Moments in Time: Billy the Kid's Letters

S5328
This week, New Mexico in Focus celebrates the state's centennial with a look at Billy the Kid. The Kid gets national treatment as the PBS show American Experience explores what made the young Irishman into one of the most legendary icons of the American West.

[@SirBlackReeds]

Billy the Kid was basically fighting the Mafia of the American Frontier.

[@wilmoney4619]

Basically. If he had succeeded there would be no need for trump today

[@phi-vanvo4621]

Beautiful hand writing. Proof of well education in the old time.

[@donnatodd7180]

The handwriting in the two letters shown in the video don't match. They look like they were written by two different people. Makes me wonder if Billy wrote either one of them.

[@cherrybomb2527]

@@donnatodd7180 he was in jail and shackled while writing one of the letters. He even apologized for his handwriting. Not to mention he would’ve had a short amount of time to write it.

[@jamesherold8655]

@@cherrybomb2527 His use of Engish is also very good which does not fit an uneducated man. I wonder how hard it was to just vanish after being that famous ???

[@cherrybomb2527]

@@jamesherold8655 apparently he was very well educated. There’s interviews with his school teacher and evening. And don’t forget that there were no pictures of him at his peak. His picture was released not long before his death. So it would’ve been very easy for him to keep a low profile while on the run. It’s very interesting tbh.

[@ValMartinIreland]

A settled Irishman could barely write back then, the likes of Billy definitely could, not write. The letters may have been written by helpers.

[@charlenestrauss3539]

I love the excitement and love that this historian has for history.

[@greg1030]

Like no one can imagine my envy of that historian or practically anyone there when even just a decade ago NM and more than half of the West was not totally ablaze and out of water as it is now-and can only get worse, thanks to human driven climate change. My life long dream of retiring to practically any western state, with any expectation of safety, is literally up in smoke.

[@Henry.58]

WOW ,even back then you couldn't trust a Politician!

[@billybrown00]

Show me an honest politician and I’ll show you proof of god.

[@judithweedin6236]

Love to hear the truth. Our ears have trouble hearing lies

[@tracy1710]

Ron Paul ran for the first Pima County Sheriff he was Republican and a good friend of Wyatt Earp. Shibell a Democrat running for the same seat stole the election using check this out Ike Clanton and Johnny Ringo in San Simon supervise the voting booth out there and they cheated imagine that the Tucson courts made the elections get turned back over to Ron Paul

[@Stooj]

I’m guessing you’ve never been able to trust a politician

[@austinstratman2036]

Billy was highly educated for his time. No one went to college and none in the old west went to high school. By his letters, one can see he's a good guy. Just don't look sideways at him. Piss on politicians.

[@barrysutton4589]

A politician lied You can just imagine my surprise 😁😁😁😁

[@Henry.58]

@@barrysutton4589 Gov.Wallace Clinton

[@billkeane528]

and he spoke 3 languages spanish irish Gaelic and of course english

[@nathueil1]

I usually keep the picture upright when i look at him. Ill try sideways though, is there an optical illusion when its turned sideways?

[@prudd72]

Highly Educated for Anytime.. compare him to the youth of today. They can't even write in cursive, much less express themselves in the way he did.

[@billhessell7875]

A very informative, well- done documentary on a moment in history that has been recalled for over a hundred years and will long outlive any of us. May the spirit of the Kid's rebel, corruption-fighting attitude live forever!

[@melindaboxall-forsythe4415]

❤❤

[@melindaboxall-forsythe4415]

P

[@annepollock8306]

Billy was very clever. He did what he had to do.

[@rocistone6570]

I must confess that I now have a level of contempt for Lew Wallace that I never imagined possible. As I have a classical education, I have read his works. Ben Hur bored me when I read it the first time, and it was only several years later, when I read it in French translation, that I found any genuine value in it. I think it was done better as a motion picture than as a book, which is rare enough. How history itself might have been different, if Wallace, who was no gentleman, had done the gentlemanly thing, and kept his word.

