Fort Sumner in De Baca County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Joe "Texas Red" Grant

Died January 10, 1880

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

1. Joe "Texas Red" Grant Marker

Inscription. It is said that... While drunk one night, Grant had the misfortune of getting on the wrong side of "Billy the Kid" at Beaver Smith's saloon in Ft. Sumner, NM. After a heated discussion, Grant bet Billy $25 that he would kill a man first. Billy feigned false admiration for Grant's gun and asked to examine it. While doing so, Billy rotated the cylinder to an empty chamber anticipating trouble. Billy and Grant eventually got into an argument, and as Billy turned to walk away, Grant tried to shoot Billy in the back, but all he heard was a click, Billy turned and drew, firing three shots, killing Grant instantly.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites.

Location. 34° 24.236′ N, 104° 11.597′ W. Marker is in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, in De Baca County. It is on Billy the Kid Drive south of Pecan Drive. The marker is located in the Old Fort Sumner Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3501 Billy the Kid Dr, Fort Sumner NM 88119, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern New Mexico

and in the Pecos Valley. It is also in the American Southwest,

on the Great Plains,

on the Southern Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Welcome to the Historic Fort Sumner Cemetery (here, next to this marker); William "Billy the Kid" Bonney Grave 1859-1881 / Old Fort Sumner Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Billy the Kid (within

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

shouting distance of this marker); Tom O'Folliard (within shouting distance of this marker); Billy the Kid's Elusive Tombstone (within shouting distance of this marker); Charlie Bowdre (within shouting distance of this marker); Lucien Bonaparte Maxwell (within shouting distance of this marker); Deluvina Maxwell (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Sumner.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Old Fort Sumner and “Billy the Kid’s” Grave (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Billy the Kid. Wikipedia

Henry McCarty (September 17 or November 23, 1859 – July 14, 1881), alias William H. Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid, was an American outlaw and gunfighter of the Old West who was linked to nine murders: four for which he was solely responsible, and five in which he may have played a role alongside others. He is also noted for his involvement in New Mexico's Lincoln County War.

(Submitted on April 5, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Joe "Texas Red" Grant Gravestone and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

2. Joe "Texas Red" Grant Gravestone and Marker

The view of the Joe "Texas Red" Grant Marker in the cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

3. The view of the Joe "Texas Red" Grant Marker in the cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,984 times since then and 393 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 5, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.