Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-11
BEILY rHE NID,s pEATH.
a Stranger and Truer Faie Than the
wild West often Produces.
IRON tho AIta CalJornia

Billy the Kid, the notorious outlaw, was
passionately fond Of women, aud they
idolzed him. lie smoked cigarettes,
never drank. and had the physique Of an
Apollo, with the eyes OF god flashing a.
the stars en- the darkest night. IA .
horsemau he was daring and graceful,
and, with his w inchester, or selfcockng
Smith Il Wesson, man who never missed
his aim. The winter Of 1879 he spent At
Sascaso, on the Canadian river. lie CON
sidered himself greatly wronged by the
condscation of his cattle and TIE price set
upon his head by the government, while
John Chisem, for whom he has lost all,
turned "A cold shoulder upon him. That
sour ed Billy's disposition.
Advised hy his best friends to emigratc
10 Old Mexico and turn over new leaf.
ne swore that be would not, but would
return 10 New Mexico and make good his
losses in a financial sense. he did re-
turn, and from that time on his hand WAS
raised against those who haG betrayed
him and the authorities. lie aud mis-
party were cOrraled ia aranch ma Central
New Mexico ia the winter of lS~2 by their
enemies, and besieged till famine brought
council OF war. All Were IN favor OF
surrendering but the Kid, but, to save
ment by their cAptOrs, he surrendered
with them. At this time he had killed
- men-One for each year OF his life. He
asserted that his conscience was clear,
and that be had not killed any one except
in self-defense. After their capture he
aud his friends We're taken TO Las
Vegas and placed on board Of a pas
senger train on the Santa Fe and Topeka
road.
There was terrible excitement in town,
and mob mad been formed 10 lynch them.
All but Billy OF the prisoners covered
under the car seats, filled with fear; but
lie. with shackled hands, threw up the
car window and laughed In the face OF his
wOuld-be siayers, and told the sheriff that
II he would give him back his Winchester
he would stand the whole mob Oh. The
Sheriff. cool aud narvy man-hnally
gold the mob that IL They did not cease be
would strike ne shackles from them, give
Jhem back their arms and LET the people
suffer the consequences tie had given
his word 10 the prisoners that he would
protect them, and the mob would only
reach him over his dead body. AT This the
crowd withdrew, and the train took these
noted men to Santa Re, where they were
kept in Jail till court convened, and then
taken TO Las Cruces, in the valley Of the
Rio Grande, for trial.
Billy was convicted OF murder and SEN
fenced to be hanged in Lincoln county,
and his escort to the gallows was Deputy
United States Marshal Bob Olllnger and
one guard. Owing to Buys reputation
United States Marshal John sherman,
Jr., had caused to be made a special kind
OF shackies Of steel rings and Yale locks,
and weighing 80 pounds. These were
placed on the prisoner. When half Of
their journey had been traversed they
stopped at ranch for dinner, Billy being
left alone in the room with the guard
while Olnnger crossed the plaCita TO get
his dinner. just what happened will
never be known. In some way or other
the Kid got near enough to the guard TO
cursh his skull with the shackles, and
then. TO complete his work, drew the
mans revolver and shot him twice. Oh
finger, hearing the shots, came running
back, but Billy met him at the door with
q gun in his hands that had been left there.
anu saying, "LoOk outfor yourself, BOb"
shot him dead. Billy then gathered up
their weapons, forced the people at the
hacienda to cut the shackies from him,
which was done at q blacksmith shop,
and compelled them to lasso and saddle
fhe finest horse in the corral. The animal
was a bronco, and Billy being stinened
from his shackles and captivity, on at
tempting to mount was thrown. lie
came down on his feet, however, had the
tempt was a success. He few away.
The post, with its magnificent orchards,
vineyards, grand avenue of aamedas
(c0ttonw0Ods) lining its approaches. fine
buildings, eto., was finally abandoned by
the government and was purchased by
Maxwell, who bad married wealthy
Spanish lady, obtaining by the union pos
session OF the celebrated Maxwell land
grant. Here he lived, surrounded by his
family, poems, retainers, and vast herds
lie died, leaving widow and several sons
and daughters, the latter being educated
and accomplished, ard famous for beauty
that springs from an admixture Of Amer
can and Castilian blood. The place is
now called Bosque Redonna Ground
grove) and is still owned and occupied
by the surviving members of the Maxwell
family. A few miles below this hacienda
commences the Chisem range. During
Billy's soIourn in this valley he was often
at MaXwelPs and his handsome presence
dashing gallantry and complete master Of
Spanish gave him the entree OF the family
circle. One Of the daughters was at the
time l6 years OF age, just budding into
womanhOOd, with that languiehing trOpi-
cal NOluptuousness that some writers
rave about. They met and loved. Dur
ing his checkered career they met often
and BOsQue Redonna became TO him a
harbOr toward which he felt safe TO steer
in time of storms. After he had made his
escape, almost from the gallows, instead
OF leaving the country, as was supposed
he went direct 70 his bonita senOrita, and
was concealed and cared for by her and
her family.
Through the jealousy OF a disappointed
sultOr for the hand Of the fair Lola, the
secret Of his hding-place was disclosed
70 Par Garrett, the tall, lank, fearless,
lightning-sh0t Sheriff Of san Miguel
county-the only man in New Mexico
who had the necessary nerve and skin
with the 49, 10 seek personal encounter
with Billy. Garrett 9Rid not a word 90
any one; prepared his weapons, and, With
single attendant, mounted on magnih-
cent mustangs, they struck out for the
BOsque, whore they arrived just 40 duck.
Leaving the mustang with his attendant,
Garrett, being well acquainted 40 the
hacienda, went directly 20 the apartment
of Pete Maxwell, the oldest brother Of the
beautiful Lola. Maxwell was in the room
when the sheriff entered and stated his
errand. The lights were not yet III, and
the place had gloomy appearance when
one first entered. till he became acCus-
TONED TO the darkness. Pat had no sooner
stated his business than u step was heard
approaching the door, As the door opened
Garrett crouchCd down behind the bed.
A man stepped quickly over She threshold
in his stocking feet, With knife in Dbl.