[@rickdack1197]

There is no reason to blame Governor Wallace for Billy the Kid not being set free. It was a district attorney by the name of William Rynerson who stopped Billy the Kid from being released. He was a close associate with the Murphy Dolan outfit and also the Santa Fe ring. If you know your Billy the Kid history. Billy the Kids boss - John Tunstall, was killed by the Murphy Dolan outfit

[@Rollin_L]

@@rickdack1197 While Rynerson- a known murderer- is indeed responsible for not releasing the Kid, he was subject to the authority of the Territorial Governor, without independence in the circumstance. Research has proven that the Governor had full authority to issue the pardon and overrule the crooked DA. And, it is stated by the man himself in his letter, his own handwriting. It was Wallace' deliberate choice to leave the Kid in chains and it reflects on the deeply flawed character of the man. His only desire was to finish his book and attempt to redeem himself from his wretched failure at the battle of Shiloh, which General Grant held against him for decades. To Wallace, Billy the Kid was a useful tool that could be tossed away when the purpose was served. No humanity, honesty or integrity resided in the heart of Lew Wallace, only inflated ego.

[@Sporkmaker5150]

No Pendleton, the white cake with the sweet frost.

[@tirzocardoza573]

I see that movie jejeje. Where he said that to pendleton

[@randomjive7310]

Hahaha always loved that scene for some reason

[@nunyabizz1508]

Only a gen x dude knows this

[@richardgibbs5565]

To people who knew him, he was The Kid, not Billy The Kid.

[@luischavez4130]

i live in New Mexico,we have a Billy the Kid cosino horse and race track also a radio station called the KID, in Ruidoso NM.

[@angeloflight8714]

101.5 the kidd

[@lisaharrod8386]

Way to goNew Mexico!!🤠🤠🤠

[@ep8470]

Damn, I never put 2 & 2 together that Wallace wrote Ben Hur... how did I miss that? Learn something every day

[@waynegreen9157]

Hi bob bye bob best dollar 80 I ever spent😂

[@billybrown00]

Look up and see what you get old boy! That’s what the kid really said to Bob O. right before he gave him both barrels but Emilios line is pretty great as well.

[@micheleellis4074]

He had beautiful penmanship skills and punctuation. Smarter than most millenials of today.

[@mariaschuler3862]

Who'd a thunk

[@mariaschuler3862]

Lew Wallace dam Yankee@ rotinhell.com

[@629GSMITH]

I COMPLETELY AGREE

[@hughes2397]

He had beautiful penmanship, but he, himself definitely wasn't beautiful lol! He wasn't a handsome fellow by no means lol!

[@dannycrockett9878]

Imagine him and Pat Garrett being able to see the world today

[@shanedickinson745]

When you make a deal with anyone in exchange for their testimony or assistance as a law enforcement Officer or public official YOU HONOR IT . That Governor was a lower form of life than Bonny . If you loose credibility with the people you won’t solve a single case.

[@ivarfoslien116]

And wrote that book but will always remembered as that piece of shit in n.m

[@shanedickinson745]

No shit

[@jeremiahpickens5048]

He didn't exactly lie to him. He just didn't have the power against the Irish politicians that were still running Lincoln County. So he said in the movie.

[@ValMartinIreland]

Maybe Governor Wallace was waiting for Billy to be convicted and sentenced to death. He might have acted then.

[@wilmoney4619]

Beautiful video. The photos ive never seen before. Just awesome

[@casinolive_]

Why am I and so many countless souls so connected to Billy The Kid? Because we've all ben in smaller situations of being surrounded, layered by enemys (school family neighborhood traitor friends) and we were alone to see our way out too, idk 🤷🏻‍♂️ Imagine also how alone he felt, maybe depressed at times, a day or night could last for weeks before sunrise. Im dure he had some good favorite hiding spots he probably love and hated to leave and Billy had no idea how loved he would be hundreds of years after he's gone. Like to go their and give him a hug and money to have something nice to eat and tell him sorry for the rough time he was born to live thru where killing was the only safety fr being killed. I'd give him gold to run and buy a new life of freedom some remote part of the country or in Mexico maybe.

[@Rotterdamvoorhetleven]

wallace after 140 years later everyone knows he didnt kept his word❤

[@sonomawinetourdrivers3895]

Some guy radomly bought a photo of Billy The Kid at an antique shop...he paid $5...it was appraised at $1,000,000

[@nunyabizz1508]

No, ebay 10$ and it won't appraise

[@forwheelinallday]

There is only one authenticated picture of BTK. I believe it sold for $2 million at auction some years back.

