Correction: Capture and Later Escape of Billy the Kid
1881 · Stinking Springs, United States
Henry McCarty, known as Billy the Kid, was captured by Sheriff Pat Garrett at Stinking Springs and later escaped.
Billy the Kid’s Escape from Lincoln County Jail - April 18, 1881
On April 18, 1881, the infamous American outlaw Billy the Kid made a daring escape from the Lincoln County Jail in Lincoln, New Mexico. This event solidified his notoriety and added to the legend surrounding his figure in the American Old West.
Background
Billy the Kid, born Henry McCarty and also known as William H. Bonney, was a notorious outlaw and gunfighter who participated in the Lincoln County War and was implicated in several murders. Despite his criminal record, he became a symbol of rebellious youth in the post-Civil War American frontier.
In 1880, Billy the Kid was captured and convicted of the murder of Sheriff William J. Brady during the Lincoln County War, a factional dispute in which he played a significant role. He was sentenced to hang for his crimes and was held at the Lincoln County Jail pending his execution.
The Escape
The escape occurred in what seemed to be a carefully orchestrated plan. Billy was reportedly being held on the second floor of the courthouse when the opportunity presented itself. On the day of the escape, he managed to procure a firearm from the jail premises. Accounts suggest that the escape unfolded as follows:
Overpowering Guards: During the move or confused moment, Billy the Kid allegedly shot two of his guards. The first, Deputy James Bell, was shot while attempting to prevent the escape. The second shot was delivered to Deputy Bob Olinger, who was across the street attending to another matter. Upon hearing gunfire, Olinger rushed back only to be shot and killed by the Kid from a window.
Securing Freedom: With both guards incapacitated, the Kid retrieved a rifle and ammunition, further securing his defense. He then made his way out of the jail.
Aided by Local Sympathy?: There are speculative accounts that Billy might have received some local support due to his fame and the contentious nature of the Lincoln County War, but there is no concrete evidence to support this theory directly.
Flight from Lincoln: With the lawmen neutralized, Billy the Kid mounted a horse and fled Lincoln, evading immediate capture and riding toward his eventual and infamous demise.
Aftermath and Significance
Following his escape on April 18, 1881, Billy the Kid remained a fugitive until July 1881, when Sheriff Pat Garrett tracked him down and killed him in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The escape and subsequent manhunt only increased the media frenzy and mythical status surrounding his life and exploits.
The event is crucial in understanding the lawlessness and rough justice of the American frontier era, highlighting the challenges of enforcing law and order during that time. Billy the Kid remains an enduring symbol of the Wild West, and stories of his audacious escape continue to captivate the public imagination.
Conclusion
Billy the Kid’s escape from the Lincoln County Jail is remembered as a quintessential episode of Wild West history, demonstrating the cunning and bravado that has intrigued historians and popular culture for generations. His life and escape expose the turbulent times of the post-Civil War American West and exemplify the complex legacy of outlaws in American history.