Unveiling the Members of Billy The Kid's Regulators Gang

Summary

Billy the Kid, Dick Brewer, and Charlie Bowdre were key members of The Regulators in the Lincoln County War, fighting against the Jesse Evans Gang.

Billy the Kid was deeply grateful to John Tunstall, his mentor, and remained a steadfast advocate of his ideals and entrepreneurial pursuits. Additionally, the Regulators boasted other prominent individuals such as George Coe, Tom O'Folliard, Fred Waite, and John Middleton.

Several real-life members of The Regulators are portrayed in MGM's series Billy the Kid, which depicts the historic Lincoln County War that occurred in Old Western New Mexico in 1878. Billy the Kid, also known as William H. Bonney or Henry McCarty, played a significant role as a member of The Regulators during the war. The Regulators, hired by wealthy Englishman and land prospector John Tunstall, clashed with the Jesse Evans Gang and the associated Seven Rivers Warriors in a violent and memorable confrontation.

In season 2, episode 3 of Billy the Kid, the series accurately portrays the circumstances in which the Regulators officially joined forces. Tensions between Tunstall and Lawrence Murphy, a member of the Santa Fe Ring, had escalated, as both parties sought complete control and profiteering in Lincoln County. As a result, Murphy and his business partner James Dolan issued an order for the Jesse Evans Gang to brutally murder Tunstall. In line with historical events, the series depicts an ambush led by Jesse Evans and other outlaws and cowboys on Murphy's payroll, ultimately resulting in Tunstall's death and triggering an all-out war between the two factions.

8. William H. Bonney

7. Dick Brewer

William H. Bonney, also known as Billy the Kid, was undoubtedly the most passionate member of the Regulators. He was profoundly affected by the loss of his mentor, John Tunstall. Despite their limited age difference, Tunstall provided Billy, a morally complex outlaw, with a rare opportunity for a second chance at life, one that steered him away from violence and criminal activities. Consequently, Billy the Kid felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Tunstall and remained a steadfast supporter of his principles and business endeavors. While Billy the Kid is often mistakenly considered the leader of the Regulators, historical accounts reveal that he was never officially acknowledged as such by the other members.

Richard "Dick" Brewer, the acknowledged first leader of The Regulators, is widely regarded as the group's founder subsequent to Tunstall's demise. In the MGM series, Brewer is portrayed as the reliable overseer of Tunstall's general store, bank, and livestock on his personal cattle ranch in Lincoln County. Originating from Vermont, Brewer resided in Wisconsin and Missouri before eventually establishing himself in New Mexico. Like Billy the Kid, Brewer initially worked for Lawrence Murphy during the early 1870s but switched allegiance to Tunstall in 1876. Following Murphy and Dolan's orchestrated assault on Tunstall, Brewer emerged as the favored candidate to spearhead the Regulators and exact vengeance for Tunstall's untimely demise.

6. Charlie Bowdre

Charlie Bowdre, a loyal member of the Tunstall faction and a part of the Regulators alongside Billy the Kid and Dick Brewer, possessed a character that has not been extensively explored in the MGM series. In reality, Bowdre was recognized as a knowledgeable farmer and did not lead a life of violence and crime like Billy. Historical records reveal that Bowdre arrived in Lincoln County, New Mexico in 1874 and even established a cheese factory with his fellow Regulator, Doc Scurlock. Unlike the notorious Billy, Bowdre was often regarded as a righteous individual and somewhat of a vigilante. An example of this was when he liberated a well-known cattle thief from jail, only to administer justice by hanging the culprit before siding with Tunstall in the Lincoln County War of 1878.

5. George Coe

George Coe, along with Charlie Bowdre, was a member of the vigilante group mentioned earlier. Despite not holding an official law enforcement position, he gained a reputation for actively pursuing cattle thieves and other criminals of the Old West. George and his cousin Frank managed to gather enough funds to purchase their own ranch, which constantly faced threats from cattle thieves. It is said that he was unjustly arrested by the corrupt Sheriff William Brady, who was influenced by the Murphy House's bribes or manipulation. This incident led George to align himself with Tunstall during the Lincoln County War. Throughout the conflict, Coe was involved in all the major battles, and he became known for losing a finger in one of the combats.

4. Tom O’Folliard

3. Fred Waite

Joining Bonney and the Regulators after Tunstall's death, Tom O'Foliard, commonly known as Billy the Kid's trusted companion, hailed from Texas. In the second season of Billy the Kid, it is revealed that O'Folliard decided to align himself with the Regulators, finding solace in their acceptance due to his orphaned background. Together, they weathered the Lincoln County War and eluded the authorities until their untimely demise at the hands of Pat Garrett during separate incidents.

Fred Waite emerged as one of the few Regulators who escaped the Lincoln County War with minimal harm. New Mexico became his new home after his family, supportive of the Union, fled from Oklahoma during the Civil War. Although the MGM series offers little depiction of Waite, he remains a constant presence among the Regulators. In the aftermath of Tunstall's unfortunate demise, Waite joined their cause. Prior to the outbreak of war, he worked as a farmer for Tunstall in the 1870s and later found himself implicated in two murders committed by the Jesse Evans Gang. As a result, Waite fled New Mexico, eventually settling down and starting a family in Oklahoma.

2. John Middleton

John Middleton, a member of the Regulators, made a brief appearance in Billy the Kid season 2, episode 1. He was renowned as a true Old West cowboy, known for his exceptional gunfighting skills and physical prowess. Middleton played a significant role in the Lincoln County War, being present at most notable events such as the untimely death of John Tunstall and the Regulators' eventual murder of Sheriff William Brady. While information about Middleton's post-war life remains scarce, it is evident that he remained a loyal fighter for the Regulators throughout the entire conflict.

1. Juan Patron

In the MGM Billy the Kid series, Juan Patron stands out as the only character who was not a member of the Regulators. It is possible that Patron is a representation of the notorious Mexican-American outlaw Jose Chavez y Chavez, who actually joined Billy the Kid and the Regulators in 1878. Among the Regulators, besides Billy the Kid himself, Jose Chavez y Chavez is widely regarded as the most dangerous outlaw due to his involvement in numerous robberies and cattle thefts. However, Juan Patron's presence in Billy the Kid is minimal and when he does appear, he is portrayed as a much older and more composed individual compared to the real Jose Chavez y Chavez. It is uncertain whether there is any actual connection between the two, and it is conceivable that Patron is a completely fictional character.

Editor's P/S

As a Billy the Kid fan, I am thrilled to see the release of the MGM series that delves into the story of the Regulators gang. This group of men, led by the legendary Billy the Kid, played a significant role in the Lincoln County War and sought justice for the death of their mentor, John Tunstall.

The series accurately portrays the circumstances that led to the formation of the Regulators and highlights the key members who joined Billy the Kid in his quest for vengeance. Dick Brewer, the first leader of the group, is depicted as a reliable and trustworthy individual who took charge after Tunstall's demise. Charlie Bowdre, another prominent member, is shown as a knowledgeable farmer who became a vigilante in the pursuit of justice.

Overall, I appreciate the attention to detail and historical accuracy in the portrayal of the Regulators gang in the MGM series. It sheds light on the motivations and actions of these men, providing viewers with a deeper understanding of the events that unfolded during the Lincoln County War. As a fan of Billy the Kid and the history of the Wild West, I am excited to see how the series continues to explore the story of this notorious gang and its impact on the American frontier.