The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-07-29
BILLY THE KID.
a Youth with Nineteen Murders to hi,
Account.
IN. 0. Democrat of tho 2lst inst

J
The telegraph, yesterday brought the
news Of the killing of the Esmoa:
desperate, William Bonny, alias
William Antrim, alias "Biliy the
Kid" as hc preferred to be called, by
Pat Garrett, sheriff of Lincon county.
! Billy had made for himself Il most un.
cnviaOlc reputation on the border, and
it may not he unintcresting to recall
his career. He was Now Yorker by
birth, and only 81 years of age ut tho
time of his death.
He came into Silver City, N. NJ, ut
very early period of his life, and
lived there with his stcp-fathcr until
he reached the age of 15 years, when,
on account of ill-treatment by the pa
ternal Antrim, he left his homo and
accepted tho position as waiter in the
principal hotel in the place. His first
steps on tho downward path were of
thesncak thief character. A Ashorttim
after his employment by the hotel
keeper hc stolo some butter and
sold it, Tho affair was settled
in some manner, and few weeks
after he distinguished himself by
stealing the clothes of a chinaman.
He was arrested on q charge of petit
larceny and convicted of the crime.
While serving. out his sentence he
managed to escape through. a chimcny
leading to the top of the building, and
next morning the sheriff was aston
ishcd to find the cell empty and Billy
gone. The chimney through which
no made his escape was SO small that,
AS tho sheriff expressed it., 81 could
hardly put my fist into tho hole"
His first employment after his escape
was in a blacksmith shop, but tho
o<f - 90 l>S.
one day, Billy drew his pistol and shot
him through the heart: He escaped
but returned soon after, just about the
time Of tho beginning of the Lincoln
county war. A short time before
man died, leaving about $4,000 bo-
hind him for the bcnifit Of his heirs.
His only sister came to Now Mexico
for the purpose of obtaining possession
of the money, but in the meantime the
administrator was trying to obtain the
money for his own benefit. Billy tho
Kid arrived Mt this point of the affair
and Immediately determined upon
possessing himself of the money.
Zach leader gathered about him IL
large number of dcsperadoes and the
sheriff of the county took part with
the administrator. The "rough" OLE
ment of the county was divided, and
counters took place. Billy killed thir-
teen people during she war with his
own rifle, among whom was the sheriff
of tho county, who was shot by Billy
in making an attack on Il house in
which Billy and some of his friends
were fortified.
A now sheriff was elected, and
shortly after Billy was captured at a
house i'll the town and confined at tho
Lincoln county Jail, under the watch
full care of two hurley desperadocs,
who had fought against Billy and his
small rctinuc. These mon wore muir
dcrcrs of note, and consequently CON
sidcrcd fit pcrsonagcs to have charge
of prisoners. Billy was condemned to
be hung, and while awaiting execution
again made his escape from Jail under
exciting circumstances. AS is custo-
mary in cases whero desperate charac-
tcrs arc concerned, Billy was hand
cuflcl and Il pair Of anklcts placed on
his limbs, to which was attached n
heavy iron bali. AS tho day OF cxe-
cution drew near Billy persuaded his
guards to unlOOSen one of his hand
cuffs to allow him to eat with more
case. He took no immediate advan-
tagc OF this until q day or two previ-
GUS to the time set for his death. Ono
of his guards went to town, which is
about 200 yards from the Jail, leaving
tho other guard to see that Billy be-
havcd himself. During the absence of
this man Billy engaged tho other in
conversation, and unnoticed stepped
behind him and raising his hand to
which was attached the two handouts
brought it down so that tho loose
handcuff hit the guard on the head
and knocked him down. Before the
guard could rise Billy had relieved
him OF his pistols, and taking deliber-
ate aim shot him through the head.
Billy then went into the guard room
or armory and loading all tho weapons,
took them to a room which overlooked
| the road to the town. The guard, who
had started for town, having heard
the shot and suspecting that some
thing was wrong, came running up
tho road just as Billy opened the win
dow. Billy siczcd a rile and when the
guard camc within hniling distance
cried out: "IIalloo ! BILL" The man
stopped and looked up, and as he did
so Billy shot him through the heart.
lie then escaped from tho prison, and
soon became the terror Of the country