Why Billy the Kid Can Be Considered an Outlaw

Introduction

Billy the Kid is a prominent example of a famous outlaw. He was born in New York City in 1859 and spent his early years in Indiana and Kansas (Etulain 4). At a young age, he became involved in criminal activity and developed a reputation as a troublemaker.

Discussion

In the late 1870s, Billy the Kid headed west and ended up in Lincoln County, New Mexico, where he took part in the Lincoln County War (Etulain 47). This was a conflict between rival factions over control of the area’s livestock industry, and Billy the Kid sided with the group known as the Regulators (Etulain 95). During the course of the war, Billy the Kid was accused of killing several men, including a deputy sheriff, and he became a wanted man (Etulain 143). His skills with a gun and his ability to outsmart those who were trying to catch him are also said to be well-known (Etulain 80). Eventually, however, he was tracked down and killed by Pat Garrett, a sheriff who had been hired to bring him to justice (Etulain 247). Despite his criminal actions, Billy the Kid has become a folk hero in the American Southwest and is remembered for his defiance of authority and his reputation as a skilled gunfighter.

The reason why Billy the Kid can be considered an outlaw is that he was wanted for the murder of several men and was actively being pursued by authorities. Additionally, he was a member of the “Regulators” group during the Lincoln County War, which was involved in a conflict with the local government and law enforcement. Despite being pursued by the authorities, Billy the Kid refused to surrender and continued to evade capture, further cementing his status as an outlaw.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is apparent that Billy the Kid’s pattern of defying authorities and breaking laws can be seen as the main proof of why he is an outlaw.

Work Cited

Etulain, Richard. Thunder in the West: The Life and Legends of Billy the Kid. University of Oklahoma Press, 2020.