Pioneer story of San Patricio from the Library of Congress

Report of interview of Francisco Trujillo by Edith Crawford May 10, 1937. Mr. Trujillo, 85 years old in 1937, lived in San Patricio.

I, Francisco Trujillo, arrived at San Patricio in 1877. During the first days of October, Sheriff Brady appointed a committee to pursue some bandits we found at Harry Baker's ranch at Siete Rios. We arrested them and brought them to jail at Lincoln. In November people from Penasco went to take the bandits out from jail. Among them was Billy the Kid.

(NOTE: "Macky Swin" in the following text probably refers to "McSween", and to "Marfe" probably refers to "Murphy"--both were active participants in the Lincoln County War.)

In December Macky Swin and Marfe went to court about a guardianship and a decision was rendered in favor of Macky Swin. When Marfe saw that he had in court he ordered his men to kill Macky Swin or some of his companions. Macky Swin hearing of the order that Marfe had given gathered his people to protect himself. Among those he rounded up was Billy the Kid, Charley Barber and Macky Nane. In addition to these three men, six more got together and Macky Swin made them a promise that a prize of $500 would be awarded to each person who killed one of the Marfes.

Billy's gang decided to go to San Patricio. At San Patricio, Billy met with Francisco Trujillo and returned a gun he had borrowed. Billy and the gang camped near Mr. Trujillo's place at San Patricio for several days.

In October the Governor accompanied by seven soldiers and other persons came to San Patricio camping. Having heard about the exploits of Billy, the Governor expressed a desire to meet him and sent a messenger to fetch him. There was a heart to heart talk wherein the Governor advised Billy to give up his perilous career. At this point in time they was the General Election and George Kimbrall was elected sheriff of the county. The Governor offered a reward of $500. Immediately Pat Garrett accompanied by four other men went after Billy and soon arrested him.

Then followed the trial resulting in a sentence that Billy was to hang within thirty days. But Billy escaped from the Lincoln jail three days before the hanging. Free again, Billy's first move was to rush to the hotel and have Ben Eale remove his shackles. Ben also provided a horse and saddled it for Billy upon the promise that he was to leave it at San Patricio. True to his word, Billy secured another horse at San Patricio from his friend Juan Trujillo. Billy now left San Patricio and headed for John Chisum's cattle ranch.

In the meantime Pat Garrett was negotiating with Pedro Macky for the deliverance of Billy. When all details were arranged, Pat left for Bosque Grande secretly. At the ranch house, Pedro hid Pat in a room close beside the one Billy was occupying. When Billy entered the room, he was shot in the pit of the stomach as he stood in the door.