The Untold Tale of Billy The Kid: Unraveling the True Extent of His Deadly Reign

Summary

The myth of Billy the Kid killing 21 men is not historically accurate, since he has only been directly linked to nine confirmed kills.

The misconception surrounding Billy's high kill count resulted from his inaccurate self-boasting claim and the amplification of a famous quote in a news publication. Billy the Kid's confirmed kills total nine, consisting of four individual kills and five achieved collectively with a group. Notably, his first victim was Frank Cahill, a blacksmith based in Arizona.

The MGM series Billy the Kid portrays the legendary figure of William H. Bonney with a mix of historical events, half-truths, and misconceptions about the notorious Old West outlaw. Despite the presence of the real William H. Bonney, who played a role in the infamous Lincoln County War in 1878, it is worth noting that the gunslinger's actual name was Henry McCarty. Over time, McCarty acquired a reputation as a notorious criminal and murderer, with a presumed death toll of 21 men throughout his 21-year life. However, it is clear that the truth regarding Billy the Kid's actual number of kills has been distorted due to the exaggerated folk tale surrounding him.

While it is commonly believed that Billy the Kid murdered 21 men, it is important to highlight that only nine confirmed kills have been directly attributed to him. The widespread misconception that Billy's kill count reached 21 stems from a widely circulated quote that was published in the Santa Fe Weekly Democrat, a contemporary news publication (via Las Cruces Bulletin). It is worth noting that William H. Bonney's obituary, published in the Santa Fe Weekly Democrat on July 21, 1881, just one week after his fatal shooting by Pat Garrett on July 14, mentioned that the real-life Billy claimed to have taken one life for each year of his existence.

5 Frank “Windy” Cahill

Billy the Kid's exaggerated kill count originates from his inflated self-proclaimed statements. The verified records account for a total of four killings committed solely by him, and an additional five as part of a group. His first documented victim was Frank Cahill, a blacksmith in Arizona, on August 17, 1877. In the portrayed events of Billy the Kid season 1, a young William H. Bonney, having escaped from jail in New Mexico, resided in Arizona as a ranch hand.

Cahill and Billy engaged in a heated exchange of insults, escalating into a physical brawl. In fear for his own life, Billy drew his pistol and fatally shot Cahill. While some witnesses argue that Billy acted in genuine self-defense against the much larger Cahill, other authoritative perspectives may deem him culpable of murder. Consequently, Billy promptly fled Arizona to evade potential legal consequences.

4 Joe Grant

Billy the Kid's next official kill came when he encountered the outspoken cowboy Joe Grant. It happened on January 10, 1880, at one of Billy's well-known locations in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, where he would meet his own demise the following year. Joe Grant, often intoxicated and never one to hold his tongue, managed to provoke Billy during their work on the property of the wealthy cattle rancher John Chisum. As the legend goes, Billy had grown tired of Grant's relentless troublemaking and warned him to calm down. This admonishment only served to further aggravate Grant, leading him to draw his pistol, take aim at Billy, and pull the trigger. However, fate was on Billy's side as there happened to be no bullet in the chamber. Seizing the opportunity, Billy swiftly retaliated by firing three shots into Grant's body, ending his disruptive ways once and for all.

3 James Bell & Robert Olinger

When Billy the Kid made his daring escape from the Lincoln County Court House on April 28, 1881, it marked his third and fourth solo kills. Prior to this, Bonney had been apprehended and sentenced to death by hanging, with the execution scheduled for May 13, 1881. Confined on the top floor of the courthouse, Bonney took advantage of an opportunity when the office of Pat Garrett, the sheriff, was unguarded. Seizing the moment, he managed to gain access to a loaded shotgun while the two inattentive guards, James Bell and Robert "Bob" Olinger, were occupied elsewhere.

According to the legend,

2 Billy Morton, Frank Baker & William McClosky

, Billy was left with no option but to kill Bell in order to protect himself. Although Billy recognized Bell as a good person, his need for survival compelled him to take this extreme step. Billy cunningly exploited the brief absence of Olinger, claiming he needed to use the outhouse. As Billy made his way back to his jail cell, he seized the opportunity and ambushed Bell, ultimately causing his demise. Subsequently, Billy patiently awaited Olinger's return, and once he was within reach, Billy shot and killed him through an upstairs window. It is said that, according to the mythical account, Billy cruelly tormented Olinger before ending his life, yet this claim is likely a manifestation of Billy's proud self-image.

Billy the Kid's involvement in the remaining five confirmed kills took place within a group dynamic. Following the murder of John Tunstall, which served as the catalyst for the Lincoln County War, Billy the Kid and his fellow Tunstall supporters established the Regulators. This deputized group had the dual objective of seeking both lawful and unlawful retribution for their fallen leader and mentor's death. During their pursuit of justice for Tunstall, the Regulators successfully apprehended Billy Morton and Frank Baker, two individuals implicated in the murder and affiliated with the rival Jesse Evans Gang.

On March 1, 1878, Morton and Baker, who were attempting to escape from the Regulators' custody, were shot and killed by the Regulators. William McClosky, a former Regulator, was also killed for betraying the group and aiding Morton and Baker in their escape. While it is uncertain who specifically fired the fatal shots that ended the lives of these three men, it is known that Billy the Kid, along with several other Regulators, was present and engaged in shooting at the time of their deaths. Therefore, these three fatalities can still be officially attributed to the historical figure William H. Bonney.

1 Sheriff William Brady & Deputy George Hindman

On April 1, 1878, Billy was involved in his final two notable killings. The incident took place on main street in Lincoln, NM. Alongside his fellow Regulators, Frank McNab, Fred Waite, John Middleton, Jim French, and Henry Newton Brown, Bonney orchestrated an ambush on Sheriff William Brady and four deputies -- one of them being George Hindman. Brady was widely recognized as a corrupt law enforcement officer who collaborated with the Santa Fe Ring and the rival Lawrence Murphy-James Dolan faction, both of which sanctioned the murder of Tunstall.

William Brady's death was a clear act of revenge for Tunstall's murder, making it a significant event in the Lincoln County War. The accusation of murdering Brady ultimately led to Billy the Kid receiving the death penalty. Following the act, Billy allegedly took a pistol from Brady's lifeless body, but was shot in the leg during the process. Although Billy the Kid boasted about killing numerous individuals, historical records only confirm nine of his victims.