THE MURDER OF SHERIFF BRADY AND HIS DEPUTY, HINDMAN, BY THE "KID" AND HIS
BAND. "BILLY THE KID" AND JESSE EVANS MEET AS ENEMIES AND PART AS FRIENDS.
On returning to Lincoln, "Billy the Kid" had many consultations with
Lawyer McSween about the murder of Tunstall. It was agreed to never let up
until all the murderers were in their graves.
The "Kid" heard that one of Tunstall's murderers was seen around Dr.
Blazer's saw mill, near the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation, on South
Fork, about forty miles from Lincoln. He at once notified Officer Dick
Bruer, who made up a posse to search for Roberts, an ex-soldier, a fine
rider, and a dead shot.
As the posse rode up to Blazer's saw mill from the east, Roberts came
galloping up from the west. The "Kid" put spurs to his horse and made a
dash at him. Both had pulled their Winchester rifles from the scabbards.
Both men fired at the same time, Robert's bullet went whizzing past the
"Kid's" ear, while the one from "Billy the Kid's" rifle, found lodgment in
Robert's body. It was a death wound, but gave Roberts time to prove his
bravery, and fine marksmanship.
He fell from his mount and found concealment in an outhouse, from where he
fought his last battle.
The posse men dismounted and found concealment behind the many large saw
logs, scattered over the ground.
For a short time the battle raged, while the lifeblood was fast flowing
from Robert's wound. One of his bullets struck Charlie Bowdre, giving him
a serious wound. Another bullet cut off a finger from George Coe's hand.
Still another went crashing through Dick Bruer's head, as he peeped over a
log to get a shot at Roberts; Bruer fell over dead. This was Robert's last
shot, as he soon expired from the wound "Billy the Kid" had given him.
A grave yard was now started on a round hill near the Blazer saw mill, and
in later years, Mr. and Mrs. George Nesbeth, a little girl, and a strange
man, who had died with their boots on--being fouly murdered--were buried
in this miniature "Boot Hill" cemetery.
Two of the participants in the battle at Blazer's saw mill, Frank and
George Coe, are still alive, being highly respected ranchmen on the
Ruidoso river, where both have raised large families.
After the battle at Blazer's mill, the Coe brothers joined issues with
"Billy the Kid" and fought other battles against the Murphy-Dolan faction.
In one battle Frank Coe was arrested and taken to the Lincoln jail.
Through the aid of friends he made his escape.
Now that their lawful leader, Dick Bruer, was in his grave, the posse
returned to Lincoln. Here they formed themselves into a band, without
lawful authority, to avenge the murder of Tunstall, until not one was left
alive. By common consent, "Billy the Kid" was appointed their leader.
In Lincoln, lived one of "Billy the Kid's" enemies, J. B. Mathews, known
as Billy Mathews. While he had taken no part in the killing of Tunstall,
he had openly expressed himself in favor of Jimmie Dolan and Murphy, and
against the other faction.
On the 28th day of March, Billy Mathews, unarmed, met the "Kid" on the
street by accident. Mathews started into a doorway, just as the "Kid" cut
down on him with a rifle. The bullet shattered the door frame above his
head.
Major William Brady, a brave and honest man, was the sheriff of Lincoln
County. He was partial to the Murphy-Dolan faction, and this offended the
opposition. He held warrants for "Billy the Kid" and his associates, for
the killing of Morton, Baker, and Roberts.
On the first day of April, 1878, Sheriff Brady left the Murphy-Dolan
store, accompanied by George Hindman and J. B. Mathews to go to the Court
House and announce that no term of court would be held at the regular
April term.
The sheriff and his two companions carried rifles in their hands, as in
those days every male citizen who had grown to manhood, went well armed.
The Tunstall and McSween store stood about midway between the Murphy-Dolan
store and the Court House.
In the rear of the Tunstall-McSween store, there was an adobe corral, the
east side of which projected beyond the store building, and commanded a
view of the street, over which the sheriff had to pass. On the top of this
corral wall, "Billy the Kid" and his "warriors" had cut grooves in which
to rest their rifles.
As the sheriff and party came in sight, a volley was fired at them from
the adobe fence. Brady and Hindman fell mortally wounded, and Mathews
found shelter behind a house on the south side of the street.
Ike Stockton, who afterwards became a killer of men, and a bold desperado,
in northwestern New Mexico, and southwestern Colorado, and who was killed
in Durango, Colorado, at that time kept a saloon in Lincoln, and was a
friend of the "Kid's." He ran out of his saloon to the wounded officers.
Hindman called for water; Stockton ran to the Bonita river, nearby, and
brought him a drink in his hat.
About this time, "Billy the Kid" leaped over the adobe wall and ran to the
fallen officers. As he raised Sheriff Brady's rifle from the ground, J. B.
Mathews fired at him from his hiding place. The ball shattered the stock
of the sheriff's rifle and plowed a furrow through the "Kid's" side, but
it proved not to be a dangerous wound.
Now "Billy the Kid" broke for shelter at the McSween home. Some say that
he fired a parting shot into Sheriff Brady's head. Others dispute it. At
any rate both Brady and Hindman lay dead on the main street of Lincoln.
This cold-blooded murder angered many citizens of Lincoln against the
"Kid" and his crowd. Now they became outlaws in every sense of the word.
From now on the "Kid" and his "warriors" made their headquarters at
McSween's residence, when not scouting over the country searching for
enemies, who sanctioned the killing of Tunstall.
Often this little band of "warriors" would ride through the streets of
Lincoln to defy their enemies, and be royally treated by their friends.
Finally, George W. Peppin was appointed Sheriff of the County, and he
appointed a dozen or more deputies to help uphold the law. Still bloodshed
and anarchy continued throughout the County, as the "Kid's" crowd were not
idle.
San Patricio, a Mexican plaza on the Ruidoso river, about eight miles
below Lincoln, was a favorite hangout for the "Kid" and his "warriors," as
most of the natives there were their sympathizers.
One morning, before breakfast, in San Patricio, Jose Miguel Sedillo
brought the "Kid" news that Jesse Evans and a crowd of "Seven River
Warriors" were prowling around in the hills, near the old Bruer ranch,
where a band of the Chisum-McSween horses were being kept.
Thinking that their intentions were to steal these horses, the "Kid" and
party started without eating breakfast. In the party, besides the "Kid,"
were Charlie Bowdre, Henry Brown, J. G. Skerlock, John Middleton, and a
young Texan by the name of Tom O'Phalliard, who had lately joined the
gang.
On reaching the hills, the party split, the "Kid" taking Henry Brown with
him.
Soon the "Kid" heard shooting in the direction taken by the balance of his
party. Putting spurs to his mount, he dashed up to Jesse Evans and four of
his "warriors," who had captured Charlie Bowdre, and was joking him about
his leader, the "Kid." He remarked: "We are hungry, and thought we would
roast the 'Kid' for breakfast. We want to hear him bleat."
At that moment a horseman dashed up among them from an arroyo. With a
smile, Charlie Bowdre said, pointing at the "Kid;" "There comes your
breakfast, Jesse!"
With drawn pistol, "Old Gray" was checked up in front of his former chum
in crime, Jesse Evans.
With a smile, Jesse remarked: "Well, Billy, this is a h--l of a way to
introduce yourself to a private picnic party."
The "Kid" replied: "How are you, Jesse? It's a long time since we met."
Jesse said: "I understand you are after the men who killed that
Englishman. I, nor none of my men were there."
"I know you wasn't, Jesse," replied the "Kid." "If you had been, the ball
would have been opened before now."
Soon the "Kid" was joined by the rest of his party and both bands
separated in peace.