What's In A Name?

Many people have asked about the origin of the name “Lincoln County Band” and what our logo represents.

If you are interested… read on:

Let’s start with the logo... The Navajo sun sign that forms the outside of the logo is a stylized version of the New Mexico state symbol. The “Bandit” inside the sun sign represents the most famous bandit from New Mexico… Billy the Kid. The "Kid’s" infamy stems from the conflict that historians call The Lincoln County Wars which were fought in and around Lincoln County, New Mexico.

The Lincoln County War (1878-81) in eastern New Mexico made the reputation of William H. Bonney, a name Henry McCarty began using at the age of 14 or 15. While working as a cowhand in the Pecos Valley, the teenager witnessed the murder of his employer by cattle barons and became obsessed with revenge.

The resulting "war" ended for Billy the Kid when (by that time a felon with a price on his head), he was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett.

Yes, there is a Lincoln County, Maine…. and a Lincoln County, Nebraska. In fact, many states have counties by that name. Our name, however, comes from Lincoln County, New Mexico.

Henry McCarty
Nov. 23, 1859--July 14, 1881
  New York City, NY
   aka: William H. Bonney;
     Billy Bonney;
      Kid; Billy the Kid