son, Peter’s bedroom—that Billy was shot dead. She and all her household were awakened by the shots and were in Peter’s bedroom mere minutes afterwards. Indeed, Paco Anaya reported that Dona Luz saw Billy’s remains in Peter’s room shortly after Garrett shot him.
Paula Maxwell, 17, knew Billy and stated to numerous others that she was among the first to see Billy lying dead on the floor. Likewise, Paula’s brother Odila Maxwell, 11, was, according to Paco Anaya, seen viewing Billy’s remains in Peter’s room.
Deluvina Maxwell, 23, of Fort Sumner and long–time Navajo servant in the Maxwell household, knew Billy since his first appearance in 1878. By her own statements to numerous others and by eyewitness reports, she was also among the first to see Billy lying dead on the floor. She spoke angrily at Garrett for killing Billy and helped to wash and dress the body.
Don Manuel Pedro Abreu, 19, Don Pablo Beaubien, 33, and Dona Rebecca Beaubien, 26, all of Fort Sumner, knew Billy and according to Paco Anaya, viewed Billy’s remains in the room shortly after he was shot. (2)
‘Ranchero,’ of Sunnyside, upon hearing the news of the Kid’s death, rode to Fort Sumner to confirm the accuracy of the news. His letter testifying to his eyewitness account of the body and events in Fort Sumner that day was published in the Las Vegas Daily Optic on July 18, 1881.
Nasaria Yerby, 19–year–old boarder was house keeper and nursemaid in the household of big–time rancher Tomas Yerby. (3) Her appearance, probably accompanied by her boss, suggests that news of the Kid’s death reached at least 7 miles to the east of Fort Sumner within hours of the shooting.
Abrana Garcia, 23–year–old resident of Cabra Arenoso, a suburb of Fort Sumner, was the wife of 34–year–old Martin Garcia. (3) Her appearance, likely accompanied by her husband, suggests that the news reached at least a couple of miles south of Fort Sumner within hours.
M. Frank Lloyd, 31, a miner from Santa Fe, happened to be in Fort Sumner on this day. He told his eyewitness story to Billy’s close friend, John Meadows. (4)
Francisco Medina, 58–year–old resident of Anton Chico, also happened to be in Fort Sumner at the time. His story was retold by Billy’s close friend, George Coe. (5)
Juan Giddings, a 23–year–old, who lived at the time not far from Fort Sumner, reportedly was in the immediate area and had talked to Billy just hours before the Kid’s death. His story was believed and reported by his nephew. (6)
H. A. ‘Beaver’ Smith, 59, grocer, saloon keeper, and Fort Sumner postmaster, knew Billy from the time he came to Fort Sumner. Billy often dealt Monte and otherwise gambled in Beaver’s saloon. His body was on display in an open wooden coffin in Beaver’s saloon from early morning until the procession to the cemetery began.
Thomas ‘Kip’ McKinney, 25, was a Lincoln County Deputy Sheriff from Roswell. Because he stood near the porch leading to Pete Maxwell’s bedroom when Garrett fired the shots, Kip was among the first to see the body. Over the next three decades he told his story of seeing the Kid dead.
Patrick F. Garrett, 30, from Roswell was both Lincoln County Sheriff and U.S. Deputy Marshal. Garrett had known Billy since he came to Fort Sumner in 1878. Ironically, they had been very good and close friends up to the time of Garrett’s November 1880 election as Sheriff. After shooting the Kid, he immediately called for someone to bring the local Justice of the Peace to Fort Sumner to oversee an official coroner’s inquiry into the Kid’s death.
The following witnesses claim to have seen Billy’s body although they had not seen Billy at any time while he was alive. Their assertions came after they were told by numerous people who knew the Kid that the body was none other’s than Billy the Kid Bonney’s.
Pvt. George Miller, 32, of Fort Stanton, New Mexico, was on his way to Santa Fe and happened to spend the night in Fort Sumner when Billy was shot. He was awakened by Garrett’s gunfire and saw the Kid’s body after running over to the Maxwell home to see what the commotion was. According to an interview printed the following Monday afternoon in the Las Vegas Daily Optic, George helped dig the Kid’s grave and attended the funeral later that same afternoon.
John W. Poe, 29, of White Oaks, New Mexico was a Lincoln County Deputy Sheriff. Poe was within twenty feet of Billy when Garrett pulled the trigger that ended the Kid’s life. He always attested that he saw the Kid in death and some thirty years later wrote several accounts of the search for and killing of Billy.
The above thirty–one individuals, ranging in ages from nine to fifty–nine, are known to have seen William H. ‘Billy the Kid’ Bonney’s dead body one or more times during the approximately fourteen hours between his death and burial. Not to be overlooked is Charles Rudulph’s report that during the morning he heard the ‘alert’ bells toll for some time. As was the practice in rural areas at this time, the bells signaled that something important had happened or that there was an emergency such as a fire, and that all should drop everything and report as fast as possible to Main Street. The fact that the body was on public display in Beaver Smith’s very popular establishment suggests that many of the approximately 175 people living in and near Fort Sumner saw the remains.
In addition to the above named, Jesus Silva and Paco Anaya reported that several other people, whom they did not identify, saw Billy dead, helped with dressing the body, helped dig the grave and attended the funeral. Several eyewitnesses reported that women of the community, many of whose names are unknown, stepped forward to help with washing and preparing the body for burial and overseeing the wake that followed before noon. Paula Maxwell Jaramillo and Deluvina Maxwell said in separate 1920 interviews that most of the people in Fort Sumner saw the body and many later joined in the procession to the cemetery.
