The Red Cloud chief., 1913-02-13

I y
'Listen!" shouted the tall sheriff during q
slight lul "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 It Is for a jury
to pronounce him SO. You can not take him
while have breath Of life left or 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 Garret, 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 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 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 "Makings."
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
prisoner He was defended by an attorney who
made brave fight But he was sentenced to be
hanged at Lincoln In July 1881. He was brought
back and confined in jail built after the man.
ner OF Mexican houses, OF adobe brick, with thick
walls around 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 'makings' will you?"
"Seguro. 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 hip
pocket for sack of tobacco.
Like flash the Kid raised his manaced
hands and struck Bell square in the temple. The
warden staggered As he did so the Kid jerked
Bells revolver from its holster and dealt the
1ailer 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.
leveng the wardens revolver at the prisoner he
hissed:
Give me back the keys!"
II was the work OF but moment to reach the
barred gate that led into the street where the
horses stood. glance, and he took It all in
From where he stood he could see Inc form OF
the warden Leveng his revolver. he fired q
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 or The bes,
horse and had stampeded the others Sd that pur.
suit would be delayed. In 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 ia
saddle fresh horse. Accompanied by a few
friends he took the Kids trail.
At the end OF fortyeight hours OF flight when
tired out Billy the Kid stopped at the house OF
man named Maxwell. near Sumner Retiring
he figured doubtless, that Garrett would have tc
pause for rest also.
1t was early the second morning. probably
about 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 Maxwells room.
There are several accounts Of what took place
One is to the effect that Garrett left his depu
ties stationed outside beyond the house He was
whispering to Maxwell, when the Kid who was
light sleeper awoke. and tptoeing across tn,
porch entered, revolver in hand, and asked:
"Who was that who just came? Where is he -
From his position Garrett could see him dis
tinctly, and had the Kid been looking he Nigh
have distinguished the form OF the sheriff stand
ing by the bedside Of Maxwell. The Kid had hi
knew that, and fred the single shot that ket
the Kid