Billy the Kid

Tunstall was almost a family member of the Kid, and his death was tragic for Billy. He swore revenge on those responsible. A group of vigilantes called The Regulators, including Billy, went after the Dolan gang, part of Murphy's bunch. But Dolan was ready and soon Billy found himself in jail. A few days later he was free and he and his friends again went out and captured Billy Morton and Frank Baker. Soon after, Billy, now the leader of the group with Doc Scurlock, was involved in a shootout with Sheriff Brady, who was in Dolan's pocket. Brady was killed. Billy continued to roam the county looking for others involved in Tunstall's death.

In May, the governor appointed George Peppin the new sheriff. Unfortunately he was also on the payroll of Murphy & Co. On July 11, 1878, Billy joined forces with a large band of Mexicans led by his old friend Martin Chavez. Peppin formed a new posse. He asked Col. N. A. M. Dudley at nearby Fort Stanton to give him some men. Dudley complied, even though the U.S. military was not supposed to get involved with civilian disputes. He needed Murphy's supplies of goods and services. The ensuing confrontation was a standoff.

On July 19, 1878, the enemy burned down McSween's house. As Billy and his friends attempted to rescue McSween, the posse shot McSween five times and killed him. Billy and his friends fled to Fort Sumner on the Pecos River where Billy had many friends. They worked at nearby ranches for awhile.

On February 18, 1879, Billy and Tom O'Folliard rode into Lincoln to meet with Dolan and Jesse Evans to discuss a truce. Supposedly the truce was made but immediately Campbell killed H. J. Chapman, Mrs. McSween's lawyer. The new governor, Lew Wallace, was furious. He called for the immediate arrest of Dolan Evans and Campbell. He also offered a $500 reward to bring in Billy as a witness. The kid was afraid to come in because of past charges against him. So Wallace arranged a secret meeting with Billy. The governor promised him a pardon if he would testify. Billy was still worried the Dolan gang would try to get him, so Wallace promised full protection. An "arrest" was set up and Billy was taken in. In April he

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