While no one mentioned the following by name, it is highly probable, for the reasons given, that they too viewed Billy’s body.
John Holland, 71, of Fort Sumner, was a live–in carpenter in the Luz Maxwell household. He undoubtedly heard the gunshots and went to the scene, where he likely saw the Kid’s remains. Furthermore, since his carpenter’s work shed was within a few feet of the back of the Maxwell house, he may well have helped build the Kid’s wooden coffin.
H. William Cosgrove, 38, was Fort Sumner’s mail contractor. Given that his brother Mike, also a mail contractor, was visiting Fort Sumner on official postal business the day Billy was killed, William likely was with Mike when the latter saw the Kid’s body (cf. Michael Cosgrove, above.)
Manuela Herrera Bowdre was the 26–year–old widow of Charles Bowdre, one of the Kid’s best friends. Living less than sixty yards from the Maxwell house, she certainly heard the shots and would have rushed to the scene as word–of–mouth quickly told the story of the Kid’s death. By day’s end, Billy would be buried not many yards from her husband.
There are others who, by their known connection to individuals named above, such as spouses, adult children, or business man, 33–year–old W. R. ‘Bob’ Hargrave, for example, in whose saloon Billy had shot and killed Joe Grant, also saw Billy’s remains at least once. No one who was in Fort Sumner that day has ever denied that they saw Billy the Kid Bonney’s body.
Fort Sumner’s distance of 125 miles from the nearest newspaper office and telegraph and telephone service, meant that, as with all the bloody events during the infamous ‘Lincoln County War’ and Billy’s escape from the Lincoln County jail that left two deputy sheriffs dead, no reporter came immediately to interview witnesses and no photographer came to take photographs of the grave or scene of the shooting. Such “breaking news” reporting was rarely done in old west New Mexico. Nonetheless, many find it remarkable that, while there were over 175 people in the immediate vicinity of Fort Sumner, there are so few who are documented in one way or another as having been there and seen Bonney dead.
But there was never a public or private school in this community. Only a few families could afford to send one or more of their children over 175 miles away to private boarding schools. Thus, the vast majority of those who saw the Kid dead were illiterate Mexican–Americans. Most of those Anglos and Mexicans who were literate were self– or family–taught. They rarely spent their meager income on writing instruments and paper, much less stamps or bound blank diaries.
No one who lived in this area during the 1870s and ‘80s is known to have kept a diary or journal or to have sent letters that were saved. In small rural communities such as Fort Sumner, the details of life and death were passed on almost exclusively by word of mouth.
Epilogue
Contrary to conspiracy theorists, Billy the Kid imposters and their supporters, Billy Bonney’s death was not followed by Sheriff Garrett hiding the body from outsiders. Garrett’s intention was to let people see whom he had shot and to let those who desired pay their final respects to this much–liked young man. The fact that Garrett, Poe and McKinney remained the rest of the night in the Maxwell house for fear that a few of the Kid’s close friends might harm them should not be overlooked, as there would have been no concern if his friends knew the body was someone other than Billy Bonney. That Peter Maxwell, Mike Cosgrove, and unnamed others accompanied Garrett 125 miles to the county seat, Las Vegas, to tell the world that the Kid was dead and that Garrett had done the deed is further evidence Billy the Kid Bonney (7) and no one else was shot dead in Peter Maxwell’s bedroom just after midnight on July 15, 1881.
References:
(1) According to descendants, the correct spelling of his name was ‘Saval,’ although ‘Sabol’ and ‘Sabal’ are other known phonetic spellings of his name.
(2) The 1880 U.S. Census Report for San Miguel County in immediate vicinity does not record a ‘Pedro Abreau,’ but does a ‘Manuel Abreau,’ age 23 years old, who was a close friend of the Maxwell family and lived but a short distance from the Maxwell house. Perhaps Anaya meant ‘Manuel’ rather than ‘Pedro.’ – RJStahl 11–11–16.
(3) Louis Leon Branch. “Los Bilitos”: The Story of “Billy the Kid” and His Gang As Told by Charles Frederick Rudulph—A Member of Garrett’s Historical Posse. New York, A Hearthstone Book by the Carlton Press, 1980. p. 252.
(4) “John Meadows Knows Something about Billy the Kid,” The Alamogordo News [Alamogordo, NM, Weekly], Thursday Afternoon, August 5, 1926, p. 1, col. 5.
(5) George Coe. Frontier Fighter: The Autobiography of George W. Coe Who Fought and Rode with Billy the Kid as Related to Nan Hillary Harrison. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1934, p. 160.
(6) Notes from an interview of Rayitos Ortega De Geoffrion regarding stories passed on by the family and his uncle, Juan Giddings, in Andres S. Hernandez, This They Said, typewritten manuscript in the Las Vegas Carnegie Library, undated. The manuscript says only that Giddings had talked to Billy just hours before the Kid’s death and was an “eyewitness to the burial of Bonney.” Notes from this manuscript were provided by the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives, Santa Fe, NM.
(7) It should not go unmentioned that Billy the Kid Bonney’s birth name was Henry McCarty (possible McCarthy,) which became Henry Antrim when his mother, Catherine, married William Henry Harrison Antrim in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1873.”

