On the Trail of Sheriff Pat Garrett
From Amarillo, Texas, to Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Categories: Renegade Roads
By: Johnny D. Boggs 01/01/2008
Welcome to White Oaks
The discovery of gold in 1879 turned White Oaks into a boomtown, and historians say its brothels and gambling dens attracted Pat, Billy and many others. Today, White Oaks has been reduced to a ghost town, but it’s home to a historic cemetery (Cedarvale) that claims the final resting places of unfortunate deputy James Bell as well as Lincoln County War notable Susan McSween Barber. Thirsty? Have a drink at the No Scum Allowed Saloon. Unless you’re scum.
Eventually, Billy landed at Fort Sumner, and so did Pat. It proved good for Pat, not so good for Billy. On July 14, 1881, Pat stopped at Pete Maxwell’s place while looking for Billy. He found him. That was the end of Billy.
And, pretty much, the end of Pat, whose career rolled downhill afterward.
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