132 years ago today, Billy the Kid was shot by Sheriff Pat Garrett…or so they say.
Some will have you believe that Billy lived on, Garrett shot the wrong guy, and Billy died much later. Two men claimed to be the outlaw into the 1900s. Many believed them, but history and science have proven differently.
Pat Garrett, bartender, buffalo hunter, and sheriff, vowed to rid the area of ‘outlaws’, and with then Governor of New Mexico, Lew Wallace, most known for writing Ben-Hur, placing a $500 bounty on Billy’s head – well, the die was cast!
Billy had to go.
So, Pat shot him. Billy the Kid was born William Henry McCarty, Jr. on 11-23-1859. He was not quite 22 when he was killed.
See, crime doesn’t pay! Well, unless you’re in Congress.
One comment
Comment by Zola (UP's Sister) on July 14, 2012 at 8:49 am
Did the sheriff get his $500? Or is it out there somehwere in unclaimed funds??
:-}
Zola (UP’s Sister)