Description:

Pat Garrett
Washington, DC, December 9, 1901
Pat Garrett Re: Billy the Kid, Lew Wallace, and His Future Appointment
ALS
Superb content autograph letter signed, "yours P. F. Garrett", 5.5" x 8.5", Washington, DC, December 9, 1901. On letterhead of the Shoreham Hotel to his second wife, Apolinaria Gutiérrez. Penned on two separate pages with a few children's scribbles throughout, mentioned for accuracy only. A few small splits at right edge and a fold professionally reinforced on verso. Very good.

He writes, in part: "…I wrote you while on rout[e] from Chicago here and since I would write again from Washington. We arrived here on time Saturday evening, this is the prettiest city in the world and the place where one meets the most prominent men. I just met Gen. Lew Wallace, the great author and military man, he said he would do anything I asked him to do [he] says I did him a great favor once (in the 'Kid' affair), so he is anxious to express his gratitude. My prospect to get the appointment seems bright. I will be here for a few days…".

Garrett traveled to Washington, D.C. in December to seek an appointment as a Customs Collector in El Paso from Theodore Roosevelt, who happened to be infatuated with gunfighters in the West. He won the appointment on December 16, 1901, just two weeks after this letter -- and not without a little help from Lew Wallace, although disputes exist about exactly the influence which Wallace brought to the confirmation.

Garrett and Lew Wallace shared a connection through their involvement with Billy the Kid when Wallace was Governor of New Mexico and Garrett was Sheriff of Lincoln County. Wallace had personally signed Billy's death warrant, and ordered the posse that ultimately cornered the outlaw. In July 1881, the hot-tempered Garrett shot Billy the Kid.

Garrett's tenure as Customs Collector was contentious from the start, between the public unease about a known gunman enjoying a governmental post and Garrett's own proclivities to violence. As the "New York Times" reported on December 14, 1905, some felt that "the President had made a mistake in choosing the slayer of ‘Billy the Kid' to fill an office that required administrative talent and a good business ability." Through his appointment, Roosevelt stood by Garrett. After serving five years, Roosevelt did not reappoint Garrett, however: Garrett had embarrassed the president by inviting a hard drinking gambler and the owner of a "dive" in El Paso, Tom Powers, to join them at a Rough Riders reunion. Roosevelt was photographed with Powers, who had been introduced to him by Garrett as a notable Texas cattleman. The fall-out from the photo was quick when Roosevelt's enemies got hold of them and informed him of Powers' true character. According to the "New York Times," Roosevelt viewed this as an unforgivable misjudgment by Garrett that "permanently damaged their relationship."

The break was immediate and final, and would severely damage Garrett's career: expelled from his post, Garrett battled addiction and financial woes to his final, violent end.

His quest to "kill the Kid" began when Pat Garrett (1850-1908) moved to New Mexico in 1880, and became the Sheriff for Lincoln and Dona Ana country New Mexico. The pursuit for Billy The Kid became one of obsession, with hunt starting even before his sheriff title was official. Garrett had a few unsuccessful attempts but by December 19, 1880, managed to locate Billy the Kid, Charlie Bowdre, Tom Pickett, Billy Wilson and Tom O'Folliard when they rode into Fort Sumner. Lying in wait were deputy Garrett and his posse. Mistaking O'Folliard for the Kid, Garrett's men opened fire and killed O'Folliard; Billy the Kid and the others escaped unharmed. Garret, unhindered, pressed on and a mere three days later, Garrett's posse cornered the Kid and his companions at a spot called Stinking Springs. They killed one man and captured the others, including Billy. On April 15, 1881, Billy the Kid was sentenced to hang by Judge Warren Bristol, but he escaped thirteen days later.

Garrett, still undeterred, visited Fort Sumner on July 14, 1881 to question a friend of the Kid's about his whereabouts and learned the Kid was staying with a mutual friend, Pedro Menard "Pete" Maxwell. Around midnight, Garrett went to Maxwell's house. The Kid was asleep in another part of the house, but woke up in the middle of the night and entered Maxwell's bedroom, where Garrett was standing in the shadows. The Kid did not recognize the man standing in the dark. He asked him, repeatedly, "¿Quien es?" (Who is it?), and Garrett replied by shooting at him twice. The first shot hit the Kid in the chest just above the heart, killing him. This was his claim to fame and would be the highlight of his life which floundered afterward.

Lew Wallace (1827-1905) was a Union general who served as Governor of New Mexico Territory from 1878-1881, during which he wrote the popular novel "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ." It was published by Harper & Brothers in November 1880, six months before President James A. Garfield appointed him as U.S. Minister to Turkey. Wallace served until 1885, returning to the United States in July.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 5.5" x 8.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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