Lincoln & Mesilla Court Records

Becky Madruga
Oct 13, 2022
9 min read

Updated: Oct 18, 2022

Below are various county court records from Lincoln and Mesilla I have gathered over the years. I will update this page when i find more in my hard drive as they are pretty scattered in there, so check back often for updates. At this time, the last submission on this page is the letter from J. C. Lea when he sold Billy's Rifle and Ollinger's shotgun, along with pictures of both weapons.

May 15, 1876 Charles Bowdre Indictment

Territory of New Mexico, County of Lincoln, in the District County at the October term, AD 1876.

Be it remembered that A. J. Fountain, acting District Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District of the Territory of New Mexico, who prosecutes for the Territory in this behalf, in his own proper person comes here into the said District Court and before the Court itself at the term aforesaid for the county aforesaid and for the said Territory gives the court here to understand and be informed that Charles Bowdre, late of the county of Lincoln, Territory of New Mexico, on the 15th day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy six, at the county of Lincoln aforesaid, did then and there unlawfully handle a certain gun called a rifle (the same then and there being a deadly weapon) in a threatening manner, at and towards me Marcus Baca. Contrary to the form of the statue in such case made and provided, and against the peace and dignity of the Territory of New Mexico. A.J. Fountain.

1876 John Clark's Administrator's Bond in the Estate of Jesus Segura

May 20, 1877 Henry Brown Reciept for the Estate of Wm. Dowlin

June 24, 1877 John Hurley Receipt to Alexander McSween

1877 Sheriff William Brady's Tax Collectors Bond

Territory of New Mexico, County, of Lincoln, Collectors Bond

Know all men by these presents that I, William Brady, Sheriff exoffico collector, and we, L. G. Murphy and Jas J Dolan as sureties of the said William Brady are held and firmly bound unto the Territory of New Mexico in the sum of Eight Thousand ($8,000.00) dollars, lawful money of the United States for the payment of which well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severely firmly by these presents. Sealed with out seals and dated this 13th day of January AD 1877. The condition of the above obligation is such, that whereas the above bounden William Brady has been elected to the office of Sheriff of the County of Lincoln at the general election held in said county on the seventh day of November AD 1876, and as such sheriff and by virtue of said election, became and is ex officio collector in and for said county. Now there fore if the said William Brady shall well and faithfully perform all his duties, as ex officio collector within his said county, during his term in office, and until his successor shall be elected and qualified, and shall exercise all possible diligence and care in the collection of all monies which it is his duty by law to collect; and shall render true accounts of his office, and of his doings therein, as required law, and shall promptly and as required by law pay over all moneys that may come to his hands by virtue of his office, to the officer or person authorized to receive the same and carefully keep and preserve all books, papers and other property appertaining to his office and deliver the same to his successor when qualified, then the above obligation shall be void, otherwise to be in full force. Witnesses: J. B. Mathews, William Brady, J. S. Tipon, Lawrence G. Murphy, R. M. Beckwith, Jas. J. Dolan

I William Brady having been elected sheriff of the County of Lincoln in the Territory of New Mexico, and being as such sheriff, ex officio collector in and for said county, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the laws of the Territory, and that i will faithfully and impartially and to the best of my ability discharge all of the duties of Collector within and for said county during my term of office, So Help Me God.

Wm. Brady

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 13 day of January 1877. Antonio A. Sedillo, Secretary for Rupert A. Sedillo

July 29, 1878 Andrew L. "Buckshot" Robert's Inventory

July 9, 1879 Notices to Appear Re Estate of William Brady

Territory of New Mexico, County of Lincoln, You are hereby commanded to subpoena, Jose Otero, Melquidez Riveria, Patricio Trujillo, Pablo Rivera, to be and appear before the Probate Court of the county of Lincoln now being holden at the court house in the town of Lincoln on the 9th day of July, AD 1879 to give evidence in a cause in said court in behalf of the estate of Wm. Brady against Leandro Pacheco, who has a claim for allowance against said estate and hereof fail not at your own peril. In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the court of Probate of the County of Lincoln this 9th day of July 1879.

