The Lincoln County War was a confrontation between a group led by James Dolan and one led by recent English immigrant John Tunstall. Tunstall sought to break the monopoly that Dolan held on buying cattle and produce from local ranchers to sell to the federal government. Billy allied himself with Tunstall's group, known as The Regulators. By the end of the Lincoln County War in 1880, Billy had participated with The Regulators in the group shooting of at least five men: "Except for Billy, virtually everyone involved got pardoned or let off one way or another" (Page 143).
After the Lincoln County War, Billy drifted about as a fugitive. Aside from Lincoln County, Billy's favorite hangout was Fort Sumner, another frontier town, and a former Army post. Billy was generally well-liked, particularly among the Hispanics: "A sunny, cheerful nature, openness, and generosity overshadowed a flaming temper" (Utley 66).
Billy spoke fluent Spanish and had a penchant for Hispanic women: "William Bonney had many mistresses and girlfriends in his brief lifetime. He fathered several children around Lincoln and Fort Sumner" (Cline 87). Most physical descriptions of Billy describe him as a generally handsome man; his distinguishing features being a slight build, protruding front teeth, and a youthful demeanor.
Billy's favorite pastimes were singing, dancing, and gambling. To his credit, Billy rarely, if ever drank; his abstinence was unusual in a frontier territory where indulgence in alcohol was the norm. Billy's literacy also distinguished him from his group of rustler friends and common criminals. His favorite reading material was the Police Gazette (James 66). A collection of Billy's poetry was published posthumously.
During his first period as a fugitive, Billy shot and killed his second victim. The victim's name was Joe Grant, a Texan who engaged Billy in a barroom brawl. Grant reportedly attempted to fire a shot at...