Although he never robbed a bank or a train, never fought a traditional duel and didn’t drink, Billy the Kid remains one of America’s most notorious outlaws.
The only authenticated photo of Billy the Kid, taken in 1880
Over one hundred films have portrayed him in various scenarios ranging from predictable western themes to plots even involving Count Dracula. He is the subject of music composed by the likes of Aaron Copland, Bob Dylan and Billy Joel. Dead at the age of twenty-one, the Kid’s exploits were national news in his own lifetime, despite the reality that he was essentially a nineteenth century gang member, who merely possessed a penchant for dramatic and occasionally violent escape.
John Tunstall
Tunstall’s father was a successful merchant with interests in Canada and his son emigrated to the southwestern US, believing that the rapidly growing area had unlimited economic potential. Settling in Lincoln County, Tunstall, only 22, partnered with Alexander McSween, a Canadian lawyer and former employee of The House. Together they opened up a business and bank in Lincoln that competed directly with Dolan and Murphy. This newly established entity’s other partner was John Chisum, one of the wealthiest ranchers in the southwest. His herd of cattle numbered over 100,000 and ranged over New Mexico property that covered over 150 miles. Tunstall offered cheaper prices and ethical business practices to the citizens of Lincoln and by early 1878, the House was headed for economic ruin.
Alexander McSween
A lawyer, Alexander McSween, became involved in complicated litigation over proceeds of a life insurance policy that he eventually obtained for his client. But, because this money involved one of Dolan’s business partners, McSween did not want to release it, presuming that Dolan would eventually gain control of the cash. This resulted in one of the heirs filing both criminal and civil charges of embezzlement against McSween. This matter was litigated in the nearby town of Mesilla and while McSween was able to postpone any criminal charges, he left the proceeding before being informed that the judge had issued a writ attaching his property for the sum of 10,000 dollars. Dolan, also present in Mesilla, quickly returned to Lincoln ahead of McSween and had Brady the Sheriff form a posse and occupy McSween and Tunstall’s property.
Sheriff William Brady
For years, two merchants, Lawrence Murphy and James Dolan, operated a large store in the center of Lincoln, New Mexico. This establishment was a monopoly that gouged the locals for basic necessities and clothing and was known negatively as “The House.” Dolan and Murphy, Civil War veterans, also used their military contacts to provide beef for nearby military installations, a trade marked by shady practices and stolen cattle. Any local residents who even thought of competing were intimidated by The House’s known connections, not only to Jesse Evans and The Boys but even to the County Sheriff, William Brady.
One of two Billy the Kid headstones in Fort Sumner, New Mexico
In 2004, a legal fight over an attempt to exhume the bodies of both Billy the Kid and his mother went nowhere, stoking even more rumors that the purported grave of Billy the Kid is actually empty, a secret the town fathers would just as soon you not know. The graveyard, Pete Maxwell’s house and much of Fort Sumner was rearranged when the Pecos River decided to alter its course over time. However, the town cemetery today contains not one but two markers devoted to Billy the Kid, both additions installed long after his original burial.
He never robbed a bank or a train and never fought a traditional duel but Billy the Kid remains one of America’s most notorious outlaws.
Sheriff Pat Garrett
Garrett was an acquaintance of Billy the Kid, he had even tended bar in Fort Sumner’s most popular saloon. 6’ 6”, and powerfully built, Garrett ran as an alternative to the current lawlessness in Northern New Mexico. Federal authorities were also intent on cracking down on rampant counterfeiting through the efforts of Treasury Agent Azariah Wild, transferred to New Mexico from New Orleans. Wild eventually deputized Garrett, as well as other locals, including Bob Olinger, to aid him in the pursuit of individuals believed involved in this scam, including Billy the Kid. In late 1880, robbery of the US Mail wagon in the Fort Sumner area was tied to the Kid as well. This behavior shredded the tolerance of many Fort Sumner area residents, who increasingly viewed Billy the Kid as a lawless menace, necessitating apprehension. His notoriety was discussed in the region’s newspapers, infamy that was eventually written up in the New York Sun, the first publication to designate him with the nickname, “Billy the Kid.”
General Lew Wallace, during the Civil War
President Rutherford B Hayes replaced Governor Axtell with Civil War General Lew Wallace, a bureaucratic and military jack of all trades who immediately issued a general pardon to those not indicted as well as a proclamation to allow the military to vanquish “insurrection.” This allowed soldiers greater leeway to intercede in the civil disputes that gripped Lincoln County.
Deputy Bob Ollinger
As Bob Olinger opened the gate at the side of the structure, he heard a voice coming from the nearest window on the second floor. Looking up, the last thing he ever saw was Billy the Kid holding Olinger’s own gun, the shotgun that the deputy repeatedly taunted Billy with. Billy the Kid poked the weapon out of the window and after greeting his jailer by simply stating “Hello, Bob,” he pulled the triggers on both barrels. Olinger was killed instantly by the massive blast.
Lincoln County Courthouse
Arriving in Lincoln on April 21, Billy the Kid was lodged not in the notoriously insecure town jail but in the newly designated county courthouse, the building formerly housing the Dolan-Murphy store run by The House. Shackled and handcuffed, Billy was to be under constant guard in a room next to Pat Garrett’s office.