B. H. Ellis, Clerk of the Probate Court

Territory of New Mexico, County of Lincoln, You are hereby commanded to subpoena, Manuel Pacheco, Edward Carter, Antonio Otero, Isaac Ellis, Wm. Brady Jr, Francisco Romero y Valencia, Samuel R. Corbet, to be and appear before the Probate Court of the county of Lincoln now being holden at the court house in the town of Lincoln on the 9th day of July, AD 1879 to give evidence in a cause in said court in behalf of the estate of Wm. Brady against Leandro Pacheco, who has a claim for allowance against said estate and hereof fail not at your own peril. In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the court of Probate of the County of Lincoln this 9th day of July 1879.

B. H. Ellis, Clerk of the Probate Court

1879 Estate of George Hindman

July 13, 1880 Estate of Ramon Montoya

1880 Juan Patron Request for Reimbursement

1880 Robert Ollinger Appointed Deputy Marshall

Mesilla NM, April 3, 1880, Robert Ollinger, esq

Dear Sir;

Upon my recommendation the United States Marshall has appointed you his Deputy in Lincoln County, I hope you will accept this appointment and in that event suggest that you signify to the Marshall your acceptance at your earliest conveinence, he will then send you papers for service.

Very Respectfully,

A. J. Fountain

I enclose appointment hereinto.

January 6, 1881 Gauss Allowance Request Against Richard Brewer Estate

March 24, 1881 Susan Barber Summons to Appear in Tunstall Estate

In the probate Court of the County of Lincoln and Territory of New Mexico. In the matter of the estate of J. H. Tunstall, deceased. Citation.

To the Sheriff of Lincoln County, Greeting:

You are hereby commanded to subponea Mrs. Sue E. Barber, administrix of said estate to appear before said court in the court room in the town of Lincoln and Territory, on the 2nd day of May AD 1881 at 10 o'clock am then and there to render account of her proceedings had and done in the matter of said estate; and have you then and there this writ. Witness the Hon Jas A. Tomlinson, Probate Judge of this County with his seal of Probate Court affidavit this 19th day of March 1881.

Ben Ellis, Clerk

By W. O. Bert, Deputy

Sue E. Barber, I Certify that I served the witness the within citation on the within named Sue E. Barber by rendering the same to her at her residence on the 24th day of March A. D. 1881. Service Fee: $1.00; Return $.50 Total $1.50

Pat F. Garrett, Sheriff

April 6, 1881 The Kid's Blazer Mill Acquittal

May 23, 1881 John W. Ollinger and Thomas A. Alexander Summons to Appear

To John W. Ollinger, Thomas A. Alexander, Greeting, you and each of you are hereby commanded to appear before the District Court for the Third District of said Territory, on the 1st day of June AD 1881 term thereof to be held within and for the county of Lincoln at the courthouse of said county there and there to testify in a certain cause in said court pending, wherein the territory is plaintiff, and Hugh Beckwith is defendant, on the part of the Territory and this do you under penalty of the law. Witness the Hon Warren Bristol, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of New Mexico, the 23rd day of May 1881. George R. Bowman, Clerk.

May 22, 1881 Robert Ollinger Inventory of Estate

August 29, 1881 Hugh Beckwith Indictment

To the Sheriff of Lincoln County, Greeting, you are hereby commanded to arrest and take the body of Hugh M. Beckwith and him safely keep so that you have his body before the District Court within and for the County of Lincoln at the next term thereof to be begun and held at the court house in said county on the 1st Monday of November AD 1881, then and there to answer unto an indictment for Murder and this do under penalty of the law. Witness the Hon Warren Bristol, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of New Mexico, the 29th day of August 1881. George R. Bowman, Clerk.

August 30, 1881 Thomas Cooper Indictment

To the Sheriff of Lincoln County, Greeting, you are hereby commanded to arrest and take the body of Thomas Cooper and him safely keep so that you have his body before the District Court within and for the County of Lincoln at the next term thereof to be begun and held at the court house in said county on the 1st Monday of November AD 1881, then and there to answer unto an indictment for buying, receiving and driving away stolen property and this do under penalty of the law. Witness the Hon Warren Bristol, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of New Mexico, the 30th day of August 1881. George R. Bowman, Clerk.