For the story about Stahl’s fight on Billy’s death certificate, click the link!
https://www.taosnews.com/news/historian-asks-state-s-high-court-to-help-set-record-straight-on-billy-the-kid/article_76bf6488-3f34-55d2-978f-b2f8cec018ac.html
John Miller

Supposedly John Miller was a honest and trustworthy guy, and not the type to lie. Apparently on occasions while intoxicated, Miller confided in a select few that he was truly Billy the Kid, it seemed he was believed without question. Nearly all who he told his stories connected the dots and believed that he actually was the outlaw. The question and mystery is if John Miller was the Kid, how did he escape from Pat Garrett at Fort Sumner?.. Miller told different versions of this to different friends. One version is that he was shot in the chest a week or so before July 14, and that Isadora was nursing him back to health when Garrett accidentally killed a Mexican sheep herder in the Maxwell house. Another version is that Miller was himself shot by Garrett in the Maxwell house, and played dead while Garrett inspected him. When Miller was then carried away by his Mexican friends to be prepared for burial, he showed signs of life and was hidden by Isadora. A Mexican who died a day earlier was placed in the casket, somehow disguised it as Billy and buried. If this were the case, Garrett, probably wouldn’t have known. 

“I knew Max Miller when I was young. Max was Bill’s adopted son. Max was very close to my grandparents. He did not want people to know that  his dad was Billy the Kid. Having been taught by his father that the reputation was left behind when they left Lincoln County. The only real friend Pat Garrett had was Bill. They concocted the death of bill so Bill could lead a normal life. Which is what he got.”
~Forrest Smouse

 For more on Miller, click the link. https://palsofbillythekidhistoricalsociety.com/john-miller/

 

“I rode into Fort Sumner, a few days before Garrett and his posse rode in. When they came into the area that day, I was spending the day with Garrett’s brother in-law Saval Gutiérrez. Nearly all the people in this country were my friends and they helped me, none of them liked Garrett.
Garrett and his posse came in that night while we were at a dance. Saval saw Garrett in Fort Sumner a little while before we rode in and warned me to leave town. When my partner, me, and the girls rode into town, we stopped at Jesus Silva’s. Jesus said Garrett was in town looking for me. About midnight the girls left and I began asking him about Garrett. He got excited and told us to leave before Garrett found us there. I knew Garrett would go to Gutierrez’, and that’s why I stayed away that night. I told Silva that we was not going to leave until we had something to eat. He agreed to fix a meal for us. Silva was cooking the meal for us to eat when my buddy asked for fresh beef. Silva said if one of us would go over to Maxwell’s and get beef he would cook it for us. I sense the trap, but my partner insisted that we go get the beef. He started out to Maxwell’s after I refused to leave Silva’s house. I thought that Garret might still be in town and I wanted to meet him in the daytime so I could beat him to it. After the first shot that killed my partner, I ran through the gate and started shooting at shadows along the house. The first shot struck me through the lower jaw. Another through the shoulder and then another struck me across the top of my head. When I woke up, a Mexican woman was putting beef tallow on my head to stop the bleeding. I told her to reload my 44s. Then Celsa came running in and said they killed Barlow and were passing his body off as mine. She begged me to leave town. Me and Billy Barlow were as much alike as two Black eyed peas you couldn’t tell us apart.
About 3 in the morning Celsa brought my horse up to the Adobe. I pushed my .44s into my scabbards and rode out of town with Frank Lobato. We stayed at the sheep camp the next day. Then I moved to another camp south of Fort Sumner, where I stayed until my wounds healed enough to travel. Around the 1st of August, I started for El Paso where I had lots of friends, I crossed the Rio grande North of town and went into Sonora, Mexico. I was acquainted with the Yaqui Indians and I lived with them for some time.” For more on Roberts click the link! https://palsofbillythekidhistoricalsociety.com/brushy-bill-roberts/

For more on Fort Sumner click the link!
https://palsofbillythekidhistoricalsociety.com/old-fort-sumner/

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