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Early Days in Lincoln County
Frances E. Totty, writer
Feb. 14, 1938 EARLY DAYS IN LINCOLN COUNTY
as told by Charles E. [Rouark?] age 78I went to Lincoln County in the early days, but was not in the war. The first time I saw Pat Garrett, we had an argument. I had been to Roswell by the usual route when I returned there was a gatewired up in those days we didn't wire up gates. If I had to go around [Im?] would have had to [ridden four?] miles around the fence and came back to the gate to get on the trail again. I [cut?] the gate down and left it down. The next morning Pat Garrett rode up to our camp. He asked me "Do you know anything about that gate being down?"
"I do I cut it down last night when I came to it, gates aren't supposed to be wired in this country."
"If you don't want to get into trouble you had better leave that gate alone." Pat replied.
"The next time I come to that gate and it is wired up I will cut it down, I'll d-- sure tell you, and I [dont?] intend to ride around."
"Young man I am a good mind to get down from here and whip you with this quirt.", Pat answered.
"Pat you have another think coming remember for once you don't have a gun on and I do you may wear a quirt out on [same?], but you will never wear one out on me. I am not afraid of you or the stories they tell for you don't look like a man eater to me. So you had better think before you get off of that horse." I answered.
Pat never answered he turned his horse and rode away. The gate wasn't tied up when I next came to it and I always put it back up after going through it.
The people around Lincoln say Garrett didn't kill Billie the Kid. John [????].
The Kid said he didn't see the man that Garrett killed. I can take you to the grave in Hells Half Acre, and old government cemetry, where Billie was supposed to be buried and show you the grave.
The cook at Pete Maxwells was always putting flowers on the grave and praying at it. This woman though a lot of Billie, but after Garrett killed the man at Maxwells home her granson was never seen again and Billie was seen by Bill Nicholi? and indian [scont?]. Bill saw him in old Mexico.
Pat Garrett and Billie had been good friends, and Garrett knew that Billie wasn't yellow or a coward. Billie never killed without a cause. Billie wasn't mean he was just quick on the draw and [didnat?] have to practice hours to hit his target. Billie didn't steal he might [barrow?] a mans horse from his corral, but he would always seen that it was returned to him.
In the early days everyone was welcom to chuck and no question asked. Anyone was welcome to stay as long as he wished, and his name was ever asked for no one went by their name any way. People were different than today they respected the other fellows rights.
The dances of old were a place to go and enjoy the evening not a place to get drunk. A girl wouldn't dance with a drunk man, and a man that had to much to drink had to much respect for others to go in the room where the women were as a general rule. Billie the Kid was welcome by all at the [dances He?] was a good dancer adn [had?] nice manners, and always respected everyone. Billie was a jolly happy go lucky person that seemed to bring laughter with him as well as death to his enemies.
Narrator: Charles A. [Rouark?], Age 78, Feb. 14, 1938
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[Special Dispatch to the Morning Journal] |
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The killing was the result of a quarrel over the lease of a ranch by Garrett
to Brazele, Garrett alleging that Brazele was pasturing goats on the land, in violation of a contract. Long Standing Quarrel. The quarrel between the two men was an old one, and Garrett, it is said, had previously threatened to take the matter into court. It is said both men went armed in anticipation of just such an encounter, and Edmondson testifies that on leaving the Organs, Garret loaded his shotgun, saying that "he might need it" before they got to Las Cruces. Brazele, who is a stock raiser, has always borne a good reputation and has never sought trouble, according to his friends here. He says that he did not draw his six-shooter until Garrett had reached for his shotgun. As Garrett was a seasoned fighter and quick on the draw, it was only by his own marvelous quickdraw that Brazele saved his life, according to Edmondson. Intense Excitement. Seldom has Las Cruces seen such excitement as followed the news of the tragedy today. Pat Garrett was one of the best known and most picturesque men in the southwest and had hosts of friends. Brazele is also a popular man, and owing to the circumstances of the shooting there is apparently little ill feeling against him. A Strenuous Career. Pat Garrett was sheriff in Lincoln county, New Mexico, in the early days and his campaign
against cattle rustlers was replete with daring arrests, pitched battles and bloody encounters with the cattle
thieves. |
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