Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1904-09-10
The DAYS OF
BILLY The KID
|. c. KIasner, in a Remi.
scent Mood, Tells Of the
Notorious Outlaw.
SHE KNEW HIM WELL
A Pioneer Of Southeastern New Mexico
and an Eye Witness Of Thrilling
Events.

Mrs. I. G. Klasner, daughter OF th'
late EsNes5ert Casey, one of the frs
settlss. in southern New Mex
ico, and who herself has been {
resident OF Lincoln County for thirty
six years, is a guest at the home O
Mrs. Charles West, on Grant Avenue
The Casey ranch, on which Mrs. Klas
rar was born, was for many years 8
n = welcome stopping place in Lin
CO County, as Casey was very hos
pitaolts man and of kindly heart. The
school, section upon which the Casey
ranch is situated has been in posses
sion OF the family for thirty-eight
years and comprises section 16, town
ship II south, range IS east.
With Mrs. Klasner at the West
home was Mrs. Sallie l.. Robert, for
twenty-seven years resident of the
Pecos Valley and of late of the new
town of Artesia, In Eddy County. Mrs.
Robert is now the owner of land upon
which is situated the largest artesian
we'll in the Territory The water from
this well rises four feet and nine inch
es above the ground and the stream Of
water measures six square inches Mrs.
Robert Is the daughter Of James Chi
sum, who, with his brother John, were
among the first settlers in southeast.
ef11 New Mexico.
Both are well versed in the history
of the Territory in the early days and
Mrs. Klasner, who is probably the best
living authority on the maneuvers Of
William Anthrum, more Familiarity
known as Billy the Kid" who terror
lied what was then 1iincoln County in
the late seventies, has been asked to
compile data of the deeds of this dar-
a-outlaw and will do so upon her re-
satMl home.
In conversation with New Mexican
representative, Mrs Klasner had the
following to say relative to the stirring
events connected with the movements
of this outlaw in Lincoln County:
"Much has been said about the not
ed outlaw William Anthrum, Chilly the
Kid but not everything that has been
said and written is strictly truthful,
in fact, great deal that has
appeared in print of late years is incor-
rect to a greater or less extent. In a
brief account it is almost impossible
to give amy idea of the magnitude of
Anthrum's operations and for this rea-
son will not go into detail. Mrs. Rob
ert and were both acquainted with
the noted outlaw, having met him on
several occasions. What we know OF
his youth, we CLEANED from the biog-
raphy written by Pat F. Garrett From
this sketch We learn that he was born
in Silver City. When boy he went
to Santa Fe. where he lived for some
time. We became acquainted with
him when he was very young man
and bore fairly good reputation.
''Billy the Kid" was of a pleasant
disposition. He was of small stature
and a. blonde He was easily recogniz-
ed from the fact that his teeth in the
upper jaw protruded very conspicuous
ly. He was unusually jolly. a4d gave
one the idea that he was continually
smiling. Anthrum first, became prom
inent by figuring in the Lincoln Coun-
ty cattle war. For the benefit of those
who are not conversant with the trou-
BILE, which is still green in the memory
of the older inhabitants of the south
eastern part of the Territory, Twill ex-
plain that John S. Chisum, an uncle of
Mrs. Robert, owned range ranch in
that section and which was known as
the Long T. from the fact that cattle
were branded with long, straight
mark. In 1876 the Alex McSween Com
pany, another concern, was formed,
and cattle belonging to McSween were
marked with an arrow. A conflict in
the brands of the two named compan-
les arose. The McSween Company
split into two factions and trouble be-
gan. The "rustlers" were soon active.
II engaged In stealing and rebrsnding
cattle. The secessionists became
known as the Murphy gang and the
Ktd Inquired conspicuously with them
The conflict did not come to an end un-
tfi 1879, lasting three years.
The career of Anthrum ended March
"a, 1881, he being shot and killed by Pat
+. Garrett, then sheriff OF Lincoln
County. at the home Of Peter MAXWELL
near Tort Sumner. A short time pe-
tore ke was captured he was tried up
81 charges Of murder and sentenced
to Is hanged He was confined In the
EincQin County court house, but sue
eeeded In escaping AFTER numbering the
guards placed over him. Bob Onnger,
n " BELL Pat r Garrett. John W.
Pc. nov president Of the hank &t Ros-
welI. ana Kit McKinneH, how of Oval
de, rexas, followed H. fuDitivs to the
neiehb hboehood ~ Fort ou4nor. Gar
reH went Il ~ 1ro - Iotor Max:
Z n