The Big Killing: How Billy the Kid Became the Most Famous Man in New Mexico

In the bloody Lincoln County War in New Mexico, over 200 men lost their lives, but as the Kid remarked, "I did not kill them all." Billy the Kid, did, however, escape certain death by escaping the burning McSween house in July of 1878 when the sprawling adobe was surrounded by members of the Dolan faction. When Billy the Kid jumped over a dead body in the gate and escaped, he became the most famous man in New Mexico. Three years later, and just down the road, he would pull a similar escape and that would launch him into the pantheon of American outlaws, but that is another story for another time.

Bob Boze Bell is known as America's Western Storyteller. He is an artist, author, writer and serves as executive editor of True West magazine. Bell is a popular, sought-after figure in television documentaries about the Old West, appearing as an expert in dozens of Wild West history shows. Bell won an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of the PBS special, Outrageous Arizona, a zany look at the state's centennial, that he also wrote and helped direct. As an author, Bell has brought to life Billy the Kid, Geronimo, Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok in his best-selling Illustrated Life and Times series. His books Classic Gunfights I, II and III are must-reads about the most important Old West gunfights. Bell’s Bad Men is now in its fourth printing, while his illustrated autobiography, The 66 Kid: Raised on the Mother Road, gives personal insight into the passions that have driven him on his lifelong quest to interpret the history of the American West for audiences around the world.

[obizzil]

I don’t care what anyone says, I’m just glad we are still telling this story in 2022. God bless Billy The Kid🤠

[OverlandOne]

Thank you. I have been a student of American History for over 55 years, I enjoyed listening to this history and I enjoy your channel a lot and look forward to the next installment.

[bobreece]

Darn. I missed this one live. Keep Billy, the Lincoln County War, Outlaws/Lawmen coming Bob.

[joseleswopes]

I live in Albuquerque NM and have been to Lincoln and Capitan NM so many times. Billy the Kid is huge through out NM 😎

[ExKUKicker]

Fantastic story, Bob! I always enjoy your True West accounts to what, really happened. 🤠

[rickashley]

This is the worst, most biased presentation of Col Dudley's actions I've yet seen on YouTube. He busted the intent and letter of the new law 6 ways from Sunday. He specifically needed Govenor approval to enter in to this situation and had none. It's a great example of one officer covering for two buddy former officers (Murphy and Dolan) and his own financial interests. He should have sent troops into both 'camps' but instead mixed his men with Dolan's. He allowed (if not ordered) black soldiers to fire on the house and occupants and had 3 black troops with the Dolan murderers when those in the house tried to exit and were part of those who shot a surrendering unarmed McSween. The army Court martialed him, but much like Reno after the Custer disaster wanted to distance themselves from bad publicity.

[blackpowderfirearmenthusia]

Thank you for a great story and awesome history lesson.

[Azbackyardbirdfeeder]

Love your channel sir thank you for the history/stories.

[outdoorloser]

Julian "the kid" Assange is going through a similar battle now.

[joed]

Hey booze, I've been reading your magazine since the beginning and I'm getting up there in age. QUESTION !!! WAS BRUSHY BILL BILLY THE KID ???

[marcf]

I luv listening to this man tell stories about the old west. I wish he could come to my house and tell me bed time stories every night!!

[danielwebster]

Even though I don't believe Pat Garrett killed Billy the kid I mean his daughter said he admitted to her that he didn't. Both deputy said they lied on paperwork when they knew it was not Billy the kid. And pet Garrett told Billy the kid's brother something that he liked as the brother wanted to kill him and after the meeting he actually shook hands with him. People can believe what they want I'm not necessarily talking about brushy Bill I'm talking about Billy the kid did not die that day and the people that believe he did then nothing is going to change their mind. Be that as it may Billy the kid wasn't really a murderer for example if West Harding or wild Bill longley had cutting up on the strange men on the porch they probably would have done them down and then found out later who they were. There is only three men that Billy the kid can be absolutely tied to killing the rest he was there and he might have fired the shot but probably didn't looking at this way when Sharon Brady was going down along with his deputy there was six men shooting at them Billy the kid hated despised Billy Matthews he would have been shooting at Billy Matthews who survived. There's only three men that can absolutely positively be tied to Billy the kid the rest of them may or may not have been killed by Billy the kid there's really no way of knowing

[cameronmccreary]

I need to correct you Bob it's, "posse comitatus, " there is an; "A" in between two "T"s not comidus as said at 5:02.

[larryclark]

Did you say Billy the Kid's real name is MCarty?

[nathanalmond]

Thanks so much. I really appreciate the history lesson.

[aircommando]

Seems the "Law" were the criminals in this case.

[alanquintus]

Another fine video from True West Magazine. Keep 'em coming. Watching from Garner, IA.

[KMN-bgyu]

On my bucket list - spending an evening sitting around the campfire as BBB tells stories of the Old West

[mikepulis]

Thank you, just love the details, time of incidents!
If I may, you might want to check the pronunciation of "posse comitatus".
Also a sketch of the house and chicken coop, fence, etc would help.
Keep up the good work!

[Postman]

Did you know that Pat Garrett and Doc Scurlock were from neighboring counties in Alabama? What are the chances of that? Nice video