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Clothing Memorializing Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County Regulators.
As seen in this rare tin type photo.
The inspiration for "Lucky Outlaw" brand
All rights reserved.
All rights and privileges for the use, publications, print, and the like of this photo are exclusively reserved and protected by its owners. All unlawful use of this photo will be prosecuted.
Here is the story of the Lincoln County Regulators
and how it all ties into this rare tin type photo, never seen before by the public.
This never seen before tin type photo is believed to be three men from the Lincoln County Regulators in their cave hideout in the aftermath of the historic battle at Blazer's Mill. In order from left to right is Tom O'Folliard, William Bonney, and Doc Scurlock. There is an incredible amount of provenance when you start to really inspect this image, we encourage anyone genuinely interested in Billy the Kid and the Regulator Gang to read all the way to the end. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but this image contains so much shocking detail, it has a lot more to say than that!
Everything that is underlined herein is a link to the website where this information was taken from.
On February 18, 1878, friend and employer of Billy the Kid, John Tunstall, was murdered by a rival gang initiating the Lincoln County War. “At Tunstall’s funeral, Billy swore: ‘I’ll get every son-of-a-bitch who helped kill John if it’s the last thing I do.” In keeping with that promise, Billy and the Regulator gang set out to kill Buckshot Roberts, a known associate of the rival gang. On “April 4, 1878, one of the most remarkable gunfights that ever took place in the Old West pitted one man against eight skilled gunslingers in what would become the frontier legend of the Battle of Blazer’s Mill.”
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This image is a close up of Scurlock's foot as seen in the tin type. The front part of his boot is cut off, presumably to allow room for the very swollen foot and toes, visible through the opening of the boot, and what appears to be a brace on his ankle. It would be highly likely that after the bullet stuck Doc and ran down his leg that the swelling and blood would collect in the foot, especially considering the Regulators were on the run, on horseback. This is outlaw medical treatment at is finest!
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The evidence of the wounds sustained at Blazer’s Mill is easily visible in this close up image of the young man in the middle, believed to be William H. Bonnie. The viewer can see he has a large bruise under his eye, causing swealing down his cheek and to his ear and neck. The wound seen here is consistent with the wound Billy wound have endured at this famous battle.
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In the months that followed Blazer’s Mills, it is believed the Regulator gang, along with their former boss Tunsil’s attorney, Alex McSween, hid out in a cave in the hills of Baca Canyon preparing for their next move against the rival gang. And it is here their cave hideout that this image was likely taken. While in their hideout, they devised the plan that would ultimately be the final showdown between the two sides. In a detailed recount of the final 5 day battle it is written: “The stage is set for the climactic battle of the Lincoln County War. Alex McSween has decided that the time has come for there to be one final showdown between his forces and Jimmy Dolan’s. One last test of strength and it will be determined which side will win Lincoln County. Shortly after nightfall on July 14, Alex McSween, tired of living in the hills and wanting to return to his home, and the Regulators rode into Lincoln and took over the town.”
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So, we know that the Regulators were with McSween and likely living in the hills, somewhere in the Baca Canyon area. It is also noted in this detailed recount of the 5 day battle exactly which Regulators were there. “Regulators in McSween house… Billy 'the Kid' Bonney (co-leader).. Billy’s new sidekick…Big Foot' Tom Folliard… Regulators in the Ellis House.. Josiah 'Doc' Scurlock (co-leader).” Therefore, we know that all three men in this image were hiding out in the hills, likely in a cave, after the battle of Blazer’s Mills on April 4th, 1878, and before the 5 day battle at McSween’s on July 15th, 1878.
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It is in one of these caves, sometime between April 4th, 1878 and July 15th, 1878, that it is believed this image was taken. In the image one can see the dirt and grass floor of the cave, the arched opening of the cave, a sheet hung across the entrance of the cave with hand painted trees and roads (likely as camouflage). In the gap above the sheet but below the cave ceiling, you can see what appears to be a tree growing outside the cave entrance.
