Today In History with The Retrospectors

Catching Billy The Kid

5 snips
Jul 14, 2025
Dive into the life of Billy The Kid, an infamous figure entangled in crime and legend. Discover how a troubled orphan transformed into a notorious outlaw whose escapades captured media attention. Delve into his incredible jail breaks and exceptional marksmanship. Explore the chaotic backdrop of the Lincoln County War, where rivalries and confrontations shaped his fate. Ultimately, witness the dramatic encounter with Sheriff Pat Garrett that sealed his legacy and sparked debates of hero versus villain.
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INSIGHT

Billy The Kid's Grim Reality

  • Billy the Kid was more a desperate survivor than a romantic outlaw.
  • The media glamorized him despite his grim reality of crimes and killings.
ANECDOTE

Billy's First Jail Escape

  • At 16, Billy stole food and then clothes and guns from a Chinese laundry.
  • He escaped jail by slipping unnoticed up a chimney, then survived a 500-mile journey without supplies.
ANECDOTE

Billy's Clever Gun Trick

  • Billy disarmed a drunken man by expertly manipulating his gun cylinder to prevent it firing.
  • His quick thinking saved lives in a tense saloon gunfight.
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