History Of "Billy The Kid"

CHAS A SIRINGO

Publication: Privately printed for the author, 1920, Santa Fe, 1920

First edition. 12mo. Pictorial printed, black & white wrappers, [5] - 142 [1] pp., one page of advertising at the end. A semi-biographical, first-hand account of the life, crimes, and death of Billy the Kid, also known as William H. Bonney. Brief account of Billy's early years, being born in New York City and after being orphaned, drifting into crime in Arizona and New Mexico. Details Billy's involvement in the Lincoln County War in which he fought with the "Regulators," a group seeking to avenge the murder of their employer, John Tunstall. Following the war, Billy turned to full-time outlawry, rustling cattle and horses and engaging in shootouts. He was eventually captured, tried, and sentenced to hang for the murder of Sheriff William Brady. However, he famously escaped from jail in April 1881, killing two deputies in the process. Siringo tells of the ambush and final moments of Billy’s life when on July 14, 1881, when he was killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Six Guns 2028 says "Rare." "This rare little book further strengthened some of the legends about the Kid which by this time were so well established. The author repeats the many legends about the Kid's early life that were created by Ash Upson and follows the Garrett book very closely, even to the misspelled proper names. The book is full of errors, as have been pointed out in my BURS UNDER THE SADDLE (Item 7)." Spine professionally repaired, covers lightly used and housed in slipcase with titles on paper spine label.