Document text
Edith Crawford
BILL/ THE KID
May 10, 1937
(As Told by Francisco Trujillo, (Translation by A.L. White) 85 years old,
of San Patricio, Lincoln County, New Mexico.)
I arrived at San Patricio in the year 1877. Luring the first days
of October shertff Brady appointed a committee to pursue some bandits whom
we found at Harry Baker's ranch at Siete Rios. There we arrested them
and brought them to the jail at Lincoln.
In November the people of Penasco went to take the bandits out from
Jail. Among the people
the same time Francisco
Pajarito to hunt deer.
a deer, when we saw two
cowing from Penasco„ was Billy the lid. At about
Trujillo, my brother, Juan Trujillo and I went to
We were at the mouth of the Pajarito Canyon
?emus passing. One was Frank Baker, the other
was Billy Mote. One was a bandit and the other a body guard whom Marrs
kept at the riach. The last one was a thief also. When they passed sly
brother said *Let us get away juickly, these are bad people." 50, we got
our horses, saddled them and left in the direction of Sam Patricio. On
the way we met the bandits and the people who were coming from the jail
at Lincoln.
The bandits surrounded Juan, ay brother. I started to get away bat
Billy the Kid followed me telling me to stop. I then turned around and
saw that he was pointing a rifle at me so I jumped from my horse and aimed
my gun at him. He then went back to where the people were and aimed his
gun at Juan saying "If Francisco does not surrender I aa ,o:aig to kill
you." Lucas Gallegos then shouted 'Surrender, friend, otherwise they will
kill ay OoMPALbE Juan.* Billy then took ay gun from where I had laid it
and we returned to the place where the people were.
Billy then said to me 'We have exchanged guns now let us exchange saddles.'
I said that suited me picking up the gun when another Texan said "Hand it
over you don't need it. At this point Lucas Gallegoz interposed saying
to my brother "Let me have the pistol, COMPADRE." Then my brother gave
Lucas thelpistol in its holster. Then and there we parted and Left for
San Patricio to recount our experiences.
In December Macky Swin and Marfa went to court about a guardianship
and a decision was rendered in favor of Macky Seta. When Marie saw that
he had lost out he ordered his aen to kill Macky Swin or eome of his
companions. Macky Swin hearing of the order that Marfe had given gathered
his people in order to protect himself. Among those he rounded up was
Billy the Kid, Charley Barber and Macky Nene. In addition to these three
men, six more got together and Macky Swin made them the same promise, to
the effect that a prize of $S00 was to be awarded to each de -son who kiliald
one of the Maples. It was then and there that Billy the Kid organised
his people and went out in search of Frank Baker and Billy Mote Whom he
apprehended on the other side of the Pecos riv1- and brought to Lincoln
where it was planned to execute them. Later when they talked it over further
with the rest, it was again decided to kill them but not to bring them
to Lincoln. One of the gang named McLoska said that he preferred to be
shot hiuself rather than to have one of those men killed. No sooner
had he said this, Wthen he found himself shot behind the ear. After they
killed Mcloska, Frank Baker and Billy Mote we.* promptly executed. From
there Rilly's gang left for San Patricio Where Billy asked for Francisco
Trugllo in order to deliver back to hi., his gun. It was here that they
hired a Mexican boy to go to Lincoln for provisions and to coll-cA the reward
that Macky Swin had promised for the Marfes Whom they had just killed.
A few days later Macky Mane, Freak Co. and Alex Co. were on their way
to Picacho from Lincoln. When they reached the Ojo ranch they were confronted
by the Marfes. They made Frank Goe prisoner and shot Alex Co. on the legs
while the Indian, Juan ATM,40, ran after Macky Nano and killed him. By order
of Robert Baker, Macky Nene had been the leader whom Mucky Swim had had for
a guard. Within a few days a complaint was sworn against the radian, Juan
Armijo„ and sheriff Brady deputized Jose Chaves to arrest hid. Chaves then
named seven men, beside himself in order that they should go with him to
look for Armijo and he in turn dealutized eight Americans and eight Mexicans
and altogether they leit for Siete Bios where they found Juan across the
P0006 river, as well as two other Texans. When Atanasio Martinez, John
Scroggin„ Billy the Kid and I arrived at the door of the hut, Juan Armijo
spoke up and said *How are you Kiko?* *Come on out* I said to Juan. *Tau
have killed aacky Mane" to which he nodded in assent but Adding that it
was by order of Robert Baker under threat of being :prosecuted himself, should
he fail to carry out instructions. I then Jade my w,y to Macky Nano who
had been hiding behind some tree trunks in an effort to defend himself
against those who were shooting at the house, and killed him.
