John Tunstall and the Kid

The Kid had been arrested along with The Boys and Jesse Evans. All were being charged with cattle rustling. It was John Tunstall's livestock that had been stolen, and he intended to press charges against all of them, until he happened to see William H Bonney. He seemed so out of place with this gang of ruthless thieves. Mr Tunstall then spoke with the Kid privately. "I will drop all charges against you for your testimony, that my livestock was stolen by this gang of thieves, afterward you're welcome to come and work for me. Room and board will be absolutely free, and you will earn a decent salary honestly." Billy Bonney readily agreed and so John Tunstall had the Kid released. When they arrived at Tunstall's home he had a gift for the Kid, a rifle and a horse complete with saddle gear and blanket. This unexpectedly brought tears to the Kid's eyes. "What's wrong son?" Mr Tunstall asked surprised. "Nobody," said the Kid, "has ever given me anything in my life." John Tunstall would become Billy's mentor. John wrote home to his family the following in a letter, "That kid never ceases to amaze me. There isn't anything in the world he won't do to try and impress me. I'm going to make one hell of a man out of that kid one day," but tragically John Tunstall got blown away, by the ruthless monopolizing competition. Partners Lawrence Murphy and Jimmy Dolan sent a merciless gang of corrupt lawmen to John Tunstall's ranch and murdered him. Billy's second chance for a better life was no more. John Tunstall's murder ignited The Lincoln County War.