“Saddens Me To Discuss”

Frank Coe Remembers the Kid

Alleged photograph of a young Frank Coe

Albuquerque Journal, 24 September 1931

“He was warm-hearted to a degree, absolutely loyal to a friend, without fear, the best and quickest shot I ever saw, but unfortunately with little scruples as to either the lives or property of those who opposed him. What time he lived at my ranch, his conduct was beyond criticism. He was subject to good influence and the advice of older men, but his training had been in the hardest and most reckless, if not depraved school ever known to the southwest. Under different conditions he would’ve made a wonderful man. Billy knew that his only chance to remain alive in New Mexico after the war was by the power of his six-shooter and that is, I believe, the only reason why his hand seemed to be against every man. It was his firm intention to hide himself in Mexico and he was preparing to carry out this plan when he was killed in a manner that still saddens me to discuss.”