The Epic Rivalry That Shaped the Wild West: Unveiling the Untold Story of Billy the Kid and Jesse Evans

WARNING: Spoilers ahead for Billy the Kid season 2.

Summary

Jesse Evans plays a crucial part in shaping Billy the Kid's skills as a marksman and cattle rancher. However, mounting tensions and acts of betrayal culminate in a climactic confrontation between the once-close companions in season 2 of Billy the Kid.

Exploiting Jesse's generosity, Billy takes advantage of his friend by even engaging in a romantic relationship with his girlfriend, straining their friendship. As the plot progresses, Billy eventually deserts Jesse's gang to align himself with John Tunstall, leading to a significant conflict that lays the groundwork for the events in season 2.

The murder of John Tunstall by Jesse Evans and his gang ignites the Lincoln County War, causing Jesse and Billy to become adversaries. Despite their shared past and mutual respect, the war ultimately ends their friendship, resulting in tragic consequences for both outlaws.

Billy the Kid seasons 1 and 2 depict the former partnership and friendship between Jesse Evans and Billy the Kid, notorious outlaws of the Old West. Alongside William H. Bonney (Tom Blyth), Jesse Evans (Daniel Webber) emerges as a prominent and central character in the series, playing a crucial role in Billy's early development as a skilled marksman and cattle rancher. Interestingly, Jesse significantly aids Billy in their season 1 relationship, as without Jesse, Billy would have had no refuge upon his initial escape from jail.

Billy The Kid Once Rode With The Jesse Evans Gang In 1877

In Billy the Kid season 2, episode 1, Jesse and Billy find themselves at odds with each other in a way they never have before. This conflict sets the stage for a showdown that is driven by moral principles rather than loyalty to their friendship. Throughout season 1, Billy takes advantage of Jesse's kind nature and even unknowingly sleeps with his girlfriend. Despite having a change of heart and joining forces with John Tunstall in the fight for Lincoln County, New Mexico, Billy effectively abandons the Jesse Evans gang, who had been there for him for a significant period of time. These tensions and betrayals lay the groundwork for the inevitable showdown in the Lincoln County War during Billy the Kid season 2, intensifying the personal conflict between the two former allies.

In season 1 of Billy the Kid, the focus is on the genuine friendship and loyalty that develops between outlaws William H. Bonney and Jesse Evans. Initially, Evans offered Billy the chance to work on a cattle ranch, but also introduced him to opportunities for stealing livestock and other valuable items for profit. While some may argue that Evans influenced Billy in a dishonorable direction, it's important to note that Billy willingly embraced these prospects. Interestingly, the more experienced Jesse even provided Billy with shooting advice during this season, creating an ironic twist as he would later find himself on the receiving end of Billy's gun.

Billy Cut Ties With Jesse After He Became A Murphy-Dolan Enforcer

Although the Billy the Kid MGM+ series may have exaggerated Jesse Evans and Billy the Kid's friendship for the sake of the storyline, it is true that they did collaborate just a year before the Lincoln County War. In the finale of Billy the Kid season 1, Jesse Evans and his gang became hired enforcers for Lawrence Murphy, a powerful and ruthless Irishman who had controlled Lincoln County since the late 1860s. Murphy instructed Jesse and his associates to commit cold-blooded murders of innocent locals, which led Billy the Kid to stand up against Murphy and refuse to continue working for him.

Murphy held significant influence as a member of the Santa Fe Ring, a group of influential lawyers and politicians who had essentially governed the entire New Mexico territory prior to it becoming part of the United States in 1912. Together with his business partner James Dolan, Murphy had established a monopoly over goods and services in Lincoln County. In contrast to the portrayal in the Billy the Kid season 2 premiere, where Dolan is inaccurately shown being murdered by John Riley, the truth is that Murphy and Dolan had a strong alliance with law enforcement in Lincoln County, enabling them to be highly resourceful and virtually unstoppable.

Billy Accepted A Job Working For John Tunstall & Alex McSween

Billy the Kid's life of crime and violence is often portrayed sympathetically in the MGM+ series, suggesting that his unfortunate circumstances and the harsh realities of the Old West played a significant role in his path. After losing his mother to tuberculosis at the age of 15, Billy was left orphaned. The MGM+ series includes a poignant scene where Billy's dying mother expressed belief in his inherent goodness.

Furthermore, Billy's moral character is reinforced by his choice to sever ties with Jesse Evans and disassociate himself from Lawrence Murphy's brutal treatment of Native American landowners. Billy recognized that John Tunstall was a valuable addition to Lincoln County, as he fought against Murphy's monopoly and the corruption of the Santa Fe Ring. Although in reality Tunstall was motivated by personal gain, much like Murphy, the MGM+ series portrays him as a heroic figure, inspiring Billy to become one of his loyal followers.

The Jesse Evans Gang Killed John Tunstall & Started The Lincoln County War

Jesse Evans, one of Murphy and Dolan's most dependable hired hands, proved his loyalty in the initiation of the Lincoln County War. The killing of John Tunstall on his own ranch by Jesse Evans and his gang set the stage for a violent confrontation. While tensions between the Tunstall and Murphy factions existed prior to this incident, none were as direct or as brutal as this murder. Evans was implicated as one of the three members dispatched by the Murphy-Dolan coalition to eliminate Tunstall, aiming to halt the operation of his successful general store and bank, situated not far from their enterprise in Lincoln, New Mexico.

Jesse Allegedly Tried To Make Peace With Billy After The Battle Of Lincoln

The principle and allegiance to their respective factions compelled Jesse Evans and Billy the Kid to become adversaries during the Lincoln County War. In the season 2 premiere of Billy the Kid, it is evident that Jesse and Billy held deep respect and shared history, making them reluctant to engage in combat against one another. However, the tragic demise of Tunstall initiated a relentless chain of events, leading to the fatalities of numerous individuals from both sides involved in the conflict.

Jesse is thought to have attempted reconciliation with Billy following the death of Tunstall's lawyer, Alex McSween, who was killed in the Battle of Lincoln. This event effectively put an end to the war in 1878. Subsequently, the renowned outlaws never joined forces again. Billy the Kid met his demise at the hands of lawman Pat Garrett in 1881, while Jesse gradually faded into obscurity the following year. The dissolution of the friendship between Billy and Jesse stands as one of the most poignant and enduring themes in the story of Billy the Kid.