The Southern herald., 1899-04-07


|, too, must go to the right, and he
TO a heap sabe' what our
meant | obeyed his com.
mand. When we met all three stopped,
and Capt. Jack asked him how far it
was 10 Fort Stanton. The answer came
readily enough, and the boy asked us
how far it was to water. We informed
him, and told him that he had best
turn back, as the Indians were out.
He replied: I am going to Grant coun-
ty, and will keep on if the whole
Apache tribe is in the way. lie then
asked US for tobacco, and Capt, Jack
gave him supply. After rolling a big
cigarette and lighting il, he demunded:
Say, amt sou Capt. Jack Crawford. the
scout?' i am, was the reply. !
thought So said the youth. Capt,
Jack then said: Are you not Billy, the
Kid?' Yes he frankly answered. I
thought you were in the Lincoln coun-
ty jail said Capt, Jack, under death
4 was said the Kid but
bade them adieu this morning. Well
said Capt. Jack, 1 think you have not
had a fair deal from what | have heard,
| am glad to have met you, and SYM
pathize with you 4 know have been
tough replied the Kid, but they made
out things against me that | am not
guilty Of
About six o'clock we emerged from
the salt beds, when we met a negro on
horseback whom l recognized as one
OF Billy the Kids band, having seen
him two years before at Rincon, where
he was cook for John Kinney, the fa-
nous cattle rustler. Say, boss he
said, as he approached, have you seen
anything of young fellcr with black
hoss?' NO. replied Capt. Jack,
Mighty strange said the negro, heres
his tracks in the trail In the mean
time | was nodding my head in the af-
frmative to the negro, but without
Capt, Jacks knowledge. Sure you
amt seen him.? asked the negro. we
have not was the reply of Capt Jack,
| again nodded my head in the aflirma.
tive, and a broad grin passed over the
negro's face. just then Capt, Jack
turned around and caught me nodding
and giving the lie to his assertions. He
was angry in moment, and started to
express himself when | said; This
mans name is Wash. lie is friend OF
Billy's, who would be very glad TO have
him with him. This gave the negro the
desired information, and then he told
us Of the escape of the Kid, aud how it
was effected.
''The Kid was in the Lincoln county
Jail under sentence of death for mur.
der. He was in charge of a sheriff by
the name of Pat Garrett. Two guards,
Ollinger and Bell by name, were placed
in immediate charge of the Kid during
the daytime. Other men were on duty
at night, They were enemies of the
Kid and took great delight in taunting
him with his approaching fate. All
their victim would say was: 4 may
outlive you ducks yet and sure enough
he did. That morning Ollinger went
across the street TO get the Kid his
breakfast, Bell being left to guard the
Jail, The Kid ASKED Bell to get rag
and wrap it around one Of his shackles
as it was cEafng his leg. Bell pro.
cured the desired article, and, STOPPING
down, was in the act Of placing it
around the shackle when the Kid
reached over, took Bells gun out of his
hip pocket and in an instant shot him
fatally, although he lived some hours
and was able to relate how the affair
occurred. The Kid then took the
shache key out of Bells pocket, and in
an instant was free. 0llinger heard the
shot and came running across the
street. The Kid, however, met him at
the door with a Winchester in his hands
With an oath he said: 'Ollinger, you
must go to meet your pard, and at that
shot him dead. Across the street there
was a fine horse tied to a post, all sad
died and ready. 1t belonged TO one OF
the county officers, who said he was 60
ing out into the country to see his girl,
but many believed he was a friend Of
the Kid and had placed the horse there
for his use. BE that as it may, the Kid
ran quickly across the street, united
the animal and mounted him, only 10
be thrown. However, he caught the
end of the lariat and was in the saddle
again in an instant. BY this time a
crowd began TO gather, but the Kid
stood them off with his Winchester and
dashed out Of town. lie had the fleet
est horse in. the country and no pursuit
was made.
"rhe Kid made his way in safety TO
the Chisholm ranch, in Grant county,
where he found friends, Garrett,
learning of his whereabouts, went to
the ranch in the night and called on
Chisholm, who denied knowing where
the Kid was. There was no light in the
room, and while they were talking some
0ne came in and asked Chisholm if he
was there. Chisholm answered in the
Affirmative. The Kid, for it was be,
said he had come after fresh meat, but
instnctiyely suspecting something
wrong he demanded: Who's hereY
Garrett had recognized his voice, and |
before Chisholm could reply he fred in |
The direction from whence it came, well |
showing that the time had come for
lin to kill the Kid or to be killed by |
lin. Fortunately his aim was well
aiken. The desperate fell dead in his
racks with bullet through his heart
ind without groan. Thus perished
Billy the Kid, whose blood-stained ca
eer is still talked of in the southwest,
'The negro who informed us of the
the Kids escape kept on in his
iursuit, while we went to Fort Stan
on. The next day a detachment of