A prominent man by the name of Louis Cardis, took up the fight for the people. Howard and his men were captured and allowed their liberty under the promise that they would leave the Salt Lakes free for the people’s use.
Soon after, Howard killed Louis Cardis in El Paso. This worked the natives up to a high pitch.
Under the protection of a band of Texas Rangers, Howard returned to San Elizario, twenty-five miles below El Paso.
On reaching San Elizario the citizens turned out in mass and besieged the Rangers and the Howard crowd, in a house.
Many citizens of Old Mexico, across the river, joined the mob. Among them being Segura and his confederate, at whose ranch “Billy the Kid” and Segura were stopping.
As “Billy the Kid” had no interest in the fight, he took no part, but was an eye witness to it, in the village of San Elizario.
Near the house in which Howard and the Rangers took refuge, lived Captain Gregario Garcia, and his three sons, Carlos, Secundio, and Nazean-ceno Garcia. On the roof of their dwelling they constructed a fort, and with rifles, assisted in protecting Howard and the Rangers from the mob.
The fight continued for several days. Finally, against the advice of Captain Gregario Garcia, the Rangers surrendered. They were escorted up the river towards El Paso, and liberated. Howard, Charlie Ellis, John Atkinson, and perhaps one or two other Americans, were taken out and shot dead by the mob. Thus ended one of the bloody battles which “Billy the Kid” enjoyed as a witness.
The following year the present Governor of New Mexico, Octaviano A. Larrazolo, settled in San Elizario, Texas, and married the pretty daughter of Carlos Garcia, who, with his father and two brothers, so nobly defended Howard and the Rangers.
Now “Billy the Kid,” with his pockets bulging with Mexican gold, given him by Segura, returned to the Tunstall-McSween cow camp, on the Rio Feliz, in Lincoln County, New Mexico.