Billy the Kid

Comment by anthony martin on April 21, 2012 at 5:04pm

  This is an 1860's image-the two middle fellows are wearing a wheel cap and a John Bull hat and take a gander at those big trouser legs and drop shoulder shirts!

Comment by Polly Gulley on April 22, 2012 at 7:29am

Anthony, So you're an expert and can totally rule this photo out just by looking at it on the internet. 

Comment by Steve McCarty on April 22, 2012 at 9:02am

Look at the hat in his picture.  It's Frank McNab btw:

Comment by Polly Gulley on April 22, 2012 at 10:03am

Neat photo.

Comment by Steve McCarty on April 22, 2012 at 10:16am

I have four more pics of this fellow and a few are marked with Morgan's name, the photographer who also took my pic of the  younger kid.

Comment by Melvin Graf on April 22, 2012 at 11:14am

Golly, thanks so much for posting this image.  But you really didn't do your research on it.  The owner of the image (now banned from True West) has identified the figures from left to right as:  Billy the Kid, Doc Holliday, Jesse James, Charles Bowdre, and a ghost (you can see the ghostly figure to the far right).  With all these famous people in one photograph, it's the Holy Grail of Old West photographs and must be worth millions.

You have made me realize that Billy the Kid was one of the most photographed people of the Old West.  Any image of a young male from the 19th Century must be considered.  Thanks so much.

Comment by Polly Gulley on April 22, 2012 at 12:02pm

Thank you so much Melvin for your sarcasm. I can do without that thank you. I merely posted photos that were purported to be Billy and my intent was to discuss them and allow everyone to make up their own mind. I said from the very start that I don't know if any of them are Billy or not. And, just maybe Billy had his photo taken every chance he had. I could see him doing that. Also, I haven't seen any of your credentials making you an expert. Also, if anyone gets kicked off of this site for posting a picture then that is so sad.

Comment by Polly Gulley on April 22, 2012 at 12:15pm

Oh and one more thing. There is a good possibility that Billy and Jesse did meet in Las Vegas and maybe even have a meal together. Also, there was an article although I can't remember where I read it that Billy and Doc were in court on the day day and time. I think for a crooked gambling table. So why is it so hard to believe they could have their pictures taken together??? I'm not saying that it is. I'm just saying why not?????

Comment by Steve McCarty on April 22, 2012 at 12:47pm

It is an absolute fact that Doc lived in Las Vegas for a while and he partnered with Mike Leonard for a while in the saloon biz. I believe they roomed together.  Both were "lungers".  This was the same Mike Leonard who robbed the Benson Stage outside of Tombstone.  Doc had rented a horse to ride out to meet with Leonard and play some high stakes poker (as the story goes).  When Doc arrived Leonard was gone, so the one time dentist returned to Tombstone.  He was noticed and suspected of participating in the holdup where Bud Philpot, the stage driver and a passenger (who died later) were killed. Philpot's was buried in Calistoga, CA and I spent several days searching old over grown cemeteries for his tombstone.  No luck.

As for Jesse James?  Maybe - there is some interesting research being done now about the possible relation between James and the kid, Dedrick and Wilson who may have been working on a counterfeiting scheme.  The bills have been found.  I've seen them...or the copy of one, pretty darn amazing bill too.

So there's no telling how detailed the kid's criminal activities might have become if he had not been killed.  Kind of washes out the story that he was planning to run off to Old Mexico doesn't it.  

Comment by Polly Gulley on April 22, 2012 at 12:51pm

I have a copy of a couple of the bills too. Given to me by a well known Billy researcher and good friend.

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