[@james8156]

Billy is the true American outlaw👍

[@donutdude6258]

I remember Paul Hutton growing up and always enjoyed the programs.

[@johnpatzold8675]

Wow, this was really good, and provided me fresh insight about the kid I didn't know. If all of the Confederate soldiers could be given such generous terms by Ulysses S Grant others for the civil war, a travesty which decimated tens of thousands of men, Billy the kid should have been pardoned for the relatively few murders, by most accounts only around six or seven, that he committed. RIP William H. Bonney.

[@infinightsky]

I love Lincoln and the county, such a beautiful place.

[@bryantwaddell7380]

infinightsky Hey stick to the point idiot

[@infinightsky]

Bryant Waddell stop looking for attention

[@theking-nz1ut]

Poor billy the kid. Just goes to show. Never trust anyone?

[@suzietrecallion1042]

the king damn politicians never change.rip chevarto.

[@opcod2343]

Was he not an outlaw though?

[@ivarfoslien116]

@@opcod2343 op cock a deals a deal and back stabber is a backstabber.

[@jghbi7682]

Not exactly, be precise, be polite and have plan to kill everyone you meet

[@danielblackburn1241]

​@opcod2343 well he was wanted by the law

[@KytkaHilmarJezek]

"Moments in Time: Billy the Kid's Letters" is a brilliantly crafted documentary that delves deep into a fascinating chapter of history, one that's been etched in memory for well over a century, and will surely outlast us all. Here's to the enduring spirit of Billy the Kid, a fearless rebel who stood against corruption - may his legacy continue to inspire generations to come! 🤠📜 #BillyTheKidLegacy #TimelessHistory #InspiringRebels

[@Steve52344]

I love this! And I tip my hat to Paul Hutton, a wonderful historian.

[@susanclark3095]

I would not have thought he could write, let alone write with such skilful art. He has not been portrayed as having any such intellect. The truth of the past is full of murky untruths.

[@francesannie1149]

id sure like to touch the gun that is going to kill billy the kid

[@stevbehe]

Considering his disadvantaged up bringing it would surprising if he was literate at all. May have been another inmate or guard who wrote for him.Would have needed postage too, not sure what a stamp or courier cost in those days, may not have had much money being on the run.

[@francesannie1149]

@@stevbehe he was known for his literacy.

[@annmitchell4663]

Sometimes ppl were paid to write letters for those who couldn't read or write.

[@donnatodd7180]

The handwriting in the two letters in the video don't look like they were written by the same person.

[@natestain7103]

Whenever I see the picture of Billy the Kid I automatically think of Jackie Earl Haley in the Bad News Bears

[@danielrivera533]

Me too

[@mr.aldini6801]

Yep. I see it.

[@casinolive_]

Exactly always thot that.. very ugly dude.. However Billy was sd to be handsome and the photo didnt give him justice. His head moving so slighlty made the camera distort his face. Folks had to have a stand behind there neck to hold their heaf still for the cam to shoot and deliver a perfect protrait.

[@dianebays5484]

He sure had a pretty hand write!

[@jerrythecoo3295]

Great video!……..👀😎👍👋✌️🇨🇦

[@dontaylor7315]

William Henry McCarty, alias Kid Antrim, alias Billy Bonney, alias Chivato, alias Kid Bonney, alias the Kid, was not known as "Billy The Kid" until a newspaper invented the name during the last year of his life. Bonney was his Scottish emigrant mother's maiden name. McCarty was her first husband's name. Antrim was the Kid's stepfather's name. Edit: In the months since I posted a couple of people have told me the Kid's immigrant mother was Irish. Whichever is correct, I guess we can agree she was Gaelic.

[@ValMartinIreland]

I think it is certain his mother was Irish, McCarthy. She would be semi illiterate and unless Billy went to school in America, he would not be able to write either.

