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New Mexico lawman (1850–1908) famed for killing his former gambling partner, the fabled outlaw Billy the Kid, in 1881. Partly-printed DS, signed “P. F. Garrett,” one page, 8.5 x 3.75, April 8, 1902. Promissory note issued at Las Cruces, New Mexico, in full: "Two years after date (without grace), I jointly and severally, as principal debtors, promise to pay to the order of Martin Lohman, at his office in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Thirty-five Hundred & Sixty Seven 50/100 Dollars with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from date until paid; and if the same shall not be paid when due, I jointly and severally, promise and agree to pay all costs of collection, including reasonably attorney's fees, if suit is brought on this note, or if attorneys are employed to collect the same."
Garrett had acquired the 160–acre Bear Canyon Ranch in Doña Ana County, New Mexico in 1898, and kept it for four years before mortgaging it to Lohman. Tired of non-payment on the note, Lohman sold it to Garrett's neighbor, W. W. Cox, for a slightly discounted rate of $3,000. Cox renewed the note as evidenced by a second inscription found scrawled vertically across the face: "April 23 04, Paid by note of W. W. Cox & P. F. Garrett, Due 6 months from date current, Three Thousand Dollars, Martin Lohman." In very good to fine condition, with overall creasing, and minor loss to the lower left corner.
Various theories about Garrett's murder stem from the renewal of this note by Cox. The generally accepted story is that Jesse Wayne Brazel leased a portion of the land from Garrett's son (who had no legal right to make such a deal) to graze his goats. Garrett was furious about the goats and, sometime later, while Garrett was riding with Carl Adamson to Las Cruces discussing the purchase of Garrett's land, Brazel rode up. An argument over the goats ensued and Garrett was shot by Brazel. Brazel, whose story was backed by Adamson, claimed Garrett was reaching for a shotgun and Brazel shot him in self defense. He was acquitted. However, Leon C. Metz, in his 1974 biography of Garrett, relates the claim of W. T. Moyers that 'his investigations led him to believe that [W. W.] Cox himself ambushed and killed Garrett,' but also wrote that 'the Garrett family believes that Carl Adamson pulled the trigger.'
The Western Americana auction of Jochen Zeitz.
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