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The First Shots Were Fired!
When Tunstall approaches the posse of James Dolan, Billy Matthews, Jesse Evans, and Buckshot Roberts, and they killed Tunstall.
This event instigates what will come to be the Lincoln County War. -
The Regulators
John Wilson immediately forms a posse called The Regulators that includes Billy The Kid. The Regulators consider themselves a lawful posse with a license to avenge the murder of Tunstall; they each get paid 4$ a day to get revenge. -
Back at it
In the morning, six Regulators, Billy the Kid included, ambushed Sheriff Brady and four deputies. Brady and a deputy was killed, than a deputy shot Billy the Kid and he was badly wounded in his thigh. -
The 5-Day War
The fighting peaks with the Five-Day War.
In Lincoln, 60 Regulators fight a gun battle against James Dolan, Sheriff George Peppin and about 40 of their men. Most of the other men were killed because a quite handful of the Regulators were talented with guns. -
"The Big Killing"
After 5 days of fighting, Army calvary and infantry companies came with a massive amount of ammo and a 12 mountain howitzer firing at the Regulators.
Most Regulators flee, but 13 stayed and kept fighting. Sherriff Peppin threatens to "blow the house away", but the Kid tries to run and become a distraction, but failed. -
Restoring Order
Presiden Rutherford B. Hayes makes Lew Wallaces the Governor of New Mexico in hopes that he can restore order. Governoe Wallace issues a proclamation of amnesty for all parties involved in the Lincoln County War, except those that are under indictiment. Unfortunately for the Kid, the murders of Sherriff Brady and Buckshot Roberts prevent him from recieving pardon. -
Tunstall's One Year Anniversary
Billy the Kid and four others ride to Lincoln to meet with Jimmy Dolan and four of his men. The meeting nearly turns violent, but ultimately both sides meet in the center of the road, shake hands, and sign an agreement to stop testifying against or killing each other. It is also agreed that if anyone violates the pact, that they shall be "killed on dight". -
Letters from The Kid
Governor Wallace recieves letter from the Kid stating: "I have no wish to fight any more. Indeed I have not raised an arm since your proclamation. As to my character, I refer to any of the citizens, for the majority of them are my friends and have been helping me all they could. I am called Kid Antrim but Antrim is my stepfathers name. Waiting for an annser I remain your obedeint servant."
Later, Walalce wrote back and asked him to meet him at Squire Lincoln's house in Lincoln. -
The Kid Shows Up
The Kid appears before the grand jury and testifies that Jimmy Dolan and Billy Campbell killed Chapman. In return, "I will let you go scot free with a pardon in your pockets for all your misdeeds," Wallace tells the Kid. After having seen the Kid interact with the public, Wallace realizes what a popular figure he is.
After, the Kid leaves. -
Jim is Shot!
A posse tracks the Kid and his gang back to a ranch between Vegas and White Oaks where a gun battle breaks out. A popular White Oaks blacksmith, Jim Carlyle, is shot while entering the house to discuss terms of surrender with the Kid. Both sides blame the other for Carlyle's death. -
In Hiding
The Kid writes Governor Wallace and vigorously denies that he or any of his men shot Jim Carlyle. Despite the Kid's pleas of innocence, Wallace publishes a notice in the New Mexico newspapers three days later. "$500 Reward. Notice is hereby given that five hundred dollars reward will be paid for the delivery of Bonney alias 'The Kid' to the sheriff of Lincoln County."
Five days later, the Kid escapes and goes back to his hideout with his gang. -
The Kid is Back in Town!
Garrett's men track down the Kid's hideout and surround the one-room, stone house. After a day of banter between the Kid and Garrett, the Kid and his men surrender, allegedly drawn out by the aroma of bacon and beans from Garrett's posse.
Over the next few days -- after a soulful goodbye to his sweetheart, Paulita Maxwell -- Garrett brings the Kid to Las Vegas, where he is the talk of the town. -
The Kid is DEAD!
Sheriff Garrett and two of his deputies went to Fort Sumner, at the Maxwell house. Garrett saw the Kid, and shot him, killing him. -
The Kid is Buried
A coroner's jury rules that the Kid's death was justifiable homicide. In the afternoon a procession follows the wagon carrying the coffin to nearby Fort Sumner cemetery. The Kid is buried near two of his fallen brethren. -
News Travels Fast
By railroad and telegraph lines, news of the Kid's death travels worldwide as The Times of London runs a reprint of his obituary. Garrett receives international acclaim and the Kid's story makes headlines in hundreds of newspapers. -
The Authentic Life of Billy The Kid
Pulp novel "The Authentic Life of Billy The Kid" immortalizes Billy the Kid in legend. Although the author appears as Pat Garrett, a newspaper journalist ghostwrites the book, which is more myth than fact. -
"The Cisco Kid"
Writer O. Henry bases his western-hero fictional character The Cisco Kid on Billy the Kid. The Cisco Kid will appear dozens of times in books, radio programs, and movies, becoming a cultural icon during the six-season television series "The Cisco Kid" in the 1950s. -
"The Saga of Billy The Kid"
Walter Noble Burns publishes the book "The Saga of Billy the Kid," portraying Billy the Kid as a hero. The book instantly gains widespread popularity and becomes a Book of the Month Club offering.
Billy comes to epitomize the romantic Old West as the wild American frontier continues to shrink. -
The Movie
Burns' book is turned into a movie, starring Johnny Mack Brown as Billy the Kid. In the movie, Brown carries the actual pistols that belonged to Billy the Kid loaned to the studio by William S. Hart. The film is so popular that it will be remade in 1941. -
Then and Now
Billy the Kid holds the record for the most motion pictures made on a single individual in filmmaking history.
