Garrett and Billy friends?

JettRink · Veteran Member

Garrett and Billy friends?

Webmaster · Senior Member

It's part of the myth and some people feel it's just too good of a dramatic story to pass up and filmmakers didn't help either, they really ran with the idea.

The Kid and Garrett knew each and, at one time, they may have had respect for the other, but they weren't buddies and no way would Garrett take such risks as too help the Kid escape from the courthouse and/or fake his death in Fort Sumner.

As I wrote on my FAQ web page:

Question: Were Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett friends/ Did Garrett ride with Billy the Kid?

Answer: They knew each other and were probably more than just merry acquaintances, but they weren’t “pals” or “gang members.” I believe Garrett dabbled in the “horse and cattle trade,” but he wasn’t a one-time member of Billy the Kid’s gang. As for the story that Garrett and Billy the Kid concocted a plan to fake the Kid's death, that is utter nonsense! Any friendly relationship they had would have gone bad since Garrett was responsible for the deaths of Billy the Kid's closest friends, Tom O'Folliard and Charlie Bowdre. So I just can't believe that the revengeful Kid would just let that go. Let's not forget that the Kid killed two of Garrett's deputies, James Bell and Bob Olinger, during his daring escape from Lincoln. So I also can't believe that Garrett would let that go either. By the time of July 14, 1881 there was some bad blood between these two men.

texas_outlaw · Veteran Member

I used to live in a small town, and everyone knew each other there. (Whether you wanted to or not ) I assume New Mexico small towns back then were any different. Pat Garrett and Billy were probably just friends. They knew each other from around or had run into each other on several occasions. Whether or not they were big pals (brother-brother relationship) will probably be a mystery. That's my opinion anyway.

LorettaP · Veteran Member

Living in a small town and everyone knew everyone? Not neccessarily true. I live in a small town, I only know of a handfull of people. A couple of people from the grocery store, a few parents of kids that are in the same class as my daughter. I don't even know my neighbors and I don't care to either. I know of them, but don't know them personally. It could have been the same between Pat and Billy...they knew of each other, crossed paths maybe even met each other, but that doesn't mean they were the best of friends either.

Kiwi Steve · Member

Billy and garrett were not friends i mean Garrett had no mercy killing Bowdre,O,Folliard and the kid and he did it for nothing but his own personal gain.

The kid and garrett would of known of each other because they both frequented Fort Sumner but they weren,t friends.

JettRink · Veteran Member

I agree, just wondered how the whole friends
business started. Also Garrett would have to have
known Billy's voice pretty well to recognize it
when he only said two words. It's amazing that
from this murder that Garrett became so well
known he was friends with President Roosevelt
And I think McKinley and he did know Vice President John Nance Garner.

jessejames · Newbie

Although Garrett (according to some) did have some remorse after killing Billy, which would led one to believe that they were buddies, I (also) doubt very much that they were friends. Garrett could have gotten to know Billy while in his custody and perhaps that's why he had the remorse? I do believe that Garrett would have recognized Billy's voice because when he had Billy and his gang cornered at Stinking Springs, it is said that they exchanged 'words' back and forth until Billy finally surrendered and given Billy's friendly nature, as they sat down to eat Garrett's grub and I'm sure they talked on the way to the courthouse and in the Lincoln, New Mexico jail where Billy awaited his date with the hangman. So Garrett would not have to be a friend of Billy's in order to recognize his voice that fateful night in Fort Sumner. He was already familiar with it by then. Thought - A friend in Garrett's position could have asked the judge for leniency.

texas_outlaw · Veteran Member

I've changed my opinion. I think Billy and Pat were good friends. There are too many unexplained things.

1) When Billy escaped, where was Pat? He was off somewhere else. Suspicious...

2) Celsa Guitierrez's sister was married to Pat Garrett. They would have to have talked to each other at least? Right?

3) When Billy was shot and killed, he said four words. "Who is it?" You know who someone is after only 4 words...

This is just my opinion.