William Bonney, aka Billy the Kid

William Bonney (1859–1881) Billy the Kid was a pathological criminal and cult hero who committed several violent crimes. A mystique surrounds Kid because there is only one known photograph of him. His killing spree began while defending his mother’s honor (although this is disputed). From that point he killed from 6 to 12 men. There may have been even more killings in Mexico. Lawman Pat Garrett killed him in 1881. Broke into the jail in San Elizario, Texas to free his friend.

Area: Central / Downtown

Source: El Paso County Historical Society

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History