Billy the Kid

• from 1859-1881
• early life - grew up in mining camps in New Mexico - he didn't have a job - at 14 he got in trouble for stealing butter
• early life - more thefts followed the butter, and he moved to cattle rustling and horse stealing
• early life - Billy became famous for being able to escape from jail
• Lincoln County War - 1878 - Billy was involved in a conflict over land in New Mexico between cattle barons John Chisum and other ranchers - Chisum had a huge ranch and settlers and other ranchers were desperate for land - conflict broke out between the two sides, Billy's on Chisum's side against Murphy - the war ended with Murphy's death but one of Billy's friends had been killed - Billy swore he would kill everyone responsible for the death of his friend in the war
• Billy swore he would kill everyone responsible for the death of his friend - he and his gangs had lots of hideouts around the country, this meant they were hard to catch
• local ranchers appealed to the US President to end the violence in New Mexico - the President appointed a new governor and a new sheriff was elected - Pat Garret
• Billy's capture - eventually Billy was tracked down and brought to court where he was sentenced to death - Billy escaped as the guards were careless (Billy murdered some of the guards) - Garret tracked Billy down to Fort Sumner and shot him dead