The state herald., 1908-03-06
PAT GARRETT
SHOT IN TEXAS
NOTED GUN FIGHTER AND PEACE
OFFICER KILLED IN RANCH
QUARREL.
KILLED BILLY The KID
WON DISTINCTION AS SHERIFF IN
EARLY FRONTIER
"A DAYS.

FL Paso, Tex.-Pat Garrett, one of
the most prominent of Western gun
men, and slayer of BILLY the Kid"
celebrated desperate, was shot and
killed Saturday by John w. Brazel,
young ranchman, near Las Cruces, N
NJ, as the result of a dispute over
ranch lease.
{ Garrett had been on visit TO one OF
his ranches near the Las Cruces and
in a blackboard with friend was re-
turning to Las Cruces, when they were
overtaken by Brazel.
. quarrel between the principals fol.
lowed, and Garrett is said to have
reached for shotgun. Brazel fired
twice. both shots taking effect, and
Garrett fell dead.
BraZel then rode FIVE miles to Las
Cruces, and surrendered to Sheriff Lu-
cero. He was locked in the county
jail after making statement to the
officer that he had shot in selfdefense,
and that he had not drawn six
shooter until after Garrett had reached
for shotgun in the bottom Of the
blackboard.
Friends of Garrett in Las Cruces
claim that his death is the result OF a
conspiracy. They declare that he was
shot first in the back of the head, and
then in the breast after he fell, point
ing out that the wound In the breast
was made by bullet that ranged up
ward from the seventh rib and came
out between the shoulder blades.
The say that his shotgun was loaded
With bird shot, and that he was not n
man who would turn his back to the
man he was preparing to Kill, or to give
him an opportunity to shoot him in
the back OF the head.
The quarrel between Garrett and
BrRzel arose over ranch that had
been leased by Brazcl. and on which
he had pastured n herd of goats. Gar
rCtt demonstrated with his lessee, and
declared that the goat pasturing was
IN violation Of the contract between
them. He threatened to resort to the
courts TO prevent what he thought a
breach Of contract, and the men quar-
relied.
Since then both men went armed,
according to reports, and II was com
were looking for each other,
Pat Garrett was n sheriff In Lincoln
county. New Mexico. in the early
eighties. and his campaign against cat.
tie rustlora was replete with dnshlng
arrests. pitched battles. and bloody
encounters with the cattle thieves.
The best known of his experiences
was when rs an officer of the law he
killed. Billy the Kid" who, after the
killing. according to some reports, Of
two score Of men, was lodged In the
territorial ponitentiary, only to escape.
Garrett took up the hunt anew ms
soon as he learned of the escape, and
located the outlaw at MaNwells ranch,
near Carrizoo, Lincoln county. Garrett
went 10 the cabin where he knew the
outlaw was stopping and found the
door niar. With revolver ready In one
hand he pushed the door open with the
other expecting 10 face a man ready
to shoot, To his surprise he found the
Kid asleep In bed.
Garrett slipped up to the foot Of the
bed, but the outlaw slept ON and Gar.
ret, not wanting to Kill him as he lay,
made a nOife, which awoke him. Tho
Kid aprnnF mp. revolver In hand. but
Garrett had the drop on him and killed
him.
Garrett first appeared In New Mex.
leo about 1878 and went to Lincoln
county, where he quietly engaged in
ranchinE and cattle raising. He soon
gained reputation Ms n cowboy aud
In 1850 he was elected sheriff Of IAn.
coin county.
Later Garrett moved 10 Dnnn Ana
county. where he served two terms as
sheriff,
Garrett was aftefward captain OF
rangers In Texas and did much 10 help
make the reputation for fcarlcnanosa
which the Texas rangers then had
Garrett was personal friend OF
I President Roosevelt and Governor
/ Curry of New Mexico. President
Roosevelt appointed him collector OF
] customs nj III paHo. which position he
held couple Of years. He tired Of the
monolony Of the life and went back
TO ranchinE and mining In Dona Ana
l county
pat" Garrett was known TO nearly
/ oyory ono In New Mexico. Though n
huccnHHful hunter of criminals and out,
laws and dead shot with either pistol
/ or rifle, be- WIS ordinarily one of tho
most quiet ana peaceful citizens.
Garrett fulfilled his own prophecy
that he would die with his boots on.
]