Wed, Jan 9, 2019
Don Wildman explores the legend of Billy the Kid to uncover the truth surrounding his infamous death in 1881. Was the young outlaw really gunned down in the night by a sheriff, or did he somehow outrun the law and live to an old age? Don examines historic evidence, questions experts and investigates the conspiracy theories in his quest to finally put the controversy to rest. Locations visited include Lincoln, NM; Ft. Sumner, NM; and Hico, TX. The episode begins with the historical version of Billy the Kid's life and alleged death and an interview with Drew Gomber before turning to William H. "Brushy Bill" Roberts of Hico, TX who claimed to be Billy the Kid in 1950. Wildman interviews Daniel A. Edwards, author of Billy the Kid: An Autobiography and Sue Land, curator of the Billy the Kid Museum in Hico, TX. Edwards provides a never before seen affidavit from Severo Gallegos, who helped Billy escape from the Lincoln County Jail, that affirms that Brushy Bill and Billy the Kid are the same person. Wildman also shows a letter from President Harry S. Truman to the lawyer who discovered Roberts stating that his evidence for Brushy is "the most satisfactory arrangement with supporting evidence I have ever seen". Wildman then interviews Sue Land of the Billy the Kid Museum, who provides never before heard audio of Brushy Bill Roberts voice. Finally, Wildman visits with a facial recognition expert who says at first the comparison of Roberts with the Kid is encouraging, but that it is not likely he was the same man. Wildman ends the episode by saying Brushy Bill's story has never been proven, but it has never been dis proven either and the mystery continues.