BILLY THE KID
Apollinar and Maria owned several cattle ranches near Tombstone (Mom said the number was around seven). Cowboys were hired to work on the properties, most of which had bunkhouses, cookhouses, stables, etc.
As the owner, Apollinar regularly drove among these ranches to check that everything was to his liking. His preferred method of travel was to use a horse and carriage, rather than just ride in a saddle. One day, driving up to a property’s bunkhouse, he saw a young man standing on the porch and a horse tied up at the rail. The cowboys were away working at a different ranch and no one was supposed to be there. Apollinar got down from the buggy, walked over and began talking with the young man, asking what he wanted. The fellow told Apollinar that he was riding a long distance and had run out of provisions, so he’d stopped to see if he could buy some from the cookhouse. When he found it empty, he’d gone to the bunkhouse to see if anyone was in there. Apollinar asked the young man what provisions he needed and got them for him from the cookhouse. He also gave the young man a couple of his own cigars. The fellow tried to pay, but Apollinar wouldn’t accept his money.
They talked a while longer, until the young man said he had to be on his way. He thanked Apollinar again and mounted his horse. Before riding off, he asked, “Do you know who I am?”
“Yes,” replied Apollinar. “You’re Billy the Kid.”
The young man doffed his hat, smiled and rode away.
By being calm and treating him decently, Apollinar undoubtedly avoided becoming another victim.
My own note: Whether this was Billy the Kid or not, it is lost in time.
Valerie (Bauer) Kurson Snavely (great-granddaughter of Apollinar and Maria Bauer October 26, 2022
SOT 2022