Frank Coe Had a Picture of the Kid

Below is a transcript of a letter from Frank Coe to photographer William Steele Dean on August 3, 1926. At the end of the letter, Coe adds that he is including a picture of the Kid. What ever happened to this picture? (Perhaps it was a copy of the authenticated tintype?)

DEAN (WILLIE)

Glencoe, N.M.

August 3/26

Mr. Dean. My Dear Sir:

I was surprised to hear from you, one I never knew. But I am proud of you, the good feeling you have for Billy the Kid. He was the most noted character that New Mexico ever knew. He killed several of the most noted outlaws that ran in this part of N.M. All the men he killed got just what was coming to them. I never knew him to shoot a man in the back. He did not fear any man if he would meet him face to face. He went through the Lincoln County War in -78, was in every battle we had, was one of the best soldiers we had, always in the lead. He was slightly wounded when sheriff Brady was killed in Lincoln. Kid went over the adobe wall in to the middle of the street to get his fire arms. Some one fired from a porthole and shot him in the side, a slight wound. He got all the arms and cartridges off then went over the wall to safety. Billy was then about 17, 5ft. 8 in, weight 138lb. stood as straight as an Indian, fine looking a lad as I ever met. He was a Lady's Man, the Mex girls were crazy about him. He spoke their language well. He was a fine dancer, could go all their gates (gaits) and was one of them. Mr. Burns, the author of the saga, didn't give him near the credit he deserved. The more I think of him the bigger he gets in my mind. With no people to back him up he had to fight for his life.

He was a wonder, you would have been proud to have known him.

George Coe is a cousin of mine and was through the war with us. Has a good farm and lives near me. If I ever meet you I could tell you one desperate deed after another where the Kid came through with honors. I am sending here one of his pictures. It does not give him the credit it should.

As ever, FRANK B. COE