[@Rollin_L]

@@ValMartinIreland You have a real distaste for the Irish, based on your comments. Catherine McCarty was a successful businesswoman in both Wichita, KS and Silver City, NM. Perhaps in the Indianapolis area too, before going to Kansas, though not enough record exists. She was prominent enough to be the ONLY woman to have enough standing to be a signatory on the petition for incorporation of Wichita in Sedgwick County, KS in 1870. The original document with her signature (and William Antrim's), among the dozens of prominent men of the town, survives to this day and is strong evidence that she was an educated woman. She ran successful laundry and boarding businesses while Antrim was away mining with little success of her own. Had she not contracted tuberculosis and died fairly young, she would likely have stayed in Wichita and cemented her record as one if its prominent citizens for decades. Instead, with Antrim and her two sons she moved west in hopes of extending her life. Of course, we would never have had Billy the Kid had Catherine been blessed with good health.

[@luckylokomotiongarcias6152]

The legend lives on

[@anthonyl4875]

Billy was only brought down as a outlaw because he displayed family morals and fought to protect those morals. I am sorry but morals such of what Billy had was strong in the Irish / English heritage is more stronger than it was pushed in American families at that time. Maybe I feel this way from my heritage with my Dad being American and my mum is British ( actually not far in heritage from where Billy's Irish family originated from according to history) . His mother instilled her heritage with Billy on their beliefs . He did what he had to do and with Wallace not having it instilled in his upbringing as well, backstabbed Billy on not keeping his end of the agreement. I myself do not look at Billy as a outlaw myself, I look at Billy as a young man protecting his loved ones even if it ment death. A young man that taken his Irish upbringing to the Mexicans colonies around him in which they adored him as he adored them. I look at him not as a killer but as a young man who defended his loved ones and did what he felt was needed to survive. I hate Wallace, I hate those who caused harm and went after Billy. I even hate the decendants of Pat Garrett today who stopped the justified pardon of Billy. Pat Garrett was not a hero stopping anything with Billy and I don't believe Pat even killed Billy. Pat was just a drunk who his family praises today. A drunk that failed in business and was just used as a escape goat " hero" for the government to utilize to stop the negativity surrounding the territorial issues. He was far from being any type of hero and I would state this to any of his living relatives today, to their face in front of the government. For them to praise this idiot who could not even manage his own farm resulting in his own death how could he legitimately handle one of the worst small domestic wars in the history of the Country?

[@dothisjohndothatjohn2754]

Billy was from Irish stock - not British. The two are separate nationalities.

[@someguy936]

I miss Billy The Kid.

[@danielblackburn1241]

You meet him ? Knew him personally

[@pheart2381]

Nice handwriting!

[@thelmaparker7888]

Has his hand been compared to the man in Hico Texas who clams to be Billy the Kid???? That would be interesting. Because the gentleman had all the wounds Billy did. And could describe all he did with details.

[@susanmccormick6022]

He was the wrong age.He didn't speak Spanish or Gaelic & his phyz was totally different.

[@montymangum3214]

Brushy Bill was a complete hoax and thoroughly debunked by Author, and Billy the Kid historian Gale Cooper MD. Brushy bill was born in 1979, making him 2 years old when Billy was killed. Brushy Bill was illiterate, and mentally and vocationally disabled who's claim was latch onto by unscrupulous men for profit. That entire hoax, has done disservice to the real history of Billy The Kid and is shameful.

[@vicjockey]

@@susanmccormick6022 Brushy Bill did speak Spanish, which was proven on more than one occasion

[@danielblackburn1241]

​@@vicjockeydoesn't make him Billy . He was an old con man

[@WalterJoergLangbein]

The backgroundmusic makes it sometimes difficult to understand the spoken word.

[@MrJames-tw3so]

Turn up your hearing aid.

[@jacobturan7948]

"If you can trust Jesse Evens, then you can certainly trust me"- Gov. Wallace to William H. Bonney. How'd that work out?

[@darthgoggins1747]

Typical politician not keeping his word. So who's the worse outlaw ??? The man who commits acts and wants to make a change or the politician who uses that man for his own personal gain and doesn't deliver on the promises he made In exchange for testimony. One is punished and the other is not.

[@sgtjarhead99]

Billy sure had good hand writing.

[@waynegreen9157]

Hey peppin i here you got charlie Crawford down there? Yes we got a whole bunch of them.(billy shoots) Hey peppin charlie Crawford ain't with you no more 😂😂😂😂

[@Henry.58]

You really gona kill Billy the Kid with that Pistol?

