An open letter to those who desecrated the grave of Henry McCarty (alias Antrim):

[Marcus Huff]

First off, you're a dick. (My apologies to the ladies and weak-of-heart.)

Second, human nature dictates that you will eventually talk. When you do, others will listen. Over time, your stories will be come legend, and your name will be disclosed. Bank on it.

But enough of that. For those truly concerned about the mortal (maybe) remains of America's most cherished cherub, my suggestion is a simple one: a security system.

Anyone willing to join me in raising funds for a basic security camera setup out at Fort Sumner is welcome to join me. Baby steps.

Hell, I'll even install it.

MJH

sackettsfork@yahoo

[Nick Fatta Jr.]

this is pathetic and sickening, and to think there are others on other blogs on THIS site making jokes about it, i hope someone wakes up with severe hangovers asking themselves "I DID WHAT?" cause also several rifles were stolen from the museum. sad, history has been stolen

[Nick Fatta Jr.]

and murray, chill, it was the old west, he wasnt some crazed killer, he did what he had to do to survive, evidently you dont know much about the kid, if you call him such names

[Murray A. Gewirtz]

I know plenty about the kid. He was what we now call a juvenile delinquent who didn't hesitate to blow people away with his firearms. Of course the miserable circumstances of his upbringing set him on the path to criminality,and further circumstances tended to keep him on that path, but so does the environment of juvenile delinquents today, and we don't hold them out as heroes or role models. We understand their behavior, but don't excuse it, as society still insists on personal responsibility and choice, in the final analysis.

[Marshal Harting]

Absolutely correct Murray. And most people that survived in the west did so because they did NOT pick up guns and use them.

[Bob Boze Bell]

Marcus makes an interesting point. If an outlaw shrine is defaced by outlaws, how bad is that, really? Don't get me wrong, I want the miscreants in this case to be punished with no less than a leather punch on their gonads, but it is rather ironic, don't you think? Might Billy and his drunken pards have done the same thing?

[Stan H]

I must add my agreement to Murray's comments. In today's world, we would be hearing calls for his excution, but because of the myth, we want to idolize him.

No grave should be desicrated, nor should any theft be allowed, but let's be realistic about this

[Chuck Sawyer]

Marshal:  "  And most people that survived in the west did so because they did NOT pick up guns and use them."   Way to genric for me.  My family ancestors had to fight to survive, with guns !

[Stan H]

Once again we have the same old arguement. I do not believe "most" of the settlers of our beloved Old West ever had to resort to any "gun play" other than shooting supper.

 

Ed Lemmon (Cow Boss) writes that, yes, he carried a revolver, thoug almost all he time it was in his saddle bags. Other than shooting an occasional tin can or bottle, the only thing he ever shot at with intent to do harm was a rattle snake, which he missed.

 

My ancestors in Texas and Oklahoma had mostly shotguns and maybe a deer rifle.

 

The "penny dreadfuls" and Hollywood painted a mostly untrue picture of the old west.

[Marshal Harting]

Mine survived over 300 years from VA to Tn to all points west and without a gun. Thousands of generations . Texas and the southwest was over run with disgruntled Confederates. Hense the gunfights. They resented reconstruction the most and this is the period we see so much outlaw type history. Include Jesse James and his ilk also in MO.