The second of two grave markers for Billy the Kid in Fort Sumner, New Mexico
The two books used to produce this podcast included: “Billy the Kid: A Short and Violent Life,” by Robert Utley and “To Hell on a Fast Horse: The Untold Story of Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett,” by Mark Lee Gardner.
The music used in this episode was in order: “Oh, Fire,” by Carmen Maria and Edu Espinal, “Jah Jah Bangs,” by Quinqas Moreira and “Leaning on the Everlasting Life,” by Zachariah Hickman
After her rejection by the State Department, Virginia Hall became the most decorated American female civilian during World War II.
Virginia Hall
Virginia Hall, was savvy enough to anticipate the occupation of Vichy France and only days before the Germans stormed into the region, she made a daring escape by foot over fifty miles of the snowy, rugged Pyrenees Mountains. In Virginia’s case it actually was one foot, her other limb having been amputated at the knee after a hunting accident in her youth. But Virginia Hall’s exploits in France were far from over and she eventually returned to the continent as one of the first recruits of the famed American OSS becoming the most decorated civilian female of World War II.
Robert Alesch
In early August of 1942, a new courier appeared at the offices of the French doctor who was a link in the chain that communicated with Resistance members in Paris. Because he came with microfiche that was sure to contain valuable intelligence, knew the passwords and identifiers associated with other couriers from his Parisian network and was dressed in the robes of a priest, he was initially accepted as genuine. He also knew one of Virginia Hall’s pseudonyms, Marie Monin and he asked for the money that she typically doled out to support activities throughout France. Because he had not told anyone of his arrival, he was informed that the money was not available presently, but he could wait until it was available. Instead, he replied that he would return in a week. It was three weeks before he showed up again, but this time he was insistent that he meet with “Marie” personally. Summoned to the doctor’s office from her nearby location, Virginia was immediately put off by the newcomer’s German accented French and his immediate request for a wireless radio. Although he brought a personal letter of introduction from the previous courier and his arrival coincided with this individual’s request to be replaced, Virginia remained wary of the man who introduced himself as the Abbe Robert Alesch.
Pierre Laval, with SS officers, 1943
One of Petain’s ministers, Pierre Laval, exploited the General’s incipient senility by filling the vacuum at the head of the Vichy Government. Convinced that Nazi Germany would win World War II, he decided to ingratiate himself with the Nazi’s by constructing a harsh and repressive regime. French authorities conscripted French citizens by the millions for German slave labor and eventually cooperated with the roundup of Jews for transport to the death camps of Poland.
Virginia Hall, later in life, on her farm
There she and her husband would live a quiet life, her health deteriorating until she was virtually incapacitated by her amputated limb, most of her time spent at home, reading and no doubt reflecting on her multifaceted service and career. Her health necessitated hospitalization on many occasions and she passed away on July 8, 1982. Her husband died five years later.
After her rejection by the State Department, Virginia Hall became the most decorated American female civilian of World War II
Fake identity card for Virginia Hall
Still, two weeks after Virginia’s return, it was her mother who accompanied her to a private ceremony in Washington, where Wild Bill Donovan formally presented her with the Distinguished Service Cross. Donovan already knew that the OSS was about to be disbanded by President Truman, the organization victim of both politics as Donovan was a prominent Republican and undermining at the hands of J. Edgar Hoover. Virginia got a paltry check for vacation pay, Paul and thousands of others were cut loose without a dime.
Philippe Petain
Petain was viewed as the country’s savior during World War I but at 83 years of age, he was nothing more than a German puppet. His first act upon assuming control of the French government was to request an armistice which was officially signed on June 22, 1940. Germany occupied sixty per cent of the country, including all territory bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel. Petain was allowed to select the site of his administrative capital and he settled on the small tourist destination of Vichy. A political conservative, Petain opposed what he considered the excesses of French Republican democracy. What was left of the French government voted to abolish the French Republic and grant Petain virtually dictatorial powers.
Petain and Hitler
Many of the members of the Vichy government suffered retribution. Pierre Laval and Henri Petain were condemned, although in light of his World War I heroics, Petain’s sentence was commuted to life. He was confined to a small island off of Brittany, and upon his death in 1951 was unceremoniously buried there instead of the magnificent resting place previously prepared at Verdun, before the Marshal’s Nazi collaboration. Laval was executed by firing squad.
Painting of Virginia that hangs in the CIA Museum
Within days she was on the move again to Cosnes-Sur-Loire, in central France, a territory with a willing populace but no armaments to engage in any sophisticated destruction. Again, she was able to obtain a cover as an elderly shepherd, her radio coordinating weapons drops into the region. It was the spring of 1944, France on edge as the country waited for the inevitable invasion from across the Channel.
Wild Bill Donovan awards Virginia the DSC
Two weeks after Virginia’s return, it was her mother who accompanied her to a private ceremony in Washington, where Wild Bill Donovan formally presented her with the Distinguished Service Cross. Donovan already knew that the OSS was about to be disbanded by President Truman, the organization victim of both politics as Donovan was a prominent Republican and undermining at the hands of J. Edgar Hoover. Virginia got a paltry check for vacation pay, Paul and thousands of others were cut loose without a dime.
The music used in part one was “Trickle of Water,” by Underbelly and Ty Mayer. Part Two featured “The Sound of a Dollar,” by DJ Williams and “Before I Go,” by RKVC.
Of Some Very Famous People You've Never Really Heard Of…In Less Than An Hour.
