Billy the Kid Billy the Kid Billy the Kid (born Henry McCarty September 17 or November 23, 1859July 14, 1881, also known as William H. Bonney) was an American Old West outlaw and gunfighter who killed eight men before he was shot and killed at age 21. He took part in New Mexico's Lincoln County War, during which he allegedly committed three murders. McCarty was orphaned at age 14. The owner of a boarding house gave him a room in exchange for work. His first arrest was for stealing food at age 16 in late 1875. Ten days later, he robbed a Chinese
Luther McCarty Palzer by way of a TKO in the 18th round in Vernon, California. It would be a title he would hold for the rest of his life which would only be a short five months. In April, soon after his win over Palzer, McCarty again beat Flynn, this time more decisively, and followed two weeks later with a win over Frank Moran. McCarty was gaining experience and becoming a better fighter each time out. Less than a month after beating Moran, McCarty took a "stay busy" fight with Canadian heavyweight Arthur Pelkey while he waited to fight another top contender