American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1913-02-27

"Listen!" shouted the tall sheriff during q
slight lull. THE man is my prisoner. You told
me to arrest him. l have. He must have a fair
trial. l know he is guilty. But 1t Is for a Jury
to pronounce him SO. You can not take him
while l have a breath of life left, or while Billy
the Kid has, either!"
saying which he passed a revolver to the boy
who had struck terror into the Pecos Valley.
You must get two of us now"
Back to back the sheriff of Lincoln county and
the most noted murderer in the southwest stood.
Now, Billy" cautioned Carrot, don't shoot
unless l tell you to. Remember that without me
your life Is not worth two bits today"
II was impossible to tell what was working in
the mind concealed behind the childish face OF
the Kid. 1t was equally as impossible to read
the thoughts of the determined sheriff who wait
ed with apparent unconcern. The crowd knew
ana reared the Kid. With only Garrett to fight,
the members might have risked 1t. With a re-
volver In the Kids hand, they hesitated.
Jarrett was quick to see the advantage he had
gained.
Now you will all move quietly away" he an.
nounced decisively.
Sullenly the crowd obeyed.
Held at bay, Garrett placed the Kid aboard
the train which arrived a few moments later.
The Keeper and the "Makinqs."
The Kid was tried in another county. He had
no friends and no defense. There were plenty
OF witnesses against him now that he was a
prisoner. He was defended by an attorney who
made a brave fight. But he was sentenced to be
hanged at Lincoln in July, 1881. He was brought
BACK and Q mined In a Jail built after the man
ner OF Mexfcan houses. of adobe brick, with thick
walls around a court or patio.
Inc day before he was to be hanged, half a
dozen horses stood in the street, lines thrown
over their heads-all that is necessary to make
a COW pony remain in one place.
The Kid called from the gallery to the warden.
HI, there. Bell! I'm going to swing tomorrow.
Give me the 'makings' will Won"
SECURE, Miguel" shouted the warden, laugh.
Ing. TRANSLATED into English, the answer meant
Sure, Mike.")
The Kid stepped to the stairs. His hands
were manacled in such manner that he had lit.
tie use of them. The warden reached in his vest
pocket for the cigarette paper, which he placed
In his left hand. and with his right felt In his hin
pocket for a sack of tobacco.
Like a flash the Kid raised his manacled
hands and struck Bell square In the temple Tho
warden staggered. AS he did so the Kid ierked
belrs revolver from its holster. and dealt the
jailer a blow on the head that crushed his skull.
"unfasten the jewelry. and we'll both get
away"
He shouted these words to another prisoner
standing inside a cell. The Kid had been allow.
ed the freedom of the galleries. He passed tba
Keys taken from the PROSTATE warden to the man
IN the cell, who unlocked his handouts. Then.
ieveiing the warden's revolver at the prisoner. he
Kissed:
Give me back the keys!"
1t was the work Of but a moment to roach III.
barred gate that led into the street where the
horses stood. A glance, and he took It all IN
from where he stood he could see Inc form Of
the warden. Leveling his revolver. he fired a
shot that ended his life. and then shot the man
who blocked the door.
once outside. he started a fusillade of bullets
up ana down the street to keep everybody In the
houses. IN anotner instant he was OF. the best
morse and had stampeded the others 30 that pur-
suit would be delayed. In a few moments he was
out Of sight.
Garrett was about twenty miles away at tho
Time after some %rustlers. Word was sent to him
and he returned post haste. heard the story from
excited lips. and stopped only long enough to
a fresh horse. Accompanied by a few
friends he took the Kids trail.
At the end Of forty-eight hours of flight when
tired out. Billy the Kid stopped at the house ~
. man named Maxwell, near Sumner. Retiring.
ne figured. doubtless. that Garrett would have Ia
pause for rest also.
1t was early the second morning. prob. h,v
about 3 a m, when the Silent sheriff saw IN
front OF him the cabin in which the Kid syent
ne ana MS men dismounted and approached the
house. Garrett reached the porch with his depu.
les and quietly stepped into Maxwell's room
There are several accounts of what took nIaca
One is to the effect that Garrett left his denn.
les stationed outside beyond the house. He was
to Maxwell. when the Kid, who wa. ,
light sleeper. awoke. and ~tiptoeins acro.. III
entered. revolver in hand, and asked.
VINO was that who just came?s Where 4. ~,
from his position Garrett could see him A..
lnctiy. and had the Kid been looking. he m,ght
distinguished the form Of the sheriff. stand.
ns by the bedside Of Maxwell. The Kid had ~.
evoiver IN hand. prepared to use It. Garref, {
new tnat' and nred the single shot that killed :