The Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang returns to White Oaks!!!

The 2008 21st annual BTKOG Campout and Membership meeting was a huge success that saw the return of many early members from years past. One of the highlights of this year's campout was the White Oaks field trip that was taken on Friday afternoon. The tour included a trip to the Cedarvale Cemetery where Susan McSween, Deputy James Bell, and Edwin Bonnell are buried. All three of these persons had a direct connection with Billy the Kid.



BTKOG members discussing the life of Edwin Bonnell and his part
in the Greathouse Siege resulting in the death of Deputy James Carlyle.

The Gang's first stop was at the grave of Edwin Bonnell. Bonnell was a member of the White Oaks posse that trailed Billy and his Gang to the Greathouse Station and Tavern where Deputy Carlyle was likely killed on accident by his own posse members. Billy was blamed for this killing, but evidence strongly suggests otherwise.


Several young outlaws visiting the grave of Deputy James Bell

The Gang then walked further up the hill to visit the grave of Deputy James W. Bell who was shot and killed by Billy the Kid during his famous escape from the Lincoln County Courthouse on April 28, 1881. Bell had been living in White Oaks and his body was returned there for burial following his death. Several Gang members posed for photos and discussed theories regarding Billy's escape from the courthouse while visiting Bell's grave.


Some of the ladies visiting the grave of Susan McSween.

After visiting Bell's grave, the Gang then moved over to the grave of Susan McSween Barber. Susan McSween was the wife of lawyer Alex McSween. Following the Lincoln County War, Susan McSween went on to be very successful in the cattle business. In her later years she settled down in White Oaks where she lived out the rest of her life until her death in 1931. Several of the lady outlaws posed together at Susan's grave and discussed her life and history.



Some members of the BTKOG and locals from White Oaks
listen as Lucas Speer sings the Ballad of Billy the Kid.

Following the cemetery tour the BTKOG members next moved on to the No Scum Allowed Saloon where they enjoyed some very cold sodas and the generosity of the owners who so graciously invited a bunch of outlaws dressed in period clothing to enter into their facility. The owner allowed BTKOG President and tour guide Lucas Speer to entertain the patrons and BTKOG members inside with the "Ballad of Billy the Kid" played on the house guitar. Alot of history and fun was experienced by all of the members who took the trip, marking the first time that the Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang had ridden into White Oaks in 128 years!!!



"Wild Bill" Doyle standing in front of the
No Scum Allowed Saloon in White Oaks, NM.



Chris & Robyn Jones inside the Saloon in White Oaks,NM.

White Oaks Photo's