BILLY THE KID SPRING

NAME: BILLY THE KID SPRING COUNTY: CHAVEZ ROADS: 2WD GRID: 6 CLIMATE: Never worry about the climate BEST TIME TO VISIT: any time

COMMENTS: BILLY THE KID PRING. On San Juan Mesa, 6 mi NE of the twon of Olive. REMAINS: inquire locally

BILLY THE KID SPRING. Named for its association with William H. Bonney, the famous desperado of the Lincoln County cattle wars. Bonney, whose real name seems to have been Henry McCarty, came to Santa Fe with his mother in 1873. He lived in Silver City for three years, and subsequently worked for John Chism and other ranchers, including an Englishman, John Tunstall. The murder of Tunstall in a dispute over a debt catapulted the Kid into a four year feud ending with his death at Ft. Sumner, on July 14, 1881. He was killed by Pat Garrett, Sheriff from Las Cruces, N. M. Famed for both courage and villainy, the Kid was reputed to have slain twenty-one men, one for every year of his life, and he captured the imagination of writers. He is memorialized in poetry, drama, fiction, song, even ballet, as well as in a single place name.At times he used the name 'Antrim' which was his step fathers handle. It is reported that he was pretty fancy on the dance floor, and fancier yet with a six shooter. Submitted by: Samuel W. McWhorter

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