[@brianmallen8887]

"You know iron boy?" "You can bet your Spanish land grant." "He's a good looking kid. Likes to whistle sad ballads."

[@susanmccormick6022]

Historically YG1 & 2 were awful!But loved them both & Emilio was born to play Chevarto.I wish though JMV had been free to play him in Chisum,as John Wayne wanted.Again not especially a true film to history,but hey,that's Hellieweird!

[@Deadpool0210]

My grandfather had told me stories about his great grandfather who was born in Buffalo Gap, Texas in 1859. He went by the name of Henry Roberts, but my grandfather believed there was no connection with Brushy Bill because he fled from New Mexico to Hico under the name Barlow Winters after he supposedly killed a man in a saloon over a card game. He told me that he was actually at Pete Maxwell's house the day before Billy the Kid was shot. He said many times that Henry aka Barlow had felt unsafe at the house, but he had always felt unsafe out of the 4 times he went to Maxwell's. However my grandfather is still alive at 62 years old and the thing is that all the stories he told me came from a journal that was written by my great grandfather. Every time he was telling me a story, he opened and read from the journal. He mentioned the McSween house while he lived in New Mexico, Sheriff Brady, the jail house, the hunt for Billy the Kid and so on. Now my grandfather is putting this journal in his will so it'll be passed on to me after he dies. He said that on the last page, a promise must be given cause my great grandfather never told his father about his journal. Maybe it's a promise that I can only share some information on regarding real details of the many things in New Mexico, but I'll have to wait and see

[@robertalford2257]

Wallace never delivered? He must have been a politician.

[@casinolive_]

Or a Dallas Cowboy

[@jamessmith5535]

Pat Garrett and William Boney used to russal cattle to gether

[@christopheramaral6180]

What? Where is your source for this?

[@raleighburner1589]

Rustle

[@markwootton3969]

It's possible Garrett helped fake Billy's death. We will never know for sure.

[@uwusmolbean]

We don't think much of Mr Wallace either...

[@VirtualFiddler]

Lew Wallace failed miserably during the battle of Shiloh/Pittsburg Landing. He failed to join up with Sherman during the first day of battle though his army was only five miles away. He was countermarching his army around while his fellow soldiers were having one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War up to that point. Grant never forgave him for his blunder.

[@susanmccormick6022]

Sheeesh,the only good thing Grant ever did!

[@Rotterdamvoorhetleven]

wow what a story❤😂

[@david-paullawrence5475]

I would like to buy those letters off of you, is it for sale and if so how much? I’m such a huge fan of Wild West history and even bigger fan of the kid

[@lisaharrod8386]

I believe those letters are a part of the state archives and would carry an astronomical price tag IF they were to be auctioned off...just sayin'... Cheers

[@MCtravler]

Many of those letters are on display in the little museum attached to the grave of Billy in Ft. Sumner, NM. Very interesting place!

[@donnatodd7180]

The two letters shown in this video don't look like they were written by the same person. It would be interesting to be able to see all the letters in the museum.

[@susanmccormick6022]

@@donnatodd7180 Love to go there.And Lees Summit.

[@Comewithmeifuwant2live]

"P.S. I changed my mind... Kiss my ass." 😂😂😂😂

[@rhut579]

Billy was pleading for his life and Wallace had no compassion. Billy didn’t kill for sport. Back then it was either kill or be killed.

[@jamesprice8959]

I would think John Chisolm is more famous than Lew Wallace. Chisolm had a trail named after him that many settlers traveled and the railroad followed.

[@danielmccomas52]

Partly true. The chisolm trail wasn't nammed after a scout that was half native. Can't remember his first name tho

[@casinolive_]

Was the largest Ranch owner of land in that time.. wealthy af

[@joes7885]

I believe it's the kid. The chin matches as well as his Adams Apple. Pat Garret was his friend and how in the world could you shoot a friend?

[@susanmccormick6022]

Ask Bob Ford!

[@brendaleverick3655]

Interesting video! And the volume is up! Thanks.🔫

[@sherrythompson9338]

If Billy the Kid wrote those letters they could compare them to known penmanship of Brushy Bill Roberts and see if the two match up to see if Brushy Bill Roberts really was Billy the Kid .

