Bonney woke up and went into the kitchen, presumably to get something to eat. Now, Billy the Kid and the Regulators were in trouble with the new sheriff that had been appointed for causing so much bloodshed and murder. Morrison approached Roberts who, perhaps sensing the end of his life was near (if he had been Billy, hed have been 90 at the time), made a confession. During this fight, the Army was forced to intervene and the Regulators lost many of their men. As a result of one of the many ambushes that occurred, Lincoln County Sheriff William Brady and one of his deputies were found dead, having been shot by the Kid. Several said the tintype was likely taken between 1879 and 1880, which coincides with the August 2, 1880, date someone had written on the photo,Abrams said. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The Lincoln County justice of the peace was convinced but before Brady could be arrested, local deputies loyal to the sheriff arrested Billy and threw him in jail. When we reached the porch in front of the building, I left Poe and McKinney at the end of the porch, about twenty feet from the door of Petes room, and went in. The sheriff and two deputies, John Poe and Thomas McKinney, saddle up and set out in search of their quarry. Quickly as possible I drew my revolver and fired, threw my body aside, and fired again. The Kid remained and Garrett was true to his word and arrested his former friend. Billy the Kid was also still stealing. Following Billy the Kids death, the media turned him into a folk hero and made Garrett out to be the bad guy. Garrett would encounter him again in July 1881, apparently killing him in a nighttime shootout. But while under guard by two sheriff's deputies at a home, McCarty killed both men and then fled out of town on horseback. On the evening of July 14, Garrett waited inside Maxwell's bedroom. What prompted this last minute decision? This story originally ran in 2017; it has been updated for 2022. Brushy Bill Roberts, who died in 1950, claimed that he was the Kid. About two months later with no amnesty forthcoming, Billy realized hed been had and they were going to hang him instead. Another chance at a famous crime solving came after Colonel Albert Jennings Fountain and his eight-year-old son Henry vanished at White Sands, New Mexico, in 1896. History tells us that the outlaw known as Billy the Kid (aka Henry McCarty, aka William Bonney) was gunned downat the ripe old age of 21by Sheriff Pat Billy lights out for old Fort Sumner on the Pecos River, some 150 miles northeast of Lincoln. In July, Garrett rode to Fort Sumner and learned the Kid was staying with the same Pedro Maxwell who had employed Garrett when he first arrived in New Mexico. In the midst of the act, he was shot in the back of the head. These absences got longer and more common as McCartys mother got sick with tuberculosis and became more dependent on the men in her family to look after her. American mafia founder Albert Anastasia's What a sparkler! Alternate titles: Brushy Bill, Henry McCarty, William H. Bonney, Jr. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Carl Adamson never appeared at the trial as a witness, and Brazel was acquitted. They are personal things, and things that make complete sense for him to be upset about if his story was true.. He declared them matching in a notarized letter in September. Billy's arrest found him in Garrett's custody. In 2010, many petitioned the New Mexico governors office to grant Billy the pardon they say Lew Wallace had promised him 130 years before, but it never came to pass. After he thought about it, though, he told [Morrison] that he was Billy the Kid. What is far more relevant to the case is the issue of discrepancy in the testimonies of Garrett, Poe, the coroner and several other people. In the darkness, he could not see Garrett well and repeatedly asked: Who is it? Garrett replied with two gunshots, killing Bonney. Hes since been romanticized in print, and on stage, television, and film as an emblem of the lawless West. He came directly towards me. Garrett had recently caught the Kid, who was sentenced to hanging for killing another Sheriff, but Billy managed to escape. By Kelly Mclaughlin For Mailonline and Ashley Collman For Dailymail.com and Associated Press, Published: 06:57 EST, 15 November 2017 | Updated: 10:53 EST, 15 November 2017. The Washington Post One Mans Quest to Bury the Wild West Mystery of Billy the Kids Death. On July 14, 1881, Sheriff Garrett, under the cover of shadows, shot Billy the Kid dead in a residence in Fort Sumner. When he was a child,his father, John Lumpkin Garrett, bought a cotton plantation in Louisiana, and he grew up there with five sisters and two