The Escape Of Billy The Kid Poem by John F. McCullagh

In an upper room they have me shackled.

Handcuffed, abused and under guard.

Pat Garrett’s off collecting taxes

This might be my chance, dear Lord.





Bob Olinger would love to kill me

He’s waved his shotgun in my face.

James Bell, the other guard, is softer,

He’s here to keep Bob in his place.



At noon I had the chance I wanted.

Olinger lunched across the street.

Bell was left alone to guard me-

a handcuffed man with shackled feet.





I told Bell I felt nature calling.

He took me on a Privy run

He was quick but I was quicker

We struggled and I got his gun



I pistol whipped my former guard.

I took his keys and freed my hands.

I didn’t want to kill him but,

I had to just because he ran.



That gunshot stirred the sleepy town

Olinger ran from across the street

I killed him then with his own shotgun

He needed killing, I’ll lose no sleep.



No lawman left in Lincoln town

I made the blacksmith break my chains

I saw Bell’s horse before the courthouse

I saddled up and took the reins.



No one made a move to stop me

As I rode out away from town

The rope they had to hang me waits

another’s neck to slip around.



Notes: This describes the events of 04/28/1881 at the Lincoln County Courthouse