Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-01-08

of an entire nation, was born New
York waif. Before he was more thar
ten years of age he was brought to III
diana, and in Terra Haute and In
dianapolis, where he was raised, b
was known as William Bonne. II
1876, when he was about II year
old, he suddenly left his home, crossed
the Mississippi and came into th'
country OF the men of his kind-th'
frontier of the far West.
Billy began his career with an oatt
to kill John Chisum, his first employ
er, when the lad reached the plains
Chisum and the "kid" had been una
Bile to agree on terms of settlement fol
a season work. The result was the
lads fearful vendetta, sworn not only
against Chisum, but against all oi
Chisum's other employees as well.
"For each herdsman employed by
you whom 1 kill" Billy sent word, 81
will deduct FIVE from our unsquared
account. If 1 kill you," he added
grimly, my bill will be receipted in
full"
Then his bloody career began. 1t
was not long until William Bonne, the
waif, reared in the midst of the peace
full surroundings Of Indiana, became
the most feared man in the Southwest.
At the same time he was the most
reverenced, the most adored, and the
most respected man in the Territory
1t was the kind of good reward that
sometimes comes to the bad man.
Shortly before l became governor OF
New Mexico, Chapman, young attor-
ney at Lincoln, had been murdered.
Half a dozen men were arrested, &C.
cused of the crime. Among them was
Jesse James.
While it was more than probable
that one or more of the men charged
with the crime were guilty, it was i'm
possible to prove the allegation, for
the witnesses, filled with terror, fled
the country. When l reached New
Mexico it was stated on every hand
that Billy the Kid" had been a wit
ness to the murder. Could he be
made to testify? That was the ques-
ton on top of every tongue,
l had been sent to the Southwest to
pacify the territory; here was an op-
portunity that I could not afford to
pass by. Therefore l arranged a
meeting by note, deposited with one
of the outlaws friends, and at mid
night was ready to receive the des-
perado, should he appear. He was
there on time-punctual to the Sec
,ond.
When BILLY the Kid" stepped to
the chair opposite me l wasted no time
in stating my proposition,
Testify" 1 said, "before the grand
jury and the trial court and convict
the murderer of Chapman and l will
let you go scott-free, with pardon IN
your pocket for all your mistakes.
Billy" heard me in silence. He
thought several minutes without re-
ply.
Governor, he said, "if l were to
do what you ask they would kill me.
1--WE can prevent that, said l.
Then I unfolded my plan. Billy
was to be seized while he was asleep.
To ell appearances his capture was to
be genuine. To this he agreed, pick
ing the men who were to affect his
capture. He was afraid OF hostile
bullets and would run no risk. An
other stipulation was to the effect that
during his confinement he was to be
kept in irons. BILLY the Kid was
afraid also of the loss Of his reputation
as desperate man.
The plan agreed upon in the cabin
on the lonely mesa at night was car
ried out to the letter. "Billy the
Kid" was seized the following morn
ing and confined in the Lincoln coun-
ty Jail.
Billy,though at his own request kept
in irons, did not remain long confined.
One morning the guards led him to
breakfast. Returning, the desperate
drawled, in the feminine voice that was
part and parcel of his character;
"Boys, I'm tired. Tell the govern
or I'm tired"
The manacles slipped like magic
from his wrists. The guards stood
stupefed, aud Billy the Kid, laugh
ing mockingly, walked leisurely from
the jail yard out through the gate
and across the street. Easily, grace
fully, he threw himself into the sad
die on the back of a horse standing
near at hand, and putting spurs to the