Billy, the Kid, 1859-1881

Billy the Kid (b. Henry McCarty, September 17 or November 23, 1859, Manhattan, New York City–d. July 14, 1881, Fort Sumner, NM) was also known as William H. Bonney. He was an American Old West outlaw and gunfighter. The exact date of his birth has been disputed as either September 17 or November 23.

As a child he moved to New Mexico; his mother died when he was 13. As an early teen McCarty was caught steeling bread, clothing, and guns. As a result he was jailed but escaped. He later lived in Arizona and worked as a ranch hand, and with others. stole horses from soldiers and became known as "Kid Antrim" because of his youth, slight build, clean-shaven appearance, and personality. He then joined the Regulators and took part in the Lincoln County War. In April 1878, the Regulators killed three men and in April 1881, McCarty (then known as Bonney) was tried and convicted of murder and sentenced to hang. He again escaped from jail killing two sheriff's deputies and evading capture for more than two months before eventually being killed at age 21.