BILLY THE KID
Billy the Kid.
Born November 23, 1859
New York City, United States
Died July 14, 1881 (aged 21)
Fort Sumner, New Mexico, U.S.
Occupation Outlaw
William Henry McCarty (November 23, 1859 - July 14, 1881), better known as
Billy the Kid, but also known by the aliases William Antrim and William Harrison
Bonney, was a famous 19th century American frontier outlaw and gunman who was a
participant in the Lincoln County War. According to legend he killed 21 men, one
for each year of his life, but more likely he participated in the killing of
less than half that number.
McCarty (or Bonney, the name he used at the height of his notoriety) was 5'8-5'9
with blue eyes, smooth cheeks, and prominent front teeth. He was said to be
friendly and personable at times, but he could also be short-tempered and
determined. This made him a very dangerous outlaw, when combined with his
shooting skills and cunning. He was also famous for (apparently) always wearing
a sugarloaf sombrero hat with a wide green decorative band. He was little known
in his own lifetime but was catapulted into legend in the year after his death
when his killer, Sheriff Patrick Garrett, published a wildly sensationalistic
biography of him called The Authentic Life of Billy, the Kid. Beginning with
Garrett's account, Billy the Kid grew into a symbolic figure of the American Old
West.
Billy the Kid.
Born November 23, 1859
New York City, United States
Died July 14, 1881 (aged 21)
Fort Sumner, New Mexico, U.S.
Occupation Outlaw
William Henry McCarty (November 23, 1859 - July 14, 1881), better known as
Billy the Kid, but also known by the aliases William Antrim and William Harrison
Bonney, was a famous 19th century American frontier outlaw and gunman who was a
participant in the Lincoln County War. According to legend he killed 21 men, one
for each year of his life, but more likely he participated in the killing of
less than half that number.
McCarty (or Bonney, the name he used at the height of his notoriety) was 5'8-5'9
with blue eyes, smooth cheeks, and prominent front teeth. He was said to be
friendly and personable at times, but he could also be short-tempered and
determined. This made him a very dangerous outlaw, when combined with his
shooting skills and cunning. He was also famous for (apparently) always wearing
a sugarloaf sombrero hat with a wide green decorative band. He was little known
in his own lifetime but was catapulted into legend in the year after his death
when his killer, Sheriff Patrick Garrett, published a wildly sensationalistic
biography of him called The Authentic Life of Billy, the Kid. Beginning with
Garrett's account, Billy the Kid grew into a symbolic figure of the American Old
West.