Billy the Kid

Cards (8)

Billy the Kid (aka William H. Bonney) 
A famous outlaw in the West
Billy the Kid's background
1. Grew up in mining camps in New Mexico
2. Became involved in horse theft and cattle rustling
Billy the Kid got involved in the Lincoln County War
1878
Billy the Kid's side lost the Lincoln County War 
He swore he would kill everyone who was to blame for the death of one of his friends
Billy the Kid and his gang
Had hideouts all around the county
Were notorious for breaking out of jails - the justice system was too weak to deal with him
Pat Garrett
A new sheriff given the task of bringing Billy to justice
Billy the Kid's fate
1. Caught by Garrett and sentenced to death
2. Made a dramatic escape from jail
3. Tracked down and killed by Garrett at Fort Sumner in 1881
Many newspapers and books portrayed Billy as an exciting and romantic figure. People liked how he stood up to the big businessmen who dominated the West.