On July 14, 1881, the outlaw known as Billy the Kid was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in New Mexico. The Kid was a wild one, having killed at least 8 men and possibly many more (legend says 21) by the time he was 21 years old. The West was called Wild for a reason. Outlaws and rough justice were the way of life and battles between ranchers, rustlers, cattlemen, and robbers were not rare. Here we list 10 of the wildest of the characters that made the West Wild.
Digging Deeper
10. Apache Kid.
Named Haskay-bay-nay-natyl, it is no wonder people just called him “Kid.” The Kid worked as an Indian scout for the US Army chasing down other Apaches that were terrorizing white settlers. When at a drunken party the Kid’s father was killed, and the Kid took revenge by killing the perpetrator. When the Kid and his chums surrendered, a soldier got shot in the ankle, perhaps by an Apache or maybe by a white man shooting at the Apaches. The Kid went on the run and again surrendered, this time getting convicted but having his conviction overturned on appeal. The Kid was then rearrested and convicted again, and sentenced to 7 years in jail. He and his buddies escaped, killing a guard in the process. He spent the rest of his life on the run, committing various crimes and robberies but never again getting caught. He became a legend and may have lived into the 1920’s, continuing his raids.
