Billy the Kid's Mysterious Roots

In the summer of 1881, Billy the Kid was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett. The lawman had been on the hunt ever since Billy broke out of jail in the town of Lincoln and finally caught up to the bandit at Old Fort Sumner. It was around midnight, and Pat was waiting inside Pete Maxwell’s darkened bedroom when the Kid stepped in. “Quien es?” Billy asked, noticing the large shape looming in the shadows. “Who is it?” Pat answered in the form of two shots from his 44-40 Colt revolver and just like that Billy the Kid was over. At least in his mortal form. His body may have been stuck in the ground the next day but can’t no pine box contains the legend that soon emerged. And make no mistake about it, over the decades that followed Billy the Kid has taken on mythical proportions unrivaled by any other character of the Old West. But who was he REALLY? In this episode we’ll take a look at the Kid’s origin story; what we know about his family and his early life. We’ll dive into Billy’s time in Silver City, his first brush(es) with the law, his time in the mining camps of Arizona, and - of course - his first time with Francis “Windy” Cahill. #wildwest #history #outlaw
Check out my website for more true tales from the wild and woolly west www.wildwestextra.com/
Email me! www.wildwestextra.com/contact/
Buy me a coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/wildwest
Free Newsletter! wildwestjosh.substack.com/
Join Patreon for bonus content! / wildwestextra
How The West Was Cast - westernpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Billy the Kid: A Short and Violent Life | Robert Utley - www.amazon.com/dp/0803295588?...
Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride | Michael Wallis - www.amazon.com/dp/0393060683?...

[@BoomerMcBoom]

In early 1942, my dad lost his mother. He was 7, with 3 older sisters and 3 younger brothers. He never spoke of it. He died in 2008 at 73. It definitely affected him his entire life.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

I'm sorry to hear that

[@jayfelsberg1931]

As per Kevin Costner, I regard "Open Range" as one of the closet to perfect westerns ever! And it;s perfectly cast. And the cinematography is incredible.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

It's a good one

[@lynngraham2934]

Yes!

[@nathanielgreer2764]

I’m starting to think that the more you roll the R in Extravaganza the more excited you are about the episode. It sounds like this episode is going to be a doozy.

[@daviddavis7136]

I love this guy, great job

[@childoftheeternalsky2382]

"I 'll sing you a true song of Billy the Kid I'll sing of some desperate deeds that he did 'Way out in New Mexico long long ago When a man's only chance was his own forty-four".. Can't believe you re finally covering Bonnie, god rest his,and all those folks from the Lincoln county war souls. As ever, thank you for the education and the witty humor I'm sure this series will be full of.

[@sharrk173]

So glad you used your natural voice/accent, as is brings your character to these stories. I am from the land of Oz, but have lived in Ireland for 8 years, and can tell you that there is no constant accent across that beautiful land. In places that I worked I was regularly called to basically translate between lilts of different counties, towns and just different villages, especially when someone dropped in from the UK to do some training. Loved being in a Tesco's and listening to the people talk in the other Isles, could tell if they were from Ardee, Dublin (north, south, or west) or Wicklow. Was very enchanting to be able to hear such diversity in the language from such a close community.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

I bet

[@Rollin_L]

My father was ten when his mother died. He was the second youngest of 6, both sisters and brothers, the oldest brother being from his mother's first marriage. The youngest brother died in infancy. I can't say how much he was affected by this, as he never talked about it. That might say plenty itself. Also, this happened during the early years of the Great Depression, so no doubt life was tough. I know he dropped out of high school to help earn money for the family. That said, it's a far cry from being fully orphaned as Henry McCarty was, in 1870s New Mexico Territory. There are no words for how harsh that must have been. As a side note, my father's grandmother, who he knew well, was from immigrant parents and born in New York in... 1860. Her maiden name was Kennedy. While there were certainly a LOT of Irish immigrant families there at the time, it's fun to imagine she might have crossed paths with a certain McCarty family as a child. Enjoying your channel, and thanks for all the time on the BTK story!

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

She may have!

