Billy the Kid was born in New York City on November 23, 1859 to William and Kathleen McCarty Bonney and given the name William H. Bonney (There are other stories of his birth but this one is the most reliable). The first recorded killing committed by Billy the Kid was on August 17, 1877. This is also where he got his nickname "Kid". The story has it that he got in a fight with a blacksmith in a saloon where the blacksmith slapped him and threw his to the floor. Knowing that he was no match for the much bigger and older blacksmith he drew his gun and shot the blacksmith who died the next day. He was arrested but the escaped and began running from the law, something he did all of his life.

Billy the Kid eventually moved to Lincoln County, New Mexic

While the Lincoln County War went on between Billy's gang and the new sheriff George Peppin, Lew Wallace the new governor had charged Billy with murder. When Billy heard of this he told Wallace that he would turn states evidence on three killers if he received a full pardon. Wallace agreed and met with Billy on March 17, 1879. When they finally met Wallace was "shocked to see a slender boy with only a faint stubble of beard, who was the most feared gunman in the West". Even though he agreed to testify he didn't want to surrender so Wallace granted a fake arrest. Billy testified and with that it brought great fame. He reveled in this fame and couldn't get enough of it. After the trial Billy agreed to be put on a mock trial for murder but Wallace guaranteed his release. Even though he was assured a pardon Billy decided to escape. That is when Wallace put a $500 price on his head and when one of his good friends Pat Garrett became a sheriff and was sent to look for him.

o were he began working for J.H. Tunstall. Tunstall was a rich farmland owner who had

Some common words found in the essay are:
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