Alias Billy the Kid: A Timeline of the Life of America's Most Famous Outlaw

By John Frances

"William H. Bonney, Alias Billy the Kid: A Timeline of the Life of America's Most Famous Outlaw" is not a historical narrative; it is a journey into the enigmatic world of a legendary figure, a quest filled with more questions than answers. Born out of a deep-rooted fascination that began with iconic 1980s films like "Young Guns" and "Gore Vidal's Billy the Kid," this book represents a relentless pursuit of the truth behind one of the Wild West's most enigmatic figures.

The book unfolds as a personal odyssey of discovery, driven by the author's enduring obsession with the life of Billy the Kid. From the immersive experience of traveling through New Mexico's landscapes that cradled Billy's life and legend, to standing in the very places where history was made, every part is a testament to the quest for understanding a figure shrouded in myth.

This exploration delves into the many mysteries and unanswered questions that surround Billy the Kid. Many of these remain unanswered as there is really no way to know what the actual truth is. Was his birthplace Utica or New York City? Most people think New York, but there are those historians that think Utica makes much more sense. How young was he really during the Lincoln County War? Some say he was born in 1859, other say 1861. Could he really have been as young as 15 or 16 during the Lincoln County War? What are the true origins of his father and the name 'Bonney'? Was it a rich guy or Patrick McCarty? And crucially, how many men did he actually kill? Was it the 21 or 5? Who can really know where the bullets of his gun reached during the many shootouts. Each question leads down a rabbit hole of historical inquiry, revealing not just scarce facts but often more uncertainties.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R William Penne
• Release date: May 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9798215522356

Book preview

Introduction

When you come across stories about the American West, few names evoke the raw blend of myth and reality as does Billy the Kid. Born Henry McCarty, later known as William H. Bonney, but immortalized as Billy the Kid, his life was a paradoxical legend of youthful charisma and lethal gunmanship. His story, set against the backdrop of the untamed West, is not merely a tale of outlawry, but a narrative deeply intertwined with the tumultuous history of a nation in transition.

Perhaps destiny never intended for a character like Billy the Kid to age into Billy the Adult. In a world where the gun ruled, and laws were as transient as the dusty trails, Billy’s life trajectory seemed almost preordained. The Wild West, with its unbridled lawlessness and unyielding harshness, was a canvas on which his brief, yet vibrant life was vividly painted.

Billy was not born a desperado. His transformation into one of the most notorious figures of the American frontier was a product of the era's merciless circumstances. Orphaned at a young age, Billy's world turned upside down when his mother, the anchor of his turbulent childhood, succumbed to illness. This loss thrust him into a relentless survival mode, navigating a rugged landscape where the line between right and wrong was often blurred.

His stepfather's abandonment only deepened his plunge into the fringes of society. Young Billy found himself adrift in a world where manhood was measured by the ability to handle a horse and a gun. He adapted, displaying a remarkable agility and intelligence, but his youthfulness bore a double-edged sword – fearless yet lacking the foresight to grasp the consequences of his actions.

Billy’s life was a mosaic of contradictions. He was known for his charm and easygoing nature, winning over many who knew him personally. Stories of his kindness and loyalty contrasted sharply with the violent episodes that punctuated his life. His prowess with a gun became legendary, yet those who encountered his warmer side found it hard to reconcile this with the stories of him being cold-blooded killer. To many people, all they knew about The Kid was how he was portrayed in the sensationalized dime novels of the time. A romantic, a killer, a hero, a villain, or a vampire slayer?

Billy the Kid thrived in an era where the Civil War's echoes still resonated, and the battle for the West was waged daily. He was a participant and a victim of this era, navigating through a society in flux, where the old world clashed with the new, and legends were born in the crossfire.

As a product of his environment, Billy epitomized the quintessential Western outlaw – a young, fearless soul, maneuvering through a world of gambling dens, saloons, and spontaneous shootouts. His story, though marred by violence, also speaks volumes about the human capacity to adapt and survive.

His legend, over a century old, continues to captivate. The Kid's life was a juxtaposition of adolescence and adulthood, innocence and culpability, creating a legacy that transcends time. The story of Billy the Kid is not just a recounting of gunfights and escapades; it is a snapshot of a young man navigating an unforgiving world, a reflection of an America grappling with its identity.

In this book, we chronicle the life of Billy the Kid in the sequence of events as they unfolded. Each chapter delves into a segment of his life, providing not only a chronological account but also a glimpse into the societal, historical, and personal factors that shaped his journey. His story, ending prematurely yet seemingly at the right historical moment, offers a unique lens through which we can view the transformative era of the American West.

