MANY PEOPLE ARE convinced that the more books one writes, the easier the process of writing a book becomes. In fact, the opposite is true, at least for me. The oft-quoted line attributed to sportswriter Red Smith says it best: “Writing is easy. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.” I wholeheartedly agree. This biography is my fourteenth published book, and nothing about the act of writing it was in any way easy. Without the help I received from a host of sources, including individuals and institutions, I would have bled to death at my computer keyboard, and this book would not have been written.
First and foremost, my undying gratitude to my wife, best friend, role model, and creative partner, Suzanne Fitzgerald Wallis. Once more, Suzanne stuck by me through the birthing of yet another book. Her encouragement, advice, and constructive criticism helped make this book a reality. Kudos also to our companion Cosmo, a feline son of the Osage prairie and constant muse.
My lasting thanks to my son, John, who not only accompanied me on a key research trek in Arizona but also was always there to act as a sounding board and source of creative wisdom. Whether at John’s Arizona desert abode with his loving wife, Tamra, and my granddaughter, sweet Charlotte, or in one of the Kid’s old haunts, the time we spent together will stay with me forever.
On the home front, throughout the arduous writing process, my dear friends Steve and Sue Gerkin offered me their constant support at the times I needed it the most. The fine pair of spurs Steve gave me as the writing neared an end will always be one of my revered totems. Muchas gracias to you both.
My deepest thanks and praise to my agent and friend forever, James Fitzgerald. Among the luckiest days of my life were those when I first collided with the Fitzgerald clan and when I later earned their embrace. As agent and literary guide none is better than Jim Fitzgerald. The diligent Anne Garrett, Jim’s associate at the James Fitzgerald Agency, deserves high praise for her encouragement and assistance.
At W. W. Norton, my longtime friend and editor Robert Weil showed as always his deft hand and critical eye when it comes to the fine art of precision editing. Bob is a caring and astute editor, and my loyalty to him goes back many years to some of my earliest books. Simply put, Bob Weil is the very best at what he does, sculpting the written word. His capable assistant, Tom Mayer, is yet another in a long line of editorial protégés whom Bob has helped mold into some of the leading forces in publishing today. Thanks so much, Tom, for your incredible help with this book.
Robert McCubbin is known for his tasty chile con queso, his remarkable dog, Bear (“cross between a Pomeranian and a stuffed toy”), and his vast library, including an exceptional collection of Old West photographs and library. I have had the pleasure of sampling the chile con queso and playing with Bear (who passed away in May 2006), and some of Bob’s finest photograph portraits are found in this book. Thanks to Bob, who always speaks the truth, for making this book complete.
My gratitude also goes to Bob Boze Bell, Cave Creek, Arizona, and Buckeye Blake, Weatherford, Texas, two of my favorite artists and genuine Old West aficionados. Gents, your artistic interpretations of the Kid and the rough-and-tumble times when he lived are remarkable and much appreciated. Muchas gracias, amigos.
Many authors long before me have told the story of Billy the Kid. I am indebted to all of them, especially the few that got it right. At the top of the list has to be Frederick Nolan, who early in my writing process offered me encouragement and sage wisdom. Other writers who influenced this book include Robert Utley, Jerry Weddle, Bob Boze Bell, William Keleher, and John Wilson.
In Lincoln County, New Mexico, I owe special thanks to many people, especially Nora Henn, a persistent researcher and careful writer, who opened her home to Suzanne and me. Affectionately known as Mother Henn, she provided historical context and the lasting memory of a cozy afternoon spent sipping strong coffee and digesting the insight of a genuine wisdom keeper.
I am indebted to Karen Mills, historical records clerk for Lincoln County, for introducing me to Mother Henn as well as pointing me toward several other key sources of information. Karen made available invaluable records and relevant documents and also never missed when recommending the best dining spots in Carrizozo and Capitan.
While researching in the historic town of Lincoln, we were smart enough to bunk at Casa de Patrón, in our opinion the best bed-and-breakfast we ever encountered, bar none. After hours spent researching, interviewing, and chasing ghosts, we sat by the fire and dreamed of the ambrosia that awaited us the next day at the breakfast table. Jerry and Cleis Jordan are consummate hosts. They not only made us comfortable but also shared their own passion for the history and culture of New Mexico, the land of little time.
Others I am indebted to for their help and guidance include: DeAnn Kessler, manager, and Gwendolyn Rogers, exhibits, Lincoln State Monument, Lincoln, New Mexico; Jack Rigney, former monument manager, Lincoln, New Mexico; Scott Smith, manager, Fort Sumner State Monument, Fort Sumner, New Mexico; Brian Graney, senior archivist, and Melissa A. Salazar, C.A., archives bureau chief, New Mexico State Records and Archives, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Janean Grissom, Taiban, New Mexico; Tammie Maddox, Lincoln County Clerk, Carrizozo, New Mexico; Michael Romero Taylor, Santa Fe, New Mexico; William B. Boehm, curator, unpublished materials, Rio Grande Historical Collections, University Library, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico; Susan Sutton, Reference Services, Indiana Historical Society Collections & Library, and William Henry Smith Memorial Library, Indianapolis, Indiana; Mary Nelson, Department of Special Collections, Wichita State University Libraries, Wichita, Kansas; Western History and Genealogy Department, Denver Public Library, Denver, Colorado; Susan Berry, director, Jackie Becker, curator of collections/photo archivist, and Pat Bennett, coordinator, Silver City Museum, Silver City, New Mexico; Tomas Jaehn, Fray Angelico Chavez History Library, Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe, New Mexico.