35 Facts About Billy The Kid

Early Life and Background

Billy the Kid, born Henry McCarty, is one of the most legendary figures of the Wild West. His life, filled with adventure and crime, has fascinated people for over a century. Let's dive into the early years that shaped this infamous outlaw.

1. Billy the Kid was born in 1859, though the exact date is disputed. Some sources suggest November 23, while others propose September based on baptism records.

2. Henry McCarty was the first of two boys born to Irish immigrant parents in New York City. His father, Patrick McCarty, died early, and his mother later married William Antrim, who became Billy's stepfather.

3. After his mother's marriage to Antrim, the family moved to Indiana and then to Kansas in 1870. This move marked the beginning of Billy's journey westward.

4. Billy's mother died of tuberculosis in 1874, leaving him an orphan at the age of 14. He was then left in the care of an absentee stepfather, leading to a series of foster homes and boarding houses.

5. Despite his difficult early life, Billy quickly adapted to the rugged conditions of the American West. He became fluent in Spanish and developed skills that would serve him well in his future as an outlaw.

Rise to Notoriety

Billy the Kid's transition from a troubled youth to a notorious outlaw was marked by a series of dramatic events. His exploits soon gained him fame across the West.

6. Billy's first arrest occurred in 1875 when he assisted a local street tough named "Sombrero Jack" in stealing clothing from a Chinese laundry. He was arrested but managed to escape by shimmying up a chimney.

7. Billy adopted the alias "William H. Bonney" and became known as "Billy the Kid" or simply "The Kid." His exploits soon gained him notoriety across the West, with stories of his adventures reaching as far as New York City.

8. After his escape from jail, Billy worked as a ranch hand and gambler. He became handy with a Winchester rifle and a Colt revolver, skills that would later prove crucial in his gunfights.

9. Billy's first confirmed killing took place on August 17, 1877, in the small town of Bonita. He killed Francis Cahill in a dispute that escalated into a deadly confrontation.

10. Billy the Kid was involved in the Lincoln County War, a range war between rival ranchers and merchants. He joined the Regulators, a group of men seeking to protect the interests of the local community against the Murphy-Dolan faction.

Life of Crime

Billy the Kid's life as an outlaw was filled with gunfights, escapes, and a series of criminal activities that made him a legend.

11. During his involvement in the Lincoln County War, Billy participated in several gunfights and managed to escape from custody multiple times. One of the most famous escapes was from the Lincoln County Jail, where he broke free with the help of his fellow Regulators.

12. Unlike other notorious outlaws, Billy the Kid did not engage in bank robberies or train heists. His main criminal enterprise was rustling cattle on the New Mexico plains.

13. Billy was involved in at least nine murders, although the exact number is disputed. He claimed to have killed 21 men, but most experts believe this number to be exaggerated.

14. One of the most legendary gunfights involving Billy took place in January 1880 at a New Mexico saloon. He disarmed a drunk man named Joe Grant and later shot him dead when Grant tried to shoot him in the back.

15. Billy the Kid made a famous jailbreak during his time with the Regulators. He escaped from the Lincoln County Jail by breaking through the wall of his cell and making his way to freedom.

Personal Traits and Lesser-Known Facts

Beyond his criminal activities, Billy the Kid had a personality and life experiences that added depth to his legend.

16. In addition to his alias "William H. Bonney," Billy also used the name "Kid Antrim," inspired by his stepfather's surname, William Antrim.

17. Before his life of crime, Billy worked at a cheese factory in New Mexico. This period of his life is often overlooked but highlights that he was not always an outlaw.

18. Contrary to popular belief, Billy the Kid was known for his easygoing personality. He was described as cool under pressure and tried to stay positive despite the challenges he faced.

19. During his brief imprisonment, Billy was taunted and mocked by Bob Olinger. Despite this, Billy never showed signs of having a nasty temper, contradicting Pat Garrett's claims.

20. Pat Garrett, the sheriff who killed Billy the Kid, was later murdered in 1908 by a man named Jesse Wayne Brazel. This event has been linked to Garrett's role in Billy's death, although there is no direct evidence.

