316 Smokey Bear Blvd.Capitan, New Mexico "The original birthplace of Smokey Bear"  1-800-SMOKEY- B 1-800-766-5392 1-575-354-2253 Information Home Motel Billy The Kid Scenic Byway Capitan History Area History Chamber of Commerce Ruidoso Chamber Of Commerce Area History The Town Of Lincoln Located only 12 Miles From Capitan In 1869, with the formation of the county named in honor of President Lincoln, the Territorial Legislature changed this frontier town's name, for the third time, to Lincoln. Many buildings have been restored, and the town kept much the same as it was in the late 1800's. The Lincoln County War, the last great shootout of the Old West, grew from a conflict between two rival mercantile operations, the Murphy-Dolan and Tunstall stores. Lawyer Alexander McSween, a Tunstall partner, was killed in the "Five Day Battle." His widow, Susan, went on to become known as the "Cattle Queen of New Mexico." She is buried in the cemetery at White Oaks. The Lincoln County Courthouse, where Billy the Kid was jailed, was once the Murphy-Dolan store. Billy escaped on April 25, 1881, killing two deputies. Three months later, Billy was killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett at Ft. Sumner. Visit several museums, including the old Court House, for a fascinating look into history.    Lincoln County War More Area History...