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Back to Podcast EpisodesBilly The Kid, Desperado (Part Two)
He never robbed a bank or a train and never fought a traditional duel but Billy the Kid remains one of America’s most notorious outlaws.
Garrett was an acquaintance of Billy the Kid, he had even tended bar in Fort Sumner’s most popular saloon. 6’ 6”, and powerfully built, Garrett ran as an alternative to the current lawlessness in Northern New Mexico. Federal authorities were also intent on cracking down on rampant counterfeiting through the efforts of Treasury Agent Azariah Wild, transferred to New Mexico from New Orleans. Wild eventually deputized Garrett, as well as other locals, including Bob Olinger, to aid him in the pursuit of individuals believed involved in this scam, including Billy the Kid. In late 1880, robbery of the US Mail wagon in the Fort Sumner area was tied to the Kid as well. This behavior shredded the tolerance of many Fort Sumner area residents, who increasingly viewed Billy the Kid as a lawless menace, necessitating apprehension. His notoriety was discussed in the region’s newspapers, infamy that was eventually written up in the New York Sun, the first publication to designate him with the nickname, “Billy the Kid.”
President Rutherford B Hayes replaced Governor Axtell with Civil War General Lew Wallace, a bureaucratic and military jack of all trades who immediately issued a general pardon to those not indicted as well as a proclamation to allow the military to vanquish “insurrection.” This allowed soldiers greater leeway to intercede in the civil disputes that gripped Lincoln County.
As Bob Olinger opened the gate at the side of the struct
Published on 4 years, 11 months ago
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