[@ScotsLyon]

Brushy Bill Roberts was illiterate by all accounts

[@jamesjack6769]

There goes the story of Brushy being Billy then. 😄

[@julianmarsh1378]

@@jamesjack6769 Not if someone else wrote the letters on Billy's behalf.

[@bobbybacon3478]

Read the damn letters

[@markg.1078]

Typical politician. I don't care if he did write Ben-Hur. He didn't keep his promise either. I suppose this destroys my idea that "back in the day" a promise actually meant something. I suppose People Are People no matter what age we are in.

[@au131951]

Governor Wallace was too hung up with writing Ben Hur to honor his position as governor or his word. He did not care a whit about New Mexico. He used his time to get his book done. He and Pat were both very weak in character and morality. In fact the men who fought against McSween and Tunstall and Billy and the myriad of other characters in the Lincoln County War were crooked, evil men. It's hard to read about that war and events leading up to it because it ends so badly for the people who had some heart.

[@lisaharrod8386]

Cheri...yours is the most intelligent post I've read on this thread...and accurate...kudos...

[@susanmccormick6022]

Yes,well said Cheri.

[@paul1962uk]

What is the guitar music called at the start of the vid please

[@WalterJoergLangbein]

I like it, too. But sometimes it is too loud and makes it difficult to understand the spoken word.

[@nathaliebleser3007]

It's called 'Jeux Interdits', which means 'Forbidden Games' in French. It is taken from a movie (adapted from a book) whose plot is somehow related to treason towards a kid... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_Games It's a perfect choice, and it made me shed tears... That's one of the few melodies I used to play on a classic guitar...

[@billyyoung9962]

I seen a documentary that claimed done of the letters were pinned by the same hand we had someone else wright them for him.

[@danielblackburn1241]

It wasn't you who penned it, that's for sure !

[@nataliahux7258]

Off topic but, if you live in new Mexico what are some middle schools, highschools, and elementary schools that are good? Thinking about moving out there On topic I'm obsessed with Billy the kid things because of Emilio Estevez in Young guns which is another reason I want to move out to new Mexico

[@Iz0pen]

Anything other than public schools.

[@dwayneross1066]

We got a bunch!!!!!

[@erichorrobin431]

He sure had nice handwriting.

[@donnatodd7180]

The handwriting in the two letters does not match. They look like they were written by two different people. Maybe Billy dictated the letters.

[@rudylobos9965]

Gringos, los felicito por la importancia que le dan a su historia, a sus personajes. Estos sujetos, no eran tan elegantes ni glamorosos como aparecen en las películas.

[@lisaharrod8386]

Are you sayin' he was purty?😏

[@rudylobos9965]

Gracias por destacar mi comentario. Eso me honra!...

[@rudylobos9965]

Gracias por destacar mi comentario. Tal distinción me honra. Y me faltó escribir, que esa falta de glamour, esa apariencia, sí se quiere tosca, es lo que los hace más genuinos, más auténticos, más interesantes. Pobrecito Billy!.......

[@DanIel-ep4qj]

My 14yr old daughter is a billy the kid fan. Gigi bear ....

[@DogWhoFilms]

“Hello Bob”

[@judithweedin6236]

Love the truth

[@gherbie3412]

My friend is Billy the kids Great great Grandson. His great grandmother is his daughter ...

[@garyhiggins4315]

Looking at the certified known photograph of Billy the Kid, I have to say that in my opinion the closest resemblance is Dustin Hoffman at the time of Little Big Man!

[@cassiasevilha809]

The cultura peoples indian ? You'res lovelys ! Fuertes ! Cassia sevilha RJ.brasil !

[@crashoverride576]

So. Has anyone done a handwriting comparison from known writing of Billy the kid and Brushy Bill Roberts??

[@danielblackburn1241]

Why bother ? Two different people

[@t.b.8837]

Why did the letters have two completely different handwriting styles on them?? I don't get it. Did someone write one for him?

[@adamhannon7656]

Todd Balyeat No, the Kid wrote both of them. But the second one he was forced to write with his handcuffs on. They kept him shackled day and night pretty much from the moment he was captured until he escaped.

