In the very early hours of a July morning in 1881, Pat Garrett etched his name into the history of the American Wild West. It was at a ranch in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, that he stealthily approached and fatally shot notorious outlaw Billy the Kid. This wasn’t just a climactic end to their tumultuous relationship, but also a defining moment that overshadowed Garrett’s adventurous life.
Pat Garrett’s early life
Born on June 5, 1850, in Chambers County, Alabama, Patrick Floyd “Pat” Garrett’s early years were spent in the southern United States. Moving to Louisiana when he was young, his family ran a cotton plantation, where he worked in the store. The American Civil War‘s aftermath brought turmoil; their labor force disappeared and their crops were seized, leading John Garrett into a deep depression. The patriarch died in 1868.
Seeking a fresh start, in 1869, Garrett ventured westward, ending up in Texas. He embraced the rugged lifestyle of the Wild West, working as a cowboy and, later, hunting and skinning buffalo with W. Skelton Glenn. However, their partnership was short-lived, with Garrett shooting Glenn dead following an altercation.
Pat Garrett meets Billy the Kid
By the time Pat Garrett arrived in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, Billy the Kid was already a notorious figure. Born Henry McCarty around 1859, he’d earned infamy through a series of daring escapes and deadly encounters, including his involvement in the Lincoln County War. The conflict witnessed the Kid and his vigilante group, the Regulators, avenge the murder of rancher John Tunstall by taking out Sheriff William Brady.
Garrett found work at Peter Maxwell’s ranch and occasionally tended the bar at Beaver Smith’s saloon, where he crossed paths with the Kid. The nature of their relationship remains a topic of speculation. Some accounts suggest they were close friends, nicknamed “Big Casino” and “Little Casino,” while others, including Garrett himself, downplayed their connection as casual at best.
“He minds his business, and I attend to mine,” Garrett once explained. “He visits my wife’s folks sometimes, but he never comes around me. I just simply don’t want anything to do with him, and he knows it, and knows that he has nothing to fear from me as long as he does not interfere with me or my affairs.”
Elected sheriff of Lincoln County
In November 1880, Pat Garrett was elected the sheriff of Lincoln County, marking a major turning point in his relationship with Billy the Kid. Now a lawman, he was tasked with bringing order to the lawless region. As a $500 bounty had been placed on the latter’s head, it was the new sheriff’s job to ensure he was taken into custody.
The ensuing cat-and-mouse game between Garrett and the Kid became one of the most legendary in the history of the Wild West. Garrett’s dogged determination paid off when, in December 1880, he launched a host of successful operations against the Kid and his gang, leading to his capture and that of Billy Wilson, Dirty Dave Rudabaugh and Tom Pickett at Stinking Springs after a tense standoff.
Despite being sentenced to death for the murder of Sheriff William Brady, the Kid escaped from jail, killing two guards in the process and reigniting Garrett’s relentless pursuit.
A final showdown between Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
Pat Garrett’s determination to capture Billy the Kid culminated in the infamous showdown at Peter Maxwell’s ranch.
Acting on a tip, Garrett and his deputies arrived at the residence on July 13, 1881. In the early hours of the following morning, he entered Maxwell’s darkened bedroom, seeking information on the Kid’s whereabouts. As the pair conversed, the Kid unexpectedly entered the room, armed and unaware of the sheriff’s presence.
In the tense moments that followed, Garrett fired his weapon, fatally wounding the outlaw. The Kid’s death was instantaneous, yet it marked the beginning of a complex legacy for Garrett, who’d be forever associated with the dramatic encounter.
Consequences of Billy the Kid’s death
Pat Garrett’s killing of Billy the Kid instantly made him a controversial figure. While some hailed him as a hero who rid the West of a dangerous outlaw, others criticized the manner in which the Kid was killed. Allegations that he was unarmed and unaware of who was shooting at him fueled resentment toward Garrett, casting a shadow over his reputation.
Despite the mixed reactions, Garrett’s autobiography, The Authentic Life of Billy, the Kid, sought to cement his version of the story. However, the public’s fascination with the Kid persisted, and the sheriff found himself both celebrated and vilified.
Reflecting on the incident, Garrett once expressed regret, wishing he’d missed his shot and let the Kid kill him, instead.
Pat Garrett’s death is shrouded in mystery
The years following Billy the Kid’s death were challenging for Pat Garrett. He struggled to find success in his political endeavors, losing several elections and facing criticism over his law enforcement methods. Despite being appointed a customs collector by President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, his tenure was marred by controversy and ended without a reappointment.
Financial difficulties plagued Garrett, leading him to lease part of his land to cowboy Wayne Brazel for cattle grazing. Tensions arose, however, when Brazel grazed goats, instead. Garrett’s attempts to break the lease failed, with the cowboy only willing to leave if someone purchased his 1,800 goats, a prospect no one was enthused about.
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Things came to a head with Garrett’s mysterious death on February 29, 1908 (some sources say March 1). The former claimed self-defense, but the investigation revealed the former sheriff was shot in the back of the head, leaving questions regarding the true nature of his demise.