The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1913-02-15


dangerous for the
Kid to enter community. He raihed nortn
through Lincoln county which was larger tnan
many eastern states. There not line OF
railway or telegraph in 1t. and no telephones IL
easy to get away.
At that time there was rivalry between the
different outfits. The country was filled with
bad men. and they about evenly divided
among the cowmen. Cattle stealing was COM
mon thing The Kid became involved in a num-
Der OF rows. and he took sides. His reputation
killer grew.
Undoubtedly a number OF these men were
killed a result OF trouble among themselves,
and the killing laid to the door Of the Kid 1t
was easy. He could not deny 1t. No one would
have believed him II he had. Besides, the more
murders credited to him. the greater the fear In
which he would be held
Thus It that 1t finally became impossible
to get any one to accept the position OF sher1n OK
Lincoln county, for it was only question OF time
when he would the youthful demon.
The Kid knew that he had terrorized the coun-
try. He knew that the instant he let down his
guard he would be killed. His safety lay in con-
unuing
The Turn Of the Tide.
Then, day, those hard characters
who professed to be his friends were amazed by
the report that for some trivial incident he had
killed member Of his own band The outlaws
were anxious to end his career as were
the law-abding people OF the village. His friends
commenced to murmur. The Kid was now re-
ported in dozen places at the same time. and
these stories he turned to his advantage by ap-
pearng at irregular though frequent, intervals in
widely separated COW camps for more than
hundred and fifty miles north and south OF the
Pecos river.
Pat Garrett a lanky Alabaman who rad help
ed organize the Texas Rangers and had assisted
in driving the bad men out of Texas to the first
water west of the Staked Plains invited by
the cattlemen to locate In New Mexico. They
wanted him to restore order. The only way
that could be done either to arrest to
kill the Kid
CARROTS record In Texas as a man-hunter and
bad man tanner known all over the south
west. In addition to being quick with gun. he
was absolutely without fear.
He elected without opposition and took
hold with an iron hand. He organizer.
and men focked to his standard. They felt. in
stinctively that at last a man had arrived who
could cope with the situation
Tho Capture Of the Kid.
In November 1880. Garrett came upon the Kid
suddenly and captured him. with several others.
after killing
Word had reached Garrett that the Kid and his
gang of three were located in an old house a
short distance from Sumner.
I'VE had better make plans to get him." said
one of the deputies
THE plan is to get there before he gets away.
I'll tell you what to do on the way"
The way led down. a sage covered draw. with
several bends made by sand dunes around which
the road curved for distance Of about Ave miles.
Before he reached the last bend he pulled up his
to him. and then, in the even voice for which he
was noted, said
Il going to ride ahead All attention will
be centered That will give you chance
to surround the house l going to take my
time and walk my horse They may get me.
but If they do want you to make certain that
you get him"
The deputies withdrew to right and left ad.
vancing under cover of the sand hills in an ever
widening circle until they had surrounded the
house. Then Garrett rode forward. From his
position he could his deputies. who had dis
mounted advancing cautiously through the sage.
brush. He permitted his horse to walk slowly,
though utterly unconscious of the presence
Of the gang At the door he called loudly.
Some one appeared at the window and. firing
shot at the sheriff. lodged back 1t was done
in instant but in that fraction Of a second the
man who had fired dropped dead in his tracks!
Garrett had dismounted. and with his deputies
poured fusilade of bullets through the sides of
the thinly boarded shack. white handker
chief at the wnsiow indicated the surrender OF
Billy the Kid and his gang.
"You Give Me a 'six-Gun,' Patl"
When Garrett reached the railroad with his
prisoner he was menaced by a crowd that sought
to lynch the Kid.
TT looks as though they are going to get me-
Pat" the Kid remarked
1t was ugly crowd bent dealing to the
boy the fate he was certain to meet sooner
later
Not II can help It. Billy. You are under my
care, and intend to protect you"
You give me 'sixgun.' Pat. and stand aside
q few moments, and will clean out the whole
crowd You'll them stampede the minute you
give gun"
You could help-if you played square"
I'D have to- old man. I'm in the tightest
place ever was in my life. They'll get us both
II you try 1t alone. They may get me- anyway
But you are up against It. II you try to defend
me along"
I'll trust you once. Billy; but understand. no
foolishness. I'll drop you II you try IT,"
The crowd grew more menacing The demand
for the life Of the Kid became insistent