The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-02-28

"Listenl" shouted the tall sheriff during al
slight lulI. THE is my prisoner. You told
me to arrest him. l have. He must have fair
trial. know he is guilty. But it is for jury
to pronounce him so. You can not take him
while have breath of life left while Billy
the Kid has either!"
Saying which he passed revolver to the boy
who had struck terror into the Pecos Valley,
You must get two of now"
Back to back the sheriff of Lincoln county and
the most noted murderer in the southwest stood
Now. Billy" cautioned Garrett, don't shoot
unless tell you to. Remember that without me
your life is not worth two bits today"
1t was impossible to tell what working in
the mind concealed behind the childish face OF
the Kid 1t equally as impossible to read
the thoughts of the determined sheriff who walt
ed with apparent unconcern. The crowd knew
and feared the Kid. With only Garrett to fight
the members might have risked 1t. With re-
volver in the Kids hand, they hesitated
Garrett was quick to see the advantage he had
gained
Now you will all quietly away" he an
nounced decisively.
Sullenly the crowd obeyed.
Held at bay. Garrett placed the Kid aboard
the train which arrived few moments later.
The Keeper and the Markings"
The Kid was tried in another county He had
no friends and no defense. There were plenty
of witnesses against him that he was a
prisoner He defended by an attorney who
made brave fight. But he was sentenced to be
hanged at Lincoln in July, 1891 He was brought
back and G mined in a jail built after the man
ner of Mexican houses, of adobe brick, with thick
walls around court patio.
The day before he was to be hanged, half a
dozen horses stood in the street, lines thrown
their heads-all that is necessary to make
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 markings will your
SECURE, Miguel" shouted the warden. laugh
ing. TRANSLATED into English, the answer meant
Sure, Mike.')
The Kid stepped to the stairs His hand,
manacled in such that he had lit
tie of them The warden reached in his yes
pocket for the cigarette paper, which he placed
in his left hand and with his right felt in his hill
pocket for sack of tobacco.
Like a flash the Kid raised his manaceC
hands and struck Bell square In the temple. The
warden staggered. AS he did SO the Kid jerkeC
Bells revolver from its holster and dealt thu
jailer blow the head that crushed his skull
"Unfasten the jewelry and wen both ge
away"
He shouted these words to another prisone
standing inside cell. The Kid had been allow
ed the freedom of the galleries. He passed tn
keys taken from the PROSTATE warden to the mai
in the cell, who unlocked his handouts. Then
leveng the warden's revolver at the prisoner b
Kissed:
Give back the keys!"
1t was the work of but moment to reach tn
barred gate that led into the street where tn
horses stood glance, and he took 1t all ir
From where he stood he could see the form 9
the warden. Leyeling his revolver, he fired
shot that ended his life, and then shot the ma
who blocked the door
Once outside, he started fusillade Of bullet
up and down the street to keep everybody in tn
houses In another instant he was or The bes
horse and had stampeded the others SO that pul
suit would be delayed. In a few moments he wa
out OF sight.
Garrett was about twenty miles away at tn
time after some rustlers Word was sent to hil
and he returned post haste, heard the story froI
excited lips, and stopped only long enough
saddle fresh horse. Accompanied by a fe'
friends he took the Kids trail.
At the end of forty-eight hours of flight whe
tired out Billy the Kid stopped at the house {
a man named Maxwell near Sumner Retirin,
he figured doubtless. that Garrett would have
pause for rest also
1t was early the second morning. probabl
about a. M, when the silent sheriff saw
front of him the cabin in which the Kid sep
He and his men dismounted and approached th
house Garrett reached the porch with his dep
ties and quietly stepped into Maxwell's room
There several accounts of what took plac
= One is to the effect that Garrett left his dep
ties stationed outside beyond the house. He wa
whispering to Maxwell, when the Kid, who was
light sleeper, awoke and tiptoeing across II
porch. entered. revolver in hand and asked:
who was that who Just came: Where is he
From his position Garrett could see him al
tincty. and had the Kid been looking he mgl
have distinguished the form Of the sheriff. stan
ing by the bedside Of Maxwell. The Kid had h
revolver in hand. prepared to use IT. Care
knew that and Aired the single shot that kille
the Kid.