Final Days and Death

Billy the Kid's life came to a dramatic end, but his legend continued to grow even after his death.

21. Billy the Kid was free for just three months before his final encounter with Pat Garrett. The moment Garrett learned of Billy's escape, New Mexico’s governor put another $500 bounty on Billy, dead or alive.

22. On July 14, 1881, Garrett caught wind that Billy might be staying with a friend in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Garrett entered the house and shot Billy dead when he entered.

23. Despite the bounty placed on Billy's head, Garrett was not given the $500 reward by the governor's office. However, local citizens chipped in and raised $7,000 for him instead. Later, the New Mexico territorial legislature voted to give Garrett the $500 he was owed.

24. Billy the Kid eventually became an infamous icon of American history, especially among outlaws of the Wild West. Some see him as a folk hero, and in 1931, locals in New Mexico raised money to give him a proper headstone.

25. In 1981, Billy the Kid's headstone was stolen. It was later recovered in Florida and flown back to New Mexico, where it remains today.

Legacy and Controversies

Billy the Kid's legacy is filled with myths, conspiracy theories, and a lasting impact on popular culture.

26. Throughout the years, some fans have floated conspiracy theories claiming Billy the Kid survived to old age and that Garrett killed the wrong man or faked his death. However, there is no hard evidence to support these claims.

27. In 2010, some petitioned the New Mexico governor’s office to grant Billy a posthumous pardon, citing a promise made by Lew Wallace 130 years earlier. However, this never came to pass.

28. In 2010, a man named Randy Guijarro bought an old photo for $2 at a shop in Fresno, California. Believing the photo included Billy the Kid, Guijarro found an authentication firm that verified his claim with facial recognition analysis and valued it at $5 million. However, the authenticity of the photo has since been disputed.

29. Despite Billy’s reported death in 1881, a senior citizen named Ollie ‘Brushy Bill’ Roberts claimed in 1949 that he was Billy the Kid. Brushy Bill’s story included intimate details about Billy’s life and the Lincoln County War, but his claim was dismissed due to inconsistencies and lack of evidence.

30. Another man named John Miller claimed to be Billy the Kid but was largely discredited when his bones were disinterred and DNA samples were taken. These samples did not match a blood sample thought to be Billy the Kid’s, effectively ending his claim.

Billy the Kid in Popular Culture

Billy the Kid's story has been immortalized in films, books, and television shows, making him a lasting figure in American folklore.

31. The first film about Billy the Kid, titled “Billy the Kid,” was released in 1911 as a silent film. This marked the beginning of a long line of movies and television shows that would cement his legend in popular culture.

32. Billy the Kid has been portrayed by numerous actors over the years, including Roy Rogers, Paul Newman, Val Kilmer, and Emilio Estevez. His story has appeared on the big screen more than 50 times, making him one of the most depicted outlaws in cinema history.

33. While Billy the Kid’s legend has grown significantly over the years, some aspects of his life may have been exaggerated. For instance, the claim that he killed 21 men is widely disputed, with most experts believing he was responsible for up to nine deaths.

34. Billy the Kid was known for his exceptional gunfighting skills. He was particularly adept with a Winchester rifle and a Colt revolver, which he used in many of his confrontations.

35. Billy the Kid’s legacy continues to captivate audiences today. His story serves as a reminder of the lawless frontier era and the men who shaped it. Despite the controversies surrounding his life and death, he remains an iconic figure in American history.

Billy the Kid's Enduring Legacy

Billy the Kid's life was a whirlwind of adventure, crime, and legend. From his early days as Henry McCarty to his notorious alias, William H. Bonney, his story has fascinated people for over a century. Known for his involvement in the Lincoln County War, his numerous escapes from jail, and his skills with a Winchester rifle and Colt revolver, Billy's exploits have become the stuff of Wild West folklore. Despite his criminal activities, some view him as a folk hero, a symbol of the lawless frontier era. His death at the hands of Pat Garrett in 1881 didn't end his story; it only fueled the legend. With over 50 movie adaptations and countless books, Billy the Kid remains an iconic figure in American history, a testament to the enduring allure of the Wild West.