That I Didn't Know

Myths, Legends, Folklore, Historical Oddities, Space, Supernatural and Other Tales

A Little About Me

Originally from the North of England. Growing up my mother had a huge leather bound book full of stories of ghosts, alien sightings, spontaneous combustion, fairies, ghouls and more. You name it, it was in there. And I was fascinated. I've often thought about that book. I'd love to ask my mother about it but alas, she is no longer with us. So I resolved to create this site. It's the closest thing to it I could get. I hope that some of the joy I had reading that book is passed on to you here today.

Photos of Billy the Kid Header Image
History People

Photos of Billy the Kid

No Comments

Henry McCarty, better known as Billy the Kid, was born in late 1859. He would not live beyond the age of 21. During his brief life he killed at least 8 men. According to his own accounts, he took the lives of 21 men.

No matter the truth, he has been immortalised due to his young looks and ruthless streak. His legend has lived on in films, songs, books and tv shows. There was even stories that he survived and escaped to live a long and fruitful life.

Due to the time he lived in however, pictures of Billy have been very rare. In fact, until recently, the picture below was the only one confirmed to have been taken of him.

Billy the Kid, 1880

That’s it. The only confirmed picture we had of William H Bonney.

New photos of Billy the Kid emerge

At least, that was the only confirmed picture we had. Until 2010, when this picture emerged.

Billy the Kid and Members of the Regulators play croquet with their families and friends – 1878

Not much to go on, is it? This picture has been disputed since it first appeared in 2010. The subject of investigation after investigation. If proved to be genuine, it could be worth upwards of 5 million dollars. Which one is Billy? Fourth from the left, leaning on his croquet mallet. The other people are allegedly members of his gang and their families. Here’s a zoomed in version.

But we are not finished there. In 2019 a new picture of Billy the Kid emerged. This one with very little doubt about its authenticity.

Photos of Billy the Kid – Second Confirmed Picture

In 1877, Billy was pictured playing cards with members of his gang. The photo was given to Billy Wilson (also known as David Anderson), another outlaw, to keep safe.

This picture was passed onto Tomas Anderson II by his grandfather. It was given to him by the widow of David Anderson (Billy Wilson) when he went to pay his respects at David’s funeral.. All the way back in 1918. So this picture has been in the Anderson family ever since Billy the Kid gave it to David in 1877, without ever seeing the light of day.

Billy the Kid (second from left) playing cards with Richard Brewer, Fred Waite and Henry Brown – 1877

This picture has a great provenance. It has been passed down from an original outlaw who knew Billy the Kid and has never left the family. It also clearly shows Billy and can be compared to his likeness in the only other confirmed picture of him. Lastly, we know who each of the men he is sat with are.

This picture is scheduled to go up for auction, with a price expected of at least 1 million dollars. It’s a true slice of American history. Albeit a bloody slice!

It’s doubtful that anymore photos of Billy the Kid will emerge, putting a massive premium on the ones we do have. But each one that has seen the light of day has added interest to an already hugely studied topic. It seems that even 140 odd years after death, Billy the Kid still holds the public interest.

Share :