Lincoln in Lincoln County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Site of Squire Wilson's Home

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 24, 2011

1. Site of Squire Wilson's Home Marker

Inscription. South some 75 yds. was the lone adobe house of J.B. Wilson, noted J.P. in Lincoln Co. War. At night, Mar 17, 1879 he helped Gov. Lew Wallace meet with Bill Bonney, leader of remaining McSween men, and arranged a surrender under promise of protection.

Erected 1950 by Old Lincoln County Memorial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is March 17, 1879.

Location. 33° 29.539′ N, 105° 23.181′ W. Marker is in Lincoln, New Mexico, in Lincoln County. Marker is on Billy the Kid Trail (U.S. 380 at milepost 97.8), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lincoln NM 88338, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. San Juan Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Torreon (within shouting distance of this marker); Earliest Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Tunstall-McSween Store (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Dolan Home (about 300 feet away); Site of the McSween Home (about 400 feet away); Col. Dudley's Camping Place (about 500 feet away); Montano Store (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lincoln.

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this marker. J.P. is the abbreviation for Justice of the Peace. Bill Bonney's full name was William H. Bonney, but he was famously known as Billy the Kid.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for Lincoln County War. Excerpt:

The Lincoln County War was an Old West conflict between rival factions which began in 1878 in Lincoln County, New Mexico Territory, the predecessor of the state of New Mexico, and continued until 1881. The feud became famous because of the participation of William H. Bonney ("Billy the Kid"). Other notable participants included Sheriff William J. Brady, cattle rancher John Chisum, lawyer and businessmen Alexander McSween, James Dolan and Lawrence Murphy.

The conflict began between two factions competing for profits from dry goods and cattle interests in the county.

(Submitted on March 11, 2023.)

2. William Bonney and Lew Wallace. 2019 article by the General Lew Wallace Study & Museum. Excerpt:

[Governor] Wallace proposed that if Billy testified about witnessing Huston Chapman’s murder, he would not be prosecuted for Brady’s murder. They staged a fake arrest on March 21 and took Billy into custody.

Billy held up his side of the agreement. On April 14 he testified against the men accused of killing Chapman. However, a local district attorney refused to honor the pardon and tried to move the case to another county.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 24, 2011

2. Site of Squire Wilson's Home Marker

Growing impatient, Billy escaped in June 1879. He eventually returned to his criminal ways.

(Submitted on March 11, 2023.)

Photographed By William E Shehan, circa 1965

3. Site of Squire Wilson's Home Marker

Billy the Kid is the most remembered gunfighter of the Lincoln County War image. Click for full size.

Tintype by Ben Wittick (Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons, circa 1880

4. Billy the Kid is the most remembered gunfighter of the Lincoln County War

The only surviving authenticated portrait of Billy the Kid. This tintype portrait sold at auction in June 2011 for USD $2,300,000. This copy retouched and restored by Mmxx. The tintype process produces reversed images - Billy the Kid wore his pistol on his right side.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,225 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 3. submitted on October 22, 2020, by Clayton Shehan of Chino Hills, California. 4. submitted on March 11, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.