On This Day in History: Billy the Kid Arrested for the First Time

Photo byPbs.org

On September 23, 1875, a young man destined for infamy was arrested for the first time. Billy the Kid, born William Henry McCarty—though many knew him as Henry McCarty—was apprehended in Silver City, New Mexico, after being caught stealing a basket of laundry. This seemingly trivial crime, a sign of his early lawlessness, would spark a legendary saga that would captivate audiences for generations.

Photo Found At Junk Store Has Billy The Kid In It. Tintype depicts Billy the Kid and several members of his gang, The Regulators (1878).Photo byNpr.org

Early Life and Turbulent Beginnings

Born on November 23, 1859, in New York City, Billy's early life was anything but stable. After his father died, his mother moved the family to Kansas and then to Colorado, where she remarried. Eventually, they settled in New Mexico. It was during these formative years that Billy’s world turned upside down. After losing his mother in 1874, he turned to a life of crime, adopting various aliases, including Kid Antrim and William Bonney.

As a child, he was known as Henry McCarty. Still, his turbulent upbringing led him to wander the Southwest, falling into a life of thievery and lawlessness. By his early teens, Billy was already drifting from town to town, often associating with gangs. This lifestyle would eventually lay the groundwork for his notorious future.

His initial brush with the law came after stealing that laundry basket, but it was just a minor hiccup in what would become a chaotic life. He escaped jail shortly after his arrest, showcasing the audacity that would become his hallmark. With a mix of charm and cunning, he quickly earned a reputation as a skilled gunslinger, and his escapades began to attract attention across the Southwest.

Bill the Kid can be seen, in a top hat playing cards with his fellow gang members in a rare photo of the notorious American outlaw.Photo bySOFE Design Auctions / BNPS

The Rise of an Outlaw

The late 1870s were a whirlwind for Billy the Kid. He became entangled in the Lincoln County War, a violent feud between rival factions in New Mexico over control of the lucrative cattle industry. Billy was known for his slender build, crooked front teeth, and an unexpected talent for singing, which earned him some local fans. However, his charm did little to mask the chaos he unleashed. His reputation grew as he stole cattle, gambled in saloons, and engaged in deadly shootouts, claiming to have killed 21 men—a number that scholars believe is likely closer to ten.

His lawless exploits turned him into a folk hero and a wanted man, with bounties placed on his head. In December 1880, Sheriff Pat Garrett captured Billy after a lengthy chase. His murder trial took place in Mesilla, New Mexico, in April 1881, where he was found guilty and sentenced to hang. But the story didn’t end there.

Billy's infamous escape on April 28, 1881, was nothing short of cinematic. He broke out of jail, killing two deputies in the process. This daring act not only prolonged his life as a fugitive but also cemented his reputation as a skilled and audacious outlaw. Sheriff Garrett's relentless pursuit and their final encounter at the ranch home of Pete Maxwell in Fort Sumner on July 14, 1881, marked the end of a dramatic chapter in the life of one of the West's most notorious figures.

Billy the Kid's life was tragically short, ending when he was just 21 years old. Yet, his legacy has only grown. His story has been immortalized in countless films, books, and songs, positioning him alongside other legendary figures of the Old West, such as Jesse James and Wyatt Earp.

Killing the Kid drawing.Photo byGetty Images

Myths and Mystique

Even after his death, Billy's tale has been steeped in myth. Many still debate his true identity; some speculate that he may have been Ollie L. Roberts, known as "Brushy Bill," who claimed to be Billy the Kid in his later years. This sense of mystery only adds to the allure of his story.

Today, tourists flock to Fort Sumner, about 160 miles southeast of Albuquerque, to visit the Billy the Kid Museum and his gravesite. They come seeking a glimpse of the past, eager to understand the allure of a young man who lived on his own terms, often dancing with danger.

Photo byBilly the Kid Museum

As we reflect on this day in history, the story of Billy the Kid reminds us of the complex interplay between myth and reality in the American West. His life encapsulates the essence of a bygone era, where adventure and danger were part of everyday existence. Billy the Kid remains a symbol of rebellion and the untamed spirit of the frontier, a figure whose legend continues to captivate and inspire, proving that even the most fleeting lives can leave a lasting mark on history.