[@johnnieplageman9145]

Incredible as always sir! Thank you.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Thank you

[@PNWCagey-Dub]

*heads out to steal butter* Don’t threaten me with a good time…😂 might as well steal a horse while I’m at it. I didn’t have plans for the weekend until I listened to this! Thanks, Billy! Lol

[@plymouthduster225]

Been waiting for this series. Out of all of the famous people of the old west, I always enjoyed reading books and watching movies about Billy The Kid, I think that why he interest me is because there is so much about him that people don't know or aren't sure of.

[@bellatordeveritas1638]

As for losing a parent at a young age goes I can tell you that it has a tremendous affect on people. When my uncle passed my two 1st cousins were totally devastated and after 10 years and 2 prison sentences for one and 2 military deployments for the other, they've finally seemed to put it behind them and although they handled it in completely different ways, it totally changed their lives and who they were.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Wow, I bet.

[@stewartdalton3298]

Even thought I live in Australia And we didn't have the revolution we could've had. I absolutely love the way old mate (Josh) relates his interpretation of the facts that he gets. And the introduction is the best saddle up. Yeah Haar. That we get. But I wouldn't get on a horse unless he went slow. I can walk. I'm atrekker.... And all peace and respect to all..

[@ryvisla6827]

My man is the best old west story teller/ historian on KZbin!!! I can’t get enough

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Many thanks

[@walterbrown9651]

Great! Ride With The Devil is fantastic. How about a segment about John Lobb or Henry Wilson?Lewis Redmond King Of The Moonshiners? Love the channel! President Truman did speak to Federal abuses during the Civil War while president.

[@vincentjones4461]

Fantastic sir! Great show. Can't wait for the next episode!

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Thank you, sir

[@swhip897]

Great job Josh! Hear ya next Wednesday.

[@mistyjames810]

Thanks Josh! Really enjoyed the show! 🤠 ⭐

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Azzy5146]

I been waiting on this series Josh, love it! Thanks.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@JenGa001]

A Billy series... AWESOME! Can't wait for your rational, common sense take on the legend himself!! I watch a lot of Billy the kid content and am always disappointed bc the creators/authors/researchers state everything as a fact when it's definitely not!! Needless to say I'm 1 minute in to the video and already immensely happy that you're NOT doing that! Your Brushy Bill is a liar video was the first one of yours I ever saw and even though I've listened to every episode, it's still my favorite!!

[@stewartdalton3298]

Been hanging for this for the past week. All Hail WILD WEST EXTRAVAGANZA 🎉🌞💯

[@iainmelville9411]

As a KZbin peasant - your thumbnails do catch the eye and are ( at least on my part ) much appreciated. I n fact thanks for the whole gig.

[@vintagecapgunsatyourmomshouse]

Josh makes the archaic cowboy lingo sound great, love it.

[@rdavid2992]

Well done Josh! Another great one

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Thank you sir, appreciate it

[@roncriswell2685]

Great channel, Emilio Estevez and another guy have written a script for "Guns 3" (Young Guns 3) Emilio will direct and star as Billy and yes Arkansas Dave will return LOL along with others including Chavez, there's still a rights issue but it will go into production hopefully sooner than later.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Where'd you hear all of that?

[@JeffLafferty]

Awesome show!

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Thank you Jeff!!!!

[@matthughes4680]

Great job Josh! Hooked on the channel, bingeing all week!

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Thanks Matt

[@stewartdalton3298]

I'm still feeling the history

[@jessehayes486]

Hey Mr. Wild West Guy. Have you ever done an episode covering the Meeker Massacre of Colorado? The story of the Northern Utes, the Ute Agency, the U.S. Cavalry. If you haven't, it's quite the wild west story and you would do it justice in telling it.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Not yet, great recommendation

[@KurtOnoIR]

Oh hells yeahhhh

[@garyolsavsky4667]

Excellent. Looking forward to the rest of your series . Good job!

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Awesome, thank you!

[@chriskaldunski8152]

Now it’s Wednesday!!👍

[@dannysimmons3167]

A little late in the day, better late than never

[@docholliday1970]

I'm a new subscriber to your Channel 💚 Thanks, Wild West Extravaganza for sharing !! ..... Virginia 🇺🇸

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Thank you

[@DgDanger72]

Another great retelling of history brother! Let’s get you to 1 million subs

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Let's go

[@user-mn5gg5cr6q]

I live in north Wales people that live 3 miles away talk very different to us

[@basilhatte]

Good coverage of the "knowns", "likely's", and WTF's of this slice of Billy's life! By odd coincidence, I just last night re-watched "Dirty Little Billy", w. Micheal J. Pollard, a factually light, yet realistically depicted portrayall of the lad's formative years. Well worth watching, if only for a gunfight scene that displays the "advantages" of a Colt Walker in actual use. Heartily recomended...

