The Death of Billy the KidMany years after the death of Billy the Kid, Deputy John William Poe, who was just outside the door when Sheriff Pat Garrett killed him, wrote out the whole story, which was published in a small edition. Later, in 1933, this first-hand account was offered to a larger public with an introduction by Maurice Garland Fulton, who lived for years among the scenes of Billy the Kid's wild career. While certain statements made in the book by Poe are controversial, his account is a valuable document for anyone interested in Billy the Kid. Sunstone Press is pleased to offer this complete reprint of the 1933 edition along with a new forward in its Southwest Heritage Series. John William Poe was born in 1850 and died in 1923. Early in his life he was impressed by the novels of Sir Walter Scott and developed a desire to seek adventures out West. After working as a farm hand, on a railroad construction crew, and a buffalo hunter, he wound his way into law enforcement and eventually became a deputy for Sheriff Pat Garrett. After the incident with Billy the Kid, Poe was elected sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico, married, and after retiring as a lawman, settled in Roswell, New Mexico where he was a businessman until his death. |
Other editions - View all
The Death of Billy the Kid: Facsimile of the Original 1933 Edition John William Poe No preview available - 2006 |
Common terms and phrases
adobe alias William Antrim balazo Billy the Kid Bonney alias Kid buffalo hunter career cattlemen Charles Goodnight Charlie Bowdre coln coroner's jury cuarto Death of Billy deputy sheriff doorway Fort Griffin Fort Sumner friends and sympathizers Governor Wallace heard hiding horses indictments informacion Jesse Evans John Poe John William Poe July following jurado Kid THE DEATH learned afterward Lew Wallace Lincoln County Lincoln County War MAURICE GARLAND FULTON McKinney McSween meet my companions ment Mexican Mexico Mexico Military Institute miles night O'Folliard Panhandle Patrick F peach orchard pecho Pete Photograph pistol Poe's porch posse PRECINTO ranch reward rode Roswell Rudolph seemed sheriff of Lincoln Sheriff Pat Garrett shot six-shooter Sophie Southwest Heritage Series Spanish stolen cattle stood story Sumner Sunstone Press Territory terror Texas tion Tom O'Folliard Tom Pickett town vicinity West White Oaks William Bonney alias young outlaw