Billy the Kid, born Henry McCarty—possibly on September 17 or November 23, 1859—is one of the most enduring figures of the American Old West. Known for his youthful face, deadly aim, and outlaw persona, Billy the Kid has been immortalized in folklore, film, and literature. Though he lived only 21 years, his legacy as an American gunfighter and symbol of the frontier remains strong over a century later.
Early Life and Descent Into Outlawry
Not much is known about McCarty’s early life with certainty. He was likely born in New York City and later moved west with his family. After being orphaned around the age of 15, he lived in Indiana and Kansas before settling in the New Mexico Territory.
His first brush with the law came in 1875 when, at just 16, he was arrested for stealing food. Ten days later, he was jailed again for stealing clothing and firearms from a Chinese laundry. He escaped custody and fled Arizona Territory, marking the beginning of his life as a fugitive.
It was during this time that he began using the alias “William H. Bonney,” though he was better known by the nickname “Billy the Kid.” The “Kid” moniker stuck, thanks to his baby-faced appearance and teenage age during his rise to notoriety.
First Kill and Growing Infamy
In 1877, Billy was involved in an altercation with a local blacksmith in Arizona and shot him dead. The killing made him a wanted man in Arizona, prompting his return to New Mexico, where he fell in with a gang of cattle rustlers.
But Billy’s most infamous chapter began with his involvement in the Lincoln County War—a violent power struggle between rival merchants and ranchers in southeastern New Mexico. He joined a faction called the Regulators, a group of vigilantes supported by the Murphy-Dolan business interests’ rivals. As a Regulator, Billy participated in a number of killings, including the assassination of Sheriff William Brady, an event that solidified his status as a dangerous outlaw.
National Notoriety and the Legend Grows
Billy’s exploits during the Lincoln County War earned him a fearsome reputation. In December 1880, major newspapers like the Las Vegas Gazette and The Sun in New York began publishing stories about him. Suddenly, “Billy the Kid” was no longer just a regional figure—he became a national outlaw icon.
Around this time, Sheriff Pat Garrett, a former acquaintance of Billy’s, was elected in Lincoln County. Determined to bring Billy to justice, Garrett led a posse that captured the Kid later that month. In April 1881, Billy was tried and convicted for Sheriff Brady’s murder and sentenced to hang.
Daring Escape and Final Days
Billy’s legend grew even more after he made a dramatic jailbreak from the Lincoln County courthouse on April 28, 1881. Using a hidden firearm, he killed two deputies—James Bell and Bob Olinger—before escaping into the hills. This escape shocked authorities and captivated the public.
For over two months, Billy evaded capture, reportedly hiding with sympathetic locals and friends. But on July 14, 1881, Sheriff Garrett tracked him to Fort Sumner, where Billy was staying at a friend’s home. In the darkness of the night, Garrett shot and killed him—ending the Kid’s short, violent life.
Billy was just 21 years old.
Aftermath and Enduring Mystery
Rumors immediately swirled that Billy had survived. Over the years, several men came forward claiming to be Billy the Kid, most notably “Brushy Bill” Roberts in the 1950s. None of these claims were ever substantiated.
Despite his death, Billy the Kid became larger in legend than in life. Books, movies, and ballads romanticized his life as that of a tragic rebel or misunderstood youth, a sharp shooter born into lawlessness who was as much a product of his time as he was a defiant agent of it.
Legacy
Billy the Kid’s life has been dramatized in over 50 films, numerous novels, documentaries, and even television series. From Hollywood’s depictions in Young Guns and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid to more recent TV portrayals, Billy remains a compelling antihero.
Historians continue to debate his true nature—was he a cold-blooded killer, a product of social and legal chaos, or a scapegoat caught between rival factions? Whatever the truth, Billy the Kid has become an enduring symbol of the Old West: rebellious, dangerous, and unforgettable.
