Q4W3 Billy the Kid Part 1

Q4W3 Billy the Kid

Hero or Villain of the Lincoln County War

Lincoln County New Mexico

The most famous conflict in New Mexico took place in Lincoln County in southeastern New Mexico. Lincoln County occupied a fifth of all New Mexico Territory. It was the largest county in the entire United States.

Multiple Choice

Lincoln County is the largest county in the United States.

• true

• false

Lincoln County War

By the 1870s, Lincoln County was dominated by an Irish immigrant and businessman named Lawrence G. Murphy. He controlled much of the local economy and all local politics. It was said that no one could get a job or run for political office without his approval. Murphy even controlled who was sheriff and how he enforced the law. In 1876, Murphy had fellow Irishman William Brady elected sheriff

Multiple Choice

Who was the friend of Lawrence Murphy that was elected Sheriff of Lincoln County?

• John Tunstall

• Lawrence Murphy

• William Bonney

• William Brady

The Santa Fe Ring

Murphy’s power extended beyond Lincoln County. He was a suspected member of a powerful group called the Santa Fe Ring. Members of the ring were businessmen and politicians who, like Murphy, controlled large parts of the territory. Ring leaders were corrupt (dishonest) and often resorted to violence. Even some territorial governors were suspected of being members or friends of the Santa Fe Ring.

Multiple Choice

The Santa Fe Ring was:

• a group of corrupt businessman in Lincoln County

• all people that were married in Lincoln County

• a special piece of jewelry found only in Santa Fe

John Henry Tunstall

Few challenged the power of the Santa Fe Ring. But, in 1876, an Englishman named John Henry Tunstall moved to Lincoln, bought a ranch, and opened a store in the town of Lincoln. Tunstall hired many cowboys to work on his ranch, including a young cowhand named William H. Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid. Murphy soon recognized Tunstall as competition and a threat to his economic and political power.

Multiple Choice

John Tunstell hired Billy the Kid to work on his ranch.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

What does corrupt mean?

• dishonest

• forgiving

Multiple Select

What skills did Billy learn from the Vaqueros? Check 3

• how to rope and ride

• how to use spurs

• how to cook

• Spanish language and culture

Multiple Select

What does the narrator say about the ranch hands working for Tunstell? Why are they important to Billy?

Check all that apply.

• The group of boys were like the family Billy never had.

• Many were like him. On their own at a young age.

• Some left their family farms for the more independent life of a cowboy.

Open Ended

John Tunstell gives Billy a rifle and a horse. They may be the only gifts Billy has ever gotten.

How do you think these gifts affect Billy? You can start with "Billy reacted to Tunstell's gifts ..."

or start your sentences your with your own words.

Multiple Choice

Which character was just murdered?

• Sheriff Pat Garrett

• Sheriff William Brady

• John Tunstell

• Ring Leader Murphy

Multiple Choice

Who sent the killer to murder Tunstell?

• Sheriff Pat Garrett

• Sheriff William Brady

• Billy the Kid

• Ring Leader Murphy

Multiple Choice

What do the ranch hands name themselves after Tunstall is murdered?

• The Boys from Lincoln County

• The Regulators

• The Pony Express

• Tunstell's Ranchies