When we left the hut, accompanied by Juan, he said to me *Don't let
them kill me Kikot* Seeing a string of :eoale coming from Siete Rios we
ran to nearby hill and from there towards the )1ains and then headed for
Roawell, on the ether sine of the Pecos river, and came out two miles below
at °urban. It was nere that Pflly the Kid, Jose Chaves y Chaves and Stock
proaoaed to kill the Indian, Armijo. I said to Chaves *Is it not better
to take him in and let the law have its course?* Caarley Bargar then cane
up to me and said *Come on Francisco, let us be running along.'
As I came up to Charley, I turned and saw the Indian Armijo riding
betimes then very *lowly. When %arise, ana had um) about fifty yards
ee noticed that the Indian had gotten away from his captors and was
riding away as fast as he could. Billy the Kid and Jose Chaves took out
aMer hill and began to shoot at hie Until they got his. Several of us
congregated at the place 'here he fell. MAI the Kid then said to me
'Francisco, here are the *addle and trappings that I owe you.' I then
commanded WaiNio lanchen to do as the favor of bringing as the horse
the Indian Armijo had been riding, in order that I might remove the saddle
which was covered with blood. Noting my disgust Doke said that he mould
take it end clean it and let as have his in tho meantiae. And so, we
exchanged.. Our business finished we turned homeward and crossed the
river at a point culled wVado de los Indies'. At hea, this side of
the Pecos river, we slept. In the morning we arose and went to Laleaan to
have breakfast. There we :band eccy in at John Chismes ranch. Break.
feat being over Wacky Swin told us to go into the store and take anything
that we wiehed. At this point it tuw decided to leave Caytian Stock to
guard over Wacky Swin. Of the original eight Uexicans in the party, four
were left to JoLn the Americaes, not having admitted the Wier four to de
so. Wacky Swin then asked us to meet him the following Wonder at Lincoln
beeaude said he 'As mon as I arrive, Brady is going to try and arrest me and
you should mot let his get way with it. If I am arreetod I shall surely
be hung and I donot want to die, while if you kill Ersdy you shall earn
a reward.'
From Alm= we left for Beyond° where we found a FANDANGO in progress.
We were enjoying ourselves very thoroughly when des Migusl ease 1i7! to us
and said 'Bettor be on your wey boys because presently there will arrive
abut fifty Mertes who are probably c sing here to .get you.' Estee*, ou,
I. ader, agreeing with don Miguel, commanded us to saddle our horses. Is
had net been gone half a mile Wham we heard shouts and gum —shots so we
decided to wait for the gent and have it out. Our efforts were of no avail,
however, as the gang failed to show up. We then pursued our course toward
the Capitan mountains and arrived at Ague Negra at day break aid there we
had our lunch. At this point the party broke up, the Anglos going to
Lincoln, the Mexicans to Sam Patricio *hence they arrived on Sunday afternoon.
Billy the Lid them said to Jose haves, sLet us draw to see who has to wait
for Becky Swig tomorrow at Lincoln, The lots fell to Charley barber, John
Milton and Jim French White, whereupon the leader decided that all nine
Anglos Should go. Bill thought that it was best for none of the Mexican
boys to go and when Ch-ves protested saying that the Angles were no braver
than he, Bill explained that Brady was married to a Mexican and that it was
a matter of policy, all Mexicans being sentimental about thir own. Chaves
being appeased urged the rest to go on promising to render assistance should
a call come for help. A TOMO named Doke said that since his faaily was
Mexican too, he would remain with the others. Stook than gave orders to
proceed. The horses were saddled and they left for Lincoln. Doke, Fernando
Herrera, Jesus Sate and Candelario Hidalgo left for luidoso. The next
morning don Poncho Batches loft for Lincoln to ,,eke soae purchases at the
store. Being in the store about eleven, the mail arrived and with it Becky
Swim. There also arrived Brady and a Texan named George Hamilton. At
this Juncture Brady also arrived where he found Billy the Mid, Jim French
Charley Barber and John Melton. They were in the corral from whence two
of the gang shot at one, and two others at the other, where they fell.
Billy the Lid then Jumped to snatch Bradyfs rifle and as he was leaning
over someose shot at him from a house they used to call all Chorro.' Beaky
Swin than reached tho house where the nine Macky Swims were eon*:regated
the four who were in the corral and five who had been at the river. There
they remained all de, until nightfall and then voceeded to San Patricio.
