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

Tom O'Folliard

1858 - December 19, 1880

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

1. Tom O'Folliard Marker

Inscription. Tom O'Folliard was the best friend of outlaw William Bonney (Billy the Kid). Both men were members of the Regulators during the Lincoln County War. O'Folliard was shot in the shoulder during the famous Five-Day Battle in Lincoln. After the war ended, they spent the next two years rustling cattle before forming the "Bonney Gang" with fellow outlaws Charlie Bowdre and Tom Pickett. He was shot in the chest by Sheriff Pat Garrett on December 19, 1880 at Fort Sumner, NM, dying. approximately 45 minutes later.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is December 19, 1880.

Location. 34° 24.227′ N, 104° 11.611′ 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: Billy the Kid (here, next to this marker); Billy the Kid's Elusive Tombstone (here, next to this marker); Charlie Bowdre (here, next to this marker); Lucien Bonaparte Maxwell (within shouting distance of this marker); Joe "Texas Red" Grant

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the Historic Fort Sumner Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Deluvina Maxwell (within shouting distance of this marker); William "Billy the Kid" Bonney Grave 1859-1881 / Old Fort Sumner Cemetery (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 within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Tom O'Folliard. Wikipedia

Tom O'Folliard (1858 – December 19, 1880) was the best friend of outlaw William Bonney, a.k.a. Billy the Kid. Both were members of the Regulators during the Lincoln County War.

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

Tom O'Folliard Marker (middle ground side) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

2. Tom O'Folliard Marker (middle ground side)

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

3. Tom O'Folliard Marker

Billy the Kid is buried with his pals, Tom O'Folliard and Charlie Bowdre.

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 442 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 5, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.