August 30, 1881 Chris Moessner Indictment

To the Sheriff of Lincoln County, Greeting, you are hereby commanded to arrest and take the body of Chris Moessner and him safely keep so that you have his body before the District Court within and for the County of Lincoln at the next term thereof to be begun and held at the court house in said county on the 1st Monday of November AD 1881, then and there to answer unto an indictment for fraudulently selling cattle and this do under penalty of the law. Witness the Hon Warren Bristol, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of New Mexico, the 29th day of August 1881. George R. Bowman, Clerk.

1881 Judgement for Pat Garrett Expense Reimbursement for the Capture of the Kid

532 Territory vs Murderer Wm. Bonney alias Kid alias William Antrim

1881 Death Warrant for Billy. Governors Copy, Governors Secretary's copy, Court Copy

December 28, 1881 Billy Wilson Arrest Warrant and Return

407 Territory vs William Wilson

Writ; Bail $500.00 Filed October 19, 1882

George R. Bowman, Clerk

Territory of New Mexico, County of Lincoln. I hereby Certify that the within named defendant was found in jail in Santa Fe, New Mexico, therefore the within writ has not been executed. May 8, 1882. Fees: 100 mile travel at 64 c per mile 6.25; Returning .50; Total $6.75.

Pat F. Garrett, Sheriff

To the Sheriff of Lincoln County, Greeting, you are hereby commanded to arrest and take the body of William Wilson and him safely keep so that you have his body before the District Court within and for the County of Lincoln at the next term thereof to be begun and held at the court house in said county on the 1st Monday of June AD 1882, then and there to answer unto an indictment for Larceny and this do under penalty of the law. Witness the Hon Warren Bristol, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of New Mexico, the 28th day of December 1881. George R. Bowman, Clerk.

December 26, 1881 Fred Waite Arrest Warrant

428 Territory vs Fred Waite, Writ, Filed October 19, 1882, George R. Bowman, Clerk. Territory of New Mexico, County, of Lincoln. I hereby certify that after using due dilegence that the within named defendant hasn't been found. May 8, 1882. Fees: 100 mile travel at 6 1/4 c per mile $6.25; Returning .50 Total $6.75; Pat F. Garrett, Sheriff

To the Sheriff of Lincoln County, Greeting, you are hereby commanded to arrest and take the body of Fred Waite and him safely keep so that you have his body before the District Court within and for the County of Lincoln at the next term thereof to be begun and held at the court house in said county on the 1st Monday of June AD 1882, then and there to answer unto an indictment for Murder and this do under penalty of the law. Witness the Hon Warren Bristol, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of New Mexico, the 28th day of December 1881. George R. Bowman, Clerk.

1885 Estate of Charles Fritz Administration Bond

Territory of New Mexico, County of Lincoln

Know all men by these presents:

That we Emil Fritz as Principal and Jas. J. Dolan, and Jose Montana as surities are held and firmly bound unto the Territory of New Mexico in the sum of twenty thousand dollars payment whereof well and truly to be made conditional that the said Emil Fritz will without delay proceed to make and render to the Probate Court of Lincoln County a true account and correct inventory of all the estate real and personal of Charles Fritz, deceased, late of Lincoln County, New Mexico.

Witness our hands and seals this seventh day of December 1885.

Emil Fritz

Ja. J. Dolan

Jose Montana

May 28, 1886 Milo L. Pierce Allowance Against R. T. Davis Estate

1889 Taxpayer Petition with Several Historical Signatures

January 18, 1897 Billy's Rifle with Certificate of Authentication

Below is a letter from J. C. Lea stating the rifle below was Billy's and the Shotgun is the one Billy used to kill Ollinger. Both were given to him by Pat Garrett. As for the shotgun, we also have the inventory of Bob Ollinger's possessions which show the same serial number. It is not a Lincoln County or Mesilla County record, but it went along with the Ollinger documents so I included it. "Winchester saddle gun Serial Number 20181"