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The pictures used herein of the original tin type were taken with several different cameras including an iPhone 7, and iPhone 11 pro max, and by a professional photographer using a high-resolution camera outfitted with a forensic filter. Through these digital pictures, the most intriguing and exciting provenance is revealed, showing the initials O B S painted on the backdrop and underneath the initials is painted 500.
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Non-highlighted picture of O B S 500
Highlighted picture of O B S 500
The initials are the exact first letter of the last name of the three men, in the order they appear in the photo: Tom O’Folliard, William Bonnie, Doc Scurlock.
Therefore, we believe the backdrop is intentional. It will make for fun debate to speculate the intended message behind this backdrop, but it is believed to be mocking Pat Garrett and the Dolan gang showing them that key regulators are alive and well after the Battle at Blazer's Mill, and possibly insinuating a 500 reward to catch them.
Another interesting (we believe intentional) feature of the backdrop is an American flag down by the men’s feet. Again, one can only speculate the meaning behind the choice to add the flag, but we know that the Regulators were often referred to as patriots fighting for justice for their boss’ murder and the freedom to chase the American dream and operate a competing business in Lincoln County without the threat of harm from Jimmy Dolan’s gang. The Regulators deeply believed that justice was not being served as the killers of their boss were free, and so they took matters into their own hands to ensure the values and principals of what that flag represents were upheld.
After the tin type was taken, there was writing added on top of the picture. It appears to be pencil writing that is very faded. Clearly above Doc Scurlock’s head is written “3” with a star in front of the 3. It is believed that number 3 is to denote Scurlock as the 3rd leader of the Regulators, as it has often been noted, “Scurlock later became the third and final leader of the Regulators, after prior leaders Dick Brewer and Frank McNab had been killed.” Also written on the tin type by William Bonnie is the letter W. It appears to be written in ink, possibly tracing over an old, faded pencil marking. “W” of course being the first initial of Williams name. There seems to be additional writing throughout the image, but as of yet, it has not been deciphered.
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In looking at the faces close up there are some easy features to identify and some a little more challenging. For example, one can easily see the slant of the eyebrows and how the right-side eyebrow from the perspective of the viewer is lower than the left side eyebrow. One can see the similarities between the shape of the long slender nose, the plump bottom lip, smaller mouth, and shape of the left side ear lobe. While other features are not as easily comparable like the shape of the teeth since the mouth is closed in the second picture or the true shape of the right-side ear given the substantial swelling on that side of his face in the second picture. In the middle picture Billy was approximately two years younger than in the other picture. It is interesting because the right side of his face in the first picture looks slightly caved in, which would be the result of the substantial facial trauma we see in the second picture from when he was younger.
The image of the men in the cave shows, who we believe to be Billy, as a good-looking young man with a boyish appearance about him. Billy was often referred to as a good-looking young man, although the current authenticated photo of him would scarcely suggest that. Here is an unbiased statement from a reporter of the Las Vegas Gazette: “He is about five feet eight or nine inches tall, slightly built and lithe (authentically slim), weighing about 140; a frank, open countenance, looking like a school boy, with the traditional silky fuzz on his upper lip; clear blue eyes, with a roguish snap about them; light hair and complexion. He is, in all, quite a handsome looking fellow, the only imperfection being two prominent front teeth slightly protruding like squirrel’s teeth, and he has agreeable and winning ways.” Las Vegas Gazette, December 27, 1881
“I never liked the picture. I don’t think it does Billy justice.” Paulita Maxwell on Billy the Kid’s only authentic photograph.
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“So, if Billy the Kid was as butt-ugly as some say, why did he have so many female admirers and every description said about him (whether by man or woman) all say he was a "fine looking lad" or "handsome with boyish good looks." As historian Drew Gomber, of the Hubbard Museum, once said, "We shouldn't judge him by that photo of him, because everyone who knew him said it was a bad photo and it's essentially like judging someone by their driver's license photo."
