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Saddle Up for the Annual Billy the Kid
Trail Ride April 27th - May 5th
Sheriff Pat Garrett was out on the range
that late April day in 1881. Billy the Kid was held in an upper room of
the two-story whitewash Lincoln County Courthouse in southern New Mexico
Territory, guarded around the clock by deputies James Bell and Bob
Ollinger until his hanging 10 days away.
It was Olinger’s turn to take the other
prisoners to a restaurant for dinner, leaving Bell alone to watch Billy.
What happened next is a subject for debate. After he asked to be taken
outside to the privy, Billy the Kid either retrieved a revolver hidden
in the outhouse by a friend or he slipped his small hands out of the
handcuffs, whacked Bell over the head and took his gun. Whatever the
case, the Kid had a gun and Bell panicked. The Kid shot Bell on the
courthouse stairs leading to the second floor when he tried to make a
run for it. Ollinger heard the shots and came running, but as soon as he
got in the street, the Kid called down to him from a second-story
window. When Ollinger looked up, he met the same fate as Bell. The Kid
had succeeded in killing his two guards and rode out of town a free man.
When Garrett returned to Lincoln to hear that the Kid had once again
evaded justice, he saddled up and took off after him. Garrett and the
two deputies he recruited headed to Fort Sumner. Throughout the chase,
Garrett never wandered too far from Fort Sumner, positive that that was
where the Kid would wind up, in the arms of his senorita. He was
correct.
Nine weeks later, on the evening of July 14, Garrett was in Pete
Maxwell’s house, allegedly to question him about Billy. Suddenly Billy
walked into the room and not seeking Garrett in the dark, approached the
bed to speak to Maxwell. The Kid then spotted a dark figure sitting at
the edge of the bed and asked, "Quien es?” Garrett recognized the Kid’s
voice, slowly pulled out his revolver and fired.
“Join us on the fourth annual Billy the Kid Trail Ride April 27-May 5,
2005,” said ride organizer Wally Roberts, as we retrace Billy the Kid’s
travels after his infamous escape from the Lincoln County jail in 1881.
Share the adventure of the New Mexico landscape, experience over 125
miles of mountains, desert plains, and the Pecos River country. Ranchers
along the way will host us, just as they did during Billy’s ride to Fort
Sumner.”
Rex Buchman, who along with Tim Hagaman undertook the first ride in
2002, said the mission of the Billy the Kid Trail Ride is to preserve
history and the western lifestyle. “With historically accurate
reenactments, story telling, safe horsemanship and professional
contacts, we strive to empower host ranches in their endeavor to offer a
true western experience, while preserving lands and landmarks.”
After each day on the trail, ranch camps will provide a chance for
respite, a laugh or two, and an opportunity to learn about the history
of Billy the Kid. Many of the people who live on the land that Billy
once rode over have “Billy stories” that are fun and entertaining to
hear. “You will long remember the warm hospitality and excellent food of
our ranch camp hosts and caterers,” Buchman said. “The cowboy taxi
service will be available to transport your gear from camp to camp and
rescue tired travelers - man or beast – if need be.”
“It is incredible how everyone has came together to create this living
monument to Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett and the Wild West of southern New
Mexico, said Mike Cerletti, secretary of the New Mexico Tourism
Department. “The Billy the Kid Trail Ride is an unforgettable eight days
of enchanted New Mexico: 125 miles and seven ranch camps, starry skies
and campfires, history and memories to last a lifetime.”
Riders will be accepted on a first-pay, first-ride basis. There will be
additional charges for riders needing special arrangements. The cost is
$1,250 for the entire ride or $150 per day, plus a one-time $50
administration fee. Full-time riders are limited to 20, ensuring each
will be given a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Ten additional riders
will be taken on a daily basis only.
Contact Wally Roberts, 505-392-1224 (office), 505-441-1229 (cell) or
wally@highcountrytrailrides.com. Riders needing to rent a horse contact
Trail Boss Kim Chesser, chesser@direcway.com or 505-347-2668. Visit
http://www.billythekidtrailride.com for more information.
High-resolution photo of poster available upon request.
Mike Stauffer, Communications Director, New Mexico Tourism Department
505-827-7379, mike.stauffer@state.nm.us
Article and photos provided by Mike Stauffer,
Communications Director
New Mexico Tourism Department
www.newmexico.org
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