Billy the Kid was not a hero in the traditional sense, nor was he an outright villain. His life was a spectrum of shades, reflecting the complexities of a time when America was finding its footing. As you turn these pages, embark on a journey back in time, to an era where legends like Billy the Kid were not just born but were also inevitable. This is his story – a tale of a young life that blazed briefly but brightly, leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of American history.

1859-1861 The Birth of an Outlaw

In the legends that came from the history of the American West, where outlaws and gunslingers loomed large, the origins of Billy the Kid are shrouded in a mist of mystery and speculation. Central to this enigma is Catherine McCarty, his mother, whose life story, though sparse in details, is a poignant narrative of struggle, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of a woman facing the hardships of a new world.

Born around 1829, Catherine's early years are a blank slate in the chronicles of history. However, it's believed that she left Ireland in the wake of the Great Famine, a catastrophic event that devastated Ireland in the mid to late 1840s. The Great Famine, also known as the Irish Potato Famine, was a period of mass starvation, disease, and emigration. Triggered by a potato blight, which destroyed the primary food source for a majority of the population, it led to approximately one million deaths and forced another million to flee the country. This tragic event reshaped not just Ireland, but also the destinations where the immigrants sought refuge, including America.

Catherine's journey to America was representative of the thousands of Irish immigrants who braved the treacherous Atlantic in search of a better life. The voyage was far from comfortable; many traveled in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in what were known as coffin ships. These vessels were so named because of the high mortality rates among their passengers, who faced disease, starvation, and rough seas. Arriving in America, these immigrants were greeted not with open arms, but often with suspicion and discrimination.

Upon setting foot on American soil, likely around 1846, Catherine, then around 17 years old, faced the daunting challenge of building a life in a new land. Passenger records from this era indicate her first occupation in America was as a servant. This was a common path for many Irish immigrant women, who found employment in the homes of the more affluent. These jobs, while demanding, provided a foothold in the society of their adopted country.

Catherine's early years in America were likely spent in a dual world - working in service to a well-off family while finding community and solace among fellow Irish immigrants. This period of her life was one of adaptation and survival in a society that was often hostile to the Irish.

Around 1859-1860, Catherine is thought to have been living near Utica, New York. It was a time of profound change in America, with the country on the brink of the Civil War. It was also during this tumultuous period, in 1859 (Or as late as 1861), that Catherine gave birth to Henry McCarty, the boy who would grow up to be known as Billy the Kid. The exact place and year of Henry's birth remain subjects of debate among historians, as do the details of who his father was. Some accounts suggest that Catherine was married to a man named Patrick or Michael McCarty, while others speculate different scenarios such as  a rich neighbor.

Henry's birth, shrouded in ambiguity (many believe he was born in New York City, but records of this time are few and far between), set the stage for a life that would become legendary. Catherine's role as a single mother, especially during such a volatile period in American history, would have been fraught with challenges. She was navigating not only the struggles of raising a child in uncertain times but also the societal constraints placed on a woman in her position.

The early life of Catherine McCarty is a story of perseverance in the face of adversity. Her journey from Ireland to America, and her struggle to build a life in a new land, set the backdrop for the upbringing of one of the most famous outlaws in American history. While the details of her life may be sparse, her influence on her son, both in his early years and in the legacy he would leave behind, is undeniable.

Note: Mystery has always surrounded The Kid. Much of this is left to speculation. Most historian agree with the 1859 Birth year which would line up with the reported age at his death, but some reports have him being born as late as 1861.

1867/1868 – A Move to Indianapolis

The early life of Henry McCarty is as much a tale of mystery and speculation as it is a story of survival and resilience. One of the most enduring mysteries in his life is the identity of his father. This enigma, intertwined with the struggles of his mother, Catherine McCarty, paints a picture of a family navigating the complexities of life in 19th-century America.

The theory that Henry's father might have been the son of an upper-class family, where Catherine worked as a servant, is plausible given the social dynamics of the time. In the mid-1800s, relationships between men of higher social standing and female servants were not uncommon, though they were often shrouded in secrecy. Such an affair, especially if it resulted in the birth of a child, would indeed have been scandalous and potentially ruinous to the reputation of a well-to-do family.

This backdrop of secrecy and societal pressure provides a possible explanation for Catherine registering as a widow in official records. Such a claim, whether true or a fabrication, would have offered a semblance of respectability and legitimacy in an era where single motherhood was stigmatized. It also might have been a protective measure, shielding her and her child from the scorn and judgment of society.

By 1868, Catherine’s life