Did Billy The Kid dodge Death in 1881?

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Been doing a lot of reading on this. My answer is...YES.

The Kid was a Wanted Man at the time. He had a $500 bounty on his head.

Based on my reading, how I think it went down:
1) Sheriff Pat Garret was hunting down The Kid. In a dark-room, Garret thought he heard The Kid's voice. Garret shot him, man down, he's dead. Uh-oh...it's NOT the Kid.
...Garret is now on the hook for murder of an innocent man. Garret knew the routine. Pay off some heads to sign off on confirmation of the body. That's The Kid, right? Here's ten bucks. Get this body underground ASAP.
...The Kid gets wind of this situation. Garret claiming that the Kid is dead. The Kid heads down to Mexico, he's no dummy. Stays underground for years.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

[hehfest]

Watched the recent TV Series on BTH but no season 2 yet as far as I know.



Emilio Estevez played a really good BTH in Young Guns.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Watched the recent TV Series on BTH but no season 2 yet as far as I know.



Emilio Estevez played a really good BTH in Young Guns.

Thank you, heh. This one got me interested (more than I would have expected):

1) For starters, one has to wonder how Billy The Kid became a cult-hero.
...Guy did reportedly kill 21 guys by the time he was 21, the SUPPOSED age at which he died.

2) The alternative story of him NOT being the guy who was shot by Garrett seems unlikely.
...But when one listens to the details/motivations/testimonies, it sounds very plausible.

It's a long time ago, it can't be said with certainty. But I'm in the camp that Garrett proceeded to escape a manslaughter charge (against an innocent man). I believe BTK's street-smarts kicked in.

Go to Mexico for some time. People pass away, people forget. Wait a while before returning to the States. Live a quiet life in relative obscurity. I think he did, I think he lived 69 years beyond his recorded death.

[gauchojake]

I don't think he made it to see the Reagan years.

[gauchojake]

I have actually been to the log cabin in Silver City NM.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

I don't think he made it to see the Reagan years.

My mistake. Typo: 1881.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

I have actually been to the log cabin in Silver City NM.

Nice. Fun trip?

[ChuckyTheGoat]

I don't think he made it to see the Reagan years.

Jake, think I put 1981 in fact b/c I had Reagan on my mind.

Mods: please change title to 1881.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

My mistake. Typo: 1881.

Thank you, Mods.

Have done a good bit of reading on this. Truly believe that BTK lived 69 years beyond his reported death.