brothers. He was a gambler and heavy drinker andoften deeply in debt. Marshals Posse. However, the true figure is believed to be somewhere between four and nine. Web2013-08-26 To Hell on a Fast Horse: Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and the Epic Chase to Justice in the Old West ; 2013-08-24 To Hell on a Fast Horse: Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and the Epic Chase to Justice in the Old West ; 2013-08-17 The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid ; 2012-03-25 Michael Flynn - The January Dancer Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Billy the Kid: A Short and Violent Life at the best online prices at eBay! In Naples, Praying With Skulls Is an Ancient Tradition, Show & Tell With the Staff of Chicagos Field Museum, A Visit to the Museum of Broken Relationships, A Journey Through Black History in Miniature, The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things, See the Mysterious Horned Helmet of Henry VIII, One Street: Chinatown-International District, Seattle, Hawaiis Native-Language Newspaper Archive, 'Discovering' Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Migration, The Real Story Behind George Washington's Dentures. And that included his last escape, from the custody of Sheriff Garrett. Even by frontier standards, he was young. As a child, Billy the Kid went under the name of Henry McCarty. From what Ive heard, [Brushy Bill] told a pretty credible tale, says Hamilton Historical Commission Chairman Jim Eidson. But how much of the myth is actually true? History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. The authenticity of the photo has since been disputed, despite National Geographic standing behind it. There were various men in the American Southwest who went by the moniker "Billy the Kid." According to Robert M. Utley's definitive Billy the Kid, by the time his life ended on July 14, 1881, at age 21, McCarty/Antrim/Bonney had killed four men for certain, one perhaps, and participated in killing perhaps five more. He would tell people around here, You know, I have a secret and one of these days youre going to find out what it is. He didnt want to tell his story at first. McCarty, was a member of the Regulators gang. The Kid's freedom was short lived however, when Garrett set down to find him on July 14, 1881. But surely even the man who shot charming, murderous Billy the Kid deserved a better end than a bullet while watering the desert. While in prison, the Kid escaped againthis time killing two guards in the process. Omissions? In July, Garrett caught wind that Billy might be staying with a friend in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Garrett settled a truce with the fugitives to retrieve his deputy, who died on the way to Las Cruces. Financially, Garrett was a failure. Historians say that this photo shows outlaw Billy the Kid, circled second from left, and Pat Garrett, circled far right, taken in 1880. Garrett and his men had received information that the outlaws were coming and set up an ambush. At the same time he served as a deputy U.S. marshal. Whether his story actually ended in 1881, however, is another matter. It was at this point that many sources say the Kid began his life of crimestarting with stealing and progressing to murder. In 1903, Garrett got into a public brawl with his employee, George Gaither. A witness agreed, and Brazel went free. Exactly how Billy the Kid was shot to death on July 14, 1881 has been the subject of widespread speculation. Stealing his gun, Billy shot him dead and hobbled in chains to the wardens office where he grabbed a shotgun and perched in the window. The pardon was on behalf of the killing of Sherriff William Brady in 1878. WebFind helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Young Guns 2 at Amazon.com. They fired at the men from behind a wall, and Brady died after being shot at least a dozen times. He was buried, it is said, in Fort Sumner Cemetery, with his associates Tom OFolliard and Charlie Bowdre, and the epitaph Palsthough none of them are likely directly under the tombstone there today. While Garrett was there, he was forced to defend himself from a local bully, Mariano Leiva, by shooting him in the shoulder. Garrett had recently caught the Kid, who was sentenced to hanging for killing Billy became a fugitive. The comments below have not been moderated. New Mexico Office of the State Historian. He was high-spirited and, as his notoriety grew, so did his cockiness. Garrett was away from Lincoln on county business when the Kid made his escape. Maybe they lacked imagination, though "Willy Wet Behind the Ears" doesn't scan particularly well. The Regulators and the new sheriffs forces