The Big Grzelachwoski

Alexander Grzelachowski, called "Padre Polaco" by many, and "Chowsky" by John Chisum, was a Poland-born former Catholic priest who ran a store in Puerto de Luna (PDL) that served as a gathering post for many interesting New Mexico figures, including Billy the Kid.

Grzelachowski spoke multiple languages, and Billy, who himself was fluent in both Gaelic and Spanish, often requested that Grzelachowski speak his native Polish, or relay phrases in Latin and Greek. Billy was also interested in any stories Grzelachowski was willing to share about his life in Europe (perhaps Billy fantasized about living overseas, as he told residents of Lincoln after his escape in April of 1881 that they'd never find him again "this side of Ireland").

A former clerk at the Grzelachowski store, a man named Frank Page, once recalled that once, while Page was working alone at the store, he caught Billy pocketing some ammunition. Page admonished Billy for stealing from someone who considered him an amigo, and Billy reportedly took the ammunition out of his pockets and placed it back on the shelves (this is contrary to a tale from another time that says Billy was ready to kill a clerk after being confronted for stealing some revolvers).

It was said that Grzelachowski's store had bullet holes in it from days when Billy engaged in shooting contests or other gun-related sport.

One time, it is said, Grzelachowski hosted a "wrestling championship," offering a prize belt to the winner. Billy entered the "ring," but lost to a man named Cleto Chavez.

Alexander Grzelachowski also had the honor of serving Billy the last Christmas dinner of his life in 1880, when Pat Garrett and posse brought their captives there after the affair at Stinking Spring. Consistent with other accounts of Billy's charming ability to disarm the ire of his "victims," Grzelachowski good-naturedly ribbed Billy for stealing eight horses from his herd not too long before.

(Source: Kajencki, Francis C. “Alexander Grzelachowski: Pioneer Merchant of Puerto De Luna, New Mexico.” Arizona and the West 26, no. 3 (1984): 243–60.)