The Real Billy the Kid, With New Light on the Lincoln County War.

Rufus Rockwell Wilson Inc., 1936. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Near Fine/Very Good. Red cloth, near fine. Dust jacket not price clipped and very good. Previous owner's inscription on front flypaper. First edition. Guns 1661: "Although this is a relatively recent book, it has become quite difficult to find. The author, like so many other New Mexicans, is very much in sympathy with Billy the Kid. He considers Pat Garrett a cold-blooded killer and cites many opinions to prove that he was a cattle thief and a coward who shot without giving his victim a chance. Although he is critical of Garrett's book, he repeats most of the legends in it created by Ash Upson and makes quite a few mistakes himself." Howes O142: "Portrays this controversial sinner as more sinned against than sinning." "aa" scarcity rating. Dykes, Kid 240: "The governor tells of meeting the Kid, repeating the account included in his previous book, My Life on the Frontier.The governor's sympathies throughout seem to be with the Kid. He doesn't think too much of Pat Garrett and leaves the impression that Garrett was always on the defensive in discussing with him the killing of the Kid. He calls Garrett mercenary and grasping and Barney Mason a cowardly sneak. Billy's old friends, in their interviews with the governor, call Garrett a cattle rustler, a traitor, and a coward at heart. The Kid was quite a guy according to these somewhat prejudiced witnesses, by comparison with Pat Garrett and his fellows.