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

Charlie Bowdre

"Unlucky Friend to Billy the Kid"

— Born 1848 - Died 1880 —

Charlie Bowdre Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

1. Charlie Bowdre Marker

Inscription. Charlie Bowdre fought alongside Billy the Kid in the Lincoln County War. After losing the war, both he and the Kid retreated to Fort Sumner, NM, where Bowdre worked as a cowboy and was also suspect in Billy's outlaw endeavors. In December 1880 the gang encountered Sheriff Pat Garrett, a gunfight ensued, and Garrett killed gang member Tom O'Folliard. An escape was made and refuge was found in an abandoned farmhouse in Stinking Springs, NM. It was there, on December 23, 1880 during a shootout, that Bowdre was killed by a member of Garrett's 20 man posse. Later that day, Billy surrendered and was escorted to jail unleashing a series of noteworthy events which would conclude with his death on July 14, 1881.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is July 14, 1881.

Location. 34° 24.226′ N, 104° 11.612′ 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: 3533 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: Tom O'Folliard (here, next to this marker); Billy the Kid's Elusive Tombstone (here, next to this marker);

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Billy the Kid (here, next to this marker); Lucien Bonaparte Maxwell (within shouting distance of this marker); Joe "Texas Red" Grant (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 . . . Charlie Bowdre. Wikipedia

Charles Bowdre (c. 1848 – December 23, 1880) was an American cowboy and outlaw. He was an associate of Billy the Kid and member of his gang.

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

Charlie Bowdre Marker (left ground marker) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

2. Charlie Bowdre Marker (left ground marker)

Photographed by James Hulse, March 24, 2025

3. Charlie Bowdre Marker

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

Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 391 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 5, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.