Card From the Authors collection. Produced by the LL Cook Co.
The L.L. Cook Company was founded in 1921 and was one of the two largest postcard publishing companies in Milwaukee, Wisconsin up to the 1960s,
This is my first-ever article on Billy The Kid. I've written quite a bit about the intrigue in Tombstone AZ in the 1880s, and the gut wrenching story of Jesse and Frank James and their unfortunate but adventurous lives. But the story of Billy The Kid, is very different, unlike the stories of Wyatt Earp and Tombstone, which was in many ways, like a game of chess, and the Story of Jesse and Frank James was a matter of family bloodlines and the civil war. Billy's story is almost melancholy in nature, and one can find an easy connection to Henry and his circumstances, because he was a young guy caught up in a bad situation.
BILLY THE KID
Billy the Kid, born Henry McCarty, is one of the most notorious outlaws of the American Old West, whose life story has been romanticized through countless books, films, and songs. Known for his youth, charm, and deadly gun skills, Billy's legend outgrew the young man himself, making him an enduring figure in American folklore.
He was born in New York City around 1859, Henry McCarty’s life was marked by hardship from the start. After his father's death (or disappearance), he moved with his mother, Catherine, to Indianapolis, then to Wichita, Kansas, and eventually to Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory. After his mother died of tuberculosis in 1874, he was left to fend for himself, leading him into a life of petty crime. Adopting the alias "William H. Bonney" or "Kid Antrim," he quickly escalated from small thefts to horse thievery and murder. His transformation into "Billy the Kid" was sealed during the Lincoln County War (1878-1879), a conflict that involved rival factions in New Mexico fighting for economic control. Billy sided with the Regulators, a group formed to counter the corruption of the "House" faction. His involvement in the war included the killing of Billy's fame grew not just from his criminal activities but from his daring escapes. After the conflict, he was captured but managed an audacious escape from jail in Lincoln, New Mexico, where he killed two deputies. This escape, among others, contributed to his legend as both cunning and dangerous.
Pat Garrett, a former friend turned lawman, was determined to capture Billy. In 1880, Garrett managed to arrest him, but Billy escaped yet again. However, his freedom was short-lived. On July 14, 1881, Garrett shot and killed Billy at Fort Sumner, ending the life of the 21-year-old (or possibly 19, as his exact age is debated) outlaw.
Billy the Kid's death might have ended his physical existence, but his legend was just beginning. Over the years, his image has transformed from a simple outlaw to a symbol of the Wild West's untamed spirit:
Billy has been the subject of numerous films, including "The Left Handed Gun" and "Young Guns." His story also inspired countless novels, songs, and even video games.
There are numerous myths surrounding Billy, including claims that he was left-handed (debunked by photo analysis showing his gun belt on his left side, indicating he was right-handed) and tales of surviving his reported death. Some claim that Billy faked his death, leading to sightings and stories well into the 20th century. His grave in Fort Sumner remains a tourist attraction, symbolizing his undying legend.
Billy the Kid represents the duality of the American frontier: a place where lawlessness could coexist with the pursuit of freedom. His story questions the nature of heroism, villainy, and the thin line between the two in the lawless landscapes of the Old West. Whether seen as a cold-blooded killer or a victim of circumstance, Billy the Kid's legacy continues to captivate the imagination, embodying the untamed spirit of an era long gone but forever etched in history.
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