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Dr. Henry Hoyt, (a friend of Billy the Kid) said, “he always seemed to have a pleasant expression with a ready smile. His head was well shaped, his features regular, his nose aquiline, his most noticeable characteristic a slight projection of his upper front teeth. He spoke Spanish like a native, and although only a beardless boy, was nevertheless a natural leader of men. With his poise, iron nerve, and all-round efficiency properly applied, the Kid could have made a success anywhere.”
In this side-by-side comparisons below, the two young men, both believed to be William H. Bonnie, are wearing the exact same style high healed, knee-high leather boots with their pants tucked into the top of the boot and both men's feet are positioned in the same stance. Additionally, the vest worn by both men below are of the same cut and style, with buttons and an extra fabric fold only on the left side of the vest as seen from the observers prospective.
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The hand on the right, as seen from the observers perspective, that is hanging by his side is almost identical in both pictures. The shape of the hand, the curve up of the tip of the thumb, and the way its being held are all very similar.
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In this side by side, notice the very distinguishing hump on the ridge of the nose.
Considering the three men are all wearing the same white collared shirt, the same vest and the same pants. One possible scenario as to why they all match is that once the Regulator gang fled to the hills after the bloody battle at Blazers Mill, they likely all needed new clothes. If McSween was living with and helping supply the Regulators while in their cave hideout, it is likely that they got most of their supplies from the Tunstall store in Lincoln or from another small-town general store. With so many Regulators needing clothing after that battle and the local general store not likely to have a large, diverse inventory, it is possible that many of the men in the gang would be wearing the same new outfit.
All Rights Reserved.
All rights and privileges for the use, publications, print, and the like of this photo are exclusively reserved and protected by its owners. All unlawful use of this photo will be prosecuted.
Another possibility of the three men dressed the same is to signify their bond and to identify them as a gang. Seen in gangs today like the Crips and Bloods who wear specific colors to denote their loyalty and bond. It would also be easier in large, dusty, smokey gun battles to identify who is friendly and who is enemy based off what they are wearing. If the Regulators were all dressed alike, it could serve multiple purposes like how soldiers on historic battle fields would wear the same uniform to identify where their comrades were.
Side by side comparison of tin type image believed to be Tom O'Folliard and the known image of Tom O'Folliard.
The man farthest to the left is believed to be Tom O'Folliard. Tom was often referred to as Billy the Kid’s side kick and “was well known as the Kid's close friend and tales are told of poor Tom waiting outside in the cold to tend to the horses as Billy visited one of his sweethearts. He was a loyal friend and always on hand to defend the Kid.” It makes sense that the current leader of the Regulators (Doc Scurlock) would have a picture taken with the other strongest leader (Billy the Kid) and Billy’s best and most loyal friend, Tom O’Folliard.
Side by side comparison of tin type image believed to be a young Doc Scurlock and a known picture of Doc.
The third and final man in the tin type is believed to be Doc Scurlock for multiple reasons. First, Doc was considered the leader of the regulators at the time we believe this photo was taken, although some just considered him a co-leader with Billy. Second, because the swelling in the foot requiring the front of the boot to be cut off is consistent with the type of injury Doc sustained at the Battle of Blazer's Mill. Third, because of the strong similarity in appearance between the man in the tin type and Doc.
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We are honored to have shared this history and insight with you. It is the story of these young outlaws that inspired the "Lucky Outlaw" brand.
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Where did this photo come from?
The image of The Regulators is from a private collection, which prior to posting here, had never been seen before.
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This fascinating tin type photo gives us a glimpse into the wild west and the more you study this image, the more you will find.
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Why the name Lucky Outlaw?
Even though Billy unfortunately ended up in an early grave, there were many occasions where he narrowly escaped death. The Kid was renowned for his bold, fearless, and confident demeanor and as a result often got himself into deadly situations where he barely escaped with his life. He was a skilled gunman whose fame grew with each harrowing gunfight he survived. He was incredibly lucky for many years, considering the predicaments he found himself in. And so, the name "Lucky Outlaw" is to pay tribute to Billy and the luck he carried with him for many years as an outlaw and that inspired the immense fame he still carries to this day.
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