Correction: Capture and Later Escape of Billy the Kid

Capture of Billy the Kid

While the date provided marks an event related to Billy the Kid, the specific capture by Sheriff Pat Garrett actually occurred earlier:

Date of Capture: December 23, 1880
Location: Stinking Springs, New Mexico Territory

Henry McCarty, better known as Billy the Kid, was captured by Sheriff Pat Garrett on December 23, 1880, at a location known as Stinking Springs in New Mexico. This event came after an intense pursuit by Garrett and his posse, who were intent on bringing the notorious outlaw to justice.

Key Events Leading to Capture

• Background: Billy the Kid, an infamous figure in the American Old West, was involved in various criminal activities, including cattle rustling and escaping from custody, which made him a target for law enforcement.
• Pursuit: Sheriff Pat Garrett, who had been elected with a mandate to tackle the lawlessness in the region, organized a posse to capture Billy the Kid after a tip-off about his whereabouts.

Events at Stinking Springs

• Standoff: Garrett and his team surrounded the hideout at Stinking Springs, engaging in a standoff which lasted through the night. Billy and his gang were eventually coerced into surrendering through strategic negotiations.
• Surrender: Billy the Kid, along with several of his gang members, including Charlie Bowdre, who was fatally wounded during the confrontation, was captured by Garrett.

Imprisonment and Escape

Date of Escape: April 28, 1881
Location: Lincoln, New Mexico Territory

Billy the Kid’s subsequent escape happened after his initial capture:

• Imprisonment: Following his capture, Billy the Kid was jailed in Lincoln, New Mexico, and later sentenced to hang for the murder of Sheriff William J. Brady during the Lincoln County War.
• Escape: On April 28, 1881, in a daring move, Billy the Kid managed to escape from the Lincoln County Courthouse. He killed two deputies, J.W. Bell and Bob Olinger, in the process, and fled, becoming the subject of a renewed manhunt.

Aftermath

• Manhunt: This escape led to a heightened manhunt for Billy the Kid, who had once again managed to elude capture.
• Final Encounter: Billy the Kid was eventually tracked down and shot by Sheriff Pat Garrett on July 14, 1881, in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, bringing an end to the infamous outlaw’s life.

Billy the Kid remains a legendary figure in American folklore, symbolizing the Wild West’s tumultuous and lawless era.