Ruidoso, New Mexico Linclon, New Mexico

Lincoln, New Mexico could be considered the very epicenter of where gunfighter legends were born. Billy the Kid, one of the foremost legendary outlaws, was an integral part of Lincoln's restless past. Many movies and cowboy legends, both true and false, were founded in some way on Billy the Kid. A more recent movie, "Young Guns," sensationalized Billy's life, which turned into one of the largest box office draws for a western movie in Hollywood's history of producing movies. Even better, this movie was shot in the locality of Lincoln, New Mexico...

"The movie begins with the aging Brushy Bill Roberts narrating his story to a young historian. His claim? He claims that he is the famous outlaw William H. Bonney, alias Billy the Kid, who was supposedly shot and killed by Patrick Floyd Garrett in 1881. The old man gives a very convincing story on how he and Garrett, along with Arkansas Dave Rudabaugh, Chavez y Chavez, Doc Skurlock, and a few others led the outlaw life and avoided the law, as they were wanted men. Garrett, a friend of Billy's, was paid by John Chisum, a cattle king (and of "Chisum Trail" fame), to eliminate Billy the Kid. So, Garrett and Ashmun Upson set out on a journey to find Billy the Kid."

The upshot, and the controversy to this day, still lays in whether Pat Garrett really did kill his long-time friend Billy the Kid (a.k.a. William Bonney). One theory, as this movie portrays itself, is that Pat made like he killed Billy, while having someone else buried in his place. In turn, and to abibe by the pact between him and Billy, Billy was to move on and not come back nor show his face in New Mexico again...ensuring that Pat gains full credit for snuffing out Billy and Billy gains his amnesty through his staged death.

A synopsis of the movie follows: "The setting is 1878 in New Mexico. There is a man, named John Tunstall, who helps young gun men from the road. He has them work on his ranch, while also teaching them to read and be civilized. His young men are very loyal to him and see him as a father figure. However, he's a thorn in the side of the rich rancher Lawrence Murphy, a competing cattleman. Murphy wants Tunstall's land, but he refuses to sell. So one day he's shot by some of Murphy's men.

The judge can't do anything, since the town is corrupted by Murphy. But an attorney friend of Tunstall's persuades the judge to make Tunstall's men into Deputies. He then gives them warrants of arrest for the murderers and they begin to search for them.

This is where good intentions get out of hand. Instead of arresting them, William Bonney just shoots them down. Due to Billy's actions, The Regulators are soon branded outlaws and are wanted dead or alive. The ensuing bloodbath makes them famous, but also propels them into infamy. William's actions earn him the nickname "Billy the Kid" and the rest of the gang begins to follow his lead.

During this time they are being chased by dozens of Murphy's men and the army. During these chases the relationships between the boys grow much stronger. They begin to respect each other much more and eventually see Billy as being a good leader though he is daring. They continue to run from Murphy's men and the Army that is influenced by him. They can't run forever though and they finally get caught up with back in Lincoln county at the house of Tunstall's lawyer friend.

Caught and outnumbered by the army, they have a standoff. During this, a few of The Regulators are killed and a few are wounded, but most get away. During their daring escape, Billy confronts Murphy and shoots him right between the eyes. This is the very end of the film and allows the boys to get away with their revenge fulfilled. The men are still fugitives and end the film with their futures in doubt, until the next film, Young Guns II came out a few years later .. which tells the above story of how Pat Garrett may have made a pact with Billy and staged his killing."

Today, Lincoln offers the history explorer a town that seems to have stood still in time. Walk down these original corridors where Billy the Kid once raised a ruckus. See the original 1800s architecture up close. Talk with some of the locals all of whom have their own take on the history of Lincoln. Lincoln, New Mexico is as colorful today as it ever was ... take the tour from the museum to the mercantile shop to the original courthouse where Billy the Kid once made his escape. Lots to see and do here! Experience the true west alive and well today in Lincoln, New Mexico!

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