The next morning they proposed going to the hills should there be a war and
so that it could be waged at the edge of town anc-1 in order not to endanger
the lives of the faailies living there. The same day, toward evenings six
Mexicans came to arrest Macky Swin. They did not arrive at the Plaza but
camped a little further down between the acequia and the river at a place
where there were thick brambles. Shortly after the Mexicans arrived 'Wacky
Swin cams with his people to eat supper at the house a Juan Trujillo
that being their headquarters, that also being their mess hall, having hired
a negro to prepare the meals. After supper they scattered among the different
hc;uses, two or three in each house. In one of these at the edge of town
Macky Swin and an American boy whose name was Tome locked theeselves in.
Next day early in the morning the six Mexicans who had been looking for Reeky
Swim showed up. When they arrived at the house where Nasky Swin was Tome
cane o‘t and shot at the bunch of Mexicans and hit fulian, about forty
Marfes cane dome to San Patricio killing horses and chickens. At this
point there arrived two Harvest an American and a Mexican. The American's
name was Ale Out end the Mexican's Lucio Montoya. Shen the Macky Swims
became aware of them, they began to fire and killed all the horses. The
two Mariea ran away to San Patricio where the rest of the Herres were
tearing down a house and taking out of the store everything that they could
get hold of. From there all the Sallee went to Lincoln and for about a
month nothing of interest occured.
I don't recall exactly when Macky Swim, who was being hounded down
by the Marfes, was killed but I do remember that he gathered together all
his friends and west back home to Lincoln accompanied tr sight Mexicans
.4.**
and two Americans, also his wife. Lee the Marfes found out that he was in
the house they sursvinided his tut seeing that they were unable to hurt hie
they caused to be brought over a company of soldiers and a cannon fres the
nearby Fort. Notwithstanding this 'tacky Mein instructed his people not to
fire. For this reasoa the soldiers had to ait until it was dark. The Merles
then set fire to the bonse and the soldiers returned to the fort. 'Shea the
first roan tumid doves Ginie Salazar and Ignacio Gonzales ease out to the
door bat the Merles knocked them down and left thee there, dosed. When the
:lanes reached the middle rooms an American proposed to go out through the
doors of the kitchen on the north side. No sooner did he jump than the
Marfes knocked him down. Francisco Senora jumped also and he too was shot.
Vicente Romero was next and there the three remained in a heap. It was then
proposed by Pilly the Kid and Jose behaves y Chaves to take aim at the same
tiaa end shoots first to one side thee to the other. Chaves took Max Nein
by the era sad told him to go out to which Mack awin answered by taking a
chair and placing it in the corner stating that he would die right there.
Billy and Jose Chaves then jumped to the middle doors one as one sides and
the other on the other. Than Robert Bakers and a Texas jumped and said *Mere
is Mack, Hein'. Drawing out his revolver he shot his three times in the breast.
When the last shot was fired Billy the Kid said 'Hers is Hobert' and thrust
a revolver in his mouth *bile Jose Chaves Shot at the Texan and hit hie in
the eye. Silly and Chmves thee west aloft the river headed for San
Patricia where they both remained for 000410 tine.
In October the Governor accompanied by seven soldiers and other persons
came to San Patricia moping. Hiving heard about the exploits of Billy the
Governor expressed a desire to meet him and seat a messenger to fetch him.
The interview was in the nature of 4 heart to heart talk wherein the Governor
advisid Billy to give up his perilous career. At this poiat oecured the General
Election mmd George Iimbrall was elected sheriff of the county. Obeying the
Govermor4 orders he called out the militia having commissioned Sr. Patron as
Capitan sad Billy the Kid as fir* Lieutenant. Daring that year that of
179 things were comparatively quiet and Billy led a very uneventful life.
About the last part of October of the sane year, the Governor lamed
as order that the militia should make an effort to round all bandits in theses
county lF a task which the militia ass sot able to aocomplish hence it disteaded.
