Cruz R. Alvarez
From the WPA Files of the Library of Congress
Interviewed by Marie Carter
Mesilla, New Mexico, an historic town with a quaint Spanish atmosphere, has about 1200 inhabitants. It is situated in the heart of the Mesilla Valley, on State Highway No. 28, two miles west of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and U. S. Highway No. 80. It is the center of the Mesilla Colony Grant, containing twenty-four square miles of the richest land in the valley. Mesilla is forty-five miles from El Paso, Texas, the metropolis of the southwest.

While nosing around the streets of Old Mesilla, I had the good fortune to meet Cruz R. Alvarez. He called my attention to the old jail where Billy the Kid was incarcerated, saying:

"He was a tough customer, ruthless with his enemies, but generous to his friends, the native rancheros. His good looks, charming personality, and find dancing won him the admiration of the younger set, who considered him a gay caballero. But he was a desperado, a gunman and a killer, who was sentenced to be hung, April 15, 1881."

"In Dona Ana County?"

"No, in Lincoln County. Colonel A.J. Fountain, who organized the New Mexico Militia, was Billy the Kid's defense counsel." he said.

"Mr. Alvarez, " I said, " I always thought Billy the Kid was shot."

"He was, but that occurred after he escaped from the Lincoln jail."

"Escaped?"

"Yes, killing both of his guards. Prior to his incarceration, April 1, 1878, he killed Sheriff William Brady and George Hineman. On July 15, 1881; Pat Garrett, the sheriff of Lincoln County and two deputies, discovered Billy the Kid at the home of Pete Maxwell, near Fort Sumner. The outlaw walked into Maxwell's bedroom and was shot by Garrett."


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