[@sherrythompson9338]

@@adamhannon7656 so all that has to be done is to compare Billy the Kid letters to Brushy Bills handwriting right?

[@bustownbc2787]

That's how you write with your hand. What is he supposed to write with his feet..

[@miquel_6060]

I am related to one of billy the kids best best friends

[@Sporkmaker5150]

Don't you mean 'pals'?

[@Henry.58]

@@Sporkmaker5150 Its hard being Pals ! Charlie Bowdry

[@jacquelineflower9077]

Playing devil's advocate but those letters are written by two different people,

[@davidwright3639]

The music is too loud it should help the movie or video flow not over power it

[@johnzeszut3170]

I read that he was not shot by Pat after all and lived to a ripe old age.

[@danielblackburn1241]

Must be true then if you read it

[@deemika]

Misleading video headline! WHY didn't the narrator actually READ the letters in their entirety??

[@WalterJoergLangbein]

Gene Grant looks a little frightening to me. His stare through his glasses....

[@davidhicks9435]

I too am related to the kid, my grandfathers brothers sisters cousin was his brothers fathers son. Just wanted the world to know that lol. Smh 🤦

[@royjacobson5561]

By the way, his hand writing were very good. He must be better than me.

[@58landman]

Really? You present this report with a too loud rendition of Romanza? I had to strain to hear the narrative.

[@Richnineteenseventyone]

Did he actually write them though???

[@anthonybomberry9935]

belly crawlin in new mexico can be dangerous

[@cifey]

How did these letters survive? Did Wallace not chunk them into the fire?

[@danielblackburn1241]

Obviously he didn't

[@rhiconic]

Politicians never change do they.

[@janepodengo-go]

I rhink that billy would never have kill these two officers when lew wallace had kept his promiss

[@forwheelinallday]

Excellent penmanship from a 21 year old in the 1880's with probably not much formal education. They don't even teach cursive writing in school anymore. And politicians haven't changed much from 1880 either.

[@ValMartinIreland]

Billy could not have written that, he got someone to write it for him.

[@royjacobson5561]

B. Billy Robert did not write to Governor, but W.H. Bonney did. Pat G. knew both W.H. Bonney and B. Billy Robert, but why did Pat killed W H Bonney instead of B. Billy Robert. This situation did not make any sense. This is something we need to find out.

[@donnatodd7180]

Has anyone had a handwriting expert examine these letters? They totally look like they were written by two different people . . . but I'm no expert.

[@johnnymills4022]

The letters were not read at all. Thanks for nothing.

[@tooter1able]

He was a product of the NYC School system until age of 8 L believe and then moved West..

[@sarahstewart9773]

Hard to hear Music to loud

[@elstonflemming9487]

There is a lot more about Billy if u care to see. Even if he wasn't killed by pat Garrett. That's another story

[@ldondedam9717]

Was Billy The Kid really an outlaw or a man defending himself,

[@brianmallen8887]

I don't know, but I think he was both. Reality is always more complicated.

[@kenodell3141]

irish always rule

[@allisonalexander3569]

Except Northern Ireland (Ulster)😅😅😆

[@alro11]

wasn’t he just a teenager?

[@petejones879]

Why was it always the wild west... Was there no similar circumstances in the East or the North and south!

[@sonomawinetourdrivers3895]

The wild wild West

[@Ronald.Santamaria.Espinoza1983]

The most wanted bandit in the wild wild west in that time........... Today's day it would be the FBI looking for his ass

[@vicjockey]

Today the FBI is way more corrupt than any of the characters of the Billy the Kid Saga

[@louislamboley9167]

Billy was rustling cattle while he was writing letters. He had months to escape to Mexico while Garrett dragged his feet looking for him. He should have left when he had the chance. Garrett only reluctantly went looking for him since everyone knew he was in Fort Sumner. Billy was asking for it.

[@susanmccormick6022]

I think it's because he had been homeless for so long & now felt he had his nitch & was reluctant to leave it.

[@louislamboley9167]

@@susanmccormick6022 Yes. he had become the leader of the Regulators and longed for those times again. All his friends were dead or moved away. He was also well liked by the Mexican community and made friends with many and had a girl friend amoung them. He must have been tormented about what his next move should be. Starting all over from scratch was his only other option.