Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-02-14

"Listen!" shouted the tall sherir during a
slight lull. THE man is my prisoner. You told
me to arrest him. have. He must have a fair
trial. know he is guilty. But it 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 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 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
and feared the Kid. With only Garrett to fight.
the members might have risked it. With a re-
volver in the Kids hand. they hesitated.
Garrett 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 Markings"
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
pdCh II CCnuneQ IN a jail Dullt after the man.
ner of Mexican houses, of adobe brick, with thick
walls around a court or patio.
The 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 markings will your"
SECURE. Miguel shouted the warden, laugh.
ing. Translated into English, the answer meant
Sure, Mike.'D
The Kid stepped to the stairs. His hands
were lnanacled 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 hip
pocket. for a sack of tobacco.
Like a fash the Kid raised his manacled
hands and struck Bell square in the temple. The
warden staggered. AS he did so the Kid jerked
Bells revolver from it's 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 the
keys taken from the PROSTATE warden to the man
In the cell. who unlocked his handouts. Then,
leveling the warden's revolver at the prisoner, he
Kissed:
Give me back the keys!"
1t was the work Of but a moment to reach the
barred gate that led into the street where the
horses stood. A glance, and he took 1t all in.
From where he stood he could see me !orm of
the warden. Leveling his revolver, he fred a
shot that ended his life, and then shot the man
who blocked the door.
Once outside. he started a fusillade Of bullets
up and down the street to keep everybody in the
houses. In another instant he was o.: he best
horse and had stampeded the others SO that pur-
suit would be delayed. In a few moments he was
out Of sight.
Garrett was about twenty miles away at the
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
saddle a fresh horse. Accompanied by a few
friends he took the Kids trail.
At the end of forty eight hours of fight. when
tired out, Billy the Kid stopped al the house OF
p man named Maxwell. near Sumner. Retiring,
he figured, doubtless. that Garrett would have to
pause for rest also.
1t was early the second morning. probably
about 3 a m. when the silent sheriff saw in
front Of him the cabin in which the Kid SLEPT.
He and his men dismounted and approached the
house. Garrett reached the porch with his depu-
ties and quietly stepped into Maxwell's room.
There are several accounts, of what took place.
One is to the effect that Garrett left his depu-
whispering to Maxwell, when the Kid, who was a
porch, entered, revolver in hand. and asked.
who was that who just came? Where is he7"
From his position Garrett could see him dis
tinctly. and had the Kid been looking. he might
have distinguished the form Of the sheriff. stand
ing by the bedside of Maxwell. The Kid had his
revolver In hand, prepared to use 1t. Garrett
knew that, and fred the single shot that killed
the Kid.