clashed in July 1878 at whats become known as the Battle of Lincoln. Set of wooden folding chairs sells for 5.3MILLION after Live like the mob! Garrett was correct in his estimation of The Kid Billy was legendary, a man who had managed to escape incarceration more than once. Real Clear Life. Quien es? (Whos that? The family moved to New Mexico, and, in his early teens, Billy fell into a career of thievery and lawlessness, wandering throughout the Southwest and northern Mexico, often with gangs. I guess well just all have to anxiously await the outcome of this deceased outlaws judicial fate. The extended dance of Once again, Billy the Kid was now on the run. Before the sun came up, the Kid was underground with nothing but a wooden marker for his grave. 'To me, it's one of the most intriguing and historically significant of those tintypes of the Old West. In July 1881 he tracked down and shot the escaped murderer Billy the Kid. Though quick with a joke, he did not hesitate before pulling the trigger. The disputed photo bought by Randy Guijarro, allegedly showing Billy the Kid (center). Garrett is the man who eventually killed Billy the Kid, born as Henry McCarty. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. He left his deputies outside as he entered the room in a bid to rouse his friend and question him. Pats son Dudley arranged with Jesse Brazel for a five-year lease of the Garretts Bear Canyon Ranch. Retreating rapidly across the room he cried: Quien es? Wikimedia CommonsThe full-length version of the sole completely authenticated photo of Billy the Kid. Did Billy the Kid Cheat Death and Live on as 'Brushy Bill'? Did Blues King Robert Johnson Sell His Soul To The Devil To Become The World's Greatest Musician? Billy the Kid was born Henry McCarty to Irish immigrants in New York City around 1859. By 1876 he was hunting buffalo, until a dispute with another hunter, Joe Briscoe, ended up with Garrett killing Briscoe. Billy was sentenced to hang on April 13, 1881; Billy the Kid has long been one of the many names associated with the Wild West, alongside the Bob Dalton Gang, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Cole Younger, Jesse James, and more. For deaths, sure. Billy the Kids grave is in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Soon a man arose from the ground, in full view, but too far away to recognize. The Regulators were able to ambush and kill Brady, but that didnt put an end to things. This is the real story of Billy the Kid. Garrett was fatally shot on the road from the ranch to Las Cruces, N.M. The next scene with Jason Robards, James Coburn is sporting a nice moustache. But That Was Just the Beginning. Each landowner was supported by their own gang. The two would have nine children over the years. It was at the saloon that Pat Garrett met and often gambled with William Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid. The two were seen together so often they soon took on the nicknames of Big Casino and Little Casino. There are two theories about what happened at the house where Garrett found and killed McCarty. Garrett rode to Maxwells house late that night and hid in Maxwells kitchen. Ethan Hawke and Dane DeHaan ride tall in Vincent DOnofrios fresh take on the saga of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. I wont put a price on it, quite frankly its priceless. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The photo of the Kid discovered in 2015 has since been estimated to be worth $5 million. He and Garrett went to court, and Brazel agreed to cancel his lease with Garrett providing he could sell his 1,200 goats. Wow, a new Sam Peckinpah western! Those who oppose the pardon argue that there is no proof that Governor Wallace ever offered one; he may have simply tricked Kid in to offering up information. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Richard Stockton is a freelance science and technology writer from Sacramento, California. Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, declined to follow through with that pardon. He was buried in the old military cemetery at Fort Sumner next to two of his gang members. He and an accomplice named John Mackie began swiping horses from a nearby Army fort and then selling them. Along with deputies Thomas McKinney and John Poe, Garrett reached the Fort on the night of July 14, 1881. When Notorious Outlaw Billy the Kid Briefly Joined a U.S. A struggle or two, a little strangling sound as he gasped for breath, and the Kid was with his many victims. Frank Abrams, who bought the photo at a flea market says experts in forensics and facial recognition have verified the picture after several months of examination, Jackson Mahomes grabs