That's because he never seemed to stay in one place long enough to call it home.
With this in mind, White Oaks, New Mexico, was about as much of a home to Billy as anywhere. As Drew Gomber, an historian seen frequently on The History Channel, has noted: "With its brothels and casinos, Billy thought of White Oaks as a resort."
Billy the Kid photo at Old Lincoln County Courthouse Museum, Lincoln, NM. Click on image to see enlarged image.
The relationship between White Oaks and Billy the Kid is this:
- Billy would bring horses he stole to White Oaks to sell. Now, about half the population at the time was lawyers and the other half miners. He probably wasn't selling them to the miners.
- Several posses that took out after Billy took out from White Oaks.
- Sheriff Pat Garrett was at the Gumm House (they owned a lumber mill) in White Oaks buying lumber to build a gallows for Billy to hang from when the Kid made his famous escape from the Lincoln County Courthouse in Lincoln.
- Deputy Bell, who Billy killed when he made that escape, is buried in the Cedarvale Cemetery in White Oaks. Right proper tombstone now. Worth a picture even if it is on your phone. "KILLED BY BILLY THE KID."
- Susan McSween (Barber), of the Lincoln County Wars fame, is also buried there. She lived in White Oaks after the Lincoln County Wars and became known as "Susan McSween The Cattle Queen" of New Mexico.
- Yes, Billy the Kid slept here. With just don't know exactly where and with whom.
The Kid is reportedly buried in Ft. Sumner, NM. They have promotional items which state: "We've got Billy the Kid."
Billy walked the walk, and talked the talk in White Oaks. He's one of the ghosts still hanging around.