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

That is a movie I really want to watch

[@jonathanhahn3014]

Awesome stuff, keep the the good content coming!

[@wk4max]

i lost my Mom to suicide was i was 11 i feel for Billy out there on his own at that age i,its a hard life but yiu gotta fjght to stay in it ,gotta be 💪 strong

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

I'm truly sorry to hear that

[@alanquintus2069]

Another fine episode. Fun fact I live 15 miles from where Bob Boze Bell was born. Someday you'd be a great choice to run True West Magazine. Keep up the good work!

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Lol I'm not sure they'd want to associate with me but I love Bob and I love True West!

[@oregonoutback7779]

Hmmm ........ 🤔 Hank the Kid just doesn't have the same ring to it.

[@nathanielgreer2764]

Another great episode. Now I’m off to steal some butter…

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Haha

[@SkywalkerSamadhi]

10:51 silver threads among the gold Turkey in the straw

[@michaelcampbell425]

I think you did a great job so far. I agree with Bob Bozebell. The truth surrounding Billy The Kid is so shrouded in controversy, and outright lies. As an amateur historian myself I've done much research on Henry Antrum. And when you factor in an organization known as The Santa Fe' Ring, and what happened in the Lincoln County War. You begin to understand that he was more of a freedom fighter than the outlaw the media, the Santa Fe' Ring and history has portrayed him to be. He's a fascinating topic, and I'm sure you'll do your usual great job telling the story.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Thank you! I both agree and disagree. I explain it better in the upcoming episodes but I think there's a LOT we don't know. I'm not sure Billy was a freedom fighter and I'm not sure the Santa Fe Ring was as all powerful as portrayed. Billy only knew Tunstall for a few weeks, Dolan was going broke (his store was foreclosed before the battle of Lincoln) and Chisum was an opponent of the Santa Fe Ring so why steal so much from him? Ugh, I ended up with more questions than answers haha. I am of the opinion that Billy was just a criminal. A very endearing guy, fun to be around, and loyal to his friends but - at the end of the day - he stole a lot of horses and cows from folks who had nothing to do with Dolan and/or Santa Fe. I hope you still want to listen after this!

[@michaelcampbell425]

@Wild West Extravaganza Of course I do. I like your stories, and I can't dispute the facts that you bring out. Billy The Kid is a fascinating subject, and I want to hear everything you have about him.

[@BobcatWolfenstein]

I heard he became a vampire... just sayin'

[@castironskilletgranny]

I've been sick. I have missed you! Just do you know, some random Ole Texas Granny misses your historical commentary when I can't hear you.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Hope you're feeling better

[@scothammond5736]

Awesome

[@jabronisauce6833]

I always forget Billy was Irish/American I wonder if that gained him extra shit for siding with the English man that's if anyone even had a clue anyways

[@lburnstein196]

Awesome job btw

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Thanks!

[@harrypothead42024]

Almost 4 hours!

[@sirdoc1288]

Here's a theory I have, what do you think? We all know Pat wasn't liked, probably for good reasons. For example Our dispatcher always has to take a shot in every conversation. Im never late, but just this morning, "You need to be there by 8. I know you like to be late, this isn't the day for it." I imagine Pat kept taking verbal shots at the guy who killed him, and the guy finally had it and went through with it while he peed. His only claim to fame was that he killed Billy the Kid. So maybe to his face they invented, to give him a hard time, "Why heck Pat, you probably didn't do it. From what I heard, Billy got away." Or people running him down behind his back and spread false tales, "What? Pat killed the Kid. My ass. I heard the sheriff down there talked to Maxwell and she said after Pat left, Billy came to her place." Another wanted to join in and invented, "Yeah, according to a guy I know, who is friends with the men who went, Pat was dumb enough to believe the rumor that Billy grew a beard. Pat thought he shot Billy, but the idiot killed a poor Mexican with a beard." And that's what planted seeds of the idea that Billy didn't die. Then, when people tried to build a case that Billy wasn't killed by Pat, they stumbled across those rumors. Anyway, that's my theory.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Not bad. My theory is a little different. My theory is that most people (nowadays) don't like Pat Garrett solely because he killed the Kid. My theory is that he wasn't a coward at all and that our common misconception of him is wrong. Just a theory! Episode on Pat coming soon.