woman by the throat in security footage, Driver dead after overturned tanker truck explodes in Maryland, Ukrainian solider fighting in Bakhmut fires machine gun at Russians, Judge makes damning comments before sentencing Murdaugh for life, Aftermath of tanker explosion in Maryland seen in drone footage, Trump Jr. leads 'MAGA wrecking crew' in song for Guilfoyle's B-day, Wheel of Fortune contestant answers food puzzle wrong, Drone footage shows aftermath of petrol depot explosion in Jakarta, 17-feet of snow blankets San Bernardino mountain range, CCTV captures women leaving the flat after killing Saul Murray, Shocking moment out-of-control truck veers of the road, Russian mouthpiece claims London is now the 'main evil' during TV rant, 'Now, it's in a safe deposit box,' Abrams said on Tuesday. However, Poe and several other people say they moved the body quickly, dressed it and prepared it for a wake. Scholarly opinion is divided over whether that or William H. Bonney, Jr. (the name he used later, as in the trial), was his true name. After the escape, Garrett set out to remove Billy from the landscape, one way or another. Wallace reneged on his promise., Copyright 2022 Crime Museum, LLC - All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy |. He wore a broad-brimmed hat, a dark vest and pants, and was in his shirtsleeves. Were not trying to deceive anyone. Free shipping for many products! 'Right now, that is not the first thing on my mind. Sure enough, after the two men antagonized each other some more, Grant did soon point his gun at Billy and pull the trigger but all it produced was a click. But before Garrett could get his prisoners to jail, he had to defend them from a lynch mob that formed around the train on the route to Santa Fe. They were acquitted of the Fountain killings, and the charges for killing the deputy were dismissed. Billy was sentenced to hang on April 13, 1881; the judge set his execution day for May 13. Maxwell lit a candle to illuminate the room and the body of Billy the Kid lay motionless, with Garretts bullet lodged in his heart. Roberts died a month later, and neither Billy the Kid nor Brushy Bill Roberts ever received a pardon. Billy the Kid then stayed off the radar until January 1880, when he was drinking in a bar near Santa Fe. A quick online search reveals more than 50 films in which Billy the Kid is either the main character or a secondary one. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. One of the residents of Fort Sumner, Paco Anaya, wrote that after the shooting, Garrett handed a piece of paper to Alejandro Segura, the Justice of the Peace. The self-described history buff said the group picture of five men was part of a set and sat on his wall for several years. And when it was stolen in 1981 and then quickly recovered in Florida, New Mexicos governor had it flown back home. Now, the stories of what actually happened next seem to clash, so suffice it to say that the Kid ended up in custody. Billy the Kid was a late 19th-century thief and gunfighter. During a card game, Billy the Kid accused another player of cheating. Nine years older than Billy, he'd been a buffalo hunter, hired gun, and cowboy before he ran for sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico, on a law-and-order platform. The man, local blacksmith Frank Cahill, called Billy a pimp. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. In 1964 an Ohio woman took up the challenge that had led to Amelia Earharts disappearance. Whos that?) All this occurred in a moment. Captured and brought in to Las Vegas, New Mexico, he was described as "in a joyous mood" He called out to an acquaintance, "Thought I jes drop in and see how you fellers in Vegas air behavin' yerselves." Garrett attempted to turn himself in to authorities, but no charges were filed. Garrett became involved again when he heard a tip that the Kid was hiding out in the Fort. After the cease fire, McCarty and most of the Regulators fled town, but they were followed by Garrett, who wanted to cash in on the bounty on McCarty's head. He raised quickly his pistol, a self-cocker, within a foot of my breast. Garrett fired twice, hitting Billy once, and killing him. Using the name Billy Antrim and nicknamed the kid for his youth and boyish appearance, McCarty soon came to be known as Billy the Kid and found work as a cowboy and ranch hand in Arizona. Born Henry McCarty, he was the first of two boys raised by a small Irish Catholic family in New York City. While trying to verify the photo, Abrams approached Robert Stahl, a retired professor emeritus at Arizona State University who is no stranger to the history of Billy the Kid. Although the incident happened well over a century ago, it remains an intriguing mystery. Soon after, the family moved farther west where Henry McCarty started getting into trouble. For example, Billy was extremely nave on the night in question. