Billy the Kid, born Henry McCarty, was an American outlaw and Old West legend known for his exploits of stealing and killing while traveling with a gang in the new Western territories.

Why did Billy the Kid become an outlaw?

After killing a blacksmith during an altercation in August 1877, Bonney became a wanted man in Arizona and returned to New Mexico, where he joined a group of cattle rustlers. He became well known in the region when he joined the Regulators and took part in the Lincoln County War of 1878.

What were Billy the Kid's last words?

Billy the Kid spoke his last words in Spanish. Calling out “¿Quién es? ¿Quién es?” before he was killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett, the young outlaw's final moments signal his diverse ethnic context.

Is Billy the Kid violent?

Violence & Scariness. Billy learns to shoot while still a child and sees it as a way to protect his family and be a man and. Lots of old-West gunplay, people get shot and stagger around with bloody wounds.

What did Billy the Kid do that was bad?

Billy the Kid (born November 23, 1859?, New York, New York, U.S.—died July 14, 1881, Fort Sumner, New Mexico) was an American outlaw who was one of the most notorious gunfighters of the American West. Although he claimed to have killed 21 men, the actual number is likely less than 10.

Myth Vs. Reality: Billy the Kid

Is Billy the Kid Irish?

Henry McCarty is believed to be born to an Irish immigrant named Catherine McCarty. Although the identity of his father is uncertain, Henry probably lived alone with his mother in the slums of New York City before moving to Indianapolis some time in the next decade.

Was Billy the Kid Protestant?

Billy the Kid fought for the Protestant side, but was apparently a Catholic...

Did Wyatt Earp and Billy the Kid ever meet?

Billy the Kid Meets Wyatt Earp in Jerome, Arizona.

Was Billy the Kid fast with a gun?

According to Pat Garrett, Billy was “quick as a flash.” While a good shot, he said, Billy “was no better than the majority of men who are constantly handling and using six-shooters. . . .”

Did Billy the Kid have a lover?

The sheriff and two of his deputies slip into Fort Sumner in early evening, after hearing a rumor that the Kid's former lover, Paulita Maxwell, was pregnant with his child. They sneak into the house and the sheriff fires his gun twice at Billy the Kid, killing him.

Why was Billy the Kid put in jail?

His crimes earned him a bounty on his head and he was eventually captured and indicted for killing a sheriff during the Lincoln County War. Billy the Kid was sentenced to hang for his crime; however, a short time later, he managed another jail break, murdering two deputies in the process.

Did Billy the Kid have any children?

Furthermore, it's mentioned that he had two siblings, but one disappeared from records, while the other did not maintain a connection with him beyond their childhood. It's safe to conclude that he did not have any offspring, and consequently, there are no living descendants.

Why was he called Billy the Kid?

Billy the Kid was born Henry McCarty, but went by the name William “Billy" H. Bonney; he was known as “The Kid" because he began his criminal career at the age of sixteen. He lived from 1859 to 1881, and allegedly murdered between 21 and 24 men, in addition to being an armed outlaw, horse thief, and cattle rustler.

What Outlaw killed the most?

John Hardin was born on May 26, 1853 in Texas. He was a known outlaw, gunfighter, and folk icon. Hardin often got into trouble with the law from an early age. Arguably the most proficient slinger ever, He killed at least 21 men in gun duels and ambushes between 1868 and 1877.

Who is the best gunslinger in history?

1. Wild Bill Hickock. Born on May 27, 1837, James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok would accrue fame and infamy during his 39 years of living as a gunslinger who had been through it all.

How tall was Billy the Kid when he died?

He stood 5 foot 9 inches tall and weighed approximately 155 pounds. Billy had blue eyes, dirty blond hair, and had two front teeth that protruded. He wore a high-crowned sombrero with a green hatband and was right-handed. Billy also spoke fluent Spanish, was of above average intelligence, and was a born leader.

What happened to Billy the Kid's father?

Historians believe that his father (some say his name was William Bonney, others think it was Patrick Henry McCarty) died near the end of the Civil War, leaving his mother (variously identified as Catherine McCarty or Katherine McCarty Bonney) with two young sons.

What did Billy the Kid look like?

Reporting on his death in 1881, The New York Times described Billy the Kid as slim, good-looking and mild-mannered. “His soft blue eyes were so attractive that those who saw him for the first time looked upon him as a victim of circumstances,” it reported.

Did Billy the Kid come from Ireland?

The infamous Western outlaw known as “Billy the Kid” is mostly likely born in a poor Irish neighborhood on New York City's East Side on November 23, 1859. (Much about his early life is unknown or unverified.) Before he was shot dead at age 21, Billy reputedly killed at least nine people in the American West.

Could Billy the Kid speak Irish?

Irish American outlaw Billy the Kid helped translate for rancher Pat Coghlan's Irish-speaking niece, historian Chuck Usmar has claimed. Billy the Kid, one of America's most infamous outlaws, may have acted as a translator for Irish immigrants.

Who claimed to be Billy the Kid?

In 1955, a book titled “Alias Billy the Kid” was published about the life of Ollie (Brushy Bill) Roberts. It established his claim to being the notorious Billy the Kid. His claim was written so one and all could understand. Nothing was withheld or hidden.

How many movies were made about Billy the Kid?

Bob Steele and Buster Crabbe portrayed Billy the Kid in a series of 42 western films from 1940 through 1947, released by Poverty Row studio Producers Distributing Corporation. Some of the titles include Blazing Frontier, The Renegade, Cattle Stampede, and Western Cyclone (1943).

Where is Billy the Kid buried?

Old Fort Sumner Cemetery

Billy's real grave is three miles east of town on US Hwy 60/84, then south three miles on Billy the Kid Drive. On the right, in Old Fort Sumner Cemetery.