[@sirdoc1288]

@@WildWestExtravaganza Agree, definitely not a coward. I meant my theory on how the myth got started. I think the mistake we sometimes make is thinking that people from the past are like from another planet. But humans are humans. A few times I've seen a guy with a big accomplishment fall out of favor, then comes the rumors to discredit it. They invent things, "I heard that...." "A guy I know went over there, and the people in that area say...." "According to a woman who personally knows them said....." In the case of Pat, people from the 1950s onwards, who buy Roberts story, come across those rumors and offer them as proof. It wouldn't be the first time rumors were invented to discredit someone and unfortunately those rumors survive to give birth to myths many years later.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Yeah, very true

[@stephenbutterfield]

Did i imagine it or did you once upload a Tom Horn video, been meaning to rewatch it.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

I did but it needs to be rerecorded. As of now it's only available on Patreon

[@sillythekid7380]

Boss, if i havent mentioned it already. Id really like to hear an episode or more Utah wars. I feel like theres a lot of untapped gold concerning old west Mormon exploits.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

I did a short overview during my Jim Bridger series but I will revisit the topic again one day

[@sillythekid7380]

@@WildWestExtravaganza yeah it seems like them wild & wooly mormons just keep popping back up as you do your research & each time they sound like a definite set of characters. I suppose i should just do my own research to find out what i want to know. Google just doest have that good ol Josh twang though.

[@jokeaton]

Wow! Great narration, awareness and transparency of facts. And straight out. Thanks for the laughs with it..haha

[@jokeaton]

Do what you do. Thanks

[@michaeltwowolves3055]

What…wait…I thought brushy bill was his dad? Or cousin or nephew. I thought I heard the kid and brushy went to South America to start a ranch but would sneak back to San Francisco once in awhile. Lmao of course I’m just pulling your leg lol I just love when you get on the Ol’e soapbox with the lies of brush bill!! P.S. I 100% agree with you on brushy! 😅 edit for spelling error and large amounts of BS lol!

[@kushcraft9914]

I have to say one thing , My great grandmother Alice McCarty of South Boston would have smiled at this video... "I wonder, have you ever seen your cousin's photo . Your cousin the gun fighter ?" She said to me once when I was five . " No " I replied, The photo was of my great gram and a man very well dressed , my gram a new born being held by this man our gun slinging cousin. Taken in the front yard of the local police station of all places in the year 1907 , hilarious! She said the greatest trick the devil ever played was to convince all that the devil was dead or nonexistent. My disgusting uncle's took every after my great grandmother died and the last time I had seen this photo in question was in the year 1985 .

[@jacobballinger7208]

Love it

[@casteel765]

You Said stifflers mom 🤣🤣

[@outinthesticks1035]

Had a neighbor who seemed to follow a bit the same path as billy . Irish , Born in the 5 points area , mid 1900s, orphaned at five , he left and ended up in Alabama and was raised by a colored family . went north as a adult and was in a lumber camp in Wisconsin when he killed a man while drunk . Crossed the border into canada to avoid arrest. Ended up in north west Alberta. Was never sober . The name he used wasn't the same as he grew up with

[@jenniferbowen2081]

ok just thinking of some thing if there are knowed photos of billys brother and well some of billy also some of bushy toberts then why dont they try and do some congressmen? i would think well they would have simulator looks

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

You mean a comparison? Sure, I guess that would be possible although I'm not sure it would accomplish much. Luckily, we do have enough evidence to know that Brushy Bill Roberts was 100% not the Kid so no comparison studies are necessary.

[@lordflashheart3706]

In lieu of an Irish brogue, you could aleays lay a tin whistle track in the background lol

[@preston2899]

Hey there listen to your podcast often I've heard you mention quite a few books could you recommend me a few already read crow killer and a few others anything of the mountain man era and early say early west

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

You bet I can. Head on over to my website - link in the show notes - and click the tab at the top that says "books". You'll see three categories: Fiction, non fiction, and impactful (books not necessarily about the old west that I happen to also really like). Happy reading!