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Returning to the building with pistol in one hand, knife in the other, Billy was startled and instead of opening fire, hesitated, repeatedly asking, in Spanish, "Who is it?" A Los Angeles forensic video expert said facial recognition software indicates that it is most likely Garrett and Billy the Kid in the picture, according to a signed declaration. He stated that he decided against the pardon, because of a lack of conclusiveness and the historical ambiguity as to why Gov. Before I made the discoveries I made in my book, I did not have an opinion on Brushy Bill, says Edwards. For those of you scratching your heads wondering who Billy the Kid is; he is the western outlaw also known as William Bonney. WebBut he never did like to talk about it all that much. The moment word got out about his escape, New Mexicos governor put another $500 bounty on the Kid, dead or alive. He hoped that Morrison could help him claim the pardon that New Mexico Governor Lew Wallace supposedly promised Billy the Kid back in 1879. Brazels trial for the murder of Garrett lasted only one day, on May 4, 1909. I asked him as to the whereabouts of the Kid. Little is known about Billy the Kids early days, but WebOn the night of July 14, 1881, Sheriff Pat Garrett gunned down outlaw Billy the Kid in Fort Sumner. Once more, Sheriff Garrett was sent after the Kid. Although he claimed to have killed 21 men, the actual number is likely less than 10. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts, MCCARTY, HENRY | The Handbook of Texas Online| Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), Do not sell or share my personal information. The victim, Patrick Floyd Jarvis Pat Garrett, was the former sheriff of Lincoln County best known for having killed outlaw Billy the Kid on July 14, 1881. Garrett served as sheriff of Doa Ana County from 1896 to 1900. He was murdered at about 10:30 on the morning of Feb. 29, 1908, some 5 miles east of Las Cruces. Garrett was so impatient to capture the outlawWilliam Bonney, a.k.a. The defining issue revolves around the belief that Wallace promised this pardon in exchange for Kids knowledge in a murder case involving three men. But Garrett resigned before long and returned to his ranch near Roswell, New Mexico. Frank Abrams, a North Carolina attorney, first spotted the tintype photo in Asheville in 2011. The case dates back to 1881so why the New Years Eve deadline you may ask? Join us for a daily celebration of the worlds most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places. While still young, his family relocated to New Mexico. Out on his own, McCarty slipped across the border into Arizona Territory, which technically made him a federal fugitive from justice though the federal government didnt have a huge presence in Arizona at the time and Henry was pretty much free to do as he liked. Richardsons deputy chief of staff Eric Witt wants to clarify that they are not offering a general pardon for all of Kids crimes, but rather a pardon for the individual case of killing a sheriff. A suspicion lingered that Brazel or someone else conspired to execute Garrett, a lawman with many enemies. Nobody is sure of the exact date he was born but it seems to have been sometime in September 1859 because theres a baptism record for him from the end of that month. Who is it?' He made a deal with the governor that should he testify against persons involved in the Lincoln County War, he would receive a full pardon for involvement in Sheriff Bradys death and other misdeeds. The two men knew each other and had socialized with one another; it might be a stretch to call them friends. Three days later, Garrett and his men surrounded the fugitives at Stinking Springs. He then bought a horse ranch, leased it, and became involved in a heated dispute over the lease. When the warden came out into the street to investigate the gunshot, Billy shouted down to him: Look up, old boy, and see what you get! and then he shot him dead (apparently arousing no suspicion from any bystanders in the process). Marshal named Robert Widenmann, there as part of a federal effort to restore order, who let him out (presumably sparing him the hassle of planning his third jail escape). The Kid was known to be friendly and personable and a smart dresser, often wearing a Mexican sombrero. He moved in with an El Paso prostitute; when Curry learned of Garretts situation, he withdrew his offer. