Billy Bonney couldn’t convince the governor to meet with him. March 2, 1881. Billy the Kid sends one of his many letters to New Mexico Territory...
A Letter From the Kid
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Billy the Kid
Billy the Kid’s Many Aliases
The Kid's official birth name was William Henry McCarty Jr. His birthplace is not certain. Some say New York City. In 1873 his mother, Catherine...
Taking His Time
Billy the Kid was in no hurry to leave after breaking jail. Billy the Kid became famous after he escaped from the Lincoln County Jail on April 28,...
Billy the Kid
There are more myths about Billy than you can shake a stick at and the biggest one is he killed twenty-one men. In reality, Billy killed Frank...
The Power of Pictures
The very best historical photographs from our treasured vaults define our idea of the West. In honor of our 70th year, the editors of True West have...
Black Bart, Buffalo Robes and Outlaw Hideouts
What were buffalo hides used for? Pat McManus Cave Junction, Oregon Often, they were used for coats or blankets—both by Indians and Whites. In the...
Shooting Back
Our readers remind us of the variables and vagaries of historic truths, “well-established” facts, headlines and historical photographs. The Revenge...
Not-So Scared Straight
A sheriff’s failed attempt to turn Billy the Kid’s life around. Harvey Whitehill was the sheriff of Grant County, New Mexico Territory, at the time...
Blood Brothers
Billy the Kid’s sibling Joe went in a different direction. Joe McCarty/Antrim had one claim to fame: he was Billy the Kid’s brother (or...
Momaday’s Billy the Kid Pistola
The famed Pulitzer Prize-winning writer shares his obsession for Billy the Kid in his tale of a gun he believes the outlaw owned. This is the story...
Slaughter in Seven Rivers
Billy Wilson and Tom Pickett escaped the noose for the senseless murders of four Hispanos in Lincoln County. "Where would we get help if it...
Billy the Kid, Gunfighters and Rewards
During a film class on Western films it was observed while watching the film The Gunfighter a main character was wearing one spur throughout the...