Fred Waite and Henry Brown were once members of the Regulators, a vigilante group born out of the violent turmoil of the Lincoln County War in New Mexico during the late 1870s. Known for their sharp shooting and fearless resolve, both men played active roles in the bloodshed that followed, as factions battled for control in a region where law and loyalty were often fluid. In an era where the difference between outlaw and lawman could shift overnight, Waite and Brown gained reputations as capable, if dangerous, figures navigating a brutal chapter of Western history.
In the war’s aftermath, the two found themselves allied with one of the most enduring legends of the American frontier, Billy the Kid. Riding with his gang, they took part in daring escapes and deadly confrontations, living lives defined by risk and rebellion. Their association with Billy the Kid sealed their place in Western lore, linking them to a band of outlaws whose story blurred the lines between justice and vengeance. For a time, Waite and Brown rode in the shadow of a legend, their own names woven into the mythos of the Wild West.
A surviving photograph, housed in the True West Archives, captures the stoic faces of Waite and Brown, men shaped by conflict, loyalty, and the shifting allegiances of their time. It’s a haunting reminder of the era they inhabited, when survival meant choosing sides in a world without clear heroes.
