The Maxwell House

I was wondering if anyone can tell me that at the time of Billy's death did the Maxwell home have the added addition to it? I know that they built like an upper floor but was it before or after BTK was alive? and another thing I read somewhere that the downstairs flooring was dirt because it was cooler for the hot summers is that true? thanks for any feedback to these questions.

From what I know: No. They added the second floor in 1882, so the famous "Maxwell house" photo actually wouldn't show the Maxwell house like Billy saw it.

Thanks for your info.What a shame that there is not more authenticated pictures on the whole BTK story.It would be awesome to be able to see the Maxwell home just exactly like it was when Billy was there.Do you know if any floor plans exist? and if so where could I find them?Thanks again.

There is a foto in Fulton's edition of Garrett's 'Authentic Life....' first ed 1927 between pps 212-213 of the Maxwell House when the Army were there, a cannon in front and officers and their crinolined ladies on the balcony.......and a white picket fence in front...dates from early 1870's and is just the same as the one with ? Pedro Maxwell outside with his horse.Other pics in this ed are v.interesting including some of Lincoln and Mesilla.


I believe at the WWHA meeting held in Virginia Dale Wyo some time back there was a mockup of the famous bedroom but I've been unable to view it.

ps and a ground plan of the Fort showing the relationship of some key buildings in the Kid story

Did Billy enter the gate that was right next to the bedroom window? or did he enter at the other end and walk all the way down the porch? that has always been my belief but I saw a drawn out pix the other day and it shows his footprints entering right in front of the bedroom window.If that was true then he would have seen Poe and McKinney straight on and would not have been caught off guard.I would love to see the old pictures is there anyway you could e-mail me a copy? if so my addy is on my profile.Thanks for sharing your info on my question.

Bronte wrote:

I saw a drawn out pix the other day and it shows his footprints entering right in front of the bedroom window. If that was true then he would have seen Poe and McKinney straight on and would not have been caught off guard.

That is my understanding too. He came from a room of a house that was across the Maxwell house and maybe 100 yards away. Since it was night and Billy busy with his trousers he didn't see what he could have seen normally: Poe and McKinney standing/sitting on the porch. He was just offguard I guess.

Read Garretts and Poe's versions again and it should be clear that Billy entered the gate right at the bedroom.

Poe says the Kid was inside the fence and 'approaching at a very brisk walk' so he did'nt come thro' any gate in the fence near the house,anyway Poe was sitting on the porch about 20' beyond the door of Maxwell's room with his feet protruding in to the gate opening;he must have been behind the corner post supporting the upper balcony as it obscured the Kid's vision and he did'nt see Poe because of it.McKinney squatted on the ground on the other side of the fence.Poe says the Kid went (presumably backed in ,as he was watching Poe and McKinney with his drawn pistol in his hand )in to Maxwell's room about 30 seconds after Garrett entered it.He stuck his head out a few times asking 'Quien es?' of Poe and McKinney before he finally disappeared in to the room.Poe heard him asking Maxwell in Spanish 'Who are those men outside Pete ?' which question was followed almost immediately by Garret's first and deadly shot. As Garret said later it all happened in less time than it takes to relate.