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

"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
while have a 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 l 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 rsked it. With re
volver in the Kids hand they hesitated
Garrett was quick to the advantage he had
gained
Now you will all quietly away" he an
nounced decisively
Sulenly the crowd obeyed.
Held at bay. Garrett placed the Kid aboard
the train which arrived few moments later,
The Keeper and the "Maklnos."
The Kid was tried in another county. He had
no friends and defense. There plenty
Of witnesses against him now that he
prisoner. He defended by attorney who
made brave fight. But he sentenced to b.
hanged at Lincoln in July, 1881. He was brough
back and confined in jail built after the man
ner of Mexican houses. Of adobe brick. with thicl
walls around court patio.
The day. before he was to be hanged half ,
dozen horses stood in the street, lines thrown
over their heads-all that is necessary to make
a 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 your"
shO cd tha Iaup oh
ing. (Translated into English. the answer mean
Sure. Mike")
The Kid stepped to the stairs His handi
were manacled in such manner that he had lit
tie of them. The warden reached In his ves
pocket for the cigarette paper, which he placed
in his left hand and with his right felt in his hiI
pocket for sack of tobacco.
Like flash the Kid raised his manaclet
hands and struck Bell square in the temple The
warden staggered As he did the Kid jerket
Bells revolver from its holster and dealt the
jailer blow the head that crushed his skull
"Unfasten the jewelry. and we1l both ge
away"
He shouted these words to another prisoner
standing inside cell. The Kid had been allow
ed the freedom of the galleries He passed the
keys taken from the PROSTATE warden to the mar
in the CELL who unlocked his handouts Then
levelng the warden's revolver at the prisoner he
hissed:
Give me back the keys,"
1t was the work Of but moment to reach the
barred gate that led into the street where the
horses stood glance and he took 1t all in
From where he stood he could see the form oil
the warden. Leveling his revolver, he fired g
shot that ended his ife and then shot the man
who blocked the door.
Once outside, he started fuslade of bullets
Up and down the street to keep everybody in the
houses. In another instant he was OF, The bes,
horse and had stampeded the others SO that pur
suit would be delayed. In a few moments he was
out of sight.
Garrett about twenty miles away at the
time after some rus.lers. Word sent to him
and he returned post haste, heard the story from
excited lips. and stopped only long enough to
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
a man named Maxwell. near Sumner Retiring
pause for rest also.
1t early the second morning, probably
about M, when the silent sheriff 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 Maxwelrs 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 q
light sleeper awoke and tiptoeing across the
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 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 It, Garrett
knew that. and fired the single shot that killed
the Kid.