POE, JOHN W. - Chaves County, New Mexico | JOHN W. POE - New Mexico Gravestone Photos

John W. POE

South Park Cemetery
Chaves County,
New Mexico

October 17, 1850 - July 17, 1923
American Folk Figure. John W. Poe was born in Mason County, Kentucky to a family of farmers. As he moved westward, he was a Missouri farmhand, a Texas buffalo hunter, and a deputy U.S. Marshal. He was deputized by Pat Garrett and was with him in Fort Sumner when Billy the Kid was gunned down in 1881. He remained in New Mexico and succeeded Garrett as Sheriff. His business ventures included buying controlling stock in the Bank of Roswell and the formation of the Citizen's Bank of Roswell which grew to become the Citizen's National Bank. His book, "The Death of Billy the Kid" was published in 1933. An account of his adventures entitled "Buckboard Days" was written by his wife Sophie and published in 1936. More recently, he was portrayed by actor Viggo Mortensen in the 1990 film, "Young Guns II".

Contributed on 5/21/20 by tomtodd
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Record #: 5077

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Submitted: 5/21/20 • Approved: 10/29/20 • Last Updated: 10/29/20 • R5077-G0

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