Billy the Kid received an honorable discharge and would probably have gone
straight from then on had it not bee04:that at this juncture the Slstriet
Court net sad the Sarree swore a complaint against him and ordered sheriff
Kimbrell to arrest him. Billy stubbormsly refused to accompany the **miff
and threatened to take away his life rather tham to be apprehended. Again
nothing was hoard for a tine and them Pat Garrett offered to bring in the
desperado for a reward. The Governor having been made aware of the situation
hiaself offered a reward of WO. Inmediateky ?at Garrett accom)smied tr
four other men got reek to go after billy and found him and three other
boys, *on they surrounded. Ono moraLig, during the siege, one of Billy's
coapanions went out to fetch a pail of water wherampon Pat Garrett shot
at his, as well as the others, hitting his is the seek mad thereby causing
his to drop the pail mad to run into the houses With a piece of cloth,
Billy was able to dress the mound of the injured man and at least stop the
hemorrhage. Be them advised the wounded man to go out sad to pretend to
give himself up, hiding his firesarn but using it at the first opportune
moment to kill Pat. Charley did as we was told but when he went to take aim,
dro)ped dead. Bill and the other three companions were kept prisoners for
three days but finally hunger and thirst drove them out and caused then to
%WUXI forth and to give themselves up. Billy was arrested there being
mo warrant for the others. Then followed the trial which resulted in a
sentence to hang within thirty days. News of the execution having spread
about people began to come in for miles around to be present on the fatal
day but Billy was not to afford them much pleasure having escaped three
days before the hanging. A deputy and jailer had been commissioned to stand
guard over him. On the day of the escape at moon the jailer told the deputy
to go end eat his dinner and that he would then go himself and fetch the
risonerss. It was while the jailer and Billy remained alone that the
prisoner stepped to the window to fetch a paper. Be had somehow gotten
rid of his hiesd.ouffs and only his shackles reaained. With the pA)er in
his hand he approached the officer and before the latter knew what his
charge was up tot yanked his revolver away from him and the next instant he
was dead. Billy lost no Uwe in removing his keeperse cartridge belt as
well as a rifle and a 544 W.C.7.11 which were in the room'.
Shen the deputy heard the hhots he thought that the jailer mast have
shot Billy who was trying to escape and ran from the hotel to the jail on
the steps of which he met Billy who said *hello* as he brushed Past hint firing
at him as he dashed by. Silly's next move was to rush to the hotel aed to
have Bea Male remove his shackles. He also provided for hie a horse and
addled it for Billy upon the promise that he was to leave it at 8814 Patricia.
True to his mrd Billy secured another horse at SUS Patricia from his friend
Juan Trujillo promising in turn to return the same as SOOR as he could
locate his own.
Billy now let San Patriot° and headed for John %isms. cattle ranch.
Amomg the cow -boys there was a friend of Billy Mote who had sworn to kill
the Mid wherever he found him is order to avenge his friend. Bat Billy
did not not give hie tine to carry out his plan Waling hie on the spot. From
there Billy left for Berendo Where he remained a few days. Mere he found
his own horse and bulediately sent back Juan Trujillo's. From Berendo Billy
left for Puerto de Luna where he visited Juan Patron, his former captian.
Patron did everything to make his and his companion's stay there a pleaaant
as possible. On the third evening elf their stay there was to have been a
dance and Billy seat his companion to make a report of what he saw and heard.
Ihile on his way there, and while he was passing in front of some abandoned
shacks. Toes was fired upon by one of Pat Garrett's men and killed. No sooner
had Billy heard the distressing news than he set out for the house of his
friend tedro Wacky at Bosque Grande where he remained in hiding until a Texan
named Charley Wilson, and who was supposed to be after Billy, arrived.
The two exehanged greetings in a friendly fashion and then the stranger asked
Billy to aecoapany hie to the saloon, which invitation Billy accepted. There
were six or seven persons in the saloon when the two entered. Drinks were
imbibed in a general spirit of conviviality prevailed when some one suggested
that the first one to commit a murder that day was to set the others up. *In
that case the drinks are on me s said Charier who coneanded all to drink to
their heart's content. Billy thee ordered another round of drinks and by
this time Charley who was felling quite reckless began to shoot at the glasses
not slanting a single one until he cane to Billy's. This he pretended to miss,
aiming his shot at Bill instead. This gave billy time to draw out his own
revolver and before Gharley could take aim again, Billy had shot the other
in the breast t!itm. them he was breathing his last Billy said 'Do not
whisper you were to eager to bay those :Oinks.' It was Billy's turn now to
treat the company.
%Let again reigmed a few days. In the meantime Pat Garrott was
negotiating with Pedro tacky for the deliverance of billy. Ibis all detall
were arranged for, Pat left for Awn. Grande secretly. At the moth house,
Pedro hid Put in a room close beside the one Billy vas occupying. Bellowing
hungry during the night 1414 got up and started to prepare a lunch. lift',
he ballt a fires then he took his hunting knife and was starting to cut off
a hunk of neat from a large piece that hung from one of the VIGAS when he
heard voices in the adjoining room. Stepping to the door he partially opened
it and thrusting his head in asked Pedro Who was with Pedro re2lied
that it WILE only his wife end asked hi= to cone in. Seeing no harm in this
Billy decided to uccept the imitation only to be at in the pit of the
stomach as 40 stood in the door. Staggering buck to his ovn rooms it vas not
definitely known that the Shot had been fatal until a cleaning *omen stumbled
over the dead body upon entering the room, the following morning.