[@preston2899]

@@WildWestExtravaganza thanks!

[@SULLIEDASP]

We do have when he was born that's in New York 1859 both son's was born there and Billy was baptized there.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

If you're referring to the baptismal record, that was determined not to be the Kid

[@SULLIEDASP]

​@@WildWestExtravaganza from what I heard it was not because it had his father and mother on it.

[@SULLIEDASP]

If it was he's not the only outlaw church member to go outlaw Butch Cassidy but being baptized as a baby is kind of different then growing up in one.

[@SULLIEDASP]

Father said to of baptized him if it's true mom and dad match cinsus records and son Henry but two different ones one with only with a sister the other with only a brother same father and mother.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

I'm not entirely following you, but we don't have Billy's dad on any census records.

[@glasair38sr]

I’ll make ya famous!

[@tonyindiana]

Once upon a crime spree in Indiana I had a P.O. with the name Karen Antrum. She was a fat lady and understood my shortcomings and helped me to right my path

[@jeffplatt6713]

on his mothers find a grave it says his fathers name was patrick henry mcarty born in Ireland died in in Kentucky and is buried in Nashville Tennessee

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Is that her original grave marker from 1874?

[@jeffplatt6713]

@@WildWestExtravaganza i cant remember for sure if you search patrick henry mcarthy on find a grave it pulls him up showing Catherine devine McCarty antrim as his spouse and Joseph antrim as children it doesn't show henry (Billy) but it does say he was born in 1805 in Ireland wich would have made him like 20 yrs older than her he died in 1865

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

@@jeffplatt6713 Unfortunately modern gravestones and the findagrave website aren't great sources. I see wildly incorrect info on findagrave constantly. There's a very good chance Catherine's husband (and Billy's father) was Patrick McCarty but the question remains as to WHICH Patrick McCarty. Hopefully, it's a riddle that can be solved one of these days.

[@jeffplatt6713]

@@WildWestExtravaganzayea i agree there some mistakes even on my family's stuff on there but thanks for the reply and by the way i do i believe 100% that brushy bill is Not! billy the kid i dont see how anyone can even buy into it

[@MicahBell_1860]

I'll go rhythm

[@lburnstein196]

Do u think Billy had Irish accent?

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

No, I would find that very unlikely

[@lburnstein196]

I wonder if Katherine was from dublin

[@emmanuelosorio7707]

✌️🤠👍®️💯

[@coreyrecko]

Why use an image that is most definitely not Billy the Kid?

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

You're in luck, Corey as I explain precisely why towards the end of this episode

[@reymed1670]

Hell's kitchen

[@bradhurd6097]

I know this comment is going to be ostracized but I think it truly deserves to be investigated. I've been wondering for a while if William H. Bonney AKA Billy the Kid was in reality a tomboy. I know that sounds preposterous, but I don't think it is a road that has been traveled.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

Let's talk about it. What makes you think this could be a possibility?

[@bradhurd6097]

@@WildWestExtravaganza I don’t know if I have an answer for that. Why do some people think “Croquet Billy” and “Poker Table Billy” are indeed Billy the Kid? Both of them look like they could be women to me, and I don’t think either looks like the “Rifle Billy” photo.

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

@@bradhurd6097 It's been brought to my attention that some people think Billy may have been a female due to him appearing to have very wide hips in the tintype. I think this may be due to people only seeing very bad copies of the photo...will try to explain more later. An entire series could be devoted to fake old west photos. There's big money in it. You take someone like Billy the Kid and people want there to be more pictures. I don't know about the poker photo but with the croquet pic there was even a documentary made about it. Unfortunately, neither photo has provenance. Why do people believe? I guess because they want it to be true.

[@tiki3609]

Need DNAs!

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

How many?

[@cal4207]

What about the 10 type that has been recently proven the last five years to be Billy the Kid it's said to be worth millions

[@WildWestExtravaganza]

How much did it sell for?

[@cal4207]

I'm Irish I don't drink I don't even like the smell of liquor but there are plenty of Alcoholics in my family