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. In December 1880, he had brought in the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid on charges of murdering a former county sheriff. Garrett, a one-time friend, was the new sheriff of Lincoln County. So, the Kid escaped custody and eluded the law for the next two years. He was 57. After seeing a TV program in 2015 about the discovery of a photo of the outlaw playing croquet, Abrams was inspired to research him further. For all of you Wild, Wild West aficionados out there, here is a post that is sure to be interesting! During the Kids time as an outlaw, Pat Garrett was elected Sheriff and sent after him. Some believe that the Kid lived on as Brushy Bill Roberts, but others believe that the Kid was in fact buried the next day in the Fort Sumner cemetery. Garrett wouldn't find McCarty until two years later, a month after he was appointed sheriff. I've always been somebody who's interested in history and background.'. As a society back then, people were tough, strong, and fearless, and yet this little guy is known as the most deadly outlaw of them all, says Daniel A. Edwards, author of Billy the Kid: An Autobiography. Pat Garrett: The Truth About The Man Who Killed Billy The Kid During an interview in 1983, Pat Garretts last surviving daughter, Elizabeth, claimed that her father did not kill the Kid. Garrett had hoped to apprehend the men while they were asleep, but Lee and Gililland set themselves up as lookouts on the roof of the bunkhouse. 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Soldier in range wars, cattle rustler, horse thief, but also universally described as charming, funny, a good singer and good dancer, at least bilingual, and an avid reader. McCartys family life was total chaos from the start. This is a terrible place to put a fellow in.". He was orphaned as a teen. Its the last day of Richardsons term. Amid controversy, Garrett was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 2, 1902. Garrett claims that he stayed in Maxwells house with his men for the entire night. Perhaps he killed an innocent man as the fugitive escaped and fled to Mexico? Garrett did not seek re-election as sheriff of Lincoln County the year after McCarty's death. At about age 21, Billy the Kid was gunned down by Sheriff Pat Garrett. How exactly the tension mounted between Billy and Grant remains unclear (some say Billy pegged Grant for a bounty hunter come to kill him; some say Grant was a loudmouth drunk looking for a fight). From his step I could perceive he was either barefooted or in his stocking-feet, and held a revolver in his right hand and a butcher knife in his left. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Other sources state that without parental guidance, the Kid simply got a bad start in life. Memorial marking spot where Pat Garrett was killed. The abandoned U.S. Army post on the Goodnight-Loving cattle trail is now the home of rancher Peter Maxwell. In 1948, a paralegal named William V. Morrison was investigating a man named Joe Hines, a survivor of the Lincoln County War, the feud that helped make Billy the Kids name. Pat Garrett: The Truth About The Man Who Killed Billy The Kid. In December 1880 he was captured by Garrett and stood trial for murder in Mesilla, New Mexico, in April 1881; he was found guilty and was sentenced to hang. In the dark, Billy had gone to cut a slice of meat. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 25,000 articles originally published in our nine magazines. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The following day, the Kid was buried in the Fort Sumner cemetery. Exactly what happened after that has been the subject of speculation ever since, but everyone agrees on one fact: On the night of July 14, Billy the Kid was shot to death in Maxwells home. Billy the Kid was there when it happened and went to the courts to convince them that the sheriff and his posse had committed murder. McCartys new stepfather was a part-time prospector who frequently went off on extended trips. And yet with the good cheer came a surprising ruthlessness. They all moved to Kansas together in 1870 and she married Antrim in 1873. He talked the guard into letting him out to use the outhouse and then on the way back in he slipped his chains and beat the guard to the ground. The men inside were pretty tough and the battle started to turn against the lawmen, but then reinforcements arrived from a nearby army base. Abrams, who lives in Arden, told Albuquerque's KRQE-TV that he spent the next several months consulting various forensic experts. The violence kicked off February 1878 with the murder of John Tunstall by the members of the Jesse Evans Gang, led by the then-sheriff of Lincoln County, William Brady.
