Billy the Kid Returns

 

More good news from the New Mexico History Museum (NMHM): historic letters written by Billy the Kid are available for public viewing.

Those messages—written by the Kid to New Mexico Territorial Gov. Lew Wallace—were in storage for the last few years as ownership of the documents kept changing (one museum taking over another, which took over another). The letters ended up in the new NMHM, which has placed them in its Fray Angelico Chavez History Library. Also in the collection: an arrest warrant for cattle baron John Chisum and lawman Pat Garrett’s cattle-brand certificate.

“A significant ‘rediscovery,’” says Lincoln County War expert Fred Nolan. He and True West Publisher Emeritus Robert G. McCubbin were the first members of the public to see the letters in their new home. They won’t be the last.

505-476-5200 • NMHistoryMuseum.org

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