Pat Garrett and His Reward

By Josh Slatten

The question of whether Pat Garrett collected the reward for the death of Billy the Kid has been a subject of continuous debate. Doubters have claimed that Garrett faced significant difficulty in obtaining the reward due to insufficient proof of his role in Billy's demise. Some even argue, albeit misinformed, that Garrett never received the reward at all. The matter of Garrett's reward for the Kid's death remains a fundamental aspect of the Brushy group's arguments. 

The day after Garrett killed Billy the Kid, he composed a letter addressed to Acting-Governor William Ritch. Enclosed with the letter was a copy of the Coroner's Jury report, providing details surrounding Billy the Kid's death. The contents of this letter were quoted in the July 23, 1881 publication of the Las Cruces Rio Grand Republican. The article bore the title, "Kid the Killer Killed, Wm. Bonney alias Antrim, alias Billy the Kid, Fatally Meets Pat Garrett, the Lincoln County Sheriff."

Sheriff Garrett met with Governor Ritch on July 20, 1881, and this meeting was documented by the Santa Fe Daily New Mexican. Governor Ritch expressed his willingness to pay the amount and assured Garrett that he would do so, but he needed to review the records first. Since he was not present in the city when the offer was made and had not received any prior notification, he was unaware of whether or not the reward had been officially documented. Essentially, Governor Wallace had failed to file the necessary paperwork to reinstate the reward on Billy the Kid after his escape from Lincoln.

As a result of Wallace's administrative oversight, the offer became a private one, lacking official recognition by the state. Consequently, the matter had to be brought before the legislature, where, on February 18, 1882, the $500 reward was granted to Garrett. During the session, it was mentioned that the reward had initially been refused on a "technicality."

Like many other conspiratorial claims, this story may appear convincing when spoken out of ignorance